Rhian Character Analysis: Rise of the School for Good and Evil

Overview: The Good School Master Who Trusted Too Much and Too Little by Turns

Rhian is one of the twin School Masters who rule the School for Good and Evil, the brother who presides over the Good side. From the opening chapters, he is defined by a conviction that the Storian—the Pen that records fairy tales—made no mistake when it placed the thief Aladdin in the Good school, and that he personally can turn an Evil soul Good. That belief sets him against his twin Rafal, who insists the Pen erred and that Aladdin is Evil through and through. As the prequel unfolds, Rhian's confidence in the Pen, his longing for his brother's return, and his restless hunger for companionship lead him into a series of misjudgments: he appoints the charismatic Vulcan as a temporary Evil School Master, loses a wager that surrenders the school, and eventually makes a fateful deal with James Hook to reclaim the Storian. The novel presents Rhian as a figure of genuine goodwill whose faith in balance and in his own judgment repeatedly collides with the messy reality of Evil—and with his own unacknowledged desires.

Plot Role: The Engine of Good's Collapse and Recovery

Rhian's actions drive much of the novel's conflict. In the early chapters, he defends the Storian's decision to place Aladdin in Good, arguing with Rafal that the Pen must be trusted. When Rafal sabotages Aladdin with a cursed lamp, Rhian resolves to intervene on behalf of Good, believing that balance requires him to counter his brother's meddling. That intervention—persuading Kyma to reconsider Aladdin—briefly seems to work, but it also deepens the rift between the twins.

After Rafal disappears following the Snow Ball, Rhian becomes the sole School Master. He directs the construction of a new glass castle, but his decisions grow increasingly erratic: the castle is impractical, students revolt, and he neglects the Nevers. His choice to hire Vulcan as a temporary Evil School Master backfires catastrophically. Vulcan wins the Trial, seizes the Storian, and drives Rhian into exile. Rhian's subsequent alliance with James Hook—first to rescue Rafal, then to retake the school—sets the stage for the final act, where he and Rafal must confront the consequences of his choices.

Motivations and Traits: Shown Through Actions

Rhian's core motivation is a belief in the possibility of redemption. He tells Rafal that he can turn a soul Good, and he acts on that belief by coaching Aladdin through the Wish Fish challenge and the Frog Kiss test. His actions show a genuine desire to help students, but also a stubborn refusal to admit when the Pen or his own judgment might be wrong.

He is also deeply dependent on his brother. When Rafal leaves, Rhian feels incomplete and out of balance. He searches for Rafal through letters, fairies, and a witch, but also tries to convince himself that ruling alone could foster peace. That internal conflict—between his need for Rafal and his desire for independence—drives many of his poor decisions.

Rhian is restless and susceptible to charm. He is drawn to Vulcan's strength and conviction, and later to James Hook's intensity. The novel shows him repeatedly mistaking attraction for trust, a pattern that leads him to hand power to the wrong people.

Chronological Arc: From Co-Ruler to Exile to Reunion

Early chapters (1–9): Rhian and Rafal rule together, but their argument over Aladdin escalates. Rhian accuses Rafal of sabotaging the boy and questions his judgment, deeply wounding his brother.
Chapters 10–15: Rhian works to help Aladdin win Kyma's love, but the Snow Ball ends in chaos. Rafal disappears, and Rhian is left alone.
Chapters 16–20: Rhian builds a glass castle, hires Vulcan, and tries to manage both schools. His decisions grow increasingly unwise.
Chapters 21–26: Rafal returns to find Rhian exiled and the school under Vulcan's control. The brothers reunite and plan to reclaim their positions.
Chapters 27–33: Rhian and Rafal, with Hook's help, retake the school. Rhian later hires Hook as Dean, despite his brother's objections, and the novel ends with the brothers at the shore, the Storian back in their hands, but with tension still simmering.

Relationships: The Twin Bond and Its Fractures

With Rafal: The brothers share an immortal bond of love that keeps them young. Rhian's accusation that Rafal lacks judgment is a turning point, as it wounds Rafal deeply. After Rafal's disappearance, Rhian misses him but also resents his absence. Their reunion is uneasy; Rhian admits he needs Rafal, but Rafal's return does not fully restore trust.

With Aladdin: Rhian sees Aladdin as a test case for his belief in redemption. He intervenes to help the boy, but his efforts are partly self-serving—he wants to prove the Pen right and Rafal wrong.

With Vulcan: Rhian is initially charmed by Vulcan's confidence and strength. He hires him as a temporary School Master, but Vulcan quickly seizes power and betrays him. Rhian's attraction to Vulcan is a recurring theme, as Rafal later taunts him about it.

With James Hook: Rhian makes a deal with Hook to rescue Rafal and retake the school. Afterward, he hires Hook as Dean, despite Rafal's objections. The novel suggests Rhian is drawn to Hook's intensity, and Hook becomes a kind of surrogate companion.

With Marialena: Rhian dismisses her as a liar, but she proves to be a true seer. Her warnings about Rafal and Vulcan are accurate, and Rhian's failure to heed them contributes to his downfall.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Defending the Storian's placement of Aladdin: This decision sparks the conflict with Rafal and leads to the Snow Ball disaster.
Intervening in Aladdin's love life: Rhian persuades Kyma to reconsider Aladdin, which briefly works but also provokes Rafal's retaliation.
Hiring Vulcan as temporary Evil School Master: This leads to Vulcan winning the Trial, seizing the Storian, and exiling Rhian.
Making a deal with James Hook: Rhian agrees to give Hook the Storian in exchange for help retaking the school. The Captain ultimately returns the Pen, but the deal sets up Hook's later role as Dean.
Hiring Hook as Dean: This decision, made against Rafal's wishes, introduces a new source of tension between the brothers.

Themes and Symbols

The Balance of Good and Evil: Rhian's entire philosophy rests on maintaining balance between the two sides. His belief that Good should remain supreme, however, reveals a bias that undermines true balance.

Love as the Essence of Good: Rhian's love for Rafal is central to his identity. When that love is threatened, he makes rash decisions. The novel suggests that love, not rules, is what makes Good truly good.

Identity and Moral Fluidity: Rhian's attempts to turn Aladdin Good blur the line between Good and Evil. He himself is drawn to Evil qualities—strength, conviction, charm—which complicates his self-image.

Prophecy and Self-Fulfilling Fate: Marialena's visions and the Saders' prophecies shape events. Rhian's fear of the prophecy that one brother will kill the other influences his actions, potentially making it more likely.

Brotherhood and Betrayal: Rhian's relationship with Rafal is the emotional core of the novel. His accusations and Rafal's departure constitute a betrayal of their bond, and the novel explores whether that bond can be repaired.

Questions and Answers

Why did Rhian choose Aladdin to represent Good in the Trial?

Rhian blurted out Aladdin's name without thinking, choosing the boy Rafal would have picked. He later realizes this was a mistake, as Aladdin is easily defeated by Marialena. 2. What was Rhian's reaction to Rafal's disappearance?

He initially assumed Rafal would return, then searched for him through letters, fairies, and a witch. He also tried to convince himself that ruling alone could work, but felt incomplete without his brother. 3. How did Rhian's deal with James Hook affect the story?

The deal—giving Hook the Storian in exchange for help retaking the school—led to the Captain's decision to return the Pen, but also set up Hook's later appointment as Dean, which strained Rhian's relationship with Rafal. 4. Why did Rhian hire Vulcan as temporary Evil School Master?

He needed a figurehead to manage the Nevers while Rafal was gone. He was also drawn to Vulcan's strength and conviction, which he found appealing. 5. What does Rhian's final conversation with Rafal reveal about his character?

At the shore, Rhian expresses hope that everything is as it should be, but Rafal's darkness suggests that Rhian's optimism may be misplaced. It shows Rhian's tendency to believe in happy endings even when evidence points otherwise.