The fact that so many people love this book makes me extremely worried about how many people have been exposed to this book’s perception of sexual consent and abuse. Not only is the writing not so great (expect repetition of the same phrases throughout like “he cocked his head”, “my High Lord”, “my bowels turned watery” and “it would be impossible to paint”), but it was also such a drag to read and consistently romanticised abuse. The romance is the worst part of it all. So animalistic, brutal and borderline abusive. Both love interests (because it’s obvious Rhysand will become a love interest) are sexually dominant and abusive. Rhysand invades Feyre’s mind, forces himself onto her many times, repeatedly drugs her, strikes a bargain to save her life so long as she basically sells her body to him and marks her body with paint so no one else can touch her…and all I’ve seen on #bookstagram is people falling head over heels for this character and romance. I don’t care if his actions were ultimately to save his people/for the greater good. Tamlin BITES her neck and leaves a bruise…how is any part of this book sexy? I don’t care if the next book is better. I won’t be picking up anything else by Sarah J Maas again. I bought this book 7 years ago when I was still in high school and it’s been left unread on my shelf until now. All I can say is I’m glad 16-year-old me wasn’t exposed to this story. Sorry if you loved this book, this is just my honest review. 

EDIT: I hear Tamlin is supposed to be painted as abusive when you read the rest of the series…seems like maybe the author did a backflip on the story? I still don’t think Rhysand’s character can be redeemed, personally.