A review by txikimandy
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I liked this book more than I thought I would. I expected the hype to be overdone and the book to be mediocre at best, but the plot was indeed compelling. The characters were occasionally a little frustrating to me, especially Feyre, but overall they were mostly complex people with multifaceted motivations and personalities, and I wanted to read and learn more about them. I enjoyed the world building as well; I think Prythian is a pretty well thought out land with fantasy elements that make sense. 

The only major downside of this novel for me is SJM’s writing style. I didn’t feel pulled in until several chapters into the story, and her grammar made me cringe many times. The plot occasionally felt too full of filler, but a desire to get through to the next good part made me keep reading. Feyre is also quite a bland protagonist. It feels like she is frequently saved by plot armor, she is only witty and smart and brave when she needs to be, otherwise she’s dull and cowardly. I can basically list 3 things about her actual character and personality that remain constant throughout the story. The fae around her are far more interesting and compelling.

Overall I did like this book! I’m excited to continue reading the series and find out more about the things I’ve heard from friends and strangers online.
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