Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

222 reviews

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

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

bellabebold's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.75

Smut and angst - never did I think I would have such empathy for Nesta - its a nice break from the usual couple of focus.  Twists are somewhat predictable but overall, definitely cried at the last couple chapters

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Domestic abuse, and Rape

thekindlegirly's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-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

5.0

I HATED Nesta and was dreading reading ACOSF because of how much I loathed her. However, I LOVED this book and the character development! I no longer hate Nesta and, while I don’t support most of her previous words/actions, I understand more of why she was the way she was and appreciate her redemption story. Alsooooo, having the book be heavily Cassian focused was a huge plus! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Death, Rape, and Violence

kamilamalves's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

I only marked a 4.75 because of some tangent plots that had some inconsistencies but overall this is the first book in the series that managed to deliver a meaningful message to me. The others were fun, they stabillished a great world and introduced great characters and a great romance, and they dabbled in some reflection over trauma, healing and hope, but this one almost teaches you the tools for you to overcome it. This book challenged me to reflect on why i hated Nesta so much when starting the book and made me draw some parallels with my own life. Some moments, even if they felt a little out of place in the plot, were beautiful and made up for it. One of them,

the moment where Nesta, Emerie and Gwyn share their stories and solidify even more their friendship over their acceptance qnd understanding

was simply necessary. When Nesta

told Feyre about the threat to the baby and Cassian took her to the woods to hike until the lake, and how she finally broke away that fortress she built around her and laid everything out there

, I sobbedm I was reading on a bus, it was very embarrassing. All in all, beaufiful book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

trislima's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gore, Violence, and Sexual content

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, War, and Physical abuse

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Classism

samnash's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

This book could have been 200 pages shorter and it would have been just as good if not better. The last 150 pages of it really sold me to the rest of the book (how typical of SJM). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Sexual content