Summary

  • Elain and Azriel's relationship in A Court Of Thorns And Roses is unlikely to move forward due to her mating bond with Lucien.
  • Gwyn seems to be a better match for Azriel, hinting at a potential romance in future books.
  • The symmetry between Gwyn and Azriel aligns with Maas' fated mates' trope, making them a strong couple.

Unfortunately for fans of A Court Of Thorns And Roses is one of the aspects I love about this series. Elain especially caught my eye early on, as, unlike her fiery sisters, her strength was quiet but no less present, even during her lowest moments in A Court Of Wings And Ruin. Her love of flowers and feminine style hides so much depth that I think could only be explored more in one way.

If the next book does focus on Elain, it will likely feature her current love triangle with Lucien Vanserra and Azriel. As that was the biggest part of her side story in the previous books, resolving it is, to me, a big priority for the next installment of A Court Of Thorns And Roses, as it will finally allow Elain's arc to shine outside of it. That being said, while Azriel and Elain had some great moments I enjoyed, Elain's mating bond with Lucien will ultimately complicate their connection and any chance of the two ending up together.

Book covers of Sarah J. Maas' Court of Thorns and Roses series on a background of laugh emojis
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Elain & Lucien Being Mates Complicates Her Ending Up With Azriel In ACOTAR

Maas' Use Of The Fated Mates Trope Complicates Elain And Azriel's Connection

Elain's mating bond with Lucien complicates her and Azriel's relationship but also allows for some interesting directions for Elain's story. A Court Of Thorns And Roses develops a connection with Azriel in the second book, though that connection is severed after she is turned High Fae. Despite this, the two continue to gravitate towards each other as Elain tries to fight for her own fate. Maas' constant use of the fated mate's trope and Lucien's persistence, however, could still end with Elain and Lucien together. But, to me, this would not be a bad thing for Elain's story.

Again, Elain and Azriel had some great moments, and Elain's desire to find love outside a bond is justified. Those moments do not erase the fact that Elain and Lucien are more compatible. Both utilize charm and cunning as their primary strengths, as showcased by Lucien being an Emissary and countless examples of Elain's quick thinking. Elain could let that cunning, calculating side out with Lucien, allowing her to grow beyond being a thing in need of protection. This would allow A Court Of Thorns And Roses to highlight a kind of strength the series rarely shows, making Elain's story unique.

A Court Of Silver Flames Hints That Gwyn Could Be The One For Azriel Instead

Gwyn Is More Compatible To Azriel Than Elain

A close-up of the cover of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Azriel's connection with Gwyn in A Court Of Silver Flames hints that she could be his love interest over Elain in the A Court Of Thorns And Roses series. In a similar way to Elain and Lucien, Azriel and Gwyn's compatibility is highlighted in the books, making it more likely that Maas will put them together. Though A Court Of Silver Flames focuses on Nesta, Gwyn's story also gets a lot of attention as she trains alongside Nesta and Emerie to be a Valkyrie after being attacked by Hybern soldiers and living as a priestess.

All of their moments seem to not only highlight their compatibility but also hint at the idea that Gwyn and Azriel will end up together, a couple that I think works better for A Court Of Thorns And Roses.

Gwyn and Azriel's connection grows organically throughout the book as Gwyn channels her inner strength to match Azriel's might as a warrior and the many trials set before her, including the ribbon test. In turn, Gwyn's gentle disposition is able to melt the ice around Azriel's heart, allowing him to open up in ways he cannot around the Inner Circle. All of their moments seem to not only highlight their compatibility but also hint at the idea that Gwyn and Azriel will end up together, a couple that I think works better for A Court Of Thorns And Roses.

I Think Gwyn & Azriel Work Better Together In The ACOTAR Books

Gwyn And Azriel Can Achieve That Symmetry Maas Always Highlights

A custom image of the cover of A Court Of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas with a purple sky and cracks around it. 
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon. 

I think Gwyn and Azriel would work better as a couple, and will likely be revealed to be mates in a future installment of A Court Of Thorns And Roses. Many of the theories surrounding the next ACOTAR book include how Gwyn may be a lightsinger due to her enchanting voice and the slight glow she has when singing. If this is true, it could achieve that symmetry Maas loves to put in her books with the fated mate's trope, making their potential bond just an added bonus. It would also, to me, highlight why this couple works so well.

At the time of writing, the sixth book in the A Court Of Thorns And Roses series does not have a release date.

Azriel's role in Gwyn's story is to help her navigate the darkness around her, both through training her to be a warrior and helping her cope with her trauma. Gwyn, in turn, is able to stand in the darkness with Azriel and not need to be protected from it, instead acting as a beacon of light for him. Much like with Elain and Lucien, these two would bring out the strongest and best sides of each other, which to me is what A Court Of Thorns And Roses is about: finding companionship, love, and strength in spite of hardship.

The Cover of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

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A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
Publisher(s)
Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date
2021-02-16
ISBN#
9781526620644
Author(s)
Sarah J. Maas
Genre(s)
Fantasy, Romance