Mixed feelings.. A Court of Thorns and Roses Review♥

A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas

• Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses Book #1 
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
•  (May 5, 2015)
• ISBN-13: 978-1619634442
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• Updated note: Personally, this is a 5 STARS for me.. However, if I was writing a professional review it would be 3.5 stars.
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• Genre: Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling, NA
• Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles
• Source: Personal Physical Purchase
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• Synopsis: 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 over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.

When I first heard about this novel.

When I found out, it's a fairytale retelling of .. BEAUTY & THE BEAST.

Now that I have read it.

• A Court of Thorns and Roses is the fairytale retelling of Beauty & the Beast with a twist. The huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, little did she know the wolf was actually a high fae, a faerie. Now, another high fae by the name of Tamlin comes to demand compensation for it. Feyre has either two choices: be killed or be a captive to the beast/faerie. Of course, Feyre picks the option to be a captive. Feyre has hostility for Tamlin and his kind of world, soon, the hate turns into passion soon, but an ancient wicked shadow has fallen over the faerie land, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, if not Tamlin and his world are doomed forever.

• A Court of Thorns and Roses was my most highly anticipated book so far, previously, I had made a WOW post on it. Unpopular opinion time, don't get me wrong, this is still a very good novel with potential, the cover is so gorgeous, and it's my most favorite book cover this year. I really wanted to give it five stars when I finished the novel. I have been waiting for this novel since the beginning of this year. I had even pre-ordered it two months before it's release date. I have read the author's previous work before, Throne of Glass was a disastrous series,  still I wanted to give the author another try. This is so much better than TOG, although it's a bit similar. I liked what I read, but at the same time many things irritated me.  

• A Court of Thorns and Roses is beautifully written, the writing is compelling and fantastic - the beginning was rather slow though. The first three chapters were intriguing and intense, and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. The actual action doesn't occur until halfway reading into this novel. I don't mind slow beginnings, but this took more than HALFWAY of the book, that's a bit too much. This didn't remind me of Beauty & the Beast. There was no real sense of the "beast" besides his actual form. This novel is more of a Cinderella type retelling, the premise is rather misleading. Feyre has two sisters, they're her biological sisters but they're awful to her. Feyre's mother is dead, Feyre does all the chores in the house, she cooks, she cleans, and she works hunts. She clearly has no say in the house. Enter prince charming, "the beast" who whisks her away & they live happily ever after(not exactly but you get the point).. Seriously, talk about the deception of the premise.

• Feyre doesn't act like Cinderella though, she's more like fiery Bella of Beauty & the Beast. Feyre is witty, hostile, yet kind at the same time. She's no damsel in distress, she's a kickass heroine, and she can fight. She's portrayed as ordinary, but I can tell she's probably gorgeous from the way males desire her. A personality trait that is rather annoying of Feyre is that her curiosity gets the best of her. There are two scenes in the novel, where Feyre acts stupid when she is clearly told to do something to prevent her from danger. She is called Feyre which is an old faerie legend's name, but humans hate faeries here.. so I'm not sure what else to add about the contradicting aspect of the name. Her name does signify it's importance to the novel though. Tamlin is the beast/wolf, but he's a faerie. I'm not sure how that concept even makes any sense, there are so concepts in this novel that are rather stupid a.k.a "the mask." Tamlin looks like a gorgeous creature most of the time, he looks human. I don't mind that he's beautiful, but I didn't see any cruelty of the beast in A Court of Thorns and Roses. Beastly nature isn't just limited to their looks, you have have an inner beast in you too. Tamlin is portrayed as a good, and a loving creature. How is he a beast then? I'm not saying he should beat up Feyre, but come on atleast say some negative, snarky comments.. He has nothing in common with the original disney beast. Deceptions I tell you..  I still like the male lead Tamlin though, he's a wonderful character and his kindness is infectious. Some of the secondary characters are wonderful as well, Lucian's witty yet dark humor was adorable. He's actually my favorite male character. He reminded me more of the disney beast.

• The romance was one of my favorite aspects of this novel, it was swoon worthy and steamy. However, even the romance has it flaws. It took almost half of the book, and when it did occur - I didn't find it that genuine. Feyre goes from being hostile and 100 pages later, instantly she is gazing at Tamlin's speckled golden hair.. There wasn't any real romance development. There is a potential love triangle, which quite frankly makes me want to facepalm myself.. hard. Feyre is not swaying to the other male lead.. yet. I have a strong feeling the love triangle will develop more in the second installment. This novel could have worked better without a love triangle. The other male lead was irritating, NOW HE IS DARK, but he's just vile. He's evil, manipulative yet he's fascinating to read about. He's more of the "asshole" type though with his abusive nature so I can't like him. If Feyre ends up liking this douchebag, I'm done with this series. Tamlin will be the guy I would prefer with Feyre in this series though, mainly because I was rooting for him before the other male lead came along, and the second male is a douche bag. I like to think I'm loyal.

• The magical aspects of A Court of Thorns and Roses were amazing. The second half of the novel is much stronger than the first half. Many fantasy novels have a focus on the romance for the first 60% then the action finally decides to kick in, that's not cool. Even though, the book does have it flaws - the writing amazes me and I do like some of the characters. The actual plot was fascinating, it was quite strong which saved the book for me. The book is a good start to a series, I actually thought it might be standalone novel, I wish it was because I have a feeling this series will be ruined for me with the love triangle.. I do look forward to the rest of the books though, A Court of Thorns and Roses still made me laugh and smile on the bright side.

* SPOILER DISCUSSION ALERT - FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THIS NOVEL: What do you guys think will happen in the next installment? I honestly think Rhy will teach Feyre how to read and write. He made a joke about it in the novel. If he forces her sexually or she falls for him, then I AM DONE.*

“I was as unburdened as a piece of dandelion fluff, and he was the wind that stirred me about the world.” 

“I love you,’ he whispered, and kissed my brow. ‘Thorns and all.” 

Recommended for fans of Beastly, Red Queen, and Throne of Glass.

If you're still confused about buying this novel, you can also check out these amazing reviews: Aimee @ DeadlyDarlings, Zoe @ ZoeReads, and Kelly @ DivaBooknerd.

Shukran for reading this! Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & drop by :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures..

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” —Nora Ephron 

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