Another reason I appreciate The Caster Chronicles over other romance books, or other YA books, as an aro person, is because of how much friendships matter in this story.
Oftentimes the book will take a break from the woes of Ethan and Lena, and focus on the problems their loved ones are having, and the book is from their perspective, which means Ethan and Lena take the time off their day to focus on the problems their loved ones are having. It's so refreshing. I'm so used to protags beings completely checked out of their friends' lives.
Warning: Spoilers below!
I like that so much time in Beautiful Chaos is spent on Ethan missing Liv, and wanting to cheer Liv up, and Lena realizing she's treating Liv badly because of her grudge and fear of losing Ethan to someone she knows she almost lost him to, and deciding to forgive her, which isn't easy.
I like how Lena does actually become friends with Liv and freaking asks Ethan to invite her to the dance as his plus one, so that she can invite John as her plus one, so that John and Liv can experience a school dance, because these two goobers are obviously in love, and Lena is playing matchmaker.
Love Ethan being like "My prediction? Ridley is gonna try to play with Link's heart again", like a protective bestie who hates their bestie's trifling partner. I love that Lena knows how bad Ridley can be, she's often the first casualty in Ridley making her problems other people's problems, but she's still her sister, she's still here being like "I'm worried about Ridley. She seems so lost 🥺". All Ethan sees is a brat being a brat, Lena sees the insecurities and fears that Ridley hides behind the mask.
I love that Lena makes a plan to cheer Link up when Ridley leaves. I love that Lena is worried about Ridley, while also being pissed.
I love that John calls Link "Big Guy" and gasses him up, and how he tries to joke and cheer up Lena, and how he's a gentleman to Liv, and how he is the one at Ethan's side during the worst night of his life. I love that despite both of them supposedly hating each other, he is putting himself on the line to get Ethan back, because as he sees it, he owes him his life, but more importantly, he owes him Liv's life.
I love Ridley getting pissed on Lena's behalf at the Winter Formal. I love her risking her life and powers to save Lena from turning Dark. I love how she brings out the mean side of Lena, and how they instantly click back together when they find a common enemy. I love that Ridley genuinely feels bad over Ethan's death, and the moment she heard about it, she tried to dash to Gatlin to check on everyone, but was put in a cage instead. I love how Lena's anger at Ridley instantly dissipates when she sees bruises.
I love that Dangerous Creatures starts with Lena crying because she's going off to college and she doesn't want to lose her friends. I love that when John and Liv hear Ridley is in trouble, they drop everything. I love how Sirensong risk everything to help Link and Ridley. I love how Necro affectionately calls Ridley their Yoko, and then in the same breath is ready to die for her.
I love how Link cries, because he's relieved Ridley didn't hurt Necro, because yes, Ridley is prickly like a sea urchin, but he knows it's just to scare off the sharks, he knows she'd never hurt Necro, never.
I love how Link defends Lena from bullies. I bet it's one of the reasons Ridley loves him so much, because when they lived together, she was the one defending Lena from bullies.
