SPOILERS AHEAD
First off, I have read a lot of this book’s criticisms over the last day or so and the craziness in this fandom is still alive and well. I enjoyed this book a lot, but I don’t think I can write a review for it in the traditional sense as it is an incomplete story, so I thought I just break down my thoughts and feelings. Oh, and this is your final warning; this post will have lots of SPOILERS!
Initial thoughts and feelings
The title makes so much sense now, it is not just two people having beef, the whole court is fractured.
The looming war storyline is not that interesting to me to be honest, I was hoping there would be more focus on Koschei but still interested to see how this develops.
The most addictive thing about this book was the cracks in everyone’s relationships. Feyre vs Amren, did not see that coming, the IC vs Nesta, Cassian and Nesta, Nesta and Gwyn, Rhys vs Az etc. It was like watching a reality show and was hooked!
What I Enjoyed
Learning more Az and his shadows – his self-loathing runs deep, I was expecting dark from him and its exactly what was served, I see a lot of people hating on his pov, but his levels of immaturity did not come as a shock to me, I mean he’s spent 500 years pining over one women, the signs of lack of emotional intelligence have been there from the beginning.
Az and Elain hooking up, so unintenitionally hilarious, they are acting like two horny teens sneaking around behind their parents backs.. The bedroom scene where they get caught was one of my favourite moments, peak chaos!! The only thing that bothers me here, is everyone piling on Elain for not respecting her mate, like she does not know Lucien, he’s practically a stranger that was tethered to her during a super traumatic time, of course she wants nothing to do with him and it did bug me a little that Feyre doesn’t seem to appreciate that.
Nesta and Cassian making up – ooft the amount of animosity aimed at Nesta exhausting, so it was a complete relief when they made up, and I get peoples complaints about him wanting to just jump back into the physical stuff. His behaviour towards Nesta and the Mask situation pissed me off as well, I think, he struggles with separating his role in the IC and his role as a mate. There definitely should have been more conversation but their physical intimacy has always been their love language, so I do understand a bit why he defaulted to that, hopefully we see more growth from him in future.
Nesta and Feyre fighting alongside one another! Oh, this scene was so healing! It is something I was hoping to see happen, did I expect it so early on, no but I am excited to see where this goes, particularly now Feyre has joined Nesta at Valkyrie training.
Nesta and Feyres relationship development in general – chefs kiss, the trajectory of their relationship is looking so bright. I love their communication with one other, and they are starting to see each other’s value.
Cassian being completely oblivious to the Elain and Az situation – this will never not be funny to me; poor bat boy is oblivious!
Finally, and I touched on it before but the all the drama in genera, itl was so good.
What I was not a fan of:
Rhys x Az deteriorating relationship. These are two immortal beings who consider themselves brothers have the worst fucking communication style. Rhys acting like a high lord and not friend, strike one and Az being emotionally constipated and unale to vocalise his emotions, strike 2. I mean come on guys sort it out! 😂
The fallout of Gwyn and Nesta. Do not get me wrong I get why Gwyn would be mad at Nesta for what went down at the end of the blood rite, but to be holding resentment for months on end with barely any communication seems a little extreme. It hurt that these friendships were so tattered.
I do not want Gwyn and Az together. I do not want him with anyone right now, the boy is a mess. If anyone needs inner peace its fucking Azriel!
What I am excited for.
Umm that last chapter was mean, I cannot wait to see the fallout of Mor taking Elain with her. Feyre and Nesta are going to have feelings for sure. Nesta’s journey to the prison and finding more made objects and possibly her heritage, looking forward to seeing what she discovers about herself. Feyre, something is brewing with her, there have been hints about her know what she must do and I am there for it.
Generally, just looking forward to more of the story and seeing how everyone will come back together and heal because some of the fractures are running deep right now.
Side note re the fandom response.
I made a post on threads about the Elain, Lucien and Az drama, as lot of readers and a I mean a lot of them seem to have real issue with Elain not rejecting the bond and or that she is stringing along Azriel and Lucien.
So, I addressed this here
And the responses just left me well just disappointed, because once again a woman is being shouldered with the responsibility of managing a man’s feelings. I literally don’t care how much you like Lucien or Az or whether they deserve better, they are both willing participants in this situation.
Lucien knows Elain is not interest, her actions have shown this, so why hasn’t he rejected the bond? Elain owes him NOTHING! And as for Azriel he could have taken himself away but has repeatedly CHOSEN to persue Elain.
To summarise, I loved the book and I’m very excited to see where it’s all building to, but the fandom still continues to disappoint me.
