Flights of Fantasy S5, Ep38: ACOWAR Revisited – Part 4

Release Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Christina, Kim, Anna, Emma
Book Discussed: A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) by Sarah J. Maas

Episode Overview

In this episode of Flights of Fantasy, your favorite book besties continue their deep-dive reread of A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR), exploring character arcs, lore, and pivotal moments with a mix of thoughtful criticism and enthusiastic fangirling. The discussion covers Amren’s big reveal, Feyre’s flying lessons with Azriel, the tangled web of Elaine and her visions, early skirmishes in the war, romance moments galore, and the long-awaited High Lords’ meeting. The hosts don’t shy away from examining the emotionally and morally complex threads in Sarah J. Maas’s universe, and they draw rich parallels across the SJM multiverse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amren’s Origin and Sacrifice (04:09)

• Christina shares a detailed breakdown of Amren finally opening up about her origins:
  • Amren reveals she originally came from another world as a being of pure, emotionless power.
    • “…before she took a physical body in this world, she was a creature of pure power, without pain and without emotion.” (04:09)
  • She chose to give up her “perfect immortality” to experience pain, regret, and emotion—a recurring SJM theme of “sacrifice for feeling.”
    • “I yielded my grace, my perfect immortality. I would feel pain and regret. I would want and I would burn with it. I would fall.” (05:04)
  • Christina points out how this echoes religious (angelic, fallen) motifs and ties Amren to dreamers like Mor and Nesta.
• Teased that more on Amren’s original form is coming in the next episode’s “Sunday school lesson” with Anna.

2. Feyre’s Flying Lessons with Azriel: Azriel’s Hidden Depths (06:25)

• Emma and Christina celebrate some of the most tender, character-driven scenes in the book:
  • The humanizing “flying lessons” show Azriel’s softer, playful, subtly snarky side with Feyre (rare in the series).
    • Favorite moment: Feyre crashes into a pine tree—Azriel dryly comments, “Judging by its size, I say it’s been there for 200 years at least.” (08:17)
  • These moments offer rare insight: Azriel empathizes with Feyre’s struggle because he was denied the ability to learn to fly as a child.
  • Azriel’s history lesson about the Seraphim, Drakon, Miriam, and the Nefel philosophy:
    • “What we think to be our greatest weakness can sometimes be our biggest strength, and that the most unlikely person can alter the course of history.” (09:45)
• Christina, summing up fandom feelings: “It just makes us feral and hungry for Azriel’s POV in the next books!” (09:07)

3. Elain’s Visions, Foreshadowing, and Mate Dynamics (10:22)

a. Elain’s Prophetic Ramblings (10:40+)

• The hosts break down Elain’s cryptic statements, drawing out layers of SJM foreshadowing:
  • “I saw young hands wither with age. I saw a box of black stone. I saw a feather of fire, land on snow and melt it.” (11:18)
    • Interpreted as references to: the human queen (young hands), Vassa the firebird (feather of fire), and the onyx box as Koschei’s soul vessel.
  • Her warning of “twin ravens… one white, one black” (12:19) foreshadows the later attack on Nesta and Feyre in the library—missed by her sisters, but later, the significance is clear.

b. Mate Watch: Elain, Lucien, and Trauma (13:08+)

• Lucien attempts to connect with Elain via the mating bond, which unsettles her.
  • When Nesta asks, “What do you need?” Elain replies “Sunshine.” (13:27) Alluding playfully to Lucien’s Day Court heritage, setting up future plotlines.
• Discussion of Elain’s trauma and the hosts advocating for Elain’s autonomy:
  • “She was in love. She was engaged to somebody and then thrown into the cauldron… Lucien was there, complicit.” (14:52)
  • “It’s valid. I know in Feyre’s head, the mating bond’s so coveted… but to Elain, it’s not. Yet.” (19:15)

c. Azriel, Elain, and Seer Revelation (20:13+)

• Azriel alone recognizes Elain is now a seer:
  • “She doesn't need anything,” Azriel answered… “We’re the ones who need—a seer, he said, more to himself than usual. The Cauldron made you a seer.” (20:36)
  • Christina points out this is “huge pro in the Azriel-Elain column!”
• Mor’s powers confirm Azriel’s revelation, but the hosts note inconsistency and plot convenience in her “truth-detecting” abilities.
• Elain’s step down toward Lucien as he departs (24:13) is analyzed for romantic and prophetic significance.

4. Azriel & Elain: SJM’s Love Triangle Diplomacy (25:31)

• Christina and Emma stress agency and respect in shipping debates (“We are firmly Team Gwynriel, but… we also acknowledge the real moments between Azriel and Elain,” 26:48).
• Analysis of symbolic moments:
  • Elain’s cobalt blue dress matches Azriel’s siphons in ACOMAF—color symbolism as subtle foreshadowing. (27:48)
  • Detailed reading of their first interaction in ACOWAR—Elain does not shy away from Azriel, notices his scars and siphon color, eliciting a blush from Azriel. (29:07)
  • Theorizing about Azriel’s shadows vanishing around Elain: does it mean he’s fully himself, or is he hiding a part of himself?
• Discussion of the growth these connections may allow before ultimate pairings play out: “Maybe they need each other to become who they are, to then be with their final person.” (31:23)

5. Library Attack: Nesta, Feyre, & Bargains with Darkness (33:15)

• The attack by Hybern’s Ravens is a major turning point:
  • Bryaxis, the monstrous being in the library’s depths, is unleashed in exchange for “company… someone to talk with.” (34:54)
  • Cassian, despite his fear, rushes to protect Feyre; he and Nesta share a rare, raw moment of vulnerability and sibling loyalty.

6. Summer Court Battle & Mask-Off Night Court (37:45)

• Summer Court attacked: chaotic, unplanned first true battle for Feyre as a warrior; Christina highlights Rhysand’s power and the impact of seeing him “mist” the enemy (38:52).
• Feyre’s strategic offer to keep Illyrians stationed as allies; Rhysand publicly declares Feyre as his equal:
  • “She is High Lady of the Night Court. She may do as she wishes.” (40:17)
• Feyre proposes removing their “masks” at the High Lords’ Meeting, so courts can see the truth of the Night Court, not just their reputation. (40:46)

7. Nesta, Cassian, and Multiple “Mate Watch” Moments (43:04)

• Detailed, giddy unpacking of Cassian and Nesta’s emotionally charged moments:
  • Nesta worriedly asks for Cassian by name; “I didn’t think I’d ever heard his name from her lips.” (43:13)
  • Their physical connection, interlacing fingers, and Cassian’s lingering gaze: “There was no warmth, no tenderness... only that raging intensity, that blend of contempt and understanding, and for fire.” (45:14)
  • Nesta’s verbal defense of Cassian at the High Lords’ meeting, calling him “that bastard” who might save their world (48:16).
• Nesta’s growth: asking to attend the High Lords’ meeting because “I do not want to be remembered as a coward.” (49:20)

8. The High Lords’ Meeting: Masks Off, Chaos On (51:36)

• The showpiece scene: every High Lord (except Tamlin, late) gathers; alliances, grievances, and banter abound.
  • Review of each High Lord’s tension or highlights—Viviane gets a shout-out for best supporting wife.
• Tamlin’s notorious entrance: his bitterness derails the diplomatic attempt.
  • Host rage at Tamlin’s lines:
    • Tamlin: “You’re just in the business of fucking them.” (55:12)
    • Feyre’s retort: “The sun was shining when I left you.” (56:06)
  • Host Emma: “When someone says you’re dead, it’s time to lie down. Give it up. It’s done.” (56:54)
• Favorite Azriel Moments:
  • Azriel tells Tamlin: “Be careful how you speak about my High Lady.” (57:52)
  • Azriel attacks Eris for slut-shaming Mor, requiring Feyre’s personal intervention to calm him. (58:41)
• Rhysand, mask off and deadly:
  • Tamlin: “…the moment you let him fuck you…”
    Rhys (quietly silences Tamlin): “The gasping fish look is a good one for you, Tamlin.” (64:05)
  • Everyone, including the other High Lords, is reminded of the sheer force Rhys wields.

9. Moral Complexity: Feyre’s Revenge in the Spring Court (65:45)

• The hosts examine the long-term consequences of Feyre’s actions while undercover:
  • Tamlin (bitter): “You primed my court to fall… those villages you wanted so badly to help rebuild are nothing more than cinders.” (65:45)
  • Emma: “She technically wins, but it’s not a clean victory…It’s pretty morally complex, what she does.” (67:35)
  • Christina: “If Rhys had come in and was just like, ‘I’m getting Feyre back, we’re going to war,’ … would we question it as much?” (67:56)
• Reflection on how SJM doesn’t let the reader forget unintended ripple effects—even, or especially, for beloved heroines.

10. Feyre’s Power Revealed (70:33)

• Baron insults Rhysand; Feyre responds with overwhelming elemental power (all seven courts’ magic revealed).
  • Fierce exchange with Rhysand supporting her mind-to-mind:
    • Feyre, ready to kill Baron: “Then I’ll kill all of them.”
    • Rhys: “I love you. The words of that hateful bastard don’t mean anything. He has nothing of joy in his life. Nothing good. We do.” (71:01)
  • Feyre accidentally outs herself as possessing all High Lord powers—a blow to their strategy, but a mask-off moment for all.

11. High Stakes Cliffhanger (73:14)

• After the first day of the meeting, Nesta senses something is deeply wrong. As the session continues, she collapses—Rhysand confirms Hybern has destroyed the wall.
  • “We were too late, too slow. Hybern just destroyed the wall… the fight is at our doorstep.” (74:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• Amren on sacrifice:

  • “I yielded my grace, my perfect immortality. I would feel pain and regret. I would want and I would burn with it. I would fall.” (05:04) – Read by Christina

• Azriel’s dry humor:

  • “Judging by its size, I say it’s been there for 200 years at least.” (08:17) — Azriel, teaching Feyre to fly

• Nefel Philosophy (thematic backbone):

  • “What we think to be our greatest weakness can sometimes be our biggest strength, and that the most unlikely person can alter the course of history.” (09:45) – Recounted by Emma

• Elain’s need:

  • “Sunshine. And we cannot not note that if Lucien is the heir to the Day Court… she wants the sunshine, all of it.” (13:27) – Christina

• Azriel, first to see the seer:

  • “She doesn’t need anything… We’re the ones who need—a seer, he said, more to himself than usual.” (20:36)

• Azriel’s fierce loyalty:

  • “Be careful how you speak about my High Lady.” (57:52)

• Feyre’s retort to Tamlin:

  • “The sun was shining when I left you.” (56:06)

• Rhysand’s effortless dominance:

  • “The gasping fish look is a good one for you, Tamlin.” (64:05)

• Feyre’s confrontation with Baron:

  • “Then I’ll kill all of them… I love you. The words of that hateful bastard don’t mean anything. He has nothing of joy in his life. Nothing good. We do.” (71:01) – Rhys to Feyre, mind-to-mind.

Mastermind Section: SJM Multiverse Parallels & Easter Eggs (75:49)

• Rhysand and Aelin Parallels: Both are secret keepers, making high-stakes moves behind the scenes—discussed with reference to Throne of Glass and Kingdom of Ash. (75:49)
• “Crown of Stars” Motif: Noted appearing across SJM’s books, symbolically uniting female protagonists (Feyre, Aelin, others). (78:44)
• Thanatos/Fury Theory:
  • Lord Thanatos from ACOTAR is also a Prince of Hel in Crescent City; the speculation ties Fury's mysterious origins to the Furies (Eumenides) of Greek myth.
  • “Lord Thanatos is having difficulties with his daughter again…” (80:15)
  • Parallels are drawn for SJM-interconnected universe speculation.

Flow & Tone

• The hosts keep a warm, witty, and passionate tone, balancing fangirl energy (“We are feral for Azriel!”) with careful critical analysis of character motivations and SJM’s narrative structure.
• They frequently reference running fandom debates (“mate watch” for Nesta/Cassian, Azriel/Elain/Gwyn), striving to honor agency and nuance in romantic ships.
• The podcast is engaging for readers who want both fun and thoughtful and always closes with a welcoming invitation to continue the conversation.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Amren’s reveal – 04:09
• Azriel & Feyre’s flying lesson – 06:25, 07:16
• Elain’s visions & Mate Watch – 10:22, 13:08, 20:13
• Azriel & Elain analysis – 25:31–33:14
• Library attack & Bryaxis – 33:15–36:44
• Battle at Summer Court & Tarquin – 37:45–40:45
• Cassian & Nesta moments – 43:04, 45:14, 48:16
• Nesta’s character growth – 49:20
• High Lords’ Meeting – 51:36–73:14
• Cliffhanger (wall destroyed) – 73:14
• Mastermind Section (multiverse & theories) – 75:49

For Next Episode

• The hosts sign off promising to pick up with the aftermath of the High Lords’ meeting, the war with Hybern, and more SJM cross-series “mastermind” theorizing.
• Spoiler warning: Next time will go into full series and SJM multiverse spoilers.

“There’s always room for one more bestie in our book club!” – Flights of Fantasy Podcast