If you’re anywhere near BookTok or Bookstagram, you’ll have heard of this one! The first in a much-loved series, A Court of Thorns and Roses (or ‘ACOTAR’) has received critical acclaim, including being nominated for eight Goodreads Choice Awards and winning three.

And rightly so! In this staple of the genre, Sarah J. Maas expertly transports readers into a lush and dangerous faerie world brimming with romance and dark fantasy.

At its heart, ACOTAR is a twist on the classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’ tale. Feyre Archeron is a mortal girl, and after she kills a wolf in the woods, she’s dragged to the Spring Court and is caught up in a curse that will change her forever. What follows is a tale of survival and sacrifice set against the background of a breathtaking world.

This is fantasy that leans heavily into its romantic elements, with simmering tension and forbidden attraction (take Feyre and her captor-turned-love-interest, Tamlin, for example). But it’s not just about romance. Maas treats us to juicy political drama, mysterious curses, brutal trials, and more, all tied together in a vividly realised world.

The faerie courts are atmospheric and full of intrigue, filled with characters as morally complex as they are captivating. It’s a world that fans of Game of Thrones or The Cruel Prince will feel at home in: where beauty masks cruelty and every alliance feels fragile.

Central to the story’s power is the transformation that Feyre undergoes. The fierce player in faerie politics would hardly recognise the vulnerable mortal she was at the start of the novel. The contrast between her fragility and fierceness lends the novel a fantastic emotional tension.

Maas doesn’t shy away from exploring themes of trauma and resilience either. We see the toll that the brutality of the faerie world takes on Feyre. And while some readers feel the romantic elements can overshadow deeper character development, others disagree…

Still, not everyone is as sold on ACOTAR as BookTok might have you believe. Some readers have taken issue with the pacing in the middle sections or found that certain plot twists don’t feel unexpected. Having said that, few would argue with how readable this novel is. The writing is propulsive, and Maas creates an addictive combination of tension, romance, and world-building. There is concrete clarity here that doesn’t dilute the magic, which is a tender balance to strike.

So, if you like the sounds of an indulgent, swoon-worthy romance wrapped in a richly imagined fairy tale, ACOTAR will deliver.

Better yet, longtime fans will find it fascinating to return to this first instalment after reading the sequels. Knowing how the story evolves adds a new layer of intrigue and you’ll find yourself gleefully picking up cookie crumbs you didn’t spot before! 

Fans were thrilled in February 2024 when rumours spread of a Disney-produced Hulu adaptation of the ACOTAR series… only to have their hopes dashed when outlets like Variety said this wasn’t the case. A year later, it was confirmed that the show won’t happen at Hulu. This was a blow to fans, but isn’t necessarily the end of the road.

BookRiot, for one, suggests that not all hope is lost, saying that ‘Maas may choose to shop the project to other studios.’ Let’s hope so, anyway!

After all, this world is practically begging to be brought to life on screen. Between the stunning visual possibilities of the faerie courts, the simmering romance, and tense battle scenes, ACOTAR has all the makings of a fantasy TV hit if it finds the right home.

Other works by Sarah J. Maas

If you enjoyed A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’re in luck. There are others in the series:

• A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)

• A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)

• A Court of Frost and Starlight (2020)

• A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
• A sixth novel is expected, but no release date is confirmed.

And, Maas’ other books include:

• Throne of Glass series (2012-2018)
• Crescent City series (2020-2024)

Your next fantasy obsession

Craving more faerie magic? Or looking for more high-stakes romance? Explore our fantasy book reviews and romance reviews here. Or, get stuck into our top-rated recommendations of any genre.

Rating: 4/5.