Bride of Shadows is a good example of why I’ve never enjoyed traditional novels and prefer interactive fiction instead. With IFs, I at least feel like I have some control over the narrative (even if it’s only the illusion of choice) and can avoid being stuck with frustrating female protagonists who make endless poor decisions.
I was hopeful when the author decided to rewrite it. The earlier updates felt promising, there were more defiant choices, more opportunities to push back, and it seemed like the story was moving in a better direction. I liked that we were even given the option to separate from Valdricht and Serax. Unfortunately, it ended up being a dead end.
I understand that, for the sake of the plot, the MC ultimately needs to stay with them and that their fates are tied together. That’s fine but the way it was handled feels forced.
It would have worked much better if there had been a clear narrative reason that left the MC with no real alternative, something like the tavern turning out to be unsafe, an incident putting her/them in danger, a fight breaking out, a fire, anything,…so that Valdricht and Serax had to keep her with them “for the time being” or come back for her later. That would have made it clear she was staying out of necessity, not because she willingly accepted their terms. I thought the premise was that we were supposed to seduce them, not have them impose themselves on the MC so early on.
Right now, the defiant and provocative dialogue options don’t actually feel meaningful, as soon as the MC pushes back, she ends up apologizing or backing down anyway. It makes those choices feel pointless and gives the impression we’re slipping back into the original version (even thought i played only the begining back then and couldn't continue past the MC's meekness), where the MC was written as passive and submissive regardless of player input (the author has even said she prefers to write the MC that way, despite readers feedback, which, in hindsight, probably should have been a sign to step away from the "IF" altogether).
I also really dislike the lack of agency and consent surrounding the MC’s body, especially with the unwanted touching and the later Valdricht’s shmex scene. It was really icky to read. It’s so frustrating how powerless and uncomfortable the MC is written to be.
I don’t have any issue playing a more demure, innocent, or agreeable MC, if that’s how I choose to play her, and multiple options were given. The problem is being railroaded into that personality no matter what choices I make.
This is the kind of IF where I almost wish we had the option to play as a male MC, just so I could detach from the experience. Ugh.
But, honestly, MC being 
bound and destnied