A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR #1) by Sarah J. Maas

* * * This review will contain major spoilers * * *

A Court of Thorns and Roses was my first Sarah J. Maas book and I'm ashamed to say that I have not started her Throne of Glass series yet. This book has it all: love, sex (I know; I was definitely surprised), deception, magic, good versus evil, and plenty of action! I fell in love with Prythian, the faerie world in which Tamlin, Lucien (Tamlin's best friend), Rhysand, and eventually Feyre all reside in. Although it may be a dangerous and treacherous world, it's also extruciatingly beautiful as well. Besides being a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this story also has elements of other mythology in it as well. I'm very interested in what Sarah has in store for us when it comes to the love triangle between Tamlin, Rhysand, and Feyre. I hate love triangles but... I can't help but ship both.

Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court

"I love you," he whispered, and kissed my brow. "Thorns and all."

I don't even know where to begin. There were so many things I loved about Tamlin and Feyre's relationship. Tamlin is literally the beast. He can actually shift into a lion-like creature! At least that's what I imagine him to look like. Unlike Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Feyre initially has a cold and distrustful nature towards the fae. Due to her family's destitute situation, she is forced to hunt for both herself and her family while growing up in order to survive in a world gone mad. Feyre is eventually forced into the world of Prythian due to one of her actions and comes across the path of Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court. What I loved most about their relationship and romance was the slow burn and how it progressed naturally. From Feyre's mistrust of all faeries and Tamlin to her realizing that she loves him and will sacrifice her life just to break his curse. Furthermore, Tamlin and Feyre have some amazing chemistry! Their love scenes were very poetic and sensual. My heart broke for them near the end and I cried for both Feyre's desperate situation and her love for Tamlin.

Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court

"Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all."

Rhysand was such an interesting character! At first I hated him... but there were so many facets to his character that I ended up becoming fascinated with him. He reminded me of Loki, whom I secretly adore, due to his "games" and pranks in the book in addition to his dark and mischievous nature. His relationship with Feyre was an interesting one and I'm sure Sarah will have us guessing and anticipating what will become of them in the next book! As a result of her deal with Rhysand, Feyre will have to spend one week with Rhysand in the Night Court for the rest of her life. Uh oh, that does not bode well for Tamlin! A lot of people have speculated that their relationship resembled Hades and Persephone's and I can actually see it happening. But yes, Feyre's time under captivation in Amarantha's court Under the Mountain was when Rhysand started to grow on me and you'll eventually see how. Let's just say there is more to his character than meets the eye, of course. I've been seeing a lot of people ship Feyre and Rhysand and while that saddens me (since I personally ship Feyre and Tamlin a bit more), we'll just have to see how their relationship will progress in the next book!

A Court of Thorns and Roses ends with a high note with no cliffhangers that has readers anticipating what the author has in store for us next! Feyre is essentially broken by the end of this book as a result of her choices and actions in breaking Tamlin's curse when it comes to saving both the faerie and human world. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to those who are looking for a great high fantasy novel with wonderful characters and an intricate world full of possibilities, danger, magic, and even love.

Rating: ★★★★★