Library Mosaic: Team Smackdown

Hello everyone!

It's time for the another Team Smackdown! Are you ready?

This week's Smackdown is:

Team Ash vs Team Puck (The Iron Fey Series)

Ash is being defended by Meghan:

Team Ash - The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa

Hey everyone! I'm Meghan ( @SapphireNight83 on twitter. And no, I'm not Meghan Chase) and I'm advocating for Team Ash! First, here's a little snippet about the man.

ASH
Name: Prince Ash
Seriously Elaborated Name: Prince Ash of the Unseelie (Winter) Court, third son of Queen Mab.
True Name: Ashalynn'darkmyr Tallan
Age: Unknown
Species: Unseelie Fae
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Silver
Skills: Controls ice, trained in combat and sword fighting

Why He's Called Ice-Boy
Since he is the ice prince, Ash can definitely come off as cold and unemotional. Being a son of Mab he is constantly fighting against his brothers for favoritism from his mother. He knows the cruelty of the Unseelie, but unlike his brothers he doesn't revel in it. He doesn't care about what anyone thinks about his and because of this he withdraws himself from the court frequently. He'd rather be reading or out hunting in the wyldwood.

A True Knight
Ash is a man of honor and definitely can hold his own in battle. When he wants something he will go after it with everything he's got until he wins. It doesn't matter how outnumbered he is or what danger lies before it. He will endure the depths of the Iron Realm and survive near death in order to reach the goal. Unlike some faeries who find a loophole out of a situation Ash isn't afraid of confrontation. He'll even defy his Queen and Court without regret.

Where His Loyalty Lies
As I said, Ash doesn't like to hang around his home court and is willing to defy it. At one point in time he was Robin Goodfellow's best friend and despite his oath to kill him he can never bring himself to do it. He also falls in love with the Seelie Princess, Meghan Chase, and has vowed to protect her no matter what. He goes against the courts and even is willing to turn human for the one he loves.

Quotes:

"But, unlike the others, he looked disinterested, almost bored, with the entire event. His eyes caught the moonlight and glittered like silver coins."

"Our paths were woven together, our fates intertwined, and before the last battle I swore I would follow her to the end of the world, to protect her from all threats, including my own kin, and to die for her if called to do so. I became her knight, and would have gladly served this girl, this mortal who had captured my heart, until the last breath left my body."

"His fingers tightened on mine and pulled me forward. Startled and overbalanced, I looked up at him, and then he was kissing me."

"The dwaft snorted. 'Yeah. Sure, whatever. But, I want a serious answer, Prince.'
Ash was still for a moment. 'Yes,' he murmured, his voice so low I barely caught it. 'She's worth it.'"

"Ash lowered his head, drawing us even closer. 'I went to the End of the World for you, and all you have to say is how well I've aged?'"

"'Forgive me,' Ash murmured, and I heard the faintest of tremors beneath his voice. 'But I can't...I won't...give her up. Not now, when I've just found her.'"

"Let it be known-from this day forth, I vow to protect Meghan Chase, daughter of the Summer King, with my sword, my honor, and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, my True Name, and my life. From this day on...' His voice went even softer, but I still heard it as though he whispered it into my ear. 'I am yours."

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Puck is being defended by Saleana

Team Puck - The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa

Hi! I’m Saleana and I’m going to gush, erm, tell you about Puck from the Iron Fey Series written by the awesome Julie Kagawa (@jkagawa on twitter) and why he’s so much better than Ice Boy, in a friendly way, of course.

Name: Puck, Robin Goodfellow, Robbie Goodfell, etc. (Or so we’re told. He’s being stubborn and keeping his True Name a secret)
Age: Unknown, but we’re guessing old. REALLY old.
Hair color: Red, but a coppery red, not fire engine red.
Eye color: Green (usually sparkling with mischief)
Species: Summer Fae (aka fairy)

Puck is one of those characters: the kind that makes you laugh at one moment and then makes your heart ache for him. He’s gone through so much that you can’t help but love him, and at times pity him; although he doesn’t want your pity. His quick smile and funny personality work their charms on you, and you’ll soon be yearning for him. He starts out as an annoying guy with way too much attitude , but you soon realize that behind those mischievous green eyes lie emotions that are rarely seen and that the sarcasm is a way to shield himself.

He’s always ready for adventure and wouldn’t mind dragging you though dangerous forests filled with some evil troll things, as long as a good story was going to come from it. He, of course, doesn’t think that anything out there is really that scary; he’s Robin Goodfellow after all! Don’t you dare let his spontaneity fool you, once he falls in love with someone, he’s loyal and devoted for an eternity. Proof: (“Puck whispered, smiling to soften his words. “I wouldn’t defy Oberon for just anyone. But, for you…” He leaned forward, touching his forehead to mine. “I’d come back from the dead for you.”) Yeah, cause, ya know, coming back from the dead is such an easy thing to do. His promises are rock solid (it helps that he can’t lie, being a fairy and all) and it seems as if nothing can shake him

His ability to appear aloof and confident makes you wonder what’s going on in that big scheming brain of his, but sooner than later you’ll find out since he’s quick to share the joke, or barb, especially when it comes to Ash.
Whereas Ash uses his cool demeanor to deal with all that life has to throw at him Puck is lively and fun. He never seems to let life get him down, and he always manages to bounce back, while kicking butt at the same time. After being around for so long, a guy learns a knife trick or two. Or, he just learns to use magick and creates multiple doppelgangers of himself; both are equally useful I’d say.

Extra Things that We Love
He can play flute.
He’s inspired Shakespeare, and about a bajillion other authors and another bajillion artists.
He lives in a tree (how freaking cool is that?)
He’s a damn good kisser. (Sadly, I don’t know from experience)
He’s linked to Anglo-Celtic mythology (the pagan god Cernunnos)(Proof: His name is an Anglicized version of the Irish Puca, Cymric Pwcca, ancient Celtic hobgoblinish.
Though often thought of today as the goat-footed faery king of the woodlands, Robin was probably once another name for the Horned God (Cernunnos), and he is believed to be the source for the folk-tales about the forest-dwelling hero Robin Hood. [From http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Celtic/deitiesr-s.html])
He has a moon named after him. (Proof: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puck_%28moon%29])
He’s represented by the super cool Josh Hurley, who is Puck’s voice actor for Puck’s short story “Summer’s Crossing.” (Follow Josh on Twitter! @Joshuwhaaat) (Listen to the sample! http://www.amazon.com/Summers-Crossing-The-Iron-Fey/dp/B00556KSLU )

Quotes

“Knock, knock!" he called in a high, singsong voice.
For a moment, silence. Then a thud and a crash, as if something heavy had been hurled at the door. "Go away!" snarled the voice from within.
“Ah, no. That's not how the joke goes," called Rob. "I say 'knock, knock', and you're supposed to answer with 'who's there?'"
F*** off!"
Nope, that's still wrong." Robbie seemed unperturbed. I, however, was horrified at Ethan's language, though I knew it wasn't him. "Here," continued Rob in an amiable voice, "I'll go through the whole thing, so you'll know how to answer next time." He cleared his throat and pounded at the door again. "Knock, knock!" he bellowed. "Who's there? Puck! Puck who? Puck, who will turn you into a squealing pig and stuff you in the oven if you don't get out of our way!" And with that, he banged the door open.”
“Oh, we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?”

“Ladies and Felines," he stated grandly, grasping the doorknob, "Welcome to Tir Na Nog. Land of endless winter and shitloads of snow.”

“Ash blinked. "Are you raiding the cellars now, Goodfellow?"

"Me? Stealing?" Puck flashed a devious grin and popped another fruit into his mouth. "In the house of my ancient enemy? What gave you that idea?" He plucked another fruit and tossed it to me with a wink.”

“I have always loved you, princess" Robin Goodfellow promised, his green eyes shining in the darkness. "I always will. And I'll take whatever you can give me."

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Now that you've read a little bit about each of the guys in today's Team Smackdown is time to vote for your favorite! The Team that wins today will face another Team in a future round