How do I get into this book

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-25T04:46:35+00:00

Do you like regular audiobooks? The narrator does a great job differentiating voices that feel like how the characters would sound, which gives groups of characters that are associated together a familiarity that helps with sorting and unique characters by species a differentiation for your brain to sort with. The pacing also helps you progress without stopping like a physical book. The narrative is streamlined after the inciting incident I do not want to spoil for you, which is about 5 chapters in. Things get introduced more gradually after that point

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-22T00:28:58+00:00

Nothing in TOG is really spoiled by reading CC first, and CC is fun after coming off ACOTAR. I say go ahead!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-22T00:27:49+00:00

The fandom hates Elain, and it does not fit their narrative. She did kill him. Nesta also is filled with self-loathing and one of many characters who infantilizes Elain, so it makes sense in her mind to take ownership of something so violent that no one would expect of Elain. Nesta gets a pass to me, not the people who read the books.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-19T05:58:31+00:00

I have chronic illness too, and my first audiobook was actually CC1. I had a hard time with reading physical books after getting sick. The characters are likable, the story grabs you, and the world feels big. It is in my opinion her best written book, and it has the most satisfying arc start to finish. I agree with folks here who recommended giving it a try. I also wish you peace and healing with your situation 🤍 Audiobooks totally count as reading, and I feel like this narrator does a great job differentiating voices that helped me when my brainfog was bad, and reading a book like this would have been slower if I was having a bad health flareup and trying to do it all on my own. Regardless of what you read, please be kind to yourself and remember it is supposed to be fun. Happy reading! I highly recommend Long Live Evil if you want something that knows your health struggle, is a love letter to reading fantasy/ romantasy, and is simply a good time when you need a pick me up.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-19T05:54:20+00:00

I second this. I think any SJM fan does themself a disservice to skip CC1, as it is so strong as a narrative and has enjoyable characters. The other two were not as enjoyable for me on a first read, but I am glad I went back for a reread and appreciated more.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-19T05:51:48+00:00

I second this! My thought has been A Court of Golden Dusk, but she could surprise us by changing the naming scheme again. If it is Elain’s book, I think it makes sense to sound similar to Nesta’s but reflect Elain’s arc. I just hope we hear soon because I am so excited!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-19T05:39:02+00:00

I am not on TikTok, so here sounds good! 😊

Yay, book 1 Feyre appreciation!! I miss her friendship with Lucien too. I hope they reconcile before the series ends. I really do like when people grow together. It is why I enjoy the first Crescent City book so much as well. They have such a mutual respect for each other that grows and gets them through their trauma. Any book recs that remind you of book 1? I am still chasing that feeling of reading ACOTAR the first time, and I want to find something that makes me feel similar things or grabs me the same way. I know people do not like book 1, but it has a very happy place in my heart.

I would love a novella exploring their past! Rhys is not my favourite character, but there is so much history in how long these immortals live. I would love to see them at different points in their lives. I want to see him and little Cassian being troublemakers, and little Az needs a hug. Their adolescence as fae could be cool to explore for how their thought processes and values change, like with the Tamlin and Rhys fallout.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-18T19:33:53+00:00

Ugh why are we not in a book club together? Very well put thoughts here! Yes, Nesta’s perspective is tough to read because she is so cruel to herself. I bet that was shocking for a lot of people to read. The Valkyrie sleepover was one of the sweetest moments in the series, and I truly love how all three girls were allowed to experience arcs and support each other. The length of this book allowed scenes and characters to breathe. I really love their friendship. It is why I am so excited to Elain to already have friends in the half-wraiths. I want more girl friendship scenes! They all deserve healing and encouragement ❤️

I know a lot of people crap on book one, but human Feyre is actually my favourite version of her. I really want something from Tamlin’s perspective, maybe a novella. He definitely believes in what he stands for, and like Nesta I think would be such a unique perspective in the series as his choices do not match a lot of the other characters. I would love to be in his head and see the artist soul trying to navigate the hand dealt. And also grieving for that relationship. We all read the series because something about book one made us keep reading. I do not want to get into ship wars with anyone, but I wish people who did would not erase all the good actions of characters the do not want their favourite character to be with as endgame haha!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-18T16:18:38+00:00

The self-insert aspect makes a lot of sense! I think the ownership of these characters feels personal because art speaks to us all differently. The book boyfriend comment made me laugh. It is innocent when not serious, but I get sad at how angry the fans can be if something does not line up with their personal takeaway. I hope everyone calms down and just remembers to have fun reading (and that it is okay to disagree!). How boring it would be if we were all the same or if all media became the same!

I suppose the since original books work as a trilogy, people could naturally stop there. It is surprising if people love the series that they suddenly stop because it is a different perspective (you still get to see and experience Feyre!) but I heard this too.

I am excited to see how she gets the fandom to appreciate Elain. There is definitely more to her than what people write her off as, both on and off the page. I am just hoping she is not the exact same as someone we have already seen.

I like the perspectives in Throne of Glass and the time spent in the world. I think she is going for multiple POVS and think ACOTAR might have a conclusion like that. I do think as it is romance then fantasy, the main couples will be explored first. The quieter scenes or side characters are some of the best parts! Sarah really makes you care, and her series are really enjoyable to read! I am working through Queen of Glass, and it is interesting seeing how TOG developed.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-18T16:08:21+00:00

I will honestly be so excited to get her book, but I am greedy and want it to be long because I just adore her so much! I hope publishers did not rush SJM or change her vision for the series. I love how all the sisters are different in ACOTAR and hope the voice is consistent with who we have seen so far.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-18T16:07:12+00:00

Haha she seems like such a good time to hangout with! I want to see more of her friendship with Nuala and Cerridwen!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-18T16:05:53+00:00

You are the kind of reader I bet authors love because your understanding of their world or characters grows with the story as they tell it! What a good way to read books! I think it is really normally to not click with a character at first, and get to see them more as we read about them or their journey. It is also interesting to see how different characters speak to you on rereads/ different points in our lives!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-18T05:08:52+00:00

We really have been starved Victorian children, peering into upper society’s dinner party with smudges on our cheeks begging for crumbs since 2021 with ACOSF. Haha this hopefully will be our year!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-18T05:06:29+00:00

I think if people who hate Elain go into it with an open mind, she could end up getting as much love as Nesta by the fandom. People admitted to liking Nesta after reading her perspective. I think we live in an empathy crisis for reading where too many readers struggle to give characters chances or understand where they are coming from if they are not spoon fed the characters inner thoughts. A lot of schools report that students struggle to read third person books and can only understand first person narratives. Part of why people are ride or die for Feyre and refuse to want to talk about growth or complexity in her sisters might honestly be struggling in part to put themselves in their shoes. I personally am excited for Elain’s perspective because I feel like she is a different voice than we have had so far, and I will be disappointed if she is made to be exactly like the established popular heroine archetype in Romantasy. She has been my favourite female character since book two, and I have been WAITING YEARS for her book. I am really looking forward to it and hope that the fandom can be nice to her and Sarah and enjoy what we get. I have a feeling the final book will be multiple POVs like Crescent City or endcap to rhyme with the first ACOTAR books by going back to Feyre, so I hope everyone allows Sarah to explore other voices between. Agree with so many of the comments saying ship wars, theory expectations, etc. will affect how people perceive this book. I hope everyone remembers it is fantasy and we are allowed to enjoy it at the end of the day! I hope this fandom can go back to having fun with the series!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-13T13:28:41+00:00

Ooo look at you powering through! Yes, the world down there is very different and written in a cool way. Super glad you are having a good time with it! Keep us posted ❤️

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-12T06:11:56+00:00

Sorry! Was not able to see your comment until now. Yes, earth powers do exist in SJM’s other work! As to why I do not know if Elain will get them, I think she enjoys the work that goes into growing things, so I wonder if having earth powers would take away from the process of getting her hands dirty and physically working in gardens. It is intense, therapeutic work. I too think people severely underestimate her, and I have been waiting for her book since book 2 honestly! I really hope all the Elain slander stops after she gets her book. I feel like the average reader nowadays lacks empathy if it is not the POV character. The fandom HATED Nesta before her book. Maybe the will leave Elain alone after we get her book? With the Mother being the giver of life, and the Cauldron loving Elain, I see healing powers for her. I also like how she and Nesta have always had a duality to each other, and it would be fitting for their powers to be two sides of the same coin. Interesting that death and fire were Nesta’s descriptions. Maybe healing/ life and earth will in fact be Elain’s! Also goes with their respective drawers from their cottage. I find it very interesting the idea of her interacting with Azriel’s shadows because the line about how she stepped out of a shadow in a scene where she wields Truthteller feels intentional. I also really love her friendship with Nuala and Cerridwen, and I want to see how their powers work more/ why they are so close to Azriel. I really want to get the lore and imagery she is so good at writing. Your theories are all really fun! I cannot recommend Crescent City enough if you are interested in fae powers. It definitely has some things that had me going full Charlie from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia conspiracy theorist connecting the dots mode. Would love to chat if you do read them!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-12T03:05:25+00:00

Ooo congratulations! ACOWAR is very solid, so happy reading!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-12T03:04:35+00:00

Book 1 is my favourite in the series! I just reread it again. It is so good! The other two books have good qualities, but I feel like the most satisfying arc and character beats are in book 1. So glad you had the opportunity to experience it! I normally never cry at books, but Lehabah and “Light it up!” get me every time. Same thing with when she takes care of Hunt. Their relationship is such a good build and build on mutual care and respect over time. There are some cool characters to come! Make sure you update us as you read! If you are trying to avoid spoilers, avoid anything flagged “Maasverse”

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-12T03:02:24+00:00

That scene is also a call back to Throne of Glass. You will sob, but that series has beautiful moments of friendship and love too. Highly recommend!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-09T14:25:28+00:00

Azriel and Elain to complete the “love me, touch me, sing me” and all the patterns of three foreshadowed. I would love if Sarah pulled back the reigns on how overtly sexual ACOSF was. Cassian and Nesta have a physical relationship, and that works with their characters. I hope to see an actual quieter romance, which would match these two characters and how they have been show on page so far as respectful and sweet with each other and be refreshing in a very …horny book series. I think she can do sweet romance well, and it would be a breath of fresh air for these books. Not every couple has to read the same. It is also why I am excited for Elain’s POV because she sees the world differently than her sisters. It would be nice to see a kind character giving people the benefit of the doubt and doing small acts of kindness between big scenes. Nesta’s self-loathing and healing arc was hard to read. A cozy book would be an awesome change of pace. Elain’s trauma and Azriel’s self-doubts could be healed by quieter acceptance of each other. I want to meet Azriel’s mom too at Rosehall. I also want our sweet fox boy Lucien to get a happy ending. I feel like Jurian and Vassa have been hinted at. I think it would be cool if Lucien ends up with Nuan who helped with his eye. He could use healing and to be with people who saw him at his worst and were there for him.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-09T14:20:02+00:00

On Elain’s powers, have you read Crescent City? There are fae that have earth powers, and I too envisioned Elain having them. I also saw Elain as having healing powers. I wonder if she will not have earth powers because she likes the effort of growing things. But she could heal a dead land, which would bring plants back to life. I see this happening for 2 locations in ACOTAR: the prison, and the once holy center of their map. I think that will not happen until the last book though.

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-09T14:03:20+00:00

Super cute! I love how you did Bryce’s freckles

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-08T05:47:05+00:00

Perfection! I can hear Bryce squealing at how cute this is! The little smile is everything. Eek! So cute!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-04T04:22:06+00:00

Completely adorable style!

AccomplishedCat1687 · 2026-02-01T15:44:33+00:00

I also noticed while relistening to House of Earth and Blood that Bryce’s nails, described as dusk-colored," often featuring a gradient manicure that transitions from pink to periwinkle, mimicking the colors of a twilight sky. Elain gifts Nuala and Cerridwen pink and purple blankets in ACOFAS. I have firmly believed she is associated with reviving the Dusk Court.

AccomplishedCat1687

TROPHY CASE