A Court of Wings and Ruin

Maas uses Feyre’s ability to enter other peoples’ minds to reveal events that Feyre is not physically present for or the inner thoughts of characters that Feyre could not otherwise know. What themes, plotlines, or character dynamics might be altered if Feyre’s perspective were not augmented by this conceit?

Feyre works hard to prevent mass violence and destruction, yet she and her friends often resort to physical confrontation when upset or insulted. How does Maas portray the morality of physical violence? What differences are there between when it is justified and when it is reprehensible in the novel?

Maas often includes scenes of sexual intimacy before or after moments of intense danger when Rhys and Feyre feel deeply connected. How does Maas suggest sexual intimacy functions in a healthy relationship?

Is Tamlin a hero or a villain? How does Maas build sympathy for Feyre’s first love? How does she emphasize his shortcomings?

How do the romantic and sexual relationships in the novel challenge or reinforce stereotypes of the romance genre? Examine at least three intimate partner dynamics or characters with different sexual orientations in your answer.

Many fantasy novels feature racial hierarchies, often related to magical abilities. How does Maas recreate or resist such hierarchies through her characterization of the High Fae, lesser fae, and humans?

Compare and contrast Feyre Archeron with another of Maas’s heroines, such as Nesta Archeron (A Court of Silver Flames), Aelin Galathynius (Throne of Glass), or Bryce Quinlan (Crescent City). What do their shared qualities suggest about Maas’s particular take on the warrior-queen archetype?

Rhysand and his friends are over 500 years old; Feyre and her sisters are in their early 20s. How does Maas navigate their vastly different perspectives, and what does the novel suggest about the effects of age on an individual’s development and character?