Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

219 reviews

nikkic66's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

literarytraveler's review

adventurous dark inspiring tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Sexual assault, and Rape

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: Child abuse, Sexism, Death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Violence, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, and War

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

bex2023's review

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

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

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: Domestic abuse, Rape, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

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, Medical content, Blood, Violence, Sexual content, Medical trauma, and Rape

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, 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