I gave a Court of Thorns and Roses 5 stars but this is better...so much better. Brilliant series so far, can't wait for the final instalment.

Feyre manages to be a strong female lead without being cliched. I think this might be because her looks are so rarely even mentioned, except from Rhys' point of view and even then only in passing. She is vulnerable and powerful in exactly the right measure and more importantly her development is believable.

Rhys, likewise, is the antihero male lead I've been waiting for. Not cliched. Vulnerable in believable ways. Hecka powerful but not infallible. He's written beautifully and the relationship between him and Feyre develops in a really believable way. Maas deserves serious credit for her ability to create multifaceted, interesting characters which feel absolutely real and alive. She also handles development arcs masterfully, I'm genuinely very impressed. I hold out hope that in the last book Lucien will become the last member of the main cast to receive that same treatment, because he's so interesting and I'd like to see one member of the Spring Court developed in that way too.

Also, the swoon factor doesn't hurt. I honestly didn't expect such forthright and gratuitous sex scenes in a YA fantasy, but they're there and they're GOOD. I appreciate the adult and mostly believable language used.

Overall, brilliant. Best series I've read this year, hands down.