A Court of Wings and Ruin

I kicked off my July reading this month with the third book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas. I've read this series quite quickly over the past month or so and it was my first experience of this author but I'd heard such great things that it drew me to this series and I am so glad that I did.

This third book in the series will be the final one Maas writes from the perspective of Feyre and her mate Rhysand, we are anticipating more books in the world Maas has built but they will be focusing upon different characters from the world and so this book was where Maas had to really bring together all the threads of Feyre and Rhysand's stories and make sure she also laid the groundwork for the book that is to follow.

This means that we pick up in this book immediately after the end of Book 2, with Feyre returning to The Spring Court with Tamlin having been torn apart from her mate Rhysand. Feyre is playing double agent though and has pretended she never felt anything for Rhys and is now going with Tamlin for the sole purpose of trying to infiltrate his court and find out all she can about their alliance with Hybern and the King of Hybern's plans to attack the human realm. This return to the Spring Court was a great opening to this book, it allows us to connect with those characters we fell in love with in Book 1, Lucien and Alis and to allow us to re-examine the relationship with Tamlin and see just how dysfunctional it could have been.

The subterfuge Feyre undertakes to cause disharmony in the Spring court is a wonderful opening to the book, the wiles she uses to make Tamlin trust her while sowing the seeds of doubt in the minds of those close to him about his actions are brilliant. Feyre has reached the point in this book where she is strong and sure of herself, she has learned much about the strength of her powers and is willing to use them to ensure she protects the human world and to get back to the night court and Rhysand.

There is so so much that happens in this book, at nearly 760 pages and each one full of so much action it would take a long long review to break down each and every plot point and would also spoil for readers who haven't delved in yet, however, there are a few areas I feel worthy of discussion at this point.

Firstly is the way in which this world and it's characters have expanded over the course of the three books. When I think back to A Court of Thorns and Roses I now realise how small the world Maas painted was compared to where we finish at the end of A Court of Wings and Ruin. Throughout the books she has added to the world piece by piece and book by book until at the end of this series we have met such a rich cast that the world feels truly three dimensional. This is one of the things I have loved most about this series, Maas never makes any character feel short-changed from their time on the page. She takes the time to develop them all enough, to give them light and shade and a back story that we feel engaged in them, we like or dislike them enough that we truly care about their fate. This is really exciting because as we move away from Feyre and Rhysand in this series there are so many possibilities of who we could focus upon next that it is going to be so exciting to find out who Maas may choose. Will she follow Feyre's sisters and their mates? Will she follow the story of Myriam and Drakon, who's story was only hinted at near the end of this book? Will she explore Lucien's backstory and his uncovering of his heritage? Each and every option sounds amazing and this is because of the way Maas builds her characters and weaves them in so that you never feel overwhelmed or confused about who is who but she almost without you noticing builds a whole world fo you to lose yourself in.

The second thing about this book was the way in which the action unfolded, I found this book had a really strong start, it immediately was back into the story with no stopping to fill in any backstory just moving the story along. I did find a little dip around 100 pages in and I'm not sure if that was down to me and I had a little struggle for 50 pages or so then suddenly I was back the moment and I could not put this down. My husband took my children out for the day on their school holidays and I got some precious alone time and for the 4 hours they were away I read this solidly getting through 250-300 pages. When my daughter came home she asked me how I could read that long without getting bored and I said to her that this book had had me shouting out loud at it's pages. Punching the air in joy and at it's ending crying my eyes out. It took me through so many emotions that it left me feeling drained by the end. There were such wonderful high moments and then heartbreaking moments that Maas had been building to over the course of all the books. Characters we had only touched on had their moment in the spotlight and left us loving them in ways we never thought they would evoke from us.

Finally, I am going to be sad not to follow Feyre and Rhysand in the next book, I love them and their relationship. They have become one of my all time favourite couples in any books I've read because of the way in which they support each other without question through all they do. The way they each are happy to let them be their own individual people with thoughts and decisions of their own whilst they are absolutely devoted to one another. We are given a small and unusual glimpse of what is to come in their future in this book and that was one of the most touching moments for me. I would dearly love to touch on them from time to time as the series moves on but whoever Maas focuses upon next has a huge legacy to live up to in this couple. They have been a joy to follow and I know I am not alone in having them very high on my favourite literary couples list.

I am delighted I have discovered Sarah J. Maas as an author and will be taking time over the months ahead to delve into her Throne of Glass series also, although I have a couple of other series I'd like to complete and try first. I now fully understand why so many readers were excited about this series and can say these books absolutely do live up to the hype they have received.

“Only you can decide what breaks you, Cursebreaker. Only you.”

I don't even know where to begin with this book. First and foremost curse you Sarah to the deepest pits of oblivion for the emotional ride I was just taken through. In all seriousness, well done Mrs. Maas. I was not ready for any of this.

Fayre is ever the valiant in this latest of the Court series. Watching her develop into the strong character she is has been such a pleasure. To think this poor, young woman would end up being the first High Lady and then the savior of all Prythian. The chemistry created with all the characters introduced is wonderfully crafted in this story and even more so seems so natural. I can not even begin to explain how easy it was to place myself on the streets of Velaris or watching the horrors unfold on the steps of Adriata. Maas's words are powerful and deliberate on each page making it so easy to immerse yourself in her world.

If you have the heart to stomach such a tail I would rush to obtain a copy, but have a box of tissues close by. There was more than one time where I caught myself tearing up during some pretty hard sections of the book. No on will judge you for closing and just walking away for a few minutes.

All in all this book is an amazing installment in the series and I can not wait until the follow up next year. Putting this book down was incredibly hard and I found myself running behind more than once caught up in it's pages.

Toch wel een beetje teleurgesteld :-(
Recensie volgt! Recensie online hier: http://charami.com/2017/06/12/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/

Poignant and satisfying conclusion to the main plot - and I can't wait for more books! There's enough questions about the supporting cast left unanswered that I'm left eagerly awaiting 2018. This one took me by surprise - how much I fell in love, even with some of the more complicated characters. I loved the twist and turns, Maas's fusion of myth and fairytale into a tale all her own, and characters you want to drink, fight, and fly with. 5 magical stars!

hyperventilates I. loved. it. so. much. I love this series. I loved this book. I can't wait for the next one. Sarah J. Maas just take all my money. please. I want you to have it. just keep writing these books.

omggg
I loved it so so much

Also still amazing! And still a sobbing mess for the last 50 pages!

The story is very interesting and the characters are charming and easy to connect with. This is a dark story. It is filled with violence, vulgar language and ‘adult situations'. I would really be selective about having a teen read it. I had to skip through sections.

Review to come

699 pages of OMGOMGOMG and AAAHH! and I didn't see THAT coming and I LOVE RHYSAND FO EVA AND EVA. As soon as I finished I knew I was going to open it up and read it again. There were a couple of things I would have like answered and I hope Sarah J does in the spin offs. However, if she doesn't this is still one of my top favorite series I have read. EVER. Did I mention that I love Rhys?

Great book.

Main criticism? Sarah, honey, stop using the word “barked” so much. Please.

4.25/5 stars “Remember that you are a wolf. And you cannot be caged.” I want to print off a picture of this cover and keep it in my wallet. Just in case anyone asks me if I have children, I can just show them this.Because all these assholes are my children. I don't even know where to start with this review. I've been writing things and then deleting them for weeks. Every combination of words just isn't the right combination I need to right the perfect review. [a:Sarah J. Maas 3433047 Sarah J. Maas https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1269281353p2/3433047.jpg] always releases not one, but two gigantic books a year and I don't even know how to write a thousand word review? Actual proof that SJM is a writing goddess. We have been blessed from the heavens. So anyways, I've decided to write whatever the hell comes to my head. So this entire review is one huge train wreck. It's an unorganized mess. I'm gonna apologize for that right now. It also contains unmarked spoilers because it is almost three thousand words long and I don't have time to go through and mark every single spoiler. ACOWAR had the unfortunate luck of having to proceed the epicness that was A Court of Mist and Fury. It's like being given $1,000,000, spending it all, then being given only a $100,000. Both amounts of money are nice to have, but obviously the million is the better option. Or like watching Beyonce perform live in concert, then having to watch a youtube video of Beyonce. Both are nice, great options, but there is always going to be the preferable one. I actually feel sorry for ACOWAR. It didn't deserve to be a follow-up to [b:A Court of Mist and Fury 17927395 A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) Sarah J. Maas https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485259138s/17927395.jpg 25126749], but it really didn't have an option. ACOWAR is better than ,[b:A Court of Thorns and Roses 16096824 A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) Sarah J. Maas https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491595796s/16096824.jpg 21905102] but if you were to look up the definition of “prefection” in the dictionary, there will be a picture of the ACOMAF cover. Let me just get some of my thoughts & feels written down real quick. Beware, some might be spoilery. Please proceed with caution. A COURT OF THOUGHTS & FEELS 1. Rhys is actually the best fictional character ever and I love him2. Feyre is actually the best fictional character ever and I love her3. Mor is actually the best fictional character ever and I love her4. Lucien is actually the best fictional character ever and I love him5. Amren is actually the best fictional character ever and I love her6. Azriel is actually the best fictional character even and I love him7. Cassian is actually the best fictional character ever and I love him8. Tamlin is actually the worst fictional character ever and I hate him9. I hate him so much10. Seriously11. Who okay'd Tamlin as a character?12. They should be fired13. Ianthe sucks too14. I'm glad that bitch got destoryed by the weaver 15. We could have done without the sex scenes though. 16. Remember when they were in the library? And all they wanted to do was have sex and not read. Talk about unrealistic. 17. Rhys is the most dramatic character in YA......pass it on18. The beginning, when Feyre was at the Spring Court, was actually my favorite part of the entire book? I loved it.19. I was just like yaaas Feyre girl you destroy those losers20. Also when Feyre and Rhys were reunited that was cool21. I wanted that scene to be longer though with a lot less sex22. Also the Suriel's death was not okay'd by me and Sarah will be hearing from my lawyers 23. Also who approved the term “vulgar gesture???” They should be fired too. 24. Also if I ever hear the word “mate” again I'm gonna spontaneous combust25. Cassian + Feyre = A friendship you will never have26. Mor is gay and all is okay27. Also no one in the night squad died which is really unrealistic to me? Also kinda disappointing. I was preparing myself for a death that never came, which took time away from me preparing my funeral.28. Also Amren is the best thing to come out of this book29. If the sequels aren't about her I'm sueing. 30. Also does anyone know why we were fighting this war? I don't remember. 31. And also does anyone remember how the high lord powers work and why they all happen to be the most powerful people their courts but they get their position through genetics? Because if I haven't learned anything from YA literature, at least I've learned that there will always be a chosen one who's more powerful than any ruler. So why hasn't that happened? CHARACTERS! cHARACTERS Feyre. Feyre is the best? She has evolved so much since the first book. And she's so loyal to those she loves. But if she hates you, you are dead. There is no way to save you. Rhys. I don't know if you knew this, but in certain countries it's agaisnt the law to hate Rhys. He's the best. Tamlin. Remember that time when you used to like Tamlin? Hahahaha he's an asshole. Mor. She's gay! Which is also the only diversity we got in this book. But she's the best. Amren. I want to be her when I grow up. She's the best. Lucien. I am just so glad that Lucien found God in this book. Cassian. I just love Cassian? I just want him to wrap me up in his wings. He's the best. Azriel. I would leave my boyfriend Kaz for Azriel. He's the best. SUMMARY AND COMMENTARY I'm going to do something I never done before in a review. There are so many scenes that I just want to talk about, that I'm gonna summarize a lot of this book so I can talk about them. This entire thing is spoilery so please don't read unless you've read the book. So we start off at hell the Spring Court and Tamlin is being is douchebag self like always. He's just hanging around, doing his meninist things. Not realizing that Miss High Lady of the Night Court over there is slowly taking down his court. A nightmare, I'd told Tamlin. I was the nightmare. I was kinda hoping for more telepathic interactions? I wanted Feyre to say something like, “Oh Rhys was just terrible to me.” and Rhys to just pop up and be like, “Terribly good in bed.” or something like that. But that never happened. SJM really threw away her shot. Hamilton would be disappointed.I'm going to be honest here. I didn't really understand how Feyre took down the Spring Court? Like I know she did it by gaining the people's trust. But I didn't understand that sunlight scene or all the uneventful trips to the wall. Also Ianthe didn't die in the first part which was disappointing. BUT IANTHE DOES GET HER HAND SMASHED INTO LITTLE PIECES BY FEYRE WHICH IS SO FREAKING BRUTAL I screamed the entire time like wow I don't like the bitch either but did she really deserve to have her hand continuously smashed? I am a good person who has morals and part of me is still like “yeah she deserved that”Anyways Feyre is eventually like #byelosers @ the Spring Court and leaves. She takes Lucien with her which is really cool because Lucien deserved better than those assholes. So Lucien and Feyre flee the Spring Court, which at this point is burning.In fact I have an actual, never before seen picture of the spring court taken shortly after Feyre left Some stuff happens and there's fighting because it's a high fantasy novel and not having any fighting would probably make it a contemporary or something. But anyhow, Cassian eventually comes and helps Feyre and Lucien with the fighting. And the Cassian/Feyre reunion is the best reunion in this book? Like what Feyre/Rhys reunion? I met those laughing, fierce hazel eyes.Cassian's smile softened. “Hello, Feyre.” My throat tightened to the point of pain, and I threw my arms around his neck, embracing him tightly. “I missed you, too,” Cassian murmured, squeezing me. Honestly, that scene was the absolute best? Like after that, the Feysand reunion was so underwhelming. It happened just a few pages later but it wasn't cute dialogue and hugs and friendship Their meetup was crying on the floor then having unnecessary explicit sex. SJM is great and all, but her sex scenes are the worst. I understand that sex is a thing that exist and Feysand participates in it, but I just don't care about the details. I would rather have more Amren dialogue. So at one point during all this reunion sex, Feyre tells Rhys that he likes a dramatic entrance which has just won an oscar for “understatement of the year”. Because obviously, Rhys did not crash Feyre's wedding in ACOMAFThe next part of the book is just like plotting and stuff. It's kind of boring. I honestly almost fell asleep during the next two hundred pages? I mean I didn't though because this is a SJM book but I could have. There was no action. No suspense. At least I had Amren and her I-don't-give-a-shit attitude to keep me awake. There is the library scene which is the worst scene in the entire book. So Feyre and Rhys are in this gigantic ass library surrounded by books which is like life goals right? If you don't want to be surrounded by books then gtfo of my review. But anyways, instead of appreciating the luxuries they have in their life, Feyre and Rhys spend the entire time flirting with each other? This annoyed me so much. It was the most unrealistic scene in this entire series. I don't care if my High Lord mate was there with me. If I was in a library surrounded by books, then he doesn't freaking exist in that moment. Also there is a giant monster thing that lives in the basement of this library that everyone is afraid of? #goals “If you hadn't stolen my bride away in the night, Rhysand, I would not have been forced to take such drastic measures to get her back.”I said quietly, “The sun was shining when I left you.” So Rhys and Feyre and the rest of the squad decided to throw a party. By party I mean, they decided to get all the incredibly powerful, opinionated fae in one place and try to come to an agreement. This is such a smart idea. Just wow. They also invite Tamlin to be nice and then they act surprised when he shows up??? Like you guys sent him an invite to your birthday party??? It would be rude of him not to come???? Why would he turn down free cake like that?!?!?! Tarquin took him in. Then me. And the others. “I rescind the blood rubies. Let there be no debts between us.”“Don't expect Amren to return hers,” Cassian muttered. “She's grown attached to it.” So the greatest thing ever happened during this meeting? And I'm not talking about when Feyre destroyed Tamlin when he was being a prick. No, I'm talking about how Amren isn't returning her ruby that marks her for death? She's so iconic. I want to be Amren when I grow up. Then, while all these high lords were in the same place and wasting time fighting with each other, donald trump the King of Hybitch Hyburn brings down the wall that they were all trying not so desperately to protect. And again, they were all surprised. Like are you fUCKing kidding me? How did you not see this coming???? You are standing around, doing pratically nothing. Wasting all the time in the world. AND YO UARE SUPRISED THAT HYBITCH IS ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH WITH HIS PLANS. YOU KNOW HE WAS TRYING TO BRING THAT WALL DOWN. he WAS GONNA DO IT AND YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS THE PERFECT OPPURTUNITY. Honestly, I am surprised he didn't succeed earlier than this? So noW that the wall has been destroyed and is never coming back, all these high lords realized that if they are going to win this war, they are gonna all get off their asses to do something. Also what even are we fighting for? All I know about this war is that the King of Hyburn is bad and the Night Court Squad is good. How did this war even start? What did Amarantha have to do with anything? Who even is Myriam person and what does she have to do with anything? I know it was probably explained in ACOMAF but that was a year ago and I was too busy placing my attention on Rhys to pay any attention. So at this point I'm 469 pages into the last book of this trilogy and I don't even know what we are fighting for? I'm emotionally invested in a war I know nothing about. Is this what politics are like? Anyways, the squad and their newly found high lord allies go to take down Hybitch.So then Feyre has this brilliant idea to go find out good friend the Suriel. I forgot the Suriel even existed tbh. He's so creepy that I am sure my brain purposely block him out from my ACOTAR memories. So we go find Mr. Suriel and he is near the Weaver's cottage. I also blocked the weaver out from my memories so, if you are like me, this is when you bust open your ACOTAR coloring book, flip to the picture of the Weaver, and then pretend to remember. So the Suriel is kinda helpful but unhelpful as always. But Feyre still cares about him becasue why would't you care about the creepy monster that doesn't even have a proper name and you've only met like three times? So Suriel, that unhelpful yoda, is in the middle of giving Feyre vague advice when THAT BITCH IANTHE SHOWS UP AND JUST SHOOTS HIM WITH AN ARROW FOR NO GOOD REASON. Obviously having a crushed hand hasn't affected her aim any. Someone should just kill that bitch already. Which is exactly what Feyre does. And she isn't even easy on her. She takes Ianthe into the Weaver's cottage and the weaver like eats her. Gross. I would have atleast chosen a less graphic demise. And something that kills her a lot longer. How fortunate are we that we caught the impossible-to-catch Suriel for the third time right near the cottage of a monster thing that likes to eat bitches? We are soooo fortunate. “Feyre Archeron,” the Suriel said again, gazing at the leafy canopy, the sky peeking through it. A painful inhale. “A request.”I leaned close. “Anything.”Another rattling breath. “Leave this world...a better place than how you found it.” So after murdering Ianthe, Feyre goes back to the dying Suriel and I have The Hunger Games flashbacks to Rue's death scene. I was kind of expecting Feyre to gather flowers to place around the Suriel. And obviously, even though we are in a world surrounded by magic, there is no way to save the Suriel. He dies. I'm devastated. You are devastated. I still vaguely remember the Suriel from the past two books. And if I'm honest, this all could have been avoided if Feyre wasn't so dramatic and just asked the Suriel to coffee or something. Oh also, I just happened to have stumbled upon this picture of Feyre that was taken one time after someone was shocked she caught the SurielMore stuff I don't care about happens blah blah blah and then Feyre's sister, Elain, is somehow kidnapped by the cauldron. Also making a cauldron the most powerful object in all the universe is the stupidest thing I've ever read. How did the Cauldron kidnap Elain? I don't know it is never really explained how that inanimate object does anything. Remember, I still don't know why the crap we are at war here. Anyways, Feyre gets really upset so she goes undercover as Ianthe and infiltrates the Hyburn army and saves Elain. Feyre goes through maybe one obstacle along the way and then returns to her mate Rhys. Also, if you are a person who participates in drinking games, then here's a fun one for you while you read the book. Every time the word “mate” is said you drink. And get drunk during the first chapter. You'll be in the hospital by the third chapter. So actually don't play that drinking game. And was I the only person who felt this entire thing was so unneeded? This is a 700 page book and we are nearing the end and now we are going on missions that run a little too smoothly? Like I know Azriel gets hurt but he'll heal perfectly fine because we live in a world of healing magic that works on bat wings but not bitch's hands. More fighting. There is a lot of fighting that happens. It's like they are at war or something. Oh remember Feyre's father? Yeah, I don't either. But he comes back. I didn't know he was gone but he came back with ships named after his daughters and Odette from Swan Lake but instead of a Swan, she's a firebird which might just be a stupid name for a phoenix, oh and he name isn't Odette. Anyways, her father finds this queen they just happened to be looking for even though there's no way he could have possibly known that because he has been missing for 37297843 years. So obviously, because of this all his past sins are forgiven instantly. Then her father eventually dies because of Trump Hybitch and we are suppose to be sad about it but I'm still standing here likeThen, on page 666, because Sarah is in fact the devil, the unthinkable happens. MY BABY RHYS WHO IS SUPPOSE TO BE PROTECTED AT ALL TIMES DIES. YES DIES. AND AT THIS POINT I'M CRYING IN THE CORNER AND WANTING TO THROW THE BOOOK INTO A VOLCANOAnd I'm just like, “If he ficking stays dead then at least all 700 pages of this book will make great kindling to warm my now cold heart” But then I remember ACOTAR and how Feyre here died and then was brought back to life so I start looking at the other high lords who happen to be near us at this moment and I'm just “Hey do a girl a favor here AND BRING BACK MY BOYFRIEND.”But then I also remember there's a certain asshole who is also a high lord who has to help and I Start FREAKING out but then he comes through and he's just like “Be happy, Feyre,” and SAVES RHY'S LIFEYou still an asshole Tam, but maybe just a little bit less.ANd I'm just crying in the corner even harder than before. Then somehow they defeat the King of Hybitch and Feyre and Rhys live happily ever after. Both are alive. The #NightSquad is still alive. Beause that is super realistic. Looks like the only person who is dead here is me. Oh well. CONCLUSION So while ACOMAF is still the best, this is still a great novel and I loved it? Being with all my children again is all I have ever asked for in life and I ‘m just glad that they all ended up happy.

I'm so in love with this book.
It was better than expected, amazing when author delivers an amazing 3rd book!

in which i actually like the characters from this series for the first time

i didn't like it as much as ACOMAF but it was still really good. i cried few times throughout the book, mostly during last part. i think a lot of sex scenes were unnecessary, i would rather have feyre and rhys just talk

to my suprise, i kinda started to like tamlin... i wouldn't mind a book focused on him. either that or book about lucien.