Sigh. Seeing that I committed to a full series re-read … I guess this was inevitable.
“Dramatics!” said Rhys.
*grumble*
Admittedly, I enjoyed Frost and Starlight a bit more this time around … it still doesn’t compare to Mist and Fury, but – as a piece of filler and fluff – it’s not horrible.
The tale is relatively straightforward: Several months after Wings and Ruin, Feyre, Rhys, and the gang have settled into a normal routine … or, at least as normal as a all-powerful-uber-rich-slightly-traumatised family can be. This book captures their movements in the days leading up to Christmas the Winter Solstice — with a primary focus on everyone’s gift-giving angst. (See. Even Velaris struggles with consumerism.)
… so … yeah. that’s about it.
But, have hope, dear readers! A completely unanticipated and amazing outcome of this novella? A little while ago I stumbled across a fanfiction that has turned Frost and Starlight’s underdeveloped themes into an utter epic. If you liked the first three books, then you really (really, really, really) need to check out Lily of the Night. It’s amazing. I’m almost convinced that it’s actually Sarah J. pilot testing book 6 …
Things I liked:
The Awwwww Moments. And, there are a lot of them. Frost and Starlight is pure fluff.
The Voyeurism. Books 1 through 3 are utterly packed with action: battles, political intrigue, plotting, and high-stakes choices. Though there are quiet moments in the mix, these tend to focus on special events (eg, Starfall) or character development/plot (eg, Feyre discovering Rhys’s nightmares). Frost and Starlight offers fans a mellow peek into Feyre’s and Rhys’s mundane (smut-filled) daily life.
The Repercussions. Particularly in relation to Nesta – but, also present in the other characters. Maas is great at recognizing that the effects of war are long-lasting, and that not even a cheerful Christmas Solstice celebration can erase all scars.
Things I disliked:
The Writing. Don’t get me wrong: I’m well aware that Maas is no Shakespeare, Keats, or Blake. But, with Books 1 through 3, there’s a certain flow and ease to the prose — and lots of personality to Feyre. Frost and Starlight felt flat and cliché in comparison, reading more like a fanfic than a piece of canon work.
The Mate Game Continues. If you played the last round, you’re either dead from alcohol poisoning or in REALLY good shape. Or both. (Really, though: Don’t binge drink.) Let’s add some new prompts to make Cassian proud:
- Every time someone says “Solstice” – 10 tricep dips
- Every time someone says “present” or “gift” – 10 opposite arm/leg raises
The Christmas Rip-Off. So, we obviously can’t call it Christmas because Christianity isn’t a thing in this world … And, sure, a cozy winter celebration is fine, but can we at least try to infuse something unique? For instance: back in Thorns and Roses, Lucien says that ALL seven courts have to engage in The Great Rite … This hasn’t been mentioned at all in relation to the Night Court. Wouldn’t Winter Solstice have been the optimal time to bring this up?
The NA-ness of it all. Granted that this is a young adult series … but, despite the fact that most of the characters are 500+ years old, they spend a lot of time acting like silly teenagers. While this is periodically cute – like the snowball fight – I can’t imagine this group actually running a country. Maybe this is just a Lord of the Rings wise/immortal eleves bias … but c’mon guys. A little bit of decorum and wisdom?
Favourite quote:
She had always been drawn to the untamed, wild things of the world.
You look like an angry snowball.
The Details:
- The Book: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
- Published: 2018, Bloomsbury
- My Copy: KFPL
- Read date: June 12, 2019
- Rating: ★★☆☆☆
- You should read this if you like … presents! family! feel-good! … and bridges to future books
- Avoid this if you dislike … having “jingle bells” stuck in your head in June
The Geeky Jock 
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