***PLEASE NOTE: While this doesn't contain spoilers for A Court of Wings and Ruin, you may find that it will spoil A Court of Thorns and Roses (book #1) and A Court of Mist and Fury (book #2). You have been warned!

Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Publication date: 2nd May 2017
RRP: $17.99

Synopsis:
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring Pythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit - and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the  dazzling and lethal High Lords - and hunt for allies in unexpected places.
The earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.


**Another note: There was a lot of talk about a certain line in the beginning of the book being acephobic (not sure if spelt right but a description for those who a negative to asexuals or asexuality). I will talk about it at the very bottom of this review (after the rating) as it may be spoilery.


How does one even start a review for A Court of Wings and Ruin?

I have been waiting a year for this book to come out, and the immediate time after A Court of Mist and Fury (book #2) and the last month before this book came out were the hardest. My most highly anticipated book of the year is finally here and what do I do? I stare at it in disbelief for a moment before beginning the start of Feyre and Rhysand's final story.

STORY/WRITING

You may have heard this from others and you'll also hear it from me... The first maybe half of the book was slow. Though for me, I was absolutely fine with this. We needed to know all the details of basically everything that was happening leading up to the inevitable war, and I was happy to read it all. The second half the story was much more intense, this increased one hundredfold in part three of the book. There were so many times were my heart felt like it had seized in my chest and was going to cease beating. I had no idea what to expect of the action scenes in this book; I am a massive sucker for crazy action scenes with fighting and magic, gore and blood. I must say, it really surprised me - it was more intense than I ever expected it to be and that filled my heart with joy (and many close cardiac arrests). I was so damn happy with the way this book was written. I think I would have loved A Court of Wings and Ruin no matter what but there was so much pressure on Sarah for this book and I think she executed it wonderfully.


FEYRE

As High Lady of the Night Court, Feyre had to take on a different role in this novel however, we still got plenty of wit, attitude and everything else we love about Feyre. She is my favourite female character in this story (many people go for Mor but I am totally in love with Feyre). She got even more badass following on from A Court of Mist and Fury and I am SUPER HAPPY about it. Over the entire trilogy, I've thought Feyre's character development has been phenomenal. It really changed in each book but in a good way and a way that flowed nicely with the story.

RHYSAND

Holy mother of gods and High Lords.
Rhys is my number one forever and always.
I cannot say more about him other than that I wish there were maybe a couple more chapters from him or at least an extended one. I love knowing his thoughts from his end. Maybe I can pray for a Rhysand novella??

FEYSAND

Once again, not much I can except the fact that I am totally and unconditionally in love with Feysand. MY TRUE OTP!! I do wish there were more sexy Feysand times in the story but I'm still about it.

OTHER CHARACTERS

I am so happy with what we got in regards to both new and old characters. This isn't a spoiler because we all knew it was coming but I was so happy with being able to meet the rest of the High Lords (give me a holler for Helion please). This addition truly added to the story and without it, I would have thought less of this book *gasp* but it didn't happen, so sit back down.
Cassian and Azriel, my other loves... When they first appeared back in the story I literally cried; I think because I love Feyre so much, I really read as if I am her so it intensified the feelings a lot haha.
We got to read more into Amren's and Mor's lives which I loved, it added so much more depth to the story as well as many unanswered questions.
Since A Court of Mist and Fury, I've grown to like Nesta much more but in this book I think I grew to love her?! I love her passion and fiery goodness and I'm hoping for another story from her because I have many questions.
I loved having Lucien back in the story. He wasn't in the previous book much so it was good to have my favourite witty fox back. His and Feyre's relationship development was SO GOOD and made me happy.
There are more characters that I'd love to talk about but... spoilers.

WORLD BUILDING

The only thing to really add in here is being able to explore more of the courts, I loved it! I'm hoping for the future stories set in this world, we get to know a bit more because I am greedy. Throughout the trilogy, I've really enjoyed the fact that it's divided by seasons and solars, so being able to explore more once again, added to the story.


OVERALL

I am so happy with how Feyre and Rhysand's story ended even though it's no secret I want to read about their lives for the rest of my life. I read this quite slowly because I was honestly terrified of what was going to happen but I'm really happy with how it turned out and it makes me so excited for the new books (if you're not sure what I'm talking about, there will be new books also set in this world but not from Feyre's perspective). I have some theories which characters they will be based on so if you want to talk more make sure you message me on Instagram (@erenareads). You can message me about anything really, especially if it's gushing over the Illyrian Warriors!

The ACOTAR series has been a real hit for me, it is honestly the perfect kind of book for me, more specifically book two and three. The way they are written is what a 26 year old like me likes to read. This book contains mature content (thank you Sarah) so make sure you're into that kind of thing and aren't too young before you decide to pick it up.

I'm sorry if this review is just a gush of emotions - I don't know how else to write a review for A Court of Wings and Ruin haha.

A brilliant 5/5 stars from me.
Thank you Sarah J Maas for writing this series that is perfection.




*Below is my thoughts on the 'acephobic comment'. Potential spoilers but not much.

Firstly, there were people who commented and judged it before they had even read it - seriously?
Secondly, I would not have noticed if people weren't talking about it, and this is why:

Asexuality or asexual people are those who are 'without sexual feelings' or attraction/association. Feyre makes a comment about the Hybern prince and princess about them not having any interest in beauty perhaps because their souls had been drained away.
Now if you've read the book, you know that as soon as Feyre meets them, she dislikes them and she has good reason as to why. So her making that comment fits in with how she feels about them.
Next is that a few chapters later, the Hybern princess goes on to tell Feyre about the fun she had f***ing Autumn Court males in the war.
That is where I will leave it. I strongly believe that it is not an acephobic comment and people shouldn't be so quick to judge.

ANYWAYS, that brings my review to a close. If you loved the book and want to talk spoiler ridden thoughts, then message me on Instagram so we can chat about it because I would love to!

I'll be back with another bookish post soon!

xx

*This book was sent to me by Bloomsbury Australia in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:
Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
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"Feyre is immortal.
After rescuing her lover Tamlin from a wicked Faerie Queen, she returns to the Spring Court possessing the powers of the High Fae. But Feyre cannot forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people - nor the bargain she made with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court.
As Feyre is drawn ever deeper into Rhysand's dark web of politics and passion, was is looming and an evil far greater than any queen threatens to destroy everything Feyre has fought for. She must confront her past, embrace her gifts and decide her fate.
She must surrender her heart to heal a world torn in two".
- Sarah J Maas

This is a review/discussion of book two in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. This review/discussion will most certainly contain MAJOR spoilers because there is no way I cannot talk about it the way I want to without them - sorry! CONSIDER THIS YOUR WARNING.

Just a quick little note: I've called this a review and discussion because I find myself spilling words all over the place and I ain't sorry! So it isn't true review format but it is still kind of a review... I think? Ok, read on.

When I read A Court of Thorns and Roses last year, I deemed it my favourite read of 2015. Honestly, I loved the relationship between Feyre and Tamlin, as I think most people did, but as soon as Rhysand was introduced I was like "DAYUUM, I like you". That is actually very typically me, loving the most beautiful human who also happens to be the so-called 'bad boy'. But I was always have a soft spot for the one who was there first because if the main character (in this case, Feyre) is happy then I'm pretty happy, to an extent. I definitely knew Rhys was coming back, which I was damn excited for.

Literally within the first sentence you know something is up with our girl, Feyre. We all know that Feyre is no princess, so why is Tamlin treating her like one?
For me and I'm assuming many others (?), I stopped liking Tamlin very soon. That may be just me liking to control things but come on?! Who likes being told "no"? Not me, and not Feyre either. And I knew something was up with Ianthe but I couldn't really put my finger on it.


Once Feyre was taken into the Night Court I unashamedly admit that I felt at home. I loved Mor straight away and once we were introduced to the other new characters: Amren, Cassian and Azriel, I fell in love with them too. And then we get introduced to the city of Velaris too? Ahh... I would very much like to live there. How can you not fall in love with Rhys now? He has kept this city secret from everyone and actually loves and cares about it.

I think (one of) my favourite lines from the book was when they go to visit Feyre's sisters Nesta and Elaine, they're at the table eating and Nesta being Nesta, makes some kind of snide remark and Feyre says "I can eat, drink, fuck, and fight just as well as I did before. Better, even". A point for you Feyre because that was hilarious.

There's a scene that we all remember where Lucien finds Feyre and wants to take her back to the Spring Court but she's all badass and here is another favourite line of mine from her: "When you spend so long trapped in darkness, Lucien, you find that the darkness begins to stare back". And then her Illryian wings come out and damn, I wish the picture in my head could be made into a poster. As much as I love Lucien, we do not want to go back to the Spring Court!!

Despite all the emotions I experienced during the sudden kidnapping of Rhys, I was in awe at the devotion and destruction of Feyre as she found her way to him to save him. And soon after when Feyre meets the Suriel again, she discovers her and Rhys are mates (like soulmates, lovers, bonded forever and ever and ever) and that scene made me giggle.

Now, the best part; how good was the cabin scene?!?! I love how we get to know more of Rhys' past and story. And how Feyre then accepts him as her mate with the whole food thing and dear lord, everything after that. Rhys gets his feast (hehe!)

The scene where Velaris is invaded is action packed and awesome but no thanks to those selfish human queens! I liked how Feyre, once again unleashed her power, but now much more than ever before. And Amren, woop woop!


All that commotion with Jurian and the King of Hybern is a bit crazy. Tamlin showing everyone how much of a wanker that he is and Lucien bonding with Elaine. And there was honestly a point in that part where I wanted to throw the book across the room. Alas, I continued reading until I was finished and then thought to myself "What the f***". The extra bond. The extra feels. The way Feyre bullshits about with Tamlin. How Lucien gives her that knowing look but she keeps playing along anyway.

I absolutely that we were given that little chapter in Rhys' point of view. Another one of my favourite parts of the book. A Court of Mist and Fury was the absolute perfect book for me. If you want to know what genre or type of book I love most, this is it. It has fantasy, it has badass romance, crazy messed up scenes with the former lover and new plans to overthrow it all. Sarah J Maas, you are my queen and I am unsure how I'm meant to survive until book three. After I finished reading, I was in a massive book hangover for at least a week. The first few days were the worst and this may be a little embarrassing but I was actually depressed. I began plotting what would happen in book three; I was honestly thinking of what Feyre would do and I reckon I came up with some pretty plausible ideas. I then went on to read a little fanfic and saw many others had ideas similar to me.

I finished this book weeks ago and many people might not even read this or get this far if they do. But many thanks if you did. You can see now why I have called this a discussion (with myself) because this sure isn't review style.

I give A Court of Mist and Fury a billion stars.

Please feel free to talk to me about this book, I'm all for it, even if it's labelled a support group. So comment below, or talk to me on Bookstagram (@erenareads). Sorry for all the mess and see you next time!

x


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