A Court of Thorns and Roses

This book, with its magic, fairytale roots, and steamy hot romance, deserves ALL of the stars. I loved it!Here are the five reasons why I gave A Court of Thorns and Roses 5 out of 5 stars (and then some):★ FAIRYTALE RETELLINGI was a little wary of this story when I discovered that it was a fairytale retelling. I love the story of Beauty and the Beast. Growing up, I watched the Disney version all of the time (but not as much as I watched Pocahontas). However, in the past I have struggled to find enjoyment in Beauty and the Beast retellings. Particularly Beastly by Alex Flinn -- I did not enjoy the book or the movie.I think I was worried that A Court of Thorns and Roses wouldn't feel original, but it was the complete opposite. Maas has written an incredibly unique story that is grounded in the fairytale we all know and love, but is also independent and utter creative genius (Maas is definitely honing and owning her writing skills!). Yes, there is a curse, and magic, and a love story. But there is also dark magic, and steamy romance (and I do mean steamy!), and blood and gore, and court drama -- basically, all of my favorite things wrapped up in one neat, rose-colored bow.There were some twists on the original story of Beauty and the Beast that I really enjoyed. For example, in the original story, the residents/servants of the Beast's home are cursed and transformed into household items. However in ACOTAR, rather than being transformed into household items, Maas' cursed characters must wear masquerade masks, and have done so for 50 years since the curse was placed on the night of a masquerade party. I also appreciated that, though Tamlin was a beast, that quality did not factor into the curse that was placed on him. Rather, as a Fae, he has the power of shape-shifting, and takes the form of a beast (usually when fighting). So, throughout most of the book, Tamlin is portrayed as a glorious, chiseled, man of steel. Some readers believe that the fact that Tamlin is gorgeous retracts from the Beauty and the "Beast" story line. However, no one writes hot male love interests like Sarah J. Maas, so I am not complaining about Tamlin at all.Overall, I found that I loved the fairytale background of this story more than anything. I enjoyed drawing comparisons between Maas' story and characters, and the story I grew up with. Maas' world is so intriguing, engrossing you from the very beginning and never letting you go.★ GENREWhile we know that ACOTAR is a fairytale retelling, that is not to say that it is a children's book. I went into this book thinking that it was Young Adult. However, there is a particular scene that takes place after the Great Rite on Fire Night (such a good scene, by the way -- just wait for it) that made me take a step back and think "Whoa! This is way too sexy and erotic for Young Adult literature."Looking back at Goodreads, I found that the book was listed as Young Adult and New Adult. But, I would personally classify this book as New Adult. Having read many New Adult novels, I found that the sex rating for ACOTAR resonates with that of a New Adult novel. I think that there is a lot of confusion about the genre of this book because we all know Sarah J. Maas as a Young Adult author. I personally have no problem with this genre. However, for parents who are giving this book to their young children, or for those readers who don't enjoy sex scenes in their books -- you have been warned.I love the New Adult genre, and discovering that ACOTAR fell into that genre made me love it even more. I appreciate the more mature content, and that the characters are closer to my age (Feyre is 19). And, hey, I appreciate the sexy times, too. (There is no shame in my game... Because, who am I kidding? I have no game.) I had also never read a New Adult Fantasy before, so I was glad to be exploring new territory.I'm absolutely impressed with Maas as a writer. She is not afraid to be different, to venture out to new places. I love that she is entering this new genre, and look forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve for the future.★ FEYRE, THE PROTAGONISTWhen I started reading ACOTAR, I was sure Maas was going to give us another Celaena Sardothien: a badass girl who is nearly invincible, yet lovable and cool. However, Feye (pronounced Fay-ruh) is so different from other fantasy protagonists I have read, because she is so unapologetically human. She is normal, and she is flawed, and I found that I could easily relate to her character. Feyre is unlike the female protagonists we are accustomed to. She is no fighter, not outstandingly gorgeous, and she is also illiterate (a shortcoming that embarrasses her to not end).In the beginning, Feyre is not very likable. She is cold, harsh, stubborn, and hard-headed. But, readers begin to see how her situation of poverty has shaped her to be that way. Once at the Spring Court, where she is no longer burdened with the responsibility of taking care of her father and two sisters (all of whom are ungrateful of her efforts to keep them alive), the ice in her heart begins to melt as she lives in comfort and takes up her passion for painting. Readers witness her character develop as she begins to rediscover happiness and life's simple pleasures. Feyre easily becomes a character you can't help but root for and love.★ TAMLIN & AN IMPENDING LOVE TRIANGLESince we have discussed Feyre, I believe that it is only appropriate to take a glance at her love interest: Tamlin.Tamlin is a bae Fae warrior, with magical abilities. He is also gorgeous, kind-hearted, and strong. And, he places Feyre's happiness and well-being above all else. But, he is not perfect. He is flawed, haunted by his family's past, by his own mistakes, and the lives he has taken. But, through all of that, he still strives to do and be good.However, I admit that while I love Tamlin, I am worried that Maas has a love triangle in the works for Book 2 of ACOTAR.Because Rhysand.Rhys, a sexy, dangerous Fae, is a force of nature who seeks to dig his claws (or rather, talons) into Feyre. And, I can't say that I hate him. I actually like his character, although we witness him do some terrible things (even to Feyre). He seems edgy, fun, and is incredibly witty. (Maas does this thing where she makes you fall in love with all of her characters, even the morally ambiguous ones.) While Tamlin is all gorgeous and good, Rhys has that hot-but-tragic thing going for him.I am already struggling with the love square Maas has going on in the Throne of Glass series (between Celaena and her three love interests -- Chaol, Dorian, and Rowan). I don't think that I will be able to handle the emotional roller coaster of another of her love triangles. But, I think that as long as no one else is introduced, as long as this does not move into the quadrilateral stage, everything will be fine.★ SUPPORTING CHARACTERSWhile Maas' main characters are at the center of attention, her supporting characters keep this book afloat. With less focus and fewer appearances, Maas' supporting characters still manage to steal our hearts and the show.First, there is Lucien, the red-haired, one-eyed Fae who is Tamlin's best friend. He is initially rude to Feyre, but eventually warms up to her. They easily develop a sort of big-brother-little-sister relationship. I would consider Lucien to be the story's comic relief. He is humorous and sarcastic and I adore his character.There is also Amarantha, the story's evil villainess. She is a Fae ruler who has a particular hatred for humans, which is not good for Feyre. She is cold, calculating, and cruel. But she has a backstory (all the best villains have backstories). And, I don't want to spoil you all, so I will just say that, when you learn her backstory, you realize why Amarantha is so harsh and unforgiving. Although, while I can sympathize with her on some level, I find her evil ways to be too much at times. However, I still find her to be an interesting, well-written character.And of course, there is Rhysand, whom I mentioned earlier. He is incredibly important to the story of Book 1, and will have an even larger presence in Book 2. I cannot wait to learn more about his character, because he is so enigmatic and intriguing and I just know that I am going to love him.HONORABLE MENTIONSMaas' WritingI believe that ACOTAR is Maas' at her best. As I stated earlier, we are definitely seeing Maas hone and perfect her skill -- each book she releases is always better than the last. What I liked most about Maas' writing in ACOTAR was her use of first person. Throne of Glass is written in third person, and with changing character perspectives. I find that I can tend to get bored with certain characters. But, with ACOTAR, told from Feyre's perspective, I felt engaged throughout the entire book.Faerie WorldI literally want to live in Prythian, in the world of the Fae that exists beyond The Wall (just without all of the drama). Maas depicts the Spring Court so beautifully and vividly. It seems like a literal heaven on earth.Other than the beauty of the Fae world, there are the parties and festivities. I mentioned Fire Night and the Great Rite earlier, two very interesting festivities held in the Fae world. And then there are parties and gatherings celebrating the seasons, such as Summer Solstice and Midsummer. It is all so fantastical and fun, readers are just dying to step into the pages.***There is not much else I can say about A Court of Thorns and Roses. I LOVED this book! I have no idea how I am going to wait an entire year for the sequel. It's going to be excruciating, but I am sure that it is going to worth it. Because Sarah J. Maas is a fabulous queen of writing, and every word she writes turns to gold.

I was completely swept away by Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Thorns and Roses." From the opening pages, I was immersed in the richly imagined world of the fae and the gripping story of Feyre, a brave and resourceful heroine.Feyre's journey from a tough huntress in the human realm to her unwilling entry into the dangerous faerie lands is thrilling and suspenseful. The author does an excellent job of slowly revealing the complex and layered world of the faeries, with its ancient feuds, shifting alliances, and hidden powers.What really makes this book shine is the character development. Feyre is a complex and relatable protagonist - tough and pragmatic on the outside, but with a well of emotion and vulnerability underneath. Her growing relationship with the enigmatic faerie lord Tamlin is by turns hostile, wary, and ultimately sizzling with chemistry.The world-building is simply stunning, with vivid descriptions that bring the faerie realm and its inhabitants to life. From the lush Spring Court to the sinister Weaver's lair, every setting is richly imagined and integral to the story.While the book starts a bit slow, it builds to an action-packed and emotionally charged climax that left me eager for the next installment. If you love fantasy romance with a strong heroine, a brooding hero, and a dash of danger, you'll be utterly enchanted by "A Court of Thorns and Roses." I can't wait to see what happens next!

: http://www.sarcasmandlemons.com/2015/06/review-court-of-thorns-and-roses-by.htmlin shortIt seemed fitting to post my review of ACOTAR during Something Strange and Deadly week, given that Sarah and Sue are uber-besties. I will preface by saying: I have a huge blind spot when it comes to Sarah Maas. There were bits of this book that might have bugged me more if it had been another author. That said, ACOTAR stands solidly on its own. It's older than Throne of Glass, more mature, but without traipsing into drug store romance territory. The whole atmosphere is ridiculous with magic and fairy gorgeousness. You enter the world and immediately are steeped in its legends. You meet Feyre, a sharp-tongued badass who taught herself archery to feed her family. She's a firebrand and I love her. One wrong move has her whisked away to faerie-land to live with Tamlin, sizzlingly handsome faerie Lord and certified mental eye-candy. The relationship between them heats up slowly and burns bright. But there's a darkness as well, a plot that threatens both of their worlds. I wish that the evil part of the plot had been more prominent and taken up more space; I also found the ending turn a little eye-rolly. However, I still gobbled it up. ACOTAR transported me as a good fantasy should, and left me impatient for more.in depthin this loose beauty and the beast retelling,Meet Feyre. Once a gentlewoman until her family's fortune was lost, she now lives with her father and two sisters in a quaint cottage. She's the definition of fierce. With her father a self-made invalid, her proud and idle sister Nesta, and her naive and lazy sister Elain, she's the family's sole hope. She's scrabbled her way from starvation to survival, teaching herself to use a bow, to trade, to adapt. So she's smart enough to recognize a fae when she sees one, and to kill it. In a twist on the original tale, it's Feyre whose crime has brought doom, and she is given a choice: death, or life in the faerie realm, away from all she's ever known. Obviously, she chooses the non-dead version. She's brought to a magical castle where the Beast's curse is reimagined: masks that can never be removed, and a sickness in his magic.there are hearts at stake,It's a little less obvious why Tamlin might need a girl than the Beast, but stick with it. You'll be rewarded with a sweet, slow-moving romance. I'll admit: I found Tamlin a little boring. He's broody, tortured, and has some magical rage issues that beg a nuanced dialogue around healthy relationships. I preferred Lucien, who's witty and petulant. But in the end, I came to appreciate Tamlin's kind and gentle nature. His romance with Feyre is built on a rocky beginning; she hates and fears him, and longs for escape. But of course, they come to know each other more deeply, to appreciate each other's quirks and passions. I'd have liked more conversations between them, but we do get plenty of steaminess. And I'll say it: I usually find sex scenes laughable, but Maas avoids ridiculous euphemisms and actually gives her steamy scenes some emotional power. In other news, I'm hoping that the Rhys thing doesn't become a triangle thing, because unbalanced power dynamics aren't sexy.but also the fate of a magical world.Alas, the lovers cannot be in peace, for there is a curse upon the Courts of the faerie land. Magic is becoming weaker and more unpredictable. Dangerous creatures lurk beyond their borders, creatures that feed on fear and soul. It soon becomes clear that the land is being corrupted from within--and its collapse could mean devastation for mankind. Feyre isn't complacent. She's reckless, for sure, but she's determined to find out what Tamlin can't tell her. Along the way she meets Rhys, a seductively wicked fae lord who may be her aid--for a price. Her curiosity leads her into a twisted game of intrigue, revenge, and evil. It's a thrilling mystery that kept me on my toes. It all leads up to a do-or-die moment, when Feyre must show her own power and become a savior.there are a few instances of flimsiness.I did have my issues. ACOTAR didn't feel as tightly plotted as Throne of Glass. Some of the character motivations seemed flimsy. There were also few positive female characters--at least not any who stuck around for more than a few pages. I really wanted more of Nesta and Elain, particularly as Nesta was so dynamic across the plot. The villain, in particular, came off flat. Not to mention a couple moments of victim blaming that made me squirmy. But my main disappointment was with the trials Fayre faces to save Tamlin. They were so freaking cool, but they came towards the end of the book. As a result, they felt rushed and I felt skeptical that so much had been accomplished so soon. Fayre does have a habit of doing crazy things that should probably kill her. But maybe the most frown-worthy part involved a riddle. I guessed the answer within the first two lines, so the final reveal was more meh than gasp-worthy.even so, sharp and atmospherically written,Despite these missteps, ACOTAR is a fabulous example of craft. Maas' writing has always had a fairy tale quality to it; that's used to advantage here, where everything she describes seems extra mystical and chilling. She's concocted a fabulous fantasy world. Her fae are old gods, held back from ruling humanity only by an ancient treaty. They live within seven courts--such as Dawn, Summer, and Night--that tensely coexist. For some reason, I really geeked out about the courts. It felt like a detail ripped from Grimm, but all Maas. This is also a dangerous world, and I would have liked to see more of it. There are nightmare creatures who lure you in with their seductive telepathy, goblins and ghouls, man-eating monsters who foretell the future. It's a fairy land with a deliciously dark edge.it's the new adult we've all craved and deserved.I usually avoid new adult. I have it on good faith that they're all much the same. College girl meets boy. Hatred. Brooding. Sexy times. OMGLOVERAINBOWS. It's just stupid. But many adult books deal with marriage and kids, things I can't yet relate to. So it's about freaking time that new adult diversified, just as young adult has done. With ACOTAR, you get all the steam and romance, but you also get an exciting adventure story. I can only hope that Maas' success will pave the way for other NA with actual plots.in a sentenceA Court of Thorns and Roses is a fairy tale with the volume turned up: more dangerous, more romantic, more seductive. It's yet another example of Maas' enthralling imagination. Read more

This series is the best I have ever read! It grabs your attention and the author describes in such detail, you can see everything in your minds eye! An exceptional writer and a luscious story!

Amei esse livro, a entrega foi em 3 dias e chegou perfeito

No podía dejar de leer! Si te gusta HP, este te va a encantar. Fantasía más amor en un solo libro.

A love the characters, the tension between them an how the world is described. Read it in two days and can’t wait to read the rest of this saga

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is a captivating romantasy novel that sweeps readers into. a richly imagined world faeries, romance, and high-stakes intrigue. Feyre, a human huntress, is whisked away to Prythian, a faerie realm filled with enchantment, danger and seriously hot faeries. Maas does an incredible job creating a lush, dark world, and mysterious lore. While the beginning may fell slow for some readers, the payoff is worth it, as Feyre's journey builds into a gripping adventure full of emotional twists and moral dilemmas. The characters are compelling, especially complex relationship Feyre forms with Tamlin and, later, the enigmatic Rhysand. This book is perfect for readers who love a blend of romance and fantasy, and Maas leaves just enough questions unanswered to make readers eager for the next book. Highly recommended for fans of magical, edgy fantasy with a romantic core. Loved this book, and I can't wait for many ACOTAR books to come.