Megan Likes Books: Sarah J Maas

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Info:
Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: May 5 2015
Source: Won.

Synopsis:

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beastwith faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

Review:

I'm realizing just how much I love Sarah J. Maas. I'm a bit late to the party, but I really have loved the 3 books I've read by her. Her characters are amazing: heroines that strike the perfect balance between badass and vulnerable. I want to be best friends with them

Feyre is the only thing holding her family together. Really, her family sucks, but in a very human, true-to-life kind of way (as opposed to the flat, inexplicably evil families that drive me up the wall). But Feyre is the only thing keeping her family alive, something that is getting harder and harder to do. In the process of trying to keep her family alive, Feyre gets into unfortunate situation and ends up travelling to the Fae realm as a prisoner/guest. I loved the fae characters in this book as well, but I think my favourite was Lucien, although I can see the appeal of Tamlin.

If this all sounds a bit familiar, this book is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. But at the same time, it's also based on a somewhat lesser known story of Tam Lin, who was stolen away by the fairy queen.

The world created by Maas is rich and deep and really well done. Honestly, I can't think of anything I would have changed about this book. It's that good.

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Monday, July 27, 2015

Review: Throne of Glass

Info:
Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #1
Publisher: Bloombury's USA Children's
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Source: Purchased.

Synopsis:
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating . But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Review:
I'm pretty late to the Throne of Glass party, but that's ok, because better late than never! I'm always a bit nervous going into a popular, hyped-up book because the hype ruins so many of them for me. But not this one! No, this one I really really liked! Hooray!

I loved Celaena. She's just one of those characters that I couldn't help but fall in love with. Even though she's not perfect, I still wanted her to succeed. I mean, this girl has been through Hell and is just so strong and tenacious. Love her.

Then there are the boys. First Prince Dorian, who I enjoyed. He seemed like an all-around decent guy, though constantly in his father's shadow. Then there's Chaol, who I particularly liked (all though I'm not sure of the exact reason why). Since there are two guys, you can probably guess that there is a little bit of a love triangle. Although it's not very pronounced right now (as it is fairly one-sided), I think that it will be developed as the series progresses.

I also enjoyed the action in this book. Any book with a competition involved seems to add extra excitement for me and this was no exception. Especially since most of the competitors were very unlikable, so I particularly wanted Celaena to win!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and immediately bought the next two books after finishing this one!