Beautiful new covers for a wonderful book. ACOTAR will always be one of those books you return to read again and again.

Who knew that when I bought an interesting looking faery book off of eBay all those years ago, I would fall deeply into the cult of Sarah J. Maas?

A Court of Thorns and Roses, or ACOTAR, features a world where humans live in fear, grasping iron trinkets to protect themselves from the walled off land of the Fae. A mortal huntress named Feyre gets caught up in Faerie court intrigue after she kills one of the Fae. She's taken to the Spring Court, where the Fae are under a Beauty and the Beast style curse. Feyre must fall in love with the High Lord, Tamlin, or else the court will suffer under the evil queen Amarantha. Only problem- Feyre hates the Fae.

ACOTAR is a brilliant first in a series, but the sequel, A Court of Mist and Fury, is the best in the trilogy. Be warned, the later books get rather sexual and are more appropriate for adult readers. The series is getting re-branded for adults with these new covers (though I prefer the old ones). Also be on the look out for the sequel series featuring Feyre's sister, Nesta!

First of all, the newest editions of the A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy are utterly beautiful. The old editions were also visually stunning, but I find the more minimalistic approach more eye-catching and will definitely be purchasing these editions for my personal library.

Like with every book ACOTAR has its flaws, but at the same time, I believe it has more merit than what people give it credit for. At its core, it’s a very entertaining read, whether you’re reading it for the first or second or fiftieth time. Additionally, I think this series is a good introduction to fairy-base fantasy, which is much larger and different than I realized when I started exploring the sub-genre.

Full review coming out June 30, 2020

NetGalley Review - A Court of Thorns and Roses

Thank you for the chance to review!

TLDR Version -
1. Overall, an enjoyable Beauty and the Beast adaption.
2. Lack of emotional chemistry between the main romantic leads. BUT I had plenty of love for Lucien, Nesta, Rhysand, Alis, a plethora of magical forest monsters, and Amarantha (don’t judge; I love me an erratic, bitter villain who actually manages to inspire fear!)
3. Pacing was a bit slow throughout.
4. Intricacies of the blight (Amarantha’s curse actually) were meticulous and probably could have been exposed sooner for pacing purposes.


I initially had a rough time getting into A Court of Thorns and Roses. Some of the in-depth descriptions of scenery/Tamlin’s castle/background information dump gave me Tolkien vibes (which isn’t a bad thing necessarily; just a bit of a slow start for my personal taste.) This made more sense when I realized there were sequels so world-building was needed for future plot.


The read became very enjoyable when Feyre comes face to face with various sorts of fae and monsters in the forest (although I kind of questioned her intelligence a little as a survivalist for going out of her way to seek out danger and putting trust in the fae she claimed to despise.) The bogge, naga, and puca scenes were full of action. I tore through those pages and they led me to some personal research on the mythologies/etymologies of the creatures. Bring on the lore!

I adored the supporting cast of characters in this book. While I was drawn to various characters (even the villains,) I didn’t find the character or chemistry between Tamlin and Feyre to be as enticing as it could have been. I didn’t find anything unique to love about Tamlin other than his green eyes and the mystery of what he looked like under the mask (but we all knew he was going to be hot - no complaints here.)

As for Feyre, I found her to be hardcore and able to hold her own, which is pretty awesome considering her circumstances. Maybe also sassy. But then if I’m being honest, Nesta was the real Sargent of Sass in this book. And Lucien, ever the clever and repartee-weaving loyal fairy that he is, was introduced with a fox mask and I was all about the symbolism there. I found that Feyre mostly stood as a foil to bring out the personality of others while action happened around and to her. She wasn't unlikable, but just not lovable to me as a reader.

The book built real fear as far as convincing the reader that appealing characters might actually die (Lucien, Alis, Rhysand.) Amarantha, playing the part of a fearsome woman scorned, was super entertaining to read about. I truly was never sure what horrible violence she would think up (there didn't seem to be a limit) and that made her terrifying. However, I felt the explanation for the curse she laid on Tamlin and the Spring Court might have been better received earlier in the book, or in some way presented as a bit less convoluted.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and I will probably check out the sequels.

After her family loses their fortune Feyre is forced to hunt to feed and keep them alive. One night she kills a wolf out in the forest that isn’t a wolf at all but a faerie. An ancient treaty between mortals and fae means that Feyre must agree to live out her days in the realm of Prythian, or die. Taught to believe that faeries are evil and wicked, she goes begrudgingly but Prythian isn’t what she thought it would be and neither is her captor…

Did I stay up until 3am to finish it? Yes I did.
Did I download the ebook of ACOMAF because I couldn’t wait for the physical copy? Yes I did.

The plot was giving me Beauty and the Beast vibes: fiercely independent protagonist, magical curses and a brooding beastly captor who is weirdly fanciable. But as the narrative developed, the book really shifted in to its own original story and I loved it so much! I’ll admit it took me until 25% to connect with the story and immerse myself in the magical realm but after that I was hooked!

I liked acotar. But I didnt reqlly connect to the characters or the plot. I thinj the characters could have been writen better.

Still love this series. Will forever read it again and again.
Rhysand is hands down one of my favourite book boyfriend of all time.

I wanted to read this book but i never picked it up. So when i saw on read now section i wanted to use my chance. Actually this was definitely worth the hype. Sarah J. Mass build an impressive world. I liked it a lot. I'll definitely continue this series. By the way new covers are gorgeous.

Initial Thoughts

Full disclosure, I read this book in April and have been stewing on this review for a while. Before I read this book, I had read Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series and actually had read some of the books more than once. I had also read House of Earth and Blood and knew that I was going to love this series. Why did I hesitate to read it, you might be wondering. I think I was trying to savor the first time I read this book. I mean it’s not like SJM isn’t writing new stuff, but you can’t go back and read a series for the first time ever again so I wanted to make sure I was savoring the first time I read this epic series.

Some Things I Liked

RHYSAND. I didn’t just like him, I loved him. (Rowan > Rhysand in my mind, but Rhys is a close second). I couldn’t get over how much I loved him and really hated Tamlin.
Beauty and the Beast vibes. I’ve always considered Beauty and the Beast as a variety of the story of Hades and Persephone from Greek mythology. This story felt more Hades and Persephone than Beauty and the Beast which I LOVED. I also loved the twist in the romance plot – it really makes you consider who is the Beast character in the story.
First person narration. Unlike TOG and HOEAB, ACOTAR is told from first person and I really enjoyed that. Feyre’s character lended itself really nicely to inner monologues and I enjoyed seeing her thoughts play out in her mind. I’d also like to see POVs from other characters in the future. This book makes me want SJM to write other books in this style.
Complex world building. SJM’s signature. I loved the world building here and I want to visit all of the Courts. They all sound pretty phenomenal and I can’t wait to read more about them in the next books.

Series Value

I finished ACOTAR and literally started ACOMAF immediately. Series value is incredibly high and, I already know I’ll be re-reading this series in the future.

Final Thoughts

I loved this book. I was fairly certain SJM would not let me down and I was correct. I still like TOG as a series more but this series is a close second. Please note, I can’t compare HOEAB yet as there is only one book out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas – if you like ACOTAR, ACOMAF is even better. Trust me.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – if you enjoyed the writing style, complex world building, and swoon worthy romance, try SJM’s other completed series. Again, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen – if you like audiobooks, do yourself a favor and listen to this one. But, even if you read it, if you enjoyed the enemies to lovers aspects of ACOTAR as well as the complex character relationships, try this series.

This was my first time reading Sarah J. Maas, and I am excited to read more from this author. This was a great re-telling of Beauty and the Beast with fascinating characters and well-built fantasy world.

I missed my chance to snatched this, but I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity!

DNF at 30%. I was not enjoying the book, and couldn't bring myself to read further. I understand that many people like this books, but it unfortunately was not my type of book at all.

First of all: Feyre. Maybe my BIGGEST problem with Throne of Glass, echoed here, is that Maas seems unable to write female characters in which being "strong" is anything other than narrowly defined as being able to punch and fight or wield a bow and look down on girls who can't do these things. Never mind that women can be immensely strong in other ways beyond the physical definition. It's possible that Feyre has other positive traits I didn't catch on to, but another reviewer said it best when they described her as a Bella Swan trying and failing to be a Katniss Everdeen. Speaking of other girls: at the point in the book I arrived at there were few, if any, female characters who had the slightest personality or backbone beyond existing to remind us that gorgeous (because we are not allowed to forget that she's gorgeous! or that she's very malnourished!), tortured, family-oriented Feyre is simply Not Like The Other Girls. Whether its her sisters or Alia, the only three tangentially important female characters we have met one-third of the way into the book, Maas never ceases to put them down in order to place Feyre on a pedestal which, frankly she does not even remotely belong on.

Second: the plot, which made very little sense. I simply could not understand why Feyre was allowed to kill one of the High Fae, who are REPEATDELY described as being vicious and awful and vengeful, and then is "punished" by being taken to a gorgeous castle where she is further "punished" by being given food and gorgeous dresses and servants and free reign to mope around a gorgeous castle. The pace is also incredibly arduous. I'm amazed that so little can happen in so many pages.

Third: The High Fae themselves were unoriginal beyond being hot Toliken elves with fangs. I found Tamlin to be boring, the only character I was halfway interested in was Lucien because he seemed to have slighly more going on personality wise than absolutely anybody else.

Finally, full disclosure: a big part of the reason I DNF is because I read some troubling reviews about some of the "romance" that proceeds later in this book: namely that it involves rapey men and a strong lack of consent all under the guise of it all being cool and sexy. I find this type of message, especially in books that are marketed as YA to be DEEPLY insidious. Drugging a girl is not sexy!! Abuse is not sexy! No matter how ~troubled~ the love interest or how ~morally grey!~ their past, it makes me deeply uncomfortable to think these kind of actions are glorified in a book marketed towards teenagers. Yes, it's true that I didn't read all the way through this part, so I can't speak on it with authority. But having to get there and actually read through that, all other issues aside, is not something that I wanted to do.

I have read this book 3 times since it first was released because I love it so much.
I do love the story and the characters. I can never put the book down.

Now new cover wise, Would I buy this book because of this cover? No. I found the original cover way better.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved this book. ACOTAR is by far my all time favorite!!

“I love you," I said, and stabbed him.”

ACOTAR is breathtaking and lyrical.. I've since learned through watching an interview that Maas' inspiration for this series came from the Princess Mononoke - The Demon God song, Tam Lin, East of the Sun West of the Moon, Beauty and the Beast, and various myths and legends from around the world. The story begins with Feyre killing a wolf that turns out to be fae, and to atone she has to go and live with the beautiful fae Spring Court High Lord in luxury for the rest of her life.

The book that started it all --- Fight and claw your way through those first 200 pages of the book. IT GETS SO GOOD at about the 50% mark. The world development is brilliant. My world, and ya reading expectations, have been shattered and since rebuilt. Sarah Maas has now ruined me for the majority of authors/series. I love how the story unfolded in the second half of the book. Feyre is extremely observant, perceptive, independent, strong, resourceful, creative, adaptable, but most of all she didn't want anyone feeling pity for her.

This is not my usual genre but I was quickly drawn in to worlds of Feyre and her desperate fight to keep her family alive versus Tamlin, the faerie disguised as a beast who demands she return with him to exchange her life for the one she took. As a more adult , R-rated version of Beauty and the Beast it does draw the reader in although the plot was fairly cliche and I was annoyed at some of the easy outs taken by the author.

I cannot explicitly express what was my pet peeve without a story ruining spoiler but you will know when you get there. Also the riddle? Puh-leez! even I knew the answer and I am terrible at riddles!!

Despite all of this, I have put the next two in the series on my reading list. It kept my attention in a way that few books have recently.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. This is out in paperback now and if you enjoy fantasy, romance or what used to be called bodice rippers, this is for you.

As always, so so good. Maas is a master storyteller who deserves all the applause. Her characters have incredible depth. The emotions she brings forth through their stories is second to none.

I've been hearing about this book for so long, I was excited to finally get the opportunity to read it!

This is only the second Sarah J. Maas book I've read (the other being Throne of Glass) and I was surprised by how different the two books are. I can absolutely see, however, why they are so popular. The writing is pleasant and engaging, and the story moves at a brisk pace. I found myself rooting for Feyre right away, and I really enjoyed her as a protagonist.

I would definitely recommend this book to older fans of YA fantasy, particularly those who enjoy stories about fairies or fairy tale retellings (Beauty and the Beast).

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've heard so much about this series, I've been wanting to read it for ages! So I was really pleased to get a copy from NetGalley. Did it live up to the hype?

Yes! The writing is enchanting, from the moment we first meet Feyre out hunting in the woods, desperately trying to keep her poverty-stricken family alive. The first chapters ease you into the story, then the pace picks up about a third of the way through. But it is so well written that you find yourself hooked from the beginning.

I also loved the fact that the Fae are as flawed as humans, if not more so. Every character has parts you like, others that annoy, and some that you hate, and this add a deep richness to the overall story.

There is a blight over their realm that is threatening the existence of everyone, Fae and humans alike, and Feyre believes she can help. But nothing is as it seems, and there is a harsh price to pay for all involved.

This is a wonderful start to the series, and I can't wait to read the next one! Highly recommend.

This book is a loose interpretation of Beauty and the Beast, and it kind of worked. This book took some inspiration from the Disney movie and the original story and blended it into this fantasy novel pretty well.

From the start, I wasn’t really sold on Feyre as the MC. I think throughout the series, she was definitely the weakest part for me. I was much more interested in other characters and really didn’t agree with her choices or overall progression.

As the story continues, I found some things that made me raise an eyebrow or were incredibly problematic, but overall I enjoyed it. At this point, I loved Tamlin as a character. I thought he was fun, charismatic, and a pretty good love interest. I wasn’t overly wowed by Rhys in this book. I thought he was too much of a dick, especially in the first few scenes we see him in.

The ending of this one was actually pretty solid. It had some predictable moments, but I actually kind of liked it. I can see how people would hate this book, but I found it pretty fun. I ended up really enjoying this one. That being said, I didn’t go into this one looking to hate it, so I was able to overlook some of the more red flag moments.