Thoughts on ACOWAR/the fandom
Feeling like I’m part of the minority that overall, looking at the book holistically actually loved ACOWAR? Kinda disappointed in the overwhelming negativity in the fandom tbh, I regret opening the tag, thank god I wasn’t spoilt and deleted tumblr, or that would have ruined my experience.
I personally feel like so many people over hyped themselves towards certain headcanons that were prevalent in fanfics, particularly if you’re active on the community. It’s understandable that you’d be slightly disappointed given your expectations, but I don’t think attacking SJM for content from your NON CANON FANFICS/HEADCANONS is valid (not talking about moriel here btw bc moriel did seem 100% a valid ship in acomaf that at the time seemed canon and I personally will never ship Az or Mor wit anyone else but hey that’s me)
There is a lot of bitterness surrounding fan theories that people believed in so ardently that they were shocked when they didn’t happen, but if they did happen, people would then criticise SJM for predictability? A theory popularised among the fandom is still, most importantly - a THEORY, so it’s kind of an invalid criticism to be bitter when your personal theory isn’t fulfilled.
I knew there was a stigma surrounding SJM on YouTube in particular, but tumblr was the opposite for me, until ACOWAR. I wish we could go back to the acomaf era where the tag was just pure fluff and genuinely made my day to scroll through.
Regarding OOC behaviour - personally I saw feyre and Rhys as completely in character. Acomaf is much more character driven by nature, whereas it’s a given that this will revolve more around battle/war (hence the title lol.) Wouldn’t it have been kinda incongruous for Rhys to be all seductive snarky ACOMAF Rhys LITERALLY DURING A WAR? They were a firm, established (not to mention mated) couple so I really don’t understand the criticism regarding this.
Having said this, the redemption arcs of Eris and the mistreatment of Mor/the messy way the whole Mor outburst was dealt with imo is a valid criticism, but personally I feel based on my personal criteria and most of my ships, I felt fulfilled? This review seems overtly defensive of the book, and yes has few negatives, as the myriad of problematic aspects found within this book have already been outlined several times, so frankly there’s no need for me to repeat it.
Overall, to name a few faves: feysand and nessian mostly made this book for me, along with Az and feyre’s friendship and seeing all the other courts/high lords together. Regarding the Tamlin alleged ‘redemption’ I don’t think she’s trying to make us empathise or even redeem him, his actions towards Feyre in the meeting are childish, deplorable and vulgar. Yes, he does a good deed for Feyre at the end because he loves her more than his spite for Rhysand, but imo she isn’t suddenly glorifying Tamlin and erasing the problematic aspects we all despised, she just gave him one-two acts of humanity towards the end. That doesn’t scream REDEMPTION to me, but more, this character is not one dimensional and has SOME humanity (even tho he's still a prick) but also I think people are forgetting that Tamlin isn’t the main “villain” in Feyre’s narrative (maybe in ACOMAF but the underlying villain here is hybern). Yes imo he’s an ass but misconstruing Tamlin as the main villain of the series and being angry that he’s not just a one dimensional ball of hatred? Really?
Oh yeah: ELRIEL (fuck that.) Initially, I read this assuming it was trying to convey some sort of Romantic interest, so understandably was irritated. However, I saw a post recently that outlined why it seemed much more platonic, with Az recognising the needs of another individual who is suffering, as he suffered. Even sjm wouldn’t’ suddenly throw him out of his 500 year love (that feels too small a word) for Mor for Elain. I’m choosing to read (and hope) that the spin off series will have Elucien as canon, so I can appreciate Elriel as merely platonic.
Whoah this was super long and rant-y and tbh no one will even read this but just needed to vent lol. Feel like I’m about 8 saying ‘no offence’ but well… yeah, pls don’t hate me lmao
