No, I think the point he’s making is that if he was really as awful as everyone said, why would he have fought on their side? He’s telling them that the rumors about his “reign of terror” are just rumors and legends, if that makes sense.
(part 2) Rhys “physical age” is not mentioned in the story (unless I missed a scene) yet he gives the impression of being older than Tamlin in appearance while there is not a big difference in age (in years) between the two (Tamlin has been a child during the war so he must have been about ten years old and we know that Rhys was in his thirties during this period) ? I know it’s strange but I always asked myself these kinds of questions ^^“
You’re right that we know he’s older than Tamlin by about 20-50 years (it’s never stated, but I tend to put him at around 550). Tamlin, at around 500 years old, looks to be in his late twenties, so Rhys at 550ish would look around the same or in his early thirties. I put him at 30 in my Modern AU fic. Of course, SJM is not at all specific about when Prythian fae stop aging (she mentions it in ToG, but not ACOTAR). So it’s really anyone’s guess, but the only thing that seems to fit is that late twenties, early thirties range.
That’s okay! You’re not alone in this, and frankly, it’s healthy to criticize it! Feyre as the narrator accepts Rhys’s explanation, and because the book is written from her perspective, the audience is encouraged to accept it, too. But there’s such a thing as unreliable narrators, and it’s perfectly valid to question the origins of their relationship, how Rhys treated her even under the mask, and how that developed into the relationship they ended up in. You’re not wrong for wondering about it, and you’re not wrong for being a little uncomfortable, either!
Also when Rhys insinuated that Amarantha abused him I don’t think it was rape or abuse (following the official definition of it) because he was more than consenting and we don’t even know if he really disliked it; there wasn’t any “actions” that proved otherwise but just some words from his part. I don’t want to justify anything of course but I still have a doubt about the accuracy of the relationship he and Amarantha shared and if I’m wrong about something I truly want to apologize. Thank you.
Okay, yeah, I understand that you’re just trying to figure things out, but this sounds a lot like rape apology, so you do need to be careful when talking about things like this. Whether or not Rhys’s decision to subject himself to Amarantha makes sense from a narrative perspective isn’t really the point in this case. Taken as it is in the text, Rhys was still very much Amarantha’s victim. Yes, he had his own reasons involved in the scheme, but it was clear throughout Rhys’s recounting of events that he really didn’t want to participate. He also describes in both ACOTAR and ACOMAF in great detail how very much under her power everyone Under the Mountain was.
I waited. But he [Rhys] shook his head. “Even if I felt like helping you, I couldn’t. She gives the order, and we all bow to it.” He picked a fleck of dust off his black jacket. “It’s a good thing she likes me, isn’t it?”
I opened my mouth to press him—to beg him. If it meant instantaneous freedom—
“Don’t waste your breath,” he said. “I can’t tell you—no one here can. If she ordered us all to stop breathing, we would have to obey that, too.”
ACOTAR pg. 301
He has no power to deny Amarantha anything. Without an option to say no, there is no consent, regardless of what Rhys’s long game is. He was far from “more than consenting” and we definitely know he disliked it.
“But for fifty years—whenever I was inside her, I’d think about killing her. She had no idea. None. Because I was so good at my job that she thought I enjoyed it, too.”
ACOMAF pg. 433
You claim that there aren’t any “actions” that prove he wasn’t consenting or didn’t dislike it. What about when he tried to kill Amarantha? Or this line, in ACOWAR?
Rhys murmured, “If she …” His swallow was audible. “If she showed up at this house …” I knew who he meant. “I would kill her. Without even letting her speak. I would kill her.”
ACOWAR pg. 249
Further, the suggestion that a rape victim needs to act in order to be believed, and that their words are not enough, is a very dangerous thing to say. The U.S. Department of Justice’s updated definition of rape says, “physical resistance is not required on the part of the victim to demonstrate lack of consent.” Claiming otherwise is the very thing that has allowed rape and sexual assault to be so ingrained in our society. “Why didn’t she say anything sooner?” “Why didn’t he fight her off?” “How do we know they’re telling the truth?” If you look at the #MeToo movement, this is exactly the kind of thing they’re trying to fight against.
SJM’s use of sexual assault as a thread in her series might not be baked all the way through, and there’s certainly some things you can criticize there from a narrative perspective. But in this case, Rhys was clearly a victim of Amarantha, he clearly was not consenting, and he clearly did not like it. Again, I understand that you’re trying to figure this out and mean no harm, but this is an important thing to learn when discussing a difficult topic like this. Believing a victim is, as a rule, a far better take than disbelieving them.
The Illyrians of the Night Court are competing to see whose wingspan is bigger….
Hello! I’m good–currently drowning in exams I have to grade, but otherwise good!
When I was in the fandom, I was 100% in the camp that though Rhys (and definitely Lucien) were bisexual. So I’d see him actually being into it. I infamously wrote a fic about it, but I’m kind of embarrassed by that one, so I won’t link it (though it’s not impossible to find if you’re determined).
Welcome to Top 5 Wednesday! Every week, join me and other bloggers/booktubers as we discuss our Top 5 Books according to the theme from the Top 5 Wednesday Goodreads Group! This group, started by @thoughtsontomes and @gingerreadslainey, has prompts every week.
Today, the theme is NOSTALGIC BOOK BOYFRIENDS/GIRLFRIENDS
Characters you swooned over when you were younger.
I definitely had a “dark and brooding” phase when I was a preteen, so Fang fit the bill in a lot of ways. I shipped “Fax” and wrote fanfiction about them, and I definitely imagined myself in Max’s shoes from time to time. I never finished the series because I got annoyed with the meandering plot, but I do think fondly back on my Maximum Ride, Fang-crushing days.
From here on out, I’m going to get really predictable. But yes, I was definitely very fond of Prince Caspian when I was younger. I thought he was brave and dashing, but also deeply kind. I remember getting miffed when they tried to pair him with Susan in the movie. 😛
How could anyone not have a crush on Char? He was like, a dream come true. Actual Prince Charming. And the slow-burn romance between him and Ella was so important to me when I was young. He only barely loses to my #1 pick, but they’re by the same author, so you can tell I have a type.
Do you think I have a thing for guys named Rhys? I’m telling the honest-to-goodness truth when I say that my first book crush was Rhys the Wizard from The Two Princesses of Bamarre. I thought he was so kind, so sweet, and always there for Addy, and I was quite obsessed with him for a while.
I’m so curious to know what your nostalgic boyfriend/girlfriends are! I’m a bit surprised that nothing from Harry Potter really came to mind, but I guess I just had a different relationship with those books (I did crush on the actors, though). Did you have a “type” when it came to your fictional crushes? Share in the comments or reblog!
Welcome to Top 5 Wednesday! Every week, join me and other bloggers/booktubers as we discuss our Top 5 Books according to the theme from the Top 5 Wednesday Goodreads Group! This group, started by @thoughtsontomes and @gingerreadslainey, has prompts every week.
Today, the theme is PROBLEMATIC FAVES!
Characters you don’t want to love, but you can’t help liking.
Nyx is an unlikable heroine if there ever was one, but I still really root for her in her story. She’s abrasive and sometimes lacks emotional intelligence, but she’s tough and her romance with Ignifex is so dynamic. I enjoy rereading this book from time to time for Nyx.
Parting is such sweet sorrow. You all know I loved Rhys. He and Feyre were my OTP for a whole year. I eventually just became so burned by ACOWAR and so disillusioned by his entitled, toxic masculinity and faux-feminism that I had to let him go. But I’d be lying if I didn’t include him on this list of problematic faves. And I miss him. 😦
So, I never really bought into the total “redemption” of Warner that the fandom peddles because I think a lot of his behavior goes uncritiqued, but that’s what makes him one of my problematic faves! He’s the kind of YA love interest that I don’t want to see more of, but at the same time, Waaaaarrrrnnnneeeerrrrr. I die whenever he’s on the page in Ignite Me. So … I’m trash!
Sarkan is an ass, and he never really stops being an ass, but I LOVE HIM OKAY?! I wrote a whole 20,000 word fanfiction just so I could feel better about liking him. His relationship with Agnieszka isn’t exactly the healthiest but DAMN do I root for them! So yes, Sarkan = serious problematic fave.
I should not love someone this sketchy so much, but Jane Eyre remains my #1 go-to when I need a deep and compelling romance. Rochester is kind of a creep, he’s made terrible decisions, and he’s 100% problematic, but I really can’t bring myself to stop loving him and the part he plays in Jane’s story.
Who are your problematic faves? I know they abound in the book world, but maybe your problematic faves come from TV or movies! Whatever they are, feel free to share in a comment or reblog!
ok well first of all Rhys’ dad definitely knows about the gifts. he employs the best spies on the continent, and one of them has the unfortunate job of reporting to the high lord of the night court what his ridiculous heir is getting into this week. but Rhys is wise to this, and so has his own spies deliberately leaking increasingly ridiculous rumors about who, specifically, his lover is, so that by the time Dad hears that it might be Beron’s youngest son that’s getting this fucking portrait, that sounds exactly as unlikely as half the other people on the list, so he essentially gives up with a “whatever, as long as no one’s about to enact political sabotage on us because you’re sending their spouse dick pics, it’s fine” (i do love the letter u wrote tho LMAO)
(Rhys’ dad is smart as hell but No Fun At All and he got saddled with the most absurd charismatic overdramatic scheming son,,,,, the high lord of the night court is Tired)
Rhys’ mom supports rhycien fully and probably has met lucien and likes him very much. (it wasn’t like super official or anything because Rhys is trying to play it Cool. u know how it is.) and I support everything u said about Rhys’ sister. They are partners in crime and she helps get Dad off the scent but suggesting people Rhys might be fucking that he definitely isn’t. She and Mor go shopping for the worst sex toys they can find for Rhys to send Lucien and it’s beautiful.
Sarah Viehmann 