“[h]er dead sister-in-law’s fecundity, whether in or out of marriage, was a continual reproach to her own barrenness.”
An early hint that the women in this "feminist" series are all about BEBBES BEBBES BEBBES.
. He tells us that “the remark [is] designed to irritate Priam”,
Completely unnecessary bad manners aside, doesn't he have any sense of self-preservation or common sense in general? Who the fuck thinks antagonising the KING is a good idea?
What makes this even more obnoxious is it's pretty easy to guess that he's being a dick to the guy out of whiny resentment over the King in question not treating him like a member of the royal family. (As he whines in book two, 'he refused to acknowledge me for thirty years BAWWWW and I would have cheerfully waged war on him if I had to'). Like dude, you're a BASTARD. In both senses of the word. Get the fuck over yourself.
“There was nothing but bitter enmity between the two brothers.”
Because of reasons.
And he will only show more toxic masculinity going forward.
Oh yeah. Big time. The guy's homophobic and has the emotional control of a spoilt toddler, is unnecessarily aggressive and violent, and that's not even getting into the way he treats women. Or that he in this book grooms a teenage girl.
“many [say]” (citation needed) that that was more because he is the heir to the throne and less because he is so capable.
Another thing which will turn out to be BS, because in practise it's the other way around. Axis is a terrible military commander and Borneheld is good at it. Borneheld actually takes care of his troops in order to minimise casualties. Axis treats his like cannon fodder, spurns diplomacy, and GOES TO BED immediately after a major battle instead of dealing with the subsequent confusion when his presence should have been desperately needed.
The Axe-Wielders follow Axis with “a loyalty, a devotion and a single-mindedness”
Which makes absolutely no sense because it's never explained. For one thing, after Axis turns out to be half Forbidden and all the rest of it, none of the AW desert. Nor is there any protest from them when he turns traitor against the crown and the Seneschal they're currently serving. It's completely unrealistic and stupid. NOBODY is so amazing a leader. It's just not possible. And as I mentioned before, Axis is not an amazing leader. He's a shit one who threatens his own allies with death by slow torture.
It also does not help that Axis got all the good looks, too.
Personally, based on the description, I think Borneheld is better looking than Axis (who quite frankly sounds just as "effeminate" as the king with his pretty hair and whatnot). But then I've always liked buff guys with short hair. Aesthetically anyway, being that I'm asexual. Plus Borneheld isn't abusive. Yes, he verbally abuses Faraday later on, but this is after he finds out she's unfaithful and has been subjected to months of her treating him like shit. He tried his best to be good to her and got absolutely no gratitude, so frankly I'm prepared to give him a pass for getting angry at her. At least he never smacks her around, which Axis absolutely does to his own wife. More than once.
He thinks “viciously” that one day, they will meet in combat, “and then the world [will] see for once and for all who [is] the better man. Artor [will] judge who [has] the better right to live.”
This whole rivalry just isn't given anywhere near enough development for it to make any sense that Borneheld out and out wants to kill the guy, to the point that Faraday has to marry the former purely to ensure it doesn't happen.
There needs to have been some sort of major inciting incident, or a series of them. Like maybe Borneheld was in love with a woman and intended to marry her but Axis raped/seduced her (this series really cannot tell the difference, but given how Axis usually behaves I'm gonna go with rape) and she got pregnant and died from complications, and Borneheld is convinced it was Axis' baby that killed her.
“The hatred between them was naked enough for any to see.”
And what exactly did Borneheld do to make Axis hate him? No, being heir to the throne doesn't count.
We are then told that the title “Father” is “one of deep respect tinged with some gratitude”, and that apart from his command, no one else accepts him like the Brotherhood does.
This must be why Axis subsequently has absolutely no problem with wiping out the Seneschal and destroying their faith while burning their books and throwing his own foster father in a cell.
“but Axis’ charm had smoothed diplomatic relations.”
Axis exercising his "charm" to "smooth diplomatic relations" in book two:
So,” Ysgryff continued. “I wonder what you could offer Greville and myself should we decide to ally ourselves with your cause.” Axis stared at him coldly. “Apart from your lives?” Ysgryff rocked back, angered by Axis’ words. “Our lives? You go too far, Axis!” “Perhaps you have not heard of Earl Burdel’s fate, Ysgryff. Burdel thought to oppose me. This is what happened to him.” Axis waved his hand, and an image formed in the space between them of Burdel, his sons to either side of him, hung naked and dying on the cross outside Arcen. Ysgryff paled, not only at the sight of Burdel’s death, but also at the evidence of Axis’ power. “Think not that I conjure lies, Ysgryff,” Axis said softly. “I am sure you have contacts who can confirm the truth of what you have just witnessed.” “You broke Arcen?” Ysgryff asked. His fingers toyed with the tassels of his cushion. Axis was stronger than he had realised. Well, that was nothing but good. He, as so many others, had waited a long, long time for this moment and this man. “Arcen ceded itself to me without a fight, Ysgryff. Skarabost and Arcness are mine. If you force me to ride through your shiny soldiers behind you then I will do it. You may delay me a few days, but that is all you will do.” Axis’ tone hardened. “I have not come here to bargain with you, Ysgryff, Greville. I have come simply to accept your aid. It is your decision whether to ride with me or against me.”
no subject
An early hint that the women in this "feminist" series are all about BEBBES BEBBES BEBBES.
Completely unnecessary bad manners aside, doesn't he have any sense of self-preservation or common sense in general? Who the fuck thinks antagonising the KING is a good idea?
What makes this even more obnoxious is it's pretty easy to guess that he's being a dick to the guy out of whiny resentment over the King in question not treating him like a member of the royal family. (As he whines in book two, 'he refused to acknowledge me for thirty years BAWWWW and I would have cheerfully waged war on him if I had to'). Like dude, you're a BASTARD. In both senses of the word. Get the fuck over yourself.
Because of reasons.
Oh yeah. Big time. The guy's homophobic and has the emotional control of a spoilt toddler, is unnecessarily aggressive and violent, and that's not even getting into the way he treats women. Or that he in this book grooms a teenage girl.
Another thing which will turn out to be BS, because in practise it's the other way around. Axis is a terrible military commander and Borneheld is good at it. Borneheld actually takes care of his troops in order to minimise casualties. Axis treats his like cannon fodder, spurns diplomacy, and GOES TO BED immediately after a major battle instead of dealing with the subsequent confusion when his presence should have been desperately needed.
Which makes absolutely no sense because it's never explained. For one thing, after Axis turns out to be half Forbidden and all the rest of it, none of the AW desert. Nor is there any protest from them when he turns traitor against the crown and the Seneschal they're currently serving. It's completely unrealistic and stupid. NOBODY is so amazing a leader. It's just not possible. And as I mentioned before, Axis is not an amazing leader. He's a shit one who threatens his own allies with death by slow torture.
Personally, based on the description, I think Borneheld is better looking than Axis (who quite frankly sounds just as "effeminate" as the king with his pretty hair and whatnot). But then I've always liked buff guys with short hair. Aesthetically anyway, being that I'm asexual. Plus Borneheld isn't abusive. Yes, he verbally abuses Faraday later on, but this is after he finds out she's unfaithful and has been subjected to months of her treating him like shit. He tried his best to be good to her and got absolutely no gratitude, so frankly I'm prepared to give him a pass for getting angry at her. At least he never smacks her around, which Axis absolutely does to his own wife. More than once.
This whole rivalry just isn't given anywhere near enough development for it to make any sense that Borneheld out and out wants to kill the guy, to the point that Faraday has to marry the former purely to ensure it doesn't happen.
There needs to have been some sort of major inciting incident, or a series of them. Like maybe Borneheld was in love with a woman and intended to marry her but Axis raped/seduced her (this series really cannot tell the difference, but given how Axis usually behaves I'm gonna go with rape) and she got pregnant and died from complications, and Borneheld is convinced it was Axis' baby that killed her.
And what exactly did Borneheld do to make Axis hate him? No, being heir to the throne doesn't count.
This must be why Axis subsequently has absolutely no problem with wiping out the Seneschal and destroying their faith while burning their books and throwing his own foster father in a cell.
Axis exercising his "charm" to "smooth diplomatic relations" in book two:
Don't count on it.