A ​Court of Silver Flames

Update

Went back and finished only to read Hofas and not a single opinion changed





Original

It could have been a profound exploration of grief and healing, but it misses the mark, settling instead for a troubling portrayal of grief management. Maas, known for her gripping fantasy narratives, fumbles here with a narrative approach that feels more harmful than healing.

The book attempts to dive deep into the tumultuous world of grief, but it does so with a heavy hand. The main character's journey, meant to be a raw and honest depiction of grieving, often comes across as a free pass to mistreat others. The narrative seems to suggest that grief excuses all sorts of toxic behavior, a notion that's not only misguided but potentially harmful to readers who may be dealing with similar emotions.

Instead of offering a nuanced, empathetic look at the grieving process, the book often resorts to bullying the survivor. This approach undermines the complexity of grief and the various ways people cope with loss. The portrayal of the protagonist's behavior towards those around them is problematic; it reinforces negative stereotypes about grieving individuals and misses an opportunity to show a more balanced, realistic process of healing.

The book's treatment of such a delicate topic feels like a disservice to both the characters and the readers. It could have been a powerful, insightful narrative about the struggles of dealing with loss and the journey towards healing, but it falls short, leaving a trail of unresolved issues and questionable messages in its wake.

After trying to get through both the ebook and audiobook, I couldn't finish this, maybe when the next book is released, I'll make my way back to this one.