Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
“He thinks he’ll be remembered as the villain in the story. But I forgot to tell him that the villain is usually the person who locks up the maiden and throws away the key. He was the one who let me out.”
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The Basics
Title: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Published: 2017 (first published 2016)
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA — Bloomsbury
Pages: 624
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, High fantasy, Romance, Fantasy romance, New adult
Book Synopsis
Having survived Amarantha’s challenges, Feyre has returned to Spring Court with Tamlin and is in the midst of planning their wedding. What should be a joyous occasion, however, isn’t. From the nightmares of her time at Amarantha’s court that plague her each night to Tamlin’s ever-tightening grip on her freedom, she finds herself falling deeper into depression and is unsure how to escape her despair. And as if that were not enough, there is the matter of the deal that she made with Rhysand, feared High Lord of the Night Court, to spend one week each month with him. She has not heard from him yet, but she knows it is only a matter of time. Outside of Spring Court, the threat of war is also looming, and unbeknownst to Feyre, she has a crucial role to play.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: If you liked A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’re going to love A Court of Mist and Fury.
As much as I loved A Court of Thorns and Roses, it is blown out of the water by A Court of Mist and Fury. From more action, suspense, and romance to an exploration of Prythian beyond the borders of Spring Court and Under the Mountain, A Court of Mist and Fury is an even more addicting read than its predecessor. I struggled to put down this book and ended up binge reading it over the course of two days. Put simply, it’s a damn good book.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is the Feyre-Rhysand dynamic. After finishing A Court of Thorns and Roses, I had an inkling that there would be more to their relationship, and I was not wrong. The sexual tension between the two is palpable, and their overall compatibility is established over the course of the book. Their constant teasing of one another and back-and-forth banter not only add comic relief to the story but also further endear them as a couple. Although I liked Feyre and Tamlin as a couple in A Court of Thorns and Roses, this book made me team Rhysand. Rhysand, with his dark side, is able to better understand Feyre, who struggles to come to terms with the horrors that she had to commit at Amarantha’s court. Plus, Tamlin is shown to be controlling and either blind or indifferent to Feyre’s emotional state.
In addition to the Feyre-Rhysand storyline, A Court of Mist and Fury is entertaining for its fast-paced, action-packed plot. As Feyre works with Rhysand and his Inner Circle to prevent war, there is a lot of movement around Prythian and exposure to new courts and characters. There are also a lot of suspenseful scenes, where as you’re reading, you can’t help but think “how will they get out of this?” This, of course, has the effect of making you feel compelled to keep reading so that you might see how things will work out.
The characters are another highlight of this book. Feyre truly comes into her own over the course of the book. Not only does she learn to harness her powers, but she also becomes mentally, as well emotionally, stronger. Rhysand undergoes a change too. As more of his past and current intentions are revealed, he transforms from villain into hero. Conversely, Tamlin becomes something of a monster. This book also features a great cast of secondary characters. Amren, the no-nonsense, otherworldly being who is Rhysand’s second-in-command, and Azriel, Rhysand’s spy master, were two of my favorite characters.
Of course, even with its compelling plot and characters, A Court of Mist and Fury would be nothing if it weren’t for Maas’ skilled writing. Through use of a first-person narrative from Feyre’s perspective, Maas creates a highly immersive and engaging reading experience. This narration styles also builds suspense – we only know what Feyre knows. There is no omniscient narrator to tell us the thoughts or plans of other characters; we are just as in the dark as Feyre. The writing itself is also very easy to read; you never become mired in lengthy descriptions or have to pause reading to look up the meaning of a word. A Court of Mist and Fury is written in such a way to promote, not hinder, the fast-paced nature of its plot.
The not so good
I wasn’t too thrilled with what happens to Elain and Nesta toward the end of the book, mostly because I don’t like their characters that much and don’t want to necessarily see more of them in the next book. Who knows though, maybe they’ll redeem themselves in A Court of Wings and Ruin.
Feyre’s self-doubt can also be a tad tedious at times. There are several scenes where you want to reach into the book and shake her.
Overall
A Court of Mist and Fury is a highly entertaining book that sucks you in and doesn’t release you until the final word. Even then, it doesn’t fully let you go, as the book ends with a bit of a cliff hanger. I can’t wait to start reading the next book in the series!
Have you read A Court of Mist and Fury? If so, share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
