Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury
Sub-Genre: Romance
“I have no clue how there is any way I’m going to like him [Rhysand] more than Tamlin.” - Me in my review of A Court of Roses and Thorns.
So…here we are now. I absolutely despise Tamlin and adore Rhysand. I could even come up with some reasonable and good explanations for his horrible actions in the last book. I would've never imagined this happening along with a couple of other events and aspects that occurred in this book. Definitely better than ACOTAR in a multiple ways.
Continue reading for more details.
Synopsis:
Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she's now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people.
As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre's hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the 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 in turmoil.
Review:
Feyre has definitely gone through some serious traumatizing stuff in the last book so her PTSD in this book seemed very reasonable and not overly dramatic or unnecessary. Those events also changed Feyre in multiple ways, making her and what she wanted for herself different from how she was before going Under the Mountain. You would think after all that she’d just want to hide in a ball for the rest of her life to stay away from anything like that from happening again (I know I would), but instead it was quite the opposite. Feyre didn’t want to sit around in a big mansion and paint away, she wanted to get out there and be involved in everything. She didn’t want to be locked or feel stuck anywhere.
“No one was my master— but I might be master of everything, if I wished. If I dared.”
Tamlin is also dealing with the trauma of seeing his loved one being hurt and tortured. His instincts are to keep Feyre safe and away from any, and I mean ANY, possible danger. Though, his wishes and way of dealing with his trauma are clashing against what Feyre wants. This causes conflicts and problems between the two. Also, an important note, overprotectiveness in guys is definitely an “ick” of mine and a deal breaker. Tamlin really wasn’t trying to listen and pay attention to Feyre and her needs which was so annoying. Every time he neglected her, the more I started to dislike Tamlin and was like “yeahhh, no”. I couldn’t believe this was the same Tamlin as in ACOTAR. I felt like his full power was definitely getting to his head.
I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but Rhysand was a sweetheart. He also had trauma from what Amarantha made him do for her, but he was better at hiding it. He used his flirtatious, bad boy demeanor to hide his raw feelings. Though, when he did show his vulnerable side, my heart melted some more for him. He’s actually so sweet and caring and loving. He’s also smart and willing to be the bad guy to protect and serve his people and friends. He lets Feyre do as she wants, even though he seems like his instincts, too, are to protect her. Nonetheless, he lets Feyre come with him and do dangerous things without stopping her or forcing her not to as he knows she doesn’t want to be trapped in a place and sitting around doing nothing. I admire that about him.
“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.”
Rhysand and Feyre definitely have more chemistry than what Feyre and Tamlin had. Their relationship is so much fun to read about with all the remarks and sarcasm and the teasing. Their flirting and banter was the best thing ever. I loved it so much and wanted more of it and less of the actual “romance” because there were just unnecessary amounts of it. Also, on that note, a lot of the author’s word choice is quite…questionable and just no. Below is an example of what I mean, but it's a spoiler so if you want to skip over it go down to where it says, "spoiler ends".
“Hello, Feyre darling,” he purred.”
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Soooo Rhysand and Feyre turned out to be mates. Should’ve seen that coming. Though I have to say, the more the word “mate” was used, the more I felt disgusted by it. It’s just something about this word that throws me off. I just don’t like it. Like why do they need to call your significant other “my mate”. Like ew. When you could use words like “sweetheart” and “darling”, why “mate.” It feels as if the two lovers are animals, especially because every time mate shows up, I automatically think of the word “mating”. I also disliked how possessive Rhysand became and, I don’t know if it’s just me, but he definitely seemed to act more like a wild animal for her after the mating bond was put in place. Good thing there wasn’t too too much of that animal side of him, it would’ve been a deal breaker.
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One big problem I had with this book was that things felt really slow and a whole lot of getting into the details and details and more details. They slowly built up to all the high-tension and crazy plot twists that occurred at the end of the book, but it just felt quite boring at times. The main point of this book was just preparing for war which included tons of stuff about politics and kingdoms I didn’t care about. I’m hoping the 3rd book is going to be action packed and fast paced through and through. No building up to the action for like three fourths of the book.
There were other times where I couldn't put the book down, especially after the halfway point. The world building of The Night Court and Summer Court was super nicely written and beautiful as I really felt and could see what the author was trying to portray to us readers. The use of imagery was amazing as I could easily see both courts in their own unique ways. Though, in both ACOTAR and ACOMAF, the ending tension and scenes left me shocked and rethinking everything. They were extremely hooking and fast-paced and had so much put into them. There were multiple plot twists which I would never have seen coming and were actually crazy. Some, honestly, could’ve been seen coming. One in particular I felt as if I should’ve known this would happen, which I would’ve if I remembered this thing existed.
“The issue isn't whether he loved you, it's how much. Too much. Love can be poison”
I loved Rhysands inner circle. Their friends were tough and had their own pasts with obstacles they had to face. They were strong and vicious, but good-hearted. They would protect each other, and Feyre, with everything in them and would tear their enemies to pieces if they got the chance. I loved the strong females in Rhysand’s inner circle especially. They were just as dangerous as, if not more than, Rhysand. They gave me “found family” vibes as they were so caring about each other and so close. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the friend group’s interactions, especially during the tense scenes towards the end of the book. It felt so satisfying to see them slowly thinking of Feyre as one of them as they worked with her, trained her, and revealed stuff to her.
“Come on, Feyre. We don’t bite. Unless you ask us to.”
Overall, this book was an improvement from ACOTAR in multiple ways. In some ways, it didn’t improve but it’s okay. It’s a whole star better than the first. I have less complaints and the action scenes were really fun to read as they were really hooking. I hope the 3rd book will be even better than this one.
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