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

A Court of Silver Flames

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A Court of Silver Flames 〰️

Not gonna lie, when I heard that this story was to be told from Nestsa and Cassians POV (and in third person, a switch from the other books), I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I didn't really want a book about the side characters, y'know? But having read this book, I can say for a fact that I want more of Nesta and Cassian. I can also say that this story was meant to be told for them. I think the first three books in this series were meant to be a trilogy as they ended perfectly. The fourth book was a nice little bridge and gave us our last farewell of Feyre's POV. And this final book, well now we're starting new stories in this universe and I for one am all here for me. (I head there is going to be a sixth book. No word yet on whose POV it will be from, but I do hope for more Nesta).

Actually, I really enjoyed Feyre. But I 100% enjoyed Nesta's story more. This story was about healing and self-discovery (with lots of spicy romance in between. Not gonna lie, when I read the spicy bits I was at work during a downtime and was glad this was in written form and not something I was watching on Netflix because it was basically porn in written form).

Nesta was such an interesting character. I didn't care much for her before in other books, but seeing her POV, I understand her now. I see why she acted the way she did and I empathized with her. I enjoyed watching her grow a character and I can't wait to see more. (Cassian was great, too, but now Nesta is my new favourite. They're super cute together, too).

I absolutely loved watching her become such close friends with Emerie and Gwyn (and the House, too, if I'm being honest). They all trauma bonded, but also helped heal each other. Are they all truly okay after what happened to them? Not at all. But they will get through it together. Found family is awesome.

I felt all the emotions reading this book. It had me feel the debts of Nesta's depression as if it were my own. It had me grin wildly when Nesta found joy over friendship and love. From low to high I felt it all and I love that.

All in all, if this series truly ended with this book, I will be happy for it had the perfect ending. If it continues, I won't be mad. Unless Maas ruins it somehow. But if you loved the ACOTAR series, you'll be sure to thoroughly this book.

Book Review: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight

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A Court of Frost and Starlight 〰️

I'm not sure how to feel about this book. I enjoyed it. But if it wasn't part of the ACOTAR series, I'm not sure I would have. (Or even cared to read it). It was nice to read a lighthearted story after all that happened in the first three books. But still, this fourth book read like it was a made-for-TV Christmas movie. It was clearly a filler to tie us over until the fifth book. Probably also a cash grab. This book didn't need to be written. But again, I still enjoyed it for what it was. It wasn't my favourite read of this series.

I didn't care for how random chapters weren't told by Feyre (or even Rhys) and that chapters not in their POV were in the third person. I dunno; it just felt like a weird writing/stylistic choice. Other have it all in be first person or third person. And the random chapters in between Feyre and Rhys felt like filler within the filler. Especially Mor's chapters. Cassian's made sense. But Mor's could have been taken out, and nothing would have been missed.

But for those flaws, it was still sweet and charming and a nice little break from all the darkness. A friend told me she feels like it was Maas's way of writing from Feyre (and Rhys, I guess) and telling their story one last time before completely changing POV (and perspective) in the fifth book.

If you're a die-hard fan of ACOTAR (as I now am), I think you'll still enjoy this very short read. If not, you could skip this book and probably be just fine in going straight into the fifth. A few things may be mentioned in the fifth book that was in the fourth, but I think you'd pick up what's missing from context. After all, this book was super short (and a larger font) than its chonkier mates.

Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury

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A Court of Mist and Fury 〰️

I loved the first book. The first book was great. But it was nothing compared to this book. This second book completely upped the stakes and expanded on world-building, characters, and spicy romance, and I am all here for it.

I was hooked from the beginning. And I love that Feyre had major PTSD and suffered for her actions in the first book. Characters who go through something as major as she did and come out fine aren't believable, and I love it when authors give consequences for their character's actions. (I mean, I hated seeing her suffer, but at least we understood why). And I love that we see her healing journey through this book. Is she ever going to be 100% truly? Probably not. But that's okay. She's learned, slowly through the book, to deal with what happened to her in the first book. And we know that the events of the first book will be long-lasting. So kudos to Maas on that part.

I also loved how we see Feyre realize she was in an abusive relationship with Tamlin and watch her slowly fall in love with (her mate!) Rhys. I will admit, though, that I don't blame Tamlin for what he did. Was it right to lock her in when he knew it triggered her? Absolutely not. But he also went through some horrible stuff Under the Mountain, and I can see his side and need to protect her. He just didn't go about it the right way.

Also, as the story went on, I fell more in love with Rhys myself. He's such a deep and complex character, and I loved learning about his past and seeing him with his friends. Everything he did was to protect and help the ones he loved, even if it hurt him.

As the second book in this series, I think it outshines the first. I cannot wait to dive into the third book. Will the rest live up to the awesomeness of A Court of Mist and Fury? Guess I'll just have to read and find out.