The A Court Of Thorns and Roses book series has become one of the most popular romantasy works in recent years for a reason. Sarah J Maas' novels are full of magic, romance, and action and have captured the imagination of many readers because they're so fun to read. However, one of the most important ways readers can interact with literature is by acknowledging some of the material's flaws and engaging with the moments that the books don't represent how the real world should look. Hulu's TV adaptation of the books will have to tackle these issues with care.
Of course, as a fantasy series, it's to be expected that the universe the characters live in contrasts with the real world and shouldn't be considered aspirational. It's an escapist narrative, but that doesn't mean the TV show can't give ample opportunities for development and evolution. series must fix character arcs and touch upon the more upsetting plot points throughout the novels. While it would be a mistake to omit something just because it's more serious and complex, that doesn't mean the TV show shouldn't comment on this and grapple with its problems.
Book |
Year of Release |
A Court of Thorns and Roses |
2015 |
A Court of Mist and Fury |
2016 |
A Court of Wings and Rain |
2017 |
A Court of Frost and Starlight |
2018 |
A Court of Silver Flames |
2021 |
Hulu's Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Needs To Address The Books' Biggest Fae Problem
The power dynamic between men and women in the books must be talked about
A problem with fae culture is the toxic masculinity, which is present in the way both Fae and Illyrian cultures are written. The way the mating bond between the men and women in the books plays out has an element of romance due to Maas' writing, but it's outdated and uncomfortable. Women have little to no agency after a man feels the "mate bond" with them, and while being pursued can be flattering, this kind of attention is also intense and can quickly become dangerous, and this dynamic won't play out well on television.
Feyre and her sisters have all faced this discrimination and are treated like objects by the majority of the men in the books.
Feyre and her sisters have all faced this discrimination and are treated like objects by the majority of the men in the books. The men in the Inner Circles are mostly immune from this toxic and predatory behavior. However, they are in the minority, as tales of using assault as punishment and treating women as if their only purpose is to have children run rampant in the story. The female characters deserve to have a say in their fate, and the TV series has the opportunity to change this toxic trend or at least discuss it onscreen.
Hulu's ACOTAR Show Must Expand One Relationship Early To Overcome A Harsh Truth About Season 1
To succeed, Hulu’s A Court of Thorns and Roses needs to highlight Feyre and Rhysand’s bond early, compensating for Tamlin’s problematic relationship.
The ACOTAR TV Show Should Copy Game Of Thrones' Approach To Its Misogynistic World
Game of Thrones found a way to stay true to the world without being regressive
Many fantasy series take place in the past in feudalistic kingdoms and societies, and there's little question that patriarchy and misogyny often accompany these types of societies. However, the Game of Thrones series found a great way to include these elements while simultaneously communicating that they're not okay. The major female characters in Game of Thrones all start out in difficult positions, but they push back on the systems that oppress them and find ways to express their agency and desires. By the end of the series, some of them, like Sansa, have even changed their societies and gained power.
The A Court of Thorns and Roses can learn from the strong and complex female characters in Game of Thrones who were all too aware of their positions in society and learned to use this to their advantage. Trying to change everything about the way Fae culture is characterized and structured wouldn't work, as so much of the story depends on this. However, if the series inserts self-awareness and allows the women to call out the way they're being treated and find ways to undermine it, this would be a great way to ease the transition to television.
Hulu's Court Of Thorns & Roses Series Can Solve 2 Problems By Tackling Its Fae Culture
The novel's toxic masculinity isn't the only issue the TV show can tackle
Grappling with the way women are treated also opens the door for ACOTAR to spend more time developing the secondary female characters and villains in the series. Of course, Feyre and her sisters have been well-developed up to this point, but they're far from the only women in the story. Many interesting female villains, like Amarantha, need the show to spend more time on them and their motivation. Even Nesta, one of the main female characters, didn't undergo much evolution until the audience finally read her perspective in A Court of Silver Flames.
One Harsh Reality About The Court Of Thorns & Roses Books Could Benefit The Hulu Show
Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses excels in character and plot, but Hulu’s show has a chance to enhance the world-building details.
For fantasy television at this point, there's no excuse for presenting unhealthy and toxic depictions of relationships and violent treatment of women without addressing them. A Court of Thorns and Roses is well-known for being a fantasy book with more spice, but the TV show will have to elevate the plot and the female characters for the story to translate to audiences who aren't as familiar with the narrative. There are great moments throughout the books when Feyre proves herself to be a strong character who won't be pushed around, and this characterization needs to translate to the other women.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Showrunner
- Ronald D. Moore
- Writers
- Ronald D. Moore
Based on the A Court of Thorns and Roses fantasy novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a television adaptation that follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman dragged into the world of faeries after slaying one of their kind. The series will follow her journey through the lands of Prythian and her relationship with one of its lords, Tamlin.
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
