Ramblings about the CHD interview:
I have a lot of asks about this, so instead of answering each one, l’ll put my thoughts together here about what the formatting means for the upcoming releases.
This is speculation on my part and I’ll share my ramblings:
1. I think Sarah sat down to write Elain’s book and either 1. Struggled with her pov so she had to move into multi-pov or 2. The story got so big she had to break things up because it realistically could not be bound.
I also think she was struggling with length and didn’t want to condense the story or take even more time to finish the entirety of Elain’s story, so she is releasing it in volumes to get it to us sooner.
2. I think we’re going to see Lucien and Mor.
I have always thought Mor would be HIGHLY relevant to Elain’s story given her proximity to Az and her truth powers. Additionally, I have theorized Mor could potentially be mated to a male despite preferring females romantically d/t the nature/biological bond process. I believe Mor will have a story to be told in this capacity that will be explored amongst the Elain, Azriel, Lucien and Vassa dynamic.
I also think Lucien will have a pov. I’ve always thought it was possible if she didn’t want to reveal the endgame coupling for Elain that she would do this. I have never thought the dual pov would be fitting for Elain’s story due to the nature of her romantic set-up. I do believe that choice and free will is going to be explored. The extent of what we see between Elain and Lucien will be dependent upon how much she has “seen” about her own future and Lucien and Vassa’s
3. Elain is connected to literally every storyline that has been set-up and I think this is why we have this enormous book.
4. Autumn Court- naturally she is mated to a prince of Autumn. Beron is going to want a made seer in his court. The blood duel has been discussed.
5. Koschei and Vassa- swan lake retelling. Vassilisa the beautiful. Elain and Vassa are connected. She told the IC about vassa’s existence.
6. World-walking and potential connection to Erilea- Elain is a made seer. She is connected to the harp whereas Nesta to the mask. Feyre to the crown. Love me. Touch me. Sing me.
7. Gwydion is now in Prythian. And what do we know about what these two weapons can do together? We know Elain can properly activate truth teller. She already has.
8. The cauldron was warped by the daglan and we now have confirmation about what Elriels have long said about cauldron-made bonds. Biological. Nature. Biologically advantageous bonds to better feed the daglan through magic tithes. I think we might see Elain go to Cretia to restore and heal the life-bringing/ “mother” powers of the cauldron.
9. Elain very likely has life-bringing powers to contrast with Nesta’s death power. I believe Elain will restore the decaying lands. The notorious black dress in the CoN scene where the life is leeched from Elain is foreshadowing imo. Elain will bring life and light to dark places.
10. These are the same book being released in parts. I think we will see continuity throughout in regard to pov. It’s my opinion releasing the books in this manner is clear evidence we’re not pivoting between ships. I think it rendered the other ships doa bc there will be continuity between volumes. It’s one big epic book separated into volumes and separate releases. It’s not pivoting and shifting between ships.
Suffice it to say, I think the interview very clearly dispelled a multitude of arguments that have been present in the fandom/shipwar for 5 years. It’s very clearly Elain will serve as a central character with shared POVs likely between Azriel (certainly), Lucien and Mor.
