Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

134 reviews

picaresquedreamer's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail

saintxkathryn's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Nesta‘s story was a compassionate reminder of my own journey in processing and learning to live after many years of trauma and grief. Some of the biggest themes revolved around learning to forgive yourself and learning that many of the things you might blame yourself for, were not your fault in the first place (in a context of surviving trauma and/or abuse). I took comfort in noticing the parallels between Nesta’s and her friends’ healing journeys and my own. This book was actually pretty cathartic for me. Of course, the fantastical elements of the novel were highly entertaining and kept me reading. Maas‘ talent for vivid descriptions and detailed world building make it hard to put this book down. I look forward to her coming works. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Misogyny, Classism

Minor: Kidnapping

caitlinspeachyreads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Minor: Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting

grosemareads's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective 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

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Far and away the best book in the series, but could’ve used some more perspectives and the characters from the original book felt different, not in the best way

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Alcohol

coffee_hat_chacos's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring 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

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Really good read, though at some points I found the “spice” got in the way of the character development. But to each their own. It was a great read from different character POVs than the others. The ending had me feeling things. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy

devsreadsnrambles's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I don't love the actions of the author RE: Using Brionna Taylor's death as a marketing ploy. 
That being said, I felt I needed to finish this book. It was fine. The last 1/4 of the book did play on my emotions. I was mostly annoyed throughout the book..

that Nesta was as miserable as she was. Yes I know she went through traumatic experiences, however I just found her incredibly insufferable, even when she went through her "redemption arc"

. 

All this to say, it was fine. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief

Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Gaslighting

Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse

bree_h_reads's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Honestly, this was the best book in the entire series. Despite the weak ending I felt this was the strongest and best written book out of all 4.5 ACOTAR books. I really hope the shifting POVs continue with these books, as I think it really helps the plot stand up and justify how ridiculously long these books are.

As always the narrator was amazing, but I think this is her best performance. There was just so much more emotion put into the dialogue AND narration. It really sold me on the story and feelings. Which was important as this book is VERY focused on emotions and how they impact the characters. The exploration of trauma and healthy vs unhealthy coping mechanisms was written better than I anticipated. I also really appreciated the friendship Nesta developed with other women in the book and how that aided her recovery. It’s something that was sorely missing from Feyre’s story.

The relationship dynamics in this book were pretty hit-or-miss for me. I thought Azriel and Nesta had the best written dynamic. I really enjoyed the few interactions they had. And the change of Elaine and Nesta’s dynamic as a reaction to their trauma was also interesting. It didn’t feel out of place. It also allowed for more expansion on Elaine’s character, which I really liked. Aside from that, Cassin and Nesta’s dynamic was fine. I didn’t find it anything special, but I enjoyed the way they played off each other. The rest of the dynamics were pretty lacking, and actually made me dislike the Inner Circle. While Nesta wasn’t the kindest, it was clearly a response to being abandoned by the others. My dislike was further driven by their upset at Nesta being traumatised. Where they were gentle and patient with Feyre, they were short tempered and cruel to Nesta. Again, Nesta wasn’t perfect, but it was because the people that were treating her poorly had abandoned her when she needed community. The worst dynamic was Nesta and Rhysand. While it was pretty strong when they hated each other, their reconciliation at the end was horribly rushed. Especially considering Rhysand’s HORRIBLE actions in the book.

On that note, wow. Mister Your Choice shows his colours by taking away Feyre’s choices. Shocker. I am blown away. Truly. Shocked. It’s not like he’s been doing this, but more subtle the entire series. Honestly, if anyone is still swoony over Rhysand after he WITHHELD MEDICAL INFORMATION from his wife about how she MIGHT DIE is a new low. It’s disgusting behaviour and the fact the book brushed it off and shamed Nesta for telling Feyre the truth is INSANE.

My only other gripes are the spice and end, which just felt very rushed. Along with the wedding, their mating ritual happening so abruptly really threw me. The spice was hilarious, but not on purpose. I really don’t like the way SJM writes spice, so I mostly zoned out during those scenes.

Overall it was a just okay book. Nothing special, but better than the others. I presume due to less Rhysand content.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Stalking, Pregnancy

vermontsnowboarder's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This is my second favourite book in the ACOTAR series. But it has its flaws. 

What I liked:
-

I think that the description of depression and being able to see it through Nesta was powerful. It was clear that Nesta was struggling, and we were shown this in many ways (rather than told, which I hate.)

- The friendships that Nesta developed
- The overall storyline - I love this world but what I liked about this book in particular is getting to see it through Nesta's eyes.

What I didn't like (and why it didn't get rated higher)
-

I disliked how Nesta's family treated her. There were so many instances, especially at the beginning of the book. Nesta is struggling, and their answer is to shun her and make her shelve books and work out?

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Cassian, though a character I enjoy reading, really only seemed to be invested in Nesta because she was his mate. He wasn't helping her because it was the right thing to do; he was helping her because he wanted her. Azriel contrasted this - he didn't have to be there, didn't have to be kind, and yet he was just as solid of a rock, probably more so because it was his choice.

- The backstory that takes place behind Nesta's healing journey wasn't developed enough. It was almost like it was there to be there. We caught glimpes and pieces but none of it was written well enough to be interesting.

I wish that Eris was better developed - there is a lot there and perhaps we'll see more in future books.

The most frustrating thing about these books, actually any of Maas' books, is that because there are more coming she doesn't do a good job of sprinkling crumbs.

Eris is a good example - we might see more of him in future stories, and because of that she didn't take the time to make his time in this book as well written as it should have been.

An example of crumbs that were done well was Cassian explaining the prison to Nesta and mentioning that he thought the prison was stocked with inmates to hide the harp and other powerful things. The description of the chamber the harp was in. Those are very important details for when you read Cresent City, they aren't thrown in your face or highlighted too much, and are well written.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual content

Moderate: Gore, Kidnapping

Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Blood, Death of parent

readwithyesi's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy

Minor: Medical content, Medical trauma

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calcified_boner's review against another edition

1.5

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I found myself liking Nesta less and less as the book went on. In previous books she had something to her, but now it seems she's gone the same way as literally every other SJM protagonist. She is almost indistinguishable from the horde; another sassy, unlikable-but-not-really, uniquely special and overpowered, faux feminist girlboss who is ultimately beholden to a man. 

And the Feyre pregnancy plot was ultimately not enjoyable and plain stupid. (C-sections are a common procedure, are you telling me a society with very advanced magical medicine can't figure out how to chop someone open??) I fail to see how Rhysand is better than Tamlin in any capacity, being that he would have just had her be unaware of the risks of her pregnancy. 

Honestly this whole book just felt confused, under baked and unnecessary. 

And a personal aside, I just don't particularly enjoy pregnancy plot lines. Abort that thang. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol