I don’t even know where to begin. I can talk about how amazing this series is as much as I can complain about a litany of plot points. Lord knows this series isn’t in need of MORE reviews, so don’t think of it as a review but as an article trying to work out my qualms in a really great story. Because let’s be real, who am I to critique SJM? Officially, I can admit I didn’t hate this series as intended! There’s so much I want to say and break down about these books but I’ll try to be brief.
A Court of Frost and Starlight is cute and the snowball scene and the banter in it are great. Plus the scene where (nothing but spoilers from here on out) Feyre tells Rhys she wants to start a family… oh man my heart couldn’t take it.
A Court of Wings and Ruin had so many great scenes in it and I loved seeing the whole team in action (except for Elain 🙄) but I had the most issues with this one. At the top of this list, I think SJM did Mor dirty. She was easily one of my most favorite characters in the series but I just couldn’t follow her story line. I want to make it clear I do not have an issue with Mor preferring female partners. However, THE Morrigan, the teller of truth, the feisty, be yourself, wear what you want, confident woman who is battle hardened and takes zero shit…. is in the closet? And subsequently hiding from her centuries old friends/family and lying and intentionally hurting Azriel. Only to tell Feyre and think it of the utmost importance she know she prefers woman before dying in battle, whom she’s known SIX WHOLE MONTHS but can’t tell her family who would absolutely not even bat an eye about it? Make it make sense. It doesn’t fit her character at all and I’m really confused why SJM chose this route for Mor. Azriel still could be longing for her in the shadows if he knew she wasn’t available to him like that. Part of Mors back story still could have included struggling with this part of her identity for years after she left The Court of Nightmares and taking her time to be honest with her family. I just don’t get it.
“And it was precisely because of it that I said, “I love you.” His head lifted, eyes churning. “There was a time when I dreamed of hearing that,” he murmured. “When I never thought I’d hear it from you.” He gestured to the tent—to Adriata beyond it. “Our trip here was the first time I let myself … hope.” To the stars who listen—and the dreams that are answered.”
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Also, the amount of deathless gods and truly immortal beings dying seems odd. Was anyone else disappointed that the bone carver died? And that the weaver, who lived thousands of years killing people, and the king just walked up to her and snapped her neck…. ? Furthermore, didn’t Rhys once say if shit hit the fan he’d “unleash Amren on the world?” She was unleashed, burned a bunch of troops and then just died. Another supposedly truly immortal character. I think it even says Amren gave up her immortality to come back as a High Fae after she DIED. I get this is fantasy but… my brain isn’t accepting this as immortality. Finally, Rhys dying and being brought back 😒… I will vent about this more a little later but, it would have been more interesting if he just exhausted all his power and essentially been disabled for months or in a coma. Maybe that could have been something that was getting worked out in A Court of Frost and Starlight, him rehabilitating his power and struggling with that loss?
With all that said, Nesta saving Cassian in the war had me in tears. Their father showing up with their names on ships (and everyone else… maybe a little too clandestine for me) had me sobbing. Additionally, I didn’t think I would have been as distraught as I was about the Suriel dying! That was such a touching scene and one of my favorites. Cassian and Az arriving on the frozen lake to get their High Lady was amazing. Feyre was definitely less annoying in this book and I loved watching her and Rhys kick ass as High Lord and High Lady. While I am salty about a lot of parts of this book, I would still give it four stars.
Okay, A Court of Silver Flame. Ugh this book had my smut loving heart singing. Alas though, let’s start with my qualms. Feyres pregnancy story…. why? Just why? It’s excessive. I just don’t buy that a c section for someone who can quickly heal couldn’t work or why she can’t just go back to an Illyrian body. Her complications are over the top. The ending where Feyre and her baby (and Rhys I guess “insert eyeroll here also*) can only be saved by Nesta, who theoretically has unimaginable power, using every part of the Dread Trove and making a deal with the mother. Seriously? In a land of magic that’s the only possible way? That was just a miss for me. I loooove that Rhys and Feyre started a family and I can see how birthing wings would add some concern to that, but I think it was overdone. And this is the third or fourth time someone has been brought back from the dead in the 11th hour by some miracle (re: previous mentioned eyeroll with Rhys dying in ACOWAR). That trope has been played two or three times more than it should have been. Either kill people or don’t. Rants officially over.
Nesta and Cassian 😍. It’s quite a bit spicier than the other books which is totally fitting for Cassian and Nesta and I loved their dynamic. Nesta was hard to deal with the first bit of the book for certain (anyone else notice how strong the genetic code on the Archeron family is and the apparent requirement by all family members to wallow in excess? Like father like daughters). I think despite her being the actual worst, I still prefer her over Feyre (though being outside Feyres mind this book I think helped me love her). Nesta at least knows she’s being a garbage person and isn’t deserving of the love that the inner circle is giving her but the entire book focuses around her trying to change that and ultimately be deserving and to forgive herself. Her story line with Gwyn and Emerie makes my heart sing. The three of them and their traumas and how they overcome them is so uplifting. The Valkeries is such a great plot. Nestas relationship with the house also made me giggle. The house loving smutty books is amazing. The constant tension with her and Cassian had me in stitches and daammnnn… the “grab the headboard” vibe had my own toes curling. He’s so patient but also gives her shit right back to her and it’s a dynamic I’d love to reread. “Keep reaching out your hand” is just a great theme of the book.
“That’s the key, isn’t it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it … that’s the important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder.” She gestured to the stars zooming past. “The struggle with that darkness is worth it, just to see such things.”
A Court of Silver Flames
In summation, after I say my piece about some of the more frustrating and eyerolly plot points, I can officially (albeit somewhat begrudgingly) say I think this book series is fantastic. The vibrancy of the characters is beautiful. I love these characters more than I care to admit. Azriel has my heart and I pray we get to hear his point of view some day (team Az and Gwyn all the way!) I’ve never been so thoroughly in love with a book and story while being so annoyed by it at the same time and I give SJM all the praise for that. All of the myth and lore from an array of cultures etched into this series is one of my favorite things. I’m not quite understanding of the pathological chokehold this series has on so many, but I absolutely recommend it. Five star read easy.
I beseech the powers that be though, by the mother, do not turn this show into a TV series. There is simply no way you can do it justice.
-Kassandras Musings
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