A review by vermontsnowboarder
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

3.0

This is my second favourite book in the ACOTAR series. But it has its flaws. 

What I liked:
-
I think that the description of depression and being able to see it through Nesta was powerful. It was clear that Nesta was struggling, and we were shown this in many ways (rather than told, which I hate.)

- The friendships that Nesta developed
- The overall storyline - I love this world but what I liked about this book in particular is getting to see it through Nesta's eyes.

What I didn't like (and why it didn't get rated higher)
-
I disliked how Nesta's family treated her. There were so many instances, especially at the beginning of the book. Nesta is struggling, and their answer is to shun her and make her shelve books and work out?

-
Cassian, though a character I enjoy reading, really only seemed to be invested in Nesta because she was his mate. He wasn't helping her because it was the right thing to do; he was helping her because he wanted her. Azriel contrasted this - he didn't have to be there, didn't have to be kind, and yet he was just as solid of a rock, probably more so because it was his choice.

- The backstory that takes place behind Nesta's healing journey wasn't developed enough. It was almost like it was there to be there. We caught glimpes and pieces but none of it was written well enough to be interesting.
I wish that Eris was better developed - there is a lot there and perhaps we'll see more in future books.


The most frustrating thing about these books, actually any of Maas' books, is that because there are more coming she doesn't do a good job of sprinkling crumbs.
Eris is a good example - we might see more of him in future stories, and because of that she didn't take the time to make his time in this book as well written as it should have been.
An example of crumbs that were done well was Cassian explaining the prison to Nesta and mentioning that he thought the prison was stocked with inmates to hide the harp and other powerful things. The description of the chamber the harp was in. Those are very important details for when you read Cresent City, they aren't thrown in your face or highlighted too much, and are well written.
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