12 Elain Fan Art Pieces That Portray the Meaningful Moments in Her Unfolding Storyline
Among the cast of complex characters in Sarah J. Maas’ fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses, Elain Archeron stands out with her gentle nature and delicate beauty.
With her golden-brown hair, warm brown eyes, and sweet disposition, Elain Archeron is highly regarded as both the prettiest and kindest of the three sisters. Yet upon her transformation to High Fae, that beauty becomes devastating and that softness becomes emptiness, resulting in a fragile front that belies the true depth of her Cauldron-made power.
While there is still so much to learn about Elain’s intentionally inconspicuous character, that hasn’t stopped the talented AI artists across the ACOTAR fandom from creating some truly gorgeous portrayals of the unassuming middle sister.
So follow along as we use 12 pieces of Elain fan art to create a timeline of her journey as we know it so far (while secretly cursing SJM for having the nerve to make us wait for her book!!)
SPOILER WARNING: In our attempt to bring you the very best versions of your favorite characters, spoilers may inadvertently be revealed. If you haven’t finished the entire series, proceed at your own risk!
01
of 12
📸: @realmreads
“Elain sometimes just… didn’t grasp things. It wasn’t meanness that kept her from offering to help; it simply never occurred to her that she might be capable of getting her hands dirty.”
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 2
02
of 12
“Beautiful—she’d always been the most beautiful of us. Soft and lovely, like a summer dawn.”
A Court of Mist and Fury, Chapter 23
03
of 12
“Where Nesta had been in contented silence before we found her, Elain’s silence was … hollow. Empty. She did not look, or speak, or even flinch as we entered. Her skin was so pale it looked like fresh snow in the harsh light. I realized then that the color of death, of sorrow, was white. The lack of color. Of vibrancy.”
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 15
04
of 12
📸: @booknuts_
“Even wasted away by grief and despair, Elain’s beauty was remarkable. Hers was a face that could bring kings to their knees. And yet there was no joy in it. No light. No life.”
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 24
05
of 12
“Twin ravens are coming, one white and one black.”
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 29
06
of 12
“Seer. The word clanged through me. She’d known. She’d warned Nesta about the Ravens. And in the chaos of the attack, that little realization had slipped from me. Slipped from me as reality and dream slipped and entwined for Elain. Seer.”
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 33
07
of 12
📸: @booknuts_
“So Elain silently cried, the tears so unending that I wondered if it was some sign of her heart bleeding out. Some sliver of hope that had shattered today. That Graysen would still love her, still marry her—and that love would trump even a mating bond. A final tether had been snapped—to her life in the human lands.”
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 55
08
of 12
“I would like to build a garden. After all of this … I think the world needs more gardens.”
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 80
09
of 12
“Even in the middle of winter, she was a bloom of color and sunshine. She handed me one of the tarts, sugar sparkling. I bit in without hesitation and let out a hum of pleasure. Elain beamed.”
A Court of Frost and Starlight, Chapter 17
10
of 12
📸: @sampaiarts
“Shall I tend to my little garden forever? You can’t have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater.”
A Court of Silver Flames, Chapter 21
11
of 12
“But I wonder if everyone has spent so long assuming Elain is sweet and innocent that she felt she had to be that way or else she’d disappoint you all. With time and safety, perhaps we’ll see a different side of her emerge.”
A Court of Silver Flames, FEYSAND Bonus Chapter
12
of 12
📸: @sampaiarts
“He knew the cruelty of the Hewn City troubled her. But she hadn’t hesitated to come. When Feyre had offered to let her remain home, Elain had squared her shoulders and declared that she was part of this court—and would do whatever was needed.”
A Court of Silver Flames, Chapter 57
