★★★★☆.5
This was another re-read in lead up to A Court of Silver Flames, which has very recently come out! The difference between this one and the previous two books is that I have only ever read this one once, and honestly, I could barely remember anything that happened… I realised as I was reading it that it was probably because not a lot actually happened. (There will be spoilers for the previous two books in this review, but will be spoiler-free for A Court of Wings and Ruin!)
This book felt much more character and politically driven than the previous two books. There were less major events, and more small choices and character interactions which fuelled the majority of it. For me, I really didn’t mind it. I love a book that is heavily character-driven, but I understand other people’s issues that not enough happened until like, the last 100 pages. With that being said, I really enjoyed the beginning of this novel, with Feyre working as a double agent in the Spring Court. It was such a thrill, and the changing relationships and dynamics between the characters was so interesting, compared to the beginning of ACOMAF.
I loved seeing more of the world, and finally being introduced properly to all of the High Lords. All of their different and unique characteristics, and how they work within their courts was one of my favourite aspects, and the politics between them was tense but also humorous. The most character development and focus though, was definitely on Elain and Nesta. After being forced to turn into Fae at the ending of ACOMAF, seeing how the two dealt with this massive change in their lives in such different ways was really well done.
Kindness can thrive even amongst cruelty.
Sarah J Maas
One of my biggest peeves in this book is the use of the word ‘Hybern’. We have heard the King of Hybern in previous books, and it has been shortened to ‘Hybern’ when characters are talking about the king, but in THIS book!!! It meant SO MANY things. It was the king, a place, his armies?? and his people in general?? It made absolutely no sense?? I feel like Maas just lost the plot with that particular aspect of the book, it was so confusing!! Is it a place??? Is it the name of this man?? The name of his army?? Please, someone, let me know what is going on 😂
I find it wild, that Lucien left on his mission (keeping the specifics quiet cause spoilers), and then everyone just forgot about him and didn’t communicate with him at all until he showed up later. Not to mention, the ending! Honestly, many aspects of the ending were out of character and hard to believe (yes, it’s a high fantasy novel, but you know what I mean!) It was anticlimactic in a way I forgot about during my first reading of it, and that definitely impacted my final rating which I downgraded to a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Night Triumphant- and the Stars Eternal.
Sarah J Maas
I still really enjoyed this book, and this entire series, but ACOMAF is 100% my favourite book of this series. I will be reading A Court of Frost and Starlight before finally moving on to A Court of Silver Flames. I love books with multiple POV’s which is what I would have LOVED from this series, even just this last book! Each character had their place in this finale to the initial trilogy, and it would have been so wonderful to see some of it from a different point of view (although to be fair, Feyre steadily got more interesting and less annoying as the books went on). This is probably the aspect I am most excited about A Court of Frost and Starlight (which will be a re-read) and A Court of Silver Flames. Let me know what you think of this book!! Of course, if you have spoilers you want to rant about, find me on Insta @kell_read!