A review by storyorc
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

relaxing 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? No

3.0

Good escapist fantasy. The amount of waiting around in ignorance gets old but the last act pumps the stakes right up and we get to see the protagonist seize the reigns for a finale with some kick.

The fairy men (sorry, males...) are very pretty and protective and sometimes even funny. The High Fae are a little too close to rich, noble humans for my taste but they get a few cool moments of otherworldliness. It's usually the 'lesser fae' who get those fairytale-style esoteric rules and abilities that are so interesting though; High Fae abilities operate more like superpowers.

While most of the book sits comfortably in the formulaic wish-fulfilment zone (not necessarily a bad thing), there are two things that elevate it. First, the callous stepsister-type character, Nesta, is treated to some nuance that prevents her from just being one more abuser in Feyre's tragic backstory. Second, I've never read a romance that
switches love interests
in the last act! It's like the author realised Tamlin is boring but instead of editing in a personality just
introduced a hotter, edgier version
. The result is an interruption to the formula that has something to say about how
the right person for you in one phase of life may not be the right person forever
. This is what rescues it from a worse than average rating for the insanely detailed and stupid deals the main villain makes.

Finally, if Lucien has no fans, I am dead. My boy got
treated like a chew toy
in the last act and for WHAT. He wasn't even
following a cool, secret plan like Rhysand, just loyalty and desperation
. And he didn't demand a
permanent body mod, lapdance, or soul bond
like someone for his help either.
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