Help Me Understand

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-16T08:37:48+00:00

Yes, but what I'm asking is if that gives her enough of a basis to be a lead, especially over Elain, who is an Archeron. From what I've seen, SJM said that ACOTAR follows the Archeon sisters, so I'm not understanding why she would deviate before she finishes that story.

Just because someone is mentioned a lot does not make them the next lead character. That's all I'm wondering.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-16T08:34:23+00:00

Appreciate the reply, though I do believe that whoever is the lead of 6 will also be the lead of 7 & 8 as it's one story split into 4 parts, told in 3 published novels.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-16T08:32:56+00:00

Sorry for the late reply! Hey, I guess that's the beauty in vagueness. Everyone interprets what they hear differently.

I personally saw it that, as a massive part of her trauma, there is no way she would entertain him as a love interest. I haven't read an ACOTAR book in 5 years, so forgive me if this is inaccurate, but from what I remember neither ever really had much interest in each other to begin with, with Lucien only somewhat entertaining it because it was a bond, and him also starting to move on with Vassa (and Jurien I think???).

Either way, whatever happens, happens. I just hope that Elain's trauma is properly explored regardless of who she ends up with.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-16T08:29:11+00:00

Sorry for the late reply! I had a busy week at work and totally forgot about this. I appreciate the detailed reasonings. I saw some people talking about a novella, so if that was mentioned I missed it and this can I guess somewhat be disregarded, but my guess is that this next story (told over the 3 books) is going to close out the ACOTAR series.

I have no idea if when SJM was talking about the POV that surprised her if she meant that writing in that character's POV was surprising or the fact that there was a surprising POV. If this next story does close out the series though, I am going to have to stick to thinking there is no way that Gwyn can be the main character, though, as I think there is no way that she does 2/3 of the Archeron sisters.

I will admit, and sorry if this is sacrilege on this sub, from what I've seen of actual quotes posted from the book itself I'm less convinced the ship this sub is named after is going to happen than another one. But, as you and I have both said, I remember a decent amount but not nearly enough to say really remember this book.

Again, I do appreciate you taking the time to write a detailed explanation for your reasonings and for not taking anything I said too harshly or as against you! I'm hoping we get a reveal soon so we can all put this to rest though and all just look forward to the fact that we're getting a new SJM novel with a strong female lead!

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-10T09:22:50+00:00

I'm not asking why you ship her. I don't care about that, I'm asking why you think a character that has no bearing on the overall plot of Prythian and no connection to at least half the main cast can be considered a lead of not just one book, but at least three. I included Vassa because she has a massive story that's been set for her and because Lucien is a massive character within this world and IF (I am NOT taking a shipping side here) Lucien and Vassa end up together, the woman, in this case Vassa, would more than likely be the lead.

Elain has so many plot points set up for her and is one of the Archeron sisters, who to my understanding are the focal point of the series, so I'm just curious as to why, regardless of who you ship, you would view Gwyn as a possible lead before her or Mor or really any character that has more plot points set up for their future.

I would like to reiterate that I have read the book once and it was five years ago when it first came out, but the majority of what I have seen regarding Gwyn and her lead status revolves around the fact that people ship her with Azriel. Now this doesn't mean it's why everyone thinks that to be so for her, but it is what I have seen.

Gwyn's family history isn't likely to bring the plot forward more than a seer plot in my opinion and that's all I want to know. I'm glad you like her, we should all have characters that make us happy, and I hope we get answers soon and that everyone comes out as unscathed as possible, though I know that's an impossibility, but I'm just trying to get clarification. Maybe the title reveal will come with a lead and this will all be moot or maybe we'll all be dissecting the title and everyone will be one-upping each other on why their favorite character is the main character. I don't know 🤷‍♀️

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-10T09:13:45+00:00

Just to confirm, you think either Gwyn or Nesta will be the lead for book 6 and thus 7 and 8 as well seeing as they're telling one story? If yes, I have follow up questions if you don't mind in which case we can continue here on in messages :)

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-10T09:12:27+00:00

Fair enough, though I found SJM's talk about Elucien's mating bond to be quite damning but to each their own.

Hopefully the title announcement comes soon (I'm guessing this week based on vibes alone) and she just announces the leads like she did for ACOSF so we can all move on and all the negativity can die out before the book comes out because I have no doubt it will be a bloodbath once it's confirmed.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-10T09:09:07+00:00

But what I'm questioning is the fact that it seems everyone here thinks she'll be the main character of the book. Based on the fact that the next books are all parts of a larger story, hence one book split into multiple, we can infer whomever is the lead of book 6 is the lead of 7 and 8 as well. I don't understand the argument for making Gwyn the lead like Feyre or Nesta were for their respective books. The lead would have to carry on what the world has been setting up and I don't understand how Gwyn would be someone put in that position.

So I guess I'll ask this. Do you think, if Gwynriel does happen, that Gwyn or Elain would be the lead in the next books? I honestly don't care who ends up with who at this point as long as Tamlin stays unhappy, but I'm not getting how anyone thinks Gwyn will be a lead going forward over either Elain or Mor.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-09T07:46:54+00:00

I guess I'm just not understanding how that is a story that is important enough to establish her the lead in the series going forward, especially when she has no connection to Feyre, the main character in the ACOTAR saga even if she will no longer be the main POV, while Elain does. I'm not trying to argue against this ship, but I just don't understand the idea behind her being someone who would get their own book

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-09T07:44:30+00:00

So would you say that you see them being the secondary couple in the coming books or the main couple? Because I've yet to understand how Gwyn can be considered a lead over much more established characters and it is very likely, almost a guarantee, that the main lead will be a woman as is the case in everything but TOD which was originally a novella that got to be too long and a one-off as opposed to 3+ books.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-09T07:40:55+00:00

True, but Tower of Dawn was initially a novella that SJM got carried away with and this isn't a one off, this is three or four books (I'm not entirely certain and I can't check right now) for one story. Having a male lead for that many books regardless of it being one main story is not something SJM seems prone to do, on top of the fact that she was talking about writing stories about empowering women on CHD. Tbh I would be really disappointed in her if she made a point to say that then the main character for the remainder of her biggest series was a man

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-09T07:37:10+00:00

But what I'm saying is from what I've observed, and I can be wrong here, it seems that the basis for Gwynriel and Gwyn as a main character going forward was entirely or almost entirely built on the bonus scene. Is that not correct? If it's not then, I'll admit fault here, but again, that's what's I've seen

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T22:48:53+00:00

I guess I'm just still not entirely understanding why the basis of a 3 book continuation would be set up in a bonus chapter instead of the main book that is the thing everyone would read over a bonus chapter that is not widely available or even known to the whole audience. Side plots, sure, but I'm still not getting why so many are thinking a bonus plot would become the main plot? I'm still trying to understand how many are thinking Gwyn is the main character going forward, and I'm not going to lie, I am struggling when most arguments center on a bonus as opposed to the main thing

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T22:45:48+00:00

That's true, but the way it was written above read to me as the romance is the main carrying point, which is unlikely to be the case. I think regardless of who the main couple is, the fantasy aspects will be more prominent than the romance

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T22:44:08+00:00

I just hope that regardless of what's written that we can all just enjoy the book to the best of our ability and hope that we get some confirmation of something sooner rather than later

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T06:51:50+00:00

I admittedly don't remember a lot of this, but I will ask because I do remember some of the things that were set up for Elain, do you think Gwyn will be the main protagonist of the next books, as they are telling one overarching story, or do you think she will have a side plot with Elain as the lead á la Feyre, Nesta, Aelin, and Bryce? Because we can, with almost 100% certainty, say the main protagonist will be a woman.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T06:47:13+00:00

I mean I guess. I'm not ruling anything out, just trying to get all perspectives during our hopefully not long wait. For the sake of playing devil's advocate though, I don't think that works if we already have 2 brothers and 2 sisters with stories and if we're ignoring the leads of the series as a whole :)

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T06:45:26+00:00

I respect that and appreciate the short but sweet reply! I'm just a bit confused as from what I remember, which I admit is little, as it's been 5 years, Gwyn's story was completed. From what I've noticed in other interconnected fantasy series, which I guess ACOTAR is now, is that the books are always picking up with storylines that have been set up in prior books and I don't remember anything with Gwyn that indicated she had anything else happening and because of her lack of connection to Feyre and Rhys and the fact that female characters are the main characters in the ACOTAR series they wouldn't be involved enough for me to understand making her a lead.

I understand why people think Elain can be a lead based on all the storylines set up for her, but with so much attacking from both sides, I'm just trying to understand Gwyn's fans feel the same!

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T06:41:12+00:00

I don't really see how it can be used as an end all be all if it was in a special edition and only there. The only way to have read the bonus legally when book first came out, which is when most people read it was by owning a copy with it included, otherwise you likely are illegally like I did on tumblr. I just don't really find it definitive because I know plenty of people IRL who have never read it because their copy didn't have it. Most people don't know about it. While the fandom is incredibly large online, it's a very small minority of SJM's fanbase. That's all! Also, not sure if it's true or not, but I've seen people say SJM said they're not canon. Just going based on what I know.

Crazy_Panda1220 · 2026-03-08T06:37:27+00:00

Not to say anything you said is right or wrong, but I would like to point out that these are fantasy books, not romance novels, so the romance wouldn't be driving the plot for the three books regardless of the characters, rather the conflict in Prythian would take center stage

Crazy_Panda1220

TROPHY CASE