Matcha & Motifs Book Review 3.5/5

19-year-old Feyre Archeron is a huntress. With the cruelty of winter, Feyre doesn’t think twice about killing a wolf in the woods to provide food and money for her family. When a beast barges in their small cottage demanding retribution for the kill, Feyre is taken across the Wall into the magical world reigned by High Faes.  

***CONTAINS SPOILERS***

Plot 

This plot is decent. In general, I liked it. 

I didn’t feel fully hooked until about 150 pages in. Once I was over 300 pages, it was hard for me to put it down. 

Some parts feel stuffier than others in terms of pacing. Sometimes I felt like I was dragging my feet listening to Feyre’s stupid monologue. But once it gets going, I see why it was necessary to add that slowness. Perhaps, Maas was trying to put us in Feyre’s shoes to show us how time felt for her. Specifically, a section of the book that made me roll my eyes was when Feyre was brought to the Spring Court and she stubbornly tried to return home. I get that there is fear and hatred towards the Fae creatures, but I felt like she was stupid for wanting to go home. Especially once she found out that her family was being cared for. 

I loved it when we got to see the holidays that the Faes celebrated, as well as, Feyre seeing life beyond survival. I also enjoyed the impending darkness destined to destroy everything she now knows and loves. I especially couldn’t put the book down when Feyre went Under the Mountain, which I thought was so courageous and human of her. 

Writing

Maas’s writing is the embodiment of fantasy. Her writing is densely packed with the most creative, beautiful imagery that is only possible due to her great imagination. I can see a world completely beyond ours, more vibrant and extravagant and just as deadly and nightmarish. I love how the writing style compliments and intertwines with Feyre’s perspective as an artist. It’s a treat alone to read such beautiful writing. 

Feyre 

She kind of annoyed me in the beginning. 

There’s a lot about her character that I don’t like. Why was she so desperate to return home to a pitiful cottage where her father didn’t even lift a finger to help them. Her sisters are useless at best, and hateful at worst. I don’t understand why she was so eager to go back to her human life when she was showered with spring, food and a handsome man who gave her freedom. That actually really pissed me off.  

I get that a lot of her current mindset stems from horror stories and anecdotes about Faes. All of this was necessary for her character development, which I enjoyed seeing. Feyre went from an icy serious person that needed to survive and provide for her family, to a person who laughs, paints and enjoys life. This was only possible because of the warmth and protection that Tamlin provided her. I liked this. I felt like she deserved this, especially after everything she endured. 

I really enjoy seeing Feyre as a cunning, skilled huntress with a mixture of bloodlust and kindness. I like it when she makes things happen instead of waiting for things to happen to her. Like when she sought out the Suirel for answers by trapping it. I liked that she was able to take down the giant wyrm by discovering it was blind and creating a trap from the den of bones. I also enjoy the duality of her crying as she killed her first prey, a rabbit. I like the human-ness of her, and the strength that lies underneath.

Romance 

Okay, I think the biggest spoiler of all times is that everyone on social media mentions Rhysand. And I’m like where the fuck is this Rhysand guy? Who is this dark and mysterious man that we all love so much? And so when I met Tamlin (AND the author makes you root for him a little) I was like thinking who is this guy? No way this is the main dude? And if it isn’t, why is he introduced first? Who in their sadist mind introduces the second male lead FIRST??? 

But yeah, their love story was cute. Although I wasn’t in love with the pacing of this read, I understand why it was necessary for it to go so slowly. It was to build up time together with Feyre and Tamlin. I enjoyed that Tamlin was able to melt Feyre’s icy heart through giving her space to paint and showing her beautiful things that touch her artist eyes and heart. He was a sanctuary for her. 

What I really loved was when she learned of the truth and went to save Tamlin and all of Prythian. 

What I didn’t love was that Tamlin just did nothing. Like he really sat there and did nothing. He didn’t even fight for her a little. I mean he was begging Amarantha to stop beating up Feyre, but why did he not get up and fight Amarantha? Honestly, he disappointed me. 

Overall, it was a decent read. I wasn’t enthralled by it, but I did enjoy it. I am planning on reading the next book of the series, and maybe it’s one of those “you have to read the entire series to get it” so let me know what your thoughts are. I know there’s a lot of discourse on this series especially in the romantasy space. Did you share similar feelings to me, or are you a die hard fan from book one? I’m curious to know.