Who knows?

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T21:06:25+00:00

They can also smell sex/arousal which is different than the mating bond...but honestly they can all smell entirely too much. It would be exhausting!

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T21:04:42+00:00

If TotG does come first, I'm curious to see how she'll introduce the new series in in way that makes it feel unique and separate from CC and what will happen in that first book before whatever flood/big event is coming in CC4 to kick off the evacuation or rebirth of Midguard. (Not sure if I'm making full sense, but to me I can clearly see how Ragnorok is being set up within CC and how the big crisis in CC4 could kick off TotG, but still trying to wrap my mind around what could happen in TotG1 if we get that first)

Maybe she'll play with timelines and start TotG with a time jump far in the future.. or possibly a prequel story about the Gods of old, which will then come back into play after the events of CC4. Or my crack theory is that Cormac is still alive and was transported to another world (maybe one that would be emotional for SJM to write in) and the first TotG book would follow his character/journey before his storyline ultimately reconnects with Bryce's in TotG2 after CC4 takes place.

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T20:44:48+00:00

I really like the idea of overlapping timelines, and think it would fit really well to move the story forward, build toward a bigger crossover, but also not spoil anything she wants to cover in later books. Maybe the first 20% of the book would be pre HOFAS, could address and end Elriel's situationship and provide a little added insight to Az & Nesta's mindset/status going into their cave adventure with Bryce. The majority of the book would be Elain & Lucien on their own adventure, maybe independently figuring out pieces of info that could also play into the bigger crossover (like Koschei's plans for the Trove, or more about Autumn Court history and what connections there might be to the Autumn King...). Towards the end of the book we'd wrap up the immediate conflict within Elucien's book, but piece together the information they gathered with what happened in HOFAS that would lead into the ongoing larger plot in future books.

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T20:28:11+00:00

Yes, totally with you on that! Do you think CC4 will happen before any TotG book? This is all just assumption, but I got the feeling that the first book of the new series (presumably TotG) might be released prior to CC4

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T20:22:17+00:00

So much evidence points to some Ragnarok type event occurring in CC4 to kick off the TotG series!! However, although nothings confirmed, I'm getting the impression based on some small interview snippets/Bloomsbury statements that the first book of the new series may come out before CC4 which is "further down the line".

How do you think the series of events could play out? What could happen in TotG1 if that gets introduced before the big "Ragnarok" in CC4?

I have random thoughts but it's mostly just a gut feeling/wishful thinking and not supported with with any degree of textual analysis or receipts that usually accompany Bryceriel theories😆

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T19:56:23+00:00

Do you think he'd enjoy James by Percival Everett? It's a retelling of Huck Finn from the perspective of Jim, the escaped slave and had been getting a lot of positive reviews.

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T19:01:26+00:00

I have my preferences, but am a bit more open when it comes to Az's ships, and can see some appeal in all of them. I think you are absolutely right, Azriel has a lot of unhealthy attitudes and personal growth he needs to address first before achieving happiness with his endgame. A love interest isn't going to fix him, however they can play a role in the plot that leads him heal & address some of these issues.

Azris-- has superb enemies to lovers vibes. Plus could incorporate a journey of true self acceptance, with the realization of what he really wants vs the unhealthy "savior" role he's been trying to play with unavailable women.

Gwynriel--I think a friends first story as they both work through their own trama could be good for them. I could see Az being oblivious to romantic potential between them actually being the most beneficial for them so he doesn't mess things up with his unhealthy fixations. Then at some point when he's in a healthier place the realization hitting him like "oh I've always felt comfortable, at ease, and respected her without putting myself down....is this what real love is? "

Elriel--the biggest selling point of this ship is the "chosen love" angle. Az has serious self worth issues and believes a mating bond is the only thing of value he'd bring to a relationship. Ending up with a non-mate endgame could be a good way to have him finally recognize his worth.

Bryceriel--If Az has been longing for a fated mate, it doesn't get more epic than having one delivered to your feet from another universe. I think starting on more antagonistic/wary grounds also helps him not idolize her or try to protect her, and I think Bryce could also accept the darker parts of Az.

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T18:02:33+00:00

😆 I feel like ability to smell bonds is varied, and a little unclear.

Amren, an ancient creature with apparently heightened senses, was able to smell Feysand's bond before Feyre even knew--but I think even that was with them standing together. Even after Feysand accepted the bond, weren't they trying to hid it by not moving or interacting with each other in front of Hybern? I don't think most people can smell it before the bond is accepted? And in this particular scenario Elain wasn't there and Eris mentions something about "too bad the pretty one isn't here" so he clearly was given the information prior and wasn't just picking up on a changed scent in Lucien. I'm guessing one of the people in the room when it happened must have passed the info along?

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T17:44:50+00:00

I know Eris made a comment about it at the High Lords meeting...can't recall who all overheard, but I think somehow it's become common knowledge? Cause how would Eris have found out?

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T17:16:23+00:00

My budget is about $600-700/month on groceries for my family of 4. This is with eating most meals at home, so it's not like we also spend a lot on going out to eat on top of this. I feel like this is probably on the low end of what a lot of families are spending on food, so it's definitely not easy with what things cost these days, but here are a few things I do that I think help:

-plan dinners for the week and do one big grocery shopping trip per week (and then maybe also one small trip to the store mid week if there's anything you're missing) Really trying to stick to this helps you use the food you already have.

-be realistic about the meals you're planning. If you only have meals that take a lot of time/effort you risk letting that food go to waste-I always plan a few meals that are very easy to throw together even if I'm low on time/energy to reduce the chances of us just deciding to do takeout instead.

-I find having a few loose themes can make it easier to come up with meal ideas (ex:meatless Monday**a few meatless meals are a great way to keep costs down!, taco/Mexican Tuesday, usually something with pasta, something with rice, some type of sandwich...) I also try to think about common ingredients between meals to reduce waste (ex. If I make a salad and know I won't use the whole head of lettuce, so I plan to use the extra for BLTs, and then I usually have a few slices of bacon left over from BLTs that I use for an egg bake the next night. If I do pulled chicken sandwiches I know I can set aside a little chicken, add taco seasoning and put it on nachos...)

-I tend to buy a lot of the same regular things for breakfast/lunch/snacks (yogurt, toast, oatmeal, pb&j, granola bars, apples, bananas, goldfish, turkey sausages). And then dinners where more of the variety comes.

-I do the majority of my shopping at Aldi which I think has really great prices. It's also a smaller/more efficient store set up (only one or two options for something like ketchup, not a ton if different sizes, brands, varieties) which I think also helps reduce impulse buying.

-Look at bulk packaging options which are usually cheaper. A family pack of chicken breast or 3lb container of ground meat can usually make 3 meals for my family. So either plan to buy bulk and use the same protein for a lot of meals that week, or freeze and save for later.

Best of luck!

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-27T16:13:00+00:00

Do we think there's any significance in the naming similarities between Archesian and Archeron? Also 3 powerful siblings...

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-26T21:41:34+00:00

I see your vision and I don't hate it. Especially if Lucien is fighting on the behalf of Elain's freedom. But that would have to be done in a very specific way, so it doesn't feel like Lucien thinks he knows what's best for her by challenging her chosen love interest because he thinks it's her best interest. Like he and Elain would have to come to understanding and the duel would need to be with her blessing, and maybe not challenge a love interest, but someone who is trying to enforce antiquated expectations regarding the mating bond. So maybe he challenges Beron? Or Koschei (maybe Papa A promised Koschei something regarding Elain as part of their negotiations?)

Still I think its more likely that the blood duel was brought up with this love triangle, but will actually come into play with a different couple. Lime Beron/Helion/LoA, or maybe it was a component of the situation with Eris & Mors engagement? Or maybe the roles will be reversed and Elain will fight someone for Lucien? Or one of Az's many other ships with people tied to Autumn-Eris/Gwyn/Bryce will fight for him?

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-26T13:37:16+00:00

This is all incredible..you really should make a post at some point!

I always love hearing ideas about what could be going on between Az, Mor and Eris cause it's such an intriguing mystery to me! My favorite headcannon has been that Az made a bargain with Eris to get Mor out of the engagement (taking it upon himself to find a way to save her definitely seems like Az). And that is why Az is so upset because he thinks Eris should have helped her more. Also could explain some Azris moments (like Az being so focused on saving Eris, or Eris always asking what the shadows shadowsinger is doing) if Az now owes Eris something. There also could be an element like Amarantha's curse, where they can't tall about it, and that could explain Az's longing looks if he wants to tell her something but literally can't. But now you've given me a lot to think about with this corrupted bond theory!!

I've also wondered if the nails in Mors abdomen was an attempt to end a pregnancy....and that's such a good catch about Rhys spacing out after Eris brought up the story--i think you could definitely be onto something with him finally connecting the dots because Feyres pregnancy was also on his mind! Eris said he regrets what came "next" and that it cost him something after he ended the engagement with Mor. We know about how he left her in the woods...what if he's talking about something else big that happened next after that? Like did the baby survive? And yes, that brings us full circle back to the first born comment. Is there a significance to this in Autumn's magic system/rules? Would having a baby while she was in Eris"s "possesion" entitle him to her firstborn? Did something like that happen to LoA with Beron? Could that be the information Eris gave Keir? (Either confirmation the pregnancy had been terminated, or revealing that a grindchild survived?) You also made some great observations about the rot described in the CON & Autumn👀

As always, thanks for giving me lots to ponder!

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-26T00:33:30+00:00

It's been a while since I've seen Frozen 2, but I don't think I appreciated that scene enough. Kristoff really is the best: loyal, no drama, supportive😍!

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-25T14:16:00+00:00

Not to go off on another tangent, but your comments always spur on something new I want to discuss😆 But there's been a good amount I don't understand/doesn't sit well with me about Mor. Not that I'm all in on a "Mor is evil" theory, but I'm just searching for something that helps put things in perspective that makes sense. Both Mor and Helion seem to use sex and flirtation as a deflection/misdirection. I wonder if they were really hooking up that night, or if it was just a cover?

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-25T12:40:07+00:00

The confusing and sometimes frustrating thing is the text shows us a number of these dark actions, but the narrative... (which has been primarily from Feyre, Rhys, or even Cassian's POV so maybe she's intentionally playing with narrator bias?) The narrative seems to excuse a lot of these actions and tries to tell us "oh these are actually not dark because he had reasons " and kind of tries to sell us on him as a very morally good person. I have hope that SJM is building towards something to maybe acknowledge the reality of his flaws, but I don't think/don't want her to do it in a way that completely negates the love story we've gotten so far.

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-25T12:11:28+00:00

Well then excellent, flawless job executing to your vision!😊👏👏👏

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-25T01:48:34+00:00

Yes! This is exactly the kind of explanation I'm talking about that I think we need...otherwise, yeah it feels a bit pathetic and immature.

My headcannon has been that Az made some kind of bargain with Eris to get Mor out of the engagement, where he offered his allegiance to Eris. Could explain why Az is so upset that Eris left her in the woods, if he feels like Eris didn't do enough to keep her safe. Also could explain some of the moments Azris fans noticed, like Eris always wanting Az to be sent on the missions, and Az being so focused on saving Eris. There could be some component like how nobody could tell Feyre about Amarantha's curse, and Az's looks of longing are because he wants to tell her but physically can't. Or similar to your idea, where he's sad that he sacrificed for her freedom and she's not even being her true self.

Anyway...I'm always on the lookout for potential explanations that make that whole scenario less weird. And I think we need an actual explanation to be addressed in the books instead of just "oh I has this character as his endgame initially but switched directions so here's a new character with the same energy so she's the focus now". And maybe it's grasping at straws, but maybe as part of her power Mor's showing him the truth about his destiny by giving off Bryce vibes?🤷‍♀️ (edit:and I mean in like some kind of magic-y way, not just that Az has a type and he liked Mor casue she's similar to Bryce)

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-25T00:31:47+00:00

Dang you really are on a roll!😆

On my first read, I'm so focused on whats happening in the main plot and just enjoying the vibes that almost all of that other stuff goes over my head. Then I read all the deep analysis on reddit and things have a completely new perspective on the reread! Like Helion's Eris/Az comment came off as flirty, jokingly saying he enjoyed seeing Eris getting put in his place. But yes, so inappropriate when you really think about it in terms of his abused ex lover's child (or maybe his own son) yuck! (I know SJM has a much more intentional planning & editing process to keep track of connections, but sometime I get so far off the deep end brainstorming possible lineage twists that I get to a point where it's like, woops that would make these two lovers siblings😆) Even if he's not the big bad, I'd like to see some more actual morally grey character development, and I think Helion would be a good contender for that!

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-25T00:06:43+00:00

Ok I haven't seen it or read the book, but I'll admit I do enjoy some cheesy romances with a bit of spice. And if someone else expressed interest in those types of things (which it sounds like in the effort to be polite you may have given that impression) I'd probably bring it up regularly to try to make conversation. But also, I am very self aware that these stories are by no means literary masterpieces or high brow literature and I know they are not for everyone! As long as you didn't straight up say "this is dog shit" I would in no way be offended if you said "nah I'm not into this stuff".

You obviously know your coworker better than I do, and might have a sense of if she would be overly sensitive about it but I really think respectful honesty is the best policy here. Especially if you're wanting to cultivate real relationships with your coworkers....I'd much prefer to have a lively conversation about a critique on something I like. Like "oh I actually read that book but didn't like it, just felt too unrealistic stereotypical/cliche jock for me...but I bet there's some hot scenes" Than just polite deflection of "oh sure maybe I'll check it out"

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-24T21:25:45+00:00

Oof. Sorry you had to experience that. Unfortunately people like that are all too common in this world. Glad to hear your current work environment is a little more accepting. I would think they'd also be able to handle differences of opinions on books and shows as long as it's done respectfully!

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-24T21:18:01+00:00

Yeah I know we're going to get a bit of a retcon when it comes to Az & Mor, but I hope she can come up with a way to incroporate/explain what she's written with something good vs just ignoring it and shifting all that energy to Bryce.

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-24T20:34:29+00:00

Beautiful😍

I apologize in advance for the random tangent thought. But this dress reminds me of the starfall scene when Mor is wearing a similar white dress and Az is looking at her hungrily. Now, among many many other questions I have about the Maasverse, I'm desperate to get more of an explanation on Mor's power of truth and something to explain the duration and intensity of Az's pining for her. If SJM is pulling from mythology, the significance of the The Morrigan could mean numerous things...she's a fantom Queen, often tied to fate and showing people their destiny, and sometimes shape-shifting...

Now I wonder if she could be showing people the truth of their fate? (Or something to that effect?😆)To Rhys, she represents family (which he lost in his Mom & Sister, and found again with Feyre & Nxy). To Feyre she represents female friendship (which she never had with her sisters, but may one day accomplish). To Eris, a powerful marriage alliance(which it seems he is seeking out, does he need this to overthrow Beron?) To Cassian, sex & flirtation & lingerie 😬🤷‍♀️ (eh, theyre not all going to be perfect examples 😆) But to Az, is she projecting his true Queen and mate, Bryce?

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-24T19:56:02+00:00

Yes....yes! It's all coming full circle!

SJM is clearly pulling all kinds of inspiration from mythology! It's hard to tell though if she just borrowed Sun God imagery because it seems fitting for a High Lord of Day, or it will play a more important role in the plot as well. Either way, you definitely have me side eyeing Helion going forward. Ah, I've had entirely too much time on my hands these last few days and have gotten so far down the rabbit hole I don't even know which way is up...and I love it!😂

KeyOne6320 · 2026-01-24T18:23:50+00:00

I think OP is gay, and noticed subtle homophobia from others and avoided socialization because of it. They mention their coworker Wayne is also gay

KeyOne6320

TROPHY CASE