A Court of Frost and Starlight is book 4 (or book 3.5 as it’s often referred to) in the ACOTAR series and it’s billed as a ‘companion tale’ or as my friend described it, a palette cleanser. Sarah J. Maas has given us a little break between the drama and war of the much longer books. Clocking in at under 300 pages, it was a breeze compared to the mighty 500+ reads that came before it.
Opening sentence: The first snow of winter had begun whipping through Velaris an hour earlier.
A day in the life
I am writing this review on the assumption that you know the world-building and characters of the ACOTAR series from the previous 3 books. If no, pop back and read them in this order:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- A Court of Mist and Fury
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
So, A Court of Frost and Starlight is set in Velaris, the court of dreams and Feyre’s home, months after the big war with Hybern in the previous book.
It has a different structure to the other books in many ways. We get chapter POVs from a wider range of characters including Rhys, Cassian, Mor and Nesta and it is very much a character, not plot, driven read.
The back stories of Cassian and Mor are filled out further here but it’s the nuggets dropped from Nesta’s POV, as her story hasn’t gone the way you assumed it would based on events in book 3, that really captured my interest.
Basically, in this book Feyre does a lot of paperwork, has very heavy periods and has time to focus more on her art. I can’t actually take that bit seriously due to all the Tik-Toks and reels saying she’s a terrible artist!
In the background there are rumblings of peace after the war not holding, with Rhys and Cassian trying to ensure a treaty – setting the scene for the action in the next book, I can only assume.
Merry Solstice
The main event in A Court of Frost and Starlight is Winter Solstice – Christmas – they’re all buying presents, eating food and having a jolly time together.
Feyre and Rhys’ relationship grows too, pulling focus to the romantasy element of these books.
‘I love you,’ he breathed. ‘More than life, more than my territory, more than my crown.’
Side note: It’s still so wild to me how in this fantasy kingdom Feyre wears chunky sweaters and leggings, drinks tea and eats bacon and quiche.
Overall, a pleasant read but I’m looking forward to getting back into the plot drama in the next book, A Court of Silver Flames.
- Get your copy of A Court of Frost and Starlight here;
- First published 2018. This edition Bloomsbury 2020;
- 272 pages;
- Book review rating:
Books on the 7:47 
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