A Court of Wings and Ruin

 A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

    Guys, I finally finished this huge book!  I'm so sorry it took me so long; my schedule has been really busy and I haven't had as much time to read as I would have liked.  I hate that I did that, too, because Sarah J. Maas' books are always so big with so much world development and so many characters and I feel like I forgot a lot about the little things that happened.  My notes helped a lot, but I still feel like I didn't get the full experience of the book.  Oh, well.  I still absolutely loved it!  This is the third installment in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, so if you haven't read the last two books, please don't read any further!  I have book reviews for both of the previous ones, so read the books, check those out, and then come back so we can discuss!

SPOILER ALERT

    In my last two book reviews, I talked a lot about Feyre and Rhysand or Feyre and Tamlin, but this book was definitely more about the side characters!  This book is really making the series for me--the plot isn't too unique, but the characters and the dynamic between them is amazing and so real and something I want!!  Of course, I love Feyre and Rhysand, but I first want to talk about Tamlin, Nesta, Lucien, and Mor because we there was so much that went on with them.

    First, Tamlin.  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph was his storyline a roller coaster in this book.  I don't know how I felt about him in the beginning...not only was it a long time ago that I read that part (oops) but he was trying to make things better with Feyre which was nice but he also had taken her from Rhys so at the same time I couldn't stand him.  That whole debacle where Feyre kind of tore apart his court was so satisfying for me, but I also felt so bad for him.  That pretty much summarizes my feelings for him--I either hate him or I feel bad for him.  He's still struggling, I think, with what went down Under the Mountain and he doesn't have anyone to help him work through it.  Feyre left him, Lucien left him, his whole court fell apart, so I do feel some sympathy for him.  That still doesn't excuse what he did, so the sympathy doesn't run too deep.  But then he goes and helps Feyre and Azriel escape from Hybern?  And then helps them fight against Hybern?  And then gives some of his power to Rhysand to save him?  Like what is going on?  Something I realized while reading this book is that I like the characters because they really just do not turn out how you think they will.  The perfect example is Jurian.  When the fuck did that happen?  I thought Rhys was bad in the first book, now I love him, and Jurian seemed like he was an evil minion of Hybern, but then he ended up saving them?  I'm just so confused but I love it.  It keeps me on my toes and Tamlin's story definitely contributed to that.  It was really sweet that Feyre wrote a note telling him to be happy and I really hope he does find some peace eventually.  I know there are more books, so I hope to see more from him even though he's not my favorite character.

    Next, Lucien.  First of all, I really wish we learned what happened on his trip to find Vassa and why Feyre and Nesta's dad went to get her.  That whole storyline kind of came out of nowhere, in my opinion.  That's another thing with Sarah's books.  A lot of elements get added randomly in each book to make things happen a certain way, but then they come back later on in the series as very important plot points.  I'm not sure if I like that or not...Anyway, I wish we heard more from Lucien, but the things we did hear explain a lot.  Like how Helion is his father!?!?!?!?!  That makes so much sense because of how his family hates him and pretty much disowned him.  I was shocked, too, when Lucien decided to come to the Night Court with Feyre because of how loyal he used to be to Tamlin.  Maybe it was the mating bond that was drawing him away.  I felt so bad for Lucien when Elain kind of rejected him.  I don't blame Elain, though, because it was such a shock to be turned into a High Fae and suddenly have everything you've ever known and wanted ripped out from underneath your feet.  Azriel and Elain really bonded though and I think its because they kind of understood each other.  Not entirely sure why, but I just have that feeling.  Anyway, maybe Elain will be more open to Lucien in the next installments, but, in the end, I just really want them both to be happy.

    Was anyone else freaking out when Mor told Feyre she was a lesbian?  That was amazing and makes so much sense!!!  Like how can anyone hang around men like Cassian and Azriel and be totally cool unless you just didn't like them that way.  I also love how Mor had the courage to tell Feyre--that's a big thing and it just shows the strength of their bond.  I hope she finds someone that makes her happy!

    On a completely different note, I'm still so confused about where Nesta's head is at.  She's a very confusing character because at one point she's snapping at Feyre and the next she's giving her a hug.  One moment she's not willing to help them and the next she is.  I really never know what to expect from her which I like because it keeps me engaged, but at the same time I feel like I don't have a good read on her character and she's been in all three books!  Like, when are we going to learn more about her relationship with Feyre and why she is the way she is?  Sarah, I need this!  I want to know!  My sister is kind of like this, too, so I see more from Feyre's point of view and I just want to know what's going on in Nesta's head.  Please!  Also, can we talk about Cassian and Nesta?? When did that happen??  There was a lot of sexual tension between the two, but I wish we saw more about their courtship and how Cassian seemed to kind of break Nesta's walls a little bit.  Ugh!  There's so much more I want to know and the book was already huge!

    Now to Feyre and Rhysand...there are so many points in my notes where I just write "I LOVE RHYS."  They are perfect for each other and meant to be and they just fit together so fucking nicely I love it!  They are just both so selfless which is a good thing, but also bad.  I was in TEARS when I thought Rhysand was dead, I didn't know what I was going to do with myself if he died.  Now that Feyre is in a good relationship, I loved seeing her grow and not being afraid to make her own decisions and take charge.  Go women!  Something I want to know about Feyre, though, is what she saw in the Ouroboros and her experience there.  She saw who she was and was able to accept it, which was amazing, but I want details on exactly what she saw and how she did it!

    Some questions I still have are where is Bryaxis?  Where are the Queens?  What are they going to do?  It wouldn't be a Sarah J. Maas book without some retaliation.  I'm so excited to read A Court of Frost and Starlight!

    Let me know what you thought of this book in the comments!