“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas has become one of the most praised fantasy books since its release in 2015. Maas’s world-building, fierce heroines and intricate plots in the first book laid the foundation for the series to follow.

Maas is a master of fantasy with other popular series like “Throne of Glass” and “Crescent City.”

“A Court of Thorns and Roses” is the first book in the series. There are currently five books published, with at least one more release coming in the next year.

Maas takes inspiration for the first book from “Beauty and the Beast,” but it is much more than a fairy tale. This fantasy is riskier, full of adventure and more adult than Disney’s classic film.

The book follows Feyre Archeron, a young human girl doing everything she can to support her impoverished family. While trying to keep her family alive, she makes one mistake that changes everything.

The story truly begins when Feyre is taken into the fae world — that is separated from the human world by an invisible wall — by Tamlin, a high fae lord. Everything Feyre had known was taken from her and replaced with magic, danger and deadly fae courts.

Beyond the wall, Feyre has to accept her new life in the Spring Court, but soon she is dragged into a deadly curse that has been waging in the fae world for 50 years.

Feyre is the beating heart of “A Court of Thorns and Roses” and is a truly unique heroine. She was never a warrior, but she slowly became one through sheer determination and willpower.

Feyre’s arc is a compelling one, from a weak mortal girl to a fierce woman willing to fight for love and survival. She is fiercely loyal, stubbornly independent and extremely intelligent.

Tamlin, on the other hand, is the classic brooding love interest. Despite his stereotypical character traits, Maas does well to give Tamlin much-needed layers. Tamlin is a protector, but he is also vulnerable and gentle.

The setting is unique and helps set the novel apart from such a saturated genre. Prythian is made up of seven courts, each with its own climate, politics and dangers. Maas uses attention to detail and intense imagery to make it easy to fall into the world.

Prythian is beautifully deadly, especially for Feyre. Most humans who find a way to enter the fae world never make it back alive.

The emotional stakes are high, Feyre’s journey is not just about surviving but living. She must learn to love and make sacrifices like she has never done before.

The book’s climax comes during her trials under the “Mountain” — a brutal and dark place readers encounter late in the novel. These sequences are gripping and leave readers wanting more.

Pacing can feel slow or uneven for some readers at times, but this first novel is an introduction to a complex world, and that takes time. Additionally, other readers have praised Maas’s willingness to take her time building the world, so they can truly immerse themselves in it.

The book heavily relies on romance rather than plot for most of the book. There isn’t much conflict until the last quarter of the book, but this seems to be a style choice made by Maas that can be seen in many of her books.

Despite these complaints, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” delivers a fantasy like no other that sticks with readers well after the final page. This first installment sets readers up for deeper world exploration and character development in later books.

Maas’s series is technically high fantasy, but it is the perfect read for fantasy veterans and new readers alike.

Rating: 4/5