Why is fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas so popular? 

Sometimes derisively referred to as Welsh ‘fairy porn’, the Guardian told readers to think of it as “Fifty Shades of Grey but with pointy ears”. 

Whatever your view on it, no one can deny it is a critical success with 13 million copies sold worldwide. 

On Moncrieff, Newstalk’s Ciara Tracey outlined the plot of the series that has captured the hearts of millions.  

“It is a series that follows a 19-year-old girl called Feyre who kills a magical wolf,” Ciara explained. 

“As a punishment, she is sent to a magical land called Prythian and she has loads of adventures, there’s loads of characters. 

“There’s no actual explicit mention of Wales, it’s just that if you look at the map of Prythian and Hybern, it’s the UK and Ireland. 

“So, Hybern for Hibernia and I think Prythian comes from Prydain which is Welsh for Britain.” 

Sarah J. Maas in conversation at a book signing of 'A Court of Mist and Fury'. Picture by: Alamy.com

Some have criticised the series for its unrealistic portrayal of the Welsh countryside and misrepresenting the nation’s mythology. 

It is not a criticism that Ciara agrees with. 

“Wales, some of it is rural and it could be romantic but all you have to do is Google Cardiff and you’ll realise it’s nothing like that,” she said. 

“I think it’s been massively blown out of proportion. So many books are based on mythology. 

“You have Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson and no one gets the same backlash for that. 

“I feel it’s a really bizarre knit pick.”  

Books for sale in New York. Picture by: Alamy.com

Others have criticised it for being far too sexual for young readers and Utah has banned school libraries from stocking it. 

Although Ciara describes it is “not complete filth”, she acknowledged it is not suitable for young teenagers.  

“I moved on him,” she quoted from one book. 

“Lightning lashed through my veins and my focus narrowed to his fingers. 

“His mouth, his body on mine. 

“His palm pushed against the bundle of nerves at the apex of my thighs and I groaned his name as I shattered.” 

A sixth book of the series is due out and, according to author Sarah J Maas, a TV adaption is currently “in development”.

You can listen back here:

Main image: A large selection of books. Picture by: Alamy.com