Meeting Sarah J Maas with ACOTAR

Loved meeting author Sarah J Maas in Cardiff for a book signing of her new fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses. She was seriously charming and answered everyone's questions. She also had the most fabulous cat ring on!!

 Can't wait to see what happens in the series.

I asked her how long it took to write this book. She said the plot took about a month then editing about 9 months after that! She is now writing 2 books a year, which her fans will be thrilled about, including me! 

It was interesing to know also that not only did she get inspiration from Beauty and the Beast but also looked to Greek Myth, specifically Hades and Persephone. Is this a clue for the next installment? We will have to wait and see.

Book Review; A Court of Throne and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

My Musings

The Deliciously decadent new fantasy series from Sarah J Maas weaves a seductive spell over her fans again.

Based on Beauty and the Beast and aimed for a slightly older audience we are introduced to a new fantasy world where humans and faeries live uncomfortably side by side after a great war but evil is still lurking. Feyre lives in poverty with her family and when out hunting for them kills what she thinks is a wolf but in fact is a faery in disguise. In retribution a warrior faery Lord named Tamlin, in his 'beast' form demands she give her life and return with him to his home or her family dies. Maas cleverly paints a bleak barren picture of Fayre's life so when she arrives at the Tamlin's home both the reader and Feyre delight in the beauty and colour of , what we find out, is The Spring Court. The contrast is striking.

When he is home Tamlin, turns from beast to man but still  has to forever wear a golden mask due to a curse on his court by the evil queen Amarantha. The mystery of the man behind the mask hangs in the air between them. Their clash of wills  as Feyre refuses to be intimidated by Tamlin and their fight for survival and love is captivating and their chemistry grows powerfully throughout the book. I should also mention Tamlin's best friend Lucien who adds quite a bit of spice!

The book really starts to twist and turn when Spring Court is attacked and both Feyre and Tamlin become prisoners to Amarantha, Queen of Prithian. It is here we are introduced to the darkly addictive Rhysand, Faery Lord of the Night Court. The plot weaves a deliciously complex plot, where bad characters turn good , or do they? The end still leaves many questions unanswered frustratingly. Will Fayre save Tamlin? Is Rhysand to be trusted? And what of the bargain he has made with Feyre. Shadows of the myth Hades and Persephone spring to mind. You hold your breath as their lives hang in the balance.

Marr has created an hedonistic world full of sensual and decadent heroes and a fiercely passionate and  beautiful heroine that will carve their names into your memory for a long time after finishing this awesome book.  I didn't realise I was so fully hooked until the last page when I felt quite desolate it had finished and I would have to wait a full year until the next one! Definitely one of my favourite books this year!!

If you can try and catch Sarah J. Maas on her UK Tour. ON NOW

If you like this you might like
The Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas


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Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas

Synopsis

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien's only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan's Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King's Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan's biggest threat - and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

This third novel in the Throne of Glass sequence, from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, is packed with more heart-stopping action, devastating drama and swoonsome romance, and introduces some fierce new heroines to love and hate. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones.

My Musings

Maas throws her fans a real curve ball when the book starts with Celaena in another country, alone and surrounded by strangers. It is assumed we remember exactly what happened in the last book (read 9 months ago) so we're just to carry on the story with no helpful reminders. Clearly my memory is not that good as I was a little lost especially with such an array of new characters to contend with. If I hadn't loved the last two books so much I may have given up. DON'T DO THAT!

The plot soon falls into place and new and old characters collide. Celaena's current dire situation of being exiled from court with magical powers she can't control is made worse with the introduction of Rowan. The warrior fairy prince whose job is to begrudgingly train Celaena so she can meet her aunt, The Fairy Queen and get some answers about her past. I LOVE Rowan's character and the whole love/hate relationship between them both. Their relationship is brutal and painful. Two warriors who's loathing slowly melts into a true friendship and maybe more. Their journey is spellbinding and heart wrenching and I fervently hope Maas has not put Rowan in there as a red herring, he's just too good a character. But her relationship with Chaol ( who seemed to mope throughout the book) is unresolved while Dorian just continues to grow in stature.

The story becomes more focused while flitting back to Dorian and Chaol who seems to have faded into insignificance and becomes less attractive as opposed to the other new additions like Aedion, Celaena's cousin, definately adding a bit of spice.

An additional story of a group of evil witches focusing on a young witch called Mab peppers the book. I assume that she will be significant to the destiny of Celaena as Maas clearly wants us to know her history but I found it irritating as if I was reading a mini book inside the main story. I skimmed parts just to get back to Celaena and Rowan.

The end of the book finishes on a traumatic knife edge.(NO SPOILERS) Characters are split and their destiny is unknown. I can't wait for the fourth book but hope the Maas takes pity on her readers and gives us a tiny overview or what went before in the beginning of the next after waiting a year for it to come out.

Especiall as Maas is writing a brand new older fantasy series which could mean the gap between books gets even wider. Even though this book started with a bit of a hiccup, it was minor and continues to be an AMAZING and ADDICTIVE series. Role on September for Queen of Shadows.......

If you like this read my book review for Sarah J Maas second book in the series 
Crown of Thornes

Review Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

 Book Description
Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.
Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series

My Musings
I have been waiting for the second book of a Throne of Glass for a year, it seems like forever BUT was worth the wait!! I was trepidacious at first but was not disappointed by one of my favourite modern fiction heroines, Celaena Sardothian. She is tough but vunerable, a heart of gold who is capable of great ruthlessness. For this girl still waters really do run deep.  You will be put through every emotion, I laughed, cried and there are several OMG moments. The love/friendship triangle between her, the Kings Champion Chaol and The Evil Kings son Dorian still weaves a complex web and will pull at your heartstrings. The twists and turns are so numerous you catch your breath. Some scenes so beautifully described you can see it played out in front of you, just wait for the dinner scene.....
I am trying not to give spoilers as I don't want to ruin really great read but I did shed a tear at a really heartbreaking moment. After my initial outrage that a certain thing happened I realised what a Great writer Sarah is, Very brave and not frightened of making difficult decisions about some of her main characters as long as it stays true to the story. BRAVO.
Sarah has created a complex vivid world without losing focus on its central characters. Chaol and Dorian (I still don't know which is my favourite, I keep changing my mind, but edging towards the prince unlike most!!) continue to keep hearts fluttering and they are becoming much more indepth paving the way for future plots.  I really can't wait for the third book due out in 2014. Please write faster. My favourite YA fiction of 2013 so far!!

If you liked this try
I think I love this series so much because it has echoes of some of my all time favourite books of this genre.
The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce
The Black Magician Triology Trudi Canavan
The Poison Study Trilogy Maria V Snyder

New out 2012-2013 but great reads
Grave Mercy and Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
Daughter of Blood and Bone by Laini Taylor

Interesting Facts
Sarah started to write this book when she was just 16 publishing excerpts on fictionpress.com!
She has signed a new series with out in 2015
Celeana is inspired by Cinderella
Sarah's website is www.sarahjmaas.com
Will be promoting Crown of Midnight in the UK dates to be announced soon!