Julian Blackthorn; r/shadowhunters
Honestly, I have so much respect for Julian and what he's done (and is willing to do) for his family. Seeing his character progression — from the kid who was eating wax and asking other how they could live without siblings in TMI to a young adult burdened with so much responsibility in TDA — and now to see him being more carefree and open again (though still mature) in SOBH, I can't help but be extra protective and proud of his character.
He's probably the most "controversial" among Cassie's male protagonists, but what a lot of readers find distressing about his character are the reasons why I like him so much. He honestly felt like a breath of fresh air when reading TDA.
Annual_Blacksmith22 answered;
I love that despite all those dark characteristics that he was forced to adopt to survive and keep his family safe, Cristina still describes him as sunshine in human form when he smiles and later even Kieran corrects himself about his “you have a ruthless heart son of thorns”.
He can be ruthless. He has been operating on pure survival instincts since he was 12 basically. The amount of guilt he must’ve carried for the lying, the manipulation, for killing his father even though it was the right decision, for his feelings towards Mark. And how he managed to come out on the other side without being a raving lunatic? It takes strength.
When he admitted to Emma that he hates Mark sometimes for being away even though he knows it’s unreasonable and Mark didn’t choose it. He must feel so shit every time he thought like that. And then Mark comes back and he has to adjust himself to carry his older brother’s burden too instead of the relief.
The parallel at the end of the book about them hugging again and Julian just letting Mark hold his weight for a little bit as opposed to him holding up a wild and beaten Mark? It’s beautiful. And just imagining what Julian must’ve felt there. Letting his weight go on Mark briefly. It’s something he probably hasn’t done since he was a little kid.
Emma said that Julian has long forgotten how to cry because he couldn’t allow himself to do so, I believe he would’ve cried there if he could.
Realistic-Moose 2568 replied to the post ahead:
He's the most controversial? Where did you see that?
I really liked him. Most of her other male protagonists are a little selfish but he is so selfless. He also was not a “womanizer” like many of the others (Will, Jace), which I respect a lot more. He truly was always in love with Emma and he went through so much.
TDA was the most painful for me too, especially Lord of Shadows!
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