by Sarah J.Maas
- Fiction
- Fantasy
- Romance
This fantasy romance follows protagonist Fayre, a nineteen-year-old survivor who kills a large wolf in the woods near her home. When a terrifying creature arrives at her family’s door demanding retribution, her life drastically turns. She is thrust into a dangerous, magical, and mesmerising land she only knows from stories, myths, and legends.
Fayre, the main protagonist, begins as a young huntress, doing whatever she must to help her family escape their squalor. She is a strong, independent character who I found captivating from the start. However, in the middle of the book, her character undergoes a shift. For the strong hunter she has become, she makes a series of choices that could have been devastating, seeming more girly and squeamish. Thankfully, this girly persona quickly fades, and she returns to her formidable self later in the book.
Tamlin, the faerie beast that took her captive, is a gentlemanly warrior who transforms from beast to a fiery, passionate protector. His character is straightforward and perfect as it is, though he often gives the impression of withholding information. This adds a layer of mystery and complexity to his persona, making him even more intriguing.
Many other characters are worth mentioning, but as this is the first book, I don’t want to give too much away. Maybe we will talk about them in the next book.
I have always been a fan of Sarah J. Maas and her writing. After reading ‘The Assassin’s Blade’ series and hearing so much about this series, I couldn’t wait to dive in. Her writing style is somewhat descriptive but not overwhelmingly so. Her books are easy to read and quick, providing enough information to keep you engaged.
My initial thought as I began reading ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ was that it is very Beauty and the Beast-esque, heavily playing on Stockholm syndrome – a charming prince (or faerie) trapped in a curse only his ‘one true love’ can rescue him from. Although predictable in some places, almost following the fairy tale sequence, the protagonist made some surprising choices near the end, which isn’t what I expected, leaving me wondering where the series will develop.
The fantasy element of this book is intriguing, and the world itself sounds mystical, a perfect setting that resonated with me.
This series is known for one thing, and that is the romance, or SMUT as it’s come to be known, which is strong in its sexual themes. Although a fantasy, I would say the romance is foremost in this novel, aimed at women over 18, particularly those between 20-30.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories like Twilight, Beauty and the Beast, The Vampire Diaries, or Sarah J. Maas’ Crescent City or The Assassin’s Blade. If you enjoy an easy fantasy romance novel, this one is for you.
Although a little predictable and not my top favourite fiction novel, I am still interested to see how this series, its characters, and the romance develop over the next few books.
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