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A review by savage_book_review
A Court of Silver Flames (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a spectacular finish to the series (for now at least). The action is intense, the emotion is raw and deep, the main characters perfectly slot together and Nesta's redemption arc is completed perfectly. I think out of the whole series, this part is the most well balanced and rounded. It's hard to put my finger on the specifics of why this works so well, but to me it just does.
This is the part where I also started to identify with Nesta a bit more; with the teasing out of her inner demons, her mindset becomes slightly more understandable and her aloofness becomes more clearly a mask rather than who she truly is. I like the fact that her issues aren't just 'solved' and then they all live happily ever after - it's the fact that she continues to relapse into old habits which makes it more real. Watching her hit rock bottom on the hike and the lake is absolutely gut-wrenching, but it's also a moment of beauty, especially watching Cassian start to understand fully and heal her.
I'll come right out with it; here be the good good stuff. There are scenes here that are 1000% NSFW or for the delicate ears of children or elderly relatives. And they will play over and over again in your mind. Just... guh. It probably is a bit gratuitous, but I do get why it's there and I'm definitely not complaining!
I adore the friendship that grows between Emerie, Gwyn and Nesta, and I hope this is something that gets featured significantly in the future books. I can see it coming; another war breaks out in Prythian and as battle rages, Cassian the General leads Illyrian warriors in the skies while the three women lead the Valkyrie charge on the ground. I think all three of their stories are incredibly important for female empowerment; recovery from abuse, trauma and assault and finding strength in themselves and in the bonds they forge with each other, it really speaks to me. And the way it all comes together in the climax is absolutely incredible. And they all love their books; I can definitely identify with that!
A special mention to baby Nyx here. I'm already a total sap for that little boy, and I'm really hoping we get some insanely cute Daddy!Rhys moments in the follow up books! No, Rhys' character doesn't really recover in this half of the story, which is a shame, but I remain optimistic that it's a blip and SJM will have him back in full book boyfriend mode soon.
I'll say it again; if you're avoiding things book just because you can't stand Nesta Archeron, you are truly missing out.
This is the part where I also started to identify with Nesta a bit more; with the teasing out of her inner demons, her mindset becomes slightly more understandable and her aloofness becomes more clearly a mask rather than who she truly is. I like the fact that her issues aren't just 'solved' and then they all live happily ever after - it's the fact that she continues to relapse into old habits which makes it more real. Watching her hit rock bottom on the hike and the lake is absolutely gut-wrenching, but it's also a moment of beauty, especially watching Cassian start to understand fully and heal her.
I'll come right out with it; here be the good good stuff. There are scenes here that are 1000% NSFW or for the delicate ears of children or elderly relatives. And they will play over and over again in your mind. Just... guh. It probably is a bit gratuitous, but I do get why it's there and I'm definitely not complaining!
I adore the friendship that grows between Emerie, Gwyn and Nesta, and I hope this is something that gets featured significantly in the future books. I can see it coming; another war breaks out in Prythian and as battle rages, Cassian the General leads Illyrian warriors in the skies while the three women lead the Valkyrie charge on the ground. I think all three of their stories are incredibly important for female empowerment; recovery from abuse, trauma and assault and finding strength in themselves and in the bonds they forge with each other, it really speaks to me. And the way it all comes together in the climax is absolutely incredible. And they all love their books; I can definitely identify with that!
A special mention to baby Nyx here. I'm already a total sap for that little boy, and I'm really hoping we get some insanely cute Daddy!Rhys moments in the follow up books! No, Rhys' character doesn't really recover in this half of the story, which is a shame, but I remain optimistic that it's a blip and SJM will have him back in full book boyfriend mode soon.
I'll say it again; if you're avoiding things book just because you can't stand Nesta Archeron, you are truly missing out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical trauma and Pregnancy