I’ve been thinking a lot about gwynriel lately and I have a lot of thoughts, so I decided to reread parts of ACOSF and noticed some strange things.
This book is, first and foremost, about Nesta and Cassian. Their POV’s in turn circle around each other, caught up in how the other acts and noticing what they say, and really just very preoccupied with the other. It makes sense, given that this book is theirs.
However, one thing that continuously shows up, is the extra details that SJM puts in when Gwyn and Azriel are together in a scene. Even if the scene has absolutely nothing to do with either of them, SJM makes sure that we can see how Gwyn and Az react to each other.
Here are some notable examples:
“Gwyn let out a high-pitched noise that was nothing but pure excitement. Azriel, on the other side of the ring with the other priestesses, half-turned at the sound, brows high.” (464)
There was no pressing reason to add Azriel’s reaction to Gwyn… and even more so, no reason to clarify that Az was on the other side of the ring, not even close to Gwyn, but that he reacts to her anyway.
“’Az told me you also started preliminary work with the steel blades while we were gone.’
He nodded to Gwyn and Emerie, the former glancing toward Azriel, who watched in silence.” (514)
Again, SJM once more adds a needless note that Gwyn glances toward Azriel.
“Azriel had winnowed her and Cassian here after training, but hadn’t lingered. Apparently, Gwyn wanted him to go over dagger-handling, so he’d left them with a promise to return in an hour.” (561)
It’s Gwyn who asks him, not Emerie, and SJM makes sure we know why Az isn’t lingering.
“The wind waggled the ribbon again, as if taunting her.
Cassian glanced over at Az, but his attention was fixed on the young priestess, admiration and quiet encouragement shining from his face.” (625)
Why make Cassian look at Az? Why mention this extra reaction to Gwyn from Azriel?
“And when Gwyn reached the finish line, bloody and panting and grinning so wildly her teal eyes glowed like a sunlit sea, she only extended her battered hand to Azriel. ‘Well?’” (625)
This little paragraph belongs solely to the two of them, despite the fact that Nesta and Emerie reached the finish line as well. It mentions nothing but the way Gwyn regards Az, and that it is him she goes to first.
And there are even more little interactions between them, and I could deeply analyze every single one.
But to cut to the chase–why would SJM spend so much time adding these details, these little phrases that ultimately serve no greater purpose… except perhaps to have the reader see this relationship forming between Gwyn and Az, to tell the reader that there is something significant here, something that needs to be paid attention.
When Gwyn and Az are near each other, they react to each other, and SJM wants us to see those reactions. She wants us to see them.
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