A Court of Thorns and Roses (Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)

by Sarah J. Maas

Jennifer Ikeda (Narrator)

• ISBN10: 1490640746
• ISBN13: 9781490640747
• Publish Date: 5 May 2015
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Recorded Books
• Imprint: Recorded Books Inc
• Format: Audiobook (MP3)
• Duration: 16 hours and 7 minutes
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nessa Luna]

Wow, honestly, I'm going to say this right from the start, Sarah J. Maas has started another great series that I will certainly love a lot! I got really excited the first time I heard about A Court of Thorns and Roses being published, and as the date got closer and closer my excitement rose. I pre-ordered it a couple of weeks before it was due to be released, and even ordered it from a (more expensive) Dutch website so I would have it sooner than if I were to order it from The Book Depository because I just wanted to read it asap. Due to Liberation Day being an official holiday this year, I still had to wait a day extra before I could read it but I was fine with that.

I was torn between reading it as soon as I could, and saving it and only reading a couple of pages (or chapters) at a time, so I wouldn't finish it within a day. I kind of did both, because I did finish it really quickly after starting it (I think it took me two days to finish it?), but I also told myself to stop reading when it was time to eat or sleep. But oh my god, I love this book so much!

Sarah J Maas just managed to write another book full of amazing and less amazing characters, and create a world (WITH A MAP!!!!!!!!!) that made me want to learn more about it. Honestly, I would pay for her to write books about the history of both the world in ACOTAR and the world in the Throne of Glass series. I had read some people talk about how it was a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast, but honestly I just think it was loosely based on the story. I don't consider it as a retelling because it was just so different from TBATB and yeah, it's an amazing story on its own, but I did love the little bits in the story that made me think of Beauty and the Beast.

As for the characters, I loved Feyre right from the start. I wasn't too fond of her family (father and two sisters) at first, but they got better near the end of the story. One of her sisters is called Nesta, which made me really happy. Because this one time when I was in Wales, and I got something from Starbucks - the guy behind the counter misheard my name and wrote 'Nesta' instead of Nessa. So yeah, seeing my misspelt Starbucks name in this book made me happy. I wasn't sure what to think about the Fae in this book at first. I didn't really like Tamlin mainly because he'd taken Feyre away from her family (okay he saved her, but still I didn't like him). And I disliked Lucien at first as well. But both grew on me, and in the end I just loved Lucien and the way he interacted with Feyre. He was so sarcastic at some points and oh I just love sarcastic characters!

Of course, there was some romance in this book and some 'sexy' parts as well, and honestly I have to say these scenes didn't make me feel awkward when I was reading them. They were quite detailed, but not as detailed as some scenes I had read in other books. So yeah I guess it was just because I loved seeing those two characters together that it didn't bother me that much. I can safely say that I ship the ship!

There were so many amazing action scenes in this book, but I think my favourites were the trials near the end, because they were nerve-wracking and exciting and I really couldn't stop myself from reading when they were happening. And my GOD JUST LOOK AT THAT COVER. Sorry, I just got really excited about the cover when I first saw it. Because it looks beautiful, and I love the way the title is written, and I love the thorns and ugh I just love it so muuhuuhuuuuuch!

In the end, I absolutely LOVED A Court of Thorns and Roses and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. If you love The Beauty and the Beast, you should definitely read this because it is very similar. If you loved Throne of Glass, just read ACOTAR. What are you still doing here? Go and buy the book! Go and read the book! GO!

My opinion on this book in one gif:

[Kelly]

Sarah J. Maas, you complete me.



I generally don't have much luck with new adult and in the past, I've never been the biggest advocate of fantasy novels as a whole. A Court of Thorns and Roses not only managed to completely surpass my expectations, but has me considering calling my first born little Maas. It's sexy, it's smouldering and incredibly imaginative. A brilliant world so lovingly created that has me ransacking my shelves for anything to maintain my book high. Yes, I'm drunk on faeries.

Feyre is a brilliant and snarky character that isn't afraid to stand up for herself. Reminiscent of Katniss Everdeen, she's strong willed and a born leader, providing for her family who neither seem to care or support her efforts. When Tamlin breaks down her door and takes her captive, I cheered. Anything would be better than living in poverty with her self centered, asshole of a family. This girl probably would have been better off being raised by wolves. Tamlin. Oh Tamlin. He's fae, mysterious, incredibly masculine, but he is far from perfect. Not only is he socially awkward, but is stuck wearing a masquerade mask due to the curse on his kingdom. He's a man of few words and his bravado coming in the form of beastly roaring and killing anything that dares to infiltrate his land. Emissary Lucien is always on hand to provide snarky commentary, while Feyre and Tamlin begin to navigate their growing feelings for one another.

I absolutely loved it. The sass, the reimagining of a classic fairytale and vivid world building. In much the same vain as her Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas builds upon her storyline in layers, allowing the reader to bond with her characters before introducing us to her imagined world. The building romance between Feyre and Tamlin is intense, smouldering and incredibly sexy. She wants him with every part of her being, but is torn between the situation he's forced upon her and wanting to explore her feelings. The captor slash captive romance isn't unique, but Sarah has taken it to an all new level beyond the point of Stockholm Syndrome.



Smoking hot. Hold onto your ovaries ladies, Tamlin is enough to make you spontaneously combust. Sarah J. Maas has done it again. Creating an incredible fantasy world to lose yourself within. Beautifully imagined, lovingly created and proving yet again why she is the premier fantasy author.

[Amber]

This review was originally posted on Books of Amber

I don't really know what to say about this book other than it's an enormous disappointment and I wish I had never read it. In regards to Maas' other books, I liked Throne of Glass  and Crown of Midnight well enough, but Heir of Fire blew me away. Considering A Court of Thorns and Roses was published AFTER that masterpiece, I was expecting more amazing things from a writer who seemed to have gotten this writing thing down.

But actually, my thoughts on A Court of Thorns and Roses can be summarised in one gif:


I just don't understand how the author of Heir of Fire could give us this shitfest. Because that's what it is. I am honestly disgusted with the depiction of abuse in this book. And yes, I know that A Court of Thorns and Roses  is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but that fairytale is hella old and if you're going to write a retelling and publish it nowadays, I think some adjustments should be made. Like the abuse aspect should be written properly and not romanticised.

Tamlin, the love interest, plays the role of "the Beast" even though he's a beautiful fae creature who's apparently very charismatic. Charismatic enough to get into Feyre's pants, apparently. I didn't like him to start with because I am so over the "look at me I'm hot and broody and mysterious so LOVE ME" thing, and then when he went up to Feyre and told her to stay in her room or he would rape her I was out. So out.

Rape. And. Abuse. Should. Not. Be. A. Cheap. Plot. Device.

I could rage about this all day but in summary:

- Did anyone else lol at the name "Feyre"? Because... fey/fae.
- Tamlin was abusive and a horrible character and I think he should die.
- The trials at the end were quite good.
- Aside from that other brosef who turned up and "claimed" Feyre because no thank you.

Basically, don't read it.

[jnikkir]

This review can also be found at my blog, There were books involved...

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In some respects, I feel like this review might be a bit... preaching to the choir? Because, yes -- I, too, will be singing the praises of Sarah J. Maas and the first book in her new fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses. Yes, you've probably heard this song before.

BUT WAIT, DON'T LEAVE, I HAVE *THINGS* TO SAY, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY PREORDERED OR BOUGHT OR READ THIS BOOK YET, YOU NEED TO LISTEN.

*ahem* Sorry, I'll try to rein in the capslock for the remainder of this review. I make no promises, though.

Anyway -- yes, this book is fantastic. And what's so perfect about it is that it exemplifies exactly what I adore about Maas's books (the Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses): her characters and worldbuilding and plot all work together to form a whole that blows you away. What does this mean? I mean, it's not a matter of "her characters were good, but the world was lacking," or "the worldbuilding was great but the plot was so-so," or "the plot was awesome but the characters were meh" -- no. The characters are amazing because the world is amazing because the plot is amazing because the characters are amazing. (Am I even making sense??) It's all one thing. As all the best books are.

Maas builds worlds they way they need to be built -- along with the story, not separate from it. She weaves so many details into the story itself that you don't even realize the world is taking shape around these amazingly-developed characters -- they all just exist together. All of her books do this, and it makes for a fantastic reading experience.

But unlike Maas's Throne of Glass series, A Court of Thorns and Roses draws heavily on other fairy tales -- and I loved this about it. Maas took those fairy tales and twisted them around and made them her own. It's mostly Beauty and the Beast, but there's also a pinch of Cinderella -- with Feyre being mainly responsible for taking care of her two less-work-inclined sisters. But while they may be petty and a little bit vindictive, they're not unrealistic. Feyre's family is, on the whole, very easy to feel sorry for -- not caricatures designed to be disliked. Maas paints a bleak picture of a family stricken with poverty, and who have lost most of their hope. They're desperate, barely making ends meet. And though Feyre doesn't have much patience for them, especially her father, she loves them and works so hard to protect them. She throws her whole self into working to provide for them, abandoning her other interests, like painting, and only allowing herself time for things that will help her and her family survive.

But when she's out hunting, trying to find food for their next meal, she ends up killing a wolf.

His remaining golden eye now stared at the snow-heavy sky, and for a moment, I wished I had it in me to feel remorse for the dead thing.

But this was the forest, and it was winter.

ARC, pg 8

Unfortunately for her, the wolf turns out to be Fae, and she's forced to leave her family behind.

I seriously loved everything about this twist on Beauty and the Beast. A treaty between the Fae and the mortals demands that a mortal who takes a faerie's life has to give their own life up in return -- so Feyre is taken to Tamlin's estate in the Spring Court, to remain there forever. And after so long being wholly focused on providing for her family, this sudden lack of purpose leaves her reeling. But there's a lot more going on in Tamlin's world than she expected, and her sudden lack of a family to care for is the least of her troubles.

There are SO many amazing characters in this book. Feyre is one of them, obviously. I loved that she's not some all-powerful ass-kicking heroine who triumphs over every obstacle in her path. She's scared and broken and often incapable of overcoming challenges without help. But she does it. She perseveres. Her strength isn't in her ability to constantly win on her own, it's to keep pushing on. No matter what.

Tamlin is also fantastic. He constantly reminded me of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast -- except, super attractive. ;) At first, he's super awkward with his words around Feyre, which I often found pretty charming; but there was also a hardness and protectiveness to him that I loved. In the beginning, Feyre is (understandably) at odds with Tamlin and the rest of his household. Not only is she essentially a prisoner there, but she doesn't know what to do with her life now that she doesn't have to protect and provide for her family anymore. But it's Feyre's understanding of this responsibility -- to protect, to be responsible for people's well-being -- that lays the foundation for her and Tamlin to finally see each other in a more favorable light. Their relationship was so well-done.

Lucien was another of my favorite characters -- a High Fae courtier and emissary, and Tamlin's best friend. He's incredibly loyal, often super snarky, and his and Feyre's relationship is seriously great to watch develop. There's no romance there, but... well, spoilers. I loved them. Which goes to show how Maas is a pro at character and relationship-development, of both the romantic and platonic varieties.

Something that has always struck me about Maas's characters is her ability to make almost every single one surprise you -- even the "minor” characters. You get introductory first impressions, which make you think you know the type of character they are -- but every single time, there's a moment when something happens and you're like, "Holy crap, I understand this character on a whole other level now, and I don't think my feels were prepared for this."

There were a couple things that happened in A Court of Thorns and Roses that bothered me -- both spoilers, and both having to do with personal pet-peeves about commonly-used fantasy- or relationship-tropes -- but they didn't bother me enough to knock off any stars or half-stars. The rest of the book was amazing and I adored it.


In conclusion...

I think I could literally talk about this book all day. Just writing this review has made me want to re-read it -- to re-live the story and be with these characters again, ugh, they are so good. *sigh* This is absolutely going to be a book I end up re-reading again and again, because it has so much to offer. All the tension and banter, romance and adventure, the world, the FEELS... it added up to an almost perfect read for me, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

If you haven't already bought this book, or made plans to... what are you doing sitting there?! Go!

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There were books involved...