★★★☆☆
This was my third reading of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and my feelings and opinions on it haven’t changed much at all from the second reading, but my initial thoughts were quite different. So let’s get into this (spoiler-free) review!
First and foremost, I always enjoy the whole Beauty and the Beast retelling-vibe. I also thought that the world-building was pretty great. You get enough in this first book of the series to get a feel for the world, but to leave some things to be found out in the later books which I really like. And honestly, the last 100 pages are so good, they’re darker and they’re raw and I really enjoy them. Every time, I forget how much better this series gets the longer you get into it.
The character development, and development of the relationships and relationship dynamics throughout the book I also think is excellent. In the beginning, Feyre was pretty damn annoying. It was frustrating being in her head, but honestly, by the end of the book she was much more interesting and maybe it was the fact that she went through SO much at the end that she was a way better POV. As she loosened up at the Spring Court, and formed connections with Tamlin, Lucien, Alis and even Rhysand, she became more interesting.
Lucien and Rhysand are still my two favourite characters from this book. They are funny, witty and just way more dynamic than the predictable and a bit boring Tamlin. Tamlin is painted as ‘swoon-worthy but I really do find him boring and predictable. The dialogue between Feyre and Lucien is probably the most interesting part of the first 60% of the book to be quite honest. Lucien backstory never gets easier to read, it always makes me so sad. Maybe it’s because we get more information about Lucien than Tamlin, which is why I like him so much more? I don’t know. Tamlin seems like he’s just a bit self-serving? It’s interesting. Also, let’s just say, don’t take Rhysand at face value. This book only hints at the depth and layers of these characters and the world which you really only get into in book two.
Don’t feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy
Sarah J Maas
But, compared to the other books in the series, this one is seriously lacking. It definitely sets up the world and the characters for so much potential, but on it’s own, it falls short. Elain and Nesta are interesting characters, Elain is sweet but oh so very useless, and Nesta is icy and brutal. I will be very very interested to read a book from her POV to hopefully get a bit deeper into why she is how she is, because honestly, at the beginning of this book her words and actions are inexcusable. She is definitely better when we encounter her later in the book, but still. Doesn’t make up for her initial behaviour.
Let’s finish this mess of a review by saying it’s hard to review a book impartially when you have read the next ones… Honestly though, if you read this and don’t vibe with it that much, PLEASE try to read the next one. This is my least favourite book in the series and it honestly gets SO much better! If you’ve read this book, or the series, let me know what you think of it!