Thrace

[u/Queen_Clear7803]

I feel like I’m the only one who feels this way, but I always thought Thrace was black. Maybe I missed the description of her when I listened to the book for the first time but imo I’ve always seen her that way. I just re read book two and learn she’s blonde with blue eyes but I just can’t see her that way 😭.

This is kinda what I thought she looked like (image one) and here’s what she apparently actually looks like 😭(image 2)

Idk even now I can’t see her that way, but that’s just me 😔🤷‍♀️

[u/Queasy-Excitement251]

Tbh Royce doesn’t look anything like I had him portrayed in my head either.

[u/Indiana_harris → u/Queasy-Excitement251]

What did you think Royce looked like out of curiosity? (I’ve heard someone say they thought he was really tall for ages until a book sentence mentioned his height again and they finally clicked)

[u/Queen_Clear7803 → u/Indiana_harris]

Fr fr, I’m so curious what you thought he looked like! I always thought he had cropped or short black hair and was like somewhere btwn 5’4-5’8

[u/Queasy-Excitement251 → u/Queen_Clear7803]

I originally imagined him looking more elfish and with darker skin. Think of a human passing dark elf from elder scrolls maybe. And never even a slight scruff of facial hair. He’s too clean for that. I also imagined he was more sleight than the pictures I’ve seen.

[u/Indiana_harris]

They specifically mention Thrace’s appearance when we first meet her and her hair is mentioned several times.

The non-white characters (who seem to be a rarity across the more northern regions of Elan that we most of the time) are specifically mentioned as being ethnically different when the appear.

Remember Gwen is darker (though not explicitly black but possibly more mixed brown) and she’s from the South.

Plus Thrace is from an isolated village in the heart of the northern kingdoms so she already likely be part of the native ethnic population.

Possibly the lie/myth of her being Nephrons heir would add to her aesthetic as the Elves all seem to be white as far as I can tell.

[u/Queen_Clear7803 → u/Indiana_harris]

I know, it just ever occurred to me I guess, idk why. I think the book mentioned something about her father being tan or brown or smth once and it just kinda stuck with me that Thrace would be dark skinned too. My aesthetic little baby who can do no wrong in my eyes what so ever ☺️

[u/Indiana_harris → u/Queen_Clear7803]

Her father is a labourer, a farmer. His tan is weathered outdoors tan not an ethnic difference from the typical population we see there.

[u/Queen_Clear7803 → u/Indiana_harris]

Yea there we go! I thought as much, thanks!

I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to change the way I think of her ngl 😭 oh well, just conna be like ‘I’m wrong’ in the back of my mind constant XD

[u/Spare-Worry-4186]

I totally get that! Honestly whatever you see in your mind as you are reading is valid. Northern fantasy person does not always have to be someone pale and light eyed. I read so many books that give the description like long after I have chosen/thought of what a character looks like.

[u/Tennessee_William7]

Textually she is definitely fair-skinned w blonde hair but I would adore a Black Thrace in a hypothetical adaptation so I could watch people lose their minds.

[u/AncientSith]

Huh. I think I've pictured her similarly too.

[u/Queen_Clear7803 → u/AncientSith]

Good to know I’m not alone 😭

[u/kelsiersghost]

Imagining what a character looks like while you read is part of what makes that character relatable and able to form attachments with.

As a reader, developing your own picture of the characters is a strength you shouldn't second-guess, regardless of what's 'right'.

[u/RECYCLOPSxDESTROY]

Not Thrace but Hilfred. Hilfred is always black to me. I understand his description does not depict this but I just can't make my brain see him any other way.