I always say I tend to become more invested in love stories when they're subplots and the book itself is not actually about the love story. I like it when the characters come together around and between all the rest of the action and drama. That's what's happening here. Because there is a whole shitstorm of other things going on - which, by the way, has led to better world-building, more exciting action and reveals, and a fascinating overarching story.

I MEAN, SERIOUSLY? We can notice that by ourselves, but Feyre kept comparing and comparing during the whole book.The writing style of this book is 1st person, which differs vastly from the writing in Maas’s first series, “Throne of Glass”. The style fits the story well. Maas writes with a finesse most YA and NA authors do not possess. I recommend her books highly, as they are quality tales: very complex, written well, and the characters are well developed. This book doesn’t hold a whole lot of educational lessons. It’s an adaption from the story The Beauty And The Beast. There’s a bit of mythology. Things were so perfect so far that I was getting scared. Scared that all that perfectness was going to be ripped away and I was going to be one emotional mess. And for a minute there, I was. You guys know what I'm talking about.

Plotwise, I can't help but notice that some things were very convenient. You suspect the King of Hybern is preparing for war? Let's ask the monstrous ancient creature, who in the span of five minutes will give us all the answers, including the means to defeat the King and the exact location of the weapons to nullify his powers. Wanna convince the mortal queens to give you what you need? Write a mushy letter about your love for Feyre. The result is guaranteed. I mean, really? I also love Cassian and Azriel. Everything that happened at the end with them made me a sobbing mess! I just hope Cassian recovers his poor wings!, because if not, I'll just go to a corner and cry forever.

Did we miss something on diversity?

The violence, blood and gore depicted in the novel are graphic. Feyre kills Andras, a High Fae in wolf form. Even though she suspects that the wolf is really Fae, she shoots him with an arrow made out of ash, the only thing that can kill the Fae. She skins him for his pelt and leaves the carcass in the woods. When Tamlin gets enraged, he shape-shifts into an enormous lion/wolf-like creature and smashes things. A Court of Mist and Fury introduces many new characters, and the difference between this book and the first is that I found them all memorable, not just the main three characters. Maas has definitely not neglected her characterization and character detailing here. Everyone who comes in and out of the novel has an important purpose, is fleshed out with personality and history, and makes an impact. To all those who still have to start this series and are intentioned to: don’t read A Court of Thornes and Roses. Spoil yourself a little of what happens there and start with this one. Because -and this is the truly sad thing, as someone else said before me- A Court of Mist and Fury could even be enjoyable if the first book had not happened before. I absolutely love this book. But as a 28 year old woman, I felt her depths of despair and depression to my very soul, so I can't imagine handling all the emotions of this one when I was under the age of 18! Also I can read through the graphic scenes without them bothering me (and maybe even enjoying them).. because I am an adult. I would have 0 issue with them if this book wasn't labeled for a younger age group! Another issue was that Rhys seems to be the only High Lord that cares about peace and prosperity. He's literally the only one trying to stop the King. The other High Lords don't care about humans! The other High Lords are stupid! I feel like SJM did this just to add more perfection to Rhysand's character: Obviously he's the only considerate Fae that cares about the poor humans, the other High Lords are nothing compared to him!

It isn't even like Rhysand is perfect in this book. His flirting is literally saying things to Feyre that most men would get slapped for. He talks to her like one of those sexist asshats in Madmen. He's constantly talking about her appearance in a creepy way, and he laughs when she's upset that he used her as bait for the Attor. Even their bargain, which ended up allowing him to read her mind, was done without consent, and he certainly doesn't ask for consent every time he reads her mind. At one point, he even says that he could rip her mind apart if he wanted. It's almost like this book was written out with the intention of having him still be the villain and Maas changed her mind halfway through. When Feyre made the decision to stay at the Night Court with Rhys and the squad (who I adore so much by the way), I was so happy. Not just because that meant Rhys and Feyre time (whoo!), but because it showed how strong she's become and that she finally escaped the captivity of the Spring Court into the freedom of the Night Court. And she is a total bad ass. Also, apparently Feyre hates painting now and is totally upset that Tamlin gives her a set of paints as a present. Because how dare he get her something that she used to like but didn't tell him that she doesn't like anymore. How dare he not be a mind-reader like Rhysand who is a prince among men. You think I don’t know how stories get written—how this story will be written?” Rhys put his hands on his chest, his face more open, more anguished than I’d seen it. “I am the dark lord, who stole away the bride of spring. I am a demon, and a nightmare, and I will meet a bad end. He is the golden prince—the hero who will get to keep you as his reward for not dying of stupidity and arrogance.” And I had other issues with this book... but that was my main one. I'm afraid this has become the modus-operandi of SJM.With romance aside, everything about A Court of Mist and Fury turned out every bit as great as I anticipated a year ago. Sarah J. Maas did not disappoint. I was preparing myself for the worst but instead I got the best. Sarah really knows how to capture her audience with her writing, worldbuilding, and characters that she has created. Of all the new things that were introduced in this book, the new characters of the Night Court were definitely my favorite. I thought the Spring Court was great in ACOTAR with characters like Lucien and Alis but the Night Court was at a whole new level with Cassian, Azriel, Morrigan, and Amren. BADASS is literally an understatement describing these new characters.