Bryce feeling ooc

When I first read HOFAS and still now, Bryce feels sooooo different in the first half versus the second.

I feel like she tries to relate to Az a LOT in the first half, with the "my brother was burned too" and her star scar story, and it almost gave me the ick because why was she trying so hard to relate to a rando instead of her mate who is, by the way, being TORTURED back on her home planet? And then when she gets back she is constantly arguing with Hunt, being and feeling distanced from him.

Truly, the only directon that doesn't make that, quite frankly, inconsistent character, is Bryceriel. She was relating to him because she felt a connection to him immediately. She TRUSTED him enough to tell him about her brother (who by the way, she felt a much stronger emotional reaction to when reunited with him than her 'mate') which is in direct conflict with how she didn't TRUST Hunt enough to tell him about her plans.

If Maas doesn't go with Bryceriel, then I would go as far as to say Bryce almost gives off pick me energy. Again, if the reason she is being so open with a male she doesn't know at all is because there is some other factor. It just felt so weird, especially if you look at it from a Brunt standpoint.

I think everyone can agree that their relationship really fractured in HOFAS. SJM does not leave her couples cracked. So why do people still insist that Bryce is no longer part of the story?

Also while I have the chance, I'd like to add one thing: Bryce doubted. I know some people brushed it off like oh yeah, so what, but correct me if I'm wrong never ONCE did Aelin doubt that Rowan was her mate. She didn't say it aloud, because she was worried how he'd react, but she was certain. Same with Feysand. After the Suriel told her, she didn't say "are you sure" she went straight into confrontation mode. I'm not sure if anything happens with Cassian and Nesta (I do think there was one point in ACOSF where he was like "OMG where is she is she dead?" But Az reassures him that he. Would. Know. So why does Bryce feel uneasy about this? Purely her questioning it at all should be a red flag.

And even if you make the argument that they are chosen mates, not fated, then why does their relationship splinter so much in HOFAS? Also keep in mind, Bryce forgets over and over that they're married. That doesn't happen with Feysand or Rowaelin. Or Nessian. Or any of the other pairings.

You'd think being married would make you a little less likely to hold a stranger's hands, right?👀