A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) is the first book of the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas. A spellbinding story of romance, adventure, and fantasy in a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Set in the world of Prythian, where humans and faeries exist in a fragile balance, one girl becomes inexplicably entangled in the world of the Fae. Feyre Archeron, a mere human girl who hunts to provide for her family, is thrust into the treacherous realm of the High Fae after accidentally killing a disguised fairy. As punishment, she is imprisoned in the manor of the beastly Lord Tamlin. She soon discovers a world of deadly beauty, ancient magic, and courtly intrigue. But beneath the glamour of the Fae realm, all is not well. A magical blight lays upon the land and Feyre may be the key to saving Prythian. This guide offers an in-depth look at the world of Prythian. For a deeper exploration of the characters, please visit the Ultimate ACOTAR Character Guide.
NOTE: This page contains minor spoilers.
Table of Contents
What is the world in ACOTAR?
Prythian is divided into 7 Fae courts each with its own High Lord, unique landscape, and local culture. At the center of Prythian lies the Middle, an empty territory under no one’s jurisdiction and which acts as a neutral meeting place for all the different courts. The Middle also divides the northern Solar Courts from the southern Seasonal Courts. At the bottom of Prythian lies a giant wall that separates the Fae lands from the Mortal Lands, a designated territory for mortals that keeps them safe from the Fae. Beyond Prythian’s western shores lies the continent of Hybern, a militaristic Fae kingdom steeped in old magic and under the rule of King Hybern, who seeks to once again enslave all mortals. To the east lies the Continent, a large mass of land ruled by the Mortal Queens and similarly divided with a wall to separate the Fae from the humans.
- The Spring Court is a land of eternal spring, filled with meadows and lush forests.
- The Summer Court boasts turquoise waters and pristine white sand beaches.
- The Autumn Court is a fiery realm of crisp leaves and red and orange harvest colors.
- The Winter Court is a frozen land of icy white snow and blue frozen lakes.
- The Dawn Court is a place of soft light and healing, nestled high amongst the clouds.
- The Day Court features expansive golden deserts and vast libraries.
- The Night Court is a dark and dangerous mountain territory far to the north.
What does Feyre's Village look like in ACOTAR?
Feyre's Village
A poor, human village where Feyre and her family live. Located near the border between the human and Fae lands, it struggles under harsh winters and limited resources.
Village Forest
To the north of the human village is a large expanse of forest that leads to the Fae lands of Prythian. The villagers must always be on guard for the unexpected when they enter the forest.
Village Market
The local village market where folks come to barter and sell all kinds of products from eggs and chickens to tools and weapons. Feyre occasionally comes here to sell and barter her hunting spoils.
Feyre's Cottage
A small and weatherworn cottage on the edge of the village. Feyre and her family moved here after their fall from wealth. Its walls are thin against winter’s bite and its rooms are cramped and bare.
Feyre's Room
Feyre shares a room with her 2 sisters, Nesta and Elain. One of her most prized possessions is a small dresser that she decorated with paint gifted to her from Elain. Each shelf represents one Archeron sister.
Elain's Garden
Elain, an avid gardener, carved out a small plot of land outside their cottage and planted many wildflowers. It provides a splash of color and beauty amidst the family’s poverty.
What does the Spring Court look like in ACOTAR?
Spring Court
One of the 7 High Fae Courts in Prythian and one of the 4 Seasonal Courts. It is enchanted to be in eternal spring with flowers in constant bloom.
Spring Court - Tamlin's Manor
A grand, enchanted estate in the Spring Court and Tamlin's main residence. It is a lush, perpetually blooming land filled with flowers, green rolling meadows, forests, and eternal springtime.
Spring Court - Library
A quiet sanctuary for study and reflection, the library offers warmth and peace within the manor. Bookshelves climb every wall, heavy with lore and stories.
Spring Court- Feyre's Bedroom
A chamber meant to comfort and enchant, Feyre’s bedroom radiates floral luxury and gentle sunlight. Silks and soft linens spill over carved wooden furniture and an enchanted breeze carries the scent of roses.
Spring Court - Feyre's Bathroom
An elegant bathing space crafted for indulgence and ease, the bathroom shimmers with polished marble, enchanted warm water, and bottles of natural oils.
Spring Court - Garden
A haven of living beauty, the garden exists to soothe, delight, and show off Spring Court abundance. Beds of roses spill over winding paths and climb trellises in fragrant clouds buzzing softly with bees.
Spring Court - Hallway
A graceful corridor meant to welcome and impress, the hallway feels open, airy, and bright. Warm sunlight drifts across wooden floors and soft tapestries ripple like leaves caught in spring winds.
Spring Court - Art Gallery
A curated art gallery that celebrates beauty, creativity, and the court’s taste for refinement. Canvases line the walls in glowing rows, each piece gilded by enchanted light that never dims.
Spring Court - Bridge
A picturesque bridge over a calm lake, it is covered in vines and if patient enough, viewers may see the flash of a water wraith below in the lakes.
Spring Court - Pool of Starlight
A beautiful hidden pool within the Spring Court’s forest. Legend has it that anyone who drinks from this pool will know happiness until their final breath.
Sacred Mountain
One of the 3 sacred mountains of Prythian, it is located in a region called the Middle, that does not belong to a Court. The Mountain is believed to be the origin of the world. When the Mother dumped the Great Cauldron onto the land this mountain was the first item to be created.
The Wall
A great Wall that divides the Fae Lands from the Mortal Lands in Prythian and the Continent. It was erected after the Human Fae War 500 years ago and with the signing of the Treaty that ended human slavery.
What does Under the Mountain look like in ACOTAR?
Under the Mountain - Entrance
A dark and oppressive underground lair occupied by Amarantha and her improvised court, it is located under the Sacred Mountain in the Middle of Prythian.
Under the Mountain - Foyer
A grand entry meant to intimidate all who enter, vast columns shoulder the ceiling, but the walls themselves bear the rough, uneven marks of stone hacked away in haste—jagged scars that betray panic and power rather than beauty.
Under the Mountain - Hallway
A connecting artery through the mountain, the hallway channels unease with every step. Polished black stone gleams under faelight as grotesque carvings leer from archways in oppressive silence.
Under the Mountain - Prison
A chamber for punishment and despair, the prison exists to crush spirit and hope. Runes seal the stone cells, screams linger in the cold air, and silence settles like a shroud over the condemned.
Under the Mountain - Courtyard
An unofficial gathering place twisted into something menacing, the courtyard blends eerie beauty with unease. Torchlight flickers against black stone and cracked fountains, the shadows long and watching.
Under the Mountain - Chamber
A private retreat masking cruelty, the chamber offers false luxury wrapped in menace. Velvet and faelight glow over carved walls that seem to watch, the air tense with Amarantha’s lingering presence.
Under the Mountain - Fae Court
A mock court built for spectacle and fear, its gathered fae nothing more than an unwilling audience. Music rings hollow beneath vaulted stone while tension coils thick under Amarantha’s gaze.
Under the Mountain - Staircase
Built as passageways but steeped in dread, the stairways wind like a serpent deeper into the mountain’s gut. Steps slick with damp stone twist in near-darkness, every footfall echoing like a warning.
Under the Mountain - Tunnel
A large and empty tunnel that leads deeper into darkness and dread. Dripping stalactites, scattered bones, and a sour, rotting stench warn that escaping is nearly impossible.
Under the Mountain - Bathing Chamber
Though much of Under the Mountain was raised quickly and without care, the bathing chamber is an exception—lavish, polished, and unsettling in its indulgence. A deliberate luxury meant to distract from the fear and confinement that press in beyond its walls.
Under the Mountain - Amarantha's Throne
Amarantha’s throne of power rises as a cold symbol of absolute dominance, carved to command fear as much as loyalty. From it, she watches with predatory patience, the weight of her magic saturating the air so completely that even silence feels like submission.
Under the Mountain - Dance Floor
A wide stone floor carved deep beneath the mountain, designed for spectacle rather than joy. The space hums with tension—music, movement, and laughter feel forced here, each step echoing like a reminder that nothing beneath the mountain is ever truly voluntary.
Where to buy A Court of Thorns and Roses
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