Melissa (bookishmelissa)

"I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal. I was a survivor, and I was strong. I would not be weak, or helpless again. I would not, could not be broken. Tamed

"I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal. I was a survivor, and I was strong. I would not be weak, or helpless again. I would not, could not be broken. Tamed."

I don't even think I properly know how to express how incredible this book was. How much I loved it. How beautiful it was. How it broke my heart. How it turned around and proceeded to rebuild that broken heart. How it is a book I will never forget. I'm speechless and in awe. Every bit of hype that surrounds these books is well earned. It's been a long time since I've loved a book this much!

Sarah J. Maas has built this intricate world that is both horrifying like a nightmare and beautiful like the perfect dream. She built onto that world so much in A Court of Mist and Fury. You get to see and learn about other courts and you get to meet amazing new characters that you will fall in love with. I loved how she went so in-depth with the history of Prythian and how much light she brought on other character's pasts. When a story is that well rounded it always manages to pull me in even more because I get easily enchanted by learning about the history of a fictional world. And her writing. Her writing was as equally as enthralling in this if not more. It had me feeling everything that the characters were going through. It took me on a journey to another world with descriptions that were positively breathtaking. This author knows how to write a good book.

Can I give her an A+ for character development? Because this book might actually be the standard I hold all other books to character development wise from now on.

"No one was my master - but I might be master of everything, if I wished. If I dared."

Feyre grew so much in this book.  In A Court of Thorns and Roses we met this fiery, stubborn, caring, strong, willing to do anything for someone she loves character. In A Court of Mist and Fury said character has definitely been affected by the events of the first book. To put it simply; everything broke her and she doesn't know how to begin rebuilding herself in way to where she can somehow learn to live with what she had to do. However, over the course of this book she grows, she learns, and what comes out of that is a character that is still affected by what happened but who is able to find strength in her weaknesses. A character who is her own person and a survivor. I was so proud of her.

"I love my people, and my family. Do not think I wouldn't become a monster to keep them protected."

Rhysand, oh how you managed to weasel your way into my heart. I really felt like everything from the first book involving him came full circle. When we first met him in A Court of Thorns and Roses I will admit I didn't like him. He was arrogant, cruel, and seemingly entitled. He's definitely still arrogant, but that's just who he is. However, you learn just how much of a mask he's been putting on. He has literally sacrificed everything just to protect his people and his family. You learn how big his heart is and how much he cares. Like Feyre, everything that he's been through has affected him deeply. Just hearing about it broke my heart. He's such a strong character, literally, but all I wanted to do was wrap him up in a little box of protection. I'm telling you he better get his happy ending or I will be very mad.

"He's giving you as much free rein as he can."

Tamlin kind of regressed. Like Feyre, what happened to all of them greatly affected him. Instead of persevering and trying to push past it all though he let it consume him. His intentions were meant to be good, I know, but he let his fear and need to control warp everything. I disliked him. I disliked what he let his fear do to him and what he let his fear do to Feyre. I disliked how he let himself be influenced and how he ignored everything that was wrong with Feyre. It wasn't until some things about the past were revealed and then the end when I really hated him though. I will stop there because spoilers.

"Tamlin is my High Lord. He gives an order, I follow it."

Lucien; my favorite. We don't see a lot of him in this, sadly. I honestly think his only fault thus far is the fact that he is completely and utterly loyal. He has a no questions asked kind of loyalty that can sometimes harm more than help. I really do hope he gets his happy ending too.

"It felt like a family - the one I'd never quite had, had never dared really hope for."

Rhysand 'Inner Circle' (more like family); Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren. I loved them. All four of these incredibly well developed characters have such gut wrenching pasts that ultimately brought all of them together. They embody what a family should be like. That unflinching loyalty, love, and support, yes, but also that teasing, easiness, and comfort. I was in awe over the dynamic these four brought to the table. How well they balanced and fit with each other. You will love them.

"You sent that music into my cell. Why?"

"Because you were breaking. And I couldn't find another way to save you."

Ah, the romance. It's definitely not the ultimate focus in these books but it is there. Going into this I was thinking love triangle but no. There is no love triangle. It's such a slow building romance that starts as just two people who come to care for each other and become friends. It turns into something so incredibly beautiful that it will take your breath away. The support, respect, and loyalty between these two is amazing. They made me absolutely giddy. They fit with each other like two sides of the same coin. Plus there's a little secret but spoilers... There's also some definite possibilities for romances in the secondary characters that are as equally as beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing how they build in the next book.

Something to think about; It's ironic when you think about how in A Court of Thorns and Roses Tamlin had on a physical mask that hid most of his face versus how Rhysand had more of a mental/emotional mask that couldn't be seen. Yet the second both masks came off you learn who they really are. I'm not sure if I'm making any sense, but I found it interesting to think about.

"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."

"To the stars who listen - and the dreams that are answered."

A Court of Mist and Fury is a story of change, of strength, of weakness, of family and friendship, of sacrifice, of life and love, of betrayal, and of loyalty. It's gripping, suspenseful, swoon worthy, and it will have you drowning in every emotion possible to the point that you won't want to stop reading even after you turn the last page. You'll instantly want the next book.

 (I know that I do.)

I am sitting here in absolute awe wondering how I'm even going to start another book after the amazingness of this. Bring on the reading slump.