BOOK REVIEW: ACOWAR
Basic info: Author: Sarah J. Maas Series: ACOTAR #3 Goodreads rating: 4.7 Published: 2017 My rating: 6/5
I feel so much pressure while writing this review for ACOWAR because, let‘s be honest, it‘s most anticipated book this year, from the series loved by everyone. I can‘t even imagine how much pressure Sarah must have felt while writing it and, now, when it‘s finally out... I would be freaking out in her place because each choice, each destiny of our favourite characters is in her hands and if she doesn‘t make them right... Well, I wouldn‘t like this whole fandom to come for my head.
I think the most important thing you want to hear me now saying whether I got disappointed or not. Well... I didn‘t. Maybe, as in all other books I read, I‘d like to change a thing or two, but in overall, I was even far from disappointed. One of the reasons which really made me write a huge positive point to Sarah (although it probably doesn‘t have anything to do with her) is that a lot of fan theories I‘ve heard were confirmed! I am going to talk about them a bit later, in a spoiler filled part of this review, but, yeah, it made me really proud of this smartass fandom. Sarah, as it comes to plot twists, in my opinion, is one of the best writers, and in ACOWAR she truly confirmed to be amazing at it. I think that it‘s really hard to guess her plot twists, so as I said, I am really really proud of this fandom for actually figuring out her sneaky twists (some of them wouldn‘t have even came to my mind!).
“But this is war. We don’t have the luxury of good ideas - only picking between the bad ones.”
And, while there were some confirmed theories, still, Sarah made a lot of surprises, so it kinda felt like a rollercoaster ride. I was shitting my pants and then suddenly jumping happy dances, and then BOOM, I am again bitting my nails. One episode seriously broke me, I even cried (and I do that really rarely) because I was so believing in some fan theories that... Well, I promise you are going to shit your pants, too.
No matter what, I am still very thankful for Sarah for telling us this extraordinary story. I am surely going to miss Feyre‘s voice and being a part of that amazing and brave Inner Circle. I am not that super excited about other 3 books which are going to be set in the same word, just told by different characters (and there is nothing said about time perspective?), but since ACOWAR left quite a bunch of unanswered questions, I kinda have this feeling we are going to meet our beloved characters again. Someday. I hope.
Okay, so let‘s move on to the actual review. IF YOU DON‘T WANT TO GET SPOILED – LEAVE NOW AND GET BACK AFTER YOU READ THE WHOLE BOOK! But seriously, come back, I put my heart into this review...
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So.
Where do I start?
Well, I guess I should start from Spring Court and how badass Feyre is. I mean, I wouldn‘t have thought of such a wicked and smart plan, so I am so impressed with Feyre! There are some stupid decisions which she made through the series and it made me question her as a protagonist who is lead by pure logic (let‘s be honest, that decision to go to Under the Mountain without even reconsidering all cons and pros was a hell stupid choice she made in ACOTAR), but I can see that change in her character, how she became an aristocratic High Lady, from a simple country girl. Later on, when we have this short episode of that damned mirror which title I can‘t remember (but it sounds really cool and magical and scary), and Feyre looks at herself and accepts every flaw she has, it was something really amazing, something that makes this series so good and Feyre, as protagonist, strong and independent.
The only pity I feel is that Feyre didn't stay to see Tamlin‘s reaction after she brought down the whole Spring Court. What does the fox say now, The Tool?
However, although in one hand I am happy Feyre wasn‘t forced to do anything at Spring Court, but at the same time, I missed some problematic drama. It just felt so easy for Feyre to accomplish her goal that I‘ve been waiting something huge to happen. Something that would make Rhys show up like he once did during the wedding. But, I am quite happy with what we got and I really don‘t complain.
ACOTAR is a prologue, we are introduced into this world and first time meet Feyre and other characters, while ACOMAF is full of feelings and love drama. So what we‘ve got for ACOWAR? Well, a war. Surprising, huh? Yeah, ACOWAR is full of politics and diplomacy and preparing for the battles which are awaiting for Prythian and if not that war and all those cool and brutal and heartbreaking battle episodes I think a few more pages and I could have got a bit bored, BUT, although balancing on this line can be tricky, Sarah again used her flawless writing abilities and unexpected plot twists. All episodes with the Bone Carver, Bryaxis, Suriel, Tamlin, Lucien, made me stay alerted and excited. I think all those scary and cruel episodes are my favourites, I liked that urgent feeling to smack someone‘s face when Tamlin or Beron was talking all those hateful words, calling Feyre or Rhysand a whore. Hate – is the fuel of ACOWAR, as heartbreak is for ACOMAF and excitement for ACOTAR.
Another thing I really really want to discuss is... side characters! All those we‘ve already known and those who we just met. I think that deep in my heart I prefer The Bone Carver over Amren and Bryaxis over Azriel because those creatures – they are new, something I‘ve never seen before in any other book. They know everything and everyone, they can see far ahead into the future and meet it with a pride. They can look in Death‘s eye (well, The Bone Carver probably have needed that mirror to somehow look into his own eye) and they don‘t get afraid. I was so excited for all of them join the battle and as Rhys revealed his bargain with The Weaver it was such a mindblow, I was all fangirling and cheering. And when Suriel died for Feyre, that‘s such a dobby kind of act! So, if I could pick my own Inner Circle, The Weaver, The Bone Carver, Bryaxis and Suriel would definitely have their places in it!
Another prisoner who had come to love its cell. Perhaps Bryaxis and the Carver should meet. And ancient death-god and the face of nightmares. The painting, dreadful yet alluring, began creep roots deep within my mind.
Okay, so, before I wrap up all this nonsense I just wrote, I want to mention just a couple more episodes which broke my heart. Well, first one is Feyre's realisation that The Bone Carver shows in Feysand’s child shape. I was dying when I heard this, I mean, it‘s so promising and so beautiful and it also says a lot about The Bone Carver.
I wondered who would carve his death in the Prison. If he had perhaps already carved it for himself on the walls of that cell. If he had wanted to make sure I was worthy not to taunt me, but because he wanted his end . . . he wanted his end to be worth carving. And as I gazed at that decimated part of the plain, the ashes of the Illyrians still raining down . . . I wondered if the Carver had made it. To whenever he had been so curious about going.
Next episode is Mor‘s coming out, which broke my heart not in a good way and it didn‘t break for Mor, but for Az. I still think Mor is super unfair by not saying Azriel the truth and no person should be misled for that long. That‘s kind of cruel and super selfish, especially when he is not just a stranger, he is her friend, best friend, and he has hopes. This is something that will always keep me bugging if this question won‘t be solved in other books.
Speaking of unanswered questions, well, there are plenty of them, so I don‘t know whether I should be angry with Sarah for leaving so many loose ends or be happy because they are small promises that we are going to meet out beloved characters in the future. Anyways, she left us quite a lot of material for our own assumptions and theories, starting with Nesta‘s strange look, Lucien and Elain‘s relationship, Helion and his heir, Tamlin‘s life, human queens, Cauldron and so on.
Also, I need to mention Tamlin and his ‘be happy‘ for Feyre. Even if he said so many hateful words and acted like a douchebag and a tool, I think that at the end, he managed to restore his image. I finally understood him and that Nephele‘s philosophy saying that Tamlin – someone Feyre held as her weakness, turned out to be her strength, when she was desperate, made me really emotional. I don‘t know what do you think about Tamlin, I mean, probably all he have done won‘t ever be okay, but I am still happy he and Feyre made peace and that last wish for Feyre to be happy... I seriously thought he is going to spit something and don‘t agree first, but when he looked at... dead Rhys‘ body and then said to Feyre to be happy... That‘s a beautiful end and I am so thankful for Sarah for it.
And with barely three steps to the edge of that cliff . . . A warm wind, kissed with lilac and new grass, blasted up from beneath me. A wind of - spring. Lifting me, filling my wings.”
OKAY. NOW. Definitely, the most heartbreaking episode which brought my tears is... well, Rhys death. You know, I still can‘t believe he actually was dead. Like, DEAD. What. I actually first got really emotional during that Rhys‘ goodbye speech before the battle to his friends because I was really really afraid that Sarah is going to do that. All those hints and signs, it was clear the whole book someone is going to die. And although, Rhys was resurrected, but Sarah actually killed him. She did that.
It was so unexpected and I really thought that‘s it, there is nothing Feyre can do now, but then we got reminded about that one special way...
What I completely didn‘t expect is Amren climbing out of Cauldron. You know, that‘s probably one of the things which a bit disappointed me. I somehow knew from ACOMAF that Amren won‘t survive this series and when she unleashed herself (and that was awesome!) I kinda already had made my peace with a fact she is gone, but then she got back. I am forgiving Sarah for this decision only because I really liked that Amren was on her way somewhere when RHYS saw her and as he said, asked her if she wants to join him and maybe get back. Like they were playing with Death, like it would be their ally, their friend. Playing with a destiny and don‘t even feeling afraid or audacious - that's something I find truly fascinating.
And as Amren smiled at me . . . I wondered if that had been her last gift. If it all . . . if it all had been a gift.
I still have a lot more to say and I can go and go on, but I think those are the main thoughts I‘ve wanted to share with you. Please comment your own opinions or DM me because I am always available for some ACOWAR fangirling.
Darkness blotted out the stars in his eyes. The darkness of assassins and thieves, the darkness of uncompromising death.
I am so thankful that Sarah let us to hear this amazing story, that we had a chance to meet The Cursebreaker Feyre, Night Lord Rhysand, Tamlin The Tool, Ancient Amren, fashion icona Mor, nasty Commander Cass, Shadowsinger Az, best buddy Suriel, death god The Bone Carver, even annoying Elain and Nesta, Tarquin, Helion, The Fox Lucien, bitch Ianthe, even King of Hybern (*pointing at Hybern‘s head* HA-HA loser). It was an amazing journey I truly won‘t forget, so thank you thank you thank you for this incredible world you‘ve painted with all those pretty words.
Leave this world . . . a better place than how you found it.
Love, Marta
