A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, The Huntress Stabs Tamlin, Dies, and Comes Back Fae, Pt 4

0:01 Welcome back to Paperback Confessions for the final chapter of our Court of Thorns and Roses deep dive. Feyre has survived 2 brutal challenges, but now she's staring down the 3rd, and this one could cost her everything. One final test, one impossible choice, and with everything hanging in the balance, will Feyre survive Under the Mountain?

0:52 If, if she can free Tamlin, out of rage Tamlin will kill Amaretto. And if Amaretto dies, they're all free. So Rhysand is kind of like, he's got this chain of events that he's hoping if he reveals to her will happen. And so when the 3rd mask is revealed to be Tamlin in the background, Rhysand sees it like, fuck, fuck, Feyre will never kill Tamlin, right? Like, that's the thought. Like, she's not going to kill this guy. But what was really interesting is that she remembered the references to the his heart— he has a heart of stone. And so even all the shame and the guilt of, of having to do this, she, she stabs him.

1:40 And, um, she believed that by stabbing him, he wouldn't die. And it worked. Right, because she remembers, I'm gonna hit him in the heart, but it's going to be made of stone, and he'll be able to recover with his fairy magic. But to Amaretto's disappointment, fuck, Feyre actually did it because Amaretto didn't think she was going to do it either. And that lights her on fire because now that means by the deal, every— like, he's free, the people of the Spring Court are free. And Amaretto was like, oh no, I never said when though. I never said when. And then this dumb fucking psychopathic crazy Amaretto bitch Fucking breaks, breaks Feyre. Like, fucking does shit to her. Like, this girl got an ass beating like nobody's business. Yep.

2:36 Yeah. But I— what I loved is like how Tamlin, after that happened, he like fucked Amaretto up. But it took him some time. Yeah, it did, because he was healing slowly. So while he was healing and unable to— Allegedly. Uh-huh. While he was healing and unable to, to defend and protect Feyre, who is the only person who tried to protect her and defend her? Rhysand. Rhysand, yes. I was gonna say, I'm not answering this question. It's Rhysand. And it's so like, that's Just like, I can see it as a movie in my mind. He's the one screaming her name out as she's basically getting killed by Amaretto. He's the one— he knows he's not strong enough to defend her.

3:29 He needs Tamlin to get the fuck up and do what he needs to do. But despite all of that, if she's gonna die, I'm gonna die defending her. And so he keeps going after Amaretto, and she is just like picking him up like a ragdoll and tossing him aside. And he gets up again and gets up again, and he's trying continuously to get Amaretto out of the way and like fight for Feyre. Yes. Feyre gets her neck snapped and is dead, essentially, right? She's dead. Essentially dead. As she is dying, what she sees is she's basically falling into this pit of nothingness. And she can kind of hear voices in the distance, but she's falling. She's dying.

4:16 And in her dying, the only thing that kind of like keeps her from completely disappearing into black is she feels a tug on like a little rope, like a pull. Mm-hmm. And then that's when, by this point, Talon stood up. God bless his heart. He was tying his shoes or whatever the fuck he was doing. He's now up. And hell breaks loose. The rage is free. He fucking kills Amaretto finally. Yeah, he like rips her fucking neck off. Yeah. Like blood spurting everywhere. He is like pissed. But like, where the fuck was that dude like challenge 1, 1 and 2? 7 seconds ago. Yeah, like fucking literally before she got her neck snapped. Where was he? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like what, what the fuck, bitch? Like, yeah, if you're gonna— if you say or claim to be in love with her, I don't know, find your balls.

5:12 Yeah. And then he sees Feyre, he picks her up, he's crying, she's in his arms. Oh my God, Feyre, oh my God. And all of a sudden, all of the High Fae males come and they give a piece of themselves to her to bring her back to life, which is like a super rare occurrence, but So when you posted that in our group chat, and I remember Nacho saying this, I immediately hate this, that. And I, I was laughing when you read that. I was like, yeah, I can, I can get it. I, I can get behind that because it should have never gotten to that point, right? Like, Tamlin— Foreshadowing.

5:53 Tamlin should have been, been taking care of her even prior to that. Like, Tamlin should have grown a set of fucking balls and taken Amaretto out before challenge 1 even happened. Let me ask you a question, G. Yes. And Nacho, keep it to yourself. Heard. G, in that moment where these, these high male, high fae are going to turn this human into a fae, they're giving a part of themselves, their essence, to this human. Do you think they do it because Tamlin is so hurt and destroyed and crying? And Tamlin, this High Fae of the Spring Court, like, they see him in that moment just broken, and so they're like, all right, let me do this. I don't think it was because of him. I think it was because they saw her as a very strong and capable woman that could help, help the courts out.

6:50 The spring court, the night court, you know, because she already did that. Yeah, she already did that. She already handled all the shit and was a facilitator of killing Amarantha. And so now they're paying, paying bitches back. They're paying it forward. You said to shut up and I couldn't handle it. You know, that's not what I thought you were gonna say, so you're fine to say. Yeah, I honestly think that they did it. Because she helped save them. She was the one who showed up with being brave and, you know, courageous. And as scrawny and weak— They all benefited. Yeah, they all benefited from her. They were paying it forward. She did this for us, we're gonna do this for her. She doesn't deserve to die because— yeah. Well, it happens very rarely, so I'll let that sit.

7:43 We'll talk about that next book. But, um, after that happens, Feyre comes back to life as a fae, as a fairy. Yeah. And looks like a High Fae to boot because 7 High Fae gave her a part of them. So she's more than just a regular fairy, she's like a High Fairy, also a human that got brought back to life. So she's tough shit. Go ahead. And is that when all their masks came off too? Yes, they could finally take off their masks. Was it then, or did they take off their— their masks fell when she stabbed him? Um, I— because that's when she breaks— well, she— do you remember there's like a scene where she's like, wait, why aren't their masks off? And that was when Amarantha was like, why? I never said when. Oh, oh yeah, yeah, yeah. And I— but I think it's when he like ripped her fucking neck out, then Lucian's mask Tamlin was able to take off his mask, 'cause when she opens her eyes, she sees Tamlin, like, oh, look at him. Yeah, yeah. Okay, you right. What I got here, Fabio? You right, you right. Um, so all that goes down.

8:50 She's now high fae, and what does that mean for her? She's— everything she immediately notices is brighter and louder, and her senses are basically on crack, and she is like, holy shit. So immediately she knows she's different. Yeah. Um, looks different, feels different, all that. Then there is a scene— this all happens under the mountain. They're ready to go home, which home for her is now Spring Court. She's gonna go home with Tamlin. She's got her man finally. Let's get home. But before she leaves, she feels a tug again. Something is pulling her somewhere.

9:36 Oh, this just, this just pours into my soul, that part of me that like requires the main character, the, the person, male or female, that is the one that goes through the struggle. This just— You don't even understand, G, how— go ahead. I'm so sorry, Skittles. Like foreshadowing. She feels this pull, this tug, and she knows to follow it, but she has a pretty good idea of where it leads.

10:23 So she follows the pull, she follows the tug. And it leads her to like this balcony, um, on the side of the mountain, and there waiting for her is Rhysand. And he's free, just like all of the other High Fae, to go back home. Now mind you, this shit— he had been under this mountain for years and decades and decades. So he finally gets to go home. Mmm. But before he leaves, he basically I think he's, he's trying to thank her, you know? Yeah. And kind of feeling her out, like, you know, are you gonna be okay? Um, because it's a goodbye. And she's, I think, goes, well, you know, I'll see you again. Like, we still got this deal, one week every month. And he's just like, yeah, you know, I'll see you again. And before he disappears into darkness, she sees on his face that something Has shocked him. Like something is has happened, and he's like, "Oh shit!" Like there's an oh shit moment look on his face, and he's staring at her, and she's like, "What the fuck is going on?" And he disappears.

11:31 And it's a pretty pivotal scene because we don't know what he felt, saw, thought, heard nothing. I know. You just know he's gone. And she goes back to the spring court with Hamlin. But do you think it's because, like, she— that was beautiful. Did that taste like chocolate? Good. Um, because what, what I— I'm just sorry, it tasted like shit. Chocolatey shit. Uh, but what I think what, what he saw is that she maybe developed some feelings for Rosanne. And that she maybe still wanted to do that one week with him as promised because he saved her fucking life, literally. Yeah. Like, if he hadn't come around, she would have— Multiple times he saved her life and she knows it. Yeah. I don't know how many times at this point, but we know that many times. Next book you find out a little bit more, but Um, yeah, I think there's like that connection now, you know. They're trauma bonded. They've gone through this really horrible thing. And I do, I, I do think she is like, hey, don't worry, like, we'll see each other again, like, it's gonna be okay. Yeah, I think she's also developed another— what she sees at this point as a friendship, like she has with Lucien. Like, this has grown a bond with these 2 people, these 2

13:02 other beings. I was gonna say, I think she realizes too, like, this bond is a little bit different because she can feel him pulling and tugging her. So I think she knows there's something else here, like, this is different. She writes it off that it's her, it's the tattoo. Yeah, the, the bargain, the deal, it's part of it. Yeah, but I also, like, think that she's, like, thinking in her head because, you know, like we said, Rhysand can, like, read minds and stuff like that. That even she felt the push me, pull me from Jesus Christ. She felt she felt.

13:47 No, I love that you haven't read the second book, but like I wasn't as insightful as you on this first read. Like I just wasn't. So like you're so. Well, I, I think that the thing too is like, you know, with Tamlin, she felt like the total like push me, pull me, push me, pull me, right? Like he, he would— I don't, I don't quite know how to say it because maybe I've had a little too much to drink, but whatever. I, I feel like she has more of like— God, I, I kind of just want to like dive into this and and see what it, what it brings, right? I, I don't really want you to go. I don't want you to go back to the Night Court. Let you know, I'm— I got this motherfucker who's like so like push me, pull me, push me, pull me. I want you, I don't want you. I'm a fucking big pussy. I'm gonna sit next to Amaretto and not do a motherfucking thing while she's ripping you to shreds. In the meantime, Rosanne is like, oh wow, how can I help her, you know? I kind of like this girl. She's hot, she's scrawny, she's a little butch. Maybe she'd like top me in bed. But like, that's like what I got out of it is like, that's why he had that, that look on his face is because he read that.

15:07 And no, I have not read the second book because I followed the instructions that my smut moms told me not to read the second book. Because you're gonna be hooked. You're not gonna fall asleep. You're gonna— it's gonna— She's already hooked. Would you say G? That they have more in common than what they originally thought. I think so. Yes, I think, I think they do. Like, they have— You are teasing, Skittles. You are teasing and you need to stop. We do not edge Gretchen. Oh my God, am I edging? I'm totally edging right now. You're edging Gretchen and we don't edge Gretchen. Wait until we get to Quicksilver and then you can edge me.

15:50 We want to hear your emotions because your whole take on this book, uh, just even on Feyre, just your take on Feyre alone, well, like, it was so left field for me. It was beautiful. Well, you know, like I said, you know, I'm, I'm older than both of you. I'm a lesbian. And I also have like a little mental health advocacy kind of going into this. So I see, I see the whole person. But dude, Tamlin is still a fucking dick. I, I'm telling you, he had plenty of chances sitting next to Amaretto to quit being a fucking pussy. I don't care if your powers got taken away, you're still a fucking man. Be a man, protect your woman. That's how it's supposed to be. But don't be a dick.

16:38 Okay, okay, final to wrap us up, to wrap up. Okay, go ahead. All right, go ahead. Predictions on the second— the next book, do you think Feyre will continue to become the G.I. Jane badass character, or do you think now that she's fae will be completely different? No, I think that those— I think some of those traits will still come through because I don't think that just because you change bodily appearance changes what you're— what's true to you, right? Um, I'm true to myself because I can take care of myself. I can hunt for myself. I, I don't really need a man, but yes, I need sex because you know what, I'm a fae, but you know, I'm not dead. And I suppose— Not that zombie dick. She's not— there's no zombie dicks.

17:35 But like, I— what I think is that I can't with the fucking tube radio. Also, God, it's like dust in my mind right now. But what I think is that she will go back to her roots. Okay. Oh my God, I broke Nacho. Do you think, do you think her and Tamlin's relationship will change for the better or for the worse? I think her and Tamlin's relationship change for the worse because he becomes even more pussified. All right, I think— I just think he's a big fucking pussy. And like, my red flag report on this is like, Tamlin— What are your red flags thus far? Give me 3 red flags.

18:23 Can I give you 4? I'm gonna just give you my report. So Tamlin is 7 out of 10 red flags, and the reason I said that is Because he's protective, secretive, and he's controlling, and he has these tendencies that just kind of piss me off. And then Rhysand, he is 12 out of 10 flags because he's a walking HR violation and like suspiciously compelling. Lucien is like 4 out of 10. He's mostly sarcasm and trauma and Like questionable friendship choices. I swear to God, him and Tamlin behind closed doors. And then Feyre is— she's like 6 out of 10. I mean, would— would she— would absolutely run directly toward danger after being specifically told not to do. I mean, I, I kind of get her, right? Like, I, I know that my wife Lisa the Lesbian is like, you know, always telling me like not to do these things. And I'd be like, yeah, but I fucking kind of want to. So, but those, those are my red flags of just, just the book. But the book as a whole, it's not super spicy, but it gets us ready for like the next 5 books. Um, I forgot something. Would I recommend this to people? Yes, if you want it, but you like— this is like the backstory to everything else that

19:54 happens. And once I realized that, then I was able to power through because, you know, my smut moms here were like, just keep going. I would tell you guys where I was and you're like, yeah, you've got a lot to go. But yeah, um, as far as like what my rating is for the book It— there's a tiny bit of spice. Oh yeah. But you have to fuck— you have to read way the fuck into it. Full-on Halo spice. There's just— it's just sweet vanilla lovemaking with a narcissistic liar.

20:35 Fuck Tamlin. I'm not even putting a rating on this one because as far as I'm concerned, there's no rating to be put on this. I— there's— is there negative when it comes to the rating system? That's it. Yeah, it's not a smut. I don't think this is a smut book because for me, I need, I need reciprocal things, and I think this is one of the most tepid reciprocating— tepid, tepid is the right— yeah. So like, this is how I kind of like looked at the book, right? I'm gonna give it 4 out of 5 stars because it took me a while to get fully invested in this book. But once Feyre got under the mountain, I, I locked in, and I loved watching her intelligence and survival instinct— instincts take over. Yeah. And I connected with that butch-leaning provider energy she carries. But as the older lesbian and like mental health advocate, I also spent half the book watching a traumatized 19-year-old sacrifice herself while a collection of powerfully emotionally constipated fae men make questionable decisions around her.

21:43 Okay. Goddamn. And I took a star away because the book dragged for a little bit. Tamlin frustrated the hell out of me, and everybody needed to communicate instead of speaking in magical riddles. But the trials and the trauma, Rhysand's red flag entrance, and Feyre's transformation Absolutely made me want to continue reading the series. Uh,