Book Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin
After plowing through A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury, I, of course, had to once again go straight to the bookstore in search of the third installment in the series, A Court of Wings and Ruin. Like it’s predecessor, A Court of Wings and Ruin picks up weeks after A Court of Mist and Fury left off with Feyre infiltrating Tamlin’s Spring Court under the guise that Rhysand has fooled her into believing they were mates, and that their bond had been shattered by Hybern.
That is, of course, a lie. Feyre is still very much bonded to Rhys and her desire to get back to him – to her home and her chosen family – is palpable as she makes nice with Tamlin and his court, biding her time to strike and collecting what information she can on their enemies.
(A few spoilers ahead!)
A Court of Wings and Ruin continues the fast-paced action of the first two books as Feyre navigates her role as a double agent in the opening pages, scheming to not only stop Hybern, but to also cripple Tamlin’s court as payback for his misdeeds against not just her, but Rhysand and his family. She’s forced to flee by foot after working her way out of a dangerous situation and finds herself with an unlikely travel companion in the form of Lucien. They make their way through courts both friend and foe and finally – finally – Feyre and Rhysand are reunited.
MORE: Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses
While there is plenty of action, lots of romance, and a healthy dose of scheming, it is the character development that pulls this story along. Feyre comes into her own as a force of fae nature as Rhysand, too, leans ever more into his role as a leader and as a partner and an equal to Feyre. It’s not just the pair of them that show growth and maturity though. The Inner Circle stretches themselves through their own obstacles and Lucien in particular goes through an arc of questioning who he is and what he wants to stand for – and who he wants to stand with. Even Tamlin begins a path to redemption, though he’s still a long way off.
A Court of Wings and Ruin walks us through the political tensions of the various courts, the art and strategy of war, and the sacrifices one must make as a leader. We get to see the Night Court at their finest – and at their most vulnerable – as they stand together as family one last time before stepping into battle. It is perhaps the most raw we see our characters as they contemplate the fact that they might not make it out alive. Feyre’s sisters, too, begin to adjust to their new lives as faeries and the powers they have been bestowed as they put aside their own struggles with their new reality to protect the people they care about.
Just when you think the story is done and a happily ever after is around the corner, another problem arises. Feyre is forced to beg her fellow High Lords for help to save Rhysand and the final decision comes to rest on Tamlin. Will he help his sworn enemy? Or will he let him die?
A Court of Wings and Ruin ends in a way that could signal the end of the series. It’s a satisfactory end that feels complete, and yet… you want more. You know there is more to tell.
Good thing there are two more books…
