FINA

Sometimes I write, other times I do it as well

[finaland]

It's a good day to remember that Azriel is still Gwyn's new ribbon.

[finaland]

Las Malvinas son Argentinas. Ayer, hoy y siempre.

Nunca perdonaremos a Tatcher, ni a UK ni a quienes no apoyaron nuestro reclamo legítimo.

Hoy y siempre.

[finaland]

I love it when someone starts with 'Gwyn is a lightsinger, but that doesn't mean she's bad...'

Come on, dare to say it. You're dying for her to be bad because you know it's the only way to justify that Azriel felt all those emotions with her. But on the other hand, you know she can't be bad because SJM wrote such an adorable character, with so many traumas, so loyal to her friends, and with an unresolved duel that they can't find any more options to discredit the fact that we have an INCREDIBLE character right before our eyes.

[finaland]

What I like most about being a big Gwynriel fan is that I enjoy the characters just as SJM writes them.

We don't need to resort to changing the personalities of both because it's all there in the canon. There's no need for Gwyn to be a warrior and train because she already is. It's not necessary for her to like music and sing like Azriel because she already does (and isn't it just a coincidence that SJM highlights these qualities and ONLY they both do it?). There's no need for us to invent that she's a Carynthian like Azriel because she already is. We don't need to invent that Azriel's shadows interact with her because let's not forget, but the ONLY positive and repetitive interaction was with Gwyn.

On the other hand, for the Elriels, I only find that their ship would work if one of the characters drastically changes their personality. Elain is not a warrior, she's not interested in training, she shies away from evil and darkness... And from what little we know, the times she's been seen with Azriel (as he himself said) they didn't even exchange words.

In conclusion, the beauty of believing in this ship is that the evidence is clear and we don't have to change the personalities of either as SJM has made sure to leave many similarities in the canon.

[finaland]

Elriels: Gwyn is nothing more than a supporting character, a friend of Nesta and merely a Valkyrie.

Oh yes, she's just a secondary character, and they create huge posts about her... so, is she an unimportant character or is there something stirring up the hornet's nest for them?

[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 abosluetly 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 elriels 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.

[yazthebookish]

I loved all of what Sarah highlighted in her interview today and I'll elaborate a bit especially on the romance part:

In Maas’ fantasy worlds, love interests often exist as fated “mates,” with invisible strings between them that are powerful and often poetic. Readers can see the literary metaphors, like complementary powers between two characters. But other times, there are no metaphors, with their connection initially seeming random.

She's too attached to the mate trope and I like that she gives us different cases and scenarios for it, otherwise it'll be boring.

“Sometimes, I will write a scene with two characters that I’ve planned for them to get together, and then they have no …” She shakes her head slightly at me. “It’s like holding two dolls and being like, now kiss! And they won’t. … And then sometimes a different character will walk in and they will just” — she snaps.

I yelled at this part because it's as if she plucked the scene from Azriel's bonus chapter and used it as an example. Those parallels between Elain and Gwyn are intentional. It doesn't mean Elain is bad it's just their dynamic doesn't work as a couple and it was obvious to the author. I know she didn't specify who this was about but like, come on, who tried to kiss and which character showed up in a bonus chapter after that depressing scene and gave a glimmer of hope?

“It feels like magic in a way where, as much as I tried to plot out things years in advance, I let my characters guide a story. And they usually wind up with the people that they need to be with and who offer them the most growth and joy.”

I love this so much and allow me to speak about my favorite ship and its because the snippets we saw of Az and Gwyn together especially in the bonus chapter brought out a lighter version of Az. His scenes with Gwyn were light-hearted and the bonus chapter ends on a hopeful note for them. It's hard to deny that connection between them whether you theorize she's luring him or they're mates, those theories wouldn't exist if she had no ties to him (she's in his own chapter like come on).

I go the philosophical route with my next question: We’re talking about fate here, but at what point is a character the agent of their own fate? What happens if someone rejects their mate? (Listen, if I were Fae and I didn’t like my mate, whatever God chose for me is not my business.)

People are jumping the gun and assume this example is set to be Elucien but... we have Helion and Lady of Autumn likely being an example of a tragic rejected mates story (if you read ACOWAR and their history it's obvious they're mates). Maybe it's Mor and Eris and that's the secret that ties them to each other. We have other characters from other series too.

For a convincing mate rejection story in my opinion, it needs more than one book or it's a case that we see with side characters where we can see their history and the long-term implications of a rejected bond.

It's too easy of a story to have one person's central conflict be the words "no I reject you" and they're done. Again, this is not exclusive to ACOTAR but also her other series.

“That’s something I find to be very interesting,” she replies. “What if the forces that be put you with the wrong person? Or what if you just decide, eh, I’m not interested. … There’s a lot to explore within the concept of mates and your agency about it.

The concept of agency is something many readers in the fandom discussed especially when it comes to mating bonds and there were arguments on (would Rhys fell for Feyre if she wasn't his mate or would have Cassian fell for Nesta if she wasn't his mate). We know that some mates don't work out but stay together because their dynamic is unhealthy (Rhys's and Tamlin's parents). We got examples of a loveless mating bond already.

We also saw that Nesta didn't immediately accept the term "mate" because it would mean cutting off her last tether with humanity. It's not a matter of "you're my mate" "yes I'll be with you", the dynamic between the mated couple is important to explore.

“I’m not going to say if I am exploring it in future books or not,” she continues, “but it definitely offers a wealth of things to explore with this concept of freewill and what is true love. Is it something that’s destined? Or is it something that you make? Is it both?”

This part aligns with what I think about Elucien. We never had a mated pairing who knew they were mates but are not in love with each other. Every mated couple found out they're mates when they were already in love.

Can a destined love turn into true love? Or do you settle for a destined love without love being in the equation. Love wasn't in the equation for Rhys's parents, but love was the equation for Feysand and Nessian. Elucien was left unexplored for a reason and both Elain and Lucien view each other by label "mate", they didn't have a chance to get to know each other. So it's going to be very interesting to see them navigate their feelings for each other despite the mating bond.

I didn't expect her to elaborate a lot on this but I love that she did and I hope in future interviews she gives us more good bits about her writing and examples of the decisions she took for some characters and couples.

Didn't expect this post to be long but happy reading! I'm still reeling from HOFAS 🥲

[finaland]

Louder for the ones in the back.

[finaland]

GUESS WHO ALMOST KISSED AND DIDN'T? GUESS WHO APPEARS IN THE SAME CHAPTER AND MAKES US KNOW THAT AZRIEL SINGS AND BRINGS HIM PEACE? AND MAKES SOMETHING SPARKED IN HIS CHEST WHEN IMAGINING HER JOY? Doesn't it remind you of what SJM just said? "Sometimes I write that a couple might happen and they don't, because another character appears who is the real one."

It has never been so easy to confirm a ship. Un minuto de silenciooo (shhhh) para elriel que esta muerto eaeaee

[finaland]

E*lriels says that SJM's interview gives a nod to the ship- What do u think?

I think Elriels distort everything all the time... The only truth in this is that the only couple that was about to kiss AND OOPS didn't because 'it was wrong' were Elain and Azriel... and in that same scene, Gwyn APPEARS, calming Azriel, making him feel things in his chest thinking about her... It's exactly what Sarah has said: 'I write about a couple that seems like they might end up together and... nope. Another person appears who is the real one.' We shouldn't take too seriously those who said that roses and bread were indicators of a beautiful couple...

[finaland]

Elucien will be soooo fantastic

It's fascinating how SJM addresses the couple dynamics between Elain and Lucien. They have a unique context: they are the first mates we encounter in the story who are aware of their bond but barely know each other. The tension between them is palpable, and it's clear they don't have an established connection.

Lucien's guilt for having loved another woman, thinking she was his mate, adds another layer of complexity. SJM presents an interesting truth: unlike couples like Rhys and Feyre, or Cassian and Nesta, Elain and Lucien didn't have time to get to know each other before the bond was established.

SJM's idea of the healing journey is intriguing, suggesting that this process might involve tensions and the possibility of breaking the bond. However, considering the concept of "free will," they might choose not to break the bond and instead opt to get to know each other better. The Elucien book promises to be spectacular in exploring a unique couple dynamic that we haven't seen in the story yet

[finaland]

a moment of silence for Elriels who have just died

So,

Elriels say they had "four development books" between Azriel and Elain. They also say that Lucien and Elain had no interaction. So, does what SJM just said fit into the idea of "four development books"?

She herself is saying that she does it on purpose and that out of nowhere another character appears who is really the one who can offer well-being to the character and be their equal. If we take what the Elriels have been saying for years, THIS APPLIES, because SJM has just demolished in simple sentences the idea that Elain and Azriel are endgame. The character that "appears," as Sarah says, is Gwyn, something we've been saying for a while.

Regarding Lucien and Elain, it's clear... She herself has said that both have a path of healing to explore and that it's likely that they may feel "misfit" because they clearly have little interaction between them... But that's precisely the obstacle that SJM presents... Knowing that they are mates but still not feeling comfortable... And perhaps, when exploring that and with the option of breaking that bond, they begin to get to know each other and choose not to break it, free will.

That's what SJM's books are about.

[finaland]

Now that we know that Azriel sings (for Gwyn and in the new bonus), Elriels are developing stories of Elain and Azriel SINGING. The madness is incredible. We already have two people who can do it without it feeling so forced.

[finaland]

Y' can bark all you want, but we have four books full of moments between Elain and Azriel. Sarah is playing with us. it's obvious they are mates Y'll Gwynriel fans continue with your absurd theories about music,and all that does is confirm that Gwyn is a lightsinger

Um, nope, there weren't four books of development; in fact, Azriel and Elain haven't spoken a single word in the moments they were together. We couldn't get ANYTHING from her in Azriel's thoughts, nothing that could contribute to their story or her personality. We only got sexual thoughts, and minutes after finishing the conversation with her, we had a deeper conversation with Gwyn.

On the other hand, now you're interested in music? Sorry that you can't share that with your ship since you only have roses and bread... I guess SJM is very clever in putting two characters who love to sing... Almost sounds like she wants to make them alike, as if they were mates, right?

[finaland]

It's sad to see how a ship dies, like Elriel... Well, it's not sad; we were always realistic that SJM was dropping hints about her next book, and it would be about Azriel. We also said a thousand times (thanks to our reading skills) that SJM didn't depict Azriel's shadow reaction to Gwyn in vain... Let's not forget that we know he can sing thanks to Gwyn. Nothing is coincidental.

You know what else is important? SJM decided to include a scene of Azriel singing... And guess who else loves to include singing in her books???

It's very obvious.

We always said it, and now we maintain it: Gwynriel is the true endgame

[finaland]

The audience renews itself, but Elriels do not renew their absurd theories because as time passes, they make less sense

[finaland]

I think the only time I wasn't spoiled for a book was when "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" came out

[finaland]

honestly thank you for commenting on the post, it’s literally the same group of delusional people who spread hate on the eris vanserra tag and it’s annoying to have to look at idk why they can’t just let people be

Hello anonymous! You're welcome! The truth is that it's very annoying when you enter a hashtag and come across hateful or negative comments about the character in question... It's a basic rule we have on Tumblr, and some people just don't want to understand. We need to educate them. I'm sorry they used the Eris hashtag to spread hate... You have to take it for what it is, I think they're just bored kids