If you can bear with or even ignore how the main couple’s relationship is built on a foundation of rape and coercion...this isn’t a bad series. And trust, I am well, well aware what a blasphemous idea I just spouted.
But after beginning the relationship in such a way, the creator goes on to write the two as if he never did anything close to heinous to her. The author seems to actively forget how they introduced this man, and goes on to shape him like some hulking mass of awkward but affectionate fluff. Their relationship is shaped as if the worst he ever did was hugged her too hard the first day they met.
The female character, also, behaves (or is shaped) as if it never happened. It’s eons past the point of “she is soo mentally strong omg how can she bear this it must be so painful” to the point of “is she seriously ill? What’s wrong with her? why is she blushing and giggling at him not even a day after her roughly & forcefully took her virginity? why is she gushing about how gentle the second rape was compared to the first?? does she not remember him calling her his slave😕”
There is no internal conflict, no mental anguish, no frustration/sadness/anger/bitterness/hatred or even the slightest stirring of antipathy. She flinches away from his touch once. Once. And he goes “oh she fears me”... that’s it. After that they proceed to tooth achingly sweet on each other, to the point of disturbing onlookers.
I can only assume the creator truly believes it was no big deal. That rape was not even worth the time they spent writing her suffering from a cold. Or perhaps they didn’t even see it as rape — though I don’t know how you could write a woman being physically held down and threatened into “wifely duties”/intercourse as anything other than rape.
Regardless, it’s a tragic, tragic stain against this story which, otherwise, is incredibly addictive. Outside of her inexplicable, mystifying insta-love for a man who assaulted
and impregnated
her, she’s a champ. Her erudition, intelligence, empathy, charisma, shrewdness, combat skills...it’s all Great. Her incredibly satisfying moments of leadership are 90% of why I stuck with the series. The other 10% consisted of certain side characters I grew attached to. (Of course, I continued reading while attempting to brainwash myself into believing the male lead wasn’t the same man who raped her, before I combusted from the injustice of it all.)
But yeah. If you can ignore the rape and the flourishing romance between rapist and victim... you might be able to enjoy the work the author put into other details. Like the background stories of the “villainous” traitors. Or the rich history behind the characters’ bloodlines and the passing of the throne/crown.
Again: if you can ignore the sexual assault. I, very obviously, had, uh...major difficulties attempting to do so.
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