A Court of Thornes and Roses

We meet Feyre hunting in the woods. She carries the burden of single-handedly making sure her family doesn’t starve to death. And considering that said family contributes absolutely zero to make life easier – for Feyre and themselves – I’m gonna play hobby psychologist for a moment and call Feyre what she clearly is: a hardcore people pleaser driven by anxiety. Otherwise, I really have no explanation for her unhealthy sense of responsibility.

But hey, no shade — as a fellow people pleaser driven by anxiety, I can definitely see myself in her shoes. Probably way less efficient and most likely long dead. Or at the very least wildly unsuccessful, given my clumsiness and my tendency to cry in the face of danger rather than actually face it. But yeah… I get you, Feyre.

Anyhow. Feyre luckily is a good huntress. So even when she is faced with an unusually large wolf she keeps her cool and actually manages to kill it with just one shot. Props to her. But since she can’t carry a deer plus a huge-ass wolf she opts to skin the wolf to sell the pelt and take the deer home instead.

Back home we meet her family and honestly – they’re shit. Especially Nesta. I said what I said. Like, come on. Feyre is the youngest sister. She risks her life on a daily basis to get you food and you repay her by bullying her? Real nice.

Also Papa Archeron: grow a backbone and do something. And Elain – being Nesta’s personal parrot? Uncool. Even though she’s the only one who is remotely nice and at least acknowledges Feyre’s sacrifice.

And while we’re at it, let’s bring up a community favorite. If Elain loves gardening and even has a little garden in front of the house… why the hell didn’t she ever grow vegetables or fruit? Sarah J. Maas, please clear up this riddle for us. Shame that question wasn’t asked in the “Call Her Daddy” interview.

The next day, after Feyre sold the wolf’s pelt to a mercenary and made a good amount of money, the family seems happier. But that momentary peace is (literally) crashed when a large beast… well, crashes into their home. Apparently, the wolf wasn’t a wolf at all, but a Fae — and now the beast is coming to collect payment for its brutal murder.

And since Feyre is responsible for the death the beast demands she pay for retribution since the treaty between the Fae and the humans demands it. But apparently, the beast feels generous. Instead of killing her, it offers to take Feyre with it to live out the rest of her life in the realm of the Fae. Obviously, throughout all of this, none of her family members try to step in or help. Feyre ends up accepting the offer to protect them. Typical people-pleaser. Well… okay, she’s also saving her own ass, but to be fair, that didn’t seem to be her main motivation.

And here begins our tale as old as time.

Back in the Fae realm (aka Prythian) the beast transforms into a handsome blonde man. Well, as far as Feyre can guess, since he is wearing a mask. He takes her to his manor where Feyre meets a red-haired man with a fox mask. Or as I’d like to say: foxy, cocky Lucien. He is an emissary for the blonde male, aka Tamlin (almost typed Tampon. Silly me…).

Lucien so far is not a fan of Feyre. But I think it’s fair to assume that all of us wouldn’t immediately be besties with the person who just killed (and skinned) a good friend of ours. Even if it was unknowingly.

Feyre gets her own room plus her own servant. Alis. From the vibe she’s giving, I’m pretty sure she’s meant to be the ACOTAR version of Madame Potts. And though she is more snappy than her teapot equivalent she is a likable character. She cleans Feyre up and gives her some new clothes.

Side note: I love that when Feyre demands her old clothes back Alis just deadpans, that they dissolved after cleaning. Witty. I like it.

Once cleaned up Feyre joins Lucien and Tamlin for dinner. Though hesitant since she fears the food might be poisoned or otherwise dangerous for her as a human. The males insist though, that the food is fine. And when she isn’t really talking to them Lucien – warming up, or more like making an effort – tells her that they don’t bite. Well… he can bite me. I certainly wouldn’t complain. But that’s a different story.

Tamlin then tries to flirt with Feyre. Emphasis on tries. I mean “Your hair looks clean”. Sir… are you for real? This is awkward even to read. Respect to Lucien for not immediately facepalming himself into another dimension. I mean let’s be honest Bookdragons, this man is several hundred years old and this is his skill level when it comes to flirting? That’s painful.  Which raises a very important question: If he hasn’t figured it out yet, what does that mean for us mere mortals? Myself included? Is there no hope? Are we all doomed to be this bad? Is this a male-only problem? You know what – for all of our sakes, let’s just agree this is a Tamlin-only issue.

Feyre is also clearly unimpressed and leaves dinner to go to her room. Same girl.

The next day Feyre is awoken by a crash. Feyre had built a trap to alarm her, if someone enters her room. And Alis triggered it. Feyre apologizes (the trap wasn’t meant for her) and then Alis goes on about how none of this would’ve helped her anyways.

Well, as a human myself I love that Feyre thought she at least wouldn’t go down without a fight. Love that for her. Anyhow, Feyre gets dressed and strolls through the manor where she meets Tampon. Damn it. I meant Tamlin. Sorry, I slipped again.

When he asks her what she is doing, Feyre replies that she wasn’t aware that she’s under house arrest. His answer? “Of course you’re not under house arrest”… YET. Bookdragons, I’m sorry — but I am way too biased for this. This absolutely had to make it into the review. Because yes, I did, in fact, blurt that out loud while listening to the audiobook.

They talk a bit more, and Tamlin tells her that there is a “blight” upon Prythian — something that impacts magic and is also the reason they all wear masks. The blight has apparently been going on for fifty years and is only getting worse.

That’s all Feyre — and we as readers — get to know for now.

Anyway. Tamlin offers to give Feyre a tour, but she declines. Instead, she goes looking for Lucien.

I mean… same.

Though Feyre and I have very different reasons. She wants to subtly get Lucien on her side so he might help send her back to the human realm.

Me? Well… my plans with Lucien wouldn’t necessarily involve talking.

Feyre does succeed in finding him, and they go out hunting together. Lucien taunts her (which — yes, I think is hot), and she learns how he got his mechanical eye. He also tells her about a creature called the Suriel, which can answer any question.

They are interrupted by the Bogge — a creature that only becomes real when acknowledged and will kill you. They manage to escape and return to the manor.

Over the next few days, Feyre slowly settles in. Tamlin kills the Bogge, and when he returns injured, Feyre helps patch him up.

She also wants to write a letter to her family to let them know she’s safe. The only problem: she can’t read or write. She tries to teach herself but struggles.

Tamlin figures it out when he finds a list of words Feyre has copied as best as she can. Instead of making fun of her, he tells her it’s not her fault and offers to write the letter for her. She declines.

We also discover that Tamlin has… mood swings. And anger management issues. Honestly, this man needs therapy.

Feyre eventually figures out she’s in the Spring Court and starts wondering who the High Lord might be. Bless her heart.

Since she still has more questions than answers, she gets Lucien to tell her how to trap the Suriel. She succeeds — and it casually spills the tea: Tamlin is the High Lord.

…duh.

The Suriel also tells her to “stay with the High Lord” and explains a bit about Prythian’s history with Hybern. But before Feyre can learn more, she is interrupted by the Naga.

Feyre frees the Suriel so it can escape and is then saved by Tamlin.

At dinner, she tells Tamlin and Lucien what happened — and surprisingly, Tamlin stays calm for once.

They talk, and Feyre asks him if he fought for the humans during the war. He replies that he was only a child back then, but that he would have if he had been old enough.

I quote: “Against slavery, against tyranny, I would gladly go to my death, no matter whose freedom I was defending.”

Nice sentiment.

I just wish he had remembered that in book two…

Feyre gets more and more comfortable in the Spring Court. She asks Tamlin for paints, and Tamlin — thrilled to learn that she’s an artist — offers to have the gallery cleaned up for her.

As someone who has read (and listened to) this book multiple times, I can’t help but wonder if Tamlin imagined Feyre painting while he stands next to her, playing the fiddle. And while I don’t agree with the fan theory that neither of them are particularly good at their passions… the mental image of Feyre drawing stick figures while Tamlin absolutely butchers the fiddle does make me laugh.

One night, Feyre wakes up to screams. She goes downstairs and finds a Faerie, badly injured — its wings have been cut off. Lucien takes one look, throws up, and flees. Feyre, however, tries to help. But the Faerie is beyond saving, so she ends up holding its hand while it dies.

The next day, our trio goes on a little trip to a pool of starlight. They joke, they laugh, and Feyre casually drops that the Suriel told her Tamlin is the High Lord.

And I don’t know how I forgot about this, but she also delivers a pretty solid joke:

“He also said that you like being brushed, and if I’m a clever girl, I might train you with treats.”

I’m not entirely sure that joke warranted Tamlin’s very enthusiastic laughter… but I’ll admit, it made me smile.

Tamlin and Feyre then wander off alone, and when she asks if Lucien is alright, Tamlin tells her about his past — and how his lover was brutally murdered. Which explains the PTSD.

Can I just hug my man real quick? I feel like he really needs it, but no one in this book seems particularly concerned about his emotional well-being. Rude.

Something I had either forgotten — or successfully suppressed — is that Tamlin purrs when Feyre strokes his hair. Like… actual purring. Like a cat. This is so weird.

Feyre, love — how are you choosing this man when Lucien is standing right there?

I mean… did it never occur to her that if he purrs when you touch his hair, there might be… other sounds? Not entirely sure that would be a turn-on for me. But hey — whatever works for her, I guess.

After a walk in the woods with Tamlin, the Attor pays a visit. Feyre neither sees it nor understands the conversation between it, Tamlin, and Lucien.

Now, my fellow Bookdragons, we get to a very important part of the book: Calanmai. Also known as Fire Night. Personally? I don’t think any of those names are fitting. I also feel like this is a very weird celebration. I mean, let’s be honest – this is basically just a huge public orgy. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It just feels weird that Tamlin going all feral and banging someone is apparently a huge and important ceremony. I mean, Lucien later even says everyone else also participates (well, not with Tamlin and whoever he’s banging, right? On second thoughts, might be possible. So never mind).

Obviously, this chapter isn’t important because of Calanmai itself, but because this is where Feyre meets — and I quote — “the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.” Yes. I am squeaking.

Also, I’d pay good money for a version where Tamlin would know about that exact thought. Would be too funny.

Anyway — though unnecessary — spoiler ahead: the beautiful dark-haired man is Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court.

Yes, yes. Feyre doesn’t know. But we seasoned reader do – and it hits every single time. Especially his first words: “There you are, I’ve been looking for you” – instant melt. (If you know, you know).

Rhys saves Feyre from some very creepy Faeries — and yes, of course they’re males. Shocking. They exchange a few words, then he disappears again.

Lucien then spots Feyre and is pissed as fuck. He proceeds to haul her over his shoulder (yes, I am jealous) and brings her back to the manor.

There, he explains the rite and tells her that if Tamlin had seen her, he would’ve chosen her — and that it wouldn’t have been gentle. Two thoughts on that:

First – proves my point about how weird calanmai is.

Second – bold of Lucien to assume Feyre wouldn’t have liked that. Maybe she’s all in. Maybe she’s a huge advocate for BDSM. Maybe she likes it rough. But hey, he meant well, so I’ll let it slide.

All his good intentions aside. By the end of the evening Tamil still finds Feyre in the manor. They don’t sleep with each other. But they do flirt, and Tamlin actually bites her. And yes – this is a topic the next morning, though neither Tamlin nor Lucien see a problem, since they warned Feyre to stay away. As a result, she goes angry and paints caricatures of them.

To my fanart people out there: if you have drawings of that, please send them my way.

Well Tamlin and Feyre flirt more and more. He removes the glamour he placed on her, allowing her to finally see Prythian in all its beauty. She also learns that due to the glamour she didn’t see all the other fairies that had been there all along. She feels embarrassed by that, and honestly, I’m right there with her. You know those embarrassing memories you have, that sometimes pop up uninvited? If I were her, this would hunt me for the rest of my days.

The next celebration comes around. Summer Solstice.  AKA Tamlin’s happy little fiddle party. Because yes, he does in fact play the fiddle that day. Feyre is drunk – though she won’t admit it – and dances with him. They also kiss for the first time. I guess I’m supposed to say “yay” now.

The next day, though, happiness is over. We learn that “the blight” has killed two dozen younglings in the winter court.

Random question: Did anyone else get Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith vibes from that, or was that just me?

Rhys also stops by. He learns about Feyre and is pissed as fuck that Tamlin and Lucien tried to hide her. Feyre says she hates him and would never in 100 years paint him. (We’ll revisit that statement later, love.). She learns that he can read and manipulate minds. When Rhys asks her for her name, she gives him a fake one – Clare Beddor.

After that visit Tamlin goes feral and destroys the dining room. As I said. Anger management issues. He then decides that Feyre must return to the human world. But — and I’d like to highlight this — he still sleeps with her first. Knowing full well he’s going to send her away the next day.
Real classy.

Feyre, however, seems entirely unbothered. Lucien tries to bargain for more time, but Tamlin goes through with it and sends her back.

This next bit can be summed up pretty quickly:

Feyre is back with her family. They’re suddenly rich again — thanks to Tamlin. Everyone believes she’s been taking care of a sick aunt. Nesta, however, is suspicious. And not only that — she actually tried to go after Feyre but couldn’t find her. Turns out, the glamour didn’t work on her. We also learn that the Beddors’ house — along with the Beddors themselves — has been burned down. Feyre assumes this has something to do with the blight. She eventually breaks the glamour on the rest of her family and tells them everything she knows before deciding to return to Prythian.

When she’s back, the manor is completely destroyed. The only one left is Alis. She now tells Feyre everything — what the “blight” really is, who Amarantha is, and how all of this came to be. Tamlin and his entire court have been taken Under the Mountain. Because the time to break the curse is over. Alis is furious that Feyre didn’t tell Tamlin she loved him. And while I get the frustration, I also think it’s a bit misplaced. Feyre didn’t know. And rushing something as big as love? That never ends well. There is, however, one crucial thing Alis still can’t tell her – which means that Amarantha still doesn’t want her to know.

Feyre – the lovesick fool – then proceeds to go Under The Mountain to save Tamlin. Needless to say, it doesn’t go well. She is found by the Attor, who brings her Under The Mountain. Amarantha makes fun of her. We learn that Clare Beddor was taken Under The Mountain too and tortured to death – her corpse still hanging on the wall.

Tamlin completely ignores Feyre. What a hero. Still, Feyre is determined to free him. So, she bargains with Amarantha and she agrees, to set him and his court free, should Feyre win three trials. Or instant release should Feyre  solve her riddle first. Feyre agrees and is then beaten to unconsciousness by the Attor and Amarantha’s cronies.

Feyre awakens in a cell. Badly injured and with a broken nose. And this — this right here, where Lucien proves he’s the real one. Because despite the danger, he sneaks down to the cells to heal her as best as he can. That, my friends, is what we call actual loyalty. And I do not want to hear:
“Well, Tamlin couldn’t come, he was being watched.” Because I am 100% convinced that:
a) Lucien still would’ve found a way if he were in Tamlin’s shoes
b) SPOILER: Rhys would NEVER have let her suffer like that — and you know it.

Feyre’s first trial comes around. She has to kill a Middengard Wyrm. No big deal, right? Naturally, all of the fae are watching — and placing bets on whether she’ll survive. Immortals and their definition of fun, I guess.

During the trial, Feyre realizes that the Wyrm is blind and hunts by scent. So, she covers herself in mud to mask her smell — honestly, smart thinking under pressure. She manages to build a trap and lures the Wyrm toward it. And once again, Lucien proves that he is the only one in this situation with a functioning moral compass. Because while everyone else is just watching, he actually risks something and shouts: “To your left!” Saving her life.

Feyre manages to lure the Wyrm into her trap and kill it. And just to add a little extra flair — she throws a bone at Amarantha afterward. A small gesture, but a satisfying one.

Feyre: one.
Amarantha: zero.

But that’s about where the good track record ends.

Back in her cell it becomes painfully clear, how badly Feyre was injured during the trial. This time Lucien doesn’t show up to heal her. But have no fear, help is still on the way. Enter: the most handsome male Feyre has ever met. Rhysand. He reveals that Lucien won’t be coming to save her since he’s been punished for helping her. Rhys – as well as Feyre – realizes that she is dying. So he offers her a bargain: Two weeks a month with him at his court in exchange for him healing her. Feyre doesn’t want to accept. But she also realizes she has no other chance. Still, our girl negotiates. And gets it down to one week a month.

Rhys heals her, and thanks to the bargain, Feyre also walks away with a brand-new tattoo. She’s not exactly thrilled about that. Which is where we differ. Because if I got a free, magically appearing, actually good-looking tattoo? I’d be psyched. But whatever. At least I know that the tattoo will grow on her.

After this the story briefly shifts from Beauty and the Beast to something closer to Cinderella. Feyre is forced to do some ridiculously impossible house chores. Like cleaning the floor with dirty water or picking lentils out of Rhys’ fireplace. Both times she gets help. The Lady of the Autumn Court magically clears the water for Feyre and Rhys magically erases the lintels altogether.  He also goes so far as to break into the minds of Amarantha’s cronies and forbids them from giving Feyre any more useless tasks. See. Two more people helping Feyre. Unlike Tamp… Tamlin.

Whilst waiting for the second trial, Rhys opts to bring Feyre to the parties held Under the Mountain. She is dressed in almost nothing, covered in paint (so Rhys and Amarantha can see if someone – Tamlin – has touched her) and gets drunk on faerie wine each night.

Around comes Feyre’s second trial. Or as I’d like to call it: the moment Tamlin probably thought “We’re fucked”.  And honestly? Fair.

Because Feyre has to solve a riddle written on the wall, and pull the correct lever out of three options. Small issue, though. Our girl can’t read. And Tamlin – the one person who knows – can’t help her. Or won’t help her. So, save to say he must have secretly shit his pants. Also: poor Lucien who is trapped with her. Imagine watching this unfold like “Why the fuck is she not pulling the lever???”
Sorry boo.

When Feyre decides to fuck it and just pull lever number two, because two is a good number (like Tamlin and her) – once again, bless her heart – Rhys also gets the gist and makes her hand burn to pick a different lever. So thanks to Rhys she masters trial number two.

Feyre is crushed that her illiteracy almost cost them everything. Rhys however breaks into her mind and tells her to get it together in front of Amarantha. She manages that. But back in her call she completely breaks down.

Rhys later visits her and finds her still crying. To make her stop he resorts to licking the tears from her face. Very weird, but efficient. And honestly, I would’ve stopped crying too – just out of pure confusion.

Throughout the next days or weeks (we don’t know) Feyre slowly starts to lose her will to live. And then, one night, something changes. She hears music. Beautiful, distant and almost unreal. As it builds she has a vivid hallucination of a beautiful landscape, an open expanse of sky and a magnificent palace. And somehow it is enough to keep her from breaking completely.

The partying Under the Mountain continues. One evening, there finally seems to be an opening. Tamlin catches Feyre’s eye and subtly signals her to follow him. They make it to an empty room. And one might think, that Tamlin will finally use the time to reveal his grand plan or at least ask her how she’s holding up. But nope. He uses this precious moment to make out with her. I am so disgusted by that I don’t even have words to describe it. And yes, I am partial cause I know what’ll come in the next books. But I do remember that even during my first read I was massively disappointed by that behavior.

They are caught by Rhys though. Thank fuck. Tamlin just leaves and when Rhys hears Amarantha approaching, he kisses Feyre. She is disgusted by that – understandably so (though I bet even that kiss was better, then the one with Tamlin. But that’s just me). And yes, let’s be very clear: it wasn’t consensual, which is not okay! But – and this is important – it was quick thinking, to cover up Tamlins slip up and have an explanation why Feyre’s paint is smeared.

The next day, it is time for Feyre’s final trial. She’s in Amarantha’s throne room. Amarantha seated on the throne, Tamlin beside her. Her final trial: she has to kill three Fae. Without a question. the hardest trial out of them all. It’s terrible. Because it’s not about survival anymore but about morality. Do you sacrifice three lives to save everyone else? Or do you refuse and doom them all? A choice I hope I’ll never have to make.

Feyre has to though, and decides to go through with it. It’s terrible.

But I have to take a moment here to talk about the woman she has to kill. Knowing it’s your end and still encouraging the person who will take your life, to do so in favor of the greater good takes a different kind of strength and empathy. She doesn’t have a name, but I certainly won’t forget her.

But it wouldn’t be Amarantha if there weren’t a twist. Turns out, the last person Feyre has to kill is Tamlin. The Tamlin sitting on a throne was one of Amarantha’s cronies who had been glamoured. And that moment almost marks Feyre’s breaking point. Almost. She remembers that there was one thing Alis couldn’t tell her. Something important. She goes through all her conversations, and it clicks. Tamlin has a heart of stone. Literally. So taking a leap of faith she plunges the dagger into his heart. And – she was right.

Amarantha though is obviously not pleased by that. When the fae demand that Feyre has won and should be set free, Amarantha simply says she never specified when that would happen. Instant release, after all, was only promised if Feyre solved the riddle. Which she didn’t. So instead of honoring her word, Amarantha starts beating Feyre up. No one helps her though. No one – except Rhys. He tries to kill Amarantha but doesn’t succeed. Tamlin is apparently still too weak from being stabbed.

In a final attempt to save him, Feyre – dying – manages to solve Amarantha’s riddle. And thanks to that Tamlin is freed.  His powers return. And he kills Amarantha.

Feyre, however, is dead.

She sees herself through Rhys’ eyes. Tamlin crying over her dead body.

Now, what happens next genuinely surprised me – because I had completely forgotten about it.

Beron –High Lord of the Autumn Court – is the first to step forward and offer her a piece of his light aka his power to her to revive her. Fucking Beron. I’m sorry, where did that come from? Strange enough that he participated without a fuss, but being the first to volunteer feels so weird, knowing all the context about him.

Anyhow, all of the High Lords give Feyre a beacon of their power and thus revive her and make her a Fae herself.

The following days are still spent Under the Mountain, even though everyone is free. There’s cleanup, reorganization, aftermath.

Feyre and Tamlin stay in a room and instead of talking about what happened they trauma fuck. I’m not gonna shame that, people cope with trauma in different ways.

Feyre and Rhys share a goodbye as well. But before he leaves Feyre sees his eyes widen in some sort of panic. Because Rhys has a realization. I’m squeaking, but I’ll leave it at that.

The book then ends with Tamlin, Feyre and Lucien going back to the Spring Court, where they are greeted by Alis and her nephews playing and laughing in the grass.

Well, Bookdragons, that is that. We’ve made it through book one. Now as to rating. As I said before I absolutely fucking love this series. I am inclined to still give this book five starts – even knowing what’ll change – simply because it brought me so much joy the first time and it is still an amazing book. But knowing that the other books will be even better, I’ll settle for 4,5 stars. Forgive me. But we need room to go up.

One note to end things:

If you’re like me and know the series already, I know you have A LOT of things to say about a certain character. Please remember though, that the comment section is also for people who are new to all of this. So, it would be kind if you could leave it spoiler free and unleash your chaos and rage in the comment section of book two. Thank you.