A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas is another book in the series A Court of Thorns and Roses, technically book #3.1. It’s much different from the other books in the series, but I still enjoyed it. Heads up – if you haven’t read the previous books in the series (A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin), you may want to skip this review. In discussing this book, there are some spoilers for previous books in the series.

Now that you have been sufficiently warned … let’s get this review started!

Feyre, Rhys, and their inner circle are working to rebuild their world after the devastating war and the events that followed. It is one week before Feyre’s first Winter Solstice as High Lady in the Night Court, and just about everyone is looking forward to the celebration.

However, the damage to her beloved city is still significant, and Feyre and the people closest to her are dealing with their own damage as well. The possibility of trouble lurks in the not-too-distant future, but for the present, they focus on hope and healing.

Rather than being solely narrated in Feyre’s voice, this book is told from the perspective of various characters: Feyre, Rhys, Mor, Cassian, and Nesta. In Feyre’s case, she seems to be dealing with her trauma better than anyone. She has truly found her home in the Night Court, and a group of people who have accepted her for who she is. I realized that very early on, when she reflects on the wardrobe that was laid out for her:

“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 gown and jewels, made to parade in front of a preening court who’d gawked at me like a prized breeding mare.”

This book is shorter than the others in the series. A lot shorter. The chapters are shorter as well, some only a couple of pages. The pacing is a lot slower, and there is much less action. We get to see how each of them are dealing with their own trauma – recent, and in some cases, centuries old. I liked the way the story was told through various points of view, because it gave me so much more insight into the characters, even the ones who didn’t narrate chapters. I found it curious how the only characters who narrated in first person where Feyre and Rhys.

The rumbling of future issues sets the stage for conflict in future books. I’m ready for the next book to come out like, yesterday. There are potential problems looming in both Prythian and the human lands, which are no longer divided by a wall. I’m curious to see how this plays out. Thanks to a little teaser at the end of this book, the next book focuses on Nesta and Cassian. There’s definitely some tension between them. And by some, I mean a TON. It’s been there for two books now. I’m desperate to find out what’s going to happen, as well as what Nesta’s powers are. She hasn’t breathed a word of this to anyone, outside of possibly Amren, who hasn’t shared anything with anyone. And while Nesta has always been kind of standoffish (if that isn’t a word, it is now) and bitchy, she is way more so now, but I still like her. She’s a complicated character, but I really feel for her, and want to learn more about her.

If you’re looking for fast-paced action and gasp factor reading, A Court of Frost and Starlight isn’t the book for you. This is a lazier read, more focused on hope and healing. I found myself laughing out loud way more often while reading, but enjoying it just as much for the characters and the beautiful writing.