A Court of Wings and Ruin is the third book is Sarah J. Maas’ massively popular A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Although more will be coming to this series soon, this third book puts a nice bow on the trilogy and give readers what they crave: no cliffhangers and satisfying resolutions. It nearly feels complete, as if the series can stop right here and go no further. But what fun would that be? There are some loose ends at the end of this book and we’ll all be excited to see where Maas takes us next.
A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) Book Review
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) Book Review
In the first book, Feyre, a human, was forced to live out her days in the faerie Autumn Court as repayment for a crime she committed. It’s a Beauty and the Beast tale of a curse covering nearly all fae lands and Feyre is their last hope, if only she had known. At the end, Feyre broke the curse but was killed. To repay her, the faerie lords gave her life again and she was reborn as high fae. In the second book, she should have had her happily-ever-after with Tamlin, her former beast and captor. Instead she is whisked away by Rhysand, high lord of the Night Court. Her love for Tamlin wanes as he becomes more possessive while her attachment to bad boy Rhysand grows. In the end, she leaves Tamlin to join Rhysand who is the only one doing something about the growing threat to humans, and because he lets her be free. Tamlin responds with the dirtiest of deeds.
In A Court of Wings and Ruin, Feyre is back at the Autumn Court feigning adoration for Tamlin. It’s all a ruse. In a bid to destroy the Cauldren, a magical relic that started and could end all life and which was now in the hands of evil Hybern, Rhysand, Feyre, and their friends were caught. It was a trap set by Hybern …. and Tamlin. And they had kidnapped Feyre’s human sisters to force them to comply. Her sisters were turned into fae by the cauldron and when all was thought to be lost, Feyre pretended to break free of Rhysand’s grip and return to Tamlin. This allowed the rest of them to escape.
In the Autumn Court, Feyre pretends to be recovering, but she’s really seething. She plots and calculates, and secretively destroys the trust and loyalty of Tamlin’s people while making herself out to look God-touched. People begin to worship her while eyeing Tamlin suspiciously. While Tamlin still seems to be working with Hybern to destroy the wall and conquer humans, Feyre makes a run for it and escapes – with Tamlin’s best friend.
Back at the Night Court, everyone is thrilled to see her, especially Rhysand. But they don’t have much time to celebrate. Hybern will be marching on their lands soon with thousands of soldiers. They need to allies with all of the faerie courts in order to win. And that won’t be an easy thing to do, not when they believe Tamlin has rightful “claim” over Feyre. But there are other things out there besides faeries. Other things that are more powerful. Feyre just needs to figure out how to get them to fight on their side.
This was a fantastic third book. The best of the three. We feel a stronger connection to Rhysand’s inner circle: Azriel and Cassian – the winged Illyrian warriors, Amren – a trapped demon in a human body, Morrigan – cousin and strong female warrior, and Feyre’s sisters who are now fae with extremely unique qualities. I know how much you love them. I know how much you’re attached to them. So I feel that I should warn you: one of them won’t make it through this bloody mess.
A Court of Wings and Ruin culminates in a bloody battle royale. The question is, which court fights for which side?
Epic trilogy finale.
