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A review by sweetheart_ok
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Fresh Fae Adventure and Danger
I finally got to A Court of Thorns and Roses in my TBR pile, and it honored the hype. This is my first book by Sarah J. Maas, and she didn't disappoint. I had read the synopsis to my high school students over the years, so I was excited about the fantasy aspect plus learning more about the fae world, which I have limited experience with to date.
The story follows Feyre (Fay-ruh) as she struggles to survive in the human during a harsh winter with an unappreciative family who seems more of a burden than a blessing. Feyre makes the life-altering decision to kill one of the hated fae, and the consequences are more than she bargains for. She is forced to live with the fae forever, dragged there by Tamlin, a High Fae and lord of one of the courts. What follows is a look into this unknown world and the dangers it poses. As she gets used to living there for the rest of her life, Feyre begins to realize there is more the place than she originally thought. She also begins to realize that this world is in trouble from a ruthless enemy, and she may just the human to help them, if she can get past her bias to trust Tamlin.
Maas does a great job of depicting character complexities and developing relationships. She illustrates the fae world and exposes the readers to the nuances of this fantasy world. The action peppers in throughout the plot to create senses of dangers and novelty. The plot is exciting and satisfying with a diverse cast of characters. The activities under the mountain, and particularly the spectacular climax, are by far my favorite moments of the story. I chuckled at the witty banter, commiserated with Feyre's misery, cheered her on during the dangerous parts, and shook my fist at her enemies with venom in my veins.
What didn't work for me was the tight-lipped approach of Tamlin and his court. I have a hard time believing that this type of behavior would inspire trust in a guest. I also noticed that Feyre's development is murky and sometimes far-fetched. Having Feyre work through some of her personal growth in a more detailed, step-by-step manner may have helped us understand some of her choices.
Romantasy lovers must add ACOTAR to your TBR pile - you won't be disappointed. Fair warning that it contains some smut, though the level in this book is probably a 3 out of 10. If you like fantasy, action, adventure, strong female leads, and romance, give it a shot.
I finally got to A Court of Thorns and Roses in my TBR pile, and it honored the hype. This is my first book by Sarah J. Maas, and she didn't disappoint. I had read the synopsis to my high school students over the years, so I was excited about the fantasy aspect plus learning more about the fae world, which I have limited experience with to date.
The story follows Feyre (Fay-ruh) as she struggles to survive in the human during a harsh winter with an unappreciative family who seems more of a burden than a blessing. Feyre makes the life-altering decision to kill one of the hated fae, and the consequences are more than she bargains for. She is forced to live with the fae forever, dragged there by Tamlin, a High Fae and lord of one of the courts. What follows is a look into this unknown world and the dangers it poses. As she gets used to living there for the rest of her life, Feyre begins to realize there is more the place than she originally thought. She also begins to realize that this world is in trouble from a ruthless enemy, and she may just the human to help them, if she can get past her bias to trust Tamlin.
Maas does a great job of depicting character complexities and developing relationships. She illustrates the fae world and exposes the readers to the nuances of this fantasy world. The action peppers in throughout the plot to create senses of dangers and novelty. The plot is exciting and satisfying with a diverse cast of characters. The activities under the mountain, and particularly the spectacular climax, are by far my favorite moments of the story. I chuckled at the witty banter, commiserated with Feyre's misery, cheered her on during the dangerous parts, and shook my fist at her enemies with venom in my veins.
What didn't work for me was the tight-lipped approach of Tamlin and his court. I have a hard time believing that this type of behavior would inspire trust in a guest. I also noticed that Feyre's development is murky and sometimes far-fetched. Having Feyre work through some of her personal growth in a more detailed, step-by-step manner may have helped us understand some of her choices.
Romantasy lovers must add ACOTAR to your TBR pile - you won't be disappointed. Fair warning that it contains some smut, though the level in this book is probably a 3 out of 10. If you like fantasy, action, adventure, strong female leads, and romance, give it a shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Animal death and Abandonment