The Fun of the Fae

While I have always respected and been intrigued by the magical otherworlds of Hogwarts and Wonderland, I was never truly bitten by the fantasy bug until the 'A Court' series wormed its way into my life (bug/worm pun intended). When I used to think of faeries, I would think of Tinkerbell or Cinderella's godmother or even the Fairly OddParents. But oh, no, no, no. These iconic characters are fairies, not faeries. A faerie, at least according to a quick google search, is simply something that is imaginary or mythical. In the world of the Fae (pronounced: fay), created by author Sarah J. Maas, faeries are heightened, otherworldly creatures. Some are powerful, like the High Lords and High Fae; others are not, often dictated by the derogatory term 'lesser faeries'.

The seven High Lords individually rule each of the seven courts in the Prythian, the largest piece of the Faerie Realm. The courts all represent a part of nature: four season courts (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) and three light courts (Day, Dawn, and Night). These courts are all the embodiment of their names, the Spring Court being an endless spring wonderland of blooming flora and fair weather and the Night Court being a vast, dark expanse overrun with shadows and stars. The idea of all the natural beauty of a human life, soft snow and bright sunny days, split into areas and multiplied to be infinitely more supernatural and extraordinary is such an appealing idea and plays heavily on the longing for escapism. High Fae and lesser faeries alike all fill these courts and call them home, but they aren't alone. Real creatures who don't even have a whisper of human features roam the forests, mountains, and other mysterious terrain of these lands. Some are seemingly harmless while others show with one clear look that they hunger to feast on flesh, whether human or fae. But even with haunting outer appearances, some of these beasts prove to be helpful at times. Though a number of these monsters, and even some of the wolf-in-sheep's-clothing leaders in these lands, have truly sinister feelings and plans. But, just like humans, who these fae are only separated from by a magical-shield-like wall to divide the land, there are plenty of good ones out there to restore the faith.

Humans are made to hate faeries, after complications and disagreements from years previous, but they aren't quite as different as they might have been led to think. While the fae are immortal (living for hundreds and even thousands of years), the fae still make mistakes, laugh hard, and love deeply. The High Lords care for their lands and their people, though sometimes they have to make tough decisions and sacrifices to ensure safety and keep order. Prythian is divided but ultimately they unite against what they know to be unfair or unjust.

Just like in the human world, the Faerie Realm has seen wars and celebrations both. While faeries are immortal in a sense of aging and supernatural strengths and powers in some cases, they are still capable of death. Destruction and mourning have plagued their lands through all their many years. However, even after living for so long, the Fae still find things worth celebrating. They have holidays and traditions and parties. They still get excited for events and dress up and dance to beautiful music despite who and what they are.

But no land is perfect of course...I wonder what might happen in the magical lands if a human who has hate in her heart for the Fae is captured and taken to the Spring Court...

Read the first book of the series 'A Court of Thorns & Roses' to find out and to learn more about the beautiful chaos that is the Faerie Realm and the sometimes wonderful faeries who inhabit it.

Okay, okay, I'll give you a little sneak peak. Kind of.

As a human girl reading about another human girl going into this journey, it was the ultimate escape and a lovely distarction from all of the things I have been going through in my personal life. Getting into more specifically the characters of this world and not just the increible world itself, they made me feel like I had another group of family and friends, and even a second extension of self, to turn to when I needed it. Sarah J. Maas does such an astounding job of pulling you in, helping you understand all these new thoughts, ideas, beings, and people, and creates an aweinspiring story of love, loss, family and friendship along the way. These books only get better the further you make your way through the series, and I know I can always return to them for a little magical slice of a home away from home.