Bad critic

29 years of critical thinking. Can't stand writers who treat me like an imbecile.

[nikalaeva]

When you are yonger, your own wild imagination fills the gaps in a poor worldbuilding.

When you are older, your own wild imagination only emphasizes these gaps.

[nikalaeva]

ACOTAR Villains, Part 2

We move on to antagonist №2 - Ianthe. For me, she is the leader among the ACOTAR villains, despite all the flaws I'm going to write about.

Let's start with the good. I like Ianthe because of her "down-to-earth" nature. Yes, she is a priestess with high status, but also just a fae, who doesn't have any physical or magical power that could compare to the HL. Any priestess is respected, this is not Ianthe's personal achievement, and all she has is her brains, cunning and friendship with Tamlin, although the latter, given his emotional instability, needs to be handled with skill. And Ianthe does it brilliantly.

And now on to the "buts...".

Spring Court

The presentation of Ianthe as a sexual predator is shit. We learned from Amarantha that women can be rapists too, SJM, we're not stupid. Why can't a woman achieve her goals without spreading legs? Her haunting of Lucien is stupid, what's it for? If Lucien is just a "trophy" she wants, the amount of effort and risk involved won't justify the result. And if Lucien is Ianthe's great love, we've seen too little to understand.

But Ianthe is Tamlin's friend. Am I supposed to believe she didn't try to get close to him at least for the benefit of it, especially after Amarantha? Ianthe is the perfect wedge to drive into Feylin's relationship and cause a breakup. Nah, it's better to make Tamlin an abuser and Feyre an emotional cheater than to put Ianthe into their forced, traumatized relationship - a woman who knows Tamlin better and longer, who will force Feyre to end the relationship with such "third wheel". Is this misogyny? If we present Ianthe as a rival - of course, but this is not bad, 'cause through Ianthe the author would reveal: 1) the theme of misogyny, 2) the influence of friends on love relationships, 3) the different views of a man and a woman on this situation, which leads either to a solution, or, as happened with Feylin, to a breakup.

Imo, it is better to make Ianthe asexual - not in terms of orientation, but in the sense she doesn't consider sex/romance as a tool. And then the "wedge" for Feylin would be Ianthe's envy and resentment personally towards Feyre, who received the honor and adoration of Prythian, which Ianthe strives for.

Night Court

Harassing Rhysand is bullshit. I just don't believe Ianthe thought it was worth the risk, given his reputation and Tamlin's presence. I can believe Ianthe was trying to play "two fronts," but quickly realized she couldn't handle it against the daemati and gave up on the obviously stupid idea.

(maybe I'm exaggerating her intellect because the other villains are even dumber?)

Starting ACOMAF, we could've gotten a whiny backstory about Ianthe being held captive by UTM because Amarantha was afraid that she and other priestesses were secretly organizing a revolution while Amarantha was terrorizing the HL. But then we would've learned from Rhysand it was a lie, and Ianthe has a shady past and ties to shady characters, but no proven ties, so accusing her would've been slander.

What do we have in canon? Rhysand knew Ianthe was rotten person. He might have ignored her because he hated Tamlin, but he KNEW Ianthe was hanging around Feyre now, and he didn't even mention it to her to be on guard. Would Feyre have believed him? I doubt it, but the point is that Rhysand tried. But it look like he was more interested in watching Ianthe plot at Tamlin's Court than he was in keeping traumatized Feyre safe from her machinations.

Feyre

Okay, she was never smart 😮‍💨. I'm not downplaying her UTM trauma, even dying painlessly would've been devastating to psyche. So I don't find fault with Feyre trusting Ianthe with everything. Feyre also (much to the chagrin of anti-Tamlins) admits she told Ianthe about Nesta and Elain and set them up for harm.

But what do we see later? Feyre is taking revenge on Ianthe not for her deceiving, not for her sisters, but for Rhysand (in the scene of Lucien's rape). Feyre, your fucking mate has obviously been through worse things from Amarantha, Ianthe is YOUR enemy. Btw, in the fandom it's often written that Feyre, the main character, didn't defeat a single villain, but in the interests of justice (suddenly, huh?) she killed Ianthe, luring her to the Weaver. Why is this forgotten? I think, it's precisely because Ianthe is underrated. She is presented as a "little evil" serving the "big one", a kind of rat, and ACOMAF is not "A Battle Of Wits and Statuses" between Feyre/protagonist and Ianthe/antagonist, but a fucking love triangle. Okay, this is a fucking romantic fantasy - then ☝️, let Ianthe be her rival.

Prythian

Compared to Amarantha and Hybern, Ianthe loses in "scale". A big omission, I tell you, which could've played into ACOWAR. Ianthe could've been reason for the HLs' mistrust of Tamlin (assuming an equal mistrust of Rhysand), reason for underestimating Feyre, who trusted her, and as a result her sisters suffered.

It would seem that Ianthe is just a pawn, but it's precisely this, her small figure compared to the all-powerful HLs, that became the source of big problems and discord at the war council. Because when I read about mega-giga-strong heroes and ultra-super-cool villains, I don't feel involved in the plot and can't empathize with the characters, their "great" problems for me are like stars exploding in deep space - too far and incomprehensible. In high epic fantasy it's easier to feel involved in the history and struggle between Good and Evil than in pulp fiction about pseudo-fairies fucking.

That's why I liked Ianthe, and I still felt a vengeful pleasure when she was killed. Even without a proper backstory, she was a credible antagonist, not just a sadistic psycho with murky motivations. In the last post, I wrote that Amarantha was supposed to be Feyre's moral compass. Ianthe could've been an example to her of how power and worship can corrupt, how easy it's to succumb to the idea of ​​"the ends justify the means," especially for a High Fae, especially the High Lady that Feyre had become (we'll skip the details).

And as a reader, I would've held my breath for the coming war with evil, who respected Amarantha and for whom Ianthe was just pawn.

[feyrearchearon-deactivated20251]

imagine not having the reading comprehension skills to understand what happened under the mountain. it's not even complex, rhysand antis are just dumb fr. the way people talk about it, you would think he raped feyre for three months, tortured her, spit on her, called her a whore, and left her to bleed out on the cold hard ground. it comes to a point where i will literally just call you stupid. your pussy is too dry to be riding rhysand's dick like this. he's not gonna fuck you, actually.

[nikalaeva]

*deep breath, slow exhale, smile*

I swear this post popped up in my feed by accident. I don't consider myself a good girl, don't have a habit of constantly feeling sorry for people with limited intelligence. So the "evil mocking bitch" mode is on. Enjoy... or get a fire extinguisher ready for your ass if it's "too dry" to be fucked by facts 🤗.

Point by point:

"raped Feyre for three months" - obviously, violence, especially sexual violence is ONLY sticking your dick in a vagina/ass/mouth. I think Rhysand could have stuck his third leg in Feyre's wound (Feyre, darling, ever heard of ero-guro?). The wound is not an intimate place, so it's not rape, isn’t it logical? 🤔

"tortured her" - yeah, I don't remember anything like that. Twisting the arm of wounded, exhausted mortal girl, being a healthy male fairy? It'll pass for a gentle foreplay, with an elephant dick it will obviously be a little rougher. Making her dance until she pukes and after, again and again? Holy moly, how jealous I am, that's must be a mind-blowing, breakneck orgasm

"spit on her" - why spit when you can stick your slobbering tongue right into a girl's mouth? 😃True, first he had to lick Tamlin's drool, but who would be surprised by that (Feyre, darling, ever heard of "snowballing"? 😏)

"called her a whore" - an important thing of writing "Show, don't tell", SJM did an excellent job there, I praise 👏

"left her to bleed out on the cold hard ground" - I suppose, she was only sweating and vomiting, but her dress definitely protected her from the cold hard ground. If I remember correctly, it was oversized, woolen and soft, right?

And for dessert, darling - some people have a partner with real dick to ride with pleasure, and lube, if dryness bothers them. I recommend edible - it's definitely better than chemical pages with an fictional man. I'll let you in on a secret: books, you know, are for reading, like, with your eyes, okay? For other purposes and holes there are more suitable things, and I'm sure, there's an Illyrian size one, too.

With love for Rhysand pros, your abusive catty 🖕😽🖕

Sincerely for Rhysand antis, your bitchy-snitchy friendly hedhehog 🦔🤝❤️

[merelyamateur]

ACOTAR is the only book I've ever heard of where the characters need to heal. Heal from what? It's a fucking fantasy. I want fantasy. Leave the healing to non-fantasy books. I want trauma to elevate them. I want trauma to make them bloodthirsty. I want trauma to make them vengeful. I want hate to make them thirsty warriors. I want the healing to go to hell because fantasy is not a college romance novel with a psychologist, fuck.

I want the boring, stupid, useless characters to die. To become fertilizer for the revenge of the hate-driven characters. Don't you know how to fight or strategize in a fantasy book? Don't you have money or political position? What are you doing? Just die already, so you can at least serve as fertilizer and stop getting in the way of the story, damn it.

[nikalaeva]

Bravo❣️ 👏👏👏

I want to shout this every time I risk picking up a new book. I want every writer who claim to write fantasy to pass a logic exam and defend a diploma on worldbuilding + character development.

I'm not stupid. I can figure out for myself where a character's personality is and where the consequences of trauma are. I don't want to read an Olympiad of "who got it worse."

Characters are fiction, and in fantasy they are often not people at all. I'm sick of holy sheep and, holy shit, I'm sick of characters who PRETEND to be bad bitches or morally ambiguous. Some books are literally subtitles to a porn movie, but, God forbid, one of the protagonists does something bad or problematic without justifying it with "the common good."

Cowardice. It's called "cowardice."

[nikalaeva]

While this could just be me speculating but I have a feeling that the night court is the type of place to openly have both slaves and child soldiers in it, and both would be treated as completely fine by the narrative.

All the best to you, anon, and sorry for keeping you waiting 🫰🌼

I'll say this: I'm not against the NC having slavery, patriarchy, child soldiers and other problems. In the end, it's a la medieval... well, or a fairytale society. Let the NC be a slum, a shithole teeming with evilest villains.

But!

Then the narrative should give logical reasons why this is so. We see that Illyrian children are brought up extremely cruelly, women and children of the Hewn City live inside a mountain for decades, the ban on clipping wings is not observed - and the government, possessing all the plenitude of power, including magic, just liken 🤔🤷‍♂️🖕 Rhysand, supposedly "the most powerful" High Lord, who terrorized Prythian with Amarantha, says: "Sob-sob, I'm a bastard, that's why I'm despised.". I swear, the IC is like a kindergarten group that saw "Game of Thrones" episode and decided to act it out at a children's party.

The Night Court is a failure on all fronts. We are being told that it's a wonderful place, and problems are everywhere, but Rhysand's gang, led by him, are working day and night to solve it. But the narrative clearly shows otherwise, and you would have to have a jellyfish brain not to see it.

I always see the same argument that Rhysand can't execute Illyrians left and right, and kill Keir, 'cause he needs an army (and he's not a tyrant, yeah). Okay. But the Illyrians' social status is rock bottom, they are beggars. In normal lore, they would be mercenaries, robbing Rhysand's treasury every time he needs to organize a military campaign. We are shown that these warriors are proud, tough... but obviously brainless, because they fight for nothing.

And the Darkbringers? They are part of the NC, and Keir, despite his status, the subject of the High Lord. But instead of giving orders, Rhysand bargains for his support.

(I give Keir credit that after 50 years of Amarantha's terror, he has the balls to say "no" to her minion)

So the army (which is supposedly the strongest in Prythian) doesn't recognize either the ruler or his entourage and still fights for him? Without receiving money, titles, favorable changes in the laws? Keir demanded access to Velaris and didn't foresee Rhysand would use loophole of "you will not be welcome anywhere and will be denied any service"?

ACOTAR is not sewn with white thread - it's a fucking ruin covered with tinsel. That's why you, dear anon, think in the NC any, even the most ridiculous crap will look like a glove. The narrative (read - the author) ignores logic in favor of emotions, worldbuilding - in favor of 💫 aesthetics 💫, character development and plot - in favor of "spices". Child soldiers? So what, Cassian coped, their fathers and generals are to blame. The CoN, trapped in a mountain? They are moral freaks, all of them, like Caligula or Hitler.

And as for slavery, Velaris is essentially in slavery too. Its civilians are merchants and artists, defenseless against any danger. Yes, they are well fed, provided with housing, protected by the fact that they are unknown outside the NC. But then their High Lord shows this paradise to a delegation of queens, strangers, mortals whose ancestors were enslaved by the fairies, and after a while, Velaris is attacked by enemies. What does it look like? Are they really safe - or is it an illusion? I think, Velaris is like a woman whose husband convinced her not to work because he provides for her, distanced her from family, friends, and made himself the center of her world, existence. We all know what it's called and how it ends.

P.S.: Imagine the Russian roulette, Night Court version. 5 bullets: "Illyria", "Court of Nightmares", "an unknown city lost in the barren mountains", "death", "Velaris". Would you play for rebirth? With a fate-dependent and unknown chance of being High Fae/lower fairy/Illyrian (I don't remember the books ever mentioning the species ratio)? If you were not Y/N, but an Illyrian boy, a woman from the CoN, a lower faerie outside of Velaris, a priestess with no money, no home, no family to leave the library - would you be proud of your government's "efforts"?

[nikalaeva]

A little bit of sickening memories about ACOSF

I didn't read it in English, so I don't know how it was in the original. In my translation, the quote reads:

"It's time to tell the world about Feyre's pregnancy"

The world. And they go to the Hewn City. I won't speak about the protective "bubble" here, baby smell (sorry, I'm feeling nauseous), showing of Feyre's glowing belly...

Since when is the CoN a "world"? What kind of microscopic brain does Rhysand have to think that its inhabitants give a shit that he inseminated his disastrously young wife? In the place where women are seen only as incubators, this is the worst way to show that your wife is more than brood mare. Although... we already know from ACOMAF how Rhysand is able to gain respect for Feyre (not only in the Hewn City, but also in the meeting with Tarquin).

And I remember this scene is supposedly for Nesta, Eris and Cassian, but it's not presented as "It's time to show off what mother Archeron has been drumming into Nesta" or "It's time to prove to Eris that we have the same goals and form a solid alliance" - no. It was a demonstration that... if two fairies fuck constantly without protection, sooner or later they will have a child. Wow, what's "surprise" 🤨. You know, if I were a resident of the Hewn City, I'd FUCKING NEVER LEAVE my house, because every visit from this couple is a greater trauma to my shattered psyche than isolation.

Of all the options like some kind of charity evening, Prythian's holiday or, idk, birthday of one of the HL, where Eris could be present for a logical reason, we end up in... the Court of Nightmares?

I read on (don't remember word for word, but the meaning is preserved):

"Rhysand looked so that everyone understood - he would tear to bloody shreds anyone who looked at Feyre the wrong way"

First of all - 🚩🚩🚩. Secondly - Rhysand, you useless piece of dumbass, maybe you shouldn't have brought your vulnerable wife to that shithole, showed everyone her glowing womb and... holy shit, I feel so bad even thinking about it 🤢... letting everyone smell it?

Can you imagine the same scene with Kallias and Vivian, with Beron and LoA (seven times in a row)? Like, even Calanmai, sexualized by SJM, has a point - the fertility of spring, merging of male and female, magic and all that. Showing Feyre's pregnancy to ONE city full of IC-hating assholes - what. the fucking. POINT?

I decided for myself this was the only way for Rhysand to stop the rumors about his impotence (or about latent gayness, given the obsession with Tamlin 😏🤫). I have no doubt Keir the one who spread it, looking at a 500-year-old dude who never had a serious relationship + didn't make at least one small daemati with Amarantha (and saved everyone before Tamlin, 'cause she would've died from a uterine rupture with baby's wings). And looking at Feyre, Keir 100% thought: "Well, humans are still fertile parasites, and she is yesterday's mortal, this bastard chose a win-win option."

I swear, when Keir asked for freedom, he didn't mean to see the light, but to escape to the ends of the earth, so as not to see the High Exhibitionists anymore.

[nikalaeva]

Dear anti-Rhysands 🙋‍♀️📢

It seems (I could be wrong), but we don't talk enough about the fact that Rhysand TWISTED THE BONE in Feyre's arm.

SA in the form of naked dancing while high on drugs is disgusting and wild. But the scene is initially presented with an erotic, "sinful" subtext, so people have no problem either ignoring Feyre's condition, or with Rhysand's "I did it to save you". We must remind more often and describe in vivid detail this torture when excuses are spat in our faces.

And especially fo disrecpected pro-Rhysands - 👎 👇

PHYSICAL ABUSE, bitches. Something that Tamlin was not forgiven for in a fit of anger (for a minute, this is a state of affect, which in my country is a mitigating circumstance for a criminal).

If you think that jealousy of another man or even despair about the situation is a reason to go to this extent, dude, I have bad news for you, don't get into a relationship. Your precious "book hubby" in a clear mind inflicted pain similar to torture on his dying love.

Rhysand: "omg, she's dying and won't take the deal. I need to save her!"

Rhysand: *twists broken bone in infected, contaminated wound*

Feyre: *dies of pain shock*

Rhysand: "... fuck."

Justify it. Romanticize it. I'll eat you alive.

[nikalaeva]

ACOTAR Villains, Part 1

Continuing the series of posts "SJM and her poor imagination" (sorry, can't see the bottom of this pit yet).

Today I am writing about Amarantha. Of all the things she did, the only understandable thing was her hatred for Jurian and Feyre, but obsession with Tamlin and violence against Rhysand - there is no basis for this. "Well, she's just a crazy sadist" - no, it doesn't work like that. Either Amarantha has fae schizophrenia or BD, but then her thinking and behavior should match to the symptoms of a decompensated disease. Or she is sane, but then there must be a cause-and-effect relationship. Like, with Jurian: the dude killed her sister - he deserved hell, for Amarantha this is justified. And Feyre is a human, lower wretched thing.

Tamlin

Her obsessing love doesn't stand up to any criticism, so readers seriously speculate they were mates. Btw, this is a feature of ACOTAR - four thick books have so little information that it gives a huge space to many theories with which readers, consciously or not, fill in the gaps.

Okay, let's say Amarantha really was struck by the curse called "love". A cruel, cold-blooded villainess unrequitedly loved a man, and chose the path not of redemption. Why Tamlin? It could be anything: Amarantha was a fan of fae selection ("I'm strong, you're strong, our children will be three times stronger") or she saw him as the only one worthy of her precious cunt (I know, then the whole point of fucking Rhysand would be lost).

I'd rather show the power of fairy deals: for example, Tamlin and Amarantha's fathers made a deal for them to marry, Amarantha was okay with it, but Tamlin didn't, so when the time came, Amarantha developed an irresistible obsession, Tamlin started losing physical and magic power, and these consequences led to the fall of Prythian.

But even that's not necessary - it's enough to write that Amarantha (like all fairies) values ​​promises very much, and she was offended that Tamlin killed his father, so she decided to punish him. The politics, personal principles, fairy culture - just one idea enriches the narrative (if your head isn't full of bit-dicks).

Rhysand

Again: I liked ACOTAR Rhysand and admit his SA, my only criticism is how SJM wrote the aftermath of such trauma in a disgusting way.

So, I don't get why Amarantha did this. Was she compensating for her feelings for Tamlin? Rhysand is the complete opposite of Tamlin, that makes no fucking sense. Testing how far Rhysand will go to prove that he's her ally? Amarantha is a general, and I can't believe that instead of offering Rhysand chance to gut the HL's families or bring his friends, she chose to... fuck him? Gosh, it's pathetic. Did she want to humiliate Rhysand, break him? Like, in the patriarchal fae society, licking pussy is a disgrace, so you, Rhysand, will never wash away this shame? Amaranta's status is too high for consider this humiliation (except for the Illyrians, but who cared about their opinion).

Then SJM exploits this part to press on pity, not to explore the topic of male SA, btw, underestimated. If Rhysand initially offered himself only as a servant, and then Amarantha decided to publicly rape him and portray him as her whore, that would be fae level of cruelty. First, reputational destruction. "Look, friends, the dreaded Night High Lord wiggling his ass, begging me to shove my fist in there" - after that, I think, Rhysand would have to terrorize Illyria and the CoN to maintain his power. Second, influence over Tamlin. "Look, Tamlin, haven't you ever dreamed of stomping on him?" - anyway, Tamlin and Rhysand were friends, and this situation would make it clear they both were victims again. Third, the punishment for Rhysand's hubris. "You think I'm going to buy your double game? You, a half-Illyrian dog, son of a low-born bitch, dare to think you're worthy of serving me?" - it fits in with the further statement that Rhysand is not accepted as a HL 'cause of his heritage.

Feyre

Amarantha was to remain Feyre's main fear and moral benchmark for all eternity. The fear of quietly going mad with love, of losing yourself in the pursuit of a man, of losing your head over high status (ironic, right?). Amarantha was the one Feyre was supposed to see when she came to Bone Carver, her reflection in Ouroboros.

Amarantha was supposed to be the reason she broke up with Tamlin. Not because of his anger issues, but 'cause of Feyre's fear that Tamlin, clinging to their broken, initially forced relationship, would turn into Amarantha. That fear isn't necessarily justified, but it would've been a good way to show how deeply Feyre has been scarred. As for the romance with Rhysand, which should've been giving Feyre the fucking "I have a panic attack just looking at him" Vietnam flashbacks.

Tell Feyre from Tamlin's (or Lucien's or Ianthe's) perspective that Amarantha held Rhysand by the balls, and that's not something you'd wish on your worst enemy.

Let Feyre know that Rhysand, humiliated in front of all of Prythian, is no longer a threat no matter how hard he tries to prove otherwise.

Show that due to different coping mechanisms, Tamlin can't help Feyre, 'cause he is in denial and repressing the trauma, while Feyre and Rhysand want to overcome it and believe they can. And for god's sake, no chapter-long heartbreaking "woe is me" bit. Rhysand needs understanding, not Feyre's pity. He needs to be shown that 500 years of experience doesn't save from mistakes, but makes its consequences a disaster. And he tormented Feyre 'cause he lost hope and broke down, and now he is ashamed, and that proves Rhysand still didn't pass the point of no return, like Amarantha.

Summing up, as you can see, it's not so difficult to make an interesting, UNDERSTANDABLE villain, leaving the plot without much change. Amarantha laid the foundation, and how her "work" was picked up by Ianthe, I will write next time.

Thank you if you read my verbal diarrhea to the end.

[nikalaeva]

Another post from the "SJM and her poor imagination" section. Warning: may cause concussion from eye rolling.

I "like" SJM assosiates Archeron sisters with wolves. It was Feyre's thing at first, but then she used the same thing with Nesta, and I have no doubt Elain will be a wolf-girl too. You don't have to dissect the worldbuilding to see that SJM puts in minimal effort. Btw, the "Night Court style" books' design clearly shows it.

(was it necessary to invent 7 Courts if you are so obsessed with one? just divide the fairies only into "day" and "night")

Okay, Feyre, Nesta and Elain are sisters, but can't you associate them with different representatives of the same animal species? 🤔 Idk, for example, the coyote, the fox (a lot of them and all are different, take at least the fennec fox and the arctic fox), the jackal, the hyena dog belong to the same family - canines, and you’ll get tired of listing the felines - not only the lion, tiger and leopard, but also the caracal, lynx, puma, manul, wildcats...

And that's not even what's funny. We have three sisters-"wolves" and three "brothers"... bats. Biology is like: "Yeah, fuck me". ACOTAR characters obviously don't have a true-fae essence, but the animal-like one, and I already wrote how SJM wasted and screwed up with this potential too.

Fine, the winged threesome are not real bats, they just have similar membranous wings. But this crap with wolves is so lazy (what a surprise 🫢). Why the hell wolves? Of all the diversity of nature? Why not birds? It's not only beautiful, but also more metaphorical: birds are associated with freedom, there are suitable expressions like "bird in a cage" and "living in a golden cage". There are many birds of prey, and people have already come up with meanings for them: eagle - nobility, owl - wisdom, etc. Сome on, SJM, just use it.

Yeah, wolf as a symbol has a cool meaning: strength, independence, loyalty ('cause they are monogamous). It's just that if you, the author, make sisters with such different characters, who also have a hard time getting along with each other, it's probably worth showing their kinship through common difficulties, fears, dreams and fucking DEVELOPMENT OF SISTERLY RELATIONSHIPS, not this dumb shit like "Feyre is a wolf. Oh, Nesta is a wolf too. And Elain is also a wolf! They are so strong and loyal!". The level of depth of the charasters is a drawing in a kindergarten 🙄

And speaking of mating bonds, Rhysand and Cassian are not even close to being associated with wolves, not a single hint. You know who's really similar? He Who Must Not Be Named, ACOTAR version. The example of Tamlin's loyalty, turning into suffocating possessiveness, is a red flag, but Rhysand's loyalty, who is exactly the same kind of possessive, is strong love. "He does it because he cares about her, knows her better, is afraid of losing her" - shut up, this is the rhetoric of abusers. If you think about it without context, Tamlin and Rhysand are the same. The difference is that with Tamlin it's almost immediately clear that today he hit the table, and tomorrow it will be your face, and with Rhysand first there will be a feather bed, and then - a fucking web.

As for Feyre, her "wolfish" loyalty to her partner lasted less than a book and a half. Or if he's not 💫 a mate 💫, and she died (as a human being), it doesn't count? Nesta better not be so loyal to Cassian, just let that dumb overgrown puppy drool over Mor's beauty, jerk off and not bark until someone "most powerful" pulls dick out of his throat. And as for Elain... 😮‍💨 I don't need another book to form impression of her, and just because she raised her claws a couple of times doesn't mean she's a "wolf".

So what is the point of all of this if it sometimes works and sometimes don't?

[nikalaeva]

Finally! One of my people! Have some hugs, fellow Tamlin enjoyer!🫂🫂🫂🫂

I had an overdose of embarrassment ☺️🫂

I often criticize SJM and will criticize her low-quality writing, especially people who made me believe ACOTAR is the best romantic fantasy of all time. But! While I'm sure she didn't mean to, Tamlin as a character and his story is a chef's kiss. In the hands of a good author, he would've flourished.

The boy hated by his father and brothers for his strength, who grew up to be the man who lost all his comrades in fight for the freedom of all (not just one town). The man willing to sacrifice his pride, kneel before his enemies, for his girl's safety. He's hot as hell (Calanmai, animalistic habits and muscles, the most skillful tongue in the Wild West - canon), plays the violin (fingers 🥵🫠) and is ridiculous in flirting ("your hair... is clean" - I kick my legs like a teenage girl 🙈). And he's definitely a responsible High Lord. Anger issues? Obviously this is bad, but you can't give up on someone because of a problem they need help with. And from a fictional character's perspective, it's great that they have serious flaws because characters are supposed to grow by overcoming it.

Tamlin in ACOFAS - sorry, but give me two. A good author would also let him hit rock bottom to start the healing arc.

Tamlin is interesting. Not the perfect "book husband", for me there is nothing worse. I want to see believable characters, even if they are fairies. Tamlin has virtues, but also flaws, he has problems and mistakes, but also merits and victories. All the romance of ACOTAR is nothing compared to Tamlin's story (but not only him, Jurian and Eris deserve much more involvement in the plot). Band of Exiles 2.0 a.k.a Bachelors (sorry, Lucien, first sort out your girlfriends) - Tamlin, Jurian and Eris. Don't you feel a similar vibe?

And since ACOTAR can't do without a fly in the ointment the Night Court, and I love crazy combinations, then Valkyries 2.0 a.k.a Queens worthy of Nesta:

1) the aristocrat from the CoN (I imagine her similar to Niamh, OC by geniemillies), adult woman who has never seen the light or the sky, who was forced into marriage and endured years of cruel humiliation, but was not broken and didn't lose compassion for victims like her; true lady-snake that savvy in politics, who will plot in the place of the noble Tamlin (to his pride 😉)

2) the daughter or sister of Illyrian general; he hides her deep in the mountains for decades to avoid clipping her wings, so she is wild as a puma, but for Jurian with his experience - his lovely kitten, little angel, capable of tearing off assholes' wings with her teeth 😁

3) last but not least - the lower fairy from slums of Velaris, the "rat" who spoils the appearance of "ideal city", because Feysand doesn't give a shit about the problems of ordinary people, but Eris will gladly show them how it should be 😏 (and also this is reference to his brother's tragedy with Jesminda, the critical aggravation of the conflict with Beron and the fight against High Fae's elitism)

Phew, I wrote it in one breath. SJM could've written a dozen more novellas, if she had not been obsessed with "wingspans". However, it would be better if she didn't try at all, because the fan base of the winged trinity (it's unlikely to be better with Azriel) is allergic to everything except boring sex.

It seems I got carried away, when I was only offered hugs 🤭❤️

[nikalaeva]

Some weird thoughts on Tamlin

I understand that SJM and antis demonize him (and we all know why). I recently thought - hey, what would Tamlin be like as a real villain? He definitely doesn't fit the crazy Amarantha or cunning Ianthe type.

(I actually think Ianthe's a failure, but she's "best of the worst" evils made by Sjm's feeble imagination).

Tamlin is a beast. Of course, the Spring isn't something that's associated with anything bad, but I like it when stereotypes are broken. If Rhysand is just a rat, lying and dodgy, getting his way by using others, then Tamlin... Suggest your own 😏😉🤗

I mean, the dude dragged Beron - Beron - by the scruff of the neck like a kitten. He doesn't need daemati magic to shut someone up - one look, and you'll bite your tongue before a clawed hand tears it from your throat. Imagine this weird contrast: gentle, beautiful Spring and its savage High Lord. The lion and the wolf are not the only animals in the world. Have you seen bears? These club-footed fatties will turn you into a mincemeat with one blow of their paw. And elks? Slow-moving herbivores, but if you hear them roar - run, bitch, run without looking back.

Yeah, the "night" can also be scary, but the fear of the dark and the fear of the wild nature are completely different.

A little off-topic. I have a bestie, and he is blind. He lost his sight when he was a child, so he doesn't remember what it was like to be sighted. You can't scare him with darkness, spiders, blood, heights... One day, my friends and I went on a hike. My fearless bestie, this man whom I admire to the depths of my soul and am proud to be my friend, shit himself when he heard a barn owl scream. Actually, we all shit ourselves and still joke about it, but it was so scary that we didn't sleep all night.

By the way, if Tamlin was absolutely wild, I would understand why other High Lords prefer "of two evils" Rhysand - they're all typical fairies, accustomed to intrigue, treachery and the expectation of a knife in the back. Tamlin is different. He will not be cunning, fawning and making plans on how to torture the enemy. If he came - you are dead. It'll be a fight with tearing to shreds at best, with cannibalism at worst.

(God forgive me, I'm getting horny while writing this).

I guess I'm just tired of these "dark princes, wounded by a difficult past". I hate it when love saves villains - not only is it a toxic concept in reality, in books it makes the characters sickeningly saccharine. But I'll talk about this another time.

[nikalaeva]

Tamlin Week was awesome. It's great to see not only new art, but artists who appreciate the untapped potential of this character. You deserve credit, unlike SJM.

Tamlin is not a saint or a villain. He is not a vain hero or a vile traitor. I think that in trying to make Feysand perfect, SJM unwittingly wrote Tamlin as an interesting, complex character. I've read posts where some people say they want to see a healing arc for Tamlin.

But I don't. I don't want to see ACOSF 2.0, because even if SJM tries really hard and writes a good story for Tamlin, she'll probably end up with him licking Feysand's ass. Something like: "I'm sorry, Feyre, that your sisters turned into fairies because of me. I'm sorry, Rhysand, that your mother and sister died because of me. I'm sorry that I brought Hybern here. I failed both of you, and I hope I have eternity to earn your trust and forgiveness." No, no, NO, FOR FUCKING GOD SAKE! 😨😱🤬 My heart cannot bear such abuse.

So let Tamlin's healing remain in the safe place of fanon, in the hands of people who truly love him. No matter how many haters say that pro-Tamlins are violence apologists, psychos and fools. Take a cue from this character - he made mistakes and took responsibility for them, and he always fought for what he believed was right, no matter how hard it was.

Happy Tamlin Week, friends. Flourish like spring 💚🌼🌄

[nikalaeva]

Let's chat about Feyre's first visit to the Court of Nightmares and the "distraction", Part 2

The fairies of the Court of Nightmares sometimes glanced at me, and their lips trembling with mockery. How could I distract them, standing like a statue? I was not a work of art, not a woman of striking beauty like Mor. I was no one - nothing - to them. To everyone in this place, in their world.

I looked - forced myself to look - at Rhysand. He sprawled lazily on the throne with a goblet of wine. Nausea clogged my throat. I remembered the taste of that wine. Its color was like the blood on my hands, like the shine of Amaranta's hair, and the smell... My stomach twisted, my body trembled, swaying the fabric of my "dress".

Kill him. Kill him like Andras, like those innocent fairies.

Rhysand turned his head towards me.

Wring his neck, rip his throat out, drink his blood and you will forget everything. Drink. Blood. Forget.

All I could see were his violet-blue eyes, deep as night. He looked mercilessly. He was merciless to anyone who was not useful to him. And I was not...?

No. I am not a murderer or a toy. I am no longer human, but I am not like them either.

I put my hand on his tense shoulder, and the trembling seemed to flow from my body into his. No more games, I told him wordlessly, and Rhysand kissed my fingertips.

I slowly looked at everyone - not hiding my disgust. Keir met this with indifference, but suddenly became wary when Rhysand smiled. He took my cold palm and in an elegant movement, as if we were dancing, sat me on the throne and stood next to me.

All the fairies immediately reacted. Their faces were pale with rage, and Keir looked at me like I was a dirt that had defiled their sanctuary. A murmur of discontent broke out. Rhysand clicked his tongue loudly, plunging the room back into dead silence, and then ran a finger along my chin and lifted it.

"You are so disrespectful," Rhysand muttered flatly. "Not that I expected any rapture, but to to treat the guest of your High Lord like this... Keir?"

"It's just caution," Keir said quietly. "You know we don't like strangers. Amaranta was..."

There was a crunch, and Keir cried out, clutching his arm. The bones in it twisted and pulled skin tight. The fairies dropped their heads sharply as Rhysand's darkness closed in on them, cold and thirsty for blood.

"What do you know about Amaranta?" Rhysand asked, and I heard bitterness in his voice. "I'm sure you would be happy to join her."

As would you, I thought angrily, but something in Rhysand's change of mood, his closed posture and reaction made me doubt.

"And she would just as happily rip your fucking guts out. You even can't honor her favorite, the Princess of Under the Mountain."

It struck me - and everyone else - like a bolt from the blue. Keir had even forgotten about his broken arm.

The Nightmare Court knew nothing of what had happened in UTM. Rhysand and Mor had probably laid the groundwork before I arrived to shock them with expectations of "Amarantha Junior" - and the reality.

"The High Lords have decided her place is at my side. Here." Rhysand smiled predatorily. "I think she will be a suitable queen for you and teach you good manners. And you, Keir, will have to be demoted."

Rhysand sat on the armrest and placed my hand on his thigh. I was surprised when it made him flinch. Darkness scratched at my mind, and his voice sounded in it. "We're almost done. You're holding up well."

"But he can be useful, my lady," Rhysand said aloud, emphasizing the last two words. "I ask you to let him serve. How about a lapdog? I can twist his brains so much that he'll cum just from your smile. If he deserve it, of course."

Keir raised his head and immediately doubled over, howling in pain.

"You've seen enough", Rhysand replied, looking at the shaking fairies. "As are all of you, ill-mannered freaks. I'm so sorry, my lady," he turned to me again, bowing his head. "Do you want me to rip out their eyes?"

"No", I forced out after a long silence, and twisted my lips into a smile that clearly convinced Rhysand that I understood what the plan was. "I think... subjects take their cues from rulers. Their disrespect is your responsibility." I gathered my strength and put it into my voice, which echoed through the hall. "For once, I forgive you. You should thank your High Lord - he will take your punishment. As he did the same for 50 years."

Surprise flashed across Rhysand's face. And I saw not a fairy, hardened by centuries, but just a man. He didn't rule the darkness, but lived - survived - in it as best he could.

"Why didn't you explain everything to me?" I asked mentally, but received no answer. Rhysand was silent until Azriel signaled that it was time to leave, and then, just as silently, we left the Court of Nightmares.

The end.

Bonus:

Late at night, when I couldn't sleep, his voice gently scratched my mind.

"We had to face this. Overcome the past that paralyzes and controls us. You did it. Humans are so fragile, and yet..."

"But I'm not human anymore", I sighed.

"You have a human heart, Feyre", Rhysand said, and I felt hope in his voice. "Only a human heart could have compassion for such a scum as I am. For what I have chosen and done. And you can't punish me more than to be a living reminder of all I regret."

"Do you think because I felt a little sorry for you, I'll forgive you? Don't even hope."

"Of course, Feyre, darling. And don't you dare forgive me... or I'll lose the purpose of striving for it."

[nikalaeva]

Let's chat about Feyre's first visit to the Court of Nightmares and the "distraction", Part 1. My question is - can anyone explain why it worked?

Like, the fairies of the CoN know Rhysand is crazy and served Amaranta for 50 years. What's so shocking he bring a whore escort girl? I thought SJM's fairies are more chaste (?) than fairies of Holly Black, who are, you know, not shy about nudity, premarital sex and multiple lovers. Maybe Keir and others weren't distracted by "action" itself, but by Rhysand's offensive behavior. But wouldn't it be a thousand times more offensive if it were Mor or some the CoN man's sister/wife/mother? What difference does it make to them what Rhysand does to Feyre, when she's presented as a piece of meat for the High Lord's pleasure?

Let's say it was "action" that distracted them. Am I supposed to believe fairies who have lived for hundreds years would be bothered by soft petting? Or the smell of Feysand's arousal was so toxic that audience's brains shut down? Do the fairies of CoN have sex only in the missionary position under a blanket in pitch darkness? I don't think Rhysand could've dreamed of such level of sexual liberation or asexuality that would be natural to a society like the CoN. And in either case, they would've paid no attention to Feyre, and Rhysand's stupid plan would've failed.

And a quick remark about Feyre's behavior (where would we be without our little star?). I like (no) she doesn't see it as a repeat of UTM. And I like (no) how SJM presents it not as sexual objectification and exploitation of a woman's body by a man, but as a moment of Feyre's woman power and her liberation. (I think the ACOTAR series would have been grandpa Freud's favorite book, lol).

Now here's icing on the cake. I don't think Tamlin is worst abuser ever, but Rhysand is, because abusers are often very persuasive. Tamlin convinced Feyre that it was dangerous to go with him. Was he able to convince her? Nah. In the end, Tamlin locks her away. Was that cruel? Yes, absolutely. Was that logical? Hell yeah. Rhysand convinces Feyre that exposing her as his whore to everyone in the CoN is necessary and there are no other options. Did this convince Feyre, who had barely survived UTM with Amarantha and Rhysand's tortures, and Tamlin's isolation? Yes, and it was fucking absurd! Did it make sense? Not a bit!

I think Keir and fairies of the CoN would've been far more shocked and distracted if the situation looked like... you can see the second part in the next post and draw your own conclusuions ☝️

Warning: I'm not a writer at all, especially in English (not my native language). I would never have written Feyre just thinks about sympathizing with Rhysand and Rhysand regrets what he did until the end of ACOWAR, so this piece of sh... text is just a parody of SJM 😁. But at least it makes fucking sense, unlike the original.

[nikalaeva]

I just read a post where the author claims to be pro-Nesta, but at the same time justifies explains why the Inner Circle did everything right.

Here are some quotes for an aperitif.

"None of the IC are just disgusting that she’s drinking a lot or having sex or partying"

Really? Why then did infinitely rich Rhysand read out the list of her expenses? Nesta didn't buy unnecessary jewelry, a brothel or a piece of land. Was it necessary to bring your beloved wife to tears, to humiliate your brother by saying that his mate was a shameless spendthrift? This scene shows not the depth of Nesta's problems, but rather that Rhysand is a pathetic douchebag who is used to not paying his warriors (homeless Illyrians send their regards).

"Nesta was also given the choice of if she got help or not. Once again, something Feyre was not"

Mmm, our little star Feyre, my sweet fly in the ointment. I don't know in what parallel universe is it considered a "choice" between prison and a hunting ground where a fairy would be like game. Oh, sorry, the HoW is not a prison? But what do you call a place from which you physically cannot leave and are completely dependent on the guards? Prison is probably better, because the guard does not dream of fucking you every second.

Now to the point.

Feyre doesn't act like a sister. She clearly says that she's ashamed that Nesta is shaming them by not helping the Court after war. She decides that the best way to "help" Nesta is to shame her in front of everyone, and then complain that she's overreacting. Feyre could have gotten Nesta a job in a bar, a dance teacher, a library job with salary, and spend time with sisters on weekends - without Rhysand and his gang of cocksuckers. Feyre and Nesta could have tea in the garden or learn baking with Elain. Feyre could have invited Nesta and Elain to an art class with the kids. Of course, it's so useless compared to being able to swing a sword, and - oh my! - not cool compared to the scene in the swamp.

Well, this illustrates well how powerless Feyre as High Lady is when it comes to improving the citizens' living conditions, and how much Elain doesn't give a shit.

Cassian's "help" would only do a dead man no harm. He wanted to help Nesta so much that he brought her to train with the Illyrians. You know, the warriors who don't accept women or magic, and are cruel even to their own children.

And how thoughtful of the IC to entrust Nesta with the mission of finding the Dread Trove. Yeah, a minute ago she was just a traumatized girl in need of help, but now Feyre is pregnant, Elain has no one to trust to water her garden, and the IC has some other things to do (Rhysand, wake up, you're short-staffed), so Nesta is definitely the one who can be trusted with safety of all of Prythian. What about her bestie Amren? Nah, she's lost all her power and can only spew shit out of her dirty old-hag mouth.

Maybe we should enlist the help of the High Lords like Tarquin, Kallias, Helion? After all, the threat concerns not only the Night Court, and they supposedly forgave that mess at the meeting and are now friends... Haha, don't go crazy. Can "the most powerful High Lord" take such a risk? What if these spineless idiots tell Nesta that she will be better off in their Courts? What if they say that Rhysand has no right to wield the Troves only because Nesta is a citizen of the NC? (which, by the way, she didn't choose either) Sounds like the worst nightmare of his egocentrism and SJM Amren's wet dream of a High King.

I ask a lot of questions and drip with sarcasm bordering on passive aggression because it's as fun as arguing that ACOSF is a great book about healing, family love, power of friendship and redemption. Even if you poured colorful paint on a pile of shit, it would still stink and attract flies. And ignoring the message that in order to heal from psychological trauma you just have to do whatever people who only care about their own emotional comfort say is the same as secretly wrinkling your nose.

But I'm glad there are plenty of people who point their fingers and are not ashamed to say: "This is a pile of shit. Don't pretend it's okay in a public place." You are the best 🫂

[nikalaeva]

I suddenly realized that for Rhysand, the only way to atone for any guilt is death.

He died in the war with Hybern, so it's not surprising that later in ACOFAS and ACOSF he practically pushes and pushes Tamlin and Nesta to die, in order to atone for their guilt before him his precious Feyre 😮‍💨

Also dude uses Illyrians and Darkbringers as cannon fodder because that's the only way they can atone for their existence, for who they are. And Mr. "the most powerful High Lord" has settled comfortably in Velaris, surrounded himself with ass-kissers and raised very young wife, in whose mind he lives rent-free, to serve him.

I think the IC is very proud that they are unquestioningly ready to die for Rhysand if he asks. Mind you - not for their homeland, people or just peace, not in cases when there is no other choice, but at Rhysand's whim. Okay, they consider each other family, and fighting and dying for this is really quite heroic. But let's be honest - this family is based on a deep, even toxic gratitude to rich privileged boy for taking them in. Sure, they each benefited, and it's better than their past anyway. But it bothers me that their whole life is only Rhysand, only their duty to him. Like, not once in centuries Cassian, Azriel, Mor thought about other options? In the huge Prythian and beyond, they have only two paths - Illyria/CoN or Velaris? Of course, between hell and golden cage the choice is obvious, Cassian is forbidden the path to the Summer Court, and Mor - to the Autumn Court, but still there are other options.

Feyre too, either the Spring Court or the Night Court. Nesta too, either the House of Wind or the mortal lands. Why do you create a big world to suffocate readers and characters with illusion of choosing between lesser and greater evils?

Returning to Rhysand, his crowning drama is the death pact with Feyre. You love this woman. You'll do anything for her, even be a villain. You don't care about rules because your feelings are so strong - and all so that she can die with you? But... you can kill yourself without a deal, like Romeo and Juliet, so why you give your enemies a chance to kill both rulers of the Court?

Yeah, sometimes love makes you stupid. But this is a goddamn book, fairies, fake world. In it, Feyre, after a fatal birth, can even stand on her head a few days later because she's a FAIRY. So for me, the excuse like "well, she just had a difficult birth, that's why Rhysand is in HOFAS" doesn't work.

Back to Rhysand again (sorry, so many thoughts 😅). He values ​​one moment, after which nothing (or who knows what), more than a very, very long life to work, travel, study, get to know yourself, correct mistakes, help others. One city is more important than the whole Court. And Rhysand is the center of universe, the most unique and irreplaceable.

Am I against it? No. Why then do I grumble? This level of egocentrism and blindness would suit a god or a devil, against whom the main characters fight. But Rhysand is a different character. And the author positions him as just a cool, ambiguous guy who only likes to fuck.

It seems we lost a little more than just a morally gray character...

[nikalaeva]

This post is whining from start to finish 😁

I'm grateful to ACOTAR for only one thing - this series put an end to the aging of my tastes and making it clear which books I don’t want to waste my time on.

The first person narrative sucks. And no, I'm not too old for YA and NA books, it's just the authors think their audience is full of hysterical, stupid megalomaniac people (whom they pass off as cool, imperfect, self-respecting heroes). I think it’s nonsense to associate yourself with a character or, God forbid, put yourself in his place.

I despise it when the authors write about sex for the sake of sex. In most cases, it is not to demonstrate character's trauma, not to develop relationships, and I won't even mention the plot. It's. Just. Filler. You know, in published books 😮‍💨

Romance over fantasy? Not my cup of tea. I want to enjoy reading, not feel like the author ripped me off and was too lazy to think more than he promised in the blurb. Just write it on the covers: "Decorative fantasy".

Mates, godlike FMC, morally gray shadow daddies - burn, bury and drown. Again, the problem is not with tropes, but with the authors who stupidly copy each other, because why bother if audience buy it anyway? Holy fuck, what kind of self-esteem do you have to do this and call yourself a writer?

For now, I still believe in enemies/lovers and retellings (except Hades and Persephone - that's a myth about Demeter, not about them!). I hope both authors and readers will understand that "hate" implies more harm than childish name-calling, and will allow their FMC to cruelly take revenge on MMC for any offense, and not be saints.

Now I want to try "dark romance" and I already know it will be almost impossible to dig up something interesting in this abyss of cliched shit about the third-rate abuse of a rich powerful manly male over a poor girly female and dozens of pages of meaningless sex. (but I'll swim there until I go crazy, because I'm apparently a masochist 😅🤗). The popularity of "Haunting Adeline" speaks for itself, but I will write about this book next time. Spoiler: not impressed at all.