Language : English
Paperback : 784 pages
ISBN-10 : 1526635364
ISBN-13 : 978-1526635365
Book Blurb
Nesta Archeron has always been prickly – proud, swift to anger and slow to forgive. And since the 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 Cassian 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.
My Review
A Court of Silver Flames is the fifth book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series from Sarah. J. Maas. The previous four books have mainly concentrated on Freya and Rhysand, but this book focuses on Freya’s sister Nesta and Cassian, the commander of the Night Court’s armies.
In the previous books I haven’t much warmed to Nesta, she is what I would describe as prickly, stubborn and a bit standoffish even before being forced to become a High Fae. After the war in A Court of Wings and Ruin she is tormented by what she witnessed, and self medicating with drink and sex until Freya and Rhysand intervene and make her use her anger in a more positive way. Nesta is a complex character, she feels she is unworthy of love so pushes everyone away. She has a self destruct button where if she makes progress she does something to set it back again, especially if she shows vulnerability. As her character developed, I really warmed to her, her strength and determination to do better, and using that strength to help other women defend themselves. This also opened up new characters and their stories.
The one person who can thaw Nesta’s frosty exterior is Cassian. The sexual tension between these two is steamy, and they use this as power in their battle with each other. I’ve loved Cassian throughout these books so it was interesting to see him in this battle of wills with Nesta, neither willing to back down both as stubborn as each other. It was brilliant to learn more about Cassian and his background, and to see another side, a softer side, to his character when he was with Nesta.
Not only does Sarah. J. Maas create characters I have come to love, but she has given these characters depth in their emotions, their actions and their interaction with each other. Through Nesta she looks at mental health and how all consuming and lonely it can be, and I think this was a major part of the book that many can relate to. Like the previous books there is plenty of action, adventure, passion and the hunt for magical artefacts that created many heart stopping moments.
Sarah. J. Maas is a phenominal story teller and world builder, her prose drew me in and held my attention for all seven hundred and sixty eight pages. Whist A Court of Silver Flames focuses on Nesta and Cassian, Freya and Rhysand are still part of the story which was good as I am totally invested in their story. This really is an immersive reading experience that takes you into the heads of the characters and the world of the Night Court. When this was first published in 2021 it was thought to be the last book in the series, but I’m really excited to learn that Sarah. J. Maas is writing the sixth book which I can’t wait to read.
