As most of us bookworms are patiently waiting to get our hands on the new Crescent City book, it is time we talked about the Sarah J. Maas phenomenon. Undoubtedly, in the last few years, we bookworms have been bombarded with many romance fantasy series. It has been a blessing and a curse, letting us explore so many new imaginary worlds, but there’s only so much room for book husbands and wives in our hearts. And the Maasverse is the tidal wave that has swept over the romantasy realm, creating a huge fan base and fertile ground for the genre to evolve.
Despite the huge success of Throne of Glass, the first series produced by Sarah J. Maas and published by Bloomsbury Publishing—perhaps her absolute masterpiece— A Court of Thorns and Roses, aka Acotar, has become a Goodreads sensation and has brought unprecedented attention to Maas and her meticulously designed faerie worlds. The series of A Court of Thorns and Roses could be considered a modern retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast myth, but the beast is a High Lord. Because who wouldn't want to fall in love with a handsome fae warrior while saving the world?
Let’s dig in and study the first book of this absolute hit series, but beware of the inevitable spoilers!
Unlike the intricate and often too complex world-building in Throne of Glass and Crescent City, Acotar is more straightforward, allowing for a more romantic and simple reading approach. The story is set in medieval times with a few touches of modernity—making us feel right at home. It could perhaps be considered a historical fiction book.
Prythian has been divided into two realms: the mortal lands and the faerie lands after a bloody war that took place 500 years ago. Thanks to a peace treaty between the fae and the human queens, a huge wall has been separating the two realms, keeping the mortals safe from the immortal beings across the wall. While the humans live in typical hierarchies consisting of nobles, aristocrats and the working class, things in the fae realm work differently.
The realm is separated into seven courts, territories ruled by a specific High Lord and a specific Element. There are the solar courts, including the Day Court, the Dawn Court and the Night Court. On the other hand, we have the seasonal courts. The Winter Court, the Autumn Court, the Spring Court and the Summer Court complete the fae realm. Each Court is inhabited by High Fae, lesser Fae, and other creatures such as the suriel, nymphs, and wraiths.
Due to the peace treaty, humans are bound to their own territory of the continent for their own good. As mentioned before, their territory is mostly protected by the treacherous fae, who do not value human lives and use them for sustenance or slavery. What happens, though, when a daring human is lured across the border and sides with the fae against a powerful enemy? A court of Thorns and Roses is the answer—and boy were we ready to see that.
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Feyre is hunting in the woods when an unnaturally big wolf falls prey to her arrows. At first, she is hesitant, knowing that the wolf could be a fae in their animal form, but hunger and desperation drive her. Feyre Archeron is the youngest of three sisters and a skilled huntress. Ever since the Archeron family has fallen into tough times due to her father’s poor investments, Feyre has been the sole provider for her family. But little did she know that killing that wolf would be only the first domino piece to fall in a chain of events.
That same night, an even bigger wolf with green eyes and the shocking ability to speak visits their hut. The creature demands retribution for Feyre having killed one of his sentinels, as Prythian laws state she has to follow him. In exchange for the safety of her family, Feyre accepts her fate and follows the strange wolf. Upon following the creature, they will cross the wall and end up in the Spring Court, which is the closest to the human realm. Soon, her captor reveals himself to be the powerful High Lord of Spring, Tamlin, who for unknown reasons is forced to always hide his face under a mask.
Upon her arrival, she meets Lucien, the charming emissary of the Spring Court wearing the fox mask. The fae male immediately realizes that the human girl will give him a ride for his money, and this is the start of their tumultuous friendship. Despite the scary stories surrounding the fae, Feyre is not treated like a prisoner or a slave. Instead, she is given a spacious room to stay in and is treated like a member of the court. Also, she meets Alis, a servant in Tamli'n’s mansion who takes great care of her. After spending some time in the Spring Court, she even starts opening up about her hardships and gradually healing with the help of the two males. Tamlin even encourages her to take up painting again, a hobby she has stopped pursuing due to the lack of money for supplies.
Tamlin, has tremendous power, but his magic has weakened as his court is blighted by a curse, forcing him to often hunt and kill any unwanted visitors on his lands. Tamlin’s struggle to keep his people safe ignites Feyre’s human side, and slowly her connection with the young High Lord only deepens. Soon, on a sacred day for the Spring Court called The Day of Fire Night—Calanmai, countless fae will visit the court, so Feyre is prohibited from exiting her room for her own safety. With so many dangerous predators roaming the ground, a weak human is definitely a liability the High Lord can’t afford.
In a spectacularly delicious turn of events, when Feyre disobeys her orders and is brought back home by Lucien, Tamlin picks up her scent. When he finds her roaming the halls of his estate, sparks fly and neither of them can deny the unspoken attraction any longer. A period of calm and blissful love follows, but it’s cut short when Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, pays them a visit on his queen’s behalf. Despite Lucien’s and Tamlin’s efforts, Rhys discovers Feyre, who surprisingly has met him once before, the fated night she defied her orders and went to Calanmai. Despite Rhysand’s reassurances to keep their secret, Tamlin has to make a painful decision: he has to let Feyre go. Despite having just found each other, they only have one last night together before Feyre is reluctantly sent back. Moments before their heart-breaking separation, Tamlin confesses his love for Feyre, leaving her empty and confused.
Her reunion with her family, thanks to Tamlin’s glamour on their minds, is easier than she expected. None of them really remembers Feyre being taken, they simply think she was taking care of a sick relative on their behalf. Thanks to Tamlin’s help, her family’s fortune is restored, and they are once again welcomed in society. But that’s not enough to soothe her soul and make her forget about the man she left behind. However, Feyre is taken aback when the oldest Archeron sister, Nesta remembers everything and even confesses to having gone to the wall to get her back. Thankfully, her other sister, Elain has no idea of what has befallen her sister. It won’t be long until Feyre realizes she is in love with Tamlin and can no longer stay away from him. This time, Feyre’s sisters will be there to support her.
She crosses the border and goes straight to Tamlin’s mansion, but only ruins and an abandoned shell are left in its place. Luckily, she finds one of Tamlin’s faithful servants, who finally decides to reveal the whole truth to her. The plight that has befallen the lands is not a what, but a who. More specifically, an old commander from Prythian’s enemy island Hybern named Amarantha has put a spell all over Prythian—or almost all over. Amarantha is the one who cursed Tamlin, Lucien and countless others, to wear those masks, and she is now holding them all captive in her own court Under the Mountain. With her heart on her sleeve, Feyre will go Under the Mountain and face the devious queen who stands between her and her beloved. All alone, Feyre will try to face the challenges Amarantha sends her way, to save not only Tamlin, but the whole of Prythian, while learning painful and hard-to-swallow truths. She will have to dig deep down to find the strength to fight for her love, but will she succeed against the evil forces haunting Prythian? Only one way to find out.
Let’s have a closer look at some of the pivotal moments in the story without spoiling it beyond saving—bookworm’s oath.
The first dinner in the Spring Court
When Feyre and Lucien meet, it is immediately apparent that neither will yield to the other’s wit. It’s a battle of will, concealed in friendly banter, and Tamlin could not be happier for the lively turn his life has taken. These meals will prove crucial later, as it will be Feyre’s safe space to start dealing with her trauma.
The Day of Fire Night– Calanmai
A very special night for the Spring Court where power is offered and returned to the earth by the High Lord consummating with a maiden. The whole nature of the event could be seen as a celebration around the act of love-making. And it is all the more important when Feyre defies the rules and ventures there, meeting Rhysand and even provoking Tamlin to pursue her, which ends up with Tamlin finding her back at the mansion and biting her— giving us all goosebumps and flushed cheeks.
Their first time
After Calanmai, things have been tense between Feyre and Tamlin, but it isn’t until Tamlin decides to send her back to the human world that the tether on their restraint snaps. Their first time is fierce, passionate and lustful, but also very soul-bearing and raw.
Feyre coming back to the Spring Court
When Feyre realizes she loves Tamlin, it is a very pivotal moment for the story and the fate of the fae. She was unable to reciprocate Tamlin’s confession that he loves her, but now she knows she does love him back and is willing to fight to reclaim him.
Meeting Amarantha
The moment Feyre stands before Amarantha, faced with all the evil and cunning that has put a curse upon all the land, is jaw-dropping. Feyre, a mortal girl with no powers other than her bow and will of steel, faces that queen and looks her straight in the eyes as she challenges her. She not only declares her love for Tamlin, but her desire to rid the land of Amarantha once and for all.
There are way more tear-jerkers and cliffhangers to explore upon reading the book. But what about our characters? Let’s see what each one is about.
The elaborate setting, countless plot twists and exceptional world-building of A Court of Thorns and Roses series would be nothing more than a pretty jumble had the characters not been so badass and dynamic. Have a quick look at our beloved Prythians.
Feyre Archeron
The most rebellious and strong-willed of the Archeron sisters, Feyre is just 19 years old at the beginning of the story. And despite her young age, her blue-gray eyes are haunted by several traumatic experiences, such as the death of her mother, her father’s beating in front of her eyes and even all the challenges she has faced while hunting alone in the woods to feed her family. She shares the same golden brown hair with her sisters, and becomes a beautiful and magnificent woman during her time at the Spring Court, but she does not sit idly or let her wits lose their razor-sharp edge.
Tamlin- High Lord of the Spring Court
Tamlin is the youngest High Lord in Prythian. Being born after the war against humans, he has not experienced the bloodlust and violence of it. He is the literal embodiment of a faerie man, with long golden hair and green eyes. He is a shape-shifter, a pretty rare and powerful gift among the fae, and he is actually said to have incredible power when not leashed by Amarantha. He appears to be understanding, romantic and very affectionate towards Feyre, but like any character, he has his bad moments, with flaring anger issues and at times a heart of stone. He also plays the fiddle, which he demonstrates in the celebration for the summer solstice.
Lucien Vanserra
Lucien is the seventh son of the High Lord of Autumn, but for many reasons—the main being the murder of his beloved by his own father—he has chosen to stay at the Spring Court instead. He is Tamlin’s friend and emissary to the other courts. He shares the characteristics of Autumn with flaming red hair with russet eyes—or eye, after Amarantha punished him. His cunning, yet considerate and fiery nature and powers will provide for an interesting dynamic with Feyre—and how we would want to be a part of that.
Rhysand - High Lord of the Night Court
Rhysand is older than Tamlin and experienced the horrors of war first-hand as a young heir sent to the front lines. He is the strongest High Lord, with an array of powers such as mind control—or daemati as it is called in this universe—and ruling darkness. He is a stunner, with short black hair and violet eyes. But he does seem to be in league with Amarantha, making him the villain in Tamlin and Feyre’s love story.
Amarantha
Amarantha has black eyes and red-gold hair, very different than the rest of the women in the series. She is a former general from Hybern, having visited Prythian as an emissary, she managed to charm the High Lords into believing there could be benefit from working closely with her and Hybern. Using a stolen spell, she tricked the High Lords out of their power and proclaimed herself High Queen of Prythian, all for the eyes of one man—whom you will have to discover while reading the book.
This must surely be enough to entice you to read this gem if you haven’t already.
If you haven’t delved into the magic of the Maasverse, A Court of Thorns and Roses is definitely the way to start. We can guarantee you will not regret it, and you are in for a ton of gasps, eyerolls, frantic pacing and even tears. Especially as you move on to A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, and A Court of Silver Flames, which are the next books in this young adult high fantasy series. There is also a special novel, set right after Acowar, called A Court of Frost and Starlight. An absolute must for any fantasy and romance reader and the perfect stepping stone to explore all Maas’ series and their mysterious connection—if you dare, of course!
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Yes! A Court of Thorns and Roses is definitely in the category of spicy fantasy series. The tensions are high, and the attraction is present throughout the book, making the spicy scenes even more meaningful. However, the spice level rises as the series moves along, and the connections get deeper and stronger.
Anyone who enjoys romance, fantasy, quests, magic, faeries, immortal beings, and epic love stories should read A Court of Thorns and Roses. Its magic realm and carefully designed setting will surely appeal to fantasy fans, and the continuous twists will serenade them all. A must-read for every fantasy fan.
After facing three challenges, Feyre finally finds the answer to Amarantha's riddle: love. Amarantha’s rage, though, cannot be contained despite her deal with Feyre, and she brutally attacks her. The curse, however, breaks, so Rhysand and Tamlin fight together against Amarantha and manage to kill her. Feyre is gravely injured and dies, only to be resurrected by the power of the seven High Lords.
Always living in her own enchanted little world, Christina discovered the magic that can be hidden within the pages of a book when one dares to take a closer look from a tender age. An avid reader, she is constantly inspired to delve into the secrets woven between the lines and challenges herself to find her own voice amidst the chaos. She is a dedicated fan of the classics, but the supernatural creatures that have tormented readers for years are her kryptonite. The mastery it takes to infuse the author's essence, molded by the era they grew up in to their innermost desires fascinates her. Undoubtedly, putting her passion and knowledge on paper has a mesmerizing allure on her, and following the steps of so many other dreamers before her she wishes to leave her mark in the literary world. Guided by T.S Eliot’s haunting words: “I will show you fear in a handful of dust” she intends to wreak havoc in the minds of her future readers.
