A Court of Splintered Harmony Book Recap
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Well, we’re back in Prythian. And apparently, the Inner Circle has decided that fighting with each other is just as important as preventing another war.
Because A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas is MESSY.
We’ve got Nesta and Cassian barely speaking, Azriel and Elain sneaking around, Lucien getting caught in the middle of everything, and Rhys trying to hold together a court that seems determined to fall apart.
Oh, and Koschei is still out there causing problems.
Because apparently, we didn’t have enough to worry about.
This sixth ACOTAR book kicks off the Valkyrie Cycle, picking up after A Court of Silver Flames and the events involving Bryce Quinlan in Crescent City.
If you need a refresher on Nesta and Cassian’s story, check out my A Court of Silver Flames book recap before jumping into this one.
Otherwise, let’s get into everything that happens in A Court of Splintered Harmony.
If you’re wondering how Crescent City connects to the ACOTAR world, things really start getting interesting in House of Sky and Breath.
You can read my House of Sky and Breath Honest Book Review for my thoughts on that crossover.
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Azriel's Childhood Was Even Worse Than We Thought
Before we get into the present-day drama, we get a look at Azriel’s childhood.
And it’s heartbreaking.
As a child, Azriel was imprisoned beneath his father’s keep. His half-brothers had burned his hands, leaving him permanently scarred, and he was allowed to see his mother for only an hour each week.
His only real companions were his shadows.
They told him stories about the world outside his prison, including a violet-eyed boy named Rhysand, another Illyrian boy named Cassian, and a young girl named Mor.
None of whom he had met yet.
Eventually, Azriel overhears his half-brothers planning to hurt his mother.
And something inside him snaps.
He breaks free from his cell and attacks them, using his shadows to hide himself.
This is when his father realizes just how powerful Azriel might become.
Rather than killing him, he decides to send him to Devlon’s Illyrian camp for training.
Azriel’s father even suggests that he could eventually become his heir.
But Azriel has absolutely no interest in that.
He wants freedom.
And one day, revenge.
It’s a pretty devastating beginning, especially when you consider how much Azriel still struggles with his past centuries later.
And if you’ve ever wondered why readers love mysterious, emotionally damaged men with shadow magic, my What Is a Shadow Daddy? guide explains how this particular romantasy obsession became a whole thing.
Azriel Discovers a Dangerous Search for Made Objects
In the present, Azriel is investigating rumors of an ancient magical object near Rothorn Peak.
Rhys and Feyre have ordered him to observe.
Naturally, Azriel decides to investigate further.
He discovers warriors from several continental kingdoms searching for a Made object.
And they’re not just looking for one magical weapon.
They’re also searching for an ancient book and a six-sided box.
The box is especially important because it’s believed to contain Koschei’s death.
Which means whoever possesses it could potentially control the Deathless sorcerer.
That sounds like a terrible amount of power for anyone to have.
Azriel also discovers that the continental kingdoms are working together, although they don’t necessarily trust one another.
And that becomes important when Feyre and Rhys attempt to negotiate peace.
Feyre and Rhys Try to Prevent Another War
Feyre and Rhys travel to Storr, a neutral meeting place between Prythian and the continent.
They’re meeting representatives from Vallahan and Montesere, hoping to convince them not to invade the human lands.
Rask was invited but doesn’t send anyone.
The negotiations go about as well as you’d expect.
The continental rulers believe the lands currently occupied by humans rightfully belong to the Fae.
They also resent Rhys trying to tell them what to do.
The Queen of Vallahan makes it clear that she doesn’t consider the Night Court particularly powerful compared with the continental kingdoms.
And the representatives already know about the Dread Trove.
The Mask.
The Harp.
The Crown.
They believe that if the Night Court can possess Made objects, they should be able to find powerful weapons of their own.
Rhys warns them about Koschei, but they deny working with him.
The meeting ends without an agreement.
One representative, the Duke of Bernion, privately warns Feyre and Rhys that an invasion is likely once the continental kingdoms find the weapons they’re searching for.
So much for diplomacy.
Nesta and Cassian's Relationship Is Falling Apart
Meanwhile, Nesta and Cassian are having problems.
Serious problems.
After everything they went through in A Court of Silver Flames, you’d think these two would finally be enjoying their mating bond.
Apparently not.
The trouble started after Nesta helped Bryce Quinlan during the events of House of Flame and Shadow.
Nesta gave Bryce the Mask, one of the most dangerous objects in the Dread Trove, without consulting the Inner Circle.
Bryce eventually returned it.
But Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel are still furious.
Cassian feels like Nesta made a decision that could have endangered everyone.
Nesta believes she did the right thing.
And neither seems willing to understand the other’s perspective.
Cassian has started spending more time away from the House of Wind.
They barely speak.
They haven’t been intimate since Bryce’s visit.
And Nesta is beginning to wonder whether their mating bond can survive this.
Which is honestly frustrating after spending an entire book watching them work through their problems.
But this time, Nesta isn’t simply lashing out.
She’s trying to communicate.
Cassian just isn’t around long enough to listen.
If you haven’t read House of Flame and Shadow, that’s where we see Bryce’s time in Prythian and why Nesta’s decision to help her causes so much tension afterward.
I shared my thoughts on the crossover in my House of Flame and Shadow Honest Book Review.
Nesta Discovers She Can Winnow
Nesta has also been secretly teaching herself how to winnow.
And she’s getting better at it.
Well, sort of.
She attempts to travel to the Prison, hoping to investigate the ancient magic connected to the island.
Instead, she accidentally lands in the ocean.
And things go downhill quickly.
Her clothes weigh her down, her magic is depleted, and she can’t winnow herself to safety.
But while she’s sinking, she senses something beneath the water.
Something ancient.
Something that feels similar to the Mask and Harp.
It seems to be two matching pieces of an unknown object.
And it calls to her.
Before she can investigate, Nesta nearly drowns.
Thankfully, Rhys hears her calling for help and rescues her.
Interestingly, Rhys agrees to help Nesta learn how to winnow properly.
Which is a pretty significant change considering how tense their relationship has been.
Nesta keeps the incident secret from Cassian.
And she can’t stop thinking about whatever she sensed beneath the water.
Azriel and Elain Are Sneaking Around
Now, let’s talk about Azriel and Elain.
Because apparently, these two have decided that keeping secrets from everyone is the best way to start a relationship.
Azriel has been avoiding Elain since Rhys ordered him to stay away from her after the previous Winter Solstice.
But about a month before the events of this book, they started seeing each other again.
Secretly.
They meet in the kitchen of the river house, kissing and touching whenever they think nobody is around.
Azriel is convinced that Elain might be his last chance at happiness.
He even starts thinking about opening up to her about his childhood.
But before he can, Elain suggests they find somewhere more private.
And then Rhys catches them.
Again.
Rhys is furious.
Not necessarily because Elain and Azriel are attracted to each other, but because Elain is still mated to Lucien.
And Lucien is an important political ally.
Rhys warns Azriel that if he wants to pursue Elain, they need to deal with her mating bond first.
He also questions whether Azriel believes he deserves Elain simply because Rhys and Cassian ended up with her two sisters.
And Azriel doesn’t exactly deny it.
The argument gets ugly.
Rhys even tells Azriel that he’s no longer proud to call him his brother.
Ouch.
There’s also something interesting happening with Azriel’s shadows.
They keep disappearing whenever Elain is around.
Considering how important those shadows have been to Azriel since childhood, that’s a detail worth remembering.
The whole situation also brings up one of my favorite things about fantasy romance: mating bonds don’t always make relationships easier.
If you’re a fan of complicated magical bonds, I’ve rounded up some of my Best Fated Mates Fantasy Romance Books featuring couples who have to figure out what fate actually means for them.
Koschei's Plans Are Getting More Dangerous
While the Inner Circle is busy arguing, Koschei is still manipulating events across the continent.
Feyre and Rhys visit Lucien, Jurian, and Vassa in the human lands.
Vassa confirms that Koschei is influencing the continental kingdoms.
She also explains more about the mysterious box containing his life-thread.
The box is believed to hold the secret to controlling or defeating him.
But nobody knows where it is.
Vassa is still trapped under Koschei’s curse, and the other women imprisoned at his lake are connected to the woman who originally bound him.
Rhys wants proof that Beron and the continental kingdoms are working with Koschei.
So he asks Lucien to investigate the Autumn Court.
Lucien is supposed to pretend he’s there on Tamlin’s behalf and use a Veritas orb to record anything suspicious.
Lucien agrees to consider helping.
And Feyre invites him to Nyx’s upcoming Naming Day.
Which is going to become a very important decision.
Gwyn Is Still Struggling After the Blood Rite
Nesta visits the library beneath the House of Wind to see Gwyn.
And their friendship isn’t quite what it used to be.
Gwyn has barely left the library since the Blood Rite.
She didn’t even attend Nesta and Cassian’s mating ceremony.
And she’s still hurt that Nesta knocked her unconscious during the trial so Emerie could carry her to safety.
Nesta asks Gwyn to help document everything that happened when Bryce visited Prythian.
They learned a lot about the Daglan, Theia, the Prison, and the ancient history of the Fae.
Nesta believes that information could become important.
But Gwyn isn’t particularly interested in getting involved.
She tells Nesta she’ll think about it.
And when Nesta invites her to Nyx’s Naming Day, Gwyn declines.
She’s comfortable in the library.
It’s safe.
And she’s not ready to leave.
Considering everything Gwyn went through before and during the Blood Rite, it’s understandable.
But it’s also sad to see her retreating from the world after making so much progress.
Between the House of Wind’s magical library and Nesta’s love of romance books, I’m still convinced that living in Prythian would be a bookworm’s dream.
I’ve rounded up 25 Unique Bookish Gifts for Book Lovers that are perfect for readers who love their fictional worlds a little too much.
The Night Court Is Running Out of Allies
Feyre and Rhys continue trying to convince the other courts to help defend the human lands.
Unfortunately, nobody seems particularly interested.
Tarquin refuses to commit Summer Court soldiers to a war they have little chance of winning.
The Winter and Dawn Courts are reluctant too.
And the Spring and Autumn Courts still haven’t signed the treaty.
Rhys even considers rebuilding the wall between the human and Fae territories.
But that would only delay the problem.
Eventually, Feyre brings up the possibility of Rhys becoming High King.
Again.
And Rhys refuses.
Again.
He has no interest in ruling all of Prythian.
Which leaves the Night Court trying to prepare for a war without enough allies.
Meanwhile, Azriel receives a mysterious message from Hybern.
Someone wants to arrange a meeting with Feyre and Rhys to discuss an alliance.
And instead of immediately telling them, Azriel keeps the information to himself.
Because apparently, secrets are becoming the Inner Circle’s favorite hobby.
Nyx's Naming Day Turns Into a Nightmare
Feyre and Rhys are preparing to celebrate Nyx’s Naming Day.
The ceremony is supposed to be a beautiful family celebration.
Friends and family gather to offer blessings to the baby.
Mor wishes him truth.
Cassian wishes him true friendships.
And Nesta plans to wish him inner peace.
Clotho has also given Nesta a special piece of fabric to use during the ceremony.
But when Nesta touches it, something feels wrong.
Feyre realizes there’s magic involved and tries to remove the fabric.
Except they can’t.
And then the entire temple goes dark.
Bryaxis has returned.
Yes.
That Bryaxis.
The terrifying creature that once lived beneath the library.
And it’s apparently decided that Nyx’s Naming Day is the perfect time to make an appearance.
Bryaxis traps everyone inside their worst fears.
Azriel sees himself murdering the people he loves.
Feyre experiences the horror of losing Nyx.
Nesta relives her parents’ deaths, Feyre’s traumatic childbirth, and Cassian rejecting her.
Everyone is trapped in their own personal nightmare.
And nobody can escape.
Until Nesta manages to break free.
Nesta Faces Bryaxis
Using the mental training she learned as a Valkyrie, Nesta realizes that what she’s seeing isn’t real.
She breaks through the nightmare.
And finds herself surrounded by terrified members of the Inner Circle.
Nesta summons Ataraxia and attacks Bryaxis.
The creature is powerful, and Nesta is injured during the fight.
But she manages to wound it.
Bryaxis eventually retreats toward the House of Wind.
Nesta follows, determined to finish the fight.
But when she reaches the library, Clotho stops her.
And here’s where things get interesting.
The priestesses had been singing a song calling a lost sister home.
Bryaxis apparently answered that call.
Clotho explains that Bryaxis is female and has returned to the library seeking sanctuary.
She considers Bryaxis another lost sister.
Which is a pretty surprising revelation about a creature we’ve spent several books thinking of as a terrifying monster.
Feyre isn’t particularly sympathetic.
After what Bryaxis did to Nyx, she warns that if the creature ever leaves the library again, she’ll kill her.
But for now, Bryaxis is back beneath the House of Wind.
And the priestesses intend to protect her.
Nesta and Cassian Finally Talk
After the attack, Nesta is injured.
And Cassian still seems distant.
He doesn’t even come to see her while Madja is treating her injuries.
Which understandably hurts.
Eventually, Nesta confronts him.
She explains that she has been trying to talk to him for days, but he keeps avoiding her.
Cassian admits that he felt betrayed when she gave the Mask to Bryce without telling him.
Nesta explains that she believed helping Bryce was the right thing to do.
She also admits how much Cassian’s distance has hurt her.
And finally, they start communicating.
Nesta tells Cassian she loves him.
They reconcile.
And for a moment, it seems like maybe these two are going to be okay.
Which is a relief.
Because after everything we went through with them in A Court of Silver Flames, I really don’t want to spend another entire book watching them refuse to talk to each other.
Nesta and Cassian are a perfect example of why I love a complicated romantasy relationship, even when the characters make me want to throw my book across the room.
Between their enemies-to-lovers beginning and their mating bond, they’ve given us plenty of my favorite tropes. I actually ranked some of the Top Fantasy Romance Tropes if you want to see which ones made my list.
Lucien Discovers Azriel and Elain Together
And now we get to one of the biggest moments in the book.
Lucien is staying at the river house after Nyx’s Naming Day.
He hasn’t seen Elain in months.
And he decides that maybe it’s time to finally speak with her.
Not to demand she accept their mating bond.
But to apologize for what happened when she was forced into the Cauldron.
So he goes to her room.
Knocks.
Hears her answer.
And opens the door.
Only to find Elain and Azriel naked in bed together.
Oh.
Oh no.
Azriel’s shadows hadn’t warned him that Lucien was approaching.
Because once again, they disappeared while Elain was around.
Lucien is devastated.
And furious.
He confronts Azriel, and the argument quickly draws the attention of the entire household.
Cassian arrives.
Nesta follows.
Then Rhys, Feyre, and Mor.
And Lucien discovers that Rhys and Feyre already knew something was happening between Azriel and Elain.
Which makes everything worse.
Because the Night Court has been asking Lucien to risk his life gathering information for them.
All while hiding this from him.
Lucien tells them he’s finished helping.
He also tells Elain that he won’t return to bother her again.
Then he attacks Azriel with his fire magic.
Rhys intervenes before either male can kill the other.
And Lucien leaves.
Just like that, the Night Court has lost one of its most important allies.
And possibly created another enemy.
Between Nesta and Cassian’s relationship and whatever is happening with Azriel and Elain, ACOTAR certainly isn’t lacking in romance.
If you’re looking for your next romantasy read, my Romantasy Spice Book Library is a good place to start.
Azriel Is Cast Out
Rhys orders Azriel to leave the river house.
But Azriel refuses.
Eventually, Mor takes him away.
And she is furious.
She slaps him and confronts him about his behavior.
She even questions whether his interest in Elain has something to do with the fact that Mor never returned his feelings.
Which is a pretty painful conversation considering Azriel spent centuries believing he loved Mor.
Mor warns him that if Lucien demands a Blood Duel, Azriel will be on his own.
Then she leaves.
Azriel returns to the townhouse, angry and miserable.
Even his shadows seem to be avoiding him.
And for someone whose shadows have been his companions since childhood, that feels significant.
Rhys Gives Nesta the Dread Trove
After the attack by Bryaxis, Rhys makes a surprising decision.
He returns the Dread Trove to Nesta.
The Mask.
The Harp.
The Crown.
Along with the Made weapons.
He realizes that keeping the objects away from Nesta could actually put her at a disadvantage if another dangerous creature attacks.
And considering she was the only one able to fight Bryaxis, that seems like a pretty reasonable conclusion.
Nesta asks Rhys to teach her how to create a pocket realm where she can safely store the objects.
She also wants to learn how to use her remaining magic as a weapon.
Rhys agrees.
Which is a pretty big development in their relationship.
Because after everything that happened with Bryce, they’re finally beginning to trust each other again.
Elain Finally Speaks Up
Meanwhile, Elain is struggling with the fallout from Lucien discovering her relationship with Azriel.
She apologizes to Feyre for bringing embarrassment to the family.
Feyre reassures her that she hasn’t.
But Nesta isn’t quite so forgiving.
She points out that Elain knew Lucien was staying in the house.
And that she could have rejected their mating bond rather than continuing to avoid the situation.
Elain becomes furious.
She reminds her sisters that she never asked to become Fae.
She never asked for Lucien to be her mate.
And she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life being treated like someone who needs protecting.
Elain also brings up Graysen, the human man she once loved.
She feels like the person she used to be died when she entered the Cauldron.
And she’s tired of everyone deciding what her life should look like.
The argument between Nesta and Elain becomes ugly.
Both sisters admit that they barely recognize each other anymore.
And Elain storms away.
For the first time, we’re really seeing how much resentment Elain has been carrying.
And I have a feeling this is only the beginning of her story.
Nesta Returns to the Prison
Nesta still can’t stop thinking about the ancient magic connected to the Prison.
Especially after everything she learned from Bryce.
The Prison was once the eighth court of Prythian, ruled by Theia.
And there’s still so much they don’t understand about its history.
Amren encourages Nesta to investigate further.
She believes the Prison might contain information or magical objects that could help them prepare for the coming war.
Nesta decides to go alone.
This time, she successfully winnows to the island.
She’s carrying Gwydion, the ancient sword connected to Bryce and the Starborn Fae.
But when Nesta arrives, something unexpected happens.
The Prison takes Gwydion from her hand.
And that’s where her story ends.
Excuse me?
We’re just leaving Nesta there?
With an ancient magical prison stealing her sword?
Okay, Sarah.
Elain Leaves Velaris With Mor
Meanwhile, Elain makes a decision of her own.
She approaches Mor and asks to accompany her to Vallahan.
Elain wants to help with the political negotiations.
She reminds Mor that she’s Made.
She’s a Seer.
And she might actually be useful.
She also believes that her appearance and ability to charm people could help Mor gather information.
But more than anything, Elain wants to leave Velaris.
She doesn’t want to stay in the river house surrounded by people who are disappointed in her.
And she doesn’t want to keep living the same sheltered life.
Mor eventually agrees.
Elain leaves for Vallahan.
Which means she’s heading directly into the political conflict the Night Court has been trying to prevent.
And considering everything happening with Koschei, that could become very important.
Where Everyone Ends Up
By the end of A Court of Splintered Harmony, the Inner Circle is in a very different place from where we left them in A Court of Silver Flames.
Nesta: She’s beginning to repair her relationship with Rhys and Cassian, learning more about her magic, and investigating the Prison. But her attempt to explore the island ends with Gwydion being taken from her.
Cassian: He and Nesta finally begin working through their problems after weeks of barely speaking.
Azriel: His secret relationship with Elain has been exposed, Lucien wants nothing to do with him, and Rhys and Mor are furious. Meanwhile, his shadows seem unusually drawn to Gwyn.
Elain: She’s finally standing up for herself and has left Velaris with Mor to help with negotiations in Vallahan.
Lucien: After discovering Azriel and Elain together, he withdraws his support from the Night Court and leaves.
Gwyn: She’s still struggling with what happened during the Blood Rite, but her interaction with Azriel suggests she may become more involved in the story.
Feyre and Rhys: They’re trying to protect Nyx, hold their family together, and prevent another war.
Bryaxis: She’s returned to the library beneath the House of Wind, where Clotho and the priestesses have offered her sanctuary.
Koschei: He’s still manipulating events from his lake, and the continental kingdoms are searching for powerful Made objects.
The Ending of A Court of Splintered Harmony Explained
Unlike A Court of Silver Flames, this book doesn’t give us a neat little happy ending.
Instead, it leaves several major storylines unresolved.
The continental kingdoms are preparing for war.
Koschei is still manipulating events.
Lucien has withdrawn his support from the Night Court.
Elain has left Velaris.
Azriel is increasingly isolated from the Inner Circle.
And Nesta has just entered the Prison, where something has taken Gwydion.
But the biggest thing to remember is that the Night Court is no longer united.
Everyone seems to be keeping secrets.
Making decisions without consulting each other.
And allowing personal conflicts to interfere with the much bigger problems happening outside Velaris.
Which makes the title A Court of Splintered Harmony feel pretty appropriate.
Because the danger isn’t just coming from Koschei or the continental kingdoms.
It’s coming from the fractures forming inside the family we’ve spent five books watching grow together.
Final Thoughts
A Court of Splintered Harmony feels very much like the beginning of a bigger story.
There are a lot of moving pieces, and not everything gets resolved.
But I think the most interesting part is watching how the relationships within the Inner Circle are changing.
Especially Nesta and Cassian.
After everything they went through in A Court of Silver Flames, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to see them struggling again.
But I did appreciate that Nesta was actually trying to communicate this time.
And Azriel?
Well, I have some thoughts.
The more we learn about his childhood, the more I understand why he struggles with love and belonging.
But understanding someone’s trauma doesn’t automatically excuse every decision they make.
And the whole Elain and Lucien situation is complicated enough without everyone keeping secrets.
I’m also really interested in what Sarah J. Maas is setting up with Gwyn and Azriel’s shadows.
Because that doesn’t feel accidental.
And then there’s Nesta.
The Prison.
Gwydion.
The mysterious objects beneath the water.
And everything we learned about Theia and the ancient history of Prythian.
There are so many questions left unanswered.
So while this book might not give us the same kind of satisfying conclusion as the earlier ACOTAR novels, it definitely sets up plenty of reasons to keep reading.
And if you’re not ready to leave Prythian just yet, take my What ACOTAR Court Matches Your Soul? Quiz or check out my ACOTAR Inspired Drinks for your next reading night.
Because apparently, we can survive five books of emotional damage and still willingly come back for more.
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