Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1)
Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, YA/NA
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling 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.



I've previously read and deeply loved Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series, so I was very excited to get my hands on her new fantasy series. When I heard that it would be a series of fairy tale retellings, with ACOTAR being the Beauty and the Best retelling (and I'm all in for fairytale retellings), I set all books aside and started reading her incredible book. I was afraid that ACOTAR would be very similar to Throne of Glass in some aspects such as the characters, but that was definitely not the case.

I found ACOTAR much more romance based instead of action and plot. It started off with a very intriguing beginning, began to be a bit lacking of plot towards the middle, although it regained itself towards the end. When Feyre kills a wolf in the forest, Tamlin, a High Fae, demands retribution and takes her to Prythian, the fae lands where she learns about the terrible curse of the lands.

Sarah J. Maas's writing is phenomenal, as always. Intricate but not too much, I've always been captivated with her writing style and the way she is able to weave her characters in a mystical yet incredible world. The one thing I found really unique about the book is the world building and Prythian along with the seven courts.

“My priority would be to protect my family -- and I would have picked whatever side could keep them safest. I hadn't thought of it as a weakness until now.”

Feyre, who I was afraid would end up being a lot like Celaena in many ways, was not a replica of Celaena. Although they are both hunters with a strong heart that knows no fear, Celaena values that her people be free instead of Dorian and Chaol, whereas I found that Feyre valued Tamlin a lot more along with her family, which is why I found this book to have more romance than action. The middle portion of the novel was used to develop the relationship of Feyre and Tamlin, and because of that, I felt the mystery of what was Tamlin's purpose of bringing her to Prythian (if she was to live a life of luxury), along with plot die down a bit. However, I did enjoy seeing the relationship blossom between them during the time because it was SO. STEAMY. AND. HOT. I had a huge grin on my face and I'll admit to blushing while reading the Tamlin x Feyre moments.

“He brought his lips to my ear. "I would have been gentle with you, though." I shuddered as I closed my eyes. Every inch of my body went taut as his words echoed through me. "I would have had you moaning my name throughout it all. And I would have taken a very, very long time, Feyre.”



HOLY SHIT THE HOTNESS :O But wait, although there's Tamlin, there's Rhysand which I have yet to talk about!

Near the end of the book was when I got very hyped up because that is when Feyre learns of the terrible curse and a lot more happens, where Feyre is to show her abilities and what she is worth. It was all up to Feyre to save Prythian of the curse along with Tamlin and I was beginning to wonder if Feyre had something special and when we'd see if she was intelligent as she was good at hunting. She did, of course, but not without the help of Rhysand, the Lord of the Night Court, which resulted in a suspected love triangle.

Usually, I'd be super frustrated about another guy popping in at the end of the novel, but I actually found myself to admire Rhysand. He's charming cares about Feyre in a way that I still do not understand why. In the end, I felt that Rhysand was a lot more than Tamlin. Every time Rhysand appeared, Tamlin in comparison felt a little bland. SO YES, I HAVE SWITCHED TO TEAM RHYSAND.

“When you healed my arm...You didn't need to bargain with me. You could have demanded every single week of the year." My brows knit together as he turned, already half-consumed by the dark. "Every single week, and I would have said yes." It wasn't entirely a question, but I needed the answer.
A half smile appeared on his sensuous lips. "I know," he said, and vanished.”

The ending left me hanging because I felt that there would be something going on with Feyre and Rhysand in the next book, which is a retelling of Persephone and Hades. And Persephone and Hades were lovers. :O I'm dying to find out how it will turn out! Once again, Sarah J. Maas has left me dazzled with a phenomenal setting, steamy romance and hot High Faes (with more that I look forward to meeting).



24 comments :

  1. I haven't read this book yet, but I have heard nothing but good things about it! After reading all those quotes, I think I'm going go hunt down a copy now :) Awesome review!
    ~Erika @ Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything In Between.

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    1. Thanks!! Definitely grab a copy if you're all in for romance ;)

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  2. Lovely review, Olivia! I absolutely adored ACOTAR and totally agree that Rhysand is a fascinating character. I'm still team Tamlin (for now), but my thoughts may change. It's hard to say :)

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    1. Haha same, I really can't tell which direction the romance is going. Since there are 7 courts and 7 hot lords, what if at the end of ACOTAR two, another interest pipes in :O

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  3. Now I can FINALLY say with pride that I HAVE READ SARAH J MAAS. With the entire book blogosphere book pushing her on me, of course I had no choice but to buy Throne Of Glass when it was so ridiculously cheap on Amazon! ToG was amazing, and now I want to read ALL THINGS Sarah J Maas. ACOTAR has definitely been pushed up my TBR. I'm so glad that Feyre and Celeana don't end up being very alike :)

    Ranu @ The Araliya Bookshelf

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    1. YAY!! Haha ToG was a MUST READ. I'm reading Queen of Shadows right now and I have so many thoughts I want to explode ;)) Hope you enjoy the rest of SJM's books Ranu!

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  4. Looks like you loved this one, which I have been very much anticipating! I love the sound of it and though usually it being more romance based is a turn off for me, I have been on a bit of a romance high lately, so it doesn't bother me too much. I like the sound of the world set up, but it's a shame the plot lags a bit. However, so glad you loved it and that it stood apart from the Throne of Glass series most of all!

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    1. It was a really great book! If you're looking for lots of plot and action, the ToG series would be a better read. But there was so much swoony romance in this one, I couldn't resist ;)

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  5. YES OMG YES OLIVIA

    I loved this one too! Apparently it's NA? LIKE WHAT? I DID NOT EVEN REALIZE. The only thing that bothered me forever was the riddle. Like omg, I got it within the first five seconds. HOW COULD YOU FEYRE

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    1. LOL I'm pretty sure its considered NA because of the *romance scenes*? SJM said it wasn't just blackout scenes and Feyre is 19 (usually MCs in YA are like 16-17), maybe that's why its NA. BUT SAME THAT RIDDLE, THE ANSWER WAS SO OBVIOUS :P

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  6. Those quotes just make me want to read it all over again!! I'm so glad you loved it, yet again something else we can obsess over ;)
    That second quote gives me the shivers, Oh Rhysand <3 Tamlin was obviously gorgeous but the minute Rhysand was introduced as the darker, broodier character I was gone... TEAM RHYSAND!
    I really like Feyre she was definitely different to Celaena and the fact that she couldn't read was a good twist.
    This is probably the only book series were I actually want a love triangle haha :)
    Fantastic review <3
    Cody @ Literary-ly Obsessed

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    1. OHH we can shiver together about that quote ;) I was really shocked when we found out she couldn't read either, I mean that's not what we usually come across with our MCs!! (minor characters maybe, like you know, Ellide from QoS)

      AND THAT IS PRETTY AMAZING. I MEAN WE'RE BOTH TEAM ROWAN AND RHYSAND :OOOO (I call dibs on Rowan, btw)

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  7. Ahh I loved this book! Rhysand was definitely a nice little addition to the story and I can't wait to see what happens between him and Feyre in the next book. I'm a huge fan of Sarah's writing too. Great review! :)

    -- Nicola Reads YA

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    1. IKR!! This is the one love triangle I'm looking forward to reading about. I loved how Rhysand appeared and left his mark near the end of the book, and it really added so much suspense ;)

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  8. I LOVED this book!! I do believe I am still Team Tamlin all the way. :) But by the end of the book, Ryhsand definitely intrigued me though.

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  9. I am definitely intrigued by Rhys and cannot wait to see how Feyre's monthly visits to the Night Court play out... Glad you enjoyed it. I like Tamlin a lot but Rhys has the mystery working for him ;)

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  10. I don't know how I feel about Rhysand. I felt like his story was introduced was too late.

    I really LOVED Feyre though, especially her interactions with her family.

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    1. Ah that is kind of true, but love knows no bounds :D But we won't really know if there are any sparks between them until ACOTAR 2!

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  11. I totally agree with the distinctions between Celaena and Feyre. I'm sooo glad they're two very different people. Celaena will always choose the greater good for everyone while Feyre will always cherish those closest to her first and foremost. This book definitely has more romance than action, and the plot definitely loses some steam in the middle. The last third of the book was pure epic though!! Lovely review <3

    Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books

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    1. Not Celaena anymore, it's Aelin :O But now the Celaena we knew is gone, replaced by Aelin so I don't know if they're still the same. It's like she's a rewritten character!!

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  12. Throne of Glass is getting closer and closer to the top of my TBR pile. I had actually heard that this one was pretty disappointing in comparison, but maybe I'll give it a try in the future.

    xoxo- Katsyxo.com

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    1. The two series are completely different and you start one based on your personal tastes; ToG is a lot more action/plot than romance whereas ACOTAR is a lot more romance focused. Hope it helps!

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