If you read a book that has as much worldbuilding as acotar does, it simply isn't necessary to know anything else about fae lore. All you need to know in the beginning is what Feyre tells you and the rest you learn alongside her. How other authors portray the fae or how they are according to folklore doesn't matter.
First things first, I think it’s perfectly fine to make comparisons between authors and their works on a blog if that’s what you want to do.
Regarding ACOTAR’s worldbuilding, it’s detailed enough and immersive for romantasy or romance readers. That said, fantasy readers might notice certain gaps or inconsistencies that others may not. This is natural, given both the scope of a large series and the different ways readers from various genres approach and interpret fantasy elements.
As for references to fae lore, Feyre’s initial descriptions in Book 1 suggest that the fae are inspired by traditional folklore. Rhysand, in particular, seems constructed in a way that reflects these traits, which I’ve noted in my tags. Later in the series, however, the fae are portrayed more like the characters in Throne of Glass and Crescent City, which feels more elves-inspired than strictly aligned with fae folklore. I’m not the first to highlight this, and while I don’t mean to sound pedantic, these kinds of observations and deep dives into creature lore are common and entirely natural within fantasy-reading communities, where readers often enjoy comparing how creatures and magic align with folklore or established traditions. So, in terms of fantasy readers’ expectations, the lore carries its own weight.
That said, while it’s not necessary to know traditional folklore to enjoy the books, readers are free to make comparisons if they wish. This doesn’t change the fact that these characters are not human: they have their own mindset. Even within ACOTAR’s worldbuilding, where fae are more humanized, that distinction remains clear. Applying human standards to creatures who clearly operate under different rules feels superficial and, honestly, diminishes the complexity of the characters. This was, in fact, the main point of my previous post, which seems to have been overlooked.
I am also allowed to express my preference for a characterization of the fae that stays truer to folklore, because, in my view, that approach makes the characters more complex and compelling, without anyone else dictating how I should read or interpret the books, or whether I should make comparisons.
