Just dumping my marketing thoughts, I love that the first activation is heavily Valkyrie-focused.
Now, that doesn't automatically mean the next book is a Valkyrie book, nor does it confirm any specific POV. Marketing activations are rarely one-to-one reflections of a story's protagonist. But they are usually designed to highlight themes, groups, and concepts the publisher believes will resonate with readers and generate engagement.
The Valkyries are arguably one of the biggest additions to the ACOTAR world since the original trilogy.
What's especially worth noting, is how interconnected they are to several ongoing storylines. Nesta is obviously central to the group, but Gwyn was the first a Valkyrie. Emerie is the first Illyrian Valkyrie. Azriel has direct ties to Valkyrie training and development. Cassian helped rebuild the order. Even the wider themes of female empowerment, healing, found family, and reclaiming lost history are embodied through the Valkyries.
From a marketing perspective, they're also an easy win. They appeal to longtime readers who loved ACOSF while remaining accessible to newer readers. You don't need give a shit about war ships to understand the appeal of warrior women rebuilding a legendary order. (only pick me's and women haters would say otherwise)
What makes me think this could connect to the larger plot is that the Valkyries feel less like a completed storyline and more like a foundation that has been laid for future books. Their story never truly ended in ACOSF, it began there and we now this because of HOFAS, and Nesta's involvement and Bryce telling her to find out the meaning of her tattoo.
If the next book is truly moving toward a larger ensemble structure, as many suspect, the Valkyries are one of the few elements that naturally connect multiple characters and plotlines. They can tie Nesta to the narrative without requiring her to remain the sole focus. They connect to Gwyn, Emerie, Cassian, and Azriel. They potentially connect to the Illyrian conflict. They represent a growing power structure within Prythian itself.
That's why I don't necessarily view a Valkyrie-focused activation as evidence of one specific character leading the next book. Instead, I see it as evidence that the Valkyries themselves remain important to the future of the series. Just as Elain and Lucien do. If this is the first major piece of activations we're seeing, it may be because the Valkyries have become part of the backbone of the world moving forward.
Now, I also will not be surprised to see other activations focused on Elain (a garden tea party would be so cute) Feysand, maybe some court themed activations, really there is a lot for BB and SJM to tap into if they have a smart marketing and PR team!
So whether the next book centers one couple, or a multi-POV structure, it's actually difficult to imagine a future ACOTAR story that doesn't involve the Valkyries in some meaningful way, especially knowing these characters were inspired by SJM's friends. The groundwork has already been laid.
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