An outlier in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, I can understand why some may not appreciate A Court of Frost and Starlight; nothing really happens here.

Taking place a year after the end of A Court of Wings and Ruin, Velaris is still rebuilding, the Illyrians are restless and resistant to change, and peace among the humans and faeries is tenuous. It's also Solstice: the longest night of the year and Feyre's birthday.

With more POV chapters from previously unheard from characters, this is a window into their lives as they rebuild and heal themselves from the war they've survived. Everyone seems sensitive to the changes in the group and emotions are running high after everything they've experienced. Nesta and Lucien have withdrawn from the group - Lucien to find his place in this world and Nesta because she is struggling to overcome what happened during the war. Similar to Feyre in A Court of Mist and Fury, she can't seem to find her way out of the darkness. I loved the window into Cassian's mind and wish we had gotten more from Azriel - they're both such interesting characters with traumatic histories.

While nothing really happened here, I think A Court of Frost and Starlight provides an excellent chance to prepare for A ​Court of Silver Flames. It's almost like a quick summary of where everyone's head is at so we know what to expect. I loved the insight into what they've done to rebuild and try to maintain peace, and while I still can't appreciate Maas' erotica, it didn't overshadow the other parts of the book.