The rarity of Fae children in a court of thorns and roses doesn’t make sense when you think about it

A fundamental truth of any fantasy or romance story is that the narrative must follow the rules established in its own universe. These rules are essential to the genre, keeping the characters grounded in their fantastical circumstances. Cutting thorns and rosesarguably the most popular romantic series of the decade, it adheres to this standard, maintaining consistency in its laws throughout the story – for the most part. While much of the worldbuilding established in this universe makes sense across the board, ACOTAR timeline, a common criticism is made of Maas’ lore in this series.

The series follows human huntress Feyre Archeron from the moment she is taken to the Fae country of Prythian for inadvertently killing a fae, to her union with High Lord Rhysand and the birth of her son Nyx. A harsh reality about the former ACOTAR book is that there is minimal worldbuilding, but the series continues to develop the characters’ powers and the setting’s magical system with each additional installment. However, amidst the rules that keep characters like Feyre and the Inner Circle based on their powers, some of the lore from the first book never makes sense.

A Court of Thorns and Roses claims that Fae children are rare… but are they really?

If Fae children were so rare, fewer characters would have siblings and children

Maas emphasizes how rare Fae children supposedly are, but many characters come from large families. Fae tradition suggests that accepting the improbability of children is deeply ingrained in their culture. However, this rarity does not apply to the main characters. Lucien exemplifies these inconsistencies, as he has six older brothers, all relatively close in age. Similarly, several characters from ACOTAR series come from large families. Rhysand had a sister before her tragic murder due to Tamlin’s betrayal, who comes from a family of three brothers. These contradictions raise questions about the supposed scarcity of children in Fae tradition.

Logic suggests that if Fae children are so rare, the Fae would be deeply concerned about the survival of their population. However, the repeated mentions of wars, both past and imminent, show that the Fae seem comfortable sending soldiers to die. Even as Feyre explores the Fae world, it becomes clear that every court is filled with Fae, even after many have died in battle. This contradiction is a glaring inconsistency in ACOTAR tradition, which reiterates the rarity of children, but shows the reality of a prosperous population in the midst of continuous wars. This raises the question of why such a paradox would be included.

A Court of Silver Flames misses the chance to explain this contradictory Fae tradition

Feyre’s pregnancy could have sparked a conversation to resolve this issue

When a mating bond is accepted between Rhysand and Feyre, despite their young age, it was only a matter of time before a pregnancy was included in their love story. Feyre’s pregnancy is the first depicted in the series, being the first chance to raise the subject of Fae pregnancy in general. It would have been extremely timely and interesting for Maas to have taken this pregnancy story as an opportunity to delve deeper into the lore of Fae children. Feyre herself could have commented on the rarity of the pregnancy, or this could have increased her complications.

Also, Feyre or any member of the Inner Circle could have at least commented on why so many characters have siblings. That would probably cross their minds when this couple got pregnant with Nyx. Feyre’s pregnancy happens very quickly after she meets Rhysand (in the grand scheme of things) and this was the perfect way to answer questions about it. Even though Feyre could have asked more questions about her own pregnancy during A Court of Silver Flames, as her limited perspective on life as a Fae works well to inform readers.

There are 2 possible explanations for all the Fae brothers we see in ACOTAR

Age differences or mating bonds could explain all the Fae siblings

Maas could still explain siblings and large faerie families as a characteristic of nobility or even pure luck. However, it is much more likely that one of two possibilities is true: staying consistent with tradition. First, Fae children are believed to be rare in the sense that they have extremely long lifespans, so they tend to spread out much further than their human siblings. Although age differences between any siblings are never explicitly mentioned, It is implied that the six eldest Vanserra siblings were already in Fae adulthood when Lucien was born..

Key basic facts:

• Tamlin states in ACOTAR that love has nothing to do with a marital bond and that your parents never fell in love; mating bonds are intended to produce strong offspring.

• Elain Archeron and Lucien Vanserra barely knew each other when their mating bond came to fruition.

• If a mating bond is rejected, there will still be an emotional and internal pull toward other Fae, as shown in A Court of Wings and Ruin.

Theories also suggest that because the mating bond produces strong offspring, it is possible that it helps powerful Fae couples have children at higher rates than expected. The text states that Tamlin’s parents and Rhysand’s parents were mated and both couples had multiple successful pregnancies. If mating bonds increase the likelihood of strong offspring, and that is indeed the main factor determining Fae pairings, it makes sense that these Fae pregnancies would also be stronger.

Tamlin goes into detail during ACOTAR to explain why their parents were together for strength despite their resentment towards each other. The reason he told Feyre is apparently because of the strong offspring Mother knew they would have. It is clear that a lot of textual evidence supports this theory and would definitely explain how Feyre got pregnant so quickly, despite the rarity of Fae children. At the same time, it would have been better if Maas explored some more explanations or the lore behind the Fae children.

Fae children aren’t the only “rare” thing ACOTAR showcases a lot

Fae companions are said to be rare too, but everyone seems to get one

The marital bond is another supposedly rare bond, according to information provided in the text; Still, mating bonds seem pretty common throughout this series. Many characters claim that mating bonds are rare, just as they claim that Fae children are, and yet there is constant and ongoing speculation about who will be the next mated pair in the sixth. ACOTAR book. This anticipation for the next pairing proves how common it is for Maas’s characters to receive partners one after another; Feyre and Rhysand, Nesta and Cassian, Viviane and Kallias, to name a few.

Cutting thorns and roses is known for its romance stories, and while they are consistently captivating, the actual lore of the world itself has some gaps. The characters in Maas’s stories could constitute a special group, destined for great things, as the Archeron sisters seem to be; this may also explain why everyone is lucky enough to have siblings and children. These characters may also simply get lucky with a lore that doesn’t really hold true in general. Either way, it’s clear there’s plenty of time for deeper explanations on things like this.