Book Review: A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Book Review: A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas Cover Image

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas is the fifth and the most recent book of the A Court of Thornes and Roses” series. It follows the story of one of the most despised female characters in the history of adult fiction, Nesta. To understand this novel, it is necessary to make sure that you have read the previous novels, or else it won’t make much sense. So, if you’ve been keeping up with the series, let’s move further!

I have been a HUGE fan of the ACOTAR (A Court Of Thornes And Roses) series, and, considering we’ve got this book after almost two years, I’ve been waiting for it so painstakingly that cannot be expressed in words. When I learned that it’d center on Nesta, I was a little skeptical to read as her character isn’t the most likable one. However, I’m glad I didn’t give up on it because it was worth reading! Many of you won’t believe me, but I’ve started to like Nesta now.

This adult fantasy Sarah J. Maas book, the fifth book of the ongoing book series and published on 16th February 2021, examines topics such as self-hatred, despair, sexual violence, and sorrow. It is a potent tale with strong writing that calls for solid responses from us, the readers. This book’s protagonist, Nesta, has experienced trauma in various ways; this is the tale of how she dealt with those experiences and discovered how to repair herself. 

Sounds interesting. I’m sure it does! So, without stalling any further, let’s learn more about the book from the ACOTAR book series.

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas | Book Review

A Court of Silver Flames Cover | Book Review with quotes


About The Author | Sarah J. Mass

Sarah J. Maas was born on 5th March, 1986, in New York City. She was raised in Manhattan’s Upper West Side area. She enjoyed making up stories based on well-known legends or myths as a child. In her younger years, she also wrote Sailor Moon fanfiction.

She majored in creative writing and minored in religious studies at Hamilton College in Clinton, Oneida County, New York, where she received a magna cum laude degree in 2008.

She married Josh in 2010. With her husband, son Taran, daughter Sloane, and dog Annie, she resides in Pennsylvania. Her daughter was born in February 2022, and her son in June 2018.

She is an American fantasy writer known best for her debut series, “Throne of Glass,” which was released in 2012, and her 2015 series “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” The Crescent City series is her most recent creation. She has sold more than twelve million copies of her books as of 2021 and translated them into 37 different languages.

Book Overview| A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Publishing Date: 16th February 2021

Description:

Nesta Archeron has a history of being spiky, easily enraged, and reluctant to show mercy. She has also tried to find a home for herself in the unfamiliar, dangerous world she now inhabits ever since being dragged into the Cauldron against her choice and transformed into High Fae.

Cassian, the combat warrior whose status in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court puts him continually in Nesta’s circle, is the one individual who riles her up the most out of anybody else. Cassian can spark other things besides only her rage.

The delicate peace that has descended upon the realms is now in peril due to a perilous new alliance formed by the deceitful human queens who fled to the Continent during the previous battle.

Book Summary | A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta Archeron is a faerie whose life has spiraled out of hand ever since the Cauldron made her with abilities that no one completely comprehends. Though she resides in the Night Court, she makes no effort to blend in. The folks who care about Nesta believe it’s time to enforce some adjustments after she bills her sister Feyre for a costly night out. Nesta has two options, according to Feyre, that is, either follow a work plan, discipline, and instruction or go back to the human-inhabited areas.

Nesta relocates to the House of Wind and starts working in the underground library, understanding she would be shunned in the human lands. Females who’ve been brutalized live in the bookstore, which is well-protected by enchantment. Nesta quickly becomes friends with an Illyrian woman named Emerie and a priestess named Gwyn. Her father had tortured Emerie severely.

Nesta is still refusing to work with Cassian, an Illyrian warrior. Nesta learns that the workout made her feel better after she and Cassian agreed to a formal deal for an hour of training. She starts to enjoy the training and thinks other women could also gain from it. The first person to arrive for the sessions is Gwyn and Emerie.

As Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie grow closer, they quickly start to follow the traditions of the Valkyrie, an ancient order of female warriors. Regardless of the notion that most Illyrian men are dismissive of women, Cassian and his companion Illyrian, Azriel, take the coaching lessons sincerely. The Blood Rite, a custom that challenges Illyrian fighters against one mountain and versus one another, is a tradition that Cassian and Azriel ultimately put up a hurdle track that functions as a licensing test. Gwyn, Emerie, and Nesta are taken hostage and thrown into the Blood Rite. They had to struggle to escape.

Members of the Night Court are aware that three things could tip the scales as this land teeters on the verge of war. She sets out to find them because they were made by the Cauldron, just like Nesta was. She finds the Mask and the Harp, but the Crown is in the hands of a crone. The crone tries to use the Crown to make Cassian slay Nesta, but Nesta’s abilities kill the crone. Feyre is called to Nesta and Cassian’s home, where she is suffering in the middle of an improbable birth. In exchange for Feyre’s life, Nesta utilizes the power of the Harp, Crown, and Mask and swears to give her strength back to the Cauldron.

Powers save Feyre and her kid, allowing them to live. Some of Nesta’s strength is still present. Nesta and Cassian declare their love for one another after Nesta’s unselfish deed mends her connections. In the book’s final pages, Nesta is aware that conflict is still imminent. She acknowledges her past and swears to accept her existence, such as the agony, despite the difficulties that must be rectified.

What can you learn from the book? A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

The most loathed character in the book series has always been Nesta, and I believe she still holds that title. The fact that Nesta had to deal with trauma in various ways and that she eventually learned to heal herself will always keep a special place in my heart.

We witness the growth of two new individuals, Emerie and Gwyn, in addition to Nesta’s rehabilitation. Emerie and Gwyn are amazing people with unique personalities, talents, and traumas that they are still trying to deal with. The three ladies establish a found family and develop self-help skills with Nesta’s guidance.

It demonstrates that everyone experiences difficult times in life, regardless of how “bad” or “savage” they are. Everyone goes through some phases in their lives, some of which require one to be ‘evil’ or maybe seem evil in someone’s story, but that doesn’t make you any less human and individual, and that doesn’t mean your emotions deserve to be ignored.

This is something I derived from Nesta’s character, and I’ll surely keep it in my heart for a long time.

What Did I Think of the Book? A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

a court of silver flames book
Source: bookishwayfarer.com

I’m not necessarily complaining about it, but this one is probably the most character-driven of all the books by Sarah J. Maas. Nesta’s internal development and connection with Cassian undoubtedly come first for a fantasy book. In that the global and plot set the stage for the subsequent volumes in the sequence, I believe it somewhat functions as an “A Court of Thornes and Roses” world reset.

I adored this book because its narrative and character development made for the perfect marriage of relationships and plot. The friendship between Nesta and Cassian was my favorite aspect of ACOSF. Any scenario between Cassian and Nesta was a favorite of mine. Reading about their cynicism and comfort with others was a lot of fun, along with their more solemn moments with some difficulties. I firmly believe that the author successfully struck a harmony between romanticism and the growth of relationships.

I also had a strong compassion for Cassian. He exhibits both strength and weakness and serves as Nesta’s growth spark and buffers in an ideal way. My favorite scenes in this narrative are the ones he has with Rhys and Az, which surprised me. The story is primarily told from Nesta and Cassian’s perspectives, but there are hints of other personalities.

Reviews and Rating of the Book | A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

People have had mixed emotions regarding this book. Some even refuse to read or read while skipping through chapters because this book centers on Nesta. A particularly hated character of the book series, but the ones who unbiasedly have read through the entire book praise and appreciate the book and the character growth we all saw in the characters.

The reclassification of this book from the YA to the Adult category helped the author explore what the readers weren’t expecting. The story explores a character’s depth, and it was unexpected to find a mirror that reflected some of the inky blackness within us as well.

As already mentioned, this book has been classified as an adult book, so readers’ discretion is STRONGLY required. Young readers or readers under 18 shouldn’t approach this book, not even under adult supervision, as the expressive and robust writing style might corrupt young minds.

So! What would I rate this book? 

This book rightfully holds a rating of 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

Conclusions | A Court of Silver Flames Cover by Sarah J. Maas

The creation of feisty, violent female characters is a skill Sarah J. Maas has mastered throughout several fantasy books. But few characters in this first actual “adult” book in the author’s A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy are as divisive as Nesta, one of three human sisters who become High Fae.

It has a glittering sensual romance that explores grief and sensitivity, earning it the mature label. It is a fiercely colorful tale that aims to show us why forgiving is the most courageous thing we can do.

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