i think it is a slight tonal change from what fantasy high has been lately, but i do really admire brennan for wanting to weave these more grounded, realistic themes of abuse and manipulation and grooming into this setting where a lot of the stakes of relationships do end up being fantastical or nonsensical sometimes.
the church(es) of helio and sol have always stood for what they do, as a metaphor for evangelical christianity, particularly the more cultlike groups of it. and i think bobby dawn is a well acted and crafted manipulator and groomer. there's a direct thru-line of this pattern of abuse and how it's been escalated over the course of his life and career, from what's alluded to with sandra lynn to how he treats kristen. it makes sense that someone as control-oriented as he seems to be would thrive in the church of sol.
sandra lynn is an easy to dismiss character for a lot of people because she's not the perfect victim person. she's bad with communication, she's hypocritical (the difference in her talks with fig vs adaine- oof), she struggles to set and maintain boundaries in relationships. but when she was fresh out of high school she entered her dream career field, just to be groomed, blamed for her grooming, and then widely defamed by someone who has gone on to be a famous and influential religious figure. can you not imagine what a nightmare that would be to try to heal from?
I've finally finished uploading this fic, which I've been writing on and off since around April last year... So glad it's over, and I had to draw something to commemorate it. Thanks to all who have read it and waited (very patiently) for its completion!
look i just find it a little funny that people—for the past 3 years—have been adamant that Azriel’s book is next ergo gwonriel is next... undoubtedly: they have the nb of appearances on their side (💀). it was THE argument.
and we were crazy and lacked common sense for saying elain’s book was coming and that the increased presence of Az + his secrets revolving around Elain = he gets the 2nd PoV in Elain’s book. outrageous fr.
… it’s not really the G/A ship that bothers me, it’s the lack of logic.
The “Az book” insistance exposes the recency bias, but also the flaws in their reasoning:
elain’s story being pushed aside in favour of a necklace/ribbon-centered love triangle (opposing 2 women) that originated in a bonus chapter… really?
the idea that gwyn would get a PoV before elain (let go of character preferences for a second and ✨ponder✨).
worst yet: in general, Gwyn only ever serves as a LI in their theories, a sidekick to Az & Nes because gwyn isn’t directly nor uniquely tied to any plot point (atp).
the way they gaslighted ppl into thinking more training & libraries & HoW gang (with 0 new characters) is more urgent to the narrative than an Elain story; than a *new* story that actually advances the plot & characters.
them not getting that gwonriel would be a consequence of elucien: E/L would have always needed to happen 1st because it is ELAIN’s story & choice.
you can’t just compare the structure of ToG and Acotar as if they’re equivalent: the PoVs work vastly differently, and either way it’s always the women that primarily drive the action… i.e. Nesryn & Yrene in ToD. “bUt cHaOl’s boOk”
if anything LUCIEN is the Chaol of acotar (it’s a compliment i adore chaol). and Vassa’s presence/importance in the series relative to other side characters makes her the closest we have to a Nesryn or Yrene figure. Gwyn is more of a Fenrys.
their characterization of Az goes against what we know of his character; “Az is horrible to women but but it’s ok we love him cause he’s different with Gwyn! she makes him better, she’ll help him heal… mates!!” …how convenient. and weird.
they acknowledge only a (convenient) portion of Elain’s character. her visions / powers involve Koschei… but also much more. Cauldron and Truthteller? never heard of them. Nuala & Cerridwen don’t matter (they’re spying on her guys!), her attraction to Az is dismissible… Lucien being her mate is all that really counts. her “need” for sunshine is her character… a result of picking and choosing of ‘evidence’ ngl (as is the way they spin all her scenes with Az). etc.
refusing to acknowledge the feysand bonus. or the set up in FaS. or the continued development of Elain in SF.
Tbh, as it’s becoming increasingly clear to the fandom that Elain is indeed most likely next, im wondering how they’re spinning this. Mother knows I hate the ship wars, but please let people realize the next book was always elriel “vs” elucien.
I’m continuing the head-canon that Marinette should always be messy. When her room is too messy and she hasn’t finished her project she moves downstairs to work and makes it messy there too 🤷🏽♀️. I can totally see her after an all nighter being told off by her mom to clean up her crap and go to sleep.
I’ve been putting this drawing off since august so it’s nice to finally finish it