A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas

Read Dates: January 6, 2023 – January 10, 2023
Date Published: February 16, 2021
Source: Owned hardback

Goodreads — Amazon

So I was going to start this with a “confession” but it seems like, based on a lot of the other reviews I’ve read on this book, I’m not actually in the minority here. I didn’t like Nesta. In fact, I put off reading this book for a WHILE after finishing Feyre’s trilogy and novella simply because I had no interest in having to deal with any more of Nesta’s rude, demeaning attitude. However, there were people with whom I hold quite a high level of respect who told me I needed to press on. They told me to suck it up and read her book and reap the rewards. If those rewards were supposed to be emotional trauma and having my heart ripped out and put back together more times than I could even count… then this book hit its mark.

I am worthless and I am nothing, Nesta nearly said. She wasn’t sure why the words bubbled up, pressing on her lips to voice them. I hate everything that I am. And I am so, so tired. I am tired of wanting to be anywhere but in my own head.

Here’s the wild part… Nesta’s book is my favorite. In fact, Nesta’s story and character development became my favorite above all else. I still absolutely love the soup scene in the mountains with Feyre and Rhysand (you know the one I mean). And there are countless other moments that hold a special place in my heart but THIS BOOK was everything. And all in ONE BOOK. I know we had dealings with Nesta in previous books but this book was just perfect. It wasn’t too slow-paced, it wasn’t rushed. Everything happened and unfolded in such a way that was effortlessly believable and had me never wanting to put this book down. I felt everything right along with the characters. I felt like I was THERE with them experiencing all of the struggles and emotional turmoil they were facing. I just loved this book so much. This book is actually in the running for the most I’ve ever cried while reading a book. This book made me cry in some of the most heartbreaking ways and in some of the most beautiful ways.

“What are you thinking about?” Helion drawled as they approached a shut wooden door.
Cassian straightened. He hadn’t realized his thoughts has dragged such a scent from him. He grinned. “Your mother.”
Helion chuckled. “I always forget how much I like you.”

I loved Cassian already but this book just amplified that love for me. I dare say he may even be just under or maybe even right on par with Rhys for me. Learning more about his childhood and early life and then watching him try to help Nesta overcome her trauma and being the only one who seemed to understand what she was going through and what she needed to heal. That part of the story, for me, was so beautiful. Even when she snapped his head off (not literally, surprisingly) for trying to be there to help her cope, those scenes still made me smile because of how GOOD and SINCERE and GENTLE Cassian was. Even the scenes where he wasn’t gentle and told her off… made me smile, and laugh, too.

Just, the way Maas wrote these characters who compliment each other so well. There was never any internal debate in my mind over where the characters should stand or where they belonged in this book. It just made so much sense and I loved watching their story unfold. Not just Cassian and Nesta but all of the characters along the way who taught Nesta to trust in herself again. The ones who came along and taught her how to grieve over her losses while still LIVING in her present and not condemning herself for her past.

His throat bobbed. “I can’t risk you.”

Gwyn and Emerie were so fun to read. I’ve seen some people complain about reading some chapters that felt like they were just “attending a sleepover” but I loved those scenes so much. To see Nesta actually living and learning to enjoy herself… it just added to the already amazing character building the author laid out for her character.

We still got to see some developments with Feyre and Rhys in this book. Though, I never felt the book was becoming all about them or that their storyline was overtaking Nesta’s. There was a perfect balance and it just made the book that much more enjoyable to see this family learning and growing together.

Rhys lifted his head. “This is a bad idea.”
Cassian winked. “That should be written on the Night Court crest.”

I just loved this book so much. I think a lot of things have been set into motion for the next book which I really hope is Elain’s because I’ve loved Lucien from the beginning and I need to see him find happiness. I hope she’ll save Azriel for last. Though I am dying to see our final bat boy find happiness and love, I think his story would be the perfect one to “end on”. There’s so much we still don’t know about him and I feel like his story is going to hit us all harder than anyone else’s has so far. There ARE a couple of side characters that I’d be more than happy to read but if she hit us with novellas for them, I’d be totally cool with that. I’ll take whatever Maas is willing to give, honestly.

I’m getting ready to start the Throne of Glass series and once I finish it, I’ll be heading into the Crescent City books and I’m SO EXCITED. I’ve not seen any spoilers, only people gushing about certain characters and claiming new book boyfriends from these books so I’m truly so so excited to enter these new, if not somewhat similar, or maybe even connected, worlds.

As always, if you haven’t read any of the ACOTAR series yet, I IMPLORE you to go read them. Look, they’re not for everyone. I’ve seen people say they’ve tried to read A Court of Thorns and Roses multiple times and they just can’t do it. But these books have meant so much to me and have completely immersed me in such a way that I never want to be free of these characters. I want to shout it from the top of the Illyrian Mountains and share these stories with everyone I know.

“Do you know how your eyes glow when your power rises to the surface? Like molten steel. Like silver fire.”

5 stars. 6 even!