#lidia RANTS

[purrvaire]

so. this is going to be a personal post, free to skip etc

cw // grieving

today it's my granny's bday. she passed away in July - she would be 93 today - after being sick for quite sometime. and i guess im feeling it particularly bc life has been absurd and i didnt have much time for processing when it happened - i had to help mum sort out stuff before and after the funeral, uni exams of course didn't stop for me. like, i realized i have troubles dealing with it bc i gathered the courage to watch the last video mum took of her - the day before she passed - only yesterday and it hurt so bad. anyway, i don't want to wallow in painful memories so ill tell you some of the happy ones <3

me and my grandma were very close; she lived with me while i was growing up and we used to share a room; she had her quirks, mind you, my sister and her would fight a lot and, as always, i was left to placate both of them lol but the thing is, she was always ready to listen. when i came back from school, i would tell her all about my day and my friends. in the last months i needed to repeat her stuff bc her memory failed her a bit. and she helped me as far as she could with school or, when she wasn't able bc she finished school at 15, she would listen. And she was so interested in what I was learning! Istg I prepared a whole ass exam about linguistics and she wanted to hear all about it! When I had exams, she would comfort me the day before and she was the first person I would call after bc I knew she would be waiting anxiously for me to call. Actually, I had an exam at the end of July and I got the top mark (30 e lode, which I guess is A+? Idk) and I had to stop myself from calling her number, it was so automatic the routine we had.

When she could still read easily, we used to read books together; we read the Secret Garden and Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables - the last one was the topic of my undergraduate dissertation which I dedicated to her.

AND my old lady was such a great football fan! NO BUT SERIOUSLY she wouldn't miss a match, we supported the same team of course and she would get fond of players too LMAO the night she was hospitalised, I remember she didn't want to leave home because - and I quote - she was busy watching the Champions League. I get it from her. In fact, this year, chances are that my team could win the league after 30+ years and it's bittersweet, you know? Knowing that she isn't there to enjoy it.

Anyway, I'm typing this while I'm waiting at the hairdresser - she liked my hair long and was sad when I cut it but anyway she believed it suited me - and tomorrow I'm taking a plane to Belgium to visit a friend; I'm telling you bc I can't tell her. She was very religious - as all old southern italian ladies are - while I'm not so much anymore, but just for today I'll believe she is watching me from up there. 🤍

[jemdeserveslove]

⚠️HOFAS SPOILERS ⚠️

THIS IS ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE LIDIA CERVOS AND HER SCENES ✨✨✨

My favorite scenes in hofas, by far, were all of Lidia’s scenes!!

SUCH A GOOD CHARACTER!! Like, literally everything about her is perfect ✨ the layers, the flaws, how we know she actually did some terrible things, but is now trying to be better, HOW SHE’S A MOTHEEER too!! And her being a mother worked so well with character and everything we knew about her. She was already really complex and that added one more layer and it was just *chef’s kiss*

Her scenes with Ruhn (my favorite) were amazing to me! I liked how Ruhn was mad at her at the beginning and how she just expected him to understand her, but he was reluctant … all of that was necessary in my opinion and it just made their whole arc better. They’re my favorite couple in Crescent City and I just want them to happy!!! I could read a whole book about them just living together 😭 (with Lidia’s children too)

NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT LIDIA’S BEST SCENES IN THIS BOOK

- The attack on The Spine and freeing Ruhn, Hunt and Baxian >>>>>>> THIS WAS EVERYTHING!!!!!!! I seriously felt like I was watching a movie. The tension? Amazing. The planning? Excellent. The vibes? Immaculate ✨

Lidia is just so amazing! And seeing her pov on her process to plan the whole thing was everything I needed (and I didn’t know I needed). Her tricking Pollux, making a deal with Queen Irithys, burning the witch, HER TALKING WITH RIGELUS TO GET THE QUEEN!!! HER CARRYING RUHN!!!!!!!! It was awesome. And the way the scene grew to the point she was jumping from that cliff into her death…

THAT’S CINEMA YOU GUYS! CINEMA!!

- My other favorite scene is when she and Ruhn were rescuing her children 🥲 I loved that whole segment! The way it contrasted with the Lidia from the previous scene, who was so scheming and in control of herself and, by consequence, the situation. I loved how she was a huge mess and couldn’t pull herself together, because we don’t expect people to be calm in a situation like that and liked that she wasn’t. She was very human. I mean, how FERAL she got with Ruhn, that was >>>>>

There is a rawness and an ugliness to that. And it’s so human and so filled with different emotions. The fear for her children, the anger towards Pollux, the anger towards herself for not being able to do more. And there were so many things on the line that day, but she was about to throw everything to hell just so she could save her children. I MEAN, WHEN SHE PULLED THE GUN ON RUHN I WAS SCREAMING (in a good way)

AND THE WAY IT ENDED WITH HER BURNING POLLUX???? CINEMAAAA

Thanks Sarah for making Lidia 🤧

[idfendyr]

Do people.

Not remember.

NESRYN AND SARTAQ.

GIVE THEM THE ATTENTION THEY DESERVE. HOW DARE YOU IGNORE THEM. RUHN AND LIDIA HAVE HAD MORE ATTENTION IN THE LAST 2YEARS THAN NESRYN AND SATAQ HAVE HAD SINCE BLOODY 2017.

DO SOMETHING PEOPLE

[scarl3ttskinny]

I switched to Lidia Mera workouts/pilates, bc I saw that people get good results on TikTok and people comment good things about her workouts! Here’s the routine💗

[biggestqiblifan]

Ruhn watched her beautiful, perfect face. Watched as determination set her features.

No matter how much he tried to hate her, he was completely smitten.

He wants to so badly go after his girl...

The world seemed to hold its breath as the elegant doe walked up to Ruhn and gently, lovingly, nuzzled his neck. Ruhn didn’t so much as move. Not a blink as Lidia pulled away, those golden eyes lingering on his face—just a moment longer. Then she bounded off into the trees, a streak of sunlight that was there and gone. Like she’d never been.

Ruhn scanned the forest where Lidia had vanished, his hand rising to his neck. The skin there was warm, as if her touch still lingered. “Right,” Athalar grunted, stooping to reach for Ruhn’s legs. “On three.” Baxian tightened his grip under Ruhn’s shoulders. Wings stirred, and Ruhn stirred with them. “Lidia,” he croaked. But Athalar and Baxian jumped into the skies, both males groaning in agony, the world tilting—and then they were airborne, Athalar holding Ruhn’s legs, Baxian at his shoulders. Ruhn hung like a sack of potatoes. His stomach flipped at the dizzying drop to the arid ground far below. The mountain rising before them. The glittering blue sea stretching beyond. Behind them, shooting among the olive trees like a bolt of lightning, raced that beautiful, near-white doe. A hind. To reach the sea, she’d have to ascend through the hilly groves, and then right up the rocky mountain itself. Was there a way down on the other side? She’d only mentioned an aerial landing when she’d spoken to Dec. Not a sea rescue. Or a land rescue. Lidia wasn’t coming. The realization clanged through Ruhn like a death knell. “Oh fuck,” Athalar spat, and Ruhn followed the direction of the angel’s gaze behind them. A pack of two dozen dreadwolves streamed like ants through the forest. All headed straight for that deer. A wolf larger than the others led the pack—Mordoc. Closing in fast on Lidia as the hills slowed her. “Stop,” Ruhn rasped. “We have to go back.” “No,” Athalar said coldly, his grip tightening on Ruhn’s legs. Which was faster—a deer or a wolf? If they caught up to her, it’d be over. Lidia had known that, and gone anyway. “Put me down,” Ruhn snarled, but the malakim held him firm, so hard his bones ached. The wolves narrowed the distance, as if the hills were nothing to them. But Athalar and Baxian had caught an air current and were soaring swiftly enough now that Lidia rapidly shrank in the distance— “PUT ME DOWN!” Ruhn roared, or tried to. His voice, hoarse from screaming, could barely rise above a whisper. “Aerial legion from the east,” Baxian announced to Hunt. Ruhn looked up, following Athalar’s line of sight. Sure enough, like a cloud of locusts, soldiers surged for them. “Fuckers,” Athalar hissed, wings beating faster. Baxian kept pace as they swooped toward the sea. Farther from Lidia, who now neared the top of the towering mountain. That was the last Ruhn saw of her as they soared over the arid peak. Open ocean spread before them. Ruhn twisted, trying to keep an eye on Lidia.

[taegularities]

hope you know that despite us not being constantly present in your life we do love you and appreciate your existence a lot. i am glad you're here to share your little stories and things about your life because i honestly love to think that you're like a long distance friend hehe

(unnecessary rant i am so sorry why am i like this)

thank you so much for saying that, my sweetheart <3 life is jarring, but you all keep making me feel loved and i'll never be able to express my gratitude the way i want to :') you're my friend for sure, you are <3333

[funeralflow3rs]

Now that I've sat with HOFAS for a few days, my feels are still p much the same... It was just okay. I'm glad to have ticked a bunch of things off my bingo card sheet and I'm not mad about anything that happened. I LOVED some parts so much, especially the new ACOTAR lore which I was not expecting to get... But it felt so soulless outside of a handful of moments scattered throughout. I had no connection to the CC characters I love ( When I tell u I love Ruhn I literally named my dog after him ) and it didn't feel like they really went anywhere development wise or if they did it was such a fast speed run of it I didn't get to enjoy it before we were on to the next thing. Honestly it left me feeling really empty by the end, that's still lingering and not in the usual book coma kind of way. I wish she would have either split the book in half or slowed the pace down a bit and given the reader room to breathe instead of throwing huge revelation after huge revelation at us. I'm just so sad it fell flat for me when so many people I know are loving it, like what did I miss what am I personally not getting here 😭😭

[bookofmirth]

I think it’s very funny when ppl say that it’s obvious that Elain is next cause she is the last archeron and the only person who could hold a plot + Gwyn could never cause she is a secondary character WHEN:

Elain is - at this moment - more secondary than Gwyn cause what exactly we had about her? (Yeah I heard the theories that she can’t have a POV cause she is a seer and she would be a walking spoiler so her pov has to be hidden)

Lidia cervos only showed up on book 2 and baby girl stole the entire show while being secondary character? Yrene Westfall hellooo?

I was just ranting about this elsewhere so here we go haha!

"why would Gwyn or Az get a pov/book when Elain hasn't had one yet and when Cassian and Rhys never got one?" because these characters are not in line at the DMV? they didn't take a number at the deli counter?

The only thing that really matters in terms who gets a book or a pov is whether it makes sense to the story being told.

Sometimes people argue about these stories as if they are math, as if there has to be a certain order to the way things are told. But that's not how storytelling works? The characters aren't queued up, and this is not kindergarten - they don't all get equal time with the omniscient narrator. This isn't about what's perceived as "fair", but what will actually make sense for the story.

Chaol didn't get a book because he had been waiting patiently for it since ToG. Chaol got a book because his chapters were originally going to be part of EoS, but his story ended up being much bigger than originally planned. He didn't get a story because he "deserved" it for still being alive multiple books later, but because it made sense to focus on his narrative on its own. It was about what was organic within the story and what would be the best, most effective, impactful way to tell that story.

So yeah, Gwyn can become a main character, so can Vassa, so can Miryam and Drakon, so could Eris - it's literally Sarah's job to figure out what makes sense for the story and to bring us along for the ride. There is no "math" that is going to make a specific character "required" to be next. Certain things make more sense than others, but people are wayyyyy too stuck on the distinction between main character and side character and acting like the author is somehow limited. She's only limited by her imagination, my friends!

[katsum50]

Stupid crap I’ve seen today, and so I have to rant.

First that Elriel can’t happen because of Ruhn/Lidia. I mean what? They say the spy couple has already happened and that’s it.

Secondis that stupid old argument that Azriel was gross in the bonus chapter. That he only has lust for Elain or wants a mate and is lonely. Have we forgotten that he’s not some horny teenage boy? He’s a centuries old being that has shown maturity through out the books. He’s had plenty of lovers and could find another one at any time.

He doesn’t want any mate or just someone for sex. He wants Elain because he has feelings for her. People may not like it, and that’s their right, but you can’t ignore what the text says.

I’m done. I hope these aren’t grown ass adults with these arguments, but I fear they are, and I worry for their personal relationships.

[nikethestatue]

I’m sorry if this is too negative, but how do you stay so positive? I read the bonus and don’t feel that good about it. I understand it makes clear that Azriel’s shadows react to music, not Gwyn herself but… why would SJM give a connection between Azriel and Gwyn, who is a singer? When I say connection I mean music and shadowsinger/lightsinger. She seems to be continuing that music connection. I guess I just feel defeated that Azriel has gotten nonstop hype from not only fans but SJM herself, and there hasn’t really been anything for Elain besides small tiny crumbs that we Elriels theorize. I feel Elain had the set up to be a main character after ACOSF, but it feels to me that with the crossover, SJM has shifted that all to Azriel-and potentially Gwyn, if the music and lightsinging is any indication-and hasn’t given Elain anything else yet. 3 bonuses in a row now have given something to Gwynriel (ACOSF, HOSAB Bryce and Hunt ending about shining secret joy in chest, and now HOFAS). I’m sorry to rant, I just feel upset over how this has been handled by SJM. I still feel confident in Elain and Elriel based on the ACOTAR text, but perhaps now that we are so close, doubt and intrusive thoughts have started to creep in lol 🥲

So let me ask you this. Suppose you are just a normal reader, who is reading SJM's books, read ACOTR and now CC. Say you have no idea about any shipwar. You are just an interested, casual reader.

On January 30, you get the book, which you ordered from Target. You read the book, you love it, you read Lidia and Ruhn's bonus, you love it too. You sit back and await the next SJM book.

Now, tell me, what's been 'set up' for that reader? And in what sense and capacity was Gwynriel set up?

For example, on a personal level, i've never read the Bonus with Bryce and Hunt for the last book. And I am not even a casual reader. I've never read ANY of the TOG bonuses. I've read the Feysand bonus once. I accidentally came upon Wings and Ember and only because i am an OBSESSED fan, not a casual.

So all in all, what do we think was set up? In any way, shape or form? NOTHING. Certainly not for Gwynriel. Not one thing. Now, for me, as an Elriel, not a whole lot has been set up either. BUT, i just know what Gwynriels have been claiming for the past 3 years about the Azriel Bonus (chest light, mate bonds, him falling in love with Gwyn, blah, blah). As an obsessed fan, all this Walmart bonus told me was he claims to be single and unmated and he is a metalhead at heart. That is it. It didn't set up anything for anyone.

Also, in terms of light and singing--one of my fellow Elriel is planning to write a post where they are gonna go over that imagery throughout SJMs books, which has absolutely nothing to do with any romance, any Gwyn, or anything else that people claim.

I am calm, because nothing's changed on paper. But I also am happy because everything, literally everything, that Gwynriels claimed didn't come to pass--like we suspected it wouldn't. There is no deeper or more meaningful connection between Azriel and Gwyn. We learn nothing about her--not like Nesta says 'oh, btw, Gwyn's been raving about all the private lessons you've been giving her, Az!'

If you step back and think about it rationally, the bonus gave nothing. You can read between the lines, but that space hints at Elriel, not Gwynriel.

So calm down, nonnie. It's all good.

Remember 'I thought it was obvious!'

[purrvaire]

the fanfic trope ask is from a few hours ago but I'm still curious, what do you think about: there's only one bed, fake dating, and mafia/crime AUs. also, any kind of [blank]shop AUs, like coffeeshop, bookshop, tattoo shop, etc, what do you think of them and which one is your favorite, if any?

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING !! 🤍 S O:

• there's only one bed: an absolute classic, love it, consider me hooked if there's even one scene with this trope

• fake dating: like it, I've read wonderful fake dating au that made me kick my feet in the air but still not my absolute favourite trope!!

• mafia au: hate it. nope. absolutely nope. I am purposely differentiating it from general crime au (which I'm mostly neutral about it) but when it comes to mafia... never. I'm italian, from South Italy specifically and I know what mafia is like. Literally there's a day during the year in which we commemorate the lives lost because of mafia. It's a terrible reality, that still destroys people lives, and I hate the romanticised version that it's used for fics and movies. No hate for those who enjoy it, but couldn't be me

As for any kind of -shop au, I like them! Can be a little repetitive in some cases, but I think that you can never really go wrong with those <3

[yazthebookish]

People continue to misconstrue what SJM said in her last interview when the host was expressing how much she appreciates the females being the lead and take action in Sarah's books, because it's always the heroes that get to do something in fantasy books while the heroines sit back at home where it's safe and do nothing or be just the damsels—that's the context.

Sarah never said she won't or doesn't write books for male characters (since she did for Chaol and she wrote a total of approx 13 Male POVs in all her series) so that statement goes against the facts. She did say there are scenes where she forgets to let the guys do something because she is focused on the females (which is a good thing and we know Sarah does focus on female empowerment in her books) but it doesn't equate to saying the guys are too insigificant in the books to be given a book or their own story. Chaol was too important to her she was inspired to write a book with him in mind and merged other characters into his story, but ultimately it was always known as Chaol's novella/book because there was so much going on with him she didn't want to dilute it to fit in Empire of Storms and added characters that complimented his journey alongside theirs and the overall plot.

Did I also mention that HOSAB had one female POV while there were 4-5 male POVs? Bryce and Hunt are still the leads but you also had other characters driving the story too. Ruhn's own arc is obviously important and there is a good chance he would get his own book and while Lidia will definitely kick ass, but do you think her own arc would be more important than Ruhn's? Her arc would probably compliment his.

To reiterate, SJM was responding to the host's praise who said she appreciates how the male characters in her books take the backseat to allow the heroines to take the lead (in terms of action and important scenes)—it wasn't about whether she only write books solely focused on female characters or male characters or about her answering a question if she writes books focused on male characters and her saying no, that's not the context.

It's also like the people who say the series is about the three Archeron sisters when it's not given that there are two novels and a novella left (with the potential of more based on her new contracted books) and she never even said that in one of her interviews, the EW article about the tv show doesn't count because it's likely not Sarah's words but what the journalist understood about the series and who will be featured in the show. What Sarah always said is that the spin-off books are about different characters and follows different POVs. Each book will feature a couple, so the spin-off books are about the characters in this world whose story was not told yet, it's not just the sisters (the screenshots below give better clarity so I'll leave it at that).

Back to my main point, If she does eventually write a book focused on a male character, then don't come here and complain about how she lied if she never said what you claim she said in that interview from the very beginning.

Not really a rant but it always confuses me how people take a piece of information when half of us were present during that interview and turn it into something completely different. To each their own thoughts I guess.

[mirandasidefics]

Hi! Omg Loved the latest chapter of "but home is nowhere." I feel bad for our main character, to be called anothers womans name? ouch this poor girl can not catch a break! I'm usually a hardcore Az girlie but I'm honestly starting to root for Lucian, he seems to be the only one really that respects her and want her for her IMO. I think Ruhn is still hung up with what happened with Lidia and honestly this whole group needs some serious therapy. I'm really interested in seeing if this "break" from Ruhn will give more space for Azriel to become more a support for her. But I do have a questions. And really our main girl asks it in Chapter ten. "“One good deed doesn’t guarantee trust,” You quickly turned away from him, damning your stubborn pride. “Trust takes time. And why does everyone care so much about who sleeps next to me?” Of course, the male had no answer for that. " Like why do they all care who is in her bed, sexual or otherwise? Is it solely because she is human? Like Nesta slept around before she accepted her bond with Cass (no judgment, just fact) and Eline was all over Az (and him her) and Eline has yet to accept the bond so like what is the deal? I guess Rhys admits to this in the bonus chapter about having a "half breed" and how it would "harder" on the fae after she does, but like why is everyone in the IC just up in arms about it. Seems rather sus to me.

Anyways that's my question/rant lol great writing! As always looking forward to the next chapter

Honestly, yes everyone in ACOTAR and Crescent City are in desperate need of therapy. Unfortunately, our girl is no therapist so she can't help on that professional level, but she is a good friend to those she cares for. Ruhn does have some processing to do if his and Reader's dynamic is to progress beyond the friendship they have now.

As far as why everyone is so preoccupied with her sleeping companions, the answer is complex. Most of the characters don't really care if she were to be promiscuous (which she isn't) as most of them have quite the high body counts themselves. Those that participated in the bet (Bryce, Nesta, and Amren), mainly just want to see those involved happy (Reader, Ruhn, Lucien, and Azriel). It is mainly Rhysand (and to a lesser extent Azriel) that have issues leading to their preoccupations with her sex life/sleeping companions.

Rhysand doesn't really care if Reader starts a relationship with Ruhn but does care if that relationship results in her leaving Prythian and then some shit going down. Rhys recognizes that Reader is in their world for a reason and is wary of what that reason could be. Rhysand also isn't concerned about Reader and Azriel as he just doesn't see that as an option at this time.

Rhysand does care if Reader were to start a relationship with Lucien. The main reason is that Lucien is a mated male. In addition to the Fae's belief that the mating bond is scared, Lucien is a beneficial ally for the Night Court to have. Lucien is only willing to even work with the Night Court because his mate is currently living there. Rhysand has already demonstrated that he doesn't want to lose Lucien (or anyone that Lucien is politically tied to) as an ally. So, ensuing that Lucien and Elain's mating bond is free to progress however it needs to, fits into Rhysand's personal agenda. He sees Lucien and Reader's relationship in much the same way that he sees Azriel and Elain's. Thus, if Rhysand says their relationship is an issue, it is only natural that his second and third in command would assist in making sure that it doesn't progress beyond a friendship. (Personally, neither Mor nor Amren really care, and wouldn't have interfered/commented if Rhysand hadn't instructed them to do so.)

Essentially, by appearing that he is worried about Reader's sleeping companions/relationships Rhysand can manipulate other aspects of the overall situation. It's all about him keeping control over a situation that he doesn't have any control over with the belief that it is for the good of his loved ones and his court.

Azriel's concerns and thus motivations for his preoccupation with Reader and her sleeping companions are different from Rhysand's. I won't go into too much detail here because they will be explored further in later chapters.

What I love about writing this story is the complexity of all the characters involved and their various motivations. There is so much beyond the romance aspect of this story that I have planned and I'm super excited to share that with you all in the next chapter!

[thirdwifeofriversong]

okay i need to rant incoherently about HOFAS (and the sjm fandom)

so if you don’t care or haven’t finished the book, feel free to ignore this

(to make a couple of things abundantly clear though, the general discourse in this fandom frustrates me to no end, no hate to anyone obviously, but i get real real tired of the ship wars - i literally don’t care - and of people not using critical reading skills… all/most of these characters are morally grey and flawed and imperfect and it literally does nothing to debate who’s good/bad based on one reading of a morally grey character. they’re grey. even the ones you like. even the ones you hate. that’s the point. also this is mainly aimed at the acotar fandom.)

anyway, some thoughts on HOFAS

i absolutely loved lidia’s characterization. one of the best parts of the book. we love a complex female character. we love a complex double agent who does horrible things and has to live with that. we love female characters who aren’t sidelined just because they have kids

speaking of

i have Feelings about the characterization of lidia as a mother and am still trying to figure out what those are exactly.

but my feelings certainly align with her absolutely demolishing ruhn with that line about her tragic female backstory. what an absolute QUEEN.

i’m not quite sure how to feel about the ruhn/lidia relationship. i love their dynamic, and i support her in her decision to choose ruhn because she did choose him

but also he was pretty sketchy/a little bitch to her at times. was pretty shocked when he shot her in the leg (it seemed out of character). not unforgivable, that’s for her to decide and him to atone for (reminder to the fandom in general) but yeah… interesting… and questionable

okay moving on from them

i do love an ensemble cast. it’s very enjoyable.

the firstlight being gone is a really interesting world building device

you could definitely see the extra emphasis this book on motherhood, through lidia and ember — interesting to see authors evolve and grow with their own lives influencing their themes

honestly, enjoyed the subplots a good bit

ITHAN AND THARION ARE SUPER HOMOEROTIC! i had hope for a little bit that we would finally see a queer relationship unfold. but no. one of them just got married off and now is attached? like bro this werewolf literally almost got himself killed and then murdered someone very important to him to rescue you from enslavement. but that’s totally platonic.

AGH I’m really REALLY frustrated with the lack of queer rep in the MCs in sjm books. like fine, i don’t care that much, at least you have some rep, but it really shows the limitations of comp het storytelling

was very much a guilty pleasure but the crossovers were a very fun touch

ALSO. getting very tired of the “males are all the same across the universe. such alphaholes haha.” BRO THATS NOT HOW PEOPLE WORK AND ALSO DEFINITELY NOT HOW GENDER WORKS. my little queer brain cells are dying here.

[ninainthetardis]

⚠️⚠️⚠️ HoFaS Spoilers ahead ⚠️⚠️⚠️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• What was the point of introducing Ariadne?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Hunt "the powerbank" Athalar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Ruhn/Lidia

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

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

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

Lidia carried the whole book. I loved her.

- Baxian/Danika

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

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

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

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

[jemdeserveslove]

⚠️ HOFAS SPOILERS ⚠️

A thought about how it might continue for some characters ✨

This is essentially a rant lol (and english is not my first language and I read the book in Portuguese, there might be mistakes)

So, we know sjm will write more CC books, and I genuinely have no idea what it will be about, but I feel that these books are not a priority at the moment, yk? She’s continuing acotar (FUCKING FINALLY) and then she’ll write a new series (I have thoughts about that 👀) and then one day she’ll just show up talking about CC4 and we’ll all loose it lol

But I think there’re couple of years until that happens, cause the story that she was telling was indeed finished.

NOW HERE’S THE THING

I think the story was pretty much closed for Bryce and Hunt (they have done enough), so in these new books they won’t be main characters 🤷‍♀️ I hope she doesn’t pull a acotar on them and do a book per couple or something like that, cause I enjoy the multiple povs and I think it makes the story flows more smoothly. As for other characters…

- Ruhn and Lidia ✨, I would say it’s pretty much closed if it wasn’t for the Ocean Queen’s note to Lidia … so I guess Lidia will do more (WHICH I LOVE CAUSE I LOVE HER)

- My boy Ithan will definitely do A LOT, like I feel that at one point in the book he just didn’t do much anymore, like, more towards the end. But that’s very fitting I guess, he did do a lot and went through a lot and learned a lot, so idk … he has a lot more story to unpack in the future, especially on how he’s going to lead and change the wolfs, his ice powers and I guess maybe Perry (?)

- Tharion … oh, Tharion 🫠 the character who makes terrible choices lol BUT I LOVE HIM! He needs to deal with SOOO MUCH, like Ocean Queen and River Queen (?) even tho they must have forgiven him idk 🤷‍♀️, The Viper Queen (and whatever business she does next), his wife, Ariadne … honestly, he needs to figure himself out. And he will. In other books

- Hypaxiaaaa, I think she’s so cool but she hasn’t showed as much as other characters, so I guess she’ll show up more now that she’s a BIG speaking voice in how they’re gonna deal with the new world. And she does have her own business, like the witches stuff and all. So I think she’ll be more present

- Ariadne … so 🙃 … she basically didn’t show up at all. And I was (to say the least) really surprised by that. She was introduced as this really strong character and I just thought she was going to help them fight the Asteri (as one would), especially cause of the whole dragon fire thing, but no. She didn’t. I’m not complaining, but I guess she’ll have some sort of role in the other books then 🤷‍♀️ and probably have a thing with Tharion (I said what I said)

- Fury Axtar 🤡 WHAT DOES SHE DO??? WHO DOES SHE WORK??? HOW DOES SHE GO ABOUT HER DAY??? WHAT IS HER SPECIE???Like, I think we saw her fight maybe once??? On the attack in CC1. Other than that, we don’t see her much, but she’s so resourceful and enigmatic and everyone knows and fears her. Show me that. Please

- Flynn. So, I think the doors are more open to a story for him than it’s for Declan. Just cause, honestly, in a way, he actively does a bit less than Declan ( without Declan they wouldn’t do shut in these books) and he doesn’t have any romance, so there’s that. I don’t know if needs more, but we did have his sister this time, the ending bit with Ithan and Perry and he had more on him in CC2 because of Ari and the fire sprites. Also, he’s basically not a noble anymore, so there’s that too. But I don’t if he’ll be much more active

- The Viper Queen is the only villain I can think of 🤔 And maybe the Ocean and Rive Queens if they decide they want to lol. Other than that, I think it’s gonna be new characters

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk ✨ There are more to come