This book review will be something no one asked but it needs to be known worldwide. In this post, I will dive into the fantasy world that many people have lost themselves in called; A Court of Thorns and Roses series. This series was written by the brilliant Sarah J. Maas who also wrote other famous fantasy series such as Throne of Glass and Crescent City.
Table Content:
A little background information before the review;
Feyre is a huntress. She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price . . .
I saw this map and immediately fell in love with it. The artist did a really good job so props to you P. dulcis!
⚠️Spoiler alert⚠️
This is your first and only warning so you better take it if you don't want SPOILERSSSSS.
Mentioned Characters:
Feyre Archeron | Human (former); Huntress; High Lady of the Night Court; Youngest Archeron sister |
Nesta Archeron | Human (former); Made High Fae; Eldest Archeron sister |
Elain Archeron | Human (former); Made High Fae; Second Archeron sister |
Father | Father of Feyre, Elain, and Nesta; Merchant (former) |
Tamlin | High Lord of the Spring Court |
Lucien | Emissary of the Spring Court (former); Emissary of the Night Court; Elain's mate |
Andras | High Fae of the Spring Court |
Alis | Servant of the Spring Court |
Ianthe | High Priestess |
Amarantha | High Fae; Queen of Prythian (former); General of Hybern (former) |
The Suriel | Faerie with the power of knowledge |
Rhysand | High Lord of the Night Court |
Cassian | General of the Night Court |
Azriel | Spymaster of the Night Court |
Amren | Second in command of the Night Court; Angel of Death (former); High Fae |
Morrigan | Third in command of the Night Court |
Bryaxis | Creature of Nightmare |
Eris | Eldest son of the High Lord of the Autumn Court; Lucien's brother |
Helion | High Lord of the Day Court |
The King of Hybern | King of Hybern (former) |
Gwyneth | Priestess at the Library under House of Wind; Valkyrie; Friend of Nesta and Emerie |
Emerie | Female Illyrian; Valkyrie; Friend of Gwyneth and Nesta |
Valkyries | Clan of female warriors from all species |
Since it took me 4 months to read the whole series ( busy college student and school doesn't care about my reading schedule) I will write the review in the way the story was told. Obviously, I can't go over all the topics but mostly the main ones.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
It all started with a human family consisting of 3 sisters and their father living in a cottage. They were poor and trying to survive. From oldest to youngest; Nesta, Elain, and Feyre. Since the father lost all their wealth and the mom died, Feyre took it upon herself to hunt for food and keep her family alive. She was only 14 when she taught herself how to hunt. 14 years old!! I can't even run for 10 minutes straight at that age. I still hate that when she stepped up and made sure the family survived, the eldest sat on her butt and complained about everything. No help, no "Hey you are doing great" and no "Don't worry I will do it". I have to give it to the author, she really knows how to make me hate a character.
The reason why Feyre was thrown into the Fae world is that she killed a wolf (shapeshifter) from the Spring Court and the High Lord (ruler of the Court) came in beast form to make them pay the price. I mean that's kinda fair, someone killed one of your own so might as well take them back to your land. It's later revealed that the name of the High Lord was Tamlin. Now #booktok already spoiled some things for me by then so I was like who the hell is this guy? And it shocked me completely knowing Feyre fell in love with him too. Like WHAT?! Well, it took her some time to get there but still. Not going to lie Tamlin seemed like an okay guy or faerie whatever, you get the point.
So while I was fooled into believing Tamlin was a decent High Fae, I was wondering when the plot thickens because everything seemed lovely at that point; Tamlin making sure Feyre's family is taken care of: Feyre falling in love with Tamlin and trying to be comfortable with her new reality. Little did I know that the stranger that saved Feyre from other faeries during the Rite was a VERY important person for the future😉 (adding some tension hehe)
But let us not forget how she put herself in danger to free Prythian from Amarantha. Mind you, at that point, Feyre was a human girl going against a High Fae with twisted intentions. I don't know if she is delusional or a huge hopeless romantic. If I could say something about Feyre, it is that she's incredibly bold and stubborn...in a good way. One of the three challenges she was given really stuck with me. She had to read something to complete the challenge, which is certainly not the right time to find out she can't read!!!
How can she jump to save everyone if she can't even read like girl, please! (see what I did there😏). Thankfully our sweetheart Rhysand used his powers and showed her the correct answer. I don't even want to think what would have happened if he didn't do that. Would Amarantha kill her right there?? I mean... probably since she is vicious like that.
During Feyre's time at Under the Mountain, where Amarantha was ruling Prythian, Rhysand played a certain role as Amarantha's plaything. I really really really hated that he had to play that role to survive. And the fact that he had to do some things to not blow his cover was just heartbreaking. Don't get me wrong, in the beginning, I thought he was some sort of villain or that bad boy character but the more I read the more I loved him. The way he was clever and a smooth talker, I was practically giggling every time he appeared in a chapter. Okay let's continue otherwise I will turn this review into a fan post about Rhysand.
The tension Sarah J. Maas put me through when Feyre was on her final challenge should be illegal. On the verge of dying and practically seeing the light, Feyre figured out the riddle Amarantha gave her where the answer was love. Can't exactly remember the riddle but how dare the author let Feyre die!! I mean... that was genius and a good plot but she also broke my heart. Rhysand was fighting for her but he just couldn't save her😢. At least the restraint on their magic was lifted so Tamlin could go all beast mode on Amarantha and kill her (don't expect that much compliment from me to him). But don't worry all the High Lords gave a little bit of their magic to save Feyre since she saved their lives. You can already guess, she became a High Fae WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
A Court of Mist and Fury
Every faerie is free; Feyre is alive; Amarantha is dead; sounds like a happy ending right?? WRONG!
Even if Feyre was turned she was still attached to her human side. I can't blame her because why be something you didn't have a choice in being?
Honestly, I don't remember much of this book besides 4 things.
Rhysand calls in the bargain on Feyre's wedding day with Tamlin. Let's be real, Thank God that happened because if she married Tamlin I would have cried...and not from happiness. She already relied on Ianthe to help arrange the wedding, who made sure the wedding dress was so bad. Ugh, that witch. So the moment Feyre was panicking and wishing someone to save her I was mentally BEGGING the author to send Rhysand otherwise I would fight her. Luckily she did so no violence here😁.
Feyre's private lessons with Rhysand. Their interaction was always amusing because that's when Rhys would tease Feyre and she didn't coward away but bite back. I love that she put Rhys in his place, it gives that playful dynamic. And I'm honestly glad Rhys used the bargain to teach Feyre how to read because jeez she needed that badly. He made her rewrite things like "Rhysand is the most handsome High Lord " and "Rhysand is the most delightful High Lord ". I had to laugh at little humor like that Sarah J Maas adds to her books.
Tamlin locks Feyre up in the house. If I could have taken a picture when I read that chapter to see how SHOCKED I was...I would have. How DARE he put wards around the house so she couldn't leave. Feyre literally risked her entire life, her human life might I add, to save him and went through hell and back, and the best thing for her according to him was to isolate her?! His protectiveness shouldn't cost Feyre her happiness and freedom.
Alis, Mother bless her, gets Feyre out so Morrigan can take her. Since some rules would start a war if Morrigan stepped into the house and took Feyre, Alis brought Feyre to her and they traveled back to Velaris, a city in the Night Court. I always liked Alis, she was the only one truly helping Feyre when she was at the Spring Court. One thing is for sure, since then Feyre has become stronger and even more clever.
It didn't surprise me that Feyre and Rhysand are mates. They make such an adorable couple, a much better duo than Feyre and Tamlin. I believe Rhysand helped Feyre be the image SHE wanted to be for herself whereas Tamlin was too focused on Feyre being an image HE pictured for her. It shows that what they portray isn't always who they are. Tamlin seems like a good character at first but the more we go into the story the more we see him differently. In contrast with Rhysand the more we read the more we understand and love this character.
Back to the storyline, at some point, the King of Hybern captured Feyre's sisters, Nesta and Elain, and threw them into the Cauldron. That's how they became High Fae but with unique powers. Sadly Feyre used a lot of her power at that moment otherwise I know she would have blasted everything she got to stop the guards from putting her sisters in that thing.
Not going to lie, the masterplan Feyre and Rhys (getting too lazy to type his whole name, you guys know who I mean) had was just genius. Everyone knew they were mates but through fantastic acting from Feyre, Tamlin believed the mate bond between Feyre and Rhys was broken or falsified.
A Court of Wings and Ruin
So Feyre ended up going back just to spy on the Spring Court and bring it down for all she had endured. Talk about her finally taking matters into her own hands.
She played her role so well that I even felt bad for Tamlin...for one second. The revenge on Ianthe sure was sweet. I'm not even gonna go into that but just know I felt really proud of Feyre for gaining a backbone.
And to think she and Rhys kept it a secret that they got married before she left to be a spy AND she became the FIRST High Lady EVER. Needless to say, glad Feyre started training with Cassian because that was such a character development I didn't know I needed.
Was the war with Hybern in this book?? I can't remember. I think it was and if that is correct then loooord. A lot happened but the part that I fangirled the most was when Nesta SCREAMED Cassian's name during the war. He was in the sky fighting Hybern soldiers with Illyrian soldiers and allies when the King of Hybern used the Cauldron to blast them out of the sky. Since Nesta was Made by the Cauldron she could sense when it was going to use its power. Mind you they didn't like each other during that time so for her to continuously scream his name so he would come to her was really a touchy moment. Felt like I was holding my breath that whole scene. And the FACT that Cassian came flying so fast to her, dropping whoever he was fighting so he could reach her was a blessing from the author. Really gave me a little taste of the transition from enemies to lovers😏.
Also, can we talk about how Rhysand literally gave his life to help Feyre with the Cauldron during the war? I was on the verge of tears because how dare he do such a grand gesture like that?! And when they brought him back he had the audacity to say he couldn't let Feyre and the rest take all the credit. I don't know if I wanted to slap him or be glad he's alive.
A Court of Frost and Starlight
I was a little surprised to see a thinner book compared to all the other ones in the series. But it was as cute and lovely to read. I can't say much about this book since I have the worst memory ever and should probably make a review every time I finish a book but here we are. But I do remember How Feyre handled Nesta's behavior. I get why she thought leaving her alone was the best option because with the way Nesta shut everyone out, might as well grant her that wish. I can't lie I really hated Nesta for giving everyone all that hate. To not put that anger somewhere else but to bring it down with her. Almost like everyone else should also feel that anger. Mind you ALL of them went through things that would make them angry and want to destroy everything. Even Rhys had to control himself not to murder Tamlin for all he did to Feyre, for all Tamlin did to Rhys's mom and sister. So I felt Nesta was behaving a little too much.
But right at the end of the book when Cassian had to bring Nesta in for an interrogation basically, everything changed for her. I'm so glad Feyre was the one to put an end to Nesta's behavior. Even if she was the youngest sister telling her older sister that she was out of line. Nesta could say all the awful things but Feyre wouldn't change her mind and I love that about her. She came a long way from the human she used to be to the High Lady taking charge. "You're done. This behavior, that apartment, all of it-you are done, Nesta." The moment she said this I felt chillsssssss.
A Court of Silver Flames
Writing this review I realized that this is the only book in the series that doesn't have an "and" in it. The only explanation I can think of is because this book is from a different perspective, namely Nesta's. Since once again #booktok spoiled it to me that this book was going to be more about Nesta, I wasn't sure I was in the mood to read it. Or if I should read it at all but I read the ones before it so might as well complete the whole series, right??
Nesta was a pain to deal with and I'm the reader. Imagine I was in the world (if I even survived for that long), I would have told her a few things the rest were afraid of but thinking it. Firstly, she refused to train, just sat on her butt and watch Cassian (which I totally get). And secondly, she practically embarrassed Cassian by saying out loud that she was not training...AT THE ILLYRIAN CAMP-the same place Rhys and Cassian tried so hard to include female Illyrians in training. I mean she could at least fake it; act like she is trying but not good enough so they try something else.
But on the bright side, the enemies to lovers was steamyyyyy. As much as I hated it, I loved Nesta and Cassian together. The banter between them is so fun to read. Only didn't like it when she pushed him away because I was like giiiiirlllllll stop being so stubborn and get your man for crying out loud. Eventually, I even started doubting if they could be potential mates but they ended up being just that😁.
Funny enough I saw a lot of myself in Nesta (except for the hateful behavior of course). She liked reading; found herself getting stronger through fight training; pushing herself to complete challenges. Think that's why I admired her growth. Guess a part of me can relate with her.
And I find it so adorable when the House of Wind interacted with her. The same way we talk to ourselves, it was like Nesta was talking to herself since the House doesn't talk back. Luckily for her, the House did respond to her by giving her books or arranging something for her. I can't lie that would be a cool house to have as a bookworm, ask for any book and you will receive it. What a life!
Even if she started as not being one of the best characters, she ended up being somewhat kind to the ones she wanted to at least. Made 2 friends and fought like hell to save them, not even caring about earning a title. Saved Feyre and her unborn child's life. Yes, you read that correctly, Feyre got pregnant! So with all her flaws, mostly created by her mother, she just needed to find her purpose. Which she did by starting a new Valkyrie army with her 2 friends, Emerie and Gwyneth. Obviously, the series ended there but in my imagination, a lot of female faeries joined Valkyrie and can survive a fight against male faeries. I mean.... Nesta did it and she didn't have an ounce of fighting skills in her. So who knows?
Mysteries left unknown
There were a few things that left me with a question mark at the end of the series and I wish I could get the answers to them. But for now, I can only fantasize in my head.
Mysteries:
Did Alis and her nephews survive?
Why did Eris really leave Morrigan to "die"?
Is Helion the birth father of Lucien?
Could Elain and Azriel be mates?
Did they create a new army of Valkyries?
Where does Azriel get his powers?
Where is Bryaxis?
Conclusion- Worth the Read or Overrated?
So to answer the title, is the series worth the read or just overrated...
Honestly, I loved it. It's a really great series even when it took me longer to finish a book because I wasn't feeling it. It's not like you HAVE to read it otherwise you are missing out. If you don't like books with a lot of pages and complicated descriptions then you should probably not be into fantasy books. But all in all, I can say that it was worth the read. Would I recommend it? Yes of course, just not with urgency.
I had a good time with those characters and it's said to leave them now but they will always be in my fantasy world.
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Till next time!!!
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