Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 768 pages
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: February 16th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads
BOOK SUMMARY:
Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.
The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.
Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.
Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.
STUNNING.
It was a test of my willpower, but I have kept this spoiler free!
That’s the best word I could think of, but yet still doesn’t encompass everything I felt reading this book. I felt EVERYTHING. It was a beautiful and hard journey Nesta went through. This book just went on a whole other level. I won’t be able to convey everything I’m sure I’ll try to in this review, so in simplicity: I loved it. I love this series. And will add this to books I reread every year.
I know this book was about Nesta, but it has to be mentioned, CASSIAN. That patient, very patient soul. Oh my goodness, every time the sentiment, keep reaching your hand out, was used I couldn’t handle. I LOVE THEM TOGETHER. And watching both of them grow and accept and love and all the things. I’m already incoherent. Cassian and Nesta solidified themselves as one of my favorite couples everrrrr.
The story was definitely character driven (I don’t mind). I was impressed that a whole new plot was unfurled and actually connected really well to the previous 3 ACOTAR books. I’m excited to see where each book will take us. There’s a lot to explore and so many characters to follow too! I don’t know how SJM is going to give us all of the answers, but I don’t doubt that she’ll be able to.
Can we also discuss the new characters? Nesta’s new friend group. BECAUSE I LOVE THEM. And saw the inklings of where their stories will go and I AM HERE FOR IT. I WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS. They were the perfect pieces that Nesta needed to open up to others & start the mending of her own soul.
I found myself laughing many times and wondering where was my magic, smut reading house? I found myself crying many times because of the pure raw anguish of Nesta’s grief and coping (and that ending really had me). This was everything I hoped for in getting Nesta’s story.
It was interesting to see characters like Rhys for her point of view. There was such a contrast to Feyre’s (obviously). I really loved seeing all of the court in another way and continuing there stories too. I wish I would have seen more from some, but I understand the whole-hearted focus on Nesta.
I didn’t think she’d become such a beloved character. This story changed my mind.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy romance
- Language: strong throughout
- Romance: verrrrrrry open door scenes & lots of ’em
- Violence: battles, physical altercations, kidnapping, magic use
- Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of grief and depression; suicide ideation, loss of loved ones; discussion and scenes of past sexual assaults and rape
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