Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: February 16, 2021
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Adventure Rating: 3.5 Stars
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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.
This is going to be a tough one. I LOVE Maas. I started reading her books when A Court of Thorns and Roses came out. This was probably my least favorite Maas book.
First of all, SMUT. Be forewarned. I don’t like smut. I don’t mind sex scenes if they have to do with the story or if they are short romantic scenes (more like Outlander). This book could have been 100 pages shorter without the unnecessary smut. I HATED how Nesta used sex. It was toxic. SHE was toxic and no one seems to mind that. She freaking emotionally abused Feyre for most of her life and yet people hate Tamlin?! Tamlin needs some work, don’t get me wrong, but Nesta… hated her. She was freaking toxic to EVERYONE! And people are like, “Oh poor Nesta and her trauma, she’s freaking BA and she’s so strong, blah blah blah…” No. I’m sorry, I have been through trauma, study trauma, want to be a trauma therapist. And no. That does NOT excuse the toxic way she treated people around her.
Now, I am ALL for redemption stories. I want a Tamlin redemption arc. AND I’m all for Nesta redemption.
So. Now on to things I liked! Maas bringing attention to trauma and how to start dealing with it. And, like in the book, surprise: sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll doesn’t fix your problems. Maas definitely did a lot of research in dealing with trauma and the techniques she used are techniques that anyone can use! Kudos to her for doing that well! She included techniques like breathing/ meditating, exercise, facing your trauma, talking about your trauma, and finding a group of women (or men if you are a man) who have also been through trauma. The only thing I would add (now this is a fantasy series so I don’t think they have these here…) is trauma therapy! I also loved how Maas included TIME in dealing with it. It takes sometimes years to deal with trauma. Don’t give up.
Wow. Told y’all I was passionate about this subject. Alas, I will move on from saying trauma a million times…
Let’s talk plot! Maas has got to be a master world builder! She added a few things and brought back a few plot points that were amazing! I am VERY interested and invested in this world! The things she has brought back… *shivers* in anticipation! I keep wanting to say the plot points I loved but I don’t want to give away spoilers! ARGH! She’s definitely building up to something way cool!
The next book is about Azriel, Elaine, Lucien mess. THAT is the book I am most excited for! Azriel is by far my favorite and he deserves all the happiness!!! But Lucien does too. And Elaine. This is going to be a mess I can’t wait for!
I will say, that I am happy with the ending of A Court of Silver Flames!
Storied Adventures 