He’s powerful, impossibly charming and one of romantasy’s most beloved leading men. But as Sarah J. Maas prepares to return to Prythian in A Court of Splintered Harmony, it’s worth asking whether the High Lord of the Night Court is quite the hero we’ve always believed him to be.
Let’s get one thing straight. We love Rhysand.
The wings. The confidence. The devotion to Feyre. The fact that he somehow manages to make ruling an entire magical territory look like a reasonably attractive career choice.
For many readers, Rhysand is the reason A Court of Thorns and Roses went from an enjoyable fantasy series to a full-blown obsession. His transformation from mysterious, morally questionable High Fae to Feyre’s fiercely devoted partner remains one of Sarah J. Maas’s most memorable romantic storylines.
But here’s where things get interesting.
The more time we spend in Prythian, particularly once the story moves beyond Feyre’s perspective, the more complicated Rhysand becomes.
Some of his decisions are difficult to defend. His treatment of Nesta has divided readers, his behaviour during Feyre’s pregnancy raised some serious questions, and his insistence on controlling certain situations feels surprisingly familiar for someone who once helped Feyre escape a controlling relationship.
So, is Rhysand really the good guy? Or have we been looking at the Night Court through rose-tinted glasses?
Spoiler warning: Major spoilers for the published ACOTAR books, particularly A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Silver Flames, follow. No unreleased Book 6 plot details are discussed.
Why We Fell in Love With Rhysand in the First Place
It’s easy to forget just how cleverly Maas introduced Rhysand. When we first meet him, he is dangerous, manipulative and closely associated with Amarantha, the terrifying ruler who holds Prythian under her control.
He certainly isn’t presented as traditional hero material.
But as Feyre’s story unfolds, we discover that much of his behaviour is part of a carefully constructed performance. Beneath the cruel reputation is someone who has sacrificed enormously to protect his people, particularly the hidden city of Velaris.
His relationship with Feyre also offers a striking contrast to her increasingly suffocating romance with Tamlin.
Where Tamlin tries to keep Feyre safe by limiting her freedom, Rhysand encourages her to develop her powers, explore the world and make decisions about her future.
He gives her space to become someone stronger.
And importantly, Feyre falls in love with a man who appears to see her as an equal rather than someone who needs saving.
It’s a powerful romantic narrative. It’s also what makes Rhysand’s later decisions so uncomfortable. Because if respecting someone’s right to choose is central to what makes Rhysand different from Tamlin, what happens when he starts making those choices for other people?
The Feyre Pregnancy Controversy Is Hard to Ignore
Of all the arguments against Rhysand, the events of A Court of Silver Flames might be the most difficult to explain away.
When Feyre becomes pregnant with Nyx, complications arise because the baby has Illyrian wings, creating a potentially fatal risk during childbirth.
Rhysand learns about the danger.
Feyre, however, is kept in the dark.
He and others close to her conceal information about the threat to her life while desperately searching for a solution.
Now, there is an argument that Rhysand is acting out of fear and love. He is terrified of losing Feyre and their child, and his instinct is to protect them both.
But that doesn’t change the fundamental problem.
Feyre is an adult, a powerful High Fae and the High Lady of the Night Court. She has every right to know what is happening to her own body.
And yet the people closest to her decide that protecting her means withholding the truth.
It’s difficult not to notice the contradiction.
This is the same Rhysand who helped Feyre reclaim her independence after Tamlin repeatedly made decisions on her behalf.
The circumstances are different, certainly. But the question of personal autonomy remains remarkably similar.
Perhaps the most frustrating part is that the secrecy ultimately leaves Nesta to reveal the truth in anger, causing even more pain within an already fractured family.
Rhysand’s intentions may have been good. His decisions are another matter entirely.
And Then There’s Nesta
If A Court of Silver Flames changed the way you felt about Rhysand, you’re certainly not alone.
For the first three main novels, readers experience much of the Night Court through Feyre’s eyes. We see Rhysand as her mate, her protector and the man who helped her rebuild her life.
But Nesta doesn’t see him that way.
To her, Rhysand is intimidating, controlling and deeply suspicious of her intentions. He makes little effort to conceal his dislike, and his loyalty to Feyre frequently takes priority over any attempt to understand what Nesta is experiencing.
Of course, Nesta is hardly blameless.
She is angry, self-destructive and often deliberately cruel. Her behaviour hurts the people trying to help her, and her refusal to accept support creates enormous tension within the Inner Circle.
But she’s also dealing with extraordinary trauma. She has lost her human life, endured the Cauldron, witnessed a devastating war and watched her father die.
When the Inner Circle intervenes and effectively gives her the choice between living under strict conditions at the House of Wind or leaving for the human lands, it’s presented as an opportunity to recover.
And ultimately, Nesta does begin to rebuild her life. But was it really much of a choice?
The intervention restricts her freedom, places her under the supervision of people she doesn’t entirely trust and leaves her with little control over what happens next.
It’s complicated because the outcome is positive, yet the methods remain questionable.
What’s especially interesting is that Nesta finds her greatest strength not simply through Rhysand’s Inner Circle, but through her friendships with Gwyn and Emerie.
Together, they rebuild the ancient warrior tradition of the ACOTAR Valkyries, creating a community founded on friendship, shared experiences and mutual respect.
They become powerful on their own terms.
And with the new books launching an arc officially titled The Valkyrie Cycle, that independence could become increasingly important.
Is the Night Court Really as Wonderful as We Think?
Velaris is one of the most enchanting places in the ACOTAR universe.
There are beautiful streets, independent shops, art galleries, restaurants and a population that appears to enjoy remarkable freedom and prosperity.
It’s easy to understand why Feyre falls in love with the city.
It’s also easy to forget that Velaris doesn’t represent the entire Night Court.
Beyond its protected borders, life looks considerably different.
The Court of Nightmares remains a brutal, deeply hierarchical society, while the Illyrian territories continue to struggle with entrenched traditions and the mistreatment of women.
Rhysand has made efforts to challenge these practices, including prohibiting the clipping of Illyrian females’ wings. But the continued resistance to those reforms demonstrates just how limited his influence can be.
Or perhaps how selectively it is exercised.
The distinction matters because Rhysand is consistently described as one of the most powerful High Lords in Prythian.
He can command armies, invade minds and intimidate almost anyone who challenges him.
Yet enormous inequalities remain within his own territory.
To be fair, ruling a divided court with centuries of deeply rooted traditions is considerably more complicated than simply issuing commands. Rhysand cannot necessarily solve every injustice through sheer power.
But the contrast between Velaris and the rest of the Night Court raises an interesting question.
Is Rhysand building a better world for everyone, or has he created a beautiful sanctuary for those fortunate enough to live within it?
If you need a refresher on the politics and personalities of Prythian’s seven territories, our complete guide to the ACOTAR courts explains how they fit together.
Does Rhysand Believe in Freedom, Just Not When It Gets Complicated?
Another revealing moment comes from the Azriel bonus chapter originally included with selected editions of A Court of Silver Flames.
In the scene, Rhysand confronts Azriel over his growing romantic interest in Elain Archeron.
The problem, of course, is that Elain already has a mating bond with Lucien.
Rhysand is concerned about the political consequences of Azriel pursuing her, particularly the potential damage to relationships between courts.
From a ruler’s perspective, it’s understandable.
Lucien is an important political connection, tensions remain high across Prythian and the Night Court has little interest in creating another unnecessary conflict.
But from a personal perspective?
It’s another example of Rhysand attempting to control a situation involving someone else’s choices.
Elain has already endured an enormous loss of independence after being forced into the Cauldron and transformed into High Fae. Her future, her powers and her romantic relationships remain among the most intriguing unresolved stories in ACOTAR.
Does she really need another powerful male deciding what is best?
For now, Rhysand’s behaviour adds another layer to the debate.
He supports individual freedom, but he also places enormous importance on protecting the Night Court.
And when those two priorities clash, the needs of the court often appear to win.
But Does Any of This Make Rhysand a Villain?
Not necessarily.
And this is where the argument becomes far more interesting than simply deciding whether Rhysand is good or bad.
He has repeatedly risked his life for the people he loves. He endured Amarantha’s cruelty for decades while protecting Velaris, fought against Hybern and demonstrated genuine compassion in circumstances where he could easily have chosen self-preservation.
He also carries responsibilities that many of the other characters simply don’t have.
Rhysand isn’t just Feyre’s mate or Cassian and Azriel’s friend.
He is a ruler.
His decisions can affect thousands of lives, destabilise political alliances and potentially expose his people to war.
Sometimes, being a good leader means making unpopular choices.
But being a powerful leader also creates opportunities to justify behaviour that might otherwise be considered unacceptable.
And perhaps that’s the real issue with Rhysand.
He isn’t necessarily a bad person pretending to be good.
He is someone who has become so accustomed to carrying responsibility, keeping secrets and protecting the people he loves that he sometimes struggles to recognise when his protection becomes control.
It’s a very different kind of character flaw.
And arguably a much more believable one.
Why ACOTAR Book 6 Could Change Everything
This is where things get particularly interesting.
The official synopsis for A Court of Splintered Harmony, published by Bloomsbury, suggests the Night Court is heading into one of its most difficult periods yet.
The growing threat of Koschei the Deathless is central to the new storyline, with Prythian still struggling to rebuild alliances following the war with Hybern.
But it’s the trouble within the Night Court itself that could prove especially significant.
According to the official description, those responsible for protecting and ruling the Night Court are dealing with betrayals, newly revealed truths and seemingly insurmountable divisions.
That’s quite a development for a group that has traditionally presented itself as an unusually loyal, closely connected family.
And it raises the possibility that the next stage of ACOTAR might challenge the Inner Circle in ways previous books haven’t.
Could Nesta’s growing independence create tension with Rhysand?
Might Elain finally demand more control over her future?
Will the political pressures surrounding Koschei force Rhysand into decisions that others refuse to accept?
And perhaps most importantly, could the Night Court’s greatest vulnerability come not from an external enemy, but from disagreements among the people who have always protected it?
None of these outcomes has been confirmed. They remain possibilities rather than established plot details.
One of the reasons ACOTAR remains so compelling is that its characters rarely fit neatly into categories of good and evil.
Tamlin begins as a romantic hero before his controlling behaviour changes how readers understand him.
Nesta is introduced as cold and difficult before her own story reveals the grief and trauma beneath her anger.
Even Feyre makes questionable decisions as she learns to navigate power, relationships and the responsibilities of ruling.
So perhaps Rhysand deserves the same complexity.
He can be devoted and controlling. Compassionate and ruthless. A loving partner who sometimes makes terrible decisions.
Those contradictions don’t necessarily make him a villain.
They make him interesting.
What matters now is whether the series allows him to confront the consequences of those decisions.
Because there’s a difference between a morally complicated character and one whose questionable behaviour is always excused by the people around him.
And with the Night Court apparently heading towards a period of internal conflict, Sarah J. Maas has an opportunity to explore that distinction.
So, Is Rhysand Really the Good Guy?
Our answer? Mostly. But perhaps not quite in the way we once believed.
Rhysand remains one of the most compelling characters in the ACOTAR universe, and his relationship with Feyre will always be central to the series’ appeal.
But the more we learn about Prythian, the harder it becomes to view him as an unquestionable hero.
He makes mistakes. He keeps secrets. He sometimes confuses protecting people with controlling them.
And there are moments when the enormous power he holds seems to make it harder, rather than easier, for him to recognise when he’s crossed a line.
As A Court of Splintered Harmony approaches, it would be fascinating to see Rhysand challenged not simply by another powerful enemy, but by the people closest to him.
Perhaps he’ll emerge as the hero we’ve always believed him to be.
Perhaps he’ll be forced to confront some uncomfortable truths.
Or perhaps Sarah J. Maas has something far more complicated in store.
One thing is certain: returning to the Night Court might not be quite as comfortable as we remember.
And honestly, that could make the next chapter of ACOTAR even better.
What do you think? Is Rhysand still the ultimate romantasy hero, or has A Court of Silver Flames changed the way you see him?
He’s powerful, impossibly charming and one of romantasy’s most beloved leading men. But as Sarah J. Maas prepares to return to Prythian in A Court of Splintered Harmony, it’s worth asking whether the High Lord of the Night Court is quite the hero we’ve always believed him to be.
Let’s get one thing straight. We love Rhysand.
The wings. The confidence. The devotion to Feyre. The fact that he somehow manages to make ruling an entire magical territory look like a reasonably attractive career choice.
For many readers, Rhysand is the reason A Court of Thorns and Roses went from an enjoyable fantasy series to a full-blown obsession. His transformation from mysterious, morally questionable High Fae to Feyre’s fiercely devoted partner remains one of Sarah J. Maas’s most memorable romantic storylines.
But here’s where things get interesting.
The more time we spend in Prythian, particularly once the story moves beyond Feyre’s perspective, the more complicated Rhysand becomes.
Some of his decisions are difficult to defend. His treatment of Nesta has divided readers, his behaviour during Feyre’s pregnancy raised some serious questions, and his insistence on controlling certain situations feels surprisingly familiar for someone who once helped Feyre escape a controlling relationship.
So, is Rhysand really the good guy? Or have we been looking at the Night Court through rose-tinted glasses?
With ACOTAR Book 6, A Court of Splintered Harmony, arriving on 27 October, now feels like the perfect time to revisit one of the series’ most fascinating characters.
Spoiler warning: Major spoilers for the published ACOTAR books, particularly A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Silver Flames, follow. No unreleased Book 6 plot details are discussed.
Why We Fell in Love With Rhysand in the First Place
It’s easy to forget just how cleverly Maas introduced Rhysand. When we first meet him, he is dangerous, manipulative and closely associated with Amarantha, the terrifying ruler who holds Prythian under her control.
He certainly isn’t presented as traditional hero material.
But as Feyre’s story unfolds, we discover that much of his behaviour is part of a carefully constructed performance. Beneath the cruel reputation is someone who has sacrificed enormously to protect his people, particularly the hidden city of Velaris.
His relationship with Feyre also offers a striking contrast to her increasingly suffocating romance with Tamlin.
Where Tamlin tries to keep Feyre safe by limiting her freedom, Rhysand encourages her to develop her powers, explore the world and make decisions about her future.
He gives her space to become someone stronger.
And importantly, Feyre falls in love with a man who appears to see her as an equal rather than someone who needs saving.
It’s a powerful romantic narrative. It’s also what makes Rhysand’s later decisions so uncomfortable. Because if respecting someone’s right to choose is central to what makes Rhysand different from Tamlin, what happens when he starts making those choices for other people?
The Feyre Pregnancy Controversy Is Hard to Ignore
Of all the arguments against Rhysand, the events of A Court of Silver Flames might be the most difficult to explain away.
When Feyre becomes pregnant with Nyx, complications arise because the baby has Illyrian wings, creating a potentially fatal risk during childbirth.
Rhysand learns about the danger.
Feyre, however, is kept in the dark.
He and others close to her conceal information about the threat to her life while desperately searching for a solution.
Now, there is an argument that Rhysand is acting out of fear and love. He is terrified of losing Feyre and their child, and his instinct is to protect them both.
But that doesn’t change the fundamental problem.
Feyre is an adult, a powerful High Fae and the High Lady of the Night Court. She has every right to know what is happening to her own body.
And yet the people closest to her decide that protecting her means withholding the truth.
It’s difficult not to notice the contradiction.
This is the same Rhysand who helped Feyre reclaim her independence after Tamlin repeatedly made decisions on her behalf.
The circumstances are different, certainly. But the question of personal autonomy remains remarkably similar.
Perhaps the most frustrating part is that the secrecy ultimately leaves Nesta to reveal the truth in anger, causing even more pain within an already fractured family.
Rhysand’s intentions may have been good. His decisions are another matter entirely.
And Then There’s Nesta
If A Court of Silver Flames changed the way you felt about Rhysand, you’re certainly not alone.
For the first three main novels, readers experience much of the Night Court through Feyre’s eyes. We see Rhysand as her mate, her protector and the man who helped her rebuild her life.
But Nesta doesn’t see him that way.
To her, Rhysand is intimidating, controlling and deeply suspicious of her intentions. He makes little effort to conceal his dislike, and his loyalty to Feyre frequently takes priority over any attempt to understand what Nesta is experiencing.
Of course, Nesta is hardly blameless.
She is angry, self-destructive and often deliberately cruel. Her behaviour hurts the people trying to help her, and her refusal to accept support creates enormous tension within the Inner Circle.
But she’s also dealing with extraordinary trauma. She has lost her human life, endured the Cauldron, witnessed a devastating war and watched her father die.
When the Inner Circle intervenes and effectively gives her the choice between living under strict conditions at the House of Wind or leaving for the human lands, it’s presented as an opportunity to recover.
And ultimately, Nesta does begin to rebuild her life. But was it really much of a choice?
The intervention restricts her freedom, places her under the supervision of people she doesn’t entirely trust and leaves her with little control over what happens next.
It’s complicated because the outcome is positive, yet the methods remain questionable.
What’s especially interesting is that Nesta finds her greatest strength not simply through Rhysand’s Inner Circle, but through her friendships with Gwyn and Emerie.
Together, they rebuild the ancient warrior tradition of the ACOTAR Valkyries, creating a community founded on friendship, shared experiences and mutual respect.
They become powerful on their own terms.
And with the new books launching an arc officially titled The Valkyrie Cycle, that independence could become increasingly important.
Is the Night Court Really as Wonderful as We Think?
Velaris is one of the most enchanting places in the ACOTAR universe.
There are beautiful streets, independent shops, art galleries, restaurants and a population that appears to enjoy remarkable freedom and prosperity.
It’s easy to understand why Feyre falls in love with the city.
It’s also easy to forget that Velaris doesn’t represent the entire Night Court.
Beyond its protected borders, life looks considerably different.
The Court of Nightmares remains a brutal, deeply hierarchical society, while the Illyrian territories continue to struggle with entrenched traditions and the mistreatment of women.
Rhysand has made efforts to challenge these practices, including prohibiting the clipping of Illyrian females’ wings. But the continued resistance to those reforms demonstrates just how limited his influence can be.
Or perhaps how selectively it is exercised.
The distinction matters because Rhysand is consistently described as one of the most powerful High Lords in Prythian.
He can command armies, invade minds and intimidate almost anyone who challenges him.
Yet enormous inequalities remain within his own territory.
To be fair, ruling a divided court with centuries of deeply rooted traditions is considerably more complicated than simply issuing commands. Rhysand cannot necessarily solve every injustice through sheer power.
But the contrast between Velaris and the rest of the Night Court raises an interesting question.
Is Rhysand building a better world for everyone, or has he created a beautiful sanctuary for those fortunate enough to live within it?
If you need a refresher on the politics and personalities of Prythian’s seven territories, our complete guide to the ACOTAR courts explains how they fit together.
Does Rhysand Believe in Freedom, Just Not When It Gets Complicated?
Another revealing moment comes from the Azriel bonus chapter originally included with selected editions of A Court of Silver Flames.
In the scene, Rhysand confronts Azriel over his growing romantic interest in Elain Archeron.
The problem, of course, is that Elain already has a mating bond with Lucien.
Rhysand is concerned about the political consequences of Azriel pursuing her, particularly the potential damage to relationships between courts.
From a ruler’s perspective, it’s understandable.
Lucien is an important political connection, tensions remain high across Prythian and the Night Court has little interest in creating another unnecessary conflict.
But from a personal perspective?
It’s another example of Rhysand attempting to control a situation involving someone else’s choices.
Elain has already endured an enormous loss of independence after being forced into the Cauldron and transformed into High Fae. Her future, her powers and her romantic relationships remain among the most intriguing unresolved stories in ACOTAR.
Does she really need another powerful male deciding what is best?
Our complete guide to Elain Archeron, her powers and her relationships with Lucien and Azriel explores why her story could become so important in the next books.
For now, Rhysand’s behaviour adds another layer to the debate.
He supports individual freedom, but he also places enormous importance on protecting the Night Court.
And when those two priorities clash, the needs of the court often appear to win.
But Does Any of This Make Rhysand a Villain?
Not necessarily.
And this is where the argument becomes far more interesting than simply deciding whether Rhysand is good or bad.
He has repeatedly risked his life for the people he loves. He endured Amarantha’s cruelty for decades while protecting Velaris, fought against Hybern and demonstrated genuine compassion in circumstances where he could easily have chosen self-preservation.
He also carries responsibilities that many of the other characters simply don’t have.
Rhysand isn’t just Feyre’s mate or Cassian and Azriel’s friend.
He is a ruler.
His decisions can affect thousands of lives, destabilise political alliances and potentially expose his people to war.
Sometimes, being a good leader means making unpopular choices.
But being a powerful leader also creates opportunities to justify behaviour that might otherwise be considered unacceptable.
And perhaps that’s the real issue with Rhysand.
He isn’t necessarily a bad person pretending to be good.
He is someone who has become so accustomed to carrying responsibility, keeping secrets and protecting the people he loves that he sometimes struggles to recognise when his protection becomes control.
It’s a very different kind of character flaw.
And arguably a much more believable one.
Why ACOTAR Book 6 Could Change Everything
This is where things get particularly interesting.
The official synopsis for A Court of Splintered Harmony, published by Bloomsbury, suggests the Night Court is heading into one of its most difficult periods yet.
A Court of Splintered Harmony: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I arrives on 27 October 2026, followed by A Court of Forgotten Melody on 12 January 2027.
The growing threat of Koschei the Deathless is central to the new storyline, with Prythian still struggling to rebuild alliances following the war with Hybern.
But it’s the trouble within the Night Court itself that could prove especially significant.
According to the official description, those responsible for protecting and ruling the Night Court are dealing with betrayals, newly revealed truths and seemingly insurmountable divisions.
That’s quite a development for a group that has traditionally presented itself as an unusually loyal, closely connected family.
And it raises the possibility that the next stage of ACOTAR might challenge the Inner Circle in ways previous books haven’t.
Could Nesta’s growing independence create tension with Rhysand?
Might Elain finally demand more control over her future?
Will the political pressures surrounding Koschei force Rhysand into decisions that others refuse to accept?
And perhaps most importantly, could the Night Court’s greatest vulnerability come not from an external enemy, but from disagreements among the people who have always protected it?
None of these outcomes has been confirmed. They remain possibilities rather than established plot details.
But the groundwork is certainly there.
For a closer look at the immortal enemy threatening Prythian, our guide to Koschei the Deathless and his role in ACOTAR 6 explores why he could become one of the series’ most dangerous villains.
Maybe Rhysand Was Never Supposed to Be Perfect
One of the reasons ACOTAR remains so compelling is that its characters rarely fit neatly into categories of good and evil.
Tamlin begins as a romantic hero before his controlling behaviour changes how readers understand him.
Nesta is introduced as cold and difficult before her own story reveals the grief and trauma beneath her anger.
Even Feyre makes questionable decisions as she learns to navigate power, relationships and the responsibilities of ruling.
So perhaps Rhysand deserves the same complexity.
He can be devoted and controlling. Compassionate and ruthless. A loving partner who sometimes makes terrible decisions.
Those contradictions don’t necessarily make him a villain.
They make him interesting.
What matters now is whether the series allows him to confront the consequences of those decisions.
Because there’s a difference between a morally complicated character and one whose questionable behaviour is always excused by the people around him.
And with the Night Court apparently heading towards a period of internal conflict, Sarah J. Maas has an opportunity to explore that distinction.
So, Is Rhysand Really the Good Guy?
Our answer? Mostly. But perhaps not quite in the way we once believed.
Rhysand remains one of the most compelling characters in the ACOTAR universe, and his relationship with Feyre will always be central to the series’ appeal.
But the more we learn about Prythian, the harder it becomes to view him as an unquestionable hero.
He makes mistakes. He keeps secrets. He sometimes confuses protecting people with controlling them.
And there are moments when the enormous power he holds seems to make it harder, rather than easier, for him to recognise when he’s crossed a line.
As A Court of Splintered Harmony approaches, it would be fascinating to see Rhysand challenged not simply by another powerful enemy, but by the people closest to him.
Perhaps he’ll emerge as the hero we’ve always believed him to be.
Perhaps he’ll be forced to confront some uncomfortable truths.
Or perhaps Sarah J. Maas has something far more complicated in store.
One thing is certain: returning to the Night Court might not be quite as comfortable as we remember.
And honestly, that could make the next chapter of ACOTAR even better.
What do you think? Is Rhysand still the ultimate romantasy hero, or has A Court of Silver Flames changed the way you see him?
Need a refresher before Book 6? Catch up with our complete A Court of Splintered Harmony recap before returning to Prythian.
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