๐ฝ๐ค๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ: ๐ผ ๐พ๐ค๐ช๐ง๐ฉ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ง๐ฃ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐จ๐๐จ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ . ๐๐๐จ๐จ
The book that pulled me out of my reading slump and into a world of fae, curses, and unexpected plot twists.
Spoiler Warning: This review contains major plot spoilers for ACOTAR. If you havenโt read it yet, consider this your cue to grab the book, dive into Prythian, and come back when youโre ready to talk fae, trials, and morally grey love interests.
Like many of my impulsive book-buying decisions, A Court of Thorns and Roses entered my life thanks to BookTok. I thought it was just another overhyped fantasy romance with fae and a recycled Beauty and the Beast plotline. I was skeptical of course, until I saw it on my feed every five minutes. So like the easily convinced book girl that I am, I caved. And honestly? Iโve never been more grateful for peer pressure.
We begin with Feyre Archeron, a mortal girl struggling to provide for her family in a harsh, cold winter. While hunting, she kills a wolf that (spoiler) turns out to be a fae in disguise. Soon after, a beast-like creature (Tamlin, a High Fae lord) shows up to collect the price of her mistake. Feyre is dragged across the wall into Prythian, the land of the fae, and taken to live in the Spring Court.
At first, the story is slow. The world is lush and mysterious, but Feyre and Tamlinโs dynamic feels stiff. Heโs polite, brooding, a little too quiet. The saving grace early on? Lucien; witty, fiery, and instantly more interesting. For a while, it felt like a retelling Iโd read before: girl hates fae, fae softens, romance blooms. Nothing that felt unique. But then came Calanmaiโฆ
That fire festival changed everything. Feyre sneaks out, is nearly attacked, and is saved by a stranger with haunting violet eyes (hi, Rhysand). Later, Tamlin tracks her down, and we get the infamous bite scene that finally sparks some heat between them. From there, the pace picks up fast.
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Feyre begins to grow. She lets down her walls, begins to fall for Tamlin, and for a while, it seems like their happily ever after is within reach. Until itโs ripped away (of course). Tamlin sends her home, and when she returns, determined to fight for him, she finds the Spring Court under siege.
Enter Under the Mountain. This is where the book transforms. Feyre volunteers to save Tamlin, only to be imprisoned by Amarantha, the wicked ruler of Prythian. Sheโs forced into a deadly bargain: solve a riddle or complete three brutal trials to win Tamlinโs freedom. The trials are gory, terrifying, and completely addicting. Feyreโs strength, cunning, and resilience are pushed to the limit โ and so are our emotions.
And then, Rhysand makes his move.
A wildcard and fan favourite, Rhys is dark, manipulative, and fascinating. He offers Feyre protection during her trials, but at a cost โ a bargain that binds her to him one week per month. Their scenes sizzle with tension, complexity, and a hint of something deeper beneath all the sharp edges. Meanwhile, Tamlin doesโฆ nothing.
He watches. He stays silent. And for the first time, we start to question the love story we were sold.
By the final trial, Feyre is a different person โ broken, brave, and burning with purpose. What she endures is devastating, and her eventual death and rebirth by the High Lords is the dramatic turning point that sets up the rest of the series in spectacular fashion.
Final Thoughts:
Slow start, jaw-dropping finish. ACOTAR begins like a dark fairy tale and ends as something much more dangerous, magical, and addictive. Feyreโs growth is phenomenal, the world-building deepens with each chapter, and the shift in tone midway through completely changes the game.
I went from unsureโฆ to obsessed. I tore through this book in a matter of days and immediately picked up the next one.
So โ what do you think, book lovers? Are you Team Tamlin or Team Rhysand? Let the chaos (and the comments) begin.
