Review | Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR Series

Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, and A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Dates Published: May 2nd, 2017; May 1st, 2018; and February 2nd, 2021

Dates Read: September 23-25, 2021; October 6th, 2021 (yes, one day); October 6-7, 2021 (yes, I read two books in 24 hours. I'm aware I have a problem)

Current Goodreads Ratings: 4.41/5; 3.82/5; 4.39/5

Alright, buckle the fuck up everybody because I'm about to take you for a fucking RIDE. I am officially a Maashole and I will read every single word she puts to paper. I cannot believe that I've gone this far in my life without reading her books and I know that my life will never be the same.

If you haven't already (which...why are you here if you haven't?) check out my other reviews for ACOTAR and ACOWAR.

Let's begin, shall we?

A Court of Wings and Ruin

This is the epic conclusion of the Feyre and Rhys storyline and I was not let down. I will admit, ACOMAF is still and will forever be my favorite of the entire ACOTAR series, but that doesn't mean that ACOWAR was bad. On the contrary, Maas continues to write incredibly believable characters even in an unbelievable world.

Ok, so what happens? War is coming ever closer and Feyre and the Night Court are attempting to prepare. What that requires however is for all of the Courts - Spring Court included - to come together and work as one to finish the king of Prythian before he destroys the barrier between human and fae and enslaves the human race again.

On top of their war preparations, Feyre also has the difficult task of getting through to her sisters - Nesta and Elain - after their traumatizing transformation into fae thanks to the Cauldron. Can Feyre save the world as well as her own sisters?

Ok, so what did I think? Let me play you the sound of me screaming for 20 minutes. That's it. End of review.

Ok, just kidding, but that was basically how I felt while reading this book. I had to wait one agonizing month after I finished the cliffhanger that was ACOMAF and, once I got my greedy little hands on ACOWAR I had read all 705 pages within two days. It was a spectacular end to a spectacular series and I honestly wish I could wipe it all from my brain so I could reread it for the first time. Each character is beautifully crafted and every conversation they have - even the ones about murdering a fairy king - are so real that I felt like I could close my eyes and be in the war room discussing tactics with Cassian, Azriel, and Rhys. There was enough heartbreak to keep me turning pages long into the night, but it wrapped up in such a perfect little bow that I thought I would die the second I closed the cover. If you haven't read this series yet, you need to end of story.

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A Court of Frost and Starlight

This book isn't really a sequel per se, but a small novella set after the events of ACOWAR. Did we really need another book told from Feyre's point of view? I mean I'm not going to complain about it. Feyre and Rhys are easily my favorite couple ever written and it's largely in part because Rhys is a feminist and that is the SEXIEST DAMN THING I'VE EVER READ.

K, so what happens? The war is over and won, but the battle for Nesta's soul has just begun. Though the scars of battle are starting to heal across the Night Court, the scars on Nesta's soul are still open and festering.

In an attempt to smooth things over and help Nesta heal from her trauma, Feyre throws herself into planning for the Winter Solstice, but some good holiday cheer and present exchanging isn't just going to thaw Nesta's frosty heart, though Cassian is willing to try...

Ok, so what did I think? Man, this little novella is such a great transition into the next era of Maas' ACOTAR storyline. Though this is the last book we get from Feyre's point of view it really sets up the story of Nesta's recovery. To be honest, I thought Nesta was the freaking WORST in this book, but Maas does a great job at portraying Nesta's trauma and her growth as she learns to love herself again and heal. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

All in all, this novella - while it doesn't add too much to the story that has already been completed - does a great job of not only giving readers that last little taste of the world they have grown to love, but it also sets up a new storyline within that world that keeps them craving more.

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A Court of Silver Flames

Alright ya'll, this book probably comes in second behind ACOMAF for me. Told from Nesta's point of view (though in third person, not first), this is totally and completely her story. We still get to see Rhys and Feyre, but they've already had their happy ending so now it's time for icy-hearted Nesta.

Ok, so what happens? Nesta has been searching for ways to plug the wound the war has left behind. She sets up in the worst part of the Night Court and drinks or sleeps with whoever will give her the chance. However, after weeks of drunken debauchery which gets people talking, Feyre and Rhys have had enough. Banishing her to the top of the mountain Nesta is put under the watchful eye of Cassian. For months they bicker and fight and learn how to live around each other. There had always been some kind of a spark between them, but after everything they've been through both together and apart, is it really still there?

Ok, so what did I think? Long story short YES THAT SPARK IS STILL THERE AND BOY IS IT STEAMY. Look, we all know why the ladies love these stories. The men are all feminists and know how to treat a woman and they know how to treat a woman. ACOSF probably has the best portrayal of someone learning to recover after trauma and learn to love themselves again.

Look, I love Feyre - she was a great first introduction to this series and her and Rhys' relationship is one that my husband will forever despise because of the expectations it put on him - but Nesta is my girl hands down. Maybe it's because I identify more with her than Feyre or maybe it's just because I like her more, but something about Nesta just warms my heart.

It's always difficult when beloved series are relaunched with new perspectives and new stories, but ACOSF does not disappoint. My friends and I (all lovingly called the Maasholes) already have theories as to the next ACOTAR book and how the series itself as a whole will wrap up in the end. I personally can't wait to see what happens next.

Long Story Short:

• I don't need three things - JUST READ THE DANG SERIES!

My Rating: What do you think?