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Natalie Monroe's Reviews > A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)
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Natalie Monroe's review
bookshelves: fabulous-five-stars, kick-ass-heroines, pants-are-snowmen-and-they-are-june, pleasantly-surprised, fearless-protagonists, girl-squad
Oct 25, 2014
bookshelves: fabulous-five-stars, kick-ass-heroines, pants-are-snowmen-and-they-are-june, pleasantly-surprised, fearless-protagonists, girl-squad
4.5 stars
I was part of the tiny minority that hated Throne of Glass. The protagonist got on my nerves and I couldn't give a crap about either love interest. But then I saw the author was releasing a fairy tale retelling based on fey lore and thought, "Maybe I should give her a second chance. You can't go wrong with fey."
You pretty much guess what happened next.
A Court of Thorns & Roses swept me off my feet and led me in a magical dance like the one in the Disney film. This retelling actually sticks quite closely to the Disney version (e.g. Alis as Mrs. Potts, Lucien as a fox-faced faerie, a wound-binding scene after Belle/Feyre gets in trouble), except for the two selfish sisters, Nesta and Elaine, and a father in the merchant business.
Instead of being an actual beast, Tamlin is a faerie wearing an irremovable mask due to a magical blight that struck decades ago during a masquerade, fusing the animal-faced masks to their skin. Everyone in the Spring Court, which Tamlin is part of, is stuck with them forever unless Tamlin get a human girl to fall in love with him (not a spoiler since everyone knows the story of Beauty and the Beast).
But he's an uncultured warrior and has less game than Ned Stark:
Fans left and right are swooning over Tamlin, but I must say I prefer Lucien.
He's the guy that usually gets friend-zoned, so obviously, my ship is sinking before it's even set sail. Not to mention he has shown no interest in Feyre romantically and is Tamlin's best buddy.
Can he get his own love interest, Maas? Pretty please with a cherry on top?
Unlike Disney's version, Feyre isn't an avid reader. In fact, she can't read. After her family's wealth disappeared, her elder sisters didn't bother teaching her and she had more important things to do, like putting food on the table.
The only indulgence she allows herself is painting, seeing beauty and color in the mundane, and even that she sees as a waste.
Feyre reminds me of Katniss: handy with a bow and arrow and loyal to her family. Her mother, in her dying moments, made her promise to take care of her family and vows are sacred in this land. After Tamlin took her away, she sought ways to escape, to return to her family.
Her gradual trust of him is slow and believable. (view spoiler)
Nesta's character is cliche at first, but I grew to love her. (view spoiler)
I wish we could've gotten a glimpse of her (and Lucien) at the end, but I'm sure they'll show up in the sequels.
What can I say, guys? The world-building's exquisite, characters delightful, and plot on point. If you didn't like Throne of Glass, give this try. Maybe she'll convert you, too.
My review of A Court of Mist & Fury
My review of A Court of Wings & Ruin
My review of A Court of Frost and Starlight
My review of A Court of Silver Flames
"But the spell on Tamlin could only be broken if she did just that before the forty-nine years were over—if that girl said to his face that she loved him, and meant it with her entire heart."
I was part of the tiny minority that hated Throne of Glass. The protagonist got on my nerves and I couldn't give a crap about either love interest. But then I saw the author was releasing a fairy tale retelling based on fey lore and thought, "Maybe I should give her a second chance. You can't go wrong with fey."
You pretty much guess what happened next.
A Court of Thorns & Roses swept me off my feet and led me in a magical dance like the one in the Disney film. This retelling actually sticks quite closely to the Disney version (e.g. Alis as Mrs. Potts, Lucien as a fox-faced faerie, a wound-binding scene after Belle/Feyre gets in trouble), except for the two selfish sisters, Nesta and Elaine, and a father in the merchant business.
Instead of being an actual beast, Tamlin is a faerie wearing an irremovable mask due to a magical blight that struck decades ago during a masquerade, fusing the animal-faced masks to their skin. Everyone in the Spring Court, which Tamlin is part of, is stuck with them forever unless Tamlin get a human girl to fall in love with him (not a spoiler since everyone knows the story of Beauty and the Beast).
But he's an uncultured warrior and has less game than Ned Stark:
“You look . . . better than before."
Was that a compliment? I could have sworn Lucien gave Tamlin an encouraging nod.
"And your hair is . . . clean.�
Fans left and right are swooning over Tamlin, but I must say I prefer Lucien.
I’d never held one so finely crafted, so perfectly balanced... He jerked his chin at the knife. “It’s yours. Don’t bury it in my back, please.�
He's the guy that usually gets friend-zoned, so obviously, my ship is sinking before it's even set sail. Not to mention he has shown no interest in Feyre romantically and is Tamlin's best buddy.
Can he get his own love interest, Maas? Pretty please with a cherry on top?
Unlike Disney's version, Feyre isn't an avid reader. In fact, she can't read. After her family's wealth disappeared, her elder sisters didn't bother teaching her and she had more important things to do, like putting food on the table.
The only indulgence she allows herself is painting, seeing beauty and color in the mundane, and even that she sees as a waste.
"Any spare minute I'd had that bountiful summer I used to bedeck our house in color, sometimes hiding clever decorations inside drawers, behind the threadbare curtains, underneath the chairs and table.
We hadn't a summer that easy since.�
Feyre reminds me of Katniss: handy with a bow and arrow and loyal to her family. Her mother, in her dying moments, made her promise to take care of her family and vows are sacred in this land. After Tamlin took her away, she sought ways to escape, to return to her family.
Her gradual trust of him is slow and believable. (view spoiler)
Nesta's character is cliche at first, but I grew to love her. (view spoiler)
I wish we could've gotten a glimpse of her (and Lucien) at the end, but I'm sure they'll show up in the sequels.
What can I say, guys? The world-building's exquisite, characters delightful, and plot on point. If you didn't like Throne of Glass, give this try. Maybe she'll convert you, too.
My review of A Court of Mist & Fury
My review of A Court of Wings & Ruin
My review of A Court of Frost and Starlight
My review of A Court of Silver Flames
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Quotes Natalie Liked
“I heard you scream,â€� he said as he examined the blade in my hands. I’d never held one so finely crafted, so perfectly balanced. “And I hesitated. Not long, but I hesitated before I came running. Even though Tam got there in time, I still broke my word in those seconds I waited.â€� He jerked his chin at the knife. “It’s yours. Don’t bury it in my back, please.”
― A Court of Thorns and Roses
― A Court of Thorns and Roses
“His tunic was unbuttoned at the top, and he ran a hand through his blue-black hair before he wordlessly slumped against the wall across from me and slid to the floor.
"What do you want?" I demanded.
"A moment of peace and quiet," he snapped, rubbing his temples.
I paused. "From what?"
He massaged his pale skin, making the corners of his eyes go up and down, out and in. He sighed. "From this mess."
I sat up farther on my pallet of the hay. I'd never seen him so candid.
"That damned bitch is running me ragged," he went on, and dropped his hands from his temples to lean his head against the wall. "You hate me. Imagine how you'd feel if I made you serve in my bedroom. I'm High Lord of the Night Court - not her harlot."
So the slurs were true. And I could imagine very easily how much I would hate him - what it would do to me - to be enslaved to someone like that. "Why are you telling me this?"
The swagger and nastiness were gone. "Because I'm tired and lonely, and you're the only person I can talk to without putting myself at risk." He let out a low laugh. "How absurd: a High Lord of Prythian and a - "
"You can leave if you're just going to insult me."
"But I'm so good at it". He flashed one of his grins. I glared at him, but he sighted. "One wrong move tomorrow, Freyre, and we're all doomed.”
― A Court of Thorns and Roses
"What do you want?" I demanded.
"A moment of peace and quiet," he snapped, rubbing his temples.
I paused. "From what?"
He massaged his pale skin, making the corners of his eyes go up and down, out and in. He sighed. "From this mess."
I sat up farther on my pallet of the hay. I'd never seen him so candid.
"That damned bitch is running me ragged," he went on, and dropped his hands from his temples to lean his head against the wall. "You hate me. Imagine how you'd feel if I made you serve in my bedroom. I'm High Lord of the Night Court - not her harlot."
So the slurs were true. And I could imagine very easily how much I would hate him - what it would do to me - to be enslaved to someone like that. "Why are you telling me this?"
The swagger and nastiness were gone. "Because I'm tired and lonely, and you're the only person I can talk to without putting myself at risk." He let out a low laugh. "How absurd: a High Lord of Prythian and a - "
"You can leave if you're just going to insult me."
"But I'm so good at it". He flashed one of his grins. I glared at him, but he sighted. "One wrong move tomorrow, Freyre, and we're all doomed.”
― A Court of Thorns and Roses
“Would you like me to grovel with gratitude for bringing me here, High Lord?"
"Ah. The Suriel told you nothing important, did it?"
That smile of his sparked something bold in my chest. "He also said that you liked being brushed, and if I'm a clever girl, I might train you with treats."
Tamlin tipped his head to the sky and roared with laughter. Despite myself, I let out a quiet laugh.
"I might die of surprise," Lucien said behind me. "You made a joke, Feyre."
I turned to look at him with a cool smile. "You don't want to know what the Suriel said about you." I flicked my brows up, and Lucien lifted his hands in defeat.
"I'd pay good money to hear what the Suriel thinks of Lucien," Tamlin said.
A cork popped, followed by the sounds of Lucien chugging the bottle's contents and chuckling with a muttered, "Brushed.”
― A Court of Thorns and Roses
"Ah. The Suriel told you nothing important, did it?"
That smile of his sparked something bold in my chest. "He also said that you liked being brushed, and if I'm a clever girl, I might train you with treats."
Tamlin tipped his head to the sky and roared with laughter. Despite myself, I let out a quiet laugh.
"I might die of surprise," Lucien said behind me. "You made a joke, Feyre."
I turned to look at him with a cool smile. "You don't want to know what the Suriel said about you." I flicked my brows up, and Lucien lifted his hands in defeat.
"I'd pay good money to hear what the Suriel thinks of Lucien," Tamlin said.
A cork popped, followed by the sounds of Lucien chugging the bottle's contents and chuckling with a muttered, "Brushed.”
― A Court of Thorns and Roses
Reading Progress
October 25, 2014
– Shelved
October 25, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 5, 2015
–
Started Reading
"
"
June 9, 2015
–
30.0%
"Maas seems oddly enamored with dashes. Not that I'm complaining. It's honestly good."
June 9, 2015
–
34.0%
""You actually snared the Suriel. A human girl."
Despite myself, despite the afternoon, my lips twitched upward. "Is it supposed to be hard?"
"
Despite myself, despite the afternoon, my lips twitched upward. "Is it supposed to be hard?"
"
June 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
fabulous-five-stars
June 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
kick-ass-heroines
June 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
pants-are-snowmen-and-they-are-june
June 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
pleasantly-surprised
June 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
fearless-protagonists
June 13, 2015
–
Finished Reading
September 25, 2015
– Shelved as:
girl-squad
Comments Showing 1-46 of 46 (46 new)
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message 1:
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Oct 25, 2014 09:22PM
I hope you end up enjoying it, Natalie :) xx
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I've given the Throne of Glass series so many chances. Didn't like the first book, but liked Nehemia so decided to give the series a second chance and read the second book. I still hated that book, but heard that the third book has witches riding dragons so I'll probably read that too. And I'll probably read this book too, since I saw some interviews by Sarah and thought she was lovely -- therefore I felt guilty for not liking her books.It's such a vicious circle.
Lola wrote: "I hope you end up enjoying it, Natalie :) xx"Me too!
Helen wrote: "I've given the Throne of Glass series so many chances. Didn't like the first book, but liked Nehemia so decided to give the series a second chance and read the second book. I still hated that book,..."It's possible to love an author yet not like her books. Veronica Roth is a real sweetheart, but I've never felt guilty about giving Allegiant a less-than-stellar rating. A writer is not her work, and her work is not the writer. Sadly, some authors don't see that. *cough*Kathleen Hale*cough*
Natalie wrote: "Helen wrote: "I've given the Throne of Glass series so many chances. Didn't like the first book, but liked Nehemia so decided to give the series a second chance and read the second book. I still ha..."That is true, I suppose. Roth IS a dote, yet her books always fell flat for me. And it would be wrong not to mention C.J. Redwine -- an utter sweetheart. *sigh* Hale's case just makes me sad, since she could have easily let it go (Frozen pun intended).
But I suppose I've always had this guilt, since I seem to always hate the books written by nice authors. There are only a small few that are lovely and have good books. At least, that's what it's like for me. ;-; The world is so unfair.
Did someone say Ash?
@Helen Victoria Scott is lovely and I love her Dante Walker series. Maybe give her a try? :P@Khanh Kagawa is the exact reason I want to read this!
Wow I might actually give this book a chance.
@Ron Do it! The fey mythology is beautiful.@Aly No one is more surprised than me that I love it. I'm officially a Maas fan.
message 10:
by
Hailley Dawn--� When you love somebody, they'll always leave too soon �
(new)
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rated it 2 stars
wow! so it was really good, then?
Hailley Dawn--✖You know I love the players and you love the game� wrote: "wow! so it was really good, then?"It was awesome. I still have a big fat grin on my face.
message 12:
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Hailley Dawn--� When you love somebody, they'll always leave too soon �
(new)
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rated it 2 stars
That's great! :D
I haven't read Throne of Glass but I definitely will after reading this book, I hope I like it. And also, I feel exactly the same about Nesta! She surprised me, I hated her character at first but I love how strong she is and stays true to her word. I really hope we see more of her in the next book :)I totally see a love triangle coming, Rhys x Feyra x Tamlin
Daniela wrote: "I haven't read Throne of Glass but I definitely will after reading this book, I hope I like it. And also, I feel exactly the same about Nesta! She surprised me, I hated her character at first but I..."Exactly! Nesta's character was typical Mean Girl at first, then we got to dig deeper into her motives and desires.
I really hope there's not a love triangle. Feyre loves Tamlin so much, it's hard to imagine her falling for Rhys. :P
I'd rather read Throne of Glass...it was shitty but fun, if that makes any sense.
Khanh (Clowns, Nightmares, and Bunnies) wrote: "I'd rather read Throne of Glass...it was shitty but fun, if that makes any sense."I couldn't stand Throne of Glass. Calaena outweighed any pros in its favor. :P
I acutally preferred Throne of Glass to this, lol. Great review, though.
Vane wrote: "I acutally preferred Throne of Glass to this, lol. Great review, though."Thanks! I'm the black sheep. #Iamalwaystheblacksheep
(Yay for all of us who have been a black sheep at least once in our lives <3)
I was also part of the minority that hated Throne of Glass but you've made me want to give the author another try :)
Keerthi wrote: "I was also part of the minority that hated Throne of Glass but you've made me want to give the author another try :)"I hope you like this better! The protagonist is actually competent and doesn't brag about it, too.
Omg every review I read for this makes me excited for it!! I hope it gets available here soon!! Amazing review Natalie!! :D
Sakina wrote: "Omg every review I read for this makes me excited for it!! I hope it gets available here soon!! Amazing review Natalie!! :D"It's mind-blowing. I hope you like it!
Is this fast paced natalie? And how does it fare when compared to cruel beauty? Hahaha. Great review natalie! It's a good thing that you managed to completely love a court of thorns and roses by the same author whom you gave a star for her debut work :P
This review is beautiful. Added it to my tbr! :D
@Inge Yes! I'm so glad I convinced you.@Michael It's a bit slow in the middle, but fast-paced towards the end. I personally prefer this to Cruel Beauty; it has better world-building.
I was completely taken aback by how much I love this, too. I'm going to give her Throne of Glass another try afterwards.
Aly� wrote: "Am I the only one here who loved both the ToG series and this book? Hahaha"I might join you soon. :P Sequels have a way of surprising me.
What do you think about Nesta and Lucien together? That would make quite an interesting combination!
Rache wrote: "What do you think about Nesta and Lucien together? That would make quite an interesting combination!"I'm neutral. Depends on how Maas writes them. XD
I'm reaaally hesitant on reading this. I've heard mixed reviews xD should I give it a try?
Sadie wrote: "I'm reaaally hesitant on reading this. I've heard mixed reviews xD should I give it a try?"Definitely. It's leaps and bounds better than Maas' ToG series. The world-building is lovely.
I'm only going to try it because a fellow TOG hater says it's good! ;)
Kathy wrote: "I'm only going to try it because a fellow TOG hater says it's good! ;)"You're going to love it. Feyre over Calaena any day.
Wait.... This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast? Why the heck did I just know that?
Damn it. I hated ToG so much that I vowed to never read anything Maas writes. But now I want to try this series.
Eridiana wrote: "Damn it. I hated ToG so much that I vowed to never read anything Maas writes. But now I want to try this series."Give it a try! It might convert you.
Reem wrote: "Wait.... This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast? Why the heck did I just know that?"The sequel is a loose retelling of Persephone and Hades.
Haha, I'm the opposite! I loved Throne of Glass and I'm dragging my feet through this book. I keep wondering when it will pick up. A Court of Mist and Fury has been said to be amazing though, so I keep trudging along.
Alexandria wrote: "Haha, I'm the opposite! I loved Throne of Glass and I'm dragging my feet through this book. I keep wondering when it will pick up. A Court of Mist and Fury has been said to be amazing though, so I ..."ACOMAF is better than ACOTAR. I hope you end up liking the series!
Okay this review gives me hope because I didn't like Throne of Glass much and I was a bit divided on how keen I was to read this, despite the hype! But now I will so read it this summer :D Thanks
Sabrina wrote: "Okay this review gives me hope because I didn't like Throne of Glass much and I was a bit divided on how keen I was to read this, despite the hype! But now I will so read it this summer :D Thanks"You're welcome!
Reading five-star reviews of ACOTAR makes me cry of happiness
Especially when the reviewer adds gifs and quotes and their writing is amazing. (yeah I'm talking about this one over here)
Anne wrote: "Especially when the reviewer adds gifs and quotes and their writing is amazing. (yeah I'm talking about this one over here)"I really needed that today. Thank you. <3
Wow, this book must be good if you gave it more than 3 stars!
Amira wrote: "Wow, this book mist be good if you gave it more than 3 stars!"I really enjoyed it! The last book let me down though hahaha.
