I Still Can't Believe Throne Of Glass Wasted 1 Of Its Most Promising Characters

Summary Killing Princess Nehemia in the second Throne of Glass book was a huge mistake, preventing her from reaching her full potential.

Nehemia's death feels unnecessary, and it's even more disappointing because she's one of the few characters of color.

Nehemia could have played a pivotal role in Aelin's rebellion, showcasing her strengths and becoming an iconic heroine.

Throne of Glass features a lot of great characters throughout its seven books and novella collection, but Sarah J. Maas' fantasy series completely wastes one of its most promising players. There is no shortage of powerful characters in Throne of Glass, whether they boast magical abilities, physical prowess, or political know-how. Celaena Sardothien — later known as Aelin Galathynius — leaves the biggest impression as the series' lead. However, the supporting cast is also important, especially as Maas' world expands in the later Throne of Glass books.

Even in the earlier installments, characters like Dorian Havilliard and Chaol Westfall have a huge impact on the narrative and Aelin's journey. This is true of another supporting Throne of Glass character as well, but Maas' series simply doesn't do their storyline justice. The author ends this character's arc too abruptly, and it's still disappointing that Throne of Glass never allows them to reach their true potential. Given the direction of the later books, they could have had a much larger and more satisfying role.

Related How To Read The Throne Of Glass Series In Order (By Publication Date & Chronologically) Reading the Throne of Glass series in order isn't tricky, and author Sarah J. Maas followed a mostly linear path with her high fantasy epic.

Throne Of Glass Completely Wasted Princess Nehemia's Character

Killing Her Off In Crown Of Midnight Prevented Her From Reaching Her Potential

Princess Nehemia Ytger is introduced in the first Throne of Glass book, and despite Celaena initially suspecting her of murder, the two become fast friends. Given that both women's homes are conquered by the same tyrannical empire, it makes sense that they get along so well. And Nehemia's connection to Eyllwe's rebellion makes her one of the most interesting characters introduced in the first two Throne of Glass books. Unfortunately, she doesn't survive past Crown of Midnight. And by killing her off so early, the fantasy series robs her of the opportunity to reach her full potential.

By killing her off so early, the fantasy series robs Princess Nehemia of the opportunity to reach her full potential.

Nehemia shows Celaena a different approach to dealing with Adarlan's empire, risking everything for her kingdom at a time when Celaena is solely focused on surviving. She serves as a light and inspiration for Throne of Glass' lead, but she doesn't get the chance to develop as a character in her own right. What the books do show of Nehemia is impressive; she's clever and gutsy — qualities that make her easy to root for. Having her killed her in Crown of Midnight may move Celaena's arc forward, but it prevents Nehemia from evolving into an even better character.

The Princess Of Eyllwe Deserved A Much Larger Role In Sarah J. Maas' Fantasy Series

She Could Have Played A Pivotal Role In Aelin's Rebellion Later On

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

Nehemia showcases her potential through her wit and courage in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight — and that's not to mention her ability to read Wyrdmarks and manipulate everyone around her. Eyllwe's princess is an intriguing character, and her short-lived arc is disappointing for that reason alone. Even if she wasn't a royal and a rebel, it'd be sad to see her story come to such a sudden close. However, the direction of the later Throne of Glass' books makes the loss of Nehemia so much worse.

Nehemia could have played such a pivotal role in Aelin's rebellion, fully stepping into her power and defeating the Adarlanian Empire alongside her friend. She could have helped rebuild the world she wished to save, and she could have showcased her strengths in a new — and more high-stakes — setting. Instead, she serves as a martyr for the rebellion and a motivator for Aelin's journey. It's a less-than-ideal ending for a character with Nehemia's potential, and it marks one of Throne of Glass' biggest missteps.

Nehemia's Death Was 1 Of Throne Of Glass' Earliest (& Biggest) Mistakes

Nehemia's death is easily one of Throne of Glass' earliest and largest mistakes, and it's a development that has received backlash since Crown of Midnight debuted. For one, Nehemia's death simply feels unnecessary in the grand scheme of Maas' fantasy series. Given Aelin's moral compass, it seems inevitable that she would embrace her destiny as the Lost Princess of Terrasen eventually. Readers have to wonder if Nehemia really had to orchestrate her own death in order to push Aelin forward. And her doing so raises another major issue with Nehemia's fate.

The series would have fared better exploring Nehemia's character and her role in the rebellion.

Nehemia is one of the few prominent people of color in Throne of Glass. This makes her death even more upsetting, as it removes the little diversity present in Maas' series, especially in the earlier books. Even worse, Nehemia's death is used to further the white protagonist's story. This is hugely problematic, and it hurts Throne of Glass overall. The series would have fared better exploring Nehemia's character and her role in the rebellion. She could have become an iconic heroine in the later books, but her demise in Crown of Midnight prevents this from happening.