Warning that today’s post is a little different. I usually like to be measured and fair in my writing but I’m fed up with this issue so it’s going to get a little ranty – you’ve been warned.
Today I ask…WTF is up with the ACOTAR Fandom????
I’m an OG ACOTAR reader, I’ve been here since almost the beginning so I’d like to think I have a good view of this fandom at this point. I devoured these books when they were first released. I remember eagerly awaiting the arrival of A Court of Wings and Ruin, the anticipation and excitement was unmatched.
I’ve mentioned numerous times either here or on IG about how toxic the fandom has become. I used to be in a lot of fan groups etc and I removed myself quietly because they became cesspits of bullying and other toxic behaviour. With the release of ACOTAR 6 it seems things are getting worse.
Leaking the covers and then others sharing for engagement just such appalling behaviour, way to make this release about you! I’m actually fucking disgusted and so disappointed.
Among this is the entitlement, “these books need to about xyz” or “if the story follows the Valkyrie side quests and we don’t get stories about Elain or Azriel I’ll be disappointed” and “I don’t want an ACOTAR x TOG crossover” and the complaints about the covers themselves, the colours, the fonts, the fucking spine design it goes on and on. Seriously go and touch some grass because what are we even doing!
I think these people are under the impression that the next books in the series are coming out to satisfy a particular version of some made up storyline that the fandom expects.
I love these books, I’ll read them no matter who they are about and what storyline they go down, even if something I wasn’t expecting or a perspective I’m not into, I’ll read it. I’d like to think that, if you are a genuine fan, you’ll go in with an open mind. Once you have read it you are allowed to be disappointed and feel however you want but don’t act like SJM has done you dirty because she didn’t write the made up storyline you made in your head.
This is exactly what happened when House of Flame and Shadow was released… did you learn nothing from that, temper your expectations and accept that fan theories are just that: THEORIES!
The other thing I’ve seen are posts like this:
“I know everyone is excited about the SJM news today and it is exciting but I’m begging, can we pls not let ACOTAR 6 completely take over romantasy this fall? There are SO many good books releasing that deserve so much hype”
AGAIN I ask WTF? Since when did a popular release overshadow other books? Why do we need to police excitement? In other spaces, films for example, we accept that culture fluctuates, when a huge movie comes out, people talk about it and get excited and no one is saying curb that enthusiasm and not forget about all the other movies. So, why is it only happening in the book community? Two things, people can be excited about multiple things at the same time – I know shocking right? And secondly not everyone likes ACOTAR, it’s probably not even not even a blip on the radar for some readers so let’s not do this ok?
I don’t know when it happened but some people have forgotten that being a fan doesn’t mean you are owed a certain storyline or have any sort of control over it.
The real problem is that the fandom noise is becoming louder than the story and for me personally it’s absolutely ruining the release of these books. So I’ll leave you with this final reminder: these books are not about you or your wants, for the love of god get over yourselves.
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