*Warning- contains spoilers!*
A thing for women with daggers? Probably the most obvious shared trait between these two female characters’ love interests, but if broken down, these two main couples, Jude and Cardan from Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince, and Poppy and Casteel from Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash, have a lot of the same core values and experiences.
Jude and Poppy
Jude and Poppy are both initially oppressed in their environments. Others beat down the two protagonists because of the immense abilities they have. They are also made to believe that they are vulnerable and weak. Jude is a human in faerie and is constantly being told she is not good enough and doesn’t belong. Jude admits, “No matter how careful I am, eventually I’ll make another misstep. I am weak. I am fragile. I am mortal” (Black, The Cruel Prince).
While Poppy is forced to be the submissive maiden, not knowing she is actually a goddess. Poppy later reflects on the role she never chose, “I was the Maiden, the Chosen … I wasn’t Poppy but a shadow of a person who wasn’t allowed to experience, need, live, or want” (Armentrout, From Blood and Ash). At the start of their novels, both women are put into a frustratingly small box.
Yet, despite their tribulations, Jude and Poppy are able to conquer the difficulties around them and hold more power than anyone. Both eventually becoming queens of their worlds. And not just with their affection for sharp weapons, but their sharp wit and their diligence to choose courage.
At first, both women are hesitant to hold so much sway with their choices, but quickly they learn how to utilize their newfound role to help others. Both Poppy and Jude come into their own, while their love interests can only look upon them with awe.
Cardan Greenbriar and Casteel Da'Neer
Now for the male leads. Both Cardan and Casteel grew up in their environments not expecting the throne. Cardan, on the one hand, spends his time ignoring his duties, while Casteel goes a different path, believing he would become a general. Both, however, are reluctant to take the throne when they realize it is their obligation. Cardan initially feels overshadowed by his siblings and therefore inadequate, while Casteel is distraught over the loss of his brother. In other words, both have sibling and crown problems.
Deceit- Enemies to Lovers
Both couples had to deal with manipulation. In The Cruel Prince, Jude clearly deceits Cardan into taking the throne. Their whole relationship is based on falsehoods and lies (So much so that by the end a reader may not be entirely sure if they will betray each other again or not). Then, in From Blood and Ash, Casteel initially lies about his name, having Poppy believe it to be Hawke. Not only that, but he originally is going to use Poppy as a bargaining tool to free his brother. Poppy even admits, “We were enemies, no matter the truths. No matter that I loved him” (Armentrout, From Blood and Ash). Poppy eventually overlooks Casteel’s betrayals. Meanwhile, it takes almost two full books for Cardan to truly succumb to his love for Jude. In The Cruel Prince, Cardan confesses, “Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I can’t stop” (Black). Likewise, Cardan lets go of his ego and learns to not be afraid to admit his feelings for Jude.
As both couples have to deal with their impending wars in their worlds, they learn to rely on each other and grow their relationships. Leading both couples to successfully rule their realms.
Best Friends?
This is why these two couples could definitely be friends. No doubt Cardan and Casteel would spend the whole time bragging about their wives. Both love saying the word “wife”. As Casteel said in The Crown of Gilded Bones, “You need to understand that I will do anything and everything for my wife’” (Armentrout). And as Cardan said in Queen of Nothing, “‘She's my wife,’ Cardan says, his voice carrying over the crowd. ‘The rightful High Queen of Elfhame. And most definitely not in exile.’” (Black). Despite their homeland outright rejecting both their wives at some point, Cardan and Casteel build not only a home for Jude and Poppy, but a place where both female protagonists can come into their power and be themselves. And, to add on, both women, admittedly or not, love hearing their husbands say “my wife”.
Meanwhile, Poppy and Jude would bond instantly both being golden at heart and being completely strong characters. They would probably joke about their ridiculous husbands and share their journeys. Possibly even have time for a sword fight, where it would be too close to choose a winner.
Do you think these couples would get along? Is there a better-fitted power couple to match?
Works Cited
Armentrout, Jennifer L. From Blood And Ash. Blue Box Press, 2020.
Armentrout, Jennifer L. The Crown of Gilded Bones. Blue Box Press, 2021.
Black, Holly. The Cruel Prince. Little, Brown and Company, 2018.
Black, Holly. The Queen of Nothing. Little, Brown and Company, 2019.
BxRomance. “Jude and Cardan from ‘The Cruel Prince.’” Tumblr, 2020,
https://bxromanceart.tumblr.com/post/190611216477/jude-and-carda
n-from-the-cruel-prince. Accessed 2022.
Chizh, Anastasia. “Poppy and Hawke from ‘Blood and Ash.’” Tumblr, 2021,
https://nessiarts.tumblr.com/post/643572933365743616/poppy-balfou
r-from-blood-and-ash-soon-there?is_related_post=1. Accessed 2022.
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