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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
I am well aware that a lot of people think this instalment is a bit pointless. It doesn't add a lot to the story overall, and it just really a piece of holiday fluff. And I don't care. I love this little gem! It's funny, sweet, and just a chance to glimpse behind the curtain at what happens after happily ever after. Of course, it also sets up the next book nicely...
I loved the fact that Rhys got more narration time in this one - it's a nice little treat, not only to get to hear things from his perspective, but also to see that High Lord 'mask' drop and him just be a man with his family. And it doesn't hurt that there are a few lines which, said in that voice, make you go a bit wobbly! The only disappointment was that it was just Rhys and Feyre who got to narrate their own sections - while the narrator for the other parts is far from the worst I've heard, I would have much preferred Cassian, Nesta et. Al to speak in their 'own' voices.
I also love the fact that no-one seems to have a clue what to get their friends for Solstice. It's just a subtly funny repeating motif, but at the same time I guess it makes sense; it's hard enough buying family presents for Christmas for a human lifespan... can you imagine what it must be like trying to come up with something original after 500 years?!
And, oh, the snowball fight and birchin... that scene never fails to make me smile in written format, so I howled hearing it! I know it's ridiculous, but it is one of my favourite passages of any book.
Equally though, the dour note of Nesta brings some much needed gravity to proceedings. However, it does its job perfectly, illustrating Nesta's feeling of ostracism without dragging down the tone of the book overall. The only criticism I have of this is that, while Nesta has been a pain in the backside for the most of the previous books, by the end of ACOWAR there seemed to be a thread of a relationship between her and Feyre again, and that is very causally disregarded in this book. I've always found it quite jarring and I think it could perhaps have done with a little more explanation in this book rather than it being left to explain in Silver Flames.
Unashamedly pro-Frost and Starlight here!
I loved the fact that Rhys got more narration time in this one - it's a nice little treat, not only to get to hear things from his perspective, but also to see that High Lord 'mask' drop and him just be a man with his family. And it doesn't hurt that there are a few lines which, said in that voice, make you go a bit wobbly! The only disappointment was that it was just Rhys and Feyre who got to narrate their own sections - while the narrator for the other parts is far from the worst I've heard, I would have much preferred Cassian, Nesta et. Al to speak in their 'own' voices.
I also love the fact that no-one seems to have a clue what to get their friends for Solstice. It's just a subtly funny repeating motif, but at the same time I guess it makes sense; it's hard enough buying family presents for Christmas for a human lifespan... can you imagine what it must be like trying to come up with something original after 500 years?!
And, oh, the snowball fight and birchin... that scene never fails to make me smile in written format, so I howled hearing it! I know it's ridiculous, but it is one of my favourite passages of any book.
Equally though, the dour note of Nesta brings some much needed gravity to proceedings. However, it does its job perfectly, illustrating Nesta's feeling of ostracism without dragging down the tone of the book overall. The only criticism I have of this is that, while Nesta has been a pain in the backside for the most of the previous books, by the end of ACOWAR there seemed to be a thread of a relationship between her and Feyre again, and that is very causally disregarded in this book. I've always found it quite jarring and I think it could perhaps have done with a little more explanation in this book rather than it being left to explain in Silver Flames.
Unashamedly pro-Frost and Starlight here!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
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.
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 factthat 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.
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
Overall, though, I enjoyed seeing the "mundane" aspects of life in Velaris among the group.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
mirandalikesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
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
3.75
We love a slice of life. That's what's great about this - it's a total break from the intense plot of the rest of the series so far.
Misses 4 stars for me because the book, while a good & easy read, missed a depth that would have pushed it over the top. Really liked it though!
Misses 4 stars for me because the book, while a good & easy read, missed a depth that would have pushed it over the top. Really liked it though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Death, Cursing, Violence, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, War, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail