I finished the novel and I must say, the political chessplay between the Luce's father, Lyman Kaisel and Ayle Linus is very intrriguing. It doesnt sugarcoat the pain, misery and ambitions of every character involved. Its a toxic yet insanely interesting story, though it's a bit frustrating to read.
I wanna focus on Ayle. He's a very much ambitious, haughty person who's very much suited as a ruler. Very sharp, politically savvy and very intelligent, highly perceptive. However his surroundings, plus the role and responsibility that was placed on him along with having to face the court politics harderened his mind, along with him not having good emotional grasp and intelligence. This fed into his sense of entitlement that as a future ruler everything belongs to him. This quality makes him a person of poor morales. Someone who will bend things just to acheive his desire and ambition
The more older he got, it seemed to me the more immature and drunk on power he became, however at the same breath, he also became more cruel and shrewd. When he was 14, he already showed his cruel nature, but that cruelty didnt seem to be laced of malice or desire, but rather pure practicality when he threatened Luce with the lives of people he loved. But, now when he became adult, he orchestrated the cruelty just to make Luce suffer and tied down.
I actually kinda liked the 14 year old boy who came off as mature and ambitious than this 20 year old guy who's twisted. He's extremely arrogant and entitled and wants to control every aspect of things he desired and viewed everything and everyone as a chess piece in his grand ambitious game of chess.
Because of his nature, he doesnt try to speak of his true desire truthfully and hurts Luce very much. Confining him and stripping him of his freedom. (Spoiler, Ayle rapes Luce after he rejects his drunken advances). Initially he planned to dispose him, which cruel but also on point, but his obsession over Luce made things even tragic and painful. Instead of apologizing or setting him free, He rather cage him and keep him in misery inflicted by him and then whisper sweet nothings to soothe the pain inflicted by him. But he also hates to see Luce suffer from pain that's given to him by others (sick bastard, ik)
Later on, when Luce was getting hunted down by assasins sent by his father (its a pretty interesting story, i suggest you to read novel, im focusing on Ayle here) Ayle protected him and even almost died. But even after that, his ambition never really went away. Eventually he attains everything, Luce on his side, the domain that was under Kaiser family and the downfall of them. But he also breaks away the engagement with Selene (Her family is also involved in a conspiracy that sought to elimiate Ayle). In the novel, Lyman says to Luce the victor always picks the beautiful flower and thats how I saw when I took your mother in, Ayle also did the same. In the end the twisted nature of Ayle doesnt change. Only that Luce and Ayle now share mutual love.
Even then, Ayle loves to use his power to tease and put down Luce and then at the same breath tease him and kisses him. Why Luce fell in love with such a person eludes me. I do admit that 14 year old Ayle would certainly catches anyone's attention, but I think Luce eventually fell in love due to close proximity and wanted Ayle to ask him to stay, but he knows he's far too cruel for that
Even when Ayle was declaring love and all, he still threatens Luce with the lives of people he cherishes and saying things like cutting off limbs to make him stay put and it's a bit too off putting. The love of Ayle is a micture of pain and misery and it takes a certain type to handle it. He wants Luce to be in his palms, not being able to escape and taking everything he gives, pain and pleasure and all. But he also doesnt want Luce to die as it would mean that he'll be left alone. He'd rather have Luce to be with him, slowly withering rather than flying freely. But later on, he does give the space Luce, a limited freedom. But to me, it all feels disturbing.
The relation between Ayle and Luce is a mixture of miscommunication and a clash of personalities who brings misery to each other and hurt each other but deep within they like each other. And the rest of novel is brilliant with complex characters and showcasing the realistic depiction of political power grab. I wont be revisiting this story again. But I'm glad I gave this story a go
I finished the novel and I must say, the political chessplay between the Luce's father, Lyman Kaisel and Ayle Linus is very intrriguing. It doesnt sugarcoat the pain, misery and ambitions of every character involved. Its a toxic yet insanely interesting story, though it's a bit frustrating to read.
I wanna focus on Ayle. He's a very much ambitious, haughty person who's very much suited as a ruler. Very sharp, politically savvy and very intelligent, highly perceptive. However his surroundings, plus the role and responsibility that was placed on him along with having to face the court politics harderened his mind, along with him not having good emotional grasp and intelligence. This fed into his sense of entitlement that as a future ruler everything belongs to him. This quality makes him a person of poor morales. Someone who will bend things just to acheive his desire and ambition
The more older he got, it seemed to me the more immature and drunk on power he became, however at the same breath, he also became more cruel and shrewd. When he was 14, he already showed his cruel nature, but that cruelty didnt seem to be laced of malice or desire, but rather pure practicality when he threatened Luce with the lives of people he loved. But, now when he became adult, he orchestrated the cruelty just to make Luce suffer and tied down.
I actually kinda liked the 14 year old boy who came off as mature and ambitious than this 20 year old guy who's twisted. He's extremely arrogant and entitled and wants to control every aspect of things he desired and viewed everything and everyone as a chess piece in his grand ambitious game of chess.
Because of his nature, he doesnt try to speak of his true desire truthfully and hurts Luce very much. Confining him and stripping him of his freedom. (Spoiler, Ayle rapes Luce after he rejects his drunken advances). Initially he planned to dispose him, which cruel but also on point, but his obsession over Luce made things even tragic and painful. Instead of apologizing or setting him free, He rather cage him and keep him in misery inflicted by him and then whisper sweet nothings to soothe the pain inflicted by him. But he also hates to see Luce suffer from pain that's given to him by others (sick bastard, ik)
Later on, when Luce was getting hunted down by assasins sent by his father (its a pretty interesting story, i suggest you to read novel, im focusing on Ayle here) Ayle protected him and even almost died. But even after that, his ambition never really went away. Eventually he attains everything, Luce on his side, the domain that was under Kaiser family and the downfall of them. But he also breaks away the engagement with Selene (Her family is also involved in a conspiracy that sought to elimiate Ayle). In the novel, Lyman says to Luce the victor always picks the beautiful flower and thats how I saw when I took your mother in, Ayle also did the same. In the end the twisted nature of Ayle doesnt change. Only that Luce and Ayle now share mutual love.
Even then, Ayle loves to use his power to tease and put down Luce and then at the same breath tease him and kisses him. Why Luce fell in love with such a person eludes me. I do admit that 14 year old Ayle would certainly catches anyone's attention, but I think Luce eventually fell in love due to close proximity and wanted Ayle to ask him to stay, but he knows he's far too cruel for that
Even when Ayle was declaring love and all, he still threatens Luce with the lives of people he cherishes and saying things like cutting off limbs to make him stay put and it's a bit too off putting. The love of Ayle is a micture of pain and misery and it takes a certain type to handle it. He wants Luce to be in his palms, not being able to escape and taking everything he gives, pain and pleasure and all. But he also doesnt want Luce to die as it would mean that he'll be left alone. He'd rather have Luce to be with him, slowly withering rather than flying freely. But later on, he does give the space Luce, a limited freedom. But to me, it all feels disturbing.
The relation between Ayle and Luce is a mixture of miscommunication and a clash of personalities who brings misery to each other and hurt each other but deep within they like each other. And the rest of novel is brilliant with complex characters and showcasing the realistic depiction of political power grab. I wont be revisiting this story again. But I'm glad I gave this story a go