Thomas’s Reviews > A Court of Silver Flames > Status Update

Nesta and Cassian begin to fully recognize that they are mates. Winter Solstice and Starfall occur once Nesta becomes regulated and reconciles with Amren, who reveals that she Made the House of Wind. Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn are thrust into the Blood Rite with the Illyrians as Cassian and Azriel are tricked by Koschei and Briallyn’s scheming. Feyre, Rhys, and the baby are at risk. Nesta holds the Pass of Enalius.

Followingher breakthrough, Nesta is able to scry for the Harp in the Prison. Lanthys reveals some Maasverse lore before he’s killed by Ataraxia; Rhys also adds some more worldbuilding information about the Wild Hunt and Prythian pre-High Lords. CC hints and overall Maasverse connections start to unfold as Nesta practices her dance with Eris. The House of Wind reveals itself; Nesta and Cassian visit the cottage.

Nesta and Cassian encounter Eris and Tamlin in the Spring Court. Advacements are made with training by Nesta forming the idea of shaping Valkyrie-Illyrian fighting techniques together. Nesta confronts Amren and Feyre before she finally breaks down and becomes reborn. The scene with her and Cassian by the lake where she finally voices such raw, complex truths about her trauma never fails to make me sob my eyes out.

The slow BURN just HITS! Anyways—Nesta continues to make progress with her Valkyrie training, successfully recruiting and bonding with Gwyn, Emerie, and the other priestesses. She and Cassian begin expressing their mating bond in many ways. She wields the Mask and creates a new Dread Trove with the power she stole from the Cauldron. Implications for the future—in ACOTAR and the Maasverse—are mentioned by Amren.

Nesta manages to recruit Gwyn and Emerie alongside three of the library priestesses for training with Cassian. She also attempts to scry again before she is forced to relive the memory of her going into the Cauldron—one so vivid and terrifying that it triggers her silver flames to the point of alerting Cassian, Azriel, AND Rhys. The Dread Trove is introduced and the hunt for the Mask begins.

Nesta progresses in her training and healing. She learns of the Valkyries and discovers Briallyn’s, Koschei’s, and Beron’s plans. The Dread Trove is introduced; tensions stir between the Archeron sisters. Eris implicates Mor; Cassian and Nesta start their mating process. Feyre reveals her pregnancy; Nesta recalls Mama Archeron’s manipulation and narcissism—Ironteeth witch traits. Gwyn signs up for training.

Session 1/2 for today: Nesta begins to slowly but surely take small steps towards her healing journey. Her work in the library and the Inner Circle’s support of Cassian training her helps. Emerie and Gwyn interact with Nesta; Gwyn shares some Maasverse lore courtesy of Merrill. Cassian learns from the Band of Exiles and Eris that Koschei and Briallyn plot with Beron for unknown reasons. The House is sentient.

Finally, I have begun the ACOSF reread—my favorite ACOTAR book second to ACOWAR, and the book that reintroduced me to SJM as an adult. This book is truly a journey. Nesta starts off at such a low point from her trauma throughout the entirety of the series coming to a head with her father’s death. Now, with the Inner Circle staging a crisis intervention, Nesta embarks on her healing journey—to become a Valkyrie.

This book made me CRY. I love it so much