I blame Instagram. Over the summer, several influence-y women half my age screamed at me from my phone about how great Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) book series was. I was influenced. This is the fifth book in the Court of Thorns and Roses series, so proceed with caution if you haven’t read yet but want to. And you do want to read these if you are at all a fan of paranormal romances, sexy fairy shenanigans, and magic-y places.
First, I need to confess that I was apprehensive going into this one. Despite my adoration of the preceding books in the series, this one centers on a character that I DESPISED in the other books: Nesta. An almost 800-page book about a snarky wet blanket that ruins all of the parties and audibly eye-rolls EVERYTHING was worrisome. Luckily, getting a little perspective from the wet blanket herself instead of viewing her only through everyone else’s lens was just what I needed. What is it the kids say? I’m a Nesta stan. (Again, I blame Instagram.)
After the novella that masquerades as book 4, this was a hefty tome but a pretty quick read. Everyone is tired of Nesta’s drunken tomfoolery that continues to drain the court’s coffers. In a last-ditch attempt to help her get her act together, Lord and Lady of the Night Court have Nesta snatched and whisked away to their fancy pants house on the top of a very big (hill? mountain?) that is escape-proof unless she can walk the spiraling staircase of 10,000 steps that lead to the streets below. Thinking some physical training will help rid Nesta of her demons (or at least make her more palatable at parties), the Night Court’s dreamy top military muscle is called in to whip her into shape every morning. Afternoons are occupied with shelving books in the library run by mostly chill priestesses whose collective trauma helps to humble Nesta a bit. Perspective is everything.
Whenever I try to summarize the plots of these books, they just sound kind of awful. But…trust. These books are delicious. Actually, lowercasesee had a great way of putting it in her review: “Everyone is still gorgeous and nothing makes sense and that’s why we read these.” Amen.
I also have to admire Maas’ ability to flesh out a previously insufferable character in a way that truly makes her sympathetic. Yes, Nesta undoubtedly has fairy war PTSD, loads of Mommy and Daddy issues, and is a survivor of assault but it’s pretty hard to be Queen of the trauma hill here when EVERY SINGLE character has suffered unspeakable things.
Spoilery bit: I LOVED the Valkyrie situation that developed here. From the romance reading book club to the badassery kicking of Illyrian warrior butt during the blood rite, those ladies had me. Very much looking forward to more of that. Honorable mention goes to the house. Everyone needs a house that supplies you with edibles, cups of steaming tea, a roaring fire, and the right novel for the moment without being asked. Where can I order that kind of magic?
