Spoilers hidden because I’m not a dick This review gonna be a lili bit of raving about this book by itself VS ranting how it was as a continuation o Spoilers hidden because I’m not a dick This review gonna be a lili bit of raving about this book by itself VS ranting how it was as a continuation of Maas’s series
Honestly, my biggest challenge going into this book was all my preconceptions of this world and its characters. The stakes were high.
Cassian is one of the biggest favorites in the fandom
Whereas Nesta has a reputation for being a....
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So going into it, the book was better when I tried to block out all the nasty shit in previous books and high expectations. This isn’t the start of a new ✨Maas✨series, just a standalone romance happening in same world. I highly recommend that mindset cuz then it's less disappointing. Moving on,
꧁The Characters꧂
I have never liked Nesta Acheron. sorry not sorry. I didn’t like her much in the previous books but I acknowledge that her character has potential for such depth that Maas really tried to develop here.
But did it work?
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Typically these characters dynamics would usually have me ✨screaming✨ with a bloodthirsty heroine and spitfire cocky guy who always comes back for her!!
I’ve always loved Cassian. But i didnt *quite* love his POV.
I felt like thru an attempt of making his character more dimensional, we lost some of his key characteristics as the flirtatous badass who uses humor and adrenaline to cope... Yes it was amazing getting insight into his thoughts and Maas’s writing style easily adopted this dual perspective. I just wish we got more of the Cassian that trained Freye and let her punch out as needed while cracking jokes at Rhysands expensive.
Maas is known for her growling, purring, overprotective, asshole, alpha males. BUT I LOVEEE ITTTT
And his relationship with Nesta was so well developed. He knows Nesta as a victim, killer, broken girl, self-sufficient woman, and general badass. He's seen it alll and he keeps coming back for her.
Together, these two were the perfect combination for a hot chaotic relationship that had you swooning, cackling, and gasping.
I don't think Nesta will ever be my fav character however her story really speaks to mental health for someone who reacts/protects themselves with sharp words and anger
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Some describe Nesta as ambitious and authoritative character but to me she was very selfish, cold, and distant. She did nothing to help Feyre provide for their family and spent the money Freye earned on frivolous items. THEN in fey world went on whole refusing to train/ help others but demanding they protect ONE of her sisters?! *fuck off*
In this book, She *finally* had moments of -well i’m tired of not being able to protect myself. LIKE YES BITCH THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL BEEN SAYING THIS WHOLE TIME
So on that element, I was sooo glad she was actually making progress and decisions!
At the same time, I found myself disappointed with the Inner Circle *gasp* I know, I was sad about it too. I understood why they were done with her shit. Because, same.
But the constant bashing of Nesta's drinking, sex, and weight were low blows especially compared to the violence and weight loss Freyre went thru. hypocrites much? I fully recognize this isn’t reflective of the characters we know but its Nesta’s perspective of the characters acting towards her... *Shrug*
꧁The Maas Quality꧂
Honestly, sad to report no major twists. It was just a really good, borderline dark, romance driven by character development and lotttta sexy sexy fun times since its not longer YA
If I had just randomly picked this up, then this book would’ve been off the charts with such dynamic characters, beautiful worldbuilding, and an okay plot.
But in comparison with her others, this book seemed kinda basic and was missing some intricate detail plot twists that you usually can count on with Maas.
To sum up it was an epic story of redemption-- Of a girl finding herself again after tragedy. And along the way she makes friends, and a lover who listens to her who supports her rough recovery, and not always her actions.
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Somehow this book felt soooo long and overly descriptive.. but also was not enough. No idea how that happens but there it is.
The next threat/enemy makes logical sense. So I liked that
I wanted Nesta to get fierce FOR her sisters and be finally willing to fight FOR them. I love some badass sisters dynamics of teasing each other, bitching at each other but would do anything for each other in the end! Didn't really quite get that.
I was constantly underwhelmed by Nesta. She talks lotta shit but what has she actually done?
She has continuously refused to show initiative in her own life and failed to provide for herself. Instead, she constantly chose to lean on the resources of others for her survival.
All she has done is complain. Complain about her human life while refusing to work and save herself or her sisters. Complain about the happiness her lili sister found while refusing to be part of it. Complain about the only people willing to fight and save humans while refusing to train or learn to fight FOR HERSELF. iM bOrEd and AnGeReD by the dismissive bullshit that defined her character up to this point in the series
This book showed some sparks of greatness! Taking initiative in her life! Using all that spitfire and backbone to make something for herself! But in the end, it kinda failed to live up to the fierce powerful Nesta I was hoping she would transform into.
Reading this book you can’t help but compare to Maas’ other great heroines.
I think the big difference is that Aelin always kept moving forward. And Bryce was a little shit. But Nesta handled her depression by freezing and becoming nasty. Which is just really hard to read sometimes.
Overall, I’m glad I read this book but it won’t be a major re-read like most Maas books. The book stands on the friendship the characters build, Nesta overcoming her despair and FINALLY developing her interesting powers. I greatly enjoyed the character dynamics of how Cassian and Nesta are such strong complex characters, but I wanted their romance to be more epic and to sweep me away. I love this world and all the creatures and BADASS FEMALE WARRIORS but the plot was lacking and I hate the power change that a lot of Maas’ characters are undergoing.
If you are teetering whether to read this book, I gotta tell you to lower your expectations and try to forget the bullshit of Nesta’s past in order to just fully enjoy this book. It was pretty great seeing the Inner Circle’s relationships in the aftermath of Wings and Ruin, especially through Nesta’s harsh eye that hardcore READS THESE BITCHES and all their flaws. Plus it gives some foreshadowing and builds excitement for which characters might be next. It was a good romance, but it wasn’t a great Maas book.
I have never liked Nesta. sorry not sorry. I didn’t like her much in the previous books but I acknowledge that her character does have potential for such depth
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Some describe Nesta as ambitious and authoritative character but to me she was very selfish, cold, and distant. She did nothing to help Feyre provide for their family and spent the money Freye earned on frivolous items. THEN in fey world goes on whole refusing to train/ help others but demanding they protect ONE of her sisters?! *fuck off*
Just the idea of a sister knowingly fucking over another in how she treated Freyre as human for YEARS ... it actually hurts my heart a little bit .... that kinda selfishness
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But Cassian liking her will probably MAKE me like her more *god i hope so cuz he deserves the best* I just sick of Nesta's unrelenting nastiness while also hoping she resolves her trauma and that Cassian finds the happiness he deserves
Wish list It’d be kinda cool to find out that she was doing something —sacrificing— to help the family that Freyre never knew back when they were humans behind the wall
She just needs SOME redeeming quality for all the times she constantly bitching and lashing out at everyone. Some reason for why the whole Cassian ignoring thing and treating her sis Feyre like dirt *shaking my fucking head* Also generally she way 2 protective and angry towards people for there not to be some sorta backstory or event behind it hahah
Cover: ehhh I not really a fan of this style... also don’t think it really suited for Cassian with the hardcore Autumn court theme and colors. This just seems like such a let-down and step-down compared to the artful creativity and beauty of Crescent City *frowny face*
But its Maas so of courseeeee imma read it *duhhhh*
They don't just hate each other, they are actively trying to kill each other
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Meet Meli GaThis is the iconic Enemies to Lovers trope
On steroids
They don't just hate each other, they are actively trying to kill each other
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Meet Meli Galdes, this bitch is practically starving for revenge
“And when he belonged to her, she would finally repay a decade worth of pain in a single brutal dose of reality. Meli smiled.”
She has a rare gene for abilities for an electromagnetic whip. She is just as bloodthirsty as the rest of the world and isn't afraid to claw her way to the front.
And then there's the love interest. Celino Carvanna Ruthless cruel assassin that destroyed the heroine's life.
And she never forgot...
“He felt oddly calm. Empty. Cold. He sat before the dark screen, patiently waiting to feel something. Anything at all. Finally, a spark of emotion flared in him. He puzzled over it and recognized what it was. Hot, blinding rage.”
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These two had some great chemistry. It was very much structured as a dark fantasy. It was hilarious as they were both extremely aware of their fucked-up nature and didn't even bother to hide their monsters
“He knelt by her. “I also kidnapped your father and your brothers. I would’ve tortured them if I thought they knew where you were.” She laughed softly, but without humor. “That is an odd way to endear yourself to me.”
For any Ilona Andrews fan, I would describe this book as a merge between Innkeeper's Chronicles And Hidden Fire.
The world-building consists of a futuristic paranormal world vibe everything that's typically monster and magical is rewritten and explained as aliens, technology, and planets. In contrast to their other books where the world provides unique situations that build into the plot... this book sadly just explained the setting of the book.
The premise was really interesting but the lack of details kept it from being amazing.
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Seriously this was so friggen short I'm having trouble remembering details. As soon as I figured out the world, fell in love with the characters ---
It was over.
Overall, it was short and sweet. In other words, enjoyable but underdeveloped.
If i liked the whole movie star thing then i would've really enjoyed this book! But I don't... [image][image]If i liked the whole movie star thing then i would've really enjoyed this book! But I don't... [image][image]...more
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