If you’re considering checking out this romantic fantasy series, this A Court of Thorns and Roses book review is a must-read.

A Court of Thorns and Roses book review

The classic story of Beauty and the Beast captivates millions of readers around the world. It has been retold in various forms, such as books and movies. Sarah J. Maas has breathed new life into the beloved classic fairy tale with a creative retelling of the story in A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Sarah J. Maas is a New York Times best-selling author whose books have been praised by a variety of publications and sold millions of copies worldwide. She is best known for The Throne of Glass series, A Court of Thorns and Roses (AOTAR) series, and the Crescent City series.

Keep reading to see if this should be the next book to add to your reading list.

What is A Court of Thorns and Roses about?

While Beauty and the Beast is often seen as a children’s story, A Court of Thorns and Roses is more teen fiction rather than a children’s book.

The story follows Feyre, a strong-willed and determined young woman, and Tamlin, a cursed High Lord of the Faeries, as they embark on a passionate and romantic journey amid the looming darkness of a war between the humans and the fae folk.

The first book begins with the main character Feyre, a young woman living in poverty who is forced to take up hunting to provide for her family. One day, she accidentally kills a faerie disguised as a wolf. This accident sets off a chain of events, resulting in her being cursed and taken to the faerie lands of Prythian and the Spring Court. The faerie lands and the lands of the humans have been separated by a wall for 500 years after a treaty between humans and the fae ended a bloody conflict.

Feyre meets Tamlin, a High Lord of the Faeries and the book’s primary love interest here. While Feyre initially hates Tamlin for his magical powers and the fact that he’s fae, she slowly learns to trust him, and their relationship develops into a tentative romance.

Feyre must also contend with a mysterious and powerful foe who seeks to destroy the fragile peace between humans and the fae. However, the identity of this foe is not revealed until the second book in the series, A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF).

Alongside the main characters, the colorful cast includes Lucien (Tamlin’s best friend and an emissary to the Spring Court), Amarantha (the self-proclaimed High Queen of Prythian), and Rhysand or Rhys (the High Lord of the Night Court). They are all well-fleshed-out, interesting people with complex motivations and a solid sense of humor.

Between 2015 and 2021, five books in the ACOTAR series were released:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
• A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF)
• A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR)
• A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella)
• A Court of Silver Flames (ACOSF)

With her immense talent, Maas has delivered an alluring and romantic tale in A Court of Thorns and Roses. The novel has won several awards, including the Goodreads Choice Award for the Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction of 2015, 2016, and 2017, and the Dragon Awards for Best Young Adult/Middle-Grade Novel in 2017.

A Court of Thorns and Roses—Our review

A Court of Thorns and Roses is full of thrilling moments and quiet beauty. Maas’ writing style is both descriptive and beautiful, which helps to bring the world of Prythian to life.

At first, this tale follows the classic Beauty and the Beast story, but its conclusion introduces captivating and unexpected elements that are both thrilling and nerve-wracking. We’re doing our best to keep this review spoiler-free, but we can assure you that if the first book captures your attention, you won’t be able to resist the rest of the series.

The characters of Feyre and Tamlin are complex and dynamic, providing readers with a range of emotions as they navigate their relationship. They feel like real people with genuine personalities and strengths and weaknesses.

Feyre is fiercely independent and loyal, while Tamlin is caring and compassionate. The relationship between the two is intense, and the scenes of romance between them are subtle, at least in the book's first half. It gets a little steamy in the second half, though not explicit.

Overall, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a captivating and romantic story that readers will find difficult to put down. Maas’ writing style is vivid and evocative, and her characters are dynamic and exciting. The world-building is surprisingly in-depth. On top of that, the storyline delivers powerful messages about loyalty, sacrifice, and hope against all odds.

The novel sometimes takes its sweet time with exposition and world-building. Lore fans will love this, but it may not be to everyone’s liking. The story isn’t particularly action-packed but isn’t outstandingly steamy. The ACOTAR series is fairly accessible. It certainly fills a particular niche and can have a broad appeal so long as the reader knows what to expect and what not to expect. Avid fantasy readers will certainly enjoy reading and re-reading the series.

Keep in mind that though there are five books in the series, one is a novella (A Court of Frost and Starlight), and the final book focuses specifically on Feyre’s sister, Nesta.

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FAQ

Is the A Court of Thorns and Roses series worth reading?

Yes, the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is worth reading if you’re a fan of fantasy books, fairy tales, or romance. It’s an exciting, romantic tale with vivid characters.

Is A Court of Thorns and Roses a spicy book?

The ACOTAR series is not overly spicy, but there are some steamy moments between Feyre and Tamlin. It is an adult book in the sense that the themes are more suitable for a slightly older audience.

Is A Court of Mist and Fury inappropriate?

A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF) does contain some mature content with Feyre’s into the Night Court after her trials Under the Mountain. It does have an explicit scene and references to past abuse, so discretion is advised.