A Court of Thorns and Roses was first published in 2015 and has been hugely successful. There are five books in total and the series is set to become a major TV show.
I read a lot of Greek mythology and I enjoyed the Daughter of the Moon Goddess duology. However I haven’t read a fantasy series since my teenage years. I was intrigued by all the hype surrounding a Court of Thorns and Roses so I thought I’d give it a try.
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The story follows Feyre, a young human girl who kills a faerie in the woods and is taken captive by a faerie lord named Tamlin as punishment. Tamlin is one of the powerful High Fae who rule over the magical realm of Prythian, which is divided into several courts based on their magical abilities and characteristics.
As Feyre learns to navigate life in the faerie court, she discovers that a terrible curse has been placed on Tamlin and his court, and that they are in danger from a malevolent force that threatens to destroy all of Prythian. As Feyre becomes embroiled in the faerie politics and intrigue, she must use all of her courage and cunning to save Tamlin and his people from the impending threat.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Book Review
I really enjoyed this book! It was exciting escapism as its finest.
The world building in this book was exceptional and I was drawn in from very early on. I love Sarah J Maas’ lyrical and evocative writing style. The world of Prythian is vividly described and I felt like I was there. The faerie courts are beautifully realised, each with its own unique characteristics and traditions.
The characters are complex and well-developed, and I particularly liked Feyre as the main character. She’s strong and courageous and I rooted for her throughout. Her love interest Tamlin is also a complex character and the romance between them was certainly steamy!
In some fantasy novels I’ve read the romance is the central part of the story while the rest of the plot seems to be almost irrelevant. That is certainly not the case with A Court of Thorns and Roses. There are plenty of action sequences and schemes to keep the reader engaged.
The plot is well paced and allows the reader to get to know the characters without slowing down the narrative. There were plenty of twists and turns and the story felt intense and exciting.
I have seen the series described as a ‘young adult fantasy series’. I’m not sure I agree with that. I’m not a massive fan of young adult novels, and this certainly didn’t feel like one. It had plenty of spice and violence and I would definitely class it as an adult fantasy series.
Overall, I found A Court of Thorns and Roses to be a brilliant first book in the series. I loved the world building, the characters and general intensity of it all. It grabbed my attention from very early on and kept me riveted throughout the book.
What should I read after A Court of Thorns and Roses?
I’d recommend reading A Court of Mist and Fury, the second book in the ACOTAR series next. Then followed by A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight and A Court of Silver Flames.
