The Ending of A Court Of Wings & Ruin: 4 Characters That Deserved More Closure in the Next ACOTAR Book

As the narrative of the ACOTAR series transitions to focus on Nesta and Cassian’s journey in A Court of Silver Flames, there remains a wealth of untold stories amongst the supporting cast. Readers often feel a sense of incompleteness regarding the development of several essential characters introduced in previous installments.

Particularly in the case of A Court of Thorns and Roses, some character arcs appear disjointed, posing a potential challenge for the series’ upcoming TV adaptation. Sarah J. Maas has clarified that the spin-off novels divert attention from Feyre and Rhysand because the expansive world offers numerous characters that warrant exploration. Nonetheless, some followers of the series argue that the transition in focus could have been executed with more finesse.

The Need for Deeper Character Insights in A Court of Wings and Ruin

Key Characters Lacked Development by the Conclusion of ACOWAR

The original covers of A Court of Mist & Fury, A Court of Wings & Ruin, and A Court of Frost & Starlight — Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore

Due to the narrative’s focus, vital characters like Elain, Lucien, Azriel, and Tamlin did not receive their due attention. Greater emphasis on Elain and Azriel toward the end of the story would have skillfully foreshadowed their future developments, particularly since later books primarily center on Nesta’s character journey.

Lucien and Tamlin represent two additional figures whose arcs feel underdeveloped in the conclusion of ACOWAR. Lucien’s relocation to Velaris signifies a new chapter, while Tamlin’s sense of loss remains predominant. The debate around whether Tamlin’s character deserves a richer narrative continues to evoke mixed feelings among readers. Moreover, the closing exchanges between Feyre and Tamlin, particularly her simple response of gratitude, seem insufficient for providing closure to their complicated history.

The Potential of Elain’s Narrative in the Upcoming ACOTAR Novel

Highlighting Spring Court Characters: A Potential Turning Point

Sarah J. Maas' Court of Thorns & Roses books with a red book covered in question marks and a 6 on it — Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

While Maas has not confirmed that the next installment will center on Elain, hints suggest this trajectory is plausible. A supplementary chapter featured in one edition of A Court of Silver Flames sheds light on Azriel’s perspective, hinting at his burgeoning feelings for both Elain and Gwyn. Furthermore, Maas has acknowledged that Elain will indeed have her standalone book, making it likely to follow the current narrative, especially considering Rhysand’s remarks hinting at Elain’s more intricate character than initially portrayed.

Focusing on Elain’s journey allows not only for her character arc to flourish but also offers an opportunity to revisit other supportive figures sidelined in prior stories. For instance, exploring Elain’s struggle with her mating bond to Lucien could reintegrate his character into the forefront, providing depth and clarity that has been largely absent. Additionally, this exploration could either refute or reinforce prevailing fan theories surrounding Elain and Tamlin, particularly drawing from their interactions seen earlier in the series. As anticipation builds for this next chapter in the ACOTAR saga, readers look forward to unraveling the mysteries and relationships that demand resolution.

Book	Release Date
A Court of Thorns and Roses	2015
A Court of Mist and Fury	2016
A Court of Wings and Ruin	2017
A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella)	2018
A Court of Silver Flames	2021
A Court of Thorns and Roses book #6	TBC