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A Court of Thorns and Roses Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 256,023 ratings

The sexy, action-packed first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series from Sarah J. Maas.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he's not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—When 19-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the barren woods near her home in Prythian, she thinks it might be enough to help her family survive another long winter. Instead, a monstrous creature soon comes to the cottage, accusing Feyre of murder and demanding she return with him to the Fae realm as payment for the life she took. Feyre finds herself held on a lavish estate belonging to an elite Fae creature known as Tamlin. Over the course of her captivity, Feyre soon learns that life in the Fae realm can be as much of an opportunity as a punishment. When her feelings for Tamlin shift from loathing to lust, Feyre also realizes little will be able to keep them apart—not even the threat of evil lurking on the borders of the estate. Something that has cursed Tamlin for centuries may destroy him and his realm if Feyre can't find a way to stop it. Maas follows up her "Throne of Glass" novels (Bloomsbury) with this series opener. Readers will find the author's trademark blend of action, romance, and witty banter as well as a sexier, edgier tone. This retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tam Lin" (with elements from ancient Greek mythology thrown in) has a strong focus on Feyre's physical attraction to Tamlin, but characters lacking in dimension detract from Feyre's strengths as a capable but rash heroine. Uneven pacing includes a slow start followed by a game-changing information dump, and then a more action- and less romance-filled second half. VERDICT A weak fantasy with strong romance elements. Good for fans of Maas's previous books looking for a more mature read.—Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library

About the Author

SARAH J. MAAS is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling Throne of Glass series: Throne of Glass, Crown of MidnightHeir of Fire, and the series' prequel, The Assassin's Blade; as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses. A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. Queen of Shadows, the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, will release worldwide on September 1st, 2015.

sarahjmaas.com
facebook.com/throneofglass
@SJMaas

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00OZP5VRS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Publishing; 1st edition (May 5, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 5, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9220 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 439 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1526605392
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 256,023 ratings

About the author

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Sarah J. Maas
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Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the Throne of Glass series. Her books have sold more than twelve million copies and are published in thirty-seven languages. A New York native, Sarah lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, and dog. To find out more, visit sarahjmaas.com or follow @therealsjmaas on Instagram.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
256,023 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's readability, story quality, and character development. They found the story interesting and magical. The characters were well-developed and relatable to them. Readers appreciated the writing style as fluid and superb. They described the series as fantastic and a solid start. Overall, customers found the book entertaining and lighthearted.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

3,607 customers mention "Readability"3,450 positive157 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and engaging. They appreciate the writing style, characters, and world. The book is described as charming, stunning, and unable to put down.

"I bought the trilogy. All together they were the best books I've read in a while. Separately, they were not perfect but I'm okay with that...." Read more

"...It also helped that their relationship building after that was sweet and believable...." Read more

"...I really liked him! I thought that Feyre and him were a great match (A STEAMY MATCH)...." Read more

"...author and a heartfelt thank you, for sharing her imagination ant amazing talent with all of us who love to lose ourselves in other worlds and lives..." Read more

2,935 customers mention "Story quality"2,587 positive348 negative

Customers enjoy the story's pace, romance, and intrigue. They find the plot interesting and engaging, with a magical feel. The main plot is wrapped up satisfyingly, leaving readers satisfied and fulfilled. Overall, customers appreciate the rich world and characters.

"...The main plot was tied up leaving me feeling satisfied and fulfilled while just enough bait was dangled to make me anticipate the next book...." Read more

"...This book was like an answer to my bookish prayers! Because I have been really wanting to read books about characters moreso my own age...." Read more

"...I love the pace, the romance, the intrigue. I laughed, cried, rejoiced and held onto the edge of my seat with horror and fury on some chapters!!..." Read more

"...Sarah J. Maas is nothing short of a masterpiece, blending a rich tapestry of romance, fantasy, and suspense into a breathtaking tale that captivates..." Read more

1,344 customers mention "Character development"1,140 positive204 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters and their interactions with the main male characters. They find the content mature and worth reading for the characters alone. Readers appreciate the strong female lead character and can easily identify all the different characters.

"...Rhysand (villain/other H): Rhysand was the most interesting character in the book (although Nesta was a close second)...." Read more

"...But ACOTAR delivered on all that I asked for: world building, character developments, romance, and action...." Read more

"...And a really good one at that! I loved that I could easily pick out all the different characters and events and such from Beauty and the Beast that..." Read more

"...I love all of the characters, even the bad ones or seemingly, the twist and turns that I never expected added to my obsession one line at a time...." Read more

1,322 customers mention "Writing style"1,099 positive223 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it well-written and creative, with detailed descriptions that make their imaginations run wild. The storytelling is straightforward and easy to follow, with witty and lighthearted dialogue that helps them understand the characters and setting.

"...Good enough writing, engaging plots, believable characters, and “HEA”...." Read more

"...I liked the setting and descriptions in this book...." Read more

"...Its well-written, well-paced and the characters are wonderful." Read more

"This book deserves all the hype! SJM has such fluidity to her writing; absolutely superb! Once I started, I could not put it down...." Read more

630 customers mention "Series quality"630 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series. They find the first book a solid beginning for a great fantasy series. The series gets better as it progresses, keeping readers interested. The book is a good start into SJM's realm and a stand-alone new series.

"...This character is complex and goes through several changes throughout the series. In this book, she has her ups and downs...." Read more

"...HOWEVER, I can appreciate the start of a very fantastical series...." Read more

"...I don’t know which one I love more. Amazing series." Read more

"...No spoilers, but the ending was, just wow. A solid starter to the series, that not only got me to fall in love with daily reading, but prompted me..." Read more

499 customers mention "World building"449 positive50 negative

Customers enjoy the book's world-building. They find it intricate and immersive, with a world full of magic, danger, drama, romance, and intrigue. The setting is described as astounding, unique, and surreal. Customers describe the journey as spellbinding and self-discovery.

"...A trait that becomes more obvious as the series progresses. Lucian has potential. Rhysand (villain/other H):..." Read more

"...But ACOTAR delivered on all that I asked for: world building, character developments, romance, and action...." Read more

"...What follows is a spellbinding journey of growth, self-discovery, and intricate relationships set against a beautifully crafted world full of magic,..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed the characters in this story. The world building was good. The plot was fast paced and interesting...." Read more

474 customers mention "Enjoyment"337 positive137 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining, with witty banter and lighthearted moments. The story is compelling with thoughtful exploration and lovable characters. Readers appreciate the lyrical prose and clever twists that transport them to an intense emotional journey.

"...I love the pace, the romance, the intrigue. I laughed, cried, rejoiced and held onto the edge of my seat with horror and fury on some chapters!!..." Read more

"...He is humorous and sarcastic and I adore his character. There is also Amarantha, the story's evil villainess...." Read more

"...It is cheesy at some parts. And why is every smile and smirk described as 'lazy'?..." Read more

"...He’s so complex and he’s been through so much. He’s witty, intelligent, and overall just cares about people even when he pretends he does..." Read more

701 customers mention "Pacing"302 positive399 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it fast-paced with a lot going on, keeping them turning pages. Others feel the story starts slowly in the beginning and feels rushed later on.

"...I gave this book 4 stars because I found it to be a little bit slow in the beginning...." Read more

"What a story!! I literally could not put this book down. I love the pace, the romance, the intrigue...." Read more

"...there actually was a plot in this book, and it was good, if insanely slow to get rolling, and the amount of sex was fairly minimal." Read more

"...The world building was good. The plot was fast paced and interesting...." Read more

Don’t skip this one!
5 out of 5 stars
Don’t skip this one!
I just purchased this book less than a week ago. I can hardly keep the book down. I’m about to finish the book and I am sad I didn’t just buy the whole series.This book is so well written. I’ve loved all the characters. It’s a perfect mix of passion and action. It won’t disappoint!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2017
    I bought the trilogy. All together they were the best books I've read in a while. Separately, they were not perfect but I'm okay with that. I read a lot and tend to dislike books that show no character growth, or have wishy-washy villains, or have insta-love, or have love result from H saving h from sexual violation, or suffer from deus ex machina. I don't particularly care if something is obvious because sometimes I want to read something that is easy and obvious. My brain doesn't want to be challenged 24/7. Also, I love good dialogue- dialogue makes a romantic connection feel real rather than insta-lovey. Is dialogue action-packed? No. Does it slow down pacing? You bet. At this point, you're probably wondering where this review is going? Well, I think that knowing more about me as a reader might make it easier to see/ relate to my views for this book.

    Now the fun stuff! ***SPOILERS***

    Feyre (the h):
    This character is complex and goes through several changes throughout the series. In this book, she has her ups and downs. Initially, she is hardened, street-smart and capable with a cynical eye toward romance and happiness and outright hatred and prejudice towards the fae. She also has love for a family who seems to dislike and neglect her. She is not very likeable. But does that make a book bad? No. (Hello, Wuthering Heights.) It is, however, more rare to write an h this way because readers in general tend to want to relate to an h, particularly when it's written in 1st person perspective. So many readers might not be able to get into the story because of their dislike for Feyre. When the far remove her burdens that largely drove who she was, Feyre changes. She doesn't have a purpose to keep her going, to shape her. The pacing of the book suffers a bit here while she tries to sort herself out. She tries to make love and painting her new purposes, and while she has the determination to do so, the fit just isn't right. Does this make the book bad? No. While many people won't like to read about an h that seems somehow "less" this downward arc was necessary to fuel the inevitable reversal toward a more fitting purpose. It drags a bit for sure, but makes the reversal feel more right, more true later on. Did she rush into something with Tamlin. Her feelings do feel a bit rushed but ultimately fit her as a character- going all-in has always been her style from the start. In that sense, the character is consistent. Also, her reluctance to voice her love made me think that deep-down she might have confused love with gratitude. Tamlin was her savior in many ways. For all of these reasons I liked Feyre.

    Tamlin (the H):
    Tamlin was the 1st high fae Feyre had any meaningful interactions with in the 1st book. I never really liked him as an H. He was pretty but basically hollow. He struggles with uncontrolled rage. He had just as much hatred for humans as Feyre did for fae, and his elitist attitude was hinted at throughout this book (though not substantiated until book 2). He also adheres to fae tradition in weird ways- his willing participation in the Fire Night ritual is distasteful because it borders on infidelity (especially since we later learn in book 2 that he can designate a replacement). Tamlin has from the beginning been primarily focused on Tamlin. When things get tough, he sends Feyre away; he doesn't consult or listen to her, but just decides, hinting at his desire to treat her like a possession rather than a person. When he gets a moment of freedom under the mountain he attempts to have sex with Feyre (his wants) instead of trying to escape with or save her (her needs). When Feyre is dying, he can only bring himself to beg for her life, he isn't moved into action. All of these things hint that Tamlin is not a good fit for Feyre. Many readers will not like to read about an H that is so lacking/ ill-fitted. The beautiful part is that these things are only ever hinted at in the writing, not outright stated so you will want to root for Tamlin while also feeling something inexplicably lacking in him. I thought about it lots before I picked up book 2, where my thoughts regarding Tamlin were cemented. Tamlin could not have been written more likeable though. If he was the perfect H then Feyre falling for Rhys in book 2 would have felt like a betrayal, instead of fated, and then Feyre would've been worse than unlikable but detestable as an h.

    Lucian:
    A secondary character who is both interesting and flawed. He hates Feyre at first, but ultimately warms up to her. He is loyal to a fault, siding with Tamlin over and again, even when he thinks it is wrong to do so. A trait that becomes more obvious as the series progresses. Lucian has potential.

    Rhysand (villain/other H):
    Rhysand was the most interesting character in the book (although Nesta was a close second). Rhys was the evil queen's right-hand man. He has done terrible things. Yet, when we meet him (not my favorite bit of the book because of the gross circumstances I do not favor, as mentioned above) there is evidence that he is not all that he seems. He appeared to be interested in Feyre romantically, but the "why" part is not there. Also, it is not 100% certain WHAT drives his actions. He is a mystery. Why did he decide to help her time and again? Why, if he likes her did he decide to put her through nightly humiliation? Why use her to torment Tamlin? He is clearly not 100% a good guy. He is complex.

    Other things people often talk about:
    The sex. There is a lot more sex in this book than in other "YA" books. It seems like that has somehow lead to some amount of controversy. I find that notion very strange as many eons ago when I was a teen, sex was a big part of being a teen- whether or not to have it, who had it, when they had it where and how, what type of birth control to use, etc. Suggestions that a book would have any type of influence on those things are just silly. Teens have sex. It's a fact. Wishing it otherwise does nothing productive. Also, the sex in this series is not "explicit." Every time I see this adjective used, it makes me laugh. I have read many romances and even some erotica. If you truly want something "explicit" check out erotica- phrases like "the apex of my thighs" or the "the length of him" are not "explicit."
    The copious dialogue. Lots of readers don't like the extended dialogue and also wish to have seen more of the fae world. I am just guessing here, but I am thinking that they are meaning that they wanted less talk and more fairy magic. But, fae are known for more than just their magic. Another key attribute of fae has to do with their words- being able to only speak in rhyme, only speak the truth, answer any question posed, etc. This attribute can be very interesting (see Mortal Instruments series or Dresden Files). And indeed it was put to use throughout the series, sometimes well done other times much too dues ex machina for my liking. Dialogue can be a type of action when done well enough. In this book, it probably could've been better but was good enough for me.

    The Fire Night and rape culture. Honestly, I am bothered by this one. I am never fond of rape or sexual violence as a plot device which is why I tend to avoid historical romances almost entirely. In this book, I think the Fire Nite ritual was used in part explain a bit about fae magic and in part to push forward the Feyre-Tamlin relationship while introducing Rhys. I think it both went too far and not far enough. Tamlin's participation cheapens his feelings toward Feyre, just imagine someone saying, "I love you, truly, but I need to go have sex with someone else." And then he came back to Feyre AFTER HAVING SEX WITH SOMEONE ELSE, and bit her to clearly show his possession of her. It doesn't sit well, does it? Additionally, the three fae with bad intentions suggest to Feyre that fae tradition gives them the right to violate her just because she is present. That makes all fae seem brutal and detestable. Thus, it goes too far. But, what about the converse? The Fire Night ritual is supposed to be necessary to ensure the bounty of the land for the next year. But, the spring court is the only court that has/ observes this ritual en mass? That does not really make sense to me. The need for this ritual, especially considering mated bonds are a rare and extremely valued thing, is not properly explained. It really could've been omitted from the book and is one of the few things about the book that I truly did not like.
    The masks. Some people like them, some don't. The reason given for them was that they were yet another obstacle to a human girl falling in love with Tamlin. I really didn't mind them but I did not like Feyre's reaction to the removal of the masks. While it was consistent with her character (she always had an eye for pretty guys), I thought that it cheapened her character to have her feel relieved that Tamlin was so pretty without his mask. It was very superficial, and further proof that there wasn't much of substance to their "love."

    While book 1 is my least favorite of the series, I still really liked it and will definitely re-read it again. Books 2 and 3 get even better and I am looking forward to further writings as well. Hopefully we will get to see what happens to Nesta, Elaine, the 6th queen, and Bryaxis.
    250 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2015
    Let me preface by saying that I sat down to read this book and could not put it down until I completed it within a 24 hours period. This is an occurrence I find so rare these days as I get older.

    My basis for a good book have become more and more demanding the more I read and the less time I have to read. I'm someone who will not hesitate to drop a book a hundred pages in if it's not gripping me by any means. With that said, my requirements are quite simple although they seem hard to achieve these days. Good enough writing, engaging plots, believable characters, and “HEA”.

    ACOTAR certainly exceeded my expectations because I dove into it purely based on my immense interest in its premise being based on a Beauty and the Beast retelling, which is one of my most loved stories. And the intrigue of faery court politics, which I am always fascinated by. The rest I was willing to chance since this is in the YA fantasy category and I find most of these make my eyes roll while reading a majority of the time. But ACOTAR delivered on all that I asked for: world building, character developments, romance, and action.

    WORLD BUILDING: Wow do I desperately wish to see this Fae world brought to life on screens. I appreciated the illustrated map of their world before the book began. It made envisioning the world of Prythian a breeze. I would probably read every single book if Maas ever decided to write about each of the seven Courts and their ruling High Lords. ACOTAR took place majority of the time in the Spring court and it was as if I was there walking along with Feyre during all her outings.

    ROMANCE: There was no “instalove” happening here and for that I am always grateful. The draw in any forms of fiction for me is a slow burn, gradual build of love. It makes for deeper investments from the audience and the payoff scenes so much more satisfying. I will admit I was generally indifferent to Tamlin for the first quarter of the book. He was pretty stiff and bland but after the incident that occurred the nite of the Spring ritual(fans self) I started to fall in love with him just as much as the heroine was. It also helped that their relationship building after that was sweet and believable. My only nitpick is that although his face was concealed, it was already implied that he was extremely good looking. Which contradicts the theme of loving someone despite their outer appearance that BatB conveyed.

    CHARACTER DEVELOPMENTS: Feyre was brave but ultimately very human and therefore imperfect. She made bad choices and actions but I always understood where her motivations came from. At the beginning it seemed as if characters behaved in certain ways "just because" to push a point, which seemed forced. But once they were revisited and layers were peeled at a later point, their actions suddenly made sense.

    ACTION: For anyone who is expecting a full on action-packed book from beginning to end then you might be a little bit disappointed. There were one or two scenes thrown into the first 3/4, but most of the action came at the last quarter of the book. And when it came it was exciting and riveting to see played out.

    Although this is a first in a planned trilogy, ACOTAR should have no problem standing on its own should I decide not to continue the rest of the series. The main plot was tied up leaving me feeling satisfied and fulfilled while just enough bait was dangled to make me anticipate the next book. I hate it when series writers end their books in a cliffhanger in order to hook readers to anticipate the next book. Guess what, it doesn’t work like that. All that does is generates unnecessary aggravation and ruins any good feeling the reader had upon finishing that book. Especially when the reader usually has to wait up to a year for the next.

    *RATINGS CATEGORY AND SLIGHT SPOILERS*
    As most others have pointed out about the included sex scenes, they are a bit more detailed than the typical YA fade to black. This is a heads up for anyone who is wary of reading sex scenes described in books or intends this for younger readers.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Second book is better
    Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2024
    This book series gets lots of people back into reading. I love the series. This book had me wanting to throttle the main male lead the whole way through but i know my best friend swooned for him so to each there own. i'm happy the direction the series went ultimately. Probably the best beauty and the beast retelling I've read so far. I bought this copy for my sister and I'm hoping she loves it as much as everyone else I know does.
  • Isabela
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ainda não li, mas a versão é linda
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 15, 2024
    Amei esse livro, a entrega foi em 3 dias e chegou perfeito
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    Isabela
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ainda não li, mas a versão é linda
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 15, 2024
    Amei esse livro, a entrega foi em 3 dias e chegou perfeito
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  • ana
    5.0 out of 5 stars buenísimo!
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 13, 2023
    No podía dejar de leer! Si te gusta HP, este te va a encantar. Fantasía más amor en un solo libro.
  • Mohana
    5.0 out of 5 stars An immortal story written in an immortal way
    Reviewed in India on January 4, 2025
    It's been a while since I had been drowned in a riot of emotions while reading a book. This book made me go through every single emotion, pain, the highs & lows the characters went through. Though Tam and Feyre's love story was the major plot that drove this book, it's been really awesome to read the other stories as well and I'm glad that they were all given equal importance and depth. Lucien's character as the emissary was very well balanced that he wasn't too rude to be a rogue but also had a rough edge to his character. The way Nesta changed or rather her character depth was revealed was fantastic. Amarantha's character was truly hateful and kudos to the author for making me despise her with vengeance. The trials were so ruthless, but also, the way they were captured made me feel like watching a movie playing rather than reading from the pages. I'm so glad that I started out on this series late as I wouldn't have even been able to hold myself back while I await the next part to be released. A very well-deserved 5-star. It's a must-read recommendation for all fantasy romance lovers.
  • Sara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fin och stabil
    Reviewed in Sweden on November 19, 2024
    Väldigt fin bok och den har knappt blivit böjd efter en genomläsning vilket är stabilt!

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