Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-37530514-20181213020428/@comment-32987979-20190124032944

In the end, you have your opinions, I have mine, and I hope I don't seem like I'm trying to force anyone either way. In all honesty I'm not in it for the ships; I care more about the mental health of the characters (I'm a bit of a psychology nerd.) Tam and Keefe are among the most unhealthy elves in the Lost Cities. Biana and Tam go together well because she is both independent and strong but bubbly and cheerful and would bring out a brighter side to Tam. I ship Keefe and Marella because Marella is tough, independent and wouldn't let Keefe coddle her or waste all of his energy on her, and he needs to be around someone who doesn't constantly need reassurance, mental breezes, and countless sacrifices. Someone whose emotions he won't feel from across the room. But that's just how I feel. I disliked Flashback because all that happened was Sophitz moments and two decent battles  (both that the team miserably failed in which is why I can't really enjoy them.) Because, despite being a Sophitz shipper, the books aren't about ships. I'd rather have an awesome rest of the series and all characters ending up alone than a boring one where all my favorite ships happen.

Of course, the Fandom is fickle. One moment we demand the love triangle to be resolved, the next minute we want plot focus. Despite how much we all whine about the ships being too relevant, it's all we ever talk about, so I can get why she did it to an extent. But I'm never in support of fan service. When I think of a series (which I have several in my head that haven't been written) I think through the final outcome. I already know more or less exactly what happens in all 3 stories, and the spin-off. No amount of "this better happen or I won't read the books!" Would change that. Shannon needs to think things through and decide the outcome before continuing.

What else keeper related to talk about other than ships? Is Alvar such a bad guy? I loved him in Flashback, before he betrayed them. I hold out a lot of hope that he decided the Neverseen aren't worth it. They tortured him, deemed him worthless, tried to kill him. What about Cadfael? Will he go back to the Neverseen's side after he saw how they abandoned their teammate? I hold out the same hope for him, but maybe I just want a happy ending for every character I like.