A Court of Frost and Starlight Ultimate Character Guide (ACOTAR Book 4)

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Cover of 'A Court of Frost and Starlight' by Sarah J. Maas with a decorated outer border.

A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOFAS) is the fourth installment and the first novella in the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas. Acting as a bridge between the first three books and setting up key character dynamics for the fifth installment, it provides a more slow and intimate look into the characters’ everyday lives. Taking place several months after the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin and the second Human and Fae War with the King of Hybern, Feyre and her companions recuperate from the trauma and exhaustion of the war and prepare for Winter Solstice festivities in Velaris. This guide offers an in-depth look at the characters in ACOFAS. For a deeper exploration of the world, please visit the Ultimate ACOFAS World Guide.

NOTE: This post assumes you have read the previous books in the series. Major spoilers ahead for earlier installments and minor spoilers ahead for the current book.

Table of Contents

Fan art of Feyre as the High Lady of the Night Court from ACOTAR. A beautiful elf queen with pale skin, rosy lips, and a black embroidered gown.

Feyre Archeron

Originally just a human girl who was a skilled huntress, she is now the High Lady of the Night Court and the first High Lady in all of Prythian. Feyre throws herself into rebuilding Velaris and reconnects with her long lost passion for painting.

Fanart of Amren, an elegant Asian woman with grey eyes wearing an embroidered top holding a book from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Amren

An ancient and otherworldly being, she is Rhysand’s Second-in-Command in the Night Court and provides critical advice to his court. She is capable of immense and unearthly power. Newly resurrected as a High Fae, Amren adjusts to her new body, namely remembering to eat solid foods, and also bonds with Nesta.

Fan art of Morrigan, AKA Mor, wearing a red dress and lounging on a chair from the ACOTAR books by Sarah J. Maas. A beautiful elf with blonde hair.

Morrigan (Mor)

Rhysand’s cousin and Third-in-Command of the Night Court, known for her confidence, battle prowess and the power of Truth. She is High Fae and her family use to rule the Night Court before they were relegated to Hewn City. She is estranged from her family. Mor spends some alone time in reflection before embarking on Rhysand’s task to be an emissary to the many courts.

Fan art of Rhysand from ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas, a handsome man with wavy black hair and indigo eyes wearing black leather, standing by mountains.

Rhysand

High Lord of the Night Court, half-Fae, half-Illyrian, Rhysand is a charismatic and powerful leader with the ability to mist, to pulverize anything into a fine powder, and to also read and control minds as Daemati, a species of fairies with mind controlling powers. Rhysand focuses on aiding war casualties and rebuilding his court, while also enjoying time with Feyre.

Fanart of Azriel, a handsome man with short black hair and hazel eyes standing against a shadowy black background, from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Azriel

An Illyrian bastard, born to an already married Lord and most likely, his servant. Azriel had a cruel childhood with his father and step-mother. He is a Shadowsinger, a rare breed of faerie that are able to manipulate shadows, a skill which helped him become Rhysand’s Spymaster. At his full power, he wears 7 cobalt siphons. Azriel channels his energy into rebuilding Velaris and continues to monitor for threats.

Fan art of Cassian, a handsome warrior with black hair in a bun and wearing black leather armor from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Cassian

An Illyrian bastard, born to a warrior and a war-camp laundress, he was abandoned at a distant camp as a child. Through grit and determination, he became a powerful warrior and Commander of Rhysand’s armies in the Night Court. At his full power, he wears 7 red siphons. Cassian deals with unrest in some Illyrian war camps, while also trying to strengthen morale amongst his soldiers.

Fan art of Nesta, a beautiful woman with wavy brown hair, steel blue eyes, and pointed elf ears from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Nesta Archeron

The eldest Archeron sister, she is proud and deeply resentful of their family’s misfortunes. She was closest to their mother, who valued Nesta for her potential marriage matches. Nesta grapples with the trauma of the war and the death of her father by drinking herself into a stupor every night. She rebuffs any attempts at friendliness or advice from her sisters.

Fan art of Elain Archeron from ACOTAR, a girl with warm brown eyes, a nice dress and pointed elf ears standing in a drawing room by the fire pit.

Elain Archeron

The middle Archeron sister, she is gentle and kind, preferring to tend to her garden rather than dealing with reality. Although she’s the middle child, she is often protected by her sisters. Elain is revealed to have been Made into a Seer, and slowly adjusts to life in the Night Court. She helps Feyre with Winter Solstice preparations and befriends Cerridwen and Nuala.

Fan art of Nuala from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, a shadow maid with pure black eyes standing in gray blue smoke and shadows.

Nuala

A half-Fae, half-Wraith maid, she was one of the Shadow Maids that attended to Feyre while she was Under the Mountain. Like her twin, Cerridwen, she possesses the ability to manipulate shadows and smoke and is a maidservant in the Night Court.

Fan art of Cerridwen from the ACOTAR series, a shadow woman walking in a dark cave and holding a candle.

Cerridwen

A half-Fae, half-Wraith maid, she was one of the Shadow Maids that attended to Feyre while she was Under the Mountain. Like her twin, Nuala, she possesses the ability to manipulate shadows and smoke and is a maidservant in the Night Court.

Fan art of Neve from ACOTAR. A shadow women completely black with red glowing charcoal-like eyes and holding two gemstones in her hands.

Neve

A talented jeweler in Velaris who owns her own store at the Palace of Thread and Jewels. She is a Tartera Fae, a species related to wraiths.

Fan-art of Ressina, a fae with green skin and yellow eyes wearing a paint covered smock, from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Ressina

A local artist who resides in the Rainbow, she owns a studio and encourages Feyre to get back into painting.

Fan art of Rita, a barkeeper with elven ears and short hair holds a tankard in a medieval tavern in ACOTAR.

Rita

A friendly Fae who lives in Velaris, she owns a popular bar that is frequently visited by the Night Court Inner Circle.

Fan art of Madja, an elderly black fae woman with pointy ears surrounded by jars and dried herbs, from the ACOTAR series.

Madja

A High Fae healer in Velaris, she is Rhysand’s favorite healer and often attends to the Night Court Inner Circle’s wounds and ailments.

Fan art of Aranea from the Rainbow of Velaris. An elf with wavy black hair and wearing a textured sweater, she weaves at a loom.

Aranea

A local weaver in Velaris who sells hand-made blankets and tapestries in her gallery.

Fan-art of Polina, a fae painter with pointy ears and paint smudges on her face, from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Polina

An local artist who died during the attack from the King of Hybern.

Fan art of Lord Devlon, a rugged handsome man with dark hair and large black bat wings carrying a sword, from the ACOTAR series.

Lord Devlon

An Illyrian war-lord who rules the Windhaven Camp. Although he is considered to be one of the more fair war-lords, he holds many superstitions against Illyrian women taking up arms.

Fan art of Kallon from A Court of Thorns and Roses, a young man with wavy black hair, dark eyes, and huge bat wings. He is shirtless and holds a spear

Kallon

An Illyrian warrior from the Ironcrest Camp, he is arrogant and insolent, often deliberately causing trouble.

Fan art of Proteus from A Court of Thorns and Roses, an Arab man wearing a tunic and holding a scroll in a bazaar. He has large black bat wings.

Proteus

A wealthy Illyrian merchant who owned a clothing shop in the Windhaven Camp. He was Emerie’s father and was abusive towards her and her mother growing up. He died in the war against the King of Hybern.

Fan-art of Emerie from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. A wan girl with dull dark eyes and black bat wings wearing a simple gown.

Emerie

An Illyrian woman born in the Windhaven Camp, her mother died when she was a child and her father clipped her wings. She misses flying and the sense of freedom it gave her. Her father recently died in the war, leaving her the family clothing store and as she tries to manage it independently, she faces opposition from her Illyrian relatives.

Fan art of Rhysand's Mom, a seamstress with tan skin, dark hair and black bat wings holding yarn and thread, from the ACOTAR series.

Rhysand's Mother

Originally a seamstress in a war-camp, she was found to be the Mate of the Night Court High Lord and although they were not compatible, he stopped her wings from being clipped and let her fly. She made sure Rhysand was educated in both the Fae and Illyrian cultures and became a surrogate mother to Cassian and Azriel. She was killed by Tamlin’s father in an ongoing court feud.

Fan art of Rhysand's Sister, a young woman with tan skin, dark hair and black bat wings standing in a medieval market, from the ACOTAR series.

Rhysand's Sister

Half-Fae and half-Illyrian just like her brother, Rhysand’s sister loved visiting the artists’ quarters in Velaris and was later murdered alongside her mother by Tamlin’s father in an ongoing court feud.

Fan art of Azriel's Mom from ACOTAR. The back of a woman with a gray bun and small bat wings, she sits on a wooden bench looking at a garden hedge.

Azriel's Mom

Little is known about Azriel’s mother, other than she bore Azriel out of wedlock to an already married Illyrian Lord and likely faced much stigma.

Fan art of Cassian's Mom from ACOTAR. A woman with black hair and black bat wings, she carries a woven basket of laundry and soiled linen.

Cassian's Mom

An Illyrian war-camp laundress, she bore Cassian out of wedlock to an Illyrian warrior, she couldn’t or wouldn’t remember.

Fan art of Mr. Archeron from the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas, an old man sailing on a ship.

Mr. Archeron

Feyre’s father and once a wealthy merchant, he lost everything after a failed venture. His leg was crippled by his creditors, while his spirit was broken by his misfortunes. His secret mission to the Continent was revealed, he was gathering further forces to help his daughters in the war and became a vital factor in the defeat of the King of Hybern.

Fan art of Mrs. Archeron, Feyre's mom, from A Court of Thorns and Roses, an older woman with gray blue eyes standing under a doorframe.

Mrs. Archeron

Feyre’s mother, she died of typhus when Feyre was 8. She was strict and domineering and favored Nesta over her other daughters. However, she recognized an inner strength in Feyre and made her promise to take care of the family after her death.

Fan art of Lord Graysen, a medieval lordling standing solemnly beside a horse in a lush wooded area from ACOTAR.

Lord Graysen

The son of a wealthy lord, Graysen and his family despise the High Fae and built extensive fortifications around their estates. He was engaged to Elain Archeron.

Fanart of Tamlin, High Lord of the Spring Court, a handsome blonde man with a rugged beard standing in a green forest from ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas.

Tamlin

The High Lord of the Spring Court, he is able to shape shift into any form he desires and is also able to shape shift others. He is a powerful but tormented High Fae. Tamlin is embittered and broken after the war, his people have fled the Spring Court and he refuses any aid as his Court crumbles around him.

Fan art of Ianthe from A Court of Thorns and Roses, a woman with blue eyes, white-blonde hair, and a phases of the moon tattoo on her forehead.

Ianthe

A High Fae priestess from the Spring Court, known for her beauty and ambitions. Her father was a close ally to Tamlin’s family and she grew up alongside Tamlin. She betrayed Feyre multiple times and eventually met her demise at the Weaver’s Cottage.

Fanart of Tarquin with white dreadlocks by the ocean from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A handsome black man with turquoise eyes and pointy ears.

Tarquin

The High Lord of the Summer Court, he is the youngest High Lord and relatively inexperienced but kind. He is able to control water as well as winnow, the ability to transport oneself instantaneously.

Fanart of Cresseida with white dreadlocks by the ocean from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Cresseida

A High Fae and Princess of Adriata, cousin to Tarquin and older sister to Varian. She is friendly and flirty and has the ability to create glamours and illusions.

Fanart of Varian from the Summer Court standing on a beach, a handsome black man with white dreads from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Varian

A High Fae and Prince of Adriata, cousin to Tarquin and captain of Tarquin's guard. He harbors feelings for Amren and is Cresseida’s younger brother.

Fan-art of Beron High Lord of the Autumn Court, a pale man with long red hair from ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas. He sits on an ornate gilded throne.

Beron

The High Lord of the Autumn Court, he is noted for his cruelty, maliciousness, and greed. He is able to control fire as well as winnow. He is Lucien’s father.

Fan-art of Lucien's Mom, a female elf with long red hair in an autumn forest, from A Court of Thorns and Roses. She stands on a balcony.

Lady of the Autumn Court

Wife to High Lord Beron, she is Lucien’s mother and has always lived under the oppression of her husband. Like many of the Autumn Court, she is able to control fire.

Fan-art of Eris Vanserra, a handsome elf with long red hair, from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. He has pointy ears and freckles.

Eris

Eldest son of High Lord Beron, he is Lucien’s eldest brother and appears to be cocky and arrogant as the heir apparent to the Autumn Court.

Fanart of Thesan from the Dawn Court, a handsome Asian man surrounded by a golden halo from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Thesan

The High Lord of the Dawn Court, he has exceptional healing abilities and is also able to winnow. He is said to glow the brightest amongst all the High Lords and has a calming personality.

Fan art of the Peregryn army of winged warriors from the ACOTAR novels by Sarah J. Maas. An army of Asian warriors with brown falcon wings.

Peregryns

A race of winged fae that live in the Dawn Court and make up Thesan’s aerial army. Like their namesake, they have colorful feathered wings that come in a range of colors and patterns from browns and whites to gold and black.

Fan-art of the Captain of the Peregryns, an Asian elf man with pointy ears and falcon wings with clouds behind him, from the ACOTAR books.

Captain of the Peregryns

The Captain of the Peregryn aerial legion is a formidable warrior and also Thesan’s lover.

Fanart of Kallias from the Winter Court, a pale man with white hair surrounded by ice and snow, from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Kallias

The High Lord of the Winter Court, he is able to manipulate ice and also winnow. He is cautious and reserved in his behavior and has a habit of wearing fur even in the warmer courts.

Fan art of Viviane with white hair and blue eyes standing on a snowy mountain from the ACOTAR novels by Sarah J. Maas. A pale and pretty ice queen.

Viviane

Lady of the Winter Court and Kallias’ mate. She is noted for her warmth and kindness. She is old friends with Mor and is not afraid to speak her mind.

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Fan-art of Helion High Lord of the Day Court, a handsome Arab man with golden armor from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Helion

The High Lord of the Day Court, he is incredibly powerful with multiple skills, from air and light manipulation to shape-shifting and winnowing, but he is most noted for his ability to detect and break spells, giving him the moniker ‘Spell-Cleaver.’ While he puts on a serious front, he is good-natured and flirtatious.

Fan-art of Keir, a cruel elf lord in an underground city, from A Court of Thorns and Roses. He has wavy blonde hair and a handlebar mustache.

Keir

The Steward of the Hewn City and the Court of Nightmares. He is Mor’s father and has a strained relationship with her, she remembers him as a mean and hateful person.

Fan-art of Mor's Mom, an austere elf woman in an underground city, from A Court of Thorns and Roses. She has blonde hair and is wearing a black gown.

Mor's Mother

She resides in the Hewn City alongside Keir, she is estranged from her daughter and views her as a disappointment. Mor does not like speaking about her.

Fan art of the Darkbringer army of black shadow soldiers from the ACOTAR novels by Sarah J. Maas. Their armor resembles insect carapaces.

Darkbringers

A legion of elite warriors from the Court of Nightmares. They are highly trained but often left underutilized.

Fan art of Vassa standing on a lake of ice with a phoenix behind her from the ACOTAR books by Sarah J. Maas. She wears a fiery red dress.

Vassa

The mortal Queen of Scythia. She was sold by the other Mortal Queens to Koschei, who enchanted her to turn into a firebird by day and remain bound to his lake. He granted her a reprieve to join the war. She currently resides with Lucien and Jurian in the Mortal Lands and seeks to break her curse.

Fan-art of Jurian, a warrior with dark wavy hair and silver armor carrying a sword on his back, from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Jurian

A legendary human general from the Human Fae War, who helped free the humans from Fae enslavement. He incurred Amarantha’s everlasting wrath for murdering her sister, and as punishment she tortured him and bound his soul and eye to a ring for eternity. The King of Hybern used the Cauldron to resurrect him into a new human body. He found companionship with Lucien and Vassa.

Fan art of Lucien Vanserra from A Court of Thorns and Roses, a handsome elf with long red hair, a golden mechanical eye, and a scar on his face.

Lucien

The youngest High Fae lordling of the Autumn Court, he has 6 older brothers and is uninterested in royal titles. He fled his court and found refuge in the Spring Court as Tamlin’s emissary and confidante. He bears no love for his family. With the Spring Court now in tatters and Tamlin refusing his aid, Lucien feels forlorn but finds companionship with Jurian and Vassa.

Fan art of the Suriel from A Court of Thorns and Roses, a black shadowy and wispy creature with a black skull-like face floating in the forest.

The Surial

A skeletal and ancient faerie that was said to be older than the continent of Prythian itself. It was all-knowing and had to answer any questions truthfully if captured. It was an unlikely ally to Feyre, but was killed by Ianthe during the war.

Fan-art of Bryaxis, a black wispy and smokey creature with bright shining eyes floating in a green mist from the ACOTAR books.

Bryaxis

An amorphous creature of darkness that was imprisoned at the bottom of the library in Velaris. She fed on fear and was able to shape-shift. She is considered an entity of pure terror. Feyre enlisted her help in the war against Hybern, but in the aftermath, Bryaxis escaped.

Fan art of the Bone Carver, a young boy with dark hair and violet eyes sitting in a dark prison chamber, from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

The Bone Carver

A primordial being, who was able to see parts of the future and was highly sought after for his clairvoyancy skills. He appeared differently to everyone who saw him and traded in knowledge, revealing cryptic truths in exchange for intriguing stories or items. He died in the war against Hybern.

Fan art of the Weaver, an old crone in a messy and cluttered small hut, from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

The Weaver, Stryga

An ancient crone who wove on her loom in a secluded cottage. She appeared old and frail with milky blind eyes but ate those who trespassed into her cottage and fortified her home with the bones, fat, and hair of her victims. She was one of the most formidable creatures in Prythian and died in the war against Hybern.

Fanart of Koschei, a mysterious old man in a dimly lit laboratory surrounded by glass bottles from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Koschei

A dark and omnipotent sorcerer, he was bound to a lake on the Continent eons ago by an ancient Fae warrioress. He has been trying to break his bondage but to no avail, and has become known for enchanting and imprisoning women to his lake. No one knows what he does with his prisoners.

Fan art of the Cauldron from ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas, a huge dark cauldron boiling in a dank chamber. Inside glows an eerie yellow green light.

The Cauldron

An ancient and powerful artifact that is semi-sentient and believed to be the source of all life and magic in Prythian. It has immense power to create and destroy, as well as transform objects and beings into more powerful versions of themselves. These afflicted items and persons are then referred to as Made, and are imbued with great magical abilities.

Fan art of the Mother from the ACOTAR series, a pair of female hands pouring out a galaxy from a cauldron.

The Mother

The primordial Mother and main deity, she unleashed the mysterious contents of the Cauldron by tipping it over and thereby created Prythian and the known world. She is a mythical and goddess-like figure that represents nurture, fate, and life. ​

Fan-art of Amarantha, a fae queen with pale skin, pointy ears, and flaming red hair sitting on a dark throne from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Amarantha

Originally a military commander in the King of Hybern’s forces, she was sent back to Prythian 100 years ago as an emissary but went rogue and took over Prythian for herself. She enchanted the land and restrained the Fae’s magic for 50 years. Feyre broke Amarantha’s curse and freed everyone’s magic, allowing Tamlin to deliver a fatal blow, finally ending her reign of terror.

Fan art of Clythia from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, a pale elf with red hair, wearing black armor, and overlooking a battlefield.

Clythia

Amarantha’s younger sister, once a gifted Fae commander in the King of Hybern’s forces. She fell in love with Jurian, but he only used her for information and killed her when he had no further use for her. Her death was a huge blow to Amarantha.

Fan-art of the Seraphim soldiers with armor and white wings from the ACOTAR books by Sarah J. Maas. An army of flying angels wearing silver armor.

The Seraphim

A species of winged Fae that follow Prince Drakon. They are fierce aerial warriors with white angel-like wings and are considered to be the counterparts to the Illyrians.

Fan art of Miryam, a girl with wavy brown hair, brown eyes, and freckles standing in a tent from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Miryam

A half-Fae, half-human slave from the Black Land on the Continent. The Fae Queen of the Black Land gifted Miryam to a Fae Prince, Drakon, as an engagement gift. However, he was disgusted by the gift and freed Miryam.

Fan art of Drakon, a fae Prince with pointy elf ears and white angel wings standing on a battlefield, from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Drakon

A half-Fae, half-Seraphim Prince, he was sympathetic to the humans’ cause and did not believe the High Fae had the right to keep humans as slaves. He later fought alongside Jurian’s human rebellion in the War.

Fan-art of Nephelle with small white feather wings from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. She is looking over a map.

Nephelle

A Seraphim in Drakon’s legion. She was born with small, deformed wings so she could not fly with armor or equipment and became a cartographer instead. She became best friends with Miryam.

Fan art of the King of Hybern, a middle aged austere king with deep sunken eyes and a golden crown from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

King of Hybern

The enigmatic and cruel ruler of Hybern, he believed humans were insignificant pests and sought to destroy the Treaty that ended human enslavement in Prythian. He was killed by Elain and Nesta in the recent war.

Fanart of the mortal queens, a group of four middle aged women, from the ACOTAR novels by Sarah J. Maas. They wear ornate jewelry and necklaces.

The Mortal Queens

Powerful rulers of the human realm on the Continent. They began turning on each other and allied themselves with the King of Hybern. They sold Vassa to the death lord, Koschei, and murdered Demetra.

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