Aelin Galathynius is WAY better than Feyre Archeron!

- SPOILER ALERT! - You probably already figured that, but just in case you haven’t read every Sarah J Maas book under the sun yet and want to, you have been warned. This article will largely focus on the A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass series.

It may not surprise anyone who has interacted with the SJM fandom, as this is not necessarily an unpopular opinion, but I want to express my heartfelt belief that, as characters, Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius is better than Feyre Archeron. Both are powerful female protagonists in Sarah J. Maas’ universes. But while Feyre ends up becoming a softened version of the very life she once resented, Aelin rises into something legendary.

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Let’s address the magic first: Aelin inherited hers, yes — but that’s not the point

I’ll acknowledge this upfront: Aelin did inherit her magic. She was born with fire in her blood. But she still had to earn the right to use it. She trains relentlessly, yes, but more importantly, she learns how to control herself so her magic doesn’t consume her. She earns the right to wear that crown through pain, sacrifice, politics, and patience. She’s not just magically powerful — she chooses to become a ruler who is worthy of that fire.

Meanwhile Feyre was made High Fae and granted powers by the High Lords — a mystical gift that she never fully trains with beyond basic “I can do everything” combat. Her power is interesting at first, but never pushed to the same complexity. Even then, I actually think Feyre as a human was more interesting than Feyre as a fae.

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Feyre becomes everything she swore she hated

Here’s where my love for Feyre fades: she loses her edge. In Book 1, Feyre is broken, isolated, angry at the idea of being trapped, dressed up, watched over, protected, smothered. She hates being trapped in a manor. She hates being dressed like a decorative property. She wants freedom more than anything.

Flash forward to her life with Rhysand — and what do we see? She’s living in basically another fancy court. She is High Lady, yes, but she’s still pampered, deeply embedded in court politics, and absolutely defined by her mate-bond. She spends her days going to meetings, training a little, and living in luxurious comfort. She has become part of a Royal Elite — the exact thing she used to feel suffocated by.

The fire that once fueled her survival becomes… comfort. Safety. She gets a happy ending, which is fine. But as a character? She becomes steady and domestic. Aelin, meanwhile, never loses her vision — even when she gains love, she never stops being dangerous.

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Aelin never sacrifices her identity — she builds it

Aelin shifts identities, yes — Celaena, Aelin, Fireheart — but none of those personas make her smaller. If anything, they make her bigger, more legendary. Her arc is about becoming more herself, embracing all the parts of her: assassin, queen, lover, monster, savior.

Feyre’s arc is the opposite. She starts as a hunter, raw and feral and angry — and ends up a gentle court lady with power. Which is great growth for a human—but is it compelling? Not to me. Aelin takes up more space by the end. Feyre blends in.

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They both love deeply — but Aelin’s love never dimmed her flame

Let’s be clear: both women love fiercely. Feyre finds love in Rhys and in her found family. But her power and identity start revolving around her mate and her sisters. Aelin also finds her mate, Rowan — but her love does not domesticate her. In fact, Rowan respects that he walks beside a queen. He never becomes her entire personality. Aelin is not just someone’s lover. She is still a storm. Feyre ultimately becomes Rhys’s equal — but also his reflection.

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Final Verdict

Both grew, both suffered. But Aelin takes the trauma and it magnifies her spirit. Feyre takes the trauma, heals, and becomes comfortable — and maybe that’s realistic, but it’s not legendary. Aelin’s arc makes her feel like a myth reborn. Feyre’s makes her feel like a girl who found a good home.

And that’s beautiful — but when I want a heroine who sets the world on fire and never lets anyone forget her name, it will always be Aelin Galathynius.Stronger, more complex, more compelling.

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