Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #2

Genres: New Adult, Fantasy

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Format: Kindle and Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

My Thoughts

It’s been almost 48 hours since I finished A Court of Mist and Fury (as of the time I’m writing this, anyway – it’s probably been longer by the time you’re reading this). I thought if I gave myself a couple days the book hangover would fade and I would be able to gather my thoughts for a reasonable review.

Nope.

Inside I am still a wailing, cheering, sobbing, fist-bumping, swooning, fangirling mess. So what follows may be a rambling collection of half-finished thoughts and overly emotional gushing. But if you’ve read it… you know. I mean, you just KNOW. 

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When I read A Court of Thorns and Roses last year I quickly fell in love with the characters. I was captivated by the world SJM created. And I was completely invested in the story as it unfolded. ACOMAF provided all that and more – like ACOTAR, but amped up to the tenth power. The world expanded, the cast of characters grew, histories were revealed, alliances changed. To put it simply, A court of Mist and Fury was a total game changer.

First things first. If you have not read A Court of Thorns and Roses, there will likely be a few spoilery things ahead. So run along and go read the first book now, m’kay? It’s okay, I’ll wait. Really. For all you others, let’s chat, shall we?

The beginning of ACOMAF was plenty angsty. I mean, let’s face it, Feyre was a mess. Considering what took place Under the Mountain (love how that was always capitalized, by the way, it gave it such momentous feeling) it felt realistic that Feyre would still suffer the effects. But being in Feyre’s head, feeling her grief and pain and guilt – it was heartbreaking. And the fact that she was not finding comfort where she should have been able to… yeah, that was a double whammy. And so began one ship sinking (we’re talking as hard and fast as the Titanic, people) and another ship sailing (with flags flying!).

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Feyre was not the only one suffering. Characters were struggling with the aftermath of what happened Under the Mountain – what they saw, what they endured, what they were forced to do. They handle it in different ways but none of them came out unscathed. 

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Rhysand was such an intriguing character in ACOTAR. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know (especially after the scene with he and Feyre at the end where he obviously shocked by something). Learning more about Rhys and seeing layer after layer peeled back, revealing who he truly is, was one of my favorite aspects of the book. He is such a complex character and I loved him for his determination, his protectiveness, his selflessness, his bravery and ferocity, his intelligence, his tenderness, his cunning, his leadership, and so much more. I learned so much about Rhys that I never expected, particularly how he thought of himself (insert frowny face).

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The cast of characters introduced was simply ah-mazing (#SquadGoals). Second in command Amren who is beyond fierce, Morrigan who was so welcoming and willing to befriend Feyre, Azriel and Cassian, both ferocious warriors with painful histories of their own. They formed such a remarkable group of different but like-minded souls who were intensely loyal. I became so attached to this motley group.

The plot of ACOMAF felt like it was nonstop action and never once felt slow, despite the length. There was so much happening. Amarantha’s death was clearly not the end and there is still danger from Hybern. War is coming. Preparations are being made and that means a lot of behind the scenes machinations from Feyre and Rhys and his inner circle. Where ACOTAR felt pretty insular with just two main settings (Spring Court and Under the Mountain), the gang was definitely on the move in this one - the House of Wind, the Court of Nightmares, Velaris, the Summer Court, and beyond. The imagery for every single setting was so vivid that I could see it all. There were so many situations and so many conflicts that had me on edge and unsure of how they would be resolved. Maas was a master at weaving it all together seamlessly and keeping the momentum going (not an easy feat considering the length of the book!).

I was a wreck throughout the final scenes of this book. I couldn’t bear what was happening and found myself reading a page and then setting it down. Then reading a paragraph and setting it down. I couldn’t handle it! I was screaming in outrage, silenced by shock, cringing in fear and crying at the heartbreak of it all. Sarah J. Maas, you are a cruel, cruel woman. You played my every emotion over 600+ pages and turned me into a pathetic mess. Well done, my lady.

Credit: my own photo

The thought of waiting until next May for the third book seems unbearable but until then, despite the fact that I never re-read, I envision revisiting ACOMAF again and again. Because A Court of Mist and Fury was EPIC.

5/5 Stars 

 

Have you read A Court of Mist and Fury? What are your thoughts?
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