House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis (via Goodreads): 

Bound by blood.

Tempted by desire.

Unleashed by destiny.

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom—and the power of love.

I read House of Earth and Blood back in 2020 when it was released, but for some reason never got around to reviewing it. 😅 I recently reread the book in anticipation of House of Sky and Breath's release (which was good since I'd forgotten a few things about the story) and decided to review it now. Better late than never, right? Maas didn't disappoint with the first book in her Crescent City series, so I hope the second one isn't a letdown (looking at you, A Court of Silver Flames). 

I want to start by saying I noticed a lot of similarities (maybe references?) to ACOTAR during my reread that I failed to see when I read the book for the first time, but I'm going to save those comparisons for another post since I want this one to be spoiler-free. I could also be grasping at straws, but I think my thoughts have merit. I can't wait to share them with those of you who've read both series and see what your opinions are!

I absolutely loved Bryce and her no-nonsense attitude. Alphaholes has been added to my vocabulary and I plan on using the term often. Although, I do wish she gave certain people the benefit of the doubt, but I can see where she's coming from. Bryce has had a lot of bad experiences being half-human and half-fae, so her jaded attitude towards dominant males is understandable. Especially when one of those males is her father. I'm still unsure how I feel about him as a character - after his confession during the Summit - but still can't forgive his actions towards Bryce and even Ruhn. 

Maas destroyed me at the beginning of this book. I was wholly unprepared for what happened, and it took me a while to get over my initial shock. It wasn't any better during the reread, because I knew what was coming and that it was unavoidable. Although, it did make me appreciate those interactions and conversations more. Going into this book for a second time gave me a new appreciation for certain aspects of the story and allowed me to look for clues and threads that would be revealed later on in the book. 

Danika and the Pack of Devils are some of my favorite characters, regardless of how brief their interactions were. I really wish we'd gotten to see more of them throughout the book, but I can understand the importance of the story happening the way that it did. 

Sabine can go jump into a river and drown.

Hunt is Hunt. I adored him as a character, and my heart broke every time Micah Gave him another file. He wanted his freedom so badly and was even willing to sacrifice pieces of his soul to achieve it. I'm so happy he found Bryce and that they had each other to lean on, and I enjoyed seeing their friendship take shape. It made me happy to watch them go from acquaintances that were being forced to work together, to actual friends that depended on one another. She had his back and he had hers, and they would literally go to the ends of the earth if it meant helping each other.

The sexual tension in this book was palpable, and I'm disappointed Maas didn't let it go any further than it did. Bryce and Hunt were conveniently interrupted every time they started to act on their feelings. It was a little annoying by the end when I thought they'd FINALLY have their moment, only to be stopped before anything could really start. Don't even get me started on how House of Sky and Breath starts... Ridiculous. 

This book is PHENOMENAL. I never wanted to put it down, but once I got to Chapter 68 it was impossible to stop reading. The culmination of this story is just... WOW. There are no words to describe just how amazing the last part of House of Earth and Blood is. I don't know how Maas plans and builds her stories, but damn she's good (still ignoring you ACOSF).

There were a few inconsistencies that I wish someone had caught, but they're easy enough to overlook. For example, on page 225 Lehabah was "curling along Syrinx's side," but then on 226 she "flowed toward the distant shelves behind them," and then a few sentences later she's wrapping "Syrinx's tail around herself like a fur shawl."

Another example would be Bryce's choice of shoes. On page 249 she was walking, "her heels eating up the pavement," and on 251 she's running, "despite the flimsy flats she'd switched into at the gallery."

Hunt's eyes are yet another example. On page 346 Bryce comments: "He was close enough that she realized his eyes weren't black after all, but rather a shade of darkest brown." But every other time she mentions his eyes, they're black (even after this realization). On page 410 she thinks, "His face was flushed, and his eyes . . . Fucking Solas, his black eyes glittered, wholly fixed on her face."

These are small details that don't really affect the overall story, but I thought they were worth mentioning since they caught my eye. They didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story or my love for its characters. Maas is really adept at fleshing out her secondary characters - even the ones I love to hate.

Lehabah, Syrinx, Aidas, Jesiba, June, Fury, Isaiah - all amazing, wonderful characters that I want to learn more about. Their roles range in importance throughout the book, but I think they're all vital to making this book one of the best I've ever read. However, I do wish Bryce's mother had been... warmer. She's so hostile - even towards Bryce sometimes - and it really grated on my nerves. She has a damn good reason to be protective of her daughter, but I still think she should have at least smiled and been happy around daughter every once in a while. She was almost Fae herself with that chip on her shoulder; the cold way she observed the world and everyone in it. 

House of Earth and Blood made me ugly cry numerous times, even during my reread. Maas likes to hit you where it hurts and then keep throwing punches. My poor, poor heart. If you haven't picked this one up yet, definitely give it a shot! It's worth it. Hopefully (!!!) Aidas is in the next book along with some answers. (★★★★★)

Stop reading if you haven't read the book! Small spoiler: How did Hunt and Viktoria get on the barge? I know Justinian painted his wings black to go unnoticed while flying, but he wouldn't have been able to carry the other two by himself. Since it was the Viper Queen's boat and there was nothing else in the water, how'd they get there?

Stop reading if you haven't read this book or A Court of Silver Flames! Another small spoiler: Additionally, why does Maas keep having her characters toss things into the water never to be seen or heard of again??? First, Cassian and his gift for Nesta and now Viktoria. 

Stop reading if you haven't read the book! Small spoiler: Speaking of leaving things... why did Bryce set the sword and her phone down? Both were on her person while she was fighting - the former on her back and the latter in her pocket - so it doesn't make sense that she'd leave them against a wall (especially considering how important the sword was). It's also incredibly frustrating that it wasn't mentioned again at the end of the book, yet Bryce comments on having to get a new phone. I feel like the Fendyr sword is a little more important. 

Stop reading if you haven't read the book! Small spoiler: Bryce gave up her eternal resting place for Danika, right? Danika then uses the last spark of her life to help Bryce make the Drop, so her essence is no longer in the Bone Quarter... does that mean Bryce gets her spot back? Or did they both just doom themselves to a nonexistence after death?

A ​Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

I didn't read ACOTAR until two summers ago, so I was very late to the party! However, I devoured the entire trilogy - including A Court of Frost and Starlight - within a week. I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to start reading the series, but I'm happy I was able to read them all at once (waiting would have been torture, especially with some of those cliffhangers). Like everyone else, I couldn't wait for the continuation of the series and Nesta's story. She wasn't my favorite character in ACOTAR, but she did grow on me throughout A Court of Silver Flames. 

Stop reading here if you haven't read the first three books in the series! Small spoilers ahead. Nesta is struggling with the loss of her father and what she sees as her personal failure to prevent his death. On top of all that, she's dealing with how she felt about him her entire life and how awfully she treated Papa Archeron. He never had anything but love for his daughters, and he proved that love in a big way at the end of A Court of Wings and Ruin. We get to see how his words and actions during the battle with Hybern deeply affected Nesta and her mental health. She doesn't know how to forgive herself or others, with the former being more of an issue than anyone realized. Only Cassian never wavered in his beliefs, or his desire to help Nesta heal. Obviously, her actions affected him and made him feel terrible, but he kept reaching out his hand like Amren said. He loved Nesta - the good parts and the bad - and his actions always reflected that.

One of my quibbles with this book was the lack of Cassian. Yes, he's present throughout the entire book, alternating perspectives with Nesta, but we don't really learn anything new about him or his history. Everything he shares with Nesta is something we learned throughout the previous books. I wanted him to open up and share new information with her, things that were deeply personal and not often discussed with the others. I think it would have helped them form a stronger bond and allowed us to see how he's changed over the last 500 years. I think what he shared about the Valkyries was new, but it also felt familiar. Everything about the Valkyries was interesting! I wish there had been more.

A lot of people are upset by how "graphic" the sex scenes were, which I find to be immensely frustrating. ACOTAR should never have been marketed as a YA series, since Feyre was an adult throughout most of the books. It's also not fair to place human standards and expectations on mythical creatures like the fae. They don't follow the same rules or have the same limitations. I think Maas did a wonderful job with Feyre's story, and I think she perfectly conveyed Nesta's personality as well. People seem to forget that Nesta is the eldest Archeron, which definitely makes her adult. I'm happy this series received an 18+ recommendation, but I also don't think Maas simply wrote "smut" for the hell of it. Sex was a release for Nesta - a way to get herself out of her head - and wine and music provided similar distractions for her nightmarish thoughts. It was how she chose to deal with her demons, and that's not uncommon. It's okay for Nesta to enjoy sex. It's okay for Nesta and Cassian to enjoy rough sex. It's okay that Maas was descriptive about those encounters. It's okay that sex was a big part of Nesta's story. Nesta is her own person with her own problems, so she obviously has her own way of dealing with things. Nesta's book is somewhat separate from the original trilogy, but it's also a continuation of the previous books. I do not agree that they should have been marketed separately or as something new, but I do believe all of the ACOTAR books should be shelved as Adult Fantasy. 

Another thing people seem to be worried about: teen readers. I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. If I'm being completely honest, I learned most of my information regarding sex from books. I sure as hell didn't learn about it in school or from my parents. There's nothing wrong with books having "graphic" sex scenes, and I don't think we should put so many limitations on what certain people can read. Shielding teenagers - especially young girls - from sex, typically does more harm than good.

I absolutely loved Gwyn and Emerie! I thought they were lovely, amazing friends, and they were exactly what Nesta needed in her life. They've all been through hell, and I think those experiences bonded them in a way nothing else could. They also trained together, learned to really live together, and are still struggling with what happened to them in the past. No one was magically healed by the end of the book, and it's obvious they will still need time to work through everything that haunts them. It was authentic and realistic, and I like that Maas didn't try to rush their healing or give them quick solutions to their problems. They had to work hard in order to grow, which they managed to do both together and alone.

"...and Nesta's breath rushed from her in a wave she didn't realize she was holding..." This sentence might be worded differently, but why do authors insist on including it (and others like it) in their books? Why doesn't anyone know they're holding their breath??? Seriously, there are websites dedicated to how many times this sentence gets used in books. 

I also didn't like that Rhys and the others opted to keep something from Feyre, especially when it impacted her the most. After everything she's been through, they didn't think she could handle it? They didn't think it would be a good idea to have her also working towards a possible solution? It felt wrong to me, and very unlike the characters I remember. Mor's absence was very noticeable as well, and I wish she'd been more present throughout the book. Nesta and Cassian's "big fight" was way too similar to what Feyre and Rhysand fought about. The should have had their own unique conflict to work through.

Highlight for spoilers: Additionally, why didn't anyone just winnow the baby out? Madja had her hands up there to turn the baby around, so Rhys or Mor could have touched it and winnowed, right? Did anyone else think that? Even Az could have used his shadows. I just feel like they didn't really exhaust all of their options, and I'm still not 100% sure how Nesta managed to do what she did. I'm also a little miffed that she didn't get to make it to the top of Ramiel despite everything she went through. Briallyn interfered, so it shouldn't be held against her. She also had to give up all of that power right after fully unleashing it for the first time. It would have been nice to know more about who used the harp last and what their final act with it had been. I wish Nesta had somehow been able to reverse what happened to all of those fae. Maas is definitely setting something up! (★★★★☆)

Past Due Reviews [5]

My Forest Is Green by Darren Lebeuf, Ashley Barron (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): With art supplies in tow, a young boy explores the urban forest near his home, then interprets what he sees with his art. The boy is a keen observer who uses poetic, rhythmic language to describe the diversity he finds through all four seasons.

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I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I really enjoyed reading this one with my monsters! My Forest Is Green subtly incorporates opposing adjectives while delivering a sweet story with lovely illustrations. "My forest is short," shows a child looking down at ants crawling across the ground, implying that it's largely about our perspective. We also see fluffy, prickly, rough, smooth, and various others. I really liked all of the ways the author described the "forest" and what it meant to the main character. He has essentially created his own forest with items he's found outside, collecting them throughout the seasons and incorporating them into his artwork. We see a lot of interesting ways to make art with nature, and learn that a forest can be more than just trees. (★★★★☆)

𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋

Little Lost Bat by Sandra Markle, Alan Marks (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A baby Mexican free-tailed bat clings to the ceiling of a crowded noisy cave, waiting for his mother to return from her daily hunting trip. After three days of searching and waiting, he is rescued by a bat that is in a strangely similar circumstance. A surprising story of adoption in the animal kingdom based on current research.

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Read at your own risk! Little Lost Bat had me SOBBING. You can probably guess why based on the synopsis, and I will never forgive my kids for asking me to read this book to them (just kidding - - love my monsters!). I thought the author did a wonderful job of portraying the bats and how they function as a group. The illustrations were also fantastic and really did the story justice. (★★★★☆)

𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis (via Goodreads): "A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached. It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

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I read this back in October and still cannot think of the right words to review it. I liked it more than Throne of Glass, but still found Celaena to be a really unlikable character. She's obsessed with clothes, unwilling to commit to a romantic relationship (but happy to string several people along), and her methods of subverting the king's orders are questionable at best. I understand that she wants to do the right thing, but she isn't always willing to give everything or do whatever it takes. She's selfish and cares more about herself and what she's hiding.

She's also very consumed with keeping specific people safe, even when they question her loyalty and intentions. She cares about them, but she doesn't want to tell them her deepest, darkest secrets. There's so much we still don't know about Celaena, but we do learn more about her past (and Chaol's) throughout Crown of Midnight.

I liked the world and the world-building, but everything else was more frustrating than interesting. 

Maas tries to justify someone's death in this book, but I'm not buying it. It seemed unnecessary and like it was done just to create confusion, conflict, and chaos. There wasn't a reason for this person to die (unless it was supposed to solely shock readers), despite the author insisting it was required to push Celaena onto the right path. Lame. I honestly don't know if I will continue reading this series or not, despite so many people loving it. Now, if you want to talk about ACOTAR and the new book coming out, I'm totally here for that! ;) (★★★⋆☆)

My Weekly Pull [117] & Can't-Wait Wednesday [92]

My Weekly Pull is something I do every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! If you decide to do your own post, there's a link-up at the bottom. I would love to stop by and check it out!

Mercy #2 by Mirka Andolfo

Avengers #33 by Jason Aaron, Javier Garron, Matteo Scalera

Jacob's comics for the week!

Amazing Spider-Man #43 by Nick Spencer, Ryan Ottley

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Urban Legends #23 by Gary Carlson, Frank Fosco, Erik Larsen

Venom #25 by Donny Cates, Mark Bagley

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature that's hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings. It highlights the upcoming releases we're really excited about reading! CWW is a spinoff of the feature Waiting on Wednesday (WoW), that was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

“Don't feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

Do you want to know what brings me joy? This series! I only discovered it last year (was afraid of the hype), but I've already read it three times and bought a ridiculous amount of ACOTAR merch. Bring on the Nessian!! Also, have you seen the new covers? I love how colorful the paperbacks are! Can you own too many of the same books? 😉 

If you've read the series, how do you think the new covers compare to the old? Are you planning on buying this new set? If so, hardcover or paperback? How do you choose?? (You can click on the covers to pre-order! It took ages to find the right links for Amazon, since everything wanted me to buy the old covers.)

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas (Hardcover)

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas (Paperback)

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) by Sarah J. Maas (Hardcover)

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) by Sarah J. Maas (Paperback)

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas (Hardcover)

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas (Paperback)

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas (Hardcover)

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas (Paperback)

*Share your My Weekly Pull post! Please leave the direct link to your My Weekly Pull post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading! 

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis (via Goodreads): After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

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Okay, so I didn't love Throne of Glass, but I've also read it before! It took me a few chapters to realize this, but then everything started clicking into place. I think I read this one when it was originally published (so nearly a decade ago), and forgot to update it on Goodreads. I know I previously owned a copy of this book, but due to a lack of space, I only keep the stories that I plan on reading again and again and again! Clearly, my past self didn't plan on re-reading this one, but I was on such a Maas high after finishing A Court of Thorns and Roses (for the second time), and was looking for something that would elicit similar feelings.

I debated between three and four stars, but ultimately I was dissatisfied with the characters and the story. The romance was weird and unnecessary, although I really enjoyed their friendships. I wish they had worked together collectively, instead of pairing off throughout the story. It was always Celaena and one of the other characters (usually Dorian, Chaol, Nehemia, or Nox). Why didn't we see Chaol and Dorian making plans or discussing issues? Dorian is the Crown Prince and Chaol is Captain of the Guard, so the two of them had plenty of reasons to conspire and share suspicious.

Instead, we see the two friends fighting for Celaena's attention. They're not mean about it, but the jealousy is there whenever one stumbles across the other alone with the assassin. I feel like it put a strain on their relationship, which is ridiculous. People are being murdered, and Celaena is a convicted criminal that they know nothing about. Priorities! Chaol was understandably suspicious, but he was clearly intrigued by their new Champion. I liked both Dorian and Chaol individually, and thought they both had a lot to offer the story, but felt like they weren't fleshed out as characters.

Additionally, I didn't really get assassin-vibes from Celaena. Super spy, maybe, because she was calculating and observant. However, she seemed to lack the desire to actually kill someone for money. Maybe if Maas had shared more of her history and backstory, it would have made more sense. From what I can tell, Celaena only killed people that deserved it, and she tried to save everyone else. I just had a hard time thinking of her as someone who accepted money for murder.

I wanted to know more about all of the characters in this book, but feel like the author alluded to their histories just enough to keep us invested. Obviously, Celaena isn't who we think she is, and she's constantly locking a door in her mind to keep herself from thinking about whatever it is. I have my suspicions, but it would have been nice to have some things confirmed before the end of the book. Chaol has an equally complicated past, although we only learn about where he's from, and that he has a younger brother. How did he become the Captain of the Guard at such a young age? Also, how did he mange to do this without having to get his hands dirty? They're in the middle of a war -- have been for years -- but the King's Captain of the Guard has never fought and killed another person? It doesn't make sense. Dorian is portrayed as a promiscuous prince, but one with compassion and understanding. He doesn't want what his father wants, but he's not quite brave enough to challenge him openly. Why are his eyes so different? Why isn't he as corrupted as his father?

I really enjoyed the magical elements of this story, even if I didn't always understand what they were or how they were happening. I'm sure some of this is expanded on in the next book, but I wish we'd been given more information in this one. Back to the romance... I wish it had never been an issue. What Celaena says at the end... about wanting to be free... that should have been her belief from the beginning. She always knew that the outcome would be her freedom or her death, so it shouldn't have been a surprise when it happened. It would have prevented any unnecessary feelings from developing.

I'm sure I'll eventually read the next book in this series, but I wasn't completely blown away by Throne of Glass. I also have a feeling that the romance I do want to see develop isn't going to happen. Based on other reviews, Celaena seems to be with a different person every book.

A Court of Mist and Fury, Wings and Ruin, & Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2-4) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) by Sarah J. Maas 

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas

Warning! Potential spoilers for the first book in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses.

First of all, I want to start by saying I don't hate Tamlin. Honestly, I really loved him in the first book. It was after everything happened Under the Mountain that I began to question his motivations. I do think he's weak and allows his emotions to control him, but I don't believe he's inherently evil. Misguided maybe. The High Lord of Spring does have some serious anger issues, and I think they seemed passionate in the first book, but only because his powers were so diminished (thanks to that lovely little curse that brought everyone together in the first place). Once he has full control of his powers again, his outbursts were more violent and damaging, but he was still weak-minded. I don't know if he was broken by Amarantha, or if something happened to him before the curse, but he was clearly not himself afterwards. He let hate and fear fester inside of him, and his friends and allies paid the price, Feyre most of all. His protectiveness from the first book turned into possessiveness, and his affections became smothering and slightly crazed. He needed Feyre, but for what? Himself? His court? It didn't seem like he had her best interests at heart, only his selfish desires.

I also think Tamlin is a coward. He wronged Rhysand in the worst possible way, and has shown no remorse for his actions. I'm sure he decided to choose his family and his court over his friend, but he did something unforgivable and didn't even try to make amends (not that it would have helped). Rhys had every right to challenge him, and that was before Tamlin nearly destroyed his mate on multiple occasions. Despite all of this, I want Tamlin find happiness and love. I hope he's able to crawl out of whatever hole he's in, and start piecing himself and his court back together. I want him to stop obsessing over Feyre, because some of the things he said about her just because his feelings were hurt... grr! My blood was boiling on her behalf. I half-wished Rhys would take him out right then and there. I don't know what Tamlin needs in order to move forward with his life, but he has a lot to atone for. He did occasionally do good in the other books, but it was all so confusing and complicated. I have no idea what his motivations or intentions were, so I don't know if they came from a good place. I'm particularly disgusted with how he treated Lucien, since he would have willingly stood by Tamlin's side for eternity.

Speaking of Lucien, I felt like he had more of a backbone in the first book. I also thought he was Feyre's friend, so it hurt when he allowed Tamlin to break her spirit. It wasn't like he couldn't see what was happening. Feyre was literally wasting away and he barely stood up for her. I'm very conflicted about him as a character right now, because like Tamlin, I think he deserves to find his happiness. However, I think he's going to have a long, hard road ahead of him. Everything regarding his situation is super complicated, and he isn't even aware of half of it. Fortunately, he was there when Feyre really needed him, although I suspect his motivations were mostly for his own benefit.

Let's see... Cassian, Azriel, Amren, and Morrigan were phenomenal characters! I really loved their group dynamics, and how their inner circle felt more like a family. They love each other and their city, and they were so welcoming when Feyre entered their lives. Even though most of those relationships were complicated, they were all there for each other when it really mattered. I loved learning more about each and every one of them, and I cannot wait to see what happens to them in future books. I laughed so much when all of them were in the same room together, and I'm smiling now just thinking about it. Illryian babies.

Elain and Nesta are complicated additions the story. They were in the first book, but only briefly. Their lives have changed drastically over the course of this series, and I don't think they're adjusting as well as their sister (Feyre). I understand that they've been through something traumatic, but Nesta was cold and distant long before that. It seems now those emotions have amplified, and I really don't like her very much. Elain seems weak and delicate, but I have a feeling she's going to surprise us all. I'm really curious how her little love affair (or lack thereof) is going to work out.

Rhysand is amazing. He sees Feyre as his equal in every way, and genuinely cares about her safety and well-being. He could have stepped in at any time and forced her out of a bad situation, but he tried to let her make her own decisions. He loved so fiercely, and always put everyone else's needs before his own, even when it nearly killed him to do so (sometimes I wish Amarantha was still alive just so she could suffer some more for what she did to him). I liked how patient he was with Feyre, and how willing he was to give her space and time to figure out her thoughts and feelings. He never pushed, but was always there when she needed him. I really loved watching their relationship flourish in A Court of Mist and Fury, and then seeing them together throughout the next two books. Everything just felt right. They didn't have to try when they were together. They were able to just be themselves, and there was no holding back or pretending. They connected mentally and physically, but it was their bond that really stood out. Their souls were entwined and it was a beautiful thing to behold.

Feyre isn't always the best at everything, but she never stops trying. Even when her actions feel hopeless, she keeps going. She pushes herself to be better, not only for herself, but for her newfound family. She also doesn't need Rhys to fight her battles for her, although he's more than willing to do so. She proves time and again that she can take care of herself, and fight for what she believes in. She needs a little help every once in awhile, everyone does, but she's able to hold her own with faeries that have been alive for centuries.

I also liked watching Feyre learn to wield her new powers, and her interactions with the other High Lords. All of that was fascinating! Everything she did was an adventure, and I enjoyed all of it. The slow-burn of her relationship with Rhys, her falling in love with Velaris, her training with Cassian and Aziel, everything that happened at the Summer Court with Amren (hah), and her friendship with Mor... all of it was worth experiencing.

A few quibbles... They are constantly making "vulgar gesturs" at each other, and that phrase popped up way too frequently. I wish those gestures had been a little more specific, or at least worded differently. Also, why did Feyre start using faerie slang all of a sudden? Humans don't believe in the Cauldron or the Mother, yet she started using those phrases seemingly without thought. "Cauldron boil me" or "Mother help us" would slip out of her mouth, and it felt weird since she still used human terms occasionally. Additionally, we learned pretty quickly that Rhys would listen whenever Feyre needed him to, and that he thought of her as an equal, but Feyre was constantly mentioning those qualities (or some variation of them). I never forgot those aspects of his character, so it felt like the equality was shoved down my throat a little bit. The same goes with Cassian and Rhys trying to fight for the Illryian females. It's important, yes, but it could have been mentioned less. The point would've remained.

I really loved this series and the world Maas created. I'm already jonesing for more, and plan on re-reading this series very soon. I especially want to re-read A Court of Thorns and Roses with fresh eyes, and knowing what I know now. I feel like I might have a different perspective when certain things happen, which makes me curious and eager to find out. It's also an amazing read, and I want to immerse myself in the world again. A Court of Frost and Starlight was an enjoyable read, but it didn't have the same sense of urgency and adventure the previous three did. I know it's supposed to be a bridge between this series and the next, but it was mostly fluffy stuff.

There are so many aspects of this series that still need to be addressed, and I cannot wait to see what Maas will do with those threads. Despite leaving a lot left unanswered, the main story wrapped up beautifully. I really like where Feyre and Rhys ended up, and what their futures looks like at the moment. They have so much hope and love... it's wonderful. The creatures they encountered throughout the book were mostly terrifying and crazy powerful, but they were also interesting and very surprising. They definitely kept everyone on their toes... the bargains and sacrifices, a bad deal made for a slightly better outcome... there was just so much going on.

I could seriously go on and on about this series, which is why I decided to review them all at once. I thought I would get all of my main feelings out there, and not overload everyone with my enthusiasm. I also didn't want to risk being too spoilery by commenting on too may of the specifics. It's something you'll want to experience all on your own! It's been a long time since a book or series has consumed me so completely, and I absolutely loved every second of it. I was wholeheartedly invested in the characters and totally immersed in the story, so it felt like I experienced everything alongside Feyre and the others. If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it. For those of you worried about a love triangle, don't be. It's not an issue.