... this book was everything I wanted it to be, and so much more.

I've seen that some readers consider A Court of Thorns and Roses to be a long prologue to A Court of Mist and Fury and I could not agree more. The complexity of the characters and the worldbuilding now that the scene has been set was breathtaking. I enjoyed seeing more than just the Spring Court and Under the Mountain; it truly cracked this world open for us to explore.

Feyre's mental state after her time Under the Mountain and her struggle to find a reason to fight out from under the darkness was heartbreaking. The combination of her deep depression and her new powers created an engaging storyline, especially considering how characters around her reacted to her presence. Avoiding spoilers (mostly): 1) Tamlin was an obvious development if you paid attention at all during A Court of Thorns and Roses, 2) Lucien is a disappointment, 3) Rhys is exactly who I thought he would be, and 4) Feyre is exactly what I'm looking for in a female protagonist.

Sarah J. Maas' writing is honest and beautiful. She has created characters I adore and a world I want to explore. However, if the series continues like this, I don't know how I'll cope with finishing these books and being forced back into the real world. I didn't find the erotica quite as cringe-worthy this time around, possibly because it seemed to bookend the plot. Taking place mainly at the beginning and the end, it didn't feel as though the sex scenes were trying to distract from the rest of the story.

Some readers have complained about the novel's length and the time spent training and making plans, but I loved every page. There was so much depth in these characters and this world within these pages, and I don't think they would be as vivid and realistic without the time spent here really delving into their personalities. Additionally, Feyre would seem awfully shallow and incredibly gifted if the time wasn't taken to explore both her emotions and the growth of her powers.

If you couldn't tell, I loved this book and I'm obsessed with this series. I'm dreading where I think this buildup is leading but you couldn't stop me from reading every available page in this world.