A Court of Silver Flames

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The narrator of the previous books, Feyre, occasionally saw Nesta as a minor antagonist in her own life events. How do you relate to Nesta now as the protagonist and main character of this novel?

2. When Nesta is struggling with taking care of herself, Cassian, Gwyn, and Emerie help her regain her self-worth. Whom do you turn to for support in your life in difficult moments?

3. Nesta begins the difficult practice of training and eventually becoming a Valkyrie, and in doing this she finds better ways to care for herself. Have you ever attempted something you knew would be extremely difficult and challenging with the hope it would produce long-term benefits? What was this situation and how did it turn out?

4. This novel contains detailed descriptions and references to physical, sexual, and emotional violence experienced by many characters. Which of these moments produced the strongest emotional response in you, and why? Were any moments particularly difficult to read?

5. What types of societies does the novel depict? What similarities or differences do these depictions bear to your own society?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Rhys struggles with implementing order in the Night Court and the world at large after the wartime events of the previous novels. How does this novel portray the complex, residual aftereffects of war? Though war is often seen as the series’ main conflict, how does this novel show that the handling of political issues in its aftermath also greatly affects the lives of citizens?

2. How does this novel portray the lingering trauma experienced by survivors of gendered violence and sexual abuse? What is the significance of the way the novel depicts this type of violence not only as a wartime atrocity but as an everyday reality for women living in a patriarchal system? How does its critique relate to real-world societies?

3. Within the world of the novel, some characters ascribe to a hierarchical value system that others and racializes certain groups of Fae. How does prejudice work in this world? Black speculative fiction writer N. K. Jemisin has drawn attention to the way that fantasy writers use “elves as an allegory for skin color issues” while still keeping most of their characters white-skinned (Jemisin, N. K. “Saaaay, Why AREN’T There Any Brown Elves?” NKJemisin.com, 13 Aug. 2008), as most characters are in this series. What are the potential ethical ramifications of allegorizing real-world injustices like racism in this way?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What characteristics of a protagonist does Nesta have, and what characteristics does she have that subvert readers’ usual expectations for a protagonist? How do these factors relate to her growth and character arc?

2. What is the effect of the chapters alternating perspectives between Nesta and Cassian? How does this characterize them and their relationship to each other?

3. In this series, location is tied to character development. For instance, in previous books, the Night Court allowed Feyre freedom to grow while the Spring Court stymied and trapped her. How does setting impact character development in this novel?

4. Why does this book contain so many explorations of violence and abuse, often described in unflinching detail? What does this accomplish on the levels of theme, world-building, and characterization? Where do these moments fall on the scale of being gratuitous versus meaningfully advancing the narrative?

5. Many of the novel’s important symbols manifest as magical objects. Brainstorm as many objects as possible as well as their potential symbolism. Then compare and contrast them with particular attention to the way they affect themes and characters.