A Court of Frost and Starlight – Book Review

 *Please note that minor spoilers and spoilers from the original trilogy are included in this review*

Title: A Court of Frost and Starlight

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Published: May 2018

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Genre: NA Fantasy

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A Court of Frost and Starlight Review

I love the original trilogy by Sarah J Mass and have been impatiently waiting for A Court of Frost and Starlight to be released. A Court of Frost and Starlight takes place after the original trilogy, and is centred around our favourite members of the Night Court in Velaris. From the first page I felt like I was home. It is not an action-packed novella, in fact very little happens. ACOFAS is not about action but instead focuses on the aftermath of what has already happened. I feel like this book is the calm before the storm. Admittedly, it hasn’t all been plain sailing from where we last left the characters.

Characters & Narration

The narrative point of view is swapped between most chapters and provides a unique insight into how individual characters are coping after the traumatic altercation with Hybern. I think all the individual stories are interesting but I particularly enjoyed finding out more about Morrigan’s life outside of her Night Court duties as well as Nesta’s turbulent start to Fae life. Nesta will be the focus of the next book and I am very excited to see how her story progresses!

Feyre remains the protagonist with more chapters from her perspective that others. I really enjoy her character and am glad that being the High Lady of the Night Court hasn’t gone to her head. Her chapters are thoughtful and her post-war emotions are realistic. Velaris is still being rebuilt and although it is wonderful to be there, ready to celebrate the Winter Solstice with her family as is tradition, she hasn’t come to terms with the losses that herself and her people have experienced. I love what she ends up doing as I feel it is very fitting for her character. I also love that despite the lingering shadows that there is hope. The Suriel’s message carries on,

“Leave this world a better place than how you found it.”

Illyrian Wingspan

There was a minor aspect of the Novella I found irritating. I understand that there needs to be sexual tension between Rhys and Feyre, particularly when they haven’t spent a lot of time together. That is understandable, it is part of their relationship and it helps us feel the chemistry between them. It is not just about sex but their overall bond. Parts of the novella are sexy, highly amusing and work really well but I did find some parts unnecessary. I sat thinking ‘yes, we get it, can we get back to the story now’.

My Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed reading A Court of Frost and Starlight. I like the pace & the multiple narrative threads. I love how the novella touches on continuing mental health issues, which are referenced in the original series. PTSD does not disappear because of a happy ending, which is a really critical message. The novella shows that people have more going on in their heads than it might seem to the outside world. It also highlights that there is support out there. Importantly, it recognises that people manage mental health in their own way and in their own time. Inevitably, I can’t wait for the next instalment from Velaris, which is expected in 2021.

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