A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 4) by Sarah J. Maas
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A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 4)

by

Sarah J. Maas

(Author)

4.3

-

115,946 ratings


A tender addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas, bridging the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin and upcoming books.

Feyre, Rhysand, and their friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly altered world beyond, recovering from the war that changed everything. But Winter Solstice is finally approaching, and with it, the joy of a hard-earned reprieve.

Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, her concern for those dearest to her deepens. They have more wounds than she anticipated-scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court. Bridging the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin with the later books in the series, A Court of Frost and Starlight explores the far-reaching effects of a devastating war and the fierce love between friends.

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ISBN-10

1635575621

ISBN-13

978-1635575620

Print length

272 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication date

June 01, 2020

Dimensions

5.55 x 0.65 x 8.2 inches

Item weight

9.9 ounces



Popular highlights in this book

  • “I love you,” he breathed. “More than life, more than my territory, more than my crown.”

    Highlighted by 13,064 Kindle readers

  • To the blessed darkness from which we are born, and to which we return.

    Highlighted by 13,045 Kindle readers

  • High Lady of the Night Court, Defender of the Rainbow and the … Desk.

    Highlighted by 2,316 Kindle readers


Product details

ASIN :

B075818VDG

File size :

7056 KB

Text-to-speech :

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Editorial reviews

“Simply dazzles.” ―Booklist on A Court of Thorns and Roses, starred review

“Passionate, violent, sexy and daring…. A true page-turner.” ―USA Today on A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Suspense, romance, intrigue and action. This is not a book to be missed!” ―Huffington Post on A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Vicious and intoxicating…. A dazzling world, complex characters and sizzling romance.” ―RT Book Reviews on A Court of Thorns and Roses, Top Pick

“A sexy, action-packed fairytale.” ―Bustle on A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Fiercely romantic, irresistibly sexy and hypnotically magical. A veritable feast for the senses.” ―USA Today on A Court of Mist and Fury

“Hits the spot for fans of dark, lush, sexy fantasy.” ―Kirkus Reviews on A Court of Mist and Fury

“An immersive, satisfying read.” ―Publishers Weekly on A Court of Mist and Fury

“Darkly sexy and thrilling.” ―Bustle on A Court of Mist and Fury

“Fast-paced and explosively action-packed.” ―Booklist on A Court of Wings and Ruin

“The plot manages to seduce you with its alluring characters, irresistible world and never-ending action, leaving you craving more.” ―RT Book Reviews on A Court of Wings and Ruin


Sample

CHAPTER 1

Feyre

The first snow of winter had begun whipping through Velaris an hour earlier.

The ground had finally frozen solid last week, and by the time I’d finished devouring my breakfast of toast and bacon, washed down with a heady cup of tea, the pale cobblestones were dusted with fine, white powder.

I had no idea where Rhys was. He hadn’t been in bed when I’d awoken, the mattress on his side already cold. Nothing unusual, as we were both busy to the point of exhaustion these days.

Seated at the long cherrywood dining table at the town house, I frowned at the whirling snow beyond the leaded glass windows.

Once, I had dreaded that first snow, had lived in terror of long, brutal winters.

But it had been a long, brutal winter that had brought me so deep into the woods that day nearly two years ago. A long, brutal winter that had made me desperate enough to kill a wolf, that had eventually led me here—to this life, this … happiness.

The snow fell, thick clumps plopping onto the dried grass of the tiny front lawn, crusting the spikes and arches of the decorative fence beyond it.

Deep inside me, rising with every swirling flake, a sparkling, crisp power stirred. I was High Lady of the Night Court, yes, but also one blessed with the gifts of all the courts. It seemed Winter now wanted to play.

Finally awake enough to be coherent, I lowered the shield of black adamant guarding my mind and cast a thought down the soul-bridge between me and Rhys. Where’d you fly off to so early?

My question faded into blackness. A sure sign that Rhys was nowhere near Velaris. Likely not even within the borders of the Night Court. Also not unusual—he’d been visiting our war allies these months to solidify our relationships, build trade, and keep tabs on their post-wall intentions. When my own work allowed it, I often joined him.

I scooped up my plate, draining my tea to the dregs, and padded toward the kitchen. Playing with ice and snow could wait.

Nuala was already preparing for lunch at the worktable, no sign of her twin, Cerridwen, but I waved her off as she made to take my dishes. “I can wash them,” I said by way of greeting.

Up to the elbows in making some sort of meat pie, the half-wraith gave me a grateful smile and let me do it. A female of few words, though neither twin could be considered shy. Certainly not when they worked—spied—for both Rhys and Azriel.

“It’s still snowing,” I observed rather pointlessly, peering out the kitchen window at the garden beyond as I rinsed off the plate, fork, and cup. Elain had already readied the garden for winter, veiling the more delicate bushes and beds with burlap. “I wonder if it’ll let up at all.”

Nuala laid the ornate lattice crust atop the pie and began pinching the edges together, her shadowy fingers making quick, deft work of it. “It’ll be nice to have a white Solstice,” she said, voice lilting and yet hushed. Full of whispers and shadows. “Some years, it can be fairly mild.”

Right. The Winter Solstice. In a week. I was still new enough to being High Lady that I had no idea what my formal role was to be. If we’d have a High Priestess do some odious ceremony, as Ianthe had done the year before—

A year. Gods, nearly a year since Rhys had called in his bargain, desperate to get me away from the poison of the Spring Court, to save me from my despair. Had he been only a minute later, the Mother knew what would have happened. Where I’d now be.

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About the authors

Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the Throne of Glass series. Her books have sold more than twelve million copies and are published in thirty-seven languages. A New York native, Sarah lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, and dog. To find out more, visit sarahjmaas.com or follow @therealsjmaas on Instagram.

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Reviews

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

115,946 global ratings

Jeanette

Jeanette

5

ACOFAS is worth reading & serves its purpose. My review is split into non spoiler & spoiler parts.

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2019

Verified Purchase

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!!

——-

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.

———-

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!!

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49 people found this helpful

Heather

Heather

5

Another great addition to an already wonderful series

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018

Verified Purchase

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

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22 people found this helpful

Rowe

Rowe

5

Absolutely Phenomenal!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024

Verified Purchase

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!!

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