Flights of Fantasy â S5 : Ep 35
ACOWAR: Revisited â 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. Maasâ ACOTAR series. The hostsâKim, Kristina, and Annaâbring their signature humor, heart, and critical analysis as they break down the novelâs powerful prologue, Feyreâs 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. ACOWARâs Prologue: A New Perspective
- [04:07â05:25]
- First ACOTAR book with a prologue, and itâs from Rhysandâs POVâa rarity.
- The prologue flashes back to the aftermath of war, focusing on Rhysandâs trauma, grief, and the loss of Illyrian warriors.
- Quote (Rhysand):
âI 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.â
(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
- [05:25â07:55]
- The hosts recount the historical war and its impact: Hybernâs bitterness, land division, and the roots of the main conflict.
- Drakon, Miriam, and Jurian are key figuresâa human, a Fae prince, and a betrayer-turned-double-agent. The dynamics in their love triangle and betrayals help define the bookâs emotional stakes.
- Kristina shares a newfound fascination with Jurian on this reread, finding new layers to his character.
3. What Motivates Hybern?
- [08:55â09:38]
- Hybernâs war isnât about destruction, but supposed "liberation"âyet, as Anna points out, Hybern isnât really oppressed, just greedy.
- Quote (Amren):
âThey are hellbent on what they believe is liberation of High Fae stifled by the wall and what they believe still belongs to them.â
(Kim, 08:55) - Hosts note how fighting for liberation (however deluded) is a strong motivatorâeven if, in this case, itâs a justification for greed and violence.
4. Feyreâs Reputation Era: The Infiltration of the Spring Court
- [09:51â16:25]
- Opening chapters: Feyre returns to Spring Court, bent on vengeance and subterfuge after Tamlin and Iantheâs betrayal.
- Comparison to Taylor Swiftâs âReputationâ Era: âInstead of Rep TV, we are getting Rep FV. This is Feyre's version. Reputation. Feyre's version.â (Kristina, 09:51)
- Feyre uses her trauma, painting, and âdamselâ persona to lull Tamlin while plotting his downfall.
- The hosts contrast Feyreâs calculated manipulation with her sometimes impulsive or short-sighted planning.
- Quote (Feyreâs inner monologue):
âI suppose that in the past weeks, I had crafted my demeanor as intricately as one of these paintingsâŠâ
(Kristina, 13:16)
- Opening chapters: Feyre returns to Spring Court, bent on vengeance and subterfuge after Tamlin and Iantheâs betrayal.
5. Consequences of Revenge: Effective but Costly
- [14:46â17:38]
- Feyre subverts Tamlinâs need for control, weaponizing his protector complex against him.
- The panel highlights the fallout of Feyreâs actions: destabilizing the Spring Court inadvertently paves the way for Hybern's troops, affecting other courts and innocent citizens.
- Quote (Tarquin):
âYou left the door open for Hybern. They docked in his harbors. It was an easy trip to my doorstep. You did this.â
(Kristina, 16:54) - Discussion of missed opportunities for communication; frustration with Tamlin and Lucian not confiding in Feyre about playing double agent.
6. Lucianâs Evolution and Power Dynamics
- [18:57â20:32]
- Lucian is aware that Feyre isnât the same girlâand not fooled by her act.
- Hosts point out a potential plot hole about his magical eye and Feyreâs glamoured tattoo.
- Lucian increasingly stands up to Tamlin, sympathizing with Feyre and subtly supporting her, especially when she humiliates Ianthe.
- Lucian is aware that Feyre isnât the same girlâand not fooled by her act.
7. The "Delicious" Manipulation: Feyre, Lucian, and Tamlin
- [21:07â23:46]
- Feyre deliberately uses Lucian to stoke Tamlinâs jealousyâa complex psychological move, but not without consequences for Lucian.
- Quote (Feyre):
âA fanged nightmare, the evidence set into place with my thrashed sheet seats⊠A nightmare. I told Tamlin I was the nightmare.â
(Kim, 23:10) - Hosts revel in how this scene unveils Feyreâs strategic depths.
8. Ianthe: A âGarbage Trash Whoreâ and Shameless Gaslighter
- [23:55â26:48]
- The hosts vent their (humorous but fierce) hatred of Ianthe and dissect her manipulative, sanctimonious facade.
- Commentary on her gaslighting justifications for turning in Feyreâs sisters and exploiting Tamlin.
- Kristina, riffing on Iantheâs apology speeches, 26:15â26:48
9. Feyre Outsmarts Ianthe at Summer Solstice
- [28:15â30:36]
- 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):
âI let my glow spread until it too rippled from Lucien's bowed formâa knight before his queen. When I looked to Ianthe and smiled again, I let a little bit of the wolf show.â
(Kim, 29:13) - Joyous reactions from the hosts at this comeuppance.
- âThis scene has to be done on film or TV somewhere because I must see it.â (Kristina, 30:16)
10. Spring Courtâs Collapse: The Whipping Scene
- [31:52â34:34]
- After Ianthe orchestrates a faux attack, Tamlin is forcedâthrough politics and manipulationâto publicly whip a loyal sentry.
- Hosts express empathy for Feyreâs growing discomfort with the moral cost of revenge.
- Quote (Feyre):
âIn this, my revenge edged towards something oily, something foreign and queasy⊠Iâd taken a little piece out of mine as well.â
(Kristina, 33:33)
11. The Hybern Visitors: Jurian, Branna, and Dagdan
- [34:44â39:03]
- 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 Hybernâs plans, as well as the unsettling incestuous vibe of the twins.
- The panel debates magical mechanics around shielding minds.
12. Jurian: The âDouble Agentâ Reconsidered
- [37:49â40:09]
- Kristina spotlights Jurianâs character: once a villain, now read as a nuanced, even sympathetic double agent.
- Jurianâs insightful comments about Rhys and Feyre hint at his true allegiance:
- Quote (Jurian):
âPerhaps that's because Rhysand has not lost you at all, but rather unleashed you upon us.â
(Kristina, 40:06)
- Quote (Jurian):
13. The Case Against a Tamlin Redemption Arc
- [40:22â42:58]
- 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.
- âYou donât get to inflate your own power and dominance and then suddenly play this helpless bystanderâŠâ (Kim, 41:22)
- Tamlinâs failures are political as well as personalâthe betrayal is larger than romantic drama.
14. Tamlinâs Abuse: The Study Incident
- [43:00â45:16]
- After Feyre incites Tamlin (standing up to Hybernâs cruelty), Tamlinâs explosive rage physically injures Feyre.
- The hosts stress: while the outburst was provoked, it still reflects a repeating abusive pattern and doesnât excuse him.
- Lucian, devastated, witnesses the fallout. Feyre wanted others to see Tamlinâs lack of controlâa key step in her plan.
- âHe didn't know that she was going to be able to shield herself. For all he knew, that was going to happen to her.â (Kim, 44:43)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Feyreâs Mask in the Spring Court:
âEvery move she makes is calculatedâŠso satisfying. It's so delicious.â
(Kristina, 11:40â12:20) -
Lucianâs Evolution:
âWe all feel bad for our one-eyed cult member. You know what I mean? We really do.â
(Kim, 21:24) -
On Ianthe:
âShe isâshe's a garbage trash whore.â
(Christina, 24:03) -
On the Twins from Hybern:
âIt's giving incest, is it not?â
(Kim, 36:26) -
On Jurian and the Children of the Blessed:
âI fought a whole goddamn war for this to not happen to protect youâŠWhat are you doing?â
(Christina, 38:40) -
On Tamlinâs Responsibility:
âYou canât say that Feyre is responsible for her actions and her behavior and her choices, but Tamlin is not.â
(Kim, 42:47)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [04:07] â Rhysandâs prologue and series tone-setting
- [09:51] â Feyreâs âReputation Eraâ begins in the Spring Court
- [14:46] â Consequences and morals of Feyreâs revenge
- [21:07] â Feyre manipulates Tamlin using Lucian: the jealousy gambit
- [28:15] â Feyre steals the Summer Solstice ceremony from Ianthe
- [31:52] â The whipping scene: moral costs in focus
- [34:44] â Arrival and analysis of Hybernâs delegation
- [37:49] â Jurianâs shifting allegiance discussed
- [40:22] â The case against exonerating Tamlin
- [43:00] â Tamlinâs abusive anger resurfaces: The study incident
- [45:24] â Preview: Next episode, the Great Escape, Nesta & Elainâs transformation
Tone and Style
- The conversation is vibrant, clever, and full of irreverent humorâbalancing deep emotional analysis and playful banter.
- Honest, sometimes snarky (âIanthe is a garbage trash whoreâ), but always invested in unpacking fantasy romanceâs complexities.
- Pop culture references (Taylor Swiftâs 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 TimeâŠ
- The Great Escape from Spring Court
- Nesta & Elain as Fae
- The Velaris reunion
- The âMastermindâ segment
Donât miss Part 2 as the hosts tackle even more drama, power struggles, and deep-dives into Maasâs beloved, messy universe.
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