Even though Tamlin’s future redemption arc is the most obvious in the upcomingA Court of Thorns and Rosesbooks, there’s another character’s potential arc I find far more interesting. The fun of theincredibly quotableCourt of Thorns and Rosesseriesishow many fan theories and ships they spawn, with readers bouncing their ideas off each other on BookTok and Reddit. The biggest reason for this is that the characters are beloved, and readers have now become fully invested in their stories, wanting their favorites to get their happy endings (or at least that hot mate action).
Unfortunately, with a character roster as long asA Court of Thorns and Roses', some supporting characters' roles have been seriously clipped. Other characters set up to be main characters in the first book have been largely sidelined since.One of those characters is Tamlin, whose story has stalled out.Most readers agreeTamlin will get a redemption arc(fine if earned), while others ship him and Elain (can we not?). I’ve resigned myself to Tamlin still being around, but it would be so much more interesting if Sarah J. Maas put her energy and focus on a redemption story for Eris inA Court of Thorns and RosesBook #6instead.
Tamlin’s Redemption Arc In ACOTAR Is All But Inevitable
He’d Have A Pointless Story Otherwise
It’s pretty obvious by now that Tamlin’s redemption arc is inevitable in one of the upcomingCourt of Thorns and Rosesbooks, if not the very next one. For starters, it would be really jarring to have a character exhibit so much goodness and loyalty, as Tamlin did in the beginning, and never regain that spark of nobility he once had, no matter how brokenhearted or bereft he is. At some point,I have to think the better angels of his nature will start to reassert themselves.If how he’s been in the past few books – insanely bitter, cruel, running feral in the woods and neglecting his people – is who he really is or permanently chooses to be, that would be such a waste of his character.
I Don’t Want A Tamlin Redemption Arc, But It Seems Inevitable After Recent ACOTAR Books
I don’t believe Tamlin deserves a redemption arc after A Court of Mist & Fury, but Sarah J. Maas is clearly setting one up with recent ACOTAR books.
Beyond that, Tamlin has to come around to the side of Team Rhys and the rest of the Night Court and its allies again, orPrythian simply does not have a chance to win the coming war.The Night Court and their allies need Tamlin’s strength and power and what’s left of his forces. Even if he doesn’t return to the man he once was, at some point, they will have to negotiate with Tamlin, and he’ll reenter the story in a meaningful way. He’s a significantly dangling plot thread and no decent writer, and certainly no decent editor, would let that stand.
There is an ongoing theory that Tamlin has not yet fully tapped into or unlocked the full extent of his powers and won’t until he sorts through his emotional stuntedness and truly accepts his role as the High Lord of the Spring Court.
The path of Tamlin’s narrative arc is clear:either he finds some sort of redemption and becomes an ally, however reluctant, or he doesn’t, and they lose the war, story over.I highly doubt Maas will write half a dozen books only for them to lose in the end, so it has to be the first option. Maybe it’s that his path is so clear that it’s not exactly one I’m anticipating, not the least of which because he hasn’t done a single thing to atone, grow, or earn it. That’s why I’m rooting for Eris’s redemption more.
Eris Vanserra’s Redemption Story Is Far More Interesting
Eris Has Been A Plot Driver While Tamlin Has Been A Non-Entity
At this point in the story, whose redemption arc would be more interesting, Eris or Tamlin? For me, it’s Eris – easily. The biggest reason for this is thatEris has been in the story in a more meaningful way than Tamlin beyond the second book.Tamlin has been a near non-entity for the past three books, referenced almost exclusively off the page rather than appearing on it. OtherCourt of Thorns and Rosescharacters –namely Lucien Vanserra– have reported back on him and divulged he’s mostly been running around feral in the woods and wallowing in self-pity. The few times he has appeared, he’s added nothing to the story. Tamlin isn’t a plot driver, nor has he been for a long time.
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
2021
A Court of Thorns and Rosesbook #6
TBD
Eris, on the other hand,has gotten more involved in the plot, particularly inA Court of Silver Flames.His role has been a really interesting one: a new ally with ties to multiple people in the Night Court, but not one that can fully be trusted, a double agent within his own father’s Autumn Court, and the heir to that court. He has so much more potential in terms of character development and storylines. I think seeing him interact with Lucien more would be great, as the two brothers have been largely estranged. There’s also, of course, the whole business of Eris' past with Mor that has to be cleared up. His redemption is just way more intriguing to me right now.
The ACOTAR Books Have Clearly Telegraphed That Eris Is Secretly A Good Guy
The Clues Are All There - And Not Exactly Subtle
TheCourt of Thorns and Roses bookshave so clearly telegraphed that there’s more to Eris than meets the eye; it’s not been subtle. Multiple scenes have shownthere is more to the easy explanation of “Eris is a villain, case closed.“First, there’s the whole issue of him “accidentally” letting Lucien escape to the Spring Court after the murder of his lover; it could be seen as him protecting his little brother the only way he knew how. The books have hinted he always cared for Lucien but had to hide it, as in his father’s ruthless court, caring is seen as a weakness. The real question for me is whether Eris knew or suspected Beron wasn’t Lucien’s father, and did it to keep Beron from learning the truth.
The real question for me is whether Eris knew or suspected Beron wasn’t Lucien’s father, and did it to keep Beron from learning the truth.
If you pay attention,Eris' cruelty is often kindness given the only way he knows how.I’ve long believed that Eris allowed Beron to dump Mor across the border in the Night Court after wounding her, not because he was trying to exile and shame her, but because he knew dropping her in Rhysand’s lands would be the best chance of her survival. He knew that if he or any of his brothers touched her after that, she’d be the property of the Autumn Court, so Eris set her free; the alternative would have been her death at Beron’s hands. In aCourt of Silver Flamesscene with Nesta and Cassian, he hints at exactly that during one of their clandestine meetings.
I’ll Say It: The Fae Are Kind Of Terrible In ACOTAR
Just because I enjoy the Court of Thorns and Roses books doesn’t mean I don’t recognize their problems, starting with the toxicity of Fae culture.
It’s also been suggested that he’s helping the Night Court, risking the wrath of his father because he wants better for his people. He wants the crown, yes, but it’s not that he wants it just for power, but to do things differently. He is not his father, but he still has to operate within his court, and he’s not yet in a position to openly challenge Beron. I mean, Cassian even says as much inACOSF: “I grew up surrounded by monsters. I’ve spent my existence fighting them. And I see you, Eris. You’re not one of them. Not even close. I think you might even be a good male. You’re just too much of a coward to act like one.”
“I grew up surrounded by monsters. I’ve spent my existence fighting them. And I see you, Eris. You’re not one of them. Not even close. I think you might even be a good male. You’re just too much of a coward to act like one.” - Cassian, A Court of Silver Flames
I have to question why the readers who still believe Eris is evil are ignoring a repeated theme in the books.How many characters have we seen who pretended to be evil to protect their reputation or court?It was literally Rhysand’s whole arc in the first few books. The thematic story ofA Court of Thorns and Rosesis characters who are squishy softies inside posturing as “wicked” for various reasons. I’m not sure why Eris would be any different, especially when the books are screaming “Eris is not a bad guy; follow the breadcrumbs already.” When that reveal comes for Eris – and it will – I’ll be the first one cheering.
