A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas book review - Ink & Ivy Library

A Court of Thorns and Roses Review

Quick Rating


Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

👤Author: Sarah J. Maas

📚 Genre: Romantasy

📖Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1)

📱Format: Paperback and Audiobook

🎧Audiobook: Must Listen

🌍 World Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❤️ Romance: ❤️❤️❤️

⚔️ Action: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🌶️Spice Level: 🌶️

📖 Would I read again? Yes

The perfect first book of world building and character introduction for a long series.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quick Summary

If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the romantasy world, you’ve probably heard someone recommend A Court of Thorns and Roses. It’s one of the series that introduced thousands of readers-including me- to fantasy romance, and there’s a reason it’s still talked about years later.

The first book starts out slower than many of today’s fast paced romantasy novels, but don’t let that scare you away. Sarah J. Maas takes her time building the world, introducing the characters, and laying the foundation for everything that comes later. By the time I finished the books, I completely understood why so many readers become obsessed with this series.

The romance is a slow burn with plenty of tension, the magical world feels immersive without being overwhelming, and the story only gets better as the series continues.

If you’re looking for nonstop action from page one, this may not be the perfect fit. But if you enjoy the rich world-building, memorable characters, and a romance that develops naturally, this is one of the best places to start.

One thing I appreciated most was how easy the fantasy elements are to understand. Even if you’ve never read fantasy before, the world is introduced at a comfortable pace that never feels confusing.

While this first book is excellent on its own, it’s also important to know that many readers-including me-think the second book is where the series truly shines. The first novel builds the foundation, and the payoff is absolutely worth it.


What I Loved

  • Beautiful, immersive world- building
  • A romance that grows naturally instead of feeling rushed
  • Easy to follow, even for new fantasy readers
  • Characters that continue to develop throughout the series
  • A story that gets stronger with every book

A Few Things to Know Before You Start

  • The pacing is slower than many current romantasy books.
  • Expect more world-building than action in the first half.
  • This is the beginning of a long series, so not every mystery is answered immediately.

Final Thoughts

A Court of Thorns and Roses remains one of my favorite romantasy series because it perfectly balances magic, romance, adventure, and unforgettable characters. While it starts slower than books like Fourth Wing, the emotional payoff and character development make it well worth the journey.


Final Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

Would I recommend it:

Absolutely! I loved this entire series. I’ve already reread it once, and I’ll definitely be doing another reread when the next book comes out!

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