The Ultimate Book Boyfriend?
In romantasy circles, Xaden Riorson (Fourth Wing) is frequently hailed as the ultimate book boyfriend of all time. Xaden delivers a very specific fantasy … The most dangerous man in the room sees Violet clearly and chooses her anyway.
As Duke of Tyrrendor, Xaden is powerful, brooding and politically dangerous. But the appeal goes beyond that: Xaden recognises Violet’s intelligence, resilience and tenacity as strengths. He protects her, desires her, and increasingly treats her as someone who can stand beside him. That combination is BookTok catnip for readers!
Then there’s the delicious gap between Xaden’s public self and the man Violet gets to see
Add dragons, shadows, enemies-to-lovers tension and the sense that he’d make a catastrophically bad decision for her, and BookTok was always going to lose its mind. Hell, I have as well!
“Ultimate” is subjective, though. His secrecy and protectiveness are part of the fantasy for some readers BUT exactly why others may find him frustrating.
So, here’s my tongue in cheek list about why Xaden is ‘THE WORST’ – let’s go!
1) He is a big fat LIAR!
Look, I get that Xaden’s mother abandoned him. Watching his father get executed by dragon fire must have been excruciating. And as for Lilith Sorrengail’s ‘deal’ with him — OMFG!
But even so, none of that is Violet’s fault. Xaden keeps approximately seven thousand secrets from her then acts wounded when she doesn’t trust him?? Puh-lease!
2) He cannot communicate
Again, that childhood trauma might have caused it, but C’MON. Xaden’s version of communication is brooding, issuing cryptic warnings and disappearing into the shadows before anyone can ask a follow-up question.
3) He denies Violet real choice
This is the one that really does it for me … Xaden goes on and on about how Violet deserves to make her own decisions … THEN witholds the information she actually needs to make them?? GNASH!
4) He is ridiculously controlling
Everyone agrees – INCLUDING XADEN! – that Violet is strong AF. Even her own biatch mother!
But then every conversation between Xaden and Violet becomes a battle over whether she can risk her own neck. Sir, she rides a DRAGON. Let’s manage our expectations.
5) He’s protected by Romantasy Man Logic™
Xaden knows being six-foot-something, covered in rebellion relics and commanding literal shadows will distract us from his terrible behaviour … and annoyingly, he is correct. Sigh. Gorgeous shadow daddies get away with A LOT.
Would I trust Xaden Riorson with a life-changing secret?
Hell no. I’d require full disclosure, written evidence and an independent audit of everything he has ever told me.
Would I let him pin me against a wall while his shadows locked the door? HELL YES! 😂
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