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 |

Review: Gateway (The Gateway Trilogy Book # 1) by Christina Garner

Title: Gateway(The Gateway Trilogy Book 1)

Author: Christina Garner

Published: May 17, 2011

Format: ebook,  185 pages

Goodreads Summary:

Ember has always known she doesn't belong in this world. But when she tries to correct the mistake, she wakes to find herself in a mental institution. 

She's soon drawn to Taren, the mysterious boy with hazel eyes. He's not what he seems, but what is he?

When chaos erupts, they are forced to flee the institution together, and the secret that Taren has been keeping brings Ember closer to understanding her own. And leads her to... the Gateway.

My Feelings:

I found this book on Pixel of Ink's young edition free from Amazon.  I wasn't expecting much but I was definitely surprised when this exceeded all of expectations.  

As usual, ya'll know how I am, I want to talk about the cover.  I guess I am a visual kind of person because a great cover can make or break a book for me.  Sometimes.  

This cover looks like it was drawn with a charcoal pencil by someone doing a silhouette of our main protagonist, Ember.  The girl in the cover looks withdrawn and lonely, but more importantly, hopeless.  I think this is one of those covers that shows us more of the book in the simplicity of it all.  

Okay, I am done raving about the cover.  

The story is pretty darn amazing too!  Don't get me wrong it is a dark story that starts out with Ember swallowing a bunch of pills hoping to just go to sleep but instead waking up in a hospital psych ward.  But she is so far from being your typical depressed teenager.  Ember is much stronger than she looks or gives herself credit for.  

At first when I was reading it,  I thought this story was going to be about Ember facing her inner demons in a more metaphorical sense but Garner really throws in the action and fantasy almost like it feels like you are there with Ember experiencing the terrifying creatures that come to visit.  

Garner writes an engaging character in Ember who grows as she realizes who and what she really is.  I would have to add Ember to a list of female characters that I find pretty incredible!  

There is a love interest in this story but it doesn't overtake the plot at all.  In fact, it ties into it more than anything like it was predestined more to me.  But that is just my opinion.  

Taren is a pretty cool guy but he seems to be more cliche with the whole gorgeous tortured soul type that is typical in the YA novels.  

Kat is  a  refreshing character in this story as well.  At first I thought she was going to be the snobby girl that only thinks of herself and resents the main character but she wasn't at all.  Yes she is gorgeous but didn't take away from the story.  In fact she creates more diversity that could help this series become even greater.  

I was completely enthralled in this story that I had a very hard time putting it down.  It does have similarities to The Mortal Instruments but not annoyingly so.  I also couldn't help thinking of Sam from Supernatural a little too.  

I really fell in love with this story and I can't wait till I get my hands on the other two books in the series!

Had to give it five hearts!

ARC Review: Fire Kissed by Erin Kellison

Title: Fire Kissed

Series: Shadow Kissed Book 1

Author: Erin Kellison

Publisher: Kensington

Publication Date: July 3, 2012

Source: ebook from Netgalley

Goodreads Summary:

Fae Fire

It is Kaye Brand's power to wield. But outcast from her kind, she's been selling herself to the highest bidder—money for her survival in exchange for a magic glimpse into the flames of the future.

Angel Ice

One of the angelic Order, Jack Bastian has no use for a female like Kaye, as provocative and unexpected as her blazing beauty. Yet he has no choice but to hire her to uncover the secrets of his sworn enemy and her former fiancé, Ferrol Grey.

Magekind

War is inevitable between the defenders of the Order and the mage Houses who threaten to engulf the world in Shadow. For Jack, mage-born Kaye is off limits, no matter how hot the impossible attraction between them. But in the coming darkness, beset by danger and desire, everything is about to change...

My Feelings:

All I can say is this is one HOT story!  I thought since this book is full of fire why not post it on the Fourth of July!  

Kaye Brand has been through hell in her life but she learned to use what she was given to make her way.  I really respect that from her.  She is probably one of my favorite heroines of this year.  She has so many layers it is impossible to get bored with her!  

Kaye is sexy, confident, tortured and very, very powerful.  

Since I am talking about the characters let me go on and talk about the villian:  Ferro Grey.  

Wow!  He makes bad really evil!

When he first came into the story, I thought to myself, "He doesn't seem so bad."  

I was terribly wrong!  He is worst than I imagined but this makes the story even better!

The mages are fearsome but not evil like the angels try to portray, and the angels are glorious but not killers like the mages told their children.   Gray areas, man you have to love them!  

I get giddy when a book I am reading has those gray areas that make the story even more complex and interesting.  

Another interesting take was how the Fae were described in this story.  Most Fae creatures I have read about are light creatures that help others, but these Fae have a dark side.  That is really cool!

This series takes place in the Shadow Series World, even though this is sorta a spinoff.  

There is sexual scenes in this novel but they are placed in well thought out areas instead of all over the place in usual adult romances.  I really liked that too!  The characters actually have lives instead of sex all the time.  (Don't get me wrong I love sex like the next girl, but come on when people are trying to kill you....sex isn't on my mind)

Overall, I really loved Fire Kissed.   I am now adding the other Shadow novels to my TBR list and I cannot wait to delve into this world of mages, angels, warriors, and strong independent women! 

I had to give this five hearts!~