My Mate

I remember the first time I read this novella, I really enjoyed it. However, I struggled through the reread. The entire book is floof -nothing spectacular happens. Once you read it once, there isn't really a reason to read it again. Unless of course you are looking for a new drinking game and are looking to get sloshed. Every time you read the word mate, take a shot...

From here on out there will be spoilers- you've been warned...

The story takes place after the war- a where are they now. Everyone is happy and getting ready to celebrate Winter Solstice...except Nesta. At first I was annoyed that Nesta was pushing people away and isolating herself. I was really looking forward to seeing her and Cassian together and instead was hit with the complete opposite!! However, after further thought I appreciate it.

In my review of ACOMAF I complimented Sarah for showing how what happened under the mountain changed both Feyre and Tamlin. They didn't go back to their lives as if nothing happened- they were changed by it. Everyone just went to war and back and yet Nesta seems to be the only one dealing with the emotional aftermath. I'm not saying that the war didn't effect everyone else, for example, Feyre has taken on a carpe diem outlook to life. She almost lost Rhys in the war and she realizes that things can change in an instant so why wait. She opens an art studio which helps children express their feelings through art. She decides she's ready for children. For the others this isn't their first war. But Nesta has always been stone- caring only for Elain for most of her life. However, she started to open her heart to others and she almost lost them all. I think Nesta's spiral of pushing people away is her way of protecting herself from the hurt she felt on that final battle field and during Elain's capture. If she doesn't care, than nothing can hurt her anymore. If she doesn't care, people can't be used against her. I appreciate that everything in this novel wasn't all sunshine and rainbows because that isn't realistic and just because this story is fiction doesn't mean that we should forget real emotions and issues.

The novella does seem to have subtle hints to set up the next book. There is discontent with the Illyrians, the human queens are missing, fae is looking to steal human lands, Tamlin is a mess and will someone please tell Lucian who his real father is!? My reread journey is over and I'm really looking forward to reading A Court of Silver Flames!!!

Stay tuned :)