Draft:A Court of Frost and Starlight

Intro

A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018) is the first novella in the A Court of Thorns and Roses-series by Sarah J. Maas, however not considered the fourth book in the series since it is not a full-length novel, and Maas describes A Court of Frost and Starlight as a bridge between the main trilogy and the next phase of the series. The story is set after the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017), told in Feyre and Rhysand’s perspectives. The novella’s main themes are family and friendship, acceptance, trauma and healing.

Plot

Feyre, Rhysand and their friends are still rebuilding the Night Court, recovering from the brutal war. But the Winter Solstice is finally approaching, bringing the joy of hard-earned reprieve.

It is winter in the Night Court. Feyre wakes up to it snowing outside, and Rhysand not being by her side. Feyre’s attempt to communicate with him through their mind-bridge, their “bond”, fails since Rhysand is too far away. However, it is not unusual for Rhysand to meet with allies to discuss important matters, which is what he is doing. He is dealing with a dispute between Delvon and Cassian regarding female warriors training in the war camps. It is decided that they will get ninety minutes of training while the males help out with work that typically gets done by the females. Another problem remains, though. Some believe that their males were purposefully placed where death was guaranteed in the battle against the King of Hybern.

Back in Velaris, Feyre is out searching for gifts in the Rainbow. Meanwhile, she looks at the damage the war wrought. A faerie named Ressina comes up to her and explains that the family who lived there managed to escape, and proceeds to let Feyre know how thankful the people are for her efforts during the war.

Later, Feyre runs into Mor. Together they pick out a gift for Amren. Mor informs Feyre that they are visiting the Hawn City with Rhysand later, since it is tradition.

Mor’s father and Eris are there when the trio arrives. Eris discusses gaining more territory for the Autumn Court. Feyre reminds him it is off the table for everyone. Eris then brings up Tamlin. Tamlin’s court borders the Mortal Lands. Any court wishing to expand would have to ask for Tamlin’s permission. Suspicion whether Tamlin wants more territory builds within the three.

Azriel tells Rhysand about the discontent spreading in the Illyrian war camps. Though the percentage of unsatisfied people is low, Rhysand still worries.

Later, Rhysand goes to the Spring Court only to find it abandoned, apart from Tamlin. Rhysand asks why he has not guarded his borders properly. Tamlin says he has no army. Rhysand offers him some men, but Tamlin refuses to have “brutes” on his lands. This angers Rhysand, and he proceeds to tell Tamlin he deserved everything he has gone through. In response, Tamlin simply asks Rhysand to leave.

Rhysand tells Feyre about his visit when they meet again, and that he is disappointed in himself. Feyre tells him that he gets to slip-up every once in a while. Rhysand realizes he has not gotten her anything for her birthday or Solstice –– they occur on the same day –– and goes off to do that.

Cassian arrives at the townhouse and helps Feyre with the decorations. Eventually everyone else arrives. Feyre later assists Elain in the kitchen and asks if Nesta will be coming. Elain responds that Nesta does not want to come to anything ever.

Everyone is sitting down for dinner in a good mood when Elain asks Amren about her new body. Amren is surprised by the question and proceeds to tell Elain that she can never return to being human again. Azriel defends Elain, and the general good mood resumes.

After dinner, Rhysand and Feyre find Nesta in Velaris' nastiest pub. Feyre walks in and asks Nesta to spend Solstice with them. Nesta refuses. Feyre mentions that their father would want it that way, upsetting Nesta who tells Feyre to leave. While leaving, Nesta reminds her that her rent is due soon. Feyre answers that it will be delivered if Nesta joins them for the holiday.

Feyre goes to Amren to talk about her sister since they are close, but Amren refuses since it would break Nesta’s trust. Feyre asks him to tell Nesta that her presence would be deeply appreciated next time he sees her.

It is now Winter Solstice. Feyre wakes up to three birthday gifts from Rhysand. They go downstairs for breakfast, but Rhysand is whisked away by Cassian and Azriel as part of a tradition. Once they leave, Elain comes out of the kitchen and right when she asks Feyre if she has heard from their sister, there is a knock on the door. They expect it to be her, but it is Lucien instead.

There is an awkwardness between Lucien and Elain. Elain excuses herself when Feyre asks him to live with them, which he is against, preferring to stay with his new friends. This offends Feyre and insults them. Lucien explains that he is an exile twice over now after being disowned by his father and Feyre ruined his standing at the Spring Court. Since Rhysand’s last visit, Tamlin has decided he wishes to remain in solitude. He points out that Rhysand has gone too far, considering he might need Tamlin as an ally in the future, and leaves.

Later, Feyre asks Elain why she does not want to be near Lucien. Elain explains that she does not want anybody right now. Feyre then finds Mor, who brings Feyre to the cabin where Rhysand, Cassian and Azriel are having their annual snowball fight.

Once they return to the town house the festivities begin. While opening their gifts, somebody knocks on the door. It is Nesta.

Eventually it starts getting late. Nesta gets up to leave. Before she does, Feyre gives her the check as promised, hoping that she will tear it up. Nesta does not. She takes it and leaves. Cassian goes after her.

Cassian insists on walking Nesta home and she refuses. They argue until Nesta notices Cassian holding something in his hand - his Solstice gift to her. Cassian tells Nesta that he wants her closer to her sisters and she snaps, throwing her gift into the Sidra River. Once at her apartment, and Cassian has left, Nesta lights a fire whose crackles reminds her of her father’s neck snapping. Yet she feels nothing.

Feyre asks Rhysand if he would change the tattoo on her hand to the Night Court logo. Rhysand states that if he does, she will be a member of the Night Court forever. Feyre accepts it. Feyre’s other Solstice gift to Rhysand is letting him know that she is ready to build a family with him. The next morning, Rhysand gifts Feyre an estate to build a house for them, with a nursery.

Rhysand arrives at the Spring Court and finds Tamlin sitting alone at his table with a dead elk on it. He asks Rhysand if Feyre will ever forgive him. Rhysand does not know what to answer. Tamlin then asks Rhysand if he will ever forgive him for what he did to his family. Rhysand points out that he never apologized. Rhysand prepares the elk for Tamlin, and leaves.

Major Themes

Family and friendship The story explores how the relationships between Azriel, Nesta, Mor, Cassian, Rhysand and Feyre develop under new circumstances and the strength they provide. Despite having personal struggles they find solace in each other’s presence, they can lean on each other while rebuilding their lives. The story emphasizes that family isn't only defined by blood but by those who stand by you through difficult times. Through lighthearted moments, such as the Winter Solstice celebration, and difficult conversations, Maas shows that true family is about acceptance and unconditional love. The relationships within the group are complex, filled with history and tension, but ultimately they underscore that friends and family are essential pillars of support, allowing each character to thrive.

Acceptance In the story, the characters navigate through the aftermath of the war and seek healing. Each character struggles with coming to terms with who they have become, the new life they must build and the losses they have endured. The story’s protagonist, Feyre, incorporates her journey of acceptance by wrestling with her role as the High Lady of the Night Court, embraces her responsibilities and searches for a sense of peace. In similar ways, Tamlin’s situation reflects the painful process of accepting his mistakes and the need for forgiveness. Meanwhile, Nesta’s journey emphasizes the challenge of self-acceptance in the wake of her unresolved feelings. Acceptance is evident in the Night Court’s collective efforts to rebuild their city, Velaris. It highlights the theme as a communal experience of recovery and resilience. Maas shows that acceptance is not only about reconciling with the past but also about choosing to build a future from it through her character’s moving toward healing, demonstrating that acceptance is a vital step on the path.

Trauma and healing The brutal war with Hybern left the characters struggling with psychological scars. Each character carries their own burden with the pain, loss and memories that haunts them as they make attempts to rebuild their lives. For Feyre, the trauma of the war manifests in her ongoing struggle to feel whole and in control, despite her high-ranking position as High Lady. She channels her pain into painting and restoring Velaris, using creativity as a way to process her grief and guilt. Her sister Nesta, however, approaches trauma differently. She approaches it by pushing others away as she contends with the feelings that have estranged her from her family and even herself, such as anger and guilt. Nesta’s destructive coping mechanisms illustrate how trauma can isolate and overwhelm you. Tamlin responds to trauma with bitterness and self-blame. This shows the diverse impact that war has on one. Ultimately, Maas underscores that healing is slow and deeply personal.

Development history

The purpose of A Court of Frost and Starlight was, according to the author, to transition from the original trilogy to the new one by putting an end to the main story line and Feyre and Rhys' story so that the series could move on, hence it being a novella. The book is divided into chapters from the perspectives of the five different characters – Feyre, Rhysand, Mor, Cassian, and Nesta.

A Court of Frost and Starlight is published by Bloomsbury Publishing and is followed by A Court of Silver Flames (2021).

Publication History

2018, ISBN 9781501945892, January 1st 2018, Audio CD

2018, ISBN 9781681196312, May 1st 2018, Hardcover

2018, ISBN 9781408890325, May 1st 2018, Paperback

2018, ISBN 9781804226476, May 1st 2018, ebook

2018, ISBN 9781547600359, May 1st 2018, Hardcover

2018, ISBN 9781526603883, May 1st 2018, Paperback

2018, ISBN 9781547600380, May 1st 2018, Hardcover

2018, ISBN 9781501945984, May 1st 2018, Audiobook

2018, ISBN 9781528808699, May 3rd 2018, Audio CD

2018, ISBN 9781528808705, June 7th 2018, Audiobook

2019, ISBN 9781547600502, May 7th 2019, Paperback

2020, ISBN 9781635575620, June 2nd 2020, Paperback

2020, ISBN 9781526617187, June 2nd 2020, Paperback

2020, ISBN 9781635575613, June 2nd 2020, Hardcover

2020, ISBN 9781804226476, June 2nd 2020, Paperback

2020, ISBN 9781681199061, June 2nd 2020, ebook

2021, ISBN 9781526641151, January 1st 2021, Paperback

2023, ISBN 9781664459656, December 2023, Audio CD

Awards and nominations

A Court of Frost and Starlight was nominated for the 2017 Goodreads Choice Awards Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction

External links

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659471-a-court-of-frost-and-starlight

https://sarahjmaas.com/