Sunday, May 22, 2016

A court of mist and fury by Sarah J. Maas

A court of mist and fury is the sequel to A court of thorns and roses and you really need to read the first book first and before you read any more of this review as there are ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first book in the series.

Feyre may have succeeded in breaking Amarantha's hold on Prythian, but she has also been transformed into a strange blend of high fae and human.  She has the appearance of the high fae but her heart is still human - broken, damaged, and craving love.  It seems that she has found her true love with Tamlin, but all he wants to do is protect and coddle her and that is not what Feyre needs or wants.  To the other high fae she is Feyre Cursebreaker, but Tamlin can't seem to see past her former human frailty.  While Tamlin and Lucien travel the lands of the Court weeding out enemies and danger Feyre finds herself planning for a wedding and a life that is suddenly suffocating.

When Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court appears at a most inconvenient time to collect her to fulfill her side of a desperate bargain it seems like pouring salt on Tamlin's wounds - but for Feyre it brings a surprising peace.  In the dreaded Night Court the nightmares that have plagued her seem to loose their impact, seem to fade a little.  When the unthinkable happens Feyre finds herself transported not to the Night Court, but to a hidden world that is nothing like what she could have hoped or dreamed of.  War is coming, and as their enemies move against them Feyre has to find out what she can do with her new immortal body and her magic - for war and for pleasure.  It seems as though there are conspiracies and intrigues around every corner, and if Feyre is not careful she may loose everything she holds dear without even realising what she is risking.

A court of mist and fury is a mammoth 624 pages of love, betrayal, intrigue, romance, self discovery, and kicking butt.  Feyre and her world were artfully crafted on the pages of A court of thorn and roses, and now that world comes into sharp focus as Feyre learns more about the world of the high fae, what it means to be one of them, and faces some of the limitations of her new world.  To be remade as a high fae after hearing her own death has left more than a few scars on her psyche and she feels damaged and bruised in more ways than one - a survivor with PTSD and other issues.  

Maas took some rather interesting turns with this second book in the series - and as is almost always the case talking about those turns will ruin some of the lovely little surprises along the way!  This is definitely a series for older teen readers (and the adults willing to read a 'teen' novel) as there are some rather racy sex scenes that have caused something of a flutter among some of the school librarians as they try and decide if it should be for senior students only or not carried at all!  I have to confess that I love the fact there are books aimed at older teen readers, books that teens can really sink their teeth into, that they know were written for them by an author who gets them.  When Maas was in New Zealand last year it was really clear that she connected strongly with her teen audience and that they connected just as strongly with her.  Feyre is not perfect, no one in her world is, but that is what makes this series so amazing.

There is only one more book to go in this series so hopefully we don't have to wait too long to see what comes next for Feyre because there is a rather large cliff hanger at the end of A court of mist and fury that leaves you wanting more.  Highly recommended for teens who like to read rich and well imagined fantasy with outstanding character and world development, and who are not afraid to commit to a 400+ page book that will keep them hooked from cover to cover.  

If you like this book then try:
  • A court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey
  • Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas
  • Graceling by Kristin Cashore
  • Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
  • The Fire rose by Mercedes Lackey
  • Home from the sea by Mercedes Lackey
  • Reserved for the cat by Mercedes Lackey
  • Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey
  • Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey
  • From a high tower by Mercedes Lackey
  • Deerskin by Robin McKinley
  • Beauty by Robin McKinley
  • Rose daughter by Robin McKinley
  • Spindle's end by Robin McKinley
  • Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Reviewed by Brilla

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