A Court of Mist and Fury

After having mixed feelings about the first book, my expectations going into A Court of Mist and Fury were much lower than when I first started the ACOTAR series. But I am glad to say I was wrong. This was by far the best book of the series so far, a huge improvement over the first installment.

Unlike the fairy-tale feeling of the first book, which I personally disliked, this one felt much more grounded. The entire story is far more character-focused. That doesn’t mean the plot is weak, the story here is as strong as ever but the real strength lies in the extraordinary character growth. The tone is also darker than in book one, and we get to explore the backstories of key characters, which adds a lot of depth. I still don’t love the first-person point of view, since it limits how much we can see of other characters’ thoughts and motivations, but the writing was strong enough that I could look past it more than I did in the first book.

The focal point of this book was Feyre’s transformation. At the start, she is weighed down by PTSD and depression, haunted to the point that even the color red is unbearable. But over the course of her journey, she gradually rebuilds herself into someone more self-assured and ready to face difficult choices, no matter the cost. By confronting her pain instead of avoiding it, she grows into a character who is stronger and more determined, yet still carries the stubborn courage she had from the very beginning. She not only accepts the powers she has gained but also learns to wield them with purpose.

One of the things I appreciated most was how the book shows two very different responses to trauma through Tamlin and Feyre. Tamlin becomes increasingly paranoid and controlling, while Feyre sinks deeper into depression as she struggles to heal. Watching how these two reactions clash and ultimately fracture their relationship was powerful and, in my opinion, one of the best-written parts of the book.

Then there is the relationship between Rhysand and Feyre. Maas shows two sides of Rhysand: on one hand, he sometimes has to act arrogant and manipulative to assert his authority in political games between courts, especially in the Court of Nightmares. On the other hand, we slowly see the real Rhys. Vulnerable, loyal, and supportive. This duality makes his actions easier to understand, even if some, like treating Feyre as his “whore,” were uncomfortable to read. What truly worked for me was how naturally the relationship between Feyre and Rhysand evolves. It is a slow burn with a fantastic payoff. This felt like the romance Maas thought she was writing in book one between Feyre and Tamlin, but here it was executed perfectly. The dialogue between Feyre and Rhysand was another highlight, sharp and full of emotion, and it gave real weight to their growing bond.

Reading other people’s reviews, I noticed some are angry that Tamlin was treated horribly in this book and that his character was “assassinated,” while others say “forget Tamlin” and are glad to see him gone. Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle. If you read my ACOTAR review, you know one of my biggest problems with the first book was the relationship between Tamlin and Feyre. I was never a fan of that pairing to begin with. That being said, I don’t agree with the accusations of character assassination either. What happened to Tamlin makes sense when you look at it through the lens of PTSD. He witnessed the woman he loved die. He was also deeply affected by Amarantha. Everyone reacts to trauma differently, and in his case it turned him paranoid, overprotective, manipulative, impulsive, and controlling. These were unhealthy reactions, but they were still believable reactions. In my opinion, his behavior in this book fits with the lasting consequences of what he endured, even if it destroyed his relationship with Feyre.

Another huge improvement in this book was the side characters. In A Court of Thorns and Roses, the supporting cast felt weak and underdeveloped, but here they truly shine. Mor, Azriel, Cassian, and Amren each bring their own presence and depth to the story, making the Night Court feel alive and layered. Even the return of Feyre’s sisters, Nesta and Elain, adds new dimensions that I wasn’t expecting. For the first time in the series, the world feels populated with complex, interesting characters rather than just background figures orbiting the protagonist.

The worldbuilding around the Night Court and Velaris was also amazing. As I’ve mentioned in all my reviews of Sarah J. Maas’s books, this is something she just does perfectly. The introduction of Velaris and the way the Night Court is portrayed makes the world feel so much larger and more alive. The expansion of the universe here is masterfully done, and I was a huge fan of it.

The story never dragged at any point. It reads so smoothly that it feels like it ends in the blink of an eye, and that’s how good the pacing is. In this book we also begin to see the growing threat of the King of Hybern, which raises the stakes and sets the stage for what’s to come. Feyre’s training and her journey to learn how to use the powers she gained from each of the High Lords was another highlight. Unlike in the first book, when her victories often felt unearned, here her growth and triumphs actually make sense. She is no longer just a human but someone with immense power, and the story reflects that.

The ending was excellent. With Feyre’s two sisters now drawn into the larger conflict, the series feels like it is opening up even more, and it left me eager to see where the story would go next.

This is by far the best book of the series. Almost everything about it was perfect for me. Easily a 5 out of 5 star read. The story was darker, more grounded, and character-driven. Feyre’s growth was extraordinary, the romance felt believable, the side characters came alive, the world expanded beautifully, the dialogue was sharp, and the pacing was flawless. While I still don’t love the first-person perspective, A Court of Mist and Fury showed me why so many readers are passionate about this series. It’s a massive improvement over the first book, and easily the strongest entry so far.