#CONTRASTED WITH kouje on p 400:

[earlyspringtranscendence]

the things that are generally wrong with the volstovic cycle are made (naturally, by virtue of the setting and pov characters) so much more egregious in shadow magic but like. kouje & mamoru are unfortunately still the only prince/retainer dynamic i’ve ever read like nothing else compares. sorry. forever.

#like again this book is really really horrible politically like i read it for the first time when i was ... 17 maybe? and definitely like #way less educated although even then i could tell that it uhm. werent great. but re-reading it im like HOLD on. this is so not it #but then there's bit from mamoru's pov on page 318: 'let me' he said and i let go immediately allowing his capable hands in place of my own #i remembered how we had stood in the same positions once though reversed. i had been the one to adjust kouje's hair #all his fine braids gone as if they'd never been there to begin with. #did the accomplishments mean anything if what one had to show for them was gone? was i still a prince if i lived in the forest #with no one to see me but the birds? #'there' said kouje stepping away once he'd finished. 'thank you' i murmured not daring enough to raise my eyes #i couldnt bear it if kouje were to decide that i'd done something unforgivable. not after everything else. #CONTRASTED WITH kouje on p 400: #there was so much of the emperor in [mamoru]. looking at him was sometimes like catching an accidental glimpse of the sun #LIKE ITS THE CORNIEST SHIT IN THE WORLD BUT I FELT IT. THAT SHIT WAS GENUINE. #like that never excuses the everything else of it all but i do think its fascinating how they write their characters thats def where their #strengths lie !!! characters and interpersonal dynamics #(like lord temur and the volstov diplomat (''diplomat'') trio anyone #?? i love that shit) #recently read