A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTAR #3)

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: May 2017
Pages: 699
ISBN: 9781619634480
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #3
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Time: 27 - 30 April
Binding: Hardback
Goodreads

Blurb: 

 A nightmare, I'd told Tamlin. I was the nightmare.

 Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit - and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords - and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

 In this thrilling third book of the Court of Thorns series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.

 Review:

 I was so lucky that my pre-order shipped early, a year of waiting for this has been truly painful and not a single day has gone past in which I haven't thought about the characters from this series (mostly Rhys). I knew this was going to be my favourite book yet, ACOMAF was exactly what I craved of the characters and this was another step up.

 I was wondering at how long we'd be in the Spring Court during this beast of a book. For me it was the perfect amount just to set the action rolling. Tamlin's role only gets more interesting in this book, and as someone who was rooting for Rhys from the first instant of ACOTAR that is one hell of a compliment. Maas writes characters that you can so easily love or hate. I have had a pure hatred for Nesta the entire series and whether I was meant to or not, such strong feelings towards certain characters can only be a testimony to Maas' craft.

 I didn't put this book down easily, other than to bang my head on the wall or pace my room nervously. I cried, thrice. It's one of those books that takes you through so many emotions that there's no single way to describe it. I thought watching Game of Thrones was stressful, but no longer...

 There is so much I could say, yet too much to know how to write about.

 Cassian stepped up in my expectations, Mor's revelation was a shock but made so much sense, Azriel was more prominent so we could see his strength and resilience. I can't understand how Feyre seems to constantly know what she's doing, I don't think I've been giving her enough credit in the last books. Rhy is just magnificent, uttterly magnificent. Lucien was heartbreaking, the High Lords were fascinating and the battles were glorious.

 When Empire of Storms was released last year Maas revealed a real skill for writing battles . . . and then blew it out of the water in ACOWAR. Suppose the WAR part should have been an indicator, how purposeful was that? Enchanting and gripping descriptions throughout and for me the plot never disappointed. I wanted more lemons and fun scenes, but totally understand why they perhaps should stay in ACOMAF and don't quite fit in ACOWAR.

 My only worry is for the next books, wherein the focus of them hasn't been revealed and that will torture me until there is an announcement. I love these characters so much and no matter the changes don't want to say goodbye. The Chaol novel is not going to tide me over, I'm not a fan of him anyway (gasp!) and was really disappointed by the rescheduling. So what am I to do until May 2018!? 

 Re-read, deny, re-read, cry....

Strange the Dreamer

Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Year: March 2017
Pages: 532
ISBN: 9781444788983
Series: Strange the Dreamer #1
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Time: March 30 - April 9
Binding: Hardback
Goodreads

Blurb:

 THE DREAM CHOOSES THE DREAMER, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND - and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he's been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

 What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

 The answer await in Weep, but so do more mysteries - including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo's dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

 WELCOME TO WEEP

Review:

 On Sunday I attended An Evening with Laini Taylor at Waterstone's Piccadilly and it was amazing. Katherine Webber interviewed, radiant as always! The insight to Taylor's development as a writer and inspirations was really encouraging. I found a fair few similarities to her early years of becoming a writer, mainly in that she didn't write anything! It's taking me a while to find a good stimulus with my exams, but I'm really close!

 Strange the Dreamer had been across the YA media for a little while, I did little research into it, wanting a surprise. I think I got as far as knowing about blue people (Karou's hair and now blue skin, what is this obsession with blue!?) and a librarian... Perfect recipe for any book on my shelves! I love nothing more than a character with a deep appreciation for books, what better way to connect with them? I pre-ordered a copy from the elite Golsboro (who then recalled when they sent out the printed signature copies, nightmare trying to get a quick return delivery in time for the real signing!) and avoided a nice sounding book box that I could tell would be featuring this book. Later I saw the signing and got myself on the list pronto, having never finished the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy (gasp) but remembering Taylor's skill at world building and knowing I'd annoy myself if I missed the opportunity to see her speaking.

 Strange the Dreamer was excellent, the language has Taylor's usual exquisite detail and storytelling. In my mind it's not difficult to read at all, neither is it boring but I was so busy that it took me until the day of the signing to finish this book. So much revision to do! I managed to find a copy about a week early from publication too, but couldn't start on it as I was so engrossed in Days of Blood and Starlight.

 Lazlo Strange is a beautiful character, the ideal guy I don't think I've read about in such a central role before. He has a journey of discovery we all wish of for our own lives and I'm so glad we experience the story with him rather than from the POV of the Muse of Nightmares as Taylor initially envisioned. It creates a much larger sense of mystery.

 The book is quite accurate to lots of issues in the present day, the colour of skin still creating divides and the aftermath of unspeakable horrors has left deep scars. The roots of those scars breeding hatred and fear that can only rise to more horrors unknown.

 It's very difficult to talk about this book without giving away spoliers, Let's simply say I thought I knew who was being described in the prologue but no, so wrong. I was shocked to find that Taylor had also thought she knew who it was until the end. It really shows how a story can take charge of itself despite the authors intentions. Past the shock, amazing move by Taylor! 

 I AM HIGHLY EXCITED FOR THE NEXT NOVEL AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS READ!