#valkryies acosf

[elainsgirl]

okay but I feel like acosf was a joke. where was the love between nesta and cassian? they were just having sex 24/7. the only good thing about the book was nesta friendship with gwyn and emerie and the valkyries. nesta and cassian need more buildup. im also confused on how nesta, emerie, and gwyn won the blood rite against men who trained for decades and they trained for like 6 months??? cassian acted like he couldn't keep his D in his pants (and there's argument about azriel just lusting for elain???? where did that come from?? im confused. because from acosf I only saw a few moments from them that will probably be in the next book for their story. i have no idea about lucien, hes just there to me.) feyre's pregnancy should not have happened. im sorry but it was just out of the blue for me. we deserved to see her pov and her reaction from feyre and rhys pov, not nesta! then everyone lied to feyre???? what is this book??? help me understand.

Hey anon 🫶 (buckle up this is long)

Acosf was…something. In terms of healing and friendship, I loved the message it sent, that everyone can heal - but you have to work hard for it. Similar to how hard you have to work when climbing a mountain but when you get to the top - all the efforts you’ve made are worth it, you’ve conquered your trauma and past, are now looking ahead to an endless future.

That being said - wtf was acosf? It just felt like an easy way out.

Cassian and Nesta had the set up, the potential angst, longing - it was all there. Mass just couldn’t do them justice and I can’t wrap my head around why. Aside from fics, im not an author or a writer. I can be ignorant and say the book should have been easy to write & Mass flopped big time bcs she didn’t know what she was doing - but it’s easy to critique. So take whatever I say with a grain of salt, especially as its been 4 years since I read the book (thats how bad it was. I mentally just can’t reread that book)

Everything from acosf fell flat. I can’t tell you why Cassian loved Nesta. I can comfirm he was attracted to her, but love? I don’t know. You could feel Rhysand’s feelings towards Feyre. His admiration, adoration and determination to make her happy & give her everything she wants. With Nessian I couldn’t feel that. Yes, Cassian has been there for Nesta during her toughest times but it never felt enough. I think it’s because they lacked tender moments between them, most of their moments always came back to them doing each other. I just needed more pure scenes. Imagine Nesta having a nightmare and Cass comes, soothes her - they talk a little of Nesta’s childhood, maybe a good memory between the sisters - and eventually Nesta falls asleep on his shoulder and he just stares and admires her. We needed to see more of these vulnerable, soft moments. I also feel as though Sjm didn’t know how to get Nesta and Cass in forced proximity. So she lumps them - through problematic means - at the house of wind together. I also think Mass wanted to get straight into writing their intimate scenes - either to please herself or her Cassian fans that wanted to see what he’d be like - the issue however…was Nesta ready to get into a physical relationship? I don’t think so. We needed to see more yearning and angst before they got together. Cass at times acted like a dog that needed to be watered. He had 0 growth & didn’t feel fleshed out. Also the way he talks about Mor? Are we sure he isn’t the obsessed one and it’s Azriel? All I know is by the end of acosf - I was not rooting for Nesta and Cass. Nesta needed time & adjustment. They needed to become friends who can rely & trust each other first before becoming romantic or accepting their bond. All that being said, I don’t hate Nessian. More development can always come in future books. They’re definitely endgame even if some stans are in denial and think Sjm will pull a wild card, have Nessian break up. Only for Nesta to end up with Eris following her mother’s desires.

The valkryies winning the rite felt too much like a perfect fairytale ending - I think we need to accept the fact these books will be the definition of Cliche. Cliche romances, tropes & friendships. Sjm isn’t going for realism (aside from the characters’ healing aspect) these are her perfect stories. So whilst the valkryies winning may make no sense realistically- if we look at it from a fairytale view: you have 3 friends who worked together, helping each other through trust and perseverance to win. They did it through the bond of friendship- which is the cliche message. You can’t always climb a mountain by yourself. It will get hard. You will want to give up. You need friends who you can trust to help pick you back up - you don’t have to go through the healing process alone. Everyone will have someone that will be the Gwyn/Emerie to their Nesta.

The only way Sjm can redeem herself from that pregnancy plotline is by giving a novella of feysand dealing w the pregnancy during acosf. I think Mass needed to “redeem” Nesta in a huge way- feyre’s life and family being in danger was the way She came up with. Sucks bcs it could have been dealt with better. I also think if we got Feyre’s pregnancy from Rhysands pov - a lot more people will sympathise with him & lay off in harshly judging his character. Everyone lying to Feyre- just goes to show how everyone in her life failed her once more. Other then Rhys: She isn’t anyones first choice. Her friends not telling the truth- imo undermined their friendship in acomaf/acowar making it now seem fake.

Anyone that says Az *just* lusts for Elain, read acosf & is now scared that future couples will be reduced as characters who only want to do each other. The claim comes from Azriel’s bonus - idk if you’ve read it - but everyone’s clutching their pearls bcs “oooh the absolute horror of Az wanting Elain! How dare he!” Its an NA explicit novel. Idk what the fuss is about. Denial ig. I think Luciens in the background bcs he isn’t important to the current subplots. Personally I think he will get his novella but that is a long way away so for now he’s in the background- not forgotten just not integral.

In the end, I feel like Sjm struggled with getting everything - from Nessians relationship, too “redeeming” Nesta and the little plot SF had - going. She struggled w catalysing it all. Lets all just pray future books go better.

[laynsii]

tis a win for the women lovers today

[acourtofmishapandmistakes]

Valkyrie Headcanon:

On weekends the Valkyries wander the streets of Velaris to walk drunk or females who are alone home to make sure they’re safe.

Gwyn brings snacks and water with her.

They blast club music to attract females so it’s a party all the way home.

[harperbrynne]

I’m so excited to finally send @damedechance their gift for the @acotargiftexchange!!! 

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts when you get a chance to read chapter 1! 

I realize I’m posting last minute, so I understand if it won’t be until after the holidays! I hope you’ll enjoy some of the things you told me that I’ll be incorporating throughout this fic! It’s been fun being your secret santa!!

Summary: 

“Hello Berdara,” a voice interrupted, the tenor as silky smooth as the shadows writhing around the hand resting above—but not quite touching—her left shoulder. Gwyn didn’t flinch at the warmth radiating off the palm of his hand. She recognized this male.

She didn’t need to fake her shock. This time, it was genuine. She had honestly believed he had either left and hadn’t said anything—not that he was obligated to it or anything, it wasn’t like Gwyn was as close with him and Cassian as she was with Emerie and Nesta—or she believed he was merely content to be alone somewhere in the room with his thoughts. Sometimes she wondered how much he preferred his shadows over people. The same way she preferred the gentle pouring of the rain over the bright light of sunshine.

“Hello Shadowsinger,” Gwyn replied, her voice low in the constant buzz of Rita’s dance hall. With how close he was, she knew he heard her, especially when the way his lips twitched at the sound of his title. She had told him one day at training that if he wanted to call her Berdara instead of Gwyn, she’d call him Shadowsinger instead of Azriel. It was only fair. And it was oh so very fun.

[nightcourtreader]

This just makes sense. Bryce told nesta she should figure out why that 8 pointed star was tattooed on HER back. Nesta was the one who said SHE wanted to lead a unit of females in battle. SJM said there would be more Pegasus in the acotar universe. If Bryce woke the land of the prison, and that’s where the Pegasus came from, the dusk court could be for the valkryies with nesta as their leader. The only person who is connected to the prison is nesta. And besides Rhys having his blood keyed to the gates.

With with happened in HOFAS; nesta knows the full story of the prison and how it came to to be.

It’s not a coincidence SJM has further added to nesta’s character arc in cc3.

CC3 SPOILER

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Nesta always insists on how she is not a subject to Rhys. Nesta had the 8 pointed Star on her back. Nesta got the Starsword. Bryce freed the land of the dusk (prison).

We all agree where this is going, right? Nesta becoming High Lady/Queen/whatever of the Duskland.

[washmchineheart]

the fact we don’t get a scene of nessian fighting in hofas (we only know they fought over the mask situation) but based on acosf…we already know how it goes. this is her life forever. she will forever be wrong in the eyes of the inner circle. she will never recover from the fact that she “let” feyre hunt.

they all (except for cassian, azriel and feyre) hate her and only want to use her for her power. conscious or not, that’s how it reads.

they need her to scry and to find those items or the cauldron. they need her to speak for them to the high lords. they always use elain too in a different way, to coerce her into helping. nesta brings more to the table - the trove, the made itens, the swords, the cauldron power - than not so they keep her close but they don’t actually treat her like a human being.

and she will never leave because of the bond and being feyre’s sister. she will never leave her valkryies but mostly, nesta still feels like she needs to pay for those 5 years.

[lady-embers]

In ACOSF, the Valkyries are in the Blood Rite and while there Gwyn talks about how she's tired of being in the library....which only means she has a journey to go on herself...

She then goes on to say she doesn't want to take the safe road and instead wants to take a new road with the Valkryies. A road that will lead them to become something NEW. That something new and different would then lead to prove and triumph over everyone, but especially the Illyrians rules and restrictions.

Then, after she's done saying that... A cold wind blew off Ramiels sides. Whispering, murmuring.... almost prophetic wouldn't you say? Especially given she's a Priestess...

Could she be prophesying a road that will now be taken? A road which will lead a new beginning and bright future for them, and the Illyrians?

Could she be the catalyst alongside Azriel to bring change to the Illyrians with the Valkyries standing beside her?

I hope we get answers soon 🙏

[nightcourtreader]

I am seeing a lot of gwynriels getting hate lately because we’re excited about new character information about Az and a lot of people believing that Azriel’s book is next.

I feel like it’s fair, as readers to point out how the author is deliberately bringing a lot of attention to Azriel at the moment. It’s absolutely fair to believe that Azriel’s book is going to be next. We all know that Elain and Azriel’s stories are going to be told and it’s just a matter of when. A lot of people just think that it’s Azriel next and that’s fine if you disagree, but gwynriels shouldn’t be attacked or called delusional if they think that.

But being called delusional when we think that when SJM has build on Azriel’s character arc purposely since we’ve seen him on page since acomaf, gave him a bonus for acosf, then had him feature in cc3, then have him apart of a bonus again for cc3 is crazy. Especially since we learned more about Azriel in cc3.

Then people are dissing the hell out of Gwyn. Oh she’s just a side character, she isn’t important. Isn’t everyone a side character at the moment besides feysand & Nessian? Since they already had their stories told. And wasn’t Gwyn the one to introduce the valkryie storyline in acosf & became the first valkryie when the valkryie plotline is a huge plotline of acosf to the point where SJM named the different sections of acosf valkryie titles? And SJM could have easily had nesta become the first valkryie.

Gwyn can absolutely have a pov with Azriel in the next book. SJM herself stated she has two more acotar books (I’m not sure if she’s contracted for more). She said for each book, a couple is going to come together. That leaves 2 pov besides Azriel and Elain because we know she’s going to give them one. For Azriel’s counter part, it could easily be Gywn.

Gwyn is still in the library. The valkryies are still training. Gwyn has a autumn court ancestry, no matter how many people claim she doesn’t have a firm claim for it. Gwyn’s powers are a very popular controversial topic in the fandom on the daily. Gywn’s story is left opened and SJM didn’t add all that to Gwyn’s backstory for no reason. She retcon the sangravah story so Azriel was the one to save Gwyn. SJM dropped mate language in her BC with Azriel and Gwyn and yes, SJM references her bonus chapters in text. She did so in acosf when it came to cassian’s & nesta’s bonus chapter for acomaf, titled wings and ember.

Yrene in tog, was really fledged out in tower of Dawn and became a really important factor in the next book in the series, kingdom of ash. Why couldn’t the same thing be said for Gwyn? Just because she was introduced in acosf, doesn’t mean that Gwyn can’t have a pov in the next book.

There are different plotlines for Azriel to go through in his story. It’s not like he has 0 plotlines to filter through. SJM would be the one to decide what plotlines have the sense of urgency for the next acotar book.

CC3 can be used for evidence, because the author herself stated that cc3 will set up future acotar books. You know what acotar 5 is? A future acotar book since it isn’t out yet. From what I’ve seen, since I haven’t read cc3 yet, Azriel is a prominent figure besides nesta in cc3 when it comes to the acotar characters. If SJM herself is stating that cc3 sets up future acotar books, why wouldn’t we use cc3 of evidence for Azriel, especially since nesta’s story has already been told? So yes we can use that as evidence. We shouldn’t be talked down about and called delusional for it.

Yes CC is a separate series. But SJM recently stated that we should read acotar before reading CC now, at one point of time she said we didn’t have to. See how things have changed?

If she’s telling people to read acotar before cc, does it matter if she’s not telling people to read cc before acotar 5, when she’s already stated to read acotar before CC so no matter what readers are understanding what’s going on in both series no matter the order since acotar 5 isn’t out yet? She’s telling us to read both series regardless.

I get it, some people might not want to read the CC and they don’t have to, but I have seen people who said they aren’t going to read CC but are still asking for information about the acotar characters in it, and with people talking about it, they are going to find out about the information of acotar characters in CC anyway, whether they read the full book or not.

And I’m sick of e/riels claiming that since Azriel is being brought up a lot, it’s going to be Azriel and Elain’s next. To the point, when new fans are asking about who’s the next book, they’re “confirming” it’s Elain and Azriel’s. Which is ridiculous. Because when it comes to the two, Elain would be the one to strong hold the book, not Azriel. SJM hasn’t brought Elain to the forefront as she’s doing Azriel lately, if anything, it just shows to me how SJM isn’t going to have a book with BOTH Azriel and Elain together. Just not happening.

But I need people to stop being mad/upset at gwynriels because we’re pointing out things from textual evidence that the author has set up. We could be wrong, I agree, but stop making it like we have no standing, that were dumb & delusional.

[wittybanterforlife]

fucking hate SJM!!

SJM doesn't understand Nesta, never has and never will. I can't even understand how she accidentally wrote such a great relatable character. And I also can't understand how she can say she loves her and then put her through so much without giving her the healing arc she deserves and not even fully understand her. Nesta deserve a better author.

[acourtofthought]

Sjm didn't make elucien mates and then change her mind. She knew she's going to make elriel endgame from the get go. Even when she had Lucien say, "you are my mate". If you reread the series, acosf comes of as a filler. It was Nesta's healing journey but it was also used to set some of the vital plot points for Elain's book, with Azriel. And she's not going to change the direction of such a solid overarching plot for gwynriel. GA a mediocre ship with an over done couple dynamic. And sjm doesn't have history of bending to the readers whim. As for Lucien, she's already introduced Vassa and laid the foundation of Lucien and Vassa's story. Pairing Lucien with Elain would be a waste of a great story and a great female character (Vassa). She's not going to do that. If eluciens and gwynriels think the time magazine article was a random mention of Elain and Azriel that has nothing to do with sjm or BB they are sorely mistaken.

You mean SJM thought Nesta would be with Lucien only to change her mind with how toxic they'd be together just to pair him with Elain knowing Az was her endgame? Weird.

I really enjoy how you take a journalists own words over that of the author herself.

Somehow the journalist saying that fans speculate about Az and Elain is a bigger deal to you than SJM being quoted as saying because she has it in her own life, she can write about men who are the females biggest supporter, cheering her on and supporting her growth and we then have the author herself writing it so Az gets SCOLDED for not believing in Elain.

And VASSA is a greater female character than Gwyn who became one of the first Valkryie in how many years? Yes, Vassa's many many pages of dialogue clearly prove your point. I think Vassa says a total of 10 sentences throughout the entire series.

Vassa will still be important, but as a side character in Elucien's journey as their friend who will end up with Jurian.

But you got us, E/riel is up there with the greatest love stories of all time.

ACOMAF

And Mor backed away. Step by step. "What a prize," the kind said, that black gaze devouring her. Azriel's head lifted from where he was sprawled in his own blood, eyes full rage and pain as he snarled at the king, "Don't you touch her." Mor loked at Azriel - and there was real fear there. Fear - and something else. She didn't stop moving until she again kneeled beside him and pressed a hand to his wound. Azriel hissed - but covered her bloody fingers with his own. (oh....just so you know, Elain was kidnapped and is currently bound and gagged, with the King preparing to put her into the Cauldron but Az is a little too busy focusing on Mor to care).

ACOWAR

And somehow had to guard Elain, though I certainly wasn't about to tell Lucien that. Cassian, swearing and pissy, got the short stick, and Azriel only clapped him on the shoulder before heading to the house to prepare. (Here we have Elain depressed but Az is happy to leave her).

Throughout it, he was quiet - removed. Even by his standards. I made the mistake of asking if he'd spoken to Mor since he'd left last night. No, he had not. And that was that. Even if he kept flexing his scarred hand at his side. As if recalling the sensation of the hand she'd whipped free of his touch during the meting. Over and over. (I think you might want to rethink that fanart scene that's floating around of Az flexing his hand for Elain a la Mr. Darcy).

"It's worth a try," Mor sniped. "You're needed here," Cassian said. Azriel looked included to agree, even as he kept quiet. (Elain had a vision with her Seer powers, something Az claimed "We need"......yet he did absolutely nothing about it. He did did not fight for what she was seeing, he did not offer to go. How incredibly supportive!).

ACOMAF

"Are we supposed to get the sisters presents?" "No I said, and I meant it. Az seemed to loose a sigh of relief".

Az, to his credit, gave Mor a smile of thanks, a blush creeping over his cheeks, his hazel eyes fixed on her. I looked away at the heat, the yearning that filled them.

ACOSF

Nesta said to Feyre, "Did you tell Elain?"

Before Feyre could reply, Azriel said, "What about Mor?"

"Where's my beautiful Mor?" Az said tightly, "Away."

Azriel stiffened, an outright sign of temper from him as he said quietly, "There is an innate darkness to the Dread Trove that Elain should not be expose to." / She threw a nod toward Azriel. "Including Elain, who is more than capable of defending herself against the darkness of the Trove, if she chooses to." Don't underestimate her."

Rhysand blinked, "What of Mor, Az?" Azriel ignored the question.

Azriel said nothing. He hadn't gotten that far with his planning, certainly not beyond the sexual fantasies he pleasured himself to.

HOFAS

"We defeated Hybern," Azriel confirmed. A glance toward Truth-Teller at his side. Then at Nesta. "Nesta beheaded the King of Hybern by herself."

There you go. That's your beautiful, romantic, SJM planned from the start love story of Elain and Az.

It doesn't matter how many sweet moments you have for E/riel the fact remains that shortly after each scene, Az was written to still be hung up on Mor (funny how his longing glances only became few and far between in the book where Mor WAS NO LONGER IN THE NIGHT COURT FOR A MAJORITY OF THE TIME), where he still disrespected Elain, where he never once gave her credit for the brave things she did during the war, where he never once addressed her depression or the things she lost like her father, her humanity, her fiance.

And the overarching plot already lends itself to an Elucien and Gwynriel endgame. There's no mental gymnastics or changing the characters personalities to make it fit.

Pairing Elain with Az would be a waste of Elain's character. If you cared for Elain as you say you do you'd ship her with Amren more than Az considering Amren had to reprimand Az for underestimating her.

"But it's what Elain wants!"

Sometimes young girls that just experienced trauma are foolish thinking they know what they want even though the adults in the room can clearly see it's not healthy 🤷. Elain is working through it all but once she comes out on the other side, she'll see things a bit more clearly. I think we got our evidence of that when she returned Az's necklace and I can't wait to see if in the next book she finds out about the bullshit he said about her and Lucien.

I have never heard of a more delusional comment than claiming SJM used SF as filler for an E/riel endgame. SJM is on record of saying how Nesta felt keenly alive to her early on, how she feels emotional rereading SF because of her own journey with mental health issues yet you're turning into E/riel fodder.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[elainsgirl]

Anti Logic:

“It doesn’t make sense for Elain to have a book if she already has made friends!” yet…it makes sense for Azriel to have a book despite the fact he’s already made life-long friends/Gwyn whose made friends within Acosf - both friendships unlike Elains, have been fleshed out and developed.

You’re telling me…instead of exploring another friendship we’re going too get an additional 800 pages of the valkryies again? Or is gwyn now going to leave Nesta and Emerie - make new friends that Sjm can explore? These books don’t focus on male friendships but even then, is Azriel going to leave the batboys and make new friends? Is that why Balthazar was introduced?

[valkyriesstan]

Hi everyone! A lot of negativity is surrounding Gwyn’s character right now, so we decided to host a Gwyn Appreciation Week from April 17-23!

Art credit to the amazing KrasnyZmeya!

We do know that it is last minute with it only being 3 weeks away, but April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and we don’t want to interfere with the promotion and rollout of E/riel Month!

Either way we hope that all of you can participate in showing appreciation for such a wonderful character like Gwyn!

Original post:

[cordeliaandnestastan]

I have more to add actually.

Rereading acotar and realised something.

I love Nesta because I relate to her. I relate to verbally striking out at others. Hurting others before they can hurt me. I grew up undiagnosed ASD. Im still undiagnosed formally. I didnt understand the social ques and social”ness” of what was going on around me. I was bullied and ditched. And could ever understand when / why people would lie. So I started figuring out how to hurt others before they could hurt me. I would lash out. Hide my interests and my passions for fear of hurt. I didn’t feel I could safely be myself.

I admire Nestas wittyness. I admire Nesta and Cordelias beauty and sensualness. More specifically how they go from no sexual experience to learning to come to terms with it and yield it as they please

I love Cordelia and Nesta because I also know how it feels to feel alone. On the outside. Not valuing the same things or having different experiences from their societies, friends or family. And struggling to find my place, and doubting it when it comes.

They are both incredibly passionate and powerfull woman. Nesta of mind, power/magic, and strength of will. And Cordelia is swordsmanship, morality, and loyalty.

They are both incredibly loyal. And love their friends. Id like to believe the same about myself.

Yes they are incredibly different. But they are also extremely similar. Nesta is more similar to Alistair than Cordelia sure. But they also as outlined above, have many similarities.

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk, stay tuned for the next instalment.

Nesta is nothing like Cordelia, Cordelia would hate her 🫣

Uhg I get so many of these like mind ya damn business kiddos

People have DEPTH and are MULTIFACETED i love them both for VERY DIFFERENT REASONS

They are both really cool strong Woman who are underdogs and care so much for their friends and family. They work hard are gorgeous and have REALLY COOL SWORDS.

Like yes, Nesta is alot more brash where Cordelia is very prim and niave. But like ???? Gaf (dgaf). They also have lived very different lives!

I think cordelia would recognise Alastair in Nesta if she met her. Both Al and Nes being really kind hearted people who due to their trauma have built walls and created harsh cold personas to protect them selves and their loved ones.

I love Nesta because she is unapologetically herself. She is unique and strong. She carves her own destiny. She is sexy and owns it. She loves HARD. Shes and underdog. Shes complex. Shes incredibly powerfull. She taught me the power of silence. Shes a book lover. Shes a hopeless romantic. She stands her ground. She loves music. She knows how to manipulate people, to intimidate, and throws off the most powerful of men.

Cordelia I love because of how she sees the world. I live how hard she tries. I love how selfless she is. I love how comited and tenacious she is. I love how she loves her friends. I love how she wants the best for others and looks out for others. I love her relationship with Cortana and being a shadowhunter and how BADASS SHE IS!! Shes an incredibly fighter! I love how far shell go for her friends. Shes also sexy af.

They BOTH dont fit other peoples mold, they are “outsiders” and underdogs who are worth so much more than they know. They are strong. They are talented. They are sexy. They have cool swords. The love hard and fight harder.

Cordelia is the rebel in me who loves that she lives in victorian england and is a badass.

Nesta is the part of me who feels misunderstood, snaps at people when we feel threatened, and want to be loved. We read romance and are strong and are physically active.

Cordelia is a tlh Character I fell in love with like I did with Emma Carstairs, and caused me to start this account and to enter the fandom. Nesta is a character I related too, saw myself in a rooted/root for. They dont have to like each other. They are both aspects of myself.

[moegwynriel]

Gwyn week is already yielding a lot ❤️

ART 🎨- @Lucielart commission @the_valkyries_trove

[laolympiadejanedoe]

↠ Big Three ｛ GWYNRIEL EDITION ｝↞ 

♈︎ ARIES ♈︎

✏ Artist credit: @/ereyverse

✒ Post your Big Three and don't forget to mention me ❤

[daily-dose-of-sass]

Just realised that I accidentally matched with my girl Gwyn. I have red hair and just got teal bands on my braces. When I looked at myself in the mirror I burst out laughing.

Happy to honour my Queen.