#reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!

[bookofmirth]

On why Azriel is likely the next acotar MC

HOSAB clearly gave us all some more insight into the acotar world and series, even if we didn't expect it to. In breaking down what we learned about the history, mythology, and power - strictly in terms of Prythian, not Midgard - it has made many of us more certain that Azriel should be the next MC in the acotar series.

Here are a few – okay, several - reasons why. These reasons are a combination of plot and world-driven, and psychology/character-driven.

*This post is 95% analysis of what we already know to be canon, and 5% drawing a conclusion from those facts. And the conclusion is that Az is next.

**Also, and this shouldn't need to be said but whatever - this is not about ships!!!

What did we learn in hosab that is relevant to acotar?

The Asteri/Daglan created the Illyrians. The Illyrians were a prototype warrior that didn’t work out well for the Asteri because their powers are too difficult to control (hence the siphons). The Peregrym and Seraphim were other versions of those warriors.

The Illyrians helped the fae to defeat the Daglan/Asteri, exiling them from Prythian. Thus, Illyrians are not useful to the Asteri as a fighting force and were, from what we can tell, left in Prythian.

Truthteller is the twin dagger to Gwydion/the Starsword. Azriel is currently in possession of Truthteller.

There is a prophecy that Gwydion and Truthteller will be reunited. They have been, but now what? Does Az give up TT? Does he go with Bryce? Does he let her use its powers? Either way, he’s going to be impacted.

This is also a perfect opportunity or excuse to dive into Azriel’s history: where did he get TT? Why does it allow him to use it? If it’s connected to Ramiel (see next point), then how does he feel about having such an iconic Illyrian weapon when he has such conflicting feelings about the Illyrian people and his heritage?

Azriel has shadow powers that are similar to Ruhn’s; however, we don’t know how either of them gained those powers (were they born with the shadows or acquire them?), we don’t know how those shadows work exactly, and we aren’t totally sure how they are “attached” to each character. (We knew this in HOEAB, but it bears repeating since it was expanded on in HOSAB.) (And SJM told us that we will learn more about Az’s shadows in a live event last summer.)

In that vein, I know that people are drawing further connections between Az and Ruhn - however, the connections that are being drawn are more apt between Ruhn and Rhysand. That is beside the point of this post, but I wanted to mention it because while it would seem to be another "reason" for Az to be next, I actually don't think that it is.

*There are other things that we learned in hosab that could have implications for acotar, but not for Azriel specifically (e.g. the connection between Ruhn and Rhysand). I omitted those for the sake of brevity and because they don't have implications, imo, for who will be focused on next.*

We still have all the other reasons for thinking that Az was next, from acosf, such as:

He got a POV extra and that fits the pattern of a character getting a POV in a special edition and then a book;

New point as of July 19, 2023: he is going to be in a bonus chapter in HOFAS (with Bryce and Nesta). This reinforces the fact that he has close, important ties to what will happen in HOFAS. SJM has also said that HOFAS will set up the future plots of acotar and remaining CC books.

We know what is currently driving him, what he wants, and that is unresolved;

We know what he is up to – he and Cassian are still training the Valkyries, he is still spying;

He has been increasingly angry through the series, which feels like it is ramping up to something – a breaking point?

He still needs to resolve his feelings about the Illyrians. Rhys and Cassian are at peace about their pasts; Azriel is not and it is having a negative impact on his present.

Illyria is also at play, given that we already knew Ramiel was important, and we already know that the Illyrians are not going to be happy that two women are now Carynthian, and one is Orestian; in addition, their Blood Rite, a cultural touchstone, was violated.

Now that we know that the Asteri created the Illyrians, Enalius and the first Blood Rite/hunt may gain more importance.

In addition to these plots and worldbuilding details that link to Az, Nesta has the symbol of the Starborn fae as a tattoo (hoeab chapter 21). Considering that fate “stood up and paid attention” when she suggested combining Illyrian and Valkyrie techniques, and the fact that we know Illyrians and Valkyries are going to continue training, feels like a lot of threads are about to be pulled together into cohesion.

What about Elain?

Yes, we know she is getting a book! That has been clear since at least 2017. However, we didn’t learn anything at all that connected her either to the current plot, that gave us answers or additional questions about her powers, what she wants – she was quite literally absent from HOSAB in every single way that counts. Plus some other ways.

There is nothing that connects her to the story occurring right now. She has nothing to do with the Illyrians, the Asteri/Daglan, the Starborn fae, has no knowledge about the other worlds, about the history of Prythian, no connection to the “land of perpetual dusk” – she has a story, and eventually those seeds will come to fruition, but whereas we were given a deluge of information related to Azriel in HOSAB, we were given literally nothing, zero, zilch in relation to Elain. We learned nothing about her as a person, or her role in the bigger story. I wouldn't count that against her - she's not in that series, after all - in terms of her likelihood of being the next MC, except for the fact that we did, indeed, get information about acotar, the world, the history, the magic, etc. And yet she was left completely out of all of it.

Her time will come. HOSAB gave us no reasons to think it's now. Edit for July 19th, 2023: the bonus chapters for HOFAS are also giving us no reason to think it's now.

#acotar #acotar5 #azriel #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #hosab spoilers #spoilers #hosab #😌 #that emoji is for my stalkers #😘 #that one too

[bookofmirth]

Something I love about the Valkyries and the friendship between Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn is seeing its foundations. In a way, it’s the closest we will ever get to seeing the IC come together: finding one another at a difficult time, going through strife and being there for each other when no one else was, and then solidifying this found family. The Valkyries make it easier for us to understand how and why the IC have remained close.

But at the same time, the Valkyries represent the honeymoon stage of friendship - you just found each other, you went through something tough, and now you know how far you are willing to go and you are 100% certain you will be friends forever. It’s hard to imagine the Valkyries going through real conflict with each other, but of course they will at some point, just like the IC have. They’ll never not be friends, but it will be interesting to see how they deal with the conflicts over time in the way the IC have, and how that changes their dynamic.

#acotar #acosf #re: bookclub discussion #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!

[bookofmirth]

The way that people in the fandom infantilise Elain and Az drives me crazy.

Az isn’t just some poor sad boy who is always being kicked when he’s down. He’s the Spymaster of the Night Court. He’s besties with the High Lord of the Night Court. His actual family sucks but he was taken in and raised and helped by Rhys’s mom. He befriended Rhys and Cassian when they were teens. He’s incredibly powerful (see: the number of siphons). He is NOT getting rejected all the time. He has friends, he has a great job, he has a lot of magic power, he has plenty of lovers. The only thing holding him back is himself.

And then the same thing with Elain. Her problem right now is that she has been protected and coddled her whole life. It’s really a first world problem tbh. Yes she experienced trauma. But she’s also got an amazing support system and people giving her the space and time (and food on her plate and a roof over her head and zero pressure to do anything with her mating bond, etc.) to heal in whatever way she sees fit. No one who cares about her is lying to her or withholding information, she isn’t such a complete fucking dumbass that she doesn’t understand what’s happening in her own life.

I just go nuts any time I see people talk about either of them as if either of them are in the least bit prevented from getting through their shit. The only people stopping them are themselves. And yeah that’s lowkey another reason I don’t ship it, they are too similar in their avoidance and so they would enable each other’s worst habits.

And you know, the way that people in the fandom infantilise them is the same reason they have problems in canon. Everyone treats both Az and Elain with kid gloves, as if they are so fragile and weak and stupid that the wrong word will set them off. They treat one another like that too. (See: every time Az makes himself seem less threatening so he doesn’t upset her.) it’s just an odd choice to me, to replicate the problems with how the IC treats them in our fandom disk horse.

#acotar #azriel #Elain #antielriel #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!

[bookofmirth]

HOSAB ask meme

Feel free to share and ask!

Who was your favorite new character?

Who was your favorite recurring character?

What was your favorite plot twist?

Who did you want to see more of?

What is your most crack theory about the next book?

What is your theory about the next book that you think is most likely to happen?

Let's be honest, the world and history was a lot. What's something that you're still wondering about?

Do you have any new ships?

What's a current non-canon ship you hope shows up in the future?

What was the funniest moment, to you?

So... how will Hunt get free, do you think?

Do you think that quinlar are endgame?

If there is one thing you could change about the book, what would it be?

What are your thoughts about the smut scenes?

How much crossover will there actually be with acotar, do you think? (IE how long will Bryce be with the IC)

What's going to happen with Ruhn and Lidia?

What's your favorite crack/non-canon ship?

What the hell is Tharion actually thinking?

There is the prophecy that once the Starsword is reunited with the dagger, the fae peoples will be united. What's that all about?

If the series actually does end on book three, how do you think it will end?

#hosab #ask meme #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #hosab spoilers #spoilers #i'll try to send some to people who reblog

[bookofmirth]

People are always talking about how fanon Elain is annoying but canon Elain is okay, or how fanon Elain is nothing like canon, etc. 

But you know what’s worse? 

Fanon Azriel. 

Fanon Azriel has never done anything wrong in his life, literally. Fanon Azriel is emotionally stable, unloved and has no friends who care about him, he is perfectly capable of handling challenging situations with maturity and thoughtfulness. Fanon Azriel is hot and will give you head for the mere price of a blush. Fanon Azriel has deep conversations just by looking at you. Fanon Azriel falls deeply in love with people he barely talks to and is always the wronged party when his feelings aren’t reciprocated. Fanon Azriel has a copy of The Feminine Mystique on his bedside table and respects women so much that he only rescues those that he is deeply enamored with. Fanon Azriel transitions seamlessly from one intense love affair obsession thing to another, with no need for reflection or self-awareness. Fanon Azriel has never had a fight with his High Lord and Lady because he is too busy being loyal, and his self-confidence would never falter to the point where he takes things personally and acts out of proportion to the situation.

At least with Elain, we have a lot of legit question marks, things that we don’t know about her or don’t understand because she hasn’t been in the spotlight... hardly at all. I can kinda understand why fanon Elain exists, to an extent. 

I don’t understand why and how fanon Azriel exists in the fandom space when the books contradict these concepts of him at every turn. Fanon Azriel is boring and doesn’t actually exist, thank goodness.

#azriel #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #asks are still off #my finger is ready on the block button #😌 #for rude people #acotar

[bookofmirth]

The fact that Elain didn’t say much in acosf, but what she did say was impactful as hell and we could all probably recall those lines whether we agreed or not, *chef’s kiss*

#Elain #acosf #acotar #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!

[bookofmirth]

The most books I ever read in a year was 167, in 2016, which was also when I did most of my thesis work, graduated, and started my big girl job. This year I set my goal for 170 books because I want to beat 2016 me who was so stressed she apparently didn’t even sleep.

#booklr #personal #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #I read 150 in 2021 #mainly because I powered through #a bunch of graphic novels at the end #fingers crossed #I want to prove to myself it’s not just a stress response lol

[bookofmirth]

this tag lmao. what does this mean?

HAHAHAHA OKAY so

I have been asked this before. I used to tag all of my original text posts with that, basically. It's been a long time. I should get back to it. But since it's such a weird ass tag, here is the explanation for it: https://bookofmirth.tumblr.com/post/167203632717/hey-how-did-you-come-up-with-your-reginald-tag-i

tl;dr I was drinking and stupid and then an anon had a typo and I went with it and that became my tag

#personal #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #i miss you reginald

[bookofmirth]

Me, waiting for my favorite series to update:

#booklr #the mandalorian #stranger things #lore olympus #acotar #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #i’m gonna start using that tag again #for fun #and to confuse people #1k #500

[bookofmirth]

You know what I love about kids’ books that YA and adult books should do more

Chapter titles

They are always so cute and funny and make me excited to see what happens in that specific chapter

Let’s do that more

#booklr #bookblr #books #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!

[bookofmirth]

Books to read when you’re stuck at home and need a pick-me-up

Here is a mix of adult, YA, fiction/nonfiction, and children’s books to get you through this weird af time! This does lean heavy towards children’s books because they are always a good time. I had a hard time finding adult fiction that was uplifting, so feel free to add to this list! 

Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery. “But Leslie,” you say, “you always talk about this book.” Yes, true. But it’s legitimately one of the funniest, most uplifting, positive books I’ve ever read and it had a huge impact on my own attitude towards life. Be imaginative, fierce, and loyal. (Don’t watch the new adaptation, I’m SORRY but they really fucked some stuff up and made it feel like 21st century sensibilities shoved into an early 1900s story. Instead, watch the one with Megan Follows.) 

The Library Book, by Susan Orlean. This is a nonfiction that discusses an unsolved fire in Los Angeles in the 1980s, but mostly it’s about the importance of stories, libraries, how they have been developed and changed in the U.S., and left me with a need to just hug a librarian.

Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. LOOK I know that this book is also super sad. However, this nonfiction account of Stevenson’s cases as a defense lawyer for the poor, children, disabled, and abused is really moving. I cried a lot of happy tears, though some of it also hurt.

Red, White, & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston. If you’ve been on tumblr and not heard of this book, idk what to tell you. The heir to the British throne and the son of the U.S. President (a woman!) are forced to pretend they like each other, and then fall in queer, queer love.

The Flatshare, by Beth O’Leary. Two people share a bed, but at opposite times of day; Tiffy works during the day, and Leon works at night. They don’t meet for months outside of post-its and notes around the house. There is an emotionally abusive relationship, but it’s in the past and soundly dealt with.

The Lunar chronicles, by Marissa Meyer. The main reaction I associate this series with is “awwww 🥰”. Secret princesses and dashing heroes and space adventure. The books get progressively better, with the final, Winter, being my favorite. 

Dominicana, by Angie Cruz. I’ve seen this offered as an alternative to the contentious American Dirt. It’s longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Either way, it’s worth a read. About a young girl named Ana who marries a much older man in order to emigrate to the US, you experience the culture shock, homesickness, and challenges that Ana faces when she moves away from the Dominican Republic, her family, language, culture, and learns how to be a wife to a man she barely knows. There is a point in the story where she starts to experience freedom and the joy. The pure joy she feels translates so well from page to reader.

Circe by Madeline Miller. This story of Circe, a half-nymph half-goddess who has been banished to live in isolation on a remote island, does have some rough sections. The reason I’m including it is because of the end and the progress she makes. Much like Ana in the previous book, Circe learns a lot about herself and how she can take joy from the world despite people who try to keep it from her.

Far From the Tree by Robin Benway is about three teen siblings who were all adopted by different families. They eventually find their way to each other, which includes a lot of healing from their various problems based on race, family, teen pregnancy, etc. I cried happy tears at the end.

Aru Shah and the End of Time, by Roshani Chokshi. This is a middle grade about a girl whose mother works in a library. She gets into some trouble one day when her mom is working late. Cue adventure! Based on Hindu beliefs. Chokshi is always very aware of class, race, etc. issues in her writing.

And a couple of children’s books that I haven’t read yet but fully expect to be a good time: Tilly and the Book Wanderers by Anna James and The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend.

#booklr #bookblr #book recommendations #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!

[bookofmirth]

Me @ Westworld 03.07: I hate it when my wives fight but they look so good doing it

#westworld #westworld spoilers #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #dolores abernathy #maeve millay #tv #currently watching

[bookofmirth]

2020 book releases

Every year I do these, and every year I have to revise them because I hear about more books. These are generally organized by adult and YA, and by (U.S.) release date. Then I noted what genre they are. Feel free to add on in reblogs! Bold are my most anticipated, and I put a * if there is queer rep, because I’m like that.

Adult releases:

Come Tumbling Down, by Seanan McGuire (fantasy, Jan. 7th)*

A Beginning At the End, by Mike Chen (speculative, Jan. 14th)

Upright Women Wanted, by Sarah Gailey (speculative, Feb. 4th)*

Escape Routes, by Naomi Ishiguro (short stories, Feb. 6th)

House of Trelawney, by Hannah Rothschild (contemporary, Feb. 11th)

The Mirror and The Light, by Hilary Mantel (historical, March) (been waiting five years for this, nbd)

House of Earth and Blood, by Sarah J. Maas (fantasy, March 3rd)

Glass Town, by Isabel Greenberg (graphic, March 3rd)

The Companions, by Katie M. Flynn (sci-fi, March 3rd)

My Dark Vanessa, by Kate Elizabeth Russell (literary, March 10th)

The Glass Hotel, by Emily St. John Mandel (literary, March 24th)

The City We Became, by N.K. Jemisin (sci-fi, March 24th)

Death In Her Hands, by Otessa Moshfegh (literary, April 21st)

The Switch, by Beth O’Leary (romance, April 30th)

Second First Impressions, by Sally Thorne (romance, May 19th)

Something to Talk About, by Meryl Wilsner (romance, June)*

Harrow the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (sci-fi/fantasy, June 2nd)*

The Empire of Gold, by S.A. Chakraborty (AHHHHH, fantasy, June 30th)*

Sisters, by Daisy Johnson (literary, July 2nd)

Empire of the Vampire, by Jay Kristoff (fantasy, Sept. 3rd)

The Stormlight Archive 4 (The Rhythm of War? fantasy, Nov. 17th)

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, by VE Schwab (fantasy, fall)

A Day Like Today, by Sarah Moss (literary, no date)

YA releases:

Blood Countess, by Lana Popovic (fantasy, Jan. 28th)*

The King of Crows, by Libba Bray (historical fantasy, Feb. 4th)

Yes No Maybe So, by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed (contemporary, Feb. 4th)

Witches of Ash and Ruin, by E. Latimer (fantasy, March 3rd)*

Be Not Far From Me, by Mindy McGinnis (contemporary? mystery? March 3rd)

The Midnight Lie, by Marie Rutkoski (SCREECH, March 3rd)

Bone Crier’s Moon, by Kathryn Purdie (fantasy, March 10th)

A Field Guide to Getting Lost, by Joy McCullough (technically middle grade, April 14th)

The Deck of Omens, by Christina Lynn Herman (fantasy, April 21st)*

Girl, Serpent, Thorn, by Melissa Bashardoust (fantasy, May 12th)*

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins (speculative, May 19th)

My Calamity Jane, by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows (historical, June 2nd)

The Damned, by Renee Ahdieh (fantasy, June 9th)

A Peculiar Peril, by Jeff Vandermeer (sci-fi, July 7th)

A Nobelman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks, by Mackenzi Lee (historical, Aug. 18th)*

The Silvered Serpents, by Roshani Chokshi (historical fantasy, Sept. 22nd)

Bridge of Souls, by Victoria Schwab (middle grade, fall)

World of Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas (fall?)

#booklr #book releases #I haven't included every book I know about #because I don't care about all of them #like series I'm not continuing etc #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!

[bookofmirth]

Y’all make jokes about not reading the books on your shelves and still buying more, but I just opened up my copy of Beloved to finally read it and found the receipt from 2009.

It’s 2019.

#booklr #bookblr #reading #OY #I suck lol #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #100 #500 #1k

[bookofmirth]

Me hearing about Crescent City: hmmm intriguing

Me seeing that arcs have been printed: dksksjfjakak 😍😭💕🥰 NEED NoW omgggg

#booklr #sarah j maas #crescent city #house of earth and blood #hoeab #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well! #omg work has been busy #i’m alive but barely 😅

[bookofmirth]

One day when I pass, someone will find all my books and think I must have been so smart.

I won’t have read most of them. But they’ll still think I must have been a genius because they won’t know that.

#booklr #bookblr #books #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!