A Summary
After a few busy years where I, once an avid reader, struggled to pick up a book, A Court of Thorns and Roses came along to save me. This book brought me back into the imaginary fantasy worlds I had forgotten I’d loved. Before I knew it, I flew through the entire series in a matter of weeks.
To summarise, Feyre, a deeply distrusting and hurt human is thrust into a world she fears. The world of the Fae. Feyre was taught that the fae would strive cause her harm. Throughout the book, she discovers things aren’t as she was led to believe. This is an interesting story of the struggles of Feyre as she learns about the fae and her own emotions.
The Characters
Let’s start with the headstrong maiden at the heart of this series. Feyre’s character arc in this particular book in the series is focussed on her coming to terms with her responsibilities. Those include to her family and to herself. We see her go through the highs and lows of emotions that we all know too well, set in a beautifully described fantasy world.
We meet a few fae throughout this book, however Tamlin would be the most prominent. The broody and quiet fae male features significantly as he comes to terms with his own complicated emotions. I think his character falls a little flat, his counterpart Lucien, makes up for this shortcoming.
Lucien is the wild half of the duo throughout this novel, often making witty remarks or getting under someones skin. His lighthearted and funny approach to the sometimes dark themes of this book help to keep you interested.
In an interesting twist, the main villain of this book is very much kept under wraps for the first half of the book. This keeps me from saying much, but I will say that the reason for this secrecy makes the storyline that much stronger.
The World
We begin in the sad and underwhelming human lands. Snowy, cold and lacking in resources, we see Feyre struggling to keep her family alive. Before we know it we are in the land of the fae, Pyrthian. Instantly your imagination will run wild with Sarah J Maas’ expert use of description. She gives us just enough to let our own minds fill in the gaps and conjure the beauty that would be the rolling hills and perfect skies of Pyrthian.
The Themes
This book is a romance, through and through. We have the classic enemies to lovers plot that we all know and love. I have to say, A Court of Thorns and Roses is just the beginning, it will leave you reeling for more and then some. The second in the series is even more twisting and shocking than the first.
When I say romance, I mean it. This is young adult novel, and it has themes that are most definitely steamy and not suitable for kids. The next in the series follows suit, and I’d be more inclined to give that one an ‘adult’ rating.
Aside from the romance, this book has an exceptional story to go with it full of interesting politics and action that will never leave you bored.
To Conclude
I will never be able to thank Sarah J Maas enough for the beauty that was A Court of Thorns and Roses. I have read it twice now, it is that good. This book is a perfect toe in the door for anyone that has lost their passion for reading. Find yourself lost in the fantasy world of the fae and never wanting to leave. I promise you won’t regret it.
Get A Court of Thorns and Roses here on Amazon.
Looking for a review of the next book? Check out my review of A Court of Mist and Fury here.
Need a new author to fuel your fantasy romance fire? My Top 10 Fantasy Romance Authors can be found here!
