Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

A Court of Silver Flames (Part 1 & 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Sarah J. Maas

158 reviews

abigailrosalynn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Death, War, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content

wpapnik's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Although maybe people dislike this book because of Nesta’s past actions, I absolutely love this book. Yeah the smutty scenes are great (and many), but what really hooked me was Nesta’s complexity. Over the course of the books you get to see her slowly bring down her walls and acknowledge her past mistakes and vulnerabilities. ACOSF is also a wonderful example of how healing from trauma is not a linear path. We see Nesta battle with suicide, substance abuse, and depression/anxiety. Also the relationship between the Valkyries was so beautiful and caused me to cry on multiple occasions. 

While other ACOTAR books depict trauma, vulnerability and healing, I feel those conversations were always overshadowed by the overarching plot. On the flip-side, ACOSF sacrifices complexity in the plot for deeper character development. 

At the end of the day, I adored ACOSF. I believe, Nesta’s story is really one of healing and forgiveness towards one’s self.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Rape

deb_1970_uk_bookrecs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A Story About Pain,  Self-loathing, & Learning To Love!😫💔🙉💘
A Court of Silver Flames: A Court of Thorns and Roses, Book 5
By: Sarah J. Maas
Audiobook 🎧 
Narrated by: Stina Nielsen
Length: 26 hrs and 5 mins

I've always liked Nesta, but she was tough to relate to at times in this book. The self-loathing and deep depression she works through throughout is painful. She constantantly pushes everyone away and says such hurtful, spitefilled things. Of course, she's punishing and hurting herself more than anyone else!😫

Cassian is the most upstanding, kind, thoughtful,  and caring man she could hope for as a friend! He continues to take her side against everyone. When he's tasked with training her, what eventually comes from it is truly remarkable!🙏🏼

This is the steamiest book by far. I felt the narrator did a fantastic job with those scenes. I also felt overall that she coped well with the number of characters. However, I do believe this series, as a whole, would benefit from dual narration by a female and male narrator!

Debbie, 1970, UK 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Alcohol

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy

kurohaneshizumi's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Sexual content, Grief, and Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Misogyny, and Body horror

Minor: Rape

smnthstrrlwd's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

It's been over two weeks since I finished "A Court of Silver Flames" and I still have no words to describe how absolutely incredible this installment of the ACOTAR series is. But, I am going to try. 

For a story that has been mainly told through Feyre's POV, it was refreshing and exciting to get to experience the world of Prythian through the eyes of the mysterious, angry, and brooding Nesta, as well as the charming, determined, and dedicated Cassian. And, for a character who was described as so cold-hearted and cruel by her sister, Nesta's struggles and triumphs really struck a chord with me on a personal level that left me enjoying "Silver Flames" as much, if not more, than the other books in the series. 

Maas' ability to write believable strong female friendships is one of her biggest talents and, while we've been given a glimpse into Feyre and Morrigan's growing camaraderie, the development of the bond between Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie was so fun to read. Of course, the painfully slow development of Nesta's relationship with Cassian was delicious, as well! SJM continues to impress me with her ability to write erotic scenes that are so vivid and exciting without feeling pornographic.

I appreciated the pivot from a first-person POV to multiple POVs that started in "A Court of Frost and Starlight" and transitioned to third-person POVs throughout "A Court of Silver Flames". While I love Feyre, all of the characters now have fond places in my heart so, I am really grateful that I am now getting to experience Prythian, the trials and tribulations of the High Fae, as well as the more joyful moments, through the eyes of more characters. 

On the same subject, I have to tip my hat to Sarah J. Maas for her incredible transition of POVs. The technique of using "Frost and Starlight" and its focus on one night to make that subtle shift in her writing style was completely genius. And, as someone who did not read the ACOTAR series as it came out, but has waited while other authors take their time publishing the next installment in various series, I can only imagine how delightful it was to pick up "Frost and Starlight" for the first time, get this intimate check-in on where all of the characters are after the war, and then carry that new writing approach into "Silver Flames" by giving us alternating POVs from Cassian and Nesta. 

I'm very excited for the next installment and hope that we continue to get to experience the story from other characters' POVs. (Azriel, Elain, Lucien, Morrigan, and dare I say, Tamlin?)

TLDR; 5/5, this book SLAPPED, I love Nesta no matter what anyone else says, and I need the next installment to come out ASAP. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Grief, Pregnancy, and Violence

calpal90's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Rape, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Incest, Miscarriage, Blood, Alcoholism, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Violence, Self harm, Death, War, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Alcohol

livvmarks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The most beautiful perfect book ever- made me feel so seen in the mental health aspect as well. Can’t wait for the next one in the series<3

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Genocide, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Excrement, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Blood, Body horror, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Ableism, Addiction, Rape, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, War, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Slavery, Torture, and Vomit

firehearttt's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Gore, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Grief, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape

trislima's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gore, Violence, and Sexual content

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, War, and Physical abuse

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Classism

jsmulan96's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is my favorite book of the whole series

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Physical abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Torture, Sexism, Child abuse, Self harm, Pregnancy, Death, Mental illness, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual assault, and Miscarriage

Minor: Suicidal thoughts