A Court of Frost and Starlight. By Sarah J. Maas. Audiobook

Emma Smith

A Court of Frost and Starlight operates primarily as an extended epilogue to A Court of Wings and Ruin, focusing on Feyre and her inner circle after the war. The minimal action functions as a breather before the likely fast-paced, action-filled sequel, A Court of Silver Flames. While not as engrossing as the first three, I still enjoyed the glimpse into the characters' daily lives.

This book lays the groundwork for the next book, hinting at several storylines that could be featured. The most intriguing of these potential plots belongs to Cassian and Nesta. The events in A Court of Frost and Starlight make it clear that the two still have feelings for one another, and I imagine their relationship will be one of the prominent storylines in A Court of Silver Flames. Another possible subplot that piqued my interest is a Lucien, Azriel, and Elain love triangle. There seems to be something between Elain and Azriel, so I wouldn't be surprised if the sequel addresses this conflict between who Elain is attracted to vs. who her mate is.

Another notable characteristic of A Court of Frost and Starlight is its narrative style. Whereas the previous books were written from the perspective of Feyre, A Court of Frost and Starlight has alternating points of view. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character, including Feyre, Rhysand, Cassian, Nesta, and Mor. On the one hand, this narrative style allows us to gain insight into each of the characters' states of mind, and through these insights, we are able to surmise what their subplot will revolve around in the next book. On the other hand, it detracts from the overall flow of the book.

The shifting point of view, I was not crazy about Nesta's character. In this book, she has lost the likability she gained in A Court of Wings and Ruin and has become self-destructive and unfeeling toward those around her. That said, I imagine this personality change will play out and be reversed to some degree in the next book.

A Court of Frost and Starlight is a respite between the action-packed, full-length novels. It allows you a peek into the characters' regular lives when they aren't off fighting wars or saving the realm by some other means. It also builds anticipation for the next book in the series. In fact, it does such a good job generating excitement for A Court of Silver Flames that I'd recommend waiting to read this book until it's closer to the release date of A Court of Silver Flames. Otherwise, like me, you'll be left hanging for several months.