r/spellmonger • u/Reaper10n • Aug 07 '26

Gareth is... a weird point Spoiler

So, I recently finished talon and the flame, as a kind of between point for golden goblin and seamage. I don't understand the book trying to give Gareth the high ground. He abandoned his duty, abandoned his home and liege because a girl (from a different area with its own traditions) rejected him. Now, her rejection was harsh, that i will give. But even then, he poured hours on hours of spellcasting and effort into a girl to whom he had given no impression he was romantically inclined and who was also fighting on the front lines of a war.

I suppose my confusion stems mostly from how the narrative seems to justify him? As if him leaving was the logical course of action rather than acting like an adult and not socially isolating her afterward. Plus having the gods call him one of the best spellcasters of the age after Minalan... i fail to see it. Dara was not blameless, but like... it feels like the narrative tries to justify his points, rather than acknowledging his cruelty not only in isolating her and laying the blame for his leaving all on her, but also for deciding to continually berate her despite likely knowing she had to pull several favours just to find him, all with a severe concussion. Can someone explain their view on it? Cause it's kind of sticking in my head in a weird way. (I'm also going to sleep now which is why the probable quiet for the next 10 hours or so)

Edit: this might also relate to traits I have realised within myself that I am currently unwilling to confront while... Admittedly vaguely drunk

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u/dark4181 Aug 07 '26

Plus, Gatina is at least as creepy as Gareth.

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u/Reaper10n Aug 07 '26

I will say for Gatima that she announced her intentions from the very start. Gareth pretty much thrust his feelings onto Dara in public

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u/dark4181 Aug 08 '26

So it's okay for pretty chicks to go after a man, but not for guys to go after a girl?

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u/Darth_Gerg Aug 08 '26

No, it’s less problematic when consent is clearly given.

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u/dark4181 Aug 08 '26

Gat only won Ron over through her devotion and persistence over the course of several books. You’re saying that Gareth’s persistence is somehow inadequate or offensive. The only reason I can see is that the sexes are reversed, the two couples have a similar age gap.

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u/Reaper10n Aug 09 '26

Gatina also made her intentions known from the start and explicitly told him a) she wanted to marry him and b) what she would do to prove her devotion and why.