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blackcatsnstrawberries · 7 days

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Re: Rowan. Yeah I absolutely have no idea why people love him. He showed up literally out of nowhere in the 3rd book and has no personality outside of Aelin. And their enemies to lovers was so lazy and rushed. I swear it was like 2 chapters between him punching her in the face and telling her everyone would be better off if she was dead and then they were in love after one conversation. After 2 books of her and Chaol falling in love it was really a slap in the face that I was just supposed to accept this one-dimensional character. Anyway lol. I get heated.

First of all: @do-you-think-im-spoopy omg I didn't know I actually had asks!!! 😹 I'm genuinely so excited because this is my first (and only) one 😹😹 I love answering questions! Sorry if this is super old.

Second: yeah I don't get the Rowan hype, or the Aelin hype (so sorry I tried so hard.) She was obnoxious and just the way all her plans were "I didn't say anything to anyone and BAM everything works out perfectly! I'm so great!!!" I thought it was lazy writing. And Rowan was just boring 🤷‍♀️ absolutely agree his whole personality was centred around Aelin.

Almost every other character was better. personally I loved Fenrys, Lorcan and Lysandra. They were just more interesting and more believable

#ask me anything #sarah j maas #sjm multiverse #throne of glass #tog #aelin galathynius #rowan whitethorn #im sorry

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 9 days

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A Court of Chains and Secrets

This is a rebranded and revised version of my Pro Elriel story!

Azriel has chosen to distance himself from his family because his feelings for Elain have become too hard to suppress, and a heartbroken Elain wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Distracted and exhausted, Azriel gets imprisoned by people from his past, and only Elain using her Seer powers is able to save him. Though everyone and everything seems to be trying to keep them apart, Azriel and Elain try and fight the odds to be together.

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 11 days

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ACOTAR 5 Theory (it's 5 because ACOFAS is 3.5)

I really need people to start understanding that novellas are .5 of a novel.

I am going to start by saying I am not anti Lucien, in fact having Lucien around was what got me through the first half of ACOTAR and the first few chapters of ACOWAR, I genuinely like him.

That being said, this post is (anti) Elucien and (pro) Elriel, and not because I don't like Elain and Lucien together, but because Elriel makes more sense.

From reading ACOSF, specifically the bonus chapter, we know about a possible Blood Duel between Azriel and Lucien brewing because of Elain. Lots of pro Azriel people think that he will be able to easily kill Lucien, and pro Lucien people think Lucien will be able to kill Azriel.

Neither can kill the other without ruining their character. Therefore, neither of them will die in the blood duel. BUT Lucien has to win it in order to move on from his mating bond to Elain.

Let me explain...

Lucien: From the context of the entire series of ACOTAR, we can see that Lucien isn't into Elain, but he hasn't broken the mating bond for whatever reason, my assumption is tradition and expectation. If Lucien were to kill Azriel in the Blood Duel, that would irrevocably ruin not only his relationship with everyone in the inner circle, but Elain wouldn't be like "Well, Azriel is dead! I guess I am with Lucien now!" It would lead nowhere. Elain loses her choice, Lucien ends up with someone he doesn't have feelings for, and everyone in the IC would probably want him dead, but even if they accepted the outcome, wouldn't welcome him ever again.

Conclusion: Tears the IC apart, takes away Elain's choice, ruins Lucien's character because he kills a popular/beloved character for no reason. It would ultimately turn him into a villian, and SJM likes him, he's not a villian.

Azriel: Azriel and Elain clearly have chemistry since the moment they met, it's undeniable (I will always link @sunlit-elain post .) I do think Azriel is the better fighter, and would probably win the Blood Duel, but again it would ruin his character. If Az won, he would be killing Feyre (his High Lady's) friend, arguably her best friend. Not to mention, Lucien is still seen as a "good guy", and having another "good guy" kill him off, would stain Azriel's character to the point where he would be considered unlikable by a lot readers. Again, even if Feyre accepts this is the reality of the blood duel, her friend is dead, she's going to have negative feelings about Azriel. His relationship with the IC would also be strained. Not to mention, I don't think Elain would be like all hot and bothered by the guy who killed someone to be with her, especially when that person isn't a "bad guy," or a threat.

Conclusion: Azriel killing Lucien creates turmoil in the IC that would forever damage the dynamics, and really wouldn't move the plot forward. Lucien isn't demanding Elain, he's not mean to Elain, he's trying to work at the bond. Killing him would eliminate the barrier, but create unnecessary new ones that couldn't be fixed.

So what's the conclusion then? There will be a blood duel, and Lucien will "win" but he won't kill Azriel...

Lucien has to come to the conclusion that his bond with Elain is dead himself.

Killing Azriel, or anyone, won't make him love Elain more, it won't make her love him, or even like him. He has nothing to gain from killing Az. But if he comes to the conclusion that Elain loves Azriel, and he spares Az's life for her, he can move on from the bond which clearly causes him pain and discomfort, and Azriel and Elain can get their happily ever after.

Edit:

On the same note, if Azriel has Lucien on his knees and spares his life because he doesn't want to kill Feyre's friend/Elain's bonded mate, that would make Lucien seen weak or his life was spared out pity. This wouldn't put any of his feelings about obligation to rest, it wouldn't dissipate how his body feels about the mating bond. Lucien has to be the one to end it on his terms.

All characters have a positive end to this arc in this scenario. Lucien sees his bond with Elain only brings pain to both of them, and is free to pursue anyone he wants (Vassa.) Azriel finally gets to be chosen, and Elain gets to make her choice about who she loves.

(If you want to see this dramatised I conveniently wrote it)

Also I didn't tag anything anti, so please don't come at me if you're pro Elucien and hate this take with anything mean. I am super happy to nicely defend my opinions and ideas, as you can read I said nothing negative about your ship, just that I think a different ship will happen.

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 14 days

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I will not be watching X-Men 97 until I know this is fixed. Here's hoping our guy Cable can (will) do something.

And I want to watch, I really really do, I am loving the show! I can't deal with the week to week lol

#gambit #gambit xmen #xmen 97 #x men 97 #xmen #gambit x rogue #remy lebeau #marvel #marvel xmen

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 25 days

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Actual footage of me when seeing the trailer.

#fourth wing #the empyrean #onyx storm #rebecca yarros #iron flame #violet and xaden #violet sorrengail #xaden riorson

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 1 month

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Me (teacher, 30s): Hey! I like your My Chemical Romance shirt!

Student (13): Thanks, it's vintage!

Me:

#my chemical romance #vintage #school memes #elder emo #emo for life #emo forever #emo kid #kids say the darndest things #kids these days #teacher life #teacher problems #teacher #im old #im old now

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 2 months

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I revised my FF story Rise with the Sun, it's an Avatar: The Last Airbender fan fiction, with my bb Zuko. Check it out!! There's action, suspense, a hint of romance, and some good Zuko whump!

#avatar: tla #zuko #zuko needs a hug #zuko whump #whump writing #whumpee #whump community #avatar #avatar the last airbender #avatar aang #aang #katara #sokka #toph beifong #katara x zuko #zuko x katara #prince zuko #atla #atla: la

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 2 months

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weston Warnock (@warnocksbooks)

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This!! This whole video! Plot twists for the sake of shock value aren't good. He wraps it up perfectly at the end.

Elriel isn't a plot twist, but something planned and plotted throughout most of the series. Anything else would be a plot twist for the sake of shock, which really negatively impacts a story.

SJM switching it up and making it Gwynriel would be a shock value plot twist, there's nothing to suggest it's coming in canon. Making Elucien happen would be a bad shock twist because everything we have seen from Elain is she does not want him, for her to do a 360 and want Lucien wouldn't make sense.

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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I'm seeing a lot of posts about the next ACOTAR book being about the Valkyries, and I have to say...no. They accomplished their goal of not only surviving the Blood Rite, but also becoming Carynthians. Their story of overcoming their own traumas to achieve an amazing accomplishment is done. We had 700+ pages of their training, growth and friendship. We don't need another. Having the characters around for "missions" or battles would be great, but their story as a unit in ACOTAR is done. Not to mention, why would SJM have the story of 2/3 Archeron sisters and the Night Court to switch gears to Nesta and her friends adventures? In their own spin off series? Sure! Absolutely! As a continuation of the ACOTAR series, it doesn't make sense.

Edit:

Nesta will continue to be important to the plot of any following ACOTAR novels because of her made/starborn (possible) status and training as a Valkyrie. Emerie and Gwyn will not be as important, if at all. Mentioned, maybe show up in scenes, but the Valkyries as a unit will not be leading an ACOTAR book.

#acotar 5 #acotar theory #a court of thorns and roses #nesta archeron #the valkyries #sjm #sjm universe #acotar theories #hofas

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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When you're done your current read (we all know what it is) please do yourself a favour and pick up The Shepard King Series by Rachel Gillig.

It's filled with magic, compelling characters, adventure and a dash of love. I couldn't put either book down. It's a completed duology, but honestly I wish there were more!

Book 1: One Dark Window

Book 2: Two Twisted Crowns

#one dark window #two twisted crowns #rachel gillig #elspeth spindle #ravyn yew #elm rowan #providence cards #magic #adventure #completed duology #book recommendations #book suggestions #fantasy series

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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Nesta and Rhys- Let's Talk About it

Right off the bat I want to make it very clear that I am a fan of Nesta, I was not a fan of her portrayal in ACOSF which is nothing against her character, her healing journey was poorly portrayed. I think HOFAS is just a taste of the Nesta that we have coming in later ACOTAR books, and I am excited.

So let's get to it, this is how I look at the Inner Circle, it has two parts

Inner Circle (Family)

Inner Circle (Work) I use the word employee to describe the characters, Rhys does pay them but it is mostly just to make the difference in roles more visible– I am not trying to start a workers rights debate.

Inner Circle Family: This is the love, family and friendship part of the IC. This is dinners, and joking around, solstice and fun. This is what we probably most like to think of when we’re reading about the IC. In this, Rhys and Feyre are just members of a found family that love and respect each other. They have a bit more power and sway, but ultimately they are family. This is also where we have just: Cassian, Azriel, Nesta, Mor, Elain, Amren. Just as they are.

Inner Circle Work: This is where your hierarchy comes in. This is where Rhys is the High Lord and Feyre is the High Lady. This is where the roles the others fill out come into play, and this is where Rhys and Feyre can call the shorts without question. Cassian is Lord of Bloodshed, General to the Courts Army: answers to his high lord/lady. Azriel is the Spymaster: answers to his high lord/lady. Nesta is a warrior: answers to her high lord/lady. Mor: answers to her high lord/lady. See where I am going with this? Family and work are separate.

When the different members of the IC are in their role as "employees" of the NC, they answer to Rhys and Feyre, and follow the commands of Rhys and Feyre, High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court. If they choose to not, there are consequences.

So in HOFAS Nesta gives the Mask to Bryce, who brings it back to Midgard to save her world. Is Nesta wrong? Morally, absolutely not. In the sense of what her High Lord has asked of her as a warrior and "employee" of the NC? Yes she is wrong. She put the NC, and everyone in it, including people she loves, in danger.

(Her trust in Bryce would be a whole other post.)

So yes, Rhys, as High Lord and Protector of the Night Court, is f*cking pissed because Nesta gave away a weapon to someone they barely know, to go take on other worldly monsters who could easily take the mask and not only come back and kill everyone Rhys loves and cares for in the NC, but also in Prythian. Nesta went against orders, as "employee" of the NC, and disobeyed her High Lord. He’s not mad at his sister-in-law, he is mad at one of his warriors/employees. His reaction and anger is justified at that moment.

Misogyny: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.

This is also where I am going to point out that this is not misogynistic because Rhys is mad at a member of his IC for making a poor choice that could have horrible consequences, not because she is a woman. He was furious with Azriel when Az fought him on having feelings for Elain. He gets mad when his employees don't follow orders.

We have seen Rhys and Feyre make decisions because they are High Lord/Lady, and their choice was final. In ACOSF, when Azriel said he was going out spying on Koschei, both Rhys and Feyre said no. Az says he wasn’t asking, challenges Feyre, and Rhys shuts him down because the High Lady said no. Is Az happy? No. Feyre then walks off with him, clearly comforting him, but he ultimately respects the call of his High Lord and Lady.

We have also seen Rhys using his status as High Lord in murky areas, such as in the infamous BC of ACOSF. When Rhys catched Azriel with Elain, he forbids Az from pursuing a relationship with her. Az points out that as a High Lord he can’t dictate that. Rhys counters this with all the political reasons why he can, but realistically he crossed the line of family IC and work IC. Is Azriel going to listen to Rhys? No because his High Lord cannot command who his "employees" love.

And I am not saying I liked reading a scene of Rhys biting Nesta’s head off, I did like reading Ember coming to her rescue and biting off Rhys’, he needs that to happen more. The point is that both characters are acting out and butting heads. That’s normal in both work and family matters. There wouldn’t be a story if Rhys (who we all forget is morally grey btw) goes “Oh well shoot Nesta, I am upset you did that but that’s ok it will work out.”

Tidbit I can’t fit anywhere: I really wish we did see more of a bite from Cassian when Rhys was biting her head off, General or not, Nesta is his mate, and letting Rhys yell at her is not mate energy. The whole scene between Rhys, Nesta, Cassian and Feyre could be its own BC.

Nesta is a complicated character, who deserves her own trilogy to shine in a way that ACOSF did not let her. HOFAS showed the other side of her, the side that was able to snap out of a death trance when she heard the name of her nephew (I felt that so hard.) When she was able to forgive someone who was complicit in her confinement to the HOW, how she was able to see beyond what had been commanded of her and make her own choices.

Nesta is an excellent character, and SJM is working hard to bring out the best in her.

At the end of the day as well we all need to remember that THIS IS A MAKE BELIEVE STORY WITH MAKE BELIEVE PEOPLE AND NONE OF THIS MATTERS! These books are literally like cocaine for our overworked, dopamine searching brains.

#hofas #house of flame and shadow #nesta archeron #nesta x cassian #rhysand #acosf #a court of silver flames #lady death #feyre archeron #archeron sisters #elain archeron #nyx #azriel bonus chapter #azriel shadowsinger #cassian #crescent city #acotar thoughts #acotar theory #crescent city theory

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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Post HOFAS Thoughts

Obviously everything below here is a spoiler, so read at your own risk.

This isn't going to be in any particular order, just as things pop into my head.

What I liked

How Bryce and the ACOTAR characters weren't buddy-buddy at all. It's was more realistic that both groups would be super hesitant of the other

Nesta's characterization- wonderful, stunning, powerful. This is the Nesta that ACOSF deserved and didn't get.

Bryce and Nesta's reluctant friendship, I loved that these two misunderstood women were able to create even just a minimum bond

Az and Nesta asking about the cell phone, amazing (BC)

Understanding the death mask and it's abilities more.

The information dump about Theia- I did not like how much of it there was to process BUT I loved how the characters saw the evil the Fae had brought with their colonization and did not try to bury that.

Bryce stealing TT, Az wasn't giving that up and it would be out of character for him to do so (unless he was giving it to his mate (🌷)

I kind of liked the Sassy Asteri (Verperous?)

Ruhn cracking jokes about two angels and a Fae walking into a dungeon- hilarious

Lidia's arc was interesting seeing as she has murdered and tortured people before she defected, but SJM was able to give her a redemption arc where people aren't forgiving her for that past, but seeing her for trying to make amends in the present/future. That is a hard arc to pull off.

Lidia nuzzling Ruhn before running off my god my heart

Hypaxia dumping Celestina (good), getting thrown out of her coven (bad) and THEN becoming the head of the HOFAS? Yas Queen! Slay!

Hunt working through his PTSD and Bryce giving him tough love about it, either you're with us or you're not. I know it's harsh but with what was going on it was realistic.

Ithan becoming prime

Sabine dying and being thrown into a sewer. TBH the sewers deserve better.

Hypaxia in general. No one in this series would be anywhere without her. I said what I said.

Tharion stepping up to marry Sathia (was that her name) More on this f*cker later

This one is weird: the torture chamber. SJM made that as messy as possible. She did not have to mention the poop and pee on the floor (these things happen during torture, but it's not exactly sexy for 3 characters to be rolling in it) so props to her I guess? Told you it's a weird one

Bryce and Ruhn taking down Fae Kings and making Avellen a Fae paradise WITH PEGASUS!!!!

The Princes of the Pit. I want them to have their own series omg.

LIDIA TORCHING POLLUX AND EVERYONE

Did I mentioned wanting more of the Princes of the Pit?

Bryce killing and Asteri by hand. Again, slay Queen.

Sahar coming in at the end and helping Hunt save Bryce

JESIBA! My girl sacrificing herself for her assistant (I laughed while crying)

Nesta and Ember's relationship

Bryce dismantling the Fae monarchy.

Ruhm calling Rhys something along the lines of "that High Lord dude." Yes. Excellent. More people need to do this.

Bryce and Hunt being endgame. Forever. Full stop.

What I didn't like

Bryce seemed to lose a few brain cells in this book...like opening the sarcophagus of an Asteri is dumb...

Bryce hearing Azriel when he was following her and Nesta- Cassian even said in ACOSF that unless Az wanted to be heard, you don't hear him.

Az using his power to try and bind the Asteri- bb no. They absorb that, did you also lose brain cells since ACOSF?

THARION YOU DUMB MF. This man pissed me off so much with all his bad choices one after another since the end of HOSAB.

Sigrid? Like...what was the point of her? Literally it was WE HAVE A NEW FENDYR ALPHA! Oh no I accidentally decapitated her....like what?

Ariadne was there and then not and then there. Ok?

Pollux.

Ithan's b plot, which I understand why it was there, really slowed down the pacing.

All the middle fingers? Why was everyone just flipping everyone else off all the time?

Also lines like this showed up a few times, "it could have been minutes, years really." When something was happening...like what?

I love me spicy scenes, they were awkwardly placed in this story.

RUHN AND LIDIA JUST LIKE NOT CARING THAT DEC AND FLYNN WERE MISSING?

What I think will happen next

SJM said we're getting more CC books, I am thinking they are going to focus more on other potential couples now that Bryce and Hunt's story has seemingly ended. And I swear if Bryce is pregnant in the next one...

I think a big all out war is coming (in ACOTAR) against the Asteri/Daglan somehow, and all characters from all three world with go to Prythian for a battle

Lidia is absolutely a decedent of Aelin and Rowan so that has to play out somehow.

Lidia's kids are going to become important- I am wondering about their bio dad because it's said he was a shifter, and this is me being all conspiracy theory but: What if their bio dad was a descendent of Fenrys? They are twins, one with fair hair (Fenrys) one with dark hair (Connall) and we don't know their abilities yet...it's a reach but I am calling it

Monarchy systems of government suck, democracy all the way, but uh here's to hoping SJM writes one in that works better than what most democratic countries have (looking at you USA)

The emo like Reaper that Hypaxia used to compare samples to, I am curious if he is going to turn into someone/something in later books. Just the whole scene seemed like he would become important later on. I don't know it's just a feeling.

As I have more time to process and marinate with this book I'll probably add more. In the end I'd give HOFAS a 3.5/5 it got bogged down quite a bit with exposition, characters just making dumb choice after dumb choice, and plot lines seemingly leading to nowhere. Bryce and Hunt remained a really strong FMC/MMC lead, my fav of all the series, the side characters were mostly interesting and kept everything going (looking at you Ithan) but all and all, I enjoyed the book!

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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HOFAS spoilers below

Chapters 53-54

And it's funny I promise. And not super spoilery just something that's happening and I just cannot.

"Flynn and Dec, the bastards, didn't show up to breakfast."

Ruhn and Lidia: 🦗🦗🦗

Me: That's unnerving in an unfriendly Fae kingdom. Maybe go check on them, guys.

"Flynn and Declan hadn't arrived at the archives yet."

Ruhn and Lidia: let's go find some coffee in this out of touch establishment!

Me: WHY ARE YOU SO NONCHALANT ABOUT THIS?!

"Flynn and Dec seemed content to let them do the work."

Ruhn and Lidia: Ah yes perhaps they have a good reason to not contact us for several hours in this horrible place. Anyhoo...

Me: MY GOOD LORD DID EVERYONE LOSE BRAIN CELLS BETWEEN HOSAB AND HOFAS?!?

#sarah j maas #sjm multiverse #house of sky and breath #house of flame and shadow #ruhn danaan #lidia cervos #ruhn x lidia #tristan flynn #declan emmet #tristan and declan #hofas #like how are they this dumb?#coffee?!?!#hofas spoilers #crescent city 3 #crescent city #crescent city theory #cc3

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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Did Tharion get hit on the head by a wave skimmer at some point between the end of HOSAB and HOFAS ? Buddy is just making all kinds of choices that make me think he has a brain injury 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Side note: can someone hit Tharion in the head with a wave skimmer? Perhaps it will make him smarter? Just a thought.

#acotar #sarah j maas #sjm multiverse #crescent city #crescent city 3 #hofas #house of flame and shadow #tharion ketos

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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Azriel Backstory Theory

Break line because it's long

I try not to get into these ACOTAR/TOG/CC theories too much because it just creates a lot of discourse, but I do want to explain my theory on what I think is Azriels lineage, and why I think his mom is from a powerful/old Fae line, and that he and Rhys are not brothers.

First lets just move Rhys to the side for a moment (sorry bb.) If Az was in fact the High Lord’s son with another woman ,and Az was an illegitimate threat to the future High Lords throne, why not just kill him? Why keep him in a dungeon AND THEN train him to fight AND THEN be cool with it when Rhys becomes close to him? If Az was the High Lords son, he'd either be a threat and killed, or just disowned and thrown into the cold with his mom. Keeping him around makes no sense, especially when he does not have his shadow singing powers until age 11.

(And before we go anywhere else, I am 100% an Elriel, that doesn’t come into play but I just need to make that clear)

So we know Azriel’s family relations are: Illyrian mom, Illyrian Lord dad, step mom, 2 half brothers.

The fact that Az has someone who is in title a “step mom” suggests that his father is with/or was with this person at some points during Azriel’s childhood. The existence of the step mother also suggests two reasons as to how Az’s mom ended up pregnant with the Lord’s child

Az’s mom was actually his mate and he was with her on the side (unlikely)

Az’s mom was the victim of the Lord’s SA 🙁 (unfortunately likely)

A few points to keep in mind

It’s said in (I think) ACOMAF that his step mom was mean, and so were the half brothers, hence the burning of his hands.

A place called Rosehall was mentioned in ACOFAS and that Az goes there over Soltice

Az’s mom is still alive

Ok so we have to remember that Az was locked in the dungeon from a really young age, until he showed his shadowsinger powers at age 11, when his dad dumped him in an Illyrian war camp. So why was he locked up?

Step mom jealous of her partner's mating bond with Az’s mom: Maybe?! I forget where it’s said but it was the SM and the half brothers who were particularly cruel to Az, maybe it was because the SM was jealous of Az’s mom being the true mate to the Lord and took it out on their love child.

A couple problems: we know males rule in Illyria, so if Az’s dad wanted his mom I doubt already having a spouse would stop him. Also if Az’s dad loved Az’s mom, why would he allow for his sons physical torture, and his mates psychological torture? And if he was mated to the mom, but truly didn’t care about either her or Az, why not just have them killed? Or just disown them and throw them into the cold of Illyria?

2. Az’s mom was SA’d by the Lord: few reasons this could be the background. 1) Illyrian Males, according to Az and Cas, are assholes. 2) Az’s mom comes from a powerful Fae lineage and she is being held captive by the Lord/family

So to sum this up as easily as possible, I think Az was held hostage/tortured in the dungeon because the Lord was using him to control his mother. “Stay here, you get to see your kid once a week.” Easiest way to control someone is to threaten someone they love. If she is from a powerful family, but couldn't leave because of her son, it may explain why Az was in the dungeon. As a pawn in some sort of feud/war. I will also explain the connection to ROSEHALL farther down.

So when Az gets his shadowsinger powers and is dumped in the camp, why does mom stay? Probably because the other parent is a lord and can easily have someone kill Az? Also shadowsingers are rare and giving him to the High Lord (Rhys’ dad) probably carried a lot of favours between the High Lord and Illyrian Lord.

So where does Rhys’ mom come in? I think Rhys and Az’s mom’s are related, either sisters or cousins. So Az’s mom is able to get a message to Rhys’ mom saying her son was dropped off at the camp and to look out for him, which is how Rhys’ mom comes to taking care of Az. She was the mate of the High Lord, she probably had some sort of protection, or could protect herself and Rhys/Cas/Az when in Illyria. She would be a good friend/relative to have.

Loose ends:

Rosehall: I think this is the name of the fortress/palace/house where Az’s dad and his step mom and brothers live. As of ACOFAS, I think Az is permitted once a year to visit his mother here over the Solstice, who is still being held hostage/stockholm syndrome at this point. If she was a free woman, why would Az not go see her more often, or it be mentioned that he’s in Illyria more? Is this why he doesn’t go to Illyria because he can’t save his mom?

Rhys’ dad having a special interest in Az: in ACOWAR, it’s mentioned that the High Lord does not let Az leave his side, it’s because he has rare shadowsinger powers, not because he’s the High Lords long lost son. If the High Lord doesn't let Az out of his sight as an adult fully trained to kill, I doubt he would have been nonchalant about Az in the camp when he was a kid who couldn't even fly.

So that’s just what I think. It’s obviously not perfect and there are some holes, which makes sense because Azriel’s backstory is a giant gaping hole, and we’ve been using a teaspoon to fill it in all these years later. And do you know who is going to be the main character in ACOTAR 5 when we learn the actual backstory? His mate. Elain.

(I lied, she came into play here because ACOTAR 5 is HER book and she is going to slay)

EDIT!

A very valid point was brought up about Az's mom (who I wish we had a name for) was just a servant in the Illyrian Lord's house. in ACOFAS Rhys references after the potato incident about how Az's mom was treated poorly as a servant. My thoughts on this:

Her being a servant does not negate coming from a powerful line, or that she is being held against her will in the household. Just like Sigird in HOFAS (sold to the astronomer), her parents could have sold her/gave her to the Lord as some sort of payment (or tithe) if you will.

If she were truly just a household servant of nothing, and Az is the result of a relation (consented or not) between her and the Lord, why lock him up? Again his shadowsinger abilities had not manifested yet, not to mention he's dropped at the camp when they do. If she were just a simple servant, and Az a biproduct of her and the Lord, why would the Lord/Step mom again not just kill him or toss him out?

#acotar #acotar theory #a court of thorns and roses #azriel x elain #azriel #azriel shadowsinger #rhysand #illyrian #Cassian #unhinged theory #sjm #sjm universe #sjm theory #acofas #acomaf #acowar

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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HOFAS semi spoiler below

Good effing lord the information dump in the prison from Seline actually fried my brain. I don't even know how much of it I actually understood/retained.

Update

I need to re read that whole thing because people's reaction/interpretation of it is way different than mine?

Another Update

I'm a spec ed teacher, I am literally going through the information dump again section by section and verbally summarizing what's happening. This is a strategy I use with my kiddos: read a small section of a whole, explain to me what happened. Keep doing this until the entire text is read, comprehended and summarised 😹

#hofas spoilers #hofas #crescent city 3 #crescent city theories #crescent city #bryce quinlan #nesta archeron #azriel shadowsinger #rhysand #acotar #sjm universe #sjm multiverse #sjm theory

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blackcatsnstrawberries · 3 months

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HOFAS Theories

There will be no spoilers mentioned in this post, as I know maybe 0.01% of them. These are just things I think will happen in HOFAS

FIRST AND FOREMOST - This is a CC book and I do not think that the ACOTAR characters are going to play a huge role

Rhys/Amren will explain the Asteri/Daglan connections

The different worlds will be explained

Bryce will get Truth Teller and leave Velaris pretty quickly

Ruhn is obvs going to get wrecked (physically and emotionally)

Hunt will end up brainwashed of sorts are doing dirty deeds for the Asteri- eventually he will be asked to take out Bryce but he won't be able to

Bryce will save Ruhn/Hunt from the dungeons

Baxian is a throw away character and won't make it out of the dungeon (sorry to the 3 Bax fans out there)

I think Pollux will die (good) and Lidia will be the one to kill him in a perfectly fitting way.

I think Bryce will save Tharion from his deal with the viper queen (after we get some more insight into her fighting ring)

I think Ithan and the lost Fendyr (sp) wolf will be mates

I think sparks will fly between Flynn and Ariadne

I think the Prime will die and Sabine will have to fight the new Fendyr Alpha

I feel like Ruhn has too many friends for all of them to make it through HOFAS

we're going to find out who/what Jesiba really is

same with Fury

That the Fae king is in fact a Vanserra brother

Ruhn's mum is going to be from Pryanthian (sp) I like the theory that she is Rhys' sister.

Celestina or whatever her name is is going to switch sides and help Bryce and co take down the Asteri

Ruhn and Lidia will have their happy ending - or I will riot

TOG will be mentioned in passing (their world) but will not play a role in this at all.

I said what I said above. Come at me.

Valbaran Fae king will die and Bryce will be queen

I think we're going to find out the Illyrians were the first "angel" the Asteri/Daglan made

I don't think this will be the last CC book

#sarah j maas #sjm multiverse #hofas theory #tog fandom #throne of glass #crescent city 3 #crescent city theory #crescent city theories #bryce quinlan #hunt athalar #ruhn danaan #lidia cervos #tharion ketos #ithan holstrom #acotar #rhysand #amren acotar #danika fendyr

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