*This review contains spoilers, I recommend not reading this unless you have read the first book*
Blurb
Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.
Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.
Stats
Page Length: 626
Publication Year: 2016
Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance
Characters: Feyre, Tamlin, Lucian, Rhysand, Nesta, Elaine, Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren
Thoughts
This is my 3rd reading of this book. I love re-reads because I always manage to learn something new or pick up on things that I missed the first time. As it’s two days until the release of ACOWAR it’s super great to have this story fresh in my mind.
I remember the first time I finished this book it totally blew me away! Usually I’ll kind guess where a story is headed but this one completely blindsided me.
Story
The story picks up 3 months after Under the mountain happened. Feyre is back at the spring court, trying to adjust to life as a High Fae and preparing for her wedding to Tamlin.
On the day of said wedding Feyre desperately calls out for help (in her mind) which is when Rhys appears and calls in the bargain she made with him under the mountain from there he whisks her away to the night court and so begins the monthly visits.
This goes on for about 2 months. It’s on her 3rd return to the Spring Court that Tamlin locks her in the house for her “own safety” that Feyre completely breaks down and is rescued by Mor, who takes her to Rhysand where he promptly takes her back to the Night Court.
Feyre decides to stay at the Night Court and work with Rhys and his inner circle which is comprised of his most trusted friends, Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren.
Characters
The time spent under the mountain along with her transformation into a High Fae has forever changed Feyre. Her character development in this book is staggering. In the first few chapters she is having frequent nightmares in which Amarantha is torturing her, she is struggling big time with PSD and nobody in the spring court wants to help or acknowledge this. Tamlin is basically keeping her under lock and key and allowing her barely any freedom. On more than one occasion she begs him to let her out of the house to help in any way she can. Every time he refuses you can see her break a little bit more and it’s awful.
It’s not until she starts spending time in the Night Court that we see some of the old Feyre again, slowly her feistiness comes back I particularly enjoyed this:
“We’re not finished with this meal,” Tamlin growled. “Oh, get over yourself,” I barked, and left”
And when she finally does leave the spring court she really does come into her own. She becomes power.
“That girl who had needed to be protected, who had craved stability and comfort … she had died Under the Mountain. I had died, and there had been no one to protect me from those horrors before my neck snapped. So I had done it myself. And I would not, could not, yield that part of me that had awoken and transformed Under the Mountain.”
and she realizes just how badly she was treated at the spring court and that she deserves more.
“I’m thinking that I was a lonely, hopeless person, and I might have fallen in love with the first thing that showed me a hint of kindness and safety. And I’m thinking maybe he knew that—maybe not actively, but maybe he wanted to be that person for someone. And maybe that worked for who I was before. Maybe it doesn’t work for who—what I am now.”
Tamlin – I could spend hours explaining how much of jerk Tamlin is in this book. His time under the mountain defiantly heightened all the negative behaviors he displayed in the first book. His overwhelming need for control almost destroys Fayre.
Rhysand – Oh how I love the High Lord of the Night Court! He fights for Fayre every step of the way, he gives her choices and freedom and most importantly lets her heal from the trauma she suffered whilst under the mountain. From the get-go he fully empowers her. He knows just how powerful she is that she doesn’t need protecting:
“She’s mine,” he said quietly, but viciously enough that Devlon and his warriors nearby heard. “And if any of you lay a hand on her, you lose that hand. And then you lose your head.” I tried not to shiver, as Cassian and Mor showed no reaction at all. “And once Feyre is done killing you,” Rhys smirked, “then I’ll grind your bones to dust.”
Favorite Quote:
Ah, there are way too many to pick just one!
“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.”
“He thinks he’ll be remembered as the villain in the story.” She snorted. “But I forgot to tell him,” I said quietly, opening the door, “that the villain is usually the person who locks up the maiden and throws away the key.” “Oh?” I shrugged. “He was the one who let me out.”
“And so Tamlin unwittingly led the High Lady of the Night Court into the heart of his territory.”
Conclusion:
This is perhaps the best book that I read in 2016, it never gets old no matter how often I read it. So if you enjoyed the first book you will definitely love this one, unless of course you’re overly attached to Tamlin…😆
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