ACOTAR’s Brutal Scene Shows Why Character Deaths Matter

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I must share a heads up with fellow enthusiasts: Diving into Sarah J. Maas’ enchanting saga, A Court of Thorns and Roses, is an unforgettable journey filled with captivating characters, imaginative realms, and mystical magic systems. Yet, one aspect that might leave some readers yearning for more is the scarcity of high-stakes situations and palpable tension. This deficiency primarily stems from a rare occurrence of character deaths or significant repercussions throughout the five-book fantasy series, giving an unspoken assurance that Feyre and her comrades are largely invulnerable. As we journey with them, it’s clear they have a protective shield around them, making the reading experience all the more predictable for the discerning reader.

The impact of a pivotal, emotionally charged scene in the initial installment of “A Court of Thorns and Roses” is underscored, and the intense aftermath underscores the necessity for additional character deaths across Maas’ fantasy book series. However, this particular death, though significant, does not recur or receive much focus in subsequent books of the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” saga, which presents one of the series’ most notable missed chances.

A crucial scene in the first book of “A Court of Thorns and Roses” and its emotional aftermath make it clear that more character deaths should occur throughout Sarah J. Maas’ fantasy series. However, a significant death that happens early in the saga is not frequently revisited or expanded upon, which is one of the series’ biggest missed opportunities.

The Summer Court Fae Having His Wings Cut Is One Of The Most Brutal ACOTAR Scenes

The Scene Adds So Much Emotional Depth To The Story

In the initial book of “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” Maas penned one of the series’ most gruesome scenes. This scene unfolds when a fae from the Summer Court is brought to Tamlin’s residence, having been severely tortured by Amarantha. As his wings are amputated, the fae endures unimaginable pain. The brief moments shared between this character, Feyre, and Tamlin before his demise are among the most difficult to read due to their poignancy. Following a brief effort to save the faerie, it’s clear from Feyre, Tamlin, and Lucien’s responses that he doesn’t have much time left.

As a movie buff, I find myself uttering, “It was my feathery escape, snatched away! She has taken my wings.” My wide, unblinking gaze fixed on nothingness.

— A Court of Thorns and Roses

This scene powerfully underscores not only Amarantha’s horrific and formidable nature as a threat to Prythian in its entirety, but also reveals an unexpected facet of the characters we’ve grown familiar with so far in A Court of Thorns and Roses. It is teeming with emotion and delivers a significant impact on the story’s overall arc. Few other instances can convey the same intense emotion that this one does, considering it features a character who has only been introduced for a brief two minutes.

This Court Of Thorns & Roses Moment Highlights The Series’ Biggest Missed Opportunity

The Summer Court Fae’s Death Highlights How Beneficial Character Deaths Can Be In A Narrative

In the ACOTAR series, there are few deaths and those who do perish often come back to life soon after, such as Amren or Rhys. This pattern could have been improved by incorporating more character deaths across the five novels. The death of the Summer Court faerie in the first book serves as an example of emotional loss, but it’s one of only a few significant deaths that resonate with readers. Another notable death is The Suriel, but he isn’t a central character in the story.

In many instances across Maas’ ACOTAR series, it seems some key characters narrowly escaped death. Although it would have been painful to part with these characters, their demise could have significantly enriched the storyline. Deaths of characters can propel the narrative, increase tension, and make the story appear more authentic. It’s unrealistic to expect every character to survive until the end, and the repetitive pattern in ACOTAR of hinting at character deaths, only for them to miraculously recover moments later, weakens the impact and significance of the plot.

It’s Not Too Late For ACOTAR To Deliver On A Major Character Death

Maas Can Turn This Around In A Future Book

Although the first three books in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series could have included a significant character death but didn’t, there remains an opportunity for Sarah J. Maas to address this in future installments of the series. Since it’s clear that the ACOTAR saga is not yet concluded, although the plot details for Maas’ upcoming novel are still under wraps, we can hope that she will utilize it to rectify the absence of character deaths. It is generally assumed that the forthcoming novel will focus on Elain’s story, and with numerous unresolved questions from previous books, Maas has a wealth of material to explore.

In each new installment of “A Court of Thorns and Roses”, the cast has expanded significantly, now featuring more than a dozen significant characters in the storyline. Though these characters are widely admired, the expansive roster allows Maas to decide which ones may face death in future books. This won’t be an easy choice, as many of them contribute significantly to the plot. I can only hope that she utilizes their distinct abilities and personalities to create a poignant and heroic demise that befits the story.

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

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2025-04-20 21:51