A Court of Thorns and Roses is a new adulthigh 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 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.
Books
Main series
Companion books
A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book
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.
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. She began writing A Court of Thorns and Roses in early 2009, with the first draft taking about five weeks to complete. A Court of Mist and Furys first draft was written entirely in a split point of view between Feyre and Rhys. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Awards
Accolades
Film adaptation
A Court of Thorns and Roses was optioned by Jo Bamford's and Piers Tempest's Tempo Productions in November 2015.
