A review by alilbitofmonica
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

4.0

I am still trying to figure out exactly how I feel about this book.
I didn't LOVE it like I had hoped based on so many high reviews and recommendations. But I enjoyed it enough that I plan to keep going with the next book.

The writing is meh but the story flowed pretty well and had some very intriguing fantasy elements. Also I definitely expected this to be more spicy than it was... but this was tame compared to some others.

A few points I didn't love because its easier to pick out the complaints:
Feyre is incredibly annoying. Like she is an absolute idiot and I do not understand why so much of fate rests in her hands because she is barely scraping by with luck. "I thought you were smarter than this" no she absolutely is not.
The romance was honestly kinda dull- there was no real buildup, it was just stockholm syndrome while she tried to discover all of his secrets only to find out that she wouldn't learn his biggest secret until it was too late? Like she hates him and then spends a few days and BAM she's infatuated and ready to jump him at the next available moment? And then he bites her and it was supposed to be cute?
The trials were an interesting addition to the final portion of the book. Trial 1 was exciting and dare I say it... my favorite part of the book (*cue references to Tremors as the only thing going through my head during that scene). But I don't even remember trial 2 and I read it earlier today. And trial 3... well I know why it had to happen but also WHY did it have to happen? All because she couldn't solve a riddle that I could have solved in elementary school? I still don't get why villains like to play games with riddles and tests like... of course you're going to lose but go off on your power trip I guess.
Feyre's family sucks and quite frankly did not deserve Tam's generosity in caring for them in her absence.
Lucien was the best character.

I know my review sounds harsh, but that's just the stuff that bothered me. The majority of the book was fun and enjoyable to read. It was less irritating than I have heard others say, but it was also less incredible than I know some die-hard fans would say. Knowing that the sequel is a fan favorite helps me want to keep going.
If you look too closely, this isn't a great book, but if you're just in it for a good time, then this can do it.