Court of Silver Flames, A – Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Silver Flames

- Sarah J. Maas

July 4, 2021

GOODREADS BLURB:

Kalgoorlie, WA

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

SERIES / GENRES:

FIRST WORDS:

The black water nipping at her thrashing heels was freezing.

MY REVIEW:

absolute favourite:

☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Similar to A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Silver Flames is a slow burn. There is an incredible amount of character development and worldbuilding within these pages, just don't expect anything to happen quickly. Well, until you get to the last 15% where everything happens at once.

I've been waiting for this story since Nesta and Cassian met and I loved every page. It was incredible to see them evolve from interesting side characters to vivid, complex protagonists. Nesta's inner turmoil as she befriends Gwyn, Emerie and the House feels genuine and realistic. She doesn't fix herself in a day - it takes time and even as she is getting better she still makes mistakes and slides back into old patterns. Her self-loathing was heartbreaking and mirrored Cassian's so beautifully - the way they worked together in training, as courtiers, and in battle was balanced and supportive. I couldn't picture either of them with anyone else.

I loved that while Nesta and Cassian's love story was a central part of this book, it was almost overshadowed by Nesta finding her own family in Gwyn and Emerie. Three lost, lonely, and abused women finding each other and becoming Valkyries is a story I would read any day.

This is the first time I'm actually shelving a book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series as an erotic romance. It seems like we've stepped up to another level of graphic language and the sex scenes play an integral role in the plot. The erotica itself is still not my favourite, but either Maas is getting better at writing it or I'm just lowering my standards on this front after four books, because I definitely didn't cringe as much as I usually do.

I loved this book and it's a wonderful addition to the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. I've been dreading getting to this point and not having another book to start reading immediately, but I do wonder how much longer I'll be able to turn a blind eye to ...

spoiler

… incredibly dangerous scenarios without anyone important dying. Not that I want to lose any of these characters – I would actually be devastated – but it’s starting to become too predictable that none of the main characters are ever in any real danger.