A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Published on: May 5 2015
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!
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Where to begin . . .
A Court of Thorns and Roses was and wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.
I knew it was going to be a sort of Beauty and the Beast meets Tamlin mashup . . . but I didn’t really think about what that might mean.
When I think of retellings, especially fairy tale retellings, I think of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson. I think of folk stories and mythologies that have no author to speak of, b/c they’re part of an oral tradition that no single person can lay claim to.
What I do not think of is Disney.
Disney is the end product of a retelling. It’s not whence the retelling came. So . . . in my mind . . . a retelling of anything Disney . . . is a retelling of a retelling. And while the Beauty and the Beast portion of our story wasn’t entirely Disney, it was significantly Disney.
So here’s the deal: I liked this book. I really did, and cumulatively I have zero apprehensions about recommending to fellow lovers of fantasy and fairy tale retellings . . .
BUT. I also had a lot of tiny issues that combined to be less tiny, in addition to an issue that by itself wasn’t tiny at all . . .
So. Tiny things (the “she“s and “her“s are b/c we didn’t get a name for a long, long time):
1. The masks that Tamlin and all the members of his house have stuck to their faces . . .
I thought they were both unnecessary and . . . more than a little bit silly.
We’re told that they’re the result of her lashing out in anger . . . okaaaaay . . . hmm . . . Was there seriously no one else who thought, “Oh no! Not masks, anything but masks!”?
B/c I know I did.
That’s the silly part.
The unnecessary part is that Tamlin has a beast form. If she was really concerned about making it more difficult for him to do-the-thing, maybe it’s just me, but in a retelling of Beauty and the freaking Beast, wouldn’t it make more sense to, oh, I don’t know, trap him as a BEAST?
#sorrynotsorry
That’s the silly part.
2. As much as it pains me to say it, there was a some redundancy (and this is actually three separate tiny things):
In the beginning, if Feyre wasn’t trying to escape, b/c, yes, we know, she made a promise, she was blithely walking into traps that the teensiest bit of foresight could have prevented.
In the aftermath of her inevitable rescues, her reaction was always some variation of, “I’m a stupid, insignificant peasant, and I’m even more stupid and peasant-like for forgetting that I’m a stupid, insignificant peasant for even a moment.”
And I have a lot of sympathy for Feyre, I really do. Not being able to todothething would give me a similar complex, I’m sure. But that complex was made an issue a touch too frequently, and the resulting tantrums got tiresome.
When Tamlin feels compelled to premeditatedly say, “Before you start yelling . . . ,” it’s a problem. Just sayin’.
Not-so-tiny thing:
Just to be safe, I’m spoiler tagging this. It’s really not much of a spoiler, but it is a piece of information that isn’t revealed until you’re well into the book:
View Spoiler »So not a perfect book. BUT I still liked it.
If you think beast-form is smelly with poor table manners and masks are an excellent alternative, or that my idea of redundancy is really determination, then you will more than like this book. I can’t imagine that many people are as hardcore about FAE as I am, so I’m not even going to pretend that might be an issue for you, and I have no one to blame but myself for going into it with preconceived notions about what it means to be a “retelling.”
And despite those notions, there was a lot of legitimate Fae lore.
Then there’s–what for me was–the book’s crowning glory: Feyre’s relationship with her family. You will be shocked with how everything eventually plays out, and I’m talking about the good kind of shock. The kind of shock that fills you so full of warmth that you’re half convinced you glow with it.
ALSO no cliffhanger.
So. Time to find out for yourself. A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is a fantastical retelling of a beloved classic and an older, lesser known folktale from the British Isles, combining both into something completely new. With a tortured hero trying to protect his people from an evil would-be queen, Evil Queen’s enforcer whose real intent is as easy to discern as a path back to civilization in a dark, unfamiliar forest, and the girl who shines like a beacon and may just save them all, this is a book that will appeal to a broad demographic. Recommended.
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I haven’t read anything by Maas yet but I’m going to give this one a try.
I started this one last night, so I am staying away from your spoilers for now. I am not very far in the story, so I am curious how I will feel about the parts that you had issues with.
And yay for no cliffy 🙂 Great review, Jessica!
Lucia recently posted…EARLY REVIEW: 5 to 1 by Holly Bodger
I have to admit, the cover caught my attention on this one a few weeks back when I saw it. That being said I love retellings, but didn’t know it was a Disney sort of retelling, which is good to know, thanks! Several of the things that bothered you will bother me also, so I’ll probably wait for this one to hit my library.
I still need to finish (or catch up–not really sure which one it is) on the other series. I do love her covers but for the longest time I thought it was part of the other one.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger recently posted…Early Review: The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker
Okay the stuck mask does sound a bit odd but I still really want to read this mostly because I just love Sarah’s writing and even if this wasn’t her best, I still know it will be a good story overall. 😉
Lovely review Jessica!
kindlemom1 recently posted…WoW Pick of the Week!
I liked this one a bit more than you Jessica, but like you, I was slightly surprised to see how closely the Beauty and the Beast elements followed the Disney version. Not a complaint from me though, that’s one of my favorite movies 😉 Glad you enjoyed this one well enough, I’ll be interested to see what you think of the next book when it comes out!
Well, I’m glad to hear that despite you not loving it to bits still recommend it for any and all fantasy lovers! I cannot wait till my preorder arrives so I can read it myself!
We’ll compare notes once I get it!
Pili recently posted…Cover Reveal: Nightmare Charade by Mindee Arnett!!
I have to confess that I don’t know any version of Beauty and the Beast except Disney. I really need to fix that!
Nicole recently posted…Ash and Ruin Series by Shauna Granger – Review & $25 Giveaway
I never gave much thought to how a retelling was, if it was from Disney or Grimms..as long as I like it. 🙂 I want to read this one but I don’t think it’s going to be on my must read now list.
Stormi recently posted…Book Review: Dreams of Lilacs by Lynn Kurland
I honestly don’t know what to think about this one. Retellings just don’t work for me, and retellings of retellings simply stand no chance. I wasn’t overly fond of her first series, but I have to admit that there are some things about this that sound appealing. And yet, someone somewhere mentioned a love triangle, which is a huge minus in my book. At least there’s no cliffhanger, so thank Mass for small favors.
Maja (The Nocturnal Library) recently posted…Review: Out of Control
I’ve been back and forth about whether I’ll read this one. I guess I have so much to read already I’m not feeling a rush. I’m not sure whether I’ll like it or not. It’s just too hard to even guess at this point. So… maybe one day.
Candace recently posted…Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: The Demon’s Deadline by Tori Centanni
Interesting review, and the first one I read that describes the book as not perfect. It’s next on my reading list, so I can’t weigh in yet. But … faeries. Besides vamps, they’re my other weak spot, so I suspect I’ll enjoy this. Probably just as much as I do your reviews 😛
Ramona recently posted…Free Ebooks
Jessica your review is definitely the most honest I’ve read in a while. While i’m still very excited to read this one I appreciate not reading a glowing five star review for this one. Lowers my expectations lol 🙂
Lily recently posted…Black Iris: Review
After her other series, no I just can not
blodeuedd recently posted…Hexed – Michael Alan Nelson
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is one of the few retellings they did that I actually liked. 🙂 I can deal with that. I didn’t know Tamlin was a part of this one. Yea, despite the problems in the book, I do think I would enjoy this one. Brilly review!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…On My Wishlist
Hmmmm, good to know! I think I’ll like this more than you did – partially because my expectations are medium/low – but I’m glad you mentioned the redundancy. That is a big pet peeve of mine too, especially in series openers.
Danya recently posted…Review: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
I can’t decide whether I want to give this a try or not, I DNF Throne of Glass, but this series does sound better. On the other hand I didn’t really like the author her writing style which is porbably similiar across books and those tiny thigns you mentioned sound like could be pretty annoying when you add them all up. And I am not really a fan of fairytale retellings, so maybe I should just skip this series as well. Great review!
Excellent review, Jessica. I liked how you laid it all out for us. 😉 And I can understand your tiny issues and especially that not so tiny issue. I haven’t read Maas yet but i want to. So my question is, do i read this or her series (which in drawing a blank on for the name).
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ Alpha & Omega ~ Patricia Briggs
I’ll take your word for it. I can get particular with my myths so that’s good that Maas didn’t bastardize things. Also I am a fan of hers so no question about it, I will be reading this… soon.
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Quick Hits: A Midsummer Night’s Romp by @katiemacalister & Rescuing the Bad Boy by Jessica @lemmony
Very hard to follow the review, but I know that’s because you were trying hard not to spoil, so I really appreciate that. I guess I’ll just see for myself when I can get to this one 🙂
Mogsy recently posted…Comic Stack 05/06/15: Rat Queens, Vol. 1 & Vol 2 by Kurtis J. Wiebe
A lovely review Jessica, I enjoyed this one a bit more than you did but I completely understand the issues you mentioned. I can’t wait to read the sequel!
Sharon – Obsession with Books
I’ve been waiting for someone I trust to review this book. 🙂 I’m not that big on Faeries, but I loved loved loved the Throne of Glass series. I am even more confused though, as to whether I should read this book though. Great review Jessica! 🙂
I too liked it, and see where you are coming from with your issues addressed
Uuuuh, sounds interesting. Though Disney versions of anything… meh. But still, it sounds like a really fun read 😀 Wanna try it out at some point.
Livia recently posted…A Counselor Among Wolves by Liv Olteano Excerpt & Giveaway
I am with you, I love Fae books and the lore surrounding them. I have issues with books that take that lore too liberally but I have always had a soft spot for any Beauty and the Beast retelling. A great review and now I am even more interested in checking this out.