Over the course of multiple fantasy series, Sarah J. Maas has made an art of crafting fierce, self-destructive female characters. But few are as polarizing as Nesta, one of three human sisters turned High Fae, who takes center stage in this first truly 'adult' entry in Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses series ... Maas is an expert at plumbing the depths of female friendships, exploring them as a foundation for love, resiliency, and care. Her stories understand that friendships can be as meaningful as romantic connections, that true healing and recovery from trauma can be forged in the fire of these platonic bonds ... Like House of Earth and Blood before this, [Maas'] novels find their sweet spot pressing on the bruise of loss ... A Court of Silver Flames earns its adult label with a shimmering erotic romance that probes vulnerability and grief. It's a viciously vibrant epic, determined to remind us why forgiveness is the bravest act of all.

Formerly supporting players Nesta and Cassian take center stage in the latest installment of Maas’ Court of Thorns and Roses series ... Maas’ many fans will no doubt be thrilled with this latest offering, which is a fast-paced, sexy, and at times surprisingly emotional ode to female empowerment.

... I am really glad that this book series has been re-classified as adult and it allowed Sarah J. Maas to explore a depth of character in this story that I genuinely wasn’t expecting, and not only that, but to find a mirror reflected there, showing us some of the darkness that lurks within us as well was surprising. I’m glad I was forced to be home because of a winter storm as it allowed me to enjoy this under the cover of the snow and by the warmth of a fire. As this is part of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, it’s best to read this book as part of the series ... I was ready to chuck this book a few chapters into it ... At a whopping 800 pages, I was hoping to see more of a conflict, but at the same time, this story was definitely more about healing. I think the bigger conflict is still to come, but this story certainly served to set up a new part of the series. There’s a new villain, and I’m dying to know more about this new enemy ... I definitely encourage people to pick this book up if they’re lovers of the series, and if you’ve read it and disagree, let me know, I’d love to discuss! It’s a 9/10 for me, and of course, I can’t wait to see where the next book will take us.

Like other Sarah J. Maas heroines before her, Nesta arrives at her own book, A Court of Silver Flames, with baggage and trauma and so much to work through—as well as a smoldering will-they-won’t-they-obviously-they-will tendency to banter with a certain Illyrian warrior. At a chonky 700+ pages, Silver Flames is far more journey than destination.The thing about this journey is that it seems to lose sight of Nesta along the way ... In the end, I wanted to like A Court of Silver Flames so much more than I did ... It’s a difficult line to walk, making external forces relevant to—but not responsible for—emotional healing, and on that front, Maas succeeds.