Book Review: Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I’ll start by saying that after a bad encounter with another acclaimed faerie trilogy, I had completely given up on the subject, convinced it wasn’t for me. That’s the same reason I put off reading Feyra’s story for months. For nothing.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The narrative thrusts you into a world of vivid imagery and compelling characters that refuse to let go.** This book introduces the reader to Prythian, a fairytale land divided into courts, each with its own supreme ruler, all spiced with political intrigue, power struggles, and immortals with extraordinary abilities.

The main character, Feyra, is a hunter. When she sees a deer in the forest being chased by a wolf, she decides to kill the predator, take the prey, and is happy to be able to feed herself and her family. Little does she know that her happiness will not last long, and soon a stranger will appear at her door, demanding a large payment for the murder committed by a simple human woman.

I made a promise I was used to keeping. Without that promise, I felt empty.

Sarah J. Maas writes well and has a concise style; I won’t say it’s easy, but it’s engaging. First of all, I liked the way the author captured and implemented the idea of Beauty and the Beast to make the story dark and sophisticated. All human emotions (anger, fear, desire, love, revenge, despair) are vividly described in this novel and always shown to the point, which is nothing short of delightful.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its intricate world-building. Prythian is a realm where every corner holds a new secret, and Maas’ descriptive prowess brings it all to life. As for the characters, they are extremely likeable. Feyra herself has no outstanding qualities, no stunning looks, no high intelligence, no bright charisma, in a word, nothing that could attract a representative of the high society of immortal faeries. But according to the classics of the genre, the girl is talented in manipulating men, even if she doesn’t realize it herself.

Tamlin was not my kind of character, although our relationship with him throughout the book was like a roller coaster ride of first liking him and then feeling disgust and contempt for him. He was probably supposed to make me sympathize with the endearing moments between him and Feyra, but something didn’t work. And after all the cards were laid bare, I lost interest in him altogether.

Lucien, Tamlin’s loyal friend, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. His backstory, filled with suffering and pain, offers depth and a tragic dimension that is both compelling and heartbreaking. I still have conflicting feelings about Lucien. He’s an interesting character with his own story full of suffering and pain, and that’s all I can say about him at the moment.

Rhysand is the most powerful Supreme Ruler of the Night Court that the history of Prythian has ever seen. He is incredibly handsome and at first seems arrogant, careless, and cold. However, this character captured my attention from his very first appearance, and I’m willing to bet that he will turn out to be the exact opposite of what he appears to be.

The romantic tension in the book is palpable and exquisitely drawn. Maas excels at building anticipation and delivering heartfelt moments that resonate deeply. I’ll tell you right away, the first few chapters may be difficult to get through, but after that, the story will pull you in. Sarah Maas’ world is beautiful and colorful, even with all the monsters and mysteries that you admire and fear at the same time.

In conclusion, ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ is a masterful blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. It challenges readers with its complex characters and morally gray dilemmas, making it a standout in the genre.