The focus on Gerald's looks and attire and the feel of his skin (okay, mostly "it's freaking freezing!" which, y'know, not so romantic but still) when they get close doesn't exactly speak against the idea either. And the constant rescuing of one another.
Regarding Ciani: exactly! In fact, the first time I read these books, I kind of worried about her becoming a Mary Sue if she hung around after she got her adeptitude back. Of course, I didn't know Friedman's work then, and I'd just waded through a pile of Dragonriders and assorted fantasy with cookie-cutter love interests... I was so glad she ended up doing her own thing. I was like, "Take that, Mary Sues! Books don't need your banal token presence!" and "Go, Woman with Independent Interests Unrelated To Those Of The Male Characters!" at the same time.
Maybe Hesseth is obeyed because this is her area of expertise?
Could be. It would make sense to listen to the khrast because they know what's going on. And refreshingly, even the "fighting males" don't seem entirely instinctual and animalistic (you know, like those "primitive warriors" so often are in stories :P). They've got the brains to stand back and learn what's going on before they go cutting anybody down.
no subject
Regarding Ciani: exactly! In fact, the first time I read these books, I kind of worried about her becoming a Mary Sue if she hung around after she got her adeptitude back. Of course, I didn't know Friedman's work then, and I'd just waded through a pile of Dragonriders and assorted fantasy with cookie-cutter love interests... I was so glad she ended up doing her own thing. I was like, "Take that, Mary Sues! Books don't need your banal token presence!" and "Go, Woman with Independent Interests Unrelated To Those Of The Male Characters!" at the same time.
Maybe Hesseth is obeyed because this is her area of expertise?
Could be. It would make sense to listen to the khrast because they know what's going on. And refreshingly, even the "fighting males" don't seem entirely instinctual and animalistic (you know, like those "primitive warriors" so often are in stories :P). They've got the brains to stand back and learn what's going on before they go cutting anybody down.