a truly grand finale

I am in desperate need of more of this series to exist... it's just too good. I don't want to face reality: I've read all I can of Feyre and co. (exempting fanfiction). Knowing that a book for Azriel is in the works is half-torturous, half-fantastic. The waiting I'll have to endure in the meantime might be my undoing, though part of me just wants to write it myself. I have plenty of ideas for how Azriel's story could intertwine with Gwyn's, though his chemistry with Elain is there and frankly not always my favorite... anyways. I'm drifting away from the book that actually exists I have so many thoughts for. For starters, I really didn't think I'd like the switching of POVs, and the departure from first-person altogether. But I got used to it and ended up loving it. I loved jumping back and forth from Cassian to Nesta and seeing their stories get the spotlight. Viewing Feyre and Rhys from beyond their own perspectives was interesting, too. I honestly didn't like Rhys a whole lot in this book, but I think that was kind of the point. I knew going into this book that Nesta was gonna be a tough cookie to crack. That her trauma ran really, really deep. Understandably. I admire the realistic portrayal of how long it took her (kicking and screaming most of the way) to get to a place where she started to like the person she was becoming, to be able to approach things that affected her (like the sound of a fire) with new skills and strength she'd acquired only after the people who loved her pushed her to do so. It's themes like this running throughout the book -- resiliency, self-confrontation, tough love, and found family -- that really hook me. Found family really snared me, especially toward the end, when Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn have to rely on each other wholly and completely just to survive. Their trio was not something I expected to see, or see as such an integral part of the plot and character development, but something I'm so glad was in there. Gwyn is definitely one of my new favorite characters. Her strength, grace, sense of humor, and loyalty are all so admirable. And I loved the way she acted as the catalyst for the Valkyrie training. I love Emerie's soul of steel and fire for training as well. There's no real smooth way to transition into what I have to say next, so I'll just say it -- the spice in this book really does not hold back. But honestly... I wouldn't expect anything less from our avid smut-reader Nesta and five-hundred-year-old Illyrian warrior Cassian. Their chemistry began the moment they laid eyes on one another (a trope I love btw) and only got more heated the closer they inched toward admitting their feelings for one another. Their back and forth banter in the training ring and beyond is gold. Oh, and the House somehow reading romance books and being Nesta's friend? I loved that. I had a few things spoiled for me, their status as mates included, but I felt like that fact was something most readers could see coming from far off. The happiness they both find in each other, after literal years of Nesta pushing Cassian away just for him to keep gently pushing forward, is so satisfying and warmed my heart to see finally come to fruition. And Nesta's insanely badass powers and attitude really grew on me. Like, she's unstoppable and it's fantastic. This book is almost five stars in my opinion -- 4.5/5 and 9.5/10. I'm glad to be able to associate it with the time I spent at home this Christmas break with nothing better to do than read and write. :) 



Some of my favorite quotes from A Court of Silver Flames:

"Those pants were going to kill him. Brutally, thoroughly kill him."

"Keep reaching out your hand, had been Amren's only reply."

"Azriel was nothing short of beautiful. Even with those scarred hands and the shadows that flowed from him like smoke, she'd always found him to be the prettiest of the three males who called themselves brothers."

"For you, I have no strategies."

"Cassian surveyed her. Gazed into her eyes and breathed, 'Beautiful.'"

"Still human, and I nearly went to my knees before you."

"Your power is a song, and one I've waited a very, very long time to hear, Nesta."

"'The book,' Nesta said, a bit breathlessly, 'is about...' Her nostrils flared and her eyes went a bit unfocused. 'A book.'
'Interesting,' Cassian murmured. 'Sounds great.'"

"He added a shade softly, 'Keep reaching out your hand.'
So Nesta did."

"'You're an arrogant bastard.'
'And you're a haughty witch. We're evenly matched.'"

"Did something happen that I, as your chaperone, should know about?"

"Cassian grinned, and said to Azriel, 'We're going to be uncles.'
Feyre groaned. 'Mother help this child.'"

"So, yes. I like to read. I cannot survive without reading."

"Her eyes met his. Death watched him. But Death had walked beside him every day of his life. So Cassian stroked his thumb along her palm and said, 'Hello, Nes.'"

"You wear your heart for all to see, brother, Rhys said without turning Cassian's way.
Cassian only shrugged. He was past caring."

"I'm beyond lies right now, Nesta."

"Her features were open, fearful but so trusting that he nearly went to his knees."

"'I've always been your friend, Nesta,' he said hoarsely. 'Always.'"

"Our stories are worth telling."

"The music was no longer the most beautiful thing in existence. He was."

"From the moment I met you, I wanted you more than reason."

"For it was music between their souls. Always had been. And his voice was her favorite melody."

"What had occurred in the past did not have to dictate the future."

"She laughed, a sound of pure joy, and she cried more, because that joy was a miracle."

"Nesta had loved Cassian since she'd first laid eyes on him."

"You've had me from the moment you met me."

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