The novel revolves around Feyre Archeron, a 19-year-old huntress who is limping along in life, struggling to support herself and her family. One day, while hunting in the woods, she kills a wolf. But the wolf turns out to be a magical faerie in disguise. As a consequence, a faerie named Tamlin (in the form of a horrible creature) comes to take her to Prythian, the faerie homeland, as retribution in accordance with an ancient treaty between faeries and humans.
Initially, Feyre is skeptical of Tamlin and doesn't trust him. However, after Feyre discovers that Tamlin is a High Lord of the Spring Court, things change. She starts to gradually warm to Tamlin and the faerie world more broadly. In fact, she starts to form a romantic relationship with Tamlin. Together, the two learn about the biggest problems that the faerie worlds must endure, as well as a curse placed on the Spring Court. The curse hides the faerie's true appearances and stops them from entering the land of the humans. Tamlin pleads with Feyre to help him stop the curse, which can only be broken if a human woman falls completely in love with Tamlin.
Together, the two participate in a mid-summer festival. There, Feyre is put in danger, but Tamlin works hard to ensure her safety. But Tamlin realizes that Feyre will face tremendous danger (danger which he can't protect her from) and decides to send her back with her family in the human world. But Feyre doesn't stay for long. She loves Tamlin and wants nothing more than to be near him. When she returns, though, she finds the illustrious Spring Court in ruins and that Tamlin has been taken by Amarantha, the evil High Queen of the faerie realm.
Feyre decides to hatch a plan to rescue Tamlin. To that end, she travels to Amarantha's royal court. In order to save her love, however, she is subjected to three deadly trials that challenge her fortitude. Despite the increasingly difficult challenges she faces, Feyre manages to survive with the help of sheer will and a couple of her friends. During the trials, she confesses her love for Tamlin, breaking the curse.
In time, Feyre, Tamlin, and their friends manage to defeat Amarantha, but Feyre dies in the process. She is, however, resurrected by the High Lords, receiving some of their powers in the process. In the end, Feyre and Tamlin return to the Spring Court together, although Feyre is left with emotional and physical scars from her harrowing experiences fighting Amarantha.
