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SPOILER FREE REVIEW

"My goal was bigger than revenge. My purpose greater than personal retribution.��

For me this was Maas' best novel to date.

I loved so much about this novel. I'm going to list the great things, address some unfounded criticisms and highlight some of the weaknesses.

WHAT MADE THIS FANTASTIC

* The Writing: Has improved drastically. I've spoken in other reviews of this author about my frustration with awkward phrasing, repetition, inconsistencies in the rules of the world and Magic system and so on. Aside from her constant use of the word "Indeed", the chronic "sameness" in the way all her characters speak and act and one or two mentions of an apex, I found the writing much improved. This was a pleasant surprise. Even the disjointed internal monologues and melodrama from her most recent release in the Throne series has been curbed here. The story is infinitely better for it.

* The Plot: Maas is a bit of a rambler and she struggles with writing a tight story. There were scenes here that felt flabby or unnecessary. However, I was invested in the characters and patient enough to wait for the pay off. In most cases the patience is rewarded. The story feels more sophisticated and expansive then the previous two books and is much stronger for it. There are quite a few twists and turns in the narrative and if you can surrender to the pace you will be rewarded with the richest, most coherent and heart rendering novel Maas has written to date.

* The Characters: The cast is large and arc development is deftly weaved into the narrative for a number of the side characters. I really enjoyed this. I got very emotional during one scene- I won't give any details but it will stop your heart. I know people were upset with how certain characters were handled in book 2. One of the strengths of ACOWAR is the multifaceted depth Maas brings to characters. Aside from the King, all of the characters are given opportunities for redemption or at least insight into why they are making the choices they make. This series is definitely moving away from it's YA roots; in this I'm not referring to the erotic content, but rather the complexity of the plot and characterisation. I was also relieved to see healthier, more normal relationship dynamics between various couples/ love interests.

* Erotic Content: The sex is a lot less weird in this novel. There is quite a bit of it, but it slows down and the sex scenes get shorter as the novel progresses. I don't like the way Maas writes about sex and I started skipping over them after the first one. As some of you know- that is not like me at all usually ;) but there is only so many times I can read about wing fingering and scrapping tongues and "utter maleness" before my eyes glaze over. If it is your thing, you'll be very satisfied and if it isn't your thing, just skip it, you won't miss anything plot-wise while Feyre "shatters around" her lover.

Unfounded Criticism

I have come across some anger regarding a quote, early in the book, where Feyre describes a related couple, insinuating that they are possibly asexual or perhaps in an incestuous relationship. People, who haven't read the book, have used it as evidence that Maas continues to exclude, offend or misunderstand the LGBTQ community.

As I have promised a spoiler-free review all I will say is this- it is very evident that Maas has taken these criticisms to heart and responded. A number of LGBT characters are present and one in particular plays a very significant role in the story. That particular quote, which I won't include here out of context, does not accurately reflect the author's authentic and considerable effort to hear her fans and incorporate their concerns into her work. I think she should be applauded for it.

Quibbles:

* As stated above, the pacing is a little off.

* This book should have had multiple POV characters. Maas was very successful at finding ways around it, but I think this is the first book of Maas' that I could openly admit to passionately loving. It is more sophisticated, cleverer, has better prose and stronger world building. The world and story is an epic fantasy and there were times when the story could have been improved by being able to move between different characters POV.

* The romance is a little repetitive. Once your "it" couple is finally together in a series the only two choices to keep romantic tension in the story is to move away from them and form a new "it" couple or to have significant conflict between the lovers. Maas chose the former, but trying to watch the budding romances of others thru another characters eyes is very difficult. I'm not sure Maas was completely successful, although I have my fingers crossed for who will be the next POV character in the next three books. ;)

* The denouncement was too long, but is easily forgiven when considering the next three books will no longer centre on the main characters in this series.

Overall this is the best book Maas has delivered to date. I would recommend it both to those who are maybe a bit weary after the ongoing, dragged out saga of her other series and to anyone interested in watching not only a character grow up, but the author as well.