I am so sorry for taking so long to answer! It’s completely on me, I’ve just been busy and I knew that once I went into the rant mode, it would take a while, so I had to put the ask away for a while. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, please, take a seat lmao.
Keep in mind I’ve only read 4 chapters of book 2 (I will finish it… eventually…), so this is all about book 1.
TL;DR I hate TCH for not being what I wish it was. It combines aspects that I love with aspects I vehemently despise, and it frustrates me endlessly. Kieran is fucked up in ways that are entirely uncompelling to me. Radiance is fucked up in ways that are extremely compelling to me, but they are not the main character. It would be easier if I could just tear TCH to shreds like the shitty books of the Choices library, but unfortunately… it’s an objectively a good piece of writing (I say, clenching my teeth so hard blood starts running down my chin).
The writing is so poetic. The soundtrack is perfect. Visually, the book fucks so hard. The secondary characters are fantastic. Leaf is the love of my life. The fae and the twisted fairy tale are some of my all time favourite tropes/aesthetics. I should adore this book.
…Then there is the romance.
(OK this is the part where I go into the petty complaints. Please don’t come to me explaining how these things make sense narratively, I KNOW.)
Kieran and MC are every trope I hate in romance novels. Cold, brooding LI with anger management issues (which are considered sexy for some reason). MC, who is in every way inferior to LI dynamic-wise (as in peasant-prince, mortal-immortal, strong-weak etc.) Also that trope when being good and compassionate makes a character naive like a freaking five year old. That kink thing when LI is so tall and strong and MC is so small and weak and LI overwhelms them physically and that particular brand of ‘sexy’ violence they do in the ‘BDSM’ scenes. Withholding (or failing to communicate) information about their world that is crucial for MC’s survival, like ‘Hey btw MC, since you’re human, you should probably know that most fae are racist dipshits who treat humans like pets, brainwash them and force them to do their bidding with magic. FYI.’
And a bit more on the anger management issues thing (ugh, this is the hardest part to articulate but let’s try). The way Kieran is written — at least in the first half of the book or so — just didn’t make me feel for them. Them lashing out makes sense given their backstory, but it’s some combination of those reactions being so overblown and the way they themselves reacted to those outbursts afterwards (not trying to make things right or showing some indication of remorse or trying to do better) just rubbed me the wrong way. I just, don’t like when people use trauma to excuse being shitty towards others, and that’s what the narrative was kind of doing with Kieran to me. Like, I understand their curse took away their heart, but did it take away their ability to say ‘sorry’ too? Because I don’t remember that part. And of course they change for the better in the latter half of the book, but that initial irritation really spoiled the well for me, and I just can’t enjoy his character anymore. (I told you this is petty.)
Also, in a book full of gender non-conforming fae in flowing silks and glittery makeup, they force me to romance the most conventionally masculine, minimalistic black suit wearing tall and dark one that looks like 90% of the romantic fantasy LIs? Insulting (jk).
In contrast, Radiance checks all the boxes on the list of things I do like in fictional characters. (I mean, I love Aerin, so this should come as no surprise.) In the ’dark is not evil’/‘light is not good’ dichotomy, I am always more fascinated with the latter. The Sun Court’s ostentatious purity and nobility masking their true rotten, egotistical and manipulative nature drives me insane in the best way possible. And Radiance is the embodiment of all those qualities in a human form (with cute fluffy hair!). They are a manipulative, calculating, power hungry bitch in sheep’s clothing and they are so good at being that, which, hot? They are also a product of their fucked up upbringing, which promotes them from ‘there’s something wrong with them <3’ to ‘poor little meow meow’ levels of brainrot to me. They turned their sister into a bear for power. They also love her deeply. My point is, every time they are on screen, TCH is a 12/10 book for me. Then it cuts back to Kieran's bullshit and I'm forced to remember the book is not about them.
So that’s the gist of it, I think. Thanks for the ask! It took forever, but it was strangely vindicating to write out? Lol.
'This might be a very stupid pet peeve, but I really dislike it when choices books have non-LI characters whose gender depends on the LI (Radiance from TCH, Robin and Jordan from TNA, ex spouse from SR etc.). Like maybe I just want all characters in my playthrough to be messy bisexuals. The option is already there anyway, so why not let the player decide?'
POSTS/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT MOD'S PERSONAL OPINIONS!
'[TCH SPOILERS] Man Idc that Radiance is evil I still want them more than I ever wanted Kieran. Oh, you want to take out the Moon Court? Aight how can I help?'
POSTS/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT MOD'S PERSONAL OPINIONS!
'SPOILER ALERT
Holy moly!! I knew something was up in the Sun Court but I didn't think the crown Prince was in on it!! How have they been dwindling the Night Court and how will the curse be broken now? Also what is going on in Crimson Beach? Something is taking out vampires? But also the mom is starting to kinda piss me off, hope something gets resolved soon.'
POSTS/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT MOD'S PERSONAL OPINIONS!
