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

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.

So, you know when you come across one of those rare books you don’t want to put down, and when you finally finish it, you wish it was still going? The kind of book you wish you could give ten stars to, not five? That was A Court of Mist and Fury. I liked the first book in the series (A Court of Thorns and Roses), but there was something missing, something not quite perfect, and I now have the answer.

Rhysand.

via GIPHY

The second Rhysand showed up in book one, I was hooked…and now I have to reread A Court of Thorns and Roses to see all the little hints Rhysand dropped and I missed. Sure, I’m always a sucker for the antihero, and I love some snarky banter, but since he wasn’t Feyre’s love interest…it was a bummer. And I have to admit I was psyched when he finagled his bargain with her so she’d have to visit the Night Court once a month. That, my friends, is what had me super-stoked for book 2. And if you want to avoid any mild spoilers, stop here!! If you haven’t read this series, go. Get. Read. And come back later to gush with me.

Rhysand. My new book boyfriend…not that I don’t have little crushes on the guys in his inner circle too. But I’m getting ahead of myself. One of my all-time favorite authors is Anne Bishop, and A Court of Mist and Fury had a definite Anne Bishop Black Jewels taste to it (more must read books for you. You’re welcome). It’s romantic fantasy at it’s finest, people. There are fey and ancient magic. Politics and betrayal. Secrets and super-villains. Tortured characters and true love. It does start out a little meh with Feyre moping for a couple more chapters than necessary (and that might because I was anxiously awaiting Rhysand), and then BAM! Could. Not. Stop. Reading. Eyes burning. Work tomorrow. Don’t care. Must finish. And now I have to wait for the next one…GAH!

Rhysand and Feyre together are just so much stinkin’ fun, even when the banter is a little on the vicious or heartbreaking side. I love how Rhysand knows exactly how to push Feyre into overcoming her obstacles when she needs it, and I love how Feyre matures into her powers, conquers her guilt, figures out what she’s worth, and goes after what she wants. And Rhysand with all the emotional scars he tries to hide from everyone…sigh. I love everything about him. Everything. He has wings, power, weapons, wit, good looks, and a secret sweet side. What’s not to love? On top of all that, there’s a ton of heart-pounding action, lots of twists, amazing world-building…a long, happy sigh pretty much sums it up. Other than the first couple chapters of moping, it’s perfection. Sarah J. Maas just made my tiny list of must buy authors.