Romance Annotation - A Court of Thorns and Roses

 

Author: Sarah J. Mass

Genre: Romantacy

Publication Date: May 2015

Number of Pages: 432

Geographical Setting: Fantasy realm of Prythian

Time Period: Not specified

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses, Book 1

Plot Summary: 

Nineteen-year-old Feyre swore an oath to her dying mother than she’d protect her two older sisters and father from 

harm, making her the sole provider of the once-wealthy family after an accident leaves her father unable to work. 

After mistakenly killing a faerie to provide for her family, Feyre is taken into the world of Prythian by a wolfish 

monster to pay for the life she took. This monster is more than he appears however - a shapeshifting High Lord 

named Tamlin, who leaves Feyre’s family with riches once again and offers her protection and a comfortable life 

at his estate. 

Feyre’s initial distrust towards her captor fades as she learns more about him and his world, as well as a mysterious

 infestation that threatens both the faerie and human realms. As Tamlin and Feyre grow closer, the danger around 

them grows as well, and Feyre finds herself sacrificing everything she has and testing her every skill all in the

 name of love.

Subject Headings: 

Fairies, Romance - fiction, Fantasy - fiction

Romance Appeal - I had a lot of conversations ahead of this assignment regarding whether or not this book is 

romance, fantasy, or maybe romantic fantasy, or maybe something else. Although the “A Court of Thorns and 

Roses” book series as a whole may be a fantasy series with romantic elements, this book as a standalone is a 

romantacy, keeping the structure and themes seen in romance with a backdrop of a fantasy world. 

Characterization: Feyre is headstrong and confident, charming in an awkward and tomboyish way, leading her to 

charm more than just one handsome High Fae lord. Tamlin is mysterious, powerful, and overall, caring, making 

the two of them drawn to each other - yet their equal stubbornness causes them to clash more than once as well. 

Tone: Emotions run high for the characters of A Court of Thorns and Roses right from the start, with the reader 

immediately following Feyre as she’s forced to be the sole provider for her seemingly ungrateful family. Her 

ensuing romance and eventual happy ending with Tamlin feel deserved after the dangers presented throughout. 

Storyline: A Court of Thorns and Roses follows precisely the format of courtship laid out by Wyatt and 

Saricks (2019). Feyre and Tamlin meet, their relationship builds, and the couple ultimately come together, after 

High Court antics and faerie curses resolve themselves. 

Language/style: Maas writes vividly here, both in the teasing banter between Feyre and Tamlin (as well as 

between Feyre and Rhysand, the dangerous counter to Tamlin who aids Feyre in his own way) and in the 

descriptions of the world itself. The dialogue feels sincere without being cheesy.

3 Terms to Describe this Book:

Romantic, High fantasy, Suspenseful

3 Fiction Recommendations

Did you like the romantacy vibe? Try Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros or Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood 

and Ash 

 

Did you like the romance and drama amongst the royal court? Give the Bridgerton series a try, by Julia Quinn, 

starting with The Duke and I.

2 Nonfiction Recommendations

 

 

If you’re into fairies and other fairy tales, try Marina Warmer’s From Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales 

and Their Teller. 

If you liked Feyre and want to read about other women in myths and stories, read Clarissa Pinkola Estes’s  

Women Who Run with the Wolves. 

2 Nonbook Recommendations

Just like the book series, the Bridgerton television series could be a good watch if you liked the romance 

among lords and ladies, or the show Outlander for romance with some drama in a historical setting.