Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Book Description:

Hardcover, 416 pages
Published May 5th 2015 by Bloomsbury Children's

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 Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

Reviewer's Copy: Hardcover

Source: Purchased 

My Thoughts:

A Court of Thorns and Roses surpassed my expectations. It was as amazing as I thought it would be and more. I was immediately lost within its charm and riveting tale. The fey winked at me and like a willing victim, I went with them.

The story world was all the sounds and sights that I have imagined and more. Prythian was a sprawling land of surprises, magic and danger. The writing was beautiful, captivating and flawless. There was no fault that I could find. It was the first thing that drew me in. The words wrapped around me like a comfortable blanket that I could not let go of, before drifting into a magical dream.

Feyre was an artist, sensitive and observant when it came down to color and texture. However, for the most part of the book, I saw her as a hunter who had the skills to survive. She was fierce and brave, going against all odds to bring food to the table, when no one else would. Living in Prythian was life-changing for Feyre. Her heart held such loneliness and I wanted to see something good happen to her. However, instead of walking into happiness, Feyre walked into a cage of pain and trials. I was constantly at the edge of my seat with the life-threatening situations and suspense that Feyre faced.

Rhysand was the one who caught my attention and held it in his night-kissed hands. He was the High Lord of the Night Court. He was perfection in my eyes. His moon-white skin, inky black hair and violet eyes were bullets against my armor. Throughout the story, I saw the good and bad sides of him. He was magnetic, devastatingly attractive and brilliant. His mind was a beautiful thing to observe and behold - always one step ahead of the game. His charm was like the stars in the sky - constant and forever. He seemed like the bad guy at times, however, behind his actions, I could see kernels of goodness. He was constantly masking his good deeds and intentions underneath smirks and threats. He has taken my heart for himself and I cannot get it back. I have fallen in love with his character right from the beginning, in Calanmai. I am looking forward to knowing him more thoroughly in the next installments.

Tamlin, the 'Beast' of the story, was good and noble. He was the High Lord of the Spring Court. Upon bursting violently through Feyre's front door, he had my eyebrow raised. He was a gentleman in his own right, however he had a layer of temper lingering underneath his skin. He tended to be overprotective and perhaps unwilling to value other's capacity to take control of themselves and be in control of a situation over his loss of control. It made me sad and a bit put off how he dealt with some things in his life.

The minor characters were brilliant and alive as well. Lucien, the Emissary of the Spring Court, was an intriguing character. He had a dark past, a quick mind and charm. It was endearing how he and Feyre slowly began to turn into friends despite their bad beginning. Alis, one of the household helps, was also a joy to read. She had a heart for a human. Her concern and compassion spoke volumes.

The action and suspense made my blood flow a little faster and my heart beat a little louder. It brought me back to the days when I read The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The twists and turns kept things interesting. I was constantly picking up breadcrumbs left by Maas throughout the pages, following any trail and any pattern that I could find. I was forming and testing theories in my head all throughout the novel. It was fun and stimulating to read something so well-planned and well-written. The ending was a promise of better and exciting things to come. I was satisfied with it, considering that it dealt with my favorite characters.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is heart-pounding and unforgettable with its burst of colors, wonders and twists. Cloaked with magic and layers of secrets, it is relentless in delivering entertainment. I highly recommend this to readers of faeries/fey, readers of fantasy and readers who delight in stories inspired by fairytales. You need this series in your life!

Rating:

5 Cupids = Eternal book love.
I will never, ever, ever forget this book. I highly recommend this!