Who's the real Villian?

Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series is widely celebrated for its intricate world-building, fae lore, and intense romance. It introduced into the world of faes, opened my eyes to the fantasy. This may be an unpopular depiction of the book but it’s my opinion. 

Everyone talks about Feyre and often praises for her strength and resilience. However in A Court of Mist and Fury, It's hard to ignore the sense of emotional betrayal and selfishness that marks her transition from the Spring Court to the Night Court. 

I understand self-growth and learning to love yourself but you can not blame the other person for treating you the way you allowed yourself to be treated. Self-growth should be about yourself. It's the process of one learning to value, and love themselves. Feyre learned how to value and love herself. After this new self growth, she was protrayed as the victim to justify her actions of intentional destroying this man's home.

I’m not saying Tamlin is perfect. OF COURSE NOT. Yes, Tamlin is flawed. His protective instincts become controlling, and he mishandles Feyre’s autonomy. HOWEVER ... Feyre cannot blame all her problems and traumas on this man. 

They’re situation is the same as if I walked up to a stranger and got mad at the stranger because they didn’t know my favorite food was tacos. Feyre returned to Spring Court as a new person then was angry at Tamlin because he was treating her the same as before. Instead of attempting open communication or seeking healing together, Feyre grows distant and resentful. Instead of acknowledging Tamlin’s trauma and her own, she shuts him out and condemns him for actions taken from a place of fear and desperation. How is that fair? How is that justified?

What’s most jarring is the lack of accountability. Feyre infiltrates the Spring Court under pretenses in A Court of Wings and Ruin, only out of vengeance. She weaponizes Tamlin’s love and trust, leaving ruin in her wake, and the narrative frames it as cunning rather than cruel. Her actions cost lives and destabilize an entire court, yet she faces no real consequences. Then she’s celebrated for deceiving him, using his trust against him, and ultimately orchestrating the downfall of his court. That sounds like the goal of all the villains I have ever read about. 

Tamlin is demonized for his mistakes, while Feyre’s betrayals are excused as growth. That’s not growth, and the true villain in this series is Feyre. How do you portray Feyre? 

It’s been a breeze. See you next time!