Love in Suspense rec: 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas
Author Sarah J. Maas delivers what may be her best work to date in the fairy tale-inspired A Court of Thorns and Roses. Enchanting, spellbinding and imaginative, this glimmering story encapsulates everything I love about reading. The world-building is stellar, as only Maas can imagine it, rich and lush and so very vivid. The characters are wholly intriguing and multifaceted, both relatable and alluring for their otherworldliness.
Nineteen-year-old Feyre is an epic heroine, a huntress full of heart and verve, courage and determination. Her life is tethered by responsibility, by a vow she resolved to keep. The lives of her ailing father and two sisters depend on the accuracy of her arrow's aim. She hunts in a forest which is alarmingly close to the wall — the immortal border between the desolate, dark and hungry village where she resides, and the faerie land of Prythian, which is enlivened by magic and glamour. Yet Prythian, as otherworldly and dazzling as was bruited, is also a terrifying place ruled by a ruthless, feral power unknown to humans like Feyre.
Our story starts here, with Feyre hunting in the woods, hoping for a kill to feed her hungry family. This one hunt, however, ends with a beast crashing into her home, demanding retribution for murdering his friend. Feyre is taken across that much-feared immortal border, to the land of Prythian, to live forevermore with this beast-like creature.
She soon discovers the beast to be Tamlin — a powerful faerie with dominion over the Spring Court, where she would live for the remainder of her days. Feyre despises Tamlin, for dragging her into this world, for forcing abandonment of her starving family, for holding her captive with the promise of horrible things at the fringes of his estate. Frightening faeries lurk, ready to tear her into ribbons, and only he could protect her ... as long as she stayed on his grounds.
I was definitely walking a dangerous line, but I didn't care. Even if he'd offered me sanctuary, I didn't have to fall to his feet.
Their relationship is fiercely antagonistic at first, despite Tamlin's attempts to be kind. Tamlin is an enigma to Feyre. He's powerful, mysterious and brooding, affected by a curse she knows not much about. The more time they spend together, however, the more she grows to like him, understand him ... want him. Desire burns between them as these two unlikely people begin to fall for each other.
"You aren't what I expected—for a human."
But a darkness creeps over the faerie lands, a blight that has compromised the magic of its most powerful rulers, and has killed others mercilessly. And with this shadow, comes lies, deception, curses and a wickedly evil villain intent on shattering Tamlin's world and her own mortal realm.
The story takes exciting and chilling turns as Feyre encounters the dark magic of the Faerie lands. And just as she finds solace and happiness in the arms of Tamlin, everything is ripped apart as their worlds hang precariously in the balance.
Sarah J. Maas' one-of-a-kind storytelling and perfect pacing make this novel entirely unputdownable and one of my favorites of the year. I devoured every detail as I irrevocably fell in love with Feyre and Tamlin, and this world rife with dark and beautiful magic, evil and good, love and hope. This is a book that should not be missed by fantasy and romance readers alike.
"I love you... thorns and all."
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A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book in a new series. To enter to win a signed copy of the novel, visit Vilma's Book Blog.
Connect with Sarah J. Maas at sarahjmaas.com.
Vilma Gonzalez is a blogger, reader, marketer, wife and mom. She has an insatiable appetite for happily ever afters and a deep love of the written word. You can find more about her and read full book reviews at Vilma's Book Blog. Please e-mail Vilma at loveinsuspense@gmail.com about content related to this column. Due to the volume of mail, e-mails may not be answered personally, but all will be read.