adellama's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
saskiasauce's review against another edition
3.0
The story is classic, which is both a good and bad thing. As in both well executed and predictable. It was an enjoyable quick read.
imanreads's review against another edition
3.0
YAAAAAAAAAS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. But I'm low key angry with myself for starting another YA series. Why brain?
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1/15/21 Reread Notes
So reading it for a second time, five years later, I have different feelings about it (obviously.)
Knowing what I know now, I don't really like Tamlin and the romance between him and Feyre seemed super forced and unearned. The first time around, I shipped them hard and remember HATING the beginning half of the second book BECAUSE of my love of them.
It feels like this book was basically just filler in order to introduce the characters (it's a first book duh) and to plant the seeds for the next 3 books. Which I understand is the purpose of a first book...but I've read other first books that still set things up in a way that didn't make me feel like it was filler. It is nice to go back and see Feyre and Rhys from the beginning...especially with how everything turns out.
I also paid more attention to the relationship between Feyre and Nesta. And I'm just so excited for the Nesta/Cassian book.
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1/15/21 Reread Notes
So reading it for a second time, five years later, I have different feelings about it (obviously.)
Knowing what I know now, I don't really like Tamlin and the romance between him and Feyre seemed super forced and unearned. The first time around, I shipped them hard and remember HATING the beginning half of the second book BECAUSE of my love of them.
It feels like this book was basically just filler in order to introduce the characters (it's a first book duh) and to plant the seeds for the next 3 books. Which I understand is the purpose of a first book...but I've read other first books that still set things up in a way that didn't make me feel like it was filler. It is nice to go back and see Feyre and Rhys from the beginning...especially with how everything turns out.
I also paid more attention to the relationship between Feyre and Nesta. And I'm just so excited for the Nesta/Cassian book.
bnully1027's review against another edition
5.0
Yup. I have no words that could describe how perfect this book is.
leftkitty's review against another edition
4.0
2.5 stars truly. I'll round cause I love SJM and maybe I'm judging this book too harshly because I just finished Empire of Storms and all other books seem like shit right now.
It's a Beauty and the Beast retelling which means it's SLOOOOOW. The plot is more of the building of the relationship between our main love interests. And let me tell you, I almost gave up this book so many times because I did not connect with the Tamlin/Feyre shit AT ALL I don't know why I wasn't into it, it just seemed really shallow? Who knows. I'm glad I stuck with the book though because those last hundred pages or so are the saving grace. That's where almost ALL the plot is and the trials she had to go through were interesting.
Couple issues:
The problems with her family were just swept under the rug??? She is parted from them early on in the book for which I was thankful for because they are HORRIBLE to her. And then when she meets up with them later it's like.... They fucking act like nothing happened. No REAL apology from anybody or an acknowledgement at all to how they treated her. I'm pissed that now I'm apparently supposed to just like these people
Also, Feyre's got some super high self-esteem issues. She was CONSTANTLY putting herself down and calling herself stupid. Honestly, I got so tired of it and stopped feeling bad for her after the 7th or 8th time she attacked herself.
And I really didn't like the ending. It was just kind of blah, and I'm kind of pissed that all the problems were solved in like 5 pages.
YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS SUPER INTO THOUGH? RHYSAND! RHYSAND! RHYSAND!
FUCKING RHYSAND,
I'll read the next book only because I love SJM so much and I've been told that Mist and Fury is exponentially better
It's a Beauty and the Beast retelling which means it's SLOOOOOW. The plot is more of the building of the relationship between our main love interests. And let me tell you, I almost gave up this book so many times because I did not connect with the Tamlin/Feyre shit AT ALL
Spoiler
and from what people tell me of the next book, I'm right not to.Couple issues:
The problems with her family were just swept under the rug??? She is parted from them early on in the book for which I was thankful for because they are HORRIBLE to her. And then when she meets up with them later it's like.... They fucking act like nothing happened. No REAL apology from anybody or an acknowledgement at all to how they treated her. I'm pissed that now I'm apparently supposed to just like these people
Spoiler
and they play pretty heavy in the next book from what I'm told so... good luck getting me to care if any fucking thing happens to them.Also, Feyre's got some super high self-esteem issues. She was CONSTANTLY putting herself down and calling herself stupid. Honestly, I got so tired of it and stopped feeling bad for her after the 7th or 8th time she attacked herself.
And I really didn't like the ending. It was just kind of blah, and I'm kind of pissed that all the problems were solved in like 5 pages.
YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS SUPER INTO THOUGH? RHYSAND! RHYSAND! RHYSAND!
FUCKING RHYSAND,
Spoiler
I'VE GOT AN IDEA WHAT THAT DAMN LOOK WAS, HOW DARE YOU JUST LEAVE LIKE THAT!I'll read the next book only because I love SJM so much and I've been told that Mist and Fury is exponentially better
booksta_adventure's review against another edition
4.0
Good world building, maybe a little slow in the beginning. It kept me entertained and wanting more by the end.
books2graham's review against another edition
4.0
A solid 4.5 stars! I think my mind is blown. I devoured the book and loved it! I really don't have any complaints. I liked that there was a light twist on Beauty and the Beast, but at the same time, this book was it's own thing. The romance was top notch. I loved the steamy romance between Feyre and Tamlin. And I loved the friendship she built up with Lucian. Though I can see a goodness in Rhys, I didn't like the agreement that left her indebted to him.. buuut it was vital for her to survive.
Based on the last chapter when Ryhs leaves, he takes a sniff at her as she mentions a hole in her heart. His eyes widen and he vanishes. I don't know why, but I have the strong feeling that a love triangle might possibly be blooming in the second book between Ryhs and Tamlin. I say this because I'm wondering if that hole in Feyre's heart at him leaving, could mean that they're mates. Tamlin mentioned it earlier in the book and because of Feyre's and Ryhs' reactions, I just have that sneaking suspicion. I really, REALLY hope that the author doesn't do this because I HATE love triangles and don't even bother with them. Not to mention that it would make no sense after she proved her loved through death for Tamlin. So I'm a little skeptical about where this is headed, BUT I'm very curious to know what happens next! Maas better write fast!! =P
Based on the last chapter when Ryhs leaves, he takes a sniff at her as she mentions a hole in her heart. His eyes widen and he vanishes. I don't know why, but I have the strong feeling that a love triangle might possibly be blooming in the second book between Ryhs and Tamlin. I say this because I'm wondering if that hole in Feyre's heart at him leaving, could mean that they're mates. Tamlin mentioned it earlier in the book and because of Feyre's and Ryhs' reactions, I just have that sneaking suspicion. I really, REALLY hope that the author doesn't do this because I HATE love triangles and don't even bother with them. Not to mention that it would make no sense after she proved her loved through death for Tamlin. So I'm a little skeptical about where this is headed, BUT I'm very curious to know what happens next! Maas better write fast!! =P
pachec_oh_no's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book so much. Many of my friends love Sara J Maas and I simply cannot stand her writing. I never finished this one, which means I likely will never read the rest of the series no matter how much better it gets. Sorry, friends, this one's just not for me.
eahandler's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second read through of the series and as such my perspectives have changed since the first time. And there’s probably spoilers here so proceed with caution.
It’s an absolutely masterful for story for anyone wanting high fantasy, a fair amount of action, humor, and just a whole bucket of heart break.
My absolute favorite scene will always be Feyre fighting the worm, flipping of Rhys and throwing the bone at Amarantha.
Tamlin is such a lost soul. He needs a good dose of therapy to help him overcome his upbringing and trauma. First read through I fell for the Beauty & Beast storyline and then fell out of love with Tamlin right about when we met Rhys. Mainly because I’m not a fan of sleeping with others while your trying to woo a girl. But then we get under the mountain and he was just disappointing in so many ways.
Rhys is a dark daddy, and he had me from hello.
Lucian will always be my favorite character.
Amarantha’s death was so rewarding.
My heart breaks so much for Feyre through out this whole book.
It’s an absolutely masterful for story for anyone wanting high fantasy, a fair amount of action, humor, and just a whole bucket of heart break.
My absolute favorite scene will always be Feyre fighting the worm, flipping of Rhys and throwing the bone at Amarantha.
Tamlin is such a lost soul. He needs a good dose of therapy to help him overcome his upbringing and trauma. First read through I fell for the Beauty & Beast storyline and then fell out of love with Tamlin right about when we met Rhys. Mainly because I’m not a fan of sleeping with others while your trying to woo a girl. But then we get under the mountain and he was just disappointing in so many ways.
Rhys is a dark daddy, and he had me from hello.
Lucian will always be my favorite character.
Amarantha’s death was so rewarding.
My heart breaks so much for Feyre through out this whole book.
peggy_eggy_eggy's review against another edition
2.0
Oh fer goodness sakes.
I can't believe that a woman wrote this.
Feyre is supposed to be seen as a strong woman but I only saw her as a masochist who was willing to die for her man.
I had very high hopes because I have friends who love these books.
I can't believe that a woman wrote this.
Feyre is supposed to be seen as a strong woman but I only saw her as a masochist who was willing to die for her man.
I had very high hopes because I have friends who love these books.