#cc 3

ruhn and lidia

bryce and hunt

bryce and danika

ember and randall

Why do you think Az was there? For fun? Why not Cass? Why not Rhys? Why not Mor?

Preface: Do I still read the books? Yes. Do I still enjoy most of them? Depending on the series, also yes. Now that we got that out of the way... Also, there are spoilers. Obviously.

Rant #4: SJM is too afraid unalive important characters.

Remember in Throne of Glass where we lost not one but *17* characters (+wyverns) that we came to care about? Remember how devastating that series was, and you were just waiting for the next shoe to drop? The entire time there was mortal peril behind every door and SJM didn't care about your feelings and was not afraid to hurt you.

Now?

When's the last time someone of note dropped in ACOTAR? I guess it would be the Suriel, right? I mean, in ACOWAR, she had the opportunity to keep Amren dead, have her sacrifice have meaning, and instead, decided to resurrect her for reasons unknown. We lost the Bone Carver and the Weaver, I suppose, but did we care about them that much?

How about in CC? Lehabah was really the only gut-punch for me. I didn't give a flying fart about Danika or the Pack because we had just met them and didn't have enough time to form an attachment to make it meaningful, let alone remember their names. Oh, and there was Jesiba but...eh?

I really feel like SJM, after her criticism of unaliving Nehemiah during ToG, is not afraid of getting rid of any characters that matter and if they might bring up some sort of critique. Because of this, the mortal peril in her books is basically gone.

Mates usually stay alive, and knowing this, I didn't care when Bryce was 'dead.' So a big battle involving mates? No worries.

But wouldn't it have hurt a hell of a lot more to kill Flynn in CC, someone who was so close to most of the characters? If you are going to go through the act of giving someone a final send-off, it better impact the reader, or there is no point.

Creator showcase# 3: @thesistersarcheron!

Also know as miss_belivet on AO3.

We are featuring her multichapter Nessriel fic titled "viciousness & intelligence", part 1 of her "swords & shadow" series. This fic follows Nesta, Cassian, and Azriel as they realize Nesta and Cassian's lesser fae mating bond may follow different, more complex, rules than the typical high fae mating bond. Here's an excerpt from the fic description:

"After the ball in the Hewn City, Nesta and Cassian swore to each other that there would be no one else. Ever. They didn't account for Azriel."

This fic is beautifully written and explores the practical, emotional, and sexual aspects of a relationship between three canon characters. The dynamics intricately woven, and the story is an excellent new take on fated mates. Keep a weather eye on the horizon for new chapters!

We asked her a few questions so we could all get to know her better: 

Q: What’s your favorite CNM group to write about? 

A: My favorite poly ship is Nessriel, maybe for obvious reasons. Cassian and Azriel already have such a solid bond as brothers-in-arms when Nesta comes in to shake things up for Cassian. And then, the quiet, gentle friendship and respect that grew between Nesta and Azriel in ACOSF and HOFAS? That absolutely clinched it for me.

Q: What CNM group would you want to explore further? 

A:  Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about Feysandriel. Rhys is a giver (he does, after all, try to test the waters with Feyre about how she might feel about bringing Cassian and Azriel into their relationship), and Feyre is a lover through and through. I imagine it can be quite compelling for them to see something in Azriel—maybe the darkness all three of them share, maybe the longing for romantic connection or the desire to be seen—that they want to explore. The mating bond seems settled between Feysand, but with the tension currently simmering between Rhys and Azriel, it could just be so interesting to tease out whatever dynamic might emerge as they add a third partner.

Q: What’s your favorite trope? 

A: My favorite trope is pretty basic, but I love dramatic “that’s my wife!” or “that’s my mate!” reveals. Secret relationships and forbidden love rarely fall flat for me. It’s one reason I’ll rarely complain that SJM always has her couples elope.

Thank you so much to thesistersarcheron/miss_belivet for taking the time to speak with us. Your works are wonderful, and we are so excited to see what you write next!

There is a shit ton of information in this book and I had a lot of feelings and I'm sure I forgot plenty of things throughout the 800+ pages, but here's a start.

SPOILERS AHEAD.

FEYRE IS NOT THE FIRST HIGH LADY

I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT