Comments on: Fire: Why Cashore has me feeling like a failed feminist (Go Archer!)

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:51:45 +0000

Well, the thing is, I’ve dated Archers. They’re not all they’re cracked up to be. And I really appreciated that Fire understood the fact that she could not be herself, couldn’t really feel free with Archer because of his jealousy. I know that feeling. But I also agree that Archer was the more interesting character.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:50:49 +0000

P.S. - I gave you a blog award (not just because you're Team Archer, I swear! >.> )

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:02:16 +0000

Archer, cause he knew how to shoot his “arrow” lmao I was rooting for Archer through the whole thing and I didn’t think Brigan was deserving of her. Simply put. But Archer was a dog and I still can’t jump up and down about that. And yes, she should’ve loved him but I think she gets what she deserves in Brigan by being “fourth” She might could have been first in Archer’s life, but he was too busy bedding every girl and I think that although she accepted him for that, she couldn’t give her heart completely to him because he wasn’t so trustworthy. Of course it did take me a while to bounce back from the first chapter.

By: Dystophil

Dystophil — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:07:51 +0000

Okay, I just majorly spoiled myself, since I actually still have to read FIRE (It’s up next on my list ), but having read a lot about the book beforehand and being kind on the iffy side with overly emo Love Interests anyway, I guess I’m on the bad boy bandwagon as well, generally speaking. Obviously this is a general trend in fantasy with a romance angle: we deviate from Mr. Perfect and go for the more realistic characters, the ones that have their flaws and dark secrets? Is dark, brooding and morally ambiguous the new sexy or what?

By: Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:39:18 +0000

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!!
Seriously. I was so upset when SPOILERY THINGS HAPPENED with Archer. Weep. Because his character had so much personality and complexity, and Brigan was just, Mr. Perfect. Yawn?
But I always like bad-boys

By: Kaitlin

Kaitlin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:20:43 +0000

It looks like my comment got swallowed by wordpress somewhere! I found Brigan to be the more mature one, and a lot more secure in himself and his masculinity. I had no problem with Archer sleeping around, and I think Kristin makes a fair point (at least about the older woman)that he can’t take the blame for the pregnancies all alone. But Brigan didn’t need to watch over Fire every second to be confident in their relationship.
I think if Archer weren’t in the book, those of you who thought Brigan had a flat personality probably wouldn’t think so. Archer is VERY colorful, and very passionate, so of course Brigan is going to look bland next to that. But I preferred him because I find it so much sexier when a guy is secure and comfortable and doesn’t have to be constantly proving how much of a man he is. (Also leading troops? Helloooo hot.)
That said, I do think Fire was HORRIBLE to Archer, and while I loved this book overall, her treatment of Archer was unnecessarily horrible. As other people said above. It was one of two main issues I had with the book (the other being the storyline that ties it loosely to GRACELING felt forced, imo. I won’t say more than that because there’s no need to spoil everyone who hasn’t read it lol)

By: houndrat

houndrat — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:54:01 +0000

Kate–amen!

Becca–ha! Hope you have fun reading Graceling!

Sandy–Ooh, I’ll be curious to see who you prefer once you read!

Tehawesomersace: Thanks so much for sharing! See, I didn’t think that Archer liked that other men coveted Fire AT ALL–in fact, I think it drove him nuts. Isn’t that why he tried to keep her at his house for the most part, bc he was worried for her safety because the things her beauty might cause other men to do?

Para: I think that’s a very surface assessment of Archer, yes–but I think there were some deeper issues at play in the story. While I was FURIOUS when he blurted out her secret–that was bad!–I agree with Kristin–both characters are a little immature. I think he got jealous, unfortunately, bc he knew Fire’s feelings never matched his. Also, for the record, I’m not saying that Archer was a better match for Fire, bc honestly, they weren’t good for each other.

Kristin—the maid’s pregnancy bothered me a bit, just bc of the power imbalance, but not the pregnancy of the King’s sister. She was a mature, powerful, consenting adult, and she had access to the herbs. And I agree 100% on your assessment of Archer’s sleeping around. Fire encouraged it at times, then got jealous at other times, but overall, it was an accepted part of their relationship.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:33:07 +0000

Heh, Archer wasn’t perfect. But that relationship was so messed up. Two immature characters, IMO.

The sleeping around? Meh. It wasn’t part of their relationship contract for him to stay monogamous. In fact, Fire encouraged Archer to see other people in one breath, then chewed him out for doing just that in the next.

The pregnancies? Oh yeah, that one grated on me. And here’s why. This world is supposed to be all female-empowering, right? So why does Archer get all the blame for the pregnancies? Women are not natural victims! Those girls are just as much to blame for the pregnancies as Archer, and yet their behavior is for the most part excused. Hello, double standard. My feminism demands I take responsibility for my own actions.

Fun dialogue.

By: parametric

parametric — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:24:20 +0000

My memory of Archer is that he got jealous, whined a lot, slept around, carelessly got two women pregnant (one very young), betrayed Fire’s secrets, and generally acted like a jerk. He’s the kind of ex who calls you drunk at 3am crying and begging you to take him back. No thanks! I’ll stick with the less flashy but more responsible Brigan.

By: tehawesomersace

tehawesomersace — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:17:11 +0000

I guess I’m the only one on team Brigan here.

I think Brigan worked as her love interest because he loved her for who she was, despite what she looked like. Archer was only all about Fire because he liked that it made other men jealous, and she was gorgeous. Mostly because she was gorgeous. There are several scenes where he really doesn’t even get what Fire is saying, and doesn’t seem to even care about her opinion. Archer is all about the party, and when it comes down to the hard stuff, he’s more likely to be off chasing skirts than backing up Fire. He only loves her when she’s in the room.

Although, I thought she managed the entire affair just as badly as he did

I think if you look at it realistically, Archer is the guy you date in high school and college, the fun guy who knows where all the best parties are and teaches you how to do keg stands. He might be fun for awhile, but eventually you dump him. Brigan is the guy you marry, because you know he’ll have a job and be able to pay the mortgage.