Warning- another rambling, self indulgent post.
So, I’ve been around a while and been a part of shipping in many different fandoms, and I’ve always been like ship what characters you want and be happy. We don’t all have to agree or convince each other.
I say this because I’m about to give my humble opinion on a few acotar ships, and if you are a g*ynriel who happens to come across this, go on and be happy with your ship. Write your fanfics, draw your art. I’m glad you’ve found a bit of joy and distraction from this crazy world.
Also I am open to all kinds of fun pairings. I mean I am writing an Elain x Rhys fanfic, and I desperately want to find time to write an Aida’s x Elain little fic in my mind. I like Gwyn and Tarquin though I have no reason to, and after reading Every Rose, Gwyn x Eris has made me raise my eyebrow. Elain/Mor, Gwyn/emerie, etc… there are all kinds of ships I could enjoy, but I like reading comprehension and good stories the best so….
This is the one ship I just cannot do. I don’t know if it’s the power dynamic between the two, or the fact she is described like an adolescent in the book (coltish and young) but the thought of her and Az is just not my thing. I like the character fine, though she is written a little suspicious.
If this happens, I can’t see it being some grand love story that spans a book. I think it would have to be in the background like Amren/Varian or a hint of it happening in the future. I could be wrong. This will never be my thing, and I have no interest in reading a story about them. I’m not going to cry or rage. I’ll just move on.
Honestly, I could see SJM making me like this fine. I like both characters, and I’m sure she could do some sort of forced proximity/ arranged marriage thing or something. But it would have to be an Elain/ Lucien POV book which means we wouldn’t get Azriel’s story. (It just feels like a book only about him would be out of place in this series)
If this happens, I’m open to it. It will never be my favorite but eh, I could see it being entertaining.
Yes! Please! I don’t know why, but I really want this. I want to learn more about Vassa and there is something about Lucien finding his place and falling in love with a human. I mean I know he will probably end up in Day, but being chosen is what he needs.
I went into acotar cold, completely unspoiled for the most part. I took it very much as it is read, and I just accepted Elain/Azriel were a thing. Then I started seeing the TikTok’s, reading the tweets, coming here, and I was like WTH.
I read the bonus chapter and what I got out of it was that Az and Elain want each other bad, snd Gwyn has some sus powers. That’s it.
When it comes down to it, some of the most beautiful writing/imagery in the book has to do with Elain/Az. And can we please have a friends to lovers, chosen, somewhat healthy relationship? Can we have a spy novel and learn more about the twins? I mean if they end up being mates, fine, but I want them to choose each other before knowing it.
There is just so much to do with them that would make a good story. Rhys telling Azriel to stay away, Elain’s powers, and her hints of being a spy, her being able to wield truth teller and killing the king by stepping out of a dang shadow, the court politics (you can’t tell me Beron wouldn’t want to find a way to get to Elain’s powers by declaring she is his son’s mate and belongs in Autumn) There is just to much more..
And honestly if this doesn’t happen in some form, none of their interactions, or that blasted bonus chapter will make sense. If it’s not at least addressed there will be so much left hanging that it will be ridiculous.
Also three “brothers” three sisters is not overdone, and it goes with the theme. It’s hinted so much not only in acotar but in CC2 as well, SJM might as well just came out and said it. The three most powerful Illyrians ever found each other and stumbled upon three Made sisters. Three stars, three mountains and this:
Two intersecting triangles. Male and female, dark and light, above and below … and the power that lies in the place where they meet.”
But seriously ship who you want (well maybe not Elain/tamlin, please) but be kind.