015 A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Kate, Sarah, and Liz are back with A Court of Silver Flames, where we discover that Nesta Archeron isn't just the "unlikable" sister—she's actually a mirror for anyone who's ever been told their anger, their darkness, or their refusal to fit in the "good Christian girl" box makes them fundamentally unlovable.Turns out Sarah J. Maas is serving up more truth about healing from shame and self-hatred than most church small groups ever will. The audacity! 💁♀️📚✨Topics Covered:* The Self-Loathing Olympics: Why Nesta's brutal inner monologue ("I am worthless, I'm nothing, I hate everything that I am") sounds suspiciously like evangelical prayer language, and how "worm theology" taught us that hating ourselves was somehow godly. Plot twist: God actually made you on purpose! 🪱➡️👑* The "Good Girl" Box is a Trap: How Nesta's journey from people-pleasing future trophy wife to unapologetic Lady Death shows us that healing doesn't mean becoming palatable—it means learning to aim your fire at the right targets instead of yourself 🔥* Libraries as Sacred Spaces: Why these quiet sanctuaries for story and learning might be doing more for community healing than some churches, and how access to books (yes, even the spicy ones!) has always been essential for women's liberation and spiritual formation 📚* Power Corrupts, Even the "Good Guys": How Rhysand's controlling behavior toward Feyre in this book exposes the uncomfortable truth that patriarchy is patriarchy, even when it comes wrapped in "I'm protecting you" language. The bar was in hell and somehow he still tripped over it! 🚩* Female Friendship as Revolutionary Act: Why Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie supporting each other's strength challenges every toxic stereotype about women being each other's competition, and how community healing happens when we stop trying to fix each other and start empowering instead 💪* The Healing Isn't Linear: How Nesta's messy, non-linear recovery journey mirrors real trauma healing—complete with backslides, breakthroughs, and the radical discovery that you don't have to become a different person to become a healthy one ✨Remember: If this book is making you question whether you're allowed to love yourself, congratulations—you've just discovered that the real enemy was the shame we internalized along the way! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit irsbpodcast.substack.com
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