Although I understand the reasoning behind this A Court of Thorns and Roses fan theory, I sincerely hope that Book 6 doesn’t make its problematic mate storyline canon. Despite the series recently celebrating its tenth anniversary, there’s still been no official news about ACOTAR Book 6, leaving fans with little to go on. Still, the series remains wildly popular among fantasy readers and cosplayers, continuing to dominate bookish communities like BookTok and Bookstagram.
As a result, the series’ massive fanbase—myself included—has spun countless theories about A Court of Thorns & Roses and where Book 6 might take us. The most common speculation centers around Elain’s storyline and the looming threat of Koschei. Still, nearly every character and unresolved plot thread has been analyzed, including those we haven’t seen much of lately, like Tamlin and Lucien, whose potential arcs have sparked renewed interest. That said, one particular theory involving a minor character from the third book has given me pause—especially in light of their complicated history with the other person involved.
ACOTAR Theory Explained: Is the Briar Really Tamlin’s Mate?
Many readers have speculated that Briar could be Tamlin’s mate, citing several clues from her brief appearance in A Court of Thorns & Roses. Briar was one of the Children of the Blessed who were captured by Hybern’s forces during the war. Feyre and Azriel rescued her during their mission to retrieve Elain. Notably, Tamlin played a key role in their escape—holding off Hybern’s forces to give them time to flee. This moment of unexpected heroism has led some fans to wonder if there’s a deeper connection between Tamlin and Briar.
Although Tamlin and Briar never directly interacted in A Court of Thorns and Roses, some Reddit users have speculated that Briar could be Tamlin’s mate. The theory draws on several intriguing parallels: Briar’s story mirrors elements of Feyre’s, she expresses a fondness for the furry creatures of the Winter Court, and her name evokes imagery of roses and spring—symbols closely tied to Tamlin’s court. On the surface, these details make the theory seem plausible. However, when viewed in the context of Briar’s full narrative arc, the idea becomes deeply problematic—for both her character and Tamlin—if Sarah J. Maas were to make it canon.
Why Making Briar Tamlin’s Mate Would Be Deeply Problematic
Having Briar revealed as Tamlin’s mate after her introduction in A Court of Wings and Ruin would be not only narratively incoherent but also deeply problematic for both characters. Briar was one of the Children of the Blessed who were kidnapped by Hybern’s forces—tortured, brutalized, and left nearly catatonic by the time of her rescue. Crucially, Tamlin was allied with Hybern during this period. Suggesting that Briar could be mated to someone who, directly or indirectly, enabled her suffering would undermine her trauma and make little emotional or moral sense within the story.
Briar’s trauma from her experience with Hybern must be acknowledged and respected—especially considering that Tamlin, during A Court of Thorns and Roses, was complicit in those events. He should be held accountable for his choices, not rewarded with a mate as a path to redemption. If Tamlin is to grow in Book 6, that journey needs to happen independently, not through a bond with someone whose suffering he helped enable. Moreover, Briar deserves a narrative arc of her own. Her final scene in A Court of Wings and Ruin hints at a far more compelling story than simply being reduced to a role in someone else’s healing.
Instead, Briar Deserves Her Own Standalone Arc in the Next A Court of Thorns and Roses Book
Briar deserves her own small arc in the Winter Court in the next A Court of Thorns & Roses book, offering a chance to expand Prythian’s world beyond the Night Court and its familiar cast. Since Sarah J. Maas never clarified whether Briar returned to the human lands or remained under the care of the Winter Court, her continued presence in Prythian could be naturally established in Book 6. This would also provide a compelling opportunity to explore the culture, politics, and daily life of a fae court that hasn’t yet been fully developed in the series.
Similarly, Briar’s unique perspective offers a fresh lens through which to view the fae world—especially since all the main characters are now fully fae themselves. Her former reverence for the fae, contrasted with the trauma she endured, could allow Book 6 to critically examine Prythian’s people and systems from the viewpoint of someone who hasn’t been absorbed into them. Briar’s story could deepen the series’ ongoing exploration of healing, resilience, and the power of community—core themes that have made A Court of Thorns & Roses resonate so strongly with readers as anticipation for the next installment grows.
