Review: A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas

*This review contains slight spoilers and spoilers to the previous books in the series.
 

A Court of Frost and Starlight
(A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1)
by Sarah J. Maas

May 1, 2018

229 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated--scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.
 

Review

A Court of Frost and Starlight is exactly what Sarah J. Maas and her publisher said it would be: a short story to bridge the end of the trilogy to the upcoming spinoff books. I think it's important to remember this going into the novella. Personally I'm just really excited to see these beloved characters again. *heart eyes*

In ACOFAS we see the aftermath of the war against Hybern. Everyone (well, most everyone) is working hard to rebuild. The Inner Circle members are especially stretched thin trying to keep the tenuous peace alive. There's plenty of struggles and even more emotions to go around. It's awesome how SJM manages to touch on every character no matter how brief. Even one most of us don't much care for anymore. *cough Tamlin cough*

I love how much Feyre and Rhysand mean to each other but honestly I was getting a tinsy bit tired of them. Words I never thought I'd say lol but they were getting repetitive. The sex scene was also a bit over the top though I'll never get tired of their flirty banter. It was sweet to see them just be together. Feysand is relationship goal. *thumbs up*

After the events of ACOWAR Nesta is really messed up. She's always been stubborn but after the battle (witnessing her father's death) she withdraws completely into herself. Even Elain couldn't quite reach her. Her coping mechanism was definitely extreme and destructive. The glimpses of Nesta in ACOFAS was heartbreaking. A lot of people hate her but I think she's misunderstood. I don't know exactly what's happening in Nesta's head but I hope SJM has a good reason for everything she put Nesta through and a darn good explanation for all her awful behaviour! I need some positive Nessian feels! *prays it will happen (a lot)*

SJM gave hints to the other possible pairings but nothing's on solid ground. We definitely got to see some more interactions between the major characters (Elain, Azriel and Lucien) and hear of how the newer ones were doing (Vassa and Jurian). I'm super curious which direction SJM will take things. I have a preference but I'm trying to stay neutral since we most likely won't find out for at least a couple more years... *chants the patience mantra*

With that sneak peak at the end of ACOFAS it's pretty much confirmed the first spinoff is about Nesta and Cassian. They're my most anticipated pair so I'm dying to know more. I will now retreat into my hole to count down the days until this first spinoff comes out, which is who knows when. We don't even have a title yet... *ugly cries*