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Belinda's Reviews > A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)
by
by
Belinda's review
bookshelves: fantasy, high-fantasy, in-my-library, fairytale-retelling, tearjerker, favorites, tore-my-heart-to-pieces
Mar 26, 2014
bookshelves: fantasy, high-fantasy, in-my-library, fairytale-retelling, tearjerker, favorites, tore-my-heart-to-pieces
Complete and utter perfection. This book deserves 5 stars and more. I wouldn't change a single thing in this book. More thoughts later!
So. Let's talk about how much I love this book. Minor spoilers below, read with caution. Major spoilers will be hidden
If Uprooted is my favorite standalone so far this year, then this book is my current favorite book in a series this year. This may be subject to change with many other heavy hitters like Empire of Storms, The Midnight Star, Strange the Dreamer, Heartless, and The Hammer of Thor (Also The Hidden Oracle which I have not read yet, but soon!).
Still, this is going to be a tough book to beat. This book is a hunker. It is 624 pages, and many may be confused as to why this book is suddenly so massive compared to ACOTAR. I think the length was necessary. Maas said that this book was a Hades and Persephone myth retelling, so you can guess what happens to Feyre. Of course, she's taken to the Night Court to live with Rhysand. The length was needed to build the proper relationships and character growth. Without Maas taking the time to do this everything would have felt rushed. (view spoiler) The pace is slower than ACOTAR, but that doesn't mean it's boring. The world building behind the Night Court is interesting enough (and certainly beautiful), but the wonderful characters that are Rhys, Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren will keep you reading.
Oh, what can I say about Rhysand? I love him. I knew in ACOTAR that there was more to him than a cruel fae with a beautiful face, and I loved getting to know him through Feyre. Rhys is powerful, cunning, and ruthless, but he is also kind, selfless, and a little insecure. He has doubts and fears just like anyone else. The time he spent Under the Mountain was no less horrifying as everyone else's, he just managed to hide it better. The most wonderful thing about him is how much he understands Feyre. Not just because of the bond they share through their bargain, but he understands the horrors she faced Under the Mountain had left her broken and that even though she was reborn, she was no longer that same girl. He doesn't try to lock her away and shelter her from the world. He lets her do what she wishes, and heal on her terms and on her own time. Also, their banter is wicked funny.
Feyre is suffering through a great deal. She clearly has PTSD. The events Under the Mountain have left her so broken she can barely eat, and what she does eat she pukes right up after awakening from her nightmares. She's haunted by the terrible things she had to do to survive, and break Amarantha's curse. She's haunted by Amarantha herself, and can't stand the sight of certain colors and being confined. She can't even paint anymore. That part of herself was lost when she was reborn. However, the time she spends in the Night Court helps her heal. It's slow, but it's steady. She opens up to everyone, enjoys her time with Rhys and the rest, and finds some happiness even as war is brewing. (view spoiler)
Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren are plain amazing. They are wonderful supporting characters. You can feel how much they care for each other, and how much they care for Rhysand (and eventually Feyre). (view spoiler) They're all funny in their own unique ways, and they all have tragic backstories that inevitably brought them together. I find it hilarious how Amren and Mor are the scary dangerous ones, while Cassian and Azriel, though big and physically powerful, are not nearly as scary as the women. They are all forces to be reckoned with.
Okay, I sort of rambled endlessly about the characters. Don't worry, there is a plot! Even as Feyre is accustoming herself to the Night Court, she learns of a new war brewing and King Hybern is Enemy #1. (view spoiler) If his plan were to succeed, war would be inevitable and human and fae slaughter would begin anew. Rhys and co. are working to stop this plan before it can be put into action.
I also found the fae history we learn to be fascinating. We learn what exactly happened to Jurian, and learn about a female named Miryam and her lover, Drakon. Also, was it just me or did (view spoiler)
Also, I just want to say in regards to a certain something, I KNEW IT. HAHAHAHA. Guessed it from day one.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention Nesta and Elain. We barely saw them in ACOTAR, but they play a small role in here and it was nice seeing their dynamic with Feyre. Also, (view spoiler)
I'm rambling too much. The point is, this book is beautiful and captivating. The worlds we explore are lush, magical, and sometimes very frightening. The creatures we encounter scare the crap out of me, and I am very glad they're not real. I guarantee you will fall in love with Rhys and his merry band of followers, and you will be so touched by the slow romance. Honestly, some of the lines in this book made me tear up. This book was everything.
So. Let's talk about how much I love this book. Minor spoilers below, read with caution. Major spoilers will be hidden
If Uprooted is my favorite standalone so far this year, then this book is my current favorite book in a series this year. This may be subject to change with many other heavy hitters like Empire of Storms, The Midnight Star, Strange the Dreamer, Heartless, and The Hammer of Thor (Also The Hidden Oracle which I have not read yet, but soon!).
Still, this is going to be a tough book to beat. This book is a hunker. It is 624 pages, and many may be confused as to why this book is suddenly so massive compared to ACOTAR. I think the length was necessary. Maas said that this book was a Hades and Persephone myth retelling, so you can guess what happens to Feyre. Of course, she's taken to the Night Court to live with Rhysand. The length was needed to build the proper relationships and character growth. Without Maas taking the time to do this everything would have felt rushed. (view spoiler) The pace is slower than ACOTAR, but that doesn't mean it's boring. The world building behind the Night Court is interesting enough (and certainly beautiful), but the wonderful characters that are Rhys, Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren will keep you reading.
Oh, what can I say about Rhysand? I love him. I knew in ACOTAR that there was more to him than a cruel fae with a beautiful face, and I loved getting to know him through Feyre. Rhys is powerful, cunning, and ruthless, but he is also kind, selfless, and a little insecure. He has doubts and fears just like anyone else. The time he spent Under the Mountain was no less horrifying as everyone else's, he just managed to hide it better. The most wonderful thing about him is how much he understands Feyre. Not just because of the bond they share through their bargain, but he understands the horrors she faced Under the Mountain had left her broken and that even though she was reborn, she was no longer that same girl. He doesn't try to lock her away and shelter her from the world. He lets her do what she wishes, and heal on her terms and on her own time. Also, their banter is wicked funny.
Feyre is suffering through a great deal. She clearly has PTSD. The events Under the Mountain have left her so broken she can barely eat, and what she does eat she pukes right up after awakening from her nightmares. She's haunted by the terrible things she had to do to survive, and break Amarantha's curse. She's haunted by Amarantha herself, and can't stand the sight of certain colors and being confined. She can't even paint anymore. That part of herself was lost when she was reborn. However, the time she spends in the Night Court helps her heal. It's slow, but it's steady. She opens up to everyone, enjoys her time with Rhys and the rest, and finds some happiness even as war is brewing. (view spoiler)
Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren are plain amazing. They are wonderful supporting characters. You can feel how much they care for each other, and how much they care for Rhysand (and eventually Feyre). (view spoiler) They're all funny in their own unique ways, and they all have tragic backstories that inevitably brought them together. I find it hilarious how Amren and Mor are the scary dangerous ones, while Cassian and Azriel, though big and physically powerful, are not nearly as scary as the women. They are all forces to be reckoned with.
Okay, I sort of rambled endlessly about the characters. Don't worry, there is a plot! Even as Feyre is accustoming herself to the Night Court, she learns of a new war brewing and King Hybern is Enemy #1. (view spoiler) If his plan were to succeed, war would be inevitable and human and fae slaughter would begin anew. Rhys and co. are working to stop this plan before it can be put into action.
I also found the fae history we learn to be fascinating. We learn what exactly happened to Jurian, and learn about a female named Miryam and her lover, Drakon. Also, was it just me or did (view spoiler)
Also, I just want to say in regards to a certain something, I KNEW IT. HAHAHAHA. Guessed it from day one.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention Nesta and Elain. We barely saw them in ACOTAR, but they play a small role in here and it was nice seeing their dynamic with Feyre. Also, (view spoiler)
I'm rambling too much. The point is, this book is beautiful and captivating. The worlds we explore are lush, magical, and sometimes very frightening. The creatures we encounter scare the crap out of me, and I am very glad they're not real. I guarantee you will fall in love with Rhys and his merry band of followers, and you will be so touched by the slow romance. Honestly, some of the lines in this book made me tear up. This book was everything.
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Quotes Belinda Liked
“To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. “To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.”
― A Court of Mist and Fury
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. “To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.”
― A Court of Mist and Fury
“I painted stars and the moon and clouds and just endless, dark sky.” I finished the sixth, and was well on my way sawing through the seventh before I said, “I never knew why. I rarely went outside at night—usually, I was so tired from hunting that I just wanted to sleep. But I wonder … ” I pulled out the seventh and final arrow. “I wonder if some part of me knew what was waiting for me. That I would never be a gentle grower of things, or someone who burned like fire—but that I would be quiet and enduring and as faceted as the night. That I would have beauty, for those who knew where to look, and if people didn’t bother to look, but to only fear it … Then I didn’t particularly care for them, anyway. I wonder if, even in my despair and hopelessness, I was never truly alone. I wonder if I was looking for this place—looking for you all.”
― A Court of Mist and Fury
― A Court of Mist and Fury
“My friend through many dangers. My lover who had healed my broken and weary soul. My mate who had waited for me against all hope, despite all odds.”
― A Court of Mist and Fury
― A Court of Mist and Fury
Reading Progress
March 26, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 26, 2014
– Shelved
December 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
fantasy
December 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
high-fantasy
May 3, 2016
– Shelved as:
in-my-library
May 5, 2016
– Shelved as:
fairytale-retelling
May 6, 2016
–
Started Reading
May 9, 2016
– Shelved as:
tearjerker
May 9, 2016
– Shelved as:
favorites
May 10, 2016
–
Finished Reading
June 2, 2021
– Shelved as:
tore-my-heart-to-pieces
