#im usually not super picky about writing and retcons but sjm takes it to a worse level

[arson-09]

“it was planned!” no tf it wasnt. Every instance of feysand endgame is a retcon. The “stay with the highlord”? 100% could not be rhysand (i see that one used alot by feysanders) Rhysand actively chose to sa and just be a dick to feyre. there was no way it was an “act” and feysand is a prime example of people loosing media literacy and not thinking about what their reading in books😔😔😔

Amarantha is also used throughout to emphasize rhysand (and somewhat) feyres trauma which doesnt work well as no other character affected by her gets this treatment (cough cough tamlin who was likely groomed by her) AND she never did anything that bad to feyre. especially when compared to rhysand. Hes the one who realistically dealt the most and worse trauma to her. i think is acomaf was a acotar canon compliant sequel we should’ve/could’ve gotten an interesting exploration into both of feylins trauma but no. bat boy (i fucking HATE him)

ACOTAR Rant

The way that Rhysand's actions could be so easily justified if SJM has just written down that Amarantha was tormenting Feyre in the dungeon. Like, then Rhys does need to get her out. If SJM had written Amarantha being jealous of Rhys, then Rhys needs some way to get Feyre out without looking suspicious. If she had written AMARANTHA being the one to suggest the clothing or telling Rhys to get Feyre to 'put on a show' THEN Rhysand has no fault because it wasn't his choice either.

But SJM didn't, this was the first book, the book where Tamlin and Feyre were set up to be endgame and it is so, so fucking obvious, because even Rhysand's reasoning later doesn't really at all justify what he did.

Amarantha didn't give two flying fucks about Feyre, just dumped her in a cell and made her do chores, she forgot Feyre was even there and was like wtf when Rhysand OUT OF HIS OWN CHOICE drugged and assaulted Feyre.

It is so obvious that Feysand wasn't planned to be endgame at this point, that SJM and her editors didn't properly look at these things. It would not affect the budding relationship of Feysand, it would actually bring them a little closer together.

If Amarantha had been utilized as the villain in a more thorough way, Rhysand would be relatively blameless, but as it is, he is the instigator, and the one who abused Feyre in horrific ways that permanently traumatized her.