book review for a court of thorn and roses by sarah j maas

Disclaimer: This blog post is spoiler free except for the parts labelled as spoilers.
Book: A Court of Thorn and Roses (ACOTAR)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Page Number: 415 Pages
Genre: Fantasy 
Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars

I just finished ACOTAR and wow…. I loved it! I admit I was a bit skeptical of this book at first because I didn’t like Throne of Glass which is by the same author. This book proved me wrong! I found myself invested in it and I couldn’t put the book down. A few things bothered me in this book but overall I found ACOTAR to be amazing and am DYING to read the next book! 

Also was it only me that was reminded of Katniss and the Hunger Games in the beginning? Both Feyre and Katniss loved bow and arrows, set snares and hunted to provide food for their family’s table. It was also said that Isaac set snares while Feyre hunted with her arrows. I couldn’t help but laugh at this! Feyre and Isaac were the dollar tree version of Katniss and Gale.

Synopsis: Nineteen year old Feyre has been hunting for years to feed the mouths of her family. One day she brings back a wolf from her hunt. Little did she know that this wolf was a friend to a dangerous and powerful Fae. Demanding retribution for his dead friend, Feyre is dragged into Prythian, the land of the Fae. Over time Feyre comes to love her captor, Tamlin and is willing to do anything for him. Her love is soon put on a test as a deadly enemy arises.

 “‘My father once told me that I should let my sister imagine a better life- a better world. And I told him that there was no such thing.’ [...] ‘I never understood-because I couldn’t...couldn’t believe that it was even possible.’ I swallowed, lowering my hand. ‘Until now.’ 
His throat bobbed. His kiss that time was deep and thorough, unhurried and intent. [...] It was the happiest moment of my life” (Maas 230). 

What I didn’t like about this book:

• Feyre: I could not stand her stubbornness at times. At page 185-190, she irritated me so much that I had to put down my book for a few minutes and fume. Tamlin told Feyre to stay inside the house yet she insisted on leaving it and going against his warnings. Spoilers: This was incredibly stupid. Who did she think she was? She was entering a party filled with Faeries that would shred her neck in a matter of seconds if they saw her. Her stubbornness was too much! Why was it so hard to listen to Tamlin and Lucien? All she is doing is putting Tamlin and Lucien in compromising positions where they have to come and save her.
• Not much Action: This book lacked action and that is the main reason why I am only giving this book 4.5 stars out of 5. I love romance as much as the next person but not if it's the only thing happening in the first 300 pages of a book. I like my books with fantasy action with only a hint of romance. Spoilers: Even after she was taken captive by Amarantha, there was only action during the trials, which didn’t last too long.
• Rhysand: Spoilers: Ok I know this will probably change since I know Feyre will end up with him, I did not like him. Besides I really ship Feyre and Tamlin!!! Why does Sarah J Maas always switch the main love interests all the time? First Throne of Glass and now this. Rhysand made for a nice villain and I have a love-hate relationship with him. I love his villain side but I do not like him with Feyre. At least not yet. Maybe my opinion will change in the second book.
• The Second-hand embarrassment: The second-hand embarrassment from this book was so real that I had to put my book down and stare at the wall for minutes. I literally could not continue reading after these scenes (Spoilers):

1. When Rhysand went into her mind and spilled her thoughts
2. When Rhysand made her drink the Faerie wine and entertain the court by dirty dancing

What I did like:

“Because loving Tamlin was the only thing I had left, the only thing I couldn’t sacrifice” (Maas 401). 

• Beauty and the Beast: Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale ever! It’s also my third favorite Disney movie of all time! So maybe I’m a little biased when I say I loved the main plot of this story. I really liked seeing the similarities between ACOTAR and the original Beauty and the Beast. However, at the same time, this book was vastly different from the fairytale and had original aspects that made me really like this book! 

At the beginning I was confused as to why Tamlin was being so nice to Feyre and allowing her to stay at his house when she killed his friend but at the end it all made sense.

• The Trials: I loved the first trial! It was the only action in this entire book and it was written well. The worm scene put me on edge and I couldn’t put my book down!

• Tamlin: While I wished that he were a bit meaner and more beasty just like the original Beauty and the Beast story, where he turns nice only after Belle changes his heart,  I still loved Tamlin. I ship him and Feyre a lot! Spoiler: Stupid Rhysand...why do you have to come in and ruin this ship?!

“He smiled at me still, broadly and without restraint or hesitation. Isaac had never smiled at me like that. Isaac had never made my breath catch, just a little bit.”

“A Court of Thorn and Roses” by Sarah J Maas is a really good book! I would highly recommend ACOTAR for Beauty and the Beast lovers! I’m excited to see what ACOMAF, the second book, brings!