A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 4)

A Court of Frost and Starlight was exactly what it was advertised as: a fun, short, and festive novella about the Inner Circle celebrating the Winter Solstice and Feyre’s birthday. Besides the festivities, we get to see the characters rebuilding Prythian and supporting each other in the aftermath of the war. This book is everything that I was expecting and more. I specifically saved it to read during the winter, instead of when it published, like everyone else. I’m glad I made that decision because I can imagine Velaris during the holidays so vividly while experiencing the cold weather myself. ACOFAS is a lovely, sweet, and lighthearted story with holiday cheer. However, it still has a dark, melancholy feel to it because of the scars that the war left in its wake. It warms my heart to read about the Court of Dreams feeling happy, festive, relaxed, and peaceful. After the distress and heartache in ACOWAR, they deserved to have a happy holiday. Especially since every character is still dealing with the impact. It’s awesome to have new content about my favorite characters, even if it’s just a novella. I would’ve been disappointed if Feyre’s narrative finished with ACOWAR. It was a good ending but it was too open for me to be completely satisfied with it. I love ACOFAS so much and I’m so happy that Sarah J. Maas wrote this book!!

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Below, I mention what I love and dislike about ACOFAS, with specific spoilers and concluding thoughts. If you haven’t read ACOFAS and don’t want to be spoiled, do NOT read past this. If you want to be spoiled so you can decide to read this book, then be my guest. If you have read ACOFAS and are interested in hearing my opinions, then go ahead. Overall, thank you for reading my review!!

What I loved about ACOFAS:

• The Inner Circle doing normal, fun things like shopping!! This isn’t something that’s seen often in a Fantasy world.
• Multiple points of view!!! I enjoy reading books like this. Especially when there’s a large number of characters that I love. I want to know everyone’s thinking!! I think books written this way are more open minded, instead of viewing everything from one perspective.
• CHAPTER 13. Feyre goes shopping with Elain in a weaver’s shop and asks about a tapestry. The weavers response about her grief and needing to create is powerful. This scene was so emotionally moving for me. I reacted the same way as Feyre while reading the chapter!!
• Feyre beginning to paint again!! Also, her feeling weaver’s words in her heart and soul. I always love when characters have artistic hobbies. It was really motivating to see Feyre remember the Suriel and using those last words to make a change in Velaris. Feyre and Ressina (side character) starting free art therapy classes for children and parents was so inspiring!! I really enjoyed Feyre’s character in this book. The theme of using art to express emotions/trauma and to heal is the best part of this story!!
• NESTA. I loved her character in ACOWAR and she was fabulous in that book. Although it was short, I’m glad that we got to read in her view. Nesta admitting that she feels nothing is sad, depressing, and concerning. I still love her character though. I like that Nesta has found somewhat of a friend in Amren. I strongly believe that Nesta deserves a happy ending! Yes, I’m extremely excited about the Nesta and Cassian spin-off book!!!
• AMREN. She’s hilarious and such an entertaining character. Her reactions to the gifts she received is amazing. I love what Amren said about Nesta. I share the same thoughts about her. We got to see more of Amren & Varian, which I enjoyed.
• ELAIN. She’s has a cute, kind, and gentle personality. It was nice to see her recovery from ACOWAR and busying herself with helping Nuala & Cerridwen. I can personally relate to Elain a lot in this book.
• Feyre and Rhysand are relationship goals!! It’s so endearing the way that these cuties love and support each other through everything. I think everyone deserves a relationship like Rhys & Feyre!
• The snowball fight Solstice tradition that Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel do at the cabin. This Illyrian bat trio is so adorable!!
• Rhysand, Feyre, Amren, Mor, Cassian, Azriel, Elain, even Nesta and Varian spending time together!! The Court of Dreams laughter and giving gifts. I live for the banter between them!! They are my favorite fictional group characters and ACOFAS made me love the Inner Circle even more.

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What I didn’t like about ACOFAS:

• The wall scene. I wasn’t excited about it and I don’t care about this scene at all. I didn’t mind these scenes in the other books because they full length. It bothered me in ACOFAS because the book is shorter than the others. I’m over Maas sex scenes now though. Honestly, I would’ve preferred Azriel or Elain to get a chapter in their point of view than a full chapter about Feyre & Rhys making love (in such a short book).
• Rhys going to the Spring Court and saying those negative things to Tamlin. I understand that Tamlin can’t be forgiven for his actions, but Rhysand’s words were unnecessary. As Lucien said: “Your mate should’ve known better than to kick a downed male” (page 165). However, I was relieved to see that Rhysand was self aware and knew he behaved poorly.
• Elain and Azriel being the only two without a chapters in their points of view. I love their characters and I personally relate to them for different reasons. I really hope Sarah writes a spin-off book or novella to make up for this!! These dislikes are why I gave ACOFAS four stars instead of five. ———

ACOFAS didn’t really have much of a plot which I was completely fine with!! I was anticipating this because it’s just a novella to update us on the characters before the spin-off novels. For this reason, I can somewhat understand why the general consensus about ACOFAS is that it’s disappointing. Especially since most people in the book reading world read Fantasy books. ACOFAS is much more character oriented and not plot friendly. As I said above, I think this is something that’s not usually seen in a book set in a Fantasy world. I primarily read YA Contemporary books, so I’m accustomed to reading character oriented stories. ACOFAS didn’t disappoint me at all! What disappoints me is the mixed and negative comments about it. I wasn’t expecting so many low reviews for a Sarah J. Maas book because most of them well received. As usual, I have an unpopular opinion about a Sarah J. Maas book or character(s)!! In conclusion, I throughly enjoyed reading A Court of Frost of Starlight. I think it’s a wonderful, amazing, and positive story that’s worth reading, especially if you’re like me: a die hard ACOTAR fan. This book is now one of my favorites!!

Another great addition to the story and this world! - Sorry this is long and thoughts are random. First, I have to say if you went into this novella thinking it was going to be a serious plot and similar to the books then I can totally understand the negative review. But SJM did say this was her fangirling her own work! I honestly liked the light-heartedness and no-anxiety events and just wanted to live with these characters a little longer. So, with that being said here are all my thoughts I had to get on paper after reading and sorry but there may be some spoilers

ACOFAS really showed how much SJM loves these characters! It was so nice to get to live with these characters and see them interact and live without the stress and anxiety of impeding terror, war, conflict or just the angst and impeding “will they/won’t they” of love. Even though it was a novella I am grateful we got another book from not only Feyre’s POV but Rhys, Nesta, Mor and Cassian’s as well. This made it especially wonderful to get into their heads and a nice segway into the next set of books. I like the path Elain is starting to head down – she seems to have accepted her situation and trying to live this new life. I’m also liking this possibility of Elain and Az becoming an item with their little interactions and flirting. This also lent to some very funny situations in the book during Solstice. As much as I love Lucien, I like the idea of Elain not settling for her mate at face value and doing her own thing. Though part of me is kind of not thrilled with all 3 sisters being with the Illyrians. But I think Lucien is more suited for Vassa, in my opinion. Tamlin – My perspective of Tamlin has changed. After ACOWAR was released I took a step back from this whole, read a bunch of books and really distanced myself knowing this novella was coming out in May. I wanted to reread the whole series trying to recreate reading for the first time and honestly this time around I saw Tamlin in a different light. Don’t get me wrong, I think Tamlin did some really horrible things and I’m interested to see where he goes from here after reading ACOFAS, but I feel bad for the guy now. Loved he got what he deserved but in the same breath I hate that is had to get so bad for him too FINALLY realize what he had done. This guys just can’t get a handle on doing things without going to the extremes. Also, I need to give my boy, Rhys, a high five for finally saying what he did but also to go back and be the better person and almost apologize. Tamlin is a flawed character I think by circumstance, he is prideful, set in the old ways (though he says he wants change) and even though he tried to do what he thought was right. I think he cared too much and just didn’t have the right people around him to guide and advise. Rhys has mentioned prior that if it wasn’t for Amren, Mor, As & Cassian he could have turned out just like his father but he had a circle of friends that weren’t afraid of him. Tamlin truly never learned how to properly communicate, he let his beast rule on action & emotion and that was very evident on how he treated Feyre and would react to situations. I’ll be curious to see how his situation and actions evolve in the next books.

Parts of this book had me out right bursting with laughter! Can’t believe I’m saying this but I don’t think I can love Rhys more – this book was amazing to see him without the mask – he is such a dork! Loved the cocky, snarky banter and sarcasm along with his undying love/affection for Feyre. Also, how the Inner Circle was just as sarcastic and open right back at him. So sad this could be the last from his POV. I was left in a good place with Feyre – it was nice to see her struggle and journey to healing. I feel she never really had much time to do anything with all the events of the previous books. Not only with healing herself but her ability to recognized and see that there are others that she could help by sharing her story and using her artwork. I liked that in the end she’s more open and accepting of herself and title, is now happy. Fingers crossed for baby Feysand! Nesta – Not sure I’m 100% with her. Too many questions here and love that Cassian is going to keep trying to push her. The next book should be interesting! I just feel like Nesta needs to get her head out of her butt and is just being too much of a b-word. I totally understand she had some tramatic stuff happen to her but Feyre and Elain did as well, you can even pull Mor and Az into that has other people have suffered at the hands of others and they are all able to lean on each other and learn to cope, accept, hope, dream and laugh and I feel Nesta is just needing to stop being so prideful and admit she needs helps. She doesn’t even need to openly say “I need help” just be around the people that want to help her and live life. We shall see…..

Such a great way to bring together Feyre & Rhys’s story to show you can truly survive, find love and laughter after experiencing such darkness, torment, abuse and loneliness. I love how we got to see these characters rise above and desire such hope for the future after such trials. Not to let themselves be victims, broken and drown in it (like Tamlin’s doing) but to use it as strength. Lean on family/friends – give space when needed, but knowing when and how to push. Such great strong messages in such an amazing series. • Not sure I like no more townhouse ☹ • Wall scene! Rhys’s chapter after was so great! • Finally know where the clothes came from! Loved how SJM snuck in answers to some of the random thoughts and questions sprinkled throughout the books and added in some new characters. I did kind of want Mor to say she was leaving to join the Winter Court, though still curious to see what she will be up too. New unanswered questions

1. What are Keir and Eris up too
2. Are we going to see anymore of Miryam and Drakon or are they gone again
3. What’s going on with the “Band of Exiles” / The Mortal Queens / Vassa’s curse – could there be another conflict on the rise
4. Bryaxis

Amazing series! I’m eating it all up! I have no idea what I’m going to do when I complete the series. Frost and Starlight is a short read. It’s the peace after the war. Every thing seems to be going really well. They are healing, well almost every one. The only issue I have is Mors last part what happened after she galloped away? What was that darkness she saw? Did it follow her? I guess I’ll find out in the next book. Sarah I hope all your books are this good. You are my new favorite author!!

I gave it 4 stars because while it wasn't as bad as some of the harsher reviews I've read, it was way too short. I remember getting to the end and thinking 'what, that's all?

I get that it was an in between happenings sort of story. But it felt like nothing was resolved or anything that new added in. But let's start with what I liked.

I love Cassian and what he's doing for the girls in the Illyrian camp. I like Cassians character in general, but it was enjoyable to watch him not only order change but actually be a presence in seeing it get done. I really enjoyed getting his backstory.

I did like the scenes with Feyre walking through Velaris and getting to know the people there better. The tapestry scene also touched my heart - I am biased though being an artist myself. I enjoyed seeing her go about rediscovering her need to paint and deciding the teach classes to the children for free. I liked it because it was good character development and one of the things you actually get to see progress in this story. It was very wholesome.

What I didn't like: I never liked Nesta, but now I'm just wishing she had died at the end the last book. The things that hurt the previous book worst was its weak ending brought on by waaaaay too much Deus ex Machina. I've lost all patience with Feyre's sisters but not nearly as much as I've lost with Feyre.

Feyre wen through this whole big arc where she pretty much decimated Tamlin's court because he was abusive - and yet, what Tamlin did to Feyre isn't nearly as bad or as drawn out as what her sisters have done to her her whole life. I agree with Rhysand 100 percent in his disdain for Nesta because it's deserved. Feyre needs to stop snapping at everyone who puts Nesta in her place and Rhysand needs to push back instead of just rolling over. Feyre is defending someone who routinely emotionally abuses her . If she is going to do that, what's the point of smearing Tamlin as a villain?

Nesta has no place resenting Feyre and Rhysand for not having pictures of her. She's the one actively cutting people out of her life and being a bitch every chance she gets. If Tamlin deserves to rot alone in his empty court over his poor treatment of the people around him, then Nesta deserves no better. She doesn't deserve Cassian. She doesn't deserve Feyre. She's done nothing, nothing at all to develop or redeem herself. The best thing they ever did was ban her from Velaris.

Elaine makes me want to throttle her. It's not Lucien's fault that her suitor turned out to be a bastard. I don't feel any chemistry between her and Az and part of me feels like she's doing it just to prove the bond false which means she's using Az. I could be reading way to much into that, but that's how it reads. I don't care how sweet, or kind or charming this character is supposed to be. She's a moron and she's selfish.

Speaking of Lucien why is he wrong for leaving Velaris and going somewhere where he's wanted? Feyre and Mor talk about this like it's just him being idiotic when actually, it's the only sensible recourse he has. What is he supposed to do? Sit around and pine for a woman who can't even give him two words without fleeing the room? I know that Lucien has made mistakes, but he's not a bad person. You would think that Feyre could empathize with him a little bit. But oh wait: her sisters do no wrong. Also how is it not supposed to be awkward for him living at the Night Court? Rhys doesn't like him. He doesn't like Rhys. His whole world got turned upside down in a matter of months. Maybe Elaine isn't the only one who deserves time to process what's happened. He lost what was probably his best friend in Tamlin, the court that was his home and he has a block of ice for a mate. Cut the guy some slack.

As for Tamlin, even though I do agree he was a total self-absorbed ass in the second book, he has the presence of mind to want forgiveness. Which means he feels remorse. The fact the Feyre and Rhys single handedly destroyed his kingdom and feel no remorse about it does not make them strong characters it makes them scary. Not in a good way. There is a line between 'you brought this on yourself and I'm not sorry' and pure sociopathy. How many lives were uprooted and ruined when the Spring Court fell? You would swear Feyre never loved Tamlin and never knew the people in the kingdom she had lived the way she acts. And all for petty revenge? Tamlin deserved to lose Feyre after how he treated her. And entire kingdom did not deserve to fall to ruin for her and Rhys egos. I just don't know we are supposed to be fine with that. It's not only severe black and white thinking , but narcism of the highest order. It doesn't feel like the justice I think it was meant for us to feel it was. It just feels petty and callous.

I'm trying really, really hard to still respect these characters and sometimes I do. But other times, they read like they should be the villains. I know there are areas of gray, but these are supposed to be the good guys. Come on.

I honestly don't want any of the men in this novel to end up with Feyre's sisters. Not until they deal with their issues. They haven't earned them and frankly, Cassian and Lucien are way too good for them. In fact, I think the best thing that could happen is Lucien would find someone else and by the time Elaine decides to quit her pity part it's too late.

I logged in to Goodreads to give this novella a 3 star rating...then dropped it to 2 stars when writing this review...then pulled it back up to 3 later just because of how much I love the overall series. I just went in to this 100% down to read sappy, pointless, fanfiction novella of ACOTAR, loving the characters and thrilled to see Feyre again and happy to just read about the Inner Circle having fun—I was EXPECTING it to be pointless and a little tacky! I’m so surprised at how disappointed I still am.

Somehow, this novella is a whole different genre than ACOTAR. This is a contemporary book, not a fantasy. Pluck these characters from their world and plop them in ours, and you’d hardly blink an eye. That sucks.

This starts one year after the last, and the timing is real weird because it seems like Feyre has lived there much longer. No one is more surprised than I when I say Feyre and Rhysand have lived their happily ever after and need to leave. They’re retiring—WE GET IT. I am happy, and they earned it, but Please don’t make retired folks the MCs? I was peering around the edges of pages trying to glimpse more Cassian, Az, and Mor interactions because page after page of Feyre/Rhys sex is just agony.

The characters just regressed back to their pre-ACOTAR lives, except for when they were written entirely different from any previous representation. For a hunk of the novel, we get thoughtful, sharp-witted, snarky Feyre, but then out of nowhere she’s a jerk to Lucien. Why? Why does she disparage his experience when she never has before, yell at him for making friends, and essentially tell him he should be grateful to spend time with them? In fact, she says much the same to Nesta and Elain too. But when people talk back to her, she shuts up and cowers instead of pressing her point. That is not the Feyre from the books—that’s like 2nd book Feyre, bored in the castle and waiting for her man to return from his political shindigs.

I wanted more from Mor than her “giving bad gifts” and still wondering if she’s tough enough to overcome her past—wasn’t that what the last couple books were about? Mor is sidestepping her sexuality, seemingly more worried about it than she even was in the last book, and there’s just no tension because there’s been ZERO homophobia this whole series. There was no growth for her character here. And I wanted that new growth for Amren too. I’m not talking about her personality changing, but she does LIKE her friends, right? Amren is mortal now, but all that changes her is that she's now… somewhat disgusting? (view spoiler). Was she this way in the last couple books and I’m just misremembering? Nesta took back all the sisterly growth she had accumulated in the last book, but I couldn’t care less about that character. Really, I know people are digging her and I’m really trying, but she is so awful to everyone that at some point mental health cannot atone for being a dick. I’ve read reviews saying this book alienated some readers from Nesta, and I encourage you to seek out more reviews if you care about that.

Cassian’s backstory was the highlight of this novella. But this character, too, has changed from the novels. He’s occasionally silly, but mostly sad and serious. Even in the first books, when Cassian came back to the Illyrian Camps, he was still pretend-jovial and not so self-pitying. He knew his worth and he owned it—he didn’t hesitate to speak to the leader or weasel away from him friends to avoid conversation. Does he deserve to mourn his dumpster fire childhood and less-than-awesome mate? ABSOLUTELY YES. But he never has before, so why is he publicly letting others see it? (and, more importantly, why didn’t we SEE why he’s changed? Why must we guess?) Why is no one helping him through this or even acknowledging it?

You’ll notice I didn’t include Azriel here. Where was Azriel? I don’t know. The whole novel, he’s just this side character noticed peripherally by characters when he quips a great line to break the tension. I would have loved to see a bit on his backstory like we’d glimpse Cassian’s, or even just an actual conversation with him that’s not intelligence gathering. This poor guy.

There is one scene with Az, Cassian, and Rhys that is just so sweet, and if you haven’t read the book, stop reading this paragraph here. For real….the snowball scene was lighthearted and really highlighted the bond these characters supposedly have with each other, and I wish we could have seen even more of that carelessness. Unfortunately, my brain was a bit tainted with wondering why Feyre wasn’t invited to any of the activities (except to offer to sex it up in the steam room?? So much sex) and Mor’s “that’s a GUY activity so I usually sit inside instead” response. I’ve never got sexist vibes from any other ACOTAR book—why this one? There are a thousand reviews here that sum up the sexism better than I can, but let me concur that yes, Feyre is treated as a housewife, doesn’t do anything brave or High Lady-ish, and is propositioned by Rhys every page of this book. SMJ, bless her heart, cannot write smut. There’s no tension because everyone’s turned on 24/7, 95% of the sex scene is a metaphor or abstract, and it’s just...gross? I can’t tell you if it’s too vivid or not vivid enough, but if you read the other ACOTAR books, I’m sorry to say her smut writing does not get better.

I ADORED the scenes of Feyre interacting with the city. They were beautifully done and expanded the world. These moments brought me back to what I loved about the ACOTAR series: Maas’ ability to bring characters to life. THAT’s what’s missing in this novel! Maas is character driven, and there’s no characters to drive here. Everyone is stagnant.

This sounds harsh, but let me sum up?

• Lots of sex talk and scenes
• No action at all
• A little bit sexist
• Great worldbuilding and periphery characters
• Out of character main characters
• Cassian backstory
• Surprisingly little gift giving and celebration for that being the buildup in the first 30% of the novel
• Nesta kinda tainting every group moment
• Elain’s doing better!
• Multiple POVs (Feyre and Rhys in 1st person, everyone else in 3rd)

There’s no growth in this book, but it does at least give you the world again, and that’s nice, right?

Also, this is not completely reflective of SJM's writing. As others noted, the writing style is completely different, but SJM explained in the afterword that this was a very personally stressful time for her. She had to make a deadline when she didn't want to. That does not influence my enjoyment of the book, unfortunately, but this shouldn't make anyone think less of Maas.