Let me start by saying this was not a casual commitment.
It’s been a while since I posted anything book-related, and it’s not because I haven’t been reading. More accurately, I’ve been listening a lot. I just finished two massive fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas, and I only recently resurfaced with a vague sense of who I am and what year it is.
In the last few months, I finished Throne of Glass (7 books, plus a prequel) and A Court of Thorns and Roses (five books so far, with more to come). I experienced both series as audiobooks on Audible at 1.6x speed, because even I have limits and responsibilities. Still, this was a full-on auditory marathon.
📚 By the Numbers:
- Total Books Consumed: 13
- Estimated Listening Time: Over 200 hours
- Playback Speed: 1.6x, out of pure necessity
- Genre: High fantasy, high drama, high emotional damage
- Result: Fully Fae’d
This wasn’t a light listening session or even a casual audiobook binge. It was an all-consuming journey that left me emotionally invested, mildly exhausted, and using the word “mate” in texts to actual humans. If you’re wondering why I haven’t posted about books in a while, now you know. I joined the Fae Army and only just returned.
The Series Rundown: No Spoilers, Just Vibes and Volume
Throne of Glass (8 books total)
Starts as a gritty assassin fantasy and slowly evolves into a sprawling high-fantasy saga packed with magical realms, ancient prophecies, multiple timelines, love triangles, wars, gods, and characters who grow more powerful (and more stressed) with every chapter.
It’s long. Like, should I build a vision board for this plot? Even at 1.6x speed, it tested my mental endurance. But if you’re into layered storytelling, slow-burn romance, and epic-level stakes, it’s worth the journey.
🎧 Ready to start the Throne of Glass series?
Get the first book on Audible here – New members get a free trial with your first audiobook!
📖 Prefer reading? Grab the Kindle version or paperback edition on Amazon.
A Court of Thorns and Roses (5 books so far)
This one starts like a dark fairytale, flirting with romance, and then plunges into a full-blown magical war saga, complete with court intrigue, alliances, trauma, healing, and a wealth of deeply dramatic internal monologues.
The real gem here? The dramatized Audible version. Multiple narrators, background sounds, orchestral vibes. It was like listening to a high-fantasy Netflix series for your ears. It pulled me back in every time I started to drift. Honestly, the production value alone makes it a wildly enjoyable experience.
Listening to a book rather than reading it on the page changes how you experience the story. You can multitask, sure, but you also risk missing a plot twist while folding socks. I had to rewind more than once to figure out who died, who kissed, or who was suddenly immortal.
🎧 Experience the ACOTAR magic for yourself:
Listen to A Court of Thorns and Roses on Audible – The dramatized version is chef’s kiss
📖 Want the physical experience? Check out the Paperback Box Set or start with the Kindle version
The Experience: Emotional Investment, Burnout, and That Gray Area Where You Keep Listening Anyway
Once I started, there was no turning back. These books are designed to keep you hooked with epic cliffhangers, dramatic reveals, mysterious, brooding love interests who don’t understand boundaries. You know the type.
I found myself deeply attached to the characters early on, especially in Throne of Glass. It’s the kind of series that forces you to grow with the characters, whether you’re ready or not. Every book piles on more plotlines, more emotional stakes, more magical world-building. At some point, I was just nodding along like, “Sure, that sword was forged from dragon fire and is now haunted by a goddess. Makes sense.”
But here’s the thing. As much as I loved it, I hit a wall.
Somewhere in book six, I realized I was listening just to finish. The story was still good, but my brain was tired. The kind of tired where you listen to an entire chapter and then have no idea what anyone said. I was unloading the dishwasher while two empires fell and zoned out.
Enter A Court of Thorns and Roses. This was the breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed. The storyline was still big and dramatic, but the vibe was different, more magical realism, less sprawling politics. And the dramatized version on Audible changed everything. Hearing multiple voices, background music, and sound effects made it feel immersive and cinematic. It kept me engaged in a way that a single narrator just couldn’t at that point.
It wasn’t just listening anymore. It was an experience.
Pros and Cons of Long Fantasy Series (Especially When You Tackle Them All at Once)
The Pros
- Emotional Depth
With this many books, you don’t just like the characters. You know them. You’ve seen their messy phases, their glow-ups, their bad choices, and heroic rebounds. - Immersive World-Building
These aren’t stories. They’re fully realized worlds with politics, history, magic systems, and oddly specific seasonal festivals. - Big Payoffs
That moment when everything comes full circle in book seven? Chef’s kiss. The kind of satisfaction you don’t get from a standalone.
The Cons
- It’s a Lot
This is not light reading. Or light listening. It’s a fantasy boot camp. You need commitment, snacks, and a dedicated schedule. - Burnout Is Real
The longer the series, the more likely you’ll hit a point where your brain just stops absorbing. Especially if you try to marathon them back-to-back. - You Can’t Read Just One
These books are linked like dominoes. You finish one, you have to read the next, because obviously, everything is about to fall apart.
So, What Does Any of This Have to Do With Life or Marketing?
Turns out, a lot.
Listening to two massive series back to back reminded me of the kind of slow-build effort that mirrors long-term brand work. There’s no instant gratification. You don’t see results immediately. Whether you’re building a magical kingdom or refining a practice’s brand, it takes layers. Consistency. Sometimes a pause to re-center.
It also reminded me that breaks aren’t failures. Switching from Throne of Glass to ACOTAR wasn’t giving up. It was pivoting to something that better matched my headspace. That applies to work, creative projects, and even daily habits. The goal isn’t to push through mindlessly. It’s to stay connected to what you’re doing and why.
And finally, the biggest takeaway? Hobbies matter for busy professionals, especially. Having something you do just for you, something you don’t have to monetize or explain or organize into a strategy, is rare and necessary even if it means disappearing into a world of fae queens and magical rebellions for a few weeks. Or months.
So, Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. Just pace yourself.
Both Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses are worth the time, especially if you love epic fantasy, strong character arcs, and a little dramatic flair. But know what you’re signing up for. This is not a beach-read vibe. This is a see-you-in-a-few-months, I have kingdoms-to-conquer commitment.
If you’re on the fence, start with A Court of Thorns and Roses, especially the dramatized Audible version. It’s a lighter lift to start, and the production value makes it a wildly enjoyable experience.
Ready to Join the Fae Army Yourself?
🎧 For Audiobook Lovers:
New to Audible? Start your free trial here and get your first audiobook free! Perfect for diving into either series.
📖 For Book Readers:
Throne of Glass Series:
- Start with Throne of Glass (Book 1) – Kindle or Paperback
- Or grab the complete series box set if you’re ready to commit
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series:
- Begin with ACOTAR (Book 1) – Kindle or Paperback
- Complete Series in Hardcover Box Set
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend books I’ve personally listened to obsessively for 200+ hours). Your support helps me keep sharing honest book reviews!
What about you?
Listened to anything lately that took over your life? Or maybe a series you started and couldn’t finish?