A Court of Thorns and Roses
Chapter 32
by Maas, Sarah J.In Chapter 32, the protagonist surveys the aftermath of a violent confrontation within a shattered manor, meticulously examining the scene for clues about Tamlin’s condition. Despite the chaos—broken glass, blood splatters, and damaged furniture—the absence of bodies and gore suggests Tamlin and Lucien are alive. The protagonist’s cautious movements and careful analysis of footprints and blood patterns reveal that the intruders likely surrounded the house and forced their way in. Her focus on the trail indicates her hope that Tamlin and Lucien escaped without a fight, fueling her determination to uncover the truth amidst the wreckage.
As she hides from an approaching figure in the dining room, the protagonist recognizes the presence of someone familiar—Alis—who is injured but alive. Their tense reunion reveals that Tamlin and Lucien are safe, though Alis warns her that Tamlin has been taken to Under the Mountain by Amarantha. This revelation confirms the protagonist’s fears: Tamlin is now in the clutches of a powerful and dangerous adversary. The urgency of the moment heightens as Alis emphasizes the severity of the situation, underscoring the stakes involved in rescuing him from Amarantha’s grasp.
Alis provides critical context about Amarantha, explaining that she is the High Queen of Prythian and has seized Tamlin as part of her cruel plans. Her presence in the land is a result of her long-standing resentment towards the High Lords and her assertion of dominance through a curse that the protagonist had previously overlooked. The chapter details how Amarantha, once an emissary from Hybern, has manipulated political dynamics by positioning herself as a powerful ruler, charming the High Lords and claiming to make amends for her past actions. Her goal appears to be consolidating power and breaking the existing balance of the realm.
The chapter concludes with Alis revealing that Amarantha has been traveling between courts, gaining influence under the guise of fostering trade and reconciliation. Her moniker, the Never-Fading Flower, symbolizes her deceptive charm and persistent presence. As Alis gathers supplies and reflects on her own history, the protagonist contemplates the broader political landscape—an intricate web of alliances, betrayals, and power struggles. The chapter sets the stage for a perilous rescue mission, emphasizing the urgency and complexity of confronting a formidable enemy who now holds Tamlin hostage.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What are the key details that the protagonist observes about the scene of the attack in the entry hall, and what do these details suggest about the nature of the fight?
Answer:
The protagonist notes the shattered glass, gouged walls, blood splatters, and small puddles and smears of blood throughout the entry hall. The damage appears to have been caused primarily during the fight, not afterward, as indicated by the blood patterns and debris. The footprints and the torn doors suggest that the intruders forcibly entered the house and that Tamlin and Lucien may have been present during the attack, walking out afterward unharmed. These details imply a violent, intense confrontation that was likely brutal but did not result in immediate death for those involved, offering hope that Tamlin and Lucien are still alive.2. Question 2
How does the protagonist’s interaction with Alis reveal her emotional state and the urgency of her mission?
Answer:
The protagonist’s interaction with Alis shows her overwhelmed with relief and concern, as she quickly seeks information about Tamlin and Lucien’s survival, indicating her deep emotional investment. Her trembling hands, the quick pace of her movements, and her insistence on knowing the truth reveal her desperation and urgency. She is driven by a need to understand what has happened and to help, despite the danger, which underscores her commitment and the high stakes of her mission. Her willingness to return to a dangerous situation highlights her determination and the critical importance of the information she seeks.3. Question 3
What does Alis reveal about the political situation involving Amarantha, and why is this significant to the protagonist’s understanding of the current conflict?
Answer:
Alis explains that Amarantha, the High Queen of Prythian, took Tamlin to her court under the Mountain because she is seeking to break his curse and is summoning the High Lords to witness her doing so. She reveals that Amarantha became a High Queen after appearing as an emissary from Hybern, charming the High Lords with promises of trade and reconciliation. This is significant because it shifts the protagonist’s understanding of the political landscape—Amarantha is not just a villain but a ruler with her own ambitions, and her actions are tied to the larger conflict involving Hybern and the curse. It highlights the danger Tamlin is in and the complexity of the power struggles at play.4. Question 4
In what ways does the chapter deepen the reader’s understanding of the history and power dynamics within Prythian, especially regarding the concept of a High Queen?
Answer:
The chapter reveals that Prythian traditionally was governed by seven High Lords, with no High Queen—an established balance of power. However, the emergence of Amarantha as the High Queen, after a century of her acting as a courtier and emissary, disrupts this balance. Her claim to the throne and her actions, such as summoning the High Lords and breaking Tamlin’s curse, suggest she wields considerable power, possibly exceeding the traditional structure. This deepens the reader’s understanding that Prythian’s political system is fragile and susceptible to upheaval, especially with the rise of a figure like Amarantha who operates outside the established norms.5. Question 5
How might the protagonist’s knowledge of the curse and Amarantha’s motivations influence her approach to the challenges ahead?
Answer:
Knowing that Amarantha is actively working to break Tamlin’s curse and that she has summoned the High Lords to witness her power underscores the gravity of the situation. The protagonist’s awareness of the curse’s significance and Amarantha’s manipulative tactics suggests she must be strategic, cautious, and well-informed in her actions. It also fuels her determination to find a way to thwart Amarantha’s plans, understanding that the stakes involve not only Tamlin’s life but the stability of Prythian itself. This knowledge encourages her to seek allies, gather more intelligence, and prepare for the difficult battles ahead with a clearer sense of the political and magical landscape.
Quotes
1. “No bodies, I kept repeating to myself. There were no bodies, and not much gore. They had to be alive. Tamlin had to be alive.”
This quote underscores the narrator’s desperate hope that Tamlin and Lucien survived the attack, highlighting the chapter’s focus on the aftermath of violence and the importance of their survival for the story’s progression.
2. “She took him to her court Under the Mountain.”
This line reveals the pivotal plot point that Tamlin has been taken by Amarantha, setting the stage for the central conflict and emphasizing the high stakes involved—the rescue and the looming threat of Amarantha’s power.
3. “Amarantha is High Queen of this land. The High Queen of Prythian.”
This statement introduces the crucial concept of Amarantha’s unprecedented authority as the High Queen, challenging the traditional rule of the seven High Lords and marking a significant shift in the political landscape of Prythian.
4. “The seven High Lords rule Prythian—equally. There’s no High Queen.”
This quote clarifies the historical and political structure of Prythian, emphasizing the unusual nature of Amarantha’s usurpation and setting up the context for her exceptional power and the threat she poses.
5. “She fought in these lands as an emissary from Hybern… charming the High Lords with talk of more trade between Hybern and Prythian, more communication, more sharing of assets.”
This passage explains Amarantha’s manipulative diplomacy, illustrating her strategic efforts to extend her influence and the subtle ways she has infiltrated and destabilized the existing political order, which is vital for understanding her rise to power.