***Contains Spoilers***

***Scroll to the bottom for my rating***

I am prefacing the following with this: this review will include bullet points at the end with my thoughts, which is unusual for my typical reviews. This is because of the immense popularity of this book/series and because I want to share my thoughts as authentically about the book as possible. 

There is no denying that bookstagram influenced this read. The number of people I see discussing, freaking out, and in love with these books has impressed upon me greatly that I am missing out on something, and I need to bring myself up to speed. Hence, starting this journey. 

As some of you may remember from a previous post, I have wanted to dig into this series for a while but never had the books. Yes, I could have bought them for myself, borrowed them from the library, or borrowed them from a friend. Still, I knew I wanted physical copies of my own, and my physical TBR was already over the top, so I couldn't allow myself to buy them. BUTTTT my mom came to the rescue and gifted me the entire set for Christmas (thanks again Mommy, I love you). 

So, let's get into it. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is the story of Feyre, a nineteen-year-old huntress who is taken from her family as a means of retribution for killing a wolf in the woods. Discovering quickly that the wolf was not an ordinary canine and, in fact, a member of the faerie lands where she is ushered by Tamlin, leader of the Spring Court and High Fae. Her hostility toward him soon turns into lust as she delves deeper into the faerie world and learns of its beauty, danger, and secrets. Feeling connected to Tamlin, Feyre must do all she can to save him from the things and people plaguing him. 

I'm not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I was obsessed within the first three chapters. After speaking with some friends about this book, they all said it was a bit slow in the beginning, yet I was hooked immediately. Even though there was so much more to be established from that point on, I was INTO IT. 

It was clear that Maas had the setup down pat, and her world-building was excellent all throughout. I've only recently gotten into high fantasy/romantasy, so as I am becoming familiar with different elements, it was nice to have a story that clearly explained these details that can often be found across the genres. 

I did my best to avoid any and almost all spoilers (I did catch one about the Suriel a little after I was introduced to it, but I wasn't entirely shocked by this one). So truthfully, aside from the hype I heard from almost everyone on bookstagram, none of the essence of this story was taken away from me. I gave myself an honest chance to form my own opinion of the book, which I am very happy about. 

Overall, with an entertaining storyline, excellent world-building, unexpected realizations, action, adventure, love, lust, and a sexy-as-sin bat boy, I was sold. This book was a hit. I get the hype; I understand it. There is so much more I have to say, but as the above is more of a bare-bones explanation, the below holds my thoughts and feelings after completing the story.

After thinking about it for a little while, I've rated ACOTAR 4 out of 5 stars and a 1.5 for spice. This is mainly because the hype was met, yet there were still areas I would have expected more from Maas, considering how much of a chokehold this series has on some people. However, my expectations are still high as I continue with this series. I cannot wait to start A Court of Mist and Fury as a buddy read with my friend Liela and shout out to everyone for influencing me to read this. Am I in the club yet? 

Here are my additional thoughts from about 10 minutes after finishing ACOTAR:

• Wow just wow 

• I fell in love with Feyre instantly. She is a badass caregiver who can hold her own and isn't afraid to ask questions or own her actions. Amazing!

• I liked Tamlin a lot in the beginning, but toward the end, I had a lot of questions and hesitations about him.

• I am hesitant about Tamlin because of the omission about the blight and his lack of reactions throughout the entirety of the trials. Since he wasn't under a spell, how was he really that strong-willed to not show a reaction except before the last night? 

• Rhysand, oooooo, what a dangerously brooding, sexy menace. Naturally, I was skeptical of him at first, but his need, albeit assumed, to protect Feyre and help her, even if it may have truly been for his own gain, had me fluttering, I can't wait to see more of him in the next and see how their agreement comes to terms.

• I really liked the elements of the trails with Aramantha under the mountain and how they all panned out. It was clever and well done. I also liked how the connection with the tattoo came through in a few different ways.  

As always, thanks for reading! 💜

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️.5