The Ancient Magus' Bride Vol. 9
- ISBN
- 9781626928015
- Publisher
- Seven Seas
- English release
- Pages
- 180
Trust between Chise and Elias breaks down in The Ancient Magus’ Bride’s ninth book. His attempt to deal with the dragon curse has created a rift, leaving Chise to consider a bargain with Cartaphilus. Read this for the strain on the central partnership, rather than simply the next possible cure. A solution matters differently when the methods used to pursue it have damaged the relationship it was supposed to protect.
Spoilers — why this volume matters. Tap to reveal.
Elias tries to break the curse, but the resulting rift puts his judgment under scrutiny. Chise then prepares to make her own bargain with Cartaphilus. The parallel is uncomfortable: taking a decision away from a distrusted protector does not make the alternative bargain safe. The value of the situation is that it permits criticism of Elias without treating every independent choice Chise makes as automatically wise. Agency includes exposure to error. What matters is who gets to weigh that exposure, particularly when one person has already tried to decide what saving another should cost.
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