My Review on WoF Ships.

Winterwatcher

I feel like I have to make one thing clear:

Winterwatcher is not abusive.

There's a million reasons why I don't like this ship, and it's not because I think it's abusive. I dunno, maybe I have the need to defend Winter at this point, since his my favorite.

Anyway, the first thing people who don't like this ship will say this: "It will most likely end up like Arctic and Foeslayer."

Something that I would've consider, if it wasn't completely bias. It's like saying that all Night/Ice ships are abusive and terrible. Not to mention, Arctic adored Foeslayer in the prologue for Darkstalker and Runaway, until he went mad with animus power. (Also, Foeslayer wasn't a complete angel either...)

Winter is not an animus. He shares similarities with Arctic, but he was fine by the end of his book, until his development as a character was thrown away at DoD, which I refuse to accept as canon.

OK, if you're still not convinced. Let's see if Winter has the traits of an abuser:

Does he refuse to let Moon near her friends or love ones?

No, he does not. He let's Moonwatcher near her friends, because it's her life.

Does he justify his actions?

No. Actually, he felt terrible afterwards.

Does he manipulate or bribe Moonwatcher with guilt trip?

No, again. He feels guilty, but he doesn't use it to his advantage. He knew what he did was wrong, and doesn't try to use it as a weapon.

Yes, he was impulsive at times, but nothing he did was intended to hurt Moonwatcher. He never raised a claw or anything to her, and he loved her.

"BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TIME HE YELLED AT HER IN DARKNESS OF DRAGONS!!!"

That, was completely justified.

Moon TRUSTED Darkstalker. Aka: the same dragon that mind controlled Winter, wanted to commit genocide on his tribe, and KILLED his father and aunt.

You just expect Winter to be fine with that?

When I read that scene, I was so frustrated! All the trauma Winter went through, and people are putting him at fault, going "Nooooo! He hurt Moon's toe! He's the WORST!"

Yes, he could've handled that situation better, but everyone is forgetting the context of that scene. Winter felt betrayed by his crush, the one dragon who he thought he could trust, the one that he gave up EVERYTHING for. To me, that's why more brutal than one little toe injury.

However, he did threaten her, the threats were empty, but it was threats nevertheless. Though, the blame should be on his parents, who abused him to no end. It's not an excuse for his behavior, but it is a reason. Try to think in his shoes. Imagine growing up in his household, being pressured to uphold an image that he never wanted in the first place, having parents like Tundra and Narwhal.

I know people say Qibli is sympathetic as well, saying that his own mother sold him. Yes, and it was also the best day of his life. Because unlike Winter, Qibli had a chance to grow in a loving environment. Qibli isn't sympathetic at all, because he already has Thorn.

Meanwhile, Winter's parents wanted him DEAD.

I don't ship Winterwatcher, but Winter should've won.

And he earned it. He gave up everything for Moon. He threw away his family's love, his rank, and the chance to see his brother again, all for her.

People say Winter doesn't deserve Moon. But really, Moon doesn't deserve Winter. Because if she disregards everything he lost, and brush off with a "Pfft! Oh, he's fine!", she is undeserving of his love.

Three moons, and I absolutely hate how he's arc was less important than a freaking love triangle!

I can think of a million better ways to end the love triangle.

For example, everything should've been resolved in Winter Turning.

Winter's main focus should've been on his family, not Moonwatcher. Here's how I picture it, Moon should've let Winter down slowly, and Winter would be upset at first, but we get to see how much he matured. That way, he leaves his family, at his own will, not just for Moon's sake. Maybe, we get to see a friendship form between Moon and Winter, and maybe Winter can help Moon get with Qibli. That would've ended his characterisation and the love triangle perfectly.

But no. Winter had to be antagonised. And it was left for the last book, because of course!

Anyway:

Pros: No offense, but Winterwatcher is way more interesting than Moonbli, and Winter obviously gave up more than Qibli. And what really peeves me, is that Winter and Moon had more scenes and development, while Moon and Qibli's scenes happened off screen and were rushed.

Cons: It is too, underdeveloped. Winter still needs time before he enters a relationship, and I hate how we have this little moments between them, and get nothing out of it. In conclusion, shameless ship teasing.