The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Maas, Sarah J. Court of Silver Flame, Bloomsbury Children's Books, New York, New York, 2021. Kindle AZW file.

Nesta Archeron is a faerie who was Made by the Cauldron with powers no one fully understands, and her life has spiraled out of control ever since. She lives in the Night Court but refuses to try to fit in. When Nesta charges an expensive night on the town to her sister, Feyre, the people who love her decide it is time to force some changes. Feyre decides that Nesta has two options – embrace a program of work, moderation, and training, or return to the human lands. Knowing she would be ostracized in the human lands, Nesta moves into the House of Wind and begins to work in the subterranean library under the House. The library, which is heavily protected by magic, is home to females who have been brutalized in the world. Nesta soon strikes up a friendship with a priestess named Gwyn and an Illyrian female named Emerie. Emerie had been brutalized by her father.

Nesta continues to refuse to train under the Illyrian warrior named Cassian. When Nesta and Cassian strike a formal bargain in exchange for an hour of training, Nesta discovers that she feels better for the work out. She begins to embrace the training and believes other females could benefit as well. Gwyn is the first to join the sessions, followed by Emerie, then others. Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie become increasingly close and soon begin to embrace the ways of the Valkyrie, an ancient group of female warriors. Cassian and his fellow Illyrian, Azriel, take the training sessions seriously despite the fact that most Illyrian males are derisive of females. Cassian and Azriel eventually set up an obstacle course that serves as a qualifying test for the Blood Rite, a tradition that pits Illyrian warriors against a mountain and against each other. Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn are kidnapped and dropped into the Blood Rite. They must fight their way out.

Meanwhile, this land is on the brink of war, and members of the Night Court realize that three specific items could tip the balance. These items were Made by the Cauldron, just as Nesta was Made, and she sets out to find them. She locates the Mask and the Harp, but a crone has possession of the Crown. The crone uses the Crown to try to force Cassian to kill Nesta, but Nesta's powers destroy the crone. Nesta and Cassian are summoned to Feyre's house where she is dying in the midst of an impossible childbirth. Nesta uses the power of the Harp, Crown, and Mask and pledges to return her own power to the Cauldron in return for Feyre's life. When powers intervene, Feyre and her child survive. Nesta retains some of her power. Nesta's selfless act heals her relationships, and Nesta and Cassian pledge their love for each other. As the novel comes to a close, Nesta knows that war is still looming. There are issues to be resolved, but she faces her past and pledges to embrace her life, including the pain.