#this list is sjm heavy

[separatist-apologist]

is now a good time to ask what your updated ginger rank is for this month (lucien, cal, hux, eris, tharion) 👀

-fictional ginger anon

I would rank fictional characters every day of the week if you asked me to. Fictional gingers are my favorite, though.

AS ALWAYS WE HAVE

5- Tharion: the more space I put between CC2, the more I am certain I hate that series. NO ONE LOOK AT ME it's just Bryce is SUCH a pick me and that GYM sex scene was MISERABLE. Tharion is still hot, he can't help if his narrative is bad. But he's too impulsive for me, a person who is already very, very impulsive.

4. Hux: You know I had to do it to 'em. I've been reading more gingerrose lately which has been enjoyable but fundamentally Hux is TOO grounded in his ideology, like your dad or uncle that watches Fox news on a constant loop and I know, don't ask me how, but he fucks in socks. I just, I have that sense and I have never been wrong about that. Some men just exude that vibe, you know?

3. Eris- I'm sorry. I'm know I'm on my Eris bullshit but I'm also on his little brothers bullshit, too. He is so, so hot and so, so aloof. Does he like me? Am I disposable? I never know until 3am and I get that wyd text that I immediately respond to because lets face it, he knows EXACTLY what he's doing. and in the morning i pretend im chill with this arrangement but my feelings are hurt. he knows it, i know it and still we say nothing.

2. Lucien- HEAR ME OUT. This man is for the STREETS first, Elain second. HE is TOO hot and I am insecure. What does he see in me, a midwest 8 but a west coast 4? I know its because I'm funny because i hear him tell his friends that, but coming from Lucien's perfect mouth, it's definitely an insult.

Cal Kestis- DID YOU SEE GROWN UP CAL???? Because I did and I'm having thoughts, mainly: how can I corrupt this jedi? Just a little? JUST A LITTLE- look, it's like having a very hot priest come to guest lecture on Sunday or whatever. Hello???? 911????? Why did no one stop this man from swearing to a life of celibacy except I know from the SW's books that Jedi are allowed to fuck, and I just want to know, you know? Cal has it all, truly, a big ass lightsaber, an unwavering moral compass, and a droid best friend that rides on his shoulder. I want what he has, even if I can't see him naked.

#cal is truly living the life #anyway im still not over the jedi: survivor trailor #it literally robbed me of air #i screamed #i think about it all the time #fictional ginger ranking #we need to find some gingers guys #create a top 10 #this list is sjm heavy

[littlemisssatanist]

my acotar unpopular opinions

taking this time to come out as an acotar reader. yes i've read all the books and i've spent way too much time thinking about it. i enjoy the books in the sense that i enjoy hating on many of the characters and loving a few of the others.

be forewarned inner circle fans. you will not like this.

rhysand is not a 'morally grey' character. he's a rapist and a groomer. he sexually assaulted feyre utm, he groomed her (reminder that she was 19 in acotar), and he withheld important medical information from her. 'you'll always have a choice' my ass.

nesta telling feyre about her pregnancy was not a bad thing. why do people act like it is? 'oh she did it to hurt feyre' hurt her by doing what? revealing the lies that her beloved husband had woven? revealing the fact that she'd die giving birth? the fact that rhysand told literally everybody but feyre?

mor is not the champion for women everyone thinks she is. this i will give to sjm it is truly impressive to make a character like women and still be a pick me. i'm not even going to go into her whole weird ass relationship with her dad (i still don't understand why she wouldn't just kill him. 'oh rhys needed the army' rhys is supposed to be the most powerful high lord ever. either admit he's a fucking loser or give me an actual good reason for this) or the fact she's seemingly incapable of doing anything to help the women in the court of nightmares, but everytime she was mentioned, i had to let out a heavy sigh and rub my temples.

on a similar topic. i liked eris. like a lot. out of all the acotar characters sjm has written, eris is by far my favorite.

the inner circle needs to sit the fuck down. they are the most hypocritical bitches i've ever met. they like to think themselves high and mighty. reading them make fun of lucien's band of exiles while their name is literally 'court of dreamers' was the most infuriating thing ever. and then they have the gall to be insulted when called out. don't dish what you can't take.

out of all the inner circle, the only one i don't hate is azriel. this is simply because he is the only one who hasn't opened his big fat mouth and done something bad (except if you maybe count his whole thing with elain). cassian is on my hit list. it's on sight with cassian.

nessian is sjm's worst ship and i will stand by that. lucien/nesta could have been so much. 'nesta would have ripped lucien apart' and cassian was your first choice? not even azriel was considered? like be so for real right now. sjm didn't see the potential of lucien/nesta and i will forever mourn that.

sjm is a terrible writer. i'm not saying this to be mean but she seriously just sucks at it. that being said i admire her ability to still make millions of dollars off her shitty writing. as a woman, i am rooting for her. as a reader, every day i wake up a shoot a prayer to the heavens begging the gods to not let sjm write any more books from the inner circle's pov.

lucien/elain is better than azriel/elain. argue with the wall.

eris/azriel is better than azriel/elain. you can kiss my ass.

NESTA/ERIS IS BETTER THAN RHYSAND/FEYRE. i know this because i have been enlightened.

feyre is a victim to rhysand. that being said, she is also a major bitch. both can be true because these things are not mutually exclusive. i wish she could make friends outside of the ic like nesta did, but i know that's unlikely.

feyre's pregnancy storyline was completely useless and went against her whole character.

acomaf retconned everything about tamlin and feyre's relationship in order to make more money. idc.

tamlin gets a ridiculous amount of hate. rhysand is hypocritical. so tamlin locking feyre in a house because she wants to ride out with him into potential danger is terrible and abusive, but rhysand locking nesta in the house of wind for... *checks notes*... having sex and spending money on alcohol is helping her? what?

#anti rhysand #anti sjm #anti inner circle #anti acotar #rhysand critical #inner circle critical #acotar #acotar critical #pro nesta #anti nessian #pro eris vanserra #anti mor #this might be a controversial one

[acourtofthought]

How would you feel if ACOTAR 5 is gwynriel instead of elucien? In one of SJM interviews she stated that after finishing acotar5 she will be working on the 1st book of a different series. So that means acotar6 will come out 2027.

Disappointed. I think there gets to be a point where an author drags out a particular storyline too long (the Blood and Ash series come to mind) and the writing suffers as a result.

Vassa was taken in ACOMAF, we found out by who in ACOWAR and that she as well as the other girls at the lake have been cursed / kidnapped by Koschei. In ACOFAS we're told her freedom will come to an end and reminded of that in ACOSF.

Spring was destroyed in ACOWAR and in ACOFAS, we're told Tamlin is severely depressed but that they'll still need Spring as an ally. SF shows it's been awhile and Tamlin isn't getting better, that they know they need a strong ally in Springs army.

Elucien's bond snapped in ACOMAF, Elain was turned fae and in ACOWAR she lost her father, stabbed a man, was rejected by Graysen, fought with her sister in SF and was rejected by Az yet we've not once been given her inner thoughts of all she's experienced. We don't even see any of the main characters trying to talk to her about any of those things.

And Lucien, the list is too long to include on all his unresolved plots.

Having Nesta's story told first made sense to me because there was never going to be Elucien progress until Nesta began letting go of her protectiveness over Elain, to accept the idea of Lucien (and technically, Nessian's bond was hinted at before Elucien's bond snapped).

Her healing arc was important to Feyre and Elain's stories too (along with herself of course) however it wasn't very plot heavy. But there was no moving forward for anyone until Nesta's anger wasn't destroying everything in Nesta's path. The series, since book 2, has been as much about the sisters relationship to one another as plot and romance and closing that out before moving into a new era makes sense to me.

But Az having his story before Elain and Lucien doesn't seem to fit especially when a Gwynriel romance would probably need at least 6 - 9 months (meaning that almost another year would go by before we even start getting resolution to the above).

I'm not sure that I see anything in his story that is necessary to lead us into the Koschei storyline.

He wasn't in Feyre's "Let's help one sister before helping the other" speech, he wasn't part of Feyre's "I want them all to be happy" speech in ACOFAS.

To me the Illyrians aren't a bigger concern to their entire world than Vallahan setting their sights on the humans or Beron trying to ally with Koschei or how an entire court is now being neglected by its High Lord.

Dragging out Vassa, Koschei, Lucien's father reveal, the Elucien bond, the girls who were kidnapped, Spring, Elain healing from her trauma while she continues to remain in a court she doesn't truly belong just so Az can have his story which doesn't fit in to any of those things does not make any sense to me and honestly, I think it sends a weird message.

"I think Lucien will never be good enough for her"

"I'll defeat him with little effort"

"I know, I helped rescue Elain after all"

"There is a darkness to the Dread Trove that Elain should not be exposed to"

"She has no interest in him anyway"

Az (no offense) is kind of a dick at times outside of the priestesses.

He makes Mor so uneasy with his behavior that she feels like she needs to lie about what she's doing so he doesn't brood.

He is jealous and bitter towards Lucien and speaks for Elain without ever acknowledging her bravery and strength.

He gives off Tamlin vibes at times and to me that means he needs to be on a time out for a bit. Where he has to really sit and think on why his behaviors were wrong, why he tried to keep Mor and Elain small so he could be the hero, why he had such issues with a guy who is a very decent person.

Giving him a HEA after he treated them like that while Mor still remains unlucky in love, Lucien is struggling, Elain has no found family, it feels like jumping over an important lesson for Az to learn so he can become worthy of Gwyn. Not just in who he is when around her but who he is on his own.

I think Az seeing them happy and actually being happy for them is an important arc for his character.

But, in the end that's just my perception of the situation.

I don't know how SJM thinks, what her plan is, and if Elucien is not next than there's not much I can do but wait!

#elucien #pro elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #acotar 5 #acotar 6

[mermaidsirennikita]

thoughts on vulture's "12 romantasy authors to know"? except for jacqueline carey, i feel like they missed the chance to include proper romance/erotica authors.

This list is so boring and lacks innovation or knowledge of romance novels... is my first thought.

My second thought is that it once again underscores how much romantasy is not a subgenre or genre and is in fact a bullshit marketing thing. When I tell y'all this... Trust me when I say I know what I'm talking about, lol. Even if we can trace back to BookTok or many years ago when some blogger coined the term. It's not as organic as it seems. (... very literal online marketing stuff is, but that's another deal).

My opinions on the authors specifically:

Anne McCaffrey. Never read, have honestly never wanted to read, am unimpressed with the author's squeamishness around the dragons getting it on influencing the riders getting it on (and the narration cutting away when the dragons start going at it...)? Anyway, Fourth Wing also does this, and does not cut away from the Violet and Xaden Feelin' The Dragon Love. The excerpt doesn't make me want to read these books, and frankly people I trust don't seem enthused about them; nor would those people classify them as romance.

Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have read The Mists of Avalon, and I liked parts of it (and had severe issues with others) until I found out that MZB was an absolute MONSTER. Like, straight to Hell, do not pass go, MONSTER. I recommend looking at her Wikipedia page for more, but proceed with caution if you're not familiar--CSA. So I find it pretty weird that this person even recommended her here. Like, the little note under "Controversies" is incredibly weird. Maybe just don't recommend MZB. She's not controversial--she is, was, a HIDEOUS, scum of the Earth, vile human being. We can discuss her work and its influence, but this list is positioned as a rec list, and I frankly find that pretty... questionable.

Anyway, for the rest: her books are absolutely not romance, and are actually not even really romantic...? Like, most of the physical relationships in the books are coercive, extremely taboo and forbidden, or physical without involving emotion.

Diana Gabaldon. I think Diana is a talented writer, I'll stand by the fact that Outlander is not a romance unless you stop reading at the first book (which you totally can lol it honestly stands alone), she has disdain for romance while profiting off it, and she is obsessed with SA in her work so. Probably one of the closest things to a romance author here. Also, can I say, I hate "Smut Factor". Smut is such a dumb word to me.

Jacqueline Carey. Haven't read, have heard mixed things about, every romance reader I've seen qualifies this as "it's not a romance, but" lol. Maybe I'll read someday....

Cassandra Clare. Having read a good number of Cassie's books (9, I think?) nope lol. Heavy romantic elements in her books. Not romance novels. Not even a bit.

SJM. I think SJM is again, pretty close to romance? I think she embraces it more (because she's if nothing else a smart businesswoman)? But I find her books not great, and I really do debate their status as romance novels. I mean, having just read a fantasy romance that really did feel like a ROMANCE to me... SJM doesn't seem to hit the same marks.

I will say lol. Still mad about the MZB thing. When you compare the thing under "Controversies" for her compared to Cassie Clare and SJM... I mean, they did bad things, I'm not excusing that. But when you compare them to the actual criminal acts of MZB... Lol why is she here???

Danielle L. Jensen. No complaints from me after A Fate Inked in Blood, she belongs here. Maybe someday I'll try Bridge Kingdom again? But right now, I'm on the Unfated train.

Jennifer L. Armentrout. These do sound like romances, but I've never read them so I can't judge. I hear bad things from one of my friends so I doubt I'll get into them. The one thing I do want to read about is the ritualistic hookup between the heroine and her boyfriend and his best friend...? Which is apparently straighter than it should be? I don't know, dude. That's always a disappointment for me. ALL OR NOTHING.

Scarlett St. Clair. I've read one book by her. She's romance, but I... did not like it.

Naomi Novik. I read Uprooted back in the day. Would not call it a romance, but a fantasy with a romance subplot. Wasn't into it.

Carissa Broadbent. Haven't read. Intrigued?

Rebecca Yarros. I've read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. They don't reinvent the wheel, they have issues. They're also compulsively readable and I enjoyed them. I'm surprised there aren't any controversies listed here?

Of course. That may be a choice on Vulture's part.

#romance novel blogging

[fandxmslxt69]

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

Book recs:

I just finished Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns & Rose's series. I also have The Witcher on my To Read list. I LOVE fantasy. Definitely getting on the fantasy romance train lately, but Lord of the Rings is still one of my all-time favorite books. I do enjoy mysteries too.

What are your recs? My birthday is next week. I intend to make eyes at my dad so he gets me more books.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS !!!!!!!!

oooooh i hear so much abt SJM's books!!!!!

I spent the past week eyeing my parents to get me books and NO ONE HAS PICKED UP ON THE CUE. still waiting.

OKAY SO LET US SEE!!! Fantasy is SUCH a vibe and its hard to find the good ones BUT:

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. It's the second trilogy to her fantasy world, but trust me you don't need the first series; there's just some characters from the past who make a new appearance as side characters or leads! The story follows dear silly Evangeline as she navigates the world of heartbreak :( In her world, the Fates (magical beings that are known to be cruel, evil, and harsh and give very very heavy Tarot card energy!!!) have come back and are residing in their own magical kingdom of trouble and deception (TRUST ME AS CLICHE AS THIS BOOK SOUNDS ITS LITERALLY SO FREAKING GOOD.). Evangeline ends up praying to one of these Fates - Jacks, the Prince of Hearts - to help her save her lover from what she thinks is a curse. Of course Evangeline doesn't care for the consequences of asking a Fate for a favour, but Jacks is literally the biggest shithead ever (affectionate) so he puts that poor girl through SO MUCH FREAKING TROUBLE and Evangeline finds herself travelling to the magical land of fairytales to try and win over the heart of a prince. FAIRYTALE ENERGY EXCEPT ITS KIND OF TWISTED FAIRYTALES!!! AND ITS NOT LIKE YOUR USUAL FAIRYTALES NO NO THIS IS ITS WHOLE OWN LORE !!! BEAUTIFUL AESTHETIC AND THE PLOT IS LITRALLY THE BEST OF VIBES EVER !!!!!!!!!!!! Trust if you enjoyed SJM's work, you WILL enjoy Stephanie Garber; it's a given. (This IS fantasy romance btw, just not as heavy as some other ones!! The romance is def a smaller subplot and is very...will they won't they with some love triangles in the way)

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsa Faizal. This one is also one you'd enjoy if you enjoyed SJM's work!!! It follows the story of a girl named Zafira who hunts in this big cursed forest to try and save her village from famine. She's known as The Hunter, wanted by the sultan for multiple acts of treason, and one of the most feared "entities" of the area; anyone who goes into those wicked forests is insane and probably dangerous (SHE"S JUST A SILLY GIRL.) The kingdom is ruled by a horrible, corrupt sultan and the land has been drained of all it's magic and left as nothing but a dark, twisted land. On the flip side of the coin, you have the sultan's son, Nasir, who is overflowing with trauma, daddy issues, and OOZES dark mysterious morally questionable man !!!!!! He's the kingdom assassin and does all his father's bidding. Nasir's father hears word that the Hunter had been assigned a mission to go find the tombs of the old Witches (who had given the land its powers, and then taken them away to be buried with) from this dark evil island of sorts. He naturally orders Nasir to go find this Hunter, let him lead him to this tomb, and then kill the Hunter (naturally everyone thinks this Hunter is a big scary dude when it is nothing but a like 5'5 girl with fury that rivals that of the gods). Anyway, when Nasir and Zafira get there and realise what this is, things start....going downhill (uphill for ME) FOUND FAMILY AND ENEMIES TO LOVERS AND FANTASY LORE AND AND AND AND WOW WOWO WOW IM SO BAD AT SUMMARIZING THEM WITHOUT GIVING AWAY ALL THE PLOT BUT TRUST ME TRUST ME. Zafira & Nasir get the PERFECT enemies to lovers!!!! SO MUCH FOUND FAMILY (there's other people who ended up coming to this island to find this tomb and they all just get together in a team of misfits). PLOT TWISTS AND WOWO WOWOW WOW SO MUCH ARABIAN LORE !!!YEah. Trust me trust me. If you've read like, Six of Crows, you'd like this.

okay i swear there would usually be more but these are the ones I truly think you should give a shot too, i SWEAR TO GOD they are. SO. SO SO GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You might also enjoy Fourth Wing, it's become very popular alongside SJM's books, but I hear the second book has gotten sooo bad and honestly, I personally only enjoyed the first book because it was very character based, full vibes/worldbuilding, very little plot. So if you're looking for plot heavy fantasy, I wouldn't go with Fourth Wing.

if you're also into historical fantasy with some sci-fi elements, or retellings, then def check out Chloe Gong...her Secret Shanghai series (Two duologies and 2 novellas) is SO SO GOOD!!! Shakespeare retellings, spies and betrayals and gangs and fake dating and enemies to lovers and lots of political and historical elements (the books take place in a big time of unease in Shanghai where foreign politics and goverments are trying to take over. The first duology is Romeo & Juliette retelling with the gov being the two rivalling gangs and a horrifying disease that is running wild through the land. The gangs eventually get taken down as Nationalists, Communists and Japanese forces start taking over Shanghai. The SECOND duology is centered around the power struggle between the Communist and Nationalists, with the Japanese invasion that is inevitable. The main leads are split into 2 couples; 1 works with the Nationalists (fake dating, undercover spies), the other works with the Communists (partners to lovers "I would ruin our mission to save you" energy). The second duology is very very traumatising. These series are fantasy but ALSO mystery based. I personally liked the second duology better (Foul Lady Fortune & Foul Heart Huntsman)

For full full mystery vibes, The Inheritance Games IS your jam. OH MY GOD I will never shut up about this series and this post is ALREADY too long so I won't go into details BUT basically. Avery Grambs gets told she just inherited something like 47 million dollars or whatever from some random old man from Texas whom she has NEVER EVEN heard of. Billion maybe. she got a LOT LOT of money okay. The only thing she has to do to secure that money? Live in Hawthorne House (his manor) for 1 year with his 4 grandchildren. No biggie right? Except said grandchildren happen to be some of the SMARTEST TRICKIEST and most TROUBLED KIDS to ever exist in the world. Grayson, Jameson, Xander & Nash. Nash is a cowboy who ditched the rich life and would die to protect Avery. Xander is just glad he has someone to have fun with because she enables all his crazy ideas. Jameson loves getting under her skin and is low key in love with her. Grayson wants to get her OUT of their lives because he refuses to believe his grandfather would give this RANDOM GIRL on the street their whole inheritance; the house the business the family name all that money!! Not when Grayson was promised all of it. Anyway, Avery becomes the world's richest teenager in less than 24 hours. But, the longer Avery stays in this house and living this lifestyle, the more she realises how much the late Hawthorne was hiding. Tobias Hawthorne (the dead grandpa) was infamously known for his puzzles and mysteries and games...it's how he raised his grandkids and why they are they are they are. Except...things are getting a LITTLE TOO REAL. SO SO SO SO SO GOOD THE MYSTERY I SLITERALLY CHEF"S KISS. i've only read the first 3 books but trust me. oh my god lirerally insane. you THINK you know whats happening but you don't.

NAYWAY.

I HOPE YOU GIVE MY BABIES A SHOT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!! TRUST TRUST i have never disappointed anyone with my recs please....

#oh my god. #oh my god i need to shut up actually #sorry i love giving book recs its my favourite thing to do #so sorry everyone #put it under a read more because LONG POST . #enjoy <33333 #i hope these are up your alley #personally i've never properly read SJM's work but a lot of my friends have and this is the vibe they usually like and agree with #clem talks <3 #Clem's Birthday Hang Out

[bookish-loner]

“Crown of Midnight” by Sarah J. Maas

5⭐️/5⭐️

1.5🌶/5🌶

“The world Nehemia dreamed about, and the world Celaena sometimes dared let herself consider, was nothing more than a shred of hope and a memory of what the kingdoms had once been.”

“Crown of Midnight” picks up soon after the events of “Throne of Glass”. Celaena, the King’s Champion, accomplishes various tasks for the King by eliminating rivals. But as Celaena works through the King’s list, she starts to uncover something much larger than disposing of threats to the crown. Now Celaena must solve riddles, and make sense of strange occurrences within the castle. Meanwhile, Dorian struggles with his own demons, and Chaol desperately tries to protect those he loves.

-This review will probably not be as long as the previous two reviews for this series; it’s increasingly harder to write spoiler-free summaries and reviews. Consider this a mini review!

-Much like the first book, “Throne of Glass”, it seemed like there was a fair amount of exposition dominating the plot. While the King’s Champion tournament is over, the work has just begun for Celaena. The reader gets a glimpse into what the King’s tasks are, but the mystery element remains for most of the book. There are so many questions that need answered, and it really felt like Celeana was figuring out the answers alongside the reader.

-In the first book there was a tease of a love triangle, and now in “Crown of Midnight” we finally see some romance. It’s short-lived, but very sweet. I enjoyed all of the little moments leading up to the relationship. At the end of “Throne of Glass” Celaena ends her flirtation with Dorian, and from its ashes rises a beautiful friendship between the two. I love seeing a platonic friendship between members of the opposite sex; friends supporting friends, genuine love and affection outside of attraction.

-Celaena is obviously the focus of the series, but “Crown of Midnight” has some fantastic character development for Chaol and Dorian. I think the multi-POV in the third person lends itself well to exploring multiple characters, and I really enjoyed how scenes would shift from one character to the next. 

-Magic was outlawed ten years prior to the events of “Throne of Glass”, but we’re starting to understand more of what that magic is, and the consequences of it being outlawed. The reader also gets more information about the witches, which I particularly enjoyed.

-The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, things are up in the air for all characters. I’m really glad I’m reading this series after its completion, because I would have been so frustrated to wait for each book in order to find out what happens. I’m not a big crier when reading, and it’s hard to predict what books will evoke my emotions. But I cried during the last twenty pages, it was a very emotionally heavy ending. There’s just so much left unknown, and all characters are in a dangerous position.

-I’m moving on immediately to “Heir of Fire”, and it feels like I’m truly beginning the series (I know what main character I’m about to meet, and that’s what I’m most excited about). I can understand why people say this is SJM’s best series. It’s too soon to tell if that will be my opinion, but I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would. I really thought I’d have to push through the series. And while I’ve taken some breaks during “Crown of Midnight”, when I’ve sat down to read I end up devouring big chunks of the book. “Heir of Fire” is significantly larger than the previous books in the series, so I’m hoping my interest doesn’t wane.

#book review #book recommendation #throne of glass #sjm #sjmaas #tog #crown of midnight #book tumblr

[yazthebookish]

Let me state this once again:

Azriel's chapter was structured around Azriel's interactions with four characters.

1. Azriel's scene with Elain:

It's easy to take this scene as romantic. In reality, it's not. SJM probably assumed the reader will catch the redflags in that scene to send a message that "see this romantic potential? here are the hints I've hidden between the lines of why it's not going to work out. Here are the signs of why they are not a compatible couple." some readers were able to see those signs, others didn't and some refuse to. This was not to set up a forbidden romance, this was to showcase how low Azriel thinks about himself and how he views his feelings towards someone. You'd think a relationship that lacks balance, where this person thinks of their romantic interest as a perfect, immaculate thing while they think of themselves as tainting this person with their scarred hands is healthy then.. oh boy you're not ready for it. Someone that feels this level of self-loath being romantically involved with someone they see as the epitome of perfection won't make them happy in the long run, especially when Azriel shows the white knight side of him only to Elain and not his real self. No matter what is said, they do not know each other, they only see the idealistic versions of themselves in each other. His negative feelings become more potent around Elain because he idolizes her and puts her on a pedestal and his self-loath weighed heavy in this scene with her. His shadows skitter back "Sarah used (back) here" which literally means they recoil from her (to highlight the contrast between how they react with Elain and with Gwyn). How an intrinsic part of him acts speaks volumes.

2. Azriel's scene with Rhysand:

Rhysand's here plays as Elain's guardian. This scene is to emphasize the reasons what could ensue because of this attraction and Rhys even lists the reasons: If A happen then it will lead to B, then B will trigger C, and C will take advantage of the situation and soon us all. This is the first time we live through Az's head, we saw the how he emotionally felt in those three scenes. We saw what kind of thoughts lurk in his head These are serious consequences that Rhys has every right to protect his Court from and will use his authority if need to be to prevent the catastrophe that would ensue because of a devastated male who is his brother.

3. Azriel's scene with Gwyn:

If SJM wanted to leave the door open for Azriel and Elain, she wouldn't have added Gwyn to his chapter. This is not to throw off the readers from predicting the future books, this is not some random character she added but a new character she took time to develop and build up in the book. So Azriel's scene here shows more sides of him that we rarely or have never seen. SJM had shown us how more Azriel is around someone he is comfortable to be with. Gwyn gave him an opening to leave because she knows he likes to be alone, he did not take it. They teased one another and chatted a little. Being a person that hardly opens up, she asked such a simple question. She smiled at his curious shadows, they reacted to her either by dancing or singing which is a first. After Gwyn thanks him with a smile, the rage inside him settles and his shadows calmed down and this part is important because ever since ACOMAF we know Azriel works off his rage through physical training and with Gwyn it just cooled off with one conversation. We saw an Azriel that is his usual self around someone he was comfortable enough to even answer such a personal question.

4. Azriel's scene with Clotho:

Another scene with a guardian and Gwyn's guardian happens to be Clotho. He finds himself at the library (7pm) at a time when the priestesses go to the Dusk services I'm guessing to avoid Gwyn from seeing him. First thing he tells her is if she can give Gwyn this gift which surprises Clotho. He doesn't want her to tell her that it's from him and when he noticed Clotho isn't happy about lying he tries to deflect the situation and asks her to give it to any priestess that might appreciate it and then Clotho notes the sadness in his eyes and agrees to give it to Gwyn as a gift from a friend. When she tells him of how the gift will bring her joy because she deserves something as beautiful as this and hearing that makes something spark in Azriel's chest. He silently leaves but as he ascends them stairs the thought of Gwyn's joy and how her teal eyes would light up is an image he can see but then he tucks the thought and he had to consciously erase the slight smile it brought to his because thinking of her joy made him smile. That image was tucked and then buried deep in his chest were it glowed quietly. Calling it a thing of secret lovely beauty.

The way the chapter is structured is clear to me. It sets such a contrast between how the chapter started and how it ended. Sarah, again, does not do anything unintentionally. When Steph finished the book, Sarah asked her to read the Azriel chapter before they chat about anything so the chapter is important for SJM.

You'd really have Sarah end a really important chapter with Gwyn rather than Elain if Elain was the main focus of the chapter. The main focus of the chapter was Azriel, but then the focus shifts between how he is around Elain and how he is around Gwyn.

#acosf #acosf spoilers #gwynriel #azriel

[icedflames]

Hello beautiful, can you list all the reasons why Elriel is not toxic and why it won’t be a toxic relationship. I’m tired of hearing people say that Elriel is toxic.

Alright, hang on... This is a long one. 

“Azriel just wants Elain for sex.”

False. Until ACOSF, we had no indication that Azriel had sexual feelings for Elain. Based on his thoughts in the bonus chapter, his actions throughout ACOSF, we can infer that Azriel has romantic feelings for Elain. His friend. 

The following scenes, read together, imply that Azriel has feelings for Elain beyond platonic or sexual feelings (I have only included my favorites for the sake of brevity):

ACOWAR

But Azriel asked softly, “What about Elain?” Something cold went through me. (Chp. 63)

From the shadows near the entrance to the tent, Azriel said, as if in answer to some unspoken debate, “I’m getting her back.” Nesta slid her gaze to the shadowsinger. Azriel’s hazel eyes glowed golden in the shadows. Nesta said, “Then you will die.” Azriel only repeated, rage glazing that stare, “I’m getting her back.” (Chp. 64)

The gray light of morning had broken over the world, mist clinging to our ankles as we headed into that camp, Azriel still cradling Elain to his chest. (Chp. 65)

She let out a sob at the sight of Elain, still in Azriel’s arms. (Chp. 65)

Cassian gawked at Azriel, and I wondered how often Azriel had lent out that blade— Never, Rhys said from where he finished buckling on his own weapons against the side of the wagon. I have never once seen Azriel let another person touch that knife. (Chp. 69)

ACOFAS

Azriel strode to the lone window at the end of the room and peered into the garden below. [...] “Azriel remained at the window. [...] Azriel said, turning from the garden window at last. (Chp. 16)

Az said nothing. No, he just moved toward her. Mor tensed beside me. 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.” (Chp. 12)

I made to move toward her, but someone beat me to it. The shadowsinger was clad in a black jacket and pants similar to Rhysand’s—the fabric immaculately tailored and built to fit his wings. He still wore his Siphons atop either hand, and shadows trailed his footsteps, curling like swirled embers, but there was little sign of the warrior otherwise. Especially as he gently said to my sister, “Happy Solstice.” (Chp. 19)

Azriel mastered himself enough to say, “Thank you.” I’d never seen his hazel eyes so bright, the hues of green amid the brown and gray like veins of emerald. “This will be invaluable.” (Chp. 20)

ACOSF

“Because of the shit with Elain?” Azriel stilled. “What happened to Elain?”

Cassian waved a hand. “A fight with Nesta. Don’t bring it up,” he warned when Azriel’s eyes darkened. Cassian blew out a breath. “I take that as a no regarding the meeting topic, then.” [...] Cassian surveyed the shadows gathered around Az. “You all right?” His brother nodded. “Fine.” But shadows still swarmed him. (Chp. 20)

Azriel stiffened. “I know. I helped rescue Elain, after all.” Az hadn’t so much as hesitated before going into the heart of Hybern’s war-camp.” (Chp. 22)

He was still happy to be Mor’s buffer with Azriel, but there’d been a change lately. In both of them. Mor no longer sat beside Cassian, draped herself over him, and Azriel … those longing glances toward her had become few and far between. As if he’d given up. After five hundred years, he’d somehow given up. Cassian couldn’t think why. (Chp. 22)

“No. But we need to summon Lucien,” Azriel said, just a shade tightly, as if he didn’t like it one bit. (Chp. 31)

Elain just linked her arm through Nesta’s and led her toward the family room, where Azriel stood in the doorway, monitoring them. As if he’d heard Elain’s sharp laugh and wondered what had caused it. (Chp. 58)

I also want to add... That the notion that Azriel only has sexual feelings is immediately disproven by a close reading of the bonus chapter:

Rhys bared his teeth. "So you will leave Elain alone. If you need to fuck  someone, go to a pleasure hall and pay for it, but stay away from her." 

Azriel snarled softly.

Azriel snarled in response to Rhys’ suggestion that his feelings are only sexual. The entire scene was Rhys not understanding that Azriel actually had feelings for Elain. Rhys even suggested that Azriel still had feelings for Mor when Cassian had noted that Azriel no longer pined for Mor. 

To add, Azriel is not going antagonize Rhys and potentially kick off a feud between courts if he only wanted Elain for sex. 

ALSO!!!!

AZRIEL IS NOT GOING TO DECLARE HIS LOVE FOR ELAIN IN A BONUS CHAPTER. NO AUTHOR WILL EVER GIVE AWAY A MAJOR PLOT POINT/TWIST IN A BONUS CHAPTER. THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT AND WILL BE SAID IN THE NEXT BOOK!

Cassian never admitting his feelings for Nesta in Wings and Embers. Hell, Nesta kicked him in the balls. But we don’t doubt Nessian, now do we?

I answered another anon here comparing Wings and Embers to Azriel’s bonus chapter, comparing the themes and overall feel. 

“Azriel feels entitled to Elain as the third sister.”

False. Azriel began to show interest in Elain prior to Nesta and Cassian getting together. Please see the quotes above if you don’t believe me. Also, please see my post on the progression of their relationship here. 

Azriel is the first person to figure out what Elain’s powers were. He pulled her from her trance. Immediately after the seer reveal, we start to see Elain revert back to normal. 

Azriel is the one who defends Elain against scrying, a very dangerous thing in ACOTAR may I remind you, when she is not there to defend herself.

Azriel is the one who would sit with Elain outside in the gardens. 

Azriel lent Elain his most prized possession to keep her safe during the war. 

“Azriel coddles her.”

False. Azriel gave Elain truth teller to defend herself. I’d hardly call that coddling.

Let’s take a look at that scene that misguidedly causes people to think that Azriel “coddles” Elain.

Azriel stiffened, an outright sign of temper from him as he said quietly, “There is an innate darkness to the Dread Trove that Elain should not be exposed to.”

“But Nesta should?” Cassian growled.

Is Cassian coddling Nesta? No. They both have the same reaction. 

The coddling Elain experiences is from the Inner Circle constantly thinking she’s meek and reduces her to a simple girl who likes to garden. 

“It doesn’t matter what I think. Go back to Feyre and your little garden.”

and then when Nesta refuses to let Elain scry for the trove:

“Why?” Elain demanded. “Shall I tend to my little garden forever?” When Nesta flinched, Elain said, “You can’t have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater.”

Very different scenarios. It’s one thing to be protective (one of SJM’s  favorite trope for romantic love interests). It’s another to belittle a person and then not let them grow. That is what Elain is referring to. That is the coddling she cannot stand. 

“Azriel is too messed up mentally to be with anybody.”

False. This is demonstrably false. It is fanon. When this argument is used, it’s used to discredit Elain as a love interest and prop Gwyn up. If Azriel is too messed up to be with Elain, he’s too messed up to be with anybody. Period.

Nesta parallels Azriel in a lot of ways. And everybody loves Nesta and Cassian’s relationship now. Azriel does not have any of the mental illnesses the WebMD doctors come up with every other day. At the most, he has issues with his self worth and possible depression. At the most. 

Saying that a character cannot be in a romantic relationship due to his mental health directly implies that individuals who are suffering with mental health issues cannot get into romantic relationships. That’s wrong and that’s mean.

In Conclusion

Elain and Azriel went from being strangers, to friends, to now possible lovers in a span of two years. 

Their relationship is the most realistic one SJM has written. Nothing about them is toxic. They are kind and considerate of one another. Their feelings have slowly progressed and there are barriers to their relationship (namely, Elain’s mating bond to Lucien). 

There is a difference between not liking Elain and Azriel together (an opinion) and saying Elain and Azriel are toxic together (a falsehood). 

#asks #elriel #pro elriel #elain #azriel #mine

[kingandfireheart]

The Lady of the Autumn Court: what the fuck is happening in Autumn (part 2)

As I said in my Eris Vanserra post, it seems that the Lady of the Autumn Court is a bigger piece to the Eris and Lucien puzzles.

We don't know what the fuck has been happening in the Forest House but we do the following:

The Lady of the Autumn Court is/was extremely powerful

Lucien (and to some extent Eris) are mama's boys (even though Lucien has been exiled for centuries)

The Lady met Helion before she was married to Beron

At least one of the seven brothers - Lucien - is Helion's child, but Helion saved the Lady after she had already had some kids (so Eris probably isn't his, even though they both have amber eyes)

The Lady chose to stay with Beron

Beron is aware of the affair between Helion and the Lady

Beron is physically abusive towards the Lady and had tortured Eris

Helion does not know Lucien is his heir, but Eris seems to know Lucien isn't Beron's son

Things that aren't mentioned below the cut, but are interesting:

Eris is the ringleader of the brothers, the commander of Beron's forces, and is Beron's most trusted son (the other three don't even have names)

In ACOWAR, Eris says has never denied Beron anything - except to save Lucien - but is angling for the throne and betraying him in ACOFAS and ACOSF (this reminds me of Lorcan betraying Maeve for her own good in TOG)

Beron wanted to kill Lucien for wanting to leave Autumn and marry Jesminda (this doesn't seem like a good reason if he isn't in line for the throne - or isn't part of their bloodline, but I guess Beron doesn't need a reason to be cruel)

Helion alludes to having trouble at home in ACOSF

The remaining unnamed brothers are all angling for the throne (this reminds me of the Khaganate in TOG and the Cruel Prince)

I got a little carried away with the color coding, but here's every major scene involving and discussing the Lady of the Autumn Court (and some breadcrumbs because I'm convinced SJM is purposeful in her writing)

Rhysand uses the Lady of the Autumn Court taunt Lucien in ACOTAR:

Rhysand’s venom-coated smile grew. “You draw blood from me, Lucien, and you’ll learn how quickly Amarantha’s whore can make the entire Autumn Court bleed. Especially its darling Lady.” The color leached from Lucien’s face, but he held his ground. It was Tamlin who answered. “Put your sword down, Lucien.” Rhysand ran an eye over me. “I knew you liked to stoop low with your lovers, Lucien, but I never thought you’d actually dabble with mortal trash.” My face burned. Lucien was trembling—with rage or fear or sorrow, I couldn’t tell. “The Lady of the Autumn Court will be grieved indeed when she hears of her youngest son. If I were you, I’d keep your new pet well away from your father.”

The Lady of the Autumn Court also helps Feyre with one of her tasks:

A door clicked open somewhere down the hall, and I shot to my feet. An auburn head peered at me. I sagged with relief. Lucien— Not Lucien. The face that turned toward me was female—and unmasked. She looked perhaps a bit older than Amarantha, but her porcelain skin was exquisitely colored, graced with the faintest blush of rose along her cheeks. Had the red hair not been indication enough, when her russet eyes met mine, I knew who she was. I bowed my head to the Lady of the Autumn Court, and she inclined her chin slightly. I supposed that was honor enough. “For giving her your name in place of my son’s life,” she said, her voice as sweet as sun-warmed apples. She must have been in the crowd that day. She pointed at the bucket with a long, slender hand. “My debt is paid.” She disappeared through the door she’d opened, and I could have sworn I smelled roasting chestnuts and crackling fires in her wake.

Rhys (while wearing the mask of hte High Lord) uses her to taunt Lucien again in ACOMAF:

“Little Lucien,” Rhys purred. “Didn’t the Lady of the Autumn Court ever tell you that when a woman says no, she means it?”

“Prick,” Lucien snarled, storming past his sentinels, but not daring to touch his weapons. “You filthy, whoring prick.”

Lucien explaining how he was treated since Beron may suspect he's Helion's heir and as we know from Tamlin: future high lords have physical markers:

His jaw tightened. “As the youngest of seven sons, I wasn’t particularly needed or wanted. Perhaps it was a good thing. I was able to study for longer than my father allowed my brothers before shoving them out the door to rule over some territory within our lands, and I could train for as long as I liked, since no one believed I’d be dumb enough to kill my way up the long list of heirs. And when I grew bored with studying and fighting … I learned what I could of the land from its people. Learned about the people, too.”

“I’d say that sounds more High-Lord-like than the life of an idle, unwanted son.”

A long, steely look. “Did you think it was mere hatred that prompted my brothers to do their best to break and kill me?”

This may not relate to the Lady of the Autumn Court's relationship with Helion, but I'm gathering all the crumbs (why does Eris hesitate before calling his brothers brothers?)

“You hunted me down like an animal,” I cut in. “I think we’ll choose to believe the worst.”

Eris’s pale face flushed. “I was given an order. And sent to do it with two of my … brothers.”

Eris has no love for Beron (he literally asks Rhys to kill him), but he does seem to protect the Lady during the High Lord's Meeting:

“If you want proof that we are not scheming with Hybern,” Rhysand said blandly to them all, “consider the fact that it would be far less time-consuming to slice into your minds and make you do my bidding.”

Only Beron was stupid enough to scoff. Eris was just angling his body in his chair—blocking the path to his mother.

Helion and Lady of Autumn lock eyes:

The violence simmering off my friends was enough to boil the pool at our toes as the High Lord of Autumn filed through the archway, his sons in rank behind him, his wife—Lucien’s mother—at his side. Her russet eyes scanned the room, as if looking for that missing son.

They settled instead on Helion, who gave her a mocking incline of his dark head. She quickly averted her gaze.

The High Lords discuss the past war:

(also reminder: Eris has Amber Eyes like Helion)

Helion shrugged, the sun catching in the embroidered gold thread of his tunic. “Indeed, though it seems Tamlin is already ahead of me. The Spring Court must be evacuated.” His amber eyes darted between Tarquin and Beron. “Surely your northern neighbors will welcome them.”

Beron’s lip curled. “We do not have the resources for such a thing.”

“Right,” Viviane said, “because everyone’s too busy polishing every jewel in that trove of yours.”

Beron threw her a glare that had Kallias tensing. “Wives were invited as a courtesy, not as consultants.”

Viviane’s sapphire eyes flared as if struck by lightning. “If this war goes poorly, we’ll be bleeding out right alongside you, so I think we damn well get a say in things.”

“Hybern will do far worse things than kill you,” Beron counted coolly. “A young, pretty thing like you especially.”

Kallias’s snarl rippled the water in the reflection pool, echoed by Mor’s own growl.

Beron smiled a bit. “Only three of us were present for the last war.” A nod to Rhys and Helion, whose face darkened. “One does not easily forget what Hybern and the Loyalists did to captured females in their war-camps. What they reserved for High Fae females who either fought for the humans or had families who did.” He put a heavy hand on his wife’s too-thin arm. “Her two sisters bought her time to run when Hybern’s forces ambushed their lands. The two ladies did not walk out of that war-camp again.” Helion was watching Beron closely, his stare simmering with reproach.

The Lady of the Autumn Court kept her focus on the reflection pool. Any trace of color drained from her face. Dagdan and Brannagh flashed through my mind—along with the corpses of those humans. What they’d done to them before and after they’d died

After Nesta makes her speech:

She looked to Beron and his family as she finished. Only the Lady and Eris seemed to be considering—impressed, even, by the strange, simmering woman before them.

After Azriel attacks Eris:

Beron struck—only for his fire to bounce off a hard barrier of my own. I lifted my gaze to the High Lord of Autumn. “That’s twice now we’ve handed you your asses. I’d think you’d be sick of the humiliation.”

Helion laughed

---

Eris, wisely, averted his eyes. And said, “Apologies, Morrigan.”

His father actually gawked at the words. But something like approval shone on the Lady of Autumn’s face as her eldest son settled himself once more.

Thesan rubbed his temples. “This does not bode well.”

But Helion smirked at his retinue, crossing an ankle over a knee and flashing those powerful, sleek thighs. “Looks like you owe me ten gold marks.”

Feyre loses her shit:

Beron shielded barely fast enough to block me, but the wake singed Eris’s arm—right through the cloth. And the pale, lovely arm of Lucien’s mother.

---

The Lady of Autumn was clutching her arm, angry red splattered along the moon-white skin. No glimmer of pain on that face, though. I said to her as I reclaimed my seat, “I’m sorry.”

Her eyes lifted toward mine, round as saucers.

Beron spat, “Don’t talk to her, you human filth.”

Helion tells the story of the Affair:

Helion tapped a finger against the carved arm of his couch. “He played games in the War and it cost him—dearly. His people still remember those choices—those losses. His own damn wife remembers.”

Helion had looked at the Lady of Autumn repeatedly during the meeting. I asked, carefully and casually, “What do you mean?”

--

Helion’s jaw clenched. “The Lady of the Autumn Court was sent to stay with her sisters, her younger children packed off to other relatives. To spread out the bloodline.” He dragged a hand through his sable hair. “Hybern attacked their estate. Her sisters bought her time to run. Not because she was married to Beron, but because they loved each other. Fiercely. She tried to stay, but they convinced her to go. So she did—she ran and ran, but Hybern’s beasts were still faster. Stronger. They cornered her at a ravine, where she became trapped atop a ledge, the beasts snapping at her feet

--

Helion didn’t so much as shift in his chair. “She was still young—though she’d been married to that delightful male for nearly two decades. Married too young, the marriage arranged when she was twenty.”

---

But it was Mor who said coolly, “I heard a rumor once, Helion, that she waited before agreeing to that marriage. For a certain someone who had met her by chance at an equinox ball the year before.”

I tried not to blink, not to let any of my rising interest surface.

The fire banked to embers and Helion threw a half smile in Mor’s direction. “Interesting. I heard her family wanted internal ties to power, and that they didn’t give her a choice before they sold her to Beron.”

--

“How long did the affair last?” I asked. That withdrawn female … I couldn’t imagine it.

Helion snorted. “Is that a polite question for a High Lady to be asking?”

But the way he spoke, that smile … I only waited, using silence to push him instead.

Helion shrugged. “On and off for decades. Until Beron found out. They say the lady was all brightness and smiles before that. And after Beron was through with her … You saw what she is.”

“What did he do to her?”

“The same things he does now.” Helion waved a hand. “Belittle her, leave bruises where no one but him will see them.”

I clenched my teeth. “If you were her lover, why didn’t you stop it?” The wrong thing to say. Utterly wrong, by the dark fury that rippled across Helion’s face.

“Beron is a High Lord, and she is his wife, mother of his brood. She chose to stay. Chose. And with the protocols and rules, Lady, you will find that most situations like the one you were in do not end well for those who interfere.

I didn’t back down, didn’t apologize. “You barely even looked at her today.”

“We have more important matters at hand.”

“Beron never called you out for it?”

“To publicly do so would be to admit that his possession made a fool of him. So we continue our little dance, these centuries later.” I somehow doubted that beneath that roguish charm and irreverence, Helion felt it was a dance at all.

But if it had ended centuries ago, and she’d never seen him again, had let Beron treat her so abominably …

The Lucien Paternity Revelation:

While we spoke, I said down the bond, Helion is Lucien’s father. Rhys was silent. Then— Holy burning hell. His shock was a shooting star between us.

I let my gaze dart through the room, half paying attention to Helion’s musing on the wall and how to repair it, then dared study the High Lord for a heartbeat. Look at him. The nose is the same, the smile. The voice. Even Lucien’s skin is darker than his brothers’. A golden brown compared to their pale coloring.

It would explain why his father and brothers detest him so much—why they have tormented him his entire life.

My heart squeezed at that. And why Eris didn’t want him dead. He wasn’t a threat to Eris’s power—his throne. I swallowed. Helion has no idea, does he?

It would seem not.

The Lady of Autumn’s favorite son—not only from Lucien’s goodness. But because he was the child she’d dreamed of having … with the male she undoubtedly loved.

Beron must have discovered the affair when she was pregnant with Lucien.

He likely suspected, but there was no way to prove it—not if she was sharing his bed, too. Rhys’s disgust was a tang in my mouth. I have no doubt Beron debated killing her for the betrayal, and even afterward. When Lucien could be passable as his own of spring—just enough to make him doubt who had sired his last son.

I wrapped my head around it. Lucien not Beron’s son, but Helion’s. His power is flame, though. They’ve mused Beron’s title could go to him.

His mother’s family is strong—that was why Beron wanted a bride from their line. The gift could be hers.

You never suspected?

Not once. I’m mortified I didn’t even consider it.

What does this mean, though?

Nothing—ultimately nothing. Other than the fact that Lucien might be Helion’s sole heir

#LONG post #lady of autumn #lucien vanserra #autumn court #beron vanserra #eris vanserra #helion spell cleaver #acotar #lady of the autumn court #forest house #a court of wings and ruin #high lord's meeting #a court of silver flames #kp analysis #acotar series #mtp

[alectology-archive]

I think what annoys me the most about S//arah J M//aas is h the effect she’s had on YA publishing. Like, on booktok (yes, I know. Bear with me) I saw someone recommend a fantasy book that they said had a great enemies to lovers plot, and had little world building so it was fast paced. And I’m just like :/ the POINT of fantasy is to be in a new world, and the fact that people are simply reading the genre, not for actual world building, or even good CHARACTER development, but for LOVE stories 1/

with fantasy as a backdrop makes me really, really sad. That and people saying yes, we need more explicit scenes in YA (No seriously. I saw someone [redacted] on here I think?) say that the explicit scenes in her books like “D0rian and Man0n engaging in a little kink” (direct quote) were good and healthy and need to be in YA more. Like... No. Kink is fine, but in YA? Explicit scenes in YA? It’s crazy how much YA has changed, solely because of Mrs. M//aas. 2/

And arguably the worst part is how better authors are ignored in favor of S//arah and her books. Like there are so many more queer books, of all genres including fantasy, now than there were five years ago. Goodreads literally has lists for new queer books that come out each year! And it’s the same thing with books starring POC! There are so many more now, but these new diverse books, many of them well-written, but these new books don’t get nearly the hype they deserve compared to SJM. 4/

Sorry, I think tumblr ate up the 3rd part of your ask!

I don't think there's inherently anything wrong with light worldbuilding - I believe a lot of people in fact categorise a lot of fantasy books based on how heavy (lotr) or light (the kiss of deception, daughter of smoke and bone) the worldbuilding is and it's not necessarily bad to fall under the latter category because I really enjoyed the books I mentioned - sometimes authors suck at it or just don't care for it or it's not necessary for the story they're trying to tell, and that's okay. Plus genres are very fluid and it's not entirely fair to impose a rigid system of classification meant to make browsing books easier for people onto art and expect it to conform to those expectations, and, of course, every person's perception of what is 'fantasy enough', for example, will vary. That said, I do think booktok enables a lot of bad writing to get attention that it absolutely does not deserve and I don't like where the publishing industry seems to be headed by relying on booktok for marketing. It's very irksome because I really disliked a lot of books that initially became popular on booktok before gaining more attention.

Ah 😬 [redacted] is a literal clown and I fully encourage you to stay away from them because they have a habit of putting out really bad takes and ignoring and downplaying the amount of racism and misogyny in s//jm's books. Like I can't believe we've gotten to a point where it's apparently a harmful take to express disgust about s//jm putting straight up porn in books aimed at kids as young as 12 (not to mention how violent they are, and how she passes off sexual harassment and assault as romance) and excusing it by saying tEenS ArE nOt iNnOCeNt oF cOurSe tHey KnOw wHat sEx iS - like congrats buddy, kids are not consenting to be exposed to pornographic material when they are exposed to it against their will. And if they do choose to seek out material containing explicit sex themselves it's their choice to do so and we shouldn't rob them of the choice in the first place. At the very least the explicit sex scenes need to be handled carefully and books should be carefully edited to ensure that the messages they're sending are not harmful.

Popular authors writing really mediocre books that cater to the masses unfortunately dominate the market and there's nothing that can be done about it until both, publishers and readers, step up their game and start supporting diverse voices :/

#I don't think anybody would harass the person but I replaced the url with [redacted] just in case #asks #anon asks #booktok the hellscape

[ncssian]

for the taylor swift drabbles - " i would die for you in secret " is perfect nesscian

nessian/taylor swift drabbles pt. 6

anon said peace but i said tolerate it meets illicit affairs 😈

No one knew about them.

At first it had been out of necessity— they'd both agreed that keeping their friends and family in the dark about their relationship was for the best, and at first Nesta had loved the thrill of holding such a precious secret. But then, over the course of weeks, it morphed. At least for Nesta it had.

Their furtive touches became suffocating. Every time Cassian refused to meet her gaze in a room full of people, a dagger dug deeper into her heart, and every time he laughed at a joke made at her expense, a noose wrapped tighter around her throat. Passionate meetings in dark cars and cheap hotel rooms no longer elicited a thrill from her, but a heavy dread instead. The dread of being left behind and forgotten.

Because when she saw how loved Cassian was by his friends, and how openly he loved them back... It took her months to admit it to herself. That she had been kicked to last place in his list of priorities.

One rainy spring day, she snapped. In the parking lot of a strip mall, in the warmth of her car, she broke down in tears and couldn't stop.

Because she loved him so much. And he only tolerated her.

To leave him would be to lose the only love she'd ever known, though, and Nesta wasn't about to take that risk. For months, she bore the insult of receiving dog scraps from Cassian, because she believed it was better than the loneliness of receiving nothing at all. It wasn't until the pregnant swell of summer that the aching pressure on her heart turned into splitting fissures, the wounds so deep that even Cassian took notice of them.

"You're not serious, right?" He was staring at her dumbfoundedly, as if this was coming out of nowhere.

Nesta huffed a laugh, but it was a painful one that felt like stinging nettles inside her lungs. He didn't even know. Every day she was dying, and he didn't even know.

"Believe me, I am." Her voice was soft, but not weak. She'd had to fight herself every step of the way just to end up here, but now nothing could make her turn back: she was leaving.

Nesta saw the moment Cassian realized she wasn't bullshitting. It happened in slow motion, his world falling apart block by toy block.

"Don't say that," he rasped. "Don't say it like you mean it."

"I do. I deserve better," she recited the rehearsed words, the ones she still struggled to believe were true.

He looked down at the floor. Looking for a way out. "Nesta, I would die for you."

She pressed her lips into a thin line to keep them from quivering. "I would die for you, too," her voice cracked. "But I wouldn't do it in shameful secret, not the way you would."

He should have told her he loved her every day. He should have told everybody he loved her every day. He should have paid attention, he should have listened— but these were all words mixed with his tears that meant nothing to Nesta now. He came for her too late, and now all that remained was the echoing slam of his apartment door after she left.

a/n: can't believe i used to complain about people who wrote cassian as a horrible boyfriend when apparently it's my favorite thing to do. i make myself sick.

adding my taglist b/c i actually like this drabble:

@ladywitchling @sjm-things @thewayshedreamed @drielecarla @sensitiveillyrian @superspiritfestival @aliveahaahahafuck @cupcakey00 @sayosdreams @rainbowcheetah512 @claralady @thebluemartini @nessiantho @missing-merlin @duskandstarlight @lucy617 @sleeping-and-books @everything-that-i-love @cassianscool

#nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #taylor swift song drabbles #ncssianwrites

[acourtofthought]

I used to really respect this blog but you’re turning so anti-Azriel that you sound like an el/riel. He’s no where near perfect and no where close to being my favorite character (so don’t come at me like I’m some kind of stan) but like…chill out. Your favorite characters don’t get better or more page time by trashing others. Your book theories don’t come true because of how much you ship two people. There’s this epidemic in this fandom where shipping clouds judgment, and it’s very few blogs where it doesn’t happen.

I honestly thought the elucien side was fun and sweet, but people like you are ruining that. You’ve preached about how above you are from el/riels and gw/nriels fighting that you quite literally mimic their weird behavior. Congrats on becoming your own worst enemy.

I don’t like to leave hate. Consider this constructive criticism.

Delete this if you will. I’ve blocked you anyway.

I'm glad you've blocked me because no one should be forced to read content that makes them unhappy however I'm not going to follow your suggestion to "delete this" because sometimes a girls just got to journal her thoughts and after your post I've got many 😂

If I were an E/riel then wouldn't I be singing Azriel's praises? I'm not sure how that comment makes any sense.

Also my Anti E/riel posts, Az's problematic behavior, and Lucien deserving his HEA before Az go way back so I'm not sure what new content you're suddenly having the problem with.

It's incredible when other people decide to box you into what you're allowed to write about. That because I support Elucien, all my content must be hearts and flowers in regards to Elucien at all times. Seriously, who the hell is anyone to place that label on someone? SJM writes raw and real characters who deal with heavy stuff, she's not a fluff writer. So it's alright to have strong opinions.

Don't get me wrong, there are definitely Elucien blogs that are 100% positive all the time and they are a gift to us all however let's not go around shaming the blogs who argue against some of the takes they've seen in the fandom.

I am an Elucien through and through however my username does lend itself towards the series as a whole.

I'm also a realist and that means I know that Az is getting a HEA. That means that I'm capable of picking up on the clues that the author has left for us, clues as to which female Az is well suited to be with, clues as to the direction Az might be headed in, clues as to which female he's got the chance at the healthiest relationship with. I also don't act like Az is a lost cause because that's not SJMs style. He's a main character and I know by the end, everything will fall into place. So maybe posts I've done demonstrating why I think Gwynriel is well suited and the fact that I do envision a HEA for Az has led someone into thinking I have a great opinion of Az?

Right now I don't, there is nothing that I find appealing about Az and I'm not sure why that's an issue.

Do you know how many posts I've seen where others don't care that much for Elain? Sure I wish that weren't the case and I'll argue in favor of Elain but I'm not about to go on to their page and tell them "chill out. Your favorite characters don’t get better or more page time by trashing others. Your book theories don’t come true because of how much you ship two people. There’s this epidemic in this fandom where shipping clouds judgment, and it’s very few blogs where it doesn’t happen."

In your own words there are "very few blogs where it doesn't happen" so I'm guessing the list of those you follow is fairly short? If you're a Gwynriel than I have to imagine you've seen a few judgemental posts on Elain that are clearly a result of the ship war. If an E/riel than I imagine you've seen the same slander in regards to Lucien and Gwyn. And I can't be the first Elucien you've met who isn't Az's #1 fan. Did you unfolllow those blogs with a farewell message? Or maybe I'm just the singular lucky target of your "constructive criticism".

Someone can disagree with me and create posts on why Az is their favorite, they can explain why they disagree in hopes I'll change my mind but why is it that crazy that I'm not all that impressed? Honestly, what makes Az all that special or awesome?

Right now there are so many posts building Az up to be some glorious creature who is so much more worthy than Elain. Or so much better than Gwyn who is just luring him. Who is a poor boy who was screwed over by Mor. Whose opinion that Lucien will never be good enough must be taken as fact rather than the more likely scenario that it's jealousy through and through. And I don't agree with any of that, there is NOTHING that makes Az better than Elain or Lucien or Gwyn.

Do my posts speak untruths about Az? Is he not fixated on the wrong women in unhealthy ways? Is he not insanely jealous of Lucien and being a dick as a result? Is he not a hothead when it comes to Rhys and Feyre as of late? Has he not made Mor uncomfortable at times, something she herself tells us?

While people are entitled to their opinion, I disagree with some of the takes placing Az as ruler on high too superior for the likes of Gwyn / Elain (choose your ship) and my posts are a rebuttal of sorts.

Which is no different than what the entire fandom does. One side claims Gwyn is evil, the other side argues against it. One side claims Elain is not good enough to be with Az, the other side argues against it.

I do think Gwyn deserves better than getting dragged into the mess that is Azriel's love life right now. However I think SJM is writing it so Gwyn is it for Az and I look for the positive in their relationship as a result. I anticipate the ways they will be good together eventually (as there are hints of it now) but since Az and Gwyn as a thing is not the current situation, I don't like Az all that much at the moment. The Az of the moment is yeesh and that's why the first half of the bonus was a shit show. Am I supposed to like Az for how he acted with Elain? For the way he acted with Rhys? For the way he spoke on behalf of Elain, that she should not be allowed near the Trove? For what he thinks of Lucien? If I applauded those moments then I'd be an E/riel.

I love when people gaslight with phrases like, "I thought the Elucien side was fun and sweet and people like you are ruining that". As if Elucien's can never be anything but fun and sweet. They MUST listen to the bullshit around them and take it up the ass with a smile on their faces. Somehow only other ship stans are allowed to yell the loudest to have their voices heard but as soon as an Elucien does it, we're suddenly the problem. Somehow E/riels are allowed to talk smack on Gwyn and Lucien and it's acceptable, some Gwynriels and even Eluciens are allowed to talk smack on Elain and it's acceptable but nobody better dare speak ill of Az!. If the posts tearing down Gwyn, Elain and Lucien did not exist in the first place, maybe there would not be the need for posts pointing out that Az is not the Grand Poobah of the ACOTAR world.

Eluciens are no better or worse. We're here trying to make our points and stand up for our characters (who really are two characters who get a lot of hate from many in the fandom).

Also, my ship is clouding my judgement of Az?

Most of Az's personality is wrapped up in his desire to be in a relationship, his self loathing or his anger at many many people. That's not my judgment being clouded, they are common refrains throughout the series.

Is it not possible that your ship is preventing you from actually paying attention to Az's personality outside of Gwyn and the problematic ways he's acting?

Sure he and Feyre had a few good scenes where he taught her to fly and it definitely seems like there's a good relationship forming between he and Nesta but that was a newly introduced thing. And yes, there are the fun brother moments where they're ribbing on one another, in the sauna or playing chess. But outside of that, what have we really been told of Az? He doesn't talk to anyone about the truly important stuff. He hates an entire group of men because they're Illyrians. He actually sulks when having to follow orders or simply ignores them. He is a bit of a dick when it comes to Lucien. For each warm and fuzzy Az moment there are way more problematic ones, for now.

Am I supposed to love Az for these things? I know Az will be different by the end of his book but right now, what is truly amazing about him? What makes him a stand up guy? Do I have to put him on a pedestal for running into danger and being a protector? Tamlin did that too yet it didn't win him favors with the fandom.

I'm an Elucien so isn't the goal to point out why Az is not well suited for Elain and why his behavior in regards to both Lucien and Elain is problematic? If I didn't take note of those things than wouldn't I think that Az is right in thinking Lucien isn't good enough for her? Wouldn't I think Az was heroic for just trying to protect Elain from the Trove?

Every Az and Gwyn interaction I've written about has been extremely positive and demonstrates how I can see the good in Az. Because there is an amazing vibe that surrounds the two of them. But compared to the Az/ Lucien / Elain stuff in the last few books, we have been given more problematic behavior from Az than we've been given positive behavior and honestly, that is basically the majority of Az's character these days. SJM has written much of his persona as being obsessed with Mor and a bond, his anger at the Illyrians, his anger at Eris, the jealousy he has over Lucien and Helion, his anger at orders he doesn't agree with.

For me, it's always a scale. I expect a character to have flaws, I don't expect them to be perfect. However the pro side of the scale needs to weigh more heavily than the cons side and that's not where Az is at for me right now.

Az has good moments, absolutely. Even villains are probably likeable in certain scenarios (not that Az is a villain but I'm making a point). But a characters "character" is more telling when they're at their worst. It's in how they treat others even when they don't like them. It's whether they unfairly take out their problems on those who don't deserve it. It's in their ability to communicate in a mature and healthy way.

For me, Az being sweet to Feyre during flying lessons, kind to the priestesses during training, his thoughtful gift for Nesta at Solstice, etc. don't really add up to all that much when stacked up against his more problematic behaviors. I'm sorry but one or two "awww, how sweet" moments don't eclipse the other things right now. I think it's SJM showing us who Az is capable of being but it's still overshadowed by the rest. The way he's disrespectful towards Feyre in SF, they way he disobeys his High Lords orders during a war, the way he would completely wipe the Illyrians off the map if given the chance, the way he's got issues with Lucien for no good reason at all (come to think of it, Az has issues with every single male in the series outside Rhys and Cassian), the way he can't control himself in important political meetings, the way he pouted after Rhys and Feyre told him not to go after Briallyn, the way he, at 539 ish years old doesn't know how to communicate to the people who have done nothing but love him for 500+ years.

I expect that balance to eventually shift but I'm not there yet. And I do think Lucien deserves a chance to prove himself before Az gets a HEA with his own mate after his having little respect for Lucien's own bond and Lucien in general. I'd like a lot more space between Az's history with Mor and his fixation on Elain before Gwyn ends up with him because she doesn't deserve to be stuck in the middle of a Jerry Springer-like episode.

And I've never preached at being above anything. In fact I'm quite sure I've mentioned I will match the energy of that which I see around me because sometimes being nice and sweet doesn't get you anywhere when dealing with certain people or groups. When others have sent anons on how well I hold my temper I respond with a personal acknowledgment that I know I got a bit feisty and apologized for it.

That will be all for now. I'm done "preaching" and I hope you've enjoyed the gospel of ACourtofThought.

#anti azriel

[thehaemanthus]

Hi! I’ve fallen back into a ACOTAR hole (following the inevitable Scholomance hole post-Last Graduate), and now that I’ve read every book over and every piece of fic at least twice, I was wondering if you had recs for similar books with different authors? I know Leigh Bardugo, SJM, and Naomi Novik pretty well but I feel like there must be new stuff out there.

oh man. Anon, my love, I wish I read more and was better at recs. I'll give you what I got. I'm sure you've read the obvious, the Holly Black and Victoria Aveyard and such.

@feyrearcherons got me addicted to Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series. There's faeries, magic, sex (nothing too explicit tho, the author likes a fade to black) and a slow burn romance that makes me want to tear my hair out (but, also, helped me with Our Savaged Souls, so--). You might pick up the first book and go "absolutely not". Keep in mind it was published in 2006 and have some leniency on fashion choices. It's definitely a candy book, and the series is...I think? Not as cohesive? As I might like. I'm on the second to last book (as of now, I think this author is still going to write more, lol, she hasn't stopped yet) and I'll have a better idea once im done. Warning! It gets dark. It's not YA, it's for a more mature audience. Characters do bad things, and love interests are flawed.

I don't know if this is a similar book to ACOTAR, but I like Katherine Arden's Winternight Trilogy. If I remembering correctly, there's a bit of Death and the Maiden in the romance. Magic, a loveable, wild female protagonist, and some beautiful lush writing.

er....imma just start listing some fantasy books. They pretty much all have strong female characters, an interesting magic system, probably some romance. I don't know if they are similar to ACOTAR (depends on what similarities you want-- the romance, the faeries, the types of characters, the writing) but they are good!

Kristin Cashore, Graceling Realm Series. Classic. Enjoyable. Each book features a different female protagonist, each extremely unique. There's something about the writing, plotting, pacing? that's different. Makes you think differently, I think.

Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes Series. I met her and we defiled a poster advertising the book-signing together and then I got to take it home, so gotta shout out to Sabaa. I really enjoyed the first and second books, but strong plot is not her specialty, I think. She tries to go super dark and doesn't quite get there, but! These books are good and enjoyable.

Marie Rutkoski, The Winner's Trilogy. Okay, so this series doesn't have a strong magic system. I don't think others like it as much as I did, and maybe that's because I read it at a formative time or it just clicked with me. The story revolves around an enemies-to-lovers romance, and it does not shy away from that. While there is politics happening, I appreciated that the series wasn't afraid to be what it is-- a story about lovers.

Sherwood Smith, Crown Duel. An oldie but a goodie! No hot and heavy romance, but lots of politics and interesting world building. I read it when I was much younger, so again my perception may be colored by nostalgia. But I read it recently and still enjoyed it quite a bit.

.....okay. If you like Death and the Maiden, if you like "all powerful death gods kneeling for their human lovers", try Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith. The cover looks atrocious, but the writing is good, lol. It's DEFINITELY mature, explicit, extremely dark. It's long as fuck. It could very well be one of those books that I'm like "wow so good" and the rest of the world is like "wtf is wrong with you." But it was good! Oh, also. This book and this author is for monster fuckers.

Okay, I have a lot more general "book recs" but that's it for ACOTAR-esque books. Or just fantasy books that I'm like uhhhh HERE take this.

If you are willing to branch out let me know, I'll give you a general list of books that I'm like "I wish people would read so we could chat about it"

Anyone else, please do reblog or reply with your own recs!

[myworldofbooks]

Some late thoughts on ACOTAR on my first read through: Part 3

Master List

WARNING! spoiler heavy for those that havnt read the series....

Ok so I should have mentioned this in the previous update but I didn't coz it was just becoming a full on essay! 🤣

But realising that Elain only thinks about planting veg when her family is no longer starving.... Wow girl wow... I don't know what to say about that too much... Like mmm... tbf Feyre is a little to blame for it too coz she used to buy her flower seeds rather then veg BUT I feel like she probably would have had a little tantrum if Feyre had done that too 😂

Ok so I've just finished the book now and I've been writing this as I've read each section so your literally seeing my thoughts as the chapters are read... ok here you go....

Ok so lets talk about Rhysand.... Ok ok so the whole painted situation and everything.... like I felt for Feyre being put so much on display as a pet thing to be played with and being used a bit to torture Tamlin... poor baby Tamlin.. like having to keep so neutral and try not to react coz tbh I have a feeling if he did Amarantha would just kill Feyre... Ok so back to Rhys... But then like he doesn't touch her anywhere too inappropriate, like yes her hips and arms but like it seems that it was just a showy way yano like putting on a display for people... Ok I get he likes her and stuff but he could have had his way with her if he truly wanted so... He is quickly becoming a favourite character of mine and my previous assumption of him having a thing for Feyre well.... Ok so second task and he LITERALLY does it for her, basically saving her and Lucien's life? Like omg you sweet little creature!!! And then the whole scenario where he basically saves tamlins ass for ruining the paint on Feyre... But let's be honest he REALLY wanted to kiss her anyways! 😜

Ok so the whole scene in Feyre's cell where he basically explains everything and Poor's his heart out to her even tho she was lucid to remember!! 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 Omg! 🥺🥺🥺🥺 He's cute! And a softie! And 🥺🥺

OMG TASK 3 FUCK! Ok so I'm so glad Feyre figured it out but when the hood came off and it was TAMLIN 😭😭😭😭 I was shook! I was like oh shit what's gonna happen she can't do it!! But then she figured it out and all hell broke loose and I was like NO it can't happen like this and then RHYS! FUCK!! 😭😭😭 And knowing how SJM writes I'm gonna go with 'the bond' that was felt is significant and only ones I've heard of from tog obvs are mating bonds.. although caranaam too but not sure how that could be a thing for them so mating bond is my assumption... I'm even more convinced it is by the goodbye Rhys and Feyre had at the mountain when he was shocked about something!!! IT HAS TO BE!! SURELY!!!! and if that's the case OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG but how does it work??? Like she's human? And she loves Tamlin? And there's rivalry between Rhys and Tamlin?? Omg I NEED TO KNOW NOW!!!!!!!

I love how when she died she was seeing herself through Rhys's eyes and all that and then what the high fae did bringing her back to life!!! AND OMG FEYRE IS NOW HIGH FEY!!!!!! I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT!!!! I like it was tho! It'll be fun to see how she adjusts and explores how the fae body is different to her human one! But that'll obvs happen in the next book!

THANK FUCK AMARANTHA IS DEAD!!!! I have no idea what I would have done if she hadn't been killed! Although Im hoping something isn't gonna happen with jurians bone and eye missing..... Suspicious.... 🧐

And Lucien is a cutie pie that is Hella devoted to Tamlin and they have a proper brotherly relationship and I love it!!!

Also I loved the cute happy ending but I just know it's not gonna last coz like she is a mess let's be honest!!! Seeing Alis playing with her boys and Lucien being all domestic 🥰🥰🥰 love it! But yeah Feyre has some struggles ahead!

Ok so it's a bit of an essay so apologies! But I'm really enjoying writing these and am defo gonna carry on!

#booklover #booknerd #books and libraries #sjm #sarah j maas #first read #first read through #reading now #current read #currently reading #my reading thoughts #reading #reading thoughts

[fandomtrxsh19]

I just finished ACOSF and, wow. I’m at a loss for words. This book is so good and I loved every second of it. I can say, with honesty, that if you hated Nesta in the other books,there’s a 99.9% sure that your opinion on this character will change, but If it doesn’t, that totally valid and fine. Nesta’s journey is so beautiful and relatable to lots of people, including me. Before listing of notable things I liked, I want to start with the very first page of the book. THIS CONTAINS HUGE SPOILERS FOR ACOSF. PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT.

THIS!!! HIT ME IN THE FEELS SO MUCH!

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into it.

HEAVY ACOSF SPOILERS

I loved Nesta’s journey. At the beginning, she has just started to deteriorate both emotionally and physically. She uses, alcohol and ✨depression smut✨ to cope with her past traumas. The more and more she trains with Cassian and the priestesses, the more she opens up, especially with her first friends, Gwyn and Emerie. All of that builds up in the scene when she just breaks down to Cassian, which made me cry. Just seeing her blaming herself for her father’s death and her deep hatred for herself is something that I heavily relate to. Cassian’s response to this incredibly needed. I even had to copy his quote just in case. THAT’S what made me cry. When she says that her and Cassian are mates at the end, it was incredibly worthwhile. You could tell that she’s falling in love with the person she’s becoming and that’s beautiful. Another moment is at the very end, when Nesta sacrificed her powers to heal her sister, Rhys, and her baby, she confesses her love for Feyre and Feyre responds “I love you too, Nesta.” Because of this book, Nesta is now tied as my 2nd favorite character in all of ACOTAR.

Elain. She isn’t really in this book a lot but, out of the scenes she’s in, they’re very memorable. The most memorable one was the scene where she checks on Nesta. Right when she says the first line when Nesta’s yelling at her, you can TELL that she has matured so much. Later on, she tells Nesta that “You do not decide what I can and cannot do, Nesta.” I’m really interested in seeing more of her, since she’s tied for my 2nd favorite character.

Cassian. He’s plays a pivotal role in both Nesta’s story and his own. In every scene he’s in, especially the ones with Nesta, you can tell that he cares for Nesta and his friends so much. He’s the one that witnessed Nesta’s breakdown on the mountain, and hes the one that always reassured her that he’ll always be there for her.

Gwyn and Emerie. I 👏LOVE👏THEM👏SO👏MUCH👏 These two are like a breath of fresh air and very needed. Their relationship with Nesta is so wholesome and when they basically had a sleepover, it was iconic and adorable. It’s obvious both of them really care for Nesta and Nesta really cared for them. They have each other’s backs and it’s so good.

I, personally, loved everything about this book. It added so much more depth to an already complex and interesting character. In my opinion, I think that A Court of Silver Flames is SJM’s best books. I can’t want what comes next for the future if the ACOTAR series and just an FYI, I expect to see some WHOLESOME FANART AND FANFICS OF DOMESTIC AND SOFT IC, NESTA, AND ELAIN TAKING CARE OF NYX!!!!!!

#acotar #acomaf #acowar #acofas #acosf #acosf spoilers #nesta archeron #elain archeron #feyre archeron #rhysand acotar #cassian acotar #azriel acotar #amren acotar #mor acotar #gwyn acosf #emerie acotar