Corte de Harmonias Partidas

A Court of Thorns and Roses #6

by Sarah J. Maas, Luara França (Translator)

Sarah J. Maas retorna às cortes de Prythian em Corte de harmonias partidas, sexto volume da série best-seller nº 1 Corte de espinhos e rosas.

A pré-venda acompanha sobrecapa com a estética das capas originais da série ACOTAR para padronizar a sua estante, além de 2 marcadores! A tiragem da sobrecapa e dos marcadores é limitada somente à 1ª edição do livro.

O que foi quebrado será refeito.


Em algum lugar nas profundezas do continente, Koschei, o Imortal, está começando a se movimentar. Embora esteja aprisionado há um milênio nas águas de um lago, a ameaça nefasta de seu retorno se espalha pelos territórios feéricos, atraindo poderosos aliados determinados a recuperar aquilo que um dia já lhes pertenceu: as terras humanas.

A Corte Noturna, porém, não pretende ficar parada enquanto vidas inocentes são colocadas em risco. Mas, com Prythian se reerguendo após a devastadora guerra de Hybern, unir os reinos revela-se uma tarefa cada vez mais espinhosa.

Para piorar a situação, os governantes e guardiões da Corte Noturna encontram-se abalados por traições e verdades há muito ocultas, e as cisões que os separam parecem difíceis de superar.

Entretanto, se desejam derrotar a sombra de Koschei, será preciso encontrar o caminho de volta uns aos outros e restabelecer as antigas alianças. Pois, para sobreviver ao que está por vir, talvez a única solução seja restaurar as harmonias que foram partidas ao longo do caminho.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, New Adult, Audiobook, Fae, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2026

About the author

Sarah J. Maas is the #1 bestselling author of the Throne of Glass, Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City series. Her books have sold millions of copies and are published in thirty-eight languages. She lives in New York City with her family.

Reviews

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review (spoiler warning): 5/5

A Court of Splintered Harmony is a fast-paced first part of one whole story, revealing some conflict and tension between political alliances and relationships throughout this movement.

There are forces at play regarding Koschei the Deathless, looming across the continent. With the way some characters were behaving in ACOSH, it leaves us wondering if Koschei is already pulling the strings within the Night Court since his voice can carry through the winds. It made my heart ache for some of these characters throughout the book, but it's only the introduction to the story.

While Feyre and Rhysand and the rest of the IC seek to secure alliances and find out sensitive information, Elain is left on the back burner (for a reason), and we see her through the lenses of other pov's; her romance, particularly her relationships with Lucien Vanserra and Azriel the Shadowsinger, has then become a focal point in the overarching plot.

In ACOMAF, we learn Elain is mated to Lucien Vanserra right after being thrown into the cauldron and transforming into a Made Fae. Elain emerged as an entirely different being–without a choice in the changes in her body, the choice of a mate–with powers she has yet to fully master and utilize.

We also see young Azriel and how he became a shadowsinger, born from his trauma, and throughout ACOSH, his shadows disappear from Elain because she is the bright to his dark, the person who breathes life into him.

What particularly stood out to me was when members of the Inner Circle told Elain she can reject the mating bond while simultaneously telling her how important it is for Lucien to be an ally and asset to them. This would ultimately confuse Elain. How can she reject a bond to a person the Night Court may need for the impending war? Additionally, why would she reject the bond in a POV that is not hers?

For five books, Elain made it evidently clear she is not interested in Lucien Vanserra. As Elain said, "Lucien is nothing to me" in Chapter 22, ACOSH. I wish some acotar stans had more empathy for her choice and autonomy. We know that Elain cannot make that decision yet, with all the pressure going on around her.

I will admit we need Elain’s point of view to fully understand her thoughts and explore her feelings and visions for her life and future. But I cannot help but enjoy the beginning of the relationship between Elain and Azriel, and we know what Azriel thinks of her: “He was death, and she was life. Where his soul was soiled and bloodied, hers was pristine, verdant.”

Remember that ACOSH is part one, meaning the beginning of the story. Elain and Azriel have been friends since ACOMAF; it's about time they act on their feelings.

Furthermore, the Inner Circle and potentially darker forces are shown to keep Elain and Azriel apart. Their love is forbidden, with challenges from every corner that they will have to overcome in the upcoming movements. Those who think the Inner Circle being against their relationship is a sign they won’t end up together are simply not true.

The Inner Circle is against their relationship because their political alliances are already fragile. The IC does not speak on behalf of Elain, nor do they choose for her in her love life. That is the point of her story about choosing what she wants in the end, despite all odds against them. As Azriel said, “to hell with all of them, for trying to come between him and Elain, for not grasping what was so very obvious.”

Some say Elain and Azriel have an unhealthy dynamic. I see it as two people who care about each other and act out on their feelings and need for each other. They started their relationship recently, and it began because Azriel was spooked about Nesta handing the mask to Bryce, which made him think, "this is my chance to express myself with her, as if the world was ending."

Do we also remember this is ACOTAR and not every relationship in this series began as sunshine and rainbows? It's amazing how people want to dismiss them entirely based on a three-hundred-page book (a tiny fraction of the whole story) when they have time to grow and develop in ACOFM (the much larger one). ACOFM will give us a better understanding of everyone's headspace.

Also, am I not the only one sensing something between Lucien and Vassa? He's very fond of and protective of her. I also believe Lucien will be the one to help break Vassa's curse, but we will see. I feel like many dislike Elain for their dynamic when he seems like he will be getting his own HEA after all; everyone just needs to be patient.

Lastly, I thought this book had some comedic undertones. There were moments when we were meant to be shocked. It felt like a telenovela; I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. Elain putting flower arrangements to block the view of her mate (comical!) The spy twins teasing Azriel (loved it!) Cassian finding out about Elain and Azriel (I nearly fell to the floor).

The book ends with Elain wanting to do more than stand idly, and her journey to Vallahan to help stop Koschei will show all of her potential. For some reason, it felt like Elain was being forgotten, dismissed, and ignored; even her own sisters were forgetting her, too. Are the Inner Circle being influenced by Koschei too? It all seems very odd. Azriel’s last chapter ends with him wanting to find Elain to make things work, leaving their journey open-ended to continue in ACOFM.

Elain Archeron is the forgotten melody, and I cannot wait to read the rest of her story, her POV, along with the rest of the Inner Circle.

"His salvation–that was what Elain was, what he'd been willing to fight for"

Side note: can't believe I have to say this, but if my review triggers anyone, please go seek help. I'll remove any personal attacks, since I haven't attacked any of the characters, and I'm not calling anyone who disagrees with me any sort of names; I just expressed my opinion. You are allowed to disagree and debate respectfully. Any comments made against my person are a poor reflection of you if you cannot regulate your emotions over these fictional characters at the end of the day. My comment should not boil your blood.

03/21/2021

Elain Archeron is a seer, which is what the next novel needs to locate the fourth trove to stop Koschei. There are pressing matters that are going on in the courts, and there is political tension. This is a fantasy series with serious issues going on, not a contemporary NA where the main couple has the time to get to know each other. This is ACOTAR. Elain and Azriel have already established a friendship, and their interactions are entangled with Lucien due to the mating bond.

Elain and Azriel's relationship has been foreshadowed since A Court of Mist and Fury and scattered throughout the series. In the bonus POV, Azriel made it obvious that he has feelings for Elain. Rhys had only told Azriel to stay away from her because it would trigger a blood duel with Lucien and potential war between courts. But Azriel admitted it would take him no effort to win that blood duel, meaning he is willing to fight for Elain.

Azriel had given Elain a personalized rose necklace that she returned due to Rhys's interruption, which is similar to how Cassian had given Nesta a gift during her first Winter Solstice (that she rejected), but they ultimately got together. Not to mention that Azriel had looked at and thought about Elain's gift to him for an entire year until the next one, when they exchanged gifts again.

Up until now, Elain has been visibly uncomfortable around Lucien. You can find that evidence throughout the series, and she told Lucien that he had betrayed them. She had never shown interest in him, but it is evident she is interested in Azriel, which is mutual. That is a setup for the next book, which would be about CHOICE.

Those who say Elain and Azriel's relationship would be obvious and cliché are missing the fact that two mated individuals (Elain and Lucien) getting together would also be obvious, cliché, and repetitive. Reading about choice and free will, choosing what you want instead of allowing "fate" to decide feels much more liberating to read. To say that Elain should be with Lucien because he is her mate is stripping her of the choice before she even gets to make it in her novel, so that argument is invalid.

Also, notice how Azriel has heightened hearing, and Elain can see things others can't. Azriel said in ACOWAR that they needed a seer. Both have special abilities that would be used for spying on other courts and kingdoms, which is most likely the plot for the next book, in addition to the blood duel and forbidden-love aspect and miscommunication trope, finding Koschei and the fourth trove, which would be one of Sarah's finest works.

Overall, I can't see Elain with Lucien when he told Elain they were mates right away, not giving her a choice, which was a mistake because, to Elain, choice matters. Usually, two people accept the bond normally when they are unaware of it; they become friends first and then lovers. Elucien is the only mating bond that had been known right away, which means it was doomed from the start because it makes them feel equally shackled.

Therefore, Elain most likely won't end up with a man who's a reminder of what was taken from her- a choice- the same person that ignored both their feelings. However, I do believe Lucien will be the person who supports her choice and encourages it, whatever it is, and I also believe he will be getting his own love interest that may have already been suggested.

As for Azriel and Gwyn. Gwyn deserves better than potentially receiving a second-hand gift from Azriel, whether Clotho had given it to her or not. Clotho knew it wasn't meant for her when she noticed how sad the Shadow-Singer's face was. That gift was meant for Elain. It was a rose necklace, and roses symbolize love, romance, and secrecy. Azriel had then gone to the House of Wind to distract himself from Elain. He thinks he doesn't deserve her, despite Elain returning those same feelings. Please don't ignore four books of build-up; you're just ignoring canon at this point.
But we'll see more in the next book.

Now, to those who think Elain is boring, her character has not been fully fleshed out yet for a reason (because it's reserved for her own book). We will learn more about her, which is why we don't know much about her, but we know this: she's a seer, a flower-grower, a kingslayer, a hero of Prythian. That is by far impressive.

In Feyre's bonus POV after ACOSF, Rhys says, "We haven't yet seen all that she has to offer." And if you still think Elain's "boring" or "annoying," we don't know much about her. Some readers judge her before giving her a chance. Remember that Nesta was heavily hated prior to receiving her book; therefore, what makes you think Elain would not capture an audience? No one is asking you to read the books if you don't like Elain, so move on if that's not what YOU wanted. Mind you, the author gets to write what she wants to write; Elain haters do not dictate that at all.

To be frank, I am disappointed in the ACOTAR fandom for making sexist and misogynistic jokes about Gwyn and Elain, reducing their characters and worth to a ship. I've seen people compare their reproductive systems. Pliant bones? Not being able to have children? What are y'all on about?

[SK · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Oh wow, Movement 1 was like being dunked in cold water and forced to meet with the ugliest parts of emotional torment you can imagine and yet something that you need to see and confront. I loved every messy moment of it. I've had some time to think about the events of this book. It's frustrating. Some of it made me scream, nearly throw the book at a wall, sob because it hurt too much but then there's this odd, lingering vulnerabilities to it that draws you in. I couldn't stop reading it. I loved how the mess was shown bitter enough to be labeled resentment, hatred, arrogance and agony. But there was so much love and desperation to be seen and chosen too, how does one overlook that?

Movement 1 definitely reads like it's being taken out of a bigger picture, which it is. And most of it won't land until we get the complete picture. But definitely read Crescent City before jumping into this. The narrative won't make sense without it.

I personally loved the political expansion here. That we're moving beyond the Night Court and Prythian. The continent had me curious for a long time now, and with how the chess pieces are moving on the board, I'm very intrigued by the direction this will take in ACOFM and I do have a theory for that which I'll expand on a bit later. The military and strategy developments are interesting but they need bit of an oopmh factor. It's a slow start to the movements but one worth reading, can't wait to see how it furthers the plot.

Loved to see Feysand as parents. Though the watery bowels have now turned into milky breasts. It's fine though, Feyre's nursing a six month year old baby. It's really not as annoying as people made it to be imo. But I loved seeing Rhysand's happiness being a father. No one deserves this more than the two of them. And oh my gods, Nyx, those baby scenes were so adorable.

I genuinely thought I could review this without spoilers but there is much to be dissected and I can't keep it all under the wraps with how much I need to scream. So stop here if you haven't read.

Also, apologies for the LONG review.

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🚫 CONTAINS MAASSIVE SPOILERS 🚫

🌌 1. The Political Landscape: Night Court and it's Allies. Potential High King and Queen? 🌌

While I'm glad that we are moving on to a bigger scope of political warfare, something like ToG, there's a smudge of juvenile way of going about things. I don't mean it in a negative, it's just an observation. Sure, I loved seeing clashes of diplomacy play out and the new characters spewing their bs. But Feyre's vision however peaceful cannot be achieved by mere friendly relations. And both Rhysand and Eris see it for that. I loved how Eris paints the imagery of darkness being equally needed to balance the light. Sort of like Yin and Yang. And with Prythian itself not allying with that vision, it makes me see it as the courts need change and unity. Imo it was being set up for a High Queen rather a High King and I have just the right candidate in mind.

While Rhysand is loved and feared, he has adamantly refused to take up the mantle. And I genuinely think he doesn't want to. After 500+ years of ruling the Night Court, the wars and finally finding love and family, his arc has sort of reached a point where he would pass that wisdom to someone else. And we see that in ACOSH quite clearly. I don't see how anyone could misinterpret that. When he gives the troves back to Nesta, and her asking to be like him, that's clear as day. With Nesta being approached by Amren and eight pointed star, she's clearly being set for the High Queen/High Lady status. Narrative and pattern supports SJM putting women on a higher position and Nesta's story is not yet completed. It's a Valkyrie movement.

So will Prythian unify under a High Queen? Not instantly. But the tide may turn if a certain Autumn Heir takes his own mantle. Perhaps in the next book. I'm not going to elaborate on that yet, but there's been crumbs all over.

⚔️ 2. Nesta and Cassian: Reconciliation and Healing ⚔️

Good lord, this was painful to witness. I think the whole Nesta situation in regards to HOFAS is blown way out of proportion. She did not deserve that kind of isolation and judgement. That was not easy to witness. Especially from Cassian. And I guess the intent here was to show even mates have their marital issues or maybe Nesta needed to be on the journey alone. But I genuinely do not think that they're breaking up or Eris is going to swoop in and take Nesta. However hard the journey was here, reconciliation showed they love each other a lot. And I guess we also found out that perhaps you cannot un-mate. Cassian definitely needs to stand up more for her though, he had me a little frustrated and I still have to see effort from him. He is allowed to be upset, but the fact he even refused to hold her is genuinely baffling.

Nesta is a queen amongst women and love that Eris can see that. I don't mind a little healthy ribbing. And while we're talking about her. Hello??? The winnowing??? The chase against Bryaxis??? CHILLS.

🖤 3. Azriel: Trauma, Self Loathing and the difference between understanding and excusing him 🖤

I genuinely LOVE Azriel. I understand him completely. He's one of my favorite complex, morally grey characters written. And yet, with love, I'm still going to hold his character accountable. Trauma doesn't excuse the harm you cause. To self and to others. But while we're talking about Azriel, holy hell, the shadow lore we're getting. I loved finding out more about how his shadows operate. The inner mechanisms of his own mind and soul. It truly breaks my heart reading about his past and I sobbed so much especially the first few chapters. The way he sees himself, his wings and shadows, his siphons and his soul was downright devastating. He calls himself empty and yet all I saw was how deeply he's truly feeling. His struggles with Illyrian heritage is genuinely saddening to see. But from where he's coming from, I suppose it's valid.

I think the bit that hurt me the most was how desperate he is to get rid of his shadows. That he doesn't want to accept that one consistent part of him that's always seen him and yet he doesn't want it. And hence, that leads him to spiraling with the Elain thing. It's just one of the many triggers. The shadows behavior is worth watching, who they run from and who they feel happy around. And his reluctance to accept that part of him and the self loathing is making things worse.

Lmao tho I would admit his relationship and pettiness with Truth Teller had me cackling every time. I'm sorry I couldn't take it seriously at all.

I really hope to see his arrogant, cocky ass heal first before anything but I doubt it will be easy. He doesn't need humbling. He needs to feel seen and chosen. To be loved in the light rather than be someone's dirty secret. Nah, I love him. He doesn't deserve the hate for wanting to be chosen however wrong his methods to achieve that.

💙🩷 4. Elriel: A Ship Sinking 💙🩷

Oh, I'm going to risk the hate here. But I genuinely cannot see the love and romance here. Even if I pull away the mating bond with Lucien away for a few moments. Romantically? The book did not favor Elriel at all here. Everything, nearly everything happened off page. And let's remember, this is Movement 1. We're only going to move forward here. We won't go back to Elain's pov to revisit the romance that never happened. For a romantasy, taking out the biggest ship and not giving them the intimacy of emotions is not love. It reads like something brief and an infatuation that needed to be explored to be purged.

Their first kiss happens off page. We also don't see them connecting at all emotionally. There are no conversations between them when we actually see them connect. But what we do see is Azriel wanting to talk about his past to Elain and her pivoting the conversation to the bedroom. And however gentle she may have been, that shuts a door that Azriel was opening. That was written on page. We also see Elain consenting to be with him sexually. When Azriel asks if she's certain and she responds positively, there should have been no miscommunication. Sure, Elain can be confused but if you are, he deserves to know. She claims towards the end to Nesta that she saw a future with Azriel. And yet, it doesn't erase the fact that the moment Lucien caught them, the first thing she says is: It's a misunderstanding.

That does not support Elriel at all. In fact, I would go to say that the chemistry was wrong deliberately. Everything about it was written in a manner to make us feel the ick, the wrongness of them, the unease and how uncomfortable it's getting to see them like this.

Azriel is seeking light while being a secret affair in the dark to someone who could not listen to his past or his vulnerabilities. His shadows do not want a part of it, they see Lucien's pain rather than his own first. You cannot ask someone to be your light when the other person is keeping you in the dark. Fuck no. Azriel deserves better.

Not to forget that Azriel is also not clearly over Mor. At least not completely. He has conflicting emotions but he's not yet fully let go which I suspected as much. You don't get over a five century worth of pining in a manner of two years.

Coming to the fact, while Azriel may be advocating for Elain's autonomy, her body and choices, he also feels entitled to her. The three brothers and three sisters narrative from him was not sound. But I did see Rhysand holding them both accountable rightfully. No, Rhysand was not interfering. His argument was if you want Azriel, reject your fucking mate. It's simple as that. It's even more simpler that he doesn't want to be a complicit in the mess unfolding under his roof when he has a potential war to strategize. And it's understandable. He's a damn High Lord! His actions and support have consequences. So no, he wasn't stopping them. He just wanted no part of it.

The entitlement is to the point that Azriel feels the need to drag Lucien down the moment Lucien does something nice for the sisters during dinner. And yeah, no. That reeked of insecurity and desperation. He's not feeling secured with Elain at all. So how is it salvation? The imagery of life and death may be romantic but even Tamlin said to Feyre: I love you, thorns and all. Unfortunately, the evidence from Movement 1 is not in favor of Elriel.

Though I'm still a little curious if Movement 2 and 3 will address that necklace at all.

🦊 5. Lucien: A Deserving Male 🦊

I'm ngl the protective rage I felt could match the intensity of a mating bond. Cause what the fuck do you mean he had to endure another betrayal and humiliation by the hands of our beloved characters and no fucking one went to check on him??? I'm genuinely so sick and tired of everyone in the Night Court painting him as a "tool" to be used or as the enemy. We're six books in, and he's not smiled since Jesmida (in his own words). And we have not seen him sass or be playful since book 1. You would think that Azriel, who pined after Mor would understand Lucien and his scars the most but unfortunately no.

And it's not just the mating bond complexity that has me pissed which let's not forget, he didn't ask for either. No, it runs deeper. Because he has no home to go to. He has no friends but Jurian and Vassa. Feyre, who owes him better thinks of him as an "asset" or "tool." I'm utterly baffled by how Feyre has been treating him lately. He did leave everything behind to go with her.

Rhysand? Keeping the information about Helion from Lucien, not out of protectiveness but rather to use at the right time??? Yeah no.

And Azriel sending that repulsive spy after him? Cheap fucking shot. There was no need for this and I can see this backfiring.

✨ 6. Elain, Koschei and the Made weapon ✨

I mean, it's all very fascinating. I cannot wait to see where the story goes and what this other Made weapon is. But could it not be Elain? I'm just speculating. Given how everyone is coddling her, won't she have a reason to be bit of a morally grey reason to outwit others? Idk, I'm watching her closely especially since she left with Mor to Vallahan and Gwydion disappeared too. And with Azriel's shadows choosing to disappear around Elain and the timing of Bryaxis attack, I'm not truly convinced of Elain's innocence yet. She doesn't shy from telling Mor that looks and seduction can be a manipulative skill. I would personally raise red flags and alarm bells there. Her reaction during the confrontation with Nesta was very odd too, all the hissing and pushing back, I don't know what to make of it. Given how much she wants her humanity back, I'm not totally putting it off that she might be working with Koschei or at least under his influence. Again, not saying she's evil but she might be misguided.

But on another note, apart from Nesta, everyone coddles her so much, it's miserable on her end. She does try to open up conversations on helping around more than babysitting and gardening to Feyre, but gets shut down. It's not fair to her. So taking up space from everyone and going her own way? Approved. She needed that. This is perhaps the stepping stone in whatever she is to become.

Also another thought off the top of my head. Azriel trusts the winds and the shadows the most and yet we also notice how Koschei does have power over the winds and dreams. So how far, does the influence really go? Again, not saying Azriel is a villain here. But is he even listening to the right things? Are his shadows picking up on the actual truth??

Koschei's presence is described as death, no joy and without hope. Kind of like the mood of this book. Idk if it was intended to be this way or not. But interesting. Especially the contrast of death in Koschei and the life in baby Nyx. Could be nothing, could be something, I can't wait to find out.

💅 To conclude 💅

Things were messy here. Utterly chaotic and yet these were things that needed to happen. Without the explosions, no ship or romance would move forward. Without bringing a character down, there won't be a rise to their development arc. This is just Movement 1 and it started off with a banger. I can't wait to see where Movement 2 and 3 takes us. The action and political intrigue would be insane. Especially with Koschei coming out of his hellhole properly.

I'm so excited to see Elain's POV, along with Lucien's and Gwyn's. Gwyn is genuinely so precious to me, the potential there is amazing. She does not need Azriel but he definitely needs someone like her. The Valkyries are just starting and I'm here for it. I just know Azriel is going to have a tough time but the growth will be worth it. I'm not giving up on him at all. He deserves to be loved and he deserves his own healing arc. Here's hoping we get a desperate healing arc cause my baby is a little too destructive right now. I personally would love to see more of Eris. The potential is humongous and please for the love of the Cauldron, unravel the mystery with Mor.

The only reason this is 4.5 and not 5 stars for me is the fact that however much I loved and enjoyed this soap opera, I couldn't get behind how Lucien was treated. My blood boils like the flames of the Autumn Court. Other than that, I'm already waiting for ACOFM.

[Clace · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

BUCKLE UP BITCHES 🗣‼️ i'm here to rant

I know that this story is split into 4 parts and scattered across three books. My rating for this book might change when the others are out, but for now, I am only judging it for what it is presented as.

SPOILERS OF COURSE !!! - (dont come crying in the comments later on)

Wow - we finally got another ACOTAR book 5 years later 😭 It honestly felt surreal to have it in my hands and read it. It was only 320 pages, but it did read like an ACOTAR book - in fact, it felt like reading ACOTAR all over again 🫣 I'm settling for a 3.25 for now because of how inconsistent I felt things were.

So, lets start.

The writing - idk why, but it felt so weird 😭 I was talking to my 10/10 absolute diva of a friend (some of you might know her as buket), and she told me that the writing was already bad 😭😭, and that we're just developing our frontal lobe now, so we're noticing - and I couldn't even disagree because some of the scenes (NOT ALL) were not well written, but the book was still enjoyable. I was hooked. It had me on it for ten hours straight, like I genuinely don't know what drugs were infused in it because I couldn't put it down despite the underwhelming writing. I binged it in a span of 12-13 hours. The plot saved the book. It was well handled, and the way it's moving makes it sound very promising, especially with how things ended.

I honestly think we're at this stage with SJM where we can criticize her writing if it's lacking 😭 because she's written multiple books, she has delivered time and time again, and if there is this lingering pattern creeping up where her writing is deteriorating (first HOFAS and now this), we can say it out loud. Some of the scenes were honestly so hard to read. The second-hand embarrassment I got from those scenes. The insane 'tell not show' thing going on, it felt more like a recap of the previous four books rather than a start of a new story (had me feeling a bit iffy at the start). I really miss the days when we would actually get characters on journeys in books. It added so much character depth, it would actually flesh them out, and make us root for them. It added a lot of value to the story but now there's zero importance regarding this and its barely in books. Especially here the characters are somehow transporting near the mortal lands, then to summer court, then back to the night court in like a span of a chapter 🙄

Also, i don't understand her fixation on some particular things, she would focus so much on such irrelevant stuff and bring it up at the most critical parts of the book 😡 (for example: Feyre breastfeeding or thinking about leaking milk 😭 rhys and feyre thinking about banging each other while talking abut alliance, Cassian and Nesta having argument and Cassian getting hard and wanting to bang.)

However, as the book progressed, I think I got more used to the writing because I started to enjoy the book and look past the problems that I had initially. I hate publishing restrictions because I would have loved to just read the entire thing in one go, and I think that would have encouraged me to give this book a higher rating because there are so many things that are clouding my thoughts right now, and only more answers can get it cleared up. I do believe that she ended this book at the right moment. The entire monologue between Nesta and Amren at the end felt so cinematic - that part was well written (credit where credit is due). I also think the next book is going to fare better since it has fewer problems to tackle. The wait time is three months instead of five years, so managed expectations and recent exposure to the characters and plot would make the experience better. The plot is also shaping up to be something grand, and I am excited to see where the Valkyrie cycle goes and if it's going to live up to its name.

I liked that the tension throughout the book was high, with Koschei the Deathless having this lingering dreadful feeling without even making a single appearance, the whole court drama, the human lands being at the risk of invasion, the Bryaxis jumpscare. It's safe to say it made this book not only eventful but easy to read through. It was atmospheric and tense, and you could, UNLIKE SOME CHARACTERS 😒, feel the urgency of the situation (ik ik, it feels conflicting when I praise it like that). Her prose might be subpar for the most part here, but her ability to write about high-stakes environments, creating an eerie atmosphere, is certainly not being put to question. Idk where she is going wrong with her prose or rather the execution of it because TOG had some of her best moments. Anyways, I love that we are moving forward in terms of the world as well, exploring new areas and more magical items - I'm a sucker for a book that gives its world building and magic system equal importance.

My ratings are more so based on what I've said above, but WE HAVE TO talk about the characters AND the romance.

We get multiple perspectives, with the most going to, I think, Azriel, then Feyre, then Nesta, then Cassian, and some small chapters for Lucien, Gwyn, and Mor (1-2 max).

Lets start with Azriel. From what I had read from ACOTAR to ACOSF, going into this book, my perception of Azriel was based on that, and we didn't know much of him. He's always been a mysterious character, so naturally, given the circumstances and how those books cater to his character through other characters' perspectives, is how you make your own thoughts and expectations of him. Being in Azriel's head was a totally different experience. I got whiplash going through it 😭 I loved the prologue. I think getting a perspective from his past was what I needed, and I wish we got to see more of him and his struggles alongside his mother. BUT I also do get that he has that part buried deep and isn't ready to talk it out, but knowing that part of his character gave us some answers and made his character more fleshed out. It also gave some reasoning to his actions - to an extent, and his behavior. Azriel might be caring, loving (to his family), protective, and aloof, but um 🫣 that's not all.

He's stubborn as hell, he's reckless, immature, entitled, impulsive, self-destructive. I think most of these emotions stem from his past and some from envy or jealousy of seeing his "brothers" have mates while he does not. I liked his perspective at the beginning because there was actually something happening 😭 but oh my god, after like 30%, his character read like a child throwing a tantrum. ITS CLEAR that this guy needs a massive healing arc - like he's in desperate need of it. I'm sorry, but you cannot be horny enough to be willing to risk such an important alliance, knowing that the threat this time is so much bigger. I always thought that he was going to be smart/clever and calculated, but boy, he was the opposite of that. He and Elain hooked up for a month, and out of those hookups, Rhys found out twice and had warned him a year before all this started. SO it's not even like this bitch didn't know the severity of the situation 😭 He was full-on lipsing with Elain in the kitchen, and when Rhysand appears and is like, mind you, very civil and logical, Azriel starts throwing tantrums and, mind you, f bombs. 😭 Rhysand says I have too much on my plate and I cant handle your shit. 500-year-old Azriel proceeds to say fUcK yOu. Never have I ever wanted to slap someone so fucking hard.

Then we get to the second scene before I start my rant for this (I was the biggest Azriel fan out there 😭 but the sheer aura loss that he suffered from in this scene was so heartbreaking and icky I cant). So Azriel is fondling Elain's boobies, and Lucien steps in - Azriel isn't warned because his shadows can't stand to be with him in the same room as Elain and they, like me (😝), are repulsed. He knows what he did is wrong, he knows that the woman that he did it with is humiliated, crying, and isn't even saying anything other than that this was a misunderstanding, and he knows her mate is there and what he is feeling. And keep this in mind: Rhysand told him his experience of WHAT HE FELT when he knew that Feyre was his mate and was with Tamlin, but still goaded him on and on - KNOWING that everything, every threat, is hanging on by a thread. ALL OF HIS FAMILY are there, and this bitch is there arguing with his fucking dick out 😭😭 like at least wear some damn pants because your shadows weren't covering you either CUZ THEY REFUSED TO LISTEN. He didn't think, he just did, and he ruined everything 😭 like literally Lucien, who could have helped them with Autumn and Spring Courts AND had Jurian and Vassa alongside him. The disdain and disappointment etched in everyone's face was so damn satisfying to see because he honestly deserved it, and he needed to be called out. When Mor slapped the shit out of him, it was so peaceful.

Feyre and Rhysand, oh my days 😭😭😭 Reading Feyre's perspective after 7ish years felt so damn weird. I enjoyed Feysand moments because they have their cute moments. I liked that beach scene a lot because I feel like it's important for relationships to have moments like that. I am also behind Rhysand on the High King thing because I DO NOT want him to be High King. We dont get Rhysand's perspective, so thankfully, we missed out on 400 mentions of my mate, but we did get a lot of Feyre's perspective. I was so scared that she was going to make Feyre only act as a mother and forget that she's super powerful and is also a High Lady, but I'm so glad that she did not do that because Feyre had that fire here, which I loved. However, some of the stuff that she did was super annoying 😭 Rhysand, I also liked. He was harsh, but he was super rational, and his decisions made sense 100%. Her, Rhys, and baby Nyx were soooo cute. I don't mind Feyre constantly mentioning breast leaking milk 😭 because she just gave birth to Nyx half a year ago, I think, and it would make sense for this to be mentioned, but it's done at the most weird times istg 😭 The smut scenes were so damn bad, like omg, I did not miss the smut chapters at all. The constant innuendo was so hard to read, and the sex scenes overall were an instant skim because I could not read borderline lactation kink pls 😭

Nesta and Cassian, GUYS 😭😭😭😭 I genuinely don't know how this happened BUT 😭😭😭 I LOVE NESTA?? Like, that's actually crazy. I was not fond of her at all. I think it's because she carried so much emotion in this book. She lowk carried the entire book on her back, so I will say thank you to her. I think I liked her so much more in this book because I agreed with her decision to give Bryce the mask. I know in the courts' eyes, it's a sign of betrayal, but it was the right choice. They knew it was the right choice, and they would have made the same choice if they had some time. Them being mad was justified, but them prolonging it was so damn stupid. Idewtt about Azriel rn because he NEEDS that desperate healing arc. Nesta did not deserve all the shit she got, especially from Cassian. Nesta single-handedly saved everyone's asses. Her scenes with Gwyn 😭 not this book living up to its name. I loved her and her bond with her sisters and her sisterhood. I loved how strong she was. Her single-handedly going against Bryaxis was so badass, and her drive to push against her abilities was so amazing to see. Also, Nesta clocking Elain at the end was so peaceful to see and was definitely needed, given how coddled she is. The next book will definitely have her as an integral part, given how it ended. Cassian is hard to hate, and I know that he's loyal to his High Lord, but some things are meant to be between you and your MATE. I think he should have the common sense to keep it that way, and also, him shutting her out for so long just pissed me off.

Amren and Mor, idc if I'm High Lord or Lady - if a 15000-year-old female comes up to me and says this wont work, and do this, I'll save my time and do that (no shade). Morrigan, the woman that you are. We got one slice of POV from her, and I ate it up. I cant wait for her book. I love her for slapping the shit out of Azriel and giving him shit because he DESERVED it. I'll be sending her prayers. Poor girl is stuck with Elain. I ALSO BETTER NOT HEAR ANY MOR IS EVIL allegations.

Gwyn, I'm super excited for where we are going with her character. There must be some importance to the highlight on the bonus chapter and her getting her own POV - I'm super excited. I don't think she's going to be evil as many think - Az calls himself a monster and a demon literally, so idt if Gwyn feels that, given how she has a traumatic past and how things are unraveling for her, is out of pocket. I think the second book's title also has to do something with her or the priestess in general. Idt SJM would use her in a villainous role, and also, isn't she based on her best friend?? Also she says she hates illyrian men but so does Az and cass 😭 and that she enjoyed killing those men in the rite but baby so did manon, lysandra, and aelin 😭 so let's not go there to justify her being a villain.

Lucien, I felt soooo bad for him, especially after I read his POV. This man has been nothing but kind and respectful, and I hate to see him being betrayed and broken like that.

Elain, omg, I hate her so much. She is the most useless character ever. I hate her with burning, raging passion, like I have not hated a character like her. She is so useless, like omg, and she says that don't coddle and don't infantilize me, and she gets herself in the worst position and then starts crying, like fucking crying. Bitch, what the fuck are you crying for?? Did you not think about the consequences at all?? Like, if she wants to sleep with Azriel, that's OKAY, she CAN, but like, have the decency to end things with your mate. Why is she stringing him around? I dOnT LiKe LuCiEn. I wAnT nOtHiNG tO dO WiTh HiM. Then break the damn bond and put both you and him out of that misery. She's actually so dumb, I can't, like she just pisses me off.

She says I can be useful and that she's a seer, but that stupid girl always talks in codes that by the time they figure things out, they would happen. I can see why no one asks her for help - also, she literally starts crying at every single thing. OMG, her victim complex is so strong, like she's also VERY much entitled and A RAGING PICK ME. Her going to Nesta and Feyre, apologizing for the plans she's destroyed because she knows they would forgive her, but when Nesta doesn't, she gets all defensive and starts backtracking, like bitch, weren't you here to apologize? ISTG SJM needs to do massive work on her character cuz I can't stand her character. ALSO, SHE'S A FUCKING SEER BUT HER DUMBASS IS CRYING 24/7 MAKING IT SO EASY FOR THE READERS TO FORGET THAT SHE HAS THINGS SHE CAN HELP WITH BUT OH NO ONE ASKS SO SHE WONT.

The romance, honestly 😭😭 this version of Azriel can stay the FUCK away from Gwyn. I don't think Elriel is endgame. If it is, I think there is a longggg way to go, LIKE a long way to go. Elain is in Vallahan, and I think her story will somehow tie up to Lucien's, while Azriel is in the House of Wind with Nesta. I think what's important here is that AZRIEL can get a proper arc and get his shit together and actually process his emotions and consider himself worthy of being loved because I'm sorry, their relationship felt super lusty. Not Azriel trying to open up, but Elain stops and says they should find a room to bang in, like hoe?? Is you fr?? Elain also needs to get her shit together. We need actual POV from her and to get inside her head and see what's going on so we can understand her. A majority of you havent read Tog and it shows 😭 sarah can easily switch up on who she wants as endgame. I do think with Azriel being in the House of Wind and his arc overlapping Gwyn's, I think that IN MY OPINION, there might be a high chance of that happening. Elucien 🫣 hopefully- idk, but hopefully.

Overall, I had fun ngl. It was messy and enjoyable.

Special mention to Areeba, Fiza and Hoda for going through this tough time with me
Special mention x2 for Shifu/Areeba for proof reading this review
___
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[Marianna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Messy as fuck
Real housewives of the night court
Gobbled it up
NESTA CARRIED AS ALWAYS
Azriel is emo and has beef with a knife and I still love him even when I hated him
Everyone pissed me off except Nesta, Lucien, and gwyn and that’s as it should be my favorite characters are complex characters who start at rock bottom and have to crawl their way out. We can love characters and still hold them accountable when they suck ass.
Chapter 20 will go down in history as one of the most entertaining chapters ever.
Lucien made me sob and I hope he has his villain arc like I’m actually sick to my stomach.
Azriel stood booty and ding dong out for an entire chapter
My nessian heart is broken. I’m still rooting for them but I don’t like cassian at all rn and if he doesn’t grovel and pull his shit together in ACOTAR 7 idk what I’m gonna do. No I don’t think Nesta and cassian will break up, but he has a lot of work to do and I trust sarah to do them justice in the end.
Nesta has and always will be that girl my favorite fmc of all time, will stand 10 toes down for her, the inner circle needs to start respecting her and seeing that she’s the glue and the key to holding them together. She’s the core of these next books and I can’t wait to see my high queen thrive.
I will always love Elain and stand firm on needing her pov to fully understand her and I’m so excited for it because there is so much more to her!! Did I like her in this book? No. But I fear that was the point. My girl needs to find her voice. She needed to be pushed to the edge to finally leave the night court and find her purpose. I would have said exactly what Nesta did because Elain deserves to finally not be coddled. Multiple things can be true at once. I love Elain, she is so flawed and handles her trauma in a different way, and has a lot of growth to do. I’m so excited to see what’s in store for her. Do I think she could have given Lucien a conversation yes. Yes she could have.
Elain and azriel sneaking around and being messy was so entertaining and what I wanted to seeeeee but these two have zero emotional connection and I don’t think there’s any world where they’re ending up together. And them getting it on with Lucien there…. No. Nope.
All roads lead to Az and Gwyn and imma need him to do some serious healing to prove he’s worthy my girl. But their dynamic is going to be so good!!
I don’t want to hear it….. no I never cared who ended up with who. And if I’m wrong whatever sim will make me like it. Did I think before I knew the bonus chapter existed that she was planning for Elain and az, yes, did I read the bonus chapter and get excited about the possibility of both and was ready for whatever took place? Yes. And after reading my OPINION is that az and Elain need to get awayyyy from each other even though I think their relationship was so important for their arcs!
How is sim gonna make me like Lucien and Elain….. if that’s the end goal I have no idea.
I adore Gwyn and I’m so happy we got her pov literally her and Lucien are my other favorite POVs next to Nesta. She has so many layers and her own trauma and darkness. Her and Nesta were my biggest relationship heartbreak. I need them okay!! Like my girlsssssssssss
Me agreeing with Rhys at moments was not on my bingo card.
Azriel is about to have an insane character arc I’m foaming at the mouth for it. I need him and Nesta besties again.
This plot is INSANEEEEEEE IM SO SCARED EVERYTHING IS FUCKED I CANT FORM THEORIES BECAUSE THERES SO MANY POSSIBILITIES I NEED 7&8 NOW BUT THEYRE GONNA DESTROY MEEEEEEEEEE all I know is… Nesta is the key and koschei is going to ruin my life.

[Kaila.Books · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Here is some chicken scratch, I’ll come back and edit later

Holy f , what an incredible lead up to Acotar 7. I didn’t expect to get this much out of this book and I have a lot of thoughts and highlighted about 700 things.

I also don’t think I would interpret this book the same way if I hadn’t read Crescent City 3.

It makes me sad if you haven’t read CC3 and only have the Inner Circle’s unreliable narration to base their opinions of Nesta on.

There are so many Easter eggs woven into this book. A storm is brewing.

I think this series is taking a big turn away from romantasy into high fantasy and we are about to set the stakes higher

SPOILERS

SPLINTERED- I assume is alluding to all of the chaos in the relationships !!! I LOVED that this challenged how we thought of all the main couples… feysand, Cassian and Nesta, Azriel the little emo f boy

If it couldn’t more obvious that Azriel and Gwyn are endgame… his shadows trying to get to her and running in the hallway from Elaine. And if you think for one second that they’re going to be together after we don’t even get to experience their first kiss or any romance arc .. now way. Also his internal dialogue saying Mor is hot while with elain???! Ewwww He was an absolute annoying fuck boy in this book. He has MAJOR growing to do and I can’t wait to see it



I think Cassian and Nesta are going to have a MAJOR blowup in the next book. They are terrible communicators. It made me so sad to see Nesta and her depression and him just completely icing her out. He continues to choose Rhys, time and time again, and I feel like we finally got a much clearer look at what that actually means for Nesta .
After they make up… The fact that Nesta had confesses something that to Cassian in confidence, and he then tells Rhys OMG

I think we are propped now for a huge war, betrayal, and development from Az… also seeing Elain coming into her own in the next book … going to back and start theorizing

[afra · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Court of Breastfeeding and Disappointment

[ellen · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

azriel honey let’s get you a therapist

[Angelica]

I was waiting for Azriel and Elain but now I'm here for Az and Gwyn.
We got just one scene with them and I'm ready for the ship to sail!

Although, after reading HOSAB I don't even know what's going on anymore.

Also... can Eris get a bigger part in this book? I'm officially a fan.

[spring ~♡]

if Azriel and Gwyn doesn’t end up together in this book I'll set myself on fire. Along with the book.

[Beatrice in Bookland]

this book is going to piss off half the fandom no matter which couple ends up being endgame lmao

[• Lindsey Dahling •]

Let me be clear: I would rather die than see Az and Elain get together.

[✩ Yaz ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OUR STORIES ARE WORTH TELLING. THE VALKYRIE CYCLE LETS GOOO ⚔️🩷🧚🏼‍♀️✨

Is there event a coherent way to type a review for this book? I can't even find the words 🤣🤣🤣

[levi (starboy) (s.ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre read because i got myself a copy
—-
The cover looks like the instagram logo i was hoping for a yellow or sum

[Cindy ✩☽♔ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointment.

Everyone was annoying me for the vast majority of this book. So much of this could’ve been cut and the rest combined with the next installment.

Like many others, I was excited we were getting Azriel’s POV. Jokes on me though because he was the worst one in this book. Nesta was the only one I actually liked most of the time with Feyre coming in second. Honorable mention to Lucien and Gwyn who didn't get nearly enough page time in my opinion. Cassian I wasn't happy with either. Because what do you mean you didn't check on your mate who was severely injured after saving all your asses? Bad mate behavior.

I am glad Feyre and Nesta have grown closer. Nesta and Rhys somewhat bonding was also nice. It’s disappointing Nesta and Gwyn have hit a rough patch in their friendship though. I need their sisterhood back. That and more Emerie.

Key takeaways: My appreciation for Nesta grew. The opposite can be said for Azriel. He’s selfish and short-sighted. He has so much trauma and self-hatred he needs to work through. I previously wanted him with Gwyn, but honestly she deserves better than his current mess. I hope book two has less Azriel and more Lucien. More Gwyn too. I still want Gwyn and Lucien to meet. Maybe become besties. I’d love if she ended up being related to him in some way so he has a loving family member. Same for her.


All my previous theories:

Okay, so I am thinking this book will actually wind up being about Azriel. And I just have to say that I am now on board the Azriel and Gwyn ship, so fingers crossed it happens! Gwynriel for the win y’all 💖

I shall thus reserve all my Lucien predictions for book 6 LOL

--
12/9/2020
I think, at this point, the remaining full-length books will be about the remaining members of the night court. Maybe the novella will be about Lucien.

---
2016
Let this book be about Lucien!!!
He was so underutilized in both ACOMAF and ACOWAR. I need more Lucien in my life.

My fangirl hopes/predictions/theories:
But honestly, with Lucien's story, there is still so much to tell. Whether it’s his relationship with Elain, his fractured friendship with Tamlin, or his near non-existent relationship with his family. In ACOWAR, we were hit with two major Lucien-related realizations. Both of which he was not even privy to. I really hope Feyre tells him the truth, and I hope he cares enough to seek to confront those truths. Again, I do truly believe Eris when he said he stood against their father to protect Lucien. And if this really is the case Lucien deserves to know. He deserves to know that his entire family did not abandon him. Also, the parentage question, if Hellion is truly Lucien's father then
OMFG he needs to god damn know about it! He needs to understand how much his mother loves him, because he is, most likely, her one true a love child. He may also, in fact, be the heir to the Day Court. Not sure how that would work given his magical affinity seems to lie with the Autumn Court, but who knows. Sidenote: I also would not mind some flashbacks between Hellion and Lucien's mother because I really like Hellion *wink* Also I want to know why Lucien's mother chose to stay with his father despite the fact that she might have loved/loves Hellion. I mean surely, Hellion could have protected her? Was it because of her family? Is there no divorce option when it comes to Fae? Again, all important questions to me lol. Anyways, I want Lucien to mend fences and really grow as a character.

[ana · Rating 0.25 out of 5]

a book about fucking nothing. i was unaware it was possible to write this many pages about absolutely fucking nothing. and not nothing in the literary, contemplative sense. i mean NOTHING. no substantial plot, barely any character development, and an extraordinary commitment to making every conversation feel like we’re on the verge of something important happening and yet we never are. and what the fuck are they even planning? they sit around deliberating like the founding fathers drafting the declaration of independence😭✌️

azriel continues to benefit from the widespread misconception that being emotionally constipated constitutes a personality. you are NOT the guy pal, you are SO NOT the guy. rhys and feyre need to die already. preferably together, so we can finally explore what prythian looks like without the narrative constantly insisting that these two are the moral and intellectual pinnacle of civilisation. and elain, jesus fucking christ. can this wimpy child grow some balls? her perpetual helplessness would be considerably more interesting if the narrative actually interrogated it instead of treating her inability to stand up for herself as some admirable feminine virtue.

nesta carried, as always, but even her subplot was asscheeks boring. she’s one of the few characters with enough contradictions to sustain genuine psychological complexity, yet somehow even that potential gets buried beneath an astonishing amount of nothing.

and the prose. good fucking lord. sjm was never exactly a master of the written word to begin with, but this is particularly atrocious. every emotion is explained, repeated, rephrased and explained again in case the reader suffered a traumatic brain injury between paragraphs. there’s no subtlety, no trust in the audience, and very little distinction between genuine emotional depth and simply describing feelings at exhausting length. the characters aren’t allowed to be complicated so much as they’re allowed to repeatedly announce that they are. the book has so little to say about the characters it’s supposedly exploring. there is a difference between allowing a story to breathe and having absolutely no idea where it’s going.

an honourable mention to feyre’s breasts and breastfeeding, which i counted thirteen references to.

[bilqees (thebellekeys) · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Silken sac" I don't wanna talk about it. Leave me alone.

[Bailee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t want to spoil anything at all, so all I’m going to say is:
1. I’m happy to be back in Prythian.
2. Sarah loves the drama.
3. I was reminded at the end that this was one book that had to be cut in half because it was too long.
4. I’m ready for January already.

[Larissa Cambusano · Rating 5 out of 5]

this entire book was rage bait.. with that being said.. 5 stars.

[kinsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I get the whole point of this particular story/title is that allies and people are splintering the harmony they'd previously had to set up the next two books...but one issue I have with this author in particular (and I say this as a lifelong fan of her work) is that sometimes she'll write characters that to ME seem OOC to further the plot. Instead of writing what narratively fits that character, she'll have the character act the way she wants to in that moment regardless of if it makes sense or not. Idk if I'm wording this well, but hopefully you get what I mean.

ALMOST. EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. LOST. ALL. THEIR. GROWTH. Minus maybe Feyre? Gwyn? Back to the library. Emerie? Back to the shop. Nesta and Cassian? Suddenly fighting again. Elain? Lost all her spark she was gaining in SF. Why are we regressing character growth just so you can rehash it all again for some filler? I genuinely don't understand. I understand healing isn't linear, but c'mon...this was just silly.

I also didn't like how many POV's this one had...it felt unnecessary.

Now onto my biggest issue with this book....SJM has talked for years now about writing and planning for Elain's book, yes, BOOK, implying she would get her own. Only to make her share her story with like ten other POVs? She has SO much story to tell, we know next to nothing about her or her seer powers, if she has any others? Why does the cauldron favor her so much? Will she break the mating bond? Will a blood duel happen? Will she follow where her heart seems to be leading even if it's forbidden? I had such high expectations for this one and the only time we really see Elain get a chance to speak up is through Mor at the very end. Like, with Mor? Really? You couldn't make that last POV Elain to set up her story?

It just really felt like Elain is the punching bag of this fandom and author, who repeatedly made her out to be the bad guy in this book when it was NOT necessary while at the same time pandering to the boy moms of the fandom by giving Lucien and Azriel POV's to make them more sympathetic than the girl in the triangle....

I truly understand that an Elain POV is 100% probably happening in the next book, but is it really even going to be satisfying when she's sharing her story with everyone else? How much focus will she really be able to get with so much going on? I don't understand why we couldn't have made this next book all Elain and then the final one multiple POV to wrap things up? I digress.

I STILL don't care about Nesta and Cassian as a couple and maybe SJM isn't done with their story but I was just bored with their repeated problems and they still don't seem like a good fit to me. Also controversial opinion since I know so many love Nesta, but I just don't care to have more of her POV at this time, we JUST had a huge book of her and she's still getting this much focus? I don't mind her playing a part as a side, but again, can we move onto something new?

I did enjoy seeing Feyre as a mom and how she didn't lose her ambition and worth and focus as a character just because she suddenly became a mom, that was probably the highlight of the book to me. I had missed being in her head and to see a leading lady being a mom in a romantasy series is something we almost NEVER see or touch upon, I found all that very touching.

I also do NOT look forward to the idea of a Gwyn/Azriel pairing...to each their own but Gwyn literally came out of nowhere in the last book and had like two scenes with Azriel and suddenly we're supposed to be rooting for yet again ANOTHER potential mated pair? What about the build up of Elain and Azriel? WHAT IF THE CAULDRON WAS WRONG, SARAH? Did we forget about that? All that just for the cauldron to probably maybe be right? *SIGH* There's a few instances in this book where Sarah J Maas literally had to retcon details about Gwyn and Az as characters to try and push the ship as this upcoming epic thing (one such example was Azriel's siphon colors changing randomly to match her eyes after like books and books of them being described one way) and I feel like if you have to do that to sell a ship, it's not a very good indicator of the ship? Az has spent 500 years obsessed with Mor, only to start to get over it with Elain and now suddenly he's gonna be obsessed with someone else? And is regifting necklaces? How is this anything to root for? Gwyn deserves better and Az needs therapy. Just my personal opinion.

Idk, I just feel let down with the direction of this series going forward and I worry that her best writing may be behind her. I hope SJM proves me wrong.

[She-who-must-not-be-named]

*Spoilers for A Court Of Wings and Ruin *




Do you think there could be something between Elain and Mor? I know it's stupid and I don't even know why I thought of it, honestly 😂





Please God, LET IT BE AZRIEL AND GWYN ❤

[❀ Rose ❀]

You know what, I was just thinking and I actually feel really bad for the author. Literally no matter which ship she decides on, she’s going to get so much hate by people. Even though these are her babies and her characters, whether she decides on Elriel or Gwynriel she’s bound to disappoint some of her fans and we all know that some people transform their disappointment to hate and cyber bullying. I’m talking about this now cz I was just online and I saw some comments that were truly appalling. I, myself would love for Az to end up with Gwyn but if that doesn’t happen, then for God’s sake people that definitely does NOT give me the right to hate on the author OR on the people who would be happy with the ship that Maas decided on. Either way, please just be nice y’all😂

_____________________________
🔹Random thoughts:
〰 Although it was hinted at in ACOMAF, my soul will leave my body and never return if this turns out to be about Azriel and Elain.

〰 I hope this isn’t a love triangle situation cz I would hate it. I kind of want the book to start with Az already moving on from Elain and starting to like Gwyn.

〰 If this book doesn’t have an Azriel and Gwyn Karaoke scene I will riot 🎤

〰 I want Gwyn to be a siren and I want us to explore life under the sea (maybe she will have some kind of connection to Tharion, who knows).

〰 I am so ready for all the drama that will unfold because of that stupid necklace lool.

〰 I read a theory that said that Gwyn is Tamlin’s daughter and the only thing I could think of is that the idea of Azriel being Tamlin’s son in law brings literal tears to my eyes.

〰 As the lovely Evelin has pointed out, Az’s shadows sing when they’re around Gwyn. I personally believe that they’re silent around Elain because they’re shriveling with disgust at the thought of their host touching that garden hose. The thought makes me happy😌

〰 Will add more once I think of other things lol.

[manas · Rating 1 out of 5]

➳ భయంకరమైన ☆

yikes, i am so sorry. this was an absolute and complete flop on my part. as always, this review is gonna be a hate review; take everything with a bucket of salt. i will be going through the whole book and there will be spoilers. major‼️SPOILERS‼️ in this review. i will be going into the details of why this didn't work. my opinion is just that—MY opinion. if you love this book, i am VERY happy for you. please do not come into my comments are talk shit because i am not in the mood. this will only be a review of the book, NOT the author/fans of the series. please read whatever you like. i am not the book police. <3

i’m going to just say one thing very clearly and that is that i understand this book is part of a much larger book and it should be read and understood as one story instead of as multiple parts to multiple books. even with all of that, this book is unbelievably chaotic and poorly written. taking aside the jarring character choices that SJM chose to portray—the narrative structure as a whole is extremely shallow and the characters are vapid and overly emotional in ways that make absolutely zero sense, regardless of whether or not you actually like these characters or these stories. we can honestly all agree that none of this is cohesive work of an author that has supposedly been writing for well over a decade. this feels like an entry-level story that somebody decided to write on wattpad after daydreaming about faeries. all overall TERRIBLE start to this supposed “new era”…so i’ll be going into full details of this mess.

let’s start with the obvious which is that this has unbelievably clunky writing. the prose is so substandard that it’s making me look like a literary scholar. now, SJM is not someone i particularly fuck with—however, this is a new low even for her. the dialogue in this book is so painfully contrived, it genuinely makes zero sense given the rest of the characters history not only with each other, but just in a world building standpoint. almost every single character is over 300 years old and yet if you told me that they are fucking three, i would definitely believe you. the unnecessary amount of temper tantrums that these people were throwing just because they didn’t get their way was giving me secondhand embarrassment to the maximum. her previous stylistic choices in writing have always been something that i have criticized, however, it truly feels like this went through zero editorial processes, and this was a last ditch effort to make her fans happy seeing as none of it has anything to do with the previous work that she has put out.

before i get into the nitty-gritty in the specifics of why this book was absolute cow shit from somebody’s ass, i’m going to briefly talk about this fandom and their cult following hypocrisy when it comes to their favorite so-called “men”. you guys are absolutely fucking insane and it doesn’t surprise me in this slightest that everybody’s problem with this is that their favorite 500 year-old flop isn’t getting his happy ending. as i previously mentioned, i actually don’t care much for this author, even though i do hold a lot of these books close to me due to the mental health representation that it has. however, even with the little bit of leeway i can give her, it really doesn’t excuse this level of psychosis that the fandom has not only brought on themselves, but they push onto each other. i am very aware that SJM can only do so much and is not responsible for her readers, but it is very interesting to see how aware she is of her audience, and how she really tries to ignore what’s right in front of her. every time i’ve gotten on the internet, it’s only been about these men. it’s always: men, men, men. misogynistic ass people…

now that we are out of the basics, this is where i’m gonna go into full details of this terrible plot.

let’s start with everyone’s favorite topic of conversation—the politics. what the fuck was that? LMFAO? this was just horrendous. blunder after blunder. i believe SJM is a democrat, but this was full of right wing maga talking points. it was severely taking me out of the narrative. i’m gonna be completely transparent when i say, i actually have no idea what this universe is about. what’s the end goal? why are they here? what’s their purpose? i don’t, and neither does she. the political intrigue in the world building is the most important part of any fantasy story. where is it? this is an absolute egregious failure on her behalf because this doesn’t stand strong due to the lack of anything. this entire book everybody is playing babysitter with each other and running around talking about some “close the walls”…pythian as a plot device is extremely under developed and has zero relevant to the bigger picture. it’s not so far away land, where people come out to hide and are scheming against their enemies. its just a pretty little land where a bunch of these horny 500 year-old pigs are making it by thanks for the women and their efforts.

speaking of these circus clowns. jesus fucking christ. god save me please. the night court as an entity makes absolutely no goddamn sense. no logic whatsoever. i have no idea after almost 6 books, we are STILL expected to regard rhys as an exceptionally progressive leader when all he does is disregard his wife and his sisters in law. the absolute and utter buffoonery that occurred in a court of silver flames will never not fucking piss me off. the “pact” he had with feyre and his CHILD, it’s truly some of the worst writing and storytelling i’ve ever seen. i genuinely thought she would change this for her new book, but lord i was wrong. for a man who loves to emphasize the concept of choice and having the ability to make decision decisions for oneself, really disregard that when it’s convenient for him. a ruler is a ruler. sure. but, i wouldn’t have such high expectations if she wasn’t writing these characters in particular ways when it benefits her and her terrible choices. why go out of your way to emphasize rhys is more than just a ruler and cares about his family—when we have never seen this play out in action. this is a byproduct of not knowing what the fuck you’re talking about.

speaking of not knowing what you’re talking about, she is extremely hellbent on favoring the aesthetics and the lush environment over the plot. this COULD HAVE been an instagram post. that’s how little this matters in the long run. all of this genuinely could have been fit into the previous books bonus chapters, and nothing would have changed. no, that is not good storytelling and that is not building up to something bigger or better. this is laziness. having elaborate hierarchies and vast elements of self-declaration is not grounds for moving a plot forward. the entire inner circle is incredibly fucking toxic and are all operating on multiple levels lower than rhysand and his “wife”. the entire found family walks around eggshells when it comes to these people and can never voice their opinions, both personal or political without it turning into an entire fucking soap opera. i genuinely would not care in any other circumstances if this were truly the direction that we were going, however, SJM has made it very clear that she views the entire IC equal—emphasizing that they are family. at some point, we must be allowed to question whether these characters are genuinely competent leaders or are just the beneficiaries of a narrative that refuses to hold them to the standards it imposes onto everyone else.

speaking of these standards…gwyn, lucien, mor, amren, and hell, even elain. get the fuck out. these characters are absolutely shells of themselves and have nothing to do with this plot. as always, mr. high lord bitchass is the egregious one of the bunch and has everyone gripped by the balls. nobody can speak without it offending him, no one can just do what they want without him interfering, no one can have their main character moment without this fucker inserting himself. this is what we call favoritism. she is obviously extremely biased seeing as he is one of the first morally, gray fantasy men that garnered a huge amount of following from a primarily female audience. i get it, grandma. everybody wants to be like rhysand, but IT’S GETTING soporific. you’re so woke, you fell asleep. stop with the rhysand dick riding, it’s gotten so mundane. i’m genuinely extremely perplexed as to why she is so insistent on giving everyone their own stories and their own arcs when all she does is revert back to rhys and co. even feyre—the actual main protagonist—doesn’t get glazed this much. if she was this obsessed with rhys, she could’ve just given him another book. why make it clear that “everyone wil have their story told” and then obviously favor certain characters over others. azriel and elain are the remaining two “main characters” with no development or storyline.

speaking of azriel and elain…girl. what the hell was that? i am probably in the minority when i say—they make the most sense ship wise. it was clearly building up to this being endgame but the way it was executed was so cheap. so so shoddy. i’m actually losing my mind because of how horribly all of that played out. even after they “hooked up” a few times, it makes sense that they will be endgame because of HOW he spoke about her. the whole point of this relationship was a slowburn. it was building up since mist and fury with an obvious forbidden aspect since elain and lucien are mated, and daddy rhysand barred them from seeing one another. so color me surprised when i say, nothing happened. no build up, no slowburn, no tension, no angst, no chemistry, no nothing. this was the most nothingburger relationship ever. they had so many moments in the previous books where they’re outside nature could have truly shined, but instead, we were more focused on the bullshit and did not let any of that shine through. these two are shells of the people they used to be. the only element of this book that makes sense is how possessive azriel is of her. but baiting lucien? throwing toddler tantrums with rhys? being so loud and obnoxious? GIRL. you have 500 fucking years of age. the most embarrassing part of this is when they all walked in on elain & azriel NAKED…and then both just stood there and did nothing. i’m fucking screaming LMFAO. SJM must think we are a group of jokers because in what world is this romantic? i was dying of embarrassment at how inadequately everything was playing out.

now, don’t get this twisted into thinking i’m here for the utter tomfoolery that is gywnriel and elucien. fuck these flop ass relationships, because i don’t care. gywn is a good side character to nesta’s story but she does NOT need a man to be interesting. azriel doesn’t even like or see her that way, and she couldn’t give less of a fuck if she tried. i find it hilarious how these fans self-insert with her because they want to pretend they are with azriel. the same goes for lucien’s grandpa ass. bro is too old for a bunch of middle-aged women to be crying over him being lonely. nobody gives a fuck. elain owes him nothing and it’s getting very creepy how women who are reading romantasy of all things are forcing this bond and coming for elain for not wanting him. all this poor baby talk has me gagging. he’ll be fine. he’s deadass centuries old who is also a boring cunt but…that’s neither here nor there. the whole point of this story is CHOICE. elain gets to choose. azriel gets to CHOOSE. they are the two most dismissed characters where every time they try to speak or voice their opinions, they get shut down and told to mind their business.

i’m always heavily intrigued by the silent girl in fantasy books that always gets spoken for, but it seems like SJM doesn’t even know what she wants to do with her because how are we almost 6 books into the series and she doesn’t even have one goddamn thought to herself??? it’s actually irritating to see how feysand & nessian had their story. they had their romance, their arcs, their points of view. elriel? ZILCH. people already hold women in romance storylines at a much higher standard than they ever would a man—and this is not helping all of the delusional women out there that self-insert with their favorite bat boys. the structure was always there. 3 brothers with 3 sisters. it was the perfect set up. they both are each other's mirrors. like calls to like. azriel is the quiet damaged loner. elain is the dismissed, forgotten middle sister. azriel is very clearly in love and obsessed…elain wants someone who sees and treats her as equal. they both HAVE something. this isn’t built off a fanfiction fantasy like the other couples. they’ve had as much time to develop with nesta and cassian. both of these relationships started around the same time. everything was laying out crystal clear…but of course, i should’ve known this would flop because this fandom has no idea what they're talking about. people are way too quick to force azriel in relationships with everyone and their mother just BECAUSE they hate elain. people don't ship lucien + elain because they love them together. it's because they feel bad for that man. people don't ship gywn + azriel because they have this soul shattering chemistry and connection. it's because they HATE elain. if 2+ 2 = 4...this level of delusion is actually crazy.

overall, if you like this book, that is literally your prerogative. if you’re gonna come for me for reading this because this is obviously a negative review, please pack it all the way up. i first picked up these books when i was severely depressed, and due to that it holds a special place in my heart whether i want it to or not. i had this entire book and storyline leaked to me at the very end of august, so ultimately, i made the decision to just read it to get the full picture and because once upon a time ago—i was heavily invested in these characters. i’ll definitely read the next part of this very long book just to get the most accurate depiction of the story that she was desperately trying to portray. but no. i’m not giving this a very low rating because it is the beginning portion of a much larger plot. books can be “well written” even with 100 pages. this is just not one of them and i of all people, am not surprised by this because this is a clear indication of a last-ditch attempt to write something after multiple years of leaving your very, very large audience with nothing. she is also very clearly milking this for everything that she can because the love triangle debacle should’ve been shut down way back when…and let’s be honest here—she easily could’ve fit everything into two books but how else will capitalism work? i refuse to believe this is the work of a highly established fantasy author.

this reads like a fucking prequel novella written by eric kripke. i’m so done.

a court of manas lost her fucking braincells.

[Shaz ♡ · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

A court of splintered expectations because what was that?! 💔

LOOK, I KNOW THIS IS BUILDUP TO A MUCH BIGGER STORY BLAH BLAH BLAH BUT WHAT THE HELLY?!


Possible spoilers but not really:
Nesta: 11/10. POP OFF QUEEN you’re the real MVP 👑

Daddy Rhys: yes my High Lord, always. Every damn day 🥵

Feyre: love you girl but enough with the milky titties okkk 😭

Cassian: bruh. MAN UP FOR YOUR MATE. I am begging 😩

Lucien: sweet angel baby you deserve better 🥹

Elain: gtfo out of my face pls I SWEAR 😤

Az: you’re meant to be a 500-year-old shadow daddy and all I got was a childish emo fuckboy who’s butt-hurt at the world?! I’m sorryyyyyyy but GET OVER YOURSELF and stop sulking at your goddamn sword while you’re at it 😭😭😭


If you loved this, I’m genuinely so happy for you and I wish I was vibing along with you! Pls be chill in the comments and respectful of people’s different opinions 🫶🏻


Pre-read:
If I'm basic for reading this on release day then so be it, basic book baddies assemble 💅🏻🩷

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️]

The wait might kill me...worth it.

[Miranda Reads]

Wait a gosh dang minute. A title? A cover? A PUBLICATION DATE?

IS THIS FINALLY HAPPENING?!?

Ps. I might be in the minority BUT bring back the old covers! When was corporate logos with white text ever the aesthetic?

UPDATE: FOR ALL THOSE WHO HATE THE NEW COVERS:

The same artist StarsThatDreamShop who redid the A Court of Silvered Flames cover to match the old style has let me know that she's going to redo these covers as well. Hallelujah.

Her previous work:

[Jordyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could’ve been an email

[Liana Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying that this review will contain spoilers in order to properly explain why I think this book is outstanding. Please don't read further if you plan on reading this book or series in general.

For those who have been following or reading my reviews, you probably have noticed how emotional some of my ACOTAR reviews have been like, especially A Court of Wings and Ruin. I've started this series at a very difficult part of life, at a time when my little boy was diagnosed with a life changing condition. The books have provided me a blanket of comfort and even hope at the most stressful time of my life. When I read A Court of Mist and Fury, I was mentally drained and broken and the book gave me some mental strength and when I finished ACOWAR, the book gave me a much needed hope.. hope for a better life and world for my children. I always think its because I've held on to that hope for a long time, I've learned to let go of some negative emotions I've held on for so long and be able to see the light amidst the dark. This series overall has reminded me that to hope is to dream and a dreamer I will always remain to be..

At the end of A Court of Silver Flames I realized that even after 5 books, the readers didn't know much about Azriel, our lonely, broken bat boy. I've reread the series so carefully to be sure I haven't missed anything on him but I quickly realized that there is a reason as to why SJM was holding him in the shadows. After all, he is our Shadowsinger and his story is about to become quite special in The Valkyrie Cycle.

I think that Azriel is by far one of the most interesting characters in the story. But what do we actually know about him? Well for starters, we know that he is Rhysands spymaster and one of his closest childhood friends. We know that he is an Illyrian by birth and quite mysterious due to the nature of his shadows that curl around him and that his signature weapon is a Truth-Teller. We know that he is highly intelligent and shrewd often using his shadows to quietly gather intel, move unseen and intimidate the enemies. We know that in a room of people, he is the most quietest one of them all. Underneath his reserved and hard exterior, there is tremendous amount of trauma. And A Court of Splintered Harmony is a book that jumpstarts his story.

SPOILERS AHEAD, DO NOT READ FURTHER

The story begins with Azriel's POV where we learn that Azriel has been hooking up with Elain for a while and there are many emotionally charged scenes that follow afterwards that really show the complicated dynamics between the three, Lucien included. Maybe that was a bit shocking to read at first because there were zero hints of that in the last 2 books.. but am I surprised? No, not at all. Readers (kind of) were expected to presume 3 sisters will end up with 3 bat boys, since we already have Rhysand with Feyre and Cassian with Nesta.. So it's no brainer that Azriel ends up with Elain. But SJM throws in a twist: Elain is mate-bonded to Lucien thus creating a very complicated dynamic between the three. In Splintered Harmony, Elain is the center of Azriel's attraction. He himself assumed 3 sisters for 3 males and we see him constantly questioning the mated-bond by often saying 'what if it's wrong?', 'what if there has been a mistake?'.. what if they are meant to be together? All I've heard through out the book is 'what if'?? Aside from physical connection, I haven't seen the emotional connection that pulls him towards Elain or her to him. They are both trying to lurk and fondle each other in the shadows without being seen.. that is not until Rhysand catches them and threatens Azriel to stay away & damn he has a VERY good reason for that. But Azriel is unable to stay away from her and is eventually CAUGHT BY LUCIEN fondling each other, naked, in her room! THE DRAMA!!! Oh the drama that follows is crazy. But SJM throws in a GWYN scene post the blow-up that basically changes the entire dynamic. I think she is mentally preparing us for Azriel and Gwyn story that I predict will be unfolded in Movement 2,3 and 4 meanwhile setting up Elain and Luciens story nicely to begin blooming in the next two books.

To be honest, I actually never thought that Az will end up with Elain. If you think about it, in A Court of Silver Flames, Maas introduced Gwyn in a very special way: Az saved her from the attacked temple and brought her to library beneath the House of Wind. She is someone who has been assaulted and traumatized the same way Azriel has been traumatized through out his childhood. In this book we learn a lot about his past. We learn that Az grew up in a very abusive home, where him and his mother were confined to for much of their life. We learn about how his hands were burned and that he experienced isolation and cruelty instead of love, thus molding him into a very guarded yet protective individual. We begin to understand that he is someone who rarely discusses his own pain yet understands so much of it. So in reality, he is far more fitted to be with Gwyn than Elain because she too understands that sort of pain. And with everything that went on with Az in the book, I can't hate him or even feel bad for him. To me, he is equivalent to Chaol (hope you guys remember his character arc!).. someone who is shattered and deeply broken inside out.. and needs to find himself amidst all the darkness. And I truly believe that SJM is plotting away for that to happen in the next book that is coming out in January. Keep in mind, as per Maas herself: LIKE CALLS TO LIKE! So I really can't understand the HATE he receives. Yes his actions were somewhat wrong: pursuing Elain and things turning sexual or his disregard for Rhys's ask and Luciens mating bond.. but I also strongly believe that all of this needed to happen as an act of his final breakdown before we see him entering the 'healing' phase. I think he is going to win us over and before we know it, we are going to be head over heels Az. I love Rhys and Cassian and they had their chance to shine in the last 5 books but now is the time for Az to find his meaning, his true love and set on his own path. He is by far one of my most favorite characters in this book.

As for my other favorite man, Lucien, oh how I want him to find his own happiness. He was done DIRTY here, that hurt my heart so much…why can’t Elain just TALK to him. I need at least one chapter of them talking it out; I need to understand her thoughts and why she is so repulsed by his presence. Honesty as much as she irritated me, I still stand by what I keep saying: this is was done for a greater purpose. I know this will make lots of readers crazy, but I try not to judge so quickly. Not excusing the action, just patiently waiting for everything to fall into its place.

Maas is not finished: she has something big in store for Elain. We are finally seeing Elain open up. We are learning that she is not the meek or 'quiet one'. She, like Nesta, has a storm brewing inside her and she needs to release that energy. She has a long way to go and SJM perfectly set up the next book with the last scene of this book: MORS POV that featured Elain was everything that I needed to know. That was some very clever writing! After that HUGE blow-up, Lucien severs ties with Rhys and his court meanwhile pushing Elain to set on her own journey, that I believe will meet half way with Luciens. This is where I strongly believe that Elain and Lucien will finally get the chance to finally bud heads. I can feel it in my bones! We finally saw a little preview of Elain growing a bone with that confrontation between the three sisters and that little nudge by Maas in regards to the mating bond was the push that Elain needed to say 'I have to figure this out on my own'. I absolutely love the careful plotting that Maas is doing here. I had the best time reading this book and I am brimming with excitement for what ever is coming in January.

Let's not forget about Feyre and Rhysand or Cassian and Nesta!

It's so lovely to see how far Feyre and Rhys have come. From two broken individuals to loving parents, their relationship is based on mutual connection, love, respect and protection. Rhysand.. I have loved you for as long as these books have been out. He has never faltered and his unwavering loyalty and devotion to their little family is everything. I have nothing bad to say! I loved how Maas included many scenes of Nyx and breastfeeding: it was tender and warm and Rhys showed so much appreciation towards Feyre's post-birth body, honestly its very iconic of SJM to just write that especially because we live in the world that judges women harshly by how they look post birth. So writing Rhys hungerly obsessed with Feyre post birth should give women some hope that not all men are complete pigs and offer some mental respite. I think she really grasped the tenderness and anxieties of parenthood when she wrote them the way that she did.

Nesta, you are one bad bitch. She's had so much development in ACOSF but there is so much more to come from what we've seen in Splintered Harmony. Her story is not finished, it's only beginning. But what I really wanted to comment on was Cassian and Nesta and how far they also have come..while their dynamic might come off as more sexual vs emotional (as we've seen with Rhys and Feyre)...I highly disagree that it's only spice. In order to fully understand the emotional stakes, you have to read Crescent City series to completely comment on their 'issue' that carried over into this book. I am someone who did not read CC but was still able to understand their problem. Let's just say, they run into a massive argument over what Nesta does and it seems like she's made the decision simply on her own without talking to Cassian. Cassian was right to be upset with her and we see an explanation of their argument in this book. What follows is a fall out where they are seriously avoiding each other but their inner monologues tell us their most deepest inner thoughts about how their distancing hurts them deeply. No one writes an emotional conflict like SJM. I felt the hurt, the pain, the abandonment and the emotional intensity they both felt. I loved how they let their guards down and reconnected. She's the GOAT and he is so weak for her, I revel in their spicy scenes. They are not just smut and no feelings, they are literally a clash of all emotions.

Splintered Harmony is a book that is literally splintered into small pieces where every piece is a part of a bigger whole. This is no novella. It's full of political intrigue, court play and a looming danger. We know there is a threat and it's on the horizon and every player is getting ready to do their part. Yes we see a lot of talk yet nothing is happening.. well not yet, but it will! What we do know is that there is an invasion coming to the human lands and Feyre/Rhys are trying to prevent that.

The real question is what is Koschei the Deathless endgame here?. We know he is alive and remains bound to the lake. He is showing a lot of interest in the Death Trove. What does he truly want?? What cards is he playing? What bargain did the Archeron father negotiated?? How does Vassa fit into all of this?? All we know is that Papa Archeron somehow negotiated a bargain that is connected to her freedom. What did papa Archeron promise Koschei?

And whyyyyy is BRYAXIS back? And the way she came back? Seems like she might have been scared of something or someone?? That scene gave me shivers! I really thought Nesta was going to kill HER! Let me just underline one more time, that NESTA is a real queen.

And is no one going to talk about ERIS? Why does it feel like he knows more than he lets on about the political situation? Are we not going to talk about how fascinating he is? He's so politically cunning, cold and just cruel on the surface but I must admit that there is something attractively dangerous about him? There is somewhere a backstory surrounding Mors abandonment that is so incomplete, I am itching to know more. I love this in-the-dark intrigue surrounding his character.. I don't know what to think how much of it is manipulation vs how much it's genuine.

My mind is buzzing with thoughts, suspicions and a bunch of ideas. But how can one read a book like this and not see how valuable it is? After a much awaited return, this one of the BEST comebacks in my opinion!! This is one of those books where you just have to trust the process. SJM doesn't just give us clues for no reason.. she writes them this way with a purpose and the story needs to unfold this way because there is a reason! The characters need to make mistakes, there needs to be a shock and things we do not agree with. Azriel and Elain are not meant to be likable here. Their actions are used as plot devices here. SJM is peeling them apart to make them whole again. She made them very, very ugly here but every ugliness has a beauty and purpose to it. Just like every dark place has its light. And just like something that is splintered, broken or forgotten can be harmoniously made whole again.

WHAT WAS BROKEN WILL BE REMADE.
Trust the process.

[Jaime Fok · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I think we all expected this book to just act as a setup for the next movements - but I had hoped that at under 300 pages, this volume wouldn't feel like a fluff book. And unfortunately, the majority of it did :(

This started SO strong for me. Finally getting a look into this character's mind that we've known & cared about for so long was so exciting. He was a character who I had already connected to so deeply from the previous books because we did get some of his backstory, but seeing those moments so viscerally from his own perspective really just punches you that much harder.

We then got straight into fantasy politics, which was also a great sign for me. We started setting the scene, familiarizing ourselves with the political tensions that will be present for this arc - and this made the fantasy reader in me happy.

But then...? It seemed like for the next 200 pages we followed our characters ramble about the same few points over and over again. Each point was important, but none of these political maneuverings were complex enough to warrant that much reiteration. We seemed to have multiple chapters where our characters mulled over the exact same thoughts but didn't contribute anything new to the situation, or progress anything further. And this was mixed into other chapters that honestly seemed irrelevant to anything.

I'm also a bit frustrated at how obvious it who SJM's favourite characters are. You can tell she's really putting her heart and soul into a few characters (whom I do love), but the rest of them feel either bland or not true to themselves anymore. I also really dislike when it feels like characters have regressed and erased all the progress we've seen them make, JUST to see them go through the exact same growth but in a different way. Like a forced character arc. So sad to see since I feel like she did multi-POV in the Throne of Glass series so well, and was looking forward to a more epic fantasy feeling story from her again.

That being said, the last 80 or so pages in this book were the best part (apart from the prelude - loved that). We definitely stirred things up and ended on an interesting setup leading into the next instalment, so that is something to look forward to! I think this book honestly gets bonus stars just because I do love this world and it's honestly just fun seeing these characters' stories continue - even if the book itself wasn't perfect.

It's difficult to rate this book on its own because it truly does feel incomplete. But all we can do now is wait until January!

[èvieane · Rating 1.25 out of 5]

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍✦ . 　⁺ 　 . 1.25 ☆ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ There will be no introduction, but rather just a list of trigger warnings, I guess.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ DO NOT read this review if:

- you enjoyed/loved this book
- you love Azriel
- you love Elain
- you love Elriel
- you still blindly support the Inner Circle and think they can do no wrong
- you hate Lucien (in which case I will HEAVILY judge you)
- you hate Eris
- you think Feyre and Rhysand were adorable and perfect in this book
- you thought this was romantic or a forbidden romance

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ BUT, I might piss people off regardless, so let's just dive in because this might be pretty long.


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ "I know wisdom is a foreign concept to you."


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ There is a single excuse for everything that happened in this book, and that is only if Koschei has somehow managed to infiltrate these people's minds and start influencing them. Because if that is not true, I have some really bad news for everyone: ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE INNER CIRCLE WAS FUCKING STUPID AND ANNOYING AS HELL. I genuinely hope there is a very good explanation for why almost everyone was acting like a fucking idiot in this book, because otherwise, I fear we might be witnessing the beginning of the downfall of the Night Court. And honestly? I wouldn't even be surprised.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ The political intrigue didn't interest me as much as it should, mainly because it was fully overshadowed by the Love Island-level drama that was going on here; the Valkyries plotline was nowhere to be seen...IN A BOOK ABOUT THE VALKYRIES. And Koschei? I am still waiting for him to actually do something so I can see the full villain potential in him. I genuinely cannot believe this is the same author who wrote TOG (one of my favourite series EVER), because the writing was horrendous; Wattpad level. And don't even get me started on the smut. "Silken sac"?? yeah, no, just pack it up, everyone. Let's focus on genuine character development for the future books, please.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Don't even ask me who my favourite character in this book was, because I can already tell you it was the shadows. Yes, Azriel's shadows. At this point, they deserve their own character arc, a dedicated fanbase, and probably more appreciation than half the actual cast.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Feyre's leaking breasts are the new watery bowels????? I felt like, despite Sarah claiming Feyre is meant to not be reduced to only being a mother, so far this book did exactly that. And can I not have to read about Nyx feeding or shitting EVERY OTHER CHAPTER? TF IS GOING ON?? Call me a hater all you want. I do not like pregnancies in books for a reason, and I was just reminded why.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ What exactly is Feyre's problem??? Did motherhood suddenly make her unbearable? I don't remember her being this pushy and annoying all the damn time, acting bitchy towards everyone and wanting to manipulate Prythian into making her and Rhys High Queen and High King (funny that this was exactly what Tamlin accused her of, right?).
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Meanwhile, Rhysand, despite occasionally stepping into the role of the voice of morality, still hasn't quite managed to make me see him in a particularly positive light. Sure, he proved to be a fairly respectable man by calling both Elain and Azriel out on their bullshit. BUT doing so while still withholding information from Lucien for the sake of political gains? Yeah, that's rather hypocritical, isn't it? Apparently, honesty and accountability are wonderful virtues to uphold, as long as they don't interfere with your own agenda. How convenient.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ And I see these two still need to remind us every few pages that he is "her mate" and she is his "Feyre darling". WE GET IT. STOP!!!!!

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Speaking of characters who desperately need to get their shit together, shall we begin? AZRIEL DOESN'T NEED SEX. HE NEEDS THERAPY. 💀 I genuinely had moments when I felt sorry for him. All that internalised self-hatred, the constant disgust he feels when he looks at himself, that awful sense of unworthiness, and the fact that he was, at one point, almost suicidal? That genuinely broke my heart. But as heartbreaking as all of this is, none of it justifies him acting like a complete asshole, a brainless dick and a manwhore throughout this book.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ I am sorry, but I never understood the hype surrounding him in the first place, and this book only convinced me further that he needs urgent help. The moment he opened his mouth and started pulling all this bullshit, he lost me. Acting like a fuckass prick towards everyone? Towards his family and his oldest friends, ALL FOR A WOMAN WHO HE CAN'T EVEN OPEN UP TO BECAUSE SHE'S ONLY INTERESTED IN HIS DICK?? That's beyond pathetic.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ He might be a very complex character, and he might have a very amazing character arc in the future, but for now? He is my number one enemy. And I really hope Lucien was right, and he will have to go through hell before he finally manages to see the light again in order to pay for all the shit he did in this book.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ There was no reason for Azriel to act the way he did towards Lucien, and he was behaving like the biggest, pettiest manchild ever. Or maybe he just wants a piece of the redhead for himself; after all, he was constantly noticing how beautiful, handsome, and pretty Lucien was, right?

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ I am saying this as someone who really doesn't give a shit about this entire ship war and couldn't care less about who Azriel ends up with (hopefully with a therapist): there is no fucking way anyone read this book and thought even for one goddamn moment that what was happening between Az and Elain was romantic. Never read something more disgusting, toxic, and purely self-destructive in my entire life. You all HAVE to be joking. This man does not love Elain. He loves the idea of her. I need you all to realise this already.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ And if anyone even thinks about arguing with me in the comments, just know I am not above turning this paragraph into a whole damn thesis to support my point of view. The lack of chemistry and communication, the questionable decisions, the hypocrisy, the pettiness, the unresolved trauma...WHAT EXACTLY AM I SUPPOSED TO BE ROOTING FOR HERE? That they almost fucked twice but got interrupted each time by characters who are way more morally upstanding than them?
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ His shadows think they are me for the way they avoid Elain like the plague; each time he is around her, he feels like he is losing parts of himself (which he, in his idiocy, takes as a good sign), she doesn't give a shit about him emotionally and she only wants to fuck him. So what is romantic here? I need you all to repeat after me: these people are not in love; they are just two people who hit rock bottom, and they revel in each other's misery thinking they found some sacred love.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ And if Sarah wanted to write forbidden love (like many keep claiming), let me tell you that she failed spectacularly. I genuinely feel like she already ended Elriel in chapter 6, only to bring them back for a bit and then END THEM AGAIN IN CHAPTER 20. Sure, I might be wrong, but I might also be right. KEEP THAT IN MIND.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ And yes, I can't stand Elain. Sue me for it if you want. But remember that I also hated Nesta with a passion and came to love her down after ACOSF, so you never know. However, Elain has a long way to go until I might even consider her worthy of anything.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ For her sanity, I hope she somehow goes back to being a human and stops being miserable and whiny all the time. Miss Flower Power can go freaky inside that damn kitchen, but deep conversations are where she draws the line? And as soon as she is supposed to take accountability for her actions, she either just dashes out of there like a track athlete, or starts crying? And you want me to feel bad for her? I hope no one in that house is eating the fuckass bread 💀
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ The fact that she tried to verbally attack Nesta when her usual crying and apologies stopped working? NESTA WHO HAS ALWAYS DEFENDED HER? NESTA, WHO ALWAYS PROTECTED AND TOOK HER SIDE??? Nah, fuck you, girl. You don't deserve shit.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Both she and Azriel were making decisions that would embarrass a hormonal teenager. Both of them need to sit down, figure out what the hell they actually want, and stay away from everyone else until they do. Oh wait, they can't do that. Because, as her final act of love, miss "wouldn't stop crying" decided to run away AGAIN; this time, unfortunately, to a whole other kingdom, and leave Azriel to fend for himself while he was making plans to run away together. That was embarrassing even for me.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ She, however, needs to stay very far away from Lucien for all the shit she pulled, and I am praying daily for Lucien to actually be the one to break that damn bond. No, I don't want a slow burn between them. I want a very huge distance between them instead.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ And before anyone decides to go screaming that I am a Gwynriel stan and this is why I am hating on the Elriel ship, read this: Did I like the idea of Gwyn and Azriel at some point (even as friends)? Sure. Do I still feel like that? HELL NO. I need that man to go seek counsel, join a therapy group, and take online psychology sessions before ever coming close to Gwyn (or anyone) again. Gwyn was better than me; she should have BASHED HIS HEAD with that stone. Atp, Gwyn should be with me instead.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Their interactions are very funny to me, and I can see the potential for a very close relationship there because they have so many things in common. But romantically? Absolutely not; not right now. That man needs to be put under therapy for 5 years, then take 3 psychological tests to prove he is alright before even coming close to Gwyn again.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Speaking of Gwyn? We are starting the positive part of this review, about the people I actually like. GWYN IS LITERALLY MY BABYGIRL, AND I NEED YOU ALL TO STOP WITH THIS VILLAIN BULLSHIT WHEN IT COMES TO HER. How come Azriel gets babied for having very dark thoughts because "he is going through a traumatic moment and is so lost," but the moment Gwyn experiences the same level of internal struggles, suddenly she is the villain? Excuse me? The double standards are absolutely INSANE.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ I will always defend this woman with my life. She has been through so freaking much, and she is RIGHTFULLY struggling with everything that happened to her. And even if, hypothetically, she decides to become a villain, know that I am saying bye to everyone in the Inner Circle instantly and taking her side. I don't care.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ No one supports my lovely Valkyries like I do. NOBODY. I will go down with this ship, and I will take the entire Inner Circle down with me if I have to.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Now, NESTA. MY GIRL. THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE (never thought I would say this in my life). PEAK character development. She carried this entire book, and that ending cemented the idea that she is going to play such a huge role in whatever is coming next, and not as anyone's subject bound by loyalty, but pretty sure from a position of power herself.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ I absolutely loved watching her stand up for herself, fight, be willing to learn, and finally stop coddling Elain. She deserved so much better than the way the Inner Circle treated her, but at least there is hope for something better.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Cassian? Sir, I like you, but please treat your mate right. I loved that they finally had a mature and honest conversation. I used to pray for times like this. Of course, it got ruined by the bad smut and that "silken sac" afterwards, but oh well. You can't have it all. I still need Cassian to learn to communicate, and stop treating sex as a substitute for an actual conversation, but at least they seem to have something akin to the beginning of a healthy relationship.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ At least we got to see Nesta and Rhys behaving like actual friends for once, and I genuinely hope we get more of that. Nesta and Rhys agreeing for once?? That is one of the reasons this book even reached this rating in the first place.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ And then we have LUCIEN AND ERIS. I need everybody to look carefully because THIS is how men should actually act in this book.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ I am angry on Lucien's behalf. If he decides to turn against the Inner Circle, good for him. He has every right to. I don't care; that is literally my son there. In fact, he should have burned that entire ugly-ass house to the ground, not just spit at their feet.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ You all can say whatever you want about him, but that man was the definition of class. The way he was willing to sacrifice so much just to help everyone, only for them to treat him in the worst way possible? He deserves everything good in this world, he deserves to learn the truth about his father, not for it to be used as a political machination to be revealed at the "best time". No one deserves him, while he sure as hell deserves so much more than whatever he got so far.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ I agree with these two new "Romeo and Juliet": Lucien should not be with Elain, and he should definitely leave her alone, because he should be with me instead. I would definitely treat him right and not put him through all of this hell. He has been nothing but patient, kind, and so ridiculously polite towards that girl while she deserved NONE of it. And don't even dare to bring the misogynistic discourse here, because I might genuinely lose my shit and start calling people illiterate. Just think that if the roles were reversed, you'd all be calling for Lucien's head; that's all I will say.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ And no, I don't want any other romance arc for Lucien either. At this point he just needs all the time he requires to heal, to fix things with his brother, to learn about his real father and maybe even fix things with Tamlin if that's what he wants.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ And ERIS? I need him religiously. In fact, he can join his brother and be with me as well. Every time he called the Inner Circle out on their bullshit, I was giggling like a schoolgirl. I need him to get his own POV in the next book just because there is clearly such an insanely heartbreaking story behind his villain act; or for Sarah to give us a novella. I NEED TO BE IN HIS HEAD!!!

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Honestly, I can't believe that the only fully sane characters in this entire book were Nesta, Gwyn, Lucien and Eris. Plus Amren, maybe.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ These people keep mentioning how Amren is old and has seen a lot, BUT THEY CONSTANTLY REFUSE HER ADVICE?????? WHAT IS THE POINT, THEN? I just know this book will mark the beginning of the downfall of the Inner Circle for a while, and they're going to be through A LOT of shit, especially because they lost Lucien. And honestly? Good riddance. I actually need them all miserable for at least a bit.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Overall? This book was a complete and utter mess, and it is beyond me how it still manages to have such an insanely high general rating. My expectations were low (i wasn't even planning on reading this book initially), but damn; this was way worse than I thought. 300 pages of bitches crying, manchilds whining and people treating political decisions like they were playing Monopoly.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ I actually have so, SO many theories, but this was too trash for me to actually bother to write them nicely, so I will just keep them for myself.


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ No. Hell no. But I know all the FOMO surrounding this is huge (i was convinced myself) so at least go into it with the correct expectations.

⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹



ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ᯓ ✿ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍pre-reading ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⪼
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ○ started ┆27-October-2026┆

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⤿ I already know this book is going to piss me off big time; I am just here to confirm it

[Patricia’s Book Summaries]

MOTHER ABOVE!
BY THE WYRD!
CAULDRON SAVE ME!

MORE MAAS BOOKS!!