A Court Of Thorns & Roses’ Immersive 3-Year-Old Adaptation Shows How Great Hulu’s TV Show Could Have Been

Hulu’s A Court of Thorns & Roses show is no longer happening, but one immersive, three-year-old adaptation offers insight into what it might have been like — and it makes the axed project that much more disappointing. The ACOTAR books remain some of the most popular recommendations on BookTok, even years after the most recent installment hit shelves. There’s little doubt a screen adaptation of Sarah J. Maas’ fantasy series would draw viewers, given the source material’s fan base, but one has yet to materialize.

The news that Hulu’s ACOTAR show wouldn’t become a reality came as a disappointment to fans of the series, especially after years of waiting for updates about the project. Fortunately, there are other romantasy adaptations to look forward to, including Amazon’s Fourth Wing TV show and Netflix’s Quicksilver series. And those who still want their fill of Feyre and Rhysand can also enjoy GraphicAudio’s incredible dramatization of A Court of Thorns & Roses. Of course, this may leave listeners more frustrated, as it hints at how great Hulu’s TV series could have been.

GraphicAudio’s ACOTAR Audiobook Reveals What A TV Show Could Have Been Like

They Show How Immersive Sarah J. Maas’ Story Is When Acted Out

GraphicAudio has dramatized audiobooks for all five installments in the Court of Thorns & Roses series, and they feature full casts and sound effects that help to fully immerse readers in the story. Feyre’s journey to Prythian feels more daunting and emotional when you can hear the characters’ tones, feel the tensions between them, and get a clearer picture of how eerie and fearsome the threats throughout Prythian are. I found myself more invested while listening to these versions of the books, as it was easier to feel the connections and picture strange creatures like the Bogge.

Those looking to experience ACOTAR in a new and exciting way will no doubt appreciate GraphicAudio’s iterations of the story. However, they drive home a harsh reality: the narrative works really well when acted out dramatically, and it would be even better with visuals. If an audiobook can make Maas’ books so much more enticing, a well-made TV adaptation would prove even more satisfying. The ACOTAR dramatizations highlight how great a full-blown adaptation could be, making a strong case for another studio picking up the rights.

A Court Of Thorns & Roses’ Incredible Audiobooks Make The Lack Of A Full Adaptation More Disappointing

A TV Show Could Take The Series To The Next Level

GraphicAudio’s dramatizations highlight why an ACOTAR show needs to happen, but they also make the lack of a full adaptation more disappointing. Visuals would take these renditions of the books to all new heights, adding to the tensions and emotions through the actors’ facial expressions and movements. They’d also make the setting feel even more immersive, as it wouldn’t just be music and sound effects giving it a shape. With costumes, well-crafted sets, and CGI, Maas’ world would feel even more believable.

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Unfortunately, an audio dramatization is the most readers will get any time soon. There’s no word of another network or studio snagging the rights to the hit romantasy series. And even if one does, it will take time to emerge. In the meantime, readers will be left to imagine just how enchanting a Court of Thorns & Roses adaptation with the same great acting as the audiobooks — and all the benefits of a TV series — could be. The potential is there; Hollywood just needs to recognize it.