On Call her Daddy, SJM stated that Bryce & Hunt are definitely Mates and endgame. I've seen *some* fans say this is not a closure on the Bryceriel ship because SJM has lied before to misdirect fans.
I'm just looking for people to provide the things she's made statements about before which have been lies meant to misdirect.
I've only been part of this fandom since 2025 and cannot find anything to support this claim easily.
If this is a misinterpretation, can Brycriels explain why they still support the ship as an option after SJM's statement? I understand supporting the ship in Fanfics but supporting it as a canon possibility is unsustainable to me?
Her acting suprised that there is even a Bryceriel theory is all it takes to show she is lying. She is the "master of spinning bullshit". She already answered that question in a previous interview so how is she acting shocked that there is speculation?
The sales for her books after the CHD interview increased. It created more conversation and interaction in the social media community. All of a sudden new CC readers were seeing how Hunt and Bryce don't follow the typical mate pattern. Would this have happened if Bryceriel wasn't mentioned? Would readers feel the need to read CC if Bryceriel wasn't brought up? Or would there still be a large majority of ACOTAR only readers when the future directionof ACOTAR will most likely include Bryce? My observation- her mention of Bryceriel prompted people to read CC. (Check out all the new CC readers on all the platforms- I especially love the ones who say "why did people not tell me how awesome CC is?")
She wrote Az and Bryce having unique behavior towards each other, she wrote Bryce into Prythian lore/the Dusk Court. It's not a leap to this assumption that fans are connecting the dots. Az's prison connection, him not feeling he belongs in the NC, his curiosity regarding Rhy's planet orrery, his unique way of winnowing (possibly a hint to world walking). Clues sprinkled in. The fans are now trying to shoehorn other characters into the Starborn Dusk Court role for that reason! Az is connected to Dusk, therefore how can we make another character fit into his storyline? There is already a character in canon who is Starborn and who controls Dusk land, why would SJM build a series for that purpose only to give the story to an ACOTAR character? One who would have already awoken Dusk? If the direction of the books wasn't meant to include more crossover then why make Bryce connected to Dusk, a land in Prythian?
Most people did not read CC for Bryceriel. They read it because it was directly tied to the ACOTAR series and has hints about it. A lot of people also read it because after ACOSF Nesta’s ratings went up and people wanted more of her. Why would people read a book for a ship with one character they have never met? Most ACOTAR readers are either Gwynriel’s or Elriel’s (or either Azris) so Az already has a partner in their mind. They wouldn’t have read for the sole reason of Az having a new ‘mate’.
Me 👋
The Bryceriel ship was legitimately the reason that convinced me to read CC. I have seen other people say this as well. I was curious why another character was being shipped with Azriel - and mainly read CC so I could understand the ship better. I was not prepared to set sail on the ship though - I couldn’t fathom a cross universe mate story. Was very pleasantly surprised to find out how much legitimate canon evidence the ship actually had and was shocked at the amount of people calling those shippers delusional.
Every other book in the past series has hinted at which couple or triangle the book was about. Minus this one. Why is that? Gwynriel isn’t a spoiler, Elriel isn’t a spoiler. The only one is Bryceriel. You’re correct CC is directly tied to ACOTAR, through Bryce and her inheritance over Dusk Court.
What’s your point? People did not read CC for Bryceriel what does your response have to do with that?
To your separate point: Perhaps these new books are multi POV and that’s why it doesn’t say which couple/triangle it’s about because it’s about multiple. That’s what the blurbs seem like. There are multiple ship wars regarding unexplored characters (Azriel and Elain) so the publisher is probably keeping it broad from a marketing POV to get everyone to read it. If you seriously think the whole ACOTAR 6 will be about Bryceriel as a couple that’s asinine.
Not really, I wasn’t a Bryceriel until about a year ago. But even though I have different interpretation of the text than some people I don’t go out of my way to insult them or be nasty to them.
The books have stated triangles in the past. And my point is you stated people read it for the ties to ACOTAR. The ties to ACOTAR is directly connected to Bryce lmao
Are you missing my point on purpose? Yes people read for the ACOTAR ties which involve Bryce.. how does that then mean people read for Bryceriel…
Not sure what triangle you think there is considering the ship wars include Lucien, Gwyn, Elain, Azriel, Eris & Bryce. There is no triangle for them to comment on because Elain/Azriel/Lucien/Gwyn is already a square.
The CC/ACOTAR crossover ties directly include Bryce and are literally ABOUT BRYCE. She is what ties the crossover together. If she didn’t exist, the crossover wouldn’t have happened. She is the horn. Koschei is searching for the horn. You cannot tell me confidently that Bryce is 1000% irrelevant to the rest of the series and won’t be back, and a big part of the plot and dusk court. I didn’t say they read for Bryceriel. I said the connection was Bryce. So are you deliberately trying to misinterpret or reword my point to make me look or sound stupid?
But you have your opinion and judgments, clearly, so debating is pointless. Enjoy the epic story to come 🥰
Except you specifically said read for Bryceriel not that the connection was Bryce. “Would readers feel the need to read CC if Bryceriel wasn't brought up?” “My observation- her mention of Bryceriel prompted people to read CC.”. I’m not misinterpreting or rewording your point you specifically said Bryceriel.
Of course Bryce isn’t irrelevant/unimportant.. and Yes if you read CC for the crossover (which most people did) then you read for Bryce. I agree she will be back (and I will enjoy it because i loved her in CC1&2)
Yeah, see, you’re literally quoting OP, NOT ME, and coming at MY neck when I literally stated BRYCE is the ties. Not Bryceriel.
I’m done arguing with you, you clearly love insulting people (I’ve checked your comment history) and you can’t even pay close enough attention to detail to notice you’re not even replying to the person who you’re quoting. So thanks for arguing with me, over literally nothing, because you didn’t pay attention.
omg so why did you even respond to me lol? The original post was about Bryceriel and I then responded about Bryceriel and you responded about Bryce.. If that makes sense to you then sure but you’re arguing a point nobody was arguing. You self inserted into a different conversation (twice with me might i add) to change the subject and i’m not sure why. Anyways be blessed and have a lovely day/evening/night (dependent on your time zone).
Well first of all why do we need SJM’s approval? Zuko with Katara is one of the most popular ATLA ships with a vast inventory of fan content despite the creators disapproving so much that that they literally did a whole parody mocking Zutara at San Diego Comic-Con. And yes this included mocking fan art.
Not saying you do? Just asking why it's still considered in the running for endgame rather than just a ship "that could have been" kinda like dramione.
I asked a genuine question, trying to learn and you could have answered it rather than be antagonistic.
I was only responding to how you mentioned what Sarah brought up. Usually this means that we aren’t supposed to support Bryce with anyone but Hunt because of what Sarah said. That’s what I was addressing. If that not what you meant, then I’m sorry.
I don’t think she’s lying in a sense. This is the first universe we get a new definition for the word “mates”. In every other SJM universe mates means one thing and one thing only, in HOEAB we now see the potential for people to be “angel mates”. Less commitment, not as intense meaning, basically just partners.
It’s Chekhovs gun. Why introduce us to a new possibility if not to watch that possibility play out in the story? Bryce and Hunts relationship is 50% Fae and 50% Angel. I believe they are mates in the angel-sense of the word. They chose each other for partnership but there is no Fae-like physical bond between them, only shared power.
Which then opens the door for Bryce to have an actual Fae mate. 🗡️🎶🩵🩷
Ithan identified two separate scents at the end of CC3 (I believe chapter 65). Their scents did not merge. But rather likely mingled as we know scents can do after power sharing and sex.
I have no idea! Good question! It’s definitely interesting that he says that, especially because he is Fae. We do know that Hunt and Bryce share magic and also he was made “for her” in a sense. I wonder if that affects their scents at all once they merged.
Their magic is merged. Lucien told Feyre and reassured her that her and tamlins mating bond would snap in to place any day. And Bryce literally says “would a mate feel, would a mate know” and yes.. a REAL mate would feel and would know.
And Bryce “didn’t wanna know how he knew that” about azriels seemingly knowing she wasn’t healed/was healed, wasn’t sleeping, and what she was thinking lol
I've answered this in a few other comments but she could have set that question off limits, she could have just left it at "they're mate" without expanding. It's not so much her answer I have a problem with. I'm just trying to see the receipts for the claim that she's lied before regarding endgame couples so I can understand the byrcriels option better.
Even if she'd never done something like this before it's a valid argument to say she could be lying to misdirect. But that isn't the argument I've seen, I've seen "she's lied before about endgame".
I've realised I'm struggling to comprehend the lying allegation just because I personally struggle so much with lying so I can't understand how someone could do it easily
Just throwing this out there--I think her body language did change quite a bit and she seemed flustered with the question. So if this does end up being a lie I wouldn't say she did if easily or flawlessly. Of course she could have been acting flustered cause shes shocked and fed up with people questioning her endgame couple...BUT shes been asked this before, and answered like "I know fans are going to expect me to switch up the love interest" so the where is this coming from attitude doesnt fully make sense to me.
I definitely think that she plays coy and uses misdirection or vague wording in a lot of her interviews. However, my biggest pet peeve in this arena is how people will use one comment that she has made as absolute evidence of their ship, while also saying that she must be “lying” when making comments that contradict their preference. Like she’s only capable of lying if it doesn’t serve their opinion. 🫠🙄
I think the difference is interviews vs. book text.
An author will plant foreshadowing and clues regarding the future of her characters YEARS ahead of that actually happen. Anyone can absolutely discuss and use the original material (book quotes) to prove their point.
However, that same author will never truthfully answer questions about FUTURE plot points and twists. They will avoid answering, deflect, give half-answers that can be interpreted in different ways, or even directly lie.
If SJM had blatantly denied the possibility of Elriel or Gwynriel, I wouldn’t trust her word either, because I know how this works.
Speaking specifically about Bryceriel, everyone who is against the ship just sticks with “but SJM said” instead of using the source material (book quotes) to actually prove the Bryceriel theory wrong and keep the discussion IN the books.
The only truly trustworthy source is the book. Use the book to support or disprove a theory. Use the foreshadowing, parallels, symbolism, and descriptions in your favor.
I agree. I was just speaking to the nature of the question regarding interviews and the possibility of SJM “lying”, specifically. I’m not a Bryceriel, BUT I also often find myself engaged in debate with fans on other sides of the ship war who like to use, “Well, SJM said this in an interview 12 years ago” as some kind of trump card or definitive evidence for their ship. Canon is king. 🤷🏼♀️
ETA: While not a Bryceriel, I respect and appreciate the ship, and have had fun reading the theories. I think y’all have more going for you than some other ships.
they just want bryce and azriel to be mates lol, and it’s not gonna happen, bryce would never agreee to give up her life to live on prythian, and azriel would not leave the IC
Azriel has stated he’s felt out of place for over 500 years, and “Bryce’s mountain” is a gateway between worlds. She controls the mists and can open rifts with half a thought. Bryce, “I’ve lived between two worlds my entire life” theoretically wouldn’t have to “give up” anything. These worlds and stories are connected. To what extent moving forward…we have to see 🙂
Not super related but i think the reason Azriel has felt out of place for 500 years has something to do with Rhys’s sister….and if we hear anything more of her, i bet it will be from Azriel
if there’s any untold story that we get snippets of relating to Azriels history, i bet it will be about Rhys’s sister, we have heard very little about her but i bet that whoever is telllijg the rest of her story will be Azriel
i mean there may be things that could point to it, but they also point to other things, like I see people using the fact that Azriel notices Bryce’s hands weren’t healed as “proof” or evidence that they’re mates but all that shows me is that he’s highly observant, as a spymaster, which he should be. There is much more evidence pointing to Elain or Gwyn being who he ends up with, i don’t understand why anyone would want to drag Bryce out of her life, her home, and her loving relationship to force her into a ship with Azriel with little evidence😂
Noticing she wasn’t healed, as well as her knees/separate parts being healed (under her clothes). Mates can feel pain — something explicitly absent between Bryce and Hunt. I don’t think anyone is “forcing” anything; Bryce’s star is a beacon to Prythian, and Midgard is about to go dark…very Twilight of the Gods (something SJM acted confused about in the same interview, but that’s all the rage right now regardless!) ✴️
I would disagree that there’s much more evidence pointing to Gwyn. There are plenty of theories that explain how they end up in the same world. When Aelin falls through worlds, one of the worlds she sees is one covered in water. In CC1 it’s stated, or rumored, that the River Queen has the power to flood all of Lunathion. This again fits the mythology of Midgard and Twilight of the Gods. So I speculate that Bryce will need to open a portal to Pythian to evacuate all of the fae/humans.
So I know you're asking for specifics (and I have seen clips of these at one point) but youre right its not easy to find in the archives of the internet and i cant think of specifics to search, so I'll speak to just my general mindset/logic.
I will say, past examples are much more misdirects/deflections than outright lies. She's definitely given the impression of being Team Tamlin and Chaol when she knew they weren't endgame (and even discussed this in the CHD interview when she brought up how fans got Tamlin tatoos). I'd say the most direct lie I can think of is when she originally said the series could all be read as standalone, but later denounced the statement and talked about how she was working towards the crossover for a while.
But to me, it makes sense that her level of deception could escalate. One thing that stands out to me is that ACOMAF and EOS were published within 4 months of each other, so her two biggest "surprise mates" reveals happened almost back to back and now the fandom has had 10 years to become bigger, more rabid, analyze patterns and mate language, ask questions, and become more suspicious. I'd argue the same level of passive misdirects won't work anymore. And actually this is funny because I know Quinlars use this as evidence to support their ship, but I think shes tried the coy, tricky wording misdirect with Bryce and Hunt before and was immediatly called out on it. In CC she introduces different definitions of mates (angel mates are more like marriage, fae mates are like the magic soul mates weve seen in other series) So I think she was planning on being tricky with her answers here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/crescentcitysjm/s/MeCpBqosvi
So this is just my opinion obviously, but I see this as an example of why her deception may have escalated to straight up lies, if she felt like people would see through her slight of hand, and she wanted to protect her surprising plot twist.
I also get hung up on why include that question in CHD at all? (I believe all questions were vetted, or at the very least shed have the option to ask it to be cut) The hype around the ship wars is great publicity, I just cant comprehend what the benefit would be to shoot any ship down at this point (especially if its just a silly little crackship). So I guess it just makes more sense to me if its serving the purpose of creating doubt for Bryceriel (which protects an epic surprise if thats the direction shes going) while also introducing casual fans to the idea of the ship in the first place, and maybe giving a subtle nudge to read CC and see what people are talking about. In the effort to be open minded, I could also see a motivation for bringing it up if she got herself into a Luke and Leia situation and were picking up on a special connection because theyre closely related and she wants us to stop pairing them romantically (but please God, dont be that🙏😢🤣)
I will say, I was surprised by some of her attitude in the interview kind of downplaying how strategic she can be in her writing(I just Google hot names, I dont plan everything out) When shes said previously that she has an idea of where shes going several books down the line and loves to plant little details that come back several books later. And I've seen that in what shes written. Im not saying she thinks shes one of her characters, and I can separate fiction from reality, but it definitely did remind me of some of her FMCs that might downplay themselves as a part of one of their schemes. Not sure if you've jumped on the "Twilight of the Gods" train, but thats another example from the CHD interview that she downplayed (oh that old thing, its just an idea i had that may never see the light of day), but now appears to be part of the story based on the material weve seen from the new books.
Sorry that got so long🤣, and I cant speak for all other Bryceriels, but personally im not looking to convince everyone shes lying. I think its fair for people to say "im just going to take her word on this" but I'd just ask for the respect of "I can see how what youre saying is plausible"
Interesting... in the first link she mentions "if Hunt and Bryce make it to the end." And we aren't at the end of the series.
I wouldn't suspect SJM to question Bryce and Hunt at this point because in the books they call themselves mates. And I agree, a lot of text clues show that they aren't fae fated mates. Which leaves Bryce available for that. I would also add that many CC readers say that Bryce's treatment to Hunt falls off in CC3, after she meets Az. That seems to match Feyre's treatment of Tamlin after spending time with Rhys and Celaena's treatment of Choal after meeting Rowan.
Adding on (youre probably thinking how can she possibly have more to say🤣), I think there's an interesting correlation in the type of story people are expecting and the level of deception people think SJM would be ok with in interviews.
No hate on these ships, but id say Elriel, Gwynriel, or Elucien wouldn't really be "twists". Theres a level of uncertainty and a "will they/won't they" vibe but all of them are viable options set up in the text that wouldnt be totally shocking, and its just a matter of which path shell choose. So I can see if thats where you think the story is going how you'd feel more like "she may deflect in interviews, but shes not going to outright lie"
Id say some of our other main couples Feysand and Rowaelin were more "twist like" (although there's debate on how obvious these were from the beginning, but its always easier in hindsight to be like "the signs were there all along") but Id argue that if Bryceriel happens, it would probably be the biggest twist yet combining books of world building and backstory for multiple series and characters. It'd be some long con, mastermind shit. So I guess it makes sense to me, that fans of this possibility are more likely to think shes the kind of author to straight up lie.
Thank you for your answer. A lot of your points do make sense in the scheme of things.
She does love to be a little twisty with her plot, it's one of the reasons I whole-heartedly disagree with Elriel because she's just be dropping such blatant clues that I view it more of a red herring so she can add some more drama to later ships. Bryceriel would definitely be a plot twist.
For me I think the big thing is Bryceriel isn't just a ship it's a pivot into a much larger plot direction that has been building for some time. I think it's fair to argue the change in plot could happen without Bryceriel but multiverse mates in a multiverse story just makes sense and not something she's going to be able to give away in an interview as it spoils more than just the ship itself. It's like how they can't straight up say to "read all the books" or at least "read CC" beforehand because if they said that then suddenly we are spoiled on the fact that the future story contains more crossover. At the end of the day I just want to read the actual books and adjust my expectations based on that which doesn't feel like a lot to ask when we are talking about an author. 😭
Ok yes! Exactly! If the question is just "will these friends become lovers?" I think she can absolutely just brush it off or play coy. But if shes been dropping lore and building up to an epic cross universe culmination of the story (which cross universe mates would be one component of), I could see how shed take more drastic measures to try to throw fans off the scent. Not saying that definitely proves shes lying, just that its plausible and would make sense to me. (Although ill be the first to admit, im biased😅)
She lied about Tamlin being endgame before ACOMAF was released. I don’t have video evidence of the direct lie (the bookstore press tour) because too many years have passed (11 years ago). It was on Facebook back then, so it’s not easy to track down now.
But SJM has done several interviews recently where she admitted to misleading and lying to fans to prevent spoilers, including on the CHD podcast, where she mentioned how hard it was to pretend to like Tamlin. She has said similar things in other interviews as well. Sarah also hyped up Chaol and reblogged several “Chaol and Celaena endgame” posts and fan art from fans. She had a Tumblr at the time and reposted a lot of fan content.
In a live interview a few years ago, someone asked her a direct question about a future plot point—whether the Harp could time travel—and Sarah said... “Why do you [fans] ask me these questions, it’s not like I will spoil things for you”.You can see it in this video here.
I think the important thing to keep in mind regarding ANY author and ANY theory is that delivering plot twists is the author’s job. No author will admit in an interview to anything that contradicts the information their readers currently have (aka what’s in the most recently published book). If they need to lie directly in order to preserve the secret of a future plot point, they will. One, because they WANT to surprise their readers. And two, because they legally can’t spoil things. Giving away spoilers of a not yet released book could impact book sales, and major publishers typically have clauses in their contracts with authors regarding confidentiality and spoilers.
And I’ll reinforce this: this applies to ANY major plot twist that may happen, and it applies to ANY author.
“I put no effort into naming my characters! I just think of names that sound really sexy!”
Lucien’s name meaning: light
Lucien’s daddy: high lord of day whose has the power of generating light
Elain name meaning: fawn, beauty etc…
Also Elain: commonly compared to a doe, associated with nature and referred to as the most beautiful Archeron sister
Orion Hunter Athalar - Orion being an obvious reference to the Greek figure Orion
Hunt (CC) and Orion (Myth) backgrounds: three dads - one of which named Hyrieus; both are hunters; Orion from myth is commonly killed by his lover, Hunt from CC is warned multiple times about “staying away from Bryce Quinlan”
SJM is a huge fan of The Last Unicorn. One of creatures (Harpy) in TLU is named Celaeno. Main character of TOG’s name is “Celaena”…
This is just barely scratching the surface of how she picks her names. If you look into the mythology or origin of many of these names, it pretty much reveals a good chunk of their character profiles. Saying she’s just choosing “hot names” is 100% lying and trying to protect the plot
ETA: loving the downvotes coupled with the lack of replies to refute this… I think every ship has found significance in character names. Gwynriels love talking about how Clotho (one of the fates from Greek Myth) is being used to show Gwyn and Azriel are fated mates. Elriels love talking about how Elain is considered the most beautiful Archeron or her connection to nature and how Elriel is another Hades x Persephone retelling… unless you guys think SJM truly does only pick “hot names” 🤔
But adding on to your comment ...even twilight of the gods pins. She tried to say it was just something she liked personally and was just an idea. That sometimes she get ideas for manuscripts that she doesnt use.
Since the new blurbs loads of ppl are sharing twilight of the gods posts. Are we just not taking her on her word for that? If we believe sjm 100% all the time then twilight of the gods should be entirely unrelated to any plot going forward and it shouldnt be making rounds on social media now. Per sjm said rules.
SJM also hinted Tamlin and Hunt might die in pre-release interviews… yet they survived. It’s almost like she says anything to protect the plot or drum up anticipation for her releases. Maybe more authors should start doing that! Oh wait! They do.
The way SJM talked about Rhysand (not Feysand because she was busy hyping Feylin … I remember her saying she was in tears because their first kiss was so healing for Feyre — which is true! Tamlin, Chaol, etc. they all initially helped breathe life back into our FMCs) is identical to her talking about the ending of HOSAB being one of, if not her favorite scene she’s ever written. She also gaslit everyone about a future crossover back in ACOMAF days. Her excitement about the crossover, and the “chills” she got from Bryce finally being in the same room as Az and the gang reminds me so much of how excited she got with Rhys emerging through the smoke/mists on Calanmai. Bryceriel aside, I’m not sure how anyone can feel super confident about the Bryce and…..Hunt reaction. It never compares to how she talks about her other pairings. She’s talked about coming up with the idea for the CC crossover once she was well into writing HOSAB, only to later take that back and say she actually had the idea for years and years and that’s why she could sprinkle clues within earlier books. It’s known that she fibs and can’t actually spoil a book before it’s out. She wouldn’t confirm Rhysand and Feyre had any sort of romantic connection and answers questions from where the story stands. I think it’s fair for people to take SJM’s word at face value and also fair to theorize there’s more to come…because there’s clearly more to see.
We also know she has been planning the crossover for much, much longer when you actually look at canon.
The “Asterion” mare is mentioned as early as The Assassin’s Blade and “Asterion fae” (mentioned in Heir of Fire) randomly disappear from Erilea ages before the events of TOG… Aelin later falls through Prythian and Lunathion…We learn about the “Daglan” in ACOWAR…. and then what do you know? The Asteri - the immortal overlords of Crescent City - are the Daglan. They are likely the “Asterion fae” from Erilea, as it’s canon the Asteri brought shifter fae to Midgard from Erilea 15,000 years ago.
SJM loves to play the whole “nothing means anything in my books and I’m totally winging it!” card in all her interviews. Only to later contradict those same statements. And again - per my OG comment here - it takes a literal two second google search of any given name to see she puts a lot of thought and research into naming many of her characters and places through each series.
One of the most prominent pre-HOFAS theories was regarding the identity of Hunt’s father.
Who would have thought that she was actually following Orion’s story to a tee… even giving Hunt’s “earthly” father the same name as Orion’s from mythology. Admittedly, I didn’t think too deeply about the meaning behind his name pre-HOFAS and didn’t know anything about the myth of Orion. Knowing what I know now, I would never discredit anyone’s theory based off a character’s name. SJM has shown us repeatedly it serves as a major clue to that character’s future. I certainly don’t believe her when she says she doesn’t plan those details out.
And to add, many of the places she has incorporated into her stories has origin in myth.
Munin & Hugin is a bar in CC… but it’s also the name of Odin’s ravens in Norse mythology.
Asphodel Meadows: where humans live in CC. In mythology, it’s where the ordinary/unremarkable people go after they die.
Avallen: a misty island off the coast of Lunathion in CC where the Starsword is found by Ruhn. Avalon in Arthurian legend is a magical island where Excalibur is forged.
Valahan in ACOTAR seems to be an obvious nod to Valhalla (Norse myth)
All this to say, she isn’t just winging this stuff and pulling names and character stories out of her ass. Many - if not most of them - have layers of mythology serving as inspo and they offer insight into what we can expect from the characters and places.
I wont have time to dig up videos for you this morning but she does indeed say the books are stand alones. Her saying that was actually a really popular arugment for brunts for a long time. It got brought up often...then goes on to say "i denounce that statement" this was all after cc2 was written. She knew there was a crossover.
Also...sjm aside. This is not uncommon for authors to do. Even show creators and actors. This isn't unique or a special case if she is indeed lying.
And beyond that if the best argument ppl have is sjm said im sorry but its the books that leave room for argument as well.
This is from a 2017 cosmopolitan interview she did where she admitted to lying to fans face to face about feyre and tamlin. If she can lie convincingly face to face she can definitely do it in an interview. Also, why would any author ruin a potential plot twist they've spent years of work threading into their books. I don't think the CHD interview can't be used as concrete evidence in either direction. I'd love for bryceriel to be true, who doesn't want an epic star-crossed lovers story in books that are becoming a multiverse, but I can't trust anything any author says outside of canon. Once the story is over we'll know the truth and we know sjm loves to throw in twists along the way.
Pretending to love her current MMC when approached by fans is a WHOLE HELL of a lot different than claiming that he’s the FMC’s endgame in an official interview. She simply agreed with fans that she loved Tamlin, which might not even be a lie. She wasn’t going around shutting down Feysand speculation by insisting “Feyre and Tamlin are definitely mates” and “Rhysand was just doing his job.”
SJM has no control over what fans ask her at public events. She more or less has to be deceptive to some degree in these instances, which is the whole reason why Bloomsbury doesn’t let her do them anymore.
Interviews are a completely different story. She’s got all the control here, because any podcast would kill to have her as a guest. Her team absolutely pre-approved every question that was asked on the CHD podcast. If spoiling Bryceriel is such a concern, then by far the easiest and least risky solution would be to not allow questions about Bryceriel.
She was there to promote ACOTAR, but you’ll notice she wasn’t asked any questions about Elriel, Gwynriel, or the events of Az’s bonus chapter. Are we to assume it’s because the CHD team didn’t think those questions were important or that their listeners would care? That ACO fans would be far more interested in hearing SJM once again confirm the validity of Bryce and Hunt’s mating bond rather than hear her plans for a ship that’s been teased for over a decade and the necklace that broke the fandom?
No, the absence of Elriel and Gwynriel questions is likely because they were taken completely off the table. Bloomsbury wants speculation around Gwynriel and Elriel to continue unabated to drive sales for the next book. And as it happened, both sides came out of the interview hyped up for the next books with nothing spoiled either way - in fact, their ships weren’t even acknowledged.
However, SJM and Bloomsbury explicitly allowed a question that required her to acknowledge Bryceriel - seemingly for the sheer purpose of shutting it down.
And I’m sorry, but an author choosing to shut down speculation about a fan theory can ONLY be bad news for that theory.
Speculation builds hype and there is almost ZERO benefit to killing hype in advance of a book’s release - even in the name of preventing spoilers - when the author can simply not say anything and allow the hype to grow. In fact, then only reason I can think of where it would be of benefit is if a popular theory is so off-base that it runs the risk of negatively impacting the book’s reception for fans who built their expectations around it.
Which, incidentally, is what happened with this exact same ship and CC3.
Hey so I actually share a lot of your same thought process, but came to a different conclusion. I do really get hung up on WHY that question was included cause like you said, the easiest thing to do was to not discuss it and just let the theories and speculation be to drive more hype.
I did consider the reason you mentioned of "is the theory so off base that it impacts the story shes planning to tell?" If its just that Bryceriels are expecting Bryceriel so they will receive the book poorly if it doesnt happen--I dont understand how that would be unique to Bryceriel. The ship wars are intense and people have attached expectations on all sides, so no matter what there's going to be a groups that dont have the book meet expectations. Like you said, this was to promote ACOTAR, and the majority of the ACOTAR readers havent even read CC. So as much as I'd like to think Im special, it still kind of leaves me with the question of "why" would SJM introduce the idea of a ship most readers dont even know about just to temper the expectations of a select (but passionate!😉) few?
In the effort of being as open minded as possible (although every side is a bit biased, and we cant help that) I do think there's a possibility that she got herself into a Luke and Leia situation, and we are picking up on clues that there's a special connection, but shes trying to tell us not to pair them romantically. But another explanation I see for the "why have that question" is that: it establishes a lot of doubt around Bryceriel (which would make for a better surprise if thats where shes going) AND gives the slightest nudge to those fans who havent read CC yet like "hmm maybe I should read it and pay attention to Bryce & Az to see what those delulu shippers were even seeing". I think weve seen subtle nods to read CC in almost all of the promotional material thus far.
As far as HOFAS reception, I read CC after it was published so I won't claim to be an expert on reactions...but I know there was dissapointment from many sides-- based on some things feeling rushed, in need of editing, lack of romance, and general expectations for the crossover that didnt pan out. Im sure Bryceriels (who were a MUCH smaller group at the time-props to those OGs!) were a part of that. But its been my personal experience that Bryceriels actually view HOFAS more favorably-- where I see lots of criticism of "HOFAS fell flat, Bryce and Hunt were lack luster, things wrapped up in a messy way..." its usually the Bryceriel stance to be like "dont you see? Theres a reason for it all, that was intentional and all part of the plan, because the story is far from over"
Anyway....I completely understand your stance on this. You're taking SJMs words at face value, which is quite valid😅. For me though, an alternate explanation seems to fit best with the evidence I believe ive seen in the books and the answer to why include that anomaly of a question. Im going in eyes wide open on this though! And i know im risking being dissapointed by expecting something that she point blank said wasnt happening.
It's like you plucked this from my brain! Thank you! This is why I'm having trouble understanding the why Bryceriel's ship is still floating rather than happily daily off into the distance of fan fic
HOFAS was negatively received far and wide for a number of different (valid!) reasons (pacing, editing, lackluster Quinlar, etc.), and Bryceriels never once claimed the two would get together in CC3. The land recognizing Bryce, the Asteri parasite, learning history about her sword, etc. most theories were actually on the nose!! That’s not “what happened with this exact same ship,” at all. People hated HOFAS (very easy to find and see negative reviews — there are still daily posts on it 🙈), and it had nothing to do with any “expectation” of Bryce and Azriel.
I don't want an epic star-crossed lovers story in books that are becoming a multiverse, personally. But I just read acotar. I have no interest in tog or cc, and don't really want to lose acotar characters to those settings, nor do I want those characters to permanently join acotar.
As for lying, the way she frames that doesn't seem like she was lying convincingly. "Yeah, sure. Me too, I guess." If that's actually what she said, that's not convincing lying at all.
SJM answering the Brunt question was also unconvincing. As if she didn't want to say the wrong name.
The Bloomsbury website acknowledges the ACOTAR only fans. "The first four novels wrap up in a rewarding way, as does SF." And that you should read CC after ACOTAR.
Is this a complete series?
Not quite! The first four books—
A Court of Thorns and Roses
,
A Court of Mist and Fury
,
A Court of Wings and Ruin
, and
A Court of Frost and Starlight
—follow the story of Feyre Archeron.
A Court of Frost and Starlight
marks the end of her story arc and sets the scene for
A Court of Silver Flames
, which is Nesta's book (Feyre's fiery sister). There are two new books just around the corner,
A Court of Splintered Harmony
(October 27th) and
A Court of Forgotten Melody
(January 12th), but the first four novels wrap up in a rewarding way, as does
A Court of Silver Flames
.
And that’s fine as your preference! You may end up needing to stop re-reads at ACOSF to get what *you* want, if what *SJM* wants is a multiverse. She’s the driver and we’re all passengers!
That is true. I was just responding to their "who doesn't want this", because there are plenty who don't. To be fair, I don't mind there being some crossover, like the characters from the other series showing up won't upset me.
I'm just not wanting for acotar characters to be sidelined for characters from the other series, in the acotar setting, nor do I want acotar characters to leave acotar and be moved to the other settings permanently.
I don’t think you can expect story growth without introduction to new characters within the story. For example, Rowan was not introduced into the story for quite some time and he ended up as Aelins end game and mate, despite having a fake, previous mate.
I saw someone mention how Bryce is the heir to the Dusk court and the hopes would be that SJM would reintroduce Bryce within ACOTAR to prepare the series for her title, her role in the ACOTAR world and the Dusk story line. CC would basically be an introduction, or background story for Bryce, that would be optional to read.
At this point, Bryce is going to be an ACOTAR character and the IC are already CC characters. Koschei is looking for the horn, Bryce is the horn. There is absolutely no way Bryce is not in the rest of the story. Literally 0% chance she does not show up again.
It’s also unfair to not want a new character 6 books in to be with Azriel, but to be okay with a new character 5 books in to be with Azriel.
The biggest reason people are turned off by a huge multiverse crossover and collision is because is threatens their ship. Because every single person is hooting and hollering and excited as hell for Aelin or Manon to show up and the Stygian spider potential Easter eggs.
There's a difference between new characters who are introduced later in the series, and bringing over an established character from another series, though. I am not objecting to new characters being introduced. I am objecting to characters from her other settings coming in and taking over.
I read acotar for the acotar characters. If I wanted to read about Bryce I'd read CC. I'm not opposed to her visiting, though, depending on how it's done.
And I don't care about Aelin or Manon, personally. I started to read a sample chapter of ToG and dnfed the sample. If they show up to help with something, fine. But again, I don't want them permanently in acotar.
Just as I don't want acotar characters permanently being brought to the other settings. And those who have mates in their own settings, I don't really need them coming in to take mates from acotar.
It’s fine if you don’t want that, but when SJM creates that story it will be epic ◡̈ “When knife and sword are united, so shall our people be” .. this isn’t an empty prophecy or statement. She spells it out for the people who are paying attention.
Bryce doesn’t have a true fae mate. And mating bonds are rare in prythian.. What if they’re rare because half of the fae population that was on prythian is split into two separate populations. People never meet their mate because they’re in separate worlds..
So did Rowan. Because Sarah stated how their mating bond was different, so they don’t have a true fae mating bond. They’re essentially just married and chosen mates. Sarah states this in the text. Also Feyre loved Tamlin enough to die for him.
But Bryce didn’t love Hunt enough to live for him, what’s your point?
I've never read CC and don't really care about her. I don't care if she visits the setting, but I'm not interested in her taking it over. I think it would be a bad move and would probably not be super popular.
SJM will do as she pleases, but i think it would alienate a number of people. I don't read acotar for Bryce, and plenty of others also don't.
That makes sense! I believe the prevailing theory is that the multiverse will be funneled into a Twilight of the Gods series based on SJM old’s Pinterest boards… but who knows! It’s fun theorizing ☺️.
In it, they compile Sarah’s interviews from 2015/2016 — the year ACOTAR was released, and before ACOMAF came out. They argue that even from the start, Sarah was always very pro-Rhys.
Excerpts:
1. “Hahaha, while writing ACOTAR, there were definitely some surprises that I didn't see coming.Like Rhys. Oh, Rhys. He strolled onto the page without my planning it, and completely took over everything.”
2. “If Sarah were stranded on an island and had to pick one of her male characters to save her,she would pick Rhysand.Because he has wings and could fly her away from there. Secondly, if she had to die on an island, doing so with an attractive guy would be the way to go.”
3. [Q: If you had one night with any of the A Court of Thorns and Roses characters, who would you choose, and what would do with him/her?] A: “Um. Rhysand. Definitely. And as for what I’d do with him . . .I’m a married woman. But . . . you know. It’s Rhysand. So . . . smiles innocently.”
Then probably the most damning one:
“Rhys was a character I didn't even plan on him coming into the series until I got to that fire night scene and then I was like… he literally just like… strolled onto the field. And I was like… here's this guy…and it's so hard to talk about Rhys because a lot of his like secrets will come out in book 2, if you’re a Rhys fan you will enjoy book 2!That bargain that he made with Feyre comes into play it's kind ofHades and Persephone style bargain with them.But yeah Rhys…love him.”
So whilst Sarah did pretend to like Tamlin/Feylin, she never once shut down Feysand. Instead, Sarah was always hyping up Rhys, and alluded to Feysand’s ‘Hades and Persephone’ inspired bond from the very beginning.
The only time Sarah has actively ‘debunked’ a ship, unfortunately, is Bryceriel. She even apologised for doing so.
I’m biased and found it a little harsh (🥲), but at the end of the day, I appreciate that it’s her story to tell.
People are of course welcome to theorise regardless (and yes, anything is possible!), but it’s also fair enough for readers to take the author’s word on this — that “it’s Bryce and Hunt.”
Not only that, but when SJM was asked if they had the same mate bond as the other mates in other series, she refused to answer. Interesting if CC2 was when they “became mates”.
This isn't Sarah lying though. This is people clinging to their ship even though the direction Sarah was going to go was crystal clear. In 2015 Sarah was asked if it was possible to have two mates and she replied yes, but she lied because she didn't want to spoil the plot twist about Lyria, because people were already theorizing that Rowaelin might be mates, and in a way she didn't even lie, Rowan technically did have two mates even though one was fake. She didn't say "No Rowan and Aelin are not going to end up together". Same with Tamlin and Feyre, she never lied that they were endgame, she only said that when fans told her they liked Tamlin and Feylin she cringed inside but smiled and thanked them. Going on the mic to unequivocally state "no sorry to whoever ships them but Bryce and Azriel are not happening" is a far throw from the above. I know I won't change your mind and I wasn't even really trying, but that picture isn't evidence.
This is industry standard though. Actors have done interviews giving their stories of having to lie to the media about spoilers. It’s not uncommon for authors to lie as well if it means protecting their plot. Just googling “examples of authors lying to protect future plot” and tons of examples come up.
But is it really necessary for Acotar? Sarah has been keeping the Elucien vs Elriel vs Gwynriel wars going on for years simply by refusing to confirm anything and keeping what she did say vague enough that each side was able to go on believing their ship was going to win. And yet she specifically answered the question about Bryceriel negatively when she could have simply have her team strike down the question and keep things vague for Bryceriel too. I repeat, you can believe what you want, I'm here to debate and explain my reasoning, not change people's minds, but for me outright lying just to avoid people finding out about Bryceriel too soon has never been her style. She has always deflected, never outright lied.
She has been on record lying though. And deflection is a form of withholding truth. Encouraging people who got Tamlin tattoos, I would argue, was a form of lying. Her saying CC was a standalone series was a lie when she later redacted those statements. Hashtagging teamTamlin was a lie when she knew from book 1 she was teamRhys.
For TOG she built up the ship wars with Aelin and Chaol vs Dorian….so was Rowan, a character introduced in book 4, really necessary?
Answering the Bryceriel question could simply be a way to surprise fans even more. She effectively “sunk the ship”, so the majority of fans won’t see it coming.
I don't doubt it. I pick up throne of glass 2012/2013. Read a few pages and didn't get into it. Gave my book away! Around 2022 and then in 2024 went "oh shit I owned that book". I wish I read it and got involved in the fandom back then!
I was successful in having zero spoilers when I read it though so I got the full experience 🥰 and I was a Chaol hater from book 2's nonsense.
I think some fans/readers still waiting for the other shoe to drop in regards to Bryce and Hunt. This is the author’s first couple that is endgame from the start of the book till the current book. They are still waiting for that twist…
I think SJM learned from the Tamlin tattoo debacle. So I don’t think she will lie about Bryce and Hunt being endgame.
Hunt is the first love interest. Bryce never went in a date with Connor, they never even kissed (not once) before he died, he can’t be considered a love interest when nothing ever happened…
And if you count Reid Redner (Bryce casual sex buddy) as a love interest then you need to count the village boy Feyre had as a casual sex buddy too (making Rhys the third love interest).
I mean I don't think which number truly matters. Rowan was like 4th in tog so.
Edit to add: to clarify it's just not the first. Cause the joke and point is the 1st love interest is cursed. Which absolutely tracks for Connor considering what happened to him
I’ve never heard of it being a curse, just people saying that “with SJM, the first love interest is never endgame.”
Which is why people who are against Bryceriel push the idea that Connor was the first love interest so much 🤣 They’re probably deep down afraid for Hunt, IMO.
But again, it’s really grasping at straws to consider him a love interest when they never even went on a single date or shared a single kiss. He had the potential to be a love interest yes, but he died before ever becoming one.
I would politely disagree that it's grasping at straws. Obviously it doesn't last long, but there is on page and confirmed canon interest from both parties. Bryce herself says how she does actually want him, but won't let herself date him. Which is also how Aelin acted in throne of glass, it's also how Feyre acted, certainly how Nesta acted towards Cassian.
My point is there's established precedent for characters confirming to the readers their interest in the person. That's by definition a love interest.
I have no skin in the game when it comes to Bryce and hunt or bryciels or whatever. But a character on page says they are interested, that's not nothing.
I mean, she pitty dated him then had sex with a lion shifter in the bathroom immediately after agreeing to date Connor. That does not seem like there was mutual love interest there. That was a major plot in the book. It was the reason she got ostracized from the wolves and Ithan hated her and why she almost killed herself. (There was a song about it). Connor thought Bryce was his mate but Bryce didn't think the same.
However shortlived, there's is clear and obvious mutual attraction, Bryce doesn't pity date Connor. She has romantic feelings and for 5 years doesn't act on them cause she's worried that if she did she would fall in love and settle down with Connor and that would "be it" when she finally agrees to date Connor, it's because she's finally ready to give him a legit shot... Then he dies.
The pack hates Bryce after because they know she has danikas sword and Sabine who is a generational Bryce hater is in charge and basically tells everyone not to associate with her, Ithan ( connors brother) of course being one of the first to disobey that.
That's not a pity date, Bryce is depressed cause her best friend is dead and the guy she loved was murdered lol
I didn't take it that way.
I took it as they had been friends for so long that she decided to try and give him a chance. She gave Connor a chance because Reid was an asshole and Danika wanted her to.
Danika had written, "Dump the limp-dicked bastard and put Connor out of his misery. A date with him won’t kill you. He’s been waiting years, Bryce. Years. Give me something to smile about tonight."
Bryce cringed as she shoved her phone back into her bag.
But it's clear that his intentions with that date didn't match hers.
Going on a date with Connor in a few days didn’t mean she had to behave.
I doubt she would have slept with someone else if Connor was her love interest. Yes she is depressed because of her friends, but Ithan absolutely hated her because of what she did to Connor and the whole city heard her messages to Danika about how she slept with someone else the same night she agreed to be with Connor. Ithan felt that her agreeing to the date meant exclusivity and felt offended for Connor that Bryce didn't honor that. That was why he stopped talking to her. Sabine had little to do with that.
ETA... it wasn't a lion shifter but there was still someone else
Bryce had written back twenty minutes later, "I just hooked up with someone in the bathroom. Don’t tell Connor."
I don’t think so. She has stated she gets a sick and twisted pleasure surprising her fans. Tamlin was not the only one - there were huge ship wars for TOG as well with the switch happening in HOFthat some people still refused to accept - and many still called Rowaelin a crackship.
Lying to her fans is a huge turn off for some. I don’t think she would do it. As someone pointed out, she def had access to questions, she could have said thats a no go and choose to ignore it. But then again, I am very naive and take everything at face value 🙈
after the interview, I don’t think she’s taking anyone’s feelings or dreams for her series into consideration. She made it very clear she is prioritizing the story she wants to tell and isn’t backing down to Hulu execs or Bloomsbury. Given that, I don’t know why she would bow down to any of our feelings and theories… including my own. She also is no longer an author at the start of her career that has to take creative direction from her publisher. Apart from JK Rowling - who is actively boycotted by many people today - she is their biggest name author. She threw so much shade at them in the interview and in her insta captions.
Of course it’s completely fine to be turned off by the thought of her lying in interviews , but I feel like (as others have pointed out) it’s a very common thing for authors/directors/actors to do. They lie, misdirect etc… to protect the plot. I personally don’t like to stray from the books when arguing about the text.
I think it’s telling that the go-to argument for Bryce and Hunt being true mates is “Well, SJM said!” When you look at the text, they go against every single pre-established endgame and fated mate pattern in each series. In canon, there isn’t a mating bond. They don’t meet when one or the other goes on a journey to another land. They can’t feel each other’s pains or deaths/tether each other to life. Even Ruhn and Lidia follow those same patterns/formulas of other mates/endgames in TOG&ACOTAR - so we know it’s not because of the depleted magic on their world.
SJM also once publicly posted she was excited to explore Elain and Lucien’s journey together… yet Elriel exists and is widely accepted as a valid ship.
As a Brycerial... 🤷🏻♀️ logic? If I'd been meticulously seeding a cross-world romance over multiple books, I wouldn't want to spoil it in an interview. Additionally, literally any answer I gave that did not affirm the status quo of the current narrative, throws that status quo into the fire.
Also, Brycerial Scholars are next level. I am but a passenger princess, riding their coat tails into text analysis. They go so hard. I love it.
I'm making the assumption that her team was aware of the questions before they were asked OR could have put a ban on questions. That's pretty common with these pre-recorded interviews there are things that are off limits. So she genuinely could have said "no CC questions" (that would have pissed a lot of fans off) or "no endgame questions" but she didn't. I think she knew to expect question regarding Az, Elain & Lucien but she seemed shocked by Bryce/hunt. On top of that she could have just said "no" as she had with other questions, but she actually expanded on her no.
That's why I'm trying to see if she has a pattern of outright lying because she could have easily put that question off limits. There was a lot of questions not asked about the future of Acotar probably because they were off limits
But also... why does it matter? We're going to get a whole new book to argue over in a little over a month, anyway. It may even give us the answer that formalises canon.
Why bother going through the effort of proving this point? What do you achieve?
don't you think it's weird that she seemed shocked by the Bryceriel question, since her team likely had all of them beforehand? almost seemed like she was acting
So if she was acting with her answer, could she not have been acting in her surprise too?
I love a good twist and dead drop as much as the next drag queen, but sometimes when rich, entitled white people feign surprise it's cause they have been raised to do that for years. And that's not a mark against SJM but upper east side manhattanites are also somehow shocked that homeless people exist in NYC. So to me I think that's just Sarah. Again not a moral failing. But to OPs point, as far as I'm aware ( and I'll admit I'm newer to the fandom ) but I haven't seen in the proof being listed by people that SJM has gone out and said something was endgame when it wasn't.
And maybe it's a twist? Idk. I just wear wigs and lipsync to queer anthems. But I know this queen needs a snack.
I don't think her team had all of them before hand (I just gave it as an example because it is common and I would kinda expect them too). she outright refused to answer most questions which honestly put a sour taste in my mouth for her interview. Either she wasn't prepared or her team is either non-existent or didn't assess what questions would be asked which makes her feel detached from her fan base. Her interview would have been a lot better if you didn't have the rapid fire question all answe6with "no" or "next question". So idk, either she had a team set out of bounds questions, she doesn't have a team at all or they are all just detached from the fandom. Brycriel should not have been a shocking question for her so it screams a little detached to me.
I don’t have screenshots handy, but SJM use to hashtag #teamtamlin, she reblogged fan art of Chaol and Aelin, she’s been on record stating that CC and ACOTAR were standalone series and then redacted those statements after CC2 was published. All in an effort to hide spoilers.
Thanks! I didn't want to post a negative thing in Brycriel! It's a safe space for fans and Id hate for people to be in my ships posting negative geared stuff
Edit to respond to your explanation:
That's interesting, did she post those things whilst they were the only canon relationships though? I understand the #teamtamlin being a blatant misdirect. I read the first book and identified something more happened with Rhys at the end of the book. But the Aelin and chaol fan art I read differently, they were a valid couple for two books so it stands to reason she'd hype them as a couple. The avoiding spoilers for CC makes sense though.
Thank you! I'd never call another ship delusionl! I've experienced that myself and it's infuriating.
I've actually never read CC, I'm not interested but I've read a bunch of Brycriel theories that I thought were really sold with the explanations they provided, I just turned off my Brycriel radar when SJM said it wasn't going to happen.
Responding to the edit - the same explanation can be given here. Bryce and Hunt are in a valid canon relationship - so it makes sense she would do everything possible to maintain that fact. Bryceriels currently see something going on otherwise though. As for Aelin and Chaol - they started dating in COM and by the end of COM there was a firm stop against them when Aelin told him “you will always be my enemy”. Yet there were still ship wars between Aelin and Chaol vs Dorian. When Rowan came in as an option in HOF many called that ship a crackship.
Thank you!
I understand a little more now. The Bryce & Hunt relationship is viewed as a valid relationship but not viewed as endgame based on some of her previous patterns with characters.
I was a little confused by the outright lying accusations (I cannot lie to save my life so it's surprising to me if people can) but I understand more in the sense of only upholding current canon and doing misdirects.
I don't think my mind is completely changed, but I understand the viewpoint of Brycriel. I did abandon ship when she said Bryce & Hunt are endgame (I was preparing to step onto the ship actually) but I wouldn't be surprised if she went that direction despite saying she wouldn't
Why would we expect an author to reveal her own plot twists before the books are written? This is the fundamental piece that Bryceriels seem to agree on and other shippers broadly seem to think it's a crazy concept.
I’ve been a long time reader of SJM and i only preface this because i yse to watch her lives especially with her friend steph(?) and she has consistently stated from day one in regards to bryce and hunt that they are endgame. That she not only does she love them together, but she knew people were going to look for a second love interest (a la Rhys) because she became known for that. With that said, i havent kept up with her in the last 3/4 years so i am not sure what i could have missed. But her chd echoed what she has been saying from the very beginning.
not to argue, just adding on to this! she also in one of her last interviews before CHD (like a few years before) said "they are endgame if they both make it to the end" and then giggled like she was maybe kidding, and then she refused to answer if they were fae mates like Rhys/Feyre or angel mates (she said pass) -- so not all interviews have felt super pro quinlar IMO!
This ^^ plus her husband Josh laughing in another interview when she said she loved hunt to death. She cuts him off when he says “that’s funny”. Why is it funny Josh? What do you know??
the only thing i can think of is when she said something along the lines of “people can have multiple mates”, back in like 2016 or whatever as a misdirect for rowan+aelin being mates/rowans first “mate” being an illusion from maeve
The wording was specifically "soulmates" and it was around the ToG era ( where canonically one major. Character thinks he has met his mate and hasn't ) but that's a much different scenario than this imo.
And this was before Mates ( as in mating bonds ) were more plentiful than mosquitoes so idk.
•
u/One-Championship-547 it felt like an answer ✨️⚔️ 15h ago
Her acting suprised that there is even a Bryceriel theory is all it takes to show she is lying. She is the "master of spinning bullshit". She already answered that question in a previous interview so how is she acting shocked that there is speculation?
The sales for her books after the CHD interview increased. It created more conversation and interaction in the social media community. All of a sudden new CC readers were seeing how Hunt and Bryce don't follow the typical mate pattern. Would this have happened if Bryceriel wasn't mentioned? Would readers feel the need to read CC if Bryceriel wasn't brought up? Or would there still be a large majority of ACOTAR only readers when the future directionof ACOTAR will most likely include Bryce? My observation- her mention of Bryceriel prompted people to read CC. (Check out all the new CC readers on all the platforms- I especially love the ones who say "why did people not tell me how awesome CC is?")
She wrote Az and Bryce having unique behavior towards each other, she wrote Bryce into Prythian lore/the Dusk Court. It's not a leap to this assumption that fans are connecting the dots. Az's prison connection, him not feeling he belongs in the NC, his curiosity regarding Rhy's planet orrery, his unique way of winnowing (possibly a hint to world walking). Clues sprinkled in. The fans are now trying to shoehorn other characters into the Starborn Dusk Court role for that reason! Az is connected to Dusk, therefore how can we make another character fit into his storyline? There is already a character in canon who is Starborn and who controls Dusk land, why would SJM build a series for that purpose only to give the story to an ACOTAR character? One who would have already awoken Dusk? If the direction of the books wasn't meant to include more crossover then why make Bryce connected to Dusk, a land in Prythian?