A Court of Mist and Fury

4.5/5 ⭐️s, rounded up.

Talk about a glow up. A Court Of Mist & Fury is not a perfect book, but it might just be a perfect sequel. Sarah J. Maas does a great job of expanding the lore, plot, and universe; creating a compelling reason to revisit these characters; introducing new characters who enhance this book and; generally keeping a reader's interest. Themes about trauma, abuse, and liberation are consistent throughout Maas' sequel. Feyre is still not my favorite protagonist by any means, but the events of the last book made a lot of her whining feel more warranted. The flaws I see with ACOMAF are easily forgivable when everything else in the book is so good. 

As for those flaws: I can't give this book a full five stars because there are instances where the author decides to show instead of tell. For instance, we get a chapter where one character tells the story of everything that has happened so far from their perspective, which felt redundant and annoying.There are also certain conflicts that feel like artificial concoctions. I blame Maas' editor for not making her cut those chapters out. 

However, if you enjoyed the first book even a little, then the second book will blow you away.