A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses Book 3)

I kinda overlooked this series for awhile thinking it wasn't for me. I had assumptions it was probably cliche or something. I'm not even sure, I just assumed I wouldn't like it, but boy was I wrong. This series made me invest way more time into reading and molded my interests more than ever before. The entire story is fantastic, from the character building to world building and threats that need to be overcome, and the romance. Its so very well written and I couldn't put it down once I started. And now I understand why so many people recommend and loved it before I gave it a try myself. I was thoroughly sad when I finished the series. But I have found other great series in the genre thanks to this one to help fill that sadness.

“When you erupt, girl, make sure it is felt across worlds.” I seriously have no idea where to even begin with this review. I'm going to try not to include any spoilers, but if there are any, I'll give you fair warning before reading further. Honestly, I am absolutely blown away by this novel and it took me several days to adjust to the world after finishing this beautiful book. I honestly don't know how SJM can top this book, but let's get real here...she will because she's just that amazing. I read this in one sitting overnight because I simply couldn't put it down. It's true, this book is a Court of Pain and Feels but it is absolutely mindblowing and I felt incomplete after finishing. SJM seriously took her writing to new heights, and I can't even begin to explain how fantastic it was to experience this journey. “The great joy and honour of my life has been to know you. To call you my family. And I am grateful - more than I can possibly say - that I was given this time with you all.” I have been such a fan of this series from the very beginning because I always felt that it showed Sarah J. Maas' extreme writing talent. It's so different from the Throne of Glass series, and I loved the creativity and dedication that she puts into this story. You can clearly tell just how much all of these characters mean to her, and every scene is richly described. Her writing truly sweeps you away and it's something that you easily lose yourself in. I know that if someone would ask me tomorrow to leave this world behind and instead go into Feyre's world, I would not even hesitate. This story is complex and I never expected for SJM to build on the world so much more than previously, but she does, and it's excellent. There is a great progression to the story, and this means new faces and new places come into play all while still developing our beloved characters. “What we think to be our greatest weakness can sometimes be our biggest strength.” The book starts with Feyre back in the Spring Court with Tamlin. While some people might have found this part slow, I think it showcased just how far Feyre has come as a character. The strength that it took to go back and set the foundation for her (and Rhysand's) plot was utterly fantastic! I think it helped set up the story perfectly and it showed us Feyre's mindset at the time. I definitely got some Aelin feels in this part because of how awesome and kickass Feyre was, which just added to my love for her character. But the best thing: Feyre's characterization. I thought she was well-developed already, but SJM added yet another layer to her character. Feyre is such a strong and powerful character and has come such a long way since the first book. Looking back, I can't even believe that this is the same person...and that is an excellent thing. It shows how much Rhys and the Night Court have impacted her and aided her in the person she was to ultimately become. “I would have waited five hundred more years for you. A thousand years. And if this was all the time we were allowed to have... the wait was worth it.” Rhys is as perfect as ever. I mean come on...who doesn't love him?! The way he treats Feyre made me swoon every darn time, and she is his High Lady in every single way. He gives her something that Tamlin never did...respect. He believes in her and that she can accomplish amazing thing. He allows her to spread her wings (<-- this is an excellent pun btw...I know I'm really not as funny as I think) and embrace her magic. The constant support and love Rhys shows her is something every girl should have. Plus, he's freaking hilarious...you can't get a better man! I honestly will never get enough of him and he will always stay firmly in my top 5 book boyfriends. Obviously the chemistry between Feyre and Rhys is off the charts, and all the sex scenes are perfectly written. I love them together so much, it just makes my heart happy. “It's a rare person to face who they are and not run from it - not be broken by it.” Cassian and Nesta are brilliant and I firmly believe that they will be a focus in one of the upcoming books. I need them together, and I need to have a book with them as the main characters because it will be such an epic story! They have the perfect dynamic that is present throughout the entire book. We learn more about Mor, and my heart broke for her multiple times. I just wanted to give her a giant hug, but I loved delving deeper into her character. Azriel is brooding as ever, but I love him. There is definitely something up with him and Elain, and I need to know what that something is. Amren's sass is pure gold and I love her so much. There are definitely some surprises with her character that left me (along with the characters) shocked. We also meet a new High Lord, Helion and god do I love him! He has to be in these next 3 books because he's awesome. We also see the return of the Bone Carver and the Suriel. And seriously...they play epic roles in the story. And Tamlin...I have to mention this guy. I actually liked how SJM handled him in this book (especially at the end). It was realistic and believable. And (Lord help me), I didn't hate him anymore. “My rage had become a living thing inside my chest, an echoing heartbeat that soothed me to sleep and stirred me to waking.” My favorite part about this book though (besides all the other stuff) is its unpredictability. Seriously, SJM gave me a heart attack multiple times. Just when I thought the story was going in one direction and bombshell twist would come out of nowhere and completely change the entire story. And there was not 1, not 2, but 3 major things at the end in which I was freaking out and making very weird noises that I'm sure my neighbors in my apartment building did not appreciate. The one MAJOR (and I mean MAJOR) thing involving a certain character at the end had me with tears in my eyes and my face the picture of shock. I seriously have never been more scared for a character in my life, and I was praying so hard that SJM didn't do what she did. I think I stopped breathing at one point, so HOW DARE YOU SARAH J MAAS!! HOW DARE YOU SCARE ME LIKE THAT! “It is a new world, and we must decide how we are to end this old one and begin it anew.” If you couldn't tell, I LOVED this book! I still am not okay after reading the entire battle since SJM made me lose my mind, but everything was tied up nicely and the conclusion was everything I could want. Most of the main questions were answered, but she definitely planted the seeds for a new foe for our group to be facing. I think it would be interesting if the books were from different characters' perspectives, but I'm never going to mind more Feyre and Rhys. This is by far the best read of 2017, and you need to read it as soon as humanly possible! Happy reading :)

Okay, well, I didn't think it could get any more interesting and intricate, but it did! Now, I feel I must mention that I do not choose books because they feature romance - it's a nice-to-read-every-now-and-then - so I predominantly started reading this series because of the fantasy. That said, I love Feyre and Rhysand's relationship. While I am not the biggest fan of the "mates" trope (I don't like feeling cornered into something, for me it is about who you choose and who chooses you), it doesn't feel so typically "matish." There is choice and freedom in the relationship, which is also contrasted by some of the other Fae males throughout the series; it adds a nice social/political complexity to the story, but also makes you love Rhys all the more. I also very much enjoyed the friendship between Feyre and Mor; it is raw and real and you can tell that Mor cares for Feyre more than just as her High Lady. It made me reflect on how your life is not only your own and how much it matters to those who care about you, and vice versa. Now what I really savoured was Nesta and Elain's character development - I like where this is headed and it was such beautiful poetic justice [spoiler ahead] that these sisters took out the King of Hybern. It shouldn't have been Feyre, that wouldn't have felt right. The twists and turns had my heart racing; I laughed, I cried, I nearly threw my Kindle against the wall - really, my head was spinning by the end of it. In a good way! The only thing I didn't particularly enjoy were some of the last chapters covering the war with Hybern. Yes, all odds were against the Courts, it really didn't look like they were going to make it - and they shouldn't have. Not as well as they did - the war felt too rushed, the help that came in, miraculously, felt too forced and there were too many aspects easily solved. A moment of silence for those we lost, though. My favourite thing about this book is the worldbuilding, the fantasy, at the end of the day. I loved meeting more of the court High Lords, learning more of the history before the wall, seeing the hundreds of years' history between the characters, and getting a better understanding of the magic system, creatures and lore. There is some good LGBTQ representation in the story and I do hope we get to see more of this as the series continues - getting to read from such a character's perspective would be brilliant! A great part of the series indeed!

‘Love - love was a balm as much as it was a poison.' This series has been nothing short of spectacular. Here we are on the third book and none of the pace, passion or heart stopping moments have abated. If anything, they’ve intensified. A Court of Wind and Ruin was brilliant. Exhilarating! Unputdownable! We’ve loved it all! "Wanting you - every hour, every breath. I don't think I can stand a thousand years of this." It's one thing to put words on paper, but it's a whole other creative talent that brings the magic, the imagination, and the words so exquisitely to life. We could picture everything and revelled in the suspense thrilling conclusion to the story so far. We couldn’t breathe whilst reading this book! A year has passed since Feyre Acheron entered faery and her life has changed in so many dramatic and unexpected ways. Her relationship with Rhysand, her mate, and his band of loyal friends, Azriel, Cassian, Mor and Amren are one built on loyalty and love. All play their part in this third instalment as faery is once again poised on the brink of war. It’s tense, page turning stuff! “I see all of you, Rhys. And there is not one part that I do not love with everything that I am.” “You bow to no one,” was all he replied. We learn more about Feyre’s sister Nesta and Elain who feature heavily in this book, together with Lucian and his past – it was all so emotional, exciting, and frustrating in equal measures. “To the stars who listen - and the dreams that are answered.” Sarah J Maas is a master storyteller, of that there is no question. The impending war were delivered with gut twisting suspense; the fight scenes themselves were on another level. We can’t describe just how good they were. We both declared them as being some of THE best scenes we’ve ever read in a fantasy paranormal, and we’ve read a lot! "You do not fear," Rhys breathed. "You do not falter. You do not yield." We revelled in how it played out - we couldn’t' have asked for more. We felt as though we were a part of this story, like we were reading in ‘real’ time, experiencing the story with the characters, and as avid readers, we couldn’t have asked for more. A gripping story of redemption, love, and loyalty, where friend and foe tread a very thin line, leaving us gasping at some of the twists and turns. Rhysand still has our hearts. A born protector who would sacrifice his life for those he loves. This man has it all! "I believe that everything happened, exactly the way it had to ..so I could find you."

If you read the previous 2, don't waste any more time and start this one. The author manages to give closure to every story in this saga, and an epic heroic end to every main character.

Amazing book! I would definitely recommend this series to read.

The cover is fully matte it is supposed to have shiny parts such as the black part and the name of the book also the inside doesnt have a colored book list as it should plus it is relatively smaller in size

Oh my golly gosh, where do I even begin with A Court of Wings and Ruin? This third installment in Sarah J. Maas's breathtaking series left me utterly captivated from beginning to end. The continuation of Feyre's journey is nothing short of mesmerising. Watching her evolve, along with her sisters, was an emotional rollercoaster that I never wanted to end. The final chapters had me squealing in delight, every twist and turn pulling me deeper into the world Maas so masterfully crafts. The writing is so vivid and immersive that I felt like I was right there, standing beside Feyre, fighting alongside her, and feeling every intense moment. If you haven't started this series yet, do yourself a favor and dive in. I finally get it now—this series is a masterpiece that deserves all the praise it gets. A Court of Wings and Ruin is a must-read, and I can't recommend it highly enough!