Related
One great part ofA Court of Thorns & Roseswas made even better to me after listening to this three-year-old adaptation of Sarah J. Maas' book.
Maas’first installment in theA Court of Thorns & Rosesseriesis often closer to the bottom of most people’s favorites list in the entire five-book series due to how impactful later books were to both the storyline and its readers.
However, afterHulu’s ACOTAR departed the YA fantasy adaptations race, I have come to appreciate some of the nuances of the series' opening, especially after listening to it in audiobook form.
The version ofA Court of Thorns & Rosesfrom GraphicAudio is an enriching, full-cast performance of Maas' novels that truly captures so much of what makes the series work in my mind.
As a result,the ACOTAR audiobook has become popular because of its frequent use by cosplayersand its incredible performances.One aspect of the first book GraphicAudio’s version truly highlights, though, is a part that is both deeply analyzed and at times overlooked in reviews of the primary installment of Maas' series: the lore.
I’d Forgotten How Good ACOTAR’s Faerie Lore Was Until Listening To GraphicAudio’s Dramatization
The Graphic Audio Adds To The Eerieness Of Prythian
The lore behind the faeries and monsters of Prythian inA Court of Thorns & Roses’GraphicAudio dramatization is eerie and full of sharp nuances, which is something I had forgotten about.
The first book sets up a lot of the lore that makes appearances in later installments of the story, such as the complexity of the power of the High Lords and the harsh reality of the lesser fae.
Not only that, butthe book also introduces monsters that made a lasting impact on my initial perception of Prythian despite their small roles, like the naga and puca.
With a cast as sprawling as the one in the Court of Thorns and Roses books, it can be hard to keep the High Lords and their powers straight.
A Court of Thorns & Roses’dramatized audiobook, though, really amplifies that sense of danger through its cast.Each encounter, such as Feyre nearly getting killed by the naga, became even more frightening as the antagonists' voices came through, creating a deeper layer of horror.
The performances also added more nuances to the lore, their explanations now layered with the speaker’s emotion, giving us hints into later character reveals.
Those characterizations are made just as powerful inA Court Of Thorns & Roses' GraphicAudio, connecting and building on them in ways that, somehow, further added to their complexity.
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
GraphicAudio’s Version Of A Court Of Thorns & Roses Highlights The Book’s Greatest Strengths
Maas' Strong Characters Became More Compelling In The Audio
GraphicAudio was able to showcase more ofA Court Of Thorns & Roses’fascinating dynamics and rich characters, which is the biggest strength the first book truly has.
Though the terror-inducing monsters and intriguing lore become much more pronounced in this version, what really makesA Court of Thorns& Roses’audiobook greatis the character performances.Maas has always been praised for her captivating characters and their arcs, and they get to shine here even more as they are brought to life by a talented cast.
Feyre’s tumultuous relationship with Tamlin, for example, grows in complexity as those subtle notes and inflections add layers to conversations that few other mediums can showcase as their relationship evolves.
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
Feyre and Lucien’s relationship also grows with this, their actors adding the implicit layer of playfulness the book hinted at more fully.
Those additions only make these iconic characters fromA Court of Thorns & Rosesall the more enjoyable as this version follows their magic-filled, powerful, layered, and ultimately rewarding story once more.
