A ​Court of Silver Flames

Books, Coffee & Passion
I didn't read any reviews because I didn't want to be influenced before writing this post and it will be a long one with spoilers! So, please stop reading if you didn't read ACOSF and you still want to read it.
A Court of Silver Flames was a rollercoaster. I was very entertained while reading Nesta and Cassian's story. These two were so hot together! After reading ACOFAS, we all knew their story would be a tough journey. Nesta wasn't making it easy for anyone, she isolated herself and she was lashing out repeatedly. I didn't expect a smooth journey. It wasn't. The mental health struggles that Nesta was going through in ACOSF, and before, were hard to read, which only means it was well done. As a reader, and loving Cassian like I already did, it was sometimes hard to not be annoyed with Nesta. She hurt Cassian repeatedly, she lashed at him again and again and sometimes I was annoyed at her because of that. It was also hard not to be annoyed when Nesta dismissed Feyre, Cassian and Rhy's traumas. I get that it was her own self loathing and the fact that she was spiraling, drowning in her own grief and depression talking. But it was even harder when she kept repeating the cycle. However, that's just the thing with mental health, it's different for everyone, it has lots of ups and downs, a good day and then three awful days and/or vice versa. Nesta was definitely stuck in a depressive, self destructive pattern. Her struggles with mental health, the messages to keep going, Amren telling Cassian to keep reaching out his hand, the mind-stilling technique, her growth and her healing were really well done. In my opinion SJM did great regarding the mental health rep.There were a lot of great moments in this book. I loved Nesta's found family: Emerie and Gwyn. These two were amazing characters, the way they bonded with Nesta, the way all three of them opened up to each other: PERFECTION. Valkyries, yeeees! I loved that aspect of the story and cheered when Gwyn finally cut the ribbon. I enjoyed their moments together and I hope we get more of their bond in the next books in the series. I also loved the House, the fact that Nesta wished for a friend and the House fulfilled her wish by becoming her friend was so good! The romance novels love was amazing too. The inner circle moments, even though Mor wasn't in much of the story, felt special. The Blood Rite had stunning, fierce scenes, particularly the scene where they share their fears and the traumas they went through, it was very emotional and so well written. Emerie carrying a sleeping, unwilling to leave Nesta alone, Gwyn to victory and Nesta holding the line was one of the most stunning impactful scenes that definitely stayed with me.I enjoyed the plot in this book too. The Trove and its history, the quest to find the made objects was enthralling. Nesta's scenes with the kelpie were amazing and it actually scared me when she was pulled underwater. Beron and the Autumn Court involvement with Briallyn kept me invested in the story and I kept second guessing if Eris was playing Rhys and Cassian and was involved in Briallyn's plans as well. There were some things that annoyed me: Rhys withholding from Feyre that she and the baby can die when she gives birth was awful and I hated that he did that; Nesta telling Feyre about that in anger was nasty; the dying not dying part that apparently is a recurring thing in ACOTAR's books annoyed me too. I enjoyed how Nesta ended up saving Feyre and telling her, finally!, she loved her but it could have been done differently. Especially considering that Nesta gave away all her power to save Feyre which is just repetitive again (because it's similar to what Amren did in ACOWAR). Additionally, that mating bond reaction... I think it was unnecessary and it only served the purpose of pushing Cassian off scene and snatching Nesta, Emerie and Gwyn together for the Blood Rite. However, my main issue with ACOSF is a issue that I've also had with ACOMAF and ACOWAR: everything was solved so easily. I enjoyed the prison visit but the fact that Lanthys was killed like that felt anticlimactic and the battle between Nesta and Briallyn went the same way, it was over in a blink of an eye.

Overall, I really enjoyed ACOSF. There were beautifully written scenes and it was very entertaining, with great banter, lots of steamy moments and powerful, emotional connections. I was captivated by the story, had trouble putting the book down and I absolutely love this addictive world. On the other hand, like I said there were things that annoyed me and the major one was how easily somethings were solved to the point it felt anticlimatic.

If you want to check my sidenotes and Azriel/Lucien/Gwynn/Elaine stuff, check my full thoughts (with spoilers too)here.