Daemons Domain – All Souls Trilogy & Universe Fan Site + Podcast: In Defense of the Hot Ginger Vampire…

A #TeamBaldwin Perspective
Now that we have your attention, we need to talk about Baldwin. As you know, a few of the Daemons are the founders of #TeamBaldwin.  We get that he’s not for everyone and, honestly, we like it that way! We’re generally a live and let live bunch (yeah – we know he probably wouldn’t approve, but he’ll get over it), but the level of vitriol and Baldwin bashing gets out of hand sometimes!  He’s been likened to an abusive husband, a serial killer and characterized as worse than Benjamin and Domenico – characters that Deb has described as having no redeeming qualities. The most strident criticism seems to be rooted in the outside experiences and issues the reader brings to the story rather than the character created on the page by Deb and, ironically enough, seems to have a very bully-like undercurrent.   Frankly, it has little to no basis in the book and universe created by Deb Harkness, nor does it reflect the lessons of tolerance and empathy which are the centerpiece themes of the series — it makes the skewed perspectives on Baldwin’s character all the more disappointing.  Ironically, many who criticize/dislike Baldwin’s character actually picked him to come to their rescue in a recent social media post! The Set Up:
Our introduction to Baldwin creates the image of an imposing, ancient warrior, modern day master of the Universe and vampire, not the psychopathic bully some readers have labeled him. “Baldwin Montclair, as he was known in the financial markets, strode down the hall of the ground floor. His copper-colored hair gleamed in the electric light, and his muscles twitched with the quick reflexes of a born athlete. Trained to wield a sword from childhood, he had been imposing before becoming a vampire, and after his rebirth few dared to cross him. The middle son in Philippe de Clermont’s brood of three male children, Baldwin had been made a vampire in Roman times and had been Philippe’s favorite. They were cut from the same cloth—fond of war, women, and wine, in that order. Despite these amiable characteristics, those who faced him in combat seldom lived to recount the experience.” ADOW p336 Baldwin is the product of his times. He is a 2000 year old soldier – steeped in a culture that operates in a very regimented, hierarchical fashion. Not to mention 2,000 years of PTSD inducing battlefield experiences. He spent that time serving as Philippe’s right hand. He was the one who executed Philippe’s plans and was his enforcer.  Those plans, first and always, involved protecting the family and its interests.  That was the role he was given in the family. The perennial lieutenant and “bad cop”.  A lieutenant hand chosen by Philippe – who offered Baldwin the opportunity to become his vampire son because he ‘just liked the guy.”  Philippe, as always, chose well in Baldwin who thought “being a vampire would be a grand adventure, and it has been.”