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.
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.
isbn: 1619634465
isbn13: 9781619634466
format: Hardcover
Published May 3rd 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had to give this a night before typing up a review so I could voice all my thoughts aloud and work through some of the things I loved and did not love about ACOMAF. This book is in dangerous feels territory. so. many. feels.
What I love:
1)First and foremost on any list is Feyre, who is everything. She proves to be just as fierce and sharp as in the first book, which is a profound relief. It's always disappointing (and none too rare) to return to a series and find the heroine--now in love with her new partner--somewhat tamed, and not as hard-edged as when she began. Sometimes it's a good thing; undoubtedly, Feyre grew more hopeful and open through her first adventure. That is, until Under the Mountain. Book 2 starts out with Feyre utterly broken. I was disappointed and furious as I read the first few chapters. I was terrified of finding her tamed, trapped in that weird wedding-planny, poofy-dress Hell. No spoilers, but the book managed to assuage my fears and reaffirm why I fell in love with the series.
2) Rhysand. I can't say too much about Feyre's bargain with Rhysand, but it does come around BIG TIME in book 2. When his character was introduced in book 1, I was totally entranced, and a little disappointed that Feyre had fallen so hard for Tamlin that Rhys didn't stand a chance. I was also nervous about a love triangle. I HATE love triangles, and such a petty, small plot twist was far above what I'd come to expect of Maas. Anyway. My instant interest in Rhysand was very much satisfied in ACoMaF, and I love him!
3) The unexpectedness. Let me tell you: I've read A LOT of YA, and I've never read one that has done what ACoMaF has done. Again, I wish I could say more. I'll just say that Maas has crafted a story with an intense and undeniable ability to make you feel. It's not strong-handed, or by force. It subtly and slowly led me along until I was somewhere I never expected. Just brilliant.
4) The new setting. I ADORED everything that Feyre got to see and experience in this novel. She got to see so much more of Prythian, and I loved learning about the world in a way I didn't get as much of in book 1. It's all vivid and bright and dark and alive.
5) New characters. Although somewhat predictable (dare I say cliche?!), the new characters added a depth and pace to the story that helped round out Feyre's experience. I love that everything wasn't all about the boy toy all of the time. The story makes an honest effort to make Feyre's growth about more than her romantic attachment. Sometimes, though, the friendships felt a little forced, and I didn't totally buy into their instant love for her. Like, what are they getting out of this friendship? But anyway, I liked the addition of the super smart and strong Illyrians.
Ok. Now for some honesty. It hurts, but...
What I do not love:
1) The sex. Now, I'm no prude. I like a steamy romance as much as the next romance reader. And I LOVED all of the flirtation, sassiness, and hints that led up to the (ahem) climax of the story. But Feyre's relationship was about so much more than physical attraction, and the sex scene we'd been waiting for sort of denied that spiritual and emotional connection and became a cheap bodice-ripper encounter. That's just my opinion. Probably I'm being too picky and everyone else in the world thought it was beautiful and perfect. I just wished it would have been more personal, and less...hardcore. (view spoiler)[(THEY DIDN'T EVEN GET A FIRST KISS. IT WAS JUST BOOM--WE ARE HAVING SEX. NOW WE ARE IN LOVE AND WILL NEVER STOP HAVING SEX. WE ARE MATES FOREVER.) (hide spoiler)]
2) No spoilers, but there is "The requisite battle scene" and things were confusing. It ended up being a lot of talk and weird bursts of action that I didn't quite follow. By the end I'd caught up, but I thought everything felt a little...off. Like it wasn't what I'd expected to happen. At one point I turned to my husband and complained because Feyre did something totally dumb. (view spoiler)[ Who gets their powers back and just gives that secret away to the king without attempting to winnow out, or even take him down? Why did she just stand there and let everything happen when she probably could have done something with her powers? Probably because the author knew exactly what she wanted to happen--for her to go back with stupid Tamlin and go on reconnaissance. Ugh! (hide spoiler)] However, the very end left me DYING for the next book. I cannot believe what happened, and what Feyre has gotten herself into. (And, yay Rhys!!!)
To sum up: This series is groundbreaking new adult fantasy that does everything you want it to. It makes you feel strong, weak-kneed, furious and totally in love. I cannot wait for the next release in May, and I hear there's rumors of at least a few more books coming! If you plan to read the series, I'd say wait until the books are all out, if you can last that long, because they leave you needing more.
What I love:
1)First and foremost on any list is Feyre, who is everything. She proves to be just as fierce and sharp as in the first book, which is a profound relief. It's always disappointing (and none too rare) to return to a series and find the heroine--now in love with her new partner--somewhat tamed, and not as hard-edged as when she began. Sometimes it's a good thing; undoubtedly, Feyre grew more hopeful and open through her first adventure. That is, until Under the Mountain. Book 2 starts out with Feyre utterly broken. I was disappointed and furious as I read the first few chapters. I was terrified of finding her tamed, trapped in that weird wedding-planny, poofy-dress Hell. No spoilers, but the book managed to assuage my fears and reaffirm why I fell in love with the series.
2) Rhysand. I can't say too much about Feyre's bargain with Rhysand, but it does come around BIG TIME in book 2. When his character was introduced in book 1, I was totally entranced, and a little disappointed that Feyre had fallen so hard for Tamlin that Rhys didn't stand a chance. I was also nervous about a love triangle. I HATE love triangles, and such a petty, small plot twist was far above what I'd come to expect of Maas. Anyway. My instant interest in Rhysand was very much satisfied in ACoMaF, and I love him!
3) The unexpectedness. Let me tell you: I've read A LOT of YA, and I've never read one that has done what ACoMaF has done. Again, I wish I could say more. I'll just say that Maas has crafted a story with an intense and undeniable ability to make you feel. It's not strong-handed, or by force. It subtly and slowly led me along until I was somewhere I never expected. Just brilliant.
4) The new setting. I ADORED everything that Feyre got to see and experience in this novel. She got to see so much more of Prythian, and I loved learning about the world in a way I didn't get as much of in book 1. It's all vivid and bright and dark and alive.
5) New characters. Although somewhat predictable (dare I say cliche?!), the new characters added a depth and pace to the story that helped round out Feyre's experience. I love that everything wasn't all about the boy toy all of the time. The story makes an honest effort to make Feyre's growth about more than her romantic attachment. Sometimes, though, the friendships felt a little forced, and I didn't totally buy into their instant love for her. Like, what are they getting out of this friendship? But anyway, I liked the addition of the super smart and strong Illyrians.
Ok. Now for some honesty. It hurts, but...
What I do not love:
1) The sex. Now, I'm no prude. I like a steamy romance as much as the next romance reader. And I LOVED all of the flirtation, sassiness, and hints that led up to the (ahem) climax of the story. But Feyre's relationship was about so much more than physical attraction, and the sex scene we'd been waiting for sort of denied that spiritual and emotional connection and became a cheap bodice-ripper encounter. That's just my opinion. Probably I'm being too picky and everyone else in the world thought it was beautiful and perfect. I just wished it would have been more personal, and less...hardcore. (view spoiler)[(THEY DIDN'T EVEN GET A FIRST KISS. IT WAS JUST BOOM--WE ARE HAVING SEX. NOW WE ARE IN LOVE AND WILL NEVER STOP HAVING SEX. WE ARE MATES FOREVER.) (hide spoiler)]
2) No spoilers, but there is "The requisite battle scene" and things were confusing. It ended up being a lot of talk and weird bursts of action that I didn't quite follow. By the end I'd caught up, but I thought everything felt a little...off. Like it wasn't what I'd expected to happen. At one point I turned to my husband and complained because Feyre did something totally dumb. (view spoiler)[ Who gets their powers back and just gives that secret away to the king without attempting to winnow out, or even take him down? Why did she just stand there and let everything happen when she probably could have done something with her powers? Probably because the author knew exactly what she wanted to happen--for her to go back with stupid Tamlin and go on reconnaissance. Ugh! (hide spoiler)] However, the very end left me DYING for the next book. I cannot believe what happened, and what Feyre has gotten herself into. (And, yay Rhys!!!)
To sum up: This series is groundbreaking new adult fantasy that does everything you want it to. It makes you feel strong, weak-kneed, furious and totally in love. I cannot wait for the next release in May, and I hear there's rumors of at least a few more books coming! If you plan to read the series, I'd say wait until the books are all out, if you can last that long, because they leave you needing more.
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