“Don’t feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”
— Sarah J. Maas – A Court of Thorn and Roses
Book Synopsis
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
During my trips to my local bookstore, I’ve always eyed this book series, but the sheer size of it scared me. With five books and some exceeding 700 pages, my little heart could not handle the possible commitment. For advent fantasy readers this may not sound like a lot, but I’m inexperienced in reading fantasy. I’m more of a standalone reader.
But Sarah J. Maas proved me wrong. She does an amazing job at introducing readers to her fantastic world. She doesn’t flood you with information all at once, instead choosing to reveal it gradually. This deliberate pacing creates a sense of mystery that left me eager to read every day.
Reading this book felt like a mashup of Beauty and the Beast, Twilight, and The Hunger Games, all rolled up into one. All thanks to the slow-burn romance between Feyre and Tamlin. Maas’ ability to build the tension between the pair and their eventual explosive confessions was remarkable.
However, great the romance was there were two glaring issues I had with the story. One is the setting. What time period are we in? One moment it feels medieval, then 18th-century royal English society, and then high school prom. However, I can overlook this, as I’ve encountered similar stories lacking defining details indicating the time period, despite it being somewhat bothersome.
My additional concern pertained to the concluding conflict within the book. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was hastily conceived, almost like an afterthought. There was a lack of thorough development, unlike the intricacies seen in Feyre and Tamlin’s relationship. While I won’t delve into specifics, it didn’t leave a strong impression on me.
Overall, I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. The characters, the world-building, and the unfolding overarching plot were all highlights for me. It served as an excellent introduction to what promises to be an engaging series. I’d highly recommend it, especially to those who may not typically explore fantasy genres.
Rating: 4.5/5