A Court Of Thorns & Roses has 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. The A Court Of Thorns & Roses timeline closely follows her perspective as she transitions to life as a fae and her mental state, with A Court Of Wings & Ruin seemingly ending her story on a happy note.

However, the A Court Of Thorns & Roses books continue 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 as Crescent City‘s third novel House Of Flame & Shadow. Though these spinoffs do allow Maas to expand the world, they also create an ending problem for the A Court Of Thorns & Roses series that could hinder the narrative.

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 scatters A Court Of Thorns & Roses’ main story. Though A Court Of Frost & Starlight features multiple POVs and A Court Of Silver Flames focuses 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 the Crescent City books 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 characters and storylines that do not involve them. As a result, A Court Of Thorns & Roses has 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 & Roses will 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 or Tamlin’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 flux as her story is shifted through other ongoing narratives.

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 end A Court Of Thorns & Roses with them through either a multiple POV book or through their son Nyx. A possible way to bring them back in the next A Court Of Thorns & Roses book would be through a big event that features every POV character, much like A 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 from A 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 son through similar trials. It would allow them to remain in the background while still closing the A Court Of Thorns & Roses series, showcasing Prythian’s move toward a new future that has learned from the mistakes of the past.