a festive, fitting read

I didn't plan to begin reading this book on the day that its plot revolves around -- the Winter Solstice -- but sometimes life gives you fun, festive coincidences. I wondered why this book was so short in comparison to the others in the series, but after reading it, have a sense for how it fits into the bigger picture while being slimmer. It definitely feels like one big bonus chapter of some sort, not necessarily filler because its plot is consequential to the aftermath of the war Feyre, Rhysand, and co. just fought and consequential to the future of the world they're trying to rebuild. But -- it takes place at Christmas! Or, more accurately, the Winter Solstice, which means a less gloomy tone and more fun scenes of the whole crew exchanging gifts, enjoying yummy food, walking around a snow-covered Velaris, and the bat boys' annual snowball fight. I seriously loved that scene and the concept of five-hundred-year-old warriors spending hours enacting a highly competitive snowball fight. I also liked seeing Feyre work through some of her trauma via painting and, more specifically, following through with a studio space to paint for herself and for others, specifically children, in need of a place to artistically convey their pain and grief over the war. The spice in this book really came out of left field at the end, though -- I can't say I was really expecting it when the first 80%-85% of the book was pretty tame. We got some more Azriel content -- I seriously love his character's personality and want a book entirely devoted to him as soon as possible. Some Azriel and Elain content was sprinkled in there, too... and I thought we might see Nesta work to overcome her own forms of trauma by actually letting Cassian, or any of the others, into the fortress that is her heart, but alas... hopefully in the next book. I'm sure I'll eventually revoke this statement or at least amend it slightly, but she really is cruel and apathetic. Understandably, with how she was ripped from the human world, but her methods of coping and dealing with her new powers are far different from her sisters'. She intrigues me and I'm looking forward to seeing how she is further developed. I'm still really happy that my timing was somehow perfect in reading this book right around Christmastime. I wouldn't consider myself a mood reader, but I was in this case during this holiday season. :)



Some of my favorite quotes from A Court of Frost and Starlight:

"I think my heart knew you were mine long before I ever realized it."

"Cassian had named about two dozen poses for Nesta at this point. Ranging from I Will Eat Your Eyeballs for Breakfast to I Don't Want Cassian to Know I'm Reading Smut. The latter was his particular favorite."

"But Azriel only took Elain's heavy dish of potatoes from her hands, his voice soft as night as he said, 'Sit. I'll take care of it.'"

"His midnight voice filled the space."

"Azriel gave me a look that said, Illyrian baby indeed."

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