If it wasn’t possible for the Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series to get any better, its sequel changes everything, Sarah J Maas led you to believe previously. The rich world building, fantastical adventure and its stark realistic shine of issues affecting women brings meaning and emotion to every page of this slow burn fantastic novel.
In a Court of Mist and Fury, Feyre has survived her terrifying ordeal, under the mountain with Amaranthus, an evil powerful fae. She was forced to see her lover Tamlin forced to be at Amarantha’s side, and to make a bargain with Rhysand, (High Lord of the Night Court) to spend a week a month for the rest of her immortal life in his court.
She died, but not long for long. The High fae who make up the High Lords of all the faerie courts: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Day, Dawn and Night, combined their powers to resurrect Feyre. Except she wasn’t the Feyre they knew, she was now High fae and had a combination of all the high lord’s powers.
Her new fae body and her return to the Spring Court of Faeries with Tamlin and Lucien, take their toll on Feyre. Everything slowly begins to come crashing down. Although Tamlin proposed upon their return and she accepted, he has started to treat her like his prize for surviving the mountain. Though this is a fantasy based series, it shines a stark light on the reality of toxic relationships through Feyre at the hands of Tamlin, and her journey out of the relationship.
When Feyre decides she can’t marry Tamlin, Rhysand offers her a safe place in the Night Court, Feyre feels respected and free there but must decide whether she’s ready to move on and join the Night Court in the growing war against rival faerie land, Hybern with Rhysand and his court.
The plot twists in this sensational sequel, (to A Court of Thorns and Roses) are always around the corner, the false sense of security with the series, from the plotlines of the first novel, makes for an unpredictable sequel novel.
While the struggles Feyre goes through, from her family’s provider to the traditional housewife role, that Tamlin wanted her to play in their toxic relationship, as slowly becomes obsessive and controlling leaving Feyre with no voice. Readers see Feyres gradual recovery from her traumas as she decides to start putting herself first, becoming the witty, strong, educated woman who sees what she saw as flaws as her strengths, she becomes as high fae makes her an important feminist icon.
If you’re looking for a good book series to read, today on International Woman’s Day, look no further than the second instalment of ACOTAR, A Court of Mist and Fury!
the girl and the city of books 
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