Blood and Iron Thoughts

[adelynne]

One of the weird things about this book is how long it's taken me to really figure out what I think of it. In fact, it wasn't until I was sitting at the sushi bar two hours ago that it hit me.

For me, Blood and Iron, is a problem book. matociquala has previously stated that it's a story told from the point-of-view of a villain, and that might cause people to have issues. That isn't mine. I find villains often much more interesting than the heroes, brave and true. At least in the stories, I look with fondness on my villains.

Stray with me into Stargate: Atlantis for a moment. A lot of fans (at least from what I could see) had serious problems with the moral choices the expedition (otherwise known as Our Heroes) made at the end of last season and the beginning of this one. thepouncer pointed out, I think correctly, that they were faced with an "Us or Them" choice. And given that one, choose Us every time.

B&I also presents the reader with an "Us or Them." Significantly, it is told from the point-of-view of the Them. Which could be cool, and is at times. But here we have what was the problem for me. I can't bring myself to support the Sidhe. It is not for lack of trying, but for what I see as a lack of vision on their part. In The Three Musketeers, Cardinal Richelieu was undoubtably the villain. But he was a villain with vision. A goal he was working toward. Our Heroes might have opposed him, but at the end of the day they knew he was working to further France as much as they were. And from there we have a connection.

The fae may be dying. Horrible and beautiful and magical as they are they are dying, bound by their own bargain with the Devil Himself on one end and the iron chains of the Prometheans on the other. It is a truly horrible fate. But as much as I seek it and try to see, what is the alternative for the Us? We see the horror and the reason the Prometheans started their war in the first place, but we're never given a good reason to side with the fae. Carel says that the world shouldn't be safe, and to an extent I agree with her. But there must be a give and take, and for the danger they bring they must provide a reason for their existance, or in the "Us or Them" humanity would always choose us.

And as a reader, I'm still human.

Please don't think I didn't like the book. I did. It made me think, and rubbed at me in ways only a good book can. The characters are engaging and though I cannot be convinced to side with Elaine, I can see how she came to her choices. It is a good read, and I would recommend it for what, at least in my experience, is a unique take on the Sidhe, Arthurian legend, and dragons. I'll definitely read the sequel.

But it is a problem book for me.

Comments

[mroctober.livejournal.com]

I agree. It was a tremendous problem that limited my enjoyment of the book. Plus, there were Mary Sue elements.

[the-jackalope.livejournal.com]

I don't really think Mary Sues exist in published fiction, just poor characters. I say this because there are occasionally plot reasons a characters background and talents are what they are, eg Harry Potter. However there are rote characters that you could pick out of any line up, and that is just poor writing.

But I suppose our definitions of Mary Sue probably differs.

[adelynne.livejournal.com]

If Mary Sues deform their universe (which is the classic definition in fanfiction), then it could be argued that any protagonist that got a shiny blue sword or stole a silmaril from Morgoth's crown is a Mary Sue. Or perhaps one fathered by midiclorians.

In a large portion of work, we follow protagonists because their powers and/or actions cause a large change in their universe. One can hardly blame them for doing so.

I think I agree with your that Mary Sues don't exist in published fiction, in other words. ;)

[mroctober.livejournal.com]

I shall respectfully disagree.

[adelynne.livejournal.com]

I didn't mind those so much because they weren't the drive of the plot. I think the reason the succession didn't bother me was because it wasn't a matter of course. The character brought it about through her own actions and choices, and that's plot.

[the-jackalope.livejournal.com]

You know, I think that may be my problem with it as well. I have a hard time sympathizing, or caring about, with the main characters. Each one of their choices, not just decisions, but choices seems rather despicable; from the human point of view I suppose. I still have to finish it, but I put it down about a month ago, and I'm not sure I'm intrigued enough to finish.

One of my really, really big requirements for books is that I sympathize and care about with the main characters. The character can do the worst things in the world, but I have to understand where the character are coming from, and I don't here. And I don't care.

[lepapillon.livejournal.com]

It made me think, and rubbed at me in ways only a good book can. The characters are engaging and though I cannot be convinced to side with Elaine, I can see how she came to her choices.

As you said, those are all the signs of a good book. Or an engaging and thought-provoking story. So many times I think readers don't get that they don't have to like a character, they don't have to like the choices a character makes, and until you can pass that level, I think you're missing out on a lot of interesting stories and characters too.

[adelynne.livejournal.com]

There are books and stories I'll read and think "but I just can't see this happening!" and then I have to stay up for hours thinking of why not and how not. It teaches me a great deal about my schemas.

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

;-) You're not supposed to side with Elaine.

You're not *supposed* to side with anybody.

I don't write those kinds of books.

[Shh. It's a secret.]

(thanks for the comments!)