Tumgik
#but it's got great pacing and characterization and tension
twopoppies · 3 months
Note
Are the any new fics (within the last couple months) that are good? I’m in a reading drought and I feel like I’ve read every Larry fic there is :( I got so desperate I even thought about looking into f/m fics..
NOOOOO NOT THE HET FICS. DON’T DO IT. 😆
I think I’m just going to use your ask to post my year-end favorite fics. Hope you don’t mind.
It’s been a tough year for me, and I haven’t gotten to read a ton, but these are all excellent.
Tumblr media
Secrets, Santa? By @indiaalphawhiskey (E, 19K) disaster gay Harry in all his bumbling, endearing glory still manages to make his incredibly hot boss (Louis) fall for him. This one has snappy dialogue, great internal monologue, and scorching smut. I’d expect nothing less from this author.
your lips in the low light by etherealbliss / @givesuethemoon (E, 21K) It’s been a long time since I read a Larry Uni AU, and this one checked all the boxes. This author managed to really capture the immaturity and obsessive emotions of university age lovers arguing and breaking up, and making each other jealous, and fucking and fighting some more, and ultimately making up. Harry is bratty and sensitive and Louis is dense and long-suffering and they’re perfect for each other.
Scorpions et Madragores by Stria / @nooradeservedbetter (E, 23K) Read the tags and author’s note on this one because there are some themes that could be triggering. This is a dark fic and Harry is a pretty creepy vampire, but the story is very well told and there’s a happy ending.
2 a.m. texts by everysingleday / @sun-lt (T, 30K) This was very sweet and very funny and had just enough sexiness (although I wouldn’t have minded more. LOL!) Link is to a download.
The Doppel Effect by yeah_alright / @uhoh-but-yeah-alright (T, 6K) the concept for this fic was so original and a really compelling read, I can’t help but hope the author gets inspired to continue this ‘verse.
Danger I Can’t Hide by CelticSky (E, 227K) This one’s got all the tension and drama you’d expect of a World War II story—life and death high stakes, friends and lovers unexpectedly torn apart, battles and heroism, plus the added stakes of classism and homophobia—then add a slow burn, high risk, scorching love affair spanning years. If you want a story that’s complex and fantastically researched, plus lovers to root for, read it. It’s long. But I couldn’t put it down. When I finally did, I picked it right back up and read it twice more. It’s that good.
one conversation by fondleeds (NR, 1K) This really is just a couple of scenes, and the story is open-ended, but, if for no other reason, read it for the beautiful way the sentences flow. My notes on every fic of theirs begin with: “I wish I could write like this.”
Night Shift by banaanipoika (E, 9K) This was incredibly sexy and beautifully written. I loved that there was such a unique setting with so much descriptive language making me feel like I could smell and feel everything in that hospital room.
On The Pull by @homosociallyyours (E, 4K) Short, but really sexy and just the right amount of bittersweet and hopeful. Loved the characterizations and the smooth writing. So few people write canon Larry these days so this was a nice change of pace.
Devil in my brain, whispering my name by @lunarheslwt (E, 9K) i i thought this author struck a great balance between the dirtiness of a demon defiling an angel and the way the angel gave in to his desire to be defiled. Super sexy.
pull you closer (kiss me harder) by @sunshineandthemoonlight (E, 6K) This was absolutely beautiful — just the perfect amount of tension and wistfulness to make me tear up. But then it was sexy and full of hope at the end. I loved how Louis supported Harry and gave him exactly what he needed (and really, H gave Louis what he needed, too).
317 notes · View notes
meadowmusing · 2 months
Text
my thoughts before the PJO finale
overall? A good fun show but with some definite stumbling. Faithful in a "remake" sense, but as much as a "port" would be. Still a genuinely good time with a likeable cast, gorgeous visuals, and an engaging (mostly) interesting plot.
Beware spoilers for ep1-7!
My biggest gripes
Pacing. the first episode was horribly paced. Somehow both rushed, not well condensed, and yet also failed to effectively deliver tension in important scenes it was needed in. Scenes like the minotaur felt dragged out and lacked the urgency it deserved, and the fight/victory fell kind of flat. Pacing got better in later episodes thankfully.
Sally Jackson. Yeah I know, not a hot take. She's a more realistic depiction of a mother in that kind of situation but I didn't find her likeable outside of her first scene talking about the name Perseus. She's not necessarily a "Bad Character" per se, but she is not the Sally Jackson from the books. Frankly, I didn't find book Sally all that important, but seeing this version has definitely wised me up to importance of her kindness and patience. Sure she might have seemed like a "doormat" at the beginning, but the more u learnt about her, the more her inner strength and self sacrificial love for Percy was apparent. TV Sally just doesn't have that, it doesn't feel like she has that much affection for Percy, she seems more distant and less loving. TV Sally has far too many scenes of her raising her voice at Percy and being frustrated with him, it makes it seem more like she was randomly stuck with this child and while she loves him, she knows deep down she would have been happier without him. Again, understandable but not book Sally. I feel they've sort of played up Percy's fierce love for his mum (or maybe it just feels more so because its more present in his spoken lines), but it doesn't feel as justified. If anything, id believe a more messy wrought relationship between the two. Its not a bad thing she's not the exact same as her book counterpart, but I do think it was a bad decision when they went so hard on Percy being ride or die for her, when most of her longer scenes are her being just frustrated with Percy being a child.
Gabe. ok more of a hot take I guess but I seriously disagree with his re-characterization. I don't mean to downplay anyone's experiences with toxic or abusive partners, but Gabe is far too bland and inoffensive. At worst, he's kind of annoying and maybe lazy. But he is nothing like the human sht stain that was book Gabe. Book Gabe deserved petrification and a lot worse, TV Gabe does not. The guy deserves a break up, not murder. Me and my friend actually laughed at him, because he didn't give "beats his wife and emotionally abuses her and her child", he gave "dead beat crypto boyfriend". Maybe it was the casting as well, the actor was funny and just seemed more goofy than actively horrid. "what makes u think he hasn't hit sally?" have u met TV Sally?? are u kidding me? she would have that man arrested.
Hades. I don't actually dislike making Hades friendly and more sassy. Sure its not book accurate, but you could argue its a little more mythologically accurate (maybe). My real problem is that he lacks PRESCENCE. Yes he can be nicer ect in this, but he is still the GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD. He should still be able to command a room! His words, even if they're not malicious or intimidating, should hold a certain kind of weight. I don't blame the actor here, I think he does well with what he's given but pretty much everyone else dropped the ball here. If they had supported him, we could have had a friendly Hades that was still a fitting lord of the underworld. Writers, directors, lighting, sound, ect let him down.
Persassy. Percy was great in the beginning but I felt like he started to lose that as the show went on, to give more of his lines/sassy moments to the other members of the trio. Which wasn't a terrible idea, I just think they did it too much, especially with the Ares scenes. Percy is meant to have an epic beef with Ares so much it transcends magic amnesia, but I could not believe that with the current lack of sass. Even the upcoming battle doesn't feel as weighty or deserved as it should. Again, don't hate the idea of sharing the sass around, just don't think it should come at the cost of Percy being toned down so much.
Getting into the underworld / mattress scene WHAT WAS THAT. I can accept that Percy knows more about Greek mythology because of his mom and i feel generally from just current cultural zeitgeist, but WHY THE HELL WOULD HE KNOW WHO CRUSTY IS?? and why was it so quick? there was no quick desperate clever thinking, it was like bro had read the scene from the book and then SPEED RAN IT. Also the Charon scene was far more interesting imo and I don't like that they cut it in favour for Crusty, without even doing that scene well. God that was so poorly executed.
Anyway thanks for reading my rant. Its long so it may seem like I didn't like the series but im being truthful when I say I did. I pretty much liked the rest of it, even some of the changes. I thinks a good show and adaption with some flaws, thats all. Im excited to finish up the season and im so pumped for season 2 and hopefully the rest of the series :D
25 notes · View notes
rebelrebelwrites · 1 year
Text
I’ve decided to resurrect…
Fic Friday! ❤️ Weekly Fic Recs
Years ago, I did this back in the Reylo fandom, but I’m bringing it back for the Saurondriel/Haladriel fandom because: A) I’m still obscenely obsessed B) I’m all about supporting creators and C) Since I’m not currently writing for this fandom, I want to contribute how I can. 😊
Let’s do it!
This week’s recs are…
Tumblr media
As always, please mind the tags on any recommended story for your own personal reading preferences.
+++
The Classic You’ve Heard Of But Somehow Haven’t Read Yet: Across That Fine Line by @myrsinemezzo
What you need to know going in:
A post-S1 that’s got hype for great reason. After stealing the mithril and Fëanor’s hammer, Sauron spirits away to Mordor with Gal hot on his heels. Once they reunite, things get spicy — we’re talking banter, manipulation (on both sides), a devious and devoted Sauron who’s also terrified of falling too far in love (too late, bro), and a Gal who’s rightfully wary but wants to believe that there’s a way to thread the needle with him. As their journey progresses, so does the depth of their dynamic. Plus! Some awesome inclusions/characters from Tolkien lore. All in all, an absolute must-read.
WIP, Rated Explicit
Read the story.
Follow the author on Tumblr and on AO3.
+++
The AU You Need to Immerse Yourself In Because, Well, Wow: our souls were made from the stars by SilverWing12
What you need to know going in:
Oh gosh, where to even begin??? This lush, brilliant, meticulously measured slow burn of an AU is something I bask in every update. This story sees Mairon delayed in joining Melkor, and instead, he meets Galadriel in Valinor while she's still a child. Hundreds of years pass in which their friendship grows and grows, building to a point of mutual attraction and affection that is stifling in how well-realized and precarious it feels. The world-building, intentionality, pacing, characterization, and mounting pressure in this fic as Mairon falls deeper into darkness and Galadriel grows more suspicious (though both are clearly in love with each other) is simply luxurious.
WIP, Mature
Read the story.
Follow the author on AO3.
+++
The Complete But Never Forgotten Masterpiece: Queen of the Southlands by @formerlyir
What you need to know going in:
Gal doesn’t find out about Sauron’s deception for years, and as a result, she becomes his Queen. The post-S1 ensuing romance, angst, delicious tension and SCORCHING smut is sublime. Get ready for a delightfully unhinged, very devoted Sauron and a Gal who’s rightfully sharp, incredibly brave, and demands what she’s owed. This fic more than sticks the landing at the conclusion — it shreds it. In the absolute best way. I cheered, folks. Cheered.
Complete, Rated Explicit
Read the story.
Follow the author on Twitter, Instagram, on AO3.
+++
The WIP That Will Wreck You (In the Best Way): Litost by @demonscantgothere
What you need to know going in:
It’s no secret that this story, as with every other story I’ve read by Helholden, is wonderful — expect to see their work on this list a few times at least. That being said, I think Litost might be my favorite. It’s post-S1, but by many years, starting with Galadriel being captured and brought back to Numenor as a prisoner of Ar-Pharazôn and his new High Priest of the Cult of Melkor… wonder who that could be? 👀🙃 You guessed it, everyone’s favorite Dark Lord! The resulting twists and turns in this fic continue to surprise, and the angst and longing (on both sides) simmers. The dialogue between these two, when they really communicate, is stellar at getting at the heart of their every conflict. It will pierce you — and you’ll love it.
WIP, Rated Mature
Read the story.
Follow the author on Tumblr or AO3.
+++
The Can't Stop Consuming No Matter What Time It Is Fic: Instruments of Salvation by @scriberated
What you need to know going in:
It's Gal who gets hurt when Orodruin erupts, and as a result, Sauron must save her the only way he can — by forging a bond, all while she still believes he's Halbrand, rightful king of the Southlands. As with all of Scriberated's works, the writing is impeccable, the smut is steamy as all hell, and the characterization is 🤌🤌🤌. As Gal and Hal/Sauron's bond grows in strength, so does the pace at which you'll consume this tantalizing treat of a fic. Stop reading because it's bedtime? Doubtful.
WIP, Rated Explicit
Read the story.
Follow the author on Tumblr or AO3.
+++
🤩🤩🤩
Me at all these fics:
Tumblr media
Don't see your story on this list yet? Keyword: yet. Please don't fret! I can only recommend so many each week, but I am always looking for more stuff to read, share, and generally shower with love, so please feel free to reply with your own fics or your personal faves. I have plenty more to recommend... ❤️
Until next week!
72 notes · View notes
candy-corn-slut · 2 months
Text
I’ve been saying a lot that the show is not going to have a great first season bc tv shows rarely do. It takes time for the writers to find their footing, the actors to settle into the characters, the set design and all the various pieces to start to come together and be incredible. However. I believe the shows ability to improve will rely on the writers ability to take (good faith) criticism and make improvements. Whether the next seasons are better depends on a few things:
1. Timing, the kids already look much older than they did during the filming of season 1, if they put it off too long, the show runs the risk of stranger things-ing, a phenomenon where child actors become adult actors before their child characters become adult characters. We need walker to not be 25 when the last Olympian films (if it films). Disney will have to move quickly to renew and start filming season 2 to avoid this
2. Pacing. Maybe Disney will see the complaints about length and give the future seasons more/longer episodes. If not, the writers have got to account for that and they have got to be willing to make sacrifices. No one wants to see plot points dropped, but it’s not much (if at all) better to see all the plot points poorly carried out. The audience needs time to breathe. We need time for the points to sit. We cannot maintain this agonizingly quick pacing whereby one thing happens and we move on immediately to the next. It kills tension!
3. Tension. This show lacked tension badly. Almost every reveal was disappointing (when, as someone who has read the books so many times I can practically recite them from memory, in the books they are not). They are figuring things out so. quickly. And for what? To immediately move on to the next thing. Obviously there is credence for them knowing about the myths, percy being taught by his mom, annabeth studying this stuff since she was 7, but the tension in the books isn’t from a lack of knowledge, it’s an inability to immediately identify the danger because it looks different in the modern era than it was in the original stories. The lotus island was an island, it wasn’t a casino, it should have been harder to spot (even with the name), Procrustus (or however it’s spelled) wasn’t a fucking bed salesman. There is nuance. That’s part of why the books are so magical. They reframe old stories for the modern world. This is so lost in the show.
4. Characterization. Annabeth is so stoic. Percy isn’t very quippy. Grover is so sure of himself. None of these things are true in the books. Annabeth is geeky, percy is sassy (all the time, not just occasionally, I need more seaweed brain moments, him trying to place the myth), Grover has been badly burned by the ordeal of taking annabeth, luke, and Thalia to camp; by losing Thalia. The council doesn’t trust him, he sees himself as a screwup. His growth comes in the form of forgiving himself and becoming more confident. More willing to stand up for himself and his friends. (If you can’t tell I’m the most irritated by Grover’s thing). Sally has these moments where she (obv accidentally) makes percy believe she doesn’t want him??? Percy is so loved by sally, he has never once doubted that his mom cherishes him, even though he often believes he doesn’t deserve that, because he wasn’t a “good kid” (by his own metric)
If the writers are willing to tackle these (and other) issues, I think the show could be really great, even if it won’t be a beat for beat recreation of the books. But if the writers (Rick) stick their heads in the sand and insist that they know best and that every critic is unreasonable? The show won’t improve. It’ll be mediocre, and I doubt I’ll watch it.
7 notes · View notes
generic-sonic-fan · 11 months
Note
Hullo there ! I love your " a father’s embrace " fanfic it got me into metal sonic more so i was wondering if u knew any other fanfics i could read that includes him , I would be very gratful for it ☆
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Be sure to also give a look to (shameful self-plug here, apologies) I Can't Take All This and a prompt fill I did for him a while back! Also keep an eager eye out for my Metal Sonic longfic that I'll post. . . eventually.
Without further ado, here's my rec list! I'll sort my recs into four categories: non-ship, Metamy, Metadow and Metonic.
Non-Ship:
The first thing I'll put in this category is actually not a fic, but an official piece of Sonic media. You are now legally obligated to watch the Sonic OVA!! This movie fundamentally changed the way I characterize Metal Sonic forever, and is the basis for at least one fic I'm recommending on this list. 2D animated Sonic is genuinely one of my favorite things on the great green earth, and the OVA has it in spades. If you love the Sonic CD intro, you're gonna love this one. The only drawback is that you have to deal with 90s sexism in some parts, but that's pretty minor.
Now, with that out of the way, let me get on to my actual fic recommendations:
and so I transformed myself with my own hands - by @couch-house. This is THE transfemme Metal Sonic bible right here. But not only that, it features a terrifyingly well-written Eggdad and a great take on Sage. Every scene where Eggman and Metal verbally spar in this one had me on the edge of my seat. The tension and pacing of this one is absolutely fan-fucking-tastic. So don't just read it for trans girl Metal- read it for everything else as well.
Situation: Optimal - by ModOrbot. Metal Sonic battles Sonic and pushes himself to the breaking point- and Eggman gets concerned. Featuring good dad Eggdad and some interesting angst from Metal.
Honorary mention to METACOGNITION - by Chaos Theory (Lizardmind). This one's still ongoing, but I really like this author's narration for Metal so far, and the alternate universe premise they're building is fascinating to watch as it unfolds.
Metamy:
Carbon Cafe - by @metallix-mixin. A post-redemption Metal waxes poetic about the bakery he now runs, and the lovely guest who visits him there. A short and sweet story with a charmingly verbose and romantic narration style for Metal that I haven't found anywhere else. I think about this fic whenever I pass a bakery.
Bird Calls - by Fumiku. Metal stumbles across Amy while she's bird-watching. This one's simply the best Metamy I've ever read. Period. GOD I love this one. Most of the time, I simply tolerate Metamy to get more content with Metal Sonic in it, but this fic makes me believe in love. The emotions that both Metal and Amy go through in this one are just so in-character, and are so, so good.
Beauty is in the Beholder - by Fumiku. This is the only fic I've ever found that's about Metamy after the introduction to their relationship. In this one, they've been dating for a while now, but Metal's been having some issues with mental health and body image. Good thing Amy's there to help :)
Metadow:
Mutually Beneficial, Whatever It Takes, and A Form Chosen By Himself, But Not For Himself - by @south-sea here on tumblr. In fact, you really should just check out everything Sea has ever written for their Second Chance AU that they have starring Shadow and Metal. They write Shadow and Metal in a queer-platonic relationship and their writing is honestly what sold me on the relationship in the first place. Everything they touch with these two characters is solid gold. The narration style they use for Metal is brutally effective. I can't recommend those fics highly enough.
Metonic:
Halves of the Same Coin - by @sunnimint. OVA Universe. This fic is MANDATORY READING once you've seen the OVA. This fic dragged me from the highest fluffy happiness to the most gut-wrenching of angst. This fic destroyed me. This fic remade me. And this fic just got its concluding chapter. It's the perfect time to read it.
Iron Oxide - by TheEnigmaMachine. This is the other mandatory reading for Metonic, this time set roughly in gameverse. This fic is fascinating because it's actually a high-concept science fiction novel neatly disguised as a ship fic. This one's a pleasure to read because Metal actually narrates in and utilizes actual computer and science terms (the tags for "quantum mechanics" and "physics" aren't kidding!) It genuinely blew my mind when I first read it. Don't let the weird premise scare you- roll with the angst, bunker down for the enemies-to-lovers slow burn, and give it a shot.
Beginnings of an End - by @sunnimint. If any of you were crying because you don't want to watch the OVA but still wanted to read Sunnimint's absolutely phenomenal prose, look no further- she's got one in gameverse too. This one, opposite of her other one, features a Metal raised by a good dad Eggman, and all of the baggage that comes with it going into a Metonic relationship. It's a fascinating read. The only problem is that it's unfinished, but what's there is solid gold.
43 notes · View notes
Note
You don't have to publish this, I just feel weird hopping into your DMs, so apparently asks are fine in my mind, idek, haha, but I need you to know I HAVE REREAD THE DANCING LIGHTS STORY SO MANY TIMES ashiofnhdasiofghdsifgbvibphigasbfdiousGBDFI IT'S SO GOOD
MOON MY BELOVED 💚💚💚💚💚
Okay, so I'm answering this for two reasons:
Anyone can hop into my DMs and message me at any time. I do not bite! I love interaction. Beware that I am older-sibling shaped, so you may get advice or what-not 😂 I also have a full-time job, though, so I may not always get back to you right away!
YES!!! LET US SCREAM INTO THE VOID ABOUT THE MAGNIFICENCE THAT IS DANCING LIGHTS 🤩
I'm tagging Carol (@clonethirstingisreal) because she adores this fic, too 😘
I love this fic for so many reasons:
- The plot, themes, storyline, and pacing are just fabulous.
- The characterization of Wolffe is great. I think I did a decent job balancing out his grumpy side, but also adding in those precious few moments where he's allowed to feel something other than grumpyness.
- The foreshadowing was okay, but it's hard to gauge foreshadowing as the authors 😅
- However, the conflict and tension were immaculate! I go back and read it, and my heart starts racing!
- I probably could have done a bit better with the world building, and the pacing at the very end was a little rough.
I think some people may get turned off by it because Wolffe is a wolf, but it's really hard to explain the exact dynamic without reading it. I think some people thought he was a werewolf, some other mythical creature, or it was gonna have some squicky stuff in it.
But it's really just like it sounds, Wolffe is a wolf. He has a wolf spirit that resides within his soul that allows him to transform into an actual wolf. I won't spoil the details for those who haven't read it yet, but it's wholesome.
Sorry this got long, but I love this fic so much, and I'm glad others are discovering it and enjoying it as much as I do!!!
7 notes · View notes
best-underrated-anime · 3 months
Text
Best Underrated Anime Group F Round 2: #F1 vs #F2
#F1: High school girls go to Antarctica
#F2: 90s maid girls with guns
Details and poll under the cut!
Tumblr media
#F1: A Place Further than the Universe (Sora yori mo Tooi Basho)
youtube
Summary:
Filled with an overwhelming sense of wonder for the world around her, Mari Tamaki has always dreamt of what lies beyond the reaches of the universe. However, despite harboring such large aspirations on the inside, her fear of the unknown and anxiety over her own possible limitations have always held her back from chasing them. But now, in her second year of high school, Mari is more determined than ever to not let any more of her youth go to waste. Still, her fear continues to prevent her from taking that ambitious step forward—that is, until she has a chance encounter with a girl who has grand dreams of her own. Spurred by her mother's disappearance, Shirase Kobuchizawa has been working hard to fund her trip to Antarctica. Despite facing doubt and ridicule from virtually everyone, Shirase is determined to embark on this expedition to search for her mother in a place further than the universe itself. Inspired by Shirase's resolve, Mari jumps at the chance to join her. Soon, their efforts attract the attention of the bubbly Hinata Miyake, who is eager to stand out, and Yuzuki Shiraishi, a polite girl from a high class background. Together, they set sail toward the frozen south. Sora yori mo Tooi Basho follows the captivating journey of four spirited girls, all in search of something great.
Propaganda 1:
This show literally changed my life I’m not even kidding. It’s messages about living your life to the fullest and finding, creating, and maintaining important friendships in your life literally got me to pick myself up and actually start living my life. All of its main characters are all incredibly memorable, and they all bounce off of each other very well. It’s fun and cute as hell, but also a really powerful story about dealing with grief and moving on. The final three episodes of the show are an emotional gut-punch, but they leave you with a sense of bittersweet fulfillment and a drive to get out in the world and have your own adventure.
Propaganda 2:
Let’s start with the fact that this is Madhouse doing a (relatively) grounded coming of age story about high school girls - the show looks gorgeous, of course. The music’s solid as well. (I still regularly listen to the ending.) But what really shines is the writing and characterization.
The pacing on this is perfect. For a show that spends half its runtime getting to Antarctica, you never feel like the time should be allotted differently or that you’re missing out on hijinks. Episode 12 is a particular standout, with tension building up until it explodes, and then goes still for the true emotional climax of the show. The four main girls all feel like believable teens, and seeing their relationship develop over the course of the series and watching them come into their own is well-done. The way it handles Shirase and her emotions, and how this complicates her relationships with them all is a particular standout. This may not be eligible in that it’s one of those anime people who watch A LOT of anime will recommend highly—it was on Crunchyroll and IGN’s best anime of the 2010s lists and on several “best of” lists for 2018. But it never quite took off the way it truly deserves, so I’m submitting it. It’s getting an English dub soon, though, and I really hope that gives it a resurgence of popularity. The girls are alright.
(Admin: Propaganda has been edited slightly to remove spoilers)
Trigger Warnings: Death via freezing
Tumblr media
#F2: Akiba Maid War (Akiba Meido Sensou)
youtube
Summary:
The innocent Nagomi Wahira has always admired the cute girls serving at maid cafes. Hoping to fulfill her dream of becoming one, she moves to Akihabara to work at the maid cafe Ton Tokoton.
Nagomi’s first day seems completely normal—until she has to run an “errand” at a rival maid cafe along with her fellow recruit, the mature Ranko Mannen. There, things quickly go south, and Nagomi soon gets her first taste of Akihabara’s violent maid wars. As she watches Ranko calmly battle her way through a horde of gun- and knife-wielding maids, Nagomi realizes that maid cafes are drastically unlike what she had envisioned.
While struggling to reconcile her expectations with the harsh reality she finds herself in, Nagomi searches for the enjoyment she once saw in the lives of maids.
Propaganda:
It was animated by P.A. Works! As far as I know, they also worked on Buddy Daddies, Angel Beats, Ya Boy Kongming, etc. Cygames also contributed to this anime!! The story is creative as well. Who would’ve thought of a cute maid mafia anime? Keep in mind, this is a P. A. Works ORIGINAL. They went SO crazy on this anime. There’s also 12 episodes, which means that you can binge it all on one day and still be satisfied :D The OP and ED are also catchy, creative and unskippable. Despite its dark themes, it can sometimes get a little more “lighthearted” and silly, even in the most violent scenes ;P
Trigger Warnings: Flashing Lights, Graphic Depictions of Cruelty/Violence/Gore.
Just like what I explained, it’s violent. A lot of guns. And a lot of blood. Yes, they kill fellow maids in like every episode ever lol. Also, since Akiba is known to have flashy street signs, like every city ever…. And the guns, of course…that’s why I put the Flashing Lights warning.
Tumblr media
When reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.
If you want to criticize one of the shows above to give the one you’re rooting for an advantage, then do so constructively. I do not tolerate groundless hate or slander on this blog. If I catch you doing such a thing in the notes, be it in the tags or reblogs, I will block you.
Tumblr media
Know one of the shows above and not satisfied with how they’re presented in this tournament? Just fill up this form, where you can submit revisions for taglines, propaganda, trigger warnings, and/or video.
6 notes · View notes
deadlydelicious · 9 months
Text
So i finished season 3.1 of The Witcher...and fuck that was bad.
The whole thing was a meandering mess. Literally parts of it were unwatchable, all that saved it was how bloody good the main cast are.
Like the character dynamics? the found family? the soft friendship? the confirmed bisexual Jaskier? CHEFS KISS
but literally all the actually political plot they were trying to string around it? chaos. and that's not to mention the terrible pacing
I cannot understand how a show can have so much going for it in terms of excellent stars, brilliant characterization, iconic soundtrack, a massive budget, and yet still turn out a season that felt like it was written on the back of a grocery receipt.
Henry, Joey, Anya, and Freya carried it amazingly, but I can see why Henry had chosen to step away, and give some of the atrocious casting choices here (i'm looking at you Robbie Amell), i highly doubt that Liam Hemsworth will actually be able to come across as aythig other than a cheap parody.
for all this whole season was supposed to be about political plotting and intrigue, it felt like they basically just reduced Ciri down to a magical macguffin that no one can actually explain why they want. they just know they're supposed to want her.
Cahir and Fringilla, two of my favorite characters in season 2, here felt like random legacy characters - specifically Fringilla who has gone from a powerful vet vulnerable leader to....a stumbling drunk? The elves too also felt like a hanger on, which is bizarre give how important all 3 were last season
It also suffers from the season 7 GOT problem of 'no travel time needed'. Season 2 spent so much time on the slog of distance and travel, with characters desperately trying to make their way across the continent in safety ad in good time, which added great tension. but here, in a season where we establish Yennifers portals are not usable, it seems they're able to jump around the continent like ping-pong balls.
I think this seasons main problem was a complete lack of drive. Season 1 had 'get Ciri to Geralt', Season 2 had the simmer of getting Yen's magic back and unraveling the mystery of Ciri's power, but Season 3 was just...play magic keepaway with Ciri?- but to the point they never let a single villain get close enough to her to present a real threat.
There was so much of this season that should have been cut, to the point episodes often became mired in a bog of confusing extra plotpoints and character moments that added nothing to the story, except to slow its pace to a crawl. I often found myself literally tuning out from boredom, a problem i never had in season 1 & 2
the decision to split the season like this is also odd as hell, ad speaks to me of total chaos behind the scenes and a lack of faith in their story.
I'll watch the conclusion when it arrives, but honestly this felt like a whimpering death-knell of a once brilliant show
10 notes · View notes
the-gladiolus · 1 year
Text
After years of restraint, the desperation for Hannibal season 4 finally consumed the last tatters of my dignity and got me to read fan fiction, and my my, the dark side is fruitful (and fruity). I’ve only just tiptoed into the dungeons, but here are my favorite post-fall, canon compliant stories so far, plus my long winded spoiler free description of what I liked especially. Enjoy, hedonists.
Completed. Damn good characterization - realistic dialogue, slow burn without being frustrating, eventually things pick up both murder-wise and husband-wise. Soul-searching, jaded Will, and mildly entertained, smitten, and groggy Hannibal. Great exchanges with supporting characters, masterful development of tension and danger. I laughed, gritted my teeth, and felt butterflies in my stomach every single chapter. Minimal smut, kinda just okay (you’ll know when you get there so you can steer clear if you like.) They take an escape road-trip while in the process of healing. Great work, please speak at my funeral, thank you goodnight
Completed. Mystery story with a fascinating plot, romantic and well written, slow but steady burn. Good characterization: getting-settled, generally peaceful Will; unreadable but terribly likable Hannibal. Awesome composition and foreshadowing - satisfying payoffs of plot threads and characters. Genuinely funny and touching at many points. Bits of prose poetry in places, consistent writing style: I was so immersed I tried to press “pause” on my computer a few times when I took breaks. Great development of main characters’ interactions and relationship. Minimal smut, positively excellent if I do say so myself, you’ll know when you get there.
Completed. Goddamn delightful. Domestic fun while still working through some residual unsureness while living together, mutual pining, little gifts and jokes, eventual cuteness and a bit of smut (good quality.) They’re professors at a university in Ireland and it’s super cool - simple but rich plot and exploration of characters in new situations. Confident, clever and adorable Will; doting, relatable, and on just the right side of reprehensible Hannibal. Dancing, art, music, sharing space. I had a pleasant smile on my face most of the time, and the rest of the time the smile was exuberant. There is a dog.
Incomplete: beware. Great writing, pacing, characterization, and dialogue. Enjoyable plot points and moods: at multiple points I pumped my fist internally and muttered “hell yeah.” Just a joy. Getting settled, recovering, not too slow or too fast, learning trust and sharing space. Both mains extra likable: hot, sassy, but soft will, and cunning, dashing, and sincere Hannibal. Not precisely slow burn because it’s satisfying from the beginning, with a gradual build to more than canon provided. Plans to murder enemies and make a life together. Excellent scene construction that warranted fanart multiple times.
So yeah there ya go. What can I say, the dark side is a fun place to indulge oneself. Please feel free to send me your recommendations, I like reading people’s takes on what happened post-fall. I’m not into much canon divergence or any AUs, and I generally prefer full stories but one shots are awesome too :)
28 notes · View notes
nyaagolor · 1 year
Text
I just finished Adastra and I am about to make that everyone's problem
Tumblr media
Tldr: it slams and (if you are over 18) you should play it
Disclaimer: Adastra is an 18+ VN. There will be no nsfw content in this post but like. If ur a minor get outta here
This isn't a liveblog, since I already finished the game, but it's a pretty similarly scattered collection of my thoughts while playing so there's no real narrative cohesion to this post. If u were looking for a detailed review just watch the video by Boringkeith
I think the biggest thing about the game to me is how insane the plot gets at Act 2. Act 1, while admittedly kind of dull, does a great job at setting up characterization and tension over time, introducing motivations and worldbuilding in a really natural way. The way the author handles the delivery of information is just. Fucking fantastic if I'm being honest, and the conversations-- ESPECIALLY arguments-- just feel so natural. There's a great tension and release that the game has, and it's a really gripping story. I think writers like this shine in this medium because God. GOD. the dialogue is good. Then Act 2 happens and shit hits the fan and does not STOP hitting the fan until the poor thing is bowled over and unplugged from the wall. Genuinely unhinged, the pacing is breakneck and it is GOOD
The protagonist actually being their own person was also fantastic, and honestly one of the only ways I can see this story going. Despite inevitably being a romance VN with intertwined political drama, I never really felt myself occupying the protagonist (Marco)'s role too much, and this is for the better. Ultimately, Amicus (the love interest) is perfect for Marco, but not for me. Neferu is hotter anyway. But Marco? Amicus??? Those two dumbasses are made for each other. Plus, the actual codified personality of the protagonist allowed for a great deal of information to be presented and withheld in ways that wouldn't be allowed by a blank slate protagonist. The dynamics wouldn't have worked as well either, and I think the story is all the more engaging for it. I, personally, would have been more lenient on Alexios but Marco? He wants that twink OBLITERATED
Cassius is the funniest character in this game I think. He just reeks of like. Loser redpilled 17 year old projecting all his insecurities into the incel takes imaginable. I'm going to wring him out like a wet paper towel. Yes he's a borderline space fascist but I can fix him I swear. When he hotboxes and trips so hard he sees God, only to have God call him a cringefail loser and he starts crying about it? Yeah that's babygirl material. Pathetic beast
It is very funny to me that the game has to spend 80% of its runtime trying to convince you that Amicus would make a good emperor and explicitly has rules in place to say that females can't rule because you KNOW within 15 seconds of her opening her mouth that Virginia is the un-debatable best choice. The fact that Amicus doesn't immediately give up his throne for her is his biggest flaw
Cato is kinda one note but he is supposed to represent heternormativity and the pitfalls of bigotry in this giant scifi queer allegory so he gets a pass. I'll admit I found him to be a lil too mustache twirling snarky towards the climax, but eh. Also I'm dead convinced that the parents meddled with him. He started freaking out when his visor got taken off and acted more erratically now that he lost his parental tech (hm) and also him crashing the parents' ship was totally out of line with his motives even as mentioned by other characters. The parents def manipulated him I can feel it
The Parents are sus as fuck I will stand by this. The game really makes you want to choose the option of trusting them (and I did bc I just want Marco and Amicus to be happy) but like. Fuck man. They mad shifty I don't trust like that they got some other shit going on. BoringKeith says more than I ever could about it just watch his video
For personal reasons I am furious about them not showing the ram civilization. We know about four of the civilizations (greek cats, roman wolves, egyptian jackals, and indian tigers) but like. What about the rest? Based on the little we've gotten it looks like the bears are norse and there are rams but I don't even remember the other two. What are they I want to see them
My only mark against this game is that both of the disabled characters are evil. I don't think there are any non-villainous disabled people which kinda blows. I heard Echo is better about it which is good? but even still it left a sour taste in my mouth
The art? is really good??????? I love the expressions and the way the CGs look especially. Fucking fantastic
The themes of homophobia in this game are ROUGH and really really raw. Again not gonna talk about it much here watch the boringkeith video but Woof. This game is so good I highly recommend
Go play Adastra
15 notes · View notes
danielstalter · 4 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
The Babysitter
The Babysitter remains one of R.L. Stine’s most notorious books outside of his Goosebumps and Fear Street titles, and rightly so. Jenny was a relatable and endearing protagonist. Stine did an excellent job with the pacing, slowly building the tension with some genuinely unnerving scenes. On the downside, I had some problems with the motives of the villain and there was some really shoddy police work that was presented as exceptional. I was also baffled by one particular action of Jenny’s mother, which I’ll save for the full review below because of spoilers. I’ll just say that sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between bad/oblivious parenting and things that were still considered OK in the late 1980s. Overall, I really enjoyed this one in spite of its flaws.
Score: 3.5 Full Review: https://www.danstalter.com/the-babysitter/
The Babysitter II
The Babysitter II was a very middle-of-the-road sequel. The characters were solid and by far the strongest part overall. But for every element I liked, there was something of equal measure that I didn’t. The book had some very dated depictions of mental health, which were hard to look past. I hated Jenny’s psychiatrist from the jump. It was immediately apparent he was a bad fit for a traumatized teenage girl. I suppose he sucked in a believable way, but I can’t help but cringe at unhelpful depictions of therapy. It’s OK to break up with your therapist, folks. Jenny certainly needed to. The dream sequences also got really tiring after the first one. Unless the book is about dreams specifically, they just feel cheap. The kid that Jenny babysits for in this round was presented as a menace to society. Eli Wexner is a child genius, he has mood swings, he likes tarantulas, and he can be straight-up weird. I think he read more as an autistic kid with inexperienced and overwhelmed parents than anything threatening. I don’t know if that’s what Stine was going for, but that’s definitely what I got as the story progressed. The other reason I’m being hard on this one is that I guessed the plot twist way earlier than I usually do. I suppose the book holds up as a competent mystery if you aren’t familiar with any other books R.L. Stine has written. For me, it felt like a partial rehashing of the first book and a mix of things I’ve seen repeatedly in the Fear Street books. The Babysitter II wasn’t the worst, and it wasn’t the best. It’s a mostly competent sequel that just didn’t bring anything particularly new to the table.
Score: 2.5 Full Review: https://www.danstalter.com/the-babysitter-ii/
The Babysitter III
The Babysitter III felt like a sequel in search of a story. I’ll start with the good; at least Jenny wasn’t taking on yet another babysitting job after her experiences in the first two books. It changed the formula by introducing Jenny’s cousin Debra as this book’s titular babysitter. Unfortunately, I still saw the twist ending coming from a mile away. It had too many similarities to other Stine books. Everything he did here, he’s done it before and he’s done it better. There were a bunch of B-plot elements that ultimately served no purpose other than to throw the reader off the real trail. The B-plots are great for this function, but they work best when they also tie back into the main storyline. Almost none of them did. Jenny is also very clearly dealing with PTSD, but no longer appears to be in therapy or have any sort of support system in place. I’m used to dated and problematic depictions of mental health in these books, but this one just felt hard to watch. It was like one long, sad cringe. The book also relied on some characterization changes that I just couldn’t buy into. It made me wish the whole Babysitter series featured a different protagonist in each installment. Because the first Babysitter book was great; I consider it one of Stine’s best. The Babysitter II was less so but not bad. This one just felt phoned in. The ending of The Babysitter III does hold some promise for the fourth and final installment, but I can’t say I have a ton of confidence in that happening.
Score: 1 Full Review: https://www.danstalter.com/the-babysitter-iii/
The Babysitter IV
I did not go into this book with high expectations, so I was very pleasantly surprised when this book took a fresh direction. The Babysitter III had squeezed every last bit out of using Mr. Hagan as a villain, so I was happy to see that he was barely mentioned all in The Babysitter IV. In a lot of ways, this book was about Jenny reclaiming the narrative for herself. The way that Jenny’s past experiences caused her to question her own sanity at every turn made for a unique perspective that a lot of sequels miss out on. I figured out some of the twist ending early on, but I wasn’t bothered by it. What did bother me was how rushed the ending was. There was a whole other story received in the last few pages that deserved its own spotlight. It was a shame because I really liked the story it was telling, I just wanted more than an eleventh-hour info dump. I can’t be more specific without dropping massive spoilers, but almost all of the issues I had with this book stem from how it ended. I still liked The Babysitter IV more than I didn’t, and I was happy to see the final installment in the series end on such a strong note.
Score: 3.5 Full Review: https://www.danstalter.com/the-babysitter-iv/
2 notes · View notes
icyxmischief · 1 year
Note
[1/2] TBH I think a not insignificant part of the issue with the Loki series is the fact that we watched the Loki we got to know over YEARS of movies die in an unnecessarily graphic, personal, and DELIBERATELY spiteful way towards his own fanbase, only to be replaced more-or-less off screen with a newer version of him that is like a hybrid of Ragnarok and pre-Ragnarok Loki. Like yeah the series had high viewership and was really popular, but the wound's still pretty fresh for most of us.
Tumblr media
I'm so sorry, this got lost in a pile of asks that my executive dysfunction hasn't let me answer, but honestly....I feel this. I feel how you feel. I'm glad he's still alive in some form (I do believe he's Our Loki, just Our Loki allowed to have a chance to reflect on his trajectory a little more slowly and rationally...lol even if he's still without the reliable support he needs), but the pacing of only six episodes didn't allow his core fanbase time to adjust to this new trajectory, because his character development from unwilling villain, to antihero, to hero, was rushed, and crammed in with revelations about who really pulls the strings of the Marvel multiverse, and finally with Sylvie, who is a remarkable character, but who almost needs her own series to explore the really fecund themes of personal agency and choice and circumstance and fate and all those really meaty things. It also doesn't help that Love and Thunder came out only about a year later with Loki conspicuously absent from Thor's side, as his foil and counterpart, and frankly neither character is as interesting without the other, yet Thor as a character seems to have completely adjusted to Loki's absence....a writing and directing choice that I won't even go into right now, but that definitely was an additional sting.
I want to see Loki happier but this series didn't achieve that. Loki may be surer that his purpose is noble, but that's different. He is still alone and isolated and condemned by unjust higher powers to play a role it turns out he wasn't really born to play (villain, for "The Timeline" to stay singular). Fine, okay, that's a compelling way to give us a season 2. And I have always believed Loki is capable of altruistic acts. BUT the fact remains that he changed too quickly, and as a result, I look at him and say, "well, that's Tom Hiddleston playing a tall black-haired character with great skill, but I wonder who this character is." I don't see Loki. Not fully. Going from 2011 to 2017 with his gradual, unpredictable, morally gray development, to only six weeks of rapidly changing his fundamental characterization, is just too fast.
I think what I wanted to see was Loki gaining control of his own life, being a "better" person, but on his own terms, and in his own way. Loki will always be sly and capricious and opportunistic, and just a little bit of a pariah or outcast. He can still be these things and happy, but so far, no canon writer in the MCU has been able to pull this off plausibly.
What Marvel doesn't seem to understand is that Loki being an underdog and outcast resonates with many, many people, deeply. Therefore that outcast status has to be honored at the same time as he is permitted to grow. You can't erase it and make him someone who ever stays sedentary within any single identity. I think Tom Hiddleston is the one who said he's ALWAYS "between damnation and redemption," and that tension is what makes him compelling. The moment you resolve it and write him off as a villain OR as a hero, he loses his magnetism altogether.
9 notes · View notes
zanathan-aisling · 11 months
Text
chainsaw man part 2 is in this weird place for me where i like. DEFINITELY think its worse than part 1 by a lottttt of different measures, theres something that just isn’t quite working there (pacings off, narratives got a ‘who’s the protag’ issue, both Asa and Current Denji don’t lend themselves to the tragic character tension that made part 1 work bc they’re both so fucking distrustful of others, etc.) but like. god damn it i love it in this visceral way that i DON’T love part 1.
it really is a gender thing first and foremost, none of the weird fucking dynamics that characterized part 1 are GONE (and i wouldn’t even want them to be!) but having the narrative weight fall so much heavier on a female deuteragonist to denji takes Fujimoto’s “fucking weird and problematic and almost ~queer~ (like in the academic overuse of the term) gender dynamics” bullshit and lets it blossom into Fujimoto’s “fucking weird and problematic and almost ~queer~ and fucking sick as hell, like if Kunohiko Ikuhara chewed on the Attack on Titan guy like gum and absorbed some of the flavor and texture but not so much the calories” bullshit. its great. its got this professional amateurity to it, misogynist feminism, highly experimental and too safe at the same time. its a delicious mix of soft & crunchy with a good blend of contrasting flavors carried along a less extreme flavor “bed” for the more outlandish ingredients.
4 notes · View notes
denimbex1986 · 8 months
Text
'So we watched Oppenheimer on IMAX Laser. After writing a vast amount of articles dealing with the cinematography aspects of the film, we didn’t imagine how great the sound is. Indeed, the sound is brilliant and layered by the outstanding score composed by Ludwig Göransson. That was combined extremely well with the IMAX closeups.
First drama shot on IMAX
Oppenheimer is not an action movie, but an epic thriller. It’s the first drama shot on IMAX film cameras. As we wrote before, Director of Photography Hoyte van Hoytema has implemented very simple and accurate cinematography techniques, focusing on character’s faces, and maneuvering between color and B&W sequences. As mentioned before, Kodak developed the first B&W IMAX film stock for the movie. There’s a solid emphasis on the certain part of the faces, which enhance the dramaturgy of this unique cast that features five Oscar winners (Sir Kenneth Branagh, Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Casey Affleck, and Gary Oldman) and three Oscar nominees (Robert Downey Jr., Tom Conti, and Florence Pugh). Then the great acting is amplified especially when watching it on the huge canvas. There are no fast pace high-octane action shots in Oppenheimer. Just faces, and particles…a lot of particles to demonstrate the art of quantum physics. Furthermore, there is no CGI implemented. Just a minimal and precise dose of about 100 VFX shots, paired with practical cinematography, by using dedicated lenses on IMAX film cameras.
Atomic explosions created by practical effects
Here’s an intriguing fact: The Trinity detonation scene uses a combination of practical effects and digital compositing. Multiple explosions were performed practically, with a hybrid of gasoline, propane, aluminum, and magnesium substances involving big miniatures. These were filmed at high speeds from multiple angles, and then layered using digital effects to create the iconic “mushroom cloud”. You won’t see any conventional mushroom clouds in Oppenheimer. You will see a big explosion with a lot of fire. As explained – Zero CGI. This is the first time an imitation of an atomic exposition is done practically in a narrative feature. However, the factor that contributes the most to that phenomenon, is the sound. Great sound design, layered with outstanding music.
Kudos to Ludwig Göransson
The music composer of Oppenheimer is Ludwig Göransson. In fact, Oppenheimer is the second and consecutive collaboration between Nolan and Göransson, right after Tenet (2020). Frequent Nolan collaborator Hans Zimmer wasn’t available since he was committed to the scores of Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2023) at the time of both Nolan films. Furthermore, the score of the film doesn’t feature any drums, as directors Nolan and Göransson felt using a sound typically associated with the military would be inauthentic to musically capture the character of J. Robert Oppenheimer. The music is powerful and fits the film accurately. Moreover, the soundtrack builds the tension as it’s been escorted by intense large-format closeups, wrapped by powerful sound design.
The sound department should get an Oscar
If we had to choose one factor that makes Oppenheimer so intense, we’d pick sound. Indeed, the sound design is brilliant and powerful. As many articles have written on the cinematography behind Oppenheimer, the sound hasn’t got much love. But after watching the movie, you will understand how impactful the sounds are, which mainly demonstrate flashbacks, physical occurrences, and particles clashing with each other. As characterized by Nolan’s film, the sound is strong and in high volume. So imagine this: Closeups of faces with massive cameras, macro/micro photography of physics, great acting, intense music, and extreme sounds. Of course, all of this is accompanied by a fascinating story and script.
Complicated but not too complicated
As a Nolans’ film, Oppenheimer demands concentration. It’s fairly complicated, but not too complicated. Viewers can understand it by seeing it once. Unlike other Nolan projects (Tenet, Interstellar) which require multiple views in order to connect the dots. This is a 3-hour movie. The highlight which is the Trinity test comes after 1 hour and 58 minutes. Till then, the tension is being built. A combination of practical macro cinematography, powerful sounds, excellent music, extreme close-ups, and great acting, help to make it through these 3 hours. The audiences were glued to their seats in a huge IMAX theater without blinking.
The ‘IMAX Experience’
As explained, there’re no fancy action shots in Oppenheimer. It’s a drama. But it was carefully stitched to the IMAX. Shot on an IMAX film camera, by a cinematographer that is specialized in shooting with IMAX cameras, conducted by a director that uses only this format, makes Oppenheimer an ideal movie to be seen at IMAX theater, and not less than that. If you can, go see it on IMAX, any IMAX. We saw it on laser and it was good enough. Just the sounds are worth it since the IMAX laser is armed with better speakers and sound technology. We wrote before that Oppenheimer is important for ‘IMAX cinematography’, and after watching it, we’re even more sure about this claim. Nolan has succeeded in making a powerful IMAX film with a very minimal dose of VFX and action sequences. That constitutes an important milestone. Moreover, Oppenheimer can be used as a case study for how to shoot faces with medium-format cameras. As Hoytema said before: “Oppenheimer relies on characters’ faces”, and he is right. BTW – Tom Conti (Einstein) is AWESOME!'
0 notes
wondereads · 1 year
Text
Personal Review (12/26/22)
Tumblr media
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Summary
Penellaphe, or Poppy, is the Maiden, a child chosen by the gods. Raised by a vicious duke and apathetic duchess, she finds her calling in helping those infected by the Craven, zombie-like creatures that roam outside city walls. At the same time the dreaded Atlantians and Descenters start making more direct threats, Poppy is assigned a new personal guard, Hawke, who makes her question things about herself and the world around her.
Plot 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
This book could very easily have been half the length it was. While the overall concept is fine if overdone, this book moves at the pace of a snail for really no reason. I could tell where the book was going, because this plot, a privileged member of society discovers the secret history of their world and gets involved in a rebellion, is fairly common, but the end of this book is around when the initiating event would be for most other stories. Most of this book was about developing the relationship between Poppy and Hawke, which was important, but I feel like I sat through the same conversation, over and over. By the time the thing with the duke happens, I was desperate for literally anything to occur.
I would say the thing that kept me reading this book was the worldbuilding. It took way too long for things to be explained, but when they did it was quite interesting. Also, I'm always down for a story where organized religion is the villain. If this book were not so popular and didn't have some fairly interesting worldbuilding (on top of the fact that a friend of mine encouraged me to read it), I probably would've DNF'd it.
Characters 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
I'd say the characters are probably the strong point of this book. While Poppy is a very typical protagonist (mildly naive, headstrong, and kind), she is characterized well. Her thoughts and actions reveal a lot about her with more showing than telling, which is an issue in more books than it should be. Also, despite the fact that this is a fantasy romance, Poppy does have genuinely close connections to people other than the love interest.
While I have my issues with Armentrout's writing, she can definitely write romantic tension. The relationship between Poppy and Hawke is well-developed, and it's one of the few parts of the story where I was really into it. I was genuinely invested in the romance, which was a pleasant surprise. However, moments between them that weren't romantic, such as the more plot-focused or political moments...they weren't bad, but like I mentioned before, I think they had the exact same conversation at least four times throughout the course of this book.
I do wish there was some more nuance to the antagonists. The duke and that one creepy guy (I can't remember his name) were just so obviously and unapologetically evil, and once Poppy discovers the true history of this world it's so one-sided. It would be much more interesting if the antagonists had more depth to them. We almost got it with the duchess, but it's not nearly enough. Some of the time spent on inane, repetitive conversations could have been devoted to that.
Writing Style 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
Ok, I have some issues with JLA's writing, but there are things I like about it too. First, as previously mentioned, I really like the way Armentrout does romance. The tension is palpable, and she did a good job of developing the relationship. The way she does action is also quite good; once again, great tension, and while it is fantasy and a little dramatic, it also feels so easy to follow what's going on.
On the other hand, this book has a lot of mystery and political elements, and that writing is pretty awful. It's so heavy-handed, and everything is stated so obviously; I feel like Armentrout thought her audience was unable to pick up on context clues. While it didn't really affect the plot or anything, it definitely pulled me out of the story as Poppy kept stating the most obvious things, usually multiple times.
Also, there's the issue of the pacing. This book goes on for way too long in my opinion, and there's too little content for such a long book. Major events are too spread out, and too much time is spent on little details.
Overall 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
This book, especially with what good things I'd heard about it, was mediocre. I will grant it a few things; the worldbuilding is intriguing, and the romance and action are well-written. However, it is twice as long as it needs to be, making it move at the pace of a snail, and the plot is very predictable. I quite like stories that critique organized religion, but some subtlety would be appreciated. The villains are so one-dimensional and obvious that it ruins the tension of the more political side of this book. It's alright, but I wouldn't lather this book with praise like it's been receiving.
The Author
Jennifer L. Armentrout: American, 42, also wrote Half-Blood, Obsidian, and Storm and Fury, owns a dog named Apollo
The Reviewer
My name is Wonderose; I try to post a review every week, and I do themed recommendations every once in a while. I take suggestions! Check out my about me post for more!
0 notes
kitkatsgalore · 3 years
Photo
Tumblr media
Wei Ying found himself lingering at the doorway. “Do you think you could ever change your mind?” he blurted out, and immediately cringed at himself. How desperate. “Like, I don’t know, if we don’t really see each other for a while,” he said. If he was going to be pathetic, he might as well go all-in. “Or if we tried to work through it some other way. Do you think your feelings could ever change?”
Some doodles from the absolutely incredible star trek au I will be chasing a starlight! I couldn’t stop thinking about this scene and then next thing I knew I was drawing it haha. If you haven’t run into this yet, I absolutely recommend it because it’s very good!! ♡
223 notes · View notes