Feyre, Feyre, Feyre. Hang in there my darling because you will find your salvation in the most unlikely (to you) of places. You faced so much horror in ACOTAR and you will face more unpleasantness in A Court of Mist and Fury but you will also find yourself, and find a family who love you and who you love in return. Because really, that's what this book is about is about life and love, survival and finding yourself.
I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal. I was a survivor, and I was strong.
I would not be weak, or helpless again. I would not, could not be broken. Tamed.
I liked Tamlin in ACOTAR. He wasn't my favourite character but you know, I figured there's got to be a glimmer of silver lining at the end of this whole ordeal. And there was, but also there wasn't. Tamlin is too blind by his love for Feyre - a blind, obsessive love in the end - to actually be sensible about anything. He lacks the understanding that she was badly affected by her actions Under The Mountain - he's used to killing people, and has most likely killed innocent ones at some point, and can't see that it's eating Feyre up inside. He couldn't see that his way of 'protecting' her = keeping her essentially trapped in the estate and the grounds - was only making things worse. That it was breaking her apart even faster than her own tortured thoughts and feeling were.
A Court of Mist and Fury ahowed us that sometimes love isn't perfect, some times it's possessive and poisonous and blinding. It also showed us that it can be wonderful and healing and true. To quote Rhysand:
“The issue isn’t whether he loved you, it’s how much. Too much. Love can be a poison.”
I also got really cross with Lucien for not showing an ounce of backbone and saying - 'Hey, I don't think Fayre is coping well. She's clearly losing weight so something must be wrong.' I will forgive him though because it is his loyalty (although in this case, blind loyalty) that keeps him from really doing what he should. I respect loyalty, although I'd love for Feyre to shake Lucien free of some of his loyalty to Tamlin. He still remained clever and intuitive - he could see something was wrong with Feyre but couldn't shake the burden of loyalty.
Rhysand though - him I like. I even liked him in ACOTAR, although I thought he was a jerk. In A Court of Mist and Fury we learned so much more about him, and how much of his personality is really just a mask to protect those he truly loves. His way of protecting those he loves is so at odds with Tamlin's but so much better. He put himself on the line and entrusts the four people who he calls family to watch over his small haven of peace whilst he put his life and soul on the line to protect them all.
“But then she snapped your neck.” Tears rolled down his face. “And I felt you die,” he whispered. Tears were sliding down my own cheeks.
The revelation of just why he healed Feyre and made the bond between them was beautiful and heartbreaking and lovely all at once. The scene in the kitchen where Feyre is heating the soup and Rhysand tells her everything was wrenchingly beautiful. And Feyre realising exactly why she painted the stars and moon and sky on her drawer of the dresser she shared with her sisters.
I love Rhys'[s family. Mor with her hard-won and well-deserved devil-may-care attitude. Amren, slightly unusual, older than most things living on in the world, and fiercely protective. Cassian with his casual arrogance, undeniable sass and ridiculous sword-skills. Azriel the reserved, darkly mysterious one, brooding and observant and loyal. Their dynamics work lovely and really made them seem like a family unit.
Also, did anybody else want to shove those Queens into the cauldron and hope that they drowned instead of turning to Fae? And Ianthe. I hope Feyre hunts her down and murders her with her bare hands, slowly. I would if anybody allowed something terrible to happen to my sister. Finger's crossed that when they inevitably meet again Ianthe is terrified of Feyre at some point.
So in all, I adored this book. It was really good. Can't wait to get my grabby hands on A Court of Wings and Ruin and find out what happens next.