A Court of Silver Flames: The latest book in the GLOBALLY BESTSELLING, SENSATIONAL series

*SPOILERS INDICATED BELOW, then section with NO MORE SPOILERS* Good action, not as great as the others, but then it is the 5th in the series. Perfect for the summer months, when I am logging out of TV completely. (Definitely not for anyone below 18- sex , violence).The language is very easy to follow, if not unimaginative in parts. However, I couldn't help but feel that the book is not doing justice to Nesta, the main character. *SPOILERS Ahead* Nesta is broken from the war and seeks comfort in physical pleasures of all sorts, to the point of destruction, until she is given an ultimatum - for her own good- by her sister and her husband (High Lady and Lord) to either go and train- far out in the middle of nowhere, with a person she dislikes- or go to lands where she would perish. She eventually accepts her fate (not much of a choice there, really), and somehow is , gradually, convinced that this is what she needs to clear her mind, mend her broken heart and find her hidden power: a house arrest (yes in a nice house with a gorgeous guard) ,a few press ups and sword training, followed by some tedious library job, and some sex; all in a magical house . This is how she discovers herself ,(her powers etc.)and the love of others ,and she is transformed. Then ,she helps , again, to save the day. Really? I must say, it is a very distorted notion of love to take away someone's choice and free will(twice , at least), especially one who was fundamental in saving the realm, and was broken as a result of the effort. I couldn't help but think that Rhys and Feyre have turned into smug ,self-important High Lords, who actually did think they were giving Nesta choices, when that wasn't true at all, and certainly saw themselves as better than anyone else. At a certain stage, Feyre thought sharing something of importance to her with Nesta would make such a difference to her sister 's life , she almost presented it as a compliment for Nesta. The whole thing self-indulgent and entitled ,like giving someone your wedding picture for a Christmas present (not your spouse). Nonetheless, we are meant to like them and FORGIVE Nesta. I could't help but feel for Nesta despite the way she was portrayed in the book. Surely, true choice is the fundamental basis for any change of direction and human dignity, and a little bit of respect on the part of the other characters around her wouldn't hurt. I thought all her outbursts, icy looks and words were justified, if not necessary, and not just because of her emotional breakdown. In any case, she still saves the day, to her own detriment. I was kind of hoping for a different end: one that would involve a healthy distance from the rest of these people, after saving the day,(especially Cassian -anything else would qualify as her having Stockholm syndrome), and a completely fresh start. I don't think that the book redeemed her at all, despite purporting to do so, and that is why it didn't do Nesta justice. *NO MORE SPOILERS* Why I didn't like it so much- I don't think that this book is empowering women, or anyone else, for that matter. The worst thing about it is that it sends the message that it is ok to take someone's choice away for their own good, and it portrays happiness and love as things that must be earned. Of course in life you have to earn your place, but ,you must have some love for just being, without having to earn it. Not in this book. (Also, I was a bit tired of the same vocabulary over and over again.) But then, it was , perhaps, my fault to think that this book can give a bit more than what it is designed for: pure entertainment. I did have a good time reading it. And for now, I had enough of Sarah Mass.

Be warned: this book isn't eligible for family library. This is easy to miss, but can be a serious issue if you want to buy it for your partner or children. Also they won't refund you because of this.

My heart is a rising tide of emotions, I haven't ever felt as seen as I did reading this. I started out reading, wishing that the whole book wouldn't be about Nesta, and by the end, I was wishing all the other books had been. I feel such joy reading Sarah J Maas's works. She truly is an incredible story teller, and I hope for a life time of getting to read her books.