By Sarah J. Maas
Book is rated 4.7 / 5 stars.
You guys, this series has my entire heart. There is not a damn thing I can't stop talking about with this book series. The more I get to know the characters, the more in love with them I am. Book 2 will still be my favorite, but this one definitely surprised me with all the twists and turns and had me convinced I'm in it for the long haul with the series. There are spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read the book, be prepared.
The Characters
It was obvious from book 2 that the Inner Circle was going to become a group of people I would want to learn so much about. Their togetherness as a whole unit has my entire heart. I would love to read just one-shots of just their time together - domesticated little warriors dealing with simple household issues.
Not just them working as a unit, but their individual relationships that also have such a hold is incredible. I love how they've been weaved together through a tapestry of history and relationships - how they work with one other persons and then tie that into how they work together.
There were so many heartbreaking moments throughout this book - but, I loved how it worked with the characters. From learning more about Mor, to the depths of Cassian and Ariel, to the groundbreaking family tropes that were being tended to and healed with the Archeron sisters...it was a beautiful telling of relationships that needed to endure the darkness to get to the light.
One of my favorite things about Sarah J. Maas is that she is unafraid to give her characters flaws; she ensures that they excel in areas, but are also flawed to a point where it humanizes them, too. I feel more connected to them as I read and learn, and want so badly for them to achieve the happiness that they deserve. I even love that the transition of Tamlin in the few pieces we got of him throughout this book has me considering other avenues for him.
The Storyline
Just when I think I know where the story is going - I'm hit with a plot twist that I wasn't anticipating. And, it's always in the best way. The visualization that came throughout this book (and with the past two) is uniquely beautiful. The way that everything is described is to the level of a movie playing in my head. One of my favorite things is how writers take to battles and war scenes - it's hard to create that in a way that has the reader in an absolute frenzy. I've often seen writers either favor the heroes to a point where they are untouchable, or the scenes are just hard to visualize because fighting is hard to write.
Not here, however. I loved every moment that came with the second half of this book. I held my breath far more than I should have, felt my heart break throughout and found myself reaching levels of anxiety that I forgot could come from a good book. And, that is the exact feeling I want when I read a book. I want the anxiety, the stress, the love, the -- everything. I want to wish that I was the main character, and I could ultimately fight the villain, and that I can find a love so incredibly beautiful as the two main characters have.
This ending was a calm and peaceful ending, unlike the last book - and, I think my heart needed that. I love the discoveries we saw throughout, as well as what I assume are hints to future moments throughout. I will die with Feyre and Rhys and seeing how they grew together - how their own insecurities become battles that they fight together - is just a beautiful sentiment of their bond. And, I love that we understand more of the Mating in this book - and how it acts as a strange divide in the distinct differences between the two of them and the opposite with Lucien and Elain. I'm also starting to fall for Cassian and Nesta - fingers crossed that goes somewhere.
Also, I hope Mor and Azriel find some, too!
Ready for Book 4
I just finished this book and I'm already ready to dive into the next. That's the mark of a great series. I will forever be thankful for this series to bring back my love of reading. I'm obsessed, and I'm thinking of fan-fics to write on the stunning characters, here. I'm ready to find out more and travel with them all to another journey.
What did you all think? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments!
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