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

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The sexy, action-packed first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series from Sarah J. Maas.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Book Review

After finishing Throne of Glass, I wasn’t sure if Sarah J. Maas could top it. But after finally picking up A Court of Thorns and Roses, I can confidently say I was completely wrong—I’m officially a Sarah J. Maas fan.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book in the popular ACOTAR series and a reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. It follows Feyre, a young huntress trying to keep her family afloat. When she kills a wolf in the woods, she’s taken to the magical land of Prythian as punishment. Her new reality becomes more complicated as she uncovers the world of the fae and the secrets it holds.

One of the things I love most about this book is the characters. Feyre is such a brave and determined main character—flaws and all. I truly enjoyed seeing her grow and evolve throughout the story. She’s resilient, curious, and fiercely protective of the people she cares about, which makes her a really captivating heroine to root for.

On the other hand, Tamlin was a bit more complex for me. I enjoyed his character at the beginning of the story, but that definitely faded as the book went on. He starts off intriguing, but by the end, I found him less interesting than some of the other characters—and that’s purely based on his personality and the choices he makes.

Lucien and Rhysand are characters who both immediately caught my attention. They’re incredibly intriguing, and I’m so excited to learn more about them as the series continues. One of the things I really appreciate about the ACOTAR series is how distinct each character feels and how their individual relationships with Feyre develop over the course of the story. Who knows what will happen!!

Another highlight of A Court of Thorns and Roses is the plot! The story combines fantasy, romance, and adventure in a way that kept me completely hooked. There’s plenty of action, suspense, and emotional moments, which made it very easy to keep turning the pages.

I also have to mention Sarah J. Maas’s writing style. Her storytelling is vivid and immersive, making the world of Prythian feel incredibly real. The descriptions are rich without feeling overwhelming, and the pacing kept me fully engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, A Court of Thorns and Roses was a fantastic read, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up! A special thanks to my cousin for convincing me to give it a try. If you’re into fantasy romance, fae worlds, and character-driven stories, this book is definitely worth adding to your TBR! I’m genuinely excited to continue the ACOTAR series and see where Feyre’s journey takes her next.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)

How to Read the ACOTAR Books in Order

If you’re new to the series or wondering where this book fits in the story, check out my complete guide on how to read the A Court of Thorns and Roses books in order.

You can also explore my thoughts on the rest of the series here:

About Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is the prolific, #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City series, which have sold more than 70 million copies in English worldwide and are published in thirty-eight languages. Maas is one of the most successful authors of the modern era, generating a far-reaching and ever-growing fanbase of readers, as well as a TikTok phenomenon, with the hashtag for her A Court of Thorns and Roses series having several billion views.

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