Book Review: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight

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A Court of Frost and Starlight 〰️

I'm not sure how to feel about this book. I enjoyed it. But if it wasn't part of the ACOTAR series, I'm not sure I would have. (Or even cared to read it). It was nice to read a lighthearted story after all that happened in the first three books. But still, this fourth book read like it was a made-for-TV Christmas movie. It was clearly a filler to tie us over until the fifth book. Probably also a cash grab. This book didn't need to be written. But again, I still enjoyed it for what it was. It wasn't my favourite read of this series.

I didn't care for how random chapters weren't told by Feyre (or even Rhys) and that chapters not in their POV were in the third person. I dunno; it just felt like a weird writing/stylistic choice. Other have it all in be first person or third person. And the random chapters in between Feyre and Rhys felt like filler within the filler. Especially Mor's chapters. Cassian's made sense. But Mor's could have been taken out, and nothing would have been missed.

But for those flaws, it was still sweet and charming and a nice little break from all the darkness. A friend told me she feels like it was Maas's way of writing from Feyre (and Rhys, I guess) and telling their story one last time before completely changing POV (and perspective) in the fifth book.

If you're a die-hard fan of ACOTAR (as I now am), I think you'll still enjoy this very short read. If not, you could skip this book and probably be just fine in going straight into the fifth. A few things may be mentioned in the fifth book that was in the fourth, but I think you'd pick up what's missing from context. After all, this book was super short (and a larger font) than its chonkier mates.

Book review: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin

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A Court of Wings and Ruin 〰️

I mentioned in my review of the second book in this series that it outshined the first one. And while I still stand by that statement, I would also now like to say the third book is even better than the first two. This book had me going through all the emotions, and I'm here for it. Loved it right from the start and was gripping the pages right until the end.

It was interesting to see Ferye back with Tamlin in the Spring Court again. Tamlin is now kinda the villain (as well as others), but he's so resentful of what Fyere did to him that I understand his motives. He made lots of bad decisions thought the series so far, but I can see he tried to redeem himself in the end. Was it enough? No, but it's a start. He was hurt and desperate, and while his choices that lead him down the path to siding with Hybern were clouded, I can see how he made those decisions. I can also see him growing from this and trying to regain his good standing with his court and with the rest of Prythian as the books go on.

Also, I never thought we'd see Feyre's sisters or family again after she turned High Fae in the first book, but they not only came back in the second book but played major roles in the third book. At first, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy their characters, but the more I read about them, the more interesting they are. I really want to know the extent of Nesta's powers, and it's cool that Elain is a seer now. It's interesting to see what the Cauldron did to them and how they still remained the same characters as they were when they were human, yet also different from High Fae.

I loved that we got to know more about the other characters in Rhysand's court. We learned a lot last book, but it was expanded even more. And it was great learning about the other courts as well. I loved watching them all come together, in the end, to fight what seemed like a losing battle against Hybern.

I also enjoyed the military stuff in this book. It normally goes over my head, but Maas managed to write it in simpler terms and in a fun enough way that I enjoyed all the military talk. Also, Fyere learning to fly was information I never thought about before when it comes to using wings. I never thought about how someone would probably use terrain and different parts of their bodies to get to fly. I'm sure it's obvious to some people, but I felt like I was learning to fly right alongside Fyere, and that was cool.

Not sure how I feel about Rhys dying and then immediately coming back. Like, it hit me hard when he died. And I would have hated to see him gone from the story for good. But having him get revived almost immediately kind of cheapened his death. It's the one part of the story I don't think needed to be there.

There were flaws, yes, but all in all, this book captivated me from start to finish, and I can't wait to see how the rest of the series progresses.

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

A Court of Mist and Fury

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A Court of Mist and Fury 〰️

I loved the first book. The first book was great. But it was nothing compared to this book. This second book completely upped the stakes and expanded on world-building, characters, and spicy romance, and I am all here for it.

I was hooked from the beginning. And I love that Feyre had major PTSD and suffered for her actions in the first book. Characters who go through something as major as she did and come out fine aren't believable, and I love it when authors give consequences for their character's actions. (I mean, I hated seeing her suffer, but at least we understood why). And I love that we see her healing journey through this book. Is she ever going to be 100% truly? Probably not. But that's okay. She's learned, slowly through the book, to deal with what happened to her in the first book. And we know that the events of the first book will be long-lasting. So kudos to Maas on that part.

I also loved how we see Feyre realize she was in an abusive relationship with Tamlin and watch her slowly fall in love with (her mate!) Rhys. I will admit, though, that I don't blame Tamlin for what he did. Was it right to lock her in when he knew it triggered her? Absolutely not. But he also went through some horrible stuff Under the Mountain, and I can see his side and need to protect her. He just didn't go about it the right way.

Also, as the story went on, I fell more in love with Rhys myself. He's such a deep and complex character, and I loved learning about his past and seeing him with his friends. Everything he did was to protect and help the ones he loved, even if it hurt him.

As the second book in this series, I think it outshines the first. I cannot wait to dive into the third book. Will the rest live up to the awesomeness of A Court of Mist and Fury? Guess I'll just have to read and find out.

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses

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A Court of Thorns and Roses 〰️

There was so much talk about this book (and series), and while some didn't like it (as with any book), most talk I've heard was not only positive but bragging about its praise. And I gotta say, after all, my friends (mostly my best friend in particular) raving about this book series, I finally got myself the box set, and I was not disappointed.

It's been a while since I delved back into fantasy books, and this was a great start. I was hooked from the first chapter, and it was hard to put the book down. I'm enchanted by this world and its characters. I love the world-building in this book. Every bit of info we needed was delivered at the right time. The pacing was well done, and Feyre's character was believable.

I will admit, I both saw the ending coming and not all at the same time. When Feyre died (didn't see it coming because we all know there are more books), I instantly knew they would revive her. What I didn't foresee, however, was that they'd turn her Fae. But it makes sense since she's going to be around the fae for a while, and growing old would take away from the spiciness I'm told is coming in later books. I love how not once throughout the book, despite later falling in love with Tamlin, it never once crosses Feyre's mind that she'd want to be fae in order to stay with Tamlin. She knew she was human and was fine with that. Even without knowing she could become fae, she never once wished, "Oh, I wish there was a way to become immortal." I love that about her. Looking at you, Twilight, lol. (I still enjoyed reading Twilight, however).

The only thing I could see an issue with is the age gap. Cause ho, boy, if people thought the age gap in Twilight was bad, that has nothing on Tamlin and friends. But they look young, and their story is great, and it's fantasy, so I can suspend my disbelief that someone who is many centuries old can fall in love with a nineteen-year-old human (which is still young by human standards). Feyre must be like a seconds-old newborn baby to Tamlin.

Aside from that, I'm hooked and can't wait to dive into the rest of the books.