the writing isn't bad but personally i hate the character, he HAS taken to many rocks to the head, i see his optimism as stupidity and there is a fine line. "well i have taken 57 rocks to my head but no one can beat me!" for me to enjoy this it has to be a little smarter, like floris, he had a nice background a good plan and although he was fairly arrogant he knew that he wasn't doing so well at times, CYpher however when he is a ruler will not observe his position very well unless he undergoes a serious personal change.