Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas A.K.A the book that stole my heart away!

A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas
Bloomsbury/ May 2016
Book 2 in A Court of Thorn and Roses

Synopsis:

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.
Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.
With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

My Thoughts:

I have found the book that if I never read another book as long as I live, I can die happy knowing I found this treasure.  Of course, I would very much like to read the next book; but I am beyond fulfilled having this novel in my possession.   

A Court of Mist and Fury brings together all these chaotic and beautifully surreal characters crashing towards us creating  this friction that forms these majestic scenes in our heads, our hearts, and our souls.  I am forever changed by this novel and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I finished reading it today and I can't find myself in the bed even now.  I don't want this "glow" to end just yet.  But I honestly don't think I will ever lose any of the happiness Maas has given me.  

There are so many emotions rolling around in this story.  And I relate to Feyre more than I thought I could with a fictional character.  After the turmoil she went through Under the Mountain, Feyre finds herself in mental agony all the time.  She is severely depressed, and suffers from panic and anxiety that is enough to break  the world apart.  

I understand the panic and anxiety all too well.  I have watched myself go from a fun loving adventurous person to someone who is scared to death to go out in society in case I can't protect the ones I love most.  

To see someone so strong, so amazing experience some of these same terrors was heartbreaking for me. But it was also a light in the darkness.  I may be able to get through my panic just by keeping Feyre in my mind.   I wept so long and knew right then that this book was my soulmate.  

There was even a time while reading, that I thought to myself:

"I may not survive this book.  My heart is so ensconced with these characters, I will be completely changed forever."

And I was utterly right.  I am wholly changed.

I loved A Court of Thorns and Roses but that love is infinitesimal compared to the adoration I have for this second book in the series.  

There isn't much I can say that isn't absolute love for ACoMaF; I had no issues at all with the characters, the plot, or the world building.  

There were certain characters that I wanted to wrench their necks.  You don't fall in love with a free spirit and then try to cage it.  Never does that turn out well. 

And then there were other characters that I couldn't steer my thoughts away.  

The descriptions used to show us the Night court was enchanting.  The city there, Velaris, had me picturing Savannah, Ga.  I don't know why; I just did.  Perhaps, Savannah is my home in my heart, no matter where I am. 

I don't really want to give anything away in case you haven't read the first book yet.  Honestly, I had to get my reactions down before I exploded from the emotions that were taking over.  Rage, despair, and utter devotion.  But more importantly, hope.  So much hope...for Lucien, Feyre's sisters, the Night Court, and yes, even Tamlin.  

Please if you have ever loved stories about Fae, about magic, and love - then give this series a try.  Do you instead yearn for a strong female character who grows and learns what she needs and loves?  Do you need to see characters fight for what they know is right; although they most definitely will stumble along the way?  Then you need to read this series too.  It is more than just a paranormal romance.  It's more than just a book about magic and the different Fae courts.  This novel is soul wrenchingly complicated at times; simply perfect at others.  

Maybe as I start to process everything better I can come up with a better review.  I don't know.  But I do know that I am eternally grateful to Ms. Sarah J. Maas for creating this masterpiece and sharing it with the world.   I feel like she has given me a piece of my heart back that I didn't even realize was missing. 

Available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble |  The Book Depository |

Connect with Sarah J. Maas:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter |

ARC Review: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagwa {Book 1: Call of the Forgotten}

Title: The Lost Prince
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Expected Publishing Date: Oct. 30, 2012
Format: e-ARC
Source: Net Galley
Get It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.
That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.
Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.
This novel is one of Julie’s books that will have you demanding for the second one as soon as you finish your read.-goodreads summary

My Thoughts:
I truly want to smack myself for not reading more of the Iron Fey books until now.  These stories are so good!  The Lost Prince is a combination of the Iron Fey series and a new series too.  And even though I am completely behind (this is the fifth book in the Iron Fey series) I could still follow the plot really well .  
Julie Kagawa's writing is amazing!  The world of Faery has so many complex areas to it, not to mention the different Fae creatures that live there, that I was constantly being surprised every few pages.  The Iron Realm was pretty darn creative too!  It was like Kagawa took the old stories of Fae and intertwined them with some steampunk to develop these odd and yet totally enjoyable characters.
Speaking of the characters, there are so many to choose from!  Of course, I really liked Ethan, although, there were a few times I wanted him to stop being a jerk.  My favorite trait of his, besides being super yummy, was that he stood up to the bullies.  Even though it was one of Them, he still had his morals.  I loved that about him! 
Kenzie was pretty cool except I could tell she was hiding something.  That made me wonder if I could trust her and then when I did find out what she was hiding, I felt really guilty.  She was the perfect fit for Ethan.  Where he was this "brooding", quiet bad guy persona type, she was this light, stubborn, funny and definitely smart girl that was his equal part.  The dialogue between these two was fun and I loved the flirty nature of each of them.  
Oh Todd was this cute nerdy little guy that I liked a lot.  It seemed like the more Ethan tried to stay away from Them, the more it seemed he was drawn to everything about Them. 
I was able to follow the main plot line very well, especially with this being my first book I have read from the series, and all the different minor threads didn't confuse me either. In fact, it added even more excitement to the story.  Can I just say that the small part Puck plays in has made me a fan for life?  I can't wait to start at the beginning to get to know these massively attractive guys!
I didn't get to read much about the Iron Queen, Ethan's sister, but I feel like Ethan holds so much hostility for her that it blurs the truth for him.  I see she has so much on her shoulders and I think I would really like her.  
It was hard not to get this creepy shiver going down my back when you think there is this unseen world in the shadows always watching.  The Fair folk are such a mesmerizing fantasy anyways, but then Kagawa adds this modern twists and Fae with darker desires too.  
We meet a lot of new characters in this story as well the well loved ones from the other books.  It helps to create this seemingly magical world where good and evil collide and lines between wrong and right get blurred for those you love.  I was deliciously terrified of the antagonists in the story and sickened from what they did just to be remembered; but it made you ask the question: how far would you be willing to go to stay alive?

I gave it five hearts.