The Court of Thorns and Roses vs Throne of Glass?
Posted: 17 Feb 2017, 22:13
Obviously Sarah J Maas did an outstanding job in both of these books. I like how each followed a completely different story line and the development of characters is different. There were subtle things that made you realize they were the same author but Sarah definitely wasn't stuck on her Throne of Glass story line. According to interview's with Sarah, ToG is based off a retelling of Cinderella, where instead of Cinderella going to meet the Prince she is actually sent to assassinate him. I love that twist! It also is pretty cool that The Court of Thorns and Roses is so clearly a remake of Beauty and The Beast!
Some similarities that I noted between the two were strong female lead characters and evil hierarchy. So in Throne of Glass Celaena was a very strong female assassin who went into a competition to defeat all these other assassins to become the King's Champion. She always trusts herself and pushes herself to do her best. In the Court of Thorns and Roses, Feyre has to save her family from starvation, save herself from being killed by faeries in Prythian, and then save Tamlin from the Amarantha. Both the King and Queen in both of these books are evil.
There were small similarities that as I am writing this I am just now noticing such as in one of Celaena's trials, she cheated by looking over at another competitor to make sure her poisons were lined up correctly. In the second trial for Feyre, Rhysand guides her using her tattoo to make sure she pulls the correct lever. I like how Sarah references the ToG when Rhysand goes down to the dungeon to check in on Feyre and he says "What a sorry state for state of Tamlin's champion." (page 330 paragraph 4). It might not have been on purpose but I like to think it was
The differences I enjoyed were that in Tog, Celaena was only pushing towards her freedom. She wasnt going after a guy or worried about her family, since they were long dead anyways. She was solely focused on herself. Selfish in a way but rightly so. In The Court, Feyre is always concerned about her family. Whether she likes them or not, she always makes sure they have food and clothes. Once they are taken care of an Tamlin goes away, she sets out to find him against all odds. I very much enjoy that Feyre and Tamlin were open in this book about being in love. There was no 'beating around the bush' like there are in many other books. In ToG, a love story is hinted at but one never comes to fruition.
The character development was interesting to see between the two characters as well. Celaena was strong from the very beginning. And by strong, I mean might and killing wise. She was a trained assassin with a brutal heart from all she'd gone through. Little humanity was left there when the book started out. By the end of the book, she found out she didn't have to be so cold. There were other things in the world other than killing and her books. She grew and there was finally hope in her heart when this book concludes. As for Feyre, in the beginning she was also a cold girl. She had come from money when she was younger but her family lost all of it and now lived in poverty. She had no hope for a better world. Thought that idea to be a useless fairytale. By the end of the book, she is overwhelmed with joy as to how her life turned out. There are some regrets from decisions she made through out the book (dont want to spoil anything) but she realizes she was forced to them. I am so excited to see where Sarah takes us next with Feyre!
In conclusion which is your favorite book or character? The Court of Thorns and Roses or Throne of Glass? Celaena Sardothian vs Feyre Archeron?
Some similarities that I noted between the two were strong female lead characters and evil hierarchy. So in Throne of Glass Celaena was a very strong female assassin who went into a competition to defeat all these other assassins to become the King's Champion. She always trusts herself and pushes herself to do her best. In the Court of Thorns and Roses, Feyre has to save her family from starvation, save herself from being killed by faeries in Prythian, and then save Tamlin from the Amarantha. Both the King and Queen in both of these books are evil.
There were small similarities that as I am writing this I am just now noticing such as in one of Celaena's trials, she cheated by looking over at another competitor to make sure her poisons were lined up correctly. In the second trial for Feyre, Rhysand guides her using her tattoo to make sure she pulls the correct lever. I like how Sarah references the ToG when Rhysand goes down to the dungeon to check in on Feyre and he says "What a sorry state for state of Tamlin's champion." (page 330 paragraph 4). It might not have been on purpose but I like to think it was
The differences I enjoyed were that in Tog, Celaena was only pushing towards her freedom. She wasnt going after a guy or worried about her family, since they were long dead anyways. She was solely focused on herself. Selfish in a way but rightly so. In The Court, Feyre is always concerned about her family. Whether she likes them or not, she always makes sure they have food and clothes. Once they are taken care of an Tamlin goes away, she sets out to find him against all odds. I very much enjoy that Feyre and Tamlin were open in this book about being in love. There was no 'beating around the bush' like there are in many other books. In ToG, a love story is hinted at but one never comes to fruition.
The character development was interesting to see between the two characters as well. Celaena was strong from the very beginning. And by strong, I mean might and killing wise. She was a trained assassin with a brutal heart from all she'd gone through. Little humanity was left there when the book started out. By the end of the book, she found out she didn't have to be so cold. There were other things in the world other than killing and her books. She grew and there was finally hope in her heart when this book concludes. As for Feyre, in the beginning she was also a cold girl. She had come from money when she was younger but her family lost all of it and now lived in poverty. She had no hope for a better world. Thought that idea to be a useless fairytale. By the end of the book, she is overwhelmed with joy as to how her life turned out. There are some regrets from decisions she made through out the book (dont want to spoil anything) but she realizes she was forced to them. I am so excited to see where Sarah takes us next with Feyre!
In conclusion which is your favorite book or character? The Court of Thorns and Roses or Throne of Glass? Celaena Sardothian vs Feyre Archeron?