A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES — A MUST READ ON EVERYONE’S LIST | BOOK REVIEW
Most of us would already be familiar with the fairy tale The Beauty and The Beast. It has been made into countless films, plays and been retold so many times in so many different versions that the story-line is almost imprinted on our minds. And if you’re one of those people who aren’t familiar with the story, it goes like this:
Pretty girl gets kidnapped/trapped in a castle owned by a beast — beast falls in love with the girl — girl falls in love with the beast — turns out the beast was actually cursed which would only be lifted if a girl truly loves him — beast becomes prince charming –and they lived happily ever after.
When I heard that there’s this book adapted from this fairy tale, I was pretty intrigued as to how the author would manage to make it authentic as well as original. Honestly I wanted to know what the twists would be, and from the first page of the book itself, I was hooked.
SJM, you are a masterful storyteller and you should never stop writing, ever.
That being said, let’s talk about the characters and the world that the author Sarah J Maas (who has quickly become a favourite with yours truly) has managed to create with so much attention to detail, it’s on par with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movies.
The protagonist is Feyre Archeron, a poor girl in a poor village in a land called Prythian, with a family consisting of her father and two elder sisters. Right off the bat, we see BAMF Feyre just shooting down a giant wolf in the forest, because it’s the middle of winter and they are going to starve unless she does something.
Now we wonder what her father and elder sisters are doing, because she is way too young to be risking her life in the winter filled forest. But turns out, the father is a merchant who has lost all his wealth, got beaten up by some creditors and is now too melancholy to take care of his daughters (yeah, I was pissed at him for his negligence too). The eldest sister Nesta believes herself too high and mighty to do “common chores” and the second eldest one Elain is too meek and shy to take charge of the family. So naturally, poor Feyre is forced to fend for her entire family.
Also we find out that the world is not as we know it. Humans are actually the lowest in the food chain, whereas the world is terrorized by faeries (creatures with magical powers) who are ruled by those called the High Fae (even more powerful magical creatures). After a great big war years past, the humans were allocated too small territories and the Fae retreated to their boundaries, separated by a magical wall of sorts. So we think all’s well right? Nooo, because it seems that there are cracks in the wall through which all kinds of beasts come out to hurt humans. To give everyone some context, there are seven Fae Courts in Prythian — Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Day, Dawn and Night — each ruled by a High Lord, who kind of keep these beasts in line.
Remember, I mentioned Feyre shooting down a wolf? Turns out that the wolf was actually a Faerie and according to the laws, humans who kill a Faerie have to forfeit their life to a High Fae. Now we have a clueless Feyre showing off the money she got from selling the wolf pelt at home when suddenly a fearsome beast just breaks down the front door proclaiming he’s come to take away the wolf’s murderer. Feyre’s family being the really crappy people they are, allow Feyre to be dragged away. Yeah, great going, Feyre’s dad *cue the sarcasm*.
Obviously Feyre falls in love with the beast, who we learn is called Tamlin, actually not a beast at all but a High Lord. Our hero Tamlin is the High Lord of Spring Court. Feyre, although apprehensive at first of being kidnapped by strangers, slowly begins to trust Tamlin and his best friend Lucien and life’s good. The only thing bothering Feyre is how she cannot see Tamlin’s face as it is covered with a mask — a mask that is actually worn by everyone at Spring Court. Feyre is hell bent on finding out why it can’t be removed, which is when Tamlin reveals that there’s a blight plaguing the land — a curse of sorts. There’s no life in the forest, it is dark and gloomy and Tamlin’s life is in danger.
The thing is, the blight isn’t actually some disease or curse as we’re made to believe. It is actually the rule of this big bad wicked w(b)itch queen, named Amarantha, who caused this. She wanted Tamlin for herself, he rejected her and she cursed him in return, giving him seven years to find someone who truly loves him to break the curse. We also meet a bad boy High Lord, Rhysand, also known as the pet/toy of Amarantha who appears at Spring Court accidentally and finds Feyre there. Tamlin, out of fear for Feyre’s life, sends her back to her family because he knows danger is near.
Feyre, though back with her family, is filled with guilt at leaving Tamlin alone and vows to go back. She somehow reaches Under The Mountain, the place from where Amarantha rules. Amarantha (who I fondly call the bitch queen, I hate her so much), upon hearing her declaration of love for Tamlin mocks her and says the seven years she gave him are over. However she offers to free Tamlin and everyone else she has enslaved if Feyre can complete three challenges.
At this point, I am on my bed just going, you go girl, show that queen what you’re made of. Seriously, it’s so refreshing to see a strong independent female character saving the world! I live for such stories. During the course of completing the three challenges set to Feyre, she is forced to take the help of none other than Rhysand. But is he really helping her out of the goodness of his heart or is some sinister plan afoot? You’ve got to read to know!
The tale that follows is filled with so many twists and turns, you gotta read to actally feel it. I am not giving spoilers here. Does the story have a happy ending? Yes, kinda. But it’s what leads up to the ending that’s exciting. Oh and let me tell you this beforehand, whatever you think you know at the end of this book, wait for the sequel to get your mind blown!
ACOTAR is a contemporary take on a tale as old as time, but SJM has owned it so much that you never even think to compare the story to the fairytale. It’s different and unique, the characters are layered and multi-faceted and the world building in this series is so amazing you almost feel like you’re in the story, living it. In my opinion, those are the best kind of books. Whatever open ends you feel the book has, all of those are explained in the sequels and the end keeps you wanting more. Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for the book to end.
As soon as I finished reading it, in typical nerd fashion I talked to all my friends about the book. Sorry guys, if I talked way too much on the topic! *sheepish look on my face* BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO READ IT GUYS, IT’S AMAZIIIIIING!
Footnote: They say a movie based on ACOTAR is coming out sometime in the next few years. While I am as excited as everyone else in the fandom, I am also dreading it because what if the movie doesn’t live up to the expectations of the book. Also, once it comes out, everyone’s is going to be in love with Tamlin again. *cue the sigh and eye rolling*. So, fingers crossed.
P.S: If you liked the review, do check out the book. Also, watch out for my review of the sequel to ACOTAR, A Court of Mist and Fury.
