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July 10, 2025 11 mins

16 hr 11 min

Listen Now to the Audiobook for free:

https://thebooksinsider.com/a-court-of-thorns-and-roses/

A Court of Thorns and Roses — The Fantasy Romance That Started an Obsession

You think you're picking up a fairytale retelling. What you get is a full-blown emotional awakening.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas — the book that launched a thousand BookTok edits, fan art pages, and multi-hour breakdowns. But it’s more than hype. It’s romance, survival, power, betrayal, and transformation — all set in a lush, dangerous fae world.

We’ll talk about:

  • Feyre, a mortal huntress forced into a magical court where nothing is as it seems

  • Tamlin, the cursed fae High Lord who brings her across the wall

  • the eerie beauty of the Spring Court — and the darkness that begins to crack through it

  • and how this book starts as one thing… and slowly becomes something very different

It’s steamy, lush, heartbreaking, and mythic — with the kind of writing that draws you into its world and makes you forget your own.

Here’s a line that captures the beginning of Feyre’s journey:
“Don’t feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”

🎧 Hit play to revisit (or discover) why this book continues to own the fantasy romance space. And if you’re already deep into the SJM multiverse — follow the show. You’re in the right place.

📌 FAQ – A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

What is A Court of Thorns and Roses about?
It follows Feyre, a mortal who kills a fae wolf and is taken to the magical Spring Court as punishment. There, she gets entangled in ancient curses, court politics, and a slow-building romance that becomes far more dangerous than she imagined.

Is this a Beauty and the Beast retelling?
Loosely, yes — but it quickly breaks out of that mold. The setup echoes the classic tale, but the plot veers into darker, more political, and much steamier territory.

Is this book YA or adult?
It was originally marketed as New Adult fantasy, but later books in the series become more explicit and emotionally complex. Many readers consider it adult fantasy with romantic and political themes.

What are the main tropes?

  • Enemies to lovers

  • Forced proximity

  • Magical bargain

  • Chosen one

  • Beauty and the Beast retelling (light)

  • Found power, found identity

Is there romance in the book?
Yes — strong romantic tension and eventual open-door scenes. Romance is central to the story, but so is Feyre’s emotional and psychological growth.

Is it part of a series?
Yes. This is book one in the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series. Future books follow Feyre and expand the cast, courts, and conflicts dramatically.

How would you describe the world?
High fantasy fae realm with separate courts based on seasons and time (Spring, Night, etc). Rich worldbuilding, magic systems, ancient curses, and deadly rituals shape the world around the characters.

What makes this audiobook special?
The narration captures the contrast between Feyre’s vulnerability and strength. As the stakes rise, so does the emotional intensity of the voice performance. Perfect for listeners who want to get lost in another world.

Who would

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