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helloitsme43 · 1 year

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Why I hope ACOTAR 5 focuses on Elain and Azriel and not Elain/Lucien or Azriel/Gwyn.

(MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ALL PUBLISHED ACOTAR BOOKS)

I accidentally found myself randomly falling into an acotar theory hole. I’m on break and my brain got stuck on this mystery so this is the result whoop whoop.

I’m just enjoying theorizing about the future of the series I like, not trying to upset anyone. I think all four of these characters are cool and could see interesting love stories for any of the couples. I definitely see how SJM could be hinting at the book going somewhere different as well, however from purely a story standpoint, I think Az/Elain are set up to be way more interesting.

Why I think Az/Gwyn wouldn’t be that interesting:

Azriel = Just like pretty much all the other characters mans def needs some healing journey stuff more similar to Rhys than Cassian. No matter what, the things with Mor and his past and anger with Illyria will be addressed. If he ends up with Gwen, he will also need to address not being with Mor or Elain and the role Rhys played in that. So significant healing vibes. On top of falling in love with Gwyn and moving the series plot forward so a lot to cover.

Gwyn= There would probably be some addressing of Azriel first being into Mor and then Elain on her side as well. Gwyn’s past ordeals and recovery were heavily referenced in acosaf so if she was a main love interest in the next book I imagine even greater emphasis on her healing journey, particularly in relation to embarking on a physical relationship with Az.

Gwyn’s healing journey would likely be her continuing to gain confidence and belief in her own strength through her work with the Valkerie, friendship, music and song, and a love interest. Now not saying that in itself isn’t interesting, but, as much as I LOVED acosaf, we have already gotten 700+ pages of pretty much this exact same plot. Right down to the same characters and passion projects. There is a significant amount of people putting off reading acosaf because they aren’t interested enough in Nesta to read a whole book about her healing and not a lot of series plot. I think Gwyn is a cool character but I don’t know how appealing it would be to have a whole 350+ pages about her going through such a similar journey to Nesta, in addition to Azriel going through something like that as well.

Series Plot: Gwyn and the Valkeries are very cool and interesting but still training and its said in acosaf that it might be close to 100 years before they were ready to fight in a legion during war. We don’t have any knowledge of Gwyn possessing any additional powers other than being Valkerie. I think it might be a little much to introduce those powers and have them become a major plot point all in one book. Now they are strong fighters and won the rite, but I don’t see how that can directly impact other aspects of the plot other than Gwyn’s role in research. Which again is so similar to acosaf. So as of right now, I don’t see how Gwyn’s role clearly lends to driving the actual series plot forward and it seems plausible that her book might end up very similar to Nesta’s in which growth was the plot more than the series plot. Which again interesting, but we just had an entire (great) book like that.

So in terms of series plot, not sure where it would go. In terms of romance, it would likely be Azriel realizing that no one else was right for him but Gwyn is and them falling in love.

Why I think Elain/Lucien wouldn’t be that interesting:

Elain: I’m really not sure how this would go for her, but there would be emphasis on her realizing that Lucien was the right one for her all along. In addition to personal growth, maybe some things about becoming her own person and finding out where she fits in this new world which if she goes with Lucien, likely wouldn’t be in the Night Court.

Lucien: He also would have to find where he belongs in this world which makes sense for them to do together. He would have to address his relationship with Tamlin and figure out what’s going on with his father and possibly end up taking some form of leadership or even becoming a High Lord. I think its possible his previous heartbreak and struggle to get Elain interested in him would be addressed as well.

Series Plot: I could see how this one could have more to drive the plot forward. I think Elain and her seer abilities are going to play a huge role no matter what. I think Lucien and his connections to Tamlin, Jurien/Vassa, and the Day Court could also easily become a significant plot point.

Romance: One thing I don’t like is how a possible theme is Lucien finally convincing Elain to give him a chance after multiple books of rejection. It gives a bit ‘nice guy finally wore the girl down vibes’. Now I’m sure SJM would write it in a way where that’s not a problem and maybe go for more of forced proximity kind of thing but still not my favorite idea. I also don’t like the role Lucien played in her capture and the fact that despite her being his mate Lucien kind of sat around while a dying Azriel still tried to help her. Other than that, it would be about Elain and Lucien falling in love and realizing they were right for each other all along.

Now nothing wrong with that but it would be remarkably similar to the plot of Azriel/Gwyn falling in love. Which as stated above, that story is already possibly quite similar to acosaf so there is a big potential for some serious repetition. Also, I kind of feel like Elain ending up with Lucien would lend to her staying more one-dimensional but who knows.

Why I think Azriel/Elain would be interesting:

Azriel: Same healing journey in regards to Illyria and Mor mentioned above. Additional conflict in terms of deciding whether or not to go against orders and the fact that his brother gave those orders. Potential conflict of going against Lucien (who may or may not have been revealed as potential High Lord) and the politics of the Night and Autumn Court. Plus developing relationship with Elain.

Elain: I definitely think her story would be super interesting if she ends up staying in the Night Court. Many of the characters hint that Elain doesn’t belong in Night and as a softer person she would fit well in some place more like spring. However, Elain starts to show signs of there being way more to her than that. I think this book could have her coming into her own and showing everyone that things she did (telling off Grayson because no-one owns her, stabbing Hyburn with truth teller because he threatened her sister, claiming her capture by Hyburn as her own story…) are not just flukes and the type of person she is. I think her story would be about choice. I can see her being super angry about Rhys and the others stopping her from being with Az because they feel that at least some part of her should give Lucien a chance even though she has expressed no desire in three years. I can see her choosing who she loves instead of just following a mating bond, choosing to bake/garden and be powerful at the same time showing she does belong in the Night Court.

Series Plot: Az and Elain have both been main characters throughout the series. I can see how Az being a spy and Elain being a seer could come together really well to drive the plot forward.

Romance: Forbidden love plot with both choosing their destiny instead of what others think they should do. I think before that there would be some tension because Az initially obeys Rhys so Elain might spend time hitting him over the head and reminding him that she wants him. Elain recognizing that Az is pretty dark but loving him and allowing them both to have a mix between dark and light. Azriel having someone choose him even above something as sacred as a mating bond. They have had very intense scenes like Azriel giving her truth teller, saving her from Hyburn, being the only one who doesn’t treat her like she is weak and guessing she is a seer. If they both end up with other people, those really lose their significance which I just think isn’t as cool as if they remain importance scenes.

The significance of Azriel’s story would be recognizing he deserves the love of someone as ‘good’ as Elain and being chosen over everything else. The significance of Elain’s story would be her controlling her own life plus realizing/showing she can be both; a kind person who loves her hobbies and someone strong and powerful who belongs in Night. I personally feel as though these outcomes are more interesting in terms of character development than the alternatives if they end up with other people.

Lowkey think Elain or Az + someone totally different would be interesting as well.

Either way, I’m sure SJM will make it good and no hate to anyone who wants something different, these are just theories. I’d love to hear opinions and or other ideas on where the stories might go.

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