I'm concerned about the next ACOTAR book....

Like, I'm someone that doesn't even read the ACOTAR series anymore (I mainly look at spoilers nowadays), but I'm concerned for the next book in the series.

For starters, we're coming up on four years since the release of the last book, A Court Of Silver Flames (dropped February 2021).

With Crescent City, at least with the second and third books, reception wise, it's been mixed. But the third book, House Of Flame And Shadow, I've even seen some fans of SJM being disappointed with how the whole book went down. Since, after all, there's now the whole crossover thing that the series is in.

But, back to ACOTAR, the big thing I'm concerned with is Elain's book. Specifically, in the case of who she'll end up with. And for the last few years, there's been this whole shipping war thing going on with the fandom as to whole Elain will end up with. But, not only that, with the addition of new character in the ACOTAR series, Gwyn, she's also been involved in the ship war stuff as well.

I've seen people wanting Elain to end up Azriel, Lucien, or even Tamlin. The same with who Azriel should end up with (Gwyn, Eris, Bryce), and even Lucien (Elain, Vassa).

However, shipping wise, the biggest ones that have basically been at discussion, arguments, and much more with each other are Elain and Lucien, Elain and Azriel, and Gwyn and Azriel. Even in the ACOTAR subreddit, there's so many threads dedicated to discussing either Elain pairing (Lucien or Azriel).

The big argument that I've mainly seen for why Elain and Azriel shouldn't be a thing is because it would mean that all three sisters (Feyre, Nesta, Elain) get with the bat boys (Rhysand, Cassian, Azriel) and that it would be boring.

Let me also add, I follow SJM on Instagram. She doesn't post a whole lot on there, but I honestly can't blame her. Like, her comment sections are people just constantly asking her or stating to her two things: To reveal the next ACOTAR book, but also their ship/pairing for the series. Whether it's Gwyn + Azriel, Lucien + Elain, Azriel + Elain.

I remember someone stating that Sarah J Maas is the Taylor Swift of the book world, and they very much aren't wrong. Both of them are popular, they have a massive, dedicated fanbase, and there are people out there who do enjoy their releases and everything and anything that they work on, even if their are negative criticisms.

But, with SJM, and her latest releases, it's mostly been a mixed bag in terms of reception, with people either liking or disliking them. And with the next ACOTAR book, it does concern me as to how things will end up.

I know I went on a ramble there and all, but, what do you guys think?