#tamlin and rhys are the same person just different fonts | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fynslife · 4 years ago

Text

Thoughts re Bryce x Hunt (HOEAB)

(spoilers, duh / also spoilers for TOG and ACOTAR)

TW: I do mention canonical abuse and drug use in passing

I recently finished Crescent City (HOEAB) after putting off reading it for a while given the numerous reviews about the heavy world-building in the first 300 pages or so. Safe to say I have some thoughts on the novel, namely that I think it’s the weakest of Sarah’s works when considered in the same vacuum as TOG and ACOTAR. I’ll probably do a full review at some point, but today I just wanted to say a bit about my thoughts on Bryce and Hunt as a couple, because I need to know if I’m the only one that feels this way lmao.

I think what’s bothered me most about the pairing of Bryce and Hunt aka Quinlar, is that I don’t really feel that Bryce had a choice in her relationship. Please hear me out. In their respective series, Aelin and Feyre both, in my opinion, have a good level of autonomy over their romantic choices, and I don’t feel that this is the case for Bryce. In TOG, Celaena/Aelin initially chooses between Dorian and Chaol, and then later finds love with Rowan. We see Aelin develop through her relationships, experience her perspectives and priorities change and therefore we as readers are happy with the choices she makes that eventually lead her away from Chaol, and to Rowan. Aelin grows as a person and realizes what she both needs and wants in a partner as the series progresses, which allows her to find and accept her mate. Throughout the series, Aelin has always had romantic options, so seeing her end up with Rowan feels natural and right, and comes after she has explored relationships that naturally dissolve on their own.

Similarly with Feyre in ACOTAR, while the situation is different in that Tamlin is abusive, Feyre still retains autonomy in her choice of romantic partner. Rhys doesn’t try to stop her being with Tamlin, he just works hard to give her the space to sort through her emotions and work out what she wants and needs on her own. When she does choose Rhys, we as readers know exactly why as we’ve seen their relationship blossom from her perspective, and so we support it! Feyre doesn’t choose Rhys because there are no other options – she chooses him because time and time again he has proven to be her match. Rhys earns Feyre’s love, and this is against the backdrop that Feyre is beautiful and desired by most Fae, so she really could have picked anyone!

In contrast, when I look at Bryce and Hunt I feel there’s a bit of a sticking point. At the start of HOEAB we’re presented with Connor, and throughout the novel we get insights into how Bryce feels/felt about him. Bryce’s thoughts essentially boil down to she knew they were going to end up together and she was happy and excited for that future. The only reason they hadn’t got together yet was because she wasn’t done with her party days and she was nervous about how strongly she felt for him, at least that’s how each Connor flash back read to me. It’s evident, in my opinion, that he was her mate. They knew it and so did everyone else. It was only a matter of timing, but they were unquestionably, inevitable. Bold of me to say, I know. So when Connor died (I had no idea that this was coming as I didn’t read the blurb beforehand) I was blindsided. I kept expecting him to come back somehow, as to me it was clear that he was the preferred romantic partner for Bryce. Cue Hunt’s entrance to the narrative.

If I sound a little bit salty now, it’s because I am! Hunt is introduced and it becomes clear that this is going to be Bryce’s new partner, based on that fact that aesthetically he fits the descriptor bracket of both Rhys and Rowan respectively. In my opinion, their romantic arc is a bit lazy. To link this back to what I’ve already said about TOG and ACOTAR, I feel that Bryce has essentially no choice now when choosing her partner. The relationships we saw her in before Connor died were marked as frivolous and meaningless, and her would-be boyfriend is then murdered before Sarah even tries to lift their relationship off the ground. This leaves Bryce with no significant former romantic relationships (unlike Aelin and Feyre) and really no other romantic pursuits as the book progresses. We are immediately supposed to jump aboard the Quinlar ship, even though we have no one else to root for. Hunt is (at this moment in time) Bryce’s only viable option for a romantic interest in the novel.

Bryce doesn’t choose Hunt because he’s the best person in the line up, she chooses him because he’s the only person in the line up. Yes you can debate that once they’re friends this is a different case, but initially, and for a good portion of the novel, Hunt is the only viable male we see her interacting with with any sort of regularity. Does this not feel slightly Tamlin-esque to anyone else? Not in terms of abuse, as Hunt clearly does not display any abusive traits, but in the sense that when Feyre/Bryce are at their lowest, Tamlin/Hunt appear in the narrative, and provide them with the ‘love’ and support they both so desperately crave.

Now this isn’t to say that Bryce and Hunt don’t have some good moments, because they do! What bothers me, is that unlike Feyre and Aelin I don’t feel that Bryce has had the same space to choose her partner. I think Sarah knew that if she didn’t kill Connor right away, the Bryce x Connor ship would be too strong and wouldn’t leave the door ajar for Bryce x Hunt. I think she knew the only way she could’ve made Bryce x Hunt the preferred ship would be to completely torch Connor’s character in the second or third book, or to kill him off at a later point. I personally don’t feel that Bryce and Hunt would’ve ended up together, had Connor not been killed. I recognize that you could argue the murder is a necessary plot device, but I think it’s a lazy one! Killing off Connor is the easiest way to avoid having to resolve ship-conflict, or having to explore the idea of loving two people at once if that’s the route she wanted to take idk.

It’s possible SJM will bring Connor back in a later book, I noted that there are necromancers in this world so it’s not completely off the table I don’t think, but if she does I worry it’ll just be a throwaway plot line to solidify Bryce and Hunt.

As the novel is classified as an “Adult” read, I just wish that SJM had done more to explore grittier aspects of romance. Ie. the loving two people at once, dealing with grief and loss and seeking an equilibrium after that, or even just a more serious look at Bryce’s drug abuse?! There were so many opportunities that I feel got skipped over in favour of a hastily patched together romance (forged by trauma no less, yikes) and an at-times hard to follow murder investigation.

As I said at the start, I think HOEAB is the weakest of SJM’s books that I’ve read, which is disappointing, as we know she can do better. It’s also worth noting that I don’t hate Bryce and Hunt together, I just feel that Bryce lacked autonomy in her romantic choices because SJM quite literally killed off her only other option. I would’ve liked to have seen some deviation from the norm of love interest – I’m as much a fan of wings as the next person, but must all the key love interests be aesthetically the same just in different fonts? Could we not have run with the sexy werewolf just this once?

Anyway this was a bit of a ramble, but did anyone else feel like this? I have a lot of thoughts on the book but none of my friends have read it yet and I need to process with someone, so pls do hit me up xo

24 notes · View notes

feysand9299 · 8 years ago

Text

Love Undercover Part 19

Previously….

Previously….

I then walking in to the dining room. The first thing I see is a table big enough to fill a small village. The table I covered in platters plates and other dinning wear. As soon as we enter everyone's eyes land on me and my stomach. Rhys growls and they all rise and stand. Rhys sits at the head of the table with the other high lord. The chairs on both sides of him are taken by Tarquin and Kallias. I walk to the other end of the table just surveying the area for spies or poison. He looks at me and smiles as Azriel pulls out a chair for me.

"Oh No you guys please sit." He does as I ask and sits. Mor, Cassian, Amren, Lucien, alexia, and the two people from earlier sit. I stop between the two of them. The man's eyes stay glued to my figure until he sees my toned stomach and whose name is on it. Rhys growls and stands. My eyes shot to him automatically. I snap my finger and point down. Everyone's eyes automatically shot between us. He growls at Adam and sits down.

"I'll come deal with you in a second." I saw giving him a pointed look.

"Yes, Ma'am." He says smiling. The other high lords look in shock. Cassian is trying not to laugh. A snort gets through though. I turn to him. He then bursts out laughing. I roll my eyes and turn back to the man. I move the chair so its facing. I point.

"Sit solider."

"Yes, high lady." Cassian goes

"What's you name solider."

"Adam. I'm from the day court."

"OK then, Adam. Do you want to her a story.”? I ask. Everyone looks at me.

"Sure, high lady Feyre." He says. I smile and turn to everyone. I look at Rhys.

"Does everyone else Wanna hear a story." I say.

Now...

No one moves or says anything. I scan the room.

"No takers. Well I am tired of it. Every time someone says high lord Tamlin’s name you look at me like I'm going to brake. Tired of everyone watching what they say because of what I've be through. Tired of having to watch what I wear. So, what his name is there. I'm tired everyone automatically looking at sit and whispering. So, we will get this out of the way. Are you ready for story time.”? I say walking around. Everyone's eyes stay on me never leaving. I smile. I stop beside Cassian and take his hand. All of a sudden Lord Beron and his sons are brought in. They are forced to sit in on the empty side of the table away from Rhys. I smile. All their eyes go to my stomach. Beron's eyes widen at it again.

"Your just in time for story time."

"Feyre it can wait." Azriel says grabbing my other hand.

"Feyre, I'm sorry I forgot I invited them to dinner."

"It's fine Rhys, besides they love story's."

"OK, Go ahead high lady." Rhys say smiling.

"I was told to stay in the library until 11:00. I was reading until about 10:50. That was when I heard the screams. I sneaked to the dining room to see what it was when I heard talking. I automatically knew it was Cassian. I knew exactly what I had to do. I went upstairs and changed into Something to seduce tamlin. I opened the door to go to Tamlin’s room only to find Adam and Evan standing there in only their boxers. I tried to keep them out but...." I pause letting go of Azriel and Cassian’s hands and wrap my arms around my waist. Rhys growls at the boys and walks towards me. I stick out a hand and h returns back to his seat. Cassian grabs my arm pulling them away from my waist. I breath a shallow breathe.

"They pushed their way in and tied my arms to the bed posts and my legs together tying that the foot board. They questioned me about my powers. I lied and told them I didn't have any. They then questioned me being high lord Rhysand’s mate. They tried to pressure me by messing with my clothes tracing my clothes. I lied again though but this time they knew it was a lie and they asked me if I know what happened to woman who lied in the Autumn court. I tried to control their minds making their sense betray them. Make them think they were touching me but in reality, they were touching air. Between Making sure Cassian felt no pain and controlling them I couldn't do it. They noticed and stabbed my thigh. I then screamed for tamlin if only to make them stop but nothing. So, I did the only think I could I focused on Cassian’s pain. They didn't think that was enough though they wanted to get back at Rhys for whatever reason." I say pausing as I look around. Lucien is now standing beside me his hand in mine as Nesta is sitting in Cassian's lap looking at me in sympathy. I pull away and walk towards Beron and the boys. They sit there hiding their faces in shame and fear of the darkness that is radiating of Rhys. I walk around the table Rhys grabs my hand and pulls me to him. I smile down at him and pull away. I then remember what happened as if it were yesterday.

"Little did they know they were doing more damage to me than they were Rhysand." I say. I look at the covered mirrors.

"To begin with I thought Rhys would hate me but not the only person who hates me is myself. I can't look in the mirror or down at my stomach. The thing is though when they carved Tamlin's name into me with that ash knife they laughed and smiled. I cried and screamed as they healed my and did it again so it would Permanently scar." Rhys roars and launches. I throw my arm out putting him in a gold bubble. The bubble fills with darkness. I Never move my arm until the darkness subsides. He sits down as I remove the bubble.

"I then heard Tamlin and Beron talking about killing Cassian and I knocked the boys out. I then winnowed down the stairs. I got to Cassian for him to see my wounds. I covered them and hide them in disgrace. I had been branded like a fresh cow." I say. I then feel a hand trace my scars. I automatically grab that hand. I hear Rhys growl. My eyes shoot to Adam. I let go of his hand. He automatically pulls it away.

"I'm so sorry my high lady." He says. I smile and stand beside Rhys. His hand shoots to my waist.

"I do not mind if people touch it I just don't like surprise touches or me touching it."

"Can we fear it miss." Anastasia asks.

"No fae has ever had a wound like that. Most are faint little scars or random jagged ones." Helion says.

"NO, my mate is not an exhibit to touch." He growls. I kiss his cheek.

"They can feel and touch it. But I will not walk around and let you. You are to come up one at a time." I say.

"Fine."

(1 hour later.)

Everyone feels and touches it Except for Tarquin and Rhys. They all whisper. I sit in Rhysand’s lap as dinner is served and kick off my heels and snap into a different outfit. It's an oversized grey cardigan with a white V neck crop top and high wasted black jeans. I then curl into Rhys.

Beron avoids everyone's gaze along with his sons as they look between the both of us. I cross my legs over the arm of Rhys chair as I laugh at Rhys for trying to get me to eat.

"You're nagging again." I say smiling. He then hands me a piece of cake.

"Eat now or else."

"Rhys, I wouldn't go there." Azriel says laughing. I smile at him and wink.

"Feyre, Eat or else. I won't ask again." He says. I look at Cassian who smiles and scoots closer to the table everyone sub consciously does the same. I stand up with the cake. I smile at the guests and the others.

"Excuse My actions." I say. I then turn to Rhys.

"Or Else right." I say.

"Yes, or else. You will eat."

"Fine. I will eat by Cassian."

I then move behind Rhys towards Cassian and pick up the piece of cake off the plate. I then slam it in to Rhysand’s face. I then winnow into Mor’s lap as everyone gasps. She laughs and hugs me.

"You want to play that game hmm." He says. He wipes his face and gets up. He walks over to Mor and is about to grab me with an evil smile when I winnow to Azriel who's waiting with a smile. I kiss his cheek and winnow to beside Rhysand’s chair. I look and don't see him until it's too late. I hit the floor with a thud. Before I can move Rhys has both my hands in one of his above my head. The other one on his hip.

"Rhysand DON'T you dare." Panic in my voice.

"You started it."

"NO don't you dare." He looks at me wickedly and doesn't move. His other hand then lowers to my side. I giggle.

"Rhys stop." I say between giggles. He doesn't stop.

"RHYS." I yell loudly as he continues to attack my side.

(10 minutes later)

He finally stops and gets off. He then helps me up and gives me a peck on the lips. I walk over the table and sit on the arm of Tarquin's chair. Rhys sits in his chair and adjusts his shirt and hair. I adjust my sweater and hair as well. I look and see everyone smiling and looking between Rhys and I. Tarquin smiles until his eyes fall to my stomach again. I smile and grab his hand off my knee.

"May I have a word with you." I say standing up.

"Yes." He says doing the same. Rhys looks at me as I still have Tarquin's hand.

"I'll be back. I'm going on a walk." I then kiss him. I pull back and pull tarquin out the doors shutting them behind me. I then walk down the hall and tarquin walks beside me. I open the door to the study and close the door behind him. I throw my sweater on the chair and sit on the edge of the desk. tarquin stands at the door.

"Come here." I say. He does and stops in front of me. His eyes on my stomach.

"How can you bare it." He asks.

"You sit in that room like Nothing has happened to you. Like you aren't baring the name of another man. You act like your life is perfect, like you weren't under that mountain, like you weren't killed and brought back, Like A man is out to kill your mate and steal you. Like you were never a Mortal."

"I remember all of the thing I’ve been through. Don't think for 1 second I'm not haunted by what’s happened to me. Don't think I don't have nightmare, That I don't fear that every moment I'm away from Rhysand that I'm not afraid I will lose him, don’t think I'm not always watching my back for him to steal me and don't think I don't know I died. Every time a bone pops or I groan in pain Rhys automatically looks at me and pulls on the bond. The sheer terror written all over his face." I say.

"And don't think I can stand being around them. I can't but they are the key to Tamlin's down fall. They have done more to me then tamlin ever can. I will bear the pain of them forever, but they will bear the pain of me forever when this is over. Them, Keir, and Tamlin will suffer for centuries. As will everyone who crosses my war path." I say. Tarquin opens his mouth to speak when all of a sudden, the alarm goes off. I snap my black 6-inch ankle cut ankle boots to me.

I slid them on and zip them. I hop off the desk just as the door comes flying. I throw up a shield as tarquin hits the floor going to dodge it. I throw it to the left as I light my hand on fire. All of a sudden, a knife comes flying at me. I catch it. I then see a hybern guard standing there. I smile and walk towards him as I put tarquin in a bubble and lock the dining room doors. I Then slice the guards head off getting blood all over my white shirt and my skin. I smile and go through the whole place killing sentries and guards. The whole time I hear Rhys beating on my shields. I ignore him and kill them all. I then get to the throne room I make sure my scent leads here. I feel him coming so I snap in to the outfit Rhys had me were under the mountain. I then snap my hair in to a mess like id been fighting and put a small crown on my head setting it sideways. I then glamour bruises on my thighs and wrists. I then sprawl in the throne allowing tears to roam down my cheeks.

A Few minutes later I hear the massive steps. I then hear him walk past the throne room. I hear him heading down the hall. He stops in the study and looks at tarquin who's stuck like a prisoner. I then hear him prowl towards the dining room stopping every few seconds to smell as if he's tracking. I hear the swift movement of him whipping his head in the direction of the dining room. He slams his huge dark body against the door. He does this one more time and growls. Before I can stop myself. I snap back in to the bloody clothes and get rid of the glamour. I then throw the doors open. They slam in to the marble walls. I then do what Rhys is yelling at me not to.

I step in to the hall looking into the beast’s eyes.

#feysand9299 #Feysand #moriel #nessian #acomaf fanfiction

17 notes · View notes