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

A ​Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Nesta from the first time we met her in the first book. I knew there was more to her than what we saw. And boy is there. She's totally one of the most damaged characters I've come across.

Nesta does her best, and when that's not enough and the memories get to you, then drown it in alcohol, music, and men. Until your family steps in. That's what Nesta's been doing, and now going to deal with.

Feyre comes to Nesta, leaving Nesta to grieve on her own isn't helping so she's stepping in to push her to recover. Nesta is beyond accepting of this "deal" of getting cleaned up.

Nesta is taken to the House of Wind to live, work in the library, and is to train with Cassian. She's not easy to persuade to do as she's to do. She makes friends with the house and finds a few people she can call friend in the library. When Cassian tries things out of the box, she even starts training.

This is a great book at seeing Nesta come around with new people, friends she makes. Nesta finds her people here. People she can be herself with, even if she thinks they won't accept the things she's done in her life. These ladies grow close and start to train with Nesta. They are loving how they don't feel powerless with knowing how to fight and stand up for themselves. Even when they are taken for the Illyrian Bloodright.

Speaking of power. Nesta's power. There's more to it than meets the eye. And it comes into play in the end, helping her loved ones. (I don't want to give anything away as it's a big play for a few people.)

We get the story through Nesta's eyes and Cassian's. Cassian has missions he's on as well as training Nesta. Things are still unsettled around the lands. He's to help find information from Eris as Az is busy with watching the Queens. And the Queen that is harmed by what Nesta did in the cauldron could want her.

Nesta comes into her own in this book. I love that she's determined to be independent. But there's also something growing between her and Cassian. Oh wow, is there. This book has a lot of spice to it. It's a side dish to the plot and events of the book, but there's a lot of side dishes. lol.

I really enjoyed watching Nesta grow as a character through this book and make the connections with friends and family that she makes here. She has a hard journey, but it's worth it.

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

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everyone heals and rebuilds in different ways.

This is a nice interlude to all the action of the series. Winter Solstice is nearing and it's a nice time to see the family, even chosen family, together to enjoy the time and celebrate.

There's a lot of rebuilding to be done, and it's the theme of the story. Rebuilding physically with Velaris after the battle here. Rebuilding in helping people through this time. Rebuilding of relationships; family, friends, and allies. Even working to rebuild ones self after all you've been through. All of it are small steps and work. It's seen that any healing is done differently, personally and physically. We see that here.

We also get to see everyone have a bit of fun in this celebrating time. It's kind of like a Christmas celebration with everyone.

This story also is a bridge for bigger things yet to come. It shows where a few of those hit hard in the battle are at now. Even talks about things that are stirring. Things that will need attended in the story to come. This is nice seeing these ties, as even though there's a celebration for the season, life doesn't stop and work still happens.

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Audio Book Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got my answer to my Suriel question! I'm good with the answer and I love the Suriel.

So. We see all the planning and the consequences from actions (I'm glad not all are good because...that makes it more relatable, they aren't perfect). And the big battle! Wow, the Big Stars that make an appearance for this battle. Cool.

The first half of the book felt slower for me. This is laying of the brickwork base for the second half. The last half is all action, facing their fears and rolling with what needs done. And the fighting.

So on to the characters....
I'm disappointed in Tamlin. Yet, he kind of redeems himself. It feels like he's desperate for love in his life. He's just not going about it properly.

Feyre. How is it Feyre is so cunning and able to do all she does? It feels so fast that she's shifted from struggling to survive to burning down a court from the inside. And taking on enemies that others can't touch. I guess she has the element of surprise on her side, because no one expects it from her.

I have to give Rhys credit. He holds his cool rather well with the mating bond with Feyre. There are times I thought he's hammer heads or be jealous, but it doesn't show on him. And I have to add, he treats Feyre with respect and as an equal. Listening to her ideas, talking through them, and using them. I love this!

I'm glad Nesta and Elain come around here. But, in the end, they have a lot to work through.

There's a few who get what they deserve. And...I liked it. There's others we feel for. And many have actions they never thought they'd make that they'll now have to live with.

I'll be continuing with the series to see how everyone's lives go from here.

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

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book. There are many things touched on in it. The fae world building is beautiful here, and I know it's just started with there being numerous courts here. I feel there's a solid theme, there's so much more to love.

Why do I feel that theme?
Because we see Tamlin stifling Feyre. He's trying to change her into a person she's not. I know, they both dealt with some serious trauma under the mountain. But, sometimes two that are so damaged aren't good together. They aren't helping each other. And even when Feyre tried, Tamlin stepped back further. Please don't let love stifle you. Even if someone loves you, it might not be the right kind of love for you. That's important too.

Sarah's writing along with the narrators voice both work amazing together to grow the dynamic and difference in how Feyre feels when with Tamlin then with Rhysand. This is amazing to get that feel from them both. There's such a growth in the dynamic and difference between Tamlin and Rhysand and the situation with them and Feyre.

Rhysand... His court is like the land of misfit toys. lol. I love his close and personal court and friends. The personality that bursts from each of them. He lets his people be themselves. He's so very different than what he lets other courts see. And I really enjoyed this and seeing the hidden places. He's great for pushing Feyre to be herself and what she can be.

I have a few things I'm hung up on, questions in a way. The Surial. Why is it so easy for Feyre to catch and get information out of? There just seems to be more to this. And her sisters, at the end... Why keep creating allies? The terrible king knows it works, so why two times? A gift? I feel like there's more here too.

So, I'll be carrying on with the series. :)

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Audio Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay. Can I just sit right here, after this book and enjoy the peace? I listened to Throne of Glass series and I know what Sarah can do to her characters. And it hurts my heart.

Very much a Beauty and the Beast theme to the story with Feyre. The way she gets to Prythian, how Tamlin is, how they react to each other, and things aren't as they seem. Even through to the end. Now, there is some faery twists to the story, but the theme is strongly there.

The beginning was slower moving. Had I been reading instead of listening, it probably would have taken me a little longer to get through it.

Now, when Feyre gets a grip on herself and opens her eyes to what's going on around her and returns to help. Now, this is what I really loved. She gets in deep with the fae and makes a deal she's probably not up to par for. We see new deals made and how she gets through her three deadly tasks. It's tough and political games in play as we meet new people. And with fae, there's always a riddle. Did you know the answer to the riddle? I had a strong feeling that was the answer but wasn't 100% sure at the time.

The ending...I could comfortable have the ending right here. There are deals made and things that are yet to be answered, but it's NOT a cliffhanger ending. It's a nice ending that completes the story here. Now, onto the next books!

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