A Court of Thorns and Roses

The sexy, action-packed first book in the #1 bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series from global phenomenon Sarah J. Maas.

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

At least, he's not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

Sarah Janet Maas (born March 5, 1986) is a #1 New York Times bestselling American author who has fundamentally shaped the modern "romantasy" genre. Born and raised in Manhattan, Maas spent her childhood exploring museums and reading global fairy tales, though she often felt frustrated by the lack of fierce, compelling heroines in fantasy literature. Drawing inspiration from strong pop-culture figures like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sailor Moon, she began writing the stories she wanted to read.

At sixteen, Maas started drafting a dark twist on the Cinderella fairy tale—imagining her not as a servant, but as a deadly assassin. She serialized the story, originally titled Queen of Glass, on the writing platform FictionPress, where it quickly became one of the site's most popular works. She continued developing her craft at Hamilton College, graduating magna cum laude in 2008 with a degree in creative writing and religious studies.

Her debut novel, retitled Throne of Glass, was published by Bloomsbury in 2012 and became a massive international hit, ultimately spanning an eight-book epic series. In 2015, Maas launched her second major series, A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). Initially a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the series transitioned her work into the "new adult" and adult fantasy spaces. The ACOTAR series became a viral sensation, largely driven by massive popularity on TikTok. In 2020, she introduced her third ongoing adult urban fantasy series, Crescent City.

With over 75 million copies sold worldwide and translations in nearly 40 languages, Maas stands as one of the most successful contemporary authors. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, whom she met in college, and their two children.

“Simply dazzles.” ―Booklist on A Court of Thorns and Roses starred review

“Passionate, violent, sexy and daring…. A true page-turner.” ―USA Today on A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Suspense, romance, intrigue and action. This is not a book to be missed!” ―Huffington Post on A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Vicious and intoxicating…. A dazzling world, complex characters and sizzling romance.” ―Huffington Post on A Court of Thorns and Roses Top Pick

“A sexy, action-packed fairytale.” ―Bustle on A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Fiercely romantic, irresistibly sexy and hypnotically magical. A veritable feast for the senses.” ―USA Today on A Court of Mist and Fury

“Hits the spot for fans of dark, lush, sexy fantasy.” ―Kirkus Reviews on A Court of Mist and Fury

“An immersive, satisfying read.” ―Publishers Weekly on A Court of Mist and Fury

“Darkly sexy and thrilling.” ―Bustle on A Court of Mist and Fury

“Fast-paced and explosively action-packed.” ―Booklist on A Court of Wings and Ruin

“The plot manages to seduce you with its alluring characters, irresistible world and never-ending action, leaving you craving more.” ―RT Book Reviews on A Court of Wings and Ruin

Feyre Archeron is a nineteen-year-old huntress living on the ragged edge of survival in a small, poverty-stricken human village near the wall that separates the mortal realm from the magical lands of Prythian. Her life is a constant, desperate struggle to feed her father and two older sisters, who rely entirely on her skills to keep them from starvation. The harshness of her existence is defined by the biting cold of winter and the heavy burden of responsibility she carries, having been the sole provider since her family’s fortune was lost years ago. One fateful day, while hunting in the snowy woods, Feyre encounters a massive, terrifying wolf. Driven by the necessity of survival, she kills the beast, unaware that her action has violated an ancient, magical treaty that dictates peace between humans and the immortal faerie folk of Prythian.

Within days of the kill, a monstrous, clawed beast arrives at Feyre’s door to demand retribution for the death of his kin. He is a high-ranking faerie who forces Feyre to choose between immediate death or permanent exile into his world, beyond the magical wall. Driven by a grim instinct to survive and a desire to spare her family, Feyre chooses to leave her home behind. She is whisked away to the Spring Court, a land of eternal spring, vibrant color, and unsettling magic. There, she discovers that her captor is Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court. He is a powerful, dangerous being who is bound by a mysterious and suffocating curse, forcing him and his entire court to hide behind permanent, enchanted masks that they cannot remove.

Life at the Spring Court is initially a confusing and frightening experience for Feyre. She lives in a sprawling, opulent manor under the guard of Lucien, a witty but sharp-tongued emissary with a prosthetic eye and a cynical view of humans. Feyre remains defiant and suspicious, refusing to accept her situation or the kindness Tamlin begins to show her. However, as the days bleed into weeks, the animosity between Feyre and her captors begins to thaw. She learns that the faerie lands are suffering from a strange, creeping blight that is draining the magic from their world, causing the faeries to grow erratic, desperate, and cruel. Tamlin and his court are struggling to contain the influence of this blight, which is controlled by a malevolent force known as Amarantha, who rules over the lands from Under the Mountain.

As Feyre spends more time with Tamlin, her hatred slowly transforms into curiosity, then respect, and finally, a deep, consuming love. They share quiet moments in the gardens, navigate the dangers of the woods, and bond over their mutual burdens—Tamlin’s heavy responsibility to his court and Feyre’s fierce dedication to her family. During a masked ball, where she must wear a charm to hide her human identity, Feyre catches a glimpse of the brutal political machinations of the faerie world. Despite the growing affection between them, Tamlin grows increasingly anxious as the threat from Amarantha intensifies. Fearing for Feyre’s life, he forces her to leave the Spring Court, sending her back to the human world with enough wealth to ensure her family will never want for anything again.

Back in her human home, Feyre finds herself utterly unable to adjust to the life she once fought so hard to protect. Surrounded by comfort and her sisters, she feels a profound, hollow ache in her chest, realizing that her heart remains in the Spring Court. The realization that she loves Tamlin and that he is in grave danger compels her to act. She abandons her safety and returns to Prythian, only to find the Spring Court in ruins, the manor decimated, and the staff gone. Following a trail of clues and dark premonitions, she journeys Under the Mountain, a dark, subterranean palace where Amarantha holds court, to save the man she loves from an eternity of torment.

Under the Mountain, Feyre discovers the true extent of Amarantha’s cruelty. Amarantha has enslaved Tamlin and the other High Lords, forcing them to serve her in exchange for the safety of their respective courts. To free Tamlin, Feyre must participate in a series of three brutal, impossible trials set by Amarantha. Each trial is designed to test her body, her mind, and her heart, pushing her to the very brink of destruction. Throughout these harrowing challenges, Feyre is aided by Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, a mysterious and morally ambiguous faerie who strikes a bargain with her, offering assistance in exchange for her spending time in his court later. The trials force Feyre to confront terrifying monsters, solve an ancient riddle that holds the key to the curse, and endure immense physical agony.

The final trial results in tragedy. Feyre is unable to complete the task before Amarantha intervenes, killing her in front of a helpless Tamlin. However, the completion of the riddle and the sacrifice of Feyre’s life trigger a miraculous intervention. Moved by her immense bravery, the High Lords of Prythian pool their magic to resurrect Feyre, transforming her from a mortal woman into an immortal High Fae, gifting her with powers of her own. With her new strength, she defeats Amarantha, shattering the curse and freeing the Spring Court. In the aftermath of the battle, Feyre and Tamlin are reunited, but the trauma of her experiences Under the Mountain and her sudden, unwanted transformation into a faerie leave deep emotional scars. She returns to the Spring Court, but the world she once knew is gone, and the future remains uncertain as she struggles to reconcile her human past with her immortal present.