#sjm could you explain it please

[onemustalwaysbecarefulofbooks]

RANT TIME

If I see one more person say that the reason Rhys seemed different and less likeable in ACOSF is because we’re seeing him from Nesta’s POV and not Feyre’s, I’m going to go feral.

I’m sorry, I know we find ways to blame Nesta for absolutely everything under the sun, but are we now also trying to claim that she is able to control Rhys’s words, decisions, and actions??? PLEASE BE SO FOR REAL. I do not dislike Rhys because Nesta thinks unfavorably of him and her mental commentary is somehow swaying me. I dislike him because of the things he DOES and SAYS. Nesta does not like Rhys and makes this clear to everyone. But for God’s actual sake…her opinion of him does not control his choices and actions. The story SJM wanted to tell was going to happen, regardless of who’s POV we see it from.

AND, as if that weren’t enough, there are PLENTY of scenes where he acts deplorable and the POV is Cassian’s, not Nesta’s!!! And as we all know, Cassian is so far up Rhys’s butt he can probably see out his mouth. So explain that one to me, please!

Now, does Rhys appear noticeably different in ACOSF than he does in previous books? Absolutely! I am in complete agreement that ACOMAF!Rhys would never handle Feyre’s pregnancy the way he does in this book (The conversation a lot of people are really not ready to have is that Tamlin would be the one to behave this way while Rhys would be the one who swoops in to let us all know how degrading, condescending, and chauvinistic his behavior was and that he would be the one to treat her with agency and respect and would never coddle her and lie to her about her health and her body because she was strong and she could take it).

(Tell me I’m wrong, I dare you!)

So, is Rhys different from how he is in previous books? Yes. But this is not because we are in the POV of someone who doesn’t like him. It’s because SJM’s handling of him is beyond bizarre, and at this point almost has me convinced he is her tool in some kind of social experiment she’s conducting on manipulation and brainwashing in literature. It’s as if she is testing to see how far she can push, how insufferable and hypocritical can she make him behave while still demanding through the narrative that we love and adore him. I used to swear this was not intentional on her part, that she really did think as highly of him as she appeared to, but his behavior as of late has gotten so absurd, it’s honestly beginning to make me wonder if some of this IS intentional and is part of a bigger process. I can only hope that it is.

So no, Rhys does not seem different and less likeable simply because we are seeing him through Nesta’s eyes. He seems different and less likeable because he IS different and less likeable, and a hypocrite to boot. No matter who’s POV we are seeing it from, he does and says insufferable and hypocritical things all throughout the story. But the cult following that this man has is unmatched, and so many people are literally incapable of admitting they feel any kind of distaste for him or that he may have done something wrong. So instead the response becomes “He just seems that way because we’re in Nesta’s POV and Nesta doesn’t like him.”….as if being in Nesta’s head creates some kind of opitical illusion where Rhys’s behavior isn’t real. Whatever makes you feel better, I guess!!

#acotar critical #acosf critical #sjm critical #nesta archeron #anti rhysand #nesta deserves better #acosf #pro nesta

[olenvasynyt]

Why I don't like Vassien

People always say that Lucien blushing when he mentions Vassa is proof that he is in love with her.  He is also relaxed around her, laughs with her and listens to her with a smile on his face.

Chapter 80 of ACOWAR: Vassa still remained inside, chatting with Lucien animatedly…Lucien, surprisingly, was chuckling, his shoulders loose and his head angled while he listened.

Chapter 18 of ACOFAS: “I think he'd have been crowned king by now if it weren't for Vassa." A twitch of his lips, a spark in that russet eye.

The second quote can immediately be dismissed because the spark is not hinting at love or a mating bond like some people imply, it’s used to describe a character knowing something. Because a spark is seen in Amarantha’s eye when Rhys kisses Feyre and Rhys later explains that that is when Amarantha knew he liked Feyre.  

Chapter 42 of ACOTAR: Rhys casually released me with a flick of his tongue over my bottom lip as a crowd of High Fae appeared behind Amarantha…but something sparked in the queen’s eyes as she looked at Rhysand.  Amarantha’s whore, they’d called him.

Chapter 54 of ACOMAF: Amarantha saw that jealousy.  She saw me kissing you to hide the evidence, but she saw why.  For the first time, she saw why.  So that night after I left you, I had to…service her.

In SJMs works, a spark in a person’s eyes is a spark of recognition, not a spark of love, imo.

Lucien does like Vassa.  As a friend.  And as a leader he wants to follow.  Because with the blushing: he was blushing in ACOFAS because he was talking about another female around Elain and he didn't want her to think he has feelings for someone else.  

Feyre acknowledges how loyal he is to his mate:

Chapter 5 of ACOWAR: I asked Lucien to escort me, and he’d been more than happy to do so, given his own status as a mated male made him uninterested in any sort of female company these days.

And Lucien asks Feyre not to tell Elain about him completing the Rite with Ianthe. 

Chapter 3 of ACOWAR: “I went in his stead, and I did my duty to the court.  I went of my own free will.  And we completed the Rite.” “Please don’t tell Elain,” he said.  “When we—when we find her again,” he amended.

The dude was fucking SAed and his first thought is Elain.

Chapter 9 of ACOWAR: “I was obligated to preform the Rite,” Lucien snapped.  “That night wasn’t the product of desire, believe me.” “We had fun, you and I.” “I’m a mated male now.”

 He is "a mated male now". He is oyal to his mate, and his mate only.  

Lucien is loyal and the idea that he and Vassa are / could be a thing is dismissing that, and it also dismisses who Vassa is.  Because Lucien is not only loyal to his mate, but also to people he believes are good rulers.  

Mor and Cassian talk about  Lucien having some biases because he hangs out in the Human Lands in the band of exiles.

Chapter 4 of ACOSF: “Lucien can’t entirely be trusted anymore…Even with Elain, he’s become close with Jurian and Vassa.  He’s voluntarily living with them these days, and not just as an emissary.  As their friend.” He’s spent months helping them sort out the politics of who rules Prythian’s slice of the human lands,” Cassian said slowly, “So Lucien can’t be unbiased in reporting to us on Vassa.”

I think Lucien talks highly of Vassa, not only because he’s her friend, but because he admires her as a ruler.  If we are going to apply that logic of a person thinking highly of someone as proof they are attracted to them, then Cassian is also attracted to Rhys because he thinks and talks about him highly and he is also very biased.

And Vassa is a leader / co-member of the Band of Exiles so they are friends.  Him laughing with her and enjoying her company was something we see between him and Feyre in ACOTAR.

"But Lucien laughs so that means he loves her!" No, it means he finally has true friends, people he relates to and enjoys the company of.

Another reason why I do not like the idea of Vassien being a thing is people say that Vassien will be Lucien's HEA and he deserves to be with someone who loves him, but the huge thing here is: Vassa is human, he is Fae.  She will die centuries before him, and Lucien will be back to living alone, knowing that his mate is still out there.  How is that a happy ending?

And the solution people make is Vassa will be turned into Fae, but this is taking away some key points of Vassa's character.  

Chapter 18 of ACOFAS: I had not forgotten her plea to me that night after the last battle with Hybern.  To break the curse that kept her human by night, firebird by day.  A once-proud queen—still proud, yes, but desperate to reclaim her freedom.  Her human body.  Her kingdom.

Those last two points: human body and kingdom.

Her becoming Fae would ruin her being a human queen, especially when we think about the fact that Lucien being the heir to the Day Court will be a big part of his character.  If Vassa is turned into a Fae, would she go be with them and abandon her role as queen of the human lands?  Or would she and Lucien be separated, and she would be Fae queen of the human lands and Lucien High Lord of the Day Court?  

Vassien has absolutely no appeal for me.  And if I'm being honest, it's a ship because people want Lucien out of the way and this is the happiest story they can come up with for him, despite it going against his character, Vassa's character, and SJM's writing.

#pro elucien #lucien vanserra #elain archeron #vassa acotar #anti vassien

[freyjas-musings]

Where was it ever written that foreshadowing needs to be romantic in nature in order for it to be Valid? Feysands interactions weren't romantic in ACOTAR book 1 ?

For a fated mates author the fact that Lucien is Elain's mate is basically spelling end game.... especially given how the other two couples in the series started their journeys.

Literally , none of the Gwynriels claim the interaction between Gywn and Az so far is romantic... It would be creepy and shallow if it was already romantic, all we are saying is... based on how SJM has written her couples previously and how she has spoken in her interviews about how she likes writing her couples .... Gwyn and Azriels interactions are in line with what she wants .... One thing that's more obvious is the deliberate use of the mate language , now that is a very obvious hint that they are mates ( Please don't embarrass yourselves by bringing in the blood oath example, this time I won't be polite correcting you lot)

I could go the petty route... explaining Option A Gwynriel in elaborate detail given its immense potential for a better story line and by making option B Elriel and by reducing it to - the fantasies Az pleasured himself to without thinking beyond that and then go onto say ...

Idk I might be biased but I would any day go with Option A... even online fucking thieves( if you guys know what happened to the fanfics) that boil my blood seem to know the potential of Gwynriel.... but who has the time for such fuckery 🤔

#gwynriel #gwyneth berdara #pro gwynriel #gwyn acosf #acotar #azriel shadowsinger #gwyn x azriel #azriel #post acosf #acosf theory #elucien #elain archeron #lucien

[bookofmirth]

Did you like cc3 or love? Neither?

oh hello, why don't you pull up a chair because I have finished this book and I have Thoughts. I was thinking for a good chunk of this book that I would give it 2 stars. I still might. It depends on how it sits with me over the next couple of weeks. I ended up giving it 3 because I did enjoy some parts.

I will start with the more positive thoughts.

I am glad that the crossover was limited. One of my fears was that the series be unavoidably intertwined from here on out, so that pleases me.

I really did like seeing how Nesta has grown, her friendship with Azriel, and seeing more interesting things with his powers! That was really neat.

I did laugh out loud a couple of times, at points where I was supposed to laugh out loud. I think Tharion is dumb as hell but he made me chuckle.

The scene with Ithan and Sabine towards the end was good, I was like Gordon Ramsay, finally, some delicious fucking consequences.

Ummm... I like Ruhn and Lidia still. They had some silly moments, but overall they are the only characters in this book that I still have a shred of respect for. Maybe Perry and Sathia. Everyone else is on thin fucking ice.

Shout out to the one (1) line Bryce said that I liked: “I’m sick and tired of people using 'girl' as an insult.”

Unfortunately, the list of things I didn't like is far longer. I'm actually going to put it under the cut if people don't want their enjoyment spoiled or simply don't care.

In my opinion, sjm is a good storyteller, and an okay writer. This book really, really highlighted that for me. The plotting was a mess, I was constantly going back a page because I was confused about what was going on, there were weird inconsistencies that only made sense if you stepped back from the book and thought "well, the author needed that to happen, I guess."

There were some typos and word choice errors that should have been caught - "every muscle in Bryce's body went taught" and then a missing quotation mark (But it was Aidas who answered, pride flaring on his face. Apollion slew her with his Helfire when she attacked him—he pulled her burning heart from her chest and ate it.”). Not to mention the 255 "could have sworns" and 50-something "as if". I noticed a few similar phrases to this. If I'm feeling spicy one day maybe I will go back and find them.

The number of times she says "by whatever power" or "somehow" in a book where she has spent a lot of time explaining the power, and we should know what the "somehow" is???

Who in the ever loving fuck thinks that splitting up two tense scenes by cutting them into bite sized pieces and then interspersing them together is a good idea???

There were multiple times when I laughed out loud at scenes that were not meant to be funny, because they just seemed so dumb. Like... Ithan "accidentally" beheading Sigrid. Excuse me?? lmao (I edited this one because in my annoyance I misrepresented that a bit)

The tone was so, so off. That was a big source of my inappropriate laughing. Like, Hunt thanking Urd that he had such a loyal, fierce badass mate. Or a chapter starting with Ruhn saying "nah". I think this is because the genre could not decided what it wanted to be. SJM was still writing like this was high fantasy, but then used the word "like" in the way that I use the word "like". I do get that this is urban fantasy and she tried to smush it with a high fantasy (a high fantasy with very little world building, but still), but I really do not think that this genre serves sjm's style of storytelling. At all.

Dear powers that be in whatever heaven that exists, please stop letting sjm describe every single character as the most strongest beautiful fiercest loyal badass tough unflenching etc etc etc. I fucking beg. One of the big reasons that I dislike pretty much every character in this series is that they ALL HAVE THE SAME PERSONALITY.

Bryce is annoying as hell. I could write a whole essay on her but she is easily my least favorite sjm character EVER.

I am bitter at feeling like I needed to read this book when, after hosab, I would have given up on this series if not for the crossover.

The crossover really did feel like a "teehee I can do this because I want to" with very, very little thought as to how it would actually make sense. A crossover like this should NOT be done by someone who doesn't outline, and who pantses their writing. Pantsing is fine in itself! Pantsers should be barred from writing this kind of book.

Hunt's dick is too big for his underwear.

#hofas #hofas spoilers #house of flame and shadow spoilers #Leslie reads hofas #house of flame and shadow #sjm critical

[gwyns]

“that's why i think the "you're the new ribbon, az" line is so important. it's straight up telling us that gwyn is determined and she has her sights set on az.”

Thank you for responding to my ask! Can you go more into detail what you mean by that ^ please? Do you think by the end of Silver Flames Gwyn has a crush on Azriel (at times it seemed like (to me at least) she was teasing/flirting with him)? I think when Gwyn does want something or when she develops a crush/romantic feelings for Azriel, she’s not going to beat around the bush. She might be a little nervous (because of her trauma which is very understandable) but she knows what she wants. Does that make sense?😂 the dynamic between Gwyn and Azriel is something I’m very excited & curious to see!

no problem at all, i love talking with you guys!

honestly it's a bit tricky for me to truly explain what i feel that quote is implying but let me try. i don't think gwyn or az have any strong feelings towards each other by the end of acosf, i do think there's a mutual respect and trust there. i think gwyn may be curious about him, probably thinks he's hot and since she's been reading smutty books, she might want to explore that in the future with him since it's clear she trusts him. she was comfortable with him alone at night and comfortable enough to ask him for private dagger lessons. i feel she might see him as a "safe" option to explore her sexuality, if she chooses

basically, i don't think they have crushes or are even fully friends yet. i think gwyn finds him attractive and az finds her charming, i think they like each other, and at least on gwyn's end, are interested in something more at a certain point. what that more is, i'm not entirely sure, but i tried my best to explain how i saw their interactions above. i also like the theory that gwyn knows they're mates already, or at least will know first so it could be a lot of things, really. but this whole thing was just my personal interpretation of their characters and banter lol

and don't worry, you make perfect sense! in my ideal gwynriel novel their relationship would go something like friends with flirty banter > best friends who are even more competitive with more flirty banter that borders on sexual innuendos > one of them finds out they're mates, preferably gwyn > lovers > fully accepted mates and deeply in love with each other

but i also know and understand i am completely at sjm's mercy, so i'm just along for the ride

#acotar #gwyneth berdara #azriel #gwynriel #asks #anonymous

[siriuslytamlin]

What do you think about tamlins red flags or toxic behavior in book one? I think he absolutely displays it but people react disproportionately towards him considering the other relationships in sjms books and and a lot of romantasy in general.

I've read ACOTAR only once and only reread some scenes so I honestly could be wrong but I think his red flags are the whole lying about the curse thing and the refusal to talk/communicate clearly in many occasions. If there are others please tell me?

Personally the curse thing made sense and I could sense him actually feeling guilty about it too in some scenes. So I don't think hes horrible for trying something for Prythian's sake, and he sent Feyre back so I think that absolves him from the lying. As for the communication, it was def a problem lol. One example is the ritual night when he didnt explain to Feyre and Lucien had to. I however also think that as High Lord, dude never had to explain himself much. People listen to him so he assumed telling Feyre to stay put is enough, along with feeling weird about telling Feyre that he's gonna fuck someone and please don't show up or I might want to fuck you 🤣

I personally was also annoyed at the scene the day after he bites her because he didn't apologize but reread the scene and saw he was angry it the scene, which is valid in a way coz considering the fantasy aspects of the scene, Tamlin never consented to seeing her that night at all either? But the next scene while they don't go into detail, does mention that they apologized so that's good.

Idk, this isn't a perfect book and Tamlin isn't a perfect character but I'm in way too deep to see any other red flags lol so please elaborate anon.

And yes, I do think a lot of actions by other characters are way worse that Tamlin's. Eg: Rhysand drugging Feyre for weeks every night UTM like wat even is that and getting Clare killed.. like dude Rhysand was genuinely evil in ACOTAR.

But Tamlin is the scapegoat in this series, he's anything SJM wants him to be. Once a writer decides a character's integrity doesn't matter, anything can be pinned on them. The narrative keeps pushing that he's a dick, mostly from other people's perspective, when he's not really that bad in comparison and is in dire need if therapy.

#pro tamlin #boy im writing essays for tamlin huh #acotar thoughts

[lunainfortuna]

Sjm would have never introduced gwyn and gave her that backstory for her not to be important. She could have just made nesta and emerie friends and thats it. But no she found it important to introduce gwyn, give her a backstory with azriel. She did the same thing with feyre/tamlin and rhys. We all thought she would end up with tamlin and then surprise she changed it, and let’s be honest feyre and tamlin have more of a story together then az and elain ever had. Feyre and tam had build up but that didn’t stop sjm to couple feyre with someone else. So yes there is a high possibility that the introduction of gwyn means the end of elriel.

They maybe claim there is 4 books of build up but there is barely anything there? They don’t talk with each other, he even avoids her now, she gave him the necklace back, he hasn’t thought about a future with her. Where is the build up?? At this point it’s just wishful thinking that elriel will happen.

And i really can’t read about that song anymore, everyone who thinks that is about elriel really should start taking classes again because your reading skills aren’t there. Its about a grieving mother? Its not a love story 😒

And azriel wasn’t saying her name in context of hybern not to protect her, but because he never acknowledged that she killed him. Only rhys and lucien acknowledged it, but never az so elriels should really stop trying to explain why he never said her name in front of bryce it wasn’t for protection, he just doesn’t acknowledges that it was her.

I agree with you. Gwyn could have been just a side character that was not too important to the story, but the author decided to put her in the spotlight. And you can see it clearly through SF. More than that, there are questions abt her that haven't been answered {the same with Azriel}.

Gwyn has a beautiful journey in Nesta's book. I talk about this here:

By the way, what they call `build up`, I call `text evidence that Elain and Azriel won't be together.` In four books, there are many hints in this direction.

Now, regarding the song and the extras... please lmao. I don't have it in me to not laugh. They are reaching. They are searching desperately for something, anything. The song is not about their ship. And Azriel did not talk about Elain because she was not in his mind - to say that he was `protecting` her is a lie. They talk about Feyre being a mom. They talk about them being the good guys. 🤷🏻

And Nesta being responsible for the King's death is exactly how he sees it.

#hofas spoilers #anti ewriel

[martinsts]

Some reflections on the book ELRIEL

For a long time I wanted SJM to write an Elain and Azriel book, but lately I've found myself wondering if this is a wish that will make me happy or one that will make me regretful?

Do you know when we wish and the universe heard us? So it is! And if he listens, what will I get?

It may seem strange for someone who is a fan of ELRIEL to say this, but I will explain. I know that they will be a couple, I know that they love each other and that in their time they will be together. But I also know that each of them has their own fears and struggles to destroy and battle before coming together, I can't imagine them having each other as salvation, they will fight for themselves and choose themselves because that is their desire, their will. Not a necessity written in stone, where one cannot live without the other, on the contrary, they can. But they don't want to, because the two of them together is a choice and it will generate a solid and incredible love.

And because I think this, I ask myself, do I want SJM to write this story now? And the truth is, I don't want to. I have high expectations and I want them to be met. I don't want an immature book, with sleepovers, nonsense and more nonsense. I don't want everything to be about sex. And so few layers to the character that I don't get attached to anyone, I don't want to read a book and when I finish it think? “Okay, but what about Az? I wanted to meet him. This book could easily have 200 fewer pages and I wouldn’t miss it.”

I don't want what I saw with Cassian to happen. What did we discover about him that hadn't already been said in the previous books? Where is the kind man who cares even about those who don't deserve it? The general? The wise warrior? What do I know about him after Nesta's book that I didn't know before? Where's Nesta? Nesta would never kneel SJM. Is she a warrior? Yes! But not the one that was described, it would undoubtedly take the enemy's skin and turn it into a carpet. Her evil, her arrogance, the strong woman we know throughout the books is gone. Nesta shouldn't come to please the audience or the writer, but to tell her journey and that wasn't done (in my opinion).

We still have the attachment to Rhys as the all-powerful and altruistic lord who limits and impedes the growth of the other characters.

I want a bloodthirsty battle between Rhys and Az, after his attitude last solstice. I want Rhysand to be shown that what he did was unforgivable.

The truth is that I want a book written with maturity and a good story, a book that makes me fall in love with Az and Elain even more, as if I were meeting someone I already knew, only more deeply, being resubmitted. And may this generate happiness. Like rereading a book and realizing that it is even better than I remembered. I want EPIC LOVE.

#elriel #elain archeron #books

[saccharinerose]

Oh another thing, I find it really funny how SJM said “oh yeah, the magic just never chose a woman to be the leader of any of the courts in the entire history of prythian” and then never explained why. So we are just left to assume the magic of the the world itself is misogynistic but it’s ok bc Rhysand gave Feyre an empty title and we should no longer think about it! please stop thinking about it!

like why have the world just inherently be like that when u could’ve made it so when Prythian was founded (bc it had to be founded at some point) and the fae established the Courts system with some kind of magic agreement, they phrased their deal in such a way that only men could be chosen. And then at some point in the books, you could have the characters find a way to rewrite that deal or whatever so women could be chosen by the magic

#saccha's thoughts #anti sjm #astral beaming this into sjm's head so she can fix that part of her fucky worldbuilding

[aho-dapa]

Tamlin x king of hybern

i dare you to make a ship fic out of this XD surprise me! Take me off guard! Make it sad, or toxic, or a surprise fluff! Go crazy!

Also I LOVE YOUR PFP, PENELOPE IS BEST GIRL!

#DeathIsTheOnlyEndingForAVillainess

TW: uh dark themes like corruption and what it takes to get there, vague dddne vibe

Okay okay so like any villain flavored ship, it can go three ways: horribly, tenderly, or both.

Horribly

Let's see, could go really dddne the way it could would Amarantha, mind break flavors, or even the slow corruption arc that's only painful (meaning Tamlin looses his sense of self completely)

Both

This is still a mind break corruption route, but if we used canon: since we never actually see the KoH until ACOMAF and he's described as someone plain in the books (please sjm I'm gonna start a petition to allow your villains to hot fr)

Let's have KoH infiltrate the Spring Court during ACOWAR as Just Some Guy who gradually gains the trust of the Spring Court and integrates himself pretty well in their daily life. Maybe he went there to see the situation and maybe even take down the Spring Court, but guess what? Hilariously, he doesn't even have to lift a finger. Feyre destroys it herself and not just the Spring Court, but also deals a devastating mental blow to Tamlin. This leaves him open to manipulation even especially if Lucien leaves with Feyre. Especially if he spirals into what we saw in ACOFAS where Rhys eluded to Tamlin not even protecting himself by keeping the manor unguarded.

Meaning that this gives the KoH plenty to time to literally be the sole person by Tamlin’s side especially if he can glamor himself or even has some new ability like the ability to possess people (which could explain his age and why he might be older than Beron).

Maybe it even goes so far that Tamlin begins to rely solely on the KoH and falls for him because he just wants to be cared for rn and no longer have to push himself to be someone he's not as the High Lord of Spring

Plot twist?? Maybe (in sjm's all fae but villains are carved by the Mother herself) the KoH was actually human and was the first to use the Cauldron to become fae and that's why he knew he could change Nesta and Elain. And that's why he just knows how to use it.

This would definitely add more layers of complication towards how Tam would eventually grow closer with him because I honestly think he could get to a point where he just wants to rest and be treated kindly so he could ignore what the KoH is doing in Prythian, but that he would have difficultly if he had to live with cruelty surrounding him (given that he's already moved to Hybern). So he would definitely hate it if the KoH didn't rule fairly or reinstated slavery.

Then again, KoH motives for this can be fleshed out into a manipulation tactic or wild, maybe the KoH still actually sees himself as human and is trying to destroy all the fae as like a weird moral excuse. Or it could be that the KoH had the Cauldron before this and actually had slaves as a cover where maybe all the slaves in Hybern are actually a super secret saiyan humans and are undercover to infiltrate courts and all lands because back during his time, humans couldn't move freely in the world without being a slave or subservient to the fae. But at that point, it's getting very conspiracy and ends up trying to excuse a lot for him so that Tamlin can actually have a relationship with him. Tbh, if the slavery thing isn't addressed, I could see Tamlin snapping out of it and in a very climatic battle where everyone thinks Tamlin's basically become the co-ruler of Hybern, he kills the KoH and just sobs over his body

Extra tragic if Tamlin doesn't feel like he can be forgiven and dies with the KoH

Tenderly

Okay so this would rework the KoH and give him an even more tragic backstory. Given that I already mentioned human KoH, what if it's actually where Amarantha and Clythia have been ruling Hybern for over a millenia. And using the KoH as a puppet king they crowned long ago after turning him fae in their Cauldron experiments. And then that neatly explains why Hybern killed all their human slaves before setting them free. They wouldn't want evidence of their world domination plan using human turned fae magically bound to them to get outside of Hybern.

The slave bargains they use on humans still goes over when they're Made fae, similar to how Feyre's bargain with Rhys is still intact after becoming fae. The only way to be free of the bargain is if the ones who made it die.

Of course, there's a limit to how many people they can control and they limit it to a very small group in Hybern.

That also means that they can put themselves in positions of power in their court without having the same risks as a ruler would. Like imagine the multiple assassination attempts and general inhumanization (hah) the KoH would have to go through for what seems like a literal eternity. And their the ones actually starting wars in Prythian and the reason why Hybern surrendered is because Clythia died and Amarantha is the younger sister and she definitely relied on her in their impossibly immortal lives (not before getting personal revenge on Jurian tho who definitely learns about the KoH)

Or Amarantha surrenders after Clythia's death because Jurian found out about the Cauldron and destroyed it into three pieces (like in canon but with it actually being broken not that it needs to stand on three legs) and the humans hid it from her

But Amarantha only discovers this after she kills Jurian and tries to bring Clythia back, effectively killing off the few people that know about the Cauldron

In this, Amarantha would be the main antagonist and she does eventually collect the othe pieces but conquers prythian and utm to find the last. She resurrects Clythia and Jurian (so that he can be tortured more) and they go back to their plan of world domination.

Maybe feylin happens or something else does but Tamlin does eventually takes sides with Hybern and becomes Amarantha's High Consort as the High Queen of Prythian while Clythia goes on to fulfill her childhood dreams of becoming Empress of the Continent.

(Also, kinda nice that the evil sisters always have each other's backs and will never betray each other and that's also what makes them a threat because no one can shake that foundation)

Eventually Jurian does tell Tamlin that the KoH is literally the oldest Cauldron Made Fae outside of Amarantha and Clythia. They scheme to set him free and they eventually kill Amarantha (with the help of literally everyone else).

But before that it plays out that Amarantha sends Tamlin back to Hybern after their wedding ceremony so that she doesn't have to worry about him (both for his life and so that he can't conspire against her) and so that she can secretly move the Cauldron back to Hybern where it's kept safe

But because Clythia and Amarantha are both not at Hybern, the KoH has a little room to act as he wishes. He acts on their orders and can never reveal his true personality but he does strangely enough do his best for Hybern and ruling its people because they've also been living under years and years of tyranny (through him). So when their not watching he can take steps to express some of his desires.

He married only once a long time ago to have a heir but Amarantha killed his child as punishment because he started doing little things that made the court question him. Basically the KoH has no hope for freedom and just lives like an actual puppet and has become somewhat desensitized to his surroundings.

But because Clythia died, Amarantha now is the only one who can actually control the KoH, so now the bargain that was placed on him forever ago is weakened. (Meaning Clythia needs to remake the bargain with the KoH to reinstate her control over him. But because neither Amarantha or Clythia have died of old age, they don't know that the bargain has weakened)

Cue the suspicions Tamlin begins to have about the KoH and Tamlin actually exploring Hybern and learning lore until he eventually finds the Cauldron slowly discovers the truth

He learns that Amarantha and Clythia are the oldest fae alive and can actually steal the powers of others but can only manage one at a time and they have to learn it again once they relinquish it. Amarantha used daemati abilities to literally take complete control over Prythian and even a young Rhys. That's also how she's able to completely control the KoH without anyone knowing because she can command him through her thoughts. She's fully had a leash on the KoH for so long that she feels okay with leaving him be because she can also harm his citizens (who he has somewhat grown attached too)

This would be a great way to actually flesh out Hybern and not have it just be a place of misery and oppression. Even Amarantha and Clythia know how to rule in ways that gives them power. Amarantha uses fear tactics but eventually plans on letting up when her rule stabilizes (even the Romans enjoyed brutality when it wasn't them actually experiencing it). Basically, the people are willing to suffer through a cruelty if they are content and will not endure someone incompetent with their needs. Meaning that the KoH's (forced) cruelty is not just because, it's about gaining and keeping power. Clythia had a great balance of this, while Amarantha prefers more violent tactics (which is also why she had all the slaves be killed instead of giving them up).

It's during this time that the KoH and the other puppet fae begin to hope for the first time for freedom, and the KoH eventually breaks a rule that set up by Clythia and Amarantha.

During this time, Tamlin and the KoH get close. Also, guilty pleasure, but they also have an affair because Tamlin is technically married to Amarantha but neither of them care about that (but they do have to hide it which is honestly the best part).

Eventually, Amarantha dies and Hybern stages a revolt as the KoH is no longer bond in a slave bargain.

Clythia is killed as well after more plot and the KoH eventually explains everything publicly utm. Amren can confirm he's a Made fae and he does eventually get redipped in the Cauldron to become human again. Maybe he stays immortal or maybe not.

Also maybe, to tie a little plot hole, they Made his appearance different as the original KoH (if he was an imposter instead of just a puppet king) and he changed back to what he originally looked like as a human once they both died??

Or it could even be that Hybern was originally a human kingdom before it was conquered by the Fae and the KoH was made a slave after Amarantha and Clythia conquered it with their father (?) the original KoH forever ago. And then that would add another layer that they basically deposed their dad.

This could tie into different endings where either the KoH abdicated and goes with Tam to the Spring Court, or they both fuck off and become wanderers, or the KoH stays the KoH (in a different body) and rules over Hybern peacefully (or enacts a council or does something else) and reclaims Hybern for humans (especially if we're going with the HC that the Treaty only works between Hybern and Prythian and the only current free lands for humans is below the Spring Court).

I'm personally biased to that the KoH was a human king who was conquered by the Fae and then Made Fae (which was forgotten to history) by Amarantha and Clythia after enslaving him into a bargain. That means that the KoH doesn't change his appearance and then reclaims Hybern for humans. And Tamlin rules with him while Lucien OR Feyre (or both who knows) can look after the Spring Court. Especially if it came down to the fact that the KoH can't leave his kingdom to anyone rn but Tamlin can.

It could also be a nice breather for Tamlin especially if he found the Spring Court to hold too many bitter memories for him and/or he doesn't feel like he could go back to the Spring Court as the same person he once was. Also Hybern could just feel more freeing to him personally because he's no longer has to play the part of High Lord with all the expectations of it. He doesn't have to contend with nobles about his status as a bastard that had been conceived on Calanmai outside of wedlock (which would actually make more sense than that all the nobles left because he was a warrior) and never feeling like he could mold himself into the fancy trappings of the spring court.

It would be interesting to have Tamlin see Spring as something eternally stagnant because the seasons don't change. Eternally beautiful and eternally brutal. The Spring Court could be filled to the brim with nobles and there fancy clothing and how Tam sees it all as a farce, as an excuse for cruelty (since i often base my Spring Court on France during the revolution). Maybe because he's spent centuries trying to change it but he never feels like he's making progress. Especially if the succession system is like canon. He couldn't refuse his title, and the nobles were stuck with him and he had to live in paranoia that someone would test the family magic he had to the Court itself and see if they could replace him. (They don't because of their potential fears).

I also like the idea of Tam being demi and genderfluid and just feeling stagnant like the Court itself with their expectations of him. And since I'm petty, I like to think evil Hybern is actually more nuanced and feels more free to Tam. He can remake himself there where no one is looking. He finally gets privacy to be himself. And that's what he found even while as Amarantha's High Consort.

Imagine he was given many of the expectations a woman would be given because his roles were switched with Amarantha. Even if she bears him children, he will be the one to raise them and with how he would have limited say on most things in her High Court.

I'm also a personal fan of soft Tam and just letting him become even softer. In this way, he likes helping the KoH but he doesn't want to rule. Of course they're equals, it just tastes different because Tamlin no longer has to be forced into those expectations. He likes the idea of raising his children instead of spending his days debating with nobles on policies. He likes the idea of tea parties and gossip and things typically feminine in comparison to his peers. Basically, he's just very genderfuck.

basically I wanna see Tam in some historical irish dresses and running barefoot in the rain

Uhhhhh, so I rambled there uh

Hope you enjoyed me spiraling because now I'm definitely planning on writing the tender part of this journey

#pro tamlin #anti sjm #uh i spiraled once again #tamlin x koh #koh x tamlin #i apologize how did it get so long????????? #omg also i forgot #i also love villains are destined to die #already have a fic planned for that fandom actually #acotar era

[daffodilsonnet]

Elain theory

I just started a chaotic reread of the SJM books yesterday, starting with ACOMAF, and something jumped out at me this reread, that has led me down a rabbit hole to a potential Elain theory. Also, questions raised that I will include at the bottom of the post.

Theory: Elain can, and will, be able to wield the power of the Cauldron, using The Book of Breathings (and potentially wielding the Dread Trove), because it (The Cauldron!) will allow her to. 

ACOMAF:

“When the Cauldron was made,” the Carver interrupted, “its dark maker used the last of the molten ore to forge a book. The Book of Breathings. In it, written between the carved words, are the spells to negate the Cauldron’s power--or to control it wholly. But after the war, it was split into two pieces. One went to the Fae, one to the six human queens. It was part of the Treaty, purely symbolic, as the Cauldron had been lost for millennia and considered mere myth. The Book was believed harmless, because like calls to like--and only that which was Made can speak those spells and summon its power. No creature born of the earth may wield it, so the High Lords and humans dismissed as little more than a historical heirloom, but if the Book were in the hands of something reforged...You would have to test such a theory, of course--but...it might be possible.”

ACOWAR:

‘The Cauldron purred in Elain’s presence as the King of Hybern slumped to his knees, clawing at the knife jutting through his throat.’

‘The Cauldron seemed to realize what she’d done, too, as his head thumped onto the mossy ground. That Elain...Elain had defended this thief. Elain, who it had gifted with such powers, found her so lovely it had wanted to give her something...it would not harm Elain, even in its hunt to reclaim what had been taken.’

ACOSF:

“Like calls to like,” Amren countered. “You were Made by the Cauldron. You may track other objects Made by it as well, as Briallyn can. And because you are Made by it, you are immune to the influence and power of the Trove. You might use them, yes, but they cannot be used upon you.” A glance to Elain. “Either of you.”

And, as everyone probably knows by now, The Book of Breathings is off-world, in Jesiba’s forbidden books library in her antiquities firm in Crescent City.

Elain went into the Cauldron before Nesta. Other than ACOSF, when she calls out Nesta for being aware and unaware of her trauma, we never truly get a glimpse of what she actually went through. Judging by how the Cauldron reacts in her presence, I’d say homeboy is crushing hard on her. She has powers (plural), so she has more than Seer powers. I personally think she has Daemati powers, and some other people have proposed that she may even have healing powers,  as well. I think that, based off the text, it is entirely plausible that Elain will graciously ask the Cauldron if she could please wield it’s powers, and because that ancient sucker is smitten with her, it will gladly do what she wants it to do.

Further Questions

Who is the Cauldron’s “dark maker”?

How, and where, did Jesiba acquire the Book of Breathings?

What did the Cauldron mean by “the hands of something reforged”?

Since Elain and Nesta are immune to the influence of the Trove, when used by others, does that mean that someone will attempt to use it on one or both of them?

The Bone Carver described the Book of Breathings as containing spells “written between the carved words”. This is never adequately explained (and I find Amren’s explanation to be dissatisfactory, in light of my scrupulous rereads). What did he mean by that?

When we do get Elain’s book, how many boxes of tissues will we need, and how many cups of honey lemon tea will we consume to deal with all the screaming of “WTF, SJM?!?!?” that will no doubt occur?

#acotar #acomaf #acowar #acosf #crescent city #elain #elain archeron #nesta #nesta archeron #amren #the bone carver #jesiba roga #feyre #feyre archeron #rhysand #lucien vanserra

[talkfantasytome]

Hi there you absolutely amazing human being! I hope you’re doing great 💕 I’ve had this idea for a Nessian canon one shot in my head for the longest time but I can’t write for my life, so I figured you (being the amazing writer that you are) might be able to make use of it. I don’t know if you’re currently taking any prompts/ideas but I have a horrible memory so I decided to send it before I forgot.

Ok, so the idea is Cassian gets back from a very hard and brutal mission completely numb. Nesta is obviously scared and worried because she has never seen him like that. She takes care of him in the usual ways; feeds him, bathes him, gets him to sleep, etc… all very soft. During all this he doesn’t speak nor acknowledges her presence because he’s that numb. The next morning he’s still the same and Nesta asks him what else can she do to help and Cassian explains he needs physical touch and reassurance. Flash forward they have the softest angstiest and fluffiest sex ever and Nesta focuses on taking care of him and his needs and it’s all very fluffy.

Feel free to change absolutely everything you want! Thank you so much! You really are amazing 💕

First of all, thank you so much, that's so sweet!! 🥺 💕 Second of all, I love this, and I know it's taken me a hot second (or 50,000,000) to reply, but I just needed the time and right mindset to get to this cause this is a bigger thing, and not something I can just bust out quickly. And I didn't want to reply until I was close-ish.

I was hoping to have this for today's SJM Romance Week day but, well...I don't think that's going to happen. I'm trying, but I don't have tons of time to write these days, and my motivation has been very meh lately.

ANYWAY! I do hope to get this out this week, but whether I do or don't, thought I could at least tease this a bit with a snipped! 😄 I am making changes to this, and I can't promise actual smut as I haven't been in a place for that, and idk if I will be when I get to that point. But I doooo promise fluff and slight angst, of course, their love language of physical touch. 💕

This time, something registered in his eyes. The faintest twinkle that said he did see her. And for a moment she let the relief flood her, but only a moment. Because as quick as the twinkle came it faded again.

"Please, Cass," she breathed, holding the bite of steak up. "Eat for me?"

He lifted a hand a placed it over hers, guiding the steak into his open mouth. After that first bite, he took the fork in his own hand and began to work on the meal.

Nesta let out the breath she'd been holding and then sat beside him, keeping one hand on him at all times, her fingers curved around his broad shoulder. She stayed clear of his wings for the moment, unsure how he'd react in his current state to even an accidental brush against them.

#nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #love languages #physical touch #sjmromanceweek2023 #snippet #nesta x cassian #cassian x nesta

[acourtofthought]

I want to start off by saying I really enjoy your posts. They are always so well thought out and written, you've even given more content to support my own theories. I appreciate you.

I just want to go on a bit of a brain dump on all the theories I've seen since I read ACOTAR from Elriels I think ride on too many things to happen for it become true.

False mate bond

• For starter's this is easily disproven by a number of things, starting with the biggest confirmation, which is Sarah already explained to fans why she mated Elain to Lucien, in the same interview she explained why Nesta was better matched with Cassian. She clearly cared enough about Lucien to give him a better match. You'd think this is all the winning argument Elucien's would need, but for the purposes of this rant, let's say new readers have yet to go down the rabbit hole that is watching every SJM interview possible for clues -

Well, it's confirmed in the span of 4 books in a number of ways, but the biggest ones are

1) Lucien pulls at the thread, Elain feels it.

2) Azriel can smell their bond

Forbidden romance

• What is forbidden? Rhys, the most powerful HL offered his protection and safety to Elain should she ever decide to reject the bond and keep her safe from Lucien, if he ever tried anything. He is also Azriel's brother, he knows him best. If he truly believed Azriel had genuine feelings for Elain, he would without a doubt support them. But Rhy's knows Az the best and knows Az is not in the right headspace to pursue Elain and he is not going to stand by and watch Azriel make a mistake that ultimately could hurt his sister in law. Yes, there was some political motives, but again, Rhys said if Elain rejected the bond, he would protect her from Lucien. So why would that change now? It hasn't. So it is very likely Rhy's know Azriel is not interested in Elain for the right reasons.

Rejected mates

• So you mean to tell me, that Azriel, who had hoped for 500 years that a bond would snap between he and Mor, to angrily telling his brother why didn't the cauldron gift him a mate like his brothers, to mopping around watching his brother's find their mates, would turn around and reject his mate in favor for Elain? PLEASE, Azriel has no reservations about mates, he wants a mate, he knows how special and rare it is. The bond means something to Az, he covet's having what his brothers do and neither Elain or Mor can ever give him what his brothers have, but right now he is so desperate for any affection and believes he is not worth of a mate, he is willing to settle. But I strongly believe SJM has plans to gift him a mate and it is not Elain.

And I think a lot of elriels know this because, it leads me to my last point...

Two mates

So the irony in this is, out of all the ignored SJM interviews elriels pretend never exist (about elucien) they hold onto a 2015 comment with a tight grip. But let's take into context that comment, for one it was in response to a TOG book promotion. It had nothing to do with ACOTAR and even if it did, has SJM introduced multiple mates since 2015- I means she's had plenty of time? It seems to me she favors monogamy when it comes to her mates. She had an interview with Stephanie, who asked a similiar question and SJM kinda laughed it off. I think she is still traditional when it comes to couples. I mean, sure she may play around with threesomes in terms of fantasies and sex, but I do not see her writing any poly ships anytime soon, no matter how much I personally wold love that, as I'm a reverse harem fan, but I just don't think that is SJM's cup of tea and that is ok! Not saying she couldn't and wouldn't go there, but I think the purpose of a mate bond it that it is so rare and between TWO individuals. It one had multiple mates, I believe it wold cheapen how special it is.

There are other theories I've seen, but ultimately for Az and Elain to work SJM has to not only rewrite their characters, but I just do not see how their story progresses the series. As much as I love Lucien, he is not getting his own stand alone book. And I think Mor is getting a novella. So if Elain is getting her book and Azriel is getting his own book, then it is obvious neither are each other LI's, as each book follows a different couple.

Thank you so much!! I love how we can all see one another's posts and it helps trigger a new post idea or it helps us add to one we're already writing ❤️ Your thoughts are all on point and the arguments Anti's come up with are extremely frustrating when they're so easily disproven (yet they still refuse to acknowledge what is canon if it leads to their theory falling apart). Along with everything you mentioned in the Mating Bond, Mor also used her gift of truth on Lucien so it's not something he could be faking (especially considering the fact that Feyre went into his mind and saw that he was struggling with the pull of the bond). And the King of Hybern seemed surprised to find out that Elain and Lucien were mates so he's not manipulating it. As far as Koschei tricking them, what purpose would that serve? It would only work if he were trying to trick Elain and Lucien into wanting to be together in order to pull them away from other people. As it stands, they haven't accepted the bond, Lucien is living with Vassa as a friend and Elain has developed a crush on Az, so it makes no sense. Forbidden Love......when only Az was told to stay away from Elain? 🤣 That's not forbidden. That's Rhys not letting Az hook up with his sister in law while Az is still in love with Mor and Az was not willing to tell Rhys anything to the contrary. Not to mention, Elain is not the kind of character (especially after SF) who is going to let anyone tell her what she can and can't do. I really like your point about multiple mates because it does seem unrealistic to give one female two mates in a series where true mated pairs are rare. I understand why this specific group is all getting mating bonds (A. because those are the stories SJM is telling and it wouldn't make sense for one in the group to get a bond while the rest do not especially if they're going to be a main character. B. they are all noted as uniquely powerful so it does stand to reason that fate is pairing them off with other uniquely powerful partners). But why give Elain two Mating Bonds? That's saying she's even more unique and rare and special? That because she got one Mating Bond and decides not to get to know him, she's just given another? And I LOVE Elain. She's my favorite female character but even I can admit that's a little too "special" for my liking. The entire point of her story is she's fighting fate because she thinks fate knowing what's best and her making the choice to accept her fate because it's what she wants can't be the same thing. But there is no way SJM won't eventually show that Elain is willing to let go of her stubbornness and truly see what fate sent her way and when she does she's going to realize that Lucien has always been everything she could have wanted.

Yes, a mating bond can be rejected but that's not way to live for anyone involved. Because Az would then always know Elain had a special connection to Lucien and she'd have to spend her life trying to reassure him that she's not feeling that connection. And Az would always wonder if he had a mate still out there, and what would he do if he met her? It doesn't make for a truly HEA because it continually pop up as an issue for the rest of their lives. Thank you for message and all your wonderful thoughts!

#anti e/riel #elucien

[stargirlfeyre]

I just realized this but when I see people talking about how there’s “no diversity” in ACOTAR it confuses the hell out of me. The reason why people think that there’s “no diversity” is because artists just straight up ignore physical descriptions of characters and everyone is all like “oMg, tHat iS TotALy thE baT boYs.” Like no bitch, that is a pasty white man whereas the bat boys are described as having very tan skin.

We have multiple High Lords who are people of color but fans just ignore their descriptions. I’m pretty sure the only consistent fan art of person of color in this fandom is Amren. And it’s not just fan art, it’s fan casting as well. I always see someone fan casting Rhys as like Henry Cavill. Now don’t get me wrong, he is very handsome but he is white, Rhys is not.

Not only is there diversity with different races and complexities but there is diversity with the LGBTQ+ community. Yes, sjm hasn’t really gotten into it but she states it multiple times within the books. We have Mor who is, I believe, Bisexual/ Lesbian, if I remember her coming out correctly, we have Helion who is also the same way, and we have Theasan, the High Lord of Dawn, who has a male partner.

ACOTAR has diversity, it’s just the toxic fans who ignore it then complain about there not being any diversity.

And please correct me if I’m wrong on the sexualities of Helion and Mor. It’s been a minute since I reread the books so I might be getting things mixed up😅😅

Don’t get me wrong acotar is not the standard for diversity and it could definitely do better when it comes to its poc characters however this fandom definitely plays a part in whitewashing these characters. It’s insane to me how white people in this fandom fight so hard to prove why canon poc characters are actually white. They wrap it up in some “we’re only saying this because their race isn’t explained in depth” bullshit but truthfully I just think they don’t like reading about people of color. Just because the Illyrians’ description doesn’t fit a certain race to a T does not mean they’re white. White is not the default. Especially when every single time these people are described it’s clear they aren’t white.

And it’s not only their skin color. Even people who draw the Illyrians or other poc characters with darker skin they blatantly ignore their features. Then when you call them out on it they either block you, delete the comments, or say “that’s just how I see the character”. I will never forget when someone said Rhys can be played by just a slightly tan white man. As if that doesn’t directly go against his description.

And I’m pretty sure Helion is bi, Mor is bi too but she only forms deeper connections with women and men are just physical for her, and Thesan I think is just gay.

[belle-keys]

“I feel like I could go on and on when it comes to this because there’s definitely a link between the sjm-esque books and then the question of poor writing and the weird behaviors among some readers, but I digress for now.” Please go on! I’ve got popcorn and time. I will say: IMO, fans of ACOTAR and like books are often the same people who tote how ~diverse~ YA/NA are to explain why they only read those genres, then still stick to SJM and JLA and other white authors with little diversity.

Thanks for the ask!

I just feel, as many others have pointed out, that the increased commodification of fantasy and ya fantasy within the last 5-10 years has directed led to a.) the most privileged readers taking over the book community and b.) the sjm-ification of writing because those same privileged readers are the ones idolizing her writing.

Like, take the popular book boxes these days for example: I'd day the vast majority of the books are just so derivative and plain boring. But they have an aesthetic and get sprayed edges and exclusive dust jackets and all of that, and hence you have the upper middle class readers who can afford these pretty editions giving them hype when the writing is mediocre and the book's publication is nothing but a cash grab. As I mentioned, I feel like an AI could write some of these new trendy fantasy books that are all aesthetic but no story.

And it's no wonder that this same echelon of upper middle class first worlders are the ones that tout sarah j maas and also feature her work on their pages. The marketability of sjm from this perspective leads to this influx of poorly written discount fae-fantasy books that are, again, not good. The profitability of this pretty fantasyscape increases as the quality of writing decreases, in my opinion.

In The Hunger Games and Twilight and Harry Potter era, everyone and their mother was just reading a pdf copy or a used edition of the book, and people seemed to be enjoying the story much more. But I can't say that the book community is still like that where the enjoyability of books comes first - it's about merchandise and book collecting and arc touting more than anything. I partially blame Booktok's existence, but meh.

#ask #anon ask #books and literature #booktok #bookstagram #book blog #books #anti sjm #anti sarah j maas #anti acotar

[ninainthetardis]

⚠️⚠️⚠️ HoFaS Spoilers ahead ⚠️⚠️⚠️

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Just a bunch of things about this finale that I wanted to get off my chest. I will start by saying that I found it overall underwhelming, unsatisfying and anticlimactic, so you can guess it's not going to be a positive rant here. This is the part of my GR review I haven't posted there.

Please, do not come at me under this post or the others. This is just my opinion, and I won't be answering any rude comment. I have the right to express my own disappointment. Those who want to have a constructive and respectful conversation are always welcome, though.

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• The crossover ended up being reeeeally underwhelming, and the whole Ruhn/Rhys thing that built the entire hype for this book was explained in the lamest way possible (and at a certain point even forgotten by the characters). Also, what the hell were those references to ToG that were just dropped there without further explanation? We know how the Fae from Prythian got to Midgard, but what about the ToG ones? How is it that Lidia has knowledge about her ancestors from the other world? Also, how could Lidia know she had fire magic even when Danika was alive if elemental magic had been hidden and kept dormient in every Vanir for centuries?

• I am not a big fan of Azriel and Bryce, and I am definitely not on the list of Nesta's fans, but you know what? This trio worked. For some reason, I liked to see them interacting, and I actually found Azriel and Nesta's dynamic an element that could be interesting if explored in the following acotar books. Maybe it's just that I didn't care about any of them enough to be bothered by the things I usually find annoying (Bryce), triggering (Nesta), and irritating (Azriel) in such characters.

Too bad Nesta screwed it up with the mask thing (which I have already discussed here) and in Ember/Randall's bonus chapter with the return of her spiteful, ungrateful, behaviour/attitude. I guess the best I can hope for when it comes to Nesta is to be civil to her and nothing more, just like it happened with post ToD Chaol. Slightly less even. Like, maybe she could stop triggering me every two pages. That would be progress and beyond any of my expectations, really. It would make the next acotar books much easier to read, though I cannot forget how she's been in the past.

• I didn't like the info dump both in the final part of the crossover and in the part with the Princes. I would have preferred some flashbacks showing what happened to the "tell don't show" technique SJM chose here. And finding out what happened in the First War, for me, was the most interesting point of the whole book, so that execution disappointed me.

• Why was everything resolved so easily? Bryce got everything she needed provided for, or told by someone else, she somehow managed to master new skills within a range of few seconds (the same can be told for Lidia and the other characters when freed of the infection) and the most interesting aspect of her character - her being so underpowered in comparison to the Asteri - Was totally nullified by the ridiculous amount of power she got along the way. Literally, all they did/tried to do, worked first try. Where is the struggle? Where is the pain KoA made me feel? Where are the emotions? The only moment I felt something was that "Light it up, Danika!" At the end of the book. Just that.

And where is the characters development? Ships development? Also, the always absent talking about traumas is really getting on my nerves. I'll be making examples about this later.

• What the hell was that recycled finale? It resembled KoA's finale. It even had the "Rhys is dead" plot twist, but with Bryce and with the same resolution. Also, what was the point of having characters killed in books 1 and 2 if Hypaxia could've just resurrected them within a couple of minutes? I hate the resurrection theme, especially when overused. It diminishes everything.

• I am apparently one of the few people who's given Hypaxia some consideration. She's been one of my favourites ever since the first book, but... in HoFaS she's just doing miracles, resurrecting people, and developing an antidote out of the blue in a couple of hours (really?), which brings me back to the fact that in this, everything happened too easily.

• So, SJM is trying to tell me that the Asteri were so clever to submit a population of powerful Vanir people for 15000 years, meanwhile keeping hidden form them that they were limiting and stealing their magic, - and even eating their dead's - but then failed to imagine Bryce's real plan because they were too arrogant? Wtf was that? Am i supposed to believe that Rigelus just underestimated her when in book 1, he was the one trying to keep her calm and content because he recognised how dangerous she was, after all she had done?

• What was the point of introducing Ariadne?

• I can't say I am totally disappointed in Jesiba's character, I just don't understand why the most powerful characters for magic or combat skills were kept away from the battle against beings as powerful as the Asteri lol Her arriving only at the end of the battle, Fury and Baxian being away... meh, everything was just kind of disappointing.

• Also, black holes? 🤨 no insights about the battle and the Princes fighting? All we got was literally: "The Princes killed the other Asteri, yay!". Did I mention that it was all so disappointing and anticlimactic?

• Now, let's move on to specific characters:

- Tharion "the funny one turned into Mr Boredom".

I have to say it. He was the king of repetitive povs in book 2, and just one of the many characters in this series who started off as being interesting only to become almost annoying by the end of it. But he's the friend who can't do anything right to the point you end up thinking your own bullshit is not that shitty. Repetitive povs and excessive whining (he was supposed to be the funny one sigh) aside, I kind of still care about him. And him and Sathia are unexpectedly interesting as a couple, but we'll see if they become an actual one. I also liked his sort of friendship with Ariadne. And the one with the Aux and Ithan, "the pack". Please, let him sort his shit out and be fine because he's such a mess I cannot even hold it against him, lol

- Bryce the Fa(k)e Woke Queen-lan

I won't say that Bryce's character was butchered here because there was nothing to butcher according to me, she's always been like this. It just became more evident.

From HoSaB to the end, she's been annoying. Though she had some moments of glory along the way, I have to admit that. But why was she convinced that she could be Aelin all of a sudden? She was never a strategist nor a planner (and her plans ALWAYS failed, except her plans in HoFaS? How's that?). Her most successful moments were due to improvisation, - prompted by survival instinct - and luck. Now she's suddenly an entitled overpowered mastermind lol

She has zero respect for others feelings/traumas, as usual she's always right and anyone who disagrees with her is just an alpha asshole, she's better and knows better than anyone else (and I am still trying to figure out why she's supposed to be any of those things) and she's constantly criticising anyone else... for things she does herself too. Great. Like, in the crossover she literally complains about Nesta and Az manipulating her while.. she was doing the very same thing to them? Just like in book 1, when she was complaining all the time about Fury not talking to her while she did the same thing to Ithan.

And what the hell were her plans, anyway? She was so desperately trying to be Aelin, but she never even had a chance. Leaving Baxian and Fury in a naturally protected place and not taking them to battle? How is that smart? Not calling Jesiba, the powerful witch, to join the battle? HOW IS ANY OF THAT SMART?

She had a whole conversation with Nesta before Rhys arrived, his shadows announced pages before? (Wtf?)

She bloody endangered Prythian, almost freed and unleashed an Asteri on Prythian's soil, and Nesta GAVE HER THE MASK? (WTF I-don't-even-know-which-part-this-is-anymore)

Now, should I comment on Bryce's total disrespect for her mate's trauma and past while he's always been thoughtful when it came to hers? I do not ship them AT ALL, and it's not because Hunt is boring as someone claims, but because Hunt deserved better, tbh and I loved them in book 1! Worst SJM main female character, really.

Also, please tell me again why she was supposed to be the queen of a species she literally hated and didn't want anything to do with. She was Queen of generalisation in that sense. I loved how Baxian called her out and made her realise that she was only considering what was convenient and conform to her prefixed, biased ideas (the speech where he compares wolves and fae). I mean, she was right about fae nobility, but there were innocents among the fae too and she was talking about how the whole species deserved obliteration, while claiming wolves were better (when statistically there was a huge amount of wolves who judged her just like the fae and did nothing to help during the attack, just like the fae... because they obey to their leaders, and Sabine was just as bad as Morven and the Autumn King. Wolves were not all like the Devil's pack, Ithan and Danika, just like fae were not all like the Autumn/Avallen king). All while not considering the fae among her group and treating Declan and Flynn like shit for absolute no reason. Or giving those shitty answers to Sathia about her plans for the fae people... she was a victim of the system more than Bryce tbh Bryce's wokeness would have been so much more believable, useful and coherent if she wasn't biased as the ones she accused or an alpha asshole herself.

I am sorry, but I just cannot stand her hypocrisy. And I cannot stand generalisation.

- Hunt "the powerbank" Athalar

He was literally conceived to be Bryce's powerbank first and later his shadow (Umbra Mortis?!) who follows her everywhere without even being given the chance to have a say in what they are going to do. Otherwise, he'd be acting like an alpha asshole. Just to be told not to make a fuss about being held captive and tortured with his friends. I'm so pissed for his arc, because he was so interesting in book 1, only for his povs to become repetitive and sometimes boring in book 2 and almost non existing in book 3, like he didn't have any inviduality other than being Bryce's mate and anchor. Also, how could he blame himself for anything when Bryce didn't even listen to his warnings/complains/objections, leaving him with no other choice but following her to get at least the chance to protect/help her?

And then she's like "I don't want you to just follow me, I want that you want to do this" (wtf?)

Bonus: being son of Apollion or Thanatos instead of somehow created by them in terms of powers would have been so much more interesting.

I liked his friendship with Ruhn and Baxian though, and missed him and Isaiah/Naomi.

- Ithan "I don't even know what I'm doing" Holstrom

Why was Ithan so damn sure Sigrid would be a good leader for the wolves is beyond me. He didn't know her. Literally, it was just because she was a Fendyr. That was his only argument in support of his theory. As if Sabine wasn't proof that being a Fendyr didn't automatically make you a good leader. As if Sigrid didn't act entitled and reckless and dominant and selfish and despotic the whole time. It's all she's done, really, and he did not expect that she was not that good as he wanted her so desperately to be? SHE AIMED TO KILL HIM IN THAT PIT! Him, the very person who risked everything to save her, the only person who ever cared about her! A person who was not trying to harm her despite the circumstances. She was not going to try and find another way even though she knew all those lives depended on the group getting out the Viper Queen's hands... it was self defense and I truly get his struggle to accept what happened BUT defeating the Asteri was the priority and the fact that she came back 5 seconds later as a creature that could not be killed and known for being dangerous, when it is known that messing with the dead usually leads to no good... did not exactly make me empathise at all with this whole arc. And after that, he was still whining about Sigrid instead of fully focusing on fighting the Asteri...

It's a pity because I really liked him before this Sigrid thing. But I'd be willing to give him a second - or should I say third? - chance. I think Perry may be his mate, anyway, and I am kind of curious about that.

- Ruhn/Lidia

I was totally unimpressed by them as a couple after book 2, but I thought they were getting interesting at the beginning of book 3. Then somehow Lidia felt entitled to be pissed at Ruhn because he was struggling to accept that Day was the Hind (wtf) and then Ruhn felt entitled to be pissed at Lidia for not talking to him about her past (wtf part 2). Only to forget/postpone all of their issues because they were horny and about to go to battle against the Asteri. That's not ship building/development. Ruhn shooting her was too much, even if he was trying to protect her and sacrifice himself. But that idea made no sense and had literally no use or purpose. Why did SJM think it would be a good idea? Adding some drama/shock value element that was totally uncalled for and that only resulted in diminishing a ship that wasn't even well developed to begin with? Because it served nothing and it was dumb. Leaving Lidia wounded and vulnerable. One of the best assets they had in that battle - and they didn't bring many with them. Just like clockwork hadn't been for Tharion, they would have all been dead five seconds later.

To think that the fact that Lidia already had two kids was such an interesting and unexplored arc for mates... sigh, I am disappointed.

I am happy that it was Ruhn to deal with the Autumn King in the end, though. He deserved closure and to free himself of that monster. I am quite sad that his character never had the chance to fully come out.

Lidia carried the whole book. I loved her.

- Baxian/Danika

They truly were the most interesting ship in this series. I hope there will be a flashback book/novella about them. I swear I would love it. Their dynamic is also interesting, and I'd love to get to know Baxian better. But maybe, we will?

To sum up, this series left me absolutely nothing. I do not care enough about any of the characters, I didn't get particularly affectionate to any of them. Its major strength was the focus on friendship, but after the first book, it was almost absent, the principle only slightly reminded by Ruhn, Dec and Flynn/Hunt, Rhun, and Baxian. The premises of the story in general were so good (HoEaB), but the execution through book 2 and 3 was so poor it disappointed me. It's not a bad series, it is entertaining in its own way... it's just a bit "undertone" if compared to the other SJM series, it lacked of emotions, plot/characters/ships development and impact, I don't know how to say it. I hope the next books will be better. My guess is on Ithan, Tharion, Flynn next. Or even Sathia, considering that SJM prefers female povs. I wish we'd seen Fury and Juniper a bit more, and Dec and Marc, but they are established couples, so I don't think we'll see any of them as main. Flynn has that slightly hinted thing with Ariadne, who was introduced and forgotten, so maybe she'll be important later? I want to stay optimistic lol

I wished there was a better development for Ruhn and Lidia as a couple, though, and Ruhn as a character because I think they'll be side characters from now on. Also, why on earth was their marriage in a bonus chapter? That's not extra content. That's the ending for two of the main characters. It's not fair!

Btw, imo the only memorable characters in this series so far are Danika, Baxian, Aidas, and Lidia.

#hofas spoilers #hofas review #anti bryce #anti bryce quinlan #anti nesta #this is just the rant of a disappointed reader