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Holy Cross | Culture

A Court of Thorns and Roses

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Riley Gordon Student Contributor, College of the Holy Cross
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Holy Cross chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I first read Sarah J. Maas’s iconic series A Court of Thorns and Roses in the eighth grade, and ever since, I’ve been hooked. Since I was fourteen, I have read the entire series, if I had to estimate, six times–and I am now nineteen. So, imagine my delight when Sarah J. Maas announced recently that she would release a sixth and seventh book in the coming months. In anticipation of these new books, and mostly because they are not here yet, I have been reflecting on why this series, of all the books I have read, has stuck with me. 

The main reason I love this particular series so much is because I have grown up with the story: ages fourteen through nineteen are extremely formative years and throughout it all, whenever I was stressed, sad, or in need of a break, this familiar story that I know makes me happy has been there. I am not sure how I have not gotten sick of the books yet, because it should be boring now that I know all the plot twists and endings. To me, re-reading these books is like listening to a favorite song–just like how there is something comforting about knowing all the lyrics to a song you like, I like knowing what is going to happen in my books. 

Needless to say I am extremely excited for the new books to come out, and I highly recommend ACOTAR to anyone looking for a book to get super into!  

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Riley Gordon

Holy Cross '30

My name is Riley Gordon and I was born and raised in Newton, MA. I graduated the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, MA in 2026. At Nobles, I pursued my interests in both feminism and ethics as an editor of The Twisst, a student-led feminist magazine, and as leader of Ethics club, where I organized discussions and debates on ethics related cases.
I am now a student at The College of the Holy Cross, class of 2030, where I intend to study political science and philosophy. I was also recruited to Holy Cross to be a coxswain on the rowing team. I had coxed all four years of high school and I am so excited to cox for another four here!
Aside from school, I have two sisters, Amory and Nicola, and I am the middle sister. I love being both a big sister and a little sister because while it is incredibly empowering to serve as a role model for someone (my younger sister Nicola), I am also so grateful to have a role model of my own (my older sister Amory). I hope to bring that sisterhood energy to Her Campus and find even more role models as well as offering an "older sister" type of guidance from my own work!