Review of ‘A Court of Mist and Fury’

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second in her YA fantasy Court of Thorns and Roses series that is both powerful, romantic, and mystifying.

Excellent Characterization & Growth

What’s so compelling about this novel is the opening pages because it highlights something so powerful about Feyre: that she’s not infallible. Her actions, everything that Amarantha has put her through has affected her in such powerful ways leaving her with PTSD. And she doesn’t just get over it.

As she’s navigating this new world with Rhys, she’s learning to master the darkness in her. Feyre has to face that despair and regret within her, challenging her innermost narrative. It’s a powerful way to develop a character, to have a hero like her who has been through so much and now must face that darkness. And she’s not the only character going through that evolution. The events of the last novel have left a dark cloud over the characters, one that doesn’t just lift itself and go away. With this dark cloud hovering over the characters, there is this added level of depth and charisma to the novel because it’s compelling writing. It’s intense and doesn’t shy away from exploring those powerful feelings and emotions.

All those emotions lend themselves for not just incredible character growth but also astounding tension to drive the plot forward.

Good Story Development

It’s funny that while not a lot happens in the novel so much happens at the same time. Plot-wise the story is unraveling a mystery, a threat from a dark fae kingdom, one that Rhys is trying to stop at all costs to save those he cares about most. At the same time, the story is, once again, about Feyre mastering her newfound powers and feelings that have come with them.

It’s a story full of twists and turns and passionate moments that draw the reader into the story, sucking them in. The novel almost imprints on the reader everything Feyre is feeling. That just shows how powerful the writing it, how imaginative and detailed it is.

The characters are the selling point here because of how fun and dangerous they are. And the way Maas designed those dynamics to make the perfect cast of characters. All in all, this is just a fantastic read.