Flights of Fantasy – S5 : Ep 35

ACOWAR: Revisited – Part 1 (A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas)

Podcast Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Anna, Kim, Kristina

Episode Overview

The Flights of Fantasy book club reunites to embark on an in-depth, spoiler-filled revisit of A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR), book three of Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR series. The hosts—Kim, Kristina, and Anna—bring their signature humor, heart, and critical analysis as they break down the novel’s powerful prologue, Feyre’s dramatic Spring Court infiltration, intricate political games, and the tangled web of revenge, consequences, and redemption. This is the first in a multi-part discussion, focusing especially on Feyre's Reputation Era in the Spring Court, power dynamics, and the series' notorious supporting cast.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. ACOWAR’s Prologue: A New Perspective

• [04:07–05:25]
  • First ACOTAR book with a prologue, and it’s from Rhysand’s POV—a rarity.
  • The prologue flashes back to the aftermath of war, focusing on Rhysand’s trauma, grief, and the loss of Illyrian warriors.
  • Quote (Rhysand):
    “I now wondered if the lullaby of death was not a lovely song, but the droning of flies, if flies and maggots were all death's handmaidens.”
    (Kim, 05:00)
  • This sets a somber tone, foreshadowing the brutality of war that pervades ACOWAR.

2. Recapping the First Prythian War and Its Players

• [05:25–07:55]
  • The hosts recount the historical war and its impact: Hybern’s bitterness, land division, and the roots of the main conflict.
  • Drakon, Miriam, and Jurian are key figures—a human, a Fae prince, and a betrayer-turned-double-agent. The dynamics in their love triangle and betrayals help define the book’s emotional stakes.
  • Kristina shares a newfound fascination with Jurian on this reread, finding new layers to his character.

3. What Motivates Hybern?

• [08:55–09:38]
  • Hybern’s war isn’t about destruction, but supposed "liberation"—yet, as Anna points out, Hybern isn’t really oppressed, just greedy.
  • Quote (Amren):
    “They are hellbent on what they believe is liberation of High Fae stifled by the wall and what they believe still belongs to them.”
    (Kim, 08:55)
  • Hosts note how fighting for liberation (however deluded) is a strong motivator—even if, in this case, it’s a justification for greed and violence.

4. Feyre’s Reputation Era: The Infiltration of the Spring Court

• [09:51–16:25]
  • Opening chapters: Feyre returns to Spring Court, bent on vengeance and subterfuge after Tamlin and Ianthe’s betrayal.
    • Comparison to Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ Era: “Instead of Rep TV, we are getting Rep FV. This is Feyre's version. Reputation. Feyre's version.” (Kristina, 09:51)
    • Feyre uses her trauma, painting, and “damsel” persona to lull Tamlin while plotting his downfall.
  • The hosts contrast Feyre’s calculated manipulation with her sometimes impulsive or short-sighted planning.
  • Quote (Feyre’s inner monologue):
    “I suppose that in the past weeks, I had crafted my demeanor as intricately as one of these paintings…”
    (Kristina, 13:16)

5. Consequences of Revenge: Effective but Costly

• [14:46–17:38]
  • Feyre subverts Tamlin’s need for control, weaponizing his protector complex against him.
  • The panel highlights the fallout of Feyre’s actions: destabilizing the Spring Court inadvertently paves the way for Hybern's troops, affecting other courts and innocent citizens.
  • Quote (Tarquin):
    “You left the door open for Hybern. They docked in his harbors. It was an easy trip to my doorstep. You did this.”
    (Kristina, 16:54)
  • Discussion of missed opportunities for communication; frustration with Tamlin and Lucian not confiding in Feyre about playing double agent.

6. Lucian’s Evolution and Power Dynamics

• [18:57–20:32]
  • Lucian is aware that Feyre isn’t the same girl—and not fooled by her act.
    • Hosts point out a potential plot hole about his magical eye and Feyre’s glamoured tattoo.
  • Lucian increasingly stands up to Tamlin, sympathizing with Feyre and subtly supporting her, especially when she humiliates Ianthe.

7. The "Delicious" Manipulation: Feyre, Lucian, and Tamlin

• [21:07–23:46]
  • Feyre deliberately uses Lucian to stoke Tamlin’s jealousy—a complex psychological move, but not without consequences for Lucian.
  • Quote (Feyre):
    “A fanged nightmare, the evidence set into place with my thrashed sheet seats… A nightmare. I told Tamlin I was the nightmare.”
    (Kim, 23:10)
  • Hosts revel in how this scene unveils Feyre’s strategic depths.

8. Ianthe: A “Garbage Trash Whore” and Shameless Gaslighter

• [23:55–26:48]
  • The hosts vent their (humorous but fierce) hatred of Ianthe and dissect her manipulative, sanctimonious facade.
  • Commentary on her gaslighting justifications for turning in Feyre’s sisters and exploiting Tamlin.
  • Kristina, riffing on Ianthe’s apology speeches, 26:15–26:48

9. Feyre Outsmarts Ianthe at Summer Solstice

• [28:15–30:36]
  • One of the most satisfying scenes: Feyre shifts the ceremonial sun marker, causing Ianthe to be bypassed by the sunrise, stealing her glory.
  • Feyre draws on her Day Court power to outshine Ianthe; Lucian quickly plays along, kneeling in reverence.
  • Quote (Feyre):
    “I let my glow spread until it too rippled from Lucien's bowed form—a knight before his queen. When I looked to Ianthe and smiled again, I let a little bit of the wolf show.”
    (Kim, 29:13)
  • Joyous reactions from the hosts at this comeuppance.
    • “This scene has to be done on film or TV somewhere because I must see it.” (Kristina, 30:16)

10. Spring Court’s Collapse: The Whipping Scene

• [31:52–34:34]
  • After Ianthe orchestrates a faux attack, Tamlin is forced—through politics and manipulation—to publicly whip a loyal sentry.
  • Hosts express empathy for Feyre’s growing discomfort with the moral cost of revenge.
  • Quote (Feyre):
    “In this, my revenge edged towards something oily, something foreign and queasy… I’d taken a little piece out of mine as well.”
    (Kristina, 33:33)

11. The Hybern Visitors: Jurian, Branna, and Dagdan

• [34:44–39:03]
  • Hybern sends his brutal twins and Jurian to help find the best breach in the wall and further destabilize the courts.
  • Detailed discussion on FAEBANE (the magic-inhibiting poison) and its role in Hybern’s plans, as well as the unsettling incestuous vibe of the twins.
  • The panel debates magical mechanics around shielding minds.

12. Jurian: The ‘Double Agent’ Reconsidered

• [37:49–40:09]
  • Kristina spotlights Jurian’s character: once a villain, now read as a nuanced, even sympathetic double agent.
  • Jurian’s insightful comments about Rhys and Feyre hint at his true allegiance:
    • Quote (Jurian):
      “Perhaps that's because Rhysand has not lost you at all, but rather unleashed you upon us.”
      (Kristina, 40:06)

13. The Case Against a Tamlin Redemption Arc

• [40:22–42:58]
  • The hosts dissect fandom sympathy for Tamlin, pushing back on the idea that Tamlin is simply a tool of Ianthe.
  • Responsibility and agency: Leadership involves culpability, not just power.
    • “You don’t get to inflate your own power and dominance and then suddenly play this helpless bystander…” (Kim, 41:22)
  • Tamlin’s failures are political as well as personal—the betrayal is larger than romantic drama.

14. Tamlin’s Abuse: The Study Incident

• [43:00–45:16]
  • After Feyre incites Tamlin (standing up to Hybern’s cruelty), Tamlin’s explosive rage physically injures Feyre.
  • The hosts stress: while the outburst was provoked, it still reflects a repeating abusive pattern and doesn’t excuse him.
  • Lucian, devastated, witnesses the fallout. Feyre wanted others to see Tamlin’s lack of control—a key step in her plan.
    • “He didn't know that she was going to be able to shield herself. For all he knew, that was going to happen to her.” (Kim, 44:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Feyre’s Mask in the Spring Court:
  “Every move she makes is calculated…so satisfying. It's so delicious.”
  (Kristina, 11:40–12:20)

• Lucian’s Evolution:
  “We all feel bad for our one-eyed cult member. You know what I mean? We really do.”
  (Kim, 21:24)

• On Ianthe:
  “She is—she's a garbage trash whore.”
  (Christina, 24:03)

• On the Twins from Hybern:
  “It's giving incest, is it not?”
  (Kim, 36:26)

• On Jurian and the Children of the Blessed:
  “I fought a whole goddamn war for this to not happen to protect you…What are you doing?”
  (Christina, 38:40)

• On Tamlin’s Responsibility:
  “You can’t say that Feyre is responsible for her actions and her behavior and her choices, but Tamlin is not.”
  (Kim, 42:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:07] — Rhysand’s prologue and series tone-setting
• [09:51] — Feyre’s “Reputation Era” begins in the Spring Court
• [14:46] — Consequences and morals of Feyre’s revenge
• [21:07] — Feyre manipulates Tamlin using Lucian: the jealousy gambit
• [28:15] — Feyre steals the Summer Solstice ceremony from Ianthe
• [31:52] — The whipping scene: moral costs in focus
• [34:44] — Arrival and analysis of Hybern’s delegation
• [37:49] — Jurian’s shifting allegiance discussed
• [40:22] — The case against exonerating Tamlin
• [43:00] — Tamlin’s abusive anger resurfaces: The study incident
• [45:24] — Preview: Next episode, the Great Escape, Nesta & Elain’s transformation

Tone and Style

• The conversation is vibrant, clever, and full of irreverent humor—balancing deep emotional analysis and playful banter.
• Honest, sometimes snarky (“Ianthe is a garbage trash whore”), but always invested in unpacking fantasy romance’s complexities.
• Pop culture references (Taylor Swift’s Reputation, Game of Thrones) are sprinkled throughout for flavor.
• Hosts move seamlessly from fangirl moments to critical scrutiny, making this equally insightful and entertaining.

Next Time…

• The Great Escape from Spring Court
• Nesta & Elain as Fae
• The Velaris reunion
• The “Mastermind” segment

Don’t miss Part 2 as the hosts tackle even more drama, power struggles, and deep-dives into Maas’s beloved, messy universe.

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