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Picking Thorns and Roses (series)
- Jul 23, 2021
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 26, 2021
It’s Fiction Friday! Let’s Talk… Sarah J Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series. So, let’s talk about the New York Times Bestseller.
“There is a better world out there, waiting for you to find it.” Feyre, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J Maas
Synopsis
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it…or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!
“Because when the legends get written, I didn’t want to be remembered for standing on the sidelines.” Rhysand, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J Maas
Reviews
This first book in the international bestselling series by Victoria Aveyard is currently the Editor’s Pick on Amazon – a part of the hand selected reads for Children and Young Adults.
“A gorgeously written tale as lush and romantic as it is ferocious. Absolutely spellbinding.” – New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken
“Simply dazzles… Maas’ Throne of Glass series has been a smash hit, [and] this new series is primed to follow in its footsteps.” – Booklist, starred review
“The sexual tension and deadly action are well-supported by Maas’ expertly drawn, mutlidimensional characters and their nuanced interpersonal dynamics… Sexy and romantic.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Sarah J. Maas delivers what may be her best work to date… Enchanting, spellbinding and imaginative… The world-building is stellar, as only Maas can imagine it.” – USA Today
“A dazzling world, complex characters and sizzling romance.” – RT Book Reviews
4.19 stars on Goodreads with 656,238 ratings and 59,678 reviews.
Amazon Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars with 24,129 global ratings
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
237 in Paranormal Romance for Young Adults
313 in Epic Fantasy for Young Adults
927 in Fantasy Adventure for Young Adults
“I love you,” he whispered, and kissed my brow. “Thorns and all.” Tamlin, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J Maas
My Review
Reading has opened me to many worlds and has taught me lessons that have stuck with me throughout my life such as no matter how difficult things there’s always a solution and that no matter how much I discover, there is so much more to learn. Sarah J Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series is full of those important life-lessons. ACOTAR is an exciting magical whirlwind of emotions from danger and action that makes your heart beat quicker, to love and friendship that makes you literally laugh out loud, to physical and mental struggles that fill your heart with pride and your eyes with tears. The first book in the series introduces us to the world of Prythian, its seven High Lords, creatures prowling the courts, and their fate that is resting on Feyre’s shoulders. ACOTAR is a beautiful introduction to the series; the start is a little slow going and there are so many questions that will arise, however, this is simply setting up the rest of the books. The writing grows stronger alongside the character development throughout the books, meaning those of us who were there from book one, have grown up alongside the characters. These characters have grown to become my friends and I found the books very difficult to put down. The second book in the series, A Court of Mist and Fury is my absolute favourite so far as it is where we learn more about the characters’ past, we see the characters grow, and the overall arching plot begins to really take-off. ACOTAR is the build up to that, an introduction to the world and the fantastical characters, and Feyre’s place in the story. It is the trigger for ACOMAF and the later books in the series. ACOTAR itself begins slowly but with a mysterious appeal that draws the reader in, then during the middle we see the beginning of some major character development where opinions change and friendship and enemies are made. Towards the end of the middle, the plot really picks up and begins the main story throughout the series. The end of the first book will definitely have you purchasing the next in the series. Beauty and the Beast meets Throne of Glass, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. But don’t take it as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast because this story goes far deeper than a girl being held captive by a beast to break a curse that punishes the ‘prince’ for his behaviour. A Court of Thorns and Roses has so many more layers that the fantastical ‘I’ve learnt my lesson, found love, the curse is broken and now I can live happily ever after’. No, ACOTAR looks at the survival of someone in a world they don’t belong in (or do they?) and the consequences of the choices you make. It looks into the lingering effects and unseen scars that people have in real life and how someone seemingly powerless can end up being the only one to save the day. Pick up a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses and when you get to A Court of Mist and Fury, come back and tell me how much you love the characters!
Below is my review having only read ACOTAR and not the other books in the series. Try not to look up the series online as there are soooooooo many spoilers! I found a spoiler about book 2 when looking online for what the series was about. This contains a few of the ‘lighter’ spoilers but still spoilers so here is your warning! Taken from my initial first-read review on wattpad.com:
It was a tiny little predictable but the challenges she faced were surprising; it was entertaining once I got past the beginning. I liked Feyre and to be honest without knowing about Rhysand and their relationship to come, I didn’t really like Tamlin. If I read it without knowing Rhys, then I would have said her and Lucien were more likely a couple at the beginning until we meet Rhys. Amarantha was cold* but I still hate Maeve from Throne of Glass so much more.
*after reading the later books my opinions have changed.
“We need hope, or else we cannot endure.” Feyre’s father, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas
Author
Sarah J. Maas wrote the first incarnation of her debut novel, Throne of Glass, when she was just sixteen. Since its publication, it has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Teen Book of the Year and has sold in sixteen languages. The sequels, Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire, are New York Times bestsellers. When Sarah is not writing, she can be found watching everything from Star Wars to Hayao Miyazaki films and reading fairy tales.
To discover more about Sarah and her books, follow her on twitter @therealsjmaas or visit her website here.
“There are those who seek me a lifetime but never we meet, And those I kiss but who trample me beneath ungrateful feet. At times I seem to favour the clever and the fair, But I bless all those who are brave enough to dare. By large, my ministrations are soft-handed and sweet, But scorned, I become a difficult beast to defeat. For though each of my strikes lands a powerful blow, When I kill, I do it slow…” Amarantha, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J Maas
Publication Information:
Publication Date: 5th May 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Author: Sarah J Maas
Pagination: 432 pages
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction
Read The Series:
The “adultness” increases throughout the series, so would be aimed at older teens and young/new adults. The series is considered as being divided: books 1-3 are from Feyre’s point of view, whilst book 4 and the planned books 5 and 6 are from other characters such as Nesta, but still features Feyre and the main characters. Books 4-6 are considered adult books.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Book 1
original / new cover
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it…or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
A Court of Mist and Fury
Book 2
original / new cover
“I made a mistake.” “It’s not the end of the world if you do that every now and then.” Rhysand, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J Maas
Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court–but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.
Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms–and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future–and the future of a world cleaved in two.
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Book 3
original / new cover
“It’s a rare person to face who they are and not run from it – not be broken by it.” The Suriel, A Court of Wings and Ruin, Sarah J. Maas
Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places.
In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.
A Court of Frost and Starlight
Book 3.5
original / new cover
“I have to create, or it was all for nothing.” The weaver, A Court of Frost and Starlight, Sarah J. Maas
Narrated by Feyre and Rhysand, this story bridges the events in A Court of Wings and Ruin and the upcoming novels in the series.
Feyre, Rhys and their companions are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated – scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.
A Court of Silver Flames
Book 4
For every Nesta out there – climb the mountain Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Silver Flames, Sarah J. Maas
Untamed power. Untamed passion.
Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.
The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.
Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.
Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.
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