A single detail from ACOTAR proves that Lucien must become High King

The vast world that Sarah J. Maas created in Cutting thorns and roses has a large cast of characters with complex political dynamics. While Maas is working on the next Cutting thorns and roses book, there are many theories about who (besides Elain) will play a critical role. While the books have done a great job exploring the different courts and peoples so far, some main characters and high-ranking roles have been somewhat overlooked. An often mentioned and currently unoccupied position is that of High King or Queen of Prythian.

Rhysand or Feyre might be obvious choices for such a role, but there is a fan favorite Cutting thorns and roses character that stands out among the rest. Although Maas has criminally ignored Lucien’s story in the books, his character’s arc is far from over. Disregarding her small role in the later novels, Lucien has proven to be an asset to both the human lands and the Fae courts, positioning him to become the next High King of Prythian.

Lucien staying to help the humans in ACOWAR proves he should be High King of the Fae

Lucien chooses to live in human lands in the later ACOTAR books

Lucien’s journey isn’t over yet, and his choices throughout the series make him a compelling candidate for High King. As a Reddit topic points, in A Court of Wings and Ruin, Lucien is the only character who chooses to stay behind in the human lands to heal those who were injured in the battle with Hybern. Given Feyre’s human background, it’s surprising that her character doesn’t do the same, but we think this could be an intentional choice by Maas to give Lucien’s character more weight in the human realm than others.

Lucien also makes genuine connections with high-ranking humans in the mortal lands – Vassa, a cursed mortal queen, and Jurian, a human commander resurrected by the Cauldron. The friendship of the trio – self-styled “Band of Exiles” – grows significantly in later novels, as Lucien prefers to spend more time with them in human lands. Now that the wall is down, we wait The need will arise for someone to bridge the gap between the Fae and humans, and Lucien’s character is prepared to accept it.

Making Lucien High King Could Bridge the Gap Between Prythian and the Mortal Lands

Lucien has ties to human lands and several fae courts

Lucien is the only character in the Cutting thorns and roses series who spent a significant amount of time in various courts outside his own, giving him a strong position in Fae politics, and who spent enough time with humans to earn their trust. Both Fae and humans harbor a serious dislike for each other, and As the human lands will likely be welcomed into the Prythian fold in the next book, the next High King will need to be someone both populations can trust.

As the series has often demonstrated, the Fae and humans do not get along. As they fight side by side against the armies of Hybern, the later novels show that there is still a significant divide. Selecting Lucien as High King would help bridge the gap between these peoples and ultimately make Prythian an even stronger adversary should any evil in Hybern arise again. If Maas reveals a High King in the next Cutting thorns and roses novel, Lucien would be the most logical choice.