A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

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 people: 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.

~~~~~

I stayed up until 1am finishing this book and it’s burrowed its way into my heart. I keep wracking my brain for an idea as to why this series, these books, are so addictive. And I think it all comes down to emotion. Maas just has a fabulous way of unlocking emotion in her characters and in her readers. Even if the plot slows down or there are elements that don’t make sense or give you that urge to roll your eyes, you can’t help but care about these characters and what they’ve been through/are going through. Not only are they relatable, but they just have this essence of power that’s addictive and this vulnerability underneath that’s hard to look away from. This story just sucks you right in and I completely understand now why it’s taken the world by storm. This book is widely known as the best in the series and even though I have yet to read the rest, I can’t help but agree.

We start off with Feyre, recovering at the Spring Court after the events and tortures she endured in the last book. She’s in the place she fought so hard for and is finally with the person she gave up everything to save…and yet she’s far from happy. Nightmares haunt her sleeping and waking hours and her fiance is keeping her under lock and key in fear of her ever being in danger again, slowly smothering the last embers of fire out of her. On top of it all, she has a dangerous bargain with the High Lord of the Night Court that there’s no way out of. As she learns more of this new world she’s now part of and its many court dealings and relationships, she begins to understand not is all as she’d once been told. As she begins to make her own way in the world and work towards a future she actually wants, new dangers come to light and betrayals are around every corner.

I absolutely loved the relationship building in this book. In the first book we’re so focused on this new world and Feyre’s trials that there isn’t much time for friendships or love. This book delved so much into character development, personal growth, trauma, and new love. No spoilers, but there’s such a beautiful moment between two characters that it’s probably the first fantasy novel that has made me ugly cry. There’s such great communication between the two main love interests and such understanding. They’ve both been through major trauma in the past and love and support each other through the aftermath. The new friendships Feyre makes are so healing and joyful. The “inner circle” are my new fav characters. The found family trope is strong in this one.

This book also did a lot to set up for an amazing third novel by putting all the pieces into place for an epic war, but still remained an exciting read. Usually with sequels/filler novels they feel very dry just because the setting up for the action isn’t always the most exciting part. But in this, having Feyre travel to other courts, learn her power, and see all the different obstacles they’re going to have to overcome was so intriguing. The book was fast paced, the banter between all the characters was excellent, and the new villain was amaaaaaazing. I’m so excited for what will come in the next book!

Absolutely loved this one. I think it might become one of my comfort reads. I already want to reread it. I gave this one 5 stars, and if nothing else has convinced you to start this series, let this book be the reason. Everyone needs to read it.