#031: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 53–65 of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas—and Bunchies, grab your tissues and your battle armor. Because this week we’re saying goodbye to one of Prythian’s most unexpected heroes, watching Nesta and Cassian bring the heat, and heading straight into enemy territory for a rescue mission that’ll leave your jaw on the floor.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*
It begins at the human estate, where Jurian—yes, that Jurian—turns out to be not the unhinged villain we thought. Instead, he’s been playing a dangerous game to send warnings to Drakon and Miryam. Turns out, our boy’s been undercover this whole time. And when he drops the bomb that Tamlin’s gone running back to Hybern? Yeah… Tamlin’s choices aren’t doing him any favors these days.

From there, things escalate fast. Elaine’s heartbreak over Grayson sparks Nesta’s iconic slap heard ’round the continent, Jurian feeds them intel on Hybern’s next move, and then—boom—the first major battle of the war erupts. Cassian and his Illyrians tear through the enemy in a brutal dance of death, Nesta’s eyes never leaving him, and Feyre realizes that even victory feels like loss. But when the tide turns, Feyre sets off to find the one being who might still help them: our beloved gossip queen, the Suriel.

And that’s when Sarah J. Maas rips our hearts out. Feyre finds the Suriel near the Weaver’s woods, only for Ianthe (ugh, her) to ambush them. But our girl outsmarts her, luring Ianthe straight into the Weaver’s waiting claws—just in time to hold the Suriel as it dies in her arms. “Leave this world a better place,” it tells her. And if you didn’t sob, you might be the Cauldron itself.

Back at camp, tensions flare—Mor and Feyre clash, Nesta channels her magic with bone and stone to find Hybern’s army, and Varian and Amren share that kiss (finally!). But then—silence. The Cauldron calls. And when it takes something from Nesta, it takes what she loves most: Elaine.

Feyre and Azriel infiltrate Hybern’s camp in disguise, only to find Elaine bound, gagged, and moments from execution. Enter Tamlin—yes, Tamlin—whose green eyes tell her one thing: run. And in that heartbeat, we remember—he was the one who helped her. Who gave her the chance to escape. What follows is chaos and courage, blood and fire, until Feyre spreads her wings and flies home.

And when it’s over, the Archeron sisters are side by side once more—curled together like they used to be, but this time holding on tight.

Let's get into it, Bunchies!