Tower of Dawn: Nesryn and Chaol
I’m rereading Queen of Shadows and I just… God, okay, I’m just really happy that **SPOILER**
Chaol and Nesryn didn’t end up together. I was a huge Chaol/Celaena shipper ever since Throne of Glass, so when Nesryn first appeared I was a bit salty. I ended up really enjoying her character though. But one thing I never liked was how Chaol acted around her. I didn’t like Chaol’s attitude AT ALL in Queen of Shadows (nor did I like Aelin’s, they were just so shitty to one another) and I thought Maas had butchered his character in order for us to feel more kindly towards Rowan. In truth, Mass was just accurately portraying how depression and terrible circumstances can effect people, change them. Which was why I was so grateful for Tower of Dawn- I loved Chaol. Even shitty Chaol. I didn’t want to see him butchered and cast as the cliche shitty ex. I’m glad Maas did better by him.
But Nesryn and Chaol never harmonized for me. I went into Tower of Dawn hoping Maas would pull her magic and make me love them together. I was sure they were endgame because it was so obvious Nesryn cared about Chaol– but his feelings for her were so… muted.
I’m so grateful he got with Yrene instead. Nesryn deserved more than Chaol could give her and Chaol deserved more than a forced romance with someone he didn’t truly love.
I’m glad Maas didn’t try to force it. I’m glad she gave Chaol someone just as overwhelming as Celaena in such a different way.
And that she gave someone to Nesryn who looked at her the way so many people looked at Celaena.


