Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

312 reviews

razzyreads's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Xenophobia, Murder, Classism

Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, War

the_crooked_neighbor's review against another edition

1.5

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Here's the thing- I hated this book. But I can't really point a finger at why exactly so I didn't give it a lower rating. The first half was extremely boring and the second half was extremely problematic. I think some of my dislike comes from osmosis ing through pop knowledge the next steps in Feyres romance. But regardless, had this not been a book I was reading for a friend, I would have DNFed it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization

kbrummund7's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

cozyykittyy's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

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Been on my TBR since 2020…don’t know why I didn’t pick it up sooner! This was such a fun story that I couldn’t get enough of. The pace was perfect — not too slow, not too fast — and I didn’t get bored. The enemies-to-lovers was also executed very well, and it was believable! Feyre’s conflicting emotions about falling in love with a faerie was perfect and said a lot about her character and the rift between fae and humans. The climax was well-done, each chapter leaving me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Can’t wait to start ACOMAF next!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Slavery

Minor: Vomit, Death of parent

Towards the end of the book when Feyre is Amarantha’s prisoner and after she makes a pact with Rhysand, she is repeatedly drugged by drinking faerie wine. She is forced to dance naked for all the fae to see as an embarrassment tactic. However, it is emphasized that Rhysand never touched Feyre anywhere besides her waist, and never let anybody else come close to her. There is not any graphic description of these events, but definitely can make some survivors uncomfortable.

louise_french_rider's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional 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: Complicated

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ACOTAR pulled me out of a massive reading slump—and for that alone, it deserves praise. But what really gripped me were the characters. I loved them all, even the ones I suspect I’m not “supposed” to. Feyre is fierce and flawed in all the right ways, and her bond with Tamlin had me completely invested. (Yes, I’m a proud Tamlin defender.) But if I had to pick a favorite? It’s Lucien. His loyalty, sarcasm, and hidden depth made every scene he was in stronger.

The plot was darker and more emotionally charged than I expected, and it hooked me fast. Maas builds a world that’s both enchanting and brutal, and she doesn’t shy away from consequences. This isn’t just a fantasy romance—it’s a story about sacrifice, survival, and hard choices.

I’m in. Fully. This series has my focus now.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder

Moderate: Body horror, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Slavery

owlly17's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

elaine_fdes's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Introduction (Basic Info and Summary)

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy Romance / New Adult Fantasy

Series: First in the ACOTAR series

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a lush, romantic fantasy that blends elements of a Beauty and the Beast retelling with fae mythology and political intrigue. The story follows Feyre Archeron, a mortal huntress whose life changes forever when she kills a wolf in the woods and is taken across the wall into the land of the fae as punishment. What starts as a slow-burn romance soon unravels into a darker tale of curses, manipulation, and survival, set in a richly imagined world of courts, magic, and ancient threats.

Initial Impressions

TikTok made me buy this entire series—and while I was hesitant at first (especially midway through book one), I’m glad I stuck with it. This was my first fantasy series since reading Harry Potter as a kid, and as a reader in my 30s, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The physical copy from my library drew me in with its beautiful cover, and by the end, I found myself emotionally invested. It has flaws, but the escapism it provides is undeniable.

Writing Style + Plot & Conflict + Characters

Sarah J. Maas writes in a lyrical, accessible style through Feyre’s first-person POV. The worldbuilding is immersive, though early chapters can feel repetitive or meandering. The pacing fluctuates—slower in the first half and rapid toward the end. The plot is straightforward with some familiar fantasy-romance tropes, but there’s just enough mystery to keep you intrigued.

Feyre is a determined lead, though her decision-making can be frustrating. Tamlin, the love interest, starts off compelling but ultimately feels flat. Lucien adds flavor with his sarcasm, and Rhysand—though a side character here—steals the spotlight whenever he appears. The antagonist, Amarantha, lacks depth and feels more like a plot device than a fully realized villain.

Themes, Symbolisms, Trigger Warnings

Themes include love vs. duty, survival, power dynamics, and freedom vs. control. Symbolism tied to masks, courts, and Feyre’s trials adds depth, though some themes are more developed in later books.

Trigger Warnings (Moderate): Emotional abuse, physical violence, captivity, torture, implied sexual assault, and toxic relationships.

Strengths

• Immersive worldbuilding and detailed faerie lore
• Romantic tension and slow-burn development
• Strong visual and atmospheric writing
• Memorable secondary characters (Lucien and Rhysand)
• Exciting, high-stakes final act

Weaknesses

• Uneven pacing, especially in the first half
• Underdeveloped villain
• Predictable plot (especially if familiar with the Beauty and the Beast structure)
• Tamlin’s characterization lacks complexity
• Frustrating character decisions from Feyre at key moments

Personal Reflections & Takeaways

Despite some early regrets about buying the full series before reading book one, I’m genuinely glad I continued. This book didn’t blow me away, but it gave me just enough magic, mystery, and romance to keep going. As a returning fantasy reader, it reminded me of how much I missed escaping into another world. It’s not perfect—but it’s addicting, and I see why it has such a huge fanbase.

Recommendations + Who Best For + Skip If
Recommended for: Fantasy romance fans, new adult readers, those looking for an accessible re-entry into the fantasy genre.
Skip if: You dislike slow pacing, fae lore, or predictable retellings.

Rating: 3.75 / 5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting

Although the book introduces Rhysand late in the story, he plays a critical role in future installments—this book is just the tip of the iceberg. Keep going.

latsin's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark tense fast-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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood

Moderate: Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

mary_berry_'s review against another edition

1.0

adventurous slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Literally hated this book so much, started it four years ago and I just now finished it because I was so bored I didn’t want to pick it up again. I have the second book, will I read it? Maybe? Honestly idk if I wanna put myself through that again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Blood, Classism

Moderate: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

jorose's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail