Book Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #3
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017
Genre: Young Adult / New Adult, Fantasy Romance

Pages: 699 pages
Format: ebook 
Source: Borrowed 

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Synopsis: 

Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series. 

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit--and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. 

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords--and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

My Thoughts: 

Warning! Possible spoilers ahead!

In A Court of Wings and Ruin, romance takes a back seat to war, death, and destruction.

So far, this is my favorite book in this series. 
I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book because it dragged so hard until the very last 10% or so. The second book was much better but the MC drove me bonkers with her whining so I just couldn't enjoy it.
A Court of Wings and Ruin is more of what I expected from Maas. There's more action, Feyre has finally come into her own, and there was just sooo much more plot this time around.

There was so much more about the secondary characters as well. It wasn't all about Feyre and Rhysand, which I guess was both good and bad. Good because there's no way this series could go on and keep my interest if it was all about them, and bad because I really felt like both of them were pushed to the side to build up other relationships. Though it was sooo lovely to not be overly annoyed by Feyre this time around. 

I was glad that there was more about Feyre's sisters. I was really starting to dislike both of them and was starting to literally loathe Nesta but she surprised me towards the end.
I have to be vague here but think I saw the thing with Mor way before it was confirmed. It just made sense to me. Especially with the direction that Maas took with Cassian, Azriel, and Feyre's sisters. I do think it was a cop out to just add that in the third book and not even really hint at it sooner though. As I've seen others say, it was not represented well and really just feels like it was thrown in last minute. 

I'm hoping that all the secondary character development means that the story will veer towards other characters or relationships. I have a few thoughts but ultimately have no real idea where Maas is going to take this series in the next three books. 

The war was pretty epic. Very reminiscent of Throne of Glass. I enjoyed the battle scenes (especially toward the end). There were dark gods, death, and plenty of on-the-edge-of-my-seat moments. I mostly just enjoyed that there was more action than romance this time around. 

My Rating: 5 stars

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

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #2
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Romance
Length: 626 pages
Format: ebook
Source: Gifted

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Synopsis: 
Feyre survived Amarantha's cluthes 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 great 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.

My Thoughts: 

WARNING. Possible spoilers ahead. 

After the 'Under the Mountain', Feyre and Tamlin have gone back to their lives at the Spring Court. Except things are not the same. Feyre cannot forget those horrid events or the lives she took and spends every night vomiting up the memories. Despite now being High Fae, her human heart is tormented and she's but a shell of what she used to be. Tamlin requests the help of priestess Ianthe to prepare everything for the wedding and Feyre stands in the shadows while Ianthe takes care of everything. But she feels trapped and when Tamlin repeatedly refuses to allow her to leave the house Feyre falls into a dark pit of despair. Rhysand, feeling that despair through their special bond swoops in and rescues her, setting off a chain events that may affect all of Prythian and beyond. 

I enjoyed this a lot more than A Court of Thorns and Roses but Feyre was even more annoying this time around. I understood and sympathized with the ptsd that she displays but it was excessive and the whining just seemed neverending. I felt like this book could have been amazing if the vomiting and woe-is-me had been toned down a bit. It was extremely repetitive and if it wasn't for Rhysand, I would have given up on Feyre early on.

Rhysand steps out of the dark in this sequel and we learn more about him, his friends, family, and his world overall. We learn that he is not as bad as he makes himself out to be and it just makes sense that he is the 'book boyfriend' of this series. He's dark and mysterious and dreamy.

We are introduced to lots of new characters, a few old, and we travel through more of Prythian and it's 'Courts' in ACOMAF. There's also a whole new set of possible couples to 'ship'.

 I'm not rooting for anyone in particular since Maas doesn't go into much detail on these other character's relationships with each other but I'm interested in seeing how they turn out in the next book. Especially with what happened at the end! 

Romance is a big factor in this series but there's still plenty more to keep my interest. Having been turned into a High Fae, Feyre has many new magical gifts (something from each High Lord that brought her back to life) and it was interesting to read about her trying to control these new powers and use them to her benefit. 

There's also the looming war on the horizon with Hybern. I always look forward to a good fantasy 'war'. Plus the Illyrian army with their wings is just fascinating and I hope there's a good scene or two with them fighting in the future (but we'll see...).

Overall, I'm still on the fence about this series. I'm not in love with it and I don't particularly like many of the characters, especially Feyre at times, but I'm curious about what will happen to these characters and this world. Maas has a way with stories, even if I don't love them all 100%. 

My Rating:  4 stars

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses 

Author: Sarah J. Mass

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

Length: 416 pages

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

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Synopsis: 

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin--one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. 

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it...or doom Tamlin--and his world--forever. 

My Thoughts:

Feyre is the only one in her family even making an effort towards making sure they don't all starve to death. So when she comes across both a doe and a wolf about to attack it, she makes a quick decision to kill them both, despite that the wolf seems unnaturally large and might just be fae. The doe will feed her family and the wolf pelt can be traded for money that will get them a few necessities. When a beast busts in their door and demands a life for a life or Feyre's life lived out in the fae territories, she chooses to go with him rather than die. The beast turns out to be the masked high-fae lord, Tamlin.

Warning. This is not a spoiler free review. Proceed with caution.

I was in a book hangover from a previous read when I started this. I'm not sure if it is that hangover or the hype that made me enjoy this less than I thought I would, or the book itself.
To be honest, I was rather bored with the first 3/4 of the story. It only got interesting right before the end. This was entirely disappointing considering that I loved the Throne of Glass series and Sarah's writing style. Plus, hearing people talk about this book for the past couple of years really set me up for a pretty big fall, especially when it came to the the character Rhysand. If you know anything about this book, you've probably seen or heard of that name. Everyone seems to obsess over him and that is why I ended up being incredibly confused when Feyre falls in love with Tamlin and Rhysand doesn't even come into the story until the end.

Feyre is a little frustrating at times. She knows things are bad for her but she does them anyway. Screw the repercussions. Flawed characters can be great but Feyre often just made me want to stop reading. She didn't really stand out as an unique main character to me, either. She is a mix of Celaena Sardothian and Katniss Everdeen in a way and the only thing that set her aside was that she enjoyed painting. 
Tamlin is the mysterious masked beast that I felt we didn't actually learn anything about. Other than having dinner with him, he is almost never in the picture because he is often away fighting things. 
Lucien, Tamlin's friend, was probably my favorite character. He has a personality and has more backstory and interaction with Feyre than Tamlin. 

There are quite a few things I just didn't like about this story. The mc and the strange and sudden insta-love relationship between her and Tamlin. The lack of any real plot for the majority of the book. I could probably pick it apart but I'd rather just move on. 
That being said, I did really enjoy the last part of the story. It finally picked up and we were introduced to the infamous Rhysand as well as the evil power holding reign over the fae realms. I will be continuing this series because that last bit really drew me in and I'm really curious about what will happen in ACOMAF. 

My Rating: 4 stars at best

Graphic Novel Review: The Exile by Diana Gabaldon

Title: The Exile

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Illustrator: Hoang Nguyen

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: September 21, 2010

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance, Graphic Novel

Length: 224 pages

Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

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Synopsis: 

In her first-ever graphic novel, Gabaldon gives readers a fresh look at the events of the original Outlander: Jamie Fraser's side of the story, gorgeously rendered by artist Hoang Nguyen. 

After too long an absence, Jamie Fraser is coming home to Scotland--but not without great trepidation. Though his beloved godfather, Murtagh, promised Jamie's late parents he'd watch over their brash son, making good on that vow will be no easy task. There's already a fat bounty on the young exile's head, courtesy of Captain 'Black Jack' Randall, the sadistic British officer who's crossed paths--and swords--with Jamie in the past. And in the court of the mighty MacKenzie clan, Jamie is a pawn in the power struggle between his uncles: aging chieftain Colum, who demands his nephew's loyalty, and Dougal, war chieftan, who'd sooner see Jamie put to the sword than anointed Colum's heir. 

And then there is Claire Randall--mysterious, beautiful, and strong-willed, who appears in Jamie's life to stir his compassion... and arouse his desire.

My Thoughts: 

Jamie's side of the story as told by Murtagh. 
If you aren't familiar with the story of Outlander at all, just know that this is the same exact story, just told from the male perspective instead of Outlander's female main character, Claire. Jamie is the 'hero' of our story and Murtagh is his godfather. Murtagh tells this story from his point of view as he tries his hardest to keep his god-son, Jamie Fraser, out of trouble. 

Of course I loved this but there was an extra character in this book that really confused me. He is woven into the original story within this graphic novel but was not in Outlander at all that we know of. I don't know if this character comes up in the sequels since I haven't read any of them yet.

I had issues with the illustrations at times. Other than Claire, Jamie, and Captain Randall, they all looked the same. I had a really hard time discerning the mystery character from Murtagh and Rupert and the other clans men. Their faces and hair were all the same. The only difference was that Murtagh wore a red sash while all the others, including the mystery character, wore the same tint of green. On top of that, and more importantly, Jamie's face changed so much throughout the book and at times looked way too much like Captain Randall with red hair. And Claire went from having one physique to being super busty. It was all quite frustrating at times. 
I definitely think fans of Outlander will enjoy this new perspective.

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Book Review: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Title: Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon

Series: Outlander #1
Publisher: Dell Publishing Company

Publication Date: June 1, 1991
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Length: 896 pages

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

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Synopsis:

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly, she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire--and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My Thoughts: 

Claire Beauchamp and her husband, Frank, are taking a holiday in Northern Scotland in 1945 after being separated so long during the war. When they come across an ancient pagan ritual at the standing stones of Craigh na Dun they are entranced by the women's dance and quickly leave before taking a good look around. The next day, Claire returns to find a flower she had glanced at the base of a split altar stone but with a sudden cacophony of noise finds herself in the middle of the eighteenth century. Before she knows it, she is accosted by Frank's ancestor and is saved and kidnapped by a highlander. 

Acting on her skills as a war nurse, she patches up a young man named Jamie, is whisked away to a castle where she learns she has traveled back in time to the year 1743, and gets caught up in a war-torn country and her own emotions and desire for the handsome Jamie Fraser.

This book was so good it gave me a bit of a hangover. It has been a long time since I was thoroughly enamored with an adult book. I haven't felt so much joy, anticipation, dread, or so many butterflies in a long, long time. This book gave me 'all the feels' or rather, I cycled through emotions that I haven't felt from just reading a book in almost a decade.

I never got into the idea of "bookish boyfriends" but I completely understand why it's a thing now.
Jamie Fraser, while not perfect, is one of the most well-written, admirable, and utterly flawed characters that I've ever encountered in literature. Apologies for being unabashedly gushy but I can totally picture myself in this story and want more. Yes, I totally want my own Jamie Fraser now. 

Outlander is both dreamy and sexy and even though that is not the typical sort of books I read, I fell right into it. I don't always enjoy overly 'sexy' literature but this was well written and wasn't too graphic. The middle of the book did have some excessive intimate moments but I wasn't overly bothered by it for once. I really enjoyed reading about the 'thrust together to save their lives' sort of relationship, though it wasn't instalove, which would have bothered me to no end.

Plus, there's just so much more story than the romance. Historical fiction is always fun to read for me, as I learn so much about different times and places. Outlander is set during a pivotal time in Scottish history. We also get a good look (or listen) to the Gaelic language and Scottish dialect. 

Of course, this book has it's flaws, though they fit the time period very well. There are many mentions of rape and there are times when Jamie himself forces himself on Claire, though he didn't do it maliciously, it still reeked of rape in my eyes despite that Claire's passion and attraction to him made it seem like less. I had a hard time stomaching those parts, to be honest but they weren't so prominent that they outweighed the rest of the book. 

My Rating: 5 stars