A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Thorns and Roses is a new adult high fantasy novel series by American author Sarah J. Maas, beginning with the novel of the same name, released in May 2015. The story follows the journey of the tale of Feyre, as she is brought into the faerie lands of Prythian, after murdering a faerie.
The covers of the four books of the series | |
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Author | Sarah J. Maas |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Fantasy |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
Published | May 5, 2015 – present |
Media type |
The series appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list, and has been optioned by Tempo Productions for a film adaptation.
Overview
A Court of Thorns and Roses follows the story of Feyre Archeron, a 19-year old huntress. After killing a faerie wolf in the woods, she is kidnapped and taken to the faerie land of Prythian by a beast-like creature that demands punishment for the kill. Feyre discovers that her kidnapper is not a beast, but another faerie named Tamlin, an immortal being that once ruled her world. As she lives with Tamlin at his estate, her feelings towards him develop from hate to love, and she comes to learn that everything she has learnt about the faerie world is a lie.[1]
Books
Main series
No. | Title | Publication date | Counts | ISBN | |
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1 | A Court of Thorns and Roses | May 5, 2015 | 130,423 words / 419 pages[2] | ISBN 9781619634442 | |
Nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, and a beast-like creature demands punishment for it. She is taken to the land of the faeries, her captor, Tamlin, who is an immortal faerie himself. She comes to live with him at his estate. He is a High Lord of Prythian, and Feyre begins to realize that what she has previously learnt about the dangerous world of the faeries is all a lie. | |||||
2 | A Court of Mist and Fury | May 3, 2016 | 186,220 words / 626 pages[3] | ISBN 9781619635197 | |
Feyre has survived the trials of Amarantha and has become a High Fae, but she still remains human inside, and has to come to terms with the awful acts she performed to save Tamlin's people. To save his people and herself, Feyre had to make a deal with Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, and she has to satisfy it. Feyre begins to learn about the politics and power of Prythian, and has to face an even greater evil that looms. | |||||
3 | A Court of Wings and Ruin | May 2, 2017 | 199,464 words / 699 pages[4] | ISBN 9781619634480 | |
Feyre returns to the Spring Court and Tamlin to spy on him, as well as the King of Hybern and his invading forces that want to take over Prythian. But to do so, she has to play a game of deceit and lie to those closest to her to get what she needs. As war surrounds her and her allies, Feyre needs to decide whom she can trust when it comes to the High Lords of Prythians, her family, and her closest friends. | |||||
3.5 | A Court of Frost and Starlight | May 1, 2018 | 57,763 words / 229 pages[5] | ISBN 9781547600502 | |
Months after the war for Prythian has ended, Feyre, Rhysand and their friends rebuild the Night Court after the attack from Hybern. Winter Solstice is approaching, and the court prepares for the festive season. As Feyre continues to get used to her role as High Lady of the Night Court, she must navigate around the scars that the war has brought upon them all. | |||||
4 | A Court of Silver Flames[6] | January 26, 2021 | TBA | ISBN 9781526620644 |
Companion books
- A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book[7] (2017)
Characters
- Feyre Archeron – the main protagonist and narrator, Tamlin's ex-lover and ex-fiancé.Rhysand's mate and eventually High Lady of the Night Court
- Rhysand – High Lord of the Night Court and Feyre's mate. The most powerful high lord in history.
- Tamlin – High Lord of the Spring Court and Feyre's ex-fiancé. Was cursed by Amarantha, curse was later broken by Feyre. Had a part in the murder of Rhys' mother and sister.
- Lucien Vanserra – Previous emissary to the Spring Court and mate of Elain. Youngest son of the Lady of the Autumn Court.
- Amren – Second in command to the Night Court and a member of the inner circle. she is a mysterious creature trapped in a high fae body. Lover of jewels.
- Ianthe – High Priestess who resided in the Spring Court. Sold out Feyre's sisters to Hybern.
- Morrigan – Rhysand's cousin and also third in command of the Night Court. She too is a member of the inner circle.
- Azriel – The quiet Illyrian warrior who is 'silently' in love with Morrigan. He is also a member of the inner circle. Rhys and Feyre's spymaster.
- Cassian – He is a member of the inner circle and a potential love interest for Nesta. General of the Illyrian armies
- Nesta Archeron – The oldest Archeron sister, suspected mate of Cassian. Was turned into high fae by the Cauldron. She is able to withstand glamours.
- Elain Archeron – The middle Archeron sister and mate of Lucien. Former betrothed of the human lord Graysen. Was turned into high fae by the Cauldron.
- Amarantha – Queen of Under the Mountain. Cursed the Spring Court. Was defeated by Feyre. The former commander of the King of Hybern.
- Tarquin – High Lord of the Summer Court. Has water magic. Wants to remove the barriers between High Fae and 'Lesser faeries'.
- Kallias – High Lord of the Winter Court, mate of Viviene. Has ice magic.
- King of Hybern - Ruler of Hybern, the island to the West of Prythian.
- Beron – High Lord of the Autumn Court. Has fire magic
- Helion – High Lord of the Day Court, aka spell-cleaver. Has the power to cleave wards and other spells as well as producing sun fire.
- Thesan – High Court of the Dawn Court has healing magic
- Suriel - Ancient being and fount of knowledge. Can be tempted into a trap by a nice cloak.
- Bone carver - Creepy primordial being who was locked in the prison of rock. Brother of Stryga. Feyre and Rhys go to him for information. Also brother of mysterious lord of a lake in the human lands.
- Stryga - Aka the Weaver of the Woods. Likes to make people into cloth, and is a collector/ hoarder.
- Vassa - One of the mortal queens, sold off by the other queens to an ancient being
Development
Maas initially intended the series as a retelling of the fairy tales Beauty and the Beast, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and Tam Lin. These tales inspired the finished series, though it was not ultimately a dedicated retelling.[8]
She began writing A Court of Thorns and Roses in early 2009, with the first draft taking about five weeks to complete.[9]
A Court of Mist and Fury's first draft was written entirely in a split point of view between Feyre and Rhys.[10] The second books went through multiple name changes, including A Court of Wind and Stone, A Court of Calm and Fury, A Court of Stars and Smoke, A Court of Wings and Stars, A Court of Venom and Silver and A Court of Stars and Frost.[11] Like the first novel, the second is based around multiple fairy tales and myths, including Hades and Persephone, where the Greek mythology inspired characters such as Rhysand and Feyre and their home in the Night Court. Other fairy tale inspirations include Hansel and Gretel, which inspired the character of the Weaver, and the Book of Exodus, which loosely inspired parts of the backstory for Miryam and Drakon.[10]
The final cover of A Court of Wings and Ruin was designed by Adrian Dadich, with the dress pictured on the cover originally designed by Charlie Bowater, and later adapted by Dadich.[12]
On July 12, 2016, Entertainment Weekly reported that Maas was writing five new books for the series, which would include two novellas and three further novels which would be set before and after the first trilogy.[13][14]
Awards
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
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2015 | ||||
Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Thorns and Roses | Nominated | |
RT Award | Young Adult Protagonist | A Court of Thorns and Roses | Nominated | |
2016 | Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Mist and Fury | Won |
2017 | Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Wings and Ruin | Won |
2018 | Goodreads Choice Awards | Best of the Best | A Court of Mist and Fury | Nominated |
Goodreads Choice Awards | Best of the Best | A Court of Wings and Ruin | Nominated | |
Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Frost and Starlight | Nominated |
Film adaptation
A Court of Thorns and Roses was optioned by Jo Bamford's and Piers Tempest's Tempo Productions in November 2015.[15]
References
- "A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas".
- "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- https://bookstr.com/article/sarah-j-maas-announces-a-court-of-silver-flames/
- "A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book". sarahjmaas. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- "Interview: Sarah J. Maas, author of 'Heir of Fire' (and 2015 cover reveal!)". USAToday. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
- "The cover for A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is here! (Now in hi-res! And with some TOG4 info!)". October 24, 2014.
- Gallucci, Kelly (June 27, 2016). "Sarah J. Maas Teases What Readers Can Expect After A Court of Mist and Fury".
- "Sarah J. Maas on Instagram: "Annnnd here it is!! The US cover for A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN!! 🎉🎉🎉 It's my favorite yet--partially because of the gorgeous (High Lady)…"". Instagram.
- "Sarah J. Maas adding to 'A Court of Thorns and Roses,' 'Throne of Glass' series". EW.com.
- "Dymocks - The ultimate guide to the world of Sarah J. Maas". www.dymocks.com.au.
- Jaafar, Ali; Jaafar, Ali (November 11, 2015). "Tempo Productions Options Sarah J Maas' 'A Court Of Thorns And Roses'".