Valkyries Books

Fantasy books lover 🥰🥰

[orphicauroras]

She stopped mid-slice, whirling to face him. “I'm sorry. I knew you all were going to the river house, so I didn't think anyone would mind if I came up here, and-”

"It's fine. I came to retrieve something I forgot." The lie was smooth and cool, as he knew his face was. His shadows peered over his wings at her.

“Happy Solstice,” she said, as much a dismissal as it was a holiday blessing.

He snorted. “Are you kicking me out?”

Gwyn's teal eyes flashed with alarm. “No! I mean, I don't mind sharing the ring. I just ... I know you like to be alone.”

Her mouth quirked to the side, crinkling the freckles on her nose. “Is that why you came up here?”

Sort of. “I forgot something," he reminded her.

“At two in the morning?”

Pure amusement glittered in her stare. Better than the pain and grief he'd spied a moment before. So he offered her a crooked smile. “I can't sleep without my favorite dagger.”

"A comfort to every growing child."

I love how she showed her sassiness once Azriel showed his. I have a feeling Gwyn clocked Azriel lying in the first scene (nothing gets past her) but she was willing to let it go until Azriel's cheeky side came out. From then on? Instant call out.

[gwynrieldefenseatty]

But I thought the Valkyries weren’t important?!

[lplusl]

The other group forcing the narrative and trying to make the “spark” an E/riel thing now, after Sarah mentioned it on the CHD podcast (because it has ALWAYS been important and they know it), will never stop being pathetic desperate funny.

I thought it meant nothing? I thought it wasn’t important?? How many hours have they spent writing and writing about how it doesn’t matter???

But I guess when CANON doesn’t give you a spark, you have to grab onto the scraps you can find on the internet.

You can hold on to this one if you need a lifeline:

“Something sparked in Azriel's chest, but he only nodded his thanks and left. He could picture it, though, as he ascended the stairs back to the House proper. How Gwyn's teal eyes might light upon seeing the necklace. For whatever reason... he could see it. But Azriel tucked away the thought, consciously erasing the slight smile it brought to his face. Buried the image down deep, where it glowed quietly. A thing of secret, lovely beauty.”

[valkyriesbooks]

Why are some Gwynriel and Elucien stans are loosing hope???? Sarah didn’t confirm anything 😭😭😭

[korepio]

How it feels to be an Elucien/Gwynriel fan on this fine day:

[toolsofmyenemy]

I can’t believe that anyone thinks e/riel can carry a like 1600 page three book long story

LMFAO

Those two can barely muster up a coherent conversation let alone pages of banter and dialogue

[yazthebookish]

[bluiela-deactivated20260318]

Sarah: I’d love to hear your thoughts on the bonus chapter, I sprinkled a few crumbs in there 👀

The bonus chapter ending:

Also Sarah: The character had to have that spark initially and it's almost beyond me where they don't

And let's keep in mind that this spark is present in almost all mated couples.

Also the BC:

And Sarah:

💖🎶💖

SJM IS A GWYNRIEL

And we'll finally have them soon..

[erin-bo-berin]

Okay sorry, I just keep having thoughts the more I see anti comments, but I wanted to share this specific thought:

I think some antis are putting too much emphasis and attention on relationship drama while simultaneously forgetting that this isn’t the entire story.

I’ve already seen too many people say that the next two books are gonna focus on Lucien/Elain/Azriel.

Literally. All they think is that it’s gonna be 1,300 pages of Lucien/Elain/Azriel romance drama.

Did they not hear Sarah say how the story kind of exploded?

The main cast, Prythian, their entire world likely have much bigger problems to focus on. This isn’t a damn soap opera. While true, ACOTAR has always incorporated romance and has been romance forward, this doesn’t apply to endgames falling in love simultaneously while the overarching fantasy plot moves forward.

But these people are expecting nothing but a story of this romance drama when there’s gonna be likely numerous fantasy plots happening. This romance drama? It’s not gonna make up an entire two books like they expect. There’s so much more to cover that would make it seem inconsequential in comparison.

On the flip side, love stories (likely dual love stories developing) will flow with the plot because it ties in with the likely multiple plots and arcs much more smoothly.

[lplusl]

Exactly. There are so many plotlines up in the air that we’re not gonna get the romance book we were hoping for. This is now a full blown epic monstruosity that will need everyone on the page. There’s no time for long drawn out romance drama. No time for a “situationship” anymore.

[bluiela-deactivated20260318]

So the thing is....I was fully expecting the ewriels to be way more obnoxious after the announcement..

Like genuinely, given the past five years of harassment and the way they usually react to anything even remotely related to Gwynriel or Elucien, I thought the reactions would be insufferable.

And don’t get me wrong, some of them are still being obnoxious. That part was completely expected.

What’s actually interesting to me is that they’re not nearly as loud or as overconfident as I thought they would be. And that’s… very telling.

Because in a nearly two-hour podcast, the only thing they’ve been able to grab onto is one single argument, and it’s not even new information. It’s something we’ve known from the books for years.

For the past half a decade, many of us have been saying that Elain is still traumatized and still processing everything that happened to her. Meanwhile they kept insisting she was completely healed, totally happy, and perfectly settled in the Night Court.

Now we have confirmation that she’s still dealing with that trauma… and suddenly the only takeaway they have is:

“See? Elucien!”

But the things they’re pointing to are literally things we already knew:

Elain finding Lucien attractive

The mating bond being confusing for her

None of that is new.

And yet they’re clinging to it like it’s some groundbreaking revelation.

Meanwhile, the parts that actually more important to the conversation, the parts where Sarah talks about sparks, about characters learning from relationships, about how not every relationship is necessarily endgame, are being completely ignored.

Which is honestly kind of funny.

Because if this announcement actually supported their narrative as strongly as they claim, they wouldn’t be hanging onto a single tiny thread from a two-hour discussion that also what we already knew from the books

They’d be screaming about the whole thing.

The fact that they’re mostly just repeating the one argument we’ve already known for years is, to me, way more telling than anything else...🤭🤭

Like alex, steph, sarah all giving big ass fuck nod towards gwynriel and elucien is so refreshing...

[valkyriesbooks]

“Something sparked in Azriel's chest, but he only nodded his thanks and left. He could picture it, though, as he ascended the stairs back to the House proper. How Gwyn's teal eyes might light upon seeing the necklace. For whatever reason… he could see it. But Azriel tucked away the thought, consciously erasing the slight smile is brought to his face. Buried the image down deep, where it glowed quietly.

A thing of secret, lovely beauty.”

Just a little reminder that Azriel felt this only with Gwyn 👀👀👀👀👀

[bluiela-deactivated20260318]

So in honor of the acotar 6 announcement coming literally anytime soon I would like to friendly remind everyone that Gwynriel has parallels to every single mated couple in the maasverse. Sarah introduced it in a single book and yet she paralleled it to every single mated couple..!!

And in the most beautiful and meaningful ways...

[erin-bo-berin]

I’m not gonna lie, I’ve actually never felt more at peace in my confidence of the coming pairings.

Perhaps because I don’t see Gwynriels and Eluciens out here finding the need to be loud to prove our point.

Perhaps because we’re letting canon speak for us.

[valkyriesbooks]

Little Reminder: don’t forget what happened in ACOSF and in the bonus chapter… don’t try to misinterpret what Sarah said because she didn’t confirm anything. What’s canon remains canon.

[psychicrunawaybouquet-aus]

I don’t know if I’m toxic but everything SJM said is why I ship Elucien hahaha. As in I totally agree that Elain seems to feel trapped in an arranged marriage type of situation with a person who is in part responsible for her trauma. But we also know he is a good person and Elain has a long road to self acceptance and Lucien would had to have a part in that along the way.

I also got the vibe that mate bonds are what they are, I don’t think she was saying there are different kinds. They’re all the biological bond, sometimes there is also a synergy between nature and chemistry. (Feyre and Rhys) sometimes it’s like Rhys or Tamlin’s parents where it is purse biology. Elain would have to be questioning if nature was wrong. Just like Azriel is questioning it and even Feyre is like but what if the bond is wrong? Do we have free will over it?

Elain has had many choices made for her and or taken from her. It’s very clear that her arch is about autonomy and choice. I think she will learn that she is choosing Lucien not just stuck with him. I just think it’s gonna take ages and be a painful road. I feel like part of that journey is that I don’t think Lucien wants Elain to feel like her autonomy is gone perhaps almost as much as she does.

Also I just feel like Gwyn is Azriels mate. Like just straight up I don’t see a way around that. I also think Azriel seems to hold the mate bond in high regard, it’s why he’s so jealous of Lucien. Why should Lucien deserve a bond and not him? Why do his brothers deserve a bond and not him?

That’s not to dismiss his feelings for Elain. He clearly really cares for her or is perhaps in love with her. I just feel like it’s also clear that he feels slighted and over looked. Which is fair considering his backstory and history with Mor and now Elain.

It’s interesting as well that Rhys seems to often represent a figure or institution that removes autonomy for all three archeron sisters. ( I am not a Rhys will be evil person) but he seems to repeatedly make mistakes around taking away other peoples autonomy even if it is well intended. (Feyre’s pregnancy, Nesta’s freedom, Elain’s choice to be with Azriel) I feel like this will be a continuing issue for Feyre and Rhys and does bring into question mating dynamics and Rhys’s power level in general. I don’t think this would be deeply explored but I feel like the story is headed for some Rhys humbling, which is needed for him to become a better person and a less isolated figure of authority. Like SJM said Rhys is at Feyre’s mercy but that’s not actually where she wants him.

Anyway it is all very interesting. I think we can all agree that there is surely a cross over coming and shits about to hit the fan haha.

(Elriels pls don’t come for me I’m not hating on you guys, I think it’s totally possible Elriels could be right)

[mycadences]

I find it interesting that when asked about whether Elucien would break their bond, SJM focused only on Elain's conflict in relation to Lucien. Nowhere did she mention the struggle of being mated when there was someone else you felt attracted to or someone else in your heart. Or perhaps wondering if there's someone out there who's a better fit for you than your mate. Nothing to hint that Elain's dilemma stems from her potentially liking someone else, but rather, her complicated feelings for her mate. You know what this means? Tension.

"... exploring the concept of free will, and what does that look like with a mating bond. What does that mean? Does nature get it wrong sometimes? Does it get it right sometimes?"

Notice she's saying what free will looks like WITH A MATING BOND. The mating bond does not take away your free will. The romantic plot line for Elain will be centered on her mating bond. I think it'll be very clear from the start that the IC will support Elain if she chooses to break her bond, and her choice will be the main focus of her story. She'll definitely talk to other rejected mates. And you know what? Here is where my theory comes in: Lucien's mother (the Lady of Autumn) and Helion are rejected mates. So she'll hear from her own mate's mother about her experience.

Elain's story is not going to be about the struggle of "forbidden love". She's not torn between Lucien and someone else. It's not "Will she choose Lucien or someone else" but "Will she break or accept her bond with Lucien?" There is no significant third party at this juncture. Her story is going to be about her getting to know Lucien, finding out what kind of male he is, wondering if he's someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with. No matter what, Lucien will be a huge portion of her book. Because how will she know if nature has gotten it right or wrong without interacting with him?

She'll question her bond with him. Wonder if she can fall in love with him despite it, then later, because of it. Is it the mating bond making her feel this? Does she truly like Lucien, or is she being influenced by the bond? She'll wish that they are not mates, so she could have had the chance to know him and fall in love with him without having that dangling over their heads. She'll see visions of a future with him, without him. Give me the angst, give me the feels, give me everything.

Oh, and SJM also confirmed that Elain finds Lucien hot 🤭 I want to see Elain all flustered and bothered over Lucien and blaming it on the mating bond. I want to see jealous Elain, I want to see feral Elain, I want to see sides of her that no one else but her mate can bring out in her.

[acourtdelaluna]

SJM Listening to the Batman soundtrack and K-pop Demon Hunters =

Azriel + Valkyries

[mogitz]

My favorite thing about being an Elucien/Gwynriel shipper is there is no hate involved.

I love Elain Archeron.

I love Lucien Vanserra.

I love Azriel Shadowsinger.

I love Gwyneth Berdara.

I don't have to spew ANY hate toward any character to justify my ships. At all. I love them all and am excited to see them with the person they are meant to be with.