REVIEW: A Court of Wings and Ruin (SPOILERS!)

I think I was forced to ride an even crazier roller coaster than before. Like, right when you see the end of the ride, a sudden loop just takes you over. Yes, that’s what Mrs. Maas did at the end of ACOWAR.

Warning: Massive spoilers are inevitable in this review, so if you haven’t read the book series as a whole, or ACOWAR in particular, please feel free to skip the review to avoid being mindblown!

A Court of Wings and Ruin
by Sarah J. Maas

Rating:
Goodreads
Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
Published: May 2nd, 2017
Format: eBook | Soon-to-arrive Paperback

Synopsis: Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all. (cr.: Goodreads)

A Court of Wings and Ruin is the third book in ACOTAR saga, the last one narrated from Feyre’s perspective. The book resolves around an important war that decides the future of Prythian and its people.

I seriously feel as if I’ve been thrown into the Cauldron myself. Especially on the last 5% of the book. I almost threw my Kindle at the wall when I got to those final chapters. And, as you can guess, I don’t know how to put all those feels into words to make a decent review, and not just a post full of capslock that looks like AABJRGJLGKJBHEKGISGKAHGHEGOHRAGNHHIGFGGOSHTHATWASUNEXPECTEDKFNFSLKFLHGWHYYOUDOTHATTOMEFKJSHGH;HGHGHENONONONONOYOUAIN’TDOINGTHATTOMEHFLKHGAKAHGAGAEWUGWAEUGWHYYOUHADTOSCAREMETHATMUCHLFJSGLGLHGJHGFJHAWGGOSHI’MDEAD hahahaha.

So, the main plot, a.k.a. the war against Hybern. Sometimes I think that characters are a bit slow in deducting the King’s moves, and, to be honest, that still sounds fine because I also was caught on that. It’s really hard to think on a large scale, when it’s not just a city or a court involved, but the whole country, and you have to be equally passionate and thoughtful on protecting that, which makes me give huge props to Rhysand whatsoever. Feyre’s actions at Spring Court are also understandable, although it’s obvious that she did a huge mistake messing up for her own revenge when the world was in the middle of war, and the alliance between courts was a very important, literally a key factor to their possible victory.

The massive fighting scenes were very impressive, and, since I had a hint of some character dying in this book before its release, I was hugely afraid of reading those war descriptions, as I was terrified that my fav characters would die here. Especially I was afraid for Cassian, as I had predictions on him being that ‘sacrifice’ of the book. But luckily, everything was slightly more smooth than I feared. Although those last scenes at the Cauldron were just like O_O, then @_@, then T_T, then >_____< If you know what I mean there: yep, Rhysand, and also Amren, although I still couldn’t stomach the thought that her actions were actually a betrayal. She clearly said she found a way to defeat Hybern’s army with that Book of Breathings and the Cauldron, but she didn’t say that it was by releasing her nature rather than nullifying the Cauldron, so I still don’t count that as a betrayal from Amren.

I love how Lucien actually settled his priorities, although, obviously, it was his mating bond with Elain that decided his choice of Feyre’s friendship over his own loyalty to Tamlin. And I really was excited to read about his impression on Velaris city. And when he disappeared in the middle of the book to find those allies, I couldn’t read peacefully up until the moment he appeared again. When I was at, like, the last 100 pages of the book, and Lucien still didn’t make his re-appearance, I thought for a second that no way Sarah would forget about him, basically because of his initial connection to Feyre.

While some book bloggers complained about the overloading amount of sex in the story, I’d say that there were some scenes that I’d count rather unnecessary, but not like I’m complaining much, because at least Mrs. Maas writes them very beautifully (compared to that BS by E.L. James). At least I’m definitely not complaining about Rhys and Feyre having sex at war camps, because I remember the times when I massively wrote Fullmetal Alchemist fanfictions for Roy Mustand and Riza Hawkeye (they both participated in a civil war) when they also lost themselves in each other while being on the battlefield, so I was heavily remembered of those times (okay, doesn’t really make sense).

On the diversity part, a.k.a. Morrigan being lesbian… /sigh/ It was completely unexpected, and I actually find it rather… not fitting to the story at all. It’s as if Maas added that so she can boast about it in a way: “ACOWAR has LGBTQ+!”, that is literally only Morrigan confessing to Feyre about her sexual preferences. It would’ve been better if she actually showed something on that (even if it was just basic flirting with Feyre or Amren (or even Vivian! It would make more sense), that, of course, would be just a cover to hide her actual inner pain), although I know that she’s still grieving about the loss of her lover and inability to find someone she could love as wholeheartedly as she did in the past, but I just feel SO SO SORRY for Azriel. I know she tries not to give him any false hopes, but by ignoring him completely, Morrigan only hurts our Illyrian warrior even more, and it just breaks my heart 😦

I loved how strongly the PTSD was presented throughout ACOWAR, with all the characters from Rhys and Feyre and to Nesta and Elain. I hope Cassian and Lucien will help them recovering just like Rhysand and Feyre do to each other. ACOWAR clearly shows that you need someone beside you when you’re down.

Oh, that family topic. Both Archeron family, and Inner Circle. WHY YOU GIVE SO MANY TEARS AND FEELINGS GUYS. Especially when Rhysand gave his last speech:

“I believe everything happens for a reason. […] I am grateful for it, whatever it is. Grateful that it brought you all into my life. If it hadn’t … I might have become as awful as that prick we’re going to face today. If I had not met an Illyrian warrior-in-training,” he said to Cassian, “I would not have known the true depths of strength, of resilience, of honor and loyalty.” Cassian’s eyes gleamed bright. Rhys said to Azriel, “If I had not met a shadowsinger, I would not have known that it is the family you make, not the one you are born into, that matters. I would not have known what it is to truly hope, even when the world tells you to despair.” Azriel bowed his head in thanks. Mor was already crying when Rhys spoke to her. “If I had not met my cousin, I would never have learned that light can be found in even the darkest of hells. That kindness can thrive even amongst cruelty.” She wiped away her tears as she nodded. I waited for Amren to offer a retort. But she was only waiting. Rhys bowed his head to her. “If I had not met a tiny monster who hoards jewels more fiercely than a firedrake …” A quiet laugh from all of us at that. Rhys smiled softly. “My own power would have consumed me long ago.” Rhys squeezed my hand as he looked to me at last. “And if I had not met my mate …” His words failed him as silver lined his eyes. He said down the bond, I would have waited five hundred more years for you. A thousand years. And if this was all the time we were allowed to have … The wait was worth it. He wiped away the tears sliding down my face. “I believe that everything happened, exactly the way it had to … so I could find you.” He kissed another tear away. And then he said to my sisters, “We have not known each other for long. But I have to believe that you were brought here, into our family, for a reason, too. And maybe today we’ll find out why.”

OH GAWD WHYYYYYY Exactly at this long impressive speech I started preparing myself for the worst. AND THEN ALL THOSE THINGS HAPPENED, AND I WAS INTERNALLY SCREAMING LIKE UGHGHGHGAHEWGHAGHAAAAAA

Seriously, how could you sit still when all those things happened in a book. 700 pages, 3 sleepless nights, and I still can’t process everything in my head. @__@

Okay, can I also add a short paragraph on Tamlin, and his last action? No, I don’t justify his previous actions and attitude, but his last sacrifice for the woman he probably really loved (but just didn’t know how to handle his feelings properly) was the last blast into my heart. Though I’d say, his character development was messy and shit, but I don’t care. He did, at last, what should be done if he really loved Feyre. So I give him props for this. I hope that in some fan fiction or actual sequels, he would overcome his grudge, and accept Feyre’s invitation to Velaris, so she can show him that she’s indeed happy and safe. I’d love to see his reaction to the City of Starlight. And I’d love them to still be those friends they were with Lucien before falling for each other. A.k.a. I NEED MORE SASSINESS between best friends 😀

Okay, my review is done. XD

Phew! That was a veeeery long review. I tried to bring my thoughts altogether, but I probably missed something more, which will go to separate posts then? Idk lol

What did you think of ACOWAR? I’d like to also know your opinion on problematic moments Maas included in the book. Are those really problematic? Or some book blogger are just exaggerating it?

And of course, please look forward to quote hunting!

Until my revival from these ruins,