If you’re wondering whether or not this book can possibly live up to all the hype – we’re here to assure you it can and does. In fact, we have reviews from three Booktopians to prove it…
Review by Sarah McDuling
In case you are somehow unaware of this fact, Sarah J. Maas is a big deal. Her Throne of Glass series is a big deal. And her Court of Thorns and Roses series is also a big deal.
I’m talking big. Like HUGE.
Incredibly popular, and growing more so by the day, Sarah J. Maas knows how to write strong and relatable female protagonists. She also really knows how to tell a cracking story. Her books are so enthralling it’s not just hard to put them down – it’s unthinkable! Whenever a new Sarah J. Maas book is released, I just know I’m going to end up dropping everything in order to binge read it. I have no other choice.
Last year, I read and loved A Court of Thorns and Roses. It was a richly imagined fantasy loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast. I fell hard for the main character, Feyre, with her indomitable spirit and cast iron core of strength. When the book ended, I was bereft at the thought of waiting an entire year for the next installment.
I knew I was going to love A Court of Mist and Fury. I knew that I would probably stay up all night until I had finished it in a single sitting, and that I would spend days afterwards raving about how amazing it was. I knew all of that… and yet somehow I was still surprised by just how much I enjoyed it!
A Court of Mist and Fury is a real game-changer of a book. I never would have guessed the direction Sarah J. Maas was going to take this series. What began as a magical fairytale in the first book has now been spun out into an epic adventure. The stakes are higher. The world is bigger. The characters are far more complex and the romance is… well it’s Sarah J. Maas so it goes without saying that the romance is intense. And unpredictable!
Feyre’s love life takes a rather unexpected, but very welcome turn in this book. And of course we have a dramatic ending that will leave readers (myself included) dangling on tenterhooks until the next book comes out.
Luckily in the interim we will have the next Throne of Glass book to tide us over. Empire of Storms is due out this August and is already available to pre-order now!
Review by Emma Ryan
This is the perfect sequel to the first book in terms of Feyre’s development as a character, how she views the world and the people within it.
I particularly liked how Maas addressed the lingering feelings in the aftermath of the first book. We are reminded of just how ruthless a villain Amarantha was and her reign of terror is still felt in this book, even though she is gone. The new characters are great additions to the story and the Night Court is even more beautiful than what I pictured in my head.
This is a more adult story than the one that came before it but I loved it and could not put it down.
Sarah J Maas has created an organic visceral world where she allows her characters to learn and grow and speak their minds. I cannot wait to see where this goes next!
Review by Emily Meredith
Sarah J Maas is a total genius when it comes to plot twists. A Court of Mist and Fury is no exception.
While I absolutely love the Throne of Glass series, I wasn’t the biggest fan of A Court of Thorns and Roses. Tamlin, the hero, was incredibly controlling, and Feyre just bored me, until the last third of the book. BUT ITS SEQUEL IS SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER!
In this book, we get to see more of Rhysand, the handsome, mysterious, ‘bad’ Fae Prince of the Night Court. Feyre made a bargain with Rhysand at the end of ACOTAR – now she must spend one week of every month in his company. It sort of ties into the Hades and Persephone mythology.
The Night Court itself sounds absolutely beautiful – it was wonderful to see more of the Fae world. We also get to see the Summer Court, and I can only hope we see more as the series progresses – Maas’ imagination is just glorious!
The new characters we are introduced to are all totally fantastic. They are all powerful, but also damaged. Everyone is complex; they often have to make morally ambiguous decisions. I also really like how Maas portrays relationships – they are never perfect, nor are they quite what we expect.
I couldn’t put this book down – A Court of Mist and Fury has definitely redeemed the series, and turned me into a giant fangirl.
A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series: Book 2
The stunning sequel to Sarah J. Maas' New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses.
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 ...
About the Contributor
Sarah McDuling
Sarah McDuling is Booktopia's Category Manager for Children's and Young Adult Books. She has been in the bookselling game for almost a decade and a dedicated booklover since birth (potentially longer). At her happiest when reading a book, Sarah also enjoys talking/writing/tweeting about books. In her spare time, she often likes to buy a lot of books and take photographs of books. You can follow her on Twitter and Instragram @sarahmcduling
Follow Sarah: Twitter
Comments
November 13, 2016 at 4:56 am
I read these books to see if they’re okay for my granddaughter to read. The language and explicit sex was disgusting. I certainly won’t purchase this book for her.