Reviews with content warning for Stalking - A Court of Silver Flames

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A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

5 reviews

bree_h_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

2.5

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.

Content Warnings

thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective 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

Although it took me about an entire month to read it, the 750 pages were worth it! At first I was skeptical of the third person POV, but it really suited Nesta and Cassian’s story. I loved how the focus shifted between the two seamlessly, between romance and action, between lust and rage. Nesta’s character development was outstanding and happened naturally across the pages, not just all at once at the end. Once again, the last 100 pages were INTENSE and ruined me, but they were fearless and passionate and so fitting to the characters’ separate arcs.

I adored the friendship and found family between Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie, and even the House. Nesta realizing that she did deserve love even after all of the horrible things that happened before was a satisfying plot point, even if it took her a long time to get there. We love a proper redemption story.

It was funny and sometimes ridiculous (in a good way) how Nesta and Cass tried to act like FWB for much of the book, but they were NEVER that casual. They both literally risked their lives for each other on PURPOSE before they’d ever even KISSED. It was way too laughable how they both pretended to not care for one another, and how spectacularly they failed. So stubborn, the both of them.

“The music was no longer the most beautiful thing in existence. He was.”

The grit, the determination, the unbridled power unleashed(!!!!)…. All of the right relationships gained. The SPICE!!

An incredible read, even despite the Wattpad direction that Rhys and Feyre’s story went (I still love them sooooo much but the pregnancy storyline was a little too Breaking Dawn for me).

Content Warnings