Summary
A Court Of Thorns & Roseshas given itself a massive ending problem due to scattering its main cast and story.Originally, the series followed Feyre Archeon and her time in Prythian, from falling in love with Tamlin to her trials Under The Mountain to her love story with Rhysand. TheA Court Of Thorns & Rosestimelineclosely follows her perspective as she transitions to life as a fae and her mental state, withA Court Of Wings & Ruinseemingly ending her story on a happy note.
However, theA Court Of Thorns & Rosesbookscontinue Feyre and Rhys' story in the background of other characters, though their arcs do not largely impact those other two books. The cast also features in other Sarah J. Maas series, such asCrescent City’s third novelHouse Of Flame & Shadow.Though these spinoffs do allow Maas to expand the world,they also create an ending problem for theA Court Of Thorns & Rosesseriesthat could hinder the narrative.
I’m Sorry, But A Court Of Thorns & Roses Has A Major Stakes Problem
The Court of Thorns and Rose series is a fun, frothy read, but the lack of real stakes for the characters is starting to become a problem.
A Court Of Thorns & Roses' Newer Books Give The Series An Ending Problem
Featuring Too Many Perspectives And Plots Scatters The Story
The series has begun to develop a massive ending problem as featuring multiple new plots scattersA Court Of Thorns & Roses’main story. ThoughA Court Of Frost & Starlightfeatures multiple POVs andA Court Of Silver Flamesfocuses on Nesta, the stories still somewhat work as they look at the lives of the cast after the Second Hybern War. Feyre and Rhys get to continue their happily ever after as other characters find their footing. That being said,it also begins a new plotline with Koschei as a new main threat, something that has yet to be resolved.
Their appearances in theCrescent Citybooks also involve Feyre and Rhys in another larger plotline while keeping them as background characters. Nesta and Azriel are the ACOTAR characters who are featured in that series, keeping Feyre and Rhys largely out of things.As the books and spinoffs go on, Feyre and Rhys continue to get pushed back in favor of other charactersand storylines that do not involve them. As a result,A Court Of Thorns & Roseshas run into an issue as it will be difficult to present a satisfying conclusion without them.
Sarah J. Maas Will Need Something Bigger Than A Spinoff Book For ACOTAR’s Conclusion
The Conclusion Needs To Find A Way To Feature Feyre And Rhys
A Court Of Thorns & Roseswill need a bigger ending to the series than a spinoff book, as ending with any other character will not be as satisfying. Ending the story in another character’s narrative, such as Elain’s love story orTamlin’s redemption arc, would not create a strong enough conclusion.Audiences would need further closure as the main anchor character, Feyre, is now being left in fluxas her story is shifted through other ongoing narratives.
Even if Maas wants to completely close Feyre’s story, there are still ways to create that satisfying conclusion while still featuring her and Rhys.
Therefore, having the story ending from another perspective or without heavy involvement from Feyre would, storywise, not work as it would negate Feyre’s and Prythian’s happy ending from the original trilogy. One way Maas could solve this is to have the final book return to Feyre’s POV. If not that,then the story should allow Feyre and Rhys to be heavily involved, letting them help create closure in the narrative.Even if Maas wants to completely close Feyre’s story, there are still ways to create that satisfying conclusion while still featuring her and Rhys.
How Sarah J. Maas Can End A Court Of Thorns & Roses Even If Feyre & Rhys' Story Is Done
ACOTAR Could Continue Feyre And Rhy’s Story Through Nyx
If Feyre and Rhy’s story is done, Mass could still endA Court Of Thorns & Roseswith them through either a multiple POV book or through their son Nyx. A possible way to bring them back in thenextA Court Of Thorns & Rosesbookwould be through a big event that features every POV character, much likeA Court Of Frost & Starlight.The story could also intersect with other Maas series' now that they have been featured, tying up their involvement while still ending with Feyre, bringing the story full circle.
Another option would be to finish the story with Nyx, Feyre and Rhys' son fromA Court Of Silver Flames. Nyx, as the next generation, could round out the series as Feyre and Rhys assist him in his adventures.Though it would not be in their POVs', Feyre and Rhys' involvement would be organic as they try to guide their sonthrough similar trials. It would allow them to remain in the background while still closing theA Court Of Thorns & Rosesseries, showcasing Prythian’s move toward a new future that has learned from the mistakes of the past.
