JUMPING INTO THE WORLD OF ‘A COURT OF THORNS & ROSES’ (SARAH j. MAAS)

When I first started reading romantasy, I gravitated toward books that piqued my interest, often sticking with cozy, feel-good reads. But as I delved deeper into the Bookstagram and BookTok worlds, I kept hearing about ACOTAR. Curiosity got the better of me, so I googled it and discovered it was a hugely popular series, starting with A Court of Thorns and Roses, by author Sarah J. Maas. After much internal debate (and, honestly, I'm not sure why), I decided to take the plunge. And let me tell you, I completely understand why it's so beloved. The popularity of this book is absolutely warranted. If I haven’t posted in the past two weeks, it’s because I’ve been completely absorbed in these books. And friends... well, read on to see why.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book series, and while I usually post about books individually, I felt that my opinion of A Court of Thorns and Roses versus A Court of Mist and Fury was so different that a joint post was necessary. I’m honestly shocked by how much my opinion shifted between the two! After feeling somewhat emotionally distant from ACOTAR, I was bracing myself for more of the same—but ACOMAF completely captivated me. The characters, the emotions, the depth of the story—it felt like night and day. So, let’s talk about the journey from meh to mind-blown!

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). I honestly don’t even know where to begin because I just finished A Court of Thorns and Roses, and my mind is an absolute whirlwind of mixed feelings. So much happened in this book—high stakes, intense relationships, heart-wrenching moments—but the strange thing is, I never really felt connected the way I expected to. It started Beauty and the Beast-ish and morphed into Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I recognize the emotions on the page, I understand why people are obsessed, but for some reason, I just didn’t connect emotionally to it on a deeper level. Why?

First, Feyre—my heart should ache for her. She’s been through so much, and logically, I know the weight of grief and guilt is pressing down on her. She sacrificed everything, endured unimaginable pain, and now I’m left wondering—how will she even begin to heal? But at the same time, there is a layer of “something” missing from her character development I can’t quite put my finger on.

And then there’s Tamlin. Tamlin. I know Rhysand has that dark, mysterious allure that everyone raves about. Tamlin is my man. But while I liked him, I didn’t feel deeply attached to him or the romance the way I expected. Again, they went through all that, but the relationship felt superficial (don’t hate me).

But then there’s Lucien. And for some reason, he’s the only character I truly felt connected. Maybe it’s his sharp wit, his unwavering loyalty, or the way he carries himself like he’s always bracing for the next blow. He’s giving me serious Gallowglass vibes from A Discovery of Witches—fiercely loyal, sharp-tongued, hiding so much beneath the surface. His complicated place in Tamlin’s court, his fractured past, the way he interacts with Feyre—I cared about what happened to him in a way I didn’t with anyone else. Every time he was on the page, I found myself more engaged, more invested, more curious about what’s beneath all that snark and guardedness.

As for Amarantha… let’s just say I felt zero remorse when she met her end. She got exactly what she deserved, and I was cheering when it happened. That entire scene had me on edge, and when it was over, I just sat there in shock, trying to process everything. But did I feel the triumph, the relief, the catharsis? Not really. It was satisfying, but not the kind of moment that sticks with me.

And yet, despite this weird emotional disconnect, I am intrigued. There’s something here that makes me want to keep reading, and thankfully, I don’t have to sit in suspense for long because the next book is already waiting for me. After talking to friends, they swore that A Court of Mist and Fury is where the real magic happens, and where I would finally feel the emotional rollercoaster I was expecting. With a healthy dose of skepticism, I dove in. And oh boy…

THEY WERE RIGHT!

Again, I am absolutely shocked by how different I feel about A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF). The difference is night and day! While ACOTAR didn’t connect with me emotionally, ACOMAF pulled me in so completely that I felt like I was living in the story. This book was a roller coaster of emotions, and I am still reeling from how much my feelings toward the characters have shifted.

Let’s start with Tamlin and Rhysand—wow. The contrast between how I saw them in book one versus now is staggering. Tamlin, who initially seemed like a brooding yet protective love interest, took a turn that left me furious. And Rhysand? I did not expect to love him as much as I do now. His depth, his unwavering respect for Feyre, and his true strength as a leader completely changed my perspective. I was hanging on every word, every revelation, every moment of growth Feyre experienced in his presence.

Feyre's transformation is nothing short of incredible. In the first book, she’s introduced as a young, vulnerable woman struggling to survive in a harsh world, making sacrifices to protect those she loves. Her journey is one of survival, and while we see glimpses of her strength, she’s largely defined by her struggles and the weight of the trauma she’s endured. However, in A Court of Mist and Fury, she undergoes a profound transformation. No longer just a survivor, she evolves into a powerful and independent figure who begins to reclaim her agency and self-worth. Feyre begins to confront her inner turmoil, the emotional scars from the events she endured, and gradually learns to embrace her own power. It’s a remarkable shift, and it adds incredible depth to her character. The journey from the uncertain, broken Feyre of ACOTAR to the fierce, empowered Feyre of ACOMAF is one of the most compelling aspects of the series.

And then there’s Nesta. She is a complicated character. But underneath that, she adores her youngest sister (has a complicated relationship with her sister, Feyre (the main character), has an unyielding spirit, and refuses to bow to anyone. Despite her sharp edges, her devotion to Elain and her determination to protect humanity moved me in ways I never expected. She may not show affection the way others do, but her love is fierce, and I respect that so much.

And don’t even get me started on the Inner Circle! I loved them. Each of them brought something unique to the story, but Amren was an absolute standout for me. Her quiet power, her ancient wisdom, and the sense that she was something other made her utterly fascinating. The dynamic between Rhysand, Cassian, Mor, Azriel, and Amren felt so natural and full of warmth, humor, and camaraderie—it made me wish I could be part of their world.

And that ending! I was left shaken. The moment everything clicked into place, when I realized the full weight of what had happened—I could not believe it. It was epic, devastating, and completely set the stage for book three in the most dramatic way possible. I need to know what happens next. Immediately.

I laughed, I cried, I raged. This book took me through every possible emotion, and I am still processing it. I cannot believe how much my perspective has changed from book one to book two. If you, like me, felt lukewarm about ACOTAR, please pick up ACOMAF. It’s a game-changer.