When you’re on the road as much as I’ve been in the last few weeks, a good audiobook is pretty much key to not going totally insane. I’m happy to say that Court of Thorns and Roses proved to be the perfect antidote to road-craziness. Borrowing from classic fairy lore, this story follows Feyre, a tough huntress who refuses to let the tough circumstances of her family’s life crush her. When Feyre is forced to go and live in the faerie lands after she mistakenly kills a fae, Court of Thorns and Roses is equal parts romance, fantasy and mystery.
Fabulous Fantasy Elements
There are certain rules of writing fairy stories that I’ve read several times – the heroine is usually met by a dashing Fae lord who she DEFINITELY doesn’t like (but will later fall in love with), there are some bargains made (always always a raw deal) and usually an evil fae queen is involved. In many ways Court of Thorns and Roses doesn’t stray from these elements at all, but Sarah J. Maas adds in lots of original details that kept the story feeling unique.
A Steamy Retelling
When I first realized that this was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I wasn’t sure what to think. I’ve studied a lot of other retellings during my Master’s year, and not all of them were all that scintillating. However, the slow-blooming romance between Feyre and Tamlin was definitely a wild ride:
“We moved together, unending and wild and burning, and when I went over the edge the next time, he roared and went with me.”
What kept me listening was also the mystery of the blight and Feyre’s adventures in the woods with Lucian as she learned about her new surroundings. Plus, I love that Maas has mixed the world of the fae with a fairy tale classic and added in that element of steamy romance that isn’t always present in fairy stories.
An Overall Good Time…
…Not just because of the “steamy bits,” but because the characters were lovable and the plot was so fast-paced that I wanted to just keep on driving around the block to hear more of the story. If you’re a fan of fairy tales or just like a good YA/NA romance, check out Court of Thorns and Roses, because I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
What is your favourite New Adult book?
The Novel Shrink 