S6 : Ep 5 - ACOSF : Revisited - PART 2

Summary

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Flights of Fantasy Podcast

Season 6, Episode 5 – ACOSF Revisited: PART 2

A Deep Dive into "A Court of Silver Flames" by Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: February 17, 2026
Hosts: Anna, Kim, Christina

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Episode Overview

The Flights of Fantasy hosts continue their comprehensive revisit of Sarah J. Maas’s "A Court of Silver Flames" (ACOSF), diving into family dynamics, trauma arcs, redemption possibilities, world-building theories, and connections across the Maasverse. Through honest discussion peppered with humor and heartfelt admiration for the characters, Anna, Kim, and Christina unpack the emotional complexity of Nesta, the nuances of sisterhood, speculation for future books, and multiverse-level Easter eggs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spoiler Warning and Series Context

• [04:11] Kim: Official spoiler warning for the entire ACOTAR series. Additional spoilers for "Throne of Glass" and "Crescent City" included in the "Mastermind" section at the end.

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2. The Archeron Sisters: Tangled Family Trauma

[04:40–16:22]

• Upward Trajectory, Crushed: After the sisters’ bonding in "A Court of Frost and Starlight" (ACOFAS), their father’s death sends Nesta spiraling (05:07).
• Parental Favoritism: Feyre describes how their mother preferred Nesta, leading to lasting resentment and self-image issues (05:27).
  • Quote: “She only had an interest in Nesta. She ignored me and saw Elain as barely more than a doll to dress up. But Nesta was hers.” – Feyre ([05:27])
  • Hosts agree: "Her mom sucks." ([05:49])
• Nesta’s Perspective: Christina highlights the “Wings and Embers” bonus scene for insight into Nesta’s rage and self-loathing pre-Fae transformation. Nesta’s feelings rooted in helpless anger at her father’s inaction and resentment at Feyre for saving them ([06:47]).
  • Quote: “I felt it all too keenly, too sharply. Hated and cared, loved and dreaded more than other people.” ([06:47])
• Sibling Guilt & Anger: Nesta hates the reflection Feyre provides; it makes her confront guilt and failure ([10:10]).
  • Quote: “I don't think Nesta hates Feyre. But I think she hates what Feyre makes her feel.” – Christina ([10:09])
  • "She hates the mirror that Feyre forces her to hold up to herself." – Kim ([10:18])
• Generational Trauma: Discussion of “creature” language and parallels to generational abuse ([11:39]), and the total absence of healthy parent figures.
• Contrasting Trauma Arcs: Feyre internalizes guilt/disassociation, Nesta externalizes rage/self-destruction ([12:55]).
  • Hosts reflect on the difficulty of forgiving Nesta and how Sarah J. Maas writes trauma with variety and empathy. “Sister dynamics in this series are so interesting.” – Kim ([14:29])
• Elain’s Role: Anticipation that Elain’s eventual story will reveal how “being on the outside” has shaped her too ([15:47]).

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3. Eris: Laying the Groundwork for Redemption

[18:00–23:19]

• Eris’s Arc Did Not Start with ACOSF: His complexity and possible redemption have been foreshadowed from earlier books ([18:11]).
• Not a Monster, but Morally Gray: His actions are products of a nightmarish home life under Baron, the abusive Autumn Court High Lord ([19:01]).
• Evidence for Redemption:
  • Sacrificed for Mor, went out of his way to buy her time ([19:45]).
  • Quote: “Cassian says... ‘I see you, Eris. You’re not one of them. Not even close. I think you might even be a good male. ...You’re just too much of a coward to act like one.’” ([20:03])
• Lingering Mysteries: Debating Eris’s leaving Mor "untouched" and his cryptic "Perhaps you should ask Morrigan whether that is true. I think she finally knows the answer." ([21:24])
  • Hosts’ frustration: “Sarah…You have to tell us. We can’t live like this.” – Kim & Christina ([21:30–21:36])
• Redemption Arc Demands: Hosts expect major new information for true forgiveness ([23:09]), but admit Eris’s snark and disrespect toward Cassian remain a sticking point.

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4. The State of Tamlin and the Spring Court

[23:51–29:07]

• Tamlin’s Downfall: He’s MIA and so emotionally shattered, his connection to his land is literally withering ([24:05–24:34]).
  • Quote: “The Supreme Court has fallen into absolute disarray... The land’s going into disarray because… he is.” – Christina ([25:01])
• Beauty and the Beast Parallels: Hosts theorize that Tamlin is now fully “the Beast,” and that perhaps Elain, not Feyre, will be the "Belle" to help Spring Court heal ([26:16]).
• Potential Arcs:
  • Tamlin’s noble self-sacrifice as possible redemption ([27:23]).
  • Lucien and Elain as rulers of Spring, with Lucien possibly “spell cleaving” Tamlin free from High Lord power ([28:04]).
  • Elaine’s powers used to “Moana the lands” and restore Spring ([26:37]).
• Literary Clues Favoring Elain in Spring Court:
  • Black “leaches the brightness” from Elain; Spring Court feels “made for someone like her.” – [29:14]
  • “Elaine's scent ... like a promise of spring.” – Christina ([30:41])
  • “...not saying that she has to end up with Tamlin to be tied to the Spring Court.” – Kim ([31:03])
  • Cassian/Elain theory: Azriel and Elain together for a time, but not endgame ([31:13]).

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5. Rhysand’s Controversial Portrayal Through Nesta’s Eyes

[33:47–38:57]

• Different POV, Different Rhys: Readers accustomed to Feyre's loving perspective now see a grimmer side of Rhys ([33:48]).
• Rhysand’s Distrust of Nesta: He admonishes Nesta to treat Gwyn with “kindness and respect,” showing harshness and lingering doubt ([34:45]).
  • Quote: “You are to treat Gwyn with kindness and respect.” – Rhysand ([34:55])
• Host Analysis: Rhys’s protectiveness of the priestesses is understandable given Nesta’s earlier cruelty, but the delivery feels off ([35:57]) — would earlier Rhys have handled it differently? ([36:10])
• Cassian Defends Nesta: Calls Rhys out for being unwilling to believe good of Nesta, leading to an apology ([37:12]).
  • Quote: “I’m pissed off that you can’t seem to believe even one good thing about her…” – Cassian ([37:24])
  • “I’m sorry. I will.” – Rhys ([37:54])
• Acknowledging Complexity: The hosts appreciate Rhys’s accountability, but note reader tension comes from strong attachment to his earlier characterization ([38:57]).

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6. The House of Wind: A Character of Its Own

[40:15–43:38]

• House as Friend: Nesta’s magic “magics” the House into the friend she desperately needs ([40:26]).
  • Quote: “She wishes for a friend and her magical power makes the house into her friend. It’s so beautiful.” – Christina ([40:35])
• Noteworthy House Moments:
  • House refusing Nesta’s request for wine, insisting on water ([41:04]).
  • House drops smut novels by Nesta’s bed; “girly time” with Gwyn and Emerie ([41:19]).
  • House supports Nesta’s mental health journey with tailored self-care ([41:52]).
  • Most poignant: The scene where the House helps Nesta confront her darkness in the library ([42:26]):
    • Quote: “You are my friend and my home. Thank you for sharing this with me.” – Nesta ([43:29])
• Hosts’ Reaction: Deeply moved by the growth this symbolizes and the gentle care the House provides.

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7. Azriel – Comic Relief, Mystery, and the Road Ahead

[44:08–48:46]

• Azriel’s Role in ACOSF: Less present, but memorable as the “chaperone/comedian,” notably when he jokes about not being enough to keep Cassian and Nesta in line ([44:27]).
  • Quote: “Azriel threw him a wicked smile: ‘I’m not entirely sure I’m enough.’” ([44:30])
• Unique Relationship with Nesta: Not scared of Azriel; both possess “black cat energy,” understand each other ([45:25]).
• Fandom Anticipation: Hosts joke that if Sarah J. Maas doesn’t give Azriel a focus in ACOTAR 6, mass uproar will ensue ([46:45]).
• Foreshadowing Future Healing: Azriel’s unresolved family trauma (mom and half-brothers alive), hatred for Illyrians, and potential parallels with Nesta’s journey ([47:37]).

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8. Mastermind: Theories & Maasverse Easter Eggs

[50:10–61:53] (Spoilers for "Throne of Glass" and "Crescent City")

a) Planetary Models and Alternate Worlds

• Rhys’s working model of their world and stars mirrors the Autumn King’s Ori in Crescent City ([51:24]).
• Both “study” the possibility of other worlds and origins, hinting at a grand interconnectedness.

b) Koschei, the Lake Creature, & TOG

• Reddit Theory: Koschei from ACOSF might be the same as the ancient cursed lake creature in TOG’s "Heir of Fire" ([53:02]).
  • Quote: “...from another world and ...cursed by a Faerie warrior to stay trapped within the lake.” – Direct comparison to Koschei ([53:36])
• Potential multiversal links through water and whispering.

c) Prison Monsters: Blue Annis & Ironteeth Witches

• Blue Annis (cobalt skin, iron claws, found in ACOSF) could connect to TOG’s Ironteeth Blueblood Witches ([55:56]).

d) The Eight-Pointed Star – Mass-Verse “Branding”

• Bryce’s, Nesta’s, and Cassian’s eight-pointed star marks tie together “A Court of Silver Flames” and "Crescent City" ([57:26]).
  • Quote: “I think that eight-pointed star was tattooed on you for a reason. Take that sword and go figure out why.” – Bryce ([58:03])
• Theory: Archeron sisters are Starborn Fae; Nesta destined to rule Dusk Court, Elain for Spring ([59:37]).

e) Silver Fire: From ACOSF to TOG

• Nesta’s powers are called “silver fire” 18 times (vs. “silver flame” only twice) ([60:19]).
  • Paralleled by Deanna’s cold “silver fire” in Aelin from "Empire of Storms" ([61:02]).
  • Quote: “The flame she would unleash would be so cold it burned. The cold of stars. The cold of stolen light...” ([61:20])
• Stolen light as a metaphor for Nesta’s cauldron-theft power; possibly divine in origin.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------| | 05:27 | “She only had an interest in Nesta. She ignored me and saw Elain as barely more than a doll...” | Feyre (via Kim)| | 10:09 | “I don't think Nesta hates Feyre. But I think she hates what Feyre makes her feel.” | Christina | | 20:03 | "You know, Eris, I think you might be a decent male... You're just too much of a coward..." | Cassian | | 25:10 | “The Supreme Court has fallen into absolute disarray... The land’s going into disarray because… he is.” | Christina | | 29:14 | “The Supreme Court had been made for someone like her.” | Nesta (via Christina)| | 34:55 | “You are to treat Gwyn with kindness and respect.” | Rhysand | | 37:24 | “I’m pissed off that you can’t seem to believe even one good thing about her…” | Cassian | | 43:29 | “You are my friend and my home. Thank you for sharing this with me.” | Nesta | | 44:30 | “Azriel threw him a wicked smile: ‘I’m not entirely sure I’m enough.’” | Azriel | | 58:03 | “I think that eight-pointed star was tattooed on you for a reason. Take that sword and go figure out why.” | Bryce | | 61:20 | “The flame she would unleash would be so cold it burned. The cold of stars. The cold of stolen light...” | Rowan (TOG) |

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Family Dynamics & Sister Trauma: 04:40–16:22
• Eris Redemption Arc Prep: 18:00–23:19
• Tamlin & Spring Court Theories: 23:51–29:07
• Elain’s Path & Bookish Foreshadowing: 29:14–32:28
• Rhysand Through Nesta’s Eyes: 33:47–38:57
• House of Wind as Character: 40:15–43:38
• Azriel Discussion & Theories: 44:08–48:46
• Massverse Mastermind Section: 50:10–61:53

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Episode Tone and Takeaways

The hosts' trademark blend of passionate argument, pop culture references, and deep emotional analysis make this an essential listen for any Sarah J. Maas or fantasy romance fan. Jokes, pet names for the characters (“Tammy Tam”, “our baby Angel Cassian”), and meta-commentary (“Sarah, you have to tell us, we can’t live like this!”) keep the discussion lively, while careful consideration of character motivations and trauma arcs adds genuine depth.

For new listeners and veteran fans alike, this episode provides:

• A thorough, engaging recap of major ACOSF dynamics
• Insightful theorizing about future books and cross-series connections
• A generous helping of humor, honesty, and bookish bestie energy

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Next Episode:

• More ACOSF discussion, including a mental health check-in with Nesta, examination of the Dread Trove, a “field trip” to the Bog of Urid, and a return to Massverse theorizing.

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Stay Connected:

• Follow the Flights of Fantasy Podcast on Instagram and TikTok: @flightsoffantasypodcast
• Patreon content includes bonus chapters and in-depth series discussions

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“What a fun Silver Flames Day!” – Christina ([63:02])
“Keep dreaming, keep reading, and remember, every good story deserves to take flight.” – Christina ([63:50])

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Transcript

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[Christina]

Welcome to Flights of Fantasy, your Romantasy Podcast book club. I'm Christina, joined by my book besties Kim and Anna, and together we're diving.

[Kim]

Into the characters, theories, lore and magic.

[Christina]

Behind all your favorite fantasy romance books. Hi book besties. Welcome back to ACOTAR Revisited, our deep dive back into the series that started it all. We're so excited to be here discussing A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. Oh, we're so excited. And just a reminder, we'll be breaking each book up into multiple episodes so we can really take our time with this incredible story and journey.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

But before we give our official spoiler warning, we do also just want to thank everyone who's taken the time to rate and review the show. It's so, so helpful and we're sending you a big hug. If you have not done so yet. Please, please take a moment to do so. It really means so much to us.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Anna]

Also Patreon. Oh my Goodness, what a month on Patreon. If you've read this book, you understand.

[Christina]

The significance of Azriel's bonus chapter and.

[Anna]

We are covering it detail by detail, line by line over on Patreon. That is a part of our SJM series for Tier 2. We're so excited about that. Also, also for Tier 2 this month you are getting a cauldron chat from yours truly covering the Duskourt. Again, if you've read these books, you understand the importance and I will be covering that in detail for you over on Patreon as well, also for tier one. So both tiers will be covering Bridgerton.

[Christina]

Hello, Benedict.

[Anna]

We are entering season four. We'll be covering part one of season four, all four episodes over on Patreon. And also you'll be getting a book chat from us this month covering the Wild Card by Stephanie Archer. The Vancouver Storm series has consistently been one of our favorite hockey romance series, so we're very excited to cover this book five in that series by Stephanie Archer. As always, both tiers get our main feed episodes one day early and ad free. And if you are a member of Tier 2, you get the video of every episode. So come on over and join the party. We would love to have [e-mail] flights of fantasy podcasts. All right, Kim, speaking of Patreon, let's shout out some patrons.

[Kim]

Let's do so. One of the many benefits of being one of our tier two book bitches on Patreon is that you get a very special shout out in one of our episodes. So in this week's episode, we are going to be shouting out Misty Day, Brittany Peterson, and Samantha Downey. Thank you guys so much. We love you so much.

[Christina]

We love you so much. You are incredible. You're our Valkyries. We love you. Love you.

[Kim]

Yes. You're our Valkyries. Oh, I love that.

[Christina]

Oh, my gosh. Okay.

[Kim]

All right, listeners, consider this your official spoiler warning for the entire ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas. Also, at the end of this episode, we have our Mastermind section, where we take a look at all of Sarah's series as a whole and draw upon parallels and theorize and Easter eggs. It's so much fun. But don't you worry, that's at the very end. We will give an additional spoiler warning before we dive in.

[Christina]

Sure.

[Kim]

Well, so without further ado, let's get back to Prythian and chat about a court of Silver flame.

[Christina]

Here we go. Let's go. All right.

[Kim]

Okay, book besties, we are going to kick off this episode discussing some family dynamics. And of course, in this instance, I am talking about our three Archeron sisters, Feyre, Elain and Nesta. Now, at the end of Achor, we were on an upward trajectory, okay? There's this beautiful bonding moment when Feyre rescues Elain and Nesta runs to her and thanks her for sacrificing and saving Elain. And she's sobbing. And they all sleep in that tent the night together. It's so beautiful.

[Christina]

But. But then.

[Kim]

But then their father dies at the end of the book. And Nesta, as we've discussed, has fully taken on that guilt that she didn't do enough. Her father dying is really the start of her descent and pushing everyone away.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And Cassian is chatting with Feyre at one point in this book, and he's like, why can't you and Nesta just get along? Like, what is it about you guys?

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And Feyre says, I have no idea. I mean, it was always that way with us and our mother. She only had an interest in Nesta. She ignored me and saw Elaine is barely more than a doll to dress up. But Nesta was hu. Our mother made sure we knew it. Or she just cared so little what we thought or did that she didn't bother to hide it from us. Resentment and long held pain laced every word. That a mother would do such a thing to her children. God, her mom sucks.

[Christina]

She's the worst.

[Kim]

She's the worst.

[Christina]

Worst.

[Anna]

Oh, my God.

[Kim]

But when we fell into poverty, when I started hunting, it got worse. Our mother was gone and our father wasn't exactly present. He wasn't fully there. So it was me and Nesta always at each other's throats. And she basically is like, it's just a. It's such a tangled mess.

[Christina]

Oh, my God. And this just absolutely segues into this quote that I just read today from Wings and Embers. And I just have to plug it in here really quickly.

[Kim]

Okay, do it.

[Christina]

So Wings and Embers, also, if you're not aware, is the bonus chapter of Acomath that is a 16 page deleted scene from Acomaf between Cassian and Nesta. It is absolutely delicious. Absolutely incredible.

[Kim]

Oh, my God.

[Christina]

I can't even tell you. It's incredible. It's incredible. So if you have not read this.

[Kim]

Absolutely.

[Christina]

Go do so. If you immediately. And you can find it various places online, just Google it. But also, we have it available for free over on our Patreon. Okay, so this takes place roughly in the middle of Acomath but so telling with Nesta's baseline mentally and also the family dynamics here.

[Kim]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Christina]

So she's thinking about her actions back in the cottage. And she describes them as her cowardice, selfishness, her rage that had consumed her so that she wanted them all to starve just to see if they're useless. For father would bother to save them. And then little Feyre had stepped in and Nesta had hated her for it too. That Feyre had done the unthinkable and kept them alive. So like that's where we are before even she's turned into Fae. Before Elain was taken, before the father was killed. And she goes on to be like, I didn't know what to do with the rage. I felt it all too keenly, too sharply. Hated and cared, loved and dreaded more than other people. She sometimes thought, yeah. And it's such a mess. The sisters. But that is like where she was. Even the base of it, where she was like, I was so mad and stubborn and upset that like he wasn't doing anything. But then little Feyre took it upon herself. But my stubbornness and anger, I couldn't go back on that. I couldn't be like, well, that didn't matter to help her.

[Kim]

Right?

[Christina]

So then I hated her for doing it.

[Kim]

Oh God, that's a mess.

[Christina]

And like, God, do I not agree with it. But no, it is a mess. It is an absolute mess.

[Kim]

I don't understand why she would be mad at Feyre for saving them. Like the alternative was that they die.

[Christina]

She hated her father for not stepping up.

[Kim]

Right. That's valid.

[Christina]

And so she was like, I'm so angry and stubborn at you that I'm just gonna sit here with my arms crossed until you do something. And then Feyre was like, we are dying.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

I must then go. And I think then she was so deep in her. Like, I'm sitting here with my arms crossed. Stubbornness that I've like stood this ground, that if I go back and I'm like, okay, fine. You're right. I will help you. We should do something to make sure we don't die. Then it would feel like her almost, I don't know, giving up. Like her stubbornness. I don't know, like her holding onto that.

[Kim]

Sure.

[Christina]

Does it make sense? Not valid. Absolutely awful sibling behavior.

[Kim]

Truly awful. Yeah.

[Christina]

That's the beginning, you know.

[Kim]

Oh, wow.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Yeah. You're so right. Like this tangled mess was way before a lot of the stuff that's happened. Yes.

[Christina]

And even that quote with the Mother. All of it. Like, oh, God, Truly.

[Kim]

Yeah. And so then Nesta finally starts training with Cassian. She realizes quickly just how weak she is. And how she lacks a lot of the natural skill set that Feyre had. She said hunting to keep them fed had taught Feyre that skill set. Hunting. While Nesta had stayed home safe and warm and let Feyre venture into that forest alone.

[Christina]

Yep.

[Kim]

Those skills Feyre had honed had allowed her to survive against the High Fae and all their terrors. But Feyre only had them because of what she'd been forced to do. Because Nesta hadn't been the one to do it. To step up.

[Christina]

Yep. See, now that's hard. Because it's like she's mad at herself for not doing it. And we, as the reader are mad at her for not doing it as well.

[Kim]

Yes, I am.

[Christina]

That's why this book was even hard. Because it's the whole trilogy being like, I don't forgive her.

[Kim]

Right? No, because you should have helped her. Or at least not like, actively worked against her and been hateful to her. Oh.

[Christina]

And that's like, I will actually. I cannot. I truly cannot even.

[Kim]

No, I, like, I can't get over that.

[Christina]

It's hard for me to even think of that as canon. Because I can be like, okay, we're going through some trauma here. Nessa. Really working to try to give you the benefit of the doubt in some granular of a way. But, yeah, when we think about her, calling her a peasant and being like, well, I want to buy shoes is like, I have to act like that doesn't exist. Or this. This journey feels for not agreed.

[Kim]

Because I'm like, that's abhorrent.

[Christina]

Yeah. But I think this leads to her relationship with Feyre in the way that. The same way she said here, like, how she feels about Feyre in this moment, going to silver flames. I don't think Nesta hates Feyre. But I think she hates what Feyre makes her feel. She hates being around Feyre because Feyre makes her feel this.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And she hates who she is around Feyre because she feels this. And then she becomes this.

[Kim]

Oh, that's so true, Christina.

[Christina]

She doesn't hate Feyre. She hates this. Yeah.

[Kim]

You know, she hates a mirror that Feyre forces her to hold up to herself.

[Christina]

Exactly.

[Kim]

Because I think Nesta feels so guilty for how she failed Feyre. She did. Like, Elena and Nessa failed Feyre.

[Christina]

They did.

[Kim]

And so Nessa is like, yeah, I know. And that's why I can't look at Feyre. Because I'm so consumed by the guilt and the hatred whenever I look at her. Like what we did to her and how we failed her and we didn't help her.

[Christina]

And those are uncomfy. Those are difficult feelings. And when Nesta feels a difficult feeling, she feels it so keenly and so sharply and deeply that then it's so uncomfortable that she reverts to a comfortable emotion for herself, which is anger and which is lashing out.

[Anna]

Yep.

[Christina]

So true. And retreating.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And that's why the relationship is where it is. Because this is what's been going on.

[Kim]

Right.

[Christina]

You know, no one's going to break.

[Kim]

That cycle until we get to. Obviously later in the book.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

So speaking of Elaine and Nesta, there's also obviously a very interesting dynamic there. And Nessa is training with Cassian and she's opening up about her upbringing and how she took dance lessons as a girl. And Cassian makes a joke about how she must have been her father's princess. And Nesta says, no, Elain was his princess. Even Feyre was more his princess than I ever was. And what were you? I was my mother's creature. She said it was such cold, it nearly froze her tongue. Cassian said carefully. What was she like? A worse version of me. Friends, I'm be honest with you. I struggle to picture that. I struggle. I mean, like, I see it in what Nesta has shared about her mother. Like, yes, I totally get that. But that terrifies me.

[Christina]

The use of the word creature here was very telling.

[Kim]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Christina]

That was a very good use of that word. In the way she looks at herself. That's what she's talking about. Her childhood.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

She's like, I was my mother's little, like, creature that she created.

[Kim]

She truly was. Like a caged animal. Even from childhood.

[Christina]

Yes. Oh, my God. Exactly. That's such a good parallel, Kim. Yes, exactly. And her saying a worse version of me. Oh, wow, there's a lot to unpack.

[Kim]

That's chilling is what that is.

[Christina]

You know what it is?

[Kim]

It's chilling.

[Christina]

And I keep going back to, like, they had no stable person who loved them.

[Kim]

No.

[Christina]

They had no person showing them what love was.

[Kim]

Nope.

[Christina]

They had no one looking out for them. Like, even the sister dynamics. The sister dynamics is one thing, but their parents, both of them suck. Suck. Like, I know Papa Archeron came back with the ships.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And you know, that gets me every time. I don't really know why.

[Christina]

I'm happy he came back with the ships. He named them. It was Very sweet.

[Kim]

However, I cry every time. But he still sucks.

[Christina]

But he sucks. He let this happen too.

[Kim]

Agreed.

[Christina]

Yes. I know he was off doing the spice trade, but the fact that she was like, I was my mother's creature, like, to get to that level, where was he? Where was he? What was he doing?

[Kim]

And like, the grandmother was also terrible. Clearly there's some generational trauma going on is what I really think we've uncovered is that there's. The grandmother was awful, the mother was awful. So then Nesta was awful.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Thank God we're breaking that cycle. Hopefully.

[Christina]

Yes. Okay.

[Kim]

I want to spend just a second contrasting Feyre's trauma arc, which was obviously a lot of internalized guilt and that led to her disassociating. And contrast that with Nesta's trauma arc, which is a lot of externalized rage and that leading to kind of self destruction.

[Christina]

Ah, well said.

[Kim]

I know we touched upon this a little bit in part one, but I just think it's so interesting how different the sister's trauma arcs are where Feyre, everything was internalized. She took everything in and she shut down. And Nesta's lashing out and like raging at everybody. It's so interesting.

[Christina]

Yes. That's so well said and it's so true. Because really, they both went through trauma. They both had these traumatic childhoods in the same house. In different ways. Very different ways.

[Kim]

Right.

[Christina]

And now the way we're seeing them deal with it as adults.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

And through their love and through their. Their mates is totally different. Yeah. And like you mentioned in book one, Feyre's is more palatable.

[Kim]

It is more palatable.

[Christina]

And so it's hard.

[Kim]

That was a big come to Jesus moment with myself where I was like, wow. Well, that's not really fair because that's not how trauma looks for everybody. You know, some people do shut down for sure. And some people do lash out. And I think it's so interesting that Sarah wrote the sisters this way. How different they all are.

[Christina]

Yes.

[Kim]

In so many ways. Right. And I think Elain is even different from Feyre and Nesta, you know.

[Christina]

Oh, 100.

[Kim]

I think how she's dealt with it is different as well. And I. So it makes me excited to see because I think Elaine also. We're going to be in a completely different place with Elaine by the time we get to her book. She's going to be through, I think, a lot of this stuff that Nesta is working through right now.

[Christina]

Agreed.

[Kim]

So I'm just really interested to see this. It's Just, you know, the sibling dynamics in this series are so interesting. And like you said, Christina, they have not had a safe foundation in their childhood.

[Christina]

No.

[Kim]

And so what they have. What we really have here is three sisters who only know how to navigate a relationship through hardship and grief.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And they don't know how to have. There's no healthy foundation at all.

[Christina]

No. And between them either. And we kind of talked about this in Frost and Starlight as well. But there's no individual friendships and foundations either. So the way they have common ground is to kind of worry about the other one.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

So that's how Nesta and Feyre found common ground in Achor, was to worry about Elayne. And then now Nesta's on the outside and Feyre and Elayne are worrying about her. And it is just so horrifically hard for Nesta to accept.

[Kim]

She hates it.

[Christina]

She hates it that they are now bonding and that she is on the outside when she thinks she's done everything for Elaine, which she has. Too much. Some would say too much. Yeah, but the dynamics are so complicated.

[Kim]

Well, and like Feyre was left out in Acotar. Like it was Nesta and Elaine in the cabin, cozy and fun together. They want the new boots. And Feyre's out in the forest by herself. And Nest is fine with that.

[Christina]

Exactly.

[Kim]

But when Nesta's on the outside, she's like, oh, wait, I don't like this. This isn't fun. And Elain and Feyre are like, yeah, no shit.

[Christina]

Welcome to our life. And I would argue, I'm wondering if in Elain's book we're going to see her kind of be like, I've been on the outside this whole time. Because you guys just treat me like I'm should just be quite in the corner. You, like, infantilize me.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

I'm not asked to go on missions.

[Kim]

Or like, poor Elaine.

[Christina]

I've been separated like that for a long time.

[Kim]

You know, I bet that is going to be such a big part of it because we see it later in this book that Elaine, like, steps up to Nesta and is like, stop babying me. I am an adult woman.

[Christina]

That is my favorite things where she's like, you can't have both. You can't judge me for having a small life and also not want me to step up and do something. Oh, pick one, Elaine.

[Kim]

Damn it, Sarah. How do you do this? It's crazy how you are care about Elaine. She's a witch. She's practicing witchcraft.

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[Anna]

Oh, lordy.

[Kim]

Okay, but you know what? We got to talk about Eris. Christina, we got to talk about Eris.

[Christina]

Oh, Eris. Arie, do we have a nickname for him? Don't. I don't love Aries. Larry's not great. It's not great. We'll work on it.

[Kim]

If you have a fun nickname for Eris, let us know. Let's workshop that Erster.

[Christina]

Okay. But yes, before we dig into Eris, though, it's absolutely worth saying that a Court of Silver Flames isn't actually where his arc begins. We're not starting from scratch here with is Eris going to get a redemption arc? We've been getting hints about this for a good long while. Yeah, you've heard us. We've talked about it.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And all of it's coming together now where we're really getting some more specific groundwork here that maybe he's not the monster as much as we thought he was, and maybe he's just got this really, truly horrific home life and learn how to survive it, you know?

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And he's not as lucky in his friends as the inner circle as Rhysand.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And he's still frustrating. He's still a morally gray. Our leads still don't really know if they can trust him for a good amount of time in this book.

[Kim]

A good chunk of time.

[Christina]

Yeah. Uh huh. Uh huh. There's also the part where they are like, are you being possessed by the crown? He's not. Do we trust him? Do we not? What.

[Kim]

What's happening?

[Christina]

And in that whole thing, he's like, God damn it, guys. Like, what if I was 22 to prove this to you?

[Kim]

Come on. I love it.

[Christina]

I do too.

[Kim]

Okay.

[Christina]

But ultimately, he's playing a very dangerous game. And we do have to remember, like, the level of that. There's a part at the end where it says that Baron tortured him. We cannot say enough how bad Baron is and how bad his home life is and all of it. And he's trying to navigate that and also play this game like, it's actually very impressive.

[Kim]

Yeah, it is.

[Christina]

I mean, there are things about his past with more that he is going to have to explain in a very specific way. It's going to have to be groundbreaking new information for us to fully forgive him.

[Kim]

Yep.

[Christina]

But I do have faith it's coming for sure. We also do get some fun big clues in this book, specifically for a future full redemption arc that I pulled here. I'm excited to read.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Number one, this is wild. Eris must have sacrificed something big to spare more from her father's visit. Rhysand looked into Eris's mind, and we know that Eris went out of his way to buy more time so that Kir would not visit Velores.

[Kim]

Yeah, that's huge.

[Christina]

That's a huge gesture. And also sacrificing something big.

[Kim]

What did he sacrifice?

[Christina]

Got good guy written all over it. Okay, these two, though, guys, these two. This is it. This is what really seals the deal. Okay? Cassian says, quote, you know, Eris, I think you might be a decent male deep down, trapped in a terrible situation. Number one. Number two, also from Cassian, quote, I grew up surrounded by monsters. I've spent my existence fighting them. And I see you, Eris. You're not one of them. Not even close. I think you might even be a good male. And then Cassian opened the door, turning from Eris's curled lip. You're just too much of a coward to act like one.

[Kim]

Wow.

[Christina]

Wow, this is good. I mean, if we have Cassian, who Clearly we trust with our lives on page. Saying, I grew up with monsters. You're not one of them. Not even close. You're a good man.

[Kim]

And he hates Eris.

[Christina]

And he hates Eris. There's no coming back from here.

[Kim]

Then I agree.

[Christina]

We're doing it. Eris. Redemption Arc is coming.

[Kim]

Okay. Also, Rhysand and Cassian are talking with Eris. And Eris says, I told you years ago what I wanted. High Lord to seize his father's throne. Why? Cassian asked. Eris grasped what he meant, apparently because flames sizzled in his eyes. For the same reason I left Morrigan untouched at the border. You left her there to suffer and die. Cassian spat. Eris sneered. Did I? Perhaps you should ask Morrigan whether that is true. I think she finally knows the answer. If I don't get a goddamn answer to this in ACOTAR 6, I will need to be checked into a mental institution.

[Christina]

Sarah.

[Kim]

I can't live like this. You have to tell us. You have to.

[Christina]

We can't live like this. Please.

[Kim]

God.

[Christina]

Oh, God. Okay. You know what feels egregious is the little hints to it.

[Kim]

She's teasing us. She's taunting us.

[Christina]

That's exactly what this is Sarah's like.

[Kim]

Did I? I think she finally.

[Christina]

I think she finally knows the answer. What do you mean? She hasn't even been in this damn book. What? What are you talking about? Did you go to her little. Her little place? Her little secret island with the island?

[Kim]

Her little cabin?

[Christina]

Were you there at the estate with the horses?

[Kim]

Y' all go on a horsey ride and have a conversation Because I don't know what you mean. What do you mean she finally knows the answer?

[Christina]

How?

[Kim]

How?

[Christina]

What?

[Kim]

Why?

[Christina]

What do you mean?

[Kim]

When?

[Christina]

Also, shouldn't you know the answer? She's the truth. What do you mean?

[Kim]

It happened to her.

[Christina]

She was there. Also. She was there. Okay. I can't get over the fact that this all centers around, like, lies and confusion. And she's the Morgan. And the truth.

[Kim]

She's the Morgan that her power is truth.

[Christina]

But fine.

[Kim]

Fine.

[Christina]

Fine. My main thing I keep going back to when we talk about this is the Untouched. I can't get past it every time it's about. She's Untouched. I didn't touch her. I wouldn't have touched you. And he tells the soldiers, don't touch her. No one touch her. I. There's some sort of magic. Or there's something about the Autumn Court lands. And maybe he knows because of his mother.

[Kim]

Okay.

[Christina]

There's like an agreement or a bot or something like a. Some sort of thing somehow with the magic. The second you touch them, then they're, like, your property for sure. They can't leave.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

You know what I'm saying?

[Kim]

Agreed.

[Christina]

And I think that it's something about the lift. Her untouched just feels too specific.

[Kim]

Oh, it is specific. It's absolutely for a reason. You're right, Christina. There has to be something there with, like. I didn't touch her. I wouldn't have touched you.

[Christina]

Touched you. Yeah.

[Kim]

I mean, she did have something nailed through her abdomen. I understand that wasn't air, but I think, like you said, Christina, we're gonna have to get a reason. And the reason is gonna have to be good.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And detailed and like, a certain level of like. Okay. We can move past this as the reader.

[Christina]

Agreed.

[Kim]

Because right now I'm like, eris, you're still kind of a dick.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And I don't love that.

[Christina]

I don't. I. You know, it's hard because, like, yes, like I said, we're gonna get a redemption arc. I don't doubt that. But also, I had a real hard time with him in this book, calling Cassian names. Don't just speak to Mikassian like that.

[Kim]

Don't you speak to our cast like that.

[Christina]

Don't you do it.

[Kim]

He's our baby Angel. How dare you?

[Christina]

Yeah, he's been through enough.

[Kim]

I don't like you calling him a dog. You know, it's so. The way he talks to Cassie in this book.

[Christina]

Right.

[Kim]

I don't like it.

[Christina]

That was hard for me to get past. You know, Heiress, we try to root for you, but then you do stuff like this, and it's like.

[Kim]

Like, work with us, man.

[Christina]

Help us help you, God. Okay. Speaking of.

[Kim]

Oh, Lord.

[Christina]

You know who needs help is Tam. Tam.

[Kim]

Tam needs help. He needs therapy. He needs to vote a friend.

[Christina]

I'm going to say this right now. I think you might be too far gone to this point to come back.

[Kim]

I agree.

[Christina]

So let's talk about the Spring Court and Timmy. Tammy.

[Kim]

So Timmy Tam really gets me. I love that a lot.

[Christina]

I haven't used that one a while. Okay. Oh, God. Okay, so we actually barely get any Tamlin on paper in this book because he's too busy being in his BC form. But he is referenced by other characters. There's a lot of concern about the Supreme Court. All in all, though, the general consensus is he is not doing well.

[Kim]

No.

[Christina]

Tamlin is the most unwell he could be. And, you know, like we discussed in Our aciface coverage in those episodes, the Supreme Court has fallen into absolute disarray. And so Nesta goes in this book. So we get to see it through Nesta's point of view. And she also notes that it's not a good place to be. Everything's overgrown. The magic, if you remember, is tied to Tamlin. So if he's running around in his beasty form and wallowing in his own despair and not able to get himself together even to, like, eat or function, then it makes sense that the Spring Court. Its physical appearance in the lands that's tied to him is a parallel to how he.

[Kim]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Christina]

You know, because remember, he has to fuck the magic into the Land at Calamity.

[Kim]

Oh.

[Christina]

How is he gonna do that this year? Who's gonna do that? Maybe he's not. That's why the land's going into disarray. Because there's.

[Kim]

I don't think he is. Because wouldn't that be bestiality? If a Fae has to. If he's in his beast form, like his true beast form.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And he won't come out.

[Christina]

Right. That's tough.

[Kim]

He won't shift. That's tough.

[Christina]

How's. How's that work?

[Kim]

I'd be like, I'm good. I'm not gonna sign up for that.

[Christina]

I didn't sign up for this.

[Kim]

I didn't sign up for this.

[Christina]

I'm okay with a math sure. I'm not okay with this. Yeah.

[Kim]

I thought I was having sex with a High Lord and you're an animal, so I'm actually not interested in that.

[Christina]

I don't even know you're a High Lord, are you?

[Anna]

Just.

[Kim]

And our contract is null and void, so I'm not gonna do that. Thank you.

[Christina]

Thank you. I'm exiting the cave, stage left. Okay. No, I want to read this quote. And Kim, my bestie. Yeah. I want you to listen to this.

[Anna]

Okay.

[Christina]

With the mindset of Beauty and the Beast.

[Kim]

Okay. Okay.

[Christina]

They say a beast prowls these lands now. A beast with keen green eyes and golden fur. Some people think the Beast has forgotten his other shape. So long has he spent in his monstrous form. And though he roams these lands he does not see or care for. The neglect he passes, the lawlessness, the vulnerability. Even his manner has fallen into disrepair, half eaten by thorns.

[Kim]

Thorns.

[Christina]

Though rumors fly that he destroyed it himself.

[Kim]

That's Beauty and the Beast.

[Christina]

Thank you. That's the Beast giving the Beast way more than book one.

[Kim]

Absolutely.

[Christina]

So which gets us to. There is a theory that maybe The Beauty and the Beast retelling has actually, like, now we're in it. He is the Beast now, and Elain is actually Belle.

[Kim]

I love this. I love it. I love it.

[Christina]

Because I love a Disney movie parallel.

[Kim]

Oh, yeah. We're millennials. We love a Disney movie parallel.

[Christina]

However, I personally, I don't love Elaine ending up with Tamlin.

[Kim]

I don't either.

[Christina]

For reasons I think that realistically, in my ideal world, she would resurrect spring. She would make the Spring Court into what it is and use her power, which we don't know much about yet. We can theorize. But to, like, Moana the Lands and make it into what it once was, you know?

[Kim]

Sure.

[Christina]

And in that, then the land would maybe give her that magic, all that stuff. I think her ending up with Tamlin, it's just too messy, all of the dynamics there. And, like, we know he's also currently still really upset about Feyre being pregnant. We're not resolved enough with him being engaged to her sister. I just think it's too weird and messy. Okay. Don't come for me. I'm not saying I would like this to happen to Tamlin. I don't think he's a villain. But I could see possibly Tamlin sacrificing himself in some way and dying. And that's his redemption arc.

[Kim]

I agree. I would like to see that as well. I don't want him to die, but I think it would be an interesting choice for Sarah, and it would be an interesting, noble sacrifice for Tamlin.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And I just think, what. What's he gonna do? You know what I mean? Like, what else is he gonna do? Just prowl around for the rest of his day? That doesn't. What are we doing here, Tamlin? You know what I mean?

[Christina]

What are we doing? And I also don't know if. If anyone can even fix the Spring Court right until he's not around.

[Kim]

Okay, but riddle me this. Tell me Elaine could Moana the Lands.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And rule it with her mate, Lucien, after Tamlin dies.

[Christina]

Precisely.

[Kim]

Because there's no one else to run the Spring Court. And Lucian was like.

[Christina]

Or.

[Kim]

Or what?

[Christina]

Tamlin doesn't even have to die, okay? Because Lucien could use his birth bound magic from Helion, okay. To spell Cleaver. The magic between Tamlin, like, release him.

[Kim]

From his high lord.

[Christina]

High lordness, shackles, you know?

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

Because once he finds out, he can be a spell cleaver. Like his dad.

[Kim]

His papa.

[Christina]

His papa.

[Kim]

Yeah. Okay, wait. No, I love this.

[Christina]

I love this.

[Kim]

I love this. Because this. That way, Tamlin doesn't have to die. He can go, be free.

[Christina]

He can. Yeah. Roam around, do whatever he wants.

[Kim]

Do you remember him telling Feyre that he didn't want to be High Lord? Didn't he tell Feyre that in book one? That, like, he never wanted to be the High Lord and it just kind of like, happened or something?

[Christina]

Well, yeah.

[Kim]

Or is that Rhys?

[Christina]

No, I think.

[Kim]

I swear I remember him talking to Feyre and being like, I never really wanted this.

[Christina]

No, I think you're right. I think he's like, yeah, I don't want to do this, but I have to.

[Kim]

And like, he's not great at it, you guys. He's not like the tithe I don't love. He's just not great.

[Christina]

We need a full rebrand of the Spring Court. We. Top to bottom.

[Kim]

I think we need a top to bottom. Take it back down to the roof and we just. We come back up. And who could do that? Elaine?

[Christina]

So another reason. Let's just. Oh, God, I'm so excited to read you these. All right, here we go.

[Kim]

Okay, go.

[Christina]

Quotes that are really fun to pull. Kim, get ready.

[Kim]

Okay.

[Christina]

These are quotes that I do think back up. Maybe Elaine in some way ending up in the Spring Court. Okay.

[Kim]

Okay.

[Christina]

Number one, this one really telling. So from the ball, this is Cassian talking about Elaine. Elaine in black was ridiculous. Yes, she was beautiful. But the color of her long sleeve modest gown leached the brightness from her face. It wore her rather than the other way around. And he knew the cruelty of the hewn city troubled her. But she hadn't hesitated to come. He never once in the two years he'd known her, found Elaine to be plain, but wearing black. No matter how much she claimed to be a part of this court, it sucked the life from her. But the claim to be a part of this court. Wow. Really interesting groundwork that we're laying there.

[Kim]

Claimed. Yeah. And in the black, sucking the life from her like, she doesn't belong in the night court.

[Christina]

The night court in the black clothes, in the dark clothes. It's leeching the brightness from her face, like. Okay, okay. All right, guys, two more. This is another fun quote from Nesta.

[Kim]

This is the biggest one for me.

[Christina]

Elain would love this place. Nesta felt like a storm cloud standing amid it all. But Elaine. The Spring court had been made for someone like her. Made for someone like her.

[Kim]

Your Honor, I rest my case. I rest my case. Your Honor, the Supreme Court had. Why would you. Sarah put that in there. You Guys, this is not an accident. No, come on.

[Christina]

The spring court had been made for someone like her.

[Kim]

Yeah, I don't even know what else we need to say. I mean, come on.

[Christina]

Well, also, Elaine's scent apparently lingered in the Redstone hall like a promise of spring. Guys, she smells like spring.

[Kim]

And again, we're not saying that she has to end up with Tamlin for her to be tied to the spring court. I do think there are ways that Elaine could rule the Spring Corps or be tied to the spring court in some way. That does not mean that she has to be with Tammy Tamlin. Okay, so when we give you this theory, it's literally just about Elaine in the Supreme Court.

[Christina]

It's not about Tamlin and also being in Azriel. I still stand by. I think that Azriel and Elaine are going to be together at the beginning of whatever journey this next journey is. I don't think they're going to end up together.

[Kim]

Oh, interesting.

[Christina]

But I do think that we're going to get them together. I think it's going to be a Sarah classic theme of, like, you have the person who you are with at a certain time in your life when you need them at that point in your life, and they both need each other, and that's going to happen, and then they're going to, like, it's going to make them into who they need to be, to be who they need to become.

[Kim]

Sure.

[Christina]

And I am hoping that maybe it's going to be a friendly, like, hey, you're great, but this isn't working out situation, because they got to be real close in the inner circle the rest of their lives.

[Kim]

True.

[Christina]

Well, maybe not too close if she's in spring.

[Kim]

Exactly.

[Christina]

But I really don't. I don't see Asriel going to spring. But again, I do see. Maybe. I think we've laid enough groundwork. They're going to be together for a little bit, and then I think she's going to end up in spring. I just. Why else would we say this like this? Why?

[Kim]

I don't know. And I do feel like Sarah also could very easily set up for Lucian to take over the spring court, regardless of, like you said, he could spell Cleave. Tamlin. Tamlin could die. It makes so much more sense to me. I. I just see Elain. Elain is spring. Like, she is, guys. She loves to garden.

[Christina]

She is flowers. We've done that from the beginning. You know, there were flowers on her drawer.

[Kim]

Exactly, Christina. Exactly.

[Christina]

And everyone's things on their drawer are important to where they end up.

[Kim]

Absolutely.

[Christina]

So.

[Kim]

I love this. I think this is fascinating. I cannot wait to see what Sarah does with.

[Christina]

With Elain. I also. It's freezing here right now. So, like, I'm dying for spring. But like, God, I'd love a spring book. Bring spring back to life.

[Kim]

Bring spring.

[Christina]

Lovely.

[Kim]

Yeah.

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[Kim]

Support is available 24. 7 with VRBOcare. We're here day or night, ready whenever you need help. Because a great trip starts with the right support.

[Christina]

Let's talk about.

[Kim]

You know what's not so lovely though. Yeah. Is Rhysand in this book versus the first three.

[Christina]

Zero.

[Kim]

Part of me wants to discuss this because I love Rhysand. I love him same. And it is no secret that we will ride at dawn for our man Rhysand. Okay? He is our high lord and savior and we will die on that hill any day of the week.

[Christina]

And that's not gonna change, no matter what.

[Kim]

That's not gonna. No, no.

[Christina]

You do have feelings. But still.

[Kim]

We do have feelings.

[Christina]

That remains.

[Kim]

That remains. But it does make some of his behavior in this book so out of character for us, who's gone on this journey with Reese's.

[Christina]

Yes. Yeah.

[Kim]

So Rhysand does not like Nesta. Okay. And he does not like her. And yes, it is Nesta's pov. So of course we're seeing it through her eyes. But even Cassian calls Rhysand out on this and Rhysand has a quote that he says to Nesta weeks after Gwen has been Training with her and Cassian and Nesta has been nothing but kind to all the priestesses in the library. And we think that if she was being a Clotho, would have said something to recent, like, would have reported back like, hey, this isn't working. Nessa's being ugly too. The priestesses. Which hasn't happened.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

So Rhysand shows up to training at one point and he looks at Nesta and he says, you are to treat Gwen with kindness and respect. Nesta notes the harshness in his tone when he says this.

[Christina]

It's rough. It's a. It's rough, Rhysand. Yeah.

[Kim]

And obviously at this point, we, the reader, know that Nesta is trying to be better.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Playing devil's advocate, I will say. How is Rhysand supposed to know that? Because he's really only seen one side of Nesta. He's not at training, guys. He's the high lord. Lord. Like, I'm sorry, but he has better things to do.

[Christina]

Bucked and busy.

[Kim]

He's like, Cassie, and that's your job. You're dealing with Nesta.

[Christina]

He is currently so booked and busy with trying to save him, his mate, in his child's life. Right. Which we'll get to another time.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

But I totally agree with you that one. He does not know that. And the last time he saw Nesta, she was so cruel to everyone around her.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

She was cruel to every single person who spoke to her. She said cruel things to them.

[Kim]

Right.

[Christina]

So, like, I don't blame him for showing up here, seeing Gwen, who he knows is very vulnerable. She's gone through trauma.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

He feels a sense of need to protect the priestesses who are in the library, not only because of the place, the foundation he's built for them, but also his trauma there.

[Rocket Money Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Right.

[Christina]

And then he's like, oh, no, no, sorry, I. Please, Nesta, you have to be nice to her.

[Kim]

Yeah, I see it.

[Christina]

I don't love it.

[Kim]

I agree. I understand where he's coming from. Because like you said, he is so protective of them. You know, it's hard. I just. I'm like, well, Nesta, we did put ourselves in this. This situation. You're not kind.

[Christina]

But then also, like, back to what we were saying. Like, is it out of character, though, the Rhys from other books? Like, would he have showed up and been like, okay, well, I gotta watch this.

[Kim]

Yeah, probably.

[Christina]

You know what I mean? Like, would he have showed up maybe and watched or said something to Cassian?

[Kim]

For sure.

[Christina]

I don't know. I feel like there's Other ways he could have done it, for sure.

[Kim]

I think he could have said something to Cassian and been like, hey, can you please just make sure that Nesta is. And then Cassian would have. And you'll get to this in a second. But, like, Cassian would have been like, yeah, she's good. I've got it handled.

[Christina]

Yeah, be sneaky. Roll your sleeves up and do training for the day or something.

[Kim]

You know, I do think that there is aspect of Rhysand as the High Lord that, like, just he isn't likable. And I think we see that in other of. Of Sarah's series where, like, sometimes as the leader, you have to not be likable and you have to, like, say the hard things and do the things that don't make you popular. So in that sense, I actually don't think it's out of character for Rhysand because we've seen him do it before. Yeah, I don't know. I get where he's coming from, but it's like when Cassian's like, everybody hates you. You're like, that's not nice to say. But he's not wrong.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And Rhys, just like, I'm going based off your past behavior. Like, what?

[Christina]

I know.

[Kim]

I think that's a fair assumption. It'.

[Christina]

No, I agree. It's one of the things that's most frustrating about Nesta is she pushes everyone away and wants to push everyone away and says, leave me alone and I'm being mean to you because I want to push you away. And then she gets mad when it happens.

[Kim]

Right. Like, how is that fair?

[Christina]

Yeah, it's hard. And again, I'm sure it's also a plot device of we've seen her make growth and then we see how this triggers her to have a step back. But I do love that Cassian, again, as the sweetie mate that he is, defends her. So he says to Rhys, quote, you saw Gwen and thought the worst of Nesta. She's treated her and Emerie with kindness. I'm pissed off that you can't seem to believe even one. One good thing about her, that you refuse to believe one good thing about her. Was it necessary to bait her like that? Regret glimmered in Rhys's eyes. Cassian went on, you're not making it easier. Let her build these bonds and stay the hell out of it. Rhys blinked. I'm sorry. I will. Wow.

[Kim]

Guys immediately apologizes and he's like, you're right. I'm sorry. Hello, Accountability.

[Christina]

Great exchange. Great exchange.

[Kim]

Tamlin.

[Christina]

Oh my God. He would never. Can you imagine if Lucian said anything to him like this? He'd be like, yeah, you are out of line. Get in your place.

[Kim]

He trashed the study for the 19th.

[Christina]

Time that week because like, I didn't ask you when Lucian said barely, like, maybe we should.

[Kim]

Right.

[Christina]

Yeah. I love this interaction because I love seeing Cassian so fiercely defend her. Yeah, it's really beautiful.

[Kim]

It is.

[Christina]

But also I do love Rhys being like, fine, you're right, that was my bad.

[Kim]

I like this conversation.

[Christina]

I'm a little worked up for other reasons.

[Kim]

I'm sorry, I'm a little bit stressed out that me and my mate and our baby might die. So you're right. I'm not at my point.

[Christina]

Best you don't know that right now. Right. But that's where this is coming from.

[Kim]

So we're all projecting.

[Christina]

Oh, don't worry, we have lots of opinions on that. We will get to.

[Kim]

Yeah, we'll touch on that later. So another aspect of this is that we're not in Feyre's pov. So like we said, we're getting a very different biased opinion of him. And honestly, that's okay. And I think it's realistic for Nesta and him to butt heads and it's okay for her to not love him the way Feyre did.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Nesta didn't go on the same journey as Feyre. She didn't experience Acomath and see Rhysand's wonderful side. But the problem is that we, the readers have. We did go on that journey with Feyre. We do see the wonderful side of Rhysand and we feel this like kinship and like loving towards Rhysand and it makes it really difficult for us to swallow these situations because we're like, this is not the Rhysand that we know and love. And it's like very unsettling.

[Christina]

Unsettling is a great word for it.

[Kim]

To have this like tension between them.

[Christina]

Yeah, it just feels like it's a flip. Like it feels unsettling. We knew him and know him and now it's like this feels like not him, him. It's confusing.

[Kim]

Right? I agree. And I think, you know, it's just interesting to see him through another lens. It's interesting to see him through Nesta's eyes.

[Christina]

Totally.

[Kim]

We are not going to talk about the pregnancy today, but trust and believe we will have a in depth discussion about that. Also in the shower yesterday I was having a discussion with myself. As you're want to do in the shower. Maybe that's just Me.

[Christina]

No, me too.

[Kim]

I think I figured out why Sarah put that plot thing in with Feyre's pregnancy and the complications. I think I figured out why she did it.

[Christina]

Okay.

[Kim]

And I don't like it. But we're gonna save it for when we. About her pregnancy and the issues and Rhys not telling her. I think I figured out why in the first place Sarah even had Feyre have a complication with her pregnancy.

[Christina]

Okay. Okay.

[Kim]

You know, so little tease.

[Christina]

Yeah. Ooh, leave me on a cliffhanger. Because, God, do we have feelings about that.

[Kim]

We sure do.

[Christina]

Let's move along to the house. The House of Wind. I cannot tell you how much fun I had this reread with the character of the house.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

It's so beautiful. I love it so much.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And it's one of the most underrated parts of Akasoff, I think, is this House of Wind being its own character. It just feels like instead of a setting, it's its own little person. Like, it's little being.

[Kim]

It is. And really.

[Christina]

Because when Nesta is brought there, she needs a friend. And she, like, wishes for a friend. And her magical power makes the house into her friend. It's so beautiful.

[Kim]

I love it so much. Oh, my God.

[Christina]

And then we get to see the house, like, taking care of her, like, making sure she eats. And it's very persistent about the meal times and getting those calories in. Because you're training upstairs.

[Kim]

That's right, girl.

[Christina]

And then it gets, like, offended when Nesta refuses. And then it makes her apologize. It's so good. It's so good. And I love, like, at the beginning, she's like, can I get a glass of wine? And. And it's like, no, you can silence water. Yeah, yeah, here's water.

[Kim]

She's like, no, I don't want water. I want wine.

[Christina]

Water. Water.

[Kim]

I love it.

[Christina]

And like, it's smut.

[Kim]

And it's dropping books on her bedside. Can you even imagine the joy of your house, like, dropping books on your bedside table, being like, here you go, girl. I gotcha.

[Christina]

Shut up. Also. It's so cute. I just love that. That house. Sweet smut. And then Gwen and Emery read smut. They have a whole bit of, like, girly time with it. It's just.

[Kim]

Oh, God, I love it.

[Christina]

Augusta needed in that moment and all the aspects that she needed. Cause she needed, like, a friend who made her feel good about reading smut. And like, also built her up and was also proud of her, you know? Yeah.

[Kim]

Like, was helping look after her and take Care of her in a way that she could handle. Cause it was very quietly just like, here's food. We're gonna work on the fire. I'm gonna warm your room so we don't have to have the fire on right now because you're struggling with that.

[Christina]

Oh, also, great point.

[Kim]

It was quietly taking care of her.

[Christina]

It was so that she can handle it. Because if someone else was taking care of her to that level, she would have lashed out and been like, I'm fine. As we see. As she's want to do. But also, this is one of my favorite parts regarding the house in the book. Oh, my good God. So pretty much she's asked the house to help her with her fear of fires. And it's very beautiful and moving.

[Kim]

Yeah, it is.

[Christina]

And from that, then the house is proud of her. And so it lays these evergreen twigs in a path that she can follow. And it leads Nesta into the library and down to the very pit, actually where the ravens attacked her. And Feyre in Acelor.

[Kim]

Yes, yes.

[Christina]

And it's important to note here that throughout Silver Flames, there have been moments where, like, the darkness at this part of the library has seemed to, like, reach out to characters. And Emerie notes it and so does Gwyn. And it makes them very uneasy and they're very scared of it, but Nesta isn't. And then we get this moment where we learn what the darkness is. And it says, quote, the heart of the house. The darkness is your heart. As if in answer, the house laid a little evergreen sprig at her feet. Quote, a winter solstice present for me. She could have sworn. A warm hand brushed her neck in answer. But your darkness, you were trying to show me, show others who you are down deep, what haunts you. You were trying to show them all those dark, broken pieces. Because the priestesses and Emery and I were the same as you. Oh, my God. Her heart constricted at what the house had gifted her. This knowledge. She lifted the lantern higher and blew out its flame, Let the darkness sweep in and embraced it.

[Kim]

Wow.

[Christina]

I'm not afraid, she whispered into it. You are my friend. Oh, my God. God, I'm gonna start crying with this house. Okay. So sweet. You are my friend and my home. Thank you for sharing this with me.

[Kim]

Sharing this with me again.

[Christina]

Nesta could have sworn that phantom touch caressed her neck, her cheek, her brow. Happy solstice, she said into the beautiful, fractured darkness.

[Kim]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. That is so unbelievably beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with me for Nesta to say that growth.

[Christina]

The growth is beautiful.

[Kim]

I love this entire thing that Sarah did with the house. I think think it's so well done. It's such an unexpected aspect of the book. And every time we reread it, I think we're reminded of how incredibly beautiful it is.

[Christina]

I couldn't love it more. Oh my God. Incredible.

[Kim]

I love it.

[Christina]

And then at the end, the house is gifted to them.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

And so it's their house.

[Kim]

It's their house now.

[Christina]

And it's so sweet.

[Kim]

It's so beautiful. I love it so much. Okay, let's quickly chat about Azriel, our sexy shadow singer. So obviously Azriel's not in this book a ton. Of course, because some he's keeping him from us. And I. I need more of him. And Azriel is definitely the little chaperone. Okay. In this book.

[Christina]

What a hilarious choice to do this. I loved it.

[Kim]

Hysterical. Hysterical. So this is that same scene from earlier when Cassian was making that sexual innuendo about using his hands, not just at night, and nested us her whole like I hate you flirty banter thing. And Cassian notes that he's aware Azriel probably noticed a shift in his scent. And Asriel says, you two need a chaperone up here. And Cassian thinks, yes. No. Yes. And Cassian goes, I thought you were the chaperone. As threw him a wicked smile. I'm not entirely sure I'm enough. First of all, Azriel wicked smiling. What? Why am I feral at that? Like, he literally breathes and I'm like.

[Christina]

Azriel, he literally smiles and we're like, oh God, we're dying. A wicked smile from Azriel.

[Kim]

Stop it.

[Christina]

God, it's so good.

[Kim]

But I love it so much.

[Christina]

Also he's being like cheeky and funny. Like I'm not entirely sure I'm enough.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

Shut up. Oh God, it's so good.

[Kim]

Azriel, you're a comedian. I can't handle it.

[Christina]

God, you're a comedian. He's doing stand up practically for him.

[Kim]

It's so funny.

[Christina]

Oh my God, I loved this.

[Kim]

I also actually really love that Nesta is not scared of Azriel. And we know that obviously when Feyre first met Azriel, she was very like hesitant and nervous around him because he is like dark and you know, grumpy. And he's like our grumpy shadow singer. And it's really interesting the dynamic that him and Nesta have. I do think there Is this level of kind of understanding between them. I think they're both kind of black cat energy.

[Christina]

Yeah. He takes the time to really think about, like, observe and, like, really understand who she is before he, I think, is gonna react to who she is. Do you know what I'm saying? Where I feel like totally the other inner circle is not really doing that.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Like, specific examples where, like, we learned that Azriel's never said a bad word about Nesta. Never seemed inclined to start a fight with her. She saw him and was not afraid of him. There weren't many people who fit that bill. Oh, God. People being afraid of Azriel is so mean. He's so loud.

[Kim]

How could you be scared of Asriel?

[Christina]

I get it, but.

[Kim]

God, I get it. I mean, he is meant to be scary.

[Christina]

But, like, you know who else isn't scared of him? Gwen. Gwen. Okay, sorry.

[Kim]

His Shadows singer on her. That's all I'm gonna say. That's canon.

[Christina]

You know, we'll save it for later.

[Kim]

We'll save it. I'm not putting any commentary on it. I'm literally just stating facts.

[Christina]

And you know what? Just to be fair, I'll play Dove's advocate. Elain also finds his either siphons or scars. We're not sure what she was talking about. Beautiful.

[Kim]

Beautiful. She doesn't seem to be scared of him.

[Christina]

You know, all we want is for Azriel to be happy.

[Kim]

That's all we want.

[Christina]

Just give it to us.

[Kim]

Absolutely. Okay. So with Acotar 6 and Azriel kind of like talking about this.

[Christina]

Yeah. It's hard to talk about ACOTAR 6 and not talk about Asriel. Because if we don't get him in ACOTAR 6, I actually really do think the fandom's gonna.

[Kim]

I'll find Sarah. I'll hunt her.

[Christina]

Like, actually be really upset. I know. We're like, oh, my God, if you don't give me more in the next book, I'll kill you. Like, I actually really do think if she doesn't wrap up El Real Quinrel in this next book, that the fandom's actually gonna be like, I'm done with series.

[Kim]

Yeah. I'm actually done. I can't live like this anymore. I can't do this. We have have to know.

[Christina]

We have to know. Or at least give us something with it, you know?

[Kim]

Truly. Yeah.

[Christina]

And again, we're going to get into Gwen Real and El and all of that as we continue this coverage.

[Kim]

Sure.

[Christina]

But another thing to think about. When we think about azriel in Acotar 6, and where his story is going is his backstory and what his past really means for him. Like, what's left kind of pending or unfinished for him in his story arc. And I go into very in depth detail on this in the Bat Boys backstory stories. Cauldron chat on Patreon.

[Kim]

You sure do.

[Christina]

But we have to remember a few things. One, Asriel's mom is still alive. Also, his horrible, evil half brothers who burned his hands are still alive.

[Kim]

I need them to die.

[Christina]

The Bat Boys did go get. They, like, broke their legs and got revenge. But they are.

[Kim]

They're living hate that.

[Christina]

Which is unfortunate, but I think that there's gotta be something there. And then also, we've set up kind of a tentative possibility for a healing journey with Asriel in regards to his hatred toward the Illyrians and his tie to them and his hero heritage mainly. The only reason I say that is because he hates them so much and is so specifically like, no, they're evil. I hate them. And recent Cassian, like, we're like, what if we send Azrael? Like, oh, God, no. He'll just kill them all. Like he hates them.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And we've seen Cassian hate them, but also learn to accept some pieces word to work with them. Learn to try to make Illyrians better.

[Kim]

Sure.

[Christina]

I think there's gonna. There has to be some sort of acceptance of who Azriel is. And I think it's gonna come from the trauma he experienced from the Illyrians.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And maybe that could be a parallel between him and Nesta, the acceptance of their journeys.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

But I think there is high possibility of us getting some sort of full arc with him accepting his past trauma with his mom, brothers, and delirium history as we go with him.

[Kim]

Absolutely. Yeah, I agree. I agree.

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[Kim]

Okay, well, that is actually where we're going to end this episode. We are going to pick up on episode three where we're going to be having another mental health check in with Nest Up. We're going to discuss the Dread Trove as well as we're going to do a little field trip over to the Bog of Urid, everybody.

[Christina]

Oh, what a fantastic place to visit this time of year. You know, I heard it's lovely, it's fun. But don't worry, friends, there is actually there's more to this episode.

[Kim]

Oh, there is.

[Christina]

Read the mass verse. Okay, so if you haven't, if you have. Welcome. So look, besties. This is our favorite little corner of the episode Mastermind, where you peel back the. The curtain on all the brilliant foreshadowing and plot threads and Easter eggs Sarah has been planting since page one in each of her series.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

So this is your spoiler warning. From here on out, in addition to Acotar, we'll be referencing the entire Throne of Glass and Crescent City series as they are today. Full series of those.

[Kim]

Yep.

[Christina]

So if you haven't finished those again, ta ta. Cheers. Happy reading.

[Kim]

We love you.

[Christina]

We'll see you next time. And if you're all caught up, if you read all 16 books, however many there are. Let's go. Let's go. Okay. God, I'm so excited to do these. We haven't done these so long.

[Kim]

I know. I'm so excited.

[Christina]

So, number one, let's start off with this working model that Rhys has in his study. Okay. It's this working model of the world. It's described as, quote, a massive working model of their world, the stars and planets around it. It could not only track the sun, but also tell time. And it somehow allowed Rhys to ponder the existence of life beyond their own world. Oh, Sarah. Wow. Nothing to ponder.

[Kim]

Sarah. Jubilee.

[Christina]

Sarah. Janet. Jubilee. Mouse. I swear to God. Now, if that sounds familiar, friends, it's because the Autumn King in Crescent City has one of these as well. His is described as an Ori, which apparently is like a mechanical model of the solar system. Yeah, but it's described as, quote, a working model of Their seven planets, moons and suns. Now we know that he uses it to study patterns. Quote, in hopes to learn about their original Fae homeland. Brilliant. Brilliant. And the truth surrounding it. Dusk truth. I mean, Autumn King doesn't know, but. So that's where that's going. And that's the thing. They're all. They're each trying to research each other. I don't think that they're connected, but it's fun. It's a really cool way for her to lay the groundwork of these like, worlds overlapping. And it's setting the scene for more mass verse discoveries as we go with the series.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Which I really think that Rhys as well as Meryl, our girl Meryl, are going to be key players in.

[Kim]

Yep.

[Christina]

I really think not only can she whisper in the wind, she's also researching other worlds.

[Kim]

She sure is. She surely is. And that's interesting. And I. Obviously that's put in there for a reason. I absolutely think she's going to be a key player in the whole world's overlapping mass verse. Moving forward.

[Christina]

I love thinking about Sarah writing that of Rhys researching, like pondering the possibility of other worlds in silver flames all the while, like, this is all all way far before we've gotten the end of book two of C.C. right?

[Kim]

Y.

[Christina]

So she's like, I don't know. Let's throw that in there. Possibility.

[Kim]

Let's throw a little bone in there. A little possibility.

[Christina]

Reese is pondering. Yeah, I love it.

[Kim]

Could there be other life? Yes. Yes, there could.

[Christina]

Yes. Okay.

[Kim]

I am so excited to chat with you about this. So I was googling pronunciations just to double check myself this morning, as I do, and I came across the this theory on Reddit about Kosher and the lake creature in Air of Fire. Okay. What? So in Air of Fire, AEN encounters a quote, ancient creature in the lake. Emrys states that the creature claimed to be, quote, from another world and that it had been cursed by a Fae warrior to stay trapped within the lake. Who does that sound like? That's Kosher.

[Christina]

It's Kosher. Wait, what?

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

Shut up.

[Kim]

Quote from another world. It has had been cursed by a Fae warrior to stay trapped within the lake. We know that Koshay was similarly came from another world. And we know that he is of course cursed by a Fae warrior to stay trapped within the lake. We also do not know Kosher's true form, only that he appeared to Cassian and Azriel using an illusion.

[Christina]

Okay, wait, an illusion?

[Kim]

Yeah, I guess.

[Christina]

Oh, right. Because he says smoke and mirrors he was like. It's like it's shadow. It's like smoke and mirrors.

[Kim]

Right, Exactly, Exactly. Also, we know that coast ship can whisper to people through the winds. Right? We talked about that. Through the winds. Right before Aelin encounters the lake creature, she could sense the light shifting on the lake. And then she heard her mother whispering to her so softly, it was as if she dreamed it.

[Christina]

Kimberly.

[Kim]

Whispering. Whispering across the lake.

[Christina]

Whispering.

[Kim]

Come on.

[Christina]

What does this.

[Kim]

What? What has to be.

[Christina]

This is amazing.

[Kim]

Come on. Whoa.

[Christina]

Here we go. So do we think it's the same lake? Lake?

[Kim]

I don't know.

[Christina]

And somehow he's, like, traveling. No, I guess it would be the. The same lake. Yeah, but he's somehow traveling on different planes of it, maybe different stacked timelines, you know?

[Kim]

Right, Exactly.

[Christina]

Or.

[Kim]

Or.

[Christina]

Or is this like he's been trapped in this, like, by this fake creature since Tog maybe? Yeah, this was him then.

[Kim]

Because, remember, it's like he was older. He's older than, like life itself.

[Christina]

Everything.

[Rocket Money Advertiser]

Everything.

[Christina]

Oh, my God. So that's maybe his origin story, right? Shut up. Remind me. An air of fire. Did they, like, battle this thing? They never see it. They just like. It's just a legend. Because there's a time when they go to the lake and she has to get the sword from something in the lake.

[Kim]

I don't think that's. I think that. No, that was like a monster. That was like an actual creature.

[Christina]

That's not this.

[Kim]

Yeah, I don't think they battle this. I think they walk past it or something.

[Christina]

Oh, my God.

[Kim]

Maybe. Or.

[Christina]

This is incredible.

[Kim]

This is incredible. But yeah, described exactly the same.

[Christina]

Whoa. I love, love this. Okay.

[Kim]

I don't know. To me, that just sounds spot on similar to kosher. That there's no way. I mean, it has to be.

[Christina]

Truly, we've. We've made some far stretches in our past.

[Kim]

We have.

[Christina]

Cursed and bound to a lake is literally the. What else do you want us to do with that but think it's kosher, Right?

[Kim]

Exactly. We're only human.

[Christina]

How many other creatures are cursed and bound to a lake in common everyday life? Not many.

[Kim]

Not I would hope, not many more. You know, just for their sake. It's fascinating.

[Christina]

That's fantastic. Wow. Great job. Great job.

[Kim]

Thank you. Okay. Another creature that we think might be tied to Tog is the blue Anis.

[Christina]

Oh, yes. Yeah.

[Kim]

Now we know that the blue Ennis is one of the monsters that Cassian trapped in the prison. Blue Ennis is described as having cobalt skin and iron claws as well As a pinch it for human female flesh. Now us is giving iron teeth witches especially because of the Blue Blood clan.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

There's a Blue Blood clan within the Iron Teeth, which is blue cobalt skin, blue iron claws. They like human flesh.

[Christina]

Yeah. I mean, honestly checks all the boxes. It's somehow really fun to think about it tied together. Agree.

[Kim]

I don't. I can't tell you how it ties together because they're not obviously spot on similar.

[Christina]

Yeah. Could just be a nod like the.

[Kim]

Iron claws and the blue. And then there's blue blood witches. Witches and Tog.

[Christina]

And they want human flesh.

[Kim]

Right, Exactly.

[Christina]

I like the claws thing because I can just picture that so well from tog.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

Really fun and blue. Ennis is the one that has scratched Cassian.

[Kim]

Yes. And when they're in the prison, when Nesta and Cassian go to the prison, they walk past a cell and there's like a scraping of the claws. And Nesta looks to Cassian and he pats his chest where he told her earlier that the blue Annis had like scraped him as if to be like, yeah, that's blue. Anna's like, keep walking.

[Christina]

Yep.

[Kim]

So I don't know.

[Christina]

And it's just a fun tie and just fun nod. That's what Mastermind's all about.

[Kim]

That's right.

[Christina]

Okay, so let's move on to one of the most discussed and most prevalent tie ins from Akasoff to Hofas. And my God, there's a lot of them, but the eight pointed star.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

All right, so first and foremost, Bryce has this same eight pointed star on her chest as Nesta and Cassian have on their back from the bargain.

[Kim]

Yep.

[Christina]

Truly, I. Oh my God.

[Kim]

What more do you need?

[Christina]

It's an eight point star on their physical bodies. Okay. Right. Okay. So Bryce's is a scar. And we know from Bryce that it came out. Listen to this quote. When I revealed who I was, what I am to the world, I drew the star out of my chest. And I want you to think about when Nest has appeared. It's when she made the bargain. But when she made the bargain is when she decides to train and like become who she's gonna be and like find her own place in the world and like revealing who she is and becoming that person. I love that tie in for sure.

[Kim]

Oh, that's so fun.

[Christina]

And let's not forget Bryce's parting words to Nesta. My God, if this isn't telling. Quote, I think that eight pointed star was tattooed on you for a reason. Take that sword and go figure out why.

[Kim]

Come on. Come on.

[Christina]

If this isn't her ruling the Dusk. I actually like really don't know what is. Speaking of. Also the eight pointed stars on the floor of the prison. Friends, it's there Dust Court on her back. There's also a very popular theory that they're Starborn fans. Fae also leads into this. Is that what she's saying? It was tattooed on you for a reason. That the Archeron sisters are descended from Starborn Fae. Which ties into this. Of course. Bryce saying that's tattooed on you for a reason.

[Kim]

Go figure out why.

[Christina]

Giving her the Star Sword, you know, it's just all tying together.

[Kim]

Agreed.

[Christina]

I do also want to mention though that we see an eight pointed star in Throne of Glass.

[Kim]

What?

[Christina]

In reference to one of the priestesses. So this is in Tog chapter 37. Quote, an eight pointed star was tattooed upon her brow in a shade of blue that matched her gown. Its sharp line lines extending into her hairline. So it's. The priestesses have it tattooed on their forehead in this religious ceremony.

[Kim]

Oh, that's fascinating.

[Christina]

If anything, I just think that ties into our. We find out in CC that like the mother and Urd and word, it's all like the same.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Right, right, right, right.

[Christina]

So I think eight pointed star has deep meaning. And I think it is absolutely tied and important to Nesta and. And to the Dust Court. I couldn't talk about this earlier, but my God. Really, what I think's gonna happen here is Elain's gonna resurrect Spring and be the High lady of the Spring Court. And that Nesta is gonna be the Queen of the Dusk Court.

[Kim]

Yep.

[Christina]

Or High Lady. We just call her a queen so much.

[Kim]

We do. She's referred to as a queen a lot.

[Christina]

Yeah. And like how beautiful she's death. Her power's death. But she like uses it to bring back to life this prison.

[Kim]

This prison that was used to be a court. And it's been lost. And like there's evil on it now, but like she finds a way to kind of bring it back to what it once was.

[Christina]

And like Bryce led her there. And then from her eight pointed star, it's just like all clicking together. I did used to think that Elain was going to be the one to resurrect the Dust Court. The prison.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And I think a lot of us thought that because of the mountains thing. Because then each sister would have a mountain.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

And I agreed that would be beautiful. But I still like this better.

[Kim]

So I like it better. You're right, Christina. The starborn Fae is so fascinating. And I just can't wait to like.

[Christina]

Dive into that a little more.

[Kim]

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Okay, so we're gonna round out this episode with the phrase silver fire. Now. Oh, I need you to note that Sarah refers to Nesta's power as silver fire 18 times in this book. I guess I went and looked. I went and typed it in with my little hands.

[Christina]

18.

[Kim]

And weirdly, silver flame is actually only said twice in the book itself, which was interesting. But silver fire is stated so many times. And Nesta notes that her silver flame comes from a, quote, colder, darker place. A place that was old and yet wholly new. Okay, what's interesting is that this is not the first time in the mass verse that we have seen silver fire. In Empire of Storms. Our baby, our beloved Empire of storms. Chapter 35.

[Christina]

Right.

[Kim]

When Deanna possesses aen at Skull's Bay. So like, she possesses her body. And Aen like turns to them and like blinks. And Rowan notes, quote, cold white light tendrils flicker. Third silver flame.

[Christina]

Oh my God. Not only is silver, it's cold. It's. It's cold. Like she said, hers was cold.

[Kim]

A colder, darker place.

[Christina]

Oh, I love it.

[Kim]

Okay. And Rowan realized what the power in her hand was. Realized that the flame she would unleash would be so cold it burned. Realized it was the cold of stars. The cold of stolen light. Not wildfire, but moonfire.

[Christina]

Oh God. We gotta break this down.

[Kim]

Okay, so let's break this down.

[Christina]

Okay.

[Kim]

So cold it burned. That is absolutely how Nesta's fire is described multiple times in the book. Like her power, it's flames, but it's cold flames.

[Christina]

Yes. Especially when she has a nightmare.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Wow.

[Kim]

Now the cold of stars.

[Christina]

Stars.

[Kim]

Stars. Night Court.

[Christina]

Starborn.

[Kim]

F. Starborn Fay.

[Christina]

Eight pointed star.

[Kim]

Eight pointed star. Also stolen light. I don't know. I think a lot of people associate stolen with Nesta. Because she stole something from the cauldron. And she's like.

[Christina]

No.

[Kim]

For that.

[Christina]

Yeah. She stole.

[Kim]

So the stolen light. The cold of stolen light. Like she stole something from the cauldron.

[Christina]

Because this silver flame, theoretically, she stole that from. That's correct. Like her power, she stole from the Cauldron.

[Kim]

Exactly. Exactly.

[Christina]

Wowee. Wow. And Deanna is a God. Goddess. God.

[Kim]

Correct. Yeah. Now, I don't think that they're ancestors of each other.

[Christina]

No. But I think it's interesting that the mother made the cauldron, right?

[Kim]

Correct.

[Christina]

Correct. And then like the gods of Tog somehow being connected to the word mother.

[Kim]

Cauldron.

[Christina]

Cauldron, all that. But somehow then that kind of sense of power, a similar power being in the cauldron that she took.

[Kim]

Right.

[Christina]

Is really interesting.

[Kim]

She took the power almost of a God. Like a God.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

So fascinating.

[Christina]

This is so cool. Oh, my God.

[Kim]

I just love a tie into tog anytime.

[Christina]

We will eat it up. The imagery. Oh, that I am now just obsessed with mentally of Nesta looking up and having silver fire in her eyes. And Aelin looking up and having silver fire in her eyes. Yes.

[Kim]

Beautiful.

[Christina]

I've chills.

[Kim]

Can you handle that?

[Christina]

No. But.

[Kim]

Yeah, that's it, guys.

[Christina]

How fun. What a fun silver flames day. What a fun silver Flames episode. We can't wait to see you guys next week. We have a lot to cover next week. It's gonna be really, really super fun. It really, really is.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Oh, my goodness. All right, guys.

[Kim]

Okay, we'll see you next time.

[Christina]

Reading. Bye.

[Kim]

Bye. Well, friends, that wraps up another episode of Flights of Fantasy Podcasts. Don't forget to join our book club community on Instagram and TikTok at flights of Fantasy Podcast, where you can share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments with us and fellow listeners. We'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us spread the magic of romantasy to even more book lovers. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep reading, and remember, every good story deserves to take flight.

[Christina]

Sa.