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I wonder if the author intended Vala as some kind of metaphor or symbol for the treatment of women in many cases during the time? Traded away...more of an object than a person. It’s terrible to think of it that way, but perhaps there’s some truth to it.

CommMayo wrote: ↑23 Sep 2018, 13:26

DC Brown wrote: ↑23 Sep 2018, 00:22 Love this train of thought. When I read the book I felt the author had written Vala off as unimportant, nearly invisible. Now I wonder if she could hold her own against the Romans!??!

I think that Vala could totally hand those guys their butts. Perhaps she does end up with a love interest in the camps. Hopefully she will be fully explored in another book.

Maybe she will find a man or woman who thinks that strength of character is more important than looks.

I feel like this happened to a lot of characters in the book. For instance, Catrin's twin sister is mentioned briefly, but never was expanded upon. It would have made sense for Vala to have appeared at the end of the book where Catrin rescues her father.

I agree - the author didn’t spend any time on vala except a superficial description. Since she went to the Roman camp I feel like she should have been given more time in the book.

I was a bit surprised by this as well. Wouldn't the middle princess usually be the least established? Vala is the oldest and yet the king just willingly lets her go as a hostage. Granted, she isn't his daughter but to the outsider's mind, she is.

I agree the Author could have explored this character in greater detail, however, the information provided does give us some insight. We know she is a warrior, which in and of itself gives us a small glimpse into her personality. It would also be nice to know the social perceptions of sexual preference. We know Vala prefers women but is this trait looked upon with disgust, indifference, or admiration from her peers? Hopefully, Vala will be fleshed out more in the coming books. Additionally, while less is said about Vala, It felt that little was mentioned about Mor past the first half of the novel.

Quinto wrote: ↑18 Sep 2018, 08:41 Yes, I thought the author could at least have brought more favorable qualities about Vala, especially noting that she is truly the King's seed unlike Catrin. The author seems to bring her up to be a contrast to the more comely Catrin which I think is a bit unfair to her.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but aren't Vala and Mor Trystan's biological daughters, which Catrin being the only true biological daughter of the King?

I agree, I'm disappointed in the lack of character development and involvement in the book with Vala, as well as virtually NOTHING ever mentioned about Catrin's twin sister aside from the fact that she died when she was 12! Where was she when Marrock took Catrin in the woods? What effect did she have on everyone's lives? She is only mentioned that ONE time, as well as Vala, when she is sent with the Romans. Very disappointing, but hopefully both will have more of a presence in the second book.

Vala deserved so much better! She was basically a plot device. She wasn't even allowed to be a real character! When she was introduced, she was described as strong, tall, and ugly then she was given over to Romans as canon fodder. I wish we could have seen Vala interact with her sisters. I think Catrin would have appreciated an older sister to look up to. I want big-sis Vala.

It did appear that she was overlooked as the eldest daughter and was shuffled about to wherever she was needed and could do the most good for the kingdom. However, that seemed to be the case with all three of the daughters- placed where they could do the most good.

She may be the eldest daughter, but, has nothing to do the crux of the story, i.e, the curse of rhan ,etc. So, it made sense to me that she is a minor character in the book.

Vala might have been the older daughter, but, has nothing to do the main part of the story, i.e, the curse of Rhan,etc. She is a minor character in the book.

It frustrated me that literally no one cared about her. Because she was the queen's lover's daughter, it makes sense that the king would simply tolerate her presence, but you'd think her mother and sisters would fight for her! Especially since it doesn't appear that Catrin was privy to the knowledge that Vala was an illegitimate child.

I hope her character is expanded in the second book. I guess it didn't make sense for Vala to be cast aside like that, after all, she is the eldest sister. But it could be something done on purpose though.