Into the Woods and Beyond the Wall
Day 1
Chapters 1-7
Today marks the beginning of our journey, aka buddy read through Prythian—a world of magic, danger, and unexpected truths. With chapters 1–7 behind us, the book besties are already deep in discussion. Let’s break down the highlights, hot takes, and thematic breadcrumbs from our adventure into Sarah J. Maas’s fae-touched world of ACOTAR. Consider this your fair warning. This is a series deep dive as well as a buddy read. There are some major spoilers, but we invite you to join us in our discussions in the comments.
Feyre’s Kill: Justified or Malicious?
The inciting moment—Feyre’s decision to kill the wolf—sparked some debate, but the numbers speak for themselves:
• 67% of the group felt she was justified in her actions. Survival instincts, a looming winter, and a family that depends on her. It’s hard to argue against her grit. I am however part of the 33% that felt that she killed the wolf based on fear of what she’s been told about fae, not on survival instincts or protection. The wolf hadn’t even noticed she was there until her Ash arrow sunk into its body. Speaking of ash arrows, if she thought it was “just a wolf” why use the fae killing arrow?
• 83% agreed that her punishment fit the crime. A life for a life, but with a twist of fae politics and ancient treaties. I am on the fence about whether or not her punishment fit the crime, but I voted no. I think I may have let my knowledge of where she was going sway my vote, but if I was reading this for the first time I would have voted yes. What Feyre, and the other humans in her village know of the Fae, she was most certainly facing an unimaginable future.
This moment sets the tone for Feyre’s character: pragmatic, fierce, and willing to risk everything for those she loves. But it also opens the door to the moral ambiguity that will haunt her throughout the series.
Elain’s Flower Power… and Feyre’s Questionable Priorities
Let’s talk about Elain. Sweet, gentle, and apparently more invested in petunias than potatoes. While her green thumb and love for gardening is admirable, the fact that Feyre chose flowers over food in a time of scarcity had us collectively side-eyeing her choices. We get it. They had the “extra funds”, and Feyre wanted to do something nice for her sister. The consensus? They’re all a bit dim. But hey, aesthetic over survival, right?
Beauty and the Beast trope: Yes, Please
The classic trope is alive and thriving in ACOTAR, and the group is here for it:
• 75% of us are loving the Beauty and the Beast parallels. From the mysterious manor to the beastly captor with hidden depths, it’s giving fairytale with a dark twist—and we’re eating it up.
Lucien: The Snarky Fox We Deserve
Lucien has officially entered the chat, and he’s already stealing scenes with his biting wit and unapologetic sass.
Chapter 7: Feyre’s Awakening
At the dinner table one evening Feyre begins to notice the stark contrast between the Fae and her human world. Their elegance, their refinement— it’s surprising. She’s starting to connect the dots, questioning the stories she’s been told and the fear she’s been taught. The veil is lifting, and the truth is far more complicated than she imagined.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 has set the stage for a tale of survival, transformation, and mythic intrigue. From snowy woods and a hovel (Tamlin’s words) to the opulent halls and lush lands of the Spring Court, Feyre’s journey is just beginning—and so is ours. Tomorrow, we dive deeper into the politics of Prythian, the secrets of the Spring Court, and the slow unraveling of everything Feyre thought she knew.
Stay tuned, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments or tag your reactions with #ACOTARBuddyRead.
