I had an idea for my latest book, but I'm not sure if people would consider it too icky or not. The story would definitely work without it, but I also think that having it would make sense within the world I've created. So, everything in this world is done using magic cards (I've explained this more thoroughly in another thread) and it takes a special person to be able to create those cards. But the law says that anyone with the power to create cards isn't allowed to use them, since that would make them too dangerous. Since everything is done with cards (and I mean EVERYTHING, this society would be crippled without them) the Cardcaller is assigned a Cardmaiden to cast cards on their behalf. Here's the part I'm iffy on: when a Caller and a Maiden are partnered, they're also married. This is because they're going to be with each other, doing everything together, for the rest of their lives, that they're practically married already so the higher ups just make it official while they're at it. They're always paired with somebody close to their own age, and since most Callers are trained from a young age, that can lead to a ten year old boy and girl getting married. Nothing sexual is expected of them at that age of course, they're not even made to sleep in the same bed, it's just considered the final part of their joining as Cardcaller and Cardmaiden. And since they're together all the time, with the Maiden taking care of the Caller, a lot of the time they do manage to fall in love anyway. The main character in the story (a Caller) is 15 and so is his Maiden, and while they're in love they both think the other doesn't share their feelings and resents them for being forced into a relationship they don't want to be in. So what do you guys think? Too icky? This part doesn't HAVE to be there, the Maidens could just be considered their companions, but like I said I think the world I've set up makes sense for something like that to happen.
I think it's fine. (I am assuming your novel is intended for a young-adult audience.) Though, you may consider sincerely exploring how these characters feel about this societal practice. You mention that they both have this misguided resentment about being forced into a relationship with one another, so what's their opinion on these "higher-ups"? Do they try to get divorced, or does the Caller break the law and try to cast their own cards? Does the Caller or Maiden find a different Caller/Maiden behind the backs of these higher-ups? etc. I guess I'm just saying I'd like you to explore in-depth the ways in which it impacts the characters' feelings, thoughts, and choices. If you don't show it as being "icky", then it won't be. There's nothing necessarily icky about the way that you have the concept set-up in my opinion, so it consequently becomes a matter of how you write it.
For me, it is a bit too icky, but I mean no harm by saying that: this is just my opinion. The problem I have is, a "marriage" can be annulled legally unless certain relations take place. Even if that is not the case in your book, just making a statement to the likes of, "but they do not do anything", really is not enough for me because they could...legally. That is VERY icky for me. In fact it makes me squeamish just writing about it now. That being said however, there may be a way out of it. Instead of it being "marriage", they could be "betrothed". The best example of this was Mary with Joseph, parents of Jesus. In that day and age, to be "betrothed", or to be what we call someone's fiancé' today, meant they were as good as married, but not quite married to the point of having relations yet. I encourage you to do more research on what being betrothed meant in AD 1 and see if that term might work for you better? And keep in mind, Mary was 14 years old, a common age to get married in BC-1.
I agree with this here. I wasn't too concerned with your general concept, @Adam Bolander, but it may be the case that "betrothed" is a better term by way of connotation/denotation. Also as DriedPen said, you might really benefit from laying out some strict specifics about what this relationship entails, and what this Card & Maiden relationship does not entail. Well, that's all from me for now. I just wanted to add to my previous comment that I think DriedPen's got some very solid advice here.
Sorry, I guess I didn't really make that part clear. They don't resent each other, they both think the OTHER resents them. They're actually falling in love but are too afraid to admit it (ironic seeing how they're already married)
And I think that is good. So many times writers go with the all or nothing approach to romance. That is they are head over heels in love with one another, or they hate one another and yet miraculously fall in love with each other in the end. But life is more in line with, one loves a person so much, and the other is not interested at all. It is a bigger writing challenge, but allows more conflict and drama to take place in the book too.
I agree with the sentiments upthread that calling them "married" is going to bother a lot of people (and maybe even lead to legal concerns with publication?). However, since it's your world you can set the laws, customs, and mores however you want. If you went with the "betrothed" idea it could be legally or socially unbreakable regardless of whether or not they liked each other. Then, at some point (for the purposes of this forum, on the 18th birthday of the younger of the two) they could be escorted/dragged to the temple for their nuptials and allowed to let nature take its course. Arranged marriages without even the approval of the parents does have a certain medieval appeal to it.
