A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasSeries: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Released: 5th May 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Pages: 400
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
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A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it.
Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!
Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
If there's ever a Beauty and the Beast retelling that's worth reading with so much more to offer - then this is it. I may have turned up a little late to the Sarah J. Maas fandom party, but after experiencing A Court of Thorns and Roses, I definitely want in. Though I wasn't 100% convinced at first, by the final stages when the action kicked into full gear and everything was at stake, I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. Move aside Belle, Feyre's in town and she means business.
The start of this book was a tad slow, and I really wasn't sure how much I was truly going to love it. Admittedly, I don't read a lot of YA fantasy, though after hearing all the hype I of course thought that it must get better - and it certainly did.
Feyre didn't stay in her mundane life for long, moving from providing for her sisters and father and hunting to the fairie world beyond the wall- with the enigmatic Tamlin of course. What struck me immediately was the intricacy of the world Sarah J. Maas had created. Prythian and its inhabitants are fascinating, from the curse that binds them to the control and hierarchy governing them. Starting with a map showing the lands was a fantastic start, and moving forward with these rich descriptions and more show-than-tell really impressed me. Feyre was a kick-ass female protagonist who was resilient in the face of austerity, brave when faced with challenges and still compassionate in the end.
"Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all."
ENTER TAMLIN: *Is it getting hot in here?*
So yes, he's the dark, brooding guy with the powerful status and mysterious past - and yet, he's also more than that. He has to wear a mask (quite literally as it turns out), but that doesn't mean that his real emotions don't show through. He's largely an enigma, but has a distinctly protective side and is fiercely loyal to his friends. The dynamic between himself and Feyre is simply electric, and steamy in places too.
But wait - there's more...
THE ACTION, PEOPLES! IT WAS EPIC.
Political intrigue. Secret deals. Tough decisions. Trials. Riddles. Lies. Death. Relief. More 'OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED' moments. A Court of Thorns and Roses truly had it all. There's a distinct point in this story where you really do reach 'the point of no return' - and from there, I was glued to the pages. Feyre's plight became even more intense, the plot thickened immeasurably and her somewhat stubborn side actually came to good use. The ending, though satisfying, does leave so much more to happen in book two - and for that, I can't wait.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well, this review ended up having more gifs and caps than I anticipated, but I hope it helped you understand just how I felt about this book. It's amazing that Sarah J. Maas is coming for an Australian tour, I can't wait to meet her!
Any other YA fantasy novels I should pick up?
Well, this review ended up having more gifs and caps than I anticipated, but I hope it helped you understand just how I felt about this book. It's amazing that Sarah J. Maas is coming for an Australian tour, I can't wait to meet her!
Any other YA fantasy novels I should pick up?
This seems to be either a "I LOVE IT" or a "what even is this" book all around. (Sadly, I was in the latter.) I mean, I definitely enjoyed reading it (especially the last third! ACTION AND POLITICAL INTRIGUE INDEED), but like you said, it was slow to start with (she spends so much time just moping in Tamlin's palace), and I just didn't connect with the characters. And now because it was my first SJM read I don't know whether to pick up Throne of Glass ... thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Alyssa - I haven't read Throne of Glass either but I've heard all these good things about it so I think it's definitely worth a try :)
DeleteNow I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it too Sifra!
DeleteAhhh, so cool you're going to meet Sarah J Maas. XD It sucks to live in a tiny town sometimes, gah. BUT ANYWAY. I'm glad you liked this one. I don't think, when I really really consider it, that I'm this book's biggest fan, but I did love that ending. SO MUCH EPICN CREEPINESS. I loved Lucien. Adorable little faerie thingy he was.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually like fantasy, so this was a surpisingly good story for me! I don't think it's my favourite genre, but this book made me more curious to read more from it, and Sarah J. Maas especially. The ending was...yes creepy definitely! Lucien was a great character, and noble too.
DeleteYAY YOU'RE JOINING THE GIF CREW. I absolutely looooooved ACOTAR (more than the Throne of Glass books). I hope you have fun at the Sarah J. Maas event :D
ReplyDeleteThis review had gifs calling my name, and well - I couldn't resist! It's a relief that the event is after HSC so I can really enjoy it!
DeleteI have to agree Eugenia, I thought the action was fabulous and the writing and the world was all beautiful and so enticing and enthralling, but I didn't fair quite as well as you did.. shame. Still, great review hun!<3
ReplyDeleteSad to hear you didn't love it more Amanda, but yes - the action really brought this book up for me once things picked up. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteI'm reading this book right now and it's heading to 5 stars! Yes, the beginning is a bit slow, but things got interesting after Feyre lives with the fae. And don't even get me started with the romance, I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
That's great to hear Tiffany! It was interesting to read about the faerie world and how the fae lived in all their opulence. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts :)
DeleteI think I'm going to have to read this one eventually, it's getting so many positive reviews. Great review!
ReplyDelete- Wattle @ Whimsical Nature
Yes! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)
DeleteI just finished reading this and I have to agree with you. The beginning was a little slow at first but it definitely picked up along the way. But even if it was slow all the way through, Sarah J. Maas' writing is just so poetic that I would have stuck with it. I really hope you get a chance to read Throne of Glass! They've been my favorite series I've discovered so far this year! Have fun meeting SJM!
ReplyDelete- Jazzie @ The Book Dancer
Exactly! The writing style is the perfect balance between descriptive without disrupting from the action, and once the plot became more intricate everything stepped up a notch. Your enthusiasm for Throne of Glass makes me want to read it even more, the fact that it's awesome seems to be the general consensus :)
DeleteOh nice review, Eugenia! This was actually a book I was in on the love as it happened, which- trust me- is not something that happens often. At all. I think the mix of it being Sarah J. Maas and me being up to date on reviews made me pick it up immediately, so that was fun, though my expectations were way too high and I didn't end up loving it. I'm excited for the next book, sure it's a series that'll get better with each instalment! And the ending does promise exciting things to come.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this so much! I just realised that I actually liked the beginning more than the part where it got really action packed! xx
Thanks Romi! High expectations can be hard to live up to, and I too hope that the next book is even better so I can give it a 5/5 :) Thanks for sharing your perspective on it and stopping by.
DeleteSo glad that you loved, ACOTAR! Everyone seems to be having different thoughts on it. Alas, I didn't find Tamlin all that appealing <.<
ReplyDeleteI can see how Tamlin could have been taken in a different way, and though he isn't my favourite love interest, he worked well in this story for me, Thanks for stopping by Mel :)
DeleteI have actually seen a lot of people loving this book and would love to try it out for myself! I think that the retelling element is something that I would enjoy a lot. I am someone who is a huge fan of them. And a Beauty and the Beast one is so unique.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do like it Olivia - it's sure gotten a lot of hype, and in my opinion it's well worth it :)
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