A Court of Silver Flame
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 only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.
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.
I will admit this book grew on me, I almost gave up on it three times. I’m also self-aware to now realize the similarities in Nesta and Myself- which is probably why I was so annoyed by her.
A Court of Silver Flame (ACOSF) is the story of Feyre’s Oldest, elder sister and her spiraling of trauma in Velaris. After the last straw was broken, the night court seemingly made a recovery and rehab plan except they forgot they were dealing with a stubborn, broken woman.
The highs of this book now that I finished it are:
Sisterhood both blood and bred are so valuable in this world.
You are worthy of life even when you don’t see your worth.
Never underestimate the intensity of a woman in love.
To elaborate more, this book has 2.5 plots: the two main are the relationship between mates Nesta and Cassian, and Nesta building the Valkyries with Emerie & Gwyneth. I think the .5 subplot was to set up Elain ’s inevitable book and showing her “better adjustments”. (Sarah I am begging for an Az/Lucien drama brawl out mess- please & thanks)
We see a character completely destroy herself inside out, only to patiently be led to a life she can still have when feeling like life as she knew it was over. She has friends, a family, a mate, a home who she is bonded with and while yes annoying I think giving back what she stole to the cauldron helped balance her life, save the life of her sister, AND the fae she absolutely despised. (As well as herself in the future)
My only complaints were:
I think Cass and Nes should’ve gotten together at the winter solstice and had an afterwards moment- personally rather than a back and forth FAB saga the entire book before mated for sure. But that’s just me I’m not a big smut person and usually skip over it.
I felt like the other characters weren’t themselves? Their development seemed wrong and different compared to other books outside of Az, Lucien, Cass, and Elain. I was not vibing with Mor, Rhysand, Feyre, and Amren at all which shocked me.
I also think this book had too much filler- it could’ve been 450 pages MAX. The extra 300 didn’t add much for me!
I am giving ACOSF 4/5, a higher score than I previously gave it upon reading and highly suggest if you plan to read all of Sarah’s books like myself. I started ACOTAR first so I will hopefully see how this is all connected by February 2024!
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