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A review by siesssie
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
3.0
1st read: 3 ⭐️
2nd read: 3.75 ⭐️
Rereading this book has made me appreciate it much more than I thought I would. I enjoyed it a lot more than I did during my initial read. I was surprised to realize how much of the plot I had forgotten. It was as close to experiencing it for the first time as one could get, and I’m a sucker for such occasions.
Before anything, I would like to share how tired I am of hearing this book being compared to Beauty and the Beast. I think it deprives readers of experiencing the story for what it is, free of external influences.
Now, let me start out by pointing that a lot of valid criticism has been thrown at this book that I agree with.
The dialogue is weak at times (if you’re going to write sex scenes, do them well or ask an author friend for help), the riddle was an insult to anyone who doesn’t have a smooth silky brain, the disrespect towards concept is blatant, certain plot inconsistencies, etc.
HOWEVER, and keeping in mind that having read this series once before I’m biased, this is still a good book.
The pace feels slow despite so many things happening, but I’ve learned to enjoy it. I completely understand that it’s just incredibly boring to some; certain parts definitely were for me too.
The biggest shock was how bland Feyre came across this time around in contrast to her iron will, yet it made perfect sense. From her youngest age, she has been destitute not just of social rank but of love, happiness, and color. She grew up bearing the responsibility of her family’s survival on her shoulders, and she’s the youngest of them all. Her mother was nasty for that promise and her overall motherhood. Rot in hell.
She’s traumatized from beginning to end, so excuse her if she’s not the brightest, most badass heroine from the get go. But let’s not forget she, a human, saved them all. No one can deny her strength and resilience. She survived as best she could, and I’ll never not defend her for it.
Let’s talk abuse.
Anyone who genuinely loves Tamlin, please take a good long dive in the cold waters of the Titanic. This man wrote the book on Stockholm syndrome, time after time he showed how violent and uncontrollable he is. Displaying fits of rage that were as explicit as destroying an entire room or as subdued as simply and repeatedly drawing out his claws. Feyre became desensitized to her fear, she learned to expect it, to accept it, to deem it as normal because she’s human and he’s a High Lord, an entirely different species. How else could such a powerful being release his rage, poor TamTam dealing with so much, yes, he suffers too, his pain is very valid but never an excuse for such behavior! Never acceptable! This is the trap of the syndrome, you feel bad for him because he’s not all bad, no, when he’s good he’s very generous and caring. By providing for her family and assuring their security he conquered Feyre’s trust, by providing her an escape to her arduous past, he tranquilized her, and when you’ve already been through so much pain, you welcome serenity.
Their lack of chemistry is the root of their relationship. It comes off as easy, as the obvious and logical path (bonus for Tampon, it’s also the answer to his curse). Feyre already had a tendency to seek sexual pleasure or release as a coping mechanism, her doing so with Tampolin was like riding a bike. Give her a break.
This felt more like a lesson on how to recognize toxic relationship patterns than an indoctrination in romanticizing abuse. But everyone grasps things differently, I certainly did so when I was 21 and read it for the first time, it’s why the sequel is so detrimental.
As for Rhysand, no, his flagrant disregard for Feyre’s consent is not okay. It’s not acceptable. Just because I love him, it does not make it okay.
What I’ll give him, and if it’s hypocrite of me so be it, all his actions were calculated war tactics. He didn’t act repugnantly because it’s just who he is, he had to make extremely difficult choices to ensure victory. He behaved inappropriately, and again, not excusable but somewhat more justifiable, because if he didn’t everyone would have continued enslaved to Amarantha.
His private verbal cruelty towards Feyre was what snapped her out of giving completely into hopelessness, I wish he had done it differently, but he didn’t. It did, however, work.
What drove me to reread this series was ACOSF, I wanted to re-immerse myself in the universe in order to properly read it, as I had stopped at ACOFAS.
Nesta, as much of a raging, entitled, selfish bitch as you are, I love you so much. And can’t wait for your book.
Elain is as palatable as salt free bread, if she wasn’t mentioned again I wouldn’t care.
Lucien, ugh, I like to to dislike him I guess. He’s there.
2nd read: 3.75 ⭐️
”Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don’t feel anything at all.”
Rereading this book has made me appreciate it much more than I thought I would. I enjoyed it a lot more than I did during my initial read. I was surprised to realize how much of the plot I had forgotten. It was as close to experiencing it for the first time as one could get, and I’m a sucker for such occasions.
Before anything, I would like to share how tired I am of hearing this book being compared to Beauty and the Beast. I think it deprives readers of experiencing the story for what it is, free of external influences.
Now, let me start out by pointing that a lot of valid criticism has been thrown at this book that I agree with.
The dialogue is weak at times (if you’re going to write sex scenes, do them well or ask an author friend for help), the riddle was an insult to anyone who doesn’t have a smooth silky brain, the disrespect towards concept is blatant, certain plot inconsistencies, etc.
HOWEVER, and keeping in mind that having read this series once before I’m biased, this is still a good book.
The pace feels slow despite so many things happening, but I’ve learned to enjoy it. I completely understand that it’s just incredibly boring to some; certain parts definitely were for me too.
The biggest shock was how bland Feyre came across this time around in contrast to her iron will, yet it made perfect sense. From her youngest age, she has been destitute not just of social rank but of love, happiness, and color. She grew up bearing the responsibility of her family’s survival on her shoulders, and she’s the youngest of them all. Her mother was nasty for that promise and her overall motherhood. Rot in hell.
She’s traumatized from beginning to end, so excuse her if she’s not the brightest, most badass heroine from the get go. But let’s not forget she, a human, saved them all. No one can deny her strength and resilience. She survived as best she could, and I’ll never not defend her for it.
Let’s talk abuse.
Anyone who genuinely loves Tamlin, please take a good long dive in the cold waters of the Titanic. This man wrote the book on Stockholm syndrome, time after time he showed how violent and uncontrollable he is. Displaying fits of rage that were as explicit as destroying an entire room or as subdued as simply and repeatedly drawing out his claws. Feyre became desensitized to her fear, she learned to expect it, to accept it, to deem it as normal because she’s human and he’s a High Lord, an entirely different species. How else could such a powerful being release his rage, poor TamTam dealing with so much, yes, he suffers too, his pain is very valid but never an excuse for such behavior! Never acceptable! This is the trap of the syndrome, you feel bad for him because he’s not all bad, no, when he’s good he’s very generous and caring. By providing for her family and assuring their security he conquered Feyre’s trust, by providing her an escape to her arduous past, he tranquilized her, and when you’ve already been through so much pain, you welcome serenity.
Their lack of chemistry is the root of their relationship. It comes off as easy, as the obvious and logical path (bonus for Tampon, it’s also the answer to his curse). Feyre already had a tendency to seek sexual pleasure or release as a coping mechanism, her doing so with Tampolin was like riding a bike. Give her a break.
This felt more like a lesson on how to recognize toxic relationship patterns than an indoctrination in romanticizing abuse. But everyone grasps things differently, I certainly did so when I was 21 and read it for the first time, it’s why the sequel is so detrimental.
As for Rhysand, no, his flagrant disregard for Feyre’s consent is not okay. It’s not acceptable. Just because I love him, it does not make it okay.
What I’ll give him, and if it’s hypocrite of me so be it, all his actions were calculated war tactics. He didn’t act repugnantly because it’s just who he is, he had to make extremely difficult choices to ensure victory. He behaved inappropriately, and again, not excusable but somewhat more justifiable, because if he didn’t everyone would have continued enslaved to Amarantha.
His private verbal cruelty towards Feyre was what snapped her out of giving completely into hopelessness, I wish he had done it differently, but he didn’t. It did, however, work.
What drove me to reread this series was ACOSF, I wanted to re-immerse myself in the universe in order to properly read it, as I had stopped at ACOFAS.
Nesta, as much of a raging, entitled, selfish bitch as you are, I love you so much. And can’t wait for your book.
Elain is as palatable as salt free bread, if she wasn’t mentioned again I wouldn’t care.
Lucien, ugh, I like to to dislike him I guess. He’s there.