#however hofas az has me looking

[bookofmirth]

A mating bond for Az, something that is big and important, would not happen off-pay especially in a book that isn’t ACOTAR. SJM develops relationship on paper. Some people have no comprehension.

On a upbeat note, I heard that Ember and Randall were cute!

Nope! My headcanon is that Az has felt the bond, he just doesn't recognize it for what it is because he's got his head up his ass. We saw Rhys recognize his and Feyre's in acotar, we saw Feyre learn about hers in acomaf, Lucien and Elain learned about theirs in acomaf, and Nesta and Cassian talk about when they realized they had one in acosf. Why in hell would we think that Azriel has a mating bond and he learns about it off page, and we are told about it in another series that a lot of acotar fans have zero interest in reading??

If you take away the Nesta/Az/Bryce chapter, take away Hofas, take away the Az chapter from acosf, people still have very good reason to think Az and Gwyn will be together; at the very least, they have interacted in ways that he doesn't interact with other women that he has an unhealthy attachment to. For me, just that tiny bit is a win for gwynriel.

I try to understand other people's perspectives and how they come to the conclusions they do, and the only thing I could think was that, if they are okay with their ship happening off page then they must assume that other people are also okay with their ship happening off page? They are just working with a completely different set of standards than gwynriels I guess.

Some of these theories are trying to go so deep into the page that they just blast straight through the paper and are seeing things that cannot be contained by mere cardboard, glue, and tree pulp, I guess. When actually, it's not that deep? Of course Azriel would say no.

It's far, far more damning to e*riel that he said he has no mating bond and no partner considering some people were so convinced that he and Elain were living together and pregnant at this point in the story. RIP that theory. Meanwhile, gwynriels are just sitting here twiddling their thumbs, waiting for their story to start on the actual page of the book.

Ember and Randall are cute! And I know that we have a lot of character who are 200, 400, 500 years old, but what I actually want are people who are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s being whole ass adults and not magically saving the world through pure will and gumption.

[mycadences]

Edit: HOFAS spoilers ahead! Tread carefully!

Azriel has had two bonus chapters so far -- and what did they share in common?

HOFAS bonus chapter: "And with each mile onward, she could hear Azriel humming softly to himself. The rolling, wild melody of "Stone Mother" flowed off his lips, and she could have sworn even the shadows danced at the sound."

ACOSF bonus chapter: "Azriel entered the warmth of the stairwell, and as he descended, he could have sworn a faint, beautiful singing followed him. Could have sworn his shadows sang in answer."

Still don't see it? Then let me ask you:

Who is Gwyn?

"Across the hushed, cavernous space, it was easy to hear Gwyn’s soft singing as she flitted from table to table..."

"Gwyn turned from the desk where Nesta had found the priestess singing softly to herself..."

"Gwyn’s voice soared like a bird through the cavern as she started the third song with a solo..."

Yes, she is a priestess-Valkyrie who sings.

And now, who is Azriel?

"Do you sing?"

He blinked. It wasn't every day that people took him by surprise, but... "Why do you ask?"

"They call you shadowsinger. Is it because you sing?"

"I am a shadowsinger -- it's not a title that someone just made up."

She shrugged again, irreverently. Az narrowed his eyes, studying her. "Do you, though?" she pressed. "Sing?"

Azriel couldn't help his soft chuckle. "Yes."

He's a shadowsinger... who also sings (a bit of a "duh" moment but pardon me, it's meant to be dramatic lol).

With how intense the ship wars are, and based on SJM's interview lives, I'll say she has a strong inkling that readers would be analyzing HOFAS -- in particular the bonus chapter centering on Azriel -- for clues on the next ACOTAR couple

Notice that she chose, yes she CHOSE, to highlight Azriel singing when we all know how music is Gwyn/Gwynriel's thing.

Gwyn is literally associated with music/singing the way Nesta is with dancing, Feyre is with painting and Elain is with flowers.

And I don't see any flowers in this bonus chapter.

What I do see, however, is Azriel sharing the same hobby as Gwyn, something that was purposely emphasized in this scene, and with SJM having said that she looks at compatibility for her couples... Well, I'm feeling pretty hopeful. More than hopeful, actually.

(Also kindly remember that Gwyn is a Carynthian (one of the only two females in history), which makes her Azriel's equal.)

Another thing of interest is that both Az's bonus chapters referenced his mate, but that's a juicy tidbit for another day.

And that's what you missed on Glee! ;)

[acourtofthought]

Your speculation on how Elain's voice (the inner thoughts in her POV) could be presented? Would it be more romantic? Witty? Sarcastic? Dreamy? or more observant and perceptive? A mix of all? or maybe more internal (like intuned to her emotions)?

Also for all the theories about Guilty as Sin, I think SJM just likes the song. It doesn't necessarily have to be about the books. I suppose we can all have fun theorizing about anything.

Regarding her post.

I think it is most likely that Sarah loving that song has nothing to do with Elucien or E/riel.

Do I think she felt moved by it? That it made her get in her feels? Definitely!

Do I think it could have given her some sort of inspiration as a writer? Sure! We have no idea what headspace she's in right now, we have no idea what she's writing right now. The song, while possibly about emotional cheating, is also about longing and her MMCs usually experience that. Maybe she's even writing a book set in the past and the song gave her inspiration for the LoA and Helion before they had the affair that resulted in Lucien.

However, Sarah says that she always has music on while she's writing so I do understand why everyone is trying to play detective. She chose her main platform for communication with her fans to create a post about a specific song and her author's website says "follow me for updates on IG". Considering she doesn't often post, when she does people are going to look for clues. When she herself has said she leaves all sorts of crumbs and easter eggs in her books and we all know she's a Swiftie (who also leaves easter eggs), it's not farfetched to think, "maybe that's what she's now doing on her IG!"

I do think people are being a little harsh towards others who are debating the possibility of clues.  It's not like all sides of the ship wars haven't read into her posts. I remember when she released a HOFAS excerpt, people were claiming that because she shared one with Nesta and Az it was further proof that she wants the focus to now be on Az but Nesta ended up being more heavily featured in the crossover.  Or how all sides of the ship war were using her last post of being in the mountains as evidence of who was getting the next book.

I think the theories / debates are fun and people should not be ridiculed for creating posts. We have literally nothing else to go on these days and in an an attempt to not recycle the same excerpts from the books over and over, even seemingly random IG posts can inject a little life (no matter how ridiculous) into our pages.

With that said, it's a little wild to claim her posts are confirmation of anything. While theories / debates are fun, acting superior and claiming the other side is crying because "her post proves E/riel endgame!" is taking it too far. Claiming that because she liked the song it's absolute proof of who is getting the next book is a stretch because, while we can theorize that maybe it does mean something, it could also still mean a hundred other things or absolutely nothing at all.

As far as Elain, I think she actually has a thoughtful / observant inner voice with a sarcastic edge.

A 75/25 ratio. Where she'll sit there thinking things that are insightful and observant then throw in a zinger from time to time to the point that it sneaks up on you. A lot like Lucien in ACOWAR, where he was going on and on about how well decorated the HOW was then throws out "Rhys was a good many things, but he certainly had good taste". Or when he was thinking on how he just wanted to read, thinking back on Jesminda, offered Elain tea then called Nesta a viper.

But where I think Lucien's inner thoughts are tinged with a bit of heaviness and sadness, I think Elain's will be slightly more optimistic.

I think Lucien pushes forward and carries on, he remains fair and polite, but there's a lot of guilt and hopelessness lying just under the surface.

With Elain, I think she leans more towards the positive. That's not to say she doesn't struggle with things too but I think despite that, she continues believing that things will work out, that things will be ok.

There's a reason SJM said Nesta and Lucien would cause one another more damage but that Elain was someone both she and Lucien didn't see coming. I think it's Elain's inner strength, that ability to remain positive, loving and kind that is going to be the central theme of their story. There is a lot of discord in certain relationships right now. Between Lucien and Tamlin, Lucien and the people of Spring, Lucien and the people of Autumn, Lucien and Eris, Az and Lucien, the sisters at times, Lucien and Feyre / Nesta at times, the IC and Tamlin, and there has not been a character to help rebuild those bridges yet. I do think it will be Elain's inner light and loving nature that will be a catalyst for many of these relationships beginning to repair themselves.

I hope you have a fun weekend!!!

[nikethestatue]

What do you see the plot being for the next book?

I was discussing with another member of the fandom like fact that, because ACOSF did nothing to move the plot, we have so much to go through:

- Koschei

- Mortal Queens

- Ramiel

- Dusk

- the Cauldron being corrupt

- Mortal Queens

- Autumn court

- mating bond rejection/fake bond/ accepting bond

- barren mountains

- gwydion and the other sword

- TT

Of course many of these overlap, but the issue is, SJM has shown she will drop plots. Or not even get to them. It makes me nervous that Elain’s book will either have too much lore to get through or again just completely not answer questions. Like it’s been 3.5 books and we still have the Az/Mor/Cassian threesome of confusion, we still don’t know wtf the power of truth is, we only found out Nesta’s powers in a different series, we still don’t know the Archeron bloodline, we still haven’t even found Bryaxis. There’s just A LOT to go through that has been set up.

So I’m curious what you think will be the front runner plot.

Tbh, I hope it’s not dusk. I just really don’t care about the starborn stuff. I want Elain to have her own story, not an extension of CC, and if Azriel is starborn, I’d rather find out through Ramiel.

Who even knows with Miss I I Write What I Want.

Before HOFAS I would've said heavy emphasis on the Cauldron and bond, choice, Koschei and whatever role he'd play in the rest of the series. If he is connected to the Asteri, so the Female Fae who locked in in the lake (that sounds like Theia and Vesperus) so I wonder who that would play out, and then how he is connected to the shadows, does he need TT to free himself since it cuts through more than matter, what the shaodwsingers are, what Azriel is and how it related to Dusk. Of course Vassa, the girls hidden on the lake, etc.

I would say a bit of everything other than Autumn, which I dont see as Elain's story.

It crossed my mind that Azriel might be related to Hewn City branch of the family. The 'original' rulers of Night Court. Is that correct? and how does that play into everything?

However, now, I don't know.

I think there is also the Prison, as 'Elain's Mountain' but again I dont know what's gonna look like.

If i am honest, i have no and I mean, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO idea what path SJM will take and what the story will revolve around primarily.

[gwyns]

I saw an E/riel say that it’s stupid to the think it means something when Azriel said Gwyn’s name first when Nesta was wearing the mask, because saying the names was from least to most important. However, Azriel said Cassians name first who is Nesta’s literal mate (no hate to her sisters but a mate seems more important imo), and when his name was said Bryce notices that the flame banked a little. Which, to me at least, is good. But when Az said Feyre and Elain the flame flared at that. To me, that’s not good. It makes me wonder how the relationship between the sisters is going. Azriel didn’t say the names from least to most important. I’m sorry, but E/riel’s are grasping at straws. I think when Az said Nyx name and the flame went out entirely, it could be because either she spends a lot of time with her nephew and she’s his favorite aunt or something else.

this is SO funny because when @lucienarcheron told me about this before hofas' release i just KNEEEWW e/riels would twist it this way 😭 notice how i can make up theories and they end up being correct but an e/riel has never been correct in their life? yeah. my mind

oh absolutely, mate beats anyone else. it's hilarious that they can't even get this right tho like go back and check the page before you claim gwyn was said first, otherwise you look dumb and desperate, not a good combo. HOW they'd ever think that az would purposefully list the names in order of least to most important in a tense situation like that is beyond me

i'm with you on the archerons' relationships! i thought it very interesting that seemed to only make nesta irritated. i wonder what's going on there? 👀 also i just love how it was nyx that finally got through to her. nesta absolutely adores her nephew and it warms my heart 🥹🩷

overall i'm not surprised their using this as ship war fuel, and hell i'll admit when i first got told it i was happy gwyn was one of the first people he thought of but at the end of the day... it doesn't mean much lmfao. the only relevance it has was to show bryce how the mask works and maybe hint at the sisters' relationships not being great at the moment (which, to be fair, we kinda already knew). that's it, we just have to keep waiting

[acourtofthought]

I’ve got this bad feeling that SJM is going to announce the next book as an “Azriel book” only, not giving any other info. It would be the ultimate marketing move, since it hype both the sides of the fandom.

I know that for you the next one will be the Elucien book ( AND IT IS the most rational choice because all the major plot lines are connected to them and their journey), but I fear that it will be Gwynriel.

It’s just that in the last years we had his pov and he featured in Hofas, so I feel that Sarah is setting him as the new main character.

The problem with this is that I can’t really see what his book will be about in terms of development of the story, since his only personal connection with a place in the story is the Illyria. So we could have to read 800 pages of an healing journey with some secondary events on the background that set the next book.

In the meantime, Elain will have a conversation with Az where they understand that between them there can’t be anything, maybe after a period of secret “forbidden” romance. We could also have some Elucien moments across the book.

Personally, I find it a very boring plot, but somehow that woman can make me read anything she writes despite I hate most of her characters ahah. But I fear that this is how she has planned to do.

And if I’m right (hope not), the book will be announced as Azriel’s, and the whole fandom will be on fire.

And that’s it, I just wanted to share my fear with you, since you are the strongest pillar in the temple of “Elucien book next”, hoping you could reassure me that my fears won’t come true and I can sleep sweet dreams.

I love your resilience against E/riel harassers, stay strong!!!💪🏼

I think the biggest discord in the fandom would come from SJM / Bloomsbury announcing that it's Elain's book next without confirming the love interest. If they announce Az being next then I think that would be a big indicator that Gwyn is his sharing in his POV because E/riels, Elucien's, and Gwynriels tend to agree that the debate is between Elain getting the next book (with an Az POV), Elain getting the next book (with a Lucien POV) or Az getting the next book (with Gwyn POV). Most arguments do not claim Az will get the next book with an Elain POV. Though I'm sure there will be those who argue regardless, we've still got people claiming Bryce and Hunt won't end up together.

As far as who is next, I think all opinions are valid because they're based in some sort of logic. SJM definitely gave Az more attention since SF as well as a POV bonus and that's a good reason to think he's next. But.....it doesn't really guarantee it. Eris got a lot of attention in SF too yet he's probably not getting a book anytime soon and Nesta received more attention than even Az in HOFAS and she already had a book. She's connected to both Az and Gwyn so there's a chance that still suggests a Gwynriel book next however she's Elain's sister and the reasons Nesta was built up in HOFAS, her possible connection to the Starborn fae, is something that could indicate Elain and Lucien. Nesta is an Archeron and a Made fae by the Cauldron. Elain is an Archeron and a Made fae by the Cauldron. If Nesta has the Starborn tattoo then it's logical to consider that Elain could share one as well. And we know Lucien, through Helion, probably has a connection to the Trove.

Though Az got a bonus chapter, Lucien had a POV back in ACOWAR. Though Az was built up in SF / HOFAS, Elain and Lucien were built up in ACOWAR / ACOFAS. Some will claim that because Az had recent buildup it means he's next but when we look at the below from an interview SJM did, recent buildup doesn't actually mean anything:

Yrene towers was in a TOG novella, set before the events of the TOG series but she played no part in books 1 - 5. Chaol was in books 1 - 4 but was completely absent in book 5 (same with Nesryn). Yet they were all given main POVs in book 6.

Sarah spoke about how everyone thought she hated Chaol after a time because she suddenly took her focus off him but she went on to say that "No! I always knew the story I wanted to tell for him but I just had to wait until it was time!" That is something that could easily be applied to Elain and Lucien's characters right now. So many have said she's forgotten about them, she got bored with them, she's more excited for Az's story. But what if, just like Chaol and Yrene, she's been biding her time, setting them to the side until it was time to pull them off the shelf? Sure, that could mean they'll come after Gwynriel but it also doesn't exclude them from being next just because Az played a larger role in Nesta and Cassian's story.

As far as plot, I do think Elucien makes the most sense. SF and HOFAS dropped hints as to what Az's book might be about but those things are not actually plot issues at the moment. The Illyrians are not a bigger threat than Koschei. The threat of new villains entering their world from outerspace is now in their peripheral vision but not something that's actually presented itself as a problem. But Koschei stealing Vassa back is a concern. The NC needing Springs army is a concern. Beron is a real concern. Koschei and possibly the remaining queens are a concern.

Unless the Valkyrie and the Illyrians are going to tie into Elain and Lucien's book, I am still unclear on how they'll set up Elucien's story. Unless Koschei is going to be tied into time travel, I'm not sure why a time travel plot in the next book would make sense. And you summed it up perfectly with how you mentioned that once again, another ACOTAR book would feature two characters healing journey's, their individual plots but with "secondary events in the background that set the next book." Elucien's plotlines are already well established, from ACOWAR through SF and they were not resolved in Nesta's book, they played the backdrop to Nesta's main story. Having those same plots play in the background again with no resolution seems extremely drawn out.

To me it would make the most sense for Elucien to restore Spring, bring the life back to the land where it's dying, defeat Koschei, stop Beron and secure peace through the treaty. At that point the IC can turn their focus to the Illyrians, continuing the formation of the Valkyrie and protecting their entire world from threats from outside it.

But.....these are SJMs books and only she knows what her grand vision is for the series so I could be way off base!

Edit: forgot to add thank you! ❤️. I hope you start having sweet dreams again soon!

[acourtofthought]

Me again and on the same day, so... I hope I'm not being annoying...

But what do you think about ccity3? (if you have already read it)

I may end up releasing some spoilers, so if you don't want to risk it, don't continue reading!!

I mean, more specifically what do you think about the shadows of Az, Ruhn and Comarc?

Today I saw an E/riel girl saying that the shadows disappear when they (Ruhn and Comarc) are comfortable, so they insisted again that Az's shadows disappearing with Elain is a good sign... I don't believe it's the same thing, definitely.

(But I don't have much context from Ccity, I haven't read them yet. Well, just the third one to see my girl Ness and Az)

And if you've already read it, what did you think of the Bryce&Az&Ness extra, the ending in particular; from shadows dancing to Az humming; of the exact words "could have sworn" being used in both of Az's extras twice;

And the song "Stone Mother"; Do you think it has a "meaning" for the future? I've seen people saying this is about Elain, I particularly agree with something I read about it having some connection to his mother (who was briefly mentioned during the extra)

They distorted a part claiming that the shadows danced with Bryce's cell phone, but that doesn't happen. I've never met an Elriel who played fair, they're always trying to change what was said. (Some said they were very confident after Ccity3, and I honestly didn't understand why)

Well, maybe I'm just super paranoid, looking for a little Gwynriel in every line... lol

I actually feel special to have gotten two asks in a day from you so thank you!!

I think if we were to compile a list of everything Az's shadows have ever done from start to finish in series, we'd find conflicting information.

I imagine there was a time where SJM did not truly know what she was doing with Az's shadows or what she wanted them to do for a particular love interest because she wasn't even sure that Az was getting a book early on.

And I think it's also a bit difficult for us to compare them to Cormac because the way Az's shadows came to him is unique. We're told that they came to Az while he was born in the dungeon, an airless, light-less prison where he learned the language of the shadows and it's difficult to say if the relationship he developed with them is equal to that of those with similar powers. Ruhn and Rhys share similar powers however it's evident that Rhys is by far and away much more powerful.

Az's shadows aren't exactly "him". They seem to be a bit sentient when you consider that he tells us they keep him company, that they whisper to him. He is not fully in control of his shadows at all times, they told him to sleep and he thought on how he wished he could.

I'm not saying we'd want Az's shadows to be swarming and ready to strike like snakes at all times, that's clearly not a good thing for either Az or the shadows. But having them tend to vanish around someone when he tells us they've been his companion would be like a friend who you grow up with start disappearing anytime your girlfriend came around. Wouldn't it be better if his shadows remained but were at rest or calm?

That's not the narrative SJM put out there for his shadows around Elain in SF though. They skittered away from her, he says they tend to vanish when she's around. It's clear that in SF Az is not in a great place so for E/riels to say they disappear around her because he's calm and that's a good thing is a complete contradiction to him thinking on how he's been ignoring her because he's bothered by her bond. She clearly does not bring him peace.

In the same book we're told that his shadows are afraid of the Sun and in HOFAS, we get more evidence that they don't hold up to light very well.

When you consider how SJM often connects Elain to light and sunshine it seems pretty obvious that she's telling us Elain's penchant for those things is not going to compliment what we know of Az's shadows.

She also could not have made it more clear that the shadows responded to Gwyn in a way they never did with Elain. They danced and twirled with her breath, they were content to sit on Az's shoulders and watch when before the shadows were trying to get him to bed, they sang in response to her song (just as they sang in response to Az's humming). Saying they vanish around one female while having them curious and a bit playful with another, even if it's only in relation to her powers (as E/riels like to claim) is still better for the shadows......which are a part of Az but not fully him. They don't need to love Gwyn because the shadows are not possibly mated to Gwyn. But if Az is mated to Gwyn and his shadows have a bit of a thing for her song then is that not an extremely symbiotic relationship for all parties involved?

I'm not even sure Azriel understood the lyrics of the song because Nesta says she couldn't understand them so maybe it was truly just the melody that captivated Az. And the way the melody was described is a lot like the music of the priestesses service.

As likes music.

Gwyn is a singer.

Az himself began humming once the phone stopped playing.

They share a common interest and that's a valid thing to comment on in regards to a ship.

If Az was aware of the lyrics and the lyrics had to do with the Stone Mother legend than I'd hope no one would be trying to turn the words into anything ship related as the legend is Native American and Elain and Gwyn are white. But to your point, it could have something to do with his mother as she is Illyrian.

[acourtofthought]

I wanted to make sure before I asked you. If you finished hofas. So Azriel being taunted by the asteri. He's never properly used truth teller. He doesn't know it's power. Anyways Elain has been the only one that has used truth teller in acotar. So imagine Azriel is mad. He lost his dagger. Also he's probably figured out Elain can yield it. Imagine that go back. Elain contacts lulu.Rhys is ready to lock up Elain. She's like get me out of here. They're trying to lock me up for a crime. I didn't commit.

There's still a bit of mystery surrounding TT. Az can use TT but I'm not sure if TT is supposed to have the history that the Starsword / Gwydion does, where only those that are a female descendant of Theia are capable of wielding it to it's full power. Because even though it did originally belong to Enaulis, it was later "Made" by Theia so does her light somehow override it's origins in the same way Gwydion, a sword that once belonged to the first High King, now seems to belong to only the female line because of Theia's light? Can anyone use TT or can only those who are Made, those who share Theia's light or those who were created by the Asteri use it (as the Illyrians were)? Both Nesta and Elain used TT (not just Elain) however they were both Made so that doesn't help us narrow things down. And now we've got to deal with the knowledge that Az had a very strange reaction to Gwydion and we know that Gwydion and TT want to be together. He could wield them both because of their desire to reconnect however they were easily called away from him because they wanted to go with Bryce (as Theia's descendant). At this point, I don't think Gwydion or TT will tie into Elain in terms of plot, I think Elain did what she did with it to save her sister and her choosing to walk away "without looking back" is closing the door on her becoming a warrior. When SJM wrote ACOWAR, I'm not even sure she knew she'd be connecting TT to Gwydion because she didn't realize she was doing the crossover until a few years after ACOWAR's release. But now SJM seems to be ushering in a new "Queen" era where the guys, while still being important, are taking a backseat to the females. And I think that could mean, regardless of whether Az finds out he has a connection to Enaulis, he will eventually give up TT. Feyre became the first female in a long time to become High Lady of a court. Ruhn gave up the Starsword to Bryce and accepted her as "Queen". Bryce then gave up the sword to Nesta because of her 8 pointed tattoo but as she's not Theia's heir, I don't think she herself can keep it and use it as it's intended. Unless Gwyn is an descendant of Theia (which I'm not thinking she is), it has to go to someone else and to me, Mor makes the most sense as she's Rhys's cousin and of the first original ruling family's of Prythian. And if Mor ends up with the sword, that means TT is going to want to be close to her because of it. If SJM is going the route of Emorie, then it would make sense to me if Az gave TT to her so Mor and her love interest so both pairings can be together. And that again is ushering in that era of female empowerment, if a female Illyrian were the one to wield the dagger that once belonged to the one who was their most heroic warrior.

[nikethestatue]

Here’s an interesting stat, because I was curious with all the talk of sales for HOFAS.

HOEAB sold 42k copies its first week. ACOSF sold 95k copies the first week. That’s a 126% increase from HOEAB. HOSAB sold 308k copies the first week. That’s a 224% increase from ACOSF. HOFAS sold 361k the first week. That is only a 17% increase from HOSAB….

So, yes HOFAS was her highest selling book in the first week ever. However, sales did not increase anywhere near as much as previous books did. Which makes me believe that she is starting to plateau. I mean, 361k is a huge number and super impressive, nothing to really point at and say “she’s tanking!”. But imo, though, the number probably could’ve been even higher if it’d been promoted more. It’s not a great look to have arguably the most anticipated launch of her career not be a drastic sales increase like the others.

And yes, I know there were other factors that contributed to the big increase in sales between books, and 2020-2024 has been sort of an odd, almost unstable/inconsistent period of SJM’s career. So it’s hard to get a real reference. I’d be interested in going back further and exploring this topic more, but alas numbers for the past aren’t as easily accessible it seems. Anyway, I just thought that was interesting and wanted to share with the class :)

That's interesting. I do think that there was a huge influx of ACOTAR readers who wanted to read the crossover and were all hoping for something for themselves. Besides, with all the false advertising, and all the snippers and previews featuring Az and Nesta, I think many thought it would be very grand in terms of a crossover.

It wasn't.

I think subsequent books won't be as big. Since so many people don't like Elain, i dont think her book will be smashing any records.

But the numbers are very interesting. They'll have to do some seriously amazing spinning to get something similar for the next ACOTAR book because I personally dont know what it will be. Unless they stick Aelin in the book somehow.

[bookofmirth]

!!! HOFAS SPOILERS BELOW !!!

************************

Okay, so I haven’t actually read any of the leaks, I just know what I saw from your asks - but what’s the deal with the Nesriel stuff??😳

Don’t get me wrong I’m all for them being besties and I really liked their friendship in acosf but it seemed like sjm went a bit far with that and I don’t know how I feel about it…

Scratch that… them being touchy-feely to the point it makes Bryce uncomfortable because its so intimate while Cassian is not even there??… yea I lowkey hate it 😬

Nessian went through hell to get to their Hea and Az already has a lot of mess with the females in his life, so what was the point exactly…?? 🫠

yeah it was unexpected, and we were all a bit ummmm at them being so close that Bryce looked away. It was right after Nesta used the mask and Az had to convince her to take it off, so he was like "thank the Mother" and he hadn't wanted her to use it in the first place.

I totally get your point in canon, I like nessian a lot and don't think anything will mess with it. Since sjm is not going to mess with that ship, I guess we will have to read it as them growing closer as friends. She does this sometimes though, like with malide? Manon and Elide had moments. So did Feyre and Lucien. She either doesn't know how it comes across, or we're just... that way. However, Nesta/Azriel I do think has precedent since Nesta fantasized about uh, sucking him off in acosf.

But it definitely had me thinking in an alternate universe, where sjm published that threesome, I am so into it. In canon, I'll read it as them having grown even closer. In my head... :)

[acourtofthought]

Let’s just assume for a moment that Azriel’s book is next.

Do you think there’s a chance that we could get an Elain bonus chapter at the end of his book? What do you think it could be about?

I’m really anxious to get her POV

I'm really looking forward to her POV, I feel like she'll come across as one of the most mature characters SJM has written (along with Lucien).

However I don't think Elain is getting a bonus chapter regardless of whose book is next.

SJM has kept her a mystery for a reason. She limits the words she has her say and her words don't really tell us exactly what she's feeling. We have no idea what she feels on having stabbed the king, what she really feels after the loss of her father (obviously sad but how much has it truly impacted her?), how she feels living with Feysand and being excluded from things, how she feels about her bond. The second we get even a hint of her feeling dissatisfied is the moment we know she's leaving the NC and that's when we know who she's ending up with. So even if Elains book is next, I don't think there's any chance SJM would have included a bonus chapter for her.

Every other character takes Elain's silence and inserts what they think she feels. About Graysen, about Lucien, about how "happy" she currently is in the NC, and so on. But until we have Elain's thoughts, it's all just opinion. And I think she's having A LOT of thoughts that she keeps to herself and the second we get in her mind, some of the mystery is gone.

It's just my opinion but I think it would be more impactful to keep her a mystery until her book, to not give anything away especially if SJM wants to ride out what Elain really thinks of Lucien. She's not like Nesta who hid her feelings behind anger. I think Elain is too self aware not to acknowledge why she's pushing Lucien away, to not admit to herself that the pull to him scares her. She's doing her best to fight it but it's pretty obvious (to me) that she's not fooling herself.

Not to mention Elain is the only female who truly knows about her bond before her book and I think that sets her apart from her sisters. It's the same reason SJM didn't want to give Rhysand a POV. Because he knew about his bond with Feyre and his POV would have given too much away. I think SJM has kept Lucien and Elain's thoughts hidden from us for the same reason, why she only let us into Lucien's mind upon first meeting her, when she knew she was going to create a bunch of obstacles after that which made us question will they or won't they?

But now, a lot of those obstacles are gone. Graysen rejected her, there was a failed hook up with Az, she's tried to make herself a life in the NC but something isn't quite fitting. Lucien moved to the Human Lands for a bit, he's had a year or so to somewhat deal with the fact that Jesminda wasn't his mate. But SJM has started to draw them back together in SF with possible hints that they'll both end up in Spring, then the continent.

I realize people are using the examples of Chaol and Cassian getting a bonus scene which led to their book however there was a bonus scene from the TOG series she chose not to share until AFTER the release of a certain book because she didn't want to spoil the fact that a certain pairing were mates. It's possible she thinks Elain's thoughts will also reveal too much.

SJM gave Mor a pov in the novella (while Az didn't get one) yet it seems like Gwynriel and Elucien will get stories before her.

She gave Tharion a bonus scene after CC2 but now people are speculating Ruhn and Lidia will get the next CC book after HOFAS.

Yrene didn't need a bonus before getting her POV yet she became an extremely important character in ToD as well as KoA.

Lucien technically got a pov when Feyre slipped into his mind in ACOWAR yet people say Az's book will come before his.

So yes, there is precedence for a character getting a book after their bonus or pov though I think there's just as much showing that's not always the case.

Also, Elain may have not gotten a bonus chapter in SF however SJM chose to make her a prominent topic of discussion in BOTH the Az and Feyre bonus chapters.

I realize she's not a lot of peoples favorite but her name spends a lot of time in many characters mouths 🤣

[gwyns]

I keep seeing e/riel’s say how Gwyn wouldn’t make a good spy because she couldn’t even keep Nesta’s secret, but I’m confused, because what secret are they talking about? I can’t genuinely can’t remember.

I know e/riel’s love to say how Elain would make a good spy/her story is being set up for that. They said in Wings & Ruin she stepped out of a shadow and Nesta was surprised at Elain being behind her (in Silver Flames) that she wondered if she was taking lessons from Azriel or the twins. If Elain was a spy we would’ve gotten something about that in his bonus chapter, but we didn’t. And I don’t think her story is being set up as a spy. It doesn’t fit canon Elain. She wants to be desperately seen and, I don’t mean this in a bad way at all, but no one is really seeing her. Not even Azriel, but e/riel’s will obviously say otherwise. At the same time thought they change the plot of her journey/story. It goes in a circle: she’s a spy, she and Azriel spying on the mortal queens, or looking for dread troves, or it’s the prison/dusk court, or she’ll become High Lady or High Queen of Dusk (but I thought Elain belonged in the NC?🤡), or she’ll wield Gwydion since it’s the twin to Truth Teller, or she’s connected to the Illyria plot/Ramiel. They keep backpedaling her arc so it can fit Azriel’s. They want her to have a choice only if it’s with Azriel.

Elain does have multiple choices, and what if Elain chooses to be with Lucien, or chooses to leave the NC and travel, or chooses to be a courtier, or to be happily single? They claim to love Elain, but they keep tying Elain to her love life. I’ve seen a lot of Elucien’s and Gwynriel’s actually take the time to theorize about Elain’s arc without it being tied to a love interest. Small little bits sure, but they think what will be best suited for Elain and her needs instead of just tying her to needing romance.

And Gwyn actually did show spy qualities during the Blood Rite, even though e/riel’s don’t acknowledge that and instead choose to mock Gwyn over the fact she had to be carried/couldn’t even climb a mountain, however, Rhys also had to be carried. And before Gwyn had to be carried, wasn’t she spying on that beast and got it to attack the Illyrians and took their food? She was also crying and didn’t want to leave Nesta alone. Sounds like a good friend to me. I’ve noticed that e/riel’s have been a lot more aggressive ever since that bonus chapter from HOFAS with Az dropped.

yeah no they're definitely projecting because nesta didn't have a secret? gwyn didn't blab anyone's secrets?? i genuinely have no idea what they're even referring to

yes exactly, if az were giving elain lessons in anything, he would've mentioned it in his chapter. i never saw nesta's comment as "foreshadowing" or anything like that, it's just her making a silly comment on how elain snuck up on her. nuala and cerridwen are very good at being sneaky, duh, so it wouldn't surprise me if elain did pick up some of their mannerisms. they are the closest things she has to friends currently (even tho they're being paid to watch her lol) and friends pick up things from each other, even speech patterns so it's not unusual in my opinion

ahhh i remember the days when e/riels vehemently denied there even being an illyrian/ramiel plot. gwynriels and az fans in general have been saying this since acosf. everyone thought nessian would deal with the growing illyrian problem, since it was teased in the original draft for acosf, but sjm pushed it back and only reinforced that they'll be a problem soon. meaning she decided to have someone else tackle that issue, someone like azriel. they always contradict themselves, how am i supposed to take any theories or analysis they present seriously when it'll just be thrown out the window in 2-3 business days?

i love thinking about what elain's arc could be, it's true we don't have much on her now but it's not going to stay that way forever. i know she'll be tied up with koschei in some form (and unintentionally free him maybe?) and that she'll likely visit different courts before going to the continent to finish the koschei plot. i have ideas for things that could be included in her book, like traveling with jurian and vassa, them picking up briar somewhere along the way and maybe even some forced proximity with tamlin since his court is in the toilet at the moment but those are more so headcanons than possible sjm crumbs lol

point is, elain as a character doesn't give us a whole lot to go off of on surface level but tbh if people actually cared enough to dig a little deeper and use some critical thinking, it's not hard to get a good, general idea of her personality. some people just refuse to put in the effort and reduce her to whiny or flower girl or some other thing

yup! they love to try and diminish gwyn's (and the other valkyries tbh) abilities. sjm showed us how they won the rite, it was through their strong love of each other. that was the whole fucking point of the blood rite in acosf. we knew they were best friends before but i feel the rite only proved that they're sisters, that they'd do anything for each other. minus the constant threats, it was a very beautiful thing. they just hate that sjm had gwyn spy and do it well, because we had az around the same time telling cassian that spying suits him. they know that was an intentional parallel and it upsets them because gwyn got a lot of development they wanted, and expected, for elain

totally lol. everytime we get new information that seems to stray further from their e/riel vision, they go full bully mode and yell at us for our lack of reading comprehension when, honey, i didn't do anything. if you're so angry over what's going on, over what is being set up for these characters, take it up with sjm!! damn, it's not our fault you got so attached to a ship that was seemingly never intended to be more than fuel for the elucien tension fire

[bookofmirth]

Since you don’t think there will be a written mating ceremony, maybe it’ll have something to do with Nesta going to the Prison or using the harp? I’m not sure, but I’m looking really forward to everything. I know there are some theories that Nesta has the ability to manipulate lightning and might charge Bryce with it. Do you have any predictions on what the bonus scenes, for Ruhn/Lidia & Nesta & Azriel, might be about?

You know, I thought about it some more, and maybe it's more possible than my initial reaction implied. Because as much as people like to claim that the bonus chapters don't matter, we know that they do. They get posted online, we all read them, they were written by the author. And so if that were to happen, it would make sense to happen in a bonus chapter so that 1) acotar-only people could just find it online without having to read and 2) it would be out of the way of the regular narrative for cc-only people who don't really care.

However, it still would be odd to me given that Azriel was named, not Cassian. And given the fact that she has avoided publishing those scenes thus far. I've also had thoughts about POV and how people misuse that phrase but I'll save it for another post.

I don't know if I have any solid theories yet, I've been too busy SCREAMING into bookclub, but I do think that the one with Nesta, Bryce, and Azriel could serve as a bridge from hofas to acotar5. Anything major to the plot of either book wouldn't be in a bonus, but... I could see it being a conversation between the three of them about the *implications* of something happening in hofas? For example, if Az gives up Truthteller, he'd be feeling a type of way about it. Nesta seems to have a connection to/understanding of him that his old friends don't. Bryce would be who he's giving it to.

Or, perhaps it's about the Trove? If Yazzy is right about Bryce's tattoo being the fourth trove item, the trove has featured much more heavily in acotar, not CC. They could have a discussion about what to do about the tattoo/Horn.

With Ruhn/Lidia GOSH there are so many options. Can they still speak psychically? What if it's a super sad pining scene? Again, it probably wouldn't be super important to the plot, but rather to their characters/emotions.

I don't think that the Bryce&Nesta&Az chapter or the Danika&Bryce chapters will have anything to do with ships. I don't think that any of them will have anything to do with ships that aren't already canon, especially.

Sorry this is just a braindump of ideas! Maybe when the cackling in my head dies down I'll be more coherent hahahaaaaa