A review by shewh0was
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Overall, I have a few issues with the book. The fact that Cassian loves Nesta is what makes him tell her she needs to apologise for her actions feels… wrong. Loving someone shouldn’t be the reason you tell them they’re being an ass. Caring for them, yeah, but if you even consider someone a friend, why would you have any reason to wait until you realise you love them romantically to tell them “by the way, you’re kind of a shitty person.” Loving someone too much shouldn’t be an excuse for hesitating to tell them when they’ve messed up. It can be a reason, but never an excuse.
The sudden shift to third-person in the last book of the series threw me for a loop, but everything being about Nesta also feels… off. As a stand-alone book that could be disconnected from the series, I feel like it would have done well, since this feels like a lot of extra filler plot that doesn’t really move on the story of ACOTAR, ACOMF, and ACOWR, & ACOFS.
I also have a small issue with the complete LACK of communication 95% of the time between love interests. Instead of sitting down and talking like adults, they resort to fighting and then… doing the dirty tango. That’s… not communicating. That’s just pushing away a problem. Half of the issue with the plot would easily be solved if the characters simply TALKED TO EACH OTHER. The fae’s political issues also highlight this. GUYS. SIT DOWN AND TALK INSTEAD OF POINTING FINGERS. HOW HAS YOUR EMPIRE LASTED SO LONG WHEN ALL YOU DO IS POINT A FINGER AT A DIFFERENT COURT AND SAY “this is your fault.” THAT SOLVES NOTHING AT ALL.
I’m also going to say that it’s a bit weird to dedicate a book that’s mostly awful smut scenes to your husband and 2-year old son.
Maybe I’m being overly critical of the books as a whole, but ACOTAR as a series is absolutely not a read again in a month series for me. It’ll be a read-it-once-a-year kind of series. It didn’t hit in the same way that other books I’ve read have and doesn’t necessarily have the specific spark of a book that is really, really good.
The sudden shift to third-person in the last book of the series threw me for a loop, but everything being about Nesta also feels… off. As a stand-alone book that could be disconnected from the series, I feel like it would have done well, since this feels like a lot of extra filler plot that doesn’t really move on the story of ACOTAR, ACOMF, and ACOWR, & ACOFS.
I also have a small issue with the complete LACK of communication 95% of the time between love interests. Instead of sitting down and talking like adults, they resort to fighting and then… doing the dirty tango. That’s… not communicating. That’s just pushing away a problem. Half of the issue with the plot would easily be solved if the characters simply TALKED TO EACH OTHER. The fae’s political issues also highlight this. GUYS. SIT DOWN AND TALK INSTEAD OF POINTING FINGERS. HOW HAS YOUR EMPIRE LASTED SO LONG WHEN ALL YOU DO IS POINT A FINGER AT A DIFFERENT COURT AND SAY “this is your fault.” THAT SOLVES NOTHING AT ALL.
Spoiler
Discussing Nesta’s issues is essential, yes, and the crew’s response to her problems may not have been the best choice, but it was better than nothing (if a bit of a shitty response to how to deal with alcoholism and complex mental health issues that could stem from a poor situation or lack of information and research on SJM’s part). Towards the end of the book, it felt rushed, and the whole segment with Feyre giving birth to Nyx felt incredibly out of place. The whole pregnancy felt out of place and rushed, especially when Feyre said herself a few books back that she wanted to wait to have kids, but I guess that didn't matter when she stopped fighting a war. Feyre being pushed down to becoming what’s essentially a housewife feels so out of place with her entire arc and that really irks me.I’m also going to say that it’s a bit weird to dedicate a book that’s mostly awful smut scenes to your husband and 2-year old son.
Maybe I’m being overly critical of the books as a whole, but ACOTAR as a series is absolutely not a read again in a month series for me. It’ll be a read-it-once-a-year kind of series. It didn’t hit in the same way that other books I’ve read have and doesn’t necessarily have the specific spark of a book that is really, really good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy