#Book Review Blog – Page 8

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Pages: 640
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy, New Adult Fantasy
Summary: 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.

TRB Review – 4/5

I’m going to try my absolute hardest to keep this review spoiler free, but there’s so much to discuss and it’s hard to do that without delving into details, hmm this will be very difficult. Just in case, if you’ve yet to sell your bookish soul to the lovely Sarah J Maas and her Night Court (meaning you have not finished ACOMAF yet) – do not read beyond the “STOP READING HERE” warning I’ve set up for you below. Instead, skip to the comments and tell me whether or not you’ve started the series, and what you think!

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second book in the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas. The hype that surrounded ACOMAF on Bookstagram is what lead me to reading series. I am very happy that I did, but like I mentioned in my ACOTAR review, I think the hype surrounding them was a little bigger than the truthful quality of the content. Before you start angrily thrashing your keyboard in the comments – I say this only because of how long it takes for the story to really get good. Maas takes some freedom in the buildup to the most important parts of the story, although in this second book the time spent in the first half is necessary because of the internal struggle that Feyre is facing and must overcome for the story to continue as it does.

STOP READING HERE
(skip to the comments if you have not yet finished ACOMAF, spoilers ahead)

Where do I even begin. While reading the first book I had a very hard time liking the main character, Feyre. She was a strong and tougher than nails, but the broken and hopeless girl from the first book transformed into a hardened and guarded Feyre moving into ACOMAF. After her trials Under the Mountain and the transformation that she experienced, she had some soulful healing to do and I think that Maas did an excellent job letting us into her head and heart and experiencing her pain and fears along side of her.

I immediately regretted my prior fondness of Tamlin. It was apparent very quickly to me why everyone was on “Team Rhysand” from the end of ACOTAR, I think I was just blinded by Tamlin’s High Fae glamour or something? It’s no excuse. I about hooted and hollered when Rhysand swooped in and saved the day, and I was very mad at Feyre for her ignorance. I really thought that Tamlin was out of the picture, but surprise surprise when he and his snot nosed court showed back up to ruin the day! Although to be fair, I did really like Lucien and still believe that he’s going to break away from the madness of Tamlin’s corruption…but who am I to interject my personal thoughts and opinions here. Actually, this has turned into more of a discussion than review anyway it would seem.

The unique way that Maas introduces her characters and builds you up to their full personality and character potential is very interesting to me, and I enjoyed learning about each of them (Rhysand’s right-hand ladies and gents) as Feyre spent more time in the Night Court. They continued to awe me event towards the end of the book, of course there is an air of mystery around them all anyway but as pasts are revealed the characters are really rounded out. I was thrilled that there was so much more going on in ACOMAF, the lack of action bored me before which was very well made up for this time around. Feyre continually grew and developed, a great improvement from her hopeless romantic persona in ACOTAR. She was so snarky, it made me laugh out loud more times than I can count on my fingers and toes!

It’s true, I have jumped on the Rhysand train and I refuse to look back. He’s the newest addition to my ever-growing book boyfriend list, and I mean, if he’s ever looking for a new mate…

I’ve definitely fallen in love with the world that Maas has created in this series. Velaris, really the Night Court as a whole, has stolen my heart and refuses to release it back to the real world. I am looking very forward to the next book, A Court of Wings and Ruin, which is set to release in May of 2017. Yikes, that’s so far away! I’m assuming if you’ve come this far you must have finished the book, I am really curious to know what other readers thought?

Comment below with your thoughts on ACOMAF. What did you think? I have so many questions that I hope ACOWAR answers next year, until then I will burn my Starfall & Rhysand candles and make irrational and unnecessary bookish purchases to hold me over.

I received this box last week, but didn’t want to spoil any unopened Christmas gifts so I waited to reveal the goodies within until now! The Bookish Box was created by the team over at Appraising Pages and is a monthly subscription box that perfectly describes itself! Unlike other book boxes, this subscription does not include a novel each month, but instead, features a shirt designed by Appraising Pages as well as a variety of 3-5 high quality and usable home, beauty, and fashion items inspired by everyone’s favorite books and characters! The December theme was “Yule Ball,” and being a Harry Potter fanatic let me tell you – I was not disappointed!!

This box was a purchase for my self and own use. It was in no way sponsored by or provided by a third party.

Subscription Details:

The Box: The Bookish Box
The Cost: Starting at $29.99 plus s&h, upgrades/add ons are available for additional $$$
Discounts: Varies by rep, 10% off your first month
What’s Inside: All boxes include a shirt and 3-5 home, beauty, and fashion items designed around the month’s literary theme

Our Thoughts:

I ordered this box as immediately upon hearing the theme announcement back in early November! Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was my absolute favorite book in the series and second favorite of the films (closely following the third installment, Prisoner of Azkaban). The Yule Ball was one of the most magical scenes, I can only imagine how amazing winter and Christmastime at Hogwarts would be!

Anyway, back to the good stuff! I purchased a one-time Nightmare Before Christmas box back in October (which was also amazing but I didn’t get around to posting it here) and I was pleasantly surprised, I’m so happy I gave this one a chance too!

There are three things that that make this box extremely desirable to me – the fact that every single item included is usable (you’ll find that as a reoccurring theme with me) on a day to day basis, the amazing and unique literature inspired themes that they come up with each month, and last but not least the plethora of customization/add on options! That last one pertains specifically to the shirt, but the day when a theme comes along that I can’t live without, I will be the FIRST to upgrade to a hoodie!

Unboxing & Contents:

December’s box contained 5 items, including the shirt designed by Appraising Pages. As always, there was a lovely little description card detailing the items and where they came from, as well as their retail values. I think that the value idea is useful, if nothing else so that you can compare cost to value and determine if it’s worth it or not (to you, everyone has the right to their own opinions of course!). I estimated the value of the entire box to be worth over $55, that’s almost double the cost of the box!

These were a few of the smaller bookish goodies inside, although I wouldn’t say anything but the pin was actually very small at all! It was difficult to take a picture of the pin without a horrid glare, but it’s gorgeously crafted & very well made! The candle included was a 6oz-er, which is bigger than most sample candles I’ve ever ordered. It smells magical, much like what I’d like to think Christmas at Hogwarts would. That glorious travel mug you see has a poster of the band that played during the Yule Ball, the Weird Sisters! I was actually in the market for a new mug, problem solved!

The lovely bookmark below was crafted by one of my favorite bookstagrammers, the very talented @lexyolivia! I am assuming each box received the same bookmark, it’s so pretty I am afraid to use it in fear of ruining all of its glory *cringes*.

And last but never least, the wonderful shirt design by the team at Appraising Pages. Part of me was hoping that this would be some sort of wonderful bookish quote, but then I remembered I swore of wearing shirts with text because of my ehm, graciously proportioned upper half, and then I was very pleased with their work! After a closer look, I saw that the wreath is flecked with brooms, flying snitches, and Sorting Hats – I wonder if there is a way to decorate a real wreath with this much magic? And it’s sooo soft.

To say that I am pleased with the contents of The Bookish Box‘s December box would be an understatement. I am too huge a Harry Potter fan to underrate my excitement at the practicality of these items and their magical qualities. I may wait around until another box catches my interest to continue subscribing, but until then I’ll go back to my room where it smells of Christmas at Hogwarts and admire this month’s bookish treats!

Tag: #Book Review Blog

Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

The Bookish Box, December “Yule Ball” Unboxing