Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - A Court of Silver Flames

I enjoyed the change of authorial voice in the novel, as much as I adore Feyre, I felt her tale has concluded in a way that suits her, and it gives us a chance to interact with the extended circle in a more interesting way.

When we initially meet Nesta, she seemed to be shown as an antagonist in Feyre's eyes, and I felt there was more to her than her fights with her youngest sister. I'm glad I was right, because her sarcastic and cynical attitude was a fun change, as well the addressing of her own trauma was done in a very respectful way.

When reading the second book, I knew Cassian and Nesta were either "gonna fuck, become unwilling companions, or maybe be friends..." and I hit the nail on the head with each of those. Watching them interact within the series was both frustrating at times, but being the first two throw themselves into the line of fire for the other left no doubt in my mind they were connected.

The gratuitous sex scenes were not what I was here for, but the slowly blossoming friendship between them was. When Nesta finally allowed herself to release her trauma she held in, and Cas just held her, I nearly cried.

I also adored the friendship between the Valkyries, they are so damn precious and I hope future installments feature them. Especially with the way both Gwyn and Emerie seem to have either caught the eye of the inner circle, or have been the one who's attention has been grabbed (I see you Emerie).

Don't even get me started on baby Nyx and the Bat Boys™️ crew, I can't wait to see him interact with his family, and see the future they are trying to secure for him.

I did find the ending lacking something, almost as though Nesta's tale felt incomplete. Her sacrifice of power to save Feyre and Nyx (and spare herself a similar fate with birthing a winged babe) was heartwarming, but I felt Nesta deserved a little more. I hope she get a chance to get that in future installements.

I think it's hard to address such a sensitive topic, but as someone who also experiences PTSD, I felt for Nesta. She didn't want to be a burden, but at the same time she was causing her own destruction.

The book places a heavy emphasis on platonic, romantic and familial love. Sorrow and grief cannot truly be cured or contained, but rather they can be tended to and lessened by those you surround yourself with.

It was a lovely read, and I will very much miss Nesta's snark and quick wit that the Archeron sisters all share.

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ka_ke's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

4.75

I’m speechless. A Court of Silver Flames was so good. Watching Nesta and Cassian’s transformations honestly made me cry and watching Feyre & Rhy’s struggles pulled at my heart. I wish there had been more Mor & Az appearances, I also think Elain could have been more present. The spice was unbelievably good. All in all, I could have used more plot, but honestly Sarah J. Maas did not let us down.

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captainmadeline's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-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

I loved the other books in this series, but I found myself many times during this book going, “Is it bad that I like this one most?” I felt like I was betraying Feyre and Rhys, the OG main characters!

This book resonated with me on an even deeper level than the others had and I cannot even express how thankful I am to have read it. It has inspired to take better care of myself, exercise, and practice mindfulness, all things that are difficult because of my anxiety. I am thankful to have found a character like Nesta, who despite her own struggles,

has learned how to live

.

If you don’t like books that graphically talk about sex, this book is not for you (but I doubt you even got to this point because the first ACOTAR books had it too). This book was the most graphic when it came to sex, and the most abundant. I loved how female sexuality was handled.

My favorite part of this book was the relationships. Obviously, Nesta and Cassian. NESTA, GWYN, AND EMERIE. THE HOUSE?! O m f g. Now all we need is Emerie and Mor to get together and Elaine and Az!!!!!!

Content Warnings

_alyssar_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-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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time4tori2read's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

Months after the war with Hybern, Nesta is still estranged from her sisters and the rest of the Night Court. Finally, Feyre gives Nesta an ultimatum: she can start going to training with Cassian every day and work in the library in the House of Wind...or be banished to the human lands. Angrily, Nesta agrees—but she won’t acquiesce that easily. It doesn’t help that she’s now spending hours a day with Cassian, the one person who always seems to set off her anger—or worse, her desire. Though the war has ended, peace is fragile, and the human queens are up to something that Nesta, Cassian, and the other members of the Night Court must prevent...or go to war again.

I was underwhelmed by the ACOTAR series when I first started reading them (partly because they had been so hyped up on booktok, and probably also because I listened to the audiobooks...mistake), so I didn’t have high hopes for A Court of Silver Flames. I surprised myself by enjoying it more than the others, though the plot is still just as confusing. The biggest difference I felt between this book and the previous several was the importance of the female relationships. Though Feyre has some female friends, their relationships never felt as fleshed out as Nesta’s friendships with Emerie and Gwyn. Also—and I am fully aware that this is a very unpopular opinion—I never liked Rhys all that much, and seeing him from Nesta’s point of view only supported that opinion. Cassian, on the other hand… (My favorite of the “bat boys” is still Azriel, though, so I’m holding out hope that one of Maas’ upcoming books will be about him

...and Gwyn, perhaps?? I never cared all that much for the Azriel/Elain pairing (she is just too boring, I’m sorry) but I want him to find a happy ending, and I loved Gwyn!

)

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe of the ending):

Happpy! But still plenty of room for sequels because God forbid these poor idiots have a minute of rest.

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