Thank you to the publisher for giving me this book through Netgalley!
No mortal would dare venture beyond the borders of their world to Prythian, a forbidden kingdom of faeries. But Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill, and when she sports a deer being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. Killing the predator comes at a price though- her life, or her freedom.
Dragged to Prythian, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, the faerie lands becomes an even more dangerous place.
When I heard this book to be described as a Beauty and the Beast faerie version, I was a bit reluctant to give it a go- I mean as a fan of Disney I adore the film and I was worried this would turn it on its head BUT it didn't! OH MY GOSH, guys seriously this is a gorgeous book! The balance of faeries and the favourite fairy tale was spot on, they interlinked perfectly. The fact Tamlin (one of the High Fae of the Spring Court) was the Beast and had a curse put upon him and his court and Feyre being Beauty but the badass hero at the same time was a great twist.
I don't often warm to the main characters but Feyre is a wonderful strong willed young woman who spends most of her life looking after her family when their Mother dies. So when she gets taken to Prythian her world is turned upside down, walking into the unknown of what was going to happen to her. Respect to her for owning up to her crime and taking the punishment under the chin, she's true to her word and is a great, gutsy protagonist of this novel. What made her more realistic was her vulnerable side even if she didn't show it to those she cared about, there was some level of admiration for her not to break down into tears but to just get on with things.
Tamlin projects a fierce exterior but inside a bit of a softy- especially for Feyre. He takes care of her family back home by providing them a comfortable life, and ensuring Feyre is safe. Without so many spoilers things get a bit hot!
I think my favourite character has to be Rhsyand, a character you love to hate- but really I think I love him a lot and I'm excited to see what happens with him in the sequel. No spoilers are to be given but there is more to him that what it seems in the beginning, give him a chance I say!
The plot unfolds as Feyre discovers more about the relationship between humans and faeries, the past and unfinished business could be the result of the human world being wiped out by the lady under the mountain...
Overall, this book is brilliant. To tie in a previous told story in addition to its own complex plot for freedom, was very clever of Maas to do and I am beyond excited for the sequel next year. I'm not sure why I ever doubted Maas' ability to create such a gripping story, she seems to be the master of badass female protagonists- love it. Bring on book number two!
