When compared to certain other novels in the genre of Romantasy (that may or may not include dragons), Thorn and Roses is a novel that manages to capture the beauty of a magical land of Prythian ruled by the faeries, particularly The Spring Court, whilst ensuring a sense of trepidation and fearfulness as the protagonist must go from being the hunter to hunted. 

This isn’t Neverland, there isn’t a Tinkerbell in sight. This is Prythian, and no human has lived there for five hundred years. Our story begins with the character of Fayre, the daughter of a disgraced noble who hunts for her father and two sisters. Youngest she may be, she is the provider of the family. 

Until Fayre kills a wolf belonging to the Lord of The Spring Court, Tamlin, and in return she must spend the rest of her days in Prythian. Five hundred years since humans were given their freedom from faerie slavery, she becomes a stranger in a stranger land – a land filled with all manner of creatures. Some kind, some dangerous. Some a bit of both. 

As Fayre learns to live with Tamlin, she comes to realise there is more to the High Fae than just his good looks and awesome power. There is a curse over the lands, and a dark force acting in the shadows. More so, it seems destiny intends for her to resolve it, no just for the fate of fae kind but the whole world. 

The first court novel is a fun and fantastic outing, though it does have some basic flaws which separates readers from fully embracing the world of Prythian. Fayre is not one of those things. As a protagonist she is believable and likeable. She is a flawed character, imperfect but genuinely intelligent. Maas recognises her protagonist and moulds the story so that no obstacle she faces feels outside her skillset. 

She’s also a great medium through which we as the audience come to understand the fae people. Maas’ world is deeply thought out with clear lines and barriers between different kingdoms. Whilst the mythology of the world is a little lacking, Tamlin’s historic based conversations with Fayre provided much needed context to the world and the history. 

The main flaws of the novel are basic, often overlooked, elements but ones that once noticed become difficult to ignore. To begin with, there is a strong sense of character armour around many of the ‘heroic’ protagonists. Tamlin, Feyre, Lucien – they all feel a little bit beyond the genuine touch of danger. 

And in a world where fae are established to have strong and ancient notions of hatred towards humans and human sympathises, the fact that a great many of the characters who are or are close to the main heroes go unharmed can be somewhat frustrating. 

More frustrating is the villain, Amarantha, and her side kick lover Rhysand. Both are giving strong introductions, both provided with fantastic lines of dialogue. Neither feel like much of a threat to Feyre. Villains seems to be Maas’ weakness if her first outing is anything. Even characters we’re supposed to hate end up doing the right thing. 

Which is frustrating. A good story needs good villains, and for most of the first half of the book we’re barely even aware of who those villains are. More so when they’re revealed they do not feel threatening or frightening. More so when we realise the reasoning beyond Tamlins punishment for Fayre, its convoluted nature ruins aspects of the novel – as if the author is deliberately attempting to sabotage what has been up until then an enjoyable romance. The reasons behind this do become apparent in later novels and are even strongly hinted at towards the end of novel. 

It’s unfortunately a poorly timed change, which feels hastily done in order to divert the narrative away from the romance that’s been established towards something else. And while it certainty provides a good twist for the second novel in the series, it makes much of this first outing – which has been a joy to experience – a pointless endeavour. 

Overall, I did enjoy Thorns and Roses, Maas creates compelling characters and writes romance like a pro. However, for her to taking seriously in the fantasy genre she must be willing to provide genuine stakes for the characters. Otherwise, what’s the point?