My Experience Reading of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Alright I’m moving onto the next book in the series by Sarah J. Maas, which is A Court of Wings and Ruin. Similar to the last book, I’m going to share my thoughts as I read the book. I have it broken down by the chapters on where I left off, so you know roughly where I’m in the book when I’m writing that section. Similar to last times, this will include spoilers as I’m reading the book though I’ll try to keep it to a minimum.

Chapter 1-14

Feyre has been in the Spring Court for around a month working on dismantling their rule for everything that Tamlin has done, not just to Feyre but to their Prythian. Lucien is suspicious of her motives and Alis flat out knows she’s lying. Eventually Hybren sends his niece, nephew, and Jurian to spot out a place to use the Cauldron when tearing down the wall. Lucien and Feyre join them to inspect each of the three spots. At the third location, Feyre manages to get everything she needs to report back to Rhys. The size of their army, how many other nations are helping, and where they’ll attack.

As she departs, she has managed to turn Tamlin’s sentries against her by making them seriously hate what he’s done. Some of it with the help of her abilities, and others by making sure everyone knew how awful he is. Then she takes over the Solar Solstice to make the people of the Spring Court believe she has been blessed, so essentially turned his people against him if he does anything against her publicly. Reprimanded Ianthe (the high priestess) for constantly sexually assaulting men by having Ianthe beat up her own hand. And then killed the niece and nephew after they reveal she’s been poisoned. Still she was able to escape, but takes Lucien with her, to the Night Court. Though they had to walk as her powers are temporarily gone, nor can she send word to Rhys through the bond.

You go High Lady of the Night Court, show them who’s boss. Like the bad bitch you are. While I would’ve loved to see Ianthe or Tamlin die, I think this was a fitting revenge for the time being. As I have a feeling, more bad karma is on their way for what they’ve done.

Chapter 15-40

This next section of the book has a lot in it. Feyre is reunited with Rhys, her friends, and her sisters. We learn something different happened with each of her sisters after they were changed by the Cauldron, though only one of them (Elain) we really know what the outcome is towards the end of this section I read. And they start making their war plan to stop Hybern in their goal to destroy (in their eyes liberate) Prythian. Which is mainly get the other courts to gather for a summit (of which they don’t really have allies since everyone just thinks Night Court is the stuff of nightmares), find the queen who was locked away from the others in the previous book, Nesta trains to learn how to repair the wall, and Amren is still working on a translation for the book that nullifies the Cauldron.

Rhys plans don’t exactly sit well with everyone since it involves working with Eris (Autumn Court) who basically left Mor for dead and allowing Keir (her father) access to Velaris. I mean, I don’t blame Mor for being angry. Velaris is their prized city that they have kept a secret for centuries, and the last time Rhys revealed it they were attacked a day later. Granted this time he makes it clear to the group that Keir and the rest of the Court of Nightmares would be unwelcomed everywhere in the Court of Dreams (no restaurants, shops, or lodging) and he gets control over when and how long they can visit. Also not to mention Keir only wants entrance to the Court of Dreams since he knows Mor loves it there. And he’s an abusive asshole who almost murdered his daughter over the fact she lost her virginity to ensure she didn’t end up marrying Eris from the Autumn Court.

Feyre also makes a bargain with something (the details aren’t really shared as they shield their eyes from it) to protect/save her when she is attacked by Hybern’s ravens in the library, but leaves the terms completely vague for her benefit (no when, who, how long, etc.). She’s learning. Versus the other bargains, where she missed key details that are insanely important. So, that’s an improvement.

Also Tarquin didn’t outright kill them when they helped Summer Court when Hybern attacked even though they weren’t specifically requested to come help. A threat that Tarquin sent them in the previous book when they lied and stole the elven half of the Book. I also couldn’t help but slightly dislike Tarquin over the fact he didn’t help with the fighting, he left his soldiers to do that. Meanwhile, Rhys and Feyre along with most of the rest of the inner circle (except Amren who is holding fort in Velaris) are in the middle of the battle.

Chapter 41-50

War council time! Everyone take your bets on who’s going to getting into a fight first! You’ll probably be wrong as the characters were. Also who do you guess shows up and does? Trick question, they all show up. Even asshole Tamlin, who is more than ready to start a fight and claim he was always planning on double-crossing Hybern once he got Feyre back… yeah right. Even if Rhys claims he was telling the truth after going into his head.

Also, their plan on not telling anyone about Feyre’s abilities goes out the window as she attacked Beron the High Lord of Autumn using her Summer Court abilities (i.e. water). And surprisingly only Beron has an issue with this fact, and he’s the only Court to have felt with a statement that they’ll consider joining the alliance. Everyone else is on board. Maybe due to Nesta sharing her thoughts about saving the innocent… but I think mostly due to Feyre losing her temper after by almost drowning Beron after he asks Rhys if he’ll sleep with Hybern if they lose. The others are shocked by her abilities and ask Tamlin if he knew, which he merely comments, “It was none of your business.” But the others don’t seem too pissed since she did save them from Under the Mountain, and they did give her the abilities so as Tarquin states, “… seems a worthy payment.” He also rescinds the blood rubies from the Night Court for their help against Hybern asking for nothing in return.

I was seriously entertained by the whole thing. And I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. You go, Feyre! You badass! Show them who’s boss. Don’t let them disrespect you for being a female or for your complicated love life.

That night Nesta senses something wrong, but when they don’t see any issues or threats at the Night Court or in Dawn Court they dismiss it. At least until Nesta starts vomiting during the next day’s war council when Hybern uses the Cauldron to destroy the wall. So much for planning and gathering troops and supplies. Every court is off to prepare their armies to deal with the threat in the Spring Court. Also Feyre makes another bargain with the creature in the library, that they’ll install a window in exchange for it’s help against Hybern. The creature is very imaginative in what it wants: someone to talk to and a window. Great priorities.

Chapter 51-63

Fuck Tamlin. That traitorous bastard, he told Hybren everything. Jurian turns out to be the good guy and immediately went to the humans to help them, and is the one to actually convince Lord Nolan to take in the humans by stating he can make sure Hybern stays clear (since Hybern still thinks Jurian is on his side). Then he tells the group his plans to keep the human armies away that are on Hybern side, and making a fake fit over not finding Miryam and Drakon (whom they want to fight against Hybern). While Nesta, had one chapter that made me completely change my opinion of her in the first book Chapter 54 was that with Jurian in this one. While he still isn’t the greatest, at least he’s not fucking Tamlin… poor choice of words but I’m leaving it in. Also screw Graysen, it wasn’t like Elain wanted to be a High Fae. She got turned against her will. I’m glad Nesta slapped him. The prick deserved it.

Afterwards, there are two major battles:

1. Summer Court where Prythian has the high ground and advantage thanks to Jurian. No major causalities on Prythian, or at least none of the characters we’re to care about.
2. Between Autumn and Summer Court near Winter, where it’s a bit more equal. Prythian has the element of surprise but Hybren was waiting for them. Cassian is seriously injured during this because he refused to wait, and tried to reform the line on his own.

Feyre also disappears in the middle of the battle to find out where Hybern is with the cauldron since he wasn’t at either battle. She does so by searching out the Suriel. Even though the Suriel knew it would die, it helped her before Ianthe and two Hybern soldiers attack. She manages to trick the three into the Weaver’s cottage where they are slaughtered before Helion finds and takes her back to the war camp. Morrigan is furious as Feyre left without telling her anything. I get both sides. Mor wanted to be there and help her High Lady, while Feyre basically is stubborn and does things on her own because then no one else gets hurt.

Also not to mention, she has a trust issue has pretty much everyone she’s met has either was good then turned out evil (Tamlin and Ianthe), bad but turned out good (Rhys), bad but turned out good… maybe neutral not really sure since he’s still with Hybren (Jurian), or good but turned out neutral (Lucien, who may or may not be the sole heir to Day Court).

With the information from Suriel, Nesta finds out where the Cauldron is however she looked at it too long and it learned where they were. So Hybern has Elain kidnapped in the middle of the night. Also, Feyre could nullify the Cauldron but she would have to give up her life to do so. So… that’s not really an option.

Chapter 64-82

Feyre… sweetie… darling, you have suicide wish. She decides to get her sister back she’ll pretend to be Ianthe (using shapeshifting) then go directly into Hybren’s army alone (granted Azriel also is there but he’s in the shadows). The first one to pay much attention to her is Jurian, who figures out right away it’s Feyre. And informs her how to act (flirting with Jurian because of course Ianthe would do that) and that Elain is in the King’s tent chained up. Jurian gets them in then gives them a word of advice on how to escape, confirming that he knows Azriel is with her.

They manage to free her (granted Azriel is carrying her still bound) and during their escape they are discovered. Feyre gets shot and Tamlin helps them… actually helps them escape… what? But they were able to get away, and Feyre actually flew… without crashing. A first. However, Azriel’s wings are damaged during the escape so he won’t be able to use them in a fight. Nor really fight for that matter.

Also, Mor admits to Feyre while they make up that she prefers girls. I‘m proud of you, Mor. You were finally honest with yourself. Feyre is one hundred percent me… and also not me. I can’t figure out a love life to save my life, push everyone away in a heartbeat. But love to match people together, which is exactly what Feyre promises to do the second Mor is ready to be open with the rest of the world that she loves females.

Afterwards they realize Hybren’s master plan, make everyone exhausted by having them winnow around from battle to battle so it’s easier to slaughter them. They all vote to do through with it anyways, and to save as many humans as possible. Because even one life could make a difference, and it’s a new world one that they have a hand in shaping. Just as they finish agreeing, Amren arrives stating she knows how to stop the entire army but will need Feyre, Elain, and Nesta to do so. All four of them could use the Cauldron together to nullify Hybren and kill it’s armies. After getting the humans to Summer Court, Feyre got to get the gift (Ouroboros) the Bone Carver requested for his assisted (a mirror shows your true reflection, most go mad or find their mind shattered) from the Court of Nightmares. Which she manages to do and frees the Bone Carver, who didn’t actually want the mirror but rather to see if she was worthy of his help.

During the major battle, Feyre revealed both the Carver and Bryaxis (the creature from the library) while Rhys reveals the Weaver (Stryga) whom he had Helion bargained on behalf of Rhys. Which gives them a massive advantage allowing them to divide Hybren’s armies. Feyre does have to bark orders at them to leave her army alone. As Hybren’s army falls three armies appear on the northern side (Autumn as Tamlin dragged him out, Spring, and mortal led by Jurian). Autumn manages to destroy the cache of faebane (magic nullifying poison).

Hybren however brings out the Cauldron and uses it, managing to kill the Bone Carver who smiled at Feyre before he died along with many others turning them to ash. Then the rest of Hybren’s army arrives in an armada. Along with Drakon’s army of Seraphim and Vassa’s army that Feyre’s dad managed to find (Lucien joined/found them later) leading them on three ships named after each of the sisters. He cares! Be still my beating heart.

Only Feyre and Amren end up going to the Cauldron as Nesta serves as a distraction of gathering her powers (what powers, no idea). The Weaver dies as the two get to the king. However it turns out Amren lied and reveals this once Feyre touches the Cauldron, so she’s trapped there watching Hybren kill her father and snap Cassian’s wing. Nesta in turn stabs the king using Azriel’s sword, and cuts off his head. When Feyre snaps back to her body, Amren reveals she needs Feyre to use the Cauldron to unbind her then she can wipe out Hybren’s army in her true form. Which Feyre does, in the end it breaks the Cauldron into three pieces as Amren destroys the rest of Hybren’s army before disappearing.

However, with the Cauldron broken the world started to collapse. Feyre had to bring it back but in the exchange of Rhys’ life. Luckily, the High Lords and Feyre bring him back, and Amren comes back as a normal High Fae. Let’s just say emotions ran extremely high: anger, grief, and utter disbelief that he gone. Rhys can’t die. Which luckily he doesn’t. I don’t think I could handle that… nor could Feyre. I’m pretty sure at one point my brain started playing that one TikTok (maybe it’s from Deadpool) that goes:

He’s just resting

In pieces… that man is dead

He’s so sleepy

Along with something along the lines of: Rhys can’t be dead. Carver foresaw them having a son, he’ll be back any moment. He’s not really dead… this is Rhys. Self-sacrificing, yes… but impossible to get rid of. Don’t play me like this… also I’m pretty sure he’s in the next book unless Feyre is alone at the Winter Solstice, so he can’t be dead. High Lords don’t be assholes, bring him back, he literally saved all of you... like his army was the main army, he and his mate got the three things to wipe out the other army to turn the disadvantage to an advantage, and he sacrificed himself to keep the world from literally caving in on itself to the Void. You brought Feyre back, bring Rhys back. Also can we take a note that Rhys dies on page 666… I mean, come on.

They start the talks for the new world without the wall, of course not concluding on that discussion yet before everyone leaves to go their own ways. It was a good ending. Rhys and Feyre make a bargain that if they die, they go together… because of course they would. Then fly off in lacy underwear. Very fitting of them.

Overall Thoughts

5 out 5 stars.

I couldn’t put this book down, and got very emotional. Not quite Clockwork Princess levels where I literally cried during many segments. But if they hadn’t brought Rhys back a few pages after he died, I probably would’ve once I realized he wasn’t coming back. But considering he did come back almost immediately, no tears. Everyone got a happy ending. I’m ok with that.

I’m not sure if I’m going to do one of these for A Court of Frost and Starlight. Mostly for that one as I’ll be finished with it in one “session” as I can read very quickly yet retain everything I read. A talent according to my mother. As for other books in the future, let me know if you would like me to. When you read this, the first two books will have already gone up but I am writing this before that happens. I read all three books in less three days, but am spreading out the posts a little.

If you’ve read this series, what did you think of it? Also, who was your favorite character or arc? I would love to hear about your thoughts especially now that I’ve finished it.

Love ya,

Mae Polzine

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