Angie Cox's review of A ​Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #4) (2024)

3.5 Stars ⭐️ Absolutely loved parts of this book

Trigger Warnings for A Court of Silver Flames: PTSD, graphic sexual language, abuse, sexual assault, rape, depression, suicidal thoughts, childbirth complications.

Pages mentioning sexual assault/rape: 59, 174-175, 365-366, 380-381, 694-695. Most of these are flashbacks or recollections of previous assaults. Page 365-366 is a scene where it is implied rape almost happens but does not.

A Court of Silver Flames didn't really feel like an ACOTAR book. Sometimes it read like a 700+ page fanfic, which if you're only here for the Nessian romance, then I'd give it 4-stars. Personally, I fell in love with SJM's amazing world-building and creative plots, and in regards to those things, ACOSF falls flat.

BUT before I go into all that, let me share with you some of the things I LOVED:

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

This book is DEFINITELY +18! Let me tell you, as a married, twenty-seven-year-old woman, there were still a few scenes that left me reeling from heat, while others had me uncomfortable with secondhand embarrassment. 😂 There was plenty of sexual tension, fourplay, and graphic sex - honestly, the best faerie p*rn SJM has written yet. Apparently, there even was supposed to be a threesome scene, and I'm quite happy it was left out. I don't know if ACOTAR fans were ready for it. 😅

My love for them is heavily intertwined with the romantic aspect of their relationship, but I did enjoy seeing Cassian support Nesta through her struggles without taking sole charge of her mental health and well-being.

This was honestly the best part about ACOSF. In the previous books, we are inclined to dislike Nesta for her nastiness, coldness, and cruelness. However, since ACOSF is half-written in her POV, we finally see the real Nesta. We learn that she is full of pain, fear, guilt, and self-loathing. That her cruelty, drinking, random f*cking, partying and pushing everyone away have all been coping mechanisms for years of PTSD (either from childhood or guilt for her actions/inactions). I went from hating Nesta at the beginning to completely respecting and truly loving her by the end. Her road to healing is long and painful but beautiful as she learns self-love and forgiveness (of others as well as herself). I think a lot of readers, myself included, will find themselves relating to Nesta a lot more than they thought possible.

This story of healing extends to many others in the book, including Gwyn and Emerie. No matter the horrors each has experienced in the past, together, they learn to trust and find strength in one another. Indeed, we don't get to choose our family, but we can choose our friends; and sometimes, they become our real family. Nesta claiming Gwyn and Emerie as her "sisters" reminds me of how Rhys, Cas, and Az see each other as brothers. I love this new girl gang of bad-a$$ females and can't wait to see how they take on the world!

Now for the things I didn't like:

In A Court of Silver Flames, it's Nesta's healing arc, Valkyrie training, Cassian and Nesta's romance, Dead Trove / Briallyn / Koschei, and Feyre's pregnancy. While these plots were well written and intertwined at many points throughout the book, the one with the Dread Trove / Briallyn / Koschei seemed to take a back seat when it shouldn't have. This is the main plotline that will drive the series, and you're telling me in over a 750+ page book, SJM didn't write more than 100 pages about it? I know we will get this info in the next books, but we really needed more groundwork in ACOSF because, as of now, the antagonists' role is weak and not very intriguing.

There were many similarities between Feyre/Rhys and Nesta/Cassian's mating story. The males always know first, then the female claim they only want sex for sex or fun, then once they find out or discover they are mates, the female leaves the male, only to reunite and accept the bond. While it's not really a bad maneuver, we've already seen it before.

Another time this happens is when Feyre and Rhys almost die . . . AGAIN. But I already knew they wouldn't die because of the plot armor (immunity from death due to their essential roles) laid out for them ACOTAR for Feyre and ACOWAR for Rhys. This is twice now that both Feyre and Rhys have basically died and come back to life due to some random, dramatic miracle. Again, this isn't necessarily bad; I just find it boring and not very interesting.

Rhys has always been adamant that Feyre has a choice in every decision concerning her life. But Rhys decides not to tell her that giving birth will kill her, and consequently him. In fact, Rhys lies to Feyre (well, ignores her questioning) about it as we learn from the extended chapter edition but tells the Inner Circle. Since when does Rhys hide sh*t from her? You're telling me the male who sent his mate into the Weaver's Cottage and on other dangerous missions is now not being honest because “I can’t bring myself to give her that fear"? She's not some delicate flower. Plus, as the mother, she DESERVES to know! That's BS. So inconsistent with Rhys' character in the previous book. It's just not something he would do. But you know who would??? Tamlin. Rhys effectively pulled a Tamlin. 😡

I loved that these females participated; however, them not only surviving but winning is unrealistic. They're up against Illyrian warriors who have been training for this moment since childbirth, while they've only been training for maybe 3 months? Honestly, that's not enough time to become proficient in survival or combat skills. There's also a moment when Nesta shoots a bow perfectly, and her reasoning is, “My sister taught me. . . a long time ago.” Girl, Feyre took you out to practice one time. You're telling me you're already a pro?? It's just improbable.

Overall, A Court of Silver Flames was decent. I truly enjoyed Nesta's healing arc and the romance, but I wish there were more driving the story. Since I'm a huge ACOTAR fan, I will definitely read the next book hoping that the plot thickens and there are some twists and turns along the way.

Just for fun, I want to make some predictions for the next book!!!

• Az and Gwyn are MATES! I read the bonus chapter from Azriel's perspective, and there's an interaction that has me thinking this.

Her breath curled in front of her mouth, and one of his shadows darted out to dance with it before twirling back to him. Like it heard some silent music.

She angled her head, hair shining like molten metal. "Do you sing?"

He blinked. It wasn't every day that people took him by surprise, but . . . "Why do you ask?"

"They call you shadowsinger. Is it because you sing?"

See Also

Lucien Vanserra

"I am a shadowsinger -it's not a title that someone just made up."

She shrugged again, irreverently. Az narrowed his eyes, studying her "Do you, though?" she pressed. "Sing?"

Azriel couldn't help his soft chuckle. "Yes."

Azriel entered the warmth of the stairwell, and as he descended, he could have sworn a faint, beautiful singing followed him. Could have sworn his shadows sang in answer.

I think he's hearing her heart sing to him, and his shadows are singing back. 💕

There's also an important moment in Chapter 52, when Gwyn sings during the priestess service. It says,

"Gwyn sang, chin high, a faint glow seeming to radiate from her."

I think this could mean that Gwyn is a lightsinger in contrast to Azriel being a shadowsinger. She's the light to his shadows. Two sides of the same coin - his other half. 💕

Also, in Chapter 29, Gwyn mentions that her nymph bones are more pliant than ordinary High Fae, meaning she could give birth to an Illyrian baby! Bye, Elain! 👋

• Gwyn is Tamlin's daughter! In Chapter 29, Gwyn says that her mother participated in the Great Rite with a male stranger. Remember, the Great Rite is where the High Lord of Spring Court has to find the Maiden and bed her to generate magic for the land. Her mother never found out who the father was but says that the magic chose him that night. Tamlin has been ruling Spring Court for at least 50 years, so if it was a High Lord, it was him! I definitely think Gwyn being his daughter is the key to Tamlin's redemption arc if SJM decides to give him one.

Tamlin literally has no one: no friends, no family, no mate. He's absolutely depressed and spiraling. What he needs and wants is someone to protect and love unconditionally, and what could be better than the arrival of a long-lost daughter? I don't think anyone in the ACOTAR universe wants to see another Tamlin romantic storyline, so I think the only other possibility is to show a different but powerful sort of love - the love of a parent. I think this could be a beautiful story. I'm here for it.

• On the other hand, Gwyn could possibly be Lucien's daughter and Helion's granddaughter. While I think the Tamlin theory seems more probably, here are some reasons why she could be Lucien's daughter.

I previously mentioned how Gwyn glows when she sings. This could mean she has inherited some of Helion's light powers, same as Feyre.

There's also the fact her hair is described as coppery-brown/chestnut, which indicates she is linked to Autumn Court. However, Gwyn does say her grandparents were from Spring AND Autumn Court so she could have easily gotten it from a grandparent versus a parent.

My issue with this theory is that if Gwyn is Lucien's daughter and Azriel's mate, this would create such a weird dynamic in regards to Elain. Too weird. So until we get the next book, I'll keep hoping she's Tamlin's daughter.

Also, Gwyn says that magic CHOSE her father that night, which sounds a lot like when magic takes over the High Lord of Spring Court to claim the Maiden - not a random High Fae like Lucien.

• Emerie and Mor will become lovers. When Mor visits the library, Emerie is with Nesta:

She sighed, nodding toward Mor. “I always forget how beautiful she is. “She never comes to Windhaven these days.” Nesta could have sworn pink stole over Emerie’s brown cheeks.

It might be nothing, but with SJM, it's always something.

• Eris is getting a redemption arc. During their last conversation in ACOSF, Cassian say,

“I grew up surrounded by monsters. I’ve spent my existence fighting them. And I see you, Eris. You’re not one of them. Not even close. I think you might even be a good male. . .You’re just too much of a coward to act like one.”

We know that Eris hates his cruel father. He has consistently sided with Rhys and the Night Court to fight against the antagonists of the series. Plus, Eris mentioned multiple times that he left Mor wounded at his border for a reason (alluding to the fact it was in her best interest). While he may be a prick, he seems to have good intentions and follows through with them. This quote just confirms that SJM is setting Eris up for a redemption story.

• What if Nesta becomes High Queen of Prythian? Okay, I know it's crazy, but at the very end, Cassian thinks that Nesta has some connection—or understanding—with the Mother. She also hears a woman's voice speaking to her throughout the book, which I think is the Mother guiding her. We know she's was (is?) a death-god and can slay immortals. She mastered the Dead Trove. She will most likely lead a new order of Valkyrie. And she probably will end up killing Koschei with Ataraxia.

There are also mentions of Cassian being King of Bastards - which using the title 'king' seems like some suspicious foreshadowing. I don't know how it's all connecting, but I think there's a slight chance they could rule Prythian together.

• Elain goes evil. This is honestly more wishful thinking than anything, but I think Elain will reject the bond with Lucien, and when Az realizes his mate is Gwyn, she's going to lose it because it'll be the second time someone she loves rejects her due to fae-related things. A few times throughout the book, Rhys and Nesta say they haven't seen the real Elain. That possibly in the future, "we'll see a different side of her emerge" (Extended Feysand Chapter) versus the sweet and innocent character she portrays. She still has the Cauldron's power that hasn't been fully revealed, and this will probably be important in the next few books.