Characters

• Feyre Archeron: The 19-year-old human protagonist who becomes involved with the Fae world. She is a skilled hunter and painter.
• Tamlin: High Lord of the Spring Court and Feyre's initial love interest. He is powerful but struggles with the threats to his land.
• Rhysand: High Lord of the Night Court, initially portrayed as antagonistic but later revealed to be complex and caring.
• Lucien: Tamlin's emissary and friend, who becomes an ally to Feyre. He has a mechanical eye and a sharp wit.
• Amarantha: The main antagonist, a cruel Fae queen who has taken control of much of Prythian.
• Nesta Archeron: Feyre's eldest sister, seemingly cold and harsh but with hidden depths.
• Elain Archeron: Feyre's middle sister, kindhearted and gentle.
• Alis: A servant at the Spring Court who befriends Feyre and later helps her.
• Mor: Rhysand's cousin, a powerful member of the Night Court.
• Cassian: A warrior and member of Rhysand's inner circle.
• Azriel: Rhysand's spymaster, quiet and deadly.

Quick facts

• Sarah J. Maas wrote the first draft of A Court of Thorns and Roses in just five weeks in early 2009—six years before it was published.
• A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first of five books in a series, which Maas originally intended as a retelling of multiple fairy tales, including Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun and West of the Moon.
• The series straddles the line between Young Adult and New Adult fiction categories.
• Maas agreed to publish A Court of Thorns and Roses as a YA novel on the condition that the sexual content wouldn't be censored.
• The series has won multiple Goodreads Choice Awards in the Young Adult Fantasy category.
• The second book in the series, A Court of Mist and Fury went through multiple title changes before its final name was chosen.
• A Court of Mist and Fury was one of the top 10 most banned books in the US in 2022.
• The entire series was banned from Utah public schools in 2024.
• The final cover of A Court of Wings and Ruin, the third book in the series, features a dress originally designed by artist Charlie Bowater.
• A TV adaptation was announced for Hulu in 2021. As of February 2024, the series was no longer in active development.

About the author

Sarah J. Maas is a prolific American fantasy author who has captivated readers worldwide with her immersive storytelling. Born in 1986 in New York City, she began writing at a young age and gained early recognition for her work on FictionPress.com. She graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in creative writing.

Maas's career skyrocketed in 2012 with the publication of her debut novel, Throne of Glass, which marked the debut of her first series. She followed its success with two other fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City. Her books have sold more than 38 million copies and have been translated into 38 languages, cementing her place as one of the most successful fantasy authors of her generation.

Known for her complex world-building and morally ambiguous characters, Maas draws inspiration from diverse sources, including movie scores, classical music, and influential fantasy works. Her writing style blends elements of young adult and adult genres, often featuring strong romantic themes. Despite recent controversy surrounding book bans in some US states, Maas's popularity continues to surge. She lives in New York City with her husband and their two children.