The fact is, it is much more interesting to read a character who understands and accepts her sexuality than to read a character who doesn't. There's a vitality in Phaedre - encompassing her acceptance of herself, even when she doesn't like where it leads her, or what it means for her socially or in bad situations - that Imriel lacks. Imriel's story has his inner conflicts weaving in with his rather lacklustre political plot, such as it is. He's not a character who holds interest, because the hero who hates himself for some aspect of his he can't help is a trope bashed to dead and beyond putrefecation.

Or so I think. I might change my mind if someone says something to refute that.