**This review contains spoilers**
The latest book by Sarah J. Maas. A Court of Silver Flames is the first spin-off book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. It is set after A Court of Frost and Starlight. And is told from the perspectives of Nesta and Cassian.
“I am the rock against which the surf crashes – Nothing can break me.”
Sarah J. Maas
What Is It About?
Nesta Archeron has always been this proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive of person. 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.
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.
My opinion
/5
Spiciness 8.5/10
I have SO MUCH to say about these books, but I will try to make it as short as possible. Please bear with me.
I think it has been the series that I have read the fastest. I devoured and fell head over heels for these books. SJM is an excellent writer; I really enjoy that her books are too relatable with real-life (even though it's set in a magical world). I truly resonate with her characters.
I usually tend to connect with the characters of the books I read (I hope I'm not the only one haha). But, with these books, the connection was way too deep. They gave me purpose and fierceness. Furthermore, they ignited a spark in the desire to start working on myself (empower me and have more confidence in myself). I am forever grateful for this.
I didn't come across the ACOTAR Universe until this year when I became part of Bookstagram and BookTok. And even when I had the first book, I was hesitant to start it. Don't hate me for saying this, but I really didn't like the cover (it was the old edition); when I read the summary, I was that "meh… it looks ok". HOW. WRONG. I. WAS.
Thanks to this, I promised myself not to judge a book by its cover.
I just have finished ACOFAS when it was published and, was so excited to start reading it, but was a little disappointed and skeptical when I found out it was mainly focused on Nesta and Cassian POV. I was (and still am) obsessed with Feysand (I keep writing down mental notes so as not to judge books –please forgive me–).
Overall, I really really liked the book. It was so different from the previous ones. This book was mainly focused on Nesta's personal growth and her mental health journey. For me, it was the first time a Fantasy book really showed how raw and cruel mental health problems can be and how they just don't disappear overnight (as we might see in some books and TV shows/movies). I think this is why I really enjoyed the book. I'm a bit like Nesta, in the sense that I tend to overthink everything I do and say. Sometimes, I feel like I'm more of a hindrance and no one likes me.
I've realized that sometimes, by trying to shove down all our problems, they turn into ticking time bombs.
If we don't have the mindset to start over. Wanting to become a better version of ourselves, we might never achieve our goals (even if family and friends try to intervene).
And Nesta found some amazing friends (our favorite Valkyries) to help her with her journey. Therefore, I want to thank Nesta for allowing me to accompany her on her journey and, in a way, to invite me to begin my own personal growth journey.
On the other hand, I'm beyond grateful that SJM gave us those steamy and smutty scenes. I love how Nessian relationship unfolded (I mean, Cassian is just goals –but I still prefer my High Lord of the Night Court–). However, I got the feeling that every time Nesta and Cassian had a discussion or a deep and meaningful moment, they ended up having s3x. I'm not complaining about the scenes (if you know what I mean haha), but I would have liked that sometimes they just ended up talking or cuddling. I didn't feel the same chemistry Rhys and Feyre had. I felt that Nessian had something much more physical.
Another thing I didn't love, was that the last part was a bit rushed. A lot happened in those last chapters; Cassian was captured by Queen Briallyn, our favorite Valkyries were forced to participate in The Blood Rite, Feyre had baby Nyx (which I have my own opinion about that). Everything seemed to happen in those lasts moments. It was too much for me. I was a little confused and would have liked the pace a bit slower and with more content. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but Nesta should have made it with Emerie and Gwyn to the top of the Mountain and became Carytnhian.
In general, it was a really good book. I really enjoyed how Nesta became better from inside out, how she managed to overpower her darkness even though she was afraid while doing so, and I think that was so brave of her. To not let her fears and self-doubt consume her. I can't describe my happiness when Nesta formed her group of Valkyries. I am really trying to be a bit like them, haha, trying to do the mind-stilling and saying every day the phrase Gwyn said: "I am the rock against which the surf crashes. [...] Nothing can break me" (my favorite quote so far).
One of the parts that left a cosmic mark on me was when Nesta touched rock bottom in her hiking trip with Cass, and he comforted her and helped her start to reattached herself piece by piece. And when Cass said to Nesta, the same thing Amren said to him, it meant EVERYTHING to me –"Keep reaching out your hand"–.
In the end, this book had its ups and downs, and it took me a little longer to finished it, but I'm beyond grateful to have read it. I really liked it and can't wait for the next books (I hope we don't have to wait too long).
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