A Court of Thorns and Roses

4/5 stars

19-year-old Feyre is doing what she can to keep her family alive. She spends her days in the forest hunting to feed her father and two sisters. She knows never to venture too close to the wall between her village and Prythian where the faeries and dangerous beasts live. One day while hunting, she kills a wolf only to discover he came from that mysterious and magical land. A beast comes for revenge and takes Feyre to Prythian. She soon learns her captor is not only a beast, but an immortal faerie, Tamlin. As she spends more time in Prythian she learns that the dangerous lands are not as they seem and the hostility between her and Tamlin can transform into love. 

I had seen A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) hyped up all over social media. It seemed as though I was the only one who had not read the series. I picked the book up just wanting to try it out and see what the hype was about. I wasn’t expecting much from a new adult fantasy, and I was so wrong. It took a few chapters to hook me, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. 

Feyre is a very loveable character for me. I like that she isn’t a typical damsel in distress who is saved by the wealthy, handsome, and powerful man. While Tamlin does provide Feyre with a lot, she still has her own spunk and curiosity that keeps her alive in Prythian and lands beyond. I often forgot she is a 19-year-old because she had to grow up very quickly and be the provider of her family. Her relationship with Tamlin was also developed nicely. Like other readers have mentioned, this book is indeed steamy for a new adult fantasy. I am interested to see how the series progresses after seeing some not-quite-spoilers online. 

A lot happened in this first book and it was paced well. The book really picked up in the last 20%, and then I truly couldn’t put it down. For a first novel in a series, I was expected a lot of backstory and setting up the stage for the remaining books. I was pleasantly surprised that A Court of Thorns and Roses holds up on its own. I ordered the second book before I even finished the first, and I’m ready to devour the rest of the series.