I have my first book review for you today, and it is on A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas. As you can probably tell from my Christmas Book Haul, I am a huge fan of retellings and dystopian novels, I literally engulf them! A Court Of Thorns and Roses is the first book to the newest trilogy written by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Sarah J. Maas.
I am a huge fan of Maas! Her writing is enthralling and her plotlines are so unique and original. Maas has an amazing understanding of people and it really shines through in her characters. Every little word and action has a purpose, which just makes the story even more captivating.
What is ACOTAR about?
"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever."
ACOTAR is a loosely based twist to the fairy tale, Beauty and The Beast. Feyre lives in a small village where the people fear what is beyond 'the wall'. Legend has it that faeries, magical creatures and tormentors, roam. Humans and Faeries once coexisted, but now Faeries are feared due to their magic and sometimes violent behaviours. All were taught to fear and run from these faeries, but Feyre's fate doesn't allow her to run from them, she must follow and obey. After killing a faerie to feed her family, Feyre must sacrifice herself to save her family. What lies beyond the wall, Feyre does not know, but will soon find out.
Tamlin, Feyre's capturer, is the High Lord (ruler) of the Spring Court. Bathing in wealth, weaponry and magic, Feyre attempts to take it all in. She doesn't understand their lives, or why she has not yet been slaughtered. Both Tamlin and Feyre are curious, however they both are reluctant to speak. Feyre wonders if this could be the new life she's always hoped for, that is until an evil force darkens every corner of Pyrthian and she learns that she is the only one that can of save Pyrthian.
What did I liked?
I really liked this book overall, but here are the main things I loved:
I loved the magic in this book, the reader could almost feel the power emulating from the pages. The way in which Maas described the magic, and the characters, made it feel as though this power was a combination of the visible and mental strength in the characters.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever."
ACOTAR is a loosely based twist to the fairy tale, Beauty and The Beast. Feyre lives in a small village where the people fear what is beyond 'the wall'. Legend has it that faeries, magical creatures and tormentors, roam. Humans and Faeries once coexisted, but now Faeries are feared due to their magic and sometimes violent behaviours. All were taught to fear and run from these faeries, but Feyre's fate doesn't allow her to run from them, she must follow and obey. After killing a faerie to feed her family, Feyre must sacrifice herself to save her family. What lies beyond the wall, Feyre does not know, but will soon find out.
Tamlin, Feyre's capturer, is the High Lord (ruler) of the Spring Court. Bathing in wealth, weaponry and magic, Feyre attempts to take it all in. She doesn't understand their lives, or why she has not yet been slaughtered. Both Tamlin and Feyre are curious, however they both are reluctant to speak. Feyre wonders if this could be the new life she's always hoped for, that is until an evil force darkens every corner of Pyrthian and she learns that she is the only one that can of save Pyrthian.
What did I liked?
I really liked this book overall, but here are the main things I loved:
I loved the magic in this book, the reader could almost feel the power emulating from the pages. The way in which Maas described the magic, and the characters, made it feel as though this power was a combination of the visible and mental strength in the characters.
Prythian's lands, traditions, events and history were so perfectly thought out and executed that I felt at home there, never mind the main character! The whole world was so beautifully developed that it was easy to believe in the creature and the parts of history we are told. Can I just move here and be a fae please?!
I'm a sucker for a strong protagonist, especially when they're badass and sassy like Feyre. Feyre spent the majority of her life looking after others and being the strong, dependable one. She hunted so that they could eat, and always gave up the last bit of her money to one of her sisters so that they could purchase something, instead of buying herself something she would love, like paint. When Tamlin came to kill her, she stood up and accepted her fate, asking only of him to kill her outside and not in front of her family. And don't even get me started on how she manage living with not only people she didn't know, but also people she was taught to fear and detest. The girl has balls, and big ones at that!
The thunderous twist Maas gave to Beauty and The Beast. We all know the story of Beauty and the Beast, and Maas manages to keep this tale intertwined but with such a twist and sense of maturity. She transformed the simple fairy tale into something more, and as Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairy tale, I loved that she gave me more to a story I've always adored. It's like she filled a missing piece!
What didn't I like?
As much as I loved this book, I felt it didn't leave me wanting more. I wasn't anticipating the next book to the trilogy because the story felt done to me. Not really a quality I like when it comes to a series.
Would I recommend?
Can you guess? Of course I would! Like I said in my Christmas Book Haul, if it is Disney or retelling related, I am in! The whole novel was engulfing and I am infatuated with the world of Pyrthian.
Seriously, you guys need this book in your lives. I would give it a 4/5!
I hope you guys liked this review!
-Rachel x
Unfortunately I don't read books but I did a google of the book and it appears they might be bringing out a movie about the book. If it does come out, I will definitely see it.
ReplyDeletePS, is that your tattoo, if it is, it looks nice and it is used nicely with the book cover so show it off more :)