“Don’t feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”
Sarah J. Maas has a way with words that is addictive. Her writing has a rawness, a spark of fire which draws the reader in. I was glad this quality was still in A Court of Thorns and Roses as it was in the Throne of Glass series. It took me awhile to start on this series as I wanted to finish Throne of Glass first and wanted a break between her books to really appreciate and miss the worlds she creates.
Feyre hunts in the woods regularly to feed her starving family. Her family was wealthy until her father’s business floundered and he was left handicapped, leaving Feyre as the breadwinner. One day while hunting, Feyre kills a wolf, which leads her to be taken across the border to the land of the High Fae—the immortal High Fae who warred with and enslaved the mortals in the past. She lives with her beast captor, Tamlin, learning about the faerie world, which is both similar and far from the human tales which with she grew up. Her relationship with Tamlin then leads her to fight to free those of a spell which holds the faerie land captive.
The story is loosely based on a retelling of Beauty and the Beast in a way that the similarities are obvious, but the world, characters and events are unique. I can’t wait to see how the world grows. I like the idea of the different courts (Spring, Autumn, Winter, Summer, Day, Night etc.)—celebrating the positive aspects (and sometimes negative) aspects of each season and time of day. I really want to see what the other courts are like.
Similarly to the Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas puts her characters through hell. She tortures them mind, body and soul. It’s harder to get to know the other characters apart from Feyre since it is written in first person point of view, but this difference from Throne of Glass is refreshing. Everyone has secrets and this point of view made it interesting as Feyre was working them out, especially at the end.
Feyre is a heroine who is strong, tough and smart despite thinking the worst of situations. Unlike Belle, she can’t read, but finds her passion in painting.
I like how the relationships between Feyre and her sisters, plus the high fae progressed. There were a few twists and turns that were predictable, partly because of the nature of the retelling, but there were many that weren’t.
There were so many quote-worthy moments in this book. There were both extremes: total bliss and utter despair.
“…we danced across the spirit-riddled field. I was an unburdened as a piece of dandelion fluff, and he was the wind that stirred me about the world.”
The start was a bit slow as the characters and world were being revealed, but the ending definitely made up for it. There were many elements set up for the continuation for the series. If its similar to Throne of Glass, the world is only going to get bigger and bigger, more and more terrible and wonderful as the series plays out. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Feyre, Tamlin and Rhysand. Somehow with all of the mentions of this series and characters for years on social media, I’ve managed to avoid spoilers.
Sarah J. Maas is one of my favourite authors and I’m sure this will be a series that I will read again, although at this time, Throne of Glass is still my favourite. I’ll leave you with one of my favourite hilarious moments which reminds me of the Beast from the Disney 's Beauty and the Beast movie:
“…he (Tamlin) had his chin propped up on a fist…”What were you doing out in the western woods?”
…”I heard a legend once about a creature who answers your questions, if you can catch it.”
Tamlin flinched as his claws shot out, slicing his face.”
4.5 stars (4 in general, 0.5 for the ending)
Read: July 2019
Published: 2015
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