#because sjm isn’t someone who SHOWS she TELLS

[highprincessofthenightcourt]

RANT FOR AZRIEL

(Disclaimer , this isn’t for the girlies peacefully enjoying their headcanons or favorite characters. This is for the hostile, demonizing posts I keep seeing against Azriel lately. And let me be clear, shipping whoever you want is fun and totally valid. This isn’t about that. This is about people villainizing others for not liking what they like and twisting canon to suit their narrative and I just needed to rant.)

It pisses me off that people act like Azriel doesn’t truly see or value Elain just because he didn’t tell Rhysand about it in the bonus chapter. The thing is, Az had no plans for a future with her because he was doing everything in his power to stay away—he believes he’s unworthy of her, he knows she was given a mate, and he wants her to have a choice.

So, he stayed away. He tried to do what he thought was right—to give her the chance to be with the guy she was “supposed” to be with. He accepted that, even though we saw how much it pained him. And this is just another example of Azriel caring about Elain. He was putting his feelings aside because she is important to him. Even the fact that he almost gave in to her on Solstice was because he finally knew she wanted him. He was overwhelmed and dazed and hadn’t thought anything through in that moment—but he knew she felt for him as he did for her, and that’s what mattered to him.

Azriel has shown us, time and time again, how much he cares for Elain. From the very beginning, when he tried to appear harmless because she was scared of fae, to being the one who wanted to show her the garden and give her a safe space in this strange land. From being the one who noticed she was a seer, thus saving her from being trapped in her own mind, to being the one who immediately realized she was missing when Hybern took her—and had zero second thoughts about risking his life to get her back. From not spying on Lucien out of respect for Elain’s privacy, to finding the perfect necklace that represented her secret lovely beauty and the roses she lovingly tends to. Azriel has been there. He sees her, just as she sees him and all the times he rubs his temples.

Now, I do have my little personal quibble with Lucien for not being a better friend to Feyre, but that’s beside the point and it really isn’t the reason I don’t ship him with Elain. He’s had good moments, and I get why some people might want to see him as a MMC in the next book.

But Lucien is the one who has been written to see Elain superficially. Their first real interaction, where she asks if he can hear her heart and he says he can’t…it tells you everything. He’s the one having sexual thoughts about her without knowing or even really liking her—not Azriel.

Az is the one who yearns for her so deeply that it pains him to even see her near someone else, to the point where he needs to stay near exits so he can leave if it gets too unbearable.

This is not unintentional, guys. SJM even had Nesta, who was obsessed with Elain, tell Azriel he would die if he tried to save her—that’s how badly she needed to communicate to us that Az would do anything for Elain, including die.

And one last thing: Azriel is not a pervert for being turned on by a very attractive woman who, mind you, wants to fuck him back. Not even Lucien is a pervert for wanting her. Elain is hot, it’s not their fault. Plus, these fae are all horny as hell—the Spring Court needs literal orgies to generate magic. Maybe go deal with that instead, lol.

[keepittoyourshelf]

Since the algorithm on my various socials thinks I actually want to see a ton of people simping over Rhys and ACOTAR, let’s get down to the bones of why that algorithm is fucked beyond all comprehension, shall we?

I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m pro-Tamlin, not in the sense that I approve of what he did, but from the place that I believe he’s worthy of forgiveness in the same way any of the men that SJM otherwise glorifies in her work is worthy of it for any of their transgressions.

I shouldn’t have to do a paint by numbers thing here to make this obvious, but based on the actual text written by SJM in her own words, Tamlin has objectively done nothing better or worse than Rhysand has.

The big complaint is his temper, of course, and pro-Rhysies love to bullshit about how the red flags were all over book 1 and SJM is such a master at foreshadowing.

He locked Feyre in a house against her will to protect her, when she clearly didn’t want to be caged. How is that any worse than Rhysand…drugging her and making her give him lap dances, in order to protect her, when she clearly didn’t want to be dancing naked in front of strangers?

Go on. I’ll wait for your rationalization.

Rhysand’s whole shtick was that he’s only playing the villain to keep Velaris (and only Velaris) safe…those fucks in the Hewn City can eat a bag of dicks, right? But tell me again how Tamlin is the really bad one for enforcing a tithe because it’s unfair to those who can’t afford it (fair point). But Rhysand chooses to save the one city in his court that has zero problems. Let’s let those that might already be suffering from poverty get kidnapped and tortured by a psychopath. That’s probably better than a tithe, right?

And let’s not forget how Tamlin mocked Feyre and Rhys at the High Lords meeting. While funny, it was in poor taste. At least Rhysand didn’t publicly mock Tamlin. He had the decency to do it privately when he went out of his way to go to a deeply troubled man’s house and, in the midst of an obvious mental health crisis, not only had the gall to ask for resources from a man that has no resources because his own wife fucking destroyed them out of spite, but proceeds to rub in his triumph over a man that has nothing left. Nothing to see there, right?

Even if you could ignore all of that (and you’d have to be willfully fucking thick to do so, which a lot of these people are), I shall leave you with Tamlin’s role as a spy for Hybern. That’s obviously supposed to be a real shock because TaMliN BaD at this point, so why would anyone believe him? It’s not like he had a really good explanation like Rhys gave when he murdered literal children and innocents just to ensure Amarantha didn’t know how noble he actually was. Right? RIGHT?! And it’s not like anyone would have a harder time believing someone who had played evil and done actually evil things for the “greater good” (a collectivist dog whistle if there ever was one) for fifty fucking years over the dude that suddenly goes bad after being a progressive and respected high lord for the same period of time? I mean, it’s not like we’re dealing with severe mental anguish and trauma here. That’s crazy talk.

Shadow Daddy does no wrong. Even when he does. Because reasons.

Those idiots on TikTok making stupid videos showing their bf’s being all shocked and I KNEW IT when Tamlin “turns” can chew glass along with all those dipshits selling mugs that say “Tamlin’s Tears” on Etsy right next to merch glorifying a man that literally gaslit his soulmate into believing that forced drunken naked lap dances were actually a good thing, when you think about it.

SJM isn’t a master of foreshadowing. She’s a sloppy writer of moderately entertaining fiction that has a kink for glorifying severely unhealthy behaviors without the benefit of a trigger warning.

Fuck off if you think that’s all okay and think that anyone that says Tamlin isn’t any worse comparatively is the crazy one. Projection is a real disorder. Look it up. Right after you order your 543rd Rhysand candle.

[elainsgirl]

“Azriel will never ever reject his mate for Elain”

Yes he would. I don’t really understand why people keep saying that the mating bond is the most important aspect to SJM’s couples. Many of my favorite couples aren’t mates (Lorcan/Elide, Manon/Dorien, Yrene/Chaol). And even in the ACOTAR universe, SJM wrote that matings bonds don’t equal happiness. Both Rhys’s and tamlin’s parents had mating bonds - both marriages were unhappy.

You’re telling me that if rhys/Feyre weren’t mates and Rhys found out he had a mate, he wouldn’t immediately reject that mate? Or if Cassian discovered he had a mate (other than Nesta) he wouldn’t choose Nesta? They may have been originally drawn together due to the mating bond but they fell in love with each other regardless of the mating bond. Neither Feyre or Nesta knew that Rhys and Cassian were their mates when they fell in love - and they would’ve still fallen in they weren’t mates.

Azriel doesn’t want a mate. I don’t think anyone in the entire series actively sought out a mate - they just wanted to love someone and have that someone love them back. When Cassian remarked that he wanted what Feyre and Rhys had, he didn’t mean the mating bond (because he already had that) but their mutual love for each other. Azriel isn’t jealous that Cassian and Rhys has mates, he just wants someone to love him like Feyre/Nesta loves Rhys/cassian.

So yeah, Azriel would reject a mating bond for elain. Just like how Nesta/feyre/cassian/rhys would reject a mating bond for their SO.

If you came away from the bonus chapter thinking Azriel only wants a mate - you read the entire thing wrong

And if you’re somehow at the conclusion that Az would leave Elain for his mate - you dont have a sense of romance and how Sjm does hers.

Azriel wants Elain. He wants ELAIN to be his mate, but despite that he still wants Elain. That is the woman on his mind, who he is beginning to love, a “mate” isn’t going to change that and what type of love interest would that even make Azriel? Would you honestly want to read about a male character dropping the woman who he was willing to die for, for his “mate” - thats some messed up story and it definitely doesn’t make a good romance that will do well with todays audience.

Mating bonds are there to show these two characters were meant to be, that they’re fated for each other. It is NOT the foundation of their love story - specifically talking about Mass and how she writes love stories. The mating bond comes AFTER the couple have falled in love and established they want each other. Its a little cherry on top -

Take the mating bond away from Feysand and Nessian - their love for each other isn’t going to just dissipate into thin air. Its not going to simply disappear, “awe well, i guess its time to go our seperate ways because we’re no longer mates anymore” - thats not going to happen because they dont care about the mating bond - it doesn’t define their love. There are so many iconic couples that aren’t mates and Mass hasn’t specifically labelled herself as a fated romance author. And in each series you have couples without mating bonds (their love is just as strong and powerful as couples with mating bonds) elriel fit that pattern as they’re a couple without a mating bond too.

Mass has told us mating bonds ≠ perfect match. And which pair of mates aren’t happy for each other? Elucien. I don’t understand why people want these two characters who have been miserable and depressed around each other for the past 2 and half books together all because of some stupid bond? Eluciens and Gwynriels have the same belief as the fae people, who spend time with their mates even if it makes them unhappy because “there must be a reason they’re paired together!” - and this belief is what Sjm is trying to abolish. That just because you’re mates, doesn’t mean you have to accept the bond and makes yourselves live out a sad life together.

None of the males chose their women because they wanted a mate. It was all natural- they found each other, were drawn together and whilst the males *suspected* they were never 100% sure YET they still fell in love and chose their women and their women chose them too.

Azriel doesn’t want a mate nor a mating bond - if that was the case, he would not be wanting Elain instead the bonus would have focused on him and Mor and az complaining why Mor wasnt his mate and why the mating bond hasn’t snapped etc. Does Az think Elain could be his mate? Yes. Just like Rhys thought the same with Feyre and Cass with Nesta but is that driving him to want Elain? No. Cassian was jealous of Rhys, it definitely would make you feel jealous to see your brother living out the drean with his mate whilst your struggling with your own love interest so Azriel parallels Cass and guess what? Nessian was still endgame and will elriel be - the jealousy is simply an emotion, it doesn’t affect their interactions with Nesta/Elain, they’re not forcing any of their feelings onto their girls.

Azriel would reject his mate for the woman he loved, just like his brothers would do and if anyone believes otherwise they haven’t truly grapsed the characters and the story Sjm wants to tell.

[nikethestatue]

ACOTAR 6 PLOT. YOU ASKED AND I SHALL GIVE. CANON ONLY.

Elain might play a role with the fourth trove or the other plots but it’s unlikely that it would happen in the next book.

There is no foreshadowing for Elain. We know she is likely up to something in the background but… did she get actual development compared to others? No. Showing some backbone is a small development for someone like Elain but she isn’t set up as a protagonist yet. Look at the number of times she was mentioned compared to others.

And why does she need a book now? She didn’t hit rock bottom like her sisters. Nesta didn’t get her book until she hit rock bottom, and who is hitting rock bottom now? Azriel.

Illyria will be clearly involved in the next book especially with the mysteries under Ramiel. This is something Azriel will have to deal with since ACOSF did present Azriel’s hatred of Illyria as an issue. The Valkyries are involved because they won the Blood Rite. Gwyn is a Carynthian so she will be connected (also because Emerie is an Illyrian so Nesta and Gwyn will be there for her). And the Autumn Court no doubt will be a big part of the next book, so how do you connect the two plots in one book? By having one of the characters connected to Autumn and that’s likely Gwyn.

What’s also funny is SJM’s editor asked SJM to pull out the Feysand’s POVs since they added nothing to the story and add one of them as a bonus. Both bonus chapter were advertised as Feysand and Azriel bonus chapters, not “Elain-focused exclusive chapters”. Azriel’s chapter features four charcaters and ended with Azriel thinking of another female’s smile that isn’t Elain.

It’s crystal clear Azriel is next with Gwyn as his supporting protagonist and love interest. It’s not Elain’s turn to shine yet. Let’s hope she gets some development to set her up as a protagonist for book 6, but ACOSF didn’t add much to her character. I honestly expected her to be heavily involved in Nesta’s book but she was gone 80% of the time.

Gwyn wants to leave the library. Why do you think SJM had to mention she returned to the library at the end of the book? Because if she didn’t you’d assume she did leave the library. That is literally setting up her journey.

I still don’t understand what the story is. What is Gwyn doing? In Illyria? You are telling me all the usual power points from Yaz that she’s been saying for 4 years. Which is fine.

But setting aside the ludicrous claim that Elain has nothing to do in terms of story, what is Gwyn doing? Trying others? In Illyrian? What qualifications does she have? Is she doing this as a beautiful white savior to the backward Illyrian females? What’s Azriel going? Fighting Devlon? He isn’t high lord. He isn’t even an Illyrian general. What is his function? And then there is the ubiquitous ’autumn Court’ —is Azriel killing Beron? Shouldn’t that go to Eris? Or even Lucien? LOA? What’s Gwyn doing in Autumn? Her grandfather was a High Fae from there—okay, and?

Basically, what you guys have been doing since day 1, is giving everyone a pile of bones, with no connective tissue, no skin, no cartilage. It’s just bricks, without any mortar or structural support.

You pick out things —totally random things too—to which Gwyn is extremely VAGUELY (if at all) connected—you stack them all up and say this is the book! it’s not though.

Everything in these books has to be connected to….Feyre. She is the ultimate protagonist. Just like everything in TOG, no matter how far fetched it seemed, connected to Aelin.

What would make more logical sense then? To have a book about Elain and Azriel? And Dusk?

Or Azriel and Gwyn, and Illyria?

[xeyeslikesthestarsx-blog]

The way that healed Nesta and canon Cassian just anger the demons of some people in this fandom is too entertaining. Every time I see a Nesta fan page or even a page with a Nessian pfp, I tread carefully because I know they’re either a true fan of the couple or they’re a fan of their version of Nesta, and they actually hate canon Cassian.

People love to call Cass Rhy’s lap dog, but they want him to essentially be Nesta’s. They hate when he challenges her or calls her out or pushes her to be better. I will never not roll my eyes at the argument that “well we see other mates act this way so therefore Nessian needs to act like this”. Um no, no we don’t. They’re one of SJM’s most unique couples. They have a special dynamic and they show their love primarily through actions and physical touch. Not everything is wordy declarations of love (not that there’s anything wrong with that, I do love couples that show love like that as well, and Nessian absolutely have some adorable moments where they speak sweet words of love and support to each other).

I don’t think either is perfect. Literally no one in ACOTAR is, that’s boring and one dimensional. But I’m so sick of the cherry picking some people do with Cassian. Calling out the moments where he’s messed up and acting like he’s defined by them. OR completely twisting moments that were not meant to be negative at all into something toxic. It’s such a weird thing to experience in this fandom. You don’t have to personally like him, but he’s absolutely supposed to be a beloved character overall. He’s kind, hilarious, brave, genuine, emotionally intelligent, etc.

Nothing wrong with wishing a scene had played out differently or hoping Sarah clarifies something or wanting him to be more verbally defensive of her to Rhys. But the issue is when people don’t hold Nesta to the same standard or only focus on where he’s messed up and then say she “deserves” better, she deserves Eris, Cass deserves to d*e (disgusting). And people essentially create a narrative that doesn’t exist and for some reason it catches on and spreads like wildfire because of social media.

Cassian isn’t perfect, but he’s PERFECT for his mate. She needs someone unbreakable in his love and devotion to her. Someone who will never give up on her and who challenges her to be the best version of herself. Someone who loves her just as she is. Cassian loves her so much he would die for her (she would do the same), and Sarah literally tells us that a singular kiss he gives her is “more powerful and enduring than the Cauldron itself”. THAN THE CAULDRON ITSELF. Those are some powerful words to describe their passion and bond.

Some people want Nesta to only be this powerful force of Nature who has men bow at her feet and who slays people without blinking an eye….

NEWSFLASH. She IS that person. And guess what? Cassian WANTS her to be that person. He supports it 100%. He NEVER wants her to lose her “slay my enemies” aurora. He loves his “fierce and beautiful mate”. He just wants to also see her healed and in a place where she can give and receive love the way she was meant to.

Healed Nesta is also soft in a way she wasn’t before. She’s a girl who blows kisses at her mate and places a sentimental object on her father’s grave to honor his life and love for her. She is BOTH fierce and kind now. And heck, I would LOVE for her to do something badass and help revive the Dusk Court and then rule it. But she’s going to be doing that with her mate and her equal, Cassian. Whether you like it or not. They’re a package deal.

I will forever defend canon Cassian, Nesta, and Nessian because that’s the story and characters Sarah gave us, and I love them—warts and all.

[acourtofthought]

Speaking of the bonus and adding to the last anon I read you received that Az didn’t think about Elain as a person, I agree, I also want to add the following.

He also felt neither peace nor quiet with Elain, a fact that Elriels obsess over. His insecurities were loud in his mind; there was no sense of calm or quiet when he was with her, and the bonus confirmed that. They seem to believe that Feyre’s offhand observation meant something significant, but now we have his point of view, we know that isn’t the case and just because Azriel doesn’t speak doesn’t imply he feels at peace or that his mind is quiet.

Yet, interestingly enough , when he’s with Gwyn, he begins to feel at ease, and a restlessness within him settles—something SJM explicitly wrote about. None of his insecurities come to mind. He even helps her guide the sword and he doesn’t think about Gwyn seeing his scars.

I know it pisses off Elriels to no end that everything they hoped for actually ended up connecting to Gwyn. It’s no surprise they hate her so much. However, that doesn’t change the fact that SJM has a different perspective; and cared enough to write those because she knows who’s best for Az than anyone of do. Also, she wouldn’t have taken the time to discuss Azriel’s love for the first time during the ACOSF promotion.

Consider the breadcrumbs she dropped in ACOSF— one would think what prompted her to finally talk about Az’s love life after all these years, especially when Elriels claim there’s been “four books of buildup”? Yet, she never felt the need to discuss their potential in all those years while she certainly did for Elucien. 🤭😉

I’m thinking, she finally felt the need to hint at Az love life for the first time because his endgame person finally showed up. Gwyn 😘

Yes to everything you said and I think it makes even more of a difference when you consider who she was talking to in that interview. Steph has always been a HUGE Azriel stan and if Sarah wanted her to get excited for an E/riel endgame, she could have easily teased her about the "E/riel" crumbs left in ACOWAR or even ACOFAS. I don't think Sarah has ever meant for E/riel to be endgame but there were definitely moments in WAR and FAS that, if they were meant to be interpreted as romantic, Sarah could have made sure that Steph dialed into them. Instead, it was only the bonus chapter that Sarah really wanted her Az stan friend to pay close attention to. Azriel nearly kissing Elain is not a crumb, that's an in your face, "oh they're ready to hook-up!" moment. There's no guess work as to some sort of mutual attraction between them. A crumb (aka Sarah foreshadowing) is something that you won't fully understand until a later time (i.e., "something sparking in his chest" might later be revealed as the Gwynriel mating bond. E/riels constantly tell us that they don't need the bonus to prove their ship and that a bonus would not reveal a mating bond (I disagree considering the Nessian bonus DID hint at their mating bond) however, Sarah wanted her friend to pay very close attention to the bonus. The bonus might not be necessary for regular readers because Sarah will find a way to introduce what was written in the bonus into the series at a later point (exactly like she did with Nessian - i.e., he learned about Tomas in the bonus and Cassian reflects on that information in SF) BUT if Sarah specifically wanted Steph to read that bonus than it seems apparent the bonus would matter to someone like Steph and "crumbs" could only refer to that which is not in your face obvious. A bonus hinting at a mate for Az would fall in line with all that.

[sjmgirlie]

I’ve been pondering Lucien’s character more lately and I’m beginning to think he might actually be the person to “betray” the Inner Circle.

So first of all, don’t attack me if you’re a Lucien Stan and don’t agree, because this is just a theory. Do I want Lucien to be bad? No. Lol. I don’t want anyone to be bad but Koschei, the Queens and Beron. So basically everyone we know is bad. But there is going to be someone who betrays them.

Lucien, since day one, has always been associated with a fox. Rhysand specifically said that Lucien wore a fox mask for a reason.

He’s been associated with many courts, as he took over as emissary and basically did Tamlin’s job because, well, Tamlin is literally just a beast lol. No communication skills whatsoever. So he’s good with people.

Now, he was thrown out of Autumn, saved by his brother Eris as we find out (which idk if Lucien knows this) and sent to Spring. Tamlin took him in, and then after the whole aftermath with Feyre destroying the court, he found himself at the Night Court.

This is where it starts to make sense why he might betray them. He has no alliance to them. Tbh, Lucien and Feyre are not friends at all. He knew she was lying in spring, he sent her to die as a human in the forest, she makes fun of him for the Band of Exiles name. Like they aren’t friends. Lucien is maintaining his role to have a reason to be around Elain, but he also doesn’t want to anyways. Also, Mor said he can’t be trusted even with Elain there. So what’s going on?

See, there might be a reason the Band of Exiles needs the NC. Probably to help in breaking Vassa’s curse. But other than that?

Lucien shows a lot of animosity towards Rhys and Feyre. Especially in ACOFAS. And in ACOSF, when Cassian visits the manor, Lucien asks “Are you here to give me orders?” So..

Now, Jurian as an eyeball apparently had more deduction skills than both Tamlin and Lucien combined when it came to Rhys. He knew him before, and knew he wasn’t a bad guy. That it was an act. Just as he was acting with Hybern. Will he want to betray someone he knows isn’t actually bad? Especially after he died to save Prythian? Maybe not. But for Vassa? Ya, I think he would.

Lucien is indirectly affiliated with the IC, and I don’t think SJM would ever make any actual IC member betray them. They are found family, it’s out of the cliche she likes. But Lucien? He’s in it but not really.

Could this be why Elain is avoiding him? Maybe. Will it be catastrophic? I doubt it, but it’ll be a betrayal that rocks the boat enough.

SJM has continuously reduced Lucien’s character in the books. Was he the comic relief in ACOTAR? Yes. Because, well, we needed him as a wing man since Mr. Your hair is clean was not going to get Feyre on his own. And it was also a Beauty and the Beast re-telling, with Lucien being Lumière (fire power anyone?) who also was the beast's wingman. But after that? He didn’t help Feyre when she asked, was an accomplice in her sisters being turned fae, helped in spring but then the whole travel to get to NC was just to see Elain, then after that it was just snark after snark with him.

I feel like people latched on to how Lucien was in the first book and then idk? Just didn’t see his character diminish from that? The only time he’s still the old Lucien is when he talks about vassa. Otherwise he’s just rude and annoyed IMO.

Do I want Lucien's happy ending? Of course I do. I want that for all the characters. Why wouldn't I? I'm the same as SJM, I want happy endings, even if it's cliche.

Anyways, I think Lucien is going to betray the IC.

@clairvoyantmiss

[sapchat]

As much as I would hate for it to happen I think it would be kind of poetic is Rhys did try to become High King of Prythian. (I also think it’d be a really good fucking book)

Think about it, so far (from what we’ve seen through Feyre POV) his entire goal has been to save and protect Prythian from evil. And Amren keeps push in that really the only way to do it would be by becoming High King. The thing is, is we can tell he’s starting to get stressed. We saw it in ACOFAS (fucking holiday special. I’m waiting for the musical special next) and we saw some of it in ACOSF.

He’s trying to find ways to protect his family while also protecting Prythian. Amren’s putting ideas in his head to become High King, so why doesn’t he try it?

Here’s why I think it’d be poetic: Amarantha.

Now we know the trauma he went through with her, but she declared herself “Queen of Prythian”. It’d be poetic if her “whore”/consort later became King. I think this is where SJM could put a lot of his troubles and talk about his struggles he went through with her but we all know she won’t.

I also think it would be poetic because of his goal and worry to protect his family. Protect Feyre. Because what’s one way you could kill Rhys? Feyre. Because of that fucking bargain they’ve made. So what do I think will happen? It’ll come full circle, he’ll start locking her up. Now we know he basically promised it would never happen again but come on poetic irony.

Rhys would be Amarantha, Feyre would be Tamlin. Rhys would become Tamlin, and Feyre would become someone who wouldn’t know what to do.

I don’t think it would be as bad as Tamlin in ACOMAF, but I do think Rhys would try and keep her in Velaris, safe where it’s protected, where nothing can happen to her and Nyx and therefore nothing can happened to Rhys.

Here’s another thing I could would be poetic if Rhys became High King. Koshcei. The Bone Carver. The Weaver.

Three siblings. Three “brothers”.

Koshcei is the most powerful of the siblings, that’s why he was locked in the lake. In Slavic folklore Koshcei is a male antagonist who “kidnaps the hero’s wife.” What is it that Rhys is accused of? Stealing Tamlins bride. Now I don’t think Tamlin is gonna be a hero, but I do think he’ll have some part to play just because SJM could’ve left him alone at the end of ACOWAR. His ending should’ve been him saying “be happy” but no she has Rhys going and antagonizing him in ACOSF. I 100% think you could have Rhys and Koshcei be a poetic comparison.

I think Azriel would be The Bone Carver. Now the bone carver states that he’s the weakest of his three siblings when it comes to power. In a way I can see where this could apply to Rhys and Cass. Azriel is powerful in his own way, he’s a shadowsinger. The first seen/documented in years. He’s a powerful Illyrian but when it comes to many other fae, he isn’t. And I say that with lots of love for Azriel.

That would make Cassian The Weaver. He’s the one to tie Rhys and Az together in the first place really. If he didn’t beat Rhys as a child, Rhys never would’ve gone and gotten Cass that night. Cass is the one who weaves them together. Because without that night happening, it would’ve just been Rhys and Az. Cass would’ve likely stayed a low foot soldier. The Weaver is able to sense things, he sensed that Nesta was his mate or something when she was still human, something Rhys couldn’t actually do. Rhys just knew that he had dreamt of Feyre, he didn’t realize that she was actually his mate until she was Made. Just like Nesta and Cass.

I think SJM could have a really good book if she did something like I talk about above. But I really only see her as “happy happy happy 😃” I don’t think she’ll have Rhys become High King or slowly become this villain everyone sees him as just because of how SJM has done ACOTAR so far. I think he’ll stay just a high lord and him and feyre will basically pump out babes the next few books will defeating whatever evil shows up.

[gwyns]

I was reblogging a pro Elain post to show girlie some love and because I agreed with what it said, but I noticed some of the comments that just rubbed me the wrong way.

One of the comments said “That's the thing. Everyone wants Az with Gwyn because she's now a Valkaryie.. but does Az want that? He hates laryians, and especially hates how they treat the women. And we have a warrior couple.. why would SJM make another?”

And then some of the reblogs said “tbh most 'girl boss' characters are just..childish pick mes—characters like elain are so mature interesting fascinating” and “I don't know about yall but i am sooooo tired of these Feisty, Sassy, girlboss female characters, who smart mouth everybody. A soft feminine and quiet female character, who loves to garden and keep to herself and mind her own business is what we need more of”

I agree that we need more soft and feminine female characters, but to put down another woman just to show love for another isn’t okay. That post didn’t even say anything about Gwyn or ships, but she still got brought up.

E/riel’s say all these thing that they want for Elain, but then they try to make her a spy or a warrior. They constantly change her plot/arc and personality and characteristics just to fit Azriel’s. Make fanart of her with weapons, in leathers, and covered in blood. Complain how we “hate” Elain for being more soft and feminine, but from what I’ve seen, most Gwynriel’s strongly support Elain being soft and feminine. They support that she likes to bake and garden. They’re not trying to change everything about her character to fit a man. It’s like E/riel’s take one small thing that someone might’ve said a long time ago and just run with it, on and on and on.

I’ve seen antis say that SJM made Gwyn’s character to try and not be like other girls. The quirky, cool girl (but now they’re trying to say Elain is like Alice Cullen who is quirky/weird?), how she’s childish & immature because she gets excited, and squeals/makes high pitched noises, and likes to make friendship bracelets. Gwyn made an excited sound because Cassian told her that he knew the former Valkyries personally. It’s normal to make certain sounds when you’re excited about something. And the bracelets were a way to honor her sister who was killed in front of her. Gwyn is rediscovering joy and happiness after being severely traumatized. I don’t see how Gwyn is childish at all. I think the only reason why they’re anti Gwyn is because she’s a love interest for Azriel and that’s just sad. It’s fine if you don’t like a character, but if the only reason you don’t like a character is because she’s a potential love interest, then that’s embarrassing and sad. Sometimes I feel unsafe to voice opinions and love for certain characters. This fandom doesn’t feel welcoming anymore. It honestly makes me really sad.

ohhh boy let me answer this point by point because it got me a little heated

they do realize that there's only so many dynamics between characters, right? and like it or not, az is a warrior. just as cassian and rhys are and both of their mates are warriors in their own right. they're equals to each other. despite feysand and nessian having similarities they're still entirely their own couple, just as gwynriel would be. they wouldn't be a carbon copy of nessian like they claim

if they want more soft and feminine women go... read other books? we know elain is getting a book, why are they acting like gwyn would take away from that? this is rich coming from the "feminist" side of the fandom... you know what reeks of misogyny? dragging one woman down to uplift another

they looooove bringing gwyn up and that tells me all i need to know about their true feelings, they're jealous as hell

i can only speak for myself, and to an extent my mutuals since they're the best gwynriels in existence, but yes! we love that elain is more feminine and not into killing or being a warrior. we want her to be who she truly is and find love along the way. it's e/riels who i constantly see try to change her, to mold her into a character that suits azriel better and wow... would you look at that? it's a character very similar to gwyn! what an amazing coincidence. oh yeah they never let anything go, calling elain boring or simply disliking her is a mortal sin or something to them but sending rape and death threats to people is ok in their book!

i hate the argument that gwyn is a "pick me" or "childish" like damn! don't y'all have joy in your lives? clearly not if you get this upset over a woman embracing life and doing what she finds fun with her friends. i admire gwyn for this, i'm very similar in that i react the same way to things i'm interested in, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing what makes you happy. no matter if people think you're silly or immature or some other incorrect thing, they're the ones with a problem. here's some simple advice to anyone who wants it, don't let other people dictate what is and isn't "cool", do what you like. the right people will come along and embrace it with you

as for your last point, i agree completely. this fandom has become such a shithole and it's sad. i'm always here to listen and gush about characters with you though, ok? on anon or off or through dms, whatever you want 💖

[nestastits]

Heyyyy!!!

I've got two questions

Favourite Nessian moment EVER

2. One thing you'd like to see in the next book

Have a good day 💕

Sorry it has taken me so long to answer this 😣.

1: Literally every scene 😭. There are so many. They are so special to me for so many reasons. But if I had to choose just one for this post I will have to go with the nightmare scene in acosf.

The nightmare was where we see the affect cassian has on Nesta and her power. Which I find very interesting. I sort of see Nesta’s power as more of its own thing. Like it has a mind of its own. I guess like a Venom type situation? If you’re a marvel fan you’ll understand my reference🤣. But Nesta can still tell it what to do. Anyways, in this scene Nesta is lost in her memories that have turned into nightmares and Rhys can’t break through her shields. He can’t contain her power either. It is Cassian who calms Nesta down with his voice and touch. And her power answers in return to him. It calls out when it hears him. And Nesta reaches out for him too. The morning after Nesta remarks on how it was Cassian’s voice that she followed to safety enough to let her mental shields down for Rhys to get her out of the nightmare. Then she talks about how Cassian looked like one of the warrior-princes from one of her childhood books which I thought was a very tender moment considering how harsh Nesta’s childhood was. And I’ve always seen Nesta as a romance reader (with some smut thrown in of course) dreaming of having her own warrior prince and now she finally has one. It’s also a scene where we first see Nesta allow herself to cry for how much someone else cares for her which is a breakthrough in her healing. Cassian also shows how much he cares for her during this scene and how uncomfortable he was seeing her in pain.

2: Honestly idk 😅. The next book could be an Elucien or Gwynriel book or potentially another Nesta book with the foreshadowing of hofas and sjm herself saying acosf was only Nesta’s happy beginning. But logically I think it will be an Elain/lucien book which I am all for!

As much as I love Night Court I’m hoping Elain will be the one to leave since she isn’t meant for that court anyways. Elain is definitely either a day court or spring court girly! I hope we see her really come into herself and see what’s in her mind. I think her story will be much different from her sisters’ because of her being the one who actually holds resentment towards being turned Fae. Elain loved her human life, she was content in marrying having children and growing old and dying. And now? Now she has to learn to live forever and what challenges come with it. She lost the only chance she had at happiness even if Graysen was yucky, she did love him and I think he loved her to an extent too. Or at least the idea of her. I’m also excited to be in Lucien’s pov finally! And I’m curious at how the bond between them will play out considering Elains wariness of it. I want a Elain x Eris brotp too😤.

I also think Elain is not a fan of the bond because she has a want to be seen by someone for who she is not because fate drives them together. I think it will be hard on her because she is already aware of the bond and it’s snapped in place. While I don’t think she is outright jealous of her sisters, maybe just a little envy? Imagine you and your sisters all getting mates but only you have the knowledge of knowing who yours is before you even actually meet them 😭 especially after being turned far through drowning in an oversized cooking pot. I’d be skeptical too. Plus Feyre and Nesta got the chance to know their mates without the pressure of the mating bond always being there, it didn’t snap in place for them until after becoming friends with their mates. But Elain and Lucien’s bond is already snapped in place, at least I think it is🤷🏼‍♀️. I understand how afraid and angry she probably is of having a Mating bond. Especially since she did excel at being human and wanting a human life. But like Feysands and Nessians bonds Elucien will fall in love with one another too. But I want Elain to live her life and go on her own journey before she jumps into a relationship with anyone.

Lastly, I need background Feysand as parents with baby nyx. I am not a fan of pregnancy trope but I’ll make an exception for cute bat baby nyxie. And of course my Nessian. I need all the soft background Nessian I can get. I need them sitting on the couch together laughing or eating chocolate cake of course. And I want to know how Elain feels about this and what goes on in her mind when she sees her sisters happy with their mates and fae life.

Hope this helps, and have an amazing day too 🫶🏻

[stargirlfeyre]

“Azriel may be boring as shit but at least he never went after someone who was actively treating Feyre like shit. At least the Archeron he’s going after is actually working to fix her relationship with Feyre. Cassian went for someone who was still treating his friend like dog shit and I just can’t respect that.” ALL OF THIS

i’m always hesitant to say this bc some ppl are super sensitive when it comes to cassian for some funny reason (all the other boys are able to be criticized but not him bc he can be funny?) but part of why i don’t like him as much as azriel is because of how he went for nesta too early on, it was super premature for him to come onto her so blatantly in front of everyone even when she was mortal and he’d literally just met her, knowing how feyre was treated etc…i adore cassian when i don’t look at his character too closely. as much as i prefer feyssian over feyzriel because of her and cassian having more sweet bestie moments than her and az do, whenever there’s a discussion i’ll always choose az first because of cassian and nesta. like anon said i can’t help but put myself in feyre’s shoes when i’m reading but i don’t like that he came onto nesta the way he did and how soon he did, and he had no shame about it in front of feyre and the rest.

i know some people are super chill or they have sisters or family members that cross these lines all the time, like your friend flirting with your sister, but in my family or friend groups we don’t do that especially if a sister is really mean to me, why would i approve of my friend going for her so blatantly in front of me? it’s not so much a harsh or possessive petty thing but just basic morale? cassian imo doesn’t get enough flack for how he came onto nesta so soon. it’s true too that at least az didn’t show any signs of having a crush until acowar and acofas, i prefer someone humbly and respectfully handling a crush on my sister than how in your face cassian was about it with nesta in only book two. idk sometimes it feels like his dick thinks for him and even acosf proved that.

i prefer acowar cassian! but i also skip the pages whenever he’s acting out over nesta or they’re both being angst ridden for one another, i just can’t take it seriously bc he was obv thinking with his dick or mating bond and she was still treating everyone like they were less than her despite her being a pos who has never done anything.

idk 😮‍💨 like i said it’s so easy to love cass as a character when you don’t look at his dynamic with nesta from feyre’s shoes in book two. i imagine mainly feyre stan’s struggle with him due to his attachment to nesta so early on. that bonus chapter anon mentioned where cassian put his body up against nesta’s asking whether she was a virgin or not? he’d only recently met her and was doing that, it being too soon aside, it was very inappropriate to do. even mor made it clear that he acts that way with women when they don’t want him and see’s it as “a challenge” just 10 reasons why az and rhysand will always come off as the most mature to me.

the other reasons i don’t favor him have to do with sjm having him refer to nesta as a queen in acosf, him always showing doubt with the ic’s decisions in acosf as if he’s not apart of the ic (why did he seem so against them in acosf at times? most of the time they were right too so it was just weird for sjm to do) saying nesta didn’t need to apologize to anyone supposedly (really sjm? 💀) having sex with nesta on a hike where she was supposed to own up to her wrongs and mature after she just told feyre she could die (inappropriate timing much..?) acting funny when rhysand felt the need to tell her to be nice to gwyn and emerie when he knows damn well rhysand isn’t at the house of wind like them to know nesta’s behavior had gotten better. how the hell would rhysand know that nesta’s not being mean to him when rhysand’s only ever seen her be rude af to everyone..? and then made it even worse when he petulantly wrapped his arm around nesta to make rhysand feel uncomfortable.

•

[kayas-obsession]

To the Elriels who are saying that SJM wouldn’t use Elain as a rebound. Not when she is so important to everyone in the inner circle. And that everything would be chaos if Az chooses anyone else after his history with Elain.

To be honest, if that’s what they choose they will respect that. In fact be more than relieved (Rhys).

He had a thing for Mor. And they accepted he has a thing for Elain.

Cassian had a fling with Mor and both of them went separate ways.

Amren was called by Rhys into his bedchambers but everyone just laughed it off.

Because that’s what grown ups do.

Get. Over. It

And most importantly. Azriel isn’t using Elain as a rebound. Yes, he is attracted to her, NO ONE denies that but this is anything but a rebound.

He shifted his attention from Mor, who is his 500 year old love to remind you as soon as Elain came into picture.

Why?

Because he believes that he owed this relation. That his brothers found their mate in the three sisters, he believes that he too is indebted to this.

When he voices his reason as to why he tried to kiss Elain he says that it’s only fair he gets Elain because both the brothers got their mate in the same family.

Not that he likes her.

But because it is his right. According to his logic.

He is drawn to what she represents. A solid family in the inner circle. Let me remind you, in the solstice he voices that everyone is together because they draw each other out but he in this excludes himself.

It’s always they, when he mentions the Illyrian. Azriel wants a family, to belong somewhere. And Elain is that, a safety net.

But anything beyond that? Emotionally? Not really. He wants love. He found the brotherly kind in Cassian and Rhys and seeing what they have with their mates made him desire the same kind of love as well.

That’s why he jumped to Elain as soon as he met her. Even though he loved Mor for so long. He saw a chance and took it seeing as she showed no interest in Lucien.

You’re telling me that it’s so easy to fall in love? For someone who was stuck with a one sided relationship for so long? I don’t think so.

[elainsgirl]

I didn’t like Lucien ever since that one scene in ACOMAF where Feyre tells him that she doesn’t just want to be tamlins wife and plan parties, make menus, and pick flowers and he had the nerve to tell her that’s what every mortal girl wants. Like, seriously? And what really solidified my dislike is him doing absolutely nothing when Julian made a r@pe joke about elain… Lucien really is beron’s son and elain deserves better. But since he’s witty and charismatic with a tragic backstory, he’s coddled in the fandom..

Say what you like about Azriel (who right now has the personality of bread), but he never would’ve sat back and allowed another person to make such a joke about any woman, let alone someone he’s supposed to care for and protect. We see how he reacted to tamlin slut shaming Feyre. He would’ve definitely put Julian in his place - but Lucien much rather pretend he didn’t hear anything and not rock the boat.

I find that it’s interesting how outspoken he is with Feyre but he is rather quiet when it comes to men. People seem to forget Feyre is very young - in her twenties. Lucien has seen her as a mortal, he has seen her weak. He has no problem getting angry with her and lashing out. In fact, when he got angry with Rhys - who did he go to? Feyre, a twenty year old woman. But he never said a word to Rhys.

People call Rhys and the ic misogynistic but say nothing when Lucien attributes the same characteristics. Personally I think it can be argued that the many if not all characters in ACOTAR are misogynistic if only because SJM is misogynistic so let’s not pretend Lucien is an any way superior than the bat boys.

Lucien not punching or even attacking Jurian whilst he made such disgusting comments made me officially dislike him. “Oh but he couldn’t attack or say anything to jurian bcs of blah blah blah” stfu. I want a man that goes crazy whenever someone insults or suggests such a thing about his woman, not one who shows “restraint”. Lucien is coddled bcs he’s been through so much (literally everyone has) and bcs we haven’t seen enough of his flaws therefore its easier to pity him.

Azriel would have attacked Jurian without hesitation if he made that statement in front of him - that’s what you call a man, a man thats worthy of Elain. Someone who wont sit back and let someone else make such degrading comments to the one he loves/wants. Lucien showed restraint….booorrrinnng. Not what I or in fact many other people want in a romance.

Lucien isn’t superior to anyone. He has his flaws, just like any other male character. He’s definitely overhyped and overrated- it was definitely interesting that none of his moments made it into the brackets despite his “popularity” 🤭

[nikethestatue]

Abput ACOFAS, I can genuinely say it is my favourite book in the series and I wish SJM would write another book like this

I started out as a fantasy reader right? Harry Potter first, then moved to hunger games

In the past 2/3 years after picking up reading again through ACOTAR I’ve moved more and more towards romance or books with heavy romance.

This is not to say I hate books with a plot or where the story and defeating villains are front and center. I find myself really enjoying characters just interacting and small talking and hanging out

I loved LOVED when azriel took the potato tray from elain, I loved that he snatched cassian’s hand and told him to wait, but everyone else at the table stopped too, I think mor did? I think I remember feyre noticing mor especially, and maybe amren

I love the detail of feyre noticing elain comes back with her hair fixed (I don’t remember if it was ever stated but I think nuala and cerridwen helped her and they were ecstatic along with elain by azriel carrying the tray and -if I remember correctly- brushing her fingers with his… because that would be me with my closest friends in this very situation)

I love azriel laughing for the thought behind elain’s gift like he cannot absolutely believe someone has noticed him and something he does so often. It’s… the hilarity that comes with omg my crush noticed this about me??? Noticed me????

And I love cassian half drunk running after nesta and I love that you can read the internal battle in Nesta even when it’s not her POV

Cassian is hands down my favourite man in the series, and I loved seeing him as a person, seeing his backstory. I read the books a bit ago so the details are not too clear in my head now, but I don’t think we got tooooo much of his backstory in ACOSF? I also felt like SJM did a 180 on his character, like cassian from ACOWAR or ACOMAF would have never been as mean to Nesta as he was in ACOSF, and I also feel he would have recognised the signs of PTSD because HE has at least been through it, if he isn’t still handling it

I’m love elain and she has a lot of potential, I see myself in her a lot, and I get she has room for growth, I just hope she won’t lose her kindness and thoughtfulness and carefulness. Yes the people pleasing, but i hope she doesn’t change, she doesn’t need to. I also wish to see a sweeter side of azriel, azriel blurting out stuff to elain because she asks the right questions and why would he not tell her? I wish to see him smile more, why wouldn’t he around elain?

I know this is a fantasy series, but i hope elriel book feels also like a romance, like elain just freaking out with cerridwen and nuala over every tiny aspect, I want to see more of the twins too

So this was long I’m sorry

TL;DR I want all the romance in elriel book because ACOFAS and the bonus chapter really show elriel as the softest couple and I need that developed

Basically, same. After ACOMAF, ACOFAS is my favorite SJM book. Acowar was honestly just okay and I wasn’t even sure if I’d continue reading SJM after it. I’m glad that I did and ACOFAS was a perfect book to go back to. It actually made me care about the characters again.

I like reading about people and love stories and their relationships. Fantasy for fantasy sake is not interesting to me personally.

That’s why in TOG, I liked reading about Elorcan and the more personal parts of Rowaelin rather than Aelin’s scheming and fighting.

Obviously we all have our preferences but people who hate ACOFAS really baffle me.

[batboys-cumdumpster]

I'm just gunna get my reply out there and we can be done bc all your post did was make me hate Nesta even more.

First off, the other problem with you Nesta stans is that you blame Feysand/IC when it isn’t their fault. It is NOT Feyre’s fault Elain and Nesta got turned, it was Tamlin and Ianthe’s fault. Rhysand was ONLY ever “rude” to Nesta when she was making Feyre feel like shit. Nesta does not deserve kindness from people who see through her shit, especially when she’s abusing someone who doesn’t deserve her vile behavior.

Nesta went after Feyre because their only source of income left. And why was Nesta okay with Feyre going back to Tamlin? Because they were rich again and weren’t dependent on Feyre and Nesta hated Feyre for being the one to save them and care for them. Obviously Nesta isn’t going to want Feyre around.

No one wanted to help Nesta because when they showed her kindness she would lash out at them, on purpose, and so they stopped. Even in the book she lashes out at Elain for trying to show kindness and she feels triumphant over it. She tells everyone to leave her alone and she hurts them when they don’t, so they left her alone. What else are they supposed to do? It isn’t their responsibility to help her. Nesta is responsible for her own feelings, she is responsible for her own mental health, and it is NOT the responsibility of Feysand/IC or even her mate to “make her better”. They are NOT obligated to “be there for her” when all she does in the entire series is abuse them and hurt them. 

To say that Nesta didn’t abuse anyone beyond acotar is laughable when the biggest abuse she did was lash out at Feyre and tell her she was going to die giving birth just to hurt her. Nesta happily kept that secret from Feyre and was saving it as ammo to hurt her. 

Mor and Amren and the IC are just giving Nesta back the energy she gives them and honestly? Don’t blame them for it. Like I said, Nesta is responsible for her own health, her own emotions, and how she reacts to things. She knowingly abused and lashed out at others. I do not feel sorry for her when people say she belongs in an environment filled with people who act just like she does.

Feyre is also known to be too forgiving. I do not care if Feyre wants Nesta in her life; it’s just out of obligation because she is her sister. Feyre even admits she has a closer relationship with Mor than she does with Nesta, further proving that Feyre only has Nesta around out of obligation. It isn’t fair to put Nesta’s wellbeing in the hands of anyone else except herself.

I also don’t give a shit that Nesta isn’t aware of how badly her abuse affects others. She should know since she herself was abused.

Rhys shouldn’t have lied  but I do not blame him for not telling her. Are you not aware how stress can damage a pregnancy, especially one that is already so dangerous? SJM wrote this on purpose; she had a bad pregnancy and wish she didn’t know, and that’s why she wrote Rhys not telling Feyre. SJM did not write this as him being shitty, he was trying to protect Feyre. He was trying to exhaust all his options before telling her. He at least would have had love and care in the way he told her instead of the abuse of Nesta.

Nesta saving Feyre and Nyx (and Rhys by proxy) will only ever mean nothing to me. Sorry. It’s the bare minimum and I would only accept it as a viable action if Nesta had died in the process. 

This entire post just made me more firm in my hatred for Nesta. She doesn’t deserve forgiveness, she isn’t entitled to kindness, and I wish Feyre had just thrown her out. I’m not gunna be nice about it.

Also lmao “people aren’t supposed to hate Nesta” but y’all will rag on Feysand/IC when SJM loves them and has clearly written them to be the heroes. SJM knows Nesta is a nasty abusive bitch bc she also said in interviews "she does and says all the horrible terrible things I wish I could to do other people". SJM self inserting on an abuser doesn't make the character good.

One last thing, no way Nesta went 19 years not knowing Feyre couldn't read. Just bc sjm retconned it in acosf doesn't mean it wasn't a real part of the story.

I am looking for an open discussion.

I am the worlds #1 Nesta anti, but I want to try to understand where Nesta stans are coming from. So, Nesta lovers, please comment, rb, or dm me why you love Nesta with as much detail as possible. Try to get me to see your side, because all I see is an abuser using her mental health as an excuse for the way she treats people.

[acourtofthought]

I just want to say my piece about Elain week and be done with it. Honestly, you’re one of the few accounts I follow that actually gets it. You genuinely love Elain’s character but aren’t blind to her flaws, which is rare. It’s refreshing to see someone who admires where her story might be going while still keeping it real—because let’s face it, Elain is just a character in a book, not a real person. It’s exhausting to see people lose their minds over fictional drama. So, thanks for being one of the few who can balance it all without losing touch with reality.

I can’t take Elriel’s seriously because they treat Elain like she’s some real, fleshed-out character while simultaneously reducing her to a mere plot device in Az's story. It’s like they completely ignore her agency and depth just to fit her into Azriel's narrative. And don’t even get me started on Elainweek. If it was supposed to be inclusive, why was it riddled with bans that sidelined anyone who had different preferences in the fandom? They act like Elucien fans are the problem for not participating in previous years, but then turn around and complain on Twitter when a bunch of Eluciens actually engaged this year.

They should have just been straightforward about their intentions for Elain-week instead of being passive-aggressive and called it what it was, Elriel week.

Now, I want to touch on the art that is now causing so muchdrama. I want to make it abundantly clear, the art itself was beautiful, many Eluciens and Gwynriels said so, but it was the artist's words that hurt many POC among the fandom.

It’s was honestly sad to witness this whole situation. I do not think the artist's comments were made with malicious intent, but rather came from a place of ignorance. Eluciens and Gwynriels had been nothing but supportive of her work, sharing her previous pieces and even showing interest in commissioning her - despite her obvious preference for Elriel.

However, how she choose to address the situation escalated things and I will bet good money she is now being manipulated by Elriels, who are telling her that she said nothing wrong, because they want the artist to create a narrative that Elucien are bullies. They are taking advantage of her situation and making things worse.

But does the artist even realize that many of the people sliding into her DMs are the very same ones who have engaged in real bullying? Seriously, these are the people who have sent death threats, harassed SJM’s best friend, and targeted authors, influencers, bookshops, and other artists just for shipping Gwynriel or Elucien. Does she know she is being exploited by Elriels, it’s sad that she doesn’t see it. Her artwork was stunning but it was overshadowed by her thoughtless and careless words and how she handled the situation. She seems to have completely missed the point.

This entire week has just been a reminder of how hypocritical some Elriels can be. Honestly, I can't wait for the day they finally drop Elain's character, because you know they will when they don't get their precious Elriel in the canon. They’re delusional if they think SJM would ever write Elriel after the way they've harassed her team, her husband, her best friends, and her colleagues. The death threats and even the creepy threats to kidnap her baby? Seriously?

Let’s be real: if they were truly confident in their ship from the beginning, they wouldn’t have needed to resort to bullying the author and anyone who disagrees with them. I think they have always known deep down that they were shipping a red herring. Now they’re just trying to strong-arm Sarah into writing them some fanservice because they can't handle the fact that their ship isn’t happening. That SJM prefers mates and they know Elriel aren't mates. It’s time to call it what it is. They want Sarah to cater to their whims, and their desperation to spam and harass anyone who doesn't ship Elriel is just pathetic.

Alright, I’m done

Thank you for the background on the photo drama! I know people were looking for more details of what happened and I had heard about it but didn't see some of what was being said on IG. You know, E/riels can call Elucien's and Gwynriel's bully's all they want and I know there have been some situations where even our side has behaved badly (though I'm not sure I remember seeing de@th threats / SA threats coming from our end) but if E/riels truly hoped to have some influence on how Sarah writes these books, I do not understand how they think their behavior is doing them favors. Sarah and her team know nothing of the verbal sparring between anon user A versus Anon user B on IG / Tumblr/ Twitter (X) whether it be Eluciens to E/riels, Gwynriels to E/riels or E/riels to Eluciens and Gwynriels. But they most certainly have heard about what happened to the other famous author who called out E/riels on her IG simply because she liked the Gwynriel ship. Sarah almost certainly heard about how E/riels acted towards her good friend Steph after she said she didn't think E/riel was happening on one of her Lives. I don't think anything any of us are going to change Sarah's mind on what she writes but if someone is over the age of 12, I imagine we all learned the lesson that good behavior gets rewarded and tantrums do not.

Thank you for your comments on my view of Elain's character! I can't think of a single FMC who has started her book happy with friends, already in love, and already living where she's going to end up by the end of her book, can you?

Yet somehow Elain is already perfect with the perfect friends and the perfect lover who treats her so well and they're already the best friends ever even though he spent a year avoiding her and she's so at home with the sisters who call her a dog and a pleasant companion and the way she treats Lucien is not at all inconsiderate because she is perfect and does not owe the one she has a forever magical connection to a single word from her lips because real life women don't owe men anything! Apparently the E/riel version of Elain is living the Barbie Dream Life and that's all well and good but then the author has absolutely no need to write a book about her. Have they listened to Sarah talk about her favorite characters? Nesta. Manon. She likes complicated women. Which we saw with Bryce and Feyre and Aelin. These women are layers upon layers and they are flawed. We can love them all the same but Sarah does not like Mary Sue's. Even her most Mary Sue like character (the not morally gray Yrene) had major prejudices she had to get over! She was a bitch to Chaol at first! That means Elain is not starting off her book as the Voted Most Beautiful of the School Head Cheerleader of the Squad leaving care packages on her sweetheart of one year and counting's locker since they're already so in love, Elain who already has the picture perfect life and only needs to fight the bad guy because there's absolutely nothing else for her to achieve. Elain, just like every other SJM heroine is going to have depth. Heavy emotions that have held her back from doing the things she needs to do, being who she's meant to be, facing her bond instead of avoiding it. Emotions that are HERS and not just her showing Rhys up. That's blaming everyone else for Elain's current state and not giving her any of the responsibility for anything. They just don't want her to have depth and things to overcome because if she does that means she might change (just like every other FMC does) and they worry that if she changes, it could mean those changes will lead her in a direction they don't want for her. So for them she must remain exactly as she is and end her book with things exactly the same as they are right now. (or at least as they were pre Solstice because right now she hasn't looked Az's way for months). We all knew Elain Week was going to be E/riel Week 2.0 despite their cries of "no, Elucien's are welcome! All ships but Tamlian and Berlain are welcome!" Damn if I'm now not wishing for some Jurlain content because that seems to be their hot button these days. We knew they'd cry that it's our fault, that we are the ones who choose not to participate while conveniently forgetting all the posts they liked over the past year calling Elucien's abuse apologists, misogynists, etc. But Yes, Of COURSE we're all welcome this week. It's like making fun of how a kid dresses every day at school then promising they'll behave the week of May 3rd, ONLY the week of May 3rd but act shocked when the kid doesn't thank them for the compliment of how nice they look that week. Assurances don't mean a thing when the people making them are nasty to us and our ship 99.9% of the time. At this point we can only hope that Sarah will some day decide to put us out of our misery and announce the next pairing.