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A review by ketreads
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
So, I don't usually read romance especially fantasy romance but this was a 'Heck, why not?!' read when I saw my local library had it available.
I did listen to the audiobook, so I suspect I had an easier time with it due to the great character voices and emotions BUT THIS ISN'T HALF BAD?!
I've heard such differing opinions on the Maas books, and most of them lean towards negativity. So, I was shockingly surprised when I started listening to this and found myself really enjoying the story.
Maas' world and use of fae magic is engaging and her characters were made easy to root for.
The story's basic premise is Feyre, after killing what she suspects is a fairy transformed into a wolf, is dragged into the fae relm as punishment. Much to her surprise, it's not what she expected. Feyre must now navigate her way through an unknown territory filled with unknowable threats while striving to do what she does best: survive.
MINOR SPOILERS
So yes, this book is a little cliché with it's wish fulfillment. Feyre is, in fact, not taken to a gross mouldy dungeon but a high lords manor to live out her days. While we don't know exactly why she's there initially, the overall reveal wasn't too unexpected. I really enjoyed this part of the story. Listening to Feyre learning about the fae and the 'I wish that were me' aspect of living in a rich house, eating great food, talking to hot fairy men, and having an overarching mysterious secret hidden from her. It was done effectively and kept me invested for the majority of the book.
My one gripe (or many?) is that the last 30% of the book WILDLY shifts gears. While the stakes are raised and we get to see Feyre in action, the overall slimy feeling to characters we're supposedly meant to (I presume) eventually root for just wasn't it. The small bits of world and history we got to see WAS well done and I loved seeing more of the world outside of Feyre and her manor. The character choices that were made and will be made in the coming instalments just isn't something I enjoy/ed.
Overall it's a fun and easy read...mostly.
I did listen to the audiobook, so I suspect I had an easier time with it due to the great character voices and emotions BUT THIS ISN'T HALF BAD?!
I've heard such differing opinions on the Maas books, and most of them lean towards negativity. So, I was shockingly surprised when I started listening to this and found myself really enjoying the story.
Maas' world and use of fae magic is engaging and her characters were made easy to root for.
The story's basic premise is Feyre, after killing what she suspects is a fairy transformed into a wolf, is dragged into the fae relm as punishment. Much to her surprise, it's not what she expected. Feyre must now navigate her way through an unknown territory filled with unknowable threats while striving to do what she does best: survive.
MINOR SPOILERS
So yes, this book is a little cliché with it's wish fulfillment. Feyre is, in fact, not taken to a gross mouldy dungeon but a high lords manor to live out her days. While we don't know exactly why she's there initially, the overall reveal wasn't too unexpected. I really enjoyed this part of the story. Listening to Feyre learning about the fae and the 'I wish that were me' aspect of living in a rich house, eating great food, talking to hot fairy men, and having an overarching mysterious secret hidden from her. It was done effectively and kept me invested for the majority of the book.
My one gripe (or many?) is that the last 30% of the book WILDLY shifts gears. While the stakes are raised and we get to see Feyre in action, the overall slimy feeling to characters we're supposedly meant to (I presume) eventually root for just wasn't it. The small bits of world and history we got to see WAS well done and I loved seeing more of the world outside of Feyre and her manor. The character choices that were made and will be made in the coming instalments just isn't something I enjoy/ed.
Overall it's a fun and easy read...mostly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault