I had been hearing a bit about them (especially ACOTAR) so I finally bit the bullet and read the first book of A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing. I do love fantasy and YA (think Percy Jackson, the Hunger Games, etc.) and I enjoy a cute slow burn romance but I haven’t really read a lot of “romantasy”. And I have a lot to say lmao😭.
If anyone has read them please share your experiences and thoughts!
I want to keep this post short so I’ll probably say more in the comments but a short summary of my thoughts so far:
ACOTAR
(I only read the first book.)
It was overall a fun/ easy read. The writing and pacing make it hard to put down. But tbh it felt kind of unserious. The world felt like it existed for the plot, rather than the plot naturally happening because of the world it is set in. Which in turn made the world feel less real to me. Some goes for the characters (especially Feyres family).
Now to my biggest issue: Feyre. I was honestly so frustrated with how stupid she is in 99% of the book😩😭 I think she might be somewhat inspired by Katniss Everdeen but she lacks the intelligence and forethought that made Katniss feel real- like she has what it takes to survive.
Feyre on the other hand is constantly doing things that she has been repeatedly told are dangerous and life threatening and then acts surprised when those things are actually shoker dangerous and life threatening.. Then she doesn’t even listen to the advice she almost dies for 🫠 oh well.
My second issue was the sheer amount of violence and suffering at the end of the book. Idk what I was expecting but it just kind of felt gross to me and like I was “watching” a weird “fetish”(?). Like I don’t mind violence if it feels like it furthers a point or an emotional payoff but here it just felt an over the top and unnecessary. Ultimately it’s what stopped me from getting the second book because I simply didn’t enjoy or see the point.
Summary: pretty fun/ entertaining to read but frustrating main character (the other characters too tbh) and violent ending. (Also very weird/inappropriate timing of the last s*x scene)
Fourth Wing:
(currently reading Iron Flame)
I read this after ACOTAR and actually enjoyed it way more! The world felt more real and the romance was a nice slow burn and the payoff felt satisfying. The writing is also pretty good and the characters feel more real.
Again my main gripe is the intelligence of the MC. Even though Violet is often described as this extremely intelligent person I don’t feel like we actually get to see it often. She’s not stupid but the fact that her high intelligence is constantly mentioned highlights how average it is. How are you that intelligent but talking “secretly” in places where you are so easily spotted? Especially in Iron Flame she’s become kind of annoying with this whole woe is me. Like girl the life of literally millions of people are on the line and you are mad someone held secrets about things that are dare I say way more important than you?? Especially after what happened in the last book? Isn’t trying to survive and save humanity a bit more important rn? You don’t really need more secrets to keep. But anyways I digress.. I understand that it’s hard to write a really intelligent character.
Summary: Fun read, interesting world, nice romantic build up, but the main character isn’t as intelligent as she is described to be. I wish we saw her have more forethought and strategic thinking.
Tbh I kind of went in blind reading these books so I didn’t really know what I was getting into but overall it’s been fun. I’m curious what people like so much about them.
I think I have just read too many really well written books growing up (as many of us probably have) lol.
Anyway I’m excited to read what you guys think of these books!
by NervousCup6934