It’s been a while since I discovered a new series of books that changed my reading habits entirely. I used to read a bit of fantasy when I was younger, or at least of the YA variety. You know, the classics like Harry Potter and Hunger Games, I was even there at the beginning of Caraval which is suddenly trending again now. I’ve since strayed from the fantasy genre as, honestly, I didn’t know that fantasy that I would enjoy actually existed!
I have this weird thing with fantasy books where I kind of shouldn’t read the blurb. That sounds a bit weird, but somehow the summary of a fantasy book seems to make the plot seem far more complicated than it really is – they often revolve around some sort of politics, a word that puts off a lot of people (me included!), I imagine that it’s because fiction is an escape from the world for us, and politics seems too serious. What I’ve discovered is that I actually enjoy reading about a different way of the world with characters who are so different but so familiar.
What struck me about ACOTAR and the other fantasy books I’ve been gravitating toward recently, is how well they bridge the gap between the worlds I loved in my youth and the kind of stories I want to read now. I’ve always enjoyed a good dystopian tale, it’s probably been my favourite genre for a good few years, and while the fantasy worlds in ACOTAR are a little more complex and unfamiliar, they aren’t as farfetched as I feared. The elements of romance, action, and intricate world-building in romantasy speak to a much wider audience than I first imagined.
I feel personally victimised by this TikTok, honestly!
https://www.tiktok.com/@originallyurban/photo/7425032087662578987
A few years ago, I would’ve been the first to dismiss books that were highly recommended on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. I’d say I was a bit of a book “snob” – you know what I mean, like people who can’t listen to popular music! It took me a year or two of convincing to get into Harry Potter originally, but after the first book, I was out there queuing with everyone else to buy the next in the series!
So after seeing SO many TikToks about this series that had everyone enthralled, I gave in and decided to try it, despite not liking the title or summary. Yep, sorry, I’m hooked. It’s up there with Harry Potter for me – maybe even surpassed it, eek!
Romantasy, it seems, has become my new obsession. And honestly, I’m okay with that. I’m now trying to give “buzz books” more of a chance, and I think I’ve had my best year of reading in a long time – most books have been either 4 or 5 star reads, so I feel like I’m winning!
So anyway, onto something of a review of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series itself!
A Court of Thorns & Roses
If you’re new to the world of Sarah J. Maas or fantasy, this should probably be your starting point. While the other series (Throne of Glass and Crescent City) are standalone, this is a more gentle approach to fantasy – and Crescent City apparently has links to ACOTAR (I haven’t got to that one yet!).
Honestly, I have to tell you that if you’re not immediately hooked by this book, you’re not alone. The first few chapters are a little slow and generic, honestly there isn’t even that much world building to start, but it is necessary to build the story for later on – trust me, power through!
If you haven’t heard about it, this is the story of Feyre, a mortal huntress who lives on the boundary of Prythian, the fae world. Her world is protected by a tenuous wall and treaty between the fae and mortals. When she breaks the treaty by killing what appears to be a wolf, she is taken to the fae lands by beast in retribution. While she learns to live in this strange new world, a dark presence becomes more and more apparent to her, until it falls onto Feyre to protect everything she loves.
Honestly, like I said, a summary of this can only give you so much!
I don’t want to give full reviews or summaries of the following books as if you’re new to the series, it will seriously give away some spoilers even just describing some of the content! But I have more thoughts on the rest of the books to add!
A Court of Mist and Fury is the second book and absolutely flips a lot of things you’ve previously believed on their heads – Sarah J Maas honestly knows how to tear out your heart is all I’ll say! This book is even more intense than the first and Ben complained about my gasps of shock at times while reading it! The theme continues in the third book, A Court of Wings and Ruin, where I shook him out of sleep (accidentally, I swear) and nearly broke his hand. Many people claim this to be their favourite of the series, although I don’t think I could choose!
A Court of Frost and Starlight is an odd one – it stands out from the rest of the series as something of a lighthearted novella that doesn’t add a huge amount to the overall storyline. Like everyone else, I can’t say it’s my favourite, but it is a cute addition to the series and makes a nice little break from the heaviness of the rest, especially if you just had to read them all in one go like I did!
Finally, at least for now, we’ve got A Court of Silver Flames. This one breaks away entirely from the rest of the series as it comes from a different perspective – please don’t go and read the summary if you haven’t read the rest of the series as it gives away some aspects! But this is a character who is a bit divisive so it’s a bit of a Marmite book! Personally, I loved it, but there are certain parts that throw me a little when Feyre is brought back in and we see her from a different perspective. I’m very excited to see where she goes with the final book!
So yep, that’s my latest obsession. Did I mention that as a result of this, not only have I picked up around a dozen more fantasy books since summer, but that my sister and I have actually booked tickets to Fantasy Forest next year?! Yes, I fully intend to create myself a costume directly out of ACOTAR! Have you been bitten by the ACOTAR bug?
