A Court of Thorns and Roses

I'm here to talk about a series of romantasy series that left me unable to think anything else. While reading, I was unable to stop myself from reading, unable to avoid the urge to buy the next book, unable to stop seeing the characters in my dreams, and of course unable to stop myself from falling in love with a fictional character. 

Be aware: this piece may contain spoilers.

Yes, I'm talking about the ACOTAR series. Written by Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses took over TikTok and bookworms across social media, and it's one of the most suggested books to read. If you love a romance happening in a fantasy world — and especially enjoy reading smut — I would highly recommend A Court of Thorns and Roses with all my heart.

Nineteen-year-old Feyre is out in the woods to hunting on what feels like the coldest night. Hunting since she was fourteen, she is the one who keeps her family -her older sisters Nesta and Elain and her father- fed. She mentions dangerous Faes, and if one captures her, she's dead. Desperate, Feyre decides to return home before she sees a deer and places an arrow to shoot it. Suddenly, she hears a creature approaching. Frozen, she holds her breath and tries to stay still to avoid being heard. That creature happens to be a wolf and attacks the deer. She hesitates but eventually decides to shoot the wolf instead. Thinking about how she could sell its fur and her family is fed far more with the deer, she shoots the wolf in the eye with her only ash wood arrow, suspecting it might be a shapeshifted Fae.

Days later, after she brings food home, a Fae with a bear-like body stroms into their house and demands to know who killed the Fae. Feyre steps forward, and the Fae is surprised that she is the attacker. Her oldest sister Nesta protects Elain and her father just stands there, doing nothing. Feyre has two options as a punishment: she either dies instantly or goes with the Fae to Prythian, the land of the Fae. Her father convinces her to go to Prythian and never come back. She blacks out as she leaves with the Fae to Spring Court in Prythian. 

There, though she thought she would live as a prisoner, the Fae treats her normally and gives her a room. The Fae returns to his true form and reveals his name: Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court. He, along with the other faes in the Spring Court, wears a mask. 

Tamlin offers her food; Feyre refuses it, thinking Fae food is poisoned and forces humans tell the truth. She meets Lucien and Alis, Tamlin's maid. 

Feyre tries to find a way to her world but always fails. She slowly gets used to the Court and the faes. She encounters various creatures, dangers, and traditions of the Fae world. Eventually, she grows fond of Tamlin. 

On Calanmai, a traditional night similar to New Year's Eve, Feyre is told to stay in her room no matter what. However, she hears something, as if something is calling her. She follows the sound to the place where Calanmai is celebrated. She tries not to be seen by anyone, especially Tamlin and Lucien but she runs into three High Faes. As they mock Feyre, they take Feyre to the woods. There, Feyre meets the most beautiful fae, as she puts it, and is saved by him. 

Later, the same Fae who saved Feyre at Calanmai, interrupts supper at the Spring Court. Tamlin tells Feyre to hide behind the curtains. Rhysand, the intruder, mocks Tamlin and Lucien and eventually finds Feyre. Rhysand asks her name, and Feyre gives the name of a girl from her village: Clare Beddor. Tamlin begs him to not to tell Amarantha anything about Feyre. 

After that day, Tamlin sets Feyre free and sends her back to her world to keep her safe from the dangers in the Fae realm. Tamlin says that he loves her, but Feyre does not say it back — even though she loves him. 

At home, Feyre finds her family unaware of what happened. Tamlin, using his powers, made them —except Nesta—believe that Feyre had been with her sick aunt and is now back. Nesta doesn't believe a word and this prompts Feyre to tell her everything.

At dinner, Feyre hears that a neighbour's house has burned down with the family inside. That neighbour, of course, is Clare Beddor. Devastated by what she has done, Feyre can't stay home and prepares to return to the Spring Court. 

She finds the Spring Court in ruins. Alis finds her and explains her everything: how the Spring Court and Tamlin were cursed by Amarantha. Forty-nine years ago, Amarantha wanted Tamlin, but Tamlin refused her, which led Amarantha to curse him and his court. The only way to break the curse was to make a human fall in love with him. Now, Tamlin and Lucien are being held Under the Mountain. 

Alis joins Feyre on her way to Under the Mountain and tells how to get in. Alis bids her farewell and leaves Feyre alone. There, Feyre is caught by Attor, and brought before Amarantha. Feyre confesses her love for Tamlin, who sits silently next to Amarantha's throne. Tamlin, however, seems numb and says he has never seen her before. Under the Mountain, they are joined by the High Lords and High Faes. 

Amarantha gives Feyre three trials to break the curse and one riddlte to solve. In the first trial, Feyre must defeat a giant worm —and she succeeds. She injures her arm during the trial and nearly dies in her cell. Rhysand visits her and offers a deal: he will heal her, but in return, Feyre must spend two weeks every month with him. She initially refuses but eventually agrees —negotiating it down to one week per month. A matching tattoo appears on their left arms to seal the bargain.

In the second trial, Feyre must read and solve a puzzle written on a wall to save Lucien — but no one knows Feyre is illiterate. Rhysand realises this and helps her win the second trial through their bond.

Feyre succeeds in every trial and solves the riddle, but Amarantha, frustrated by her success, snaps her neck, and Feyre dies. She sees what happens next through the tattoo. Amarantha is killed, and Feyre is resurrected by the seven High Lords —becoming a High Fae.

Of course, there are many details I have skipped. You'll just have to trust me when I say, "Go read this series." You are going to love the second book A Court of Mist and Fury even more. Plot twists and shocking events await! And trust me on this, do not get too comfortable around Tamlin. 

Especially do not get a tattoo about him.