You wouldn’t believe the emotional rollercoaster I went on when I opened BookTok today, only to be hit with the “news” that Sarah J. Maas had announced Book 6 of the ACOTAR series, titled A Court of Gentle Claws.
Yep. Gentle Claws.
Speculation was wild, with theories flying around that this next installment would be all about Tamlin’s redemption arc.
And listen… I don’t know about you, but I left Tamlin back in the Spring Court the moment Rhysand purred, “There you are, Feyre darling,” and never looked back. That man had me in a chokehold and hasn’t let go since.
Personally, I’m not too interested in hearing whatever Tamlin has to say. He already toyed with my heart in Book One and I’ve moved on. What I am interested in? Intel on our Shadow Daddy, Azriel. I’ve got all my fingers (and bat wings) crossed for a Gwynriel endgame. (Yes, I said it, Team #Gwynriel forever.)
But alas… I fell for it. Hook, line, and claw. Turns out A Court of Gentle Claws was the ACOTAR April Fools’ joke of the year, and we did not, in fact, wait this long just to read about how gentle Tamlin’s claws could be.
Now back to Reality, let’s put the spotlight back where it belongs: on the real stars of the Night Court - Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel, a.k.a. our beloved bat boys.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the ACOTAR series that continue to live in my head rent-free:
“Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don’t feel anything at all.” - Rhysand
“Smile again. You’re exquisite.” - Rhysand
“When you erupt, girl, make sure it is felt across worlds.” - Cassian
“I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you in the next world—the next life. And we will have that time. I promise.” - Cassian
“Be careful how you speak about my High Lady.” - Azriel
“To the stars who listen, and the dreams that are answered.” - Rhysand
“I would have waited 500 more years for you. A thousand years. And if this was all the time we were allowed to have... the wait was worth it.” - Rhysand
“I am going to tell you that you will get through it. That you will face this, and you will get through it. That these tears are good, Nesta. These tears mean you care... It will get better. What you feel, this guilt and pain and self-loathing; you will get through it. But only if you are willing to fight. Only if you are willing to face it, and embrace it, and walk through it, to emerge on the other side of it. And maybe you will still feel that tinge of pain, but there is another side. A better side.” - Cassian
And okay... to not be a complete Tamlin hater, I guess I can give him credit for one thing. If you know, you know.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
“Be happy, Feyre,” he said quietly.
And dropped that final kernel of light onto Rhysand.
Fine. He did that. Moving on.
After rereading these quotes for the hundredth time, I ended up designing a few ACOTAR-inspired pieces because apparently, obsessing wasn't enough, I had to wear it.
This blog lives on The Spellbound Shelf, and creating fantasy apparel for readers who love these worlds as much as I do is kind of our whole thing.
Check out the ACOTAR collection and wear your heart on your sleeve, literally.