Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for A Court of Thorns & Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City.

Summary

• Elain & Lucien may offer a fresh take on the fated mates trope in the next ACOTAR book.
• Maas can explore what happens when mates reject their bond, breaking the usual narrative.
• The potential storyline could bring new dynamics to romance subplots, deviating from the norm.

It's been a few years since A Court of Silver Flames hit shelves, but the next A Court of Thorns & Roses book is on the horizon — and it can finally subvert a common trope from Sarah J. Maas' fantasy series. The first three ACOTAR books tell a complete narrative, but Maas' Court of Frost & Starlight novella and ACOTAR spinoff novels take the franchise beyond Feyre and Rhysand's story. A Court of Silver Flames explores Nesta's arc and bond with Cassian, and the sixth ACOTAR book will likely delve into another supporting character.

Readers are hoping that character is Elain, as exploring the final Archeron sister would make sense after following Feyre and Nesta in previous installments. If the next A Court of Thorns & Roses book does dig into Elain's journey, it will have the opportunity to flip the script on a trope used in all of Maas' series. This would make the upcoming sequel feel fresh, setting its narrative apart from the other ACOTAR novels, as well as Crescent City and Throne of Glass. It would also answer an intriguing question raised by these series.

The Next Court Of Thorns & Roses Book Can Subvert Sarah J. Maas' Fated Mate Trope

Lucien & Elain Can Put A Very Different Spin On The Concept

Maas' fantasy series all feature heroines who already are or become fae, and the leads of ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City all fall into the "fated mates" trope with their respective love interests. In Maas' books, fae sometimes have mating bonds with another character, often the one they wind up with at the end of her series. This happens with Feyre and Rhysand in A Court of Thorns & Roses, and it also applies to Aelin and Rowan in Throne of Glass and Bryce and Hunt in Crescent City.

By confirming that Elain and Lucien are mates in A Court of Mist and Fury — and having the former reject the idea — Maas sets up an interesting storyline for the next ACOTAR book.

In all of these examples, the mates in question aren't necessarily surprised by their bond. In fact, it usually makes sense by the end of the series, as these characters fall in love over the course of Maas' books. But ACOTAR proves that mates aren't always characters with feelings for one another. By confirming that Elain and Lucien are mates in A Court of Mist and Fury — and having the former reject the idea — Maas sets up an interesting storyline for the next ACOTAR book. She can finally show what happens when mates don't want their bond.

How Elain & Lucien Can Put A New Spin On Sarah J. Maas' Fantasy Romances

Most of Maas' mating bonds occur between characters who pursue their mates as love interests, so Elain and Lucien have the chance to put a new spin on this trope in future ACOTAR books. If Maas doesn't push the two of them together, she can explore the ramifications of a mating bond when the people involved don't want anything to do with it — or even have separate love interests. This is territory the author hasn't explored, and it offers hope that her future romance subplots will break the mold.

With obvious tensions between Elain and Azriel, it would be intriguing to see how Maas handles Elain entering a relationship with someone who isn't her mate. Likewise, Lucien needs further fleshing out as a character, and this sort of narrative would be one way of expanding his storyline. Only time will tell if A Court of Thorns & Roses goes this route, but it would keep things fresh and interesting. After so many "fated mates" bonds that work out, Maas books need a new romance script. This is the perfect way to deliver on that.