A read and listen book review consist of time spent both reading the physical book and listening to the audiobook. I personally think that this is the best way to read books when you're short on time!
Read on to find out why the first installment of this YA retelling earned a three bookmark rating. Before I get into the review, full disclosure, at the time that I'm writing this review, I've already finished book two. The hype is true, book two is so much better than the first book, so just keep that in mind.
Read on to find out why the first installment of this YA retelling earned a three bookmark rating. Before I get into the review, full disclosure, at the time that I'm writing this review, I've already finished book two. The hype is true, book two is so much better than the first book, so just keep that in mind.
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens /Recorded Books
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Format: Kindle, Audio MP3
Pages: 416 | Audio Length: 16 hours 7 mins
Narrator: Jennifer Ikeda
Source: Kindle, Audible
Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, YA, New Adult
Review Date: February 6, 2017
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: 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 grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Format: Kindle, Audio MP3
Pages: 416 | Audio Length: 16 hours 7 mins
Narrator: Jennifer Ikeda
Source: Kindle, Audible
Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, YA, New Adult
Review Date: February 6, 2017
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: 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 grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
I'd heard lots about this title and it's been on my TBR list since it was first published in 2015. It probably would have sat on my list for much longer if it wasn't for book club! This was one of my many book club reads, so of course I wanted to read it to discuss it, and boy am I happy that I did. I did some research on the future of this series and it looks like six books are planned so far, so I'm excited to see how this story transforms as the books go on.
While I didn't fall in love with the first installment of this series, I liked it well enough. The first half of the book was pretty slow and it took a bit for things to get going. Initially it was a pretty dry and predictable retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Then suddenly around the 60% mark or so, things got very interesting and I was fully vested in finding out what was going to happen with Tamlin and Feyre. Balancing the slow start with a good ending settled my rating at a solid three bookmarks.
While I didn't fall in love with the first installment of this series, I liked it well enough. The first half of the book was pretty slow and it took a bit for things to get going. Initially it was a pretty dry and predictable retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Then suddenly around the 60% mark or so, things got very interesting and I was fully vested in finding out what was going to happen with Tamlin and Feyre. Balancing the slow start with a good ending settled my rating at a solid three bookmarks.
As I read and listened to this title, I was able to see that Maas's writing skills are noteworthy. The world building was very good and the details were more than enough to have me imagining the Fae world, yet it wasn't over kill. It should be noted that story was pretty heavy on romance, while it's is generally nice and mushy, I do feel like the author missed out on a few opportunities to really drive the action early on. When it's all said and done, the action finally kicks into gear and Feyre becomes the bad ass heroine that the book gives us a glimmer of in the first chapter of the book.
One thing that did throw me for a loop was the fact that this title was advertised as a YA (young adult) novel. In my opinion, this is nowhere near a YA book. It feels older. The relationship stuff is older. Not to mention that Feyre is actually 18 when this story begins. I'd say this is New Adult, or even adult. Especially as you get into book two, there is no questions, that YA goes out of the window.
As for the audiobook, I always enjoy audiobooks narrated by Jennifer Ikeda. She's just awesome. The voices of Feyre and Tamlin were exceptional. She also did a great job with Lucien and the other secondary characters. Ikeda added value to this book and kept me listening for hours on end. She's able to produce believable slight changes in her tone to reflect both men and women.
The ending of this tale really sealed the deal for me and left me wanting more. So much so that I immediately jumped right into book two, A Court of Mist and Fury. How about you? What did you think of A Court of Thorns and Roses? Did you enjoy it?
One thing that did throw me for a loop was the fact that this title was advertised as a YA (young adult) novel. In my opinion, this is nowhere near a YA book. It feels older. The relationship stuff is older. Not to mention that Feyre is actually 18 when this story begins. I'd say this is New Adult, or even adult. Especially as you get into book two, there is no questions, that YA goes out of the window.
As for the audiobook, I always enjoy audiobooks narrated by Jennifer Ikeda. She's just awesome. The voices of Feyre and Tamlin were exceptional. She also did a great job with Lucien and the other secondary characters. Ikeda added value to this book and kept me listening for hours on end. She's able to produce believable slight changes in her tone to reflect both men and women.
The ending of this tale really sealed the deal for me and left me wanting more. So much so that I immediately jumped right into book two, A Court of Mist and Fury. How about you? What did you think of A Court of Thorns and Roses? Did you enjoy it?
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