A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

 

"For every Nesta out there - climb the mountain."

Release Date: February 16, 2021

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

AN UNFATHOMABLE POWER

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. 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. 

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and it only burns hotter as they are forced to work closely together.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

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. 

Review:

Last night with a storm raging outside my window, I finished A Court of Silver Flames. As the pitter patter of rain echoed through my ears, I cried as my journey reading this beautiful series came to an end.

What is left to say? What words exist that I can conjure up to describe these feelings and these emotions? I think I will be spending an eternity searching to find the perfect words to say that truly encompass how this series has made me feel. 

I started writing this review being like "how can I choose which book and character is my favorite? It is impossible to choose" blah, blah, blah. Let me make this clear: this series is heavenly, divine, other-worldly. Every book, every character, every word should be devoured and worshipped. The found family, romance, adventures, world building: exceptional. Now, with that being said, I discovered that I do have a favorite and that is 110% okay! I was convinced that A Court of Mist and Fury was going to be my favorite. The breathtaking love between fated mates Feyre and Rhysand. However, once I finished reading it, I realized that A Court of Silver Flames, is my favorite book out of the series. I despised Nesta Archeron when she was first introduced. She was a foul woman but there always seemed to be something lurking underneath the surface. More to this character than meets the eye. All of that was unearthed in this book. The character development in this book was unmatched. The uphill battle that Nesta faced but ultimately came out victorious once she conquered her inner demons. The undying love that she felt for Cassian but initially refused to accept. He kept coming back. He never gave up and kept reaching out his hand. Always here for a forced proximity trope and this book delivered. Also, ALL THE SPICE SCENES WERE DELICIOUS. The found family trope still extremely prevalent and profound in this book. The entire storyline with the priestesses and the Valkyrie. This book felt the most human to me, the most real. Nesta Archeron, you have my whole heart. You have given me so much strength. 

I had spent so long listening to other readers talk about how amazing this series was. I never believed it to be true until I finally decided to pick up the first book. Now I curse myself for taking so long to be part of this magic. To be part of this community of wonderful human beings who we all love this series, these characters, with our whole being. Throughout it all, I realized something very important: the feeling of home. I am home. 

Quotes:

"For every Nesta out there - climb the mountain."

"She had been born wrong. Had been born with claws and fangs and had never been able to keep from using them, never been able to quell the part of her that raged at betrayal, that could hate and love more violently than anyone ever understood."

"She was a wolf who had never learned how to be a wolf, thanks to that cage humans called propriety and society. And like any maltreated animal, she bit anyone who came near."

"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."

"Never again. Never again would she be weak. Never again would she be at someone's mercy. Never again would she fail. Never again, never again, never again."

"I am the rock against which the surf crashes. Nothing can break me."

"She would not be mastered by anything again. She was the master of herself."

"I have been broken once before," Gwyn said, her voice clear. "I survived it. And I will not be broken again - not even by this mountain."

"I wish for us to have the courage to go out into the world when we are ready, but to always be able to find our way back to each other. No matter what." 

"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."

"You're an arrogant bastard." "And you're a haughty witchy. We're evenly matched."

"He had called her Lady Death, and he was her sword."

"Keep reaching out your hand."

"But I still don't know how to fix myself." "There's nothing broken to be fixed."

"I am going to tell you that you will get through it. That you will face this, and you will get through it. That these tears are good, Nesta. These tears mean you care. I am going to tell you that it is not too late, not for any of it. And I can't tell you when, or how, but it will get better. What you feel, this guilt and pain and self-loathing-you will get through it. But only if you are willing to fight. Only if you are willing to face it, and embrace it, and walk through it, to emerge on the other side of it. And maybe you will still feel that tinge of pain, but there is another side. A better side."

"Nesta had loved Cassian since she'd first laid eyes on him. Had loved him even when she did not want to, even when she had been swallowed by despair and fear and hatred. Had loved him and destroyed herself because she didn't believe she deserved him, because he was all that was good, and brave, and kind, and she loved him, she loved him, she loved him."

"She whispered, "And I am yours." Those golden threads between their very souls shone with the words, as they formed a harp strummed by a heavenly hand. For it was music between their souls. Always had been. And his voice was her favorite melody."

"Ataraxia, she had named that magic sword. Inner peace."

"The world was beautiful, and she was so grateful to be in it. To be alive, to be here, to see this. She stuck out a hand over the railing, grazing a star as it shot past, and her fingers came away glowing with blue and green dust. She laughed, a sound of pure joy, and she cried more, because that joy was a miracle." 

"Amren put a hand above Nesta's heart. "That's the key, isn't it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it...that's the most important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder." She gestured to the stars zooming past. "The struggle with that darkness is worth it, just to see such things."

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

 

"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."

"To the stars who listen - and the dreams that are answered."

TW: Forced sex work, sexual assault, PTSD, physical & emotional abuse, child abuse, murder, torture 

Release Date: April 22, 2016

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction 

Rating:

Summary:

A love born of darkness.

Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she's now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people. 

As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre's hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different people: one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. 

While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the key to stopping it, but only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future - and the future of a world in turmoil. 

Review:

Is it socially acceptable to finish a book then immediately start reading it all over again from the beginning? That is my immediate urge after finishing A Court of Mist and Fury. I feel this insatiable desire to immerse myself in the masterpiece that was this book all over again. However, I must advance on in this stunning series, so I will have to save that for another time.

Once again, I am absolutely kicking myself and cursing my name because I started this magnificent series so late. I really thought there was no possible way this series could be as amazing as everyone says it is but IT ABSOLUTELY IS. I knew that the second book in the series was beloved by so many readers so I had been most looking forward to reading this one and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. 

After finishing this book, I feel transformed in the best way possible. I feel as if I have been enveloped in a warm embrace from the starry-night sky. I feel safe in the dark shadows. I feel whole. I almost refused to finish the book because I did not want it to end. I didn't want to get to the last page and realize that this was not reality, not my reality. That I would have to leave this magical land of Prythian. 

My love for this book, these characters, the city of stars, this story, is wholly encompassing. This love knows no bounds. There are no words in any language to truly describe my feelings for this book.

The characters are uniquely complex, and the character development is immense (and this is only the second book). I really enjoyed Feyre in the first book, and I loved her even more in the second. I am truly adoring read as Feyre discovers her sense of self, her new powers, her independence. I have not been turned into an immortal fae and locked away by a High Lord in the Spring Court, but I do sadly know the pain of being controlled, being tamed. This hit very close to home. The strength Feyre has been able to muster, not because she has new powers from being fae, but because she is Feyre. She is ever enduring. Then to read as Feyre finds the love of her life, her mate. She is EMPOWERED by this unconditional, unyielding love, not confined by it. It is truly awe-inspiring.

The Inner Circle is utterly exceptional. Mor, Azriel, Cassian, Amren...they are so unique and so special. They are family. I felt like I was a part of this beautiful friendship while reading this book. Without even knowing, these characters made me feel like I was part of this beautiful friendship, of this family.  The Inner Circle made me feel so valued, protected, and seen. This story is emboldened by the sense of found family. 

Rhysand, sweet Rhysand. I did not know that such a beautiful being and soul existed, even on paper. Even in the imagination. I fell in love with Rhysand very early on in the book but chapter 54 completely melted my heart. I am just a puddle of indescribable feelings and emotions after reading chapter 54. 

*Smoking hot chapters: 48 and 55*

Sarah J. Maas truly transforms words on a page into a beautiful masterpiece but does it in such an effortless manner. There is such a delicate balance between all the elements: character development, battles, romance, etc. It feels like a symphony, marrying the music between the lively, upbeat tempos to the slower, more melodic and romantic tones, to the final crescendo with speed and excitement that has the audience rising to their feet for a standing ovation.

I did not want to see this book end at all, but I cannot wait to continue my adventure with Feyre. 

Quotes:

"To the huntress who remembered to reach back for those less fortunate."

"And I realized - I realized how badly I'd been treated before, if my standards had become so low. If the freedom I'd been granted felt like a privilege and not an inherent right."

"I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal. I was a survivor, and I was strong. I would not be weak, or helpless again. I would not, could not be broken. Tamed." 

"No one was my master - but I might be master of everything, if I wished. If I dared." 

"I was not prey any longer, I decided as I eased up to that door. And I was not a mouse. I was a wolf."

"I'll say this once - and only once. You can be a pawn, be someone's reward, and spend the rest of your immortal life bowing and scraping and pretending you're less than him, than Ianthe, than any of us. If you want to pick that road, then fine. A shame, but it's your choice. But I know you - more than you realize, I think - and I don't believe for one damn minute that you're remotely fine with being a pretty trophy for someone who sat on his ass for nearly fifty years then sat on his ass while you were shredded apart."  

"I once lived in a place where the opinion of others mattered. It suffocated me, nearly broke me. So you'll understand me, Feyre, when I say that I know what you feel, and I know what they tried to do to you, and that with enough courage, you can say hell with a reputation. You do what you love, what you need."

"A queen who owned her body, her life, her destiny, and never apologized for it."

"There are good days and hard days for me - even now. Don't let the hard days win."

"He thinks he'll be remembered as the villain in the story. But I forgot to tell him that the villain is usually the person who locks up the maiden and throws away the key. He was the one who let me out."

"I wonder if some part of me knew what was waiting for me. That I would never be a gentle grower of things, or someone who burned like fire - but that I would be quiet and enduring and as faceted as the night. That I would have beauty, for those who knew where to look, and if people didn't bother to look, but to only fear it...then I didn't particularly care for them, anyway. I wonder if, even in my despair and hopelessness, I was never truly alone. I wonder if I was looking for this place - looking for you all."

"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys." "To the stars who listen - and the dreams that answered." 

"I was his and he was mine, and we were the beginning and middle and end. We were a song that had been sung from the very first ember of light in the world."