Dual Protagonists

This is an extreme no-no in the world of writing. You are supposed to have a single protagonist.

But Rome's Revolution is not about one person. Sure, Rei is sort of the hero but it is really his interaction with Rome that makes them special. Watching her literally reborn and grow into an autonomous human being, later mother, saver-of-the-universe and finally a true telepath is part of the strength of the novels.

Rei doesn't actually grow all that much. He was a little goofier in the beginning but he retained his sense of humor throughout. Meeting Rome and bonding with her gave him a little greater sense of urgency and he does grow into a man of action.

A fact only hinted at throughout the entire books is that while Rei was very smart and resourceful, even before he was frozen, when he used the bands with Rome, they actually unlocked portions of his brain. He started thinking faster, had greater insight and eventually learned to act quickly and decisively. The bands actually changed his brain physiologically, not just psychologically.

However, back to my original premise. I maintain that these books are not about Rei and not about Rome but about the Rei and Rome system. Two people, from different eras, different cultures, who throw their fortunes in together. The Rei and Rome system has the ingenuity and self-confidence to navigate their way around a future society. Just Rei or just Rome could not accomplish all that they did by themselves.

Rome says it out loud. She says they are their own samanda now. And several times I explicitly state they are one.

So I claim to you this book is not about dual protagonists. There is only one. It is the loving, dynamic couple called Rei and Rome. What do you think?