Despite the fact that I understand the evidence behind thisA Court of Thorns & Rosesfan theory, I really hope that book 6 does not make this problematic mate storyline canon. No news has come out aboutA Court of Thorns & Rosesbook 6despite the fact that the Sarah J. Maas series recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, that silence leaving audiences with little to go on. Even so, the series continues to be popular among fantasy readers and cosplayers, the books remaining the top series in bookish spaces like BookTok and Bookstagram.
As a result, those vast audiences, myself included, have come up with many atheory forA Court of Thorns & Rosesand its next plotline,a focus on Elain’s arc and the threat of Koschei being the most prevalent in discussions on book 6.Almost every character and remaining story thread has been considered, though, as characters we have not properly seen recently, like Tamlin and Lucien, have theories surrounding their arcs. That being said, one theory using a minor character from the third book has me pausing in concern, especially considering their background with the other party involved.
The Briar Is Tamlin’s Mate ACOTAR Theory Explained
Briar & Tamlin Met During ACOWAR
Several readers theorize that Briar could be Tamlin’s mate, as a multitude of details from her time inA Court of Thorns & Rosespoint to that possibility.Briar was one of the Children of the Blessed kidnapped by Hybern’s forces during the war in the main trilogy, Feyre and Azriel freeing her from the camp during their rescue mission to get Elain back. Tamlin assisted in their escape, having kept Hybern’s forces back as Feyre and Azriel flew away from the camp’s borders.
Briar was rescued from Hybern’s camp in Chapter 65 ofA Court Of Wings & Ruin.
Though Tamlin and Briar never interacted inA Court of Thorns & Roses,some onReddithave theorized that Briar could be Tamlin’s mate. The fact that Briar’s story mirrors parts of Feyre’s, her love of the furry bears of the Winter Court, andher name being linked to roses and springtime are the core tenets of this theory, which, when taken in isolation, make a lot of sense. When considering her larger story, though, this theory becomes hugely problematic for both her and Tamlin should Maas follow through on it.
Briar Being Tamlin’s Mate Would Be Incredibly Problematic
These Two Being Mates Makes No Sense Considering Their Storylines
Briar being Tamlin’s mate after the events of her introduction in the thirdA Court of Wings & Ruinwould be incredibly problematic and make no sense, narratively, for either of them. As mentioned, Briar was kidnapped with her fellow Children of the Blessed by Hybern’s forces, where they were horrifically tortured and killed, leaving Briar near catatonic during her rescue.Tamlin was allied with Hybern at the time, so for Briar to be mated to someone who assisted in facilitating those horrors would be hugely problematic.
Briar’s trauma from that encounter needs to be taken into consideration, especially asTamlin inA Court of Thorns & Rosesalso needs to face the consequences of those actions, not be rewarded for them with a mate. If Tamlin is to grow in book 6, he needs to do it on his own, not through a mating bond with someone he had a hand in hurting so severely. Not only that, but Briar’s storyline could be much more fascinating than simply being a part of another’s healing journey due to her final scene in the third book.
Briar Should Get To Explore The Winter Court
Briar should get her own small arc in the Winter Court in the nextA Court of Thorns & Rosesbook, expanding the view of Prythian beyond the Night Court and established characters.Maas never mentioned if Briar returned to the human lands or if she remained in the care of the Winter Court, so Briar still being in Prythian in book 6 could be organically set up from there. By doing so, Maas could give us a glimpse into the customs and workings of aPrythian fae courtwe have not fully explored before.
Briar’s worship of the fae before her kidnapping and subsequent encounters would give book 6 the chance to comment on Prythian’s people and operations outside of the characters who have ingrained themselves into that system.
In a similar vein,Briar’s views and understanding of the fae can give us new insights into them as a whole, as every established character is now fully fae.Briar’s worship of the fae before her kidnapping and subsequent encounters would give book 6 the chance to comment on Prythian’s people and operations outside of the characters who have ingrained themselves into that system. It would also continue to showcase Maas' central themes of healing, inner strength, and the importance of community, all of which makeA Court of Thorns & Rosesso compelling for readers as the wait continues.
