A Court of Silver Flamesis a great addition to Sarah J. Maas’sA Court of Thorns & Rosesbookseries – it has a lot of the angsty appeal of fan-favoriteA Court of Mist & Fury,following Nesta’s struggle with depression and conflicted romance with Cassian. However, her understandably traumatized and embittered point of view also comes with a heavy bias thatputs Feyre and Rhysand in a negative light. Maas’s goal in the book is to move away from Feyre and Rhysand’s story and focus on other characters. However, it seems executed prematurely.
The shift in perspective means that Feyre seems silenced through a very precarious time, navigating pregnancy as a character who was not born Fae. Meanwhile, Nesta’s perspective retreats so deeply into her void that, from the reader’s point of view, characters Maas has developed so well seem dramatically changed, without their inner monologue to connect with. This must be corrected inA Court of Thorns & Rosesbook 6. Elain even points out that she too has Cauldron trauma, yet Nesta makes that about her – similarly, otherkey players seem reduced to how they relate to Nesta, sabotaging much-loved characters.
Nesta’s Story In A Court Of Silver Flames Paints Feyre & Rhysand In A Darker Light
Nesta’s Perspective Is Insightful But Has A Strong Bias
The preceding books in theACOTARseries focused on Feyre and her romance with Tamlin and then Rhysand.A Court of Silver Flamesshifts to Nesta. Maas establishes that Nesta is processing pain with self-destructive methods and that the Night Court’s Inner Circle leaves her to it. After an intervention, she is confined to the House of Wind to train with Cassian and work in the library. This is an order – and as Rhysand and Feyre are High Lord and High Lady, their enforcing this is the source of some ofNesta’s seemingly bottomless pit of resentment.
Fine, I’ll Say It: Nesta Is A Court Of Thorns & Roses' Best Character
While she isn’t perfect, there are many reasons why Nesta is the best character in the ACOTAR series, & why I’m interested in a protagonist like her.
Feyre is, by her own admission, partially responsible for how badly Nesta’s mental health has declined. Rhysand does not have the sisterly bond Feyre has with Nesta, which she cites repeatedly for the reason she helps her. Because of this, it is harder for him to connect with Nesta’s spikiness, and he resents her treatment of Feyre since childhood. With Nesta,Rhysand often slips into his High Lord mask, which Nesta calls“arrogant”and“preening”. The reader is more privy to this part of his personality through Nesta’s point of view, unlike Feyre’s rose-tinted glasses.
The Next Court Of Thorns & Roses Book Risks Continuing This Spinoff Problem
Rhysand’s Character Risks Being Beyond Repair If His Facets Aren’t Consolidated
A running theme inA Court of Thorns & Rosesis how different characters process their trauma, including Rhysand. Considering his sacrifices Under the Mountain, it isarguably understandable that he makes over-defensive decisionswhen he feels out of control – he admits to Cassian he is afraid of Nesta and her power, which contextualizes his wariness. The dangers of Feyre’s pregnancy feel out of his control, so he reacts through non-disclosure, likely in problem-solving mode – it isn’t the first time he has kept things from Feyre, with their interactions Under the Mountain being part of a plan.
This does not excuse thebad Rhysand decision, which manySilver Flamesreaders still question. However, the next book must portray the complicating factors that make Rhys imperfect, rather than continuing to paint them from Nesta’s perspective, which is negatively biased. Cassian, too, is extreme, revering Rhys and Feyre and fiercely defending them. Rather than balancing each other out, the two perspectives make it less clear than ever who Rhys is.Book 6 would benefit from a quiet observer like Elain, likely the next POV, who may have a more balanced, nuanced perspective.
New Perspectives Of Feyre & Rhysand Make It Harder To Romanticize The ACOTAR Trilogy
Rhysand’s False Persona Bleeding Into His Personality Complicates Idealization
A Court of Silver Flamesis centered on Nesta, who has historically not been easy to like – perhaps because of this,the book overcompensates in developing her character. It is not enough for Nesta to dislike Feyre and Rhys because she feels left out of the Inner Circle – Rhys seems to go overboard in his hesitation to tell Feyre about the pregnancy dangers because, plot-wise, it gives Nesta a valid reason to hate him. Because the reader does not get much of Rhys and Feyre in the novel, this acts as a kind of character assassination of the much-loved pair.
While no characters should be beyond reproach, thisnegative tint has created a divide among readers. Many find Rhysand off-putting in this installment,while other readers are vilified for defending him. The nextACOTARbook needs to put him somewhere in the middle – not wholly good, as his High Lord persona seems to be a defense mechanism, but certainly not sinister. Whereas Rhys seems to have never given Nesta a chance, contextualizing their strained relationship, they seem to come closer to an understanding near the end ofSilver Flames,which should be developed more in the next book.
Book 6 could focus on bigger problems in the Maasverse and truly shift the focus from Feysand…
Elain could have some conflict with Rhys surrounding Lucien, but anything fromElain’s perspective would address the imbalanceinA Court of Silver Flames. She is naturally observant of others, but also has largely untapped powers as a seer. While the familial bond between all the sisters is fragile, andElain has been done an injustice inA Court of Thorns & Roses,she is nonetheless remarkably well-adjusted. She even wants to venture beyond her“little garden”and the Night Court. Book 6 could focus on bigger problems in the Maasverse and truly shift the focus from Feysand, rather than sabotage their story.
