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Review

6 incredible stars

OMG, this book! This book is everything! Exciting, action packed, dramatic, emotional, incredible characters, a redemption arc like no other, and a passionate, chemistry-filled and beautiful love story that owned me from start to finish. And all set within one of my favourite fantasy worlds. There are so. Many. Feels, and I felt it all, and I loved it so much!

This book is a spin off from the original story arc of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. The first three books ended well, but the side characters are so loved, that I’m thrilled that Maas decided to continue on with their stories. This book stands alone in the series – in that the main storyline is complete and there is no cliffhanger – but it begins a new story arc for the series going forward. I would also absolutely recommend you read the original books first because they provide the background that you need before starting this one.

Nesta and Cassian… what can I say. There was something between them from the moment they met. We’ve already seen ups and downs in their relationship, and finally we get to delve deep into everything that is these characters, and what a ride!

When I started this book, I was one of many readers who could not stand Nesta. I could appreciate that she had been through hell – her human life was hard and then, against her will, she was turned into a one of the fae that she hated so much – but given the character growth she had started to show, I was so disappointed in the way she chose to handle herself, and particularly after reading A Court of Frost and Starlight, I was beyond pissed with her and thought that my beloved Cassian deserved so much better. But Nesta is who Cassian wants, so I dove into this book praying for her redemption and a love story worthy of Cassian, and this series. I was not disappointed.

Nesta is such a complex character. She is full of self-loathing and resents what she has become, and her rage, grief and guilt have made her bitter. She is mean, cruel and self-destructive, but she’s also lost, overwhelmed and spiralling out of control, and she has no idea how to pull herself out of it.

I am worthless and I am nothing … “I hate everything that I am. And I am so, so tired. I am tired of wanting to be anywhere but in my own head.”

Nesta had become a wolf. Armed herself with invisible teeth and claws, and learned to strike faster, deeper, more lethally. Had relished it. But when the time came to put away the wolf, she’d found it had devoured her too.

Feyre and Rhys, and the rest of their ‘family’ have grown sick and tired of Nesta’s brooding and bad behaviour. So, she is moved into the House of Wind with Cassian and Az, and forced into training with the formidable warrior, and work with the priestesses in the library. Of course, that makes her even more resentful, but it’s the beginning of an incredible journey for her as she, with Cassian’s unwavering support, and with new friends by her side, begins to find her way.

“Whatever you need to throw at me, I can take it. I won’t break.”

But danger is brewing once again. Cassian’s new role a courtier finds him plunged into a world of secrets, plots and political wrangling and a new threat has emerged. Nesta and her terrifyingly dark powers are uniquely placed to face the danger head-on, and so begins an epically exciting adventure with action, danger, intrigue and supernatural badassery that had my heart pounding.

There is SO much that happens in this book, and I was absolutely captivated through it all. The political, the action, the mystical, the friendships, the family and healing, and the love story. The different plots all blend together beautifully, and when I saw the storyline starting to come together and realised where it was going, I was so excited, busting to read more, with this amazing sense of rightness that this is how it was all supposed to be.

“I am the rock against which the surf crashes … Nothing can break me.”

Cassian is there with Nesta for every step of her journey, and OMG, he is perfect. His confidence and sense of humour allow him to take Nesta on directly, and his flirty charm is SO entertaining! He and Nesta definitely have something between them, and I loved seeing that explored in all the ways, and holy damn, this book is SO freaking sexy! Cassian always had this hotness about him, you just knew that he would be a take-charge filthy talker, and we see that in spades. And Nesta is right there with him, giving as good as she gets, and together the two of them are on freaking fire! The sex scenes are steamy, passionate and full of chemistry, and there are plenty of them, and they are a great reflection of the changing dynamic between these two. And what began as angry sex and one-upping each other turns into so much more.

“I’ll be with you every step of the way. Just don’t lock me out. You want to walk in silence for a week, I’m fine with that. So long as you talk to me at the end of it.”

Theirs is a beautifully developing love story that unfolds amidst the chaos of their lives, and right alongside Nesta’s rediscovery of herself. Cassian is a pillar of strength for her, patient, caring and supportive, and I loved watching everything shift for them. As the story goes on, we come to understand more about Cassian and Nesta, and their connection, and it both thrilled me and devastated me at all they went through and the impact that it had on both of them. And when we realise just exactly what they’ve gone through, it makes everything that much more meaningful, and there are scenes that had me near breathless with anticipation as we watch it all play out.

Cassian leaned to whisper in her ear, “The first time I saw that look on your face, you were still human. Still human, and I nearly went to my knees before you.”

We get to see a fair bit of the rest of the Night Court, and of course I loved catching up with Rhys and Feyre and the gang. They have some pretty significant stuff going on as well, and I loved seeing them again and watching them deal with all that they are confronted with. Nesta’s relationship with her sisters is explored in detail, and her dealing with her past and finding her way back to her family is beautifully written. We’re also introduced to some new characters that bring so much to the story, and I can’t wait to see how they will be involved in the series going forward.

This is a book about friendship, family, healing and redemption. About finding your place and your people, and what makes you happy, and then fighting for it. It’s emotional and meaningful, with incredible character development and wonderful dynamics. I wanted to cherish every moment of it, while at the same time I was desperate for more. It’s a delicious dilemma for a reader, and that’s when I know I’ve got a truly special read in my hands. I laughed, I cried, I celebrated, I feared, and I feel like I went on this amazing adventure with these characters, and it was a fantastic journey.

Amren put a hand above Nesta’s heart. “That’s the key, isn’t it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it… that’s the most important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder.” She gestured to the stars zooming past. “The struggle with that darkness is worth it, just to see such things.”

Nesta and Cassian’s story is one that I know will stay with me. The romance alone would be enough for me to 5-star this book, everything else tips it up to 6 incredible stars. It’s a wonderful set-up to the second story arc in the series, and even though I have no clue who else will be getting books, I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Stina Nielsen, and she does a wonderful job! She brings so much heart to the story, and really brings Nesta, Cassian, and their world, to life. This is 26+ hours of listening, and I was enthralled the whole way through!

Absolutely amazing! 6 stars.