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

relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I purchased this novel from the Young Adult section of my favourite bookstore. Rather innocuous-looking at first, I realised how concerning this is after I finished reading it. Yet another young adult fiction novel that perpetuates unhealthy relationships that emotionally and sexually exploit young women in particular. My first grumble is that the entire premise of the novel is an appropriation of Beauty and the Beast and Tamlin– stories that have been absolutely done to death, with nothing new to add to the Stockholm syndrome to boot. 

The whole sacrificial love plot point was completely ridiculous and had a weird Jesus-type trope where the main character is tortured and violently murdered for the sake of a man hundreds of years older than her.

All the rehashed tropes were a huge yikes and the fact that I read this novel embarrassed me so much that I almost didn't want to admit that I read it. I will admit, however, that it was read in the space of about six hours (it was almost un-putdownable) and once done , I couldn't stop thinking about the characters, which only made me hate myself even more. 

Overall, I do not recommend this to anyone (and especially not to teenagers). If you want to read a smutty book, go read some erotic fiction, not this YA-coded derivative mess of a novel. You best believe I will not go any further on this ACOTAR journey.