A Court of Silver Flames
Ratings752
Average rating4.2
3 stars
I think my first mistake was jumping right into this book after the epic final 200 pages of book three. I needed at least a wee k or two to sit an appreciate the ending we got for the first major arc of this series.
I knew to expect new POVs with this book, but I don't think I was mentally prepared for it to read like the first book in a series (which typically rank at the bottom for me when it comes to characters). I don't necessarily dislike Nesta, and I think it was interesting to explore the trauma response of self destruction, but after dealing with one and a half books already waiting on the first FMC to get to the good part of character growth, having to then go through it again with Nesta felt a bit tedious. Although I do like the friendship arc she went through.
I do felt like I was suspending a little too much belief with them achieving slicing the ribbon and becoming proficient enough to wield blades, but mostly because Maas decided to mention multiple times how long the both the winged cultures they're emulating take to train (it's years on years btw). This was a little disappointing, because while the magic of this world is definitely on the loosey-goosey side, I usually feel like there's been at least a moderately adequate explanation for power levels of various characters.
I don't entirely mind using a pregnancy to explain keeping Feyre out of the way for Nesta's intro book, but the pregnancy complication trope to keep Rhys out of the way too? That felt lazy. Like really? Really? And then to double down with it as an excuse for taking away the bulk of Nesta's power? It's giving “I made my character too powerful, oops.” Like cool moment for Nesta, but a large reason I got invested in her was the promise of her potential future arcs being a badass but also struggling with that insane power. And yeah, I can see the seeds for certain things with because all is not what it seems, but it's just annoying to have the full scope dangled in front of your for a full book to then say “just kidding”. ALSO, hiding it from Feyre? Why do we insist on infantilizing this poor woman yet again?
The main reason I did not find myself itching to pick up and finish this book like the other three before it is the villain, the Queen, is boring. I get she's supposed to be a single book villain to then set up the death god guy Koschie (I know this is not the right spelling, but until I have a reason to care about the conflict of this next main arc, I will not be bothering to learn the correct spelling.) for this next main arc, but at least with Amarantha, fearing her was believable and fun because there emotional connections to the atrocities she committed. There's stories far and wide of her cruelty. Her presence is felt even before you know her name. The Queen feels so absent from this book, the seen with the harp just felt like “oh, there you are, I've been waiting on you”, and not in the fun vein of our (until recently favorite) bat boy. I fear the Trove, not her. The final (and really first) run in with her feels unearned. Which makes it unrewarding. Which makes it unfun to read. Also what's with using the ladies as a appetizer villain for the BBG? The first time it didn't really bother me because honestly, Amarantha was a bigger villain than the king, but doing it again is very meh to me.
The reason I gave this a three is because I see Maas making more of an effort to plant seeds for a later pay off which is an element the first three books largely lack when I compare them to other major fantasy series. Outside of the details regarding the trove covered in this book, I feel like she's gotten more subtle rather than openly telegraphing her plot hints like she does in the first three books. While contianing a lot of things I didn't care for, this books like she's trying to shift into a more ambitious attempt of completing this story than how it feels starting out. Also, I simply enjoy the world despite how little we get to see of it.
I am on the fence on whether I'd like to the next book occur in tandem with this one. On the one hand, I'd actually get to see all the characters I'm actually interested in, and likely a new continent with new cultures. On the other hand, I am desperate to leave this book arc behind. The things I want to see most are:
- find out finally whether one of the sisters is the Mother reincarnated
- literally anything with Mor. I am on my knees begging.
- characters that are not high fae or ancient beings
- for the disparity of treatment between the citizens of Velaris and the Hewn City to be addressed and even better if there's some repercussions
- it's been two whole books now and it's seeming more like there will not be an repercussions for the magic pulse connecting from connecting the two halves of the Book. I was told it would awake unfathomable beings from the depths of Cauldron knows where, GIVE THEM TO ME
I'll still be excited for the next book once it's announced and released, but it needs to be a 180 from this book. I can read through a slog (Wheel of Time fans get me), but book 4 is WAY too early for a slog to be starting. Anyway, this review probably sounds more heated than I feel about this book. I just had so much fun with the first three and a half books, it really sucked to then be let down like this.
3.5
I know a lot of people hate this one but I do find Nesta to be one of the more compelling and interesting characters in this series. I think she's far more interesting than her sisters. She's not always good or fair- but I find her to be the most realistically emotionally. So I found this one to be stronger than the last few.
Since this is the last one at this point- a few criticism for the series as a whole: despite the vastness of the types of worlds/cultures/lands in these novels, they felt like shallow depictions of diversity and in some areas, the diversity is entirely lacking. The beauty standards seem incredibly high and reinforce many ideals than can be damaging. To be clear, I do not think this is the SJM's intention, just that it's of note that everyone is described as muscular and/or thin. Additionally, we get the Mor storyline, but it lacks true care and is a very surface level attempt at a gay perspective. I appreciate the inclusion of her character, but her storyline felt unfinished and superficial.
I don’t think I’ve ever sobbed so hard and related so much to a character as Nesta. Truly I think my favorite book of the series so far. I’d definitely rate this higher if I could. I’m so mad at myself for not finishing it sooner. Truly a spectacular read.
I've never written a review on here before but I'm so shocked by the hate for this book that I felt compelled to.
I absolutely loved this book and think that it's actually the best written of the entire ACOTAR series.
I had read everyone saying that the Inner Circle is so out of character in this book before I started reading, and then I started and kept waiting for this shocking and dramatic behaviour but it never came? People complained that this book ruined Feysand, and again, I'm left wondering where/how? I think given that this book is entirely from the perspective of Cassian and Nesta that we get a different point of view of the IC characters, but nothing out of character... I think Rhys not revealing to Feyre that he thought odds were very good she would die trying to birth their baby really had people up in arms, but I felt that was perfectly in character for him - a character who in the past has kept things from loved ones which he feared would hurt them in the (sometimes vain) hope that he'd be able to fix it before they'd ever find out. Am I saying this was the right thing to do? No. Am I saying it's realistic that one might do that, and realistic for Rhys, a character who has done this in the past, to do it? Absolutely.
SJM absolutely nails Nesta's character development/arc in this story, I think in a more satisfying way than for any other character in the series. Maybe it's just because I'm in a murky place mentally right now, but I found reading Nesta's story straight up inspiring. I honestly question how you could hate her at the end of this book, or any of the characters, for that matter. These characters are flawed and therefore very real, something which I appreciate when I'm reading a book.
If I had one critique of this book, it's that the ending wrapped up a tad quickly, but other than that - very solid read.
I don't know, guys... all I'll say is, if you're hesitating to read this book because of all of the aggressively hateful reviews online, try to set them aside and give it a chance. I was disappointed at first that this wasn't from Feysand's POV to the point that I thought about skipping it, and then I read it and it became my favourite book of the series. If you want to follow a very satisfying character growth arc, the spiciest smut of the entire series, and a story that highlights the incredible powers of unconditional love and friendship (I am obsessed with the Valkyries and their smutty book club and sleepovers) , give this a read – you won't regret it.
3.5!!! slow paste, and I didn't enjoy the beginning. the last 15 chapters were outstanding. I now like Nesta, but I still prefer Feyre
4.5 this was so good and im so sad the series is over because i dont have another one to look forward too but I am so happy where it left off so I am content and I love Nesta so much.
i put off ACOSF for awhile because i didnt like Nesta but.. she won me over in the end
I honestly don't really like Nesta that much, even with her growth... I really felt like it was so unnecessarily (and cringe-y) smutty and I felt like there was SO many questions left unanswered.
All this aside I still love the world they're in and I still devoured this book.
The pacing was so odd toward the end where all the action was, it's like she ran out of time or put way too much effort on parts that I found NOT necessary at all, yet didn't devote enough time to the last 100 pages which was so intense and needed way more detail. Anyway, can't wait for the next book! I am totally sucked into the Maasverse and Romantasy as a genre. Even if I think the writing could honestly be way better, I don't discredit how addictive it is lol.
GIRL, there is 10x the amount of smut in this book, you thought our OG couple were getting off like rabbits? Baby, in this book they are F-ING
Was not a huge fan of abandoning the main character of the previous books in the series in favour of trying to convince me to care about the least likable side character and most boring side character, respectfully. She accomplished one of those successfully - Nesta was established as being The Worst from the very beginning of the first book (and remains The Worst for a lot of this book), and that's pretty much acknowledged and addressed in a satisfactory way. Nesta is The Worst. She knows she's The Worst. She's sorry about that.
I don't Dislike Cassian, I just think he's uninteresting - and I still do. This book is all about Nesta's hero's journey and very cool new besties and also about Cassian... being there.
The first half of the book is monstrously tedious and repetitive (which is insane in a book that's over 700 pages), and ultimately brought down the Very Good second half of the book.
Also I DO NOT BUY some people who have less than a year of warrior training under their belts winning the Blood Rite against a bunch of people from a warrior culture who trained their whole lives. It was supposed to be a Hell Yeah Women moment but it didn't feel earned.
Also, just... why do Feyre and Rhys - you know, the main characters of the series - just Do Nothing the whole book? For 700+ pages the main character Existed but Over There.
Like, the story wasn't bad but I don't care about These characters, I care about Those characters. Like, why am I here?
I'm crying OMG. I knew I was going to love Nesta, but OMG. I don't know how Sarah J. Maas was able to put such a realistic story of pain, resilience and personal growth in these pages. I think anyone can resonate with this story on some level. I have no words.
ALSO, I LOVE THE VALKYRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Already felt like the characters weren't great in this series and they were terribly inconsistent in this book. Seemed like their personalities changed based on how the plot needed to be moved along. All the men in this series were just slightly different versions of each other. For a book romanticizing men who support women, the “good males” were rather condescending and manipulative, giving the women a false sense of choice and autonomy.
Repetitive phrases and plot points. Magic system is nonexistent, seems to just change whenever it was convenient. The pregnancy subplot was infuriating (hint of pro-life rhetoric)
Well... After reading my ACOTAR boxed set, I would give the whole series 4 stars.
I liked a lot of the characters, the world was set up nicely. I like the courts.
What I didn't like was book 3.5. I thought that was useless overall.
In ACOSF, I liked that there was a shift in the main characters, however the parts of the story I liked best seemed rushed, and the parts I didn't enjoy were drug out.
Also. The book is just too long. There is no need of that.
That doesn't sound like a 4 star review, however, I have to give it credit for making me feel engaged enough to read it to the end.
Not a fan. I had a hard time caring about the characters and the story. This is on par with “ACOWAR” for me. Boring and hard to get thru.
Ok so here is yet another buddy read I did with Destiny this month. Honestly me and Destiny have a lot of plans for this year so y'all might as well get used to me mentioning her all of the time. Anyways onto my actual thoughts on this book. I'm torn between thinking ACOMAF is still my favorite book and this one being my favorite book from this series so for now we will just say they are tied as favorites in the series. I know a lot of people hate Nesta and I get it I really do but I never once hated her while reading any of these books. Yes she can be horrible at times and I probably should hate her for some of the things she did and said but I just got her. I knew where Sarah was going with Nesta's story and I think it was beautiful even the not so nice parts. I think Nesta might be my favorite character even over Feyre who is still a favorite. I really can't explain my love for her and this book. I just got her on a deeper level and I loved seeing the journey she went through and how she came out the other side better for it.
Even in a fantasy setting, SJM managed to capture one of the best/realest stories of triumph and friendship I've ever read. Nesta was definitely my most misunderstood character for a long time, but now I see and feel her clearly. It meant a lot for me as a reader that I could relate to her in multiple ways and feel inspired by her revelations. While her romance was wonderful, her journey with friendship moved me significantly. I loved it.
spoiler I think F's pregnancy plot line took away from the ending. Nesta proved enough, and I found the birth scene tie-in quite odd and unnecessary.
Не любила Касіана, не любила Несту. Так само не люблю, але історія дійсно крута, останні сторінки як завжди в саме серденько. Дуже
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.