I’m honestly not sure how I feel about Empire of Night. It’s not the usual runaround of Armstrong’s middle books, but at the same time, it kind of is. Stuff happens, though, rather than basically nothing ending in a semi-reset of the status quo. I liked it well enough. Wasn’t bored at any point. Wasn’t blown away either. But yeah…
Ashyn and Moria actually spend most of this book apart again, which was interesting. Ashyn basically ran around with Ronan and Tyrus while Moria was held captive by Gavril. Both storylines had their own cast of characters and it was nice to not have the girls stuck to each others sides once reunited. There is also less worrying ostensibly about each other as their world has definitely grown beyond Edgewood.
The boys were a bit more interesting this time around. Ronan was a tad more vulnerable, less stand-offish toward the girls. Tyrus got more fleshing out, though he remains an almost perfect romantic partner for Moria, I think. And Gavril was a jerk, which I think was actually keeping Moria safer than if he hadn’t been, honestly. His motives were obviously less clear as he was ostensibly a traitor in this book. Oh, and Simeon is a dick. Full stop. I have posted a rant below this review, because, well, I apparently have things to say about Simeon despite (or probably because of) my hatred for him.
We got to see a little bit more of Moria’s powers in action. If only because of the encounter with the spirit beasts toward the end of the book. Honestly, it’s like the Seeker and Keeper powers are way passive. They can speak to spirits and kind of command them, but that’s pretty much it. They might as well not have powers for a majority of the story anyway. Not a bad thing, just disappointing for me, personally.
Empire of Night is probably my favorite of Armstrong’s middle trilogy books. It kept me engaged the whole way, which is more than I can say for the last pair of trilogies I read from her. Time to see if she sticks the landing in Forest of Ruin.
That Simeon Rant I Promised
Okay so, Simeon. First, I really hate his name. Second, he's, uh, basically an incel. Third, it's actually quite unfortunate that he's also basically a nerd because that plays into some tropes that aren't great...
Simeon, when we meet him and through most of his "screen time," is just a socially awkward guy who also happens to be a scholar. I envision him as your bog-standard fantasy nerd type, probably even monk-ish in his dress, just cuz that's how my brain does. Ostensibly, there's nothing wrong with this. Gimme more fantasy nerd boys, we have enough dashing hero types. However, the problems arise when he decides to ask Ashyn if he can court her once their adventure is over. He reacts badly to the rejection. Very badly. Immediately starts insulting her and basically anyone associated with her. Definitely not a good look. Fast forward to later in the story after they've sent him off to tell the Emperor what happened with Tyrus and the mercenaries... he's apparently lied to the Emperor about Tyrus and Moria. Just wholesale lied about both of them. Possibly because he's on Alvar Kitsune's side or possibly because Ashyn refused his advances. Either way, not a good look.
I wholeheartedly despise these types of characters. First, most nerdy guys I've encountered aren't actually jerks underneath and portraying them as such has definitely given nerdy guys a bad rap. Maybe not completely undeserved, I have been around the internet (and, ya know, just been a woman) long enough to know better, but, ya know, "not all men" kind of thing. Given the other guys in the story are all warrior types -- almost literally given the caste system Armstrong's got going -- the nerd boy being rejected by one of the heroines and immediately being a jerk just isn't a good look for the character or Armstrong, really. Second, -- and let me be really clear here, this goes for absolutely anyone who has ever or will ever ask someone out -- this type of turnaround from kinda sweet and awkward to instant asshole is a gigantic red flag. It speaks of some kind of expectation behind the ask and honestly shows the true colors of the asker. If you turn on a dime like that, you're the asshole, not the person who turned you down. Also, let's also be really clear here: You are not owed any kind of relationship with anyone, no matter how nice you are to them. Not friendship or a romantic relationship. None. You are owed nothing for being nice or kind to anyone for any reason. It's nice when the attitude is returned, but you shouldn't freak out if it's not.
I also don't understand why you'd immediately start insulting the people attached to your crush to your crush. Like, ostensibly, and especially in Ashyn and Simeon's case, you'd maybe like to keep at least a friendship going, right? But no, apparently not? Simeon just flat burned that bridge immediately... and then to take it as far as they're assuming he did? Ashyn was too polite for just a flat "no" and pretty much told him "not right now" and he just takes it to the extreme immediately upon being rejected. Way to just completely turn off your crush, man. This is that stereotypical incel-y behavior that made me label him that way. Girl doesn't like you so you start calling her a whore and such... which has been going on for a lot longer than incels have been around, really. Empire of Night was published in 2015 and the term was apparently coined in 1997, online specifically, so... yeah. Basically people need to learn how to handle rejection better. Your nice-guy (nor nice-girl or whatever) facade crumbles immediately if you immediately start acting like a jerk. Should be obvious. Apparently isn't.
I would also like to say that the fact that Simeon is basically a nerd boy in the company of warrior boys isn't a reason for Ashyn to pick him over Ronan (who is her love interest anyway). I completely respect her choice. It just rubs me the wrong way that Simeon is a nerd boy and is a complete ass compared to Ronan, Tyrus, and Gavril. He's one of basically three named characters who is antagonistic right off and it's just frustrating, is all. And, ya know, nerd boys rarely get the girl in these stories because they're not the dashing hero type. That doesn't sit well with me either.
This rant is longer than my review... I might also be really reading too far into this... probably am. 🤷
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