I received this book for free from a fellow blogger (thanks for sharing!) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Narrator: Jennifer Ikeda
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Published by Bloomsbury on May 5, 2015
Genres: Faeries, Fantasy YA, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Length: 16 hours, 7 minutes
Format: ARC
Also by this author: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, The Queen of Shadows
Source: a fellow blogger (thanks for sharing!)
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Audible • Goodreads
A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for 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 grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Perfect for fans of Kristen Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!
Friends, I’ve now read A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES, the first book in Sarah J. Maas’ second series, twice–once in ARC format, and again via audiobook. It was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read all year both times. The characters, the drama, the setting, the worldbuilding were all amazing and engrossing. Feyre and Tamlin are complex, dangerous, and passionate characters, and the world they live in wants them to struggle. I’m completely enraptured by this world and this story, and I can’t wait for more.
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is the story of Feyre, a young woman whose family–dad and two sisters–live in poverty in the human realm, a portion of an enormous continent largely occupied by faerie lands to the north. In order to keep her family fed, clothed, and with a roof over their heads, Feyre, the youngest, hunts for them in the forest. One winter day, as she sits in the woods, hoping against hope for anything to come into her path that will feed her family, she crosses paths with an enormous wolf. Feyre kills it, skins it, and brings the pelt and the deer the wolf brought down back to her home. Little does she know that this small moment of prosperity will lead to her capture by a terrifying beast, who takes her into the fae lands, where he turns into a golden-haired High Fae and keeps her captive in his home. As Feyre and Tamlin, the man-beast, learn to live together, Feyre becomes increasingly aware that all is not right in the faerie lands. A disease is spreading, killing other fae and sucking up the magic inherent in their world. As Tamlin and Feyre grow to love one another, a series of events lead them Under the Mountain, the dwelling of the fae land’s enemy, and Feyre must survive three deadly tasks in order to save her love and his home.
Right away, I felt all sorts of feelings for Feyre: she’s incredibly strong and savvy. Very clever and determined. To see her family treat her as something less was infuriating and sad, but Feyre definitely has this “what ungrateful tools you all are” vibe about her. It’s difficult for her to deal with, but her loyalty to them doesn’t waver. I admired that. Once she is in Tamlin’s home in the Spring Court, her fiery personality flourishes as she butts heads with Tamlin and his emissary, Lucien. Her desire to return home and care for her family quickly wars with her growing attraction to Tamlin, and her slowly budding friendship slash friendly tolerance with Lucien. Feyre doesn’t take any shit, and I always love those characters. In truth, they’re sometimes harder for me to like, but I didn’t have that issue with Feyre.
Tamlin himself is a mysterious figure. He tries to make Feyre feel at home, even though he prevents her from leaving, and their relationship is definitely rocky at first. He shares very little, but also exposes Feyre to things that are meant as clues. But as we gradually get to know the motivations behind Tamlin’s actions and see him own up to and embrace his feelings for Feyre, it was super hard not to LOVE HIM FOREVER. Because of a curse on his lands, all of the fae in the Spring Court are stuck with masquerade masks on their faces, and even as I was reading/listening, I felt this suffocation for him. He is powerful, but also frightened, and that combination was really attractive to me. Not to mention his moments of sweetness with Feyre. “Sweet” is not really a word I would use to describe either of these characters, so it was that much more special when they showed their vulnerabilities. Passionate, though? That word I WILL use, and it’s their passion that really makes A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES go.
I had a great time reading about the history of the fae lands and their wars against the humans, for all that it’s bloody and vicious. The whole fae realm, with all the different courts and the High Lords, is really rife with political drama and unease. People stab each other in the back–sometimes literally. Families turn against each other in grabs for power (like Lucien, who I love, and his Autumn Court brothers). There are alliances and rebellions and vengeance. GIMME MORE. I’m especially intrigued by Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court. I mean, Tamlin Forever, but Rhys is dark and dangerous.
I’m really glad that I decided to reread A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES via audio as well. Jennifer Ikeda is a super narrator, and she does a great job conveying emotions. It also helped me because I read the ARC months ago and took no notes, so I forgot lots of things except this one scene between Feyre and Tamlin. Sorry not sorry, though. If you’re looking for a new audiobook to read, A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is a great way to go.
Guys, I’m a full-fledged Sarah J. Maas fangirl. It took me a book to really warm up to her other series, Throne of Glass, but now I ADORE IT. A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is an excellent addition to her awesome catalog, and a dramatic, swoony start to what is sure to be one of my favorite series. I’m just so grabby for more, I can’t even lie to you all. Because even though the action at the end of A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is tied up-ish, it’s also not, and I KNOW that things are going to come back to bite these people in their asses and it’s going to be heartbreaking and amazing.
Honestly, just reading your review for A Court of Thorns and Roses makes me want to read it all over again! I really just love Sarah’s writing, and this fairytale-esque tale was totally up my alley. So happy to read your rave review <3
I have this book just sitting on my shelf to read but I didn’t want to start it until I caught up with her TOG series. I’m on to Heir Of Fire. I think I have this weird tick where it bugs me if I start an author’s book without being all caught up to their current series or books. So maybe I can get to this after QOS release???