Okay, so I admit it. I am one of those people to try to avoid the “hype”. If I hear about a book that is amazing, or that I have to read;nine times out of ten, I avoid it. The book rarely stands up to what everyone claimed. I did this with my latest read. I do this with movies too… If everyone tells me the movie is so funny, and I go into expecting to just die of laughter, and then it flops? My sense of disappointment triples. Plus I have an awkward conscience. For some reason, my brain says that if I don’t like something that someone recommends and they ask me about it. I feel terrible if I hate it. I have no idea why! It is not like they were the director, or for the purposes of this blog, an author! Ugh. So the second I hear that I have to read a book at least twice, I immediately distance myself, because most times they just don’t live up to the hype.
Now with all of this being said; over the years I have heard consistently that Sarah J. Maas is a must-read author. I am ashamed to admit, like all the others I figured it was a temporary love; similar to Stephanie Meyer with the Twilight series. Until one day I was scanning my To Be Read shelf on Goodreads and up on that list was the first book in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses which is also helpfully the name of the trilogy. It was then as I read the description that I was like what the heck, and ordered it on my beloved Amazon. Now I am a sucker for a beautiful cover; yes I judge a book often by that (anyone who says they don’t is a liar liar and their pants are definitely on fire), and the collector’s edition of the book was just gorgeous. If you haven’t bought this book yet, BUY THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION!
One thing I picked up on after a while is a phrase that gets used often in her writing. I admit it is... descriptive.. and may be used once I could get over it but as often has her character have this happen to them, they need to schedule a doctor visit. The sentence I am referring to is, “- my bowels turn watery..” *cringe* Seriously Feyre, maybe scout out a healer girl.. your Fae Bae can cover it. , then the second or third time because I will read a book over and over and OVER again! Now before anyone freaks out, I write notes on sticky notes! I never will voluntarily blemish a book, but I digress.
One thing I picked up on after a while is a phrase that gets used often in her writing. I admit it is... descriptive.. and maybe used once I could get over it but as often has her character have this happen to them, they need to schedule a doctor visit. The sentence I am referring to is, “- my bowels turn watery..” *cringe* Seriously Feyre, maybe scout out a healer girl.. your Fae Bae can cover it.
Like I said, it’s definitely descriptive and gets the point across of how the character feels at the moment.. but yikes. That was added to my list of phrases I swear to never use. So my dear writers, never fear that coming up in any of my writings again!
A Court of Thorns and Roses series is definitely a classic Young Adult fantasy that lives up to the love that it’s fan base has been proclaiming for years. My prediction is that this series with its blend of feminism alongside male chivalry doesn’t do either over the top. Rather it balances the two as an amazing example of what we can achieve if we respect each other's desires and abilities; no matter what gender you are or choose to be. It also illustrates how something so wonderful can end up being toxic for you and how as a person you can change, and that is 100% okay. What is not okay? Surrounding yourself with people who support that completely, even if they don’t understand it wholly.
This series is an excellent way to shed light on some of these highly talked about issues in a way that you can relate to. You are in these positions with Feyre and you get to see her emotions as she overcomes them, all while on an adventure where some bada** chicks get to save the world. Because Feyre isn’t the only strong female character. There are a bunch!! All amazing in their own right and from different backgrounds until they collide and become a totally awesome group of women.
All in all. I will be reading these books about a dozen more times and will continue absorbing the world of Prythian, which is up there with Narnia, Hogwarts, and Candy Land of places I want to live.
Top Quotes:
"..I was part of this Earth, and the Earth was part of me. And I would be content to dance upon it for the rest of my life."
-Court of Thorns and Roses
"Don't feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy."
-Court of Thorns and Roses
"I'd had enough of that lately, enough of the girl encased in ice and bitterness."
-Court of Thorns and Roses
"No one was my master, but I might be master of everything , if I wished. If I dared."
-Court of Mist and Fury
"Remember that you are a wolf, and you cannot be caged."
-Court of Wings and Ruin
Stay awesome and spread the light!☀️
JR Molt
Link to Collector's Edition:
https://www.amazon.com/Court-Thorns-Roses-Collectors/dp/1547604174
Photo credit: PhantomRin @PhantomRin9
