The rise and fall of Tamlin in ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’

Header artwork by Sampai Arts

Tamlin, a major figure in Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) series, is one of the most complicated and debated characters on #BookTok.

And here, dear reader, is where I must immediately warn you of spoilers. If you have not read these books (or if the internet hasn’t already spoiled a thing or two), this is as far as you should go...

While Tamlin starts out as the main love interest (I did warn you), his arc takes a handful of unexpected and controversial turns as the series progresses. Tamlin’s journey is one of struggle and loss, though there’s a great deal of controversy as to whether or not he’s owed any sympathy.

Who is Tamlin?

Introduced as the High Lord of the Spring Court, one of the seven courts in the magical land of Prythian, Tamlin is described as tall and golden-haired with a commanding presence that draws Feyre, the series' protagonist, into his orbit. At first glance, Tamlin embodies all the classic hallmarks of a fairytale hero: strong, protective, powerful, sexy.

Beneath the polished exterior, though, lies a character battling bone-deep guilt and the heavy weight of responsibility for his people.

Tamlin’s sense of duty is both a blessing and a burden. His desire to shield his court from harm often pushes him to take extreme measures, which makes him a divisive figure within the fandom. It has even given him an incredibly unattractive nickname on social media...

So what makes Tamlin tick?

Art by Sampai Arts

Tamlin’s instinct to protect is central to his character, whether it’s safeguarding Feyre or the Spring Court as a whole. However, this trait is also his downfall. His fierce protectiveness often borders on control issues, especially when it comes to Feyre, and this trait begins to unravel his character in later books. His immense power and strength is a big part of what makes him believe that he can (or should) protect anything, regardless of the circumstances.

Tamlin also carries an overwhelming sense of guilt from past decisions and the events that have harmed his court. His failure to prevent a 50-year curse on the Spring Court deeply impacts his behavior throughout the series. This means his relationship with power is complicated. While he wields it with confidence, he struggles with how to balance that power with compassion and empathy. (Kind of necessary qualities for a leader, you know?)

Tamlin in “A Court of Thorns and Roses”

Art by Sampai Arts

In the first book, abbreviated by fans as ACOTAR, Tamlin appears as the classic fairytale prince in disguise. Feyre Archeron, a human huntress, kills a faerie wolf while hunting in the woods to care for her impoverished family. In retaliation, Tamlin, in his beast form, comes to claim payment for the life she took. Feyre surrenders herself to protect her father and her sisters, Nesta and Elain.

Despite the rough start, Tamlin soon begins to reveal his softer side, and he opens up his home to Feyre, protecting her from Prythian’s dangers and eventually falling in love with her.

Much of ACOTAR is about Feyre’s growing affection for Tamlin as she learns more about the curse placed on him and his court by Amarantha, a powerful villainess who keeps a terrifying grip on Prythian from her court Under the Mountain.

Tamlin tries to send Feyre away in a last ditch effort to protect her, but Feyre returns to rescue him only to be trapped in a series of challenges while Tamlin is forced to spectate. It’s during this gauntlet that Feyre makes a deal with Rhysand, the enigmatic and mysterious High Lord of the Night Court and Tamlin’s sworn enemy.

When Feyre defeats Amarantha’s trials, she is turned into a faerie herself, but things between her and Tamlin have irrevocably changed. Tamlin’s love for Feyre in ACOTAR seems genuine, but it is also a love tainted by fear and control. By the end of the first book, Tamlin is free from Amarantha’s grip, but his emotional scars are far from healed.

Tamlin in “A Court of Mist and Fury” (ACOMAF)

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This is where things get more complicated—and controversial.

In “A Court of Mist and Fury,” Tamlin’s protective nature becomes more stifling and controlling. After the traumatic events Under the Mountain, Feyre suffers from severe PTSD, but instead of helping her heal, Tamlin’s response is to lock her away. Literally.

He keeps Feyre confined in his estate, trying to shield her from any harm but suffocating her in the process. And don’t even get me started on Ianthe, the manipulative high priestess pulling puppet strings on Tamlin’s behalf.

The second book is a critical turning point in Tamlin’s arc. His good intentions to protect Feyre morph into something toxic and even abusive. In trying to control every aspect of her life, he believes he can shield her from every harm, but what Tamlin fails to understand is that Feyre needs freedom and agency to heal.

His refusal to let her make her own choices only pushes Feyre away. It doesn’t help that the bond she made with a certain High Lord of the Night Court pulls her out of Tamlin’s clutches for a week every month...

Eventually, Feyre escapes to Velaris, the Night Court’s hidden city, with Rhysand’s help (further solidifying my love for his cousin/third-in-command Mor), creating an intense rift between her and Tamlin. Devastated, Tamlin allows his anger at Feyre’s departure to fuel a poisonous urgency to get her back. Enlisting Lucien to capture her back and ignoring her pleas to leave her be, Tamlin only loses his grip on what’s left of his control.

After allying with the King of Hybern, the Big Bad who ranks even higher than Amarantha, in a misguided attempt to "rescue" Feyre, Tamlin unwittingly sets Feyre loose to spy inside of the Spring Court. Aligning himself with a force that wants to destroy everything Feyre holds dear is disastrous and further alienates him from Feyre and readers alike.

Tamlin in “A Court of Wings and Ruin” (ACOWAR)

In “A Court of Wings and Ruin,” Tamlin has fully convinced himself that he is acting in Feyre’s best interest, and although he appears to have resolved to do better by her, he again fails to understand who she truly is.

Not only have her allegiances shifted to Rhys and the Night Court, she has fully embraced her power as a High Fae (not to mention her secret position as High Lady). Still blinded by his need to possess her rather than partner with her, Tamlin falls further and further into a mania that only strengthens Feyre’s resolve to betray him (to be honest, he totally deserves it).

There’s a pretty tense meeting between the High Lords that’s both alarmingly frustrating and oh-so-very satisfying. Tamlin behaves like a spoiled child slinging insults, but we do get a delicious moment of Azriel’s protective side. IYKYK.

Toward the end of ACOWAR, Tamlin shows a few lingering signs of redemption, though. During the final battle against Hybern, Tamlin puts aside his personal grievances for the sake of the larger cause.

While he doesn’t win Feyre back, Tamlin’s willingness to save Rhys’s life demonstrates that he still has a sense of honor and a desire to protect, even if he has lost sight of how to properly channel those instincts.

Tamlin in “A Court of Frost and Starlight” (ACOFAS)

Art by Rokii

Tamlin’s role in “A Court of Frost and Starlight” is so small, you’d almost miss it if you weren’t paying attention, but his cameo is significant.

We see him as a broken man, isolated and alone in the ruins of his once beautiful estate. The Spring Court has fallen into disrepair, and Tamlin’s emotional state mirrors the decay of his surroundings. He’s bitter and regretful, grappling with the consequences of his actions.

This is where readers get a more sympathetic look at Tamlin. He’s a character who has lost everything—his love, his power, his purpose. While his actions in previous books were harmful, this quieter portrayal shows a man who is coming to terms with his failures.

And no, I’m not trying to sway you in any direction. Personally, I think he needs to suffer a lot longer before he gets anything resembling a redemption arc, but that’s up to our girl SJM.

What could be next for Tamlin?

Tamlin’s arc is one of the most tragic in the ACOTAR series. He starts out as a hero and protector, but his inability to cope with his trauma and fear leads him down a path of control and desperation.

By the end of the series, he is a broken character who has lost almost everything.

While there’s almost no mention at all of him in the fifth ACOTAR book “A Court of Silver Flames” (ACOSF), the specter of him remains, leaving fans to wonder if there’s more to his story than we’ve gotten so far.

What makes Tamlin compelling is that he’s not a one-dimensional "bad guy." His journey is complex, and while plenty of readers may be disappointed in him, there’s also an undercurrent of pity. He’s a character who wanted to do the right thing but consistently made the wrong choices. (Again, not defending the guy. He hasn’t been my fave since midway through book one.)

Ultimately, though, Tamlin represents the dangers of unchecked power and the toll of emotional scars. He might not have ended up as the series’ hero, but his story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of healing from deep emotional wounds and the consequences of not facing one’s demons, an element I don’t think Sarah J. Maas is quite done exploring yet.

Love him or hate him, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tamlin popped up again in books to come.

If you’ve finished the series and want to cure your ACOTAR hangover, we’ve got 11 books you should read next.