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slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Blood, Kidnapping, Classism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Gaslighting
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I truly didn't want to like this book, but I did. In fact, I was never bored. I was entertained, especially towards the end where it truly felt like I was watching a movie.
I was judgemental because it was recommended on booktok and also because I find magical creatures titled "High Fae" a bit tacky. But I managed to look past that, so that's something.
Positives:
The detail! The world building! I managed to imagine how everything/everyone looks. Things that happened early in the book will suddenly be mentioned in chapters waaay later, and still be relevant to the story. Being able to bring everything together like that shows true talent.
Negatives:
There were certainly things I didn't like, but I almost don't care. For instance it wasn't necessarily logical how fast Feyre got over deeply traumatic things. Everything she lived through would've given her severe PTSD, and yet she seems to get over it in three pages every time something bad happens. I don't believe for a minute thata woman would ever fall in love with someone who basically held them hostage and stole them away from their family, ESPECIALLY AFTER SHE FINDS OUT THAT HE HAS KILLED SO MANY WOMEN BEFORE HER TRYING TO SAVE HIS OWN ASS, LIKE WTF?! I can't tell you a single fact about who Tamlin is, what he likes and dislikes and stuff. He seems mediocre to me, but oh well. I was still entertained. Idk about you but that's not love, that's called delusion and desperation I hope Tamlin gets more interesting or that Feyre gets a new and more charming love interest . Another thing that bothered me was that SHE KILLED INNOCENT PEOPLE, WAS INVOLUNTARY GIVEN ETERNAL LIFE, and she forgot about that the moment sex with Tamlin was an option? Girl! Same thing after the confinement and torture at the party, like ... I don't believe that's realistic, but I guess people cope in different ways!
I was judgemental because it was recommended on booktok and also because I find magical creatures titled "High Fae" a bit tacky. But I managed to look past that, so that's something.
Positives:
The detail! The world building! I managed to imagine how everything/everyone looks. Things that happened early in the book will suddenly be mentioned in chapters waaay later, and still be relevant to the story. Being able to bring everything together like that shows true talent.
Negatives:
There were certainly things I didn't like, but I almost don't care. For instance it wasn't necessarily logical how fast Feyre got over deeply traumatic things. Everything she lived through would've given her severe PTSD, and yet she seems to get over it in three pages every time something bad happens. I don't believe for a minute that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Dementia
Minor: Gaslighting
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fresh Fae Adventure and Danger
I finally got to A Court of Thorns and Roses in my TBR pile, and it honored the hype. This is my first book by Sarah J. Maas, and she didn't disappoint. I had read the synopsis to my high school students over the years, so I was excited about the fantasy aspect plus learning more about the fae world, which I have limited experience with to date.
The story follows Feyre (Fay-ruh) as she struggles to survive in the human during a harsh winter with an unappreciative family who seems more of a burden than a blessing. Feyre makes the life-altering decision to kill one of the hated fae, and the consequences are more than she bargains for. She is forced to live with the fae forever, dragged there by Tamlin, a High Fae and lord of one of the courts. What follows is a look into this unknown world and the dangers it poses. As she gets used to living there for the rest of her life, Feyre begins to realize there is more the place than she originally thought. She also begins to realize that this world is in trouble from a ruthless enemy, and she may just the human to help them, if she can get past her bias to trust Tamlin.
Maas does a great job of depicting character complexities and developing relationships. She illustrates the fae world and exposes the readers to the nuances of this fantasy world. The action peppers in throughout the plot to create senses of dangers and novelty. The plot is exciting and satisfying with a diverse cast of characters. The activities under the mountain, and particularly the spectacular climax, are by far my favorite moments of the story. I chuckled at the witty banter, commiserated with Feyre's misery, cheered her on during the dangerous parts, and shook my fist at her enemies with venom in my veins.
What didn't work for me was the tight-lipped approach of Tamlin and his court. I have a hard time believing that this type of behavior would inspire trust in a guest. I also noticed that Feyre's development is murky and sometimes far-fetched. Having Feyre work through some of her personal growth in a more detailed, step-by-step manner may have helped us understand some of her choices.
Romantasy lovers must add ACOTAR to your TBR pile - you won't be disappointed. Fair warning that it contains some smut, though the level in this book is probably a 3 out of 10. If you like fantasy, action, adventure, strong female leads, and romance, give it a shot.
I finally got to A Court of Thorns and Roses in my TBR pile, and it honored the hype. This is my first book by Sarah J. Maas, and she didn't disappoint. I had read the synopsis to my high school students over the years, so I was excited about the fantasy aspect plus learning more about the fae world, which I have limited experience with to date.
The story follows Feyre (Fay-ruh) as she struggles to survive in the human during a harsh winter with an unappreciative family who seems more of a burden than a blessing. Feyre makes the life-altering decision to kill one of the hated fae, and the consequences are more than she bargains for. She is forced to live with the fae forever, dragged there by Tamlin, a High Fae and lord of one of the courts. What follows is a look into this unknown world and the dangers it poses. As she gets used to living there for the rest of her life, Feyre begins to realize there is more the place than she originally thought. She also begins to realize that this world is in trouble from a ruthless enemy, and she may just the human to help them, if she can get past her bias to trust Tamlin.
Maas does a great job of depicting character complexities and developing relationships. She illustrates the fae world and exposes the readers to the nuances of this fantasy world. The action peppers in throughout the plot to create senses of dangers and novelty. The plot is exciting and satisfying with a diverse cast of characters. The activities under the mountain, and particularly the spectacular climax, are by far my favorite moments of the story. I chuckled at the witty banter, commiserated with Feyre's misery, cheered her on during the dangerous parts, and shook my fist at her enemies with venom in my veins.
What didn't work for me was the tight-lipped approach of Tamlin and his court. I have a hard time believing that this type of behavior would inspire trust in a guest. I also noticed that Feyre's development is murky and sometimes far-fetched. Having Feyre work through some of her personal growth in a more detailed, step-by-step manner may have helped us understand some of her choices.
Romantasy lovers must add ACOTAR to your TBR pile - you won't be disappointed. Fair warning that it contains some smut, though the level in this book is probably a 3 out of 10. If you like fantasy, action, adventure, strong female leads, and romance, give it a shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Compared to the final half, the first half was slow, but immediately got my attention and got me out of my years long book slump. I had a fantastic time with this and can’t wait to continue the series.
I considered giving this 5 stars, but since I have high hopes that I’ll enjoy other books in the series even more than this one, I’m giving it 4.5.
I considered giving this 5 stars, but since I have high hopes that I’ll enjoy other books in the series even more than this one, I’m giving it 4.5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit
Minor: Animal death, Genocide, Sexual violence, Slavery, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. Not normally a fantasy reader but this kept me engrossed just to see what happens to Fayre and Tamblin
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ACOTAR is slow going at first, but it does get more exciting by the end. I was hooked during the last half!!! I'd still say I enjoyed Throne of Glass more, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Classism
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol