u/PocketButterBandit

I'm not saying having the books be in a shared universe is a bad thing. The thing is, there is nothing on any of the books to indicate they're in a shared universe.

An sjm stan jumped down my throat when I said something in acotar was a huge plot hole.

"Well it would make sense if you read crescent city."

What the actual fuck are you talking about? Why would I ever think I would have to read an authors totally separate book series in order to understand what's happening in one?

"if you were a real sjm fan you'd know. And you need to read them in order of publication"

WHAT?

Like first off Im not an sjm fan where I read every book she pumps out. Just because I read one series doesn't mean I'm going to read the others (when there is nothing indicating they're connected). I've never read a book and thought "hmm I should read all the other books the author has written just in case these characters show up in them too"

Secondly how tf is anyone supposed to know that?

Cassandra Claire's two series, the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices are in a shared universe. Know how I know that? The book covers fucking tell you. They're both Shadowhunters novels. It's says so on both the front and back covers.

Can anyone point out ANYWHERE on any of the books covers that indicate they're all a part of the same universe?

No. You can't, because they don't.

If it was small cameos, okay fine. Whatever. But when the cross overs have major implications the decision to not make this clear is a disservice to the readers and just baffling.

Edit: not everyone is understanding the main point of my frustration. It's the fact that no where outside of the books is there any indication of a shared multiverse. If, like me, you bought all 5 acotar when they were already released, how are you supposed to have any idea at all that you have to read her other series in order to get all the info about the world and characters in acotar?

They're presented as totally separate book series. There is no cross over in acotar. I had/have no interest in reading her other books. They may be fantasy but they aren't the same sub genre.

If I had known they were related somehow I'd be less annoyed, but reading 5 books and then being told out of the blue you have to read twelve more of two different stories is just... What the hell?

I'd forgotten about it being a thing til seeing one of those "baby on board" signs on a car, but instead it said "Littles inside".

Every now and then I try a redemption story and get a new Tradescantia zebrina. I stg they die on me by pure spite.

Okay, something I never see anyone mention is if Feyre would have actually been able to break the curse. From day one I realized the entire book and Tamlins attempt to woo her was pointless.

One of the requirements Amarantha placed was that the human woman had to kill a Fae with no provocation, solely because of hatred for their kind.

While hunting, yes, Feyre thinks there's a very good chance the wolf is a Fae, but isn't positive. She also worries that if she does nothing it will take the doe she's hunting and her family will go hungry.

Well... That's that then. She won't fit the criteria. There's doubt in her head it's not just a wolf and she has an alternative reason to kill it. She doesn't kill Andras purely from hatred of Fae and no other reason.

Arguably, by changing the guards into wolves that would cause doubt in every single human that comes across them. Maybe this isn't a Fae and is a dangerous animal. If there's doubt then the kill cannot be only because of its race and no kill would fit the requirements.

Feyre would never have been able to break the curse in the first place.

Small addition that Tamlins last ditch effort to get her to say I love you when sending her away wouldn't have broken the curse alone. He also had to get the human to agree to marry him. So he would have had to purpose and have her accept right then and there.

SJM made Amaranthas curse so detailed and convoluted it was nearly impossible to break from the start.

Did SJM do that on purpose to show that Amarantha was toying with him the whole time? Or did SJM just not actually think it through and ignored the issue, never looking back and addressing it?

(Im pretty certain it's the latter)

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Edit:

I feel like some people are feeling defensive about this and I want to point something out. If this was intentional, it would be so fucking clever.

Amarantha is known for her wordplay and loopholes. Like ommiting the time frame for freedom if Feyre completes the tasks.

If we analyze this and assume that Amarantha did word it so specifically that it would be nearly impossible to meet all the criteria, that would be such an interesting and clever detail. This isn't a "what a bad thing and it ruins the book" take. I think this would actually make it all so much more interesting. Feyre never actually would have been able to break the curse from the very start.

The entire thing was a ploy from Amarantha to give Tamlin (and everyone else) hope, only for him to watch his own guards die one by one. And if he did get a human to say she loved him, she likely wouldn't fit the requirements and it would break him. When he's finally dragged under the mountain he's so broken Amarantha assumes he would submit to her so much more easily.

This theory is something I think is good and makes the story more interesting. It adds another layer.

So my fic is a prequel, starting with day one under the mountain, but if Amarantha made Rhysands abuse and non-consent public from the start. I've posted about it before. Shits full of angst and hurt.

But somehow I've run into a problem that hurts more than anything else. I've tried to flesh out side characters including, Andras. We know he and Lucien are friends in canon, it's quickly developed into the two of them having past romance in my fic, bc apparently everyone is gay (Andras has dimples and Lucien blushes, lord have mercy).

Ive never so desperately wanted to change my plans and have Andras live. I love him so much. I want him and our baby boy Lucien to be happy.

I already have his death and the reactions all planned out. Now I'm wondering if I can do a fake out. Everything is the same but we find out another guard knocked Andras out and took his place out of loyalty? (idk how tf Lucien forgave let alone befriended Feyre after she SKINNED HIS FRIEND in canon.)

This is almost more of a rant than anything else while I tear out my hair

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You are a weapon; and weapons don't weep

"Andras exits the tree line. His horse weaves through the thick underbrush with ease as a group of guards follows him. They are all young—too young.

Andras gives Lucien a quick wink.

Briar’s bow clatters to the ground. “Emissary?” he squeaks. “Lord Lucien! I apologize, I did not recognize you.”

Briar and the four other guards dip into low, frantic bows. Lucien glances at Andras, who is barely holding in his laughter. He tries to ignore the way Andras’s eyes crinkle, the dimple forming in his cheek—but his mechanical eye ignores him in turn, whirring as it locks onto that small dip with obsessive focus. He is almost grateful for the mask covering the heat rising to his face."