Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of A Court of Frost and Starlight
    FantasyRomance NovelYoung Adult

    A Court of Frost and Starlight

    by Maas, Sarah J.
    “A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas is a novella set after the events of “A Court of Wings and Ruin,” bridging the original trilogy and the subsequent series. The story follows Feyre Archeron, now High Lady of the Night Court, and her mate Rhysand as they navigate the aftermath of war, rebuilding Velaris and preparing for the Winter Solstice. Themes of recovery, family dynamics, and post-war trauma are explored through the perspectives of Feyre, Rhysand, and their inner circle. The work serves as a transitional piece, deepening character relationships and setting the stage for future conflicts in the series.
    PreviousNext
    A Court of Frost and Starlight

    Chapter 26: Rhysand

    by Maas, Sarah J.

    The chap­ter opens with Rhysand observ­ing a group of young Illyr­i­an girls reluc­tant­ly par­tic­i­pat­ing in com­bat train­ing under Devlon’s super­vi­sion. Though their num­bers are small and their enthu­si­asm lack­ing, their pres­ence marks a sig­nif­i­cant step toward chal­leng­ing tra­di­tion­al Illyr­i­an gen­der norms. Rhysand notes the sym­bol­ic taunt of Illyr­i­an bows placed nearby—a weapon many males strug­gle to wield—and pri­vate­ly vows to per­son­al­ly train any girl who dares to attempt mas­ter­ing them. The scene is set against the stark back­drop of Wind­haven camp, fresh­ly cov­ered in snow, empha­siz­ing the harsh­ness of both the envi­ron­ment and the soci­etal bar­ri­ers the girls face.

    Rhysand, Cass­ian, and Azriel dis­cuss the sparse atten­dance of female trainees, attribut­ing it to fam­i­lies being away for Sol­stice. The con­ver­sa­tion shifts to the grow­ing dis­sent with­in Illyr­i­an camps, par­tic­u­lar­ly from the rival Iron­crest clan led by the trou­ble­some Kallon. Cassian’s restrained reac­tion to Kallon’s provo­ca­tions reveals his respect for Illyr­i­an tra­di­tions like the Rite, despite Azriel’s dark­er sug­ges­tions for deal­ing with the agi­ta­tor. The ten­sion under­scores the broad­er strug­gle to reform Illyr­i­an cul­ture while nav­i­gat­ing its deeply ingrained hier­ar­chies and rival­ries.

    The dynam­ics between the three lead­ers take cen­ter stage as Rhysand attempts to reas­sure Cass­ian about the progress rep­re­sent­ed by the girls’ train­ing. Azriel’s pres­ence, met with fear by the camp’s women, high­lights his com­plex rela­tion­ship with his Illyr­i­an her­itage. Cassian’s sto­ic demeanor hints at unre­solved per­son­al wounds tied to their mis­sion of fos­ter­ing change. Rhysand’s inter­nal reflec­tions reveal his under­stand­ing of Cassian’s emo­tion­al stakes, empha­siz­ing the slow, ardu­ous nature of their efforts to trans­form Illyr­i­an soci­ety.

    The chap­ter clos­es with a moment of sol­i­dar­i­ty as Rhysand offers Cass­ian encour­age­ment, acknowl­edg­ing the incre­men­tal nature of their progress. Cassian’s insis­tence on long-term com­mit­ment over quick wins reflects the depth of his invest­ment in empow­er­ing Illyr­i­an females. The final lines—“Our world might very well depend on it”—elevate their per­son­al mis­sion to a cos­mic scale, sug­gest­ing that soci­etal reform is inter­twined with the sur­vival of their world. The chap­ter mas­ter­ful­ly bal­ances inti­mate char­ac­ter moments with broad­er themes of resis­tance and cul­tur­al evo­lu­tion.

    Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of the girls training with daggers in the Windhaven camp, and how does this reflect the broader social tensions in Illyrian society?

      Answer:
      The girls training with daggers represents a small but meaningful step toward gender equality in the deeply patriarchal Illyrian society. While Devlon only provides halfhearted instruction (demonstrating lingering resistance), the mere presence of female trainees challenges traditional norms. Rhysand notes the males keep their distance “as if frightened of catching some deadly disease,” highlighting the deep-seated prejudice. This tension is further emphasized by the broader context of malcontents like Kallon stirring up dissent against Cassian and Rhysand’s progressive reforms. The scene illustrates both the potential for change and the substantial resistance it faces in Illyrian culture.

      2. Analyze the different perspectives Cassian, Azriel, and Rhysand have regarding how to handle Kallon’s dissent. What does this reveal about their characters?

      Answer:
      The characters show distinct approaches: Rhysand pragmatically suggests letting “accidents happen in the Rite,” demonstrating his willingness to use ruthless methods when necessary. Azriel takes a colder approach, proposing similar “accidents in the skies,” reflecting his shadowsinger persona and preference for subtle solutions. Cassian, however, insists on not dishonoring the Rite and facing challenges directly (“do it to my face”), showcasing his warrior’s honor code and personal investment in Illyrian traditions. This contrast reveals Cassian’s emotional connection to Illyrian culture, Azriel’s detached efficiency, and Rhysand’s balanced leadership style that considers multiple options.

      3. How does the chapter use the Illyrian bow as a symbol of both oppression and potential empowerment?

      Answer:
      The Illyrian bow serves as a powerful symbol—its presence by the training ring acts as a taunt, representing the physical and cultural barriers females face in mastering traditionally male skills. Rhysand’s recollection of the painful years required to master it (“whip of the string against my cheek”) underscores its difficulty and exclusivity. Yet his vow to personally train any girl who attempts it transforms the bow into a symbol of potential empowerment. This duality reflects the broader struggle: the weapons that once enforced gender roles could become tools of liberation if access is granted.

      4. What does Azriel’s complex relationship with his Illyrian heritage reveal about identity in this society?

      Answer:
      Azriel embodies the tension of dual identity—while the camp women fear him as a mythic shadowsinger, he still wears Illyrian leathers and keeps his tattoos, suggesting an unresolved connection to his roots. Rhysand observes that “some part of him was Illyrian still,” highlighting how heritage persists despite trauma (Azriel’s abusive childhood). The chapter suggests identity isn’t easily discarded, even when painful. Azriel’s presence also serves as a reminder that progress (like female training) often requires confronting uncomfortable histories, as his visit forces the camp to face its own shadows.

      5. Why does Cassian reject Azriel’s proposed bet about the girls’ continued training, and what does this reveal about his motivations?

      Answer:
      Cassian refuses to bet because this mission represents a deeply personal commitment rather than a casual wager. The text notes it stems from “a wound that had never really healed,” likely referencing his mother’s oppression or broader gender injustices he’s witnessed. His insistence on evaluating success only after consistent participation (“twenty girls… for a month straight”) shows his understanding that real change requires sustained effort, not token gestures. This reveals Cassian’s emotional investment in creating lasting equality rather than seeking superficial victories, distinguishing his reformist goals from mere games or competitions.

    Quotes

    • 1. “If one of the girls decided to take up the Illyrian bow, I’d oversee her lessons myself.”

      This quote shows Rhysand’s personal commitment to female empowerment in Illyrian society, particularly in defying traditional gender roles. It establishes his protective stance and willingness to personally intervene to support progress.

      2. “Accidents happen in the Rite… We won’t dishonor the Rite by tampering with it… If the whelp wants to bust my balls, he can grow a pair himself and do it to my face.”

      This exchange between Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel reveals their different approaches to dealing with dissenters. It highlights Cassian’s honor-bound nature and preference for direct confrontation over subterfuge, even against enemies.

      3. “This is a good sign, Cass… Small steps, brother. Small steps. For all of us. Our world might very well depend on it.”

      These closing lines capture the chapter’s central theme of gradual progress and reform. Rhysand frames their efforts to change Illyrian society as both necessary and urgent, while acknowledging the slow nature of cultural transformation.

    Quotes

    1. “If one of the girls decided to take up the Illyrian bow, I’d oversee her lessons myself.”

    This quote shows Rhysand’s personal commitment to female empowerment in Illyrian society, particularly in defying traditional gender roles. It establishes his protective stance and willingness to personally intervene to support progress.

    2. “Accidents happen in the Rite… We won’t dishonor the Rite by tampering with it… If the whelp wants to bust my balls, he can grow a pair himself and do it to my face.”

    This exchange between Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel reveals their different approaches to dealing with dissenters. It highlights Cassian’s honor-bound nature and preference for direct confrontation over subterfuge, even against enemies.

    3. “This is a good sign, Cass… Small steps, brother. Small steps. For all of us. Our world might very well depend on it.”

    These closing lines capture the chapter’s central theme of gradual progress and reform. Rhysand frames their efforts to change Illyrian society as both necessary and urgent, while acknowledging the slow nature of cultural transformation.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of the girls training with daggers in the Windhaven camp, and how does this reflect the broader social tensions in Illyrian society?

    Answer:
    The girls training with daggers represents a small but meaningful step toward gender equality in the deeply patriarchal Illyrian society. While Devlon only provides halfhearted instruction (demonstrating lingering resistance), the mere presence of female trainees challenges traditional norms. Rhysand notes the males keep their distance “as if frightened of catching some deadly disease,” highlighting the deep-seated prejudice. This tension is further emphasized by the broader context of malcontents like Kallon stirring up dissent against Cassian and Rhysand’s progressive reforms. The scene illustrates both the potential for change and the substantial resistance it faces in Illyrian culture.

    2. Analyze the different perspectives Cassian, Azriel, and Rhysand have regarding how to handle Kallon’s dissent. What does this reveal about their characters?

    Answer:
    The characters show distinct approaches: Rhysand pragmatically suggests letting “accidents happen in the Rite,” demonstrating his willingness to use ruthless methods when necessary. Azriel takes a colder approach, proposing similar “accidents in the skies,” reflecting his shadowsinger persona and preference for subtle solutions. Cassian, however, insists on not dishonoring the Rite and facing challenges directly (“do it to my face”), showcasing his warrior’s honor code and personal investment in Illyrian traditions. This contrast reveals Cassian’s emotional connection to Illyrian culture, Azriel’s detached efficiency, and Rhysand’s balanced leadership style that considers multiple options.

    3. How does the chapter use the Illyrian bow as a symbol of both oppression and potential empowerment?

    Answer:
    The Illyrian bow serves as a powerful symbol—its presence by the training ring acts as a taunt, representing the physical and cultural barriers females face in mastering traditionally male skills. Rhysand’s recollection of the painful years required to master it (“whip of the string against my cheek”) underscores its difficulty and exclusivity. Yet his vow to personally train any girl who attempts it transforms the bow into a symbol of potential empowerment. This duality reflects the broader struggle: the weapons that once enforced gender roles could become tools of liberation if access is granted.

    4. What does Azriel’s complex relationship with his Illyrian heritage reveal about identity in this society?

    Answer:
    Azriel embodies the tension of dual identity—while the camp women fear him as a mythic shadowsinger, he still wears Illyrian leathers and keeps his tattoos, suggesting an unresolved connection to his roots. Rhysand observes that “some part of him was Illyrian still,” highlighting how heritage persists despite trauma (Azriel’s abusive childhood). The chapter suggests identity isn’t easily discarded, even when painful. Azriel’s presence also serves as a reminder that progress (like female training) often requires confronting uncomfortable histories, as his visit forces the camp to face its own shadows.

    5. Why does Cassian reject Azriel’s proposed bet about the girls’ continued training, and what does this reveal about his motivations?

    Answer:
    Cassian refuses to bet because this mission represents a deeply personal commitment rather than a casual wager. The text notes it stems from “a wound that had never really healed,” likely referencing his mother’s oppression or broader gender injustices he’s witnessed. His insistence on evaluating success only after consistent participation (“twenty girls… for a month straight”) shows his understanding that real change requires sustained effort, not token gestures. This reveals Cassian’s emotional investment in creating lasting equality rather than seeking superficial victories, distinguishing his reformist goals from mere games or competitions.

    Note