Kayleigh Paxton

This was the first book to ever make me cry. I think I was in 3rd grade. It took me years to track down this book because I could only vaguely remember the plot leading up to the ending and what the cover looked like. Some kind soul on reddit helped me figure it out, and I promptly purchased a second hand copy online. But then it's sat on my shelves for at least a year, regularly pulled off and looked at, but never opened. When I know something has made me sad before, or suspect it will make me cry, I tend to avoid it like the plague. Even though I know the ending, even though it's been 20 years and logic tells me I won't be quite affected as much.

Two days ago my dog, my sweet boy that I got just four months into living on my own, passed away unexpectedly. He had cancer in his liver and spleen that we didn't know about. He was only 6 and a half. He always listened to me so attentively and I remember telling him everything I could remember about the book when my copy first arrived at the house. I have cried so much the last 45 hours, but there's still more in me to come. I thought now would be a good time to finally reread this book so I can cry about something other than my sweet Kel. It worked. And the book held up to my childhood memories which is a rare and special thing. Pinky's prayer did get me. “Go forth, O unhappy spirit, from this troubled body and imperfect world into the paradise that has been prepared for you by the Almighty Father...” The important detail is that Mama was not unhappy, she loved deeply and was just as loved. And so is Kel.

I've never read another story by Bebe Faas Rice, and it's my understanding she writes scary stories for children. While this one might be haunting, I find it more moving than anything else.

I found myself frustrated with Feyre a little too often for my taste, hence the 4, but I'm hopefully for future character growth! Although I guessed several things correctly through the book, I was happily surprised by the final development! Especially because I was concerned how this human girl was going to believably make it to a 5th book.

This was a fun and easy read, and I'm starting the second book immediately after hitting “Done” on this review! I'm hoping for 1) much more information on fae magic than we've gotten, especially the magic stunt from the very end, 2) information on the gods that I've been constantly reminded humans don't remember, and 3) for Feyre to learn how to read. Good night she could've avoided at least 100 pages of suffering if she was simply literate and had read 3 romance poems in her life.

slow clap Worth the hype.

Halfway through the book, I had suspicions about how far Tamlin would go to get what he wanted, but 1) I expected him to be in on Ianthe's deceit (red petals?! I knew what you were) and 2) I doubted Mass would full send it and go there. I am happy to be proven wrong and am fully invested in this series!

I like Feyre much better now after getting her earned character growth! We got a lot more fae magic, but I'll admit not understand the system of it is something to get used to when you're used to systems like Robert Jordan's and Sanderson's. I want just a little more detail than we've gotten so far. And Feyre learned to read, thank the lord! And speaking of lord, no info about the gods yet, but now that we've gotten introductions to the priestesses and the Book and Cauldron, I'm hopeful for the next book!

Loved every Feyre and Rhysand scene and LOVE the full Court of Dreams! I guessed we were headed towards both her new title and immortality for her sisters, but I had no idea they would come so soon, and I'm so happy to get more time than I thought would be given post both of these developments!

Also, Tam's a bitch and can go to hell.

3 stars

I think my first mistake was jumping right into this book after the epic final 200 pages of book three. I needed at least a wee k or two to sit an appreciate the ending we got for the first major arc of this series.

I knew to expect new POVs with this book, but I don't think I was mentally prepared for it to read like the first book in a series (which typically rank at the bottom for me when it comes to characters). I don't necessarily dislike Nesta, and I think it was interesting to explore the trauma response of self destruction, but after dealing with one and a half books already waiting on the first FMC to get to the good part of character growth, having to then go through it again with Nesta felt a bit tedious. Although I do like the friendship arc she went through.

I do felt like I was suspending a little too much belief with them achieving slicing the ribbon and becoming proficient enough to wield blades, but mostly because Maas decided to mention multiple times how long the both the winged cultures they're emulating take to train (it's years on years btw). This was a little disappointing, because while the magic of this world is definitely on the loosey-goosey side, I usually feel like there's been at least a moderately adequate explanation for power levels of various characters.

I don't entirely mind using a pregnancy to explain keeping Feyre out of the way for Nesta's intro book, but the pregnancy complication trope to keep Rhys out of the way too? That felt lazy. Like really? Really? And then to double down with it as an excuse for taking away the bulk of Nesta's power? It's giving “I made my character too powerful, oops.” Like cool moment for Nesta, but a large reason I got invested in her was the promise of her potential future arcs being a badass but also struggling with that insane power. And yeah, I can see the seeds for certain things with because all is not what it seems, but it's just annoying to have the full scope dangled in front of your for a full book to then say “just kidding”. ALSO, hiding it from Feyre? Why do we insist on infantilizing this poor woman yet again?

The main reason I did not find myself itching to pick up and finish this book like the other three before it is the villain, the Queen, is boring. I get she's supposed to be a single book villain to then set up the death god guy Koschie (I know this is not the right spelling, but until I have a reason to care about the conflict of this next main arc, I will not be bothering to learn the correct spelling.) for this next main arc, but at least with Amarantha, fearing her was believable and fun because there emotional connections to the atrocities she committed. There's stories far and wide of her cruelty. Her presence is felt even before you know her name. The Queen feels so absent from this book, the seen with the harp just felt like “oh, there you are, I've been waiting on you”, and not in the fun vein of our (until recently favorite) bat boy. I fear the Trove, not her. The final (and really first) run in with her feels unearned. Which makes it unrewarding. Which makes it unfun to read. Also what's with using the ladies as a appetizer villain for the BBG? The first time it didn't really bother me because honestly, Amarantha was a bigger villain than the king, but doing it again is very meh to me.

The reason I gave this a three is because I see Maas making more of an effort to plant seeds for a later pay off which is an element the first three books largely lack when I compare them to other major fantasy series. Outside of the details regarding the trove covered in this book, I feel like she's gotten more subtle rather than openly telegraphing her plot hints like she does in the first three books. While contianing a lot of things I didn't care for, this books like she's trying to shift into a more ambitious attempt of completing this story than how it feels starting out. Also, I simply enjoy the world despite how little we get to see of it.

I am on the fence on whether I'd like to the next book occur in tandem with this one. On the one hand, I'd actually get to see all the characters I'm actually interested in, and likely a new continent with new cultures. On the other hand, I am desperate to leave this book arc behind. The things I want to see most are:
- find out finally whether one of the sisters is the Mother reincarnated
- literally anything with Mor. I am on my knees begging.
- characters that are not high fae or ancient beings
- for the disparity of treatment between the citizens of Velaris and the Hewn City to be addressed and even better if there's some repercussions
- it's been two whole books now and it's seeming more like there will not be an repercussions for the magic pulse connecting from connecting the two halves of the Book. I was told it would awake unfathomable beings from the depths of Cauldron knows where, GIVE THEM TO ME

I'll still be excited for the next book once it's announced and released, but it needs to be a 180 from this book. I can read through a slog (Wheel of Time fans get me), but book 4 is WAY too early for a slog to be starting. Anyway, this review probably sounds more heated than I feel about this book. I just had so much fun with the first three and a half books, it really sucked to then be let down like this.

I watched the movie growing up and loved it, so I was excited to read the book. Neil Gaiman has a lovely voice, both literally and in his writing, and I highly recommend listening to his narration in the audiobook! I had not realized the movie was so different from the book, and this is one of the rare occasions I actually like their differences rather than feel like something precious has been missed. Starlight the novel is both charming as well as surprisingly horrific, just as an adult fairytale should be! Having now read Starlight and Coraline, I'm sensing the unsettling is a marker of his work. I am excited to explore more of it!