Book Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR)
I actually thought about DNF-ing this book several times. Because I took so many breaks in between, I ended up forgetting a lot of the characters’ names, which made it hard to recall who was connected to which backstory or event.
I’ve grown to really dislike Nesta and Elain. They come across as spoiled — just like in the first book, but now even worse. Their relationship with Feyre also feels inconsistent; in the previous book, they seemed to understand Feyre better and came across as more dependable. But here, they’re mostly angsty and emotional.
The pacing felt much slower this time, probably as a build-up before the war. There was also a plot hole that didn’t make sense to me. For example, since mates can supposedly communicate across distances, why couldn’t Rhys just reach out to Feyre when she was gone on her own? The author made a big fuss over her 'disappearance' during the war. It felt inconsistent with what we’ve been told earlier in the series.
Unfortunately, the storyline just didn’t hold my attention. It kept jumping back and forth between too many side plots and characters. I guess preparing for war was never straightforward — but this time, it just felt a bit too drawn out.
It might be the case that I took too many breaks in between that I ended up feeling this way about the book.
Rating /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 2/5
One aspect worth expanding on is the series' world-building and how it might appeal to different readers. While I found some characters like Nesta and Elain less likable this time, others might appreciate the complexity Maas provides through multiple perspectives and detailed lore. For readers curious about the so-called 'spicy chapters,' these scenes add a layer of romantic intensity between major characters, which some fans eagerly anticipate. However, if you're more into plot progression, these moments might feel like detours. Also, understanding the deeper themes like grief, renewal, and political turmoil enhances the appreciation of the story’s emotional layers. Early books introduced youthful turmoil and claimed thrones that set the stage for this finale. If you’re reading on platforms like Kobo or anticipating novellas expanding the universe, knowing the intricacies of the plot and character relationships helps. For example, the concept of mates communicating over a distance plays into critical moments, even if some aspects felt inconsistent in this installment. This perspective is based on my personal experience, and I encourage others to explore the book themselves to see how the richly woven narrative resonates with their tastes.
Gosh, I’m glad I’m not the only one who think so, I was so into the second book and third book just made me feel like dropping it 🫠