Let’s get a few things straight before we do this. As much I was chomping on the bit to see what SJM does with Nesta’s multi faceted character, few things to remember.
1. Nesta did a lot of crappy stuff, mainly in her early life pre Prythian, especially how she treated Feyre. And she continued a lot of that behavior later as well. Even with Cassian, who knew it was all for show but got hurt anyway. And I know post war, most of it is coming from her trauma.
2. While I don’t begrudge her her trauma and her own process of healing, I also refuse to begrudge how the others feel towards her by this point; Elain and Feyre’s desperation in dealing with her, and Rhys’s resentment of, first how she treated his mate, and then how she behaved overall as part of his court, may all grate, but are all perfectly valid reactions. Because let’s face it, anti heroine or not, anyone would do the same, especially a territorial Fae male. As for Rhys being obnoxious to her, well they’re both alpha-h-o-l-e-s doing what alpha-h-o-l-e-s do, flawed and human (well, not human) and arrogant and that’s why we love them. Does it make them good or bad? No, just makes them family.
3. I was firmly in the camp of Nesta being a superbly nuanced character who deserved redemption, and a proper meaty character arc. Not a hater at all, but not blind to her faults either. Girl needed to do some serious groveling before all was said and done.
What SJM did do with Nesta’s character, is nothing short of wonderfully, breathtakingly GLORIOUS. The author is a master of crafting characters, but the ACOTAR series has so far seen mainly characters that are already fully developed, if complex. Except perhaps for Feyre, the Night court had already reached their potential as characters, being old and wise and all. But Nesta was prime for some growth. So gather round dear readers, for a masterclass is about to unfold. Never before has Nesta been more relatable than this book. I said what I said. Right from her tenuous mental health to her emotional constipation and self loathing and trust issues and lashing out, down to her weakness for romance, there’s something here for everyone. She is an onion, with her beautiful, complex layers that we finally get to unravel. Oh you’ll still probably want to strangle her a few times. But that’s the fun, innit. What you’re left with at the end is a flawed, real, MF-ing Queen.
And what is better suited to Nesta’s steely flame than Cassian’s raging fire? They’re true opposites, yin and yang, and together they create fireworks. I’ve always adored Cassian, irreverent general and devoted best friend, but in this book? I don’t have the words to do him justice. Often underestimated and unfairly maligned, he’s a Prince among males, always there for everyone, and our beloved Illyrian warrior does swoon like nobody’s business. Must protect him at all costs. Nes don’t need no man, but he’s everything she could need if she wishes. Well aware he couldn’t be the one to heal her, but prepared to be there to help with every step of the healing anyway. How she hurt him made my heart ache, but how he loved her through everything anyway made my heart weep. Not that he didn’t do some hurting too, albeit inadvertently.
Let’s talk about that romance y’all, the payoff of the books’ worth of simmering tension. Holy Cauldron, Mother, and all the Gods, SJM has been ~unleashed~ as an adult fantasy romance author, as she was born to do. The years of chemistry freaking exploded in this book, right off the page, the HEAT setting my body and soul on fire, with their dirty mouths and filthy activities (cue fogged up glasses). The training scenes alone are worth the price of admission. Their soul deep connection is a living, breathing thing consumes them, and you. I lived for their soft moments as much as their fire. While nothing can replace ACOMAF in my heart, I’d go so far as to say this is objectively her best work, and with the level of writing she’s produced in the past, that’s a mighty claim indeed. Inspiring, funny, emotional, sensual, epic, this book is ~everything~ I could’ve wished for.
As always, we get some massively cinematic moments (see: training montage), tons of action, lots of humor, of course, apart from the top tier smut. Her handling of their messy, delicate family dynamic is so real it hit me right in the feels; both found families and blood ties woven beautifully through the narrative, including an unlikeliest of heart melting friendships. Heck, I could just read about the Bromance of the Illyrian trio forever. A plot point I would have typically deemed unnecessary is also very cleverly threaded into the story so as to make perfect sense. Unsurprisingly, I’m left an ugly crying, sobbing, emotional wreck, my heart in smithereens but full of joy and hope and anticipation. I don’t know where to go from here; all I can do now is curl into a ball and pray the wait for the next book goes quick.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“The first time I saw that look on your face, you were still human. Still human, and I nearly went to my knees before you.”Highlighted by 4,516 Kindle readers- Him. She would do it again, if forced to. And knowing that … She couldn’t bear that truth, either.Highlighted by 2,443 Kindle readers
- “Glad to see you woke up ready to play, Nesta.” His voice dropped to a low rumble.Highlighted by 1,965 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
High Emotional Impact
Nesta’s self destructive spiral makes so much sense and the intervention her family stages was long over due. Cassian is the perfect match for her, even if I am kinda over the whole ‘mate’ thing. Maybe I’ve just read too many ‘fated mates’ tropes lately. He truly takes the time to get to know her, and his own journey is great to read.What kept me reading (or didn’t).Nesta and the relationship she develops with the house is wonderful! I love that it, like Cassian, nurtures her yet pushes her to do what she knows she should do.I think I got a bit confused with what exactly her powers could do, or how she would wield them in a battle. I guess she really wouldn’t. They seem more adapted to the kind of thing she did near the end of the book. (No spoiler here!) I was glad the global conflict really took a back seat for this book as it gave the characers time to grow and figure out who they are and who they want to be.I appreciated the way Rhys is trying to reach out to Tamlin, even if it is for alterior motives of getting him to fight on their side when the next conflict arises. But I also think Rhys has a bit to let go of when it comes to holding grudges – even against Nesta. Some well-earned, others need to be let go of.Cassian has his own journey to get to, and Nesta helps him with that as much as he helps her. They are a well matched pair, and seeing her step into the role of courtier alongside him was a delight.What truly impressed me was Nesta’s mental health journey. There were several times near the end of the book that I cried and related to her in a way I hadn’t expected. As someone who struggles with mental health issues, her struggles felt very genuine and believable. The lashing out, followed by guilt and a crushing sense of failure afterwards is a very real situation. Cassian’s support and understanding when no one else was willing to try hit me hard. I appreciate how well the author depicted this kind of struggle in a story.After taste.I skipped A LOT in this book. The detailed sex scenes were frequent, and I didn’t miss anything from the story by skipping over them. I took the story from a 5 rating to a 4 for me.I truly look forward to getting Azriel’s story, along with Mor’s. I hope they both get a happy ending.
Top reviews from other countries
Tanita Dawn De Bruyn
I can never let this one go...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2024
Tanita Dawn De Bruyn
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2024
Let's address the elephant in the room: the star rating. This book unequivocally earns five massive and brilliant stars from me. It has swiftly ascended to join the ranks of my favourites, standing shoulder to shoulder with A Court of Mist and Fury.
I'll admit, my expectations weren't sky-high for this book. The prospect of delving into the miserable and acerbic world of Nesta Archeron didn't exactly fill me with excitement. Initially, I found myself recoiling from Nesta's caustic demeanour and refusal to take accountability for her actions. In fact, I didn't want to delve into it at all, wanting to hold onto the image of Feyre and Rhysand a little bit longer. However, as Nesta's character began to evolve and unfold, my perception of her gradually softened.
Nesta's journey of growth and self-discovery is depicted through a lens of unparalleled realism. The portrayal of mental health in this narrative is nothing short of exemplary. Her healing process is anything but linear, mirroring the erratic nature of real-life struggles. The story eloquently illustrates how unhealthy coping mechanisms and self-sabotage can manifest in the face of adversity, driving home the importance of empathy and understanding.
As I delved deeper into Nesta's story and peeled back the layers of her character, I found myself relating to her character and loving her wholeheartedly. I realized that my aversion to Nesta may have stemmed from a recognition of my own shadow self within her—a revelation that has profoundly impacted me.
One of the most poignant themes of the book is the resilience of strong female characters in the face of grief and trauma. The portrayal of female camaraderie and empowerment, particularly through Nesta's relationships with Gwyn and Emerie, struck a chord with me. These bonds serve as a powerful reminder of the strength found in sisterhood.
The infusion of lots of spice, increased focus on certain characters, and incorporation of contemporary themes demonstrate Maas's responsiveness to her readership.
Now, let's talk romance. While the relationship between Nesta and Cassian may not fit the traditional romance mould, its intensity and passion are undeniable. The unabashed celebration of female sexuality and sensuality is a welcome departure from societal norms, and Nesta's unapologetic ownership of her desires is both refreshing and empowering.
That being said, I couldn't help but feel that the abundance of steamy scenes detracted somewhat from the emotional depth of the relationship. While Cassian's unwavering support undoubtedly aids in Nesta's healing, their connection occasionally feels overshadowed by physicality.
In conclusion, A Court of Silver Flames captivated me from start to finish. Its 768 pages held me rapt, and I found myself yearning for even more. This instalment is a testament to Maas's storytelling prowess, seamlessly blending steamy romance, heart-pounding action, and poignant themes of empowerment and resilience. If the next book focuses on Azriel, as I hope it does, I'll be eagerly awaiting its release. Simply put, A Court of Silver Flames delivers on every front, leaving readers craving more of this enchanting world and its captivating characters.
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