Reviews tagging 'Grief'

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

135 reviews

epeolatrist's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Grief

Minor: War

deedireads's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Originally, I hadn’t planned to read this book; I had heard that it was a fluffy little filler story between ACOWAR and ACOSF, so I figured it was more of a side novella (it’s actually novel-length, but compared to SJM’s other books, it’s practically a novella, lol). However, fortunately someone set me straight: it does provide a necessary set-up for ACOSF. So I added it back into my TBR, but I did decide to just do audio.

I’m happy to report that while this IS a pretty fluffy in-between story, it doesn’t feel like a waste of time. I enjoyed it, and I was definitely glad to have read it when I got to ACOSF. Also, it was a lot of fun to get POV chapters from the entire cast of characters. Finally, I was surprised by just how much of a Christmas story it is, so I’m glad I happened to pick it up in December (recommend!). TLDR; don’t skip it if you’re doing the ACOTAR thing; it won’t take you long and you’ll have fun.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol and Grief

katiecoconut21's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This novella is a description of what happened after the war in A Court of Wings and Ruin. The characters face the repercussions of all that happened,

the Cauldron being destroyed, Rhys' death, and Nesta killing the King of Hybern

.

A Court of Frost and Starlight is almost slice-of-life in nature; there is no true "plot" other than following the characters as they adapt to what happened and future challenges, and setting up the plot between Nesta and Cassian in A Court of Silver Flame.

And the big thing that happened between Rhys and Feyre? While it was very clear that Sarah J. Maas was setting up the fact

that Rhys and Feyre were having a child

in previous books, I can't help finding myself dissatisfied that

Feyre wanted to try to have a child

so soon. She mentioned that she wanted to live life, and I can't help feeling that Feyre is far too young (in Fae terms) especially compared to Rhysand. It just felt a little bit rushed is all.

Overall, though, I enjoyed seeing the "mundane" aspects of life in Velaris among the group.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Grief

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: War

firehearttt's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol

courtneykatzmeyer's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

ursimae's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Classism, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, and Murder

Minor: Confinement, War, Torture, Domestic abuse, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Vomit

annasofieeee's review

reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Since I’ve loved books 1-3 dearly, I was left kinda disappointed with A Court of Frost and Starlight. It’s way thinner than the other parts and lacks thrill due to the swiftches of perspective. It was nice to get to know each character better and understand the plot but I’m glad I’ve finished reading it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, and Mental illness

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Vomit

midnightrain_'s review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Death of parent and Grief

Minor: Mental illness, Alcohol, Cursing, and Pregnancy

thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A sweet little bridge between books 3 and 4. Avid fantasy readers maybe didn’t appreciate this welcome reprieve from battle and death, but I certainly enjoyed every fluff-soaked page, which still held a great deal of substance and heart. I loved being in Velaris (during Winter Solstice) for the entirety of the book, and learning how each character was coping after the war. This novella served as a nice DLC, as it were, for the ACOTAR series, while not taking anything away from the main storylines. Just what every romantasy series needs. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Cursing, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Murder, Violence, Emotional abuse, Death, Confinement, War, Torture, Medical content, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse

skudiklier's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a lovely little holiday novella! I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next full length one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Alcoholism

Moderate: War and Death

Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Pregnancy