A Court of Thorns and Roses
 | |
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| Author | Sarah J. Maas |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
| Published | May 5, 2015 – present |
| Media type | |
A Court of Thorns and Roses is a new adult high 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 mortal Feyre Archeron after she is brought into the faerie lands of Prythian for 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.[1]
Books
Main series
| No. | Title | Publication date | Counts | ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Court of Thorns and Roses | May 5, 2015 | 130,423 words / 419 pages[2] | 9781619634442 | |
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Nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, and a beast-like creature demands punishment for it. She is taken to the land of the faeries, her captor, Tamlin, who is an immortal faerie himself. She comes to live with him at his estate. He is a High Lord of Prythian, and Feyre begins to realize that what she has previously learnt about the dangerous world of the faeries is all a lie. | |||||
| 2 | A Court of Mist and Fury | May 3, 2016 | 186,220 words / 626 pages[3] | 9781619635197 | |
|
Feyre has survived the trials of Amarantha and has become a High Fae, but she still remains human inside, and has to come to terms with the awful acts she performed to save Tamlin's people. To save his people and herself, Feyre had to make a deal with Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, and she has to satisfy it. Feyre begins to learn about the politics and power of Prythian, and has to face an even greater evil that looms. | |||||
| 3 | A Court of Wings and Ruin | May 2, 2017 | 199,464 words / 699 pages[4] | 9781619634480 | |
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Feyre returns to the Spring Court and Tamlin to spy on him, as well as the King of Hybern and his invading forces that want to take over Prythian. But to do so, she has to play a game of deceit and lie to those closest to her to get what she needs. As war surrounds her and her allies, Feyre needs to decide whom she can trust when it comes to the High Lords of Prythians, her family, and her closest friends. | |||||
| 3.5 | A Court of Frost and Starlight | May 1, 2018 | 57,763 words / 229 pages[5] | 9781547600502 | |
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Months after the war for Prythian has ended, Feyre, Rhysand and their friends rebuild the Night Court after the attack from Hybern. Winter Solstice is approaching, and the court prepares for the festive season. As Feyre continues to get used to her role as High Lady of the Night Court, she must navigate around the scars that the war has brought upon them all. | |||||
| 4 | A Court of Silver Flames[6] | January 26, 2021 | TBA | 9781526620644 | |
Companion books
- A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book[7] (2017)
Characters
Main
- Feyre Archeron: The main protagonist and narrator, Nesta and Elain's sister, Tamlin's former fiancé, Rhysand's mate and wife, High Lady of the Night Court.
- Rhysand: High Lord of the Night Court, Feyre's mate and husband, the most powerful high lord in Prythian's history.
- Azriel: The quiet Illyrian shadowsinger, Night Court's spymaster, member of the Inner Circle and Court of Dreams, in love with Morrigan.
- Cassian: The brash, cocky Illyrian warrior, Night Court and Illyrian army's general, member of the Inner Circle and Court of Dreams, Nesta's mate.
- Morrigan aka Mor: Rhysand's cousin, third in command of the Night Court, member of the Inner Circle and Court of Dreams
- Amren: Second in command to the Night Court, member of the Inner Circle and Court of Dreams, a mysterious creature trapped in a high fae body, Varian's lover.
- Tamlin: High Lord of the Spring Court, posseses shape-shifting powers,Feyre's former fiancé, was cursed by Amarantha, was an accomplice in Rhys' mother and sister's murder.
- Lucien: Former emissary to the Spring Court, Elain's mate, Helion and Freya's son.
- Nesta Archeron: The oldest Archeron sister, Cassian's mate, emissary of the Night Court, was turned into high fae by the Cauldron, Night Court's emissary.
- Elain Archeron: The middle Archeron sister, Lucien's mate, formerly betrothed to human lord Graysen, a seer, was turned into high fae by the Cauldron.
Recurring
- King of Hybern: Ruler of Hybern, island to the West of Prythian.
- Amarantha: Former commander of Hybern, Queen of Under the Mountain, cursed the Spring Court, defeated by Feyre.
- Ianthe: Tamlin's childhood friend, High Priestess residing in the Spring Court, sold out Feyre's sisters to Hybern.
- Tarquin: High Lord of the Summer Court, wields water magic, wants to remove the barriers between High Fae and lesser faeries.
- Kallias: High Lord of the Winter Court, wields ice magic, Viviane's mate and husband.
- Viviane: Lady of the Winter Court, Kallias' childhood best friend turned mate and wife, Morrigan's friend.
- Beron Vanserra: High Lord of the Autumn Court, wields fire magic, Freya's husband, Eris's father.
- Freya: Lady of the Autumn Court, Beron's wife, Helion's lover, Lucien and Eris's mother.
- Helion Spell-Cleaver: High Lord of the Day Court, wields the power of knowledge and cleaving wards, Freya's lover, Lucien's father.
- Thesan: High Lord of the Dawn Court, wields healing magic.
- Vassa: One of the eight mortal queens, sold off by the other queens to an ancient being.
- Jurian: Human warrior killed yet kept alive by Amarantha to avenge her sister's death, brought back to life by the King of Hybern using the Cauldron, Miryam's former lover.
- Eris Vanserra: Beron's oldest son, heir to the Autumn Court, Morrigan's former betrothed.
- Cressieda: Princess of the Summer Court, Varian's sister.
- Varian: Prince of the Summer Court, Cressieda's brother, Amren's lover.
- Brannagh: King of Hybern's niece, Dagdan's twin sister, daemati, killed by Lucien.
- Dagdan: King of Hybern's nephew, Brannagh's twin brother, daemati killed by Feyre.
- Keir: Morrigan's father, head of the Court of Nightmares, leader of the Nightbringer army.
- Suriel: Ancient being, fountain of knowledge. Ancient God of Death.
- Bone Carver: Creepy primordial being who was locked in the prison of rock, Stryga's brother.
- Stryga: Weaver of the Woods, Bone Carver's sister, steals threads of people's lives to maintain her youth and beauty cloth, a collector and hoarder.
- Alis: Caretaker at the Spring Court, Feyre's well-wisher, originally from Summer Court.
- Nuala: Shadow wraith, Feyre's caretaker at the Night Court
- Cerridwen: Shadow wraith, Feyre's caretaker at the Night Court
- Attor: Corrupt being, pet of King of Hybern and Amarantha, killed by Feyre.
- Miryam: Drakon's mate and wife, Rhysand's friend, Jurian's former lover.
- Drakon: Prince of a legion, Miryam's mate and husband.
- Clotho: Priestess working at the Night Court's library.
- Nuan: Skilled alchemist and master tinkerer at the Dawn Court, Lucien's friend.
Setting
The A Court of Thorns and Roses series is set in Prythian, a fictional faerie land. The other faerie kingdoms surrounding Prythian are Hybern towards its west and Montesere, Vallahan and Rask towards its east.
Prythian
Prythian is divided into seven courts, each ruled by a High Lord. There are four seasonal courts namely: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter plus three solar courts namely: Night, Day and Dawn. An invisible and magical wall separates Prythian from the human lands.
The Night Court
The northern court, it is bordered by the Day Court towards its south and is characterized by darkness, mountains, mist and stars.
- Rulers: Rhysand and Feyre
- City: Velaris
- Courts: Court of Dreams
Court of Nightmares - Army General: Cassian
- Spymaster: Azriel
- Second-in-Command: Amren
- Third-in-Command: Morrigan
- Emissary: Nesta
The Spring Court
The southern court, it is closest to the wall separating the human lands from Prythian. Bordered by the wall towards its south and the Summer and Autumn Courts towards its north, the Spring Court is characterized by spring, flowers, greenery and forests.
- Ruler: Tamlin
- Former Emmisary: Lucien Vanserra
The Summer Court
Bordered by the Autumn Court towards its east and the Spring Court towards its south, the Summer Court is characterized by summer, sea, breeze, gulls and the ocean.
- Ruler: Tarquin
- City: Adriata
- Princess: Cresseida
- Prince: Varian
The Winter Court
Bordered by Under The Mountain towards its north and the Summer and Autumn Courts towards its north, the Winter Court is characterized by winter, ice, snow and frost.
- Ruler: Kallias
- Lady: Viviane
The Autumn Court
Bordered by the Summer Court towards its west and the Spring Court towards its south, the Autumn Court is characterized by autumn, fire, smoke and apples.
- Ruler: Beron
- Lady: Freya
- Prince: Eris
The Day Court
Bordered by the Night Court towards its north and the Dawn Court towards its south, the Day Court is characterized by the sun, spells and light.
- Ruler: Helion
The Dawn Court
Bordered by the Day Court towards its north and Under The Mountain towards its south, the Dawn Court is characterized by sunset, gold and clouds.
- Ruler: Thesan
Hybern
Hybern is a faerie kingdom west to Prythian.
- Ruler: King of Hybern
- Princess: Brannagh
- Prince: Dagdan
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.[8]
She began writing A Court of Thorns and Roses in early 2009, with the first draft taking about five weeks to complete.[9]
A Court of Mist and Fury's first draft was written entirely in a split point of view between Feyre and Rhys.[10] 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.[11] 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,[11] and the Book of Exodus, which loosely inspired parts of the backstory for Miryam and Drakon.[10]
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.[12]
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.[13][14]
In 2020, the series was reprinted and published by Bloomsbury with new illustrated covers.[15]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Book | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ||||
| Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Thorns and Roses | Nominated | |
| RT Award | Young Adult Protagonist | A Court of Thorns and Roses | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Mist and Fury | Won |
| 2017 | Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Wings and Ruin | Won |
| 2018 | Goodreads Choice Awards | Best of the Best | A Court of Mist and Fury | Nominated |
| Goodreads Choice Awards | Best of the Best | A Court of Wings and Ruin | Nominated | |
| Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction | A Court of Frost and Starlight | Nominated |
Film adaptation
A Court of Thorns and Roses was optioned by Jo Bamford's and Piers Tempest's Tempo Productions in November 2015.[16] The producers revealed in 2018 they had hired Rachel Hirons to work as the movie's screenwriter.[17]
References
- ^ "A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas".
- ^ "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- ^ "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- ^ "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- ^ "Accelerated Reader Bookfinder US - Welcome". www.arbookfind.com.
- ^ https://bookstr.com/article/sarah-j-maas-announces-a-court-of-silver-flames/
- ^ "A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book". sarahjmaas. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Interview: Sarah J. Maas, author of 'Heir of Fire' (and 2015 cover reveal!)". USAToday. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
- ^ "The cover for A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is here! (Now in hi-res! And with some TOG4 info!)". October 24, 2014.
- ^ a b Gallucci, Kelly (June 27, 2016). "Sarah J. Maas Teases What Readers Can Expect After A Court of Mist and Fury".
- ^ "Sarah J. Maas on Instagram: "Annnnd here it is!! The US cover for A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN!! 🎉🎉🎉 It's my favorite yet--partially because of the gorgeous (High Lady)…"". Instagram.
- ^ "Sarah J. Maas adding to 'A Court of Thorns and Roses,' 'Throne of Glass' series". EW.com.
- ^ "Dymocks - The ultimate guide to the world of Sarah J. Maas". www.dymocks.com.au.
- ^ February 04, David Canfield; EST, 2020 at 11:00 AM. "Exclusive: Sarah J. Maas unveils new covers for 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'". EW.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Jaafar, Ali; Jaafar, Ali (November 11, 2015). "Tempo Productions Options Sarah J Maas' 'A Court Of Thorns And Roses'".
- ^ Armitage, Helen (12 August 2020). "A Court Of Thorns And Roses Updates: Is The Sarah J. Mass Movie Happening?". ScreenRant. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
