The concept of fated companions has been a major theme found throughout Sarah J. Maas’ book.Cutting thorns and rosesseries. This will certainly continue, as twoCharacters from A Court of Thorns and RosesFuture arcs could help push the boundaries of how mating bonds currently operate in book lore. So far, the series has shown that mating bonds are successful in pairing two individuals – like Feyre and Rhysand or Nesta and Cassian. However, the books also suggested the possibility of someone rejecting or feeling unhappy with their fated partner.
Mating bonds are expected to match an equal, but this does not necessarily promise a romantic connection between the two individuals. In previous books, Maas revealed that both Rhysand’s mother and Tamlin’s parents were dissatisfied with their mating bonds, suggesting that this scenario could play out again in a future romance. With so much still to be explored, it is highly likely that Maas will choose to shake up the dynamics of the mating bond in the next Cutting thorns and roses book.
Tamlin and Elain are perfectly poised to offer new perspectives on the ACOTAR mating bond
Rejecting the mating bond would help increase the lore of stories
The next ACOTAR the installment will finally see Elain’s story unfold, and with a likely Tamlin redemption arc also unfolding, Maas has the opportunity to give audiences a new perspective behind the tradition of mating bonds. Many details throughout the books suggest that Elain will reject her mating bond with Lucien, and there is even a compelling theory that argues that Tamlin had already done so with Amarantha. The romantic journey of each of these characters has been tumultuous, to say the least, and the series needs to portray their mating bonds in a fresh way.
Being able to experience the books through Elain’s perspective will also help readers understand the internal struggle that a mating bond can produce.
Throughout the series, it becomes clear that Elain is uncomfortable with her mating bond with Lucien. While Maas hasn’t really delved into her characters’ relationships yet, creating such conflict helps make Elain’s story unique from her sister’s. With a potential love triangle between Elain, Lucien and Azriel, Maas also created the perfect scenario in which Elain could reject her mate.— deviating from the current trend of the series. Being able to experience the books through Elain’s perspective will also help readers understand the internal struggle that a mating bond can produce.
What happens when someone rejects their partner is still unknown, but whether the next person ACOTAR If the book confirms that Tamlin and Amarantha were once companions, it could give the series a chance to explore the conflict in more detail. The dynamics involved in rejecting a mating bond can also potentially affect how a character may pursue other relationships in the future.– including whether they will be able to have a relationship with someone else. Tamlin’s desperation to find love with Feyre – no matter the cost – could be a clue about the long-term effects a rejection could produce.
The next A Court of Thorns and Roses book should shake up the Fated Mates Trope series
Maas must challenge the predictability of trends
Beyond the world Maas built Cutting thorns and roses, The theme of fated companions is found in many fantasy books today. While the trope proves popular, it would be refreshing to see Maas defy the predictability of trends and avoid a repetitive storyline throughout the series. Since Maas paid attention to the choice between accepting or rejecting a choice in the books, it can be assumed that she thought about exploring other aspects of the mating bond lore with future characters.
Although readers have only seen characters accept a mating bond so far, the elements Maas presented for Elain’s book suggest that a potential rejection of the mating bond is on the horizon. Elain’s love triangle between Lucien and Azriel will likely test the limits of how strong an influence a mating bond has on someone’s destiny, and will add depth to Elain’s character should she decide to reject it. The deviation from the series’ original pattern of fated companions would give the next Cutting thorns and roses book a much more surprising and unforeseen twist.