REVIEW: A COURT OF MIST AND FURY (ACOTAR #2) BY SARAH J MAAS

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2)

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Publication date: May 2016

Hardcover: 626 pages

My Rating: ★★★★★

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BLURB:

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 REVIEW

The second volume of the ACOTAR series was such a delight. A lot of things happened in this book, and the unexpected revelations made me fall in love with the characters even more. Sarah J Maas’s writing is captivating and I for one wasn’t prepared for the intensity of this story. If in the first volume, the author chose to create a fairytale atmosphere, the second volume was an adventure that will remain in my thoughts forever. The plot was beautifully constructed, with action, powerful war scenes, but also funny moments, and scorching hot love scenes.

“To the stars who listen—and the dreams that are answered.”

After what happened Under the Mountain, Feyre isn’t the same girl as before. All the torture she’s been submitted to by Amarantha has taken a toll on her mind and spirit. Her will has bee shattered and nightmares plague her and she can’t seem to forget the terrors she has endured even if she’s back in Tamlins arms. Even her feelings for him become confusing, although that was what propelled her to sacrifice everything in the first place. And when Rhysand returns to claim the bargain they’ve made, Feyre finds herself in the awkward position of having to spend time with him and get to know him better, but not just him but also his friends and trusty advisors of the Night Court. Doubt is beginning to make its way into Feyre’s heart and she soon finds herself divided between “spring” and “night”.

“And I realized—I realized how badly I'd been treated before if my standards had become so low. If the freedom I'd been granted felt like a privilege and not an inherent right.”

All the characters in this book were magnificent, even the evil ones. They were all complex and unique individuals and with all the details the author gives about them I could vividly portray them in my mind. I absolutely loved Feyre’s character arc evolution. She was overwhelmed by sadness, anger and then joy and all of these emotions carved her personality so beautifully. Her conversations with Rhys were priceless. Their banter was so fun to witness and the chemistry between them was off the charts.

“I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal.

I was a survivor, and I was strong.

I would not be weak, or helpless again

I would not, could not be broken. Tamed.”

And Rhys…. oh my dear Rhys…I love him dearly. He is a character with so many layers, but once you manage to peel them off you will discover he is far from the monster he’s let everyone believe he is. He’s harboring a cruel past, crushed by sacrifices and a sense of guilt. Charismatic, but also extremely mysterious, Rhys makes such a great team with Feyre. The way he protects her but also helps her become a stronger version of herself is endearing.

“There are good days and hard days for me—even now. Don’t let the hard days win.”

The secondary characters complement the protagonists very well, helping them when needed, being the salt and pepper of this story. I have to mention Morrigan which caught my attention from the first moment she appeared. Funny, confident, powerful, she represents everything that means freedom, truth, and madness. Although she suffered terribly at one point, she carved her own path to living and reshaped her destiny. Mor is a dreamer born in the Court of Nightmares. Also, Cassian and Azriel made their way into my heart, the first one with his funny and effervescent personality and the other with his broody and silent attitude.

“I believe everything happens for a reason. Whether it is decided by the Mother, or the Cauldron, or some sort of tapestry of Fate, I don't know. I don't really care.”

A Court of Mist and Fury ends with an unexpected and mindblowing cliffhanger and I feel relieved that the third book is already published because I can’t wait to dive into the next installment and find out how things will play out for everyone. If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend it wholeheartedly!