Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

A Court of Silver Flames (Graphic Audio Part 1 & 2) by Sarah J. Maas

246 reviews

eblankenship23's review against another edition

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

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and War

Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy

magicalrocketeer's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

So I originally DNF'd this book, but I decided to pick it up and finish and I don't regret it.  The book itself is still getting a lower rating from me tho since the first 2/3 of the book felt stagnant.  I now understand the this book is a journey back to self-love but it did spend too much time on Nesta falling back into self-hatred that I began to feel icky about continuing to read and trying to enjoy it. The later 2/3 of the book really took off tho, I just need to continue about 10 more pages beyond where I stopped the first time.  I even ended up crying in this part from Nesta's realizations.  Maas can really flip your feelings about a character in just a few chapters as we know from her with Tamlin. I can't really recommend the book, but it does get much better, so for the sake of world building and continuity in the Maas universe, you should probably read it and try to get through the first 2/3 knowing there's good things coming, kind of like Nesta's view on life in the book.  


This is my original DNF review
I never really cared for Nesta as a character, so having a story from her pov where Maas tries to have you forgive her is just not my cup of tea.  She does experience character growth and I adore some of the other characters introduced in this book, but it felt like Nesta's growth was almost at the expense of Feyra's and Rys' personalities. They were kind of annoying in this book.  The spice is excellent and the fantasy is still great, I just couldn't like Nesta. She's always been a polarizing character, so if you're fine with her character, you'll enjoy this book

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Rape

bex2023's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.75

If you’re not into smut, don’t pick it up. If you’re into smut but in private areas, don’t do what I did and read it on a train next to a little old lady who keeps peeking at your book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Blood, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

noetical's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War

daniche979's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.5

This is my second re-read and wow, I forgot how much I love Nesta and Cassian. 
There were multiple parts in this story where I teared up - Nesta facing herself and her trauma, their love developing, her friendships developing, seeing her softer side when it comes to her love for her sisters (okay I teared up a lot). 
I think SJM does a wonderful job showing the less socially acceptable side of trauma (stemming from childhood and compounded by the Cauldron). Nesta learned very early on in her life negative skills that worsened with more trauma. She pushes people away and is nasty and cruel - and that is how some people hold trauma. And the judgement from others was harsh, but often a reality for people like her. I also love how her healing was not linear - in some moments she found peace and understanding and then soon after her walls and need to push people away comes right back. This is so much more realistic of how people grow and heal than a linear path, and I love it. 
The reason it's not a 5 star, is the plot is a little thin and odd in places. And I don't really care about this villain (yet). I did really enjoy seeing more of Eris though and excited for how his character is developed. 
Additionally, I thought some of the training scenes were a little silly. For how cool and tough Illyrian warriors are SJM writing about squats and planks....well I don't think she works out much. And for how skilled they all became in the amount of time feels like a stretch. 

Overall great read and excited for more - as always when it comes to SJM. 

Oh and the smut - chef's kiss. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Death of parent, and Alcohol

breezus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective 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, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Rape

idesofmarch's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Medical trauma

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

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

Minor: Rape

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

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