Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, book 1) by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Young Fantasy
(Fairytale Retelling)
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Hardcover | Kindle
Goodreads: A Court of Thorns and Roses (1)

When 19-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it ... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

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Review:

Oh. My. Bookness! It feels like ages since I've been afraid to read a book because it's so good. No really. Every time I had a chance to read A Court of Thorns and Roses it pained me because I knew I wouldn't have enough time in that sitting. I'd have to stop myself! Heck I almost caved and read past midnight on that first night, when I knew I needed sleep for a big day. So painful!

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a PERFECT example of how Young Adult and Adult books merging into perfection create: New Adult. It's such a potent high for a reader of both. Especially since Maas' writing is fabulous in CoTaR. The wonderful growing journey of young adult books flavored with adult themes. Actually . . . I don't like to compare. But . . . I feel like fans of Cruel Beauty who wanted that extra nudge into darkness and seduction (me!) will love CoTaR.

Man I adored Feyre. She could have totally ended up being a stereotype, but Maas has created a unique individual. Life has made her lose hope, become so hateful and warped that she doesn't think twice about taking a life. Of an evil Fae of course. Her journey and development is what I have been begging authors to create. I don't always want to agree with the heroine, but at least I understand her actions. That's fine by me, I enjoy reading about someone. Not a blank slate. Feyre is strong and an independent thinker. She's a huntress, a protector, sometimes a villain, smart, deprecating, caring, ruthless, brave, determined, cray-cray, and basically all kinds of awesome.

The fairytale this is based off is a pretty heavy indicator of where the romance is going and basic storyline. However, it's just like a guideline. Maas has poured so much unique aspects in. The world is amazing and it feels so good to have a totally stable and well created world. Lately it has felt like authors have forgotten how important decent world building is. The story, plot, and world are not deprived of anything. Even with this being a romance in the end. Which lately it feels like if I want a romance, I might as well kissing everything goodbye. While my biggest gripe lately has been how characters fall in love in one book, Maas showcases how it use to be done. How writing so powerful, coupled by a TRUE romance, can get away with it. The story of love here is amazing and it's realism of how people can react to it. (And things don't go perfectly planned.)

My only issue was the last act of the book. It was all brilliant, developing characters and making this a bookworm’s paradise. Then it happened. I realized that this itch I had when a certain villainous type of man showed up and “saved” Feyre. Ah, the bad boy. Yep. What is clearly the beginning of a love triangle. The epicenes of the love story here deserves better. Or maybe I'm just annoyed that EVERYTHING apparently needs some kind of love triangle. I get it, it's a series and it would be just boring for a couple so in love to be the focus. Because apparently that shouldn't be done. Maybe I'm just jumping the gun. But everything was almost perfect. But I felt like the setup for the third wheel was so heavy handed. Even when this guy did ugly despicable things, deep down there were stirrings in Feyre’s heart. So the last amazing Act of this book was read in vocal pissed off commentary. (Yeah, I got some crazy looks in public.) It hurts how much I need the next book, but how it's tempered by fear of that darn love triangle looming ahead.

From beginning to end CoTaR is amazing. My review is missing a lot of points of why A Court of Thorns and Roses is reading perfection! And I'm sure very few readers will be upset about the setup of a love triangle. (OK, maybe to most it’s a very tiny part of the story.) The third wheel is an interesting character . . . it's just the one cliché I had hoped to escape from the series. Tamlin is an amazing character and will forever be one of my favorite book crushes. I love that he comes off rude and awkward, and readers get to discover his true self along with Feyre. Maas has proved to me why I need to give another look at her Throne of Glass series. The writing, emotions, character development, story, and world is the kind of writing that makes me proud to be a flaming bookworm!

Sexual Content: It’s not over the top, but there is sex. Feyre is not a virgin and she owns her sexuality. It’s great to see another female lead (and the first I’ve read in New Adult) to own it. No slut shaming here. Thank you.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
A Court of Thorns and Roses (1) Untitled (2) Untitled (3)	A Court of Thorns and Roses (1) Untitled (2) Untitled (3)	A Court of Thorns and Roses (1) Untitled (2) Untitled (3)

Review: Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha, book 1) by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Fantasy Young Adult
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: N/A

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

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Review:

This is a title I have mixed feelings on, and makes me curse my rating system. Because honestly it doesn't offer anything new to the fantasy genre. Especially the young adult section. This story has been told before. Yet as I sunk further and further into the pages I was transported. The setting is like an old world Russia that is just barely figuring out technology. Russia is actually one of the few explored alternate fantasy realms I've come across. Heck I can't even remember what book used it . . . so that's a good thing for Shadow and Bone.

It's funny that I enjoyed this title so much. Because the characters were all horrible. Alina alone made me roll my eyes at so many points. She wines constantly, lacks any self worth, for some reason is really picky about food despite being poor and probably starving most of her life. She has a crush on her best friend that she will never confess too, and would rather suffer watching him man whore himself out. When she finally starts to look beautiful because of her powers, and probably finally eating, she gets just as conceded as the other court imbeciles. Love interest/best friend Mal starts off cool, but ends up being a jealous idiot that only wants Alina after he sees that she's beautiful and the Darkling desires her. The Darkling is probably the only honest character. Even after the big reveal I preferred him over some of the other characters. At least he's honest and can look past appearances.

The character I loved the most was Genya, a beautiful court Grisha. Probably because of the hardships she's faced, and the fact that she doesn't have her head up her ass (yeah looking at you Alina) Genya is the most realistic character presented. She actually has a crush on a none attractive looking guy, which leads me to believe that she understands that real self worth is not looks. Then Alina ruins this by continually wondering how such a beautiful person like Genya could fall in love with a ugly person! Then if that happened Alina herself has a chance!

Alina. Alina. That self doubt poisons this whole novel. (Yes, I know that not every character can be sure of themselves. But her lack of confidence almost borders on abuse!) Alina has this amazing power that hasn't been seen for hundreds of years she finds that her worth is hinged upon how she looks. She doesn't want it, then she does when she loses it, then she's ready to throw it away again. Every woman in this book is obsessed with looks, what they have and wear, and they're all petty and jealous. Wow. To be honest I'm surprised that Bardugo allowed Alina to have a friend like Genya, and that Genya was so real. (AKA down to earth.)

Yes. Despite ALL of that crap, I was transported. Part of me accepted that Alina was stupid. After all the main reason for her blocking her own gift was . . . lame. Sweet when she was a child, but pathetic now that she's an adult. The thing is the love triangle. It was done well. Even though both male interests ended up being self-absorbed jerks. The Darkling is a scary guy. Despite the fact that he only wants to use Alina for his own gain, he falls for her. His anger over that and want is a . . . fiery. . . strange experience.

“The problem with wanting," he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, "is that it makes us weak.” - Darkling

The uniqueness of it had me swooning. Mal was a slut from the get go with his extreme good looks. When he finally comes back and only wants Alina because of her looks (and other males now look at her) he wants her. Yet lines like this won me over to his side (but I'll save some of the better lines for reading enjoyment):

“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of you that loved him.” -Mal

“I'm sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now.” -Mal

“Mal,"I whispered into the night.
"What?"
"Thanks for finding me."
"Always.” - Alina & Mal

“Do you blame me for every mistake I made? For every girl I tumbled? For every dumb thing I've said? Because if we start running tallies on stupid, you know who's going to come out ahead.” - Mal

The writing is clever and very beautiful at times. There were plenty of humorous moments and when Alina wasn't putting herself down she was pretty witty. The overall adventure was fun and there were a few twists that took me by surprise. If I can put aside some of Alina's serious annoying thoughts. (Like being obsessed over looks and boys when there's a greater thing going on. Like impending war, a chance to get rid of the Shadow Fold, and so on.) The romance was fun. Between fearing the man who first sees you as a woman, and the childhood friend that only realizes how much you meant after you’re gone. This is a coming of age story that I'm generally fond of. The play on how one should sacrifice the man for the few comes up and might be a pretty big shocker for readers. Despite myself the addiction has taken root. Yep.

Sexual Content: Make out, references to sex and having it, and some sexual humor.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Shadow and Bone (1) Siege and Storm (2) Ruin and Rising (3)	Shadow and Bone (1) Siege and Storm (2) Ruin and Rising (3)	Shadow and Bone (1) Siege and Storm (2) Ruin and Rising (3)