#mare is stronger than me tbh bc I would've folded SO FAST

[maveys-baby]

Why you find maven interesting? Do you ship mareven?

*spoilers for War Storm

I could literally write an ESSAY about why I find Maven to be the most interesting, complex character in all of literature. He's my favorite character ever. To try and keep it simple, it comes down to the masterful way Victoria crafted the books, specifically the first one. I think she did a great job at creating that emotional attachment, which is why the betrayal was so visceral; because we as the readers felt betrayed too.

I always say my favorite type of character is a complex villain; someone who we as the audience know is doing the wrong thing, but they genuinely believe they're doing the right thing. I think Maven is just that. He knows killing his father & brother/betraying Mare is wrong, but he thinks the ends justify the means, and then we enter the debate of was it really Maven or Elara's fault; just how much control did she have over him and how much did she twist his mind for years on end; if he was ever his own person, even after her death... Stuff I could go on and on about. Maven isn't some stereotypical "evil for evil's sake" cartoon-y supervillain. There's a lot of psychology behind him, his motivations, and his actions, and it all presents so fluidly, making him the perfect storm.

He's a very widely debatable character, unlike Cal, who I feel like is pretty cut and dry for the most part. There's more substance to Maven, mentally and emotionally. More to sit with and think about, more to untangle. I also just love a guy who's so in love that he starts to become unhinged (I don't condone the baby k*lling though, Maven, you were out of pocket for that). Plus his death and Farewell were literally GUT-WRENCHING, I stg, I still can't read it without crying.

Anyway, I'm open to writing about Mareven fanfiction-wise, but ultimately, I don't ship them. I think Victoria made it pretty obvious from the beginning of the first book that Mare was written to be with Cal. I do love the tension and chemistry Mare and Maven had together though. I guess you could call me a supporter, but not a shipper. Sometimes I wonder if Maven and Mare didn't work because they are just too similar; like twin flames or something. Ultimately, they were both too stubborn. He would never give up his crown for her and she would never forgive him for the betrayal.

Like I said, I could go on and on, but I'm sure this is long enough lol. Thx for the question though, I LOVE any opportunity to gush about Maven :)