A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Rating – 4.25 out of 5
In A Court of Wings and Ruin (often known as ACOWAR) by Sarah J. Maas, Feyre and Rhysand are protecting the fairy kingdom from a new threat. With Feyre returned to the Spring Court to gather intel and new enemies appearing, the duo has many worries to attend to. While the fate of the whole kingdom lies in the balance, the Night Court must band together to find the secrets of their enemies and save the world from obvious destructive rule.
Favorite Quote
“One life may change the world.” ― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin
Why I liked A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
I finally finished this trilogy! While it took me some time to get through ACOWAR, I thoroughly enjoyed how it turned out. I appreciated Maas as a writer and cannot wait for her next book House of Earth and Blood, due out Jan. 2020. She is extremely talented when it comes to building out characters and motivation as well as just descriptions of the fantastical places her books take place in. I feel like I understand what her characters and going through and while easy to read, her books contain an emotional depth that pulls at your heartstrings.
Behind the cut is a few spoilers for ACOWAR, so click at your own peril! If you have not read this trilogy yet, see my reviews for A Court of Thorns and Roses & A Court of Mist and Fury.
When I started ACOWAR, I was a little frustrated that we were back in the Spring Court. While I liked the arc of Tamlin showing his real intentions through the first two books I was surprised that we ended up in the same place in the third book. I enjoyed once we moved past that and Feyre once again joined the night court that they were able to move the plot forward.
When it came to the monsters in ACOWAR, Bryaxis, The Bone Carver and the Weaver, I was thrilled to see how such dastardly creatures were used for good. The Bryaxis, in particular, was one of my favorite monsters given its sense of humor and the deep pleasure it took in existing as something that ‘goes bump in the dark’. Later on, when the Suriel dies during the battle with Feyre in attendance, I was moved to tears. Portraying such a character as empathetic during its final moments solidified to me that Maas has a talent for writing in grey areas that are not always present in fantasy. Good and evil are often portrayed in black and white and she knows how to define beautiful shades of grey.
A Court of Wings and Ruin has everything that Maas has come to be known by, there are twists and turns, war and intrigue and complex characters who keep you on your toes. I cannot give her high enough praise and as a fantasy reader, this is what I would like to see more of in the genre.
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