I'm Still Questioning A Court Of Silver Flames' Worst Rhysand Decision

Summary Hiding the risks of Feyre's pregnancy was a horrible choice that made me question everything I appreciated about Rhysand in ACOTAR.

Feyre's response to Rhysand's lie felt out of character and went against the mutual respect they shared in the earlier books.

The next ACOTAR book must fix the Rhysand mistake in A Court of Silver Flames by redeeming his character and relationship dynamic.

A Court of Silver Flames did a great job of fleshing out Nesta and Cassian's characters, but the fifth Court of Thorns & Roses book made a terrible Rhysand decision that I'm still questioning. All of Sarah J. Maas' fantasy series feature complex heroes and heroines, and Rhysand is no exception to this rule. He left a strong impression after his first appearance in A Court of Thorns & Roses, even if it took some time for his character to grow on readers. I didn't fully understand the excitement surrounding Rhysand until A Court of Mist & Fury.

However, after the second ACOTAR book, I realized why Rhysand was so popular. Despite some questionable choices in A Court of Thorns & Roses, he pushed into the hero category during ACOMAF. I couldn't help but admire how carefully he handled Feyre's PTSD or how far he'd go to see her happy. Unfortunately, I lost some respect for him in the most recent ACOTAR novel. Although Rhysand always bordered on being morally gray, A Court of Silver Flames made a choice that completely changed my opinion of his character.

Related 10 Books To Read If You Love A Court Of Thorns & Roses Those who love Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns & Roses books may be looking for something similar, especially while they wait for new content.

A Court Of Silver Flames Completely Changed How I Look At Rhysand's Character

Hiding The Risks Of Feyre's Pregnancy Was A Horrible Choice

Art by Anna Shoemaker

A Court of Silver Flames impressed me with its approach to Nesta's trauma, but it completely changed how I view Rhysand as a character — and not for the better. Feyre and Rhysand's pregnancy was a subplot of the fifth ACOTAR book, and it created tensions between the couple and Nesta. Rhysand understood the risks of Feyre getting pregnant with his child, yet he chose to keep them from his wife. Even with Feyre's life on the line, Rhysand failed to fill her in. It felt totally out of character, and it made me question everything I'd come to appreciate about him.

Nesta was ultimately the one to tell Feyre about her pregnancy complications in A Court of Silver Flames. And while this marked a sisterly moment for Nesta and Feyre, it reflected poorly on Rhysand. In the previous ACOTAR books, Rhysand did everything in his power to keep Feyre safe. While he might have thought he was doing this by keeping secrets from her, he wound up risking her life. I couldn't believe he'd hide something so important from her. Perhaps it's because we're seeing him from Nesta's perspective instead of Feyre's, but ACOSF made him feel like a different character.

Hiding The Truth From Feyre Went Against Everything The ACOTAR Couple Stood For

Feyre's Response Also Felt Incredibly Out Of Character

Image credit: Charlie Bowater

One of my favorite things about Feyre and Rhysand's relationship in the earlier ACOTAR books was how they treated one another as equals. Unlike Tamlin, Rhysand never underestimated Feyre or tried to control her. This was why Feyre chose him in the end, and the couple's Court of Silver Flames subplot went against everything that they stood for. Rhysand failing to tell Feyre about the risks of her pregnancy wasn't just a breach of trust; it also felt like a lack of respect from someone who had never demonstrated that before.

One of my favorite things about Feyre and Rhysand's relationship in the earlier ACOTAR books was how they treated one another as equals.

Worse yet, Feyre's reaction also felt completely out of character to me. When Feyre finally learned the truth about potentially dying in childbirth, she wasn't even that angry that Rhys had lied to her. This didn't sit well with me at all, and it made me less impressed by their relationship. Although they seemed like the ideal couple in the earlier ACOTAR books, A Court of Silver Flames proved their dynamic wasn't as healthy as it was initially portrayed. Hopefully, Maas will find a way to make up for A Court of Silver Flames' Rhysand mistake in the next ACOTAR novel.

The Next Court Of Thorns & Roses Book Must Fix Silver Flames' Rhysand Mistake

I Hope Sarah J. Maas Finds A Way To Redeem Him

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

After A Court of Silver Flames made me reevaluate my thoughts about Rhysand's character, I hope Maas finds a way to redeem him in the next Court of Thorns & Roses book. Although Feyre and Rhysand will still be peripheral characters rather than leads, the author can add another subplot that shows the strengths of their dynamic rather than their weaknesses. Raising Nyx will no doubt come with challenges, and I'd love to see Rhysand prove he's still the person readers rooted for in A Court of Mist & Fury.

I'm not sure if it would be beneficial or harmful to return to the pregnancy subplot from A Court of Silver Flames. However, if Maas can find a way to hold Rhysand accountable for lying to Feyre, I'd appreciate that as well. The author needs to do something to make up for their questionable dynamic in A Court of Silver Flames. Perhaps another conversation can address the problem, highlighting that even the best couples have their issues; they just work through them.