#book comment;

[maskedempireredux]

I love how they're both almost friends and enemies in politics at the same time. They don't hate each other; they can't.

[maskedempireredux]

"You shemlen break every deal except with each other." ....But Briala did not entirely disagree with Mihris

This doesn't carry the weight I feel it should. They don't explore Briala's slow realization that she can't entirely trust Celene. Don't even show it well. Just hints here and there until the end of the book where she decides it's the elves first if Celene's going to put the throne first. And that's such a missed opportunity. I want to see Briala realize and struggle with that. And it's not something she's necessarily go na struggle with in my fic and I am Upset.

[maskedempireredux]

I get honor. I get maintaining a code for fair fights. But man I would have let Celene end him. Why is Michel so underrated? He's such a good character

[maskedempireredux]

What they lack in dick energy at least they make up in honor. Or spite in Michel's case.

[maskedempireredux]

Gaspard is terrible, don't get me wrong, but he's really good at looking at a fellow warrior and honoring their skill. Even if they're an enemy. And he's okay with working with an enemy for a common threat. He's a good fighter, a good warrior and soldier and leader in battle.

But battle and ruling a nation aren't the same. I wonder how good of an Emperor he really is.