A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas

The second instalment in Sarah J. Maas' series exploring the mythical world of the Fae takes a dramatic turn for its main characters.  Avoiding any spoilers, while I found the first chapter surprisingly dark, the sequel delves even deeper into the sinister dealings of the Fae.

We rejoin our heroine, Feyre and her beloved Tamlin, during their impending nuptials but enter anti-hero, Rhysand, who completely uproots her "happily ever after".  While the first book only scraped the surface of Rhysand's character, the sequel brings us face-to-face with the villain turned saviour.  It's not a surprise that he is one of the most popular characters of the series; the sequel allows us to explore both his dark and heroic sides. In fact, the tagline for the second instalment could have been "Rhysand Revealed," as we are allowed to explore all of the character's world and fully understand the motivations behind his shocking actions from the first book.  Indeed, he is Maas' best creation from the series. 

If you enjoyed the first book, be prepared for shocking revelations from all three main characters.  Maas is a masterful writer who understands how to get her readers invested in characters and then turns the tables with shocking revelations few readers would've predicted. I especially admire how she marries fantasy with real-world issues, as the sequel explores Feyre's Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the harrowing events of the last book's final chapter.  

Maas also infuses messages about mental health allowing us to see through Feyre's eyes how an abusive relationship can destroy one's self-worth and lead to dangerous consequences.  I was shocked when Maas reveals how Feyre's relationship with a particular main character becomes toxic.  The sequel is a complex and highly entertaining page-turner that will have fans rushing to continue Feyre's journey in "A Court of Wings and Ruin".

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Review by Timothy Austin 

Format: Hardcover 

Purchase the book here.