It took me 414 days to finish A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
I dreaded every page.
To be fair, I never planned to read this book in the first place. I was DONE with ACOTAR when I realized this book would center on the single most infuriating character ever written: Nesta.
Quick Summary
(No spoilers).
Plot: This book takes place after the war with Hybern, exploring the aftermath of the Cauldron and its corruption on the Night Court, specifically Cassian and Nesta.
Pages: 751 pages
Tropes: Fae/Fairies, MMC/FMC have to stop the end of the world, Enemies to Lovers, Grumpy/Sunshine, Shunned FMC, MC is Shunned by Family, Family Saga, Fated Mates
My Review
I’ve genuinely despised her since book #1. A self-centered, difficult woman who couldn’t rise above her own vanity and self-pity to take care of her family. Then when she was the same self-centered woman to snub Feyre as she tried to save the entire world, fae and humans alike. Then again when she received nothing but friendship and support from the Night Court, it’s allies, and the priestesses, she was a gaping, scathing cunt.
414 days - I started reading A Court of Silver Flames on August 16, 2025. I finished on October 11, 2026.
Nesta Sucks
Her inner turmoil was complex and I appreciated the realness of feeling so many warring things. But then she’d expel that complexity through acidity and hate at every turn. Sarah J. Maas did too good a job in making me detest her. Nesta has no redemption arc here. No hero’s journey with me. She’s just a jerk who treated Feyre, Cassian, Rhys, Amren, Az, Mor, and every single being she encountered with disdain. The exceptions of course were Emerie and Gwyn. Sweet, sweet Emerie and Gwyn. What an unfortunate acquaintance this was for them.
The Valkyries storyline was awesome.
Cassian Suffered
And CASSIAN. Cassian, what an incredible MMC who was destroyed by her. Being with Nesta did not make him a better man in any way. He was a doormat masquerading as patience. He took every nasty thing she said and did and demanded no better for himself. Sarah J. Maas did him so dirty. Despicable.
It’s Finally Over
By the last 50%, I was tracking my progress in small increments. My mantra: “Just make it 5% more. Just read one more chapter.”
My ACOTAR Series Ratings
Lest you think me an ACOTAR hater, my reviews for the series are [mostly] positive.
I really liked A Court of Thorns and Roses (☆ 3.75), but A Court of Mist and Fury (☆ 4.5) and A Court of Wings and Ruin (☆ 4.0) stole my heart.
What’s Next in ACOTAR
I’m praying to The Mother that A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody involve Nesta as a tertiary character at best and as wallpaper at…bester.
Thank you for coming to my stump speech.