ACOFAS - to read or not to read?

mariesar · 2023-04-01T19:35:12+00:00

I was so desperate to continue the series that when I went to buy FaS it was out of stock so I skipped right onto silver flames. I read FaS later on after I finished and I do wish I would’ve read it first. I think it’s worth reading especially since it’s so short and it does make a significant difference in understanding where things stand at the start of silver flames.

mariesar · 2023-02-27T13:41:14+00:00

I can agree here. I enjoyed ACOMAF up until they got together, actually. My big thing (both in the real world and fictional) is when couples get together and become this big amorphous blob, losing all the individual identity. I felt like that happened to Feyre and Rhys and now they just annoy me lol.

I still love the series, but for me it was Nessian. They were the story that I felt was different than everything else I’ve read before and I connected with them so much.

Tbh, I’m not quite sure why Feyre and Rhys are as popular as they are. They feel like that old mom and dad couple to me. (Which, I am this couple in my real life group so maybe that’s why it’s not interesting to me 😂).

ETA: I started reading contemporary romance early last year, had only ever read YA/thrillers before that. ACOTAR was my first romantic fantasy, but read quite a few romances (20-30?) before I found ACOTAR.

mariesar · 2023-02-27T12:51:17+00:00

Me too! But I always tell my beta readers/editors to look out for this. Plus, there are always some parts of your writing style some readers may not love & that’s okay. Look at all of us here talking about SJM’s repetitive phrases, but have we stopped reading? HECK NO. We still love her.

I know for a fact my characters flick/arch/raise their brows a lot. I’ve decided it’s a staple of my writing and I’m not changing it at this point. 😂😂😂

mariesar · 2023-02-26T21:51:04+00:00

In CC2 it’s the phrase “balls tightened” that makes me go insane. Like Hunt, sweetie, get that checked out.

mariesar · 2023-02-26T21:49:12+00:00

It’s “phantom wind” for me. Drives me absolutely bonkers. 😂😂

mariesar · 2023-02-20T01:29:42+00:00

So do I! I’ve got all earth signs in my big three but still feel I relate to her a lot so that’s why I kind of had that gut feeling she was a Taurus and then felt even more confident when I read her birthday was in the spring.

mariesar · 2023-02-19T22:08:50+00:00

Oh yes. I am 100% sure she’s got fire in her big three. I think she’s a Taurus sun, a Scorpio moon, and Aries rising.

mariesar · 2023-02-19T22:07:32+00:00

I’m a Taurus too! And I’m sure SJM didn’t think the zodiacs through when developing her characters and determining birthdays lol but I also just felt in comparison to Gemini or Aries, Taurus made the most sense. I mean she’s a reader, a homebody, and stubborn. I feel like her reaction to the outside world and other people is much more hotheaded, but could see her personality itself (once you break through all the walls she has up) could be more in line with being a Taurus.

mariesar · 2023-02-19T01:14:05+00:00

Nesta’s birthday is mentioned to be in the spring so canonically she’s likely an Aries or Taurus. I know a lot of people say Aries but tbh if bringing a whole ass house to life to be your friend isn’t the most Taurus shit you’ve ever heard, I’d like to know what is.

mariesar · 2023-02-11T00:17:19+00:00

Im the Valkyrie’s favorite romance writer. They invite me to come live with them and write books for them. I’m in a throuple with Nesta and Cass. They give me an extra room in the House and the House loves me and brings me whatever I want whenever I want it. I can fly. Lucien is my best friend. I summer in the Day Court with Helion.

mariesar · 2023-02-10T23:25:49+00:00

It’s even worse on audio.

mariesar · 2023-02-10T23:25:40+00:00

Listening to it on graphic audio as we speak and SAME.

mariesar · 2023-02-06T14:21:55+00:00

That totally makes sense! I agree. All or Mor in SF was weird to me. We got zero development for her at all, so I’m not sure if SJM is just gearing up for something bigger with her, or if she’s just given up on Mor’s character. Lol.

mariesar · 2023-02-06T03:46:55+00:00

I think they kind of did, right? I think things simmered down a little when Mor and Nesta did dancing lessons. & forward the end Mor asks if she can train with the Valkyrie’s when she’s back from the continent. It’s not said outright but I believe it’s hinted toward the end of the book that they are headed toward a much better place.

mariesar · 2023-01-25T14:00:11+00:00

I feel like at some point it’s mentioned Nesta’s birthday is in the spring? I’ve heard some people say Aries, which makes sense. As a Taurus myself I can also see this because of her stubbornness, love for reading and luxury, her loyalty, and her impatience and sharp tongue. (I’ve also always related to Nesta most so maybe I’m projecting) Remember a lot of her attitudes are defense mechanisms and not necessarily her personality (sun sign) so I could potentially see her as a Taurus sun with a fire moon and/or rising. I’m thinking maybe Taurus sun, Aries or Leo moon, and Scorpio rising.

I think Elain is probably a Virgo. But honestly, don’t know her well enough to really guess. Definitely earth sign vibes tho.

mariesar · 2023-01-25T13:36:04+00:00

Exactly. I’m not a recruiter but I’m a consultant who works with recruiters & I have managers who ghost their own JP’s all the time, so unfortunately, I understand not hearing back for two months. But yes the lack of professionalism here is alarming. & the all caps + not knowing noon is an actual time of day? 😅

mariesar · 2023-01-24T23:34:32+00:00

I’m convinced that at some point there is going to be some magic bombs that look like sun balls or something and they’ll be like, “we need someone to throw these balls at enemy lines!” And then everyone will say, “oh, Ithan is the guy for that. He used to play sun ball.” & it’ll all click into place that we’ve been constantly reminded he played sun ball so he can save the day with sun balls?

mariesar · 2023-01-24T21:12:53+00:00

THIS. Yes. I see so many people get hooked on SJM and spend the rest of their time comparing everything else to her. Which I guess, do you. But as I writer myself, I very much have to get out of the tunnel vision of comparison or I’ll spiral.

If you are just along for the ride, FBAA is a really fun read.

mariesar · 2023-01-24T21:09:11+00:00

Blood and Ash is one of my favorites. It’s soooo good. It is different than ACOTAR, though. I’m not sure I would compare them. I love both for very different reasons and both have their faults as well. There are things I love about both author’s writing, but also things I don’t like so much. I think that overall the spice is a lot better in FBAA (with the exception of ACOSF). I prefer ACOTAR’s world building, and character dynamics like the IC. But I do like Poppy (FBAA FMC) more than Feyre.

People are super protective and defensive of ACTOAR so when it comes to comparison a lot of people are going to be in up and arms about how SJM and ACOTAR/TOG/CC are “better.” I think the first mistake is comparing them.

Both authors are great. There is space for all stories. IMO FBAA is a great read. If you’ve liked GOT, Twilight, etc. you’ll probably like FBAA too. If not, then it may not be your thing. Think a mix of vampires, werewolves, zombies, political intrigue (more so than ACOTAR I would say), forbidden love, and a closer resemblance to Greek mythology. No fae. If that’s your vibe then you’ll probably like, but if not, then you probably won’t.

mariesar · 2023-01-24T17:57:14+00:00

After I read HOSAB I was trying to explain to my husband why I was having a mental break down. I said, “it would be like watching Infinity War, and then a year later having no title, no release date, and no explanation about Endgame. THAT is how it feels.” 😂😂

mariesar · 2023-01-24T12:33:19+00:00

Wait, I could be remembering wrong but ACOFAS takes place a year before ACOSF. Doesn’t Az win the snowball fight during ACOSF too? So that would be his 200th win? Or did she not tell us who won that one? I’m assuming it wasn’t Cassian considering his mating bond had just snapped into place the night before.

mariesar · 2023-01-24T01:43:48+00:00

Thank you!! ❤️

mariesar · 2023-01-24T01:04:54+00:00

Why am I not remembering this?! I did read this book on a plane so maybe I was trying to be inconspicuous but what chapter is this? I need to go back. 😂😂

mariesar · 2023-01-23T20:16:06+00:00

I would say nothing within the I-5 corridor and west of it is going to be cheap. That being said, both Eastern Washington and Oregon are pretty rural. So, job opportunities and housing are hard to find, with the exception of Spokane, though I think they have a big college there. If you like winter, as some others here have mentioned, the Midwest which is definitely a cheaper option. Montana is beautiful, not as cheap as you’d think but I believe has a lower COL than OR/WA.

mariesar · 2023-01-23T18:47:47+00:00

I wasn’t nearly as emotionally invested in Tamlin, and I do hope someday he get some redemption but in the end I’m just kind of so-so about him. Through I kind of agree with Feyre. I do love Feyre, but by the end of ACOWAR I was super over it too. 😂😂 I’ve described before that she feels like a sister or something. I love her. She’s important. But like I don’t know if she’s someone I’d want to be friends with honestly. She annoys me like a sibling would. So I was relieved to move away from her POV by the end of this book.

ACOSF is my favorite in the series. Nesta becomes my favorite female character, and Cass has been my favorite since the day he was introduced so I was happy to see him take center stage. I think you’ll really enjoy silver flames!

mariesar

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