In my review of the prequel to this one, I mentioned the story-line, certain spoilers although I did try not to give away the important bits and most importantly, I wrote about how the book made me feel.
Well, I’ll make one thing clear at the beginning itself. I loved the series. I loved the story arc, I loved the characters, I loved the twists and heart breaking moments (yep, there were a few)… I just loved.
Having said that, I really can’t talk about the book without touching upon the story a bit but if I did that, I’d be essentially giving away the cliffhanger that was at the end of book 2, which I don’t want to do. So bear with me as I try to not-so-subtly navigate the story without spoiling it for you. (I hope I don’t mess this up!) . This review will be mostly my thoughts on the story so read on!
Alright, so at the end of book 2 we are left with, as I mentioned before, a cliffhanger. And a good one at that mind you, which naturally made me all the more eager to read this book. So the story starts maybe a month or so after the cliffhanger-that-shall-not-be-mentioned takes place and everything is different!
Just a note: I fully approve of the way the story unfolds in Part 1 of the book. So exciting to see Feyre just scheming to get revenge. (Wondering what this mention is about? Read the book to know. *wink, wink*)
War is not just a distant possibility, it is just around the corner and Prythian unfortunately has no hope of winning. Divided by long years of mistrust, the seven courts* are not sure if they can depend upon their neighbors to be their allies — and Feyre and Rhys desperately needs some allies if they are to have even a feeble hope of surviving this war.
Hybern* is prepared, cunning and nefarious plans are afoot. But is Night Court giving up? Or are they cooking up some plans of their own? Can Feyre trust Tamlin again after what he did to her before? Are the neighboring courts really on Rhys’s side are are they spying for Hybern? Who is friend and who is foe? In this melee of confusion and death and suffering, who can you trust implicitly? After all that Feyre and Rhys does to save their land, are they to be defeated? Find out all this and more in this book, as we navigate through deceptions, plot twists, mystical beings, some really tough fights, and the clash between two armies hell bent on destruction.
Now, coming to why I adore the book — SJM very easily manages to make the readers experience her world of Fae and humans, all the while never ever dragging the story or having created unnecessary characters. Each and every one of her characters are so important to story that at times we’ll be like… Oh damn, that’s why that moment happened and we sit stunned!
Also, kudos to her for not brushing aside the effects of violence and war, because SJM is thoughtful enough to show that the characters are suffering from PTSD or remorse of previous wrongs, and it feels completely genuine. We laugh and we cry with these heroes and heroines and really, what more do you need from a good book,right?
Another thing I love love love about it is that the characters are so human with their imperfections and the book showcases some very admirable ways in which the female lead, Feyre overcomes her insecurities and becomes literally a power, all the while being true to her emotions. *cheers to girl power!* To sum it up, ACOWAR is about war and its aftermath, it’s about choosing not to be noble but to do the right thing, and most of all, it’s about being courageous enough to realize that some sacrifices are worth it.
I will leave you with this: SJM has taught me the value of choice through this series. In the first book, it was about choosing to be brave enough to fight for love, whereas in the second one, it was about choosing to love myself enough to stand up for me. Here in the third book, SJM finally taught me the most important choice of all — choosing to stand with what is just and right no matter what the cost.
Footnote: This line is so empowering to me, really. As a person who has a lot of anxiety and me being an introvert, this helped me so much to break the barriers that I’d created for myself and just be myself. This book has actually made me stronger mentally!
*Note:
- Seven Courts of Prythian are the Seasonal Courts, namely Summer, Winter, Spring, Autumn Court and the Solar Courts consisting of Day, Dawn and Night Court. Each court is ruled by a High Lord, often at odds with each other.
- Hybern: The invading country ruled by an evil king, who is capable of powerful magical feats.
