Book Review: A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Series: A Court of Thorns & Roses Book #1

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 419

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

Review

Maybe I shouldn't write a review of this. I didn't like it, then I did, then I got frustrated and ended up kind of bored. I will continue with the series-but that is probably influenced by the fact that I already own them. 

I am interested in the world and am always intrigued by fairy stories and Fae Courts. I think Nessta, her sister, is one of the best characters. I hope she shows up more because she actually has Chutzpah that Feyre is supposed to have. 

The romance felt rushed and flat. It seemed to flip in like a page. I now think there is going to be a love triangle. Maybe she'll end up with the other guy and this will end up being a purposeful choice. I despise love triangle, but I could appreciate if that's what happened. This probably would work better if not written in a single first person POV. Ms. Maas seems to write characters-especially female heroines-who come across as self-righteous "perfect" little badasses. I seem to be the only one bothered by this. But I find them unrealistic and annoying.

Hopefully, I will grow to love these characters as the series continues. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: The Assassin and the Empire by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass .5
Format: Novella Bind-up
Rating: 3.5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Kids 

Review

You know what? This was kind of a step up. It was also a sad one, but I knew that was going to happen.

Celena was definitely better. She's still pretty spoiled and full of herself, but she was more down-to-earth. Sam seems to bring out the best in her. I wish there was more Sam. Or he could be the main character :(

Spoiler ahead!!!

In my wildest dreams, Sam is still alive and shows up in the series. I'm totally Team Sam. Not team Sam and Celeana-just team Sam.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Assassin and the Underworld by Sarah J. Maas

1Series: Throne of Glass .04
Format: Bind-Up
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children

Review

My thoughts on this are basically the same as the other novellas. If anything, Celaena my have bothered me even more. She's just so immature and self-centered.

The plot was moderately interesting. I did see parts of it coming, but what are you going to do?

I am definitely a fan of Sam. He's truly a great character and Celaena doesn't deserve him. Although she did actually do some sort of selfless things for him. Hopefully, this means she's growing up.

I think I know what's going to happen in the lat novella and I'm kind of scared/sad to read it.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Assassin and the Desert by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass .3
Format: Hardcover Bind-Up
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens

Review

Hey, I'm finally back to reading this book. And I want to review each novella individually.

I haven't been shy about this, but I don't like Celaena. She's incredibly arrogant and obnoxious. This time I thought she might be a little humble, but she wasn't. Honestly, she acts like she's the shit and everyone should bow down to her greatness, but she isn't. I'm afraid this will turn into a rant, but why do people like her so much?

Onto the plotty things. I actually enjoyed the Silent Assassins. They are very peaceful which sounds weird. Maybe I mean that they are calm. The Master especially was very interesting and a nice contrast to Celaena and Arobyn.

I will finish the novellas and read Heir of Fire because I already own it, but if Celaena doesn't humble up I may have to give up on the series. I'm sorry if it's one of your favorites.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Novella Review: The Assassin and the Healer by Sarah J. Maas

Book: The Assassin’s Blade

Format: Hardcover

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

This one was pretty average for me. I definitely liked the first one better. This one felt more like a character piece, but it’s kind of short to completely work.

I’ve said before that I’m not the biggest fan of Celaena. She’s kind of arrogant and then she has moments of being very nice and sympathetic to those around her. I guess my problem is that I don’t understand why she feels bad for them-especially at the point in time this novella takes place. I think the problem is that so much of her past is secretive for story reasons, so I just don’t get how she became the person she is.

I did like the other “main” character in this story. She was interesting and very likeable. I think Miss Arrogant-pants could learn from her. I actually liked her so much that I hope she makes another appearance either in these novellas or the books in the series proper.

Thanks for reading!

Most Anticipated Books of 2015

These are the books I’m most anxious to read in 2015. Off course there are other books I’m planning on reading and buying, but these are the most exciting. Most of these are part of a series I’ve been reading. And I broke them down by month.

January

Bound by Flames by Jeaniene Frost (Night Prince Series)

Last Call by Alice Clayton  (Cocktail Series)

February

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines Series)

March

Fall With Me by J. Lynn (With Me Series)

Confess by Colleen Hoover

May

Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry (The first in a new series)

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (The first in a new series)

The Heir by Kiera Cass (The Selection Series)

September

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (The Dark Artifices)

Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins (Sweet Series from Kaidan’s perspective)

Unknown

The Boy Most Likely by Huntely Fitzpatrick (This follows one of my favorite side characters from My Life Next Door)

I also did a video talking about this. You can check it out here:

Are there any books you can’t wait to get your hands on?

Thanks for reading!

Holly