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

WARNING: (Might contain spoiler in case you have not read the previous books in the series.)

Blurb at the back of the book:

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly – proud, swift to anger and slow to forgive. And, since the time of war – since being made High Fae against her will – she’s struggled to forget the horrors she endured and find a place for herself within the strange and deadly Night Court.

The person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred, winged warrior who is there at Nesta’s every turn. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. And, when they are forced to train in battle together, sparks become flame.

As the threat of war casts its shadow over them once again, Nesta and Cassia must fight monsters from within and without if they are to stand a chance of halting the enemies of their court. But the ultimate risk will be searching for acceptance – and healing – in each other’s arms.

Characters of the Book:

Main Protagonists: Cassian: Illyrian Warrior, Rhysand’s brother; Nesta: Cauldron Made High Fae, Feyre’s Elder sister.

Notable Side Characters: Rhysand: High Lord of Night Court; Feyre: High Lady of the Night Court; Azriel: Rhysand’s brother; Elian: Nesta’s younger sibling; Mor: Rhysand’s Cousin; Amren: High Fae, Rhysand’s Second in command; Gwyn: Priestess in the library of the Night Court; Emerie: Illyrian Female Fae.

TW: Adult content, murders, suicide, bullying, death.

My thoughts:

Plot:

The story begins with a derailed Nesta wasting away in a small cottage at the bank of Sidra. She is ignoring everyone she knows and drinking till the night is dark. The way Nesta went through all the things was definitely heart-breaking. But, now that I know her story it gives me peace because now I know why she behaved all weird. I loved that Sarah cleared out the air on the situation in Prythian post-war. Even though there were very less on the other courts but we were promised a book on Nesta and Cassian so, I will say that the book lived upto my expectations. I absolutely went flabbergasted at the climax and it was way beyond what I had expected. It was wall shattering thunderstorm hurricane to a mere expectations. I absolutely and utterly loved this book.

On the Characters:

In the beginning of the book, I hated Nesta. They hate I carried from ACOTAR itself. When Nesta is asked by Cassian for training – she refuses and Cassian breaks once again the way he broke in ACOFAS. This broke me somewhere. The reluctance in Nesta’s part and her stubbornness astound me to my very core. She is not at all kind in the beginning 10-15% of the book. But, her character development arc is smooth and believable given Sarah describes everything so well. Nothing felt quite abrupt to me in her development. I kind of was waiting for an intervention by the entire inner circle however, that was not how it happened. It happened in a much better way. One of the best morally grey lady characters I have ever come across.

“Keep reaching out a hand.”

Cassian, what do I say I now adore him more than I even love Rhys. He is the best character in the whole ACOTAR series. I loved how patient he was with a stubborn foul mouthed Nesta and he never ever gave up. He was the best trainer and friend anyone could ask for. The way he used to think made him look so pure and benevolent. Even though he was a general and the fiercest Illyrian warriors and killed thousands – he was a kid at heart. I adored him for the way he always waited and gave space to Nesta whenever and wherever necessary.

Romance in the novel:

I am an Adult who had never read any Adult novel and the level of smut in this book is way beyond what I expected. I shied away from reading at first because I was not used to it. I felt like my walls have suddenly developed eyes and reading the smut and judging me. Anyway, my stories apart the level of romance and chemistry in this book is just insane.

Quotes I loved:

• “Cassian leaned to whisper in her ear, “The first time I saw that look on your face, you were still human. Still human, and I nearly went to my knees before you.”
• “I want to take the road that no one dares travel, and I want to travel it with you two. No matter what may befall us. Not as Illyrians, not for their titles but as something new. To prove to them, to everyone, that something new and different might triumph over their rules and restrictions.”
• “So Nesta had become a wolf. Armed herself with invisible teeth and claws, and learned to strike faster, deeper, more lethally. Had relished it. But when the time came to put away the wolf, she’d found it had devoured her too.”
• “Rhys lifted his head. “This is a bad idea.”
  
  Cassian winked. “That should be written on the Night Court crest.”
• “Gwyn whispered, “I am the rock against which the surf crashes.” Nesta straightened at the words, as if they were a prayer and a summons. Gwyn lifted the blade. “Nothing can break me.”