A Court of Mist and Fury

I was glued to it, though the writing did annoy me as everything (hands, smiles, people) is relentlessly described as “male” or “female” (“lazy male smile”? Really? ) when smiles aren't gendered they are “bland” over and over again, and for some reason everyone purrs all the time. Could have stood a better editing pass. But the characters' arcs were more appealing than in the first book and the overall plot and milieu held much more interest for me being more action driven. Romantic ideals improved dramatically. It did successfully hook me but I felt a little embarrassed about it.