A Court of Frost and Starlight

By Sarah J. Maas

A tender addition to the #1 bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas, bridging the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Silver Flames.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: May 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781681199061

Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is the prolific, #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City series, which have sold more than 70 million copies in English worldwide and are published in thirty-eight languages. Maas is one of the most successful authors of the modern era, generating a far-reaching and ever-growing fanbase of readers, as well as a TikTok phenomenon, with the hashtag for her A Court of Thorns and Roses series having several billion views.

Book preview

Praise for Sarah J. Maas’s Court of Thorns and Roses Series

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Simply dazzles. —Booklist, starred review

Passionate, violent, sexy and daring.… A true page-turner. —USA Today

Suspense, romance, intrigue and action. This is not a book to be missed! —HuffPost

Vicious and intoxicating.… A dazzling world, complex characters and sizzling romance. —RT Book Reviews, Top Pick

A sexy, action-packed fairytale. —Bustle

A Court of Mist and Fury

Fiercely romantic, irresistibly sexy and hypnotically magical. A veritable feast for the senses. —USA Today

Hits the spot for fans of dark, lush, sexy fantasy. —Kirkus Reviews

An immersive, satisfying read. —Publishers Weekly

Darkly sexy and thrilling. —Bustle

A Court of Wings and Ruin

Fast-paced and explosively action-packed. —Booklist

The plot manages to seduce you with its alluring characters, irresistible world and never-ending action, leaving you craving more. —RT Book Reviews

To the readers who look up at the stars and wish

Books by Sarah J. Maas

The Court of Thorns and Roses Series

A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Mist and Fury

A Court of Wings and Ruin

A Court of Frost and Starlight

A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book

The Crescent City Series

House of Earth and Blood

The Throne of Glass Series

The Assassin’s Blade

Throne of Glass

Crown of Midnight

Heir of Fire

Queen of Shadows

Empire of Storms

Tower of Dawn

Kingdom of Ash

The Throne of Glass Coloring Book

A Court

of

Frost

and

Starlight

Sarah J. Maas

Logo: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight

Acknowledgments

A map of one of the faerie realms, Prythian. It is split into seven courts, from north to south: the Night Court, the Day Court, the Dawn Court and then the Winter Court, the Summer and Autumn Courts and the Spring Court. The silhouette of the land resembles that of Great Britain. Across the sea to the west is the land of Hybern and to the east, a continent divided by a wall. To the north of the wall are the Faerie Realms and to the south of the wall are the Mortal lands.

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.

Snow swirled and eddied in the garden, catching in the brown fibers of the burlap covering the shrubs.

My mate—who had worked so hard and so selflessly, all without hope that I would ever be with him.

We had both fought for that love, bled for it. Rhys had died for it.

I still saw that moment, in my sleeping and waking dreams. How his face had looked, how his chest had not risen, how the bond between us had shredded into ribbons. I still felt it, that hollowness in my chest where the bond had been, where he had been. Even now, with that bond again flowing between us like a river of star-flecked night, the echo of its vanishing lingered. Drew me from sleep; drew me from a conversation, a painting, a meal.

Rhys knew exactly why there were nights when I would cling tighter to him, why there were moments in the bright, clear sunshine that I would grip his hand. He knew, because I knew why his eyes sometimes turned distant, why he occasionally just blinked at all of us as if not quite believing it and rubbed his chest as if to ease an ache.

Working had helped. Both of us. Keeping busy, keeping focused—I sometimes dreaded the quiet, idle days when all those thoughts snared me at last. When there was nothing but me and my mind, and that memory of Rhys lying dead on the rocky ground, the King of Hybern snapping my father’s neck, all those Illyrians blasted out of the sky and falling to earth as ashes.

Perhaps one day, even the work wouldn’t be a battlement to keep the memories out.

Mercifully, plenty of work remained for the foreseeable future. Rebuilding Velaris after the attacks from Hybern being only one of many monumental tasks. For other tasks required doing as well—both in Velaris and beyond it: in the Illyrian Mountains, in the Hewn City, in the vastness of the entire Night Court. And then there were the other courts of Prythian. And the new, emerging world beyond.

But for now: Solstice. The longest night of the year. I turned from the window to Nuala, who was still fussing over the edges of her pie. It’s a special holiday here as well, right? I asked casually. Not just in Winter and Day. And Spring.

Oh, yes, Nuala said, stooping over the worktable to examine her pie. Skilled spy—trained by Azriel himself—and master cook. We love it dearly. It’s intimate, warm, lovely. Presents and music and food, sometimes feasting under the starlight … The opposite of the enormous, wild, days-long party I’d been subjected to last year. But—presents.

I had to buy presents for all of them. Not had to, but wanted to.

Because all my friends, now my family, had fought and bled and nearly died as well.

I shut out the image that tore through my mind: Nesta, leaning over a wounded Cassian, the two of them prepared to die together against the King of Hybern. My father’s corpse behind them.

I rolled my neck. We could use something to celebrate. It had become so rare for all of us to be gathered for more than an hour or two.

Nuala went on, It’s a time of rest, too. And a time to reflect on the darkness—how it lets the light shine.

Is there a ceremony?

The half-wraith shrugged. Yes, but none of us go. It’s more for those who wish to honor the light’s rebirth, usually by spending the entire night sitting in absolute darkness. A ghost of a smirk. It’s not quite such a novelty for my sister and me. Or for the High Lord.

I tried not to look too relieved that I wouldn’t be dragged to a temple for hours as I nodded.

Setting my clean dishes to dry on the little wooden rack beside the sink, I wished Nuala luck on lunch, and headed upstairs to dress. Cerridwen had already laid out clothes, but there was still no sign of Nuala’s twin as I donned the heavy charcoal sweater, the tight black leggings, and fleece-lined boots before loosely braiding back my hair.

A year ago, I’d been stuffed into fine gowns and jewels, made to parade in front of a preening court who’d gawked at me like a prized breeding mare.

Here … I smiled at the silver-and-sapphire band on my left hand. The ring I’d won for myself from the Weaver in the Wood.

My smile faded a bit.

I could see her, too. See Stryga standing before the King of Hybern, covered in the blood of her prey, as he took her head in his hands and snapped her neck. Then threw her to his beasts.

I clenched my fingers into a fist, breathing in through my nose, out through my mouth, until the lightness in my limbs faded, until the walls of the room stopped pressing on me.

Until I could survey the blend of personal objects in Rhys’s room—our room. It was by no means a small bedroom, but it had lately started to feel … tight. The rosewood desk against one wall was covered in papers and books from both of our own dealings; my jewelry and clothes now had to be divided between here and my old bedroom. And then there were the weapons.

Daggers and blades, quivers and bows. I scratched my head at the heavy, wicked-looking mace that Rhys had somehow dumped beside the desk without my noticing.

I didn’t even want to know. Though I had no doubt Cassian was somehow behind it.

We could, of course, store everything in the pocket between realms, but … I frowned at my own set of Illyrian blades, leaning against the towering armoire.

If we got snowed in, perhaps I’d use the day to organize things. Find room for everything. Especially that mace.

It would be a challenge, since Elain still occupied a bedroom down the hall. Nesta had chosen her own home across the city, one that I opted to not think about for too long. Lucien, at least, had taken up residence in an elegant apartment down by the river the day after he’d returned from the battlefields. And the Spring Court.

I hadn’t asked Lucien any questions about that visit—to Tamlin.

Lucien hadn’t explained the black eye and cut lip, either. He’d only asked Rhys and me if we knew of a place to stay in Velaris, since he did not wish to inconvenience us further by staying at the town house, and did not wish to be isolated at the House of Wind.

He hadn’t mentioned Elain, or his proximity to her. Elain had not asked him to stay, or to go. And whether she cared about the bruises on his face, she certainly hadn’t let on.

But Lucien had remained, and found ways to keep busy, often gone for days or weeks at a time.

Yet even with Lucien and Nesta staying in their own apartments, the town house was a bit small these days. Even more so if Mor, Cassian, and Azriel stayed over. And the House of Wind was too big, too formal, too far from the city proper. Nice for a night or two, but … I loved this house.

It was my home. The first I’d really had in the ways that counted.

And it’d be nice to celebrate the Solstice here. With all of them, crowded as it might be.

I scowled at the pile of papers I had to sort through: letters from other courts, priestesses angling for positions, and kingdoms both human and faerie. I’d put them off for weeks now, and had finally set aside this morning to wade through them.

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

I snorted, flicking my braid over a shoulder. Perhaps my Solstice gift to myself would be to hire a personal secretary. Someone to read and answer those things, to sort out what was vital and what could be put aside. Because a little extra time to myself, for Rhys …

I’d look through the court budget that Rhys never really cared to follow and see what could be moved around for the possibility of such a thing. For him and for me.

I knew our coffers ran deep, knew we could easily afford it and not make so much as a dent in our fortune, but I didn’t mind the work. I loved the work, actually. This territory, its people—they were as much my heart as my mate. Until yesterday, nearly every waking hour had been packed with helping them. Until I’d been politely, graciously, told to go home and enjoy the holiday.

In the wake of the war, the people of Velaris had risen to the challenge of rebuilding and helping their own. Before I’d even come up with an idea of how to help them, multiple societies had been created to assist the city. So I’d volunteered with a handful of them for tasks ranging from finding homes for those displaced by the destruction to visiting families affected during the war to helping those without shelter or belongings ready for winter with new coats and supplies.

All of it was vital; all of it was good, satisfying work. And yet … there was more. There was more that I could do to help. Personally. I just hadn’t figured it out yet.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one eager to assist those who’d lost so much. With the holiday, a surge of fresh volunteers had arrived, cramming the public hall near the Palace of Thread and Jewels, where so many of the societies were headquartered. Your help has been crucial, Lady, one charity matron had said to me yesterday. You have been here nearly every day—you have worked yourself to the bone. Take the week off. You’ve earned it. Celebrate with your mate.

I’d tried to object, insisting that there were still more coats to hand out, more firewood to be distributed, but the faerie had just motioned to the crowded public hall around us, filled to the brim with volunteers. We have more help than we know what to do with.

When I’d tried objecting again, she’d shooed me out the front door. And shut it behind me.

Point taken. The story had been the same at every other organization I’d stopped by yesterday afternoon. Go home and enjoy the holiday.

So I had. At least, the first part. The enjoying bit, however …

Rhys’s answer to my earlier inquiry about his whereabouts finally flickered down the bond, carried on a rumble of dark, glittering power. I’m at Devlon’s camp.

It took you this long to respond? It was a long distance to the Illyrian Mountains, yes, but it shouldn’t have taken minutes to hear back.

A sensual huff of laughter. Cassian was ranting. He didn’t take a breath.

My poor Illyrian baby. We certainly do torment you, don’t we?

Rhys’s amusement rippled toward me, caressing my innermost self with night-veiled hands. But it halted, vanishing as quickly as it had come. Cassian’s getting into it with Devlon. I’ll check in later. With a loving brush against my senses, he was gone.

I’d get a full report about it soon, but for now …

I smiled at the snow waltzing outside the windows.

Chapter

2

Rhysand

It was barely nine in the morning, and Cassian was already pissed.

The watery winter sun tried and failed to bleed through the clouds looming over the Illyrian Mountains, the wind a boom across the gray peaks. Snow already lay inches deep over the bustling camp, a vision of what would soon befall Velaris.

It had been snowing when I departed at dawn—perhaps there would be a good coating already on the ground by the time I returned. I hadn’t had a chance to ask Feyre about it during our brief conversation down the bond minutes ago, but perhaps she would go for a walk with me through it. Let me show her how the City of Starlight glistened under fresh snow.

Indeed, my mate and city seemed a world away from the hive of activity in the Windhaven camp, nestled in a wide, high mountain pass. Even the bracing wind that swept between the peaks, belying the camp’s very name by whipping up dervishes of snow, didn’t deter the Illyrians from going about their daily chores.

For the warriors: training in the various rings that opened onto a sheer drop to the small valley floor below, those not present out on patrol. For the males who hadn’t made the cut: tending to various trades, whether merchants or blacksmiths or cobblers. And for the females: drudgery.

They didn’t see it as such. None of them did. But their required tasks, whether old or young, remained the same: cooking, cleaning, child-rearing, clothes-making, laundry … There was honor in such tasks—pride and good work to be found in them. But not when every single one of the females here was expected to do it. And if they shirked those duties, either one of the half-dozen camp-mothers or whatever males controlled their lives would punish them.

So it had been, as long as I’d known this place, for my mother’s people. The world had been reborn during the war months before, the wall blasted to

Reviews for A Court of Frost and Starlight

[jessicadelellis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So this was an interesting installment in the ACOTAR series.For the first half of the book, I was bored out of my mind. After the halfway point I did get more interested in it. I had the hardest time getting into the story, probably because there wasn’t really a story. The book was mainly the inner circle preparing and then celebrating the Winter Solstice. There was talk of the aftermath of the events of ACOWAR, but there wasn’t enough to actually give this book a storyline. The book is told in alternating points of view, but in a weird way. It’s mainly told in first person by Feyre and Rhysand, but there are some chapters that are told in third person by Cassian and Mor. The shift from first person to third person was strange. I would have rather had it all be in first person. However, it was nice to see other character’s points of view because there is a lot to explore from the other members of the inner circle. This book also contains a sneak peek of the next book, and after reading it, I am definitely interested in continuing the series. It seems way more interesting than this book was. Overall, this was not as good as the rest of the series and I didn’t find it to be a necessary addition either. But if you are a super fan and want to spend more time with the characters and just read about them, then give this book a go!

[kassilem · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If I had loved the first trilogy, this book probably would have been great because it gives us all another look at the characters we would have loved. However, I only really liked the second book out of the first three books that come before this. So in that sense, this book didn't do much for me. On the surface I was a little interested in seeing what is coming next for these characters and I will most likely read the next book, but this could have been much much more.

[larisa10101 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved getting a more in depth look at the characters. I wish there was more to read, but it was a great book overall.

[whysperwong · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just as sexy and alluring as all the other books in the series. This book goes deeper into the relationships, turmoil, and happiness that all of Feyre's family is dealing with in the aftermath of the war with Hybern. Extremely hard to put down.

[Kathy Compton · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Really difficult to follow. I agree with another reviewer; one chapter in the next book would have been less painful.

[evelynnygren · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a wonderful addition to this series! I wished it could've been longer, but the story was meant to be more of a look into the everyday life of the night court. I think it did its job well, especially with leading us into the next book! I can't wait to read about Nesta and Cassians relationship soon! It's going to be quite the rollercoaster, but I'll be ready for every dip and dive!

[rvenfrost_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This feels like a weird Christmas special and I wasn't a fan.

[elorin-114220 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sexually Explicit
Feyre, Rhysand, and company are preparing for the winter solstice. Selecting Solstice gifts is difficult but well worth the time spent, regardless of the cost.
I didn't like how the perspective changed from chapter to chapter, but it was a cozy, pleasant read. It took me quite a while to read in between other reads, but through no fault of the book.

[briandrewz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Quite a bit shorter than the usual ACOTAR books. This one gives us a window into what happens shortly after the events of the last book. Everyone is trying to pick up the pieces and celebrate the Solstice, which is a time of joy and giving. Think of it like Christmas.

The book moves at a slower pace than the others, which is why I've rated it as I did. The thing I absolutely could not stand was Nesta. I've never cared for her character. But this book completely solidified that fact.

[boredness-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found this book really hard to get through. It did not have the excitement found in the previous books of this series. I feel like nothing important really happened in this book. I would not want to read it again.

[melissarochelle_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

1. Why is this considered NOT Book 4? Umm...it's a BOOK with words and ACTUALLY moves the story forward. Most of the "novellas" I've read are pointless money grabs that do nothing for the overarching story.

2. Why so much hate? Because it's a quarter the size of the other novels?

3. If a 12 year old picks up this book and reads it, their parents should know what they're reading so why are people judging it based on that? Worry about yourself. (Also...at 12 I read Stephen King and VC Andrews, so I think everyone can just chill out about the few SEGGGSY scenes.)

[familiar_diversions · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is basically a "holiday special" book. We're done with the previous book's war and are now in a peaceful, contemplative, rebuilding phase, in which Feyre gets to angst about all the people who didn't survive and the friends and family they left behind. Maas remembers that Feyre likes to paint (although I realized that she's never specified what kind of paint Feyre uses - I assume acrylics?), there's some fretting over Winter Solstice gift buying, and we get updates on both Nesta (who's doing terribly) and Elain (who's doing ok, although her almost-marriage and Lucien are still sore spots).

There are tiny hints of what might be going on in the next book, but overall, this really could have and should have been an anthology of short stories, or a bonus story at the end of the previous book. I'm guessing Maas isn't really comfortable writing short stories, though.

Overall, this was ok for what it was, but it didn't feel like a truly necessary entry in the series.

I continue to be reminded of Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy. At some point, I need to reread those books and see if they're actually better than these or if it's just nostalgia coloring my memories.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

[electrascaife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There's not a lot of forward movement of the plot in this one, but I think that's partly why I loved it so much. It takes time away from the action to let the characters be the characters, to explore their interactions with one another, and I love that. Sure, I think it's also setting up some tensions for whatever's coming next and I appreciate that, too, but it was great to see the characters coming to terms with what happened in the last book, and also just doing day to day things, having a dinner together, ruminating over what presents to get each other for the holiday,... It was a cozy sort of entry in the series and a bit of a breather from the intensity, and I loved it.

[dinahmine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I hated Frost and Starlight the first time I read it. On the second read - I enjoyed it more but more than that I couldn’t wait to get through it so I can start my first read of Silver Flames.

[smashbasile · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed this "little" story! I am so frustrated for and with Nesta and I really hope this gets resolved soon, or I think it's going to be BAD. I'm also frustrated for Elain. I don't want to put anything on her, but I want Lucien happy too, so I need to know how that plays out. So many side stories and foreshadowing... it's killing me!

[the1butterfly · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Out of the series this was my least favorite book. It’s a bridge between 3&5, and has a lot of important information, but I felt much more detached from it. It was hard to see that the happy endings anticipated from the war ending were much less clear. It was especially hard to watch Nesta self-destruct, but again, that made way for the next book.

[corliss12000 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don’t think this book is strictly necessary as a bridge to the next trilogy. Could have been boiled down and served up as the first chapter of the next book

[katiewrites · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Definitely some filler, but I didn’t mind. A great read for the holiday season, and it provided a lot of the fluffy slice-of-life stuff I was wanting after the last book. Now I need to prepare myself for A Court of Silver Flames.

Kind of Spoiler-y, but I was extremely happy we got to see Feyre start painting again and make a career out of it, and that we also get to see Rhys and the others having some family fun. I loved all of the emphasis on how creating art can heal and share stories and experiences. It really spoke to me as a writer, and once again reminded me of why I want to write. Thank you Sarah J. Mass.

[mickyfine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's the winter solstice celebrations and Feyre and her family and friends gather to celebrate.

By Maas standards, this book at 230 pages is a novella, and not a ton of major plot stuff happens. As I snarkily texted to my friend, this book desperately just wants to be a fluffy AU fanfic where everyone goes Christmas shopping but all the typical Maas angst just gets in the way. Also, let's not forget the horrifying description of Fae menstruation that gets dropped in here. Less annoying than the previous volumes but then again there's just less of it. One more book to go!

[amethystangel777 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Did I need a holiday book of these characters? No! Was it good? Yeah

[hazeyrecollect · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is under rated for the ACOTAR series. I loved the sweet winter break after all of the war and politics in A Court of Wings and Ruin. This was a quick read and I found it to be a nice intermission before heading into the next book which is 800+ pages.

[daumari · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's a nondenominational winter drabble! Let's give gifts and contemplate the nature of family! also, our protagonists are really horny!!!

Nice piece of fluff, with a hint of the next direction of books. Interesting stylistic choice to have Feyre and Rhysand's POVs in first person, but any other character (Azriel, Mor, Cassian, Nesta) in third. If I think about this series deeper I come up with some big questions (Feyre turns 21 and Rhys is centuries if not millenia older? Should we maybe talk about that balance? Everyone survived trauma but also oooh, not!Christmas time but also I'm glad that they seem happy for the most part? Why are we slutshaming Nesta if she does what she wants? aaaaugh)

[completely_melanie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure why so many people had a problem with this story. It was a fun short story of their winter solstice. I enjoyed learning a little more about some of the side characters and I especially liked the sneak peek of the next book at the end of this book. I have really enjoyed this series.

[kames04 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I will preface this review by saying that I waited around a month and a half to pick up this book following A Court of Wing and Ruin. That book seemed to just have the perfect closure for me that I wanted to live with it for a bit. I was content and happy with where things were. And then I picked this up...

The hype around A Court of Silver Flame is truly what made me pick up this series again. I didn't take a break from it because I no longer liked it, but rather I didn't want the story to go anywhere else. I understood that this book was a bridging book that allowed us to switch our minds from Ferye's story to Nesta's, but I wish it was done differently.

I think the best way I can describe this book is a Hallmark Holiday Special movie, and I am not a fan of just constant happiness. I want more depth from my books with ups and downs. I kept turning the pages waiting for something to happen, but it just never did.

I'm just disappointed in this book because of the high I was riding before this. I hope A Court of Silver Flame is worth having read this bridge book.

[sedodge-608996 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

 This short novella was a nice way to bridge the first trilogy to the upcoming books. Its always great to have a little bit more time in Prythian. However, a HUGE fault I found in this novella was that it was written in first person when the chapter was from Feyre or Rhys's perspective, but it was written in third person when it was from anyone else's perspective. It made the chapters seem less cohesive and left something to be desired.

[baochuan-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book has no plot line, just covered life after the war.

[infjsarah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Chocolate biscuit with sugar on top. I enjoyed it, so sue me.

[spiritedstardust · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The three stars are for Rhys (forever my literary husband), Az and Cassian (Amren too).

Everyone else I cannot stand - especially the Archeron sisters - with special mention to filthy Nesta (wash your bedsheets woman) who does NOT deserve the affections of Cassian. Lucien also deserves better treatment. And Az deserves someone we haven't met yet.

Plus side: Rhysand sex scenes - yas

[deslivres5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Short novella of a Winter Solstice "catch up" with everybody after the epic battle of A Court of Wings and Ruin, akin to a "Christmas special" episode of your favorite TV series.

If you are a fan of the series, you will enjoy this "respite" dive in to this world before things become violent and serious again in the next installment.

[Nuryta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Court of Ice and Stars, by Sarah J. Maas

A short novel that complements the series, basically allowing us to accompany and finally enjoy Feyre's new life with Rhys, a love that transcends their pairing and makes them connect in EVERY SENSE.

It also lets us get to know a little more about other characters and yearn for the next book, to find out what will happen with two others that cause so much unrest.

A book to read and enjoy.

Read in November 2023. (Translated from Spanish)