A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Dates Read: March 27, 2022 – March 29, 2022
Date Published: May 5, 2016
Source: Owned paperback

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Feyre is a huntress.

She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers mercilessly beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price…

Imprisoned in an enchanted court in her enemy’s kingdom, Feyre is free to roam but forbidden to escape. Her captor’s body bears the scars of fighting, and his face is always masked – but his piercing stare draws her ever closer. As Feyre’s feeling for Tamlin begin to burn through every warning she’s been told about his kind, an ancient, wicked shadow grows.

Feyre must find a way to break a spell, or lose her heart forever.

Oh hello there. Welcome to my new obsession!

I went into this book not knowing if I was going to hate it or love it. Let me just say, I DON’T KNOW WHERE I’VE BEEN. This book came out in 2015 and the fact that I’m just now reading it is an absolute disgrace. I nearly killed myself staying up nights just to finish this book. I couldn’t put it down! The world-building and the characters and the m a g i c. My goodness, I can’t believe I slept on this series for so long. I’ve got book two on my nightstand awaiting its inevitable doom. Or… I guess… my inevitable doom. Because I’m about to stop sleeping for a few days, I’m sure.

Feyre
What an amazing heroine we have. She steps up to the plate to help keep her family fed when they fall into poverty. Poor girl didn’t deserve the life her mother bestowed upon her but I understand that her mother knew, of all her daughters, Feyre was the only one who would be able to keep her family alive. She’s strong, sharp-tongued, resilient… she’s just such a likable character.

Tamlin
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a crush on this fictional hunk of a man. He’s so quiet and unsure. He’s such a loose cannon. He’s the perfect fit for Feyre, honestly. I enjoyed reading scenes when the two of them finally became acquainted with each other. Tamlin just wants his lands to find peace. He wants to keep the people of his lands safe and fed and cared for.

I love you,” he whispered, and kissed my brow. “Thorns and all.”

Lucien
Who did I enjoy reading more than Feyre and Tamlin? Feyre and LUCIEN. I loved their back and forth banter. I just loved Lucien and his fierce loyalty to Tamlin and his cause. The way you could tell something had broken him earlier on in his life but you weren’t sure exactly what plagued his thoughts. Ok, maybe I had more of a crush on Lucien. I enjoyed every single page with Lucien’s name on it. I can’t wait to see more of him in book two. And three… and… four?? *nervous laughter*

I cannot leave here without mentioning Rhysand. He doesn’t really show up or remain constant in the book until nearly the end but… look… I have a thing for the bad boys and I can tell he’s going to be one. I can’t wait to see where his story goes in the coming books. I need more Rhys!

This world is so much bigger than I could have imagined. The last time I met a book with a world and a plot so grand was when I first read Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series which bled into her Six of Crows series… which bled into her King of Scars series. Those were some of my favorite books and it seems that this series I’ve finally unearthed from Sarah J. Maas is going to do the same that Leigh Bardugo’s books did for me. Every second I’m not reading more of Feyre and Tamlin and Lucien, I’m itchy with anticipation to get back into their story and find out what happens next.

These are those books that I can get absolutely lost in. I lose all sense of time and forget who I even am and what realm I’m sitting in. I love when a book can transport me into its world and make me feel like I’m a part of it and this series has done just that so far.

There are fae creatures galore. All of them are different than the last and more frightening than the last. Courts of High Fae loom on the borders, some more evil and atrocious than the others. A higher power oversees them all, dishing out an unsettling sense of dread that bad things lie ahead. This book had all the things I love in a fantasy book. Including romance. Sorry. I like those. Sue me.

I will say, the “new adult” label is the most accurate. This book had a couple explicit scenes. In case anyone was wondering.

GO. READ. THIS. BOOK.

And then grow obsessed like I have and immediately order the rest of the series so you never have to wait to read another page of the series ever again.

Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don’t feel anything at all.”

✌💛