Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

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

420 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

ktmcd26's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.25

This was my first time re-reading this book, and I think I enjoyed it more than the first. 

I have read all the published works by the author at this point and was able to see and make connections this time that I missed the first time.

I had a skewed memory of how Cassian acted in this book, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that he acted better than I remember. There are still some things that I am incredibly angry at him for, but I don’t completely dislike him as a romantic lead anymore. 

I think this series severely needed this change in POV as it helped form more holistic views of the different characters.

The one thing that suffered greatly from the re-read was the lack of development in the magic, fantasy and political elements. The magical artifacts are not well explained and the back stories are all poor rip-offs of classic literature. That being said I was able to fill in the gaps (and correct parts of the ending that I didn’t like/ didn’t think made any sense).

The story of self-loathing and friendship was as good as I remembered and a critical part of what makes this book excellent.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Death, War, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Misogyny, Blood, Rape, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Mental illness

inaylalinyah's review against another edition

dark emotional 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: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent

bee12345's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

3.5

Finishes very abruptly with many a loose thread dangling 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexism, Sexual violence, Grief, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Rape

Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail

carolinecash's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional

• 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

A pretty big change in tone and content from the first few books but I really got into it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Rape

Moderate: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, and Abandonment

Minor: Self harm, Child death, and Eating disorder

kittykels's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content

Moderate: Violence and Grief

Minor: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

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

maddinar's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy

Minor: Rape

hayley22ann's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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: Mental illness

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence