A Court of Thorns and Roses by 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.

Paperback, 419 pages

Published June 2, 2015

 by Bloomsbury Publishing

4.5/5 stars

Full disclosure - this was my 4th time reading this book and I honestly can't tell why I never sat down and wrote a proper review before now. Better late than never I guess! I picked it up again to refresh my memory as I work my way through the rest of the series, determined to finish before book six arrives this fall.

This was one of my first forays into fantasy,  what really drew me in originally was the Beauty and the Beast retelling at its heart. Though I will say that it is so much more than that. The world building is intricate and impressive and on this reread I found myself rediscovering details I had completely forgotten.

At the centre is Feyre, a 19 year old who had to grow up too fast and has spent most of her young life taking care of her family even when they didn't appreciate it. She is a character easy to root for. The Spring Court is nicely rendered and the tension that builds between Feyre and Tamlin makes for a compelling read.

The ending is suspenseful and full of tension, introducing new characters while setting up what promises to be a very different journey for Feyre in the next book. Let's just say the girl who entered the Spring Court is not the same and what lies ahead for her is going to test everything she's made of.

I am not counting this as part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge since it is a reread.  I've already reread book 2 and hoping to start 3 shortly.   Kinda like Diana Gabaldon, each book does grow a little more in size.

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

FEYRE WILL BRING VENGEANCE.

She has left the Night Court - and her High Lord - and is playing a deadly game of deceit. In the Spring Court, Tamlin is making deals with the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees, and Feyre is determined to uncover his plans. But to do so she must weave a web of lies, and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As mighty armies grapple for power, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords - and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

BUT WHILE WAR RAGES, IT IS HER HEART THAT WILL FACE THE GREATEST BATTLE.

Paperback, 705 pages

Published May 2, 2017

 by Bloomsbury Publishing

5/5 stars

Book 3 in the ACOTAR series lived up to everything I expected. Continuing right where Book 2 left off Feyre is on a mission of revenge and ending a war before it starts. But she isn't on her own.

I enjoyed book 1 in this series and loved book 2 - that ending!!  This one I loved as I got to know the characters and their history better. While the first half was somewhat slower paced but after that I struggled to put it down. A hybrid read for me, I was totally absorbed in the story. It was action packed, emotional and had so many layers.  The world building is intricate and layered.  

I can't wait to read A Court of Frost and Starlight next, thankfully a novella sized book.

I am still a YA fantasy newbie, this series sure has set the bar high.

This book was part of my 2024 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Tell me what you see.

A world divided in two.

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court but at a steep cost. 

Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future and the future of a world torn apart.

"#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sarah J. Maas expands Feyre s world beyond even her wildest imagination in this seductive and stunning sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses."

Paperback, 656 pages

Published May 2nd 2017

by Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books

5/5 stars

Though I've usually shied away from fantasy reads this series has grabbed my attention, especially when listed as a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Book 2 in the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, continued right where book 1 left off. I found this book to be more action packed as more characters are introduced, more relationships developed and more of the past was revealed. Basically a lot more going on, but not in an overpowering way. 

Going the audiobook route was a great decision for me, while coming in at 24 hours in length with Jennifer Ikeda doing another great job narrating, the time flew by. The story was intricate, captivating and for this newbie fantasy reader the fantastical parts not overwhelming.

The ending was surprising and I loved it, not at all what I expected.  It has me anxious for the next book, A Court of Wings & Ruin, and trying to decide which reading route to go.

This book was part of my 2021 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#34).

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

Paperback, 416 pages

 Published May 5th 2015

by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

****

This year I am challenging myself in many areas, with my reading I am stepping out of my comfort zone with genres I usually steer away from. YA fantasy is one such genre. When a reader friend raved about this series I knew it was where to start.

Feyre is a teen who supports her family or make that takes care of them, they fell from the high life and must fend for themselves. It’s a mistake that changes everything for Feyre. It’s a world divided between human and almost fairy talish (I think I made that word up). Some aspects reminded me of Beauty and the Beast.

I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable, though I didn’t always like them. The plot complex and intriguing. I was right in the setting with all the mystical and fantasy elements.

Yea I will continue with this series, maybe not right away, the next book A Court of Mist and Fury comes in at 626 pages (over 200 pages more then Thorns and Roses).

Book from my personal library and part of my Read TBR challenge.