#next time i have an opportunity to get to this mini arc there will definitely be smut

[sabraeal]

Just a Second Away from Being In Love (Or Alone)

[Read on AO3]

Written for @another-miracle, who asked for any Obi POV in Wide Florida Bay-- but hopefully an obiyuki one 🤣. It actually took me a while to circle in on which one to pick; there's a few that I had my eye on earlier in the timeline, but when it came to obiyuki bits...I knew it had to be this one, which starts off a small mini-arc in the established relationship part of this fic!

It takes him two hours and two pounds of eggplant, but after five minutes of this newest crisis of morale, Obi finally gives in: he going have to use his Phone A Friend for this one. Or at least someone friendly. Ish.

“Tell me this is gonna be worth it,” he huffs, contorted into nature’s worst pretzel shape; his newest attempt to locate anything that could pass for another pie plate in this place. No way Doc’s lived here for three years without putting at least five of the most grandma-worthy vessels for piping-hot fruit somewhere in the cabinets. “Tell me this is gonna be the best thing I’ve put in my mouth my whole life. A fucking paradigm shift when it comes to food.”

“It’s eggplant parmesan. You’re gonna wish it was chicken.” Kelly Ann clucks her tongue, and god, she can be a thousand miles away, but he knows she’s got a knee balanced up on her desk, head tipped back because her eyes can’t roll far enough. “But you just spend half an afternoon drying the most finicky vegetable known to man, so you can’t turn back now. You’re committed.”

That’s the sort of talk that would have given him a life-threatening case of the hives years ago, limping around Atlanta’s unforgiving streets looking for an Urgent Care more quickly than taking a jab to the gut. But now he just asks, “But she’ll like it though, right?”

Kelly Ann sighs, already sick of him. “Yes. The poor innocent you’ve tricked into thinking you’re boyfriend material will think it’s the best thing she’s ever eaten. Even Cal’s officer buddies eat it, and they’re more picky than the four-year-old.”

“I dunno,” he hums, hand-pulverized breadcrumb scattering over sea foam ceramic. “She cooks really good. Have I told you about the Cornish hens? They—”

“I have heard all about the Cornish hens. I am sick of hearing about the Cornish hens.” Obi’s mouth twitches. Gotta be hard for her, having to share the pedestal for Gayle’s Favorite Child. At least with someone who isn’t her own kid. “What kind of guarantees are you look for here? That it’s going to get you laid? It will definitely get you laid.”

“Kelly Ann.” If his hands weren’t covered in egg, he’d be pressing one to his chest, scandalized. “I wasn’t— I’m not doing this for sex.”

She snorts. Which, frankly, he’s earned. But he’s turned over a new leaf. Become a new, better man. One who knows that the most important part of a relationship isn’t what happens between the sheets.

But it certainly helps hedge your bets, especially when you’re as much of a fuck up as he is. Hell, if sex was an option, he wouldn’t be here, debating which hand he’d used for the wet ingredients and which was for the dry. Oh no, he would have been far too busy making her see shrimp colors to worry about whether eggplants stayed crispier fried or baked. But since he’d had fallen for her absolutely genius— though, as Yuzuri warned, biologically inadvisable— beach-dinner-sex seduction strategy, Doc’s on the bench for the next quarter, sexy-time wise, and he’s—

Well, he’s got to show her he’s got talents out of the bedroom too. Or, er, off the couch. And shower. Sometimes even—

Ah, well, non-flat surface based talents. Cooking’s supposed to be one of them.

At least, it would be, if his eggplant slices weren’t eating floor. “How are you supposed to even get these slippery bastards over to the tray? They just keep— fuck.”

“Just go slow,” Kelly Ann informs him with an aggravating amount of patience. “It’s not a race.”

“I am going slow,” he snaps, gingerly transferring his next slice to the rack. “There is no possible way I could be going slower. I’m going to be here for days just doing this. Years from now, archaeologists will find my body and wonder why I’m only halfway through—”

“If there was an Olympic event for complaining, you’d take gold five years running.” She can tease him as much as she like, but there’s no bite to it anymore, no sharp teeth waiting to take a nibble. No, he’s pretty sure that the stretch on her vowels means she’s smirking; the closest thing to a smile when she’s aimed in his direction. “Maybe you should be doing this for sex, it sounds like you might need—”

“You keep this up and I’ll ask Gayle when you’re thinking you’ll have round two.” His mouth is all teeth as he adds, “After all, Laila would make such a cute big sister.”

He can’t see her, but he can hear her seething on the other end of the line. “I know where you live.”

“It’s a fourteen hour drive at best and I’ve got Mom on speed dial.”

Her scowl radiates from the speaker. “Fine,” she grits out. “Guess I’ll just have to tell her we’re waiting until number two could have a playmate.”

Obi blinks down at her picture. “Huh, Toddy’s found some girl? That’s fast. He was single at—”

“I’m not talking about Toddy.”

There’s enough silence in the kitchen to make his ears ring. “…What?”

“Oh, come on, Obi,” Kelly Ann sighs, as if he’s the one being obtuse. “The only people you two were fooling at Christmas were yourselves. And now you’re spending a whole day pampering eggplant to impress her?”

“I had a day off,” he murmurs, knees suddenly as solid as his egg dredge. “And I don’t think battering and frying count as a spa day.”

Kelly Ann grunt, unconvinced. “Sure, sure, we can sit here and have you deflect all day. But when it comes down to it…you’re serious about her aren’t you?”

As a heart attack. Which would be fine, if they weren’t barely two months in to the longest relationship of his life. “I think it’s a little soon to say that, uh…”

“That you love her?” His heart beats so loud in his ears he can hardly hear her ask, “You do, don’t you? Love her?”

“Yeah.” It’s a miracle he can even speak with his mouth this dry. “Of course I do.”

“Have you said that? With your Big Boy words?”

He has to press his hands against the counter to keep them from shaking. A strategy that would go better if both of them weren’t covered in egg gunk.

“Ah, gotta go,” he gasps, already reaching for a towel. “Making a real mess of all this.”

“Obi—”

The first finger clean shoots out, cutting off the call.

“There,” he sighs. “That’s enough of that existential crisis.”

*

The eggplant’s fresh out of the oven and sauce just off the heat when the door opens with a shush, his own personal problem stumbling out into the living room, trying to toe her sandals into the tray. If he weren’t elbow deep with this casserole dish, he’d saunter out to appreciate her attempts; there’s a lot on TV nowadays, but none of it can compete with Doc nearly giving herself a concussion trying to unlatch one of those little buckles. TLC used to say you learned something new every day, and listening to her grumble approach swears without ever intersecting, Obi agrees.

“Oh, really.” Most people might be happy just to hurl abuse at inanimate objects, but not Doc. Oh no, she’s got to reason with them.  “This sort of…of…tomfoolery is very…rude. I think you should just…stop…if you would…”

He waits until the first tell-tale clatter and clunk, to call out, “Welcome home.”

“Obi!” she yelps, and oh, he might not be able to see it, but he knows that shocked look: mouth as round as her eyes, skin flushed down to where it meets the swoop of her collar. Extremely kissable, is what he’s saying. “You’re here?”

A tap of the sauce spool sends a chunk of it skittering across the stove, but he grins anyway. “Am I not supposed to be? Did you have plans? Maybe even naughty—?”

“No!” It’s more of a croak than a gasp. “No, I mean…you’re supposed to be here. I’m happy your here. You” —her voice drops, soft, like her pillows— “belong here.”

He thought he’d known all the ways a heart could ache these past few years, but when she talks like that, ah, he’d never thought it could feel this good. Or this terrifying. “You’re not denying the naughty plans thing.”

And she still doesn’t, going so quiet a guy might get suspicious, if he didn’t know— keenly— that she was still in the shop. Taking her nice places and making delicious, boyfriend-worthy dinners has been great; a bigger rush than sex in a bathroom stall. But still, when most of their nights involve staying in, settling into the couch the way they always did, just with the new, heady knowledge that they both are wanting the same things…

Well, there’s been a few inadvisable make out sessions. Exciting ones, the kind that involve hands going under shirts and down pants and wearing hoodies in eighty degree weather the next day. But every time they wandered beneath her shorts— or, more than a few personally exhilarating times, skirts— the mood swerved off the rails, ending things before they— or well, she could get anywhere. After a three-year dry spell, Obi thought a few weeks would be a breeze, a quick breather between rounds, but after a month of having her moan his name at just the simplest touch—

It’s a special kind of torture, he thinks as the other shoe drops. Especially when Doc’s never been one to behave.

“You are home early.” Doc doesn’t often get the jump on him— in shitty childhood vs playful girlfriend, there’s a clear winner every time— but this time, when her sweet voice pipes up from his elbow rather than the galley window, he does. “And cooking dinner?”

“Yeah, I, ah…” She’s always been a curious little squirrel, skittering hither and yon, but when she leans around him to catch a peek of his hard work, her breasts brush against his arm, and, well— like he said. It’s been a long time. “Haah…just needed to let some data compile for a diagram. Thought it might do better on my laptop on our internet.”

He should be playing Tetris with these eggplant pieces right now, but Doc doesn’t make it easy, not with the way she tucks herself against him, her front pressed to his side, a burning line from shoulder to hip. “Are those eggplant?”

One small hand traces a path across his belly, just below his navel, and— and Obi can read a room. Really he can. It’s just not possible that she’s putting down what he’s picking up. “Y-yeah.” He clears his throat, willing it back into an actual, grown adult’s register. “I, uh, got the recipe from Kelly Ann. She…”

Her wrist twists, just enough to dip the tip of her finger beneath his waistband, and oh god, okay, he can’t take it. “Can we talk?” he asks, desperate, one hand gripped around her wrist. “Just for a second here. Because I…I need some clarification, I think.”

Doc flusters, every visible inch of her skin red as she tries to slip from his grasp. Which is absolutely not happening, not if she’s barking up the tree he thinks she is. “S-sorry! I just…I thought…”

One tug sends her careening back into him, every inch of her pressed against every inch of him. Or well, most of them. He's got ten or so that don't quite match up “I’m not complaining about the thinking here. I’m confused about the doing, because I thought we weren’t supposed to, er…”

Do the doing isn’t really where he wants to take this sentence. “I thought,” he starts again, a shade more collected, “that you were in the shop.”

“No.” Her cheeks flush so pink he’s half tempted to bite them, just to see what she’d taste like against his tongue. “I-I mean, I was. But I went to my doctor today, and um…?”

Every muscle in his body stiffens, tense like a cat ready to pounce. “And…?”

Doc might be bold enough to throw herself out windows and into swamps full of at least three of his most deadly fears, but at the twitch of his dick against her hip, her eyes skitter back toward the counter. “A-are you at a good place to stop?”

The eggplant’s going to get floppy in the sauce, and none of it will be as good as it would be if he finished getting this in the oven now, but he can hardly care, not when she lets out a delicious little gasp as she bumps into the counter.

“What exactly did the doc clear you for?” he rumbles, leaning in to give her parted lips the barest brush. “This?”

Her fingers clench at his shoulders, as frustrated as the moan that slips from her throat. “Obi…”

There’s a warning in that, a promise for what will wait for him if he keeps up his teasing, and it only makes his next taste all the sweeter.

“This?” It’s a whisper against her lips, one lost when she swallows it whole. Those fingers yank him down, trapping him in this endless drag of lips and tongue, each one teasing out another moan, another shiver, until he’s nearly drunk from it.

One of his palms scrapes up her side; the silky material of her dress catches on his calluses before he dips beneath it, her nipple already pebbled against his palm. “This?”

His mouth drops to catch it, and oh, if he thought she’d been close before, there’s nothing but cloth between them now, her body arched to fill the curve of his. “Obi!”

She’s trembling in his grip, only the arm at her back keeping her upright, and oh, it’s nothing to trace his fingers up her thigh, to trace the edge of her panties. “This?”

His only answer is a whimper and the bite of nails at his shoulder. It’s enough; he shoves them to the side, the small hairs there tickling his palms. And when the tip of his finger slips between her folds—

“Jesus. Fuck.” His forehead rests against her shoulder. “You’re…?”

Wet. Soaked. His mouth is too dry to get out the words. He doesn’t need to, not when she nods, wiggling against his hand. “Uh-huh.”

“Hah.” He licks his lips, hoping she can’t feel how he trembles now, every part of him drawn as tight as a bowstring. “How about this?”

His fingers dip inside, two sinking straight to the last knuckle. God, he nearly cums right there, from the noise she makes. “Is this what the doc cleared you for, Shirayuki?”

She whines, a pathetic, frustrated sound. One he’d be happy to tease out of her again, if she didn’t reach down and pump his fingers into her again, like he might need the help.

“Haah,” he breathes, hard. “Yeah, I think I can help with that.”

By the way she’s moving, it won’t be enough. Not nearly enough for either of them, not with his cock straining his jeans, soaking them where it’s trapped up against the band. He grinds against her hip, trying to get some relief, pulling her even tighter against him as his fingers work, and—

“Obi,” she gasps, pushing his shoulders away. “We eat on these counters.”

He’d argue that, if they weren’t already sharing space with dinner. Instead he leans in, giving her one, long kiss as he drags his fingers out of her. “Your room or mine?”

“Whichever,” she sighs, hopping up into his arms, “is closer.”

#obiyuki #akagami no shirayukihime #snow white with the red hair #The Wide Florida Bay #lime #my fic #modern AU #college AU #ans #set just after Something Real (the beach date) #I had a whole very smutty part planned for the very end here but instead there is just a teaser for it #because this first scene got LONG and then I wanted Shirayuki to dither a bit #wrap around his legs like a cat in heat while he wondered whether he was getting a green light or was just colorblind #so just a little taste! #next time i have an opportunity to get to this mini arc there will definitely be smut #the plot bearing kind #🤣

[deltadex]

(Be prepared, this is a brain dump)

I can't stop thinking about the fact that the emotional turmoil is going to be through the roof next season, especially for Vi and Caitlyn. During their struggle to de-escalate the war they've found themselves in, the mini-battles taking place in the back of their minds will be just as alive.

It only hit me now how much Caitlyn has been through in such a short time. She survived two explosions, witnessed many of her work colleagues die (which I assume is the first time she has experienced death), was taken hostage twice (first by Ekko then Jinx), and had her life threatened several times (e.g. held at gunpoint). I imagine it's still to hit her too...

And then there's the chance her mother won't survive the attack on the council, which will leave her devastated, if not in denial. The fact that it's caused by Vi's sister only makes this more complex and difficult to accept. The same person Caitlyn let Vi go after on the bridge, the same person she didn't want to sell out to the council, and the same person she chose not to incapacitate at the tea party. I don't think Caitlyn is going to become driven by revenge and try to kill Jinx, but I can definitely see her lose her cool.

Meeting Vi and getting to see the Undercity somehow became both a blessing and a curse, and I think it's possible she'll act upon the frustration caused by the circumstances they find themselves in. Thinking about this now it doesn't seem so unrealistic that we will see a Caitvi interaction "we'll probably hate" (e.g. Caitlyn lashing out at Vi. Nevertheless, I think she'll realise pretty soon afterwards that Vi isn't to blame for the mess their in).

Next season is where Caitlyn's character arc is really going to gain traction and I'm excited (and frankly scared) to see "a different side of her".

Vi also has her own struggles leading into season 2. She'll still be reeling from seeing her sister choose to walk away from her. The hope of "getting Powder back", the only thing on her mind for the past seven years, was shattered in an instant. On top of all this there's the huge possibility of Warwick (AKA Vander) being thrown into the mix. Finding out Vander is alive will rock Vi to her core and add to the barrage of emotions she won't have the time to feel.

(Sidenote: There's so much chaos going on already with the war and now there's possibly gonna be a blood-thirsty werewolf-man on the loose too? What a curveball! )

Besides Caitlyn and Vi's individual struggles, there's also the unresolved tension between them after the "Oil and water" scene. They don't quite know where they stand with each other, and I'm really curious to see how soon they'll address it.

Then there's the fact that Caitlyn probably overheard everything at Jinx's tea party before she was wheeled in, and just thought: "You were right Vi. I don't know anything about you." Up to this point she knew very little about Vi's past, and she still doesn't have the full picture.

Caitlyn is inquisitive, sometimes to a fault (e.g. "How do you not know if your sister is alive or dead?" "What, you don't have parents?"), and I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted some answers after everything she just heard. And even if Vi would rather forget about the past and avoid talking about it, Warwick is going to arrive and open up those old wounds. When she recognizes him, she's going to be distressed and Caitlyn's going to want to know why. This could lead to some heated conversations, especially if Vi is reluctant to share and Caitlyn is insistent on asking questions.

At this point, everything is happening at such a fast pace that they won't have the opportunity to have the heart-to-hearts (and mental breakdowns) they so desperately need. In some ways, their internal struggles are just as difficult to address as their external ones, and once they're able to reinstill peace in their world, they'll have no choice but to face them (you could only hope Arcane will be kind to us and have them crying in each other's arms by the end of the season)

There's this simple, great quote from Helen LaKelly Hunt: "Conflict is growth trying to happen", which is a really positive way to see Caitlyn and Vi's situation. I'm optimistic that if they overcome these challenges, they will not only grow as individuals, but will end up with a relationship that's stronger than they ever imagined.

Anyway, thanks for reading my brain dump ❤

#arcane shows that romance isn't just sugar and spice and everything nice #gotta commend them for that #the potential conflict is staggering and it hurts to think about #season 2 is going to be so much darker #I'm conflicted about whether i want it now or not #i will not be prepared for the emotional damage lol #arcane #vi arcane #caitlyn kiramman #caitvi #arcane season 2 speculation

[ecargmura]

Pokemon Horizons Episode 18 Review - A Flashback Masterpiece

I’m sorry, Episode 16, you just got dethroned after two weeks of reign. Episode 18 is now the best episode of this anime by far. It’s just an origin story, but the animation and storytelling are so immaculate. It’s almost perfection in a way. It feels like a good closure to the first arc and the beginning to the next possible arc in the Rising Volt Tacklers’ journey.

Liko and Roy are curious about how Captain Pikachu is able to fly in the air, so they team up with Dot to ask Friede about Cap’s origins. He avoids the topic, but with the help of Orla meddling, Friede finally reveals his past with Cap. Once a promising Professor, Friede starts his story jobless and listless. He had no motivation and no drive to do anything after quitting; he spends his days fishing with Ludlow and that didn’t excite him either. One day, he gets a phone call from his old teacher, Lucca (Liko’s mother), who he hasn’t seen since his student days at the Kanto region. Lucca moved to Paldea from Kanto after getting married to Alex. She wonders why he quit his job at the lab. Friede says that he knows everything there is to know about Pokemon, but Lucca sees through his front and points out that he lost his drive. She then asks him to meet up with him the next day at dawn where he is introduced to the Pikachu that will one day become Captain Pikachu. At first, Friede didn’t want to bother with a Pikachu, but after seeing how Cap used Volt Tackle to make a vortex into the sky, he became interested in it. He spends his next days trying to observe and theorize Pikachu’s goals and actions. After befriending him, Friede and Pikachu become partners and the Rising Volt Tacklers came to be.

First off, this backstory was amazing. It played out like a movie! I do like how Friede quitting his job and losing his drive is parallel to a lot of adults trying to find their place in life in the real world. People say that Pokemon is childish or for a general children’s audience (which it is), but having Friede and the Rising Volt Tacklers be adults and have mature motives for their path in life shows that Pokemon isn’t afraid to bring in an older audience as well. It’s like Mollie’s backstory that was told in episode 11 where she quit her job at the Pokemon Center because working there wasn’t fulfilling for her. Friede quit his job because it wasn’t fulfilling for him. I’m sure there are a lot of adults who relate to this; I relate to this myself!

I like how Pikachu was very hostile towards Friede in the beginning of their encounter. It shows off how much of a wild Pokemon he was back then. He was annoyed with Friede and kept tackling him. I think my favorite part of this episode was Pikachu gathering berries and then rushing off to eat them. I think this is one of the rare moments we see Pikachu behave very animal-like. We never saw Ash’s Pikachu as a wild Pokemon as much since most of his screen time was being a captured Pokemon and a pet of sorts. Seeing how Pikachu respected Friede towards the end of the flashback felt realistic because Pikachu knew Friede was always there and it even saved him from falling. In turn, Friede finding drive in Pikachu was understandable. Life is always full of mysteries and finding that one fateful moment can lead to a myriad of opportunities. Pikachu was definitely Friede’s muse in a way.

The animation was very smooth. The scene where Friede and Charizard flew up to the skies next to Pikachu’s vortex flabbergasted me. I never knew OLM Studio could animate this beautifully. This definitely looks like something shown in a Pokemon film or in a smaller mini-series like Twilight Wings. The way everything kept moving throughout the scene, taking a break when they looked beyond the horizon, and then moving again once Pikachu fell was breathtaking. I may not be an animator, but I can see good animation quality!

I do like how Lucca was the reason why Pikachu and Friede got together. Lucca is also the reason why Liko met the Rising Volt Tacklers. The theme of connection is very prevalent for this anime as it is a bond that expands beyond horizons. I cooed over seeing baby Liko in the episode; she’s so cute. I deduce that the flashback might have occurred at least five or six years ago since Liko is most likely ten or eleven at most. The fact that a mere glimpse of seeing Friede over a video call was the stepping stone of her current life is pretty fascinating in itself.

I also liked learning more about the Rising Volt Tacklers. It turns out that Ludlow and Friede were already acquainted with each other. Orla and Friede are also childhood friends with them both being Kantonians but Orla moved to Hoenn. The fact that Friede was requesting Orla to build an airship from Ludlow’s ship meant that he and Ludlow sailed all the way to the Hoenn region from Paldea. That’s determination right there. The fact that Friede, Cap, Orla and Ludlow were the starting members of the Rising Volt Tacklers seems meaningful now.

I love the little cameo of Larry in the restaurant, showing the game canon of him being a regular at that restaurant. Since this was a few years back, I do wonder if Larry is still a Gym Leader five or six years later and still working overtime. Anyways, I do like that this episode had the opening song play towards the end, signifying the closure of one chapter and the start of a new one. There hasn’t been talks or announcements of a new opening or ending song, so I do wonder where the show will go from here. I think this episode was flawless, but what about you? What do you think about this episode?

#anipoke #pokemon #pokemon anime #pokemon horizons #friede #captain pikachu #charizard #larry #lucca #liko #roy #dot #review #anime #anime review #A perfect 10/10 episode for Horizons

[bookaddict24-7]

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK!

Books I’ve read so far in 2023!

Friend me on Goodreads here to follow my more up to date reading journey for the year!

___

229. Nectar of the Wicked by Ella Fields--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was me when I finished NECTAR OF THE WICKED and realized how in love I was.

Trust me, when I went into Fields's book, I was never expecting it to hit me in this way. I was aching for a dark fantasy that would capture me and hold me tight until it was time for me to let go. I was hoping for some cute moments and maybe some decent smut.

Yeah, I definitely got that and way more.

NECTAR OF THE WICKED is a dark fantasy romance with some intense smut scenes and a morally grey love interest. We have surprise identity reveals and a hunt for the truth. We get bickering and an intense enemies to wary lovers that leaves us on a tantalizing cliffhanger, our brains trying to decipher the truth from the lies and the idea that sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.

This poor MC goes on a journey full of anger, hatred, and a twisted sense of love.

I loved every moment of it and immediately bought a physical copy (thank you, KU, for existing.)

Read this if you want a love interest you love to hate and an MC who bites off more than she can chew.

Come for the smut and anger; stay for the character development and that sequel that comes out at the end of the year!

Also, I will say this put me in a mini-slump for audiobooks because I wanted to do nothing but keep reading off my Kindle. That is all.

___

230. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read November 2023

Yes! I am finally at the last book I read back in 2012, everything from here on is something fresh and new. Also, I'm happy to have finally come across one of the characters I was thinking about when I first started my re-read.

I liked this one because we got to see a new side of Sookie, including some revelations as to why she is so appealing to so many supes. She's also badass in this with her tiger sidekick. Also, I've totally been spoiled for who she ends up with and some of the events in this book intrigued me because we're still so far from that final decision.

Also, glad that we finally see the end of one arc that started with a really annoying character--even though I could wholly sympathize with the family.

Onto the next one!

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231. Ignite by Melanie Harlow--⭐️⭐️⭐️

IGNITE had some of my all-time favourite tropes:

✓ single parent ✓ age gap ✓ adorable kids ✓ sassy best friend/siblings

I loved all of the above, especially when the MMC underestimates the FMC because of her age. They also had some great spicy moments full of chemistry and wit. I loved that we got to see the FMC through the MMC's perspective because she seems a lot more carefree and daring when we don't have her internal thoughts questioning and under-estimating herself. It was hot and I was 100% here for it.

The daughters were hilarious and such a great addition to story. It's always sad when single parent romances don't have kids who showcase their own little personalities. There's so much opportunity there and Harlow definitely did her best to showcase this in IGNITE!

This is clearly a part of a longer series, which I have not read, and I can only imagine how long and extensive the stories are. I saw how woven into this story those backstories are, including that of the FMC's dad's similar romance story with her stepmom.

What I wasn't a huge fan of is how...instant the romance felt. One of my favourite single parent romances, MEET ME HALFWAY, is one of those single parent books that will forever set a standard for me. I love when couples take time to get to know each other and build that foundation. When the third act break-up happens, which is usually the case, sadly, I want to BELIEVE that there is enough of a reason for the FMC or the MMC to fight for that love they supposedly built up over the weeks. Why should I root for you two if you've only know each other for a short time? I know love grows in different ways, but that's always been my problem with insta-romance books. Especially when the MMC is so adamant on being single forever. It's gotta take more than a pretty neighbour being cute and adorable to break that ice, right?

And going off that, the lack of communication and self-sacrificing is always the bucket of cold water I never ask for when it comes to books like this one. It ruins the mood and sours a chunk of the book, tbh. I understand they're both jaded af, but the age difference is a lot smaller that it appears when they both are acting like children.

Anyway, I loved the tropes and the story overall, but those last few reasons are why I didn't rate this higher and why I didn't race out to buy the physical copy. I enjoyed myself for the most part, but I've read better. I do still recommend this, though, for fans of the tropes I mentioned earlier! Those sweet little girls give this book so much personality and I just want the world for them!

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232. Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sometimes I crave a really good hockey romance to take my mind off the world around me--or, to just be my gateway to spiralling into the deep, dark hole of romance that I usually fall into at least once a year. The moment October ended, I was immediately starting to crave something a lot lighter than the horror I'd been reading since late August.

EGOTISTICAL PUCKBOY scratched that itch I was getting and then some. First, I LOVE the trope of these two men absolutely hating each other, but secretly pining for one another. I am also a massive fan of the man who is relationshipphobic who is tamed by the one guy they never expected to like them or want them back. Add in hockey, hot smut, dirty talk, and a delicious tension and you've got a formula for something really, really fun and addicting.

The two MCs were different, but at the same time, they both dealt with similar hurdles to overcome. I loved that through time and proximity, they slowly started to figure each other out and not only survive as teammates, but also as something more. They helped each other out and grew together. There's something so enjoyable about two men just growing together and accepting that they're both worthy of love.

Eden Finley and Saxon James are two of the best when it comes to writing m/m hockey romances and whenever I see one of their books, I immediately fall in. This did not disappoint. And even though it wasn't my most favourite of their books, it was definitely a binge-able read.

___

233. Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I ran straight to this book after reading the first in the series because I knew who this one would follow and I am the biggest, biggest sucker for books that feature a man so far in the closet that he doesn't know which way is out. I also love a man who is the biggest and most lovable himbo. We get this in IRRESPONSIBLE PUCKBOY. Plus, we also get a great friendship and so much angst and a quiet love that grows and grows as the story progresses.

I loved how these two characters took care of each other and how, despite the impending heartbreak, they couldn't leave each others' sides. I liked that this one touched on stereotypes and the messy side of having such a public romance--especially a non-hetero one.

Much like with the first book, I couldn't put this one down and I was smiling so much at how silly the one character was. Bless his heart.

___

234. Generation One by Pittacus Lore--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read in November 2023:

I went into this one with expectations because even though I remembered basically nothing about this book, I had this clear idea of what was going to happen. While it was definitely an adventure, it's wasn't as "whoa" as I remember it being. I just finished the original series, so naturally, I wanted to jump right into this one.

There was definitely some action and some very X-men type of powers. I enjoyed learning about the different abilities and how the world was being affected after the war. I just didn't feel that sense of urgency that I first felt with this series. I didn't have a "wow this is cool" moment.

It was weird not reading through the perspective of Four, but I also know that this new generation will have many adventures up ahead. While I did enjoy this for the most part, it didn't hold that same charm from the original series (for me) and I might postpone listening to the next book. We shall see!

I only took one start off to honour my initial review years ago.

___

235. Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I came across this book by chance at work and was immediately intrigued. Even though I did have that initial interest, I wasn't 100% sure how I would like STILL BEATING, considering how dark it was promising to be. Well, after binge reading the hell out of it, I can safely say that I loved it.

Years ago, I read a book called THE AIR HE BREATHES and while it dealt with vastly different themes, the level of emotional distress I felt while reading that book is the only one I think could be comparable to my experience reading STILL BEATING. Both books dealt with dark and taboo topics, and the guilt that comes from taking and accepting the only remedy for a destroyed heart.

One of the things I loved most about this book was how honest the characters were with each other when it came to finally coming to terms with what they needed to heal themselves. This isn't a cutesy read where the happy ending is straight forward--it's a book with characters who get a hard-fought-for HEA that carries a massive asterisk because even though they've survived, that PTSD and experience will always live with them.

I was recommending STILL BEATING to a coworker and I had to explain the massive trigger warnings for r@pe, because it IS something that happens. They are abducted by a monster who does horrifying things to the FMC. Though the scenes usually fade to black, or are alluded to, this can be incredibly triggering--so please, proceed with caution. There is no glorification of the attack. There is no glorification of the monster.

STILL BEATING is messy, dark, and frankly, terrifying with how surviving the nearly-impossible can still haunt you. As the characters often comment: you might have left the basement physically, but the basement will always be in your mind. While the taboo topic of this being a love story between the FMC and her sister's fiance is one of the big themes, it was their resilience, and their fight to survive that held my interest and love.

This isn't a book that will be begging a re-read any time soon, but it was definitely incredibly memorable. I look forward to reading another book by Hartmann in the future.

___

236. Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi--⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the defence of this book, I read this after my craving for horror books had already passed. But that's the only defence I'll give BOYS IN THE VALLEY.

I went into this expecting something terrifying and don't get me wrong, there were definitely some super creepy moments, but while I can objectively see why this book is so popular, I don't fully 100% understand. First, I didn't realize it would be so religious-based. While I do believe in certain things, I'm not exactly the biggest fan of books the spout religious content at me. Although, in retrospect, that could very well be one of the themes meant to incite horror in the reader.

While I enjoyed this for what it was, it was kind of just meh? I think I zoned out a few times while listening to the audiobook and I was just not very connected. I will, again, admit that me not being in the mood for this genre most definitely affected my interest. But having that argument, I wonder if this book had been more compelling, would I have liked it more?

You might like this if you're a fan of things that go bump in the night (and proceed to kill you in said night), and if you're cool with religious horror.

___

Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts!

___

Happy reading!

#Reviews of the week #Book Review #Book Reviews #my writing #my opinion #book list #books #read #reading #booklr #bookish #features #bookworm #bookaholic #book blogger #book blog #on books #on reading #readers of tumblr #long text post #books books books

[tokiro07]

Undead Unluck ch.154 thoughts

[Team-Building]

Looks like we’re getting a Nico arc, folks! @roydeezed mentioned in their review this week that Nico has effectively been standing in for Andy as Fuuko’s confidant in this loop, and while I hadn’t really thought of that up to now, this chapter really does solidify that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nico ends up being the character who gets the most focus this loop before Andy returns, as everyone else is probably going to get between one and three chapters to themselves at most by the end

Gina had her awakening and the Autumn battle, Void had his fight with Fuuko, Tella had his awakening, Creed was abandoned by his country, Sean reevaluated Unseen, etc., but most of those were very quick, lasting one to one and half chapters at a time. They’ll still definitely get good scenes and perhaps a little more development, but I don’t envision most of them being the central figure in a mini-arc again

Nico, though, has a lot of opportunities for focus; not only did we already get a full chapter dedicated to Fuuko just convincing him to work with her, we still need to watch his relationship with Ichico develop fully, we need to see him be confronted with the awakening of Unforgettable, I expect we’ll see his relationship with Mico from scratch afterward, and now we have the Phil rescue mission which Nico is keenly invested in. He just has so many relationships and personal events to address, which makes sense seeing as he’s one of the most recurring members of the Union across the loops

Speaking of, the revelation that Nico is likely to be the focus of Phil’s arc is very exciting news for me, as I have always anticipated that Nico and Phil had a parental relationship. We first saw them interacting during the Clothes battle in chapter 10 with Nico doing maintenance on Phil’s Artifacts, and from that brief interaction, I got the impression that Nico was something of a father figure to Phil. Nothing came of it and they got no further development in Loop 100, but seeing Nico become righteously indignant at the thought of Phil being a government guinea pig, I feel renewed hope and excitement that my original impression may have been right

I also think it’s important for Phil to have another character to consistently interact with, as that will help his character develop, and Nico being predisposed to be endeared to him sets up that possibility perfectly. It’d also be cute if Phil inadvertently inspires Nico and Ichico to have Mico

On the subject of Phil, I really hope that Tozuka will explain whether or not Phil is early like Sean. If he is, then there’s not really any issue, but if he was always born in 1993, that’s a bit troubling. I mentioned in a previous post that it might imply that Unfeel or growing up in space caused his growth to be stunted, but that somehow doesn’t feel like the angle we’re playing here. We’ll likely learn next week, but I think it would be weird for Sean to be the only early arrival, so I’m expecting Phil to be too

I’m really curious how Unfeel is going to change here; I’m hoping it’ll become an ability that Phil can turn off and on rather than being a passive ability, as that seems like the only way to really make this a useful ability without sacrificing anything. The ideal here is that Phil has the ability to feel emotions, form connections, act independently and retain his body while also being able to utilize Unfeel to use Artifacts with impunity

I’m also curious if whatever’s attacking him is an alien or a UMA. Since Galaxy clearly already exists, it could easily be the Acks, which would be a cool callback, but the Acks didn’t exist yet when Phil was in space last time, so I don’t imagine that they’re very likely

As a final note, Creed didn’t get as much development as I personally would have liked in the Buroja conflict, so I’m glad that he’s coming along too, cus that should give him more of an opportunity to shine

Honestly, any time we’re given to spend with this cast makes me happy, I love almost every character we’ve met so far, and the ones I don’t are the ones we haven’t learned enough about yet. I can’t wait to love Phil, I can’t wait to love Creed, and I can’t wait to even love Ruin

I’ve said a number of times that I expect Undead Unluck to end within the next year, but now that I think about it, we’re still meeting a lot of the cast. Even if we’ve known their names before, this is the first time we’re getting to know most of them, so it’s definitely possible that the final arc will only start once everyone’s assembled, and it may well go on for a full year or more depending on Tozuka’s plans

Either way, I’m just glad to spend as much time in this world with this cast as possible, and I’m looking forward to next week just as much as the last

See you all then!

#undead unluck #fouryearsandananime #4y1a reviews

[w0nd3rb0ii]

GOOOOOOD MORNING MY MENTALLY ILL POOKIES (5.5.2024)

my life is suchhh a mess helloooooo im back

im just gonna post a little life recap because last time i was actually active on here was like may

june '23: binged ALL MONTH but was like leftover skinny from getting down to like 118 , life was insane, partied a ton, rehearsals all the time, was 6 months into a relationship

july '23: kept on eatingggg, broke up w my gf and started dating this guy frankie (shameless namedrop) which was a whole like plot arc a year and a half in the making, wizard of oz happened (i was tin man), i went to x games, also new york!

august '23: disney trip w frankie, week long beach trip with my friend whos super hot and skinny and it made me sad but i got a tan and it was super fun overall, i was literally js getting fatter and fatter tho, so yea. also i went to scotland and got cast as ms trunchbull in matilda! also school started so that was fun

october '23: relationship was still slaying, i was still fat but not getting fatter, i went to hoco and school was schooling

november '23: mini relapse got me skinnyish, school existed

december '23: binged consistently, was ugly, bf was still amazing, school was scary but ended up fine

january '24: pregnancy scare started a christianity arc for me, i joined choir, i consistently was only eating like 400 cals and i was feeling pretty good ab my body but then after matilda show weekend i started binging like crazyyy (show weekend slayed but everyone got sick during tech week)

february '24: winter formal happened and was sm fun, dance comp season started, still fat, me and frankie went on a break at 7 and a half months because we could never see each other, spring semester started at school, i went to church camp and broke up with him on the way home because religious guilt about all the stuff we had done together (so we lasted almost 8 months)

march '24: aftermath of breakup was a lot, i auditioned for this crazy hard to get into choir at school AND GOT IN (!!!). kiiinda messed up God era because this guy i met at the start of spring semester and i started talking and it became a whole fwb thing WHICH WAS FUNNY because i definitely was not and am still not all the way over my ex. but me and the other guy started dating! (on my bday actually lol), ALSO I GOT CAST AS CINDERELLA IN CINDERELLA FOR MY LAST SHOW AT MY STUDIOOOO

april '24: still fat but i feel like ive gotten a little prettier recently, school is terrifying because i cant make myself do anything productive, me and the guy slaying but we got into like 2 fights over spring break but we fixed it both times! (it was my b bc i lied to him ab drinking and vaping), we went to the renaissance faire and it was sm fun!

may '24: i found out my ex bf might have been talking to another girl towards the end of a relationship, theyre going to prom together, theyre a thing now and its like really hurt which is dumb bc ive fully been in a relationship for like a month now but idk if im fully even in it because the bf is transferring and going to college in the fall and im staying at our community college bc performance opportunities and choir. and i kinda have a crush on the guy thats my prince for cinderella but im not doing anything about it because if anythings meant to come from it hes coming to my school next year soo yea well see idrc. but yeah so that happened, me and the current bf saw john mulaney last night, im js now getting back into caring ab my body because i do NOT WANT TO BE FAT FOR SUMMER. so yeah. idk how much i weigh. ill figure it out as soon as i can but my mom hid my scale. well seeee

so yea thats my update ill try to be active on here bye pookies

[emmym1]

My thoughts on... Captain Marvel 2019 (#22-26) "The New World"

So after reading 'Captain Marvel: The End', it's time to continue the 2019 Captain Marvel run! I've read 'Captain Marvel: The End' at the perfect time it seems as this next arc really expands on that story.

I was really excited to see them follow up on the events of 'Captain Marvel: The End', especially in such a crazy way. It was really nice to see all of those characters in the future back as they're all pretty unique. However the character that stood out the most of me in this was a new addition, Brigid. She's a really cool character and I love the mini character arc she went through. From not seeing herself as a hero (which unconciously made herself feel unworthy) to finally becomming worthy and the hero she was meant to be. This is pure speculation on my part but I like to think that her feelings of not seeing herself as a hero and as unworthy come from feeling that she could never live up to her dad. Because when she finally becomes worthy she talks about how she isn't her father and how she'll never be, but that she's Brigid and that's she's worthy. It's definetely a character that I would love to see be explored more in the future. Another thing that i really liked is how present Captain Marvel's reaction to the future mirrors that of her future version. It was cool to see the parallels between that. I do love these arcs where Carol gets trapped in a completely different enviroment and is forced to adapt. It really shows her skills as a hero in such a great way. The way she is able to adapt, strategize, form alliances and ultimately overcome whatever is thrown at her. It's so fun to read! Her transformation at the end after being powered up by Brigid was also incredibly cool, the design was so unique and looked so powerful. I was stunned when the I turned the page and they revealed her new powered up look. It feels like an early version of her permanent transformation in 'Captain Marvel: The End' in some ways. It also interestingly had some elements from her suit in the 'Last Avenger' arc. I also liked her dynamic with Emma Frost, they're a very fun duo to watch at times. I do am excited for the opportunities that could come out of this arc. Now that Carol knows about the end of the world and how it happens. Will she try to prevent it? And can she? I really wonder if that's where this run will be heading. Slowly building up to the moment that destroyed earth and how she'll try to prevent it. I definitely do get a feeling that's what they're setting up to be the finale of this run. So i'm curious to see if I'll be right about that. I would love to see it happen because it would give 'Captain Marvel: The End' even more meaning. I love that they made that comic play such an importance in this arc and run. It's really cool to see it tie in so perfectly despite it being a standalone story that isn't attached to anything. It's also super clever and if it does end up playing an even more important role it's going to be awesome to see. It's also going to be interesting to see what they'll do with Ove, now that he's in the present. I hope that they'll follow up on that as they never really followed up on the Nuclear Man & Som storyline (maybe they still will who knows!). Funnily enough I feel like those two arcs have a lot in common in terms of story. I also wanted to point is that I love the small costume redesigns all of Carol's friends got. They look really cool and Hazmat new suit in particular really stood out to me. I will say it is kind of funny how the star on Captain Marvel's costume seems to get bigger with each arc. Finally the Carol & Rhodey breakup was pretty interesting to me and I get where Carol is coming from. Seeing the future and realizing that you aren't meant for each other must really hurt, especially when you meet his future daughter. And I totally get that Carol doesn't want to stand in the way of that daughter being born. At the same I understand Rhodey being upset over Carol throwing away their relationship over a potential future that might not exist. It's a pretty complex issue to break up over so I wonder how they'll handle Carol & Rhodey dealing with it. As both of them seem to be in a pretty rough spot at the end of this arc.

This was a pretty fun arc and I love how it tied in so well to 'Captain Marvel: The End'! It was great to see all the characters from that comic back while introducing amazing new ones like Brigid. She definitely was the standout character for me in this. I absolutely love this run's ability to create new characters that are instantly interesting and makes you want to learn more about them. Enchantress in this was also really interesting and I loved her struggle with both loving and fearing her son, it was really interesting to see her struggle with supporting her son in what he wanted but still doing it because she loves him as a mother. All in all this arc had a lot of amazing moments in it and all the characters in it were great (despite it sometimes being hard to keep track of everyone). I am really excited to see what they'll do now that Carol has learned about what the future has in store and now that Ove is in the present!

#comics #marvel #earth 616 #captain marvel #carol danvers

[earthbovndmisfit]

@untitledfredd8​​ from this post (wanted to reply there, but it got a bit too long, so I felt it’d be better to just make a separate post instead lol)

Mutual pining would be sooooo funny

Imagine if it drives Erina and Speedwagon's friends crazy seeing them act like this around each other

They team up to hatch more and more elaborate schemes to make Jonathan and Speedwagon acknowledge their feelings for each other

Dang now I kind of want a fic like that

That's exactly how I view it too!

Like, it was pretty obvious that Speedwagon's friends knew about Spw's crush on Jonathan by the time they all went to visit Jonathan at the hospital. And it makes sense to think so since not only Speedwagon is never subtle about his feelings for Jonathan, no matter how hard he tries (or if he even tries, in the first place lol) but, also!!! one of the literal first things Spw does in his inner monologues after being defeated by Jojo is declare his "deep fondness" for Jonathan in his very Speedwagon-like manner. Given the closeness between him and the rest of his gang, it's easy to see that the very next time they hung around together (which, thanks to the 3 day window we're given in this mini arc, can be inferred happened precisely during that trip to the hospital) one of the two happened:

Speedwagon openly told them about his crush (considering his mannerisms, his actions and the heavy gay coding and writing of his character, it's very likely that they all knew already that he's gay). Or...

He didn't even get the chance to do it because his crush was so freaking obvious that they all knew before Robert could even start telling them about it.

Whichever it may have been, there seems to be a sense of equality among the Ogre Street gang despite their roles and hierarchy (can’t remember if i’ve addressed this here, but I might do later on or if anyone’s interested??), and they seem to treat each other more as friends than "the leader and his subordinates", at least when they're in private or away from the rest of Speedwagon's men (those who happen to be his actual subordinates and aren't as close to him). With that in mind, I have no doubts they totally played matchmaker, often looking for opportunities to have the two together and then "casually remembering" they have to go fetch something somewhere and making up excuses to leave the two alone for a while. It always drives them nuts when they come back and the tension between Jonathan and Spw is like So Fucking High but neither have made any moves (yet). Which is...kind of a surprise at first, at least in Speedwagon’s case. With all his experience, he's probably had boyfriends before, so he's not new to everything -good and bad- that comes along with being a gay man in 19th century England. However, there's still the fact that something like that could mar and even obliterate Jonathan's reputation forever (which was a big deal back then, affecting most aspects of a person's life), and now it makes more sense to them all just why Spw is holding back so freaking much. He doesn't want to ruin Jonathan's life, let alone be the actual reason for it. Bonus panic points if Speedwagon hasn't realized that Jonathan is bi/pan (or happens to be in the “it must be my imagination” stage, so to speak), because Spw might be fearing to not only be rejected but he might also be fearing a very negative response from Jonathan upon letting him know that he's gay. And like... the Ogre Street gang would have probably left things there and just pretend nothing happened if that was really the case, but they too can see that Jonathan is holding back, and that love is written all over his face too whenever him and Robert are together, so they are definitely not letting this go!! Not when the two seem so close to each other and this enamored, despite these two dorks being too oblivious/Far Too Worried to fully acknowledge their feelings and make a move (I’m sure Jonathan also knows Robert is gay but, still, back then, that topic was something you didn’t address unless you were 10000% sure it was alright to do so, as it could be taken as a “great offense”). And it's pretty much the same on Erina's side with Jonathan, and how obvious it is to anyone around him just how Speedwagon is enamored with Jonathan too.

I'm even thinking of Erina having a little chat with Speedwagon's friends at some point, basically joining forces to make Jona and Spw talk things out and confess their feelings once and for all, and I actually love the idea of it.

#jjba #jonathan joestar #speedwagon #jonawagon #phantom blood #untitledfredd8 #implied #jonaeri #and #erijonawagon #robert e.o. speedwagon #jonaspeed #speedstar #speedjona #jojo #jojo no kimyou na bouken #long post #ship analysis #ship analysis: jonawagon #meta

[mymostimaginaryfriend]

QoTS 5x02 Reaction Post

My brain has basically been Jeresa airhorns since the episode aired lmao but I’m going to try to add some Thoughts to my liveblog from last night.  Here goes:

First of all thank you to @gild-and-fire​ for making this tag meme for me that is ALREADY coming in handy.

Iiiiiiiinteresting that the moment James’ name is cleared the Ice Queenpin of last week thawed quite a bit, right?  Sure the trademark cool under pressure business dealings were there for Teresa (including a bit of ruthlessness) but in very calculated, ultimately successful way rather than terrifying.

James is back like what? 48 hours and already throwing up speed bumps for the descent of Teresa’s soul.  It’s gonna be a tough job, but if anyone can do it....

How to say I love you without saying I love you: Some guys bring you flowers, some bring you a personal army.

This episode was a Jeresa Callback All U Can Eat Buffet

There were SO many from the greatest hits: Take Care of Yourself, You too / “Smart” / You Deserve That / I Want You to Stay etc.  to even visual cues from past Jeresa scenes - the talk outside about going to NYC / 2x04, the lunge into the kiss from 3x09.  And of course the cigarette scene that @medievalraven​ goes over in her great meta.  It was an episode tailor made for parallel gifsets. 

I’m kinda shocked they didn’t add a driving together scene for old times sake.  Still holding out hope for a S5 Jeresa adventure episode too.

These two, as ever, are so so soft and so so stupid lmao.  But even with the interruptions of their private scenes, they packed SO much in. And I loved how you could both tell they’d learned from their past miscommunications.

They were a little rusty at first - doing that thing they do approaching it from an angle instead of head on - T: “You didn’t have to come back.”  J: “Yeah I did.”   T: “Are you staying?” J: “Do you want me to stay?” But right out of the gate James is like this is what I feel, I need you to verbalize what you want from me. Which by end of the episode Teresa does.

But then he says “these Russians are animals” and you can practically SEE Teresa visualizing his death in her head so she’s like "you should go”.

LOL at James playing the emotional game of chicken with THE master of the game Teresa Mendoza.  Him being like “Okay I’ll pack...this is me walking to the bed slowly...packing...to leave...this is me leaving....and I’m going to wander around the house...slowly... in case anyone needs anything...just in case...do a shot with Pote...get to know Chicho...oh hey, I’m already packed let’s go to NYC” lol.

“I’m a quick healer” If only, my friend.

The laugh!!! the smiles!! the heart eyes!! the “people who you love” meaningful eye contact!!

The KISS - THE LUNGE - THE WAY JAMES CUPS HER HEAD WITH HIS HAND AND THEY TILT THEIR FOREHEADS TOGETHER - THE WAY JAMES TOUCHES HIS LIP AFTER LIKE WE’RE IN GODDAMNED PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!

The smoking scene.  Poor James was probably thinking of a victory celebration a la 3x09 like “will my stitches hold for that?? Lets find out” and then

Teresa comes out with a CLEAR “I want you to stay”!!!! growth.gif

Only to  drop the (albeit heart eyes included) hammer of “You and me can’t happen.”

I love how James didn’t technically agree.

Can’t wait to see if Teresa caves physically or emotionally first....

Just gonna leave these lines here: “I thought we could be like normal people” / “Get lost for awhile, get these hands clean” / “[change] is the only way to survive in this life” / “we can’t happen...maybe in some other life but not this one.”  Mmmhmmmmmm.  

Non Jeresa stuff:

I really like Oscar the Dominican so far.

Teresa’s “We can double our business or go to war. These are my terms.” CLASSIC Teresa smarts with Queenpin power...I loved it.

The judge: “You’ll be the next Mexican I set on fire”. He can’t just die now, his death better top Cortez’s death by chainsaw b/c this had me ready to drive to NOLA and do it myself.

I loved the expression on James face when Oksana said “[Kostya] wasn’t sure you’d save my life.” LOL like saving other ppl’s lives is kinda what Teresa does, if only I could get Teresa to save her own.

Is the Oksana stuff legit?? It felt really convenient that the “sleeper cell” was dead before Teresa could talk to them.  Were they really rogue or did Oksana just kill off everyone who knew otherwise?  We’ll see. Kostya agreed to her new terms for now.

I loved that of all the many conflicts introduced in the first ep (James, NYC Russians/Dominican rivalry, waterfront $$, the kill team, etc) so many had some sort of resolution or solid movement FORWARD in this episode.  That’s something I really missed from the earlier seasons: mini conflicts that had a 2-3 episode arc instead of *cough* dragging out all season (s4).

Speaking of which, Boaz’s sixth sense of when things are going too well for Teresa remains unparalleled lol.  But I can’t wait to see what JT does next. He’s killing it. Maybe literally...

And now.....the baby news.

At first I was too happy to get an extended James and Pote conversation to care but is anyone else kinda irked that it was POTE who shared the Tony story? I get it story wise w/ his own Tony redemption opportunity on the horizon with KA’s pregnancy they wanted to get that “this world is not for a child they make you weak and vulnerable” ominous foreshadowing in there but oof.  I wish it had been a Teresa/James convo first. 

A baby can be a catalyst for a lot of things (as if Teresa isn’t already feeling the pressure to get legit fast) but what I’m wondering is this:  If it comes down to protecting pregnant Kelly Anne or Teresa, in the heat of the moment, who will Pote choose? He violently reacted to the incarcerated teen boys and that was before he knew KA’s news.   

I’m glad James stayed.  Teresa needs someone who is focused on HER safety alone and as evidenced many times this episode, she definitely will need it.

CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE MARCEL BACK NEXT WEEK!

#queen of the south #qots #qots spoilers #qots lb #my reaction posts #qots season 5

[cruciatusforeplay]

Do you know of a comprehensive list of Hawkeye appearances in the comics, with summaries?

So when I first saw this ask I thought "a comprehensive list of Hawkeye? With summaries? That is absolutely madness, who would have done that?"

I had a quick glance at Marvel Unlimited and found there was over 500 issues listed under Hawkeye (and that's not considering his time spent under other names, or alternative universes, or Kate Bishop doing her thing) and confirmed to myself that a comprehensive list would indeed be completely unmanageable. So obviously I decided to give it a go.

I absolutely cannot give you an entire rundown, because ya boy's been busy, but I can try to give you a little bit of an overview. (Head's up, I said "little" but that was a lie. This is a BIG post and I'm hoping it might give you some key points for Clint's comic career and his background which will hopefully be useful for figuring out which comics to read or anyone writing canon-based fanfic)

A not-so-brief history of Hawkeye in Comics (spoilers below the cut)

First appearance: Tales of Suspense #57 (1964)

We run into Clint working at Carson's Carnival, where he is being underappreciated by the audience and very unhappy about it. He's a proactive lad, so he makes himself a new costume and arrows to be utterly unforgettable. He accidentally gets himself implicated in a crime and meets the Black Widow. They become allies and he uses trick arrows and nearly manages to take out Iron Man, but must abandon his plans to save Black Widow from a blast of his own arrow. He kicks off as an enemy to Stark basically. There is also a bunch of Iron Man shenanigans happening here and it's a fun read.

He sticks around as a villain for two more issues in Tales of Suspense #60 and #64 (1964 and 1965).

First appearance as an Avenger: Avengers #16 (1965)

Clint shows up about halfway through and has determined that he'd like to be an Avenger instead now, thanks. He tells them a little about his doomed love with Nat and how she paid the price and they decide they're on board. He is introduced to the press. There's a bunch of other Avenger member swapping around in this issue (and if you want the most of it, you should start with issue 15 because it's a direct follow up story wise)

He's a key member of the Avengers from hereon in and features in most issues. He spends his time shooting arrows and having problems with authority (particularly Cap)

Key background: Avengers #19 (1965)

This issue gives us a bunch of background on Clint. The Swordsman shows up wanting to be an Avenger (because he wants an Avengers ID - yes really). Clint objects and we find out Clint's an orphan and that the Swordsman took him in and trained him at Carson's Carnival. Clint then caught him stealing from the circus and they fight where he leaves Clint for dead. It's a big old betrayal. The Swordsman then spends the rest of comic kidnapping and trying to kill Cap, so all round that's a no on the Avengers ID.

Hawkeye quits the Avengers: Avengers #109 (1973)

Hawkeye doesn't like that Scarlet Witch and Vision are in a relationship, and essentially he plays the jealous jilted lover who throws a tantrum (door slamming included). He quits the Avengers, immediately realises he didn't actually love Wanda after all. He spends his fresh downtime teaching The Champion archery, who then promptly betrays him. The Avengers come to the rescue.

His involvement in the Avengers is spotty over the next decade.

Hawkeye gets Hitched: Hawkeye #1-4 (1983)

This is Clint's first solo run. It's important for two reasons. He meets Mockingbird who he marries by the end of the run, in what can be described as an enemies to lovers speed-run. This is also the series where Clint is originally deafened; he has to make a sacrifice play with one of his own sonic arrows which is how he ends up deafened. There are some other classic Clint moments: he starts the run by getting dumped, he rides on the skycycle/sky-sled and he ends up with his outfit getting mostly ripped off more than once. We also get some background about him and his brother Barney running from the orphanage to join circus, how Barney got him to hospital after the incident with the Swordsman, and we find out that Clint didn't speak to his brother for years and that he's dead now. Honestly this run is great fun and I have a big soft spot for it.

The West Coast Avengers: West Coast Avengers #1-4 (1984)

Clint helps found and then leads the West Coast Avengers with his wife Mockingbird. This is another mini series, but it led to a much longer run starting the following year that ended in 1994. Real talk: I've only skimmed this iteration of WCA but what I've seen is campy fun, the skycycle is back, Clint really settles into being a leader and the sun is always shining. Special shout out to Tigra who is a bad-ass in this mini series. During the longer run, Clint and Bobbi's marriage is put through the ringer amongst other things, and they eventually separate. Truthfully there is a lot of other stuff going on regarding their relationship in that run and onwards. If their marriage is something you want to know more about I recommend checking out the full summary listed at the back of Hawkeye and Mockingbird #1 (2010) - it starts on page 22 of that issue - be aware it contains major spoilers for later stories.

Key background: Solo Avengers #1-5 (1987)

We get to meet Clint's other circus mentor here: Trickshot aka Buck Chisholm. You'll be shocked to hear that Clint gets betrayed. We kick things off with some circus shenanigans where his charity performance/showing off opportunity is interrupted by mercs sent to kill him, by Trickshot wanting to settle a debt. The second issue presents us with a lengthy flashback where we find out Hawkeye's dirty secret: it wasn't actually the Swordsman who taught him archery, but instead an actual archer called Trickshot. We see Clint get trained up only to be immediately pushed into a life of crime where he ends up shooting his own brother. Buck then shoots Clint when Clint wants to take his brother Barney to hospital. Trickshot is shown to have an unsavoury taste for killing for pleasure and promises to kill Clint when he's got something to lose. In addition we also get some flashbacks to Clint's abusive home situation and his time in care before joining the circus. The next two issues cover a side story that honestly doesn't lead anywhere or get resolved by the end of the run. Issue #5 (which is the first of this run available on Marvel Unlimited if that's how you're reading) then brings you into the real action. For reasons that aren't entirely clear, Clint spends this entire issue in only his undershorts. There's some fun archer Vs archer antics, before an emotional reveal where Trickshot begs Hawkeye to end his life because he has cancer and doesn't want a slow death. Trick has a cry, Clint refuses to kill him and instead they have a comforting cuddle on a beach under a sunset. It's an unusual run, but Trickshot will show up again later in Clint's arc, and it's got a lot of fun quips and action sequences.

Quick note on the 90s

In my opinion, the 90s weren't real good to Clint. He had a couple of solo runs, but imo nothing with major substance, or character development so I'm skipping them. If you want to know what you're missing check out Hawkeye #1-4 (1994) aka Clint broods in Canada and there are wolves, and Hawkeye: World's Mightiest Marksman #1 (1998) aka Clint is stubborn and goes head to head with Taskmaster.

Key background: Hawkeye #1-6 (2003)

This series, which has Clint travelling on a motorcycle in order to find the best chilli and sporting some 90s boyband hair, also gives us some really great insight into his and Barney's relationship. We get snapshots in amongst the rest of the story of Barney being the moral compass for Clint. We see Barney getting his GED while Clint works on archery, and later we see Buck encouraging Clint into crime and Barney telling him it's wrong. We get another retelling of the Swordsman story, this time with both Buck and Barney coming to rescue Clint. While Clint's broken leg is healing, Barney tells him he's joining the army and Clint should come with. Clint says no, then changes his mind, but ends up missing the bus. We again see Clint on a job with Buck where he shoots a guard only to realise it's Barney, and is subsequently shot by Trickshot for wanting to help Barney. They both make it to hospital. Clint asks what happened and Barney tells him "guess you are what you are." Years later we see Clint at Barney's grave and are informed that he was involved with the mob. Clint is upset, only to then be informed Barney was actually working undercover for the FBI. These snapshots are my favourite part of the entire series. The rest of the series focuses on Clint doing some detective style work and shooting arrows. If this is the first run you've checked out since the WCA or Solo Avengers runs, you'll note this is very different in both art and story style. There was a definite shift in the 90s that brought us closer to the style we have today.

Clint doesn't have any solo runs for a while, but he is involved in a bunch of bigger stories which we'll take look at in part two of this post.

The MCU push and key background

In the lead up to the movie premiere of Avengers Assemble (2012), Marvel produced a lot of content for the Big Six as promo to their preexisting market. Hawkeye and Mockingbird #1-6 (2010), Widow maker #1-4 (2010) and Hawkeye Blindspot #1-4 (2011) follow on directly from one another, though you could read any of them independently and the first two are less about Clint. Avengers Solo #1-5 (2011) also featured during this time. All but Blindspot are simple action comics without any lasting impact for Hawkeye. Blindspot has a pretty comprehensive rundown on Clint's history including his abusive dad, the circus, the Swordsman, Trickshot, his relationship with Cap and the Avengers, him becoming Goliath and some very important information regarding his brother and their relationship, all woven into a well paced plot. Additionally, he's going blind. There is a lot of story in these four issues. It also provides the foundation on which Fraction set his run, so it's a good story for anyone who had any unanswered questions regarding the start point for Hawkeye (2012).

The Fraction/Aja Run: Hawkeye #1-21 (2012)

This is the big one. Either you're here because you've read it and now you love this idiot, or you want to start reading Hawkeye. This is where you start. I'm not gonna summarise this one because everyone deserves to read it without spoilers. But I'll say this: this is Clint when he's not being an Avenger. He's messy and relatable and he loves dogs. This is a character defining run and it is one of my all time favourite comics. There is so much good stuff in here and I could talk for hours about it. Go forth and feast your eyes.

If I've missed anything major, or listed something incorrectly or you just have some Clint related opinions that I need to know about, do hit me up.

I've run out of images, so this post will continue in part 2 which you can read here.

#clint barton #deaf clint barton #hawkeye comics #marvel comics #let's talk about comics #comics #hawkeye #hawkguy #hawkguy and other costumes

[sparklespectres]

Prediction for Agony of a Witch (maybe?):

Okay so I had like a mini prediction thingy for Agony of a Witch that wasn’t like serious or anything at first like I was just like thinking about stuff because people were talking about Amity not being in the episode but:

What if Amity doesn’t go on the field trip with everyone else because of the broken leg, but stays at the school and when everyone gets back and Luz (and Willow and Gus maybe?) aren’t there she had to be the one to go to Eda and be like “Hey, they’re missing??” I figure it’s either that or Eda’s *Luz is in trouble* senses will just go off on their own, but I would just like to see more interaction between them. (For added angst, when she gets to the owl house, Eda’s curse is in like full effect)

Another possibility has just come to my mind as a result of the end of WiLW. The whole Amity, Willow, and Gus just coming to the owl house to hang out thing seems like it’s going to be more common in the future, and I think that was done for two big reasons (among many other smaller ones): 1. So that there can be more interaction between Luz’s Hexside friends and her Owl House friends so that it doesn’t feel like one group or the other is just getting pushed to the side all the time. 2. To give Amity another safe space (like her hideout in the library, but the owl house has friends and isn’t closed at certain times). So maybe, in next week’s episode, she doesn’t go to school at all because she knows she can’t go on the field trip, and that no one would be at Hexside anyways. She decides to just stay home, but doesn’t want to deal with her parents (because they’re mad at her for going against her “friends” in grudgby or for some other random reason) so she decides to go to the owl house because, even if Luz isn’t there, it beats staying at Blight Manor with them.

She gets to the owl house, and Eda is the only person there (I’m pretty sure King is going to go with Luz? I feel like I saw promo images that had Lillith holding King and Luz going to attack her, and although that could be from Young Blood, Old Souls, I think the two episodes are going to flow into each other, but correct me if I’m wrong). After a few minutes of either awkward silence or mindless banter Amity mentions her sadness about not being able to go on the field trip, maybe saying something about how it would’ve upped her chances of getting into the emperor’s coven. Eda, being like she is, expresses her disdain for the EC and for the coven system in general, which causes the two of them to get into a fight. Eda starts to say something about how annoying it is that Lillith has been chasing her down and trying to get her to join, which Amity reacts to by questioning why Eda would ever give up that opportunity (or something to that effect). This leads into Eda talking about what she can remember of her past. We know that at one point she did want to be in the EC, and I think that we’re going to find out more about what changed/what they did to make her feel the way she does now (I think it’s deeper than just “I want to do all of the types of magic but not have to enforce other people on their use of magic”, whether it’s just a more detailed explanation of that or some specific event happened to change her mind.), and we might find out a little bit of how that ties in to the curse. From that point, Eda and Amity finish talking, and they realize that Luz probably should have been back at this point, which starts the plot of the finale.

(Alternatively, when Amity gets to TOH Eda is in her cursed form and Amity has to help her (maybe hooty or Owlbert helps her find the elixir and she manages to get it to work) and then as a result bc Amity is confused and stuff that’s how Eda starts explaining stuff.)

This makes a lot of sense for Eda. The only two possible ways I can think of Eda’s backstory being revealed are her telling someone else about what she remembers of it, or it being totally in flashbacks (but flashbacks might not fit well with the episode and make it flow strangely, depending on how they’re done). One more possibility is that we find out stuff from Lillith, but who knows. I couldn’t see her telling stuff about her past to anyone, let alone just one of Luz’s friends, but if it was in the heat of the moment during an arguement, I could definitely see it happening. I don’t think we’re going to get every little detail (if my memory serves me correctly, Eda has had trouble with her memory, so it’d be hard for her to tell her whole backstory, but I think she does remember parts.)

It also makes a lot of sense in terms of Amity’s character arc. Although her feelings for Luz are adorable, and Luz is definitely helping her to change for the better, her influence can only go so far. Amity has probably been being conditioned by her parents to want to join the EC for as long as she’s been able to understand the words that they were saying to her, and a crush is not going to make that all go away immediately, as much as some of us may want it to. But hearing Eda’s experiences and opinions that show the cracks in the perfect image that the EC is trying to portray might guide her more in that direction. We don’t know if Amity is going to be going against the emperor any time soon, but it’s a possibility if something like this happened. Especially if immediately after that talk that she may (or may not ) have with Eda, she has to go help Luz escape being kidnapped or just generally help her fight against the EC, which would be the final push. Whether or not this specific prediction ends up being true in any way, I think that Eda is definitely going to play a role in Amity’s eventual realization that the EC isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Although it may be easy to recognize the similarities between Amity and Lillith or Eda and Luz, Amity and Eda also have many similarities, and I think there’s a reason for that.

Maybe I just really want Amity to be in the episode and am just coming up with random ways for that to happen, but doesn’t it make sense for her to be? At this point, the main cast has been established to be Luz, Eda, King, Willow, Gus, and Amity (+Hooty and Owlbert if I’m being nice), and we know that all of the others are probably going to be in the next episode (or Young Blood, Old Souls, but like I said earlier I think they’re going to go together, so I’m kind of imagining them as one mega-episode), so why would Amity be the only one left out during the finale? It just doesn’t make sense with how present she’s been in season 1b leading up to this, how WiLW was kind of her final push over to the good side, and especially how connected she is to the EC and Lillith. It would just be weird to keep her out (unless they’re saving that for next season and are just trying to avoid it for now).

I could be totally wrong as well! We don’t have that many promo images and a lot of people think that Eda’s curse is going to be in full effect in Agony of a Witch (the title of the episode kind of alludes to that), so Amity could totally just not be in the episode, or she could be with Luz and co.! (I do find the fact that they broke her leg right before the finale suspicious though.)

I just want to put a little disclaimer here: This is my first time writing a big prediction like this since my svtfoe days (the last time I did something was probably like a year and a half ago, and anything I ever did then was just as a caption on Instagram), and I didn’t really expect this to be as long as it is, so if the formatting of this post sucks, that’s why. Also, I know most people won’t do this, but if you’re tempted to reply to this by saying something like “I think you’re looking too far into it,” or “that doesn’t really make sense,” or anything else like that, please don’t. Trust me, I know! Over analyzing stuff and coming up with predictions that may not be close to canon, but could still be interesting, is fun for me, and I think reading them is fun for a lot of people, and I am in no way trying to make it seem like this is what is going to happen. Also, I put anything that was in parentheses in different colors to break it up because it can be confusing and I use them way too much lol.

#the owl house #toh #toh prediction #the owl house predictions #edalyn clawthorne #amity blight #eda toh #amity toh

[bourbon-ontherocks]

(Previously, on GG rewatch...)

Am I ready for the dubby? Probably not. But let’s dive in anyway.

Aaaaah, this early morning edit... The sexiest OTP of this show... Beth x sleep. Hey, I did not invent this! It's canon!!

Okay, Jane/Emma's recital must have been SUPER SHORT, like, Beth didn't leave the theatre for more than literally two minutes!

Man, Turner is SAVAGE in this ep!!

Oh my God, I can't believe the whole dubby thing started because Dean decided to throw a tantrum!! Once again, Dean is the captain of the Brio ship and I'm so down for it!!!

I can't understand, why does Beth have to get up so early if all the drops happen at night???

I'm not a parent so this is probably a stupid thing to point out, but isn't that a great opportunity for Beth to start teaching her daughter how to sleep without her dubby?

"The stupid thing is, I can't live without her" and here we go, the grand circus of Dean's redemption arc has started... Ugh, kill me

I really want to slap Ben in the face so hard this season...

Beth face timing Annie while she's lying on the kitchen floor is honestly an underrated comedy moment

I love Ruby's bullshit about the shady house's porch so much!

"nowadays that is really not cool." "I mean, was it ever?" MAE'S DELIVERY IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also Beht's whole power speech is soooo fun to watch, she's so blatantly getting off on this, mini-Rio, I'm telling you...

THE!! LADY!! KNITTING!! A!! SCARF!! FOR!! HER!! CAT!!! She has to be my favourite ephemeral character from the show!!! Petition to bring her and Kevin back in Season 4! Also, I LOVE that Beth gets started on her angry spiral just when the store's employee drops a whole new batch of wool

Oh hi Noah!! I think it’s safe to say that we ALL saw coming that he was the new manager, Annie... Never spit on your workplace in front of new coworkers until you're sure you can trust them that's rule number one. Also. I love baby Tyler!!!

"Kids get lost, Beth" is either the wisest or dumbest thing I've ever heard coming out from Dean’s mouth. This show really pulled on an absurd vibe this season...

Is it me or is Beth going alone with no phone to the house of armed potential kidnappers literally the stupidest move she's ever made?? Even if she tries to convince Rio on her way?

Stan's face when Dean suggests they pull a little murder task force with a few cops speaks for the entire fandom.

In what universe has the police already arrived before anyone thinks about checking the closet??? Also, petition to allow Jane to cross the street next season!

Hahaha, clearly Noah has no fucking idea of what being a grocery store manager means!!

Ugh, Dean saying "Elizabeth" gives me chills. The wrong kind.

You know what, seeing Beth pouring herself a bourbon gives me THOUGHTS, now...

So I have a question: is the krav maga instructor a joke or is he messing around with Dean? Cause he HAS TO know that "his friend" is absolute bullshit right?

AWWWWWWWW HE YELLED AT HER AND MADE HER CRY BEFORE HE WENT BACK FOR THE DUBBY!!!!! THIS IS THE TEXTBOOK DEFINITION OF HURT/COMFORT!!!! GO GET HIM BETH, OUR BOI IS IN HIS FEELINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #agirlcandream

How did Beth's giant book club calendar fit in Ruby's tiny purse???? It doesn't look that folded, and I bet she didn't leave Beth's house with it tucked under her arm...

#gg rewatch #the dubby #aka THE SOFTEST THING WE'LL EVER SEE BETWEEN BETH AND RIO #aside from that I found that this episode lacked a bit of rythm??? #like the drug house is a GREAT scene #and the dubby is unforgettable #and the knitting lady!!!! <3 <3 #but that's pretty much all I'll remember from that ep #I really hate this Annie/Ben dynamic #and I have no interest in kids shenanigans sooo #(seriously the knitting lady scene must have been so fun to shoot)

[aceandart]

Hey! I read your recent post and it read differently to a lot of posts under the destiel tag as of now. Personally, I’ve seen the first 5 seasons (watched it about 5 yrs ago), but haven’t been caught up to date on any of the recent stuff other than the Destiel apocalypse that’s happening right now. Could you explain the following?

“...mostly being this show is a misogynistic racist homophobic consent issue-ridden pile of bad writing “.

I was contemplating returning to the show and tuning in for the missing seasons, but what you said about it has now placed me on the fence. Could you elaborate and advise?

Thank you so much! I appreciate seeing an honest post that doesn’t sugar-coat or overlook bad writing/negative characteristics of a show!! :)

[re this]

Hi!

Well, I feel like the finale probably took care of any fence-sitting you were doing (and sorry I couldn't reply sooner), but actually my answer wasn't going to change even if the finale was okay (good, imo, was always a stretch): No, I personally would not recommend watching this show. and while my answer is mostly because of the things I am going to list to answer the rest of this question, I was also going to say - you dropped the show in s5 and that was five years ago? Whatever caused you to drop it in the first place, it probably got a lot worse. (It literally doesn't even matter what your major grievance was, they have since doubled, tripled down in terms of how bad it was.) Trying to marathon through ten seasons (20-23 episodes long each) is hard; trying to marathon through all of that to get something without a satisfactory ending is a lot of emotional labor for no payout. It's not just that this is a bad show (though it really, really is, on every level); it's that you have already tried it, you tried arguably the better seasons of it, and you still didn't want to stick to it. By the nature of how tumblr works, it can make anything look so much better than it is, just because in general the people you see hyping it up *like* the product, have decided to devote their fandom time to it, are highlighting the choicest parts of it. spn was always about the potential around the edges, the story fans made of it; the actual product was always secondary to the could have, should have beens, and this gets truer the later into the show you get. I'm not saying there weren't some great episodes, some great scenes, and even some great mini-arcs, but it was a drop in the bucket to everything else. and I'm positing this answer on the idea that you are asking because you want to watch the show, and not because you want to use the show as a supplemental for your fandom experience, but if it is the latter, I'll just say I'm currently heavily involved in reading fanfic for a fandom I've never actually watched a whole episode for, and while I'm probably missing some context I'm still highly enjoying it. fandom, honestly, so often becomes so much more than the bones we build it on. and if you want a little more, catch some "greatest hits" videos or catch up on just some of the “must-see” episodes and save yourself from having to watch all the moments in-between, because there are a lot more of them than the good parts. very few shows improve as they age out, and before the nov 5th resurgence if you weren't already following spn blogs, likely the main spn meme you were coming across was the annual 'salt and burn this dead horse' that went out after each season renewal. the tl;dr answer is really, it's not worth it. (to be honest, at the end of the day, despite the sheer amount of time, energy, and words I've put into this fandom over the years, and I put in a lot, I didn't actually like the majority of the show. so, you know, grain of salt on my opinion. then again, you left it seasons before I did.) That said, buckle up, cause now I'm gonna tell you why:

Literally, The Shitty Writing

I feel like the finale speaks for this point by itself, but before I get into all the "problematic" bad writing spn does, I want to talk about the fact that the writers are also just fundamentally bad at the craft of writing.

continuity errors. they’d change their lore/creature ability to fit their plot. (the reapers esp got the end of that bad stick.)  the characters will often forget (monster-slaying) solutions that worked before (holy wood, yarrow, christo, creative approaches like exorcisms on recording, spells to remove angels from their vessels, bullet with a devil’s trap, etc).  the writers forgot their own timeline more than once. the random retcons they'd do. sometimes it would also lead to plot holes.

which, speaking of, they had plenty of

there's also things that don't count as plot holes but are very large missed opportunities (ex: Dean spends a year in Purgatory and no one recognizes him? he doesn't bring up his daughter?)

I don't even know what this one would fall under, but if a character wasn't right in front of them, they would forget that character's existence. not just Adam (though that was a big one), but there were so many secondary characters that even in places it would make sense to mention them, much less bring them around, they didn't. or because they would not expand their main character list, characters who should have been around a lot more than they were (*cough* Cas, but that's an easy one, I'm also talking about characters like Kevin) would have these huge gaps between episodes that didn't make sense

they don't really have character development. this isn't to say the brothers don't change, they do, but at the same time the characters face the exact same (internal) arguments over and over again, never resolving or growing from them; they just have more examples when they think about them and it gets worse and more unhealthy because of the new weight added to it. the problem with their brothers only format, and the problem with their biphobia but more on that later, is that Dean wasn't actually allowed to grow out of his John Winchester's son role, to let himself be comfortable (and dare to be happy) with himself because that meant changing the story into something they didn't like and/or didn't know how to do. at the same time, allowing Sam to grow meant breaking the Brothers Only format, because as the show stated multiple times, Sam's happy ending did not involve hunting.

and with that, they sometimes flattened the characters so badly they became caricatures more than anything else.  hell there's a whole season where Dean goes evil, and people had a hard time realizing it, which was not because it was a subtle slow descent but because shitty pacing, uneven (and contradictory) episodes, previous actions that weren't written as being evil but were the the exact same thing as when he was evil that were supposed to be "signs", and how they chose to represent that evil meant it was really hard to figure out that was what they were doing and not just writing Dean as more of an asshole than they previously were.  (he's not evil, he's just a prick.) and I don't mean I had trouble telling, I mean fandom as a whole had major arguments about it, much less the general viewing public.

the series finale put a definite end to the idea they would follow through on even one of their main series themes (family don't end in blood, free will vs destiny, always keep fighting, etc), but this was something they would build up to addressing and then just anti-climatically let fizzle out in multiple seasons. character and relationship themes (not just destiel but the brothers co/counter-dependency, the importance of found family, Dean's growth from Daddy's Blunt Little Instrument and Sam's acceptance that he deserves better/agency in his own life, etc) would be built and broken down in an effort to drag the question out into another season. it wasn't two steps forward, one step back, it was a reboot.

their filler vs arc episode ratios: there's nothing wrong with the Monster of the Week format as a stylistic choice, but this show

a) would kill its own plot momentum to focus on MotW episodes. [part of this is the general spn problem they created of constantly trying to one-up their season's Big Bad, which I understand but also means one episode they are going against The Most Powerful Being in Existence (for the Fifth Time) and then rather than focus on that world-ending threat, they hunt vampires for like six episodes straight. they had a very bad balance where rather than continuously weave the larger arc into the season, or at least build characters and relationships, they'd jam it all around the season premiere, finale, and mid-season finale/premiere episodes, and then all the rest was just, bullshit cases where nothing got resolved or had a lesson stick around for the next episode, making them very skippable. also more on this under the homophobia section]

b) the filler episodes contradicted themselves and the main plot all the time.

c) sometimes they focused so much on making the b-plot a mirror they forgot to write a coherent a-plot. also: sometimes they focused so much on making the b-plot a mirror they forgot to write a coherent b-plot. 

I cringed my way through more than one episode of dialogue

the recycled plots

more on this in the next sections, but either they didn't notice, actively didn't care, or purposefully chose to overtly and subtly imply or state a bunch of really fucked up things, and then never address them at all

speaking of never addressing anything, I realize this is a fandom vs canon battle in general, but so many things get swept under the rug as they move on to the next issue (ex: Dean put an angel in Sam's body to "heal him", violating his consent and exasperating his issue with telling what reality is - a huge issue from previous season - and once the Mark of Cain story really took over the subject gets dropped.) 

death is so cheap on this show. and I don't just mean that the revolving doorway of resurrections means it's hard to get worked up about a death because (as long as the character was a white man and especially the brothers) there was a high chance they'd be back, and I don't just mean that their Murder Is the First, Last, and Best Solution to Any Issue, Ever means the faceless and not so faceless hoards of villains, monsters, and humans who get caught up in it are just hand waved as one of those things (they have ways of saving vessels and the later into the show the less likely they are to even try), but that there was no point in investing in (esp non-white, male) secondary characters because chances were they'd be dead pretty fast.  I'm honestly shocked characters like Jody (who actually at one point was in the middle of being killed off on-screen and then we didn't see her for eight episodes, so we assumed she was dead) made it until the end.

(speaking of dead characters though, what was with the habit of bringing them back constantly? just don't kill them in the first place! create new ones and let those ones stick around instead!)

when they can't use death as their solution, the other answer the writers fall back on is Deus Ex Machina

buckleming were a writing duo who had their own bingo cards that included things like shitty pacing, OOC-ness, flat one-liners, etc, and the question wasn't if you'd get bingo, it was a question of how often you got it during their episodes. at some point throughout the show, it became hard to tell what was a buckleming episode and what was just another episode in the season.  aka the writing quality went WAY DOWN as a whole

you know the tv trope Idiot Ball? or Idiot Plot?  spn should have it's own page for both. 

they constantly break viewer's trust, which is the basic tenet of what not to do when it comes to telling a story. (again, not just destiel, though the queerbaiting is a major part of it because it happened all the time to avoid actually answering that question.) when a writer violates their character's or story's core identity for a 'twist', it needs to have been carefully built so that it's a surprise to the viewer, not a betrayal. (you may not have seen it coming, but when you look back you can see the groundwork.) these writers, every time, chose the "shocking" choice regardless of how much they need to break canon or character to do so. their twists are either obvious, and/or they don't make sense with the rest of their story/lore of the show, and the viewer is left feeling stupid for believing they have more respect for the audience/characters than they do.

I realize this is pretty subjective, but huge swaths of it are just boring. fandom made the experience of watching it interesting, not the show itself.

and yet, for all of that, the quality of writing (while painful to have to sit through) was not the worst thing about it.

(note for the following: I stopped watching after s11, but I'm sure some if not all of these are still relevant until the very end)

Misogyny and Consent Issues: Is There a Limit? Signs Point to No

there is honestly so much under this topic I don't even know where to start. i'm going to focus on patterns rather than specific incidences, because otherwise I'll be writing this for a week, but just know I can easily provide examples of all of these because this is literally what I spent years writing meta on.

female characters were more likely to die quicker/earlier (esp vs other other male characters with similar reoccurring roles/characterizations), stay dead, and die often at the hands of their loved ones and/or in Stranger Danger situations. they died for man!pain. they died for fodder. they died as a sacrifice. they were turned into love interests (whether that was their original role or not) and then killed. they were put in mortal danger and then not given resolution for several episodes (Schrödinger's death.) they died in ways we've seen male characters survive. their deaths - the violence enacted on them - was constantly, consistently sexualized, and the camera lingered.

when it came to villains the show would go out of its way to kill the female one first, or act like she's the more pressing issue so that the male character could hang around longer (and honestly by male character I often mean specifically Crowley and the season's female villain. not only that but they'd often break canon to kill off a female character, and break canon to save Crowley/a male character)

when you compare the treatment of reoccurring female characters vs male characters who occupied either similar roles or characterizations, female characters were often punished and/or treated poorly for the same attitude and/or actions of their compared male character, who often got not just a (free) pass, but more screen time, dialogue, and development

they have more than once used the story line of underage girl seducing a grown man. (it was a whole season arc even.) this is esp galling when you find out about crew member Jim Michaels, who sexually harassed and assaulted (minor) fans

(btw, not the only crew/cast member to do so! and still be invited to cons!)

Dean Winchester (who is narratively treated as the moral judgement for the show) has blamed more than one rape victim for their assault/trauma. they often get abused (or outright killed) for stopping their abuser. 

Dean is ok with flirting with/leering at barely legal teenage girls. already sketchy when he's 26, really gross when he's in his mid/late thirties 

speaking of Dean. based on past personal experience I'm going to say up front people do not like me saying this, but that doesn't mean what I'm saying is wrong or even based on interpretations: Dean has more than one relationship that if it isn't rape, falls under extreme dubious consent.

there's actually a lot of rape (or "extreme dubious consent") and assault/molestation, both shown and mentioned: Cas and April, the cases were men take away free will and then have sex with the women (Ben Edlund was one of the better writers of series and even he did this a couple of times), Crowley orgy (and demon sex in general), random women in some episodes, Sam and meta!Gen, Becky and Sam, Sam and Lucifer, Dean and Alastair, several monsters (like the siren) and their victims, male characters secretly watching female characters undress/be naked, and so on. Dean was often attacked sexually by men, Sam by women. most of this is never addressed, never treated like what it is, and/or is made into a joke

and there's even more rape jokes beyond that, sub-sections: prison, vessels/demons, angel possession, sex work, childhood abuse, monster of the week, sexuality, etc.  huge chunks if not whole episodes were devoted to making what amounted to a rape joke. 

often ignored non-sexual consent (esp Dean’s actions, including a lot of mind-wiping and violations of body autonomy)

everything about Sam and body autonomy - he is frequently violated (multiple characters have possessed him; he is fed demon blood); how he feels unclean, how he feels disconnected from his own body, how he often is forced to act outside of his control and then blamed for those decisions

actually, Cas goes through that a lot too; he is trained, brainwashed, and forced to do things without his consent, and goes through major depressive episodes because of it

this show has a pattern of girls who are kidnapped, (sexually abused), raised in isolation, and expected to develop some perfect moral compass of acceptable behavior and were then killed off when they didn't. meanwhile, male characters get fourth, fifth chances.

female characters (and I'm talking about ones with speaking roles, who play an actual part in the plot, who are sometimes in multiple episodes) are more likely to be unnamed or given no last name

are you a Mother on spn (as in, that's your role)? you're either fridged for man!pain or abusive or both

it rarely could pass the bechdel test (including in s9 don't believe those fandom lies), and that's including episodes that focused on female characters. if the test included that the characters have to be named, that (small) number probably gets cut in half. if that test included both women are alive at the end...  

female monsters prove they deserve to live by killing off their family to prove they're the "good kind"  (this is not necessary for male monster characters)

female characters are not allowed to get vengeance

they took the Virgin vs Whore dynamic (and that that's all women are), and devoted a whole episode to it, but in general it underlines of ton of interactions, esp with regards to Dean and women.  {I actually never got around to writing it, but women tended to fall into four main classifications on this show, though overlap definitely allowed: Victim [sub-categories: Fodder, (Dean) Mirror, Mother], Love Interest, Sex Object, and Villain/Obstacle. very few female characters were either allowed to outgrow their category or didn't start in one.} 

we see the male characters assault female characters but it's okay because [insert supernatural reason here], ignoring that whatever explanations for why it's being allowed, we are still visually being shown this violence against women, and often from our "heroes"  (the women are then tossed away from the narrative after the violence and again, their aftermath gets regulated to off-screen who cares)

female characters were only allowed to be "so badass"; female hunters often fought female monsters or they lost/got regulated to the sidelines in battles. this gets even more contrasted as a male character/hunter will often do a nod about how "badass" she is, even as she is very easily beaten.

 the whorepobia of this show

had a tendency to strip female characters down to their underwear/make them nude before torturing them, and then adding sexualized torture on top of that

outside of actor injuries affecting this (like one of them broke his arm so he had a sling for a few episodes), female characters are often more likely to visually carry the bruises/violence of violent incidences much longer than male characters

gratuitous filming shots of breasts, asses

the use of the words: bitch, skank, whore, slut; the play on words they do so they can say "pussy"  

taking female myths/figures and reducing them to a cheap, sexist storyline (Amazons, Artemis, Lilith, Eve, witches - who are only allowed to live/be "good" if they're men, and are otherwise in league with demons/are evil and lose)

they often kept a character but switched out her actress; helps with the disposable feeling

how they treat women's ages (ex: Jody is not allowed to be a love interest to Sam because she's older than him/calling Dean 'kiddo'. ex: Rowena is played by a woman fifteen years younger than Crowley's actor. ex: Amara being one of the oldest things in existence but still having to age her way up.)

their treatment of teenage girls, ranging from how they sexualized them to expecting them to save themselves to treating them like they are grown adults and not children to the way they kept killing the ones who posted selfies to the fact the pr more than once used the tag "teenage girls - the scariest thing ever" for Claire's episodes 

actions and lasting legacies by female characters often got erased or passed on to male characters instead

it's a time honored tradition to treat certain monsters as metaphors for things. specifically for spn, they often use werewolves and vampires for sexual assault. (not the first to do so, not the last to do so.) however, that part of it gets textually glossed over, or treated as a joke, more often than not

and for all the patterns I talk about above, there's plenty of other one-off examples of misogyny/sexism or consent issues/rape culture this show did. like that time a grown man sniffed the bra of a dead teenage girl. not for any reason, just because it was there and that's what dudes do, apparently.

Racism: All the Flavors(+ Bonus Sexism)

when you compare the treatment of reoccurring white characters vs characters of color who occupied either similar roles or characterizations, characters of color were often punished and/or treated poorly for the same attitude and/or actions of their compared white character, who often got not just a (free) pass, but more screen time, dialogue, and development. 

usually Black men but in general men of color: 

a) got humiliated (often using feminization or infantilization) before their death  

b) had a more violent death; had a death that visually echoed racism (lynching, shot in the back, etc)

c) often used (racialized) rhetoric that in the real world is used against them

d) often filmed in ways to highlight their physicality, to portray them animalistically, to dehumanize them

e) even when victims, will add context to make them partially responsible for their death

characters of color were the villains or antagonists, very rarely "good guys"

this was a very white show, and while I'm speaking about speaking roles, reoccurring characters, and characters who get their own arcs, I'm also talking about background characters

using lore from groups they should not have and/or turned creatures into racist caricatures

having white actors play characters they shouldn't have

heavily depended on stereotypes for their characters of color

the treatment (esp narrative empathy level) of white angels vs angels of color.  again, screen time and character development differences between the two

a summary of (East) Asian woman on this show: fetishized porn/sexualized, “tiger mom”, Yoko Ono/The Girlfriend, monster. they were often silent or had no dialogue. microaggressions (usually spoken by Dean) were leveled at them.

antisemitism (styne issue, erasure of the Judah Initiative, Lilith, the golem)

like the sexism, just had random racist lines or visuals throughout the show (and sometimes those came in the absence of who should be there); some groups literally did not have enough characters to make a pattern, which is why this section looks a lot shorter than it really is

like for ex, I'm trying to stick with patterns but seriously, they put a Black woman in a dog collar and said her white boyfriend was her master/that she belonged to him

the ignorance of how white privilege worked to make them palatable

the replacement and/or elevation of a white character over a character of color (Lisa over Cassie, Bobby over Missouri, Charlie over Kevin in terms of how they were treated under Found Family, etc) 

how they treated non-Christian Gods: easily killed, evil, weak. they often repackaged them into a Christian framework and made them lesser than.

Bi/Homophobia, Queerbaiting, and Using Fans

they butchered Charlie.  they killed her, they killed her in a way that involved leaving behind plot, characters, and logic to do so, they killed her and used the violence of it for "shock," they butchered her and stuck her in a bathtub.  the guy who wrote Charlie in every other episode (Robbie Thompson, one of the better writers of the show) didn't write her last episode (assumption: because he wouldn't) and then he arguably left the show over her death. at one of the cons (comic-con?) the cast literally turned their backs when a fan questioned Carver (the showrunner) about what he did because they wanted no part of it. there was a mass exodus of fandom after they killed her (and another portion actually hung around because they got destiel queerbaited to stick out the rest of the season, and then they left.) she was un-apologetically queer, she was found family, she was widely popular, and they killed her for no reason at all. they didn't just Bury The Gay (their only reoccurring one), they salted and burnt the ground

they spent over a decade queerbaiting Destiel. they built queerbaiting destiel into the structure of the show: season opening/first couple of episodes whetted the appetite, which they then backed away from (usually removing Cas from Dean's physical area) and around this time they'd usually have some kind of heterosexual love interest, then mid-season they'd have some room to be together and share feelings, Cas would again disappear but this time they'd have some bi!Dean thrown in to keep you going, a few episodes before the end they'd have a major connection moment (I need you, I love you), and then the season would end with something to keep destiel fans occupied with during summer. it was never a trajectory, it was a cycle; just enough for plausible deniability but more than enough for fans to believe in. they had whole seasons where the b-plot were mirrors for destiel. they tried to sell DVDs by promising destiel cut scenes. they'd remove Cas from huge chunks of episodes just because they didn't want destiel interacting in the same physical space. they filmed them (I'm talking camera angles, physical positioning, etc) romantically.  (and sometimes, someone on crew/the network would accidentally reveal how not-fucking-happening destiel would be, and then backtrack when they realized fandom’s uproar.) 

a) Dean was only allowed to care so much for Cas, the narrative would only give him so much room to mourn/miss him. (Sam too.) it's beyond my general complaint that the writers/bros lose all interest in a character if they are not right in front of them (if they even cared when they were), but specifically they will spend episodes talking about how Cas is family, how much they care, and then because Dean and Cas cannot share the screen they come up with asinine reasons to remove Cas, which means Dean/the bros do not help him on his issues, and he is cast adrift until they need him, a push/pull of show vs tell with contradictory answers but made a lot of Cas/Destiel fans argue Cas deserved better.  

b) they also devoted seasons to the (subtextual) love triangle of Dean/Cas/Crowley. (I wish I was fucking kidding)

c) "you construct intricate rituals which allow you to touch the skin of other men": the way they use violence to supplement affection (which is actually a larger pattern with Dean and his loved ones in general, but specifically the show is willing to show - multiple times - Dean and Cas being violent (often with an arguably sexualized filming to it) in conjunction with or as replacement for expressing their care.)  other side of this: hugging/physical affection outside of the shoulder/hand thing is reserved for escaping or coming back from death, if then (and it took seasons and a few deaths to even get that.) 

d) "buddy"  

that time Dean was allowed to be textually attracted to his mother and a literal dog (who was visually made to be very clearly a girl dog), but his attraction to men always stays subtextual and/or treated as a joke

they spent the whole show queerbaiting bi!Dean. aside comments, checking out other guys, getting flustered by men he finds attractive, metaphors, mirror characters, the heterosexual overcompensation [which is different from but comes from a similar place of the macho compensation to counteract how he gets sexualized/feminized], everything with Cas and how they play that relationship romantically and with sexual attraction, the character development that led to his relaxation of his macho compensation coinciding with increasing subtextual readings of his bisexuality (and domesticity), the inspiration for his name/character is bi, his relationship to Charlie and the pattern of fictive kinship, etc etc.  

why are angels straight???? why do they have gender???? (why are they interested in sex???)  minus the queerbaiting of destiel, they spent a lot of seasons pushing Cas into a heterosexual box. other angels were often pushed into heterosexual boxes too. (or left in subtext and then killed.) closest we got to playing with gender was Raphael and maybe Hannah, and at least with Raphael it was not without its issues. (also: both dead.)

random transphobic lines

homosexuality was often treated like a joke/punchline. queer characters/scenes were often treated like a joke/punchline.

outside of Charlie, queer characters were small, two-bit roles, extremely rare, and often killed

how they treated and showcased fandom space and esp queer fans in-show (much less how they treated them in real life), comes from a deeply sexist and homophobic place 

The Show Was 328 Episodes Long And the thing is, these are the four big categories, but it's not like this is it. The show flip-flops on calling John an abusive parent/that the bros are childhood abuse survivors. The show doesn't even really call out when Dean is being abusive to Sam, and the way they always, always go back to the Brothers Only format means they are often ignoring or straight-up forgetting the unhealthy aspects of their relationship. The show ignores how their trauma builds (and all the things that happen because of it), disconnecting the current issues with the ones that came before. The way they flip flop on monster morality and never address what the winchester bros do to people who happen to be monsters but aren't evil (or definitely aren't as evil as they are).  How violence is always the answer. How the "saving people'' part of hunting got dropped the later the show goes on, and red shirt vessels/hosts die in droves. Depending on how you view it, the way they treat alcoholism and addiction. The ableism. The line between the narrative's opinion on acceptable violence and not is inconsistent and dependent on how much they like the character doing the violence vs who the violence is being done to. Etc.

(The above lists are definitely missing stuff. I haven't done anything in this fandom in like four years, I've forgotten a lot.) I'm not saying people didn't enjoy this show. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy (parts of) this show. I'm saying whether you are basing it on things like writing craft or things like 'social justice issues', this show is bad. It is of poor quality. I really don't know how to explain the hold it has on people, how a show can be charismatic, how fandom was able to squeeze so much out of so little, but that's probably what's got you attracted into the idea of watching it again. If you're thinking of watching it because you want a coherent, well done story, look elsewhere. The finale was the literal last straw, not the only one. 

#spn #fandom stuff #inbox and admin stuff #// #also this focuses on canon #(and ok a little abt the cast/crew) #(though among other things not mentioned is how actors of color and actresses got treated re cons & crew demographics) #however fandom has it's own fucking list and I can come for them at any time too #anyway that was a very nice ask #and if you want actual details about any of these I could provide #but I wanted to stick with patterns because I feel like that says more than the individual things they do #of which there are legion #anyway a summary of what I and many other people have discussed over the years about how much this show sucks #//// #i really do get the urge though #one of my mutuals makes s15 destiel sound good #but fool me once shame on you and fool me 50x fuck you spn #////// #this is long (you asked a very wordy person) but tbh I've written longer meta #and oh man back in the day this thing would have been full of links that would have taken you to other metas #/////// #eta: fucked up my formatting I had to add a) because bullet points wont indent

[ettawritesnstudies]

Illthdar: Guardians of Las Review

[Image ID: A photo of Illthdar: Guardians of Las next to my sketchbook with a fanart drawing of the main five characters (to be described below), laying on a quilted bedspread. End Image ID]

Review for Illthdar: Guardians of Las by Rachel E Garcia

(more info for the book can be found on the blog @illthdar! FeedaRead link.

Rating: 4.5/5

Background: I’ve been following Rachel’s blog for a while now and really wanted to read Illthdar, but kept getting horribly distracted from reading anything by school and covid and stuff. As soon as I finished final exams, I ordered it, and I’m sorry I didn’t earlier because it’s SO GOOD

Things I liked:

The characters! They’re such a wonderfully diverse and somewhat eccentric bunch, and I had a lot of fun reading all of their arcs/developments over the course of the story! I think I related most to Vyxen and her desire to go home and be with her family the most: I have a big family myself and grew up in a rural area (though nothing as extreme as Alaska), so I really felt for her and how desperate and homesick she was to find a portal back. They’re all wonderful though, and I really enjoyed learning all the backstories over the course of the story, meeting the other members of the order and the guys they become friends with, and I was really rooting for their friendships by the end of the story. If I talk about it all this will take all day but I WILL talk about them all if you give me the opportunity. 

The worldbuilding was also really interesting! My absolute favorite part was the new year festival that takes a large focus in the end of the book - all the lore and history and how that transfers into customs and traditions and day-to-day societal quirks was absolutely fascinating. I would personally not enjoy being dragged to a party because I am an Introvert (tm), but it was a TON of fun to read about, and I loved reading all the descriptions of the scenery and outfits

In terms of writing style, Rachel’s descriptions are all really wonderful and vivid and put me straight into the world of Illthdar. The dialogue and banter between the friends can be fun too - the guys have a brotherly dynamic between them with the standing up for each other and swearing at each other in the same breath and I love that.

And I have to mention the representation - there’s a wonderful diversity of people, but I really appreciated the disability representation especially, with Abaddon’s blindness and how the characters accommodate them without a second thought. Illthdar might be a hellscape but the friends make it more like home, and ableism Shall Not Stand!

What I didn’t like:

Not much. The first few chapters were really hard to get into because I was really confused about how Illthdar worked and I kept trying to fit it into logical boxes and it felt rushed, but to quote the characters “that’s Illthdar,” and once I got used to how the Order worked, the rest of the book picked up and I really enjoyed it. I also have a suspicion that was an intentional choice on Rachel’s part so you’re just as confused as, and therefore relate more to, Zercey who’s just been thrown headfirst into the chaotic world and so well done there. The only reason I don’t like it is because then it slowed me down on reading the rest of the great book. If you’re picking it up for the first time, just be patient, because it gets really good!

This point comes with the huge disclaimer that I am aroace so I don’t understand romance that well, and have absolutely 0 clue about sexual innuendo, and those bits between the characters (Scy looking at you), was a little weird because it took me a few rereads to figure out what was going on and then rolled my eyes at it, but that’s what I do in real life anyhow, and Nymia’s similar reactions were Much appreciated so honestly I can’t complain about that, and I enjoyed the endgame romances in the end so...? that’s on me, Rachel wrote it well, and anyone else who has a basic comprehension of social cues would probably really enjoy this!

Final thoughts: Definitely check out Illthdar! You won’t regret it, I really enjoyed this story and I’m REALLY looking forward to reading the rest of the series when it comes out! I like the characters so much, I asked Rachel if I could do fanart of them, so that’s below along with an image description (Abaddon would use a screen reader). Thank you for letting me practice my doodles on your ocs! I hope I did them justice :)

[Image ID: The fanart I drew of the main 5 characters in Illthdar: Guardians of Las. From left to right, we have Abaddon, Nyima, Zercey, Scyantha, and Vyxen. Abaddon is tall and muscular. They have red skin, and red horns, silver-pink short hair, and is wearing a grey tang top and khaki cargo shorts. They are smiling softly and holding an axe over one shoulder. Their other hand his held in front of them in a fist.

Nymia has blue skin and blue hair twisted into a braid that’s covered in jewlery, and she’s wearing a wrap dress with long slits in the skirt with a brown belt at the waist. she’s smirking and holding a hand in front of her suspending ice sparks in the air. her other hand is behind Zercey

Zercey is shorter, has tan skin and green hair. She’s wearing a plain green shirt and jeans, and is smiling out the page. She’s holding a book, as if she’s been studying and you just interrupted her.

Scyantha stands with her one hand on Zercey’s shoulder. She’s taller, has pale skin, bright red hair and eyes. She’s wearing a white ruffled top, red corset, black pants, and knee high boots. She’s got a knowing smile, and her other arm is extended behind her with mana gathering around her hand.

Last is Vyxen, the shortest, facing towards Scy, and leaning on a bow. She’s got white hair and silver eyes, light brown skin, she’s wearing a purple crop top, blue mini skirt, and sandals. She also has a quiver strapped around her shoulder, and she’s got a mischievous grin. End image ID.]

#book review #illthdar #Illthdar Guardians of Las

[roz-ani]

Kidnapping Oscar and Ruby

The thing about me is that I like to think. A lot. And ever since volume 6 ended, I’ve been thinking about Oscar and Ruby being kidnapped by Salem’s flying monkeys. I’m sure you’re familiar with this theory, so I’ll get straight to the point. I love this theory. And since one of the rosegarden week’s prompts is “kidnapped”, it’s a perfect opportunity to discuss my idea. I’m not going to focus specifically on Oscar and Ruby. More on how Salem would capture them.

Why would they get kidnapped?

We should remember that Salem is interested in Ruby. We don’t know exactly why, but it definitely has something to do with her Silver Eyes.

What’s the point of kidnapping Oscar? Imprisoning Ozma’s reincarnation would make achieving Salem’s goal easier. Shouldn’t she kill him then? No, that would be stupid. She’d basically let her biggest enemy escape (reincarnation) and it would be harder to find him this time. 

When would they get kidnapped?

If there’s one thing I expect from volume 8, it’s definitely more screen time for Oscar. I’ll admit, Oscar disappearing has become some sort of meme now. Still, he was never kidnapped. I think the best time for that sort of event would be the volume 8 finale or 2-3 episodes before that. We can only guess what will the next season be about. There’s also a possibility it would take place in volume 9 if the writers decide to “connect” Atlas and Vacuo arcs. However, I think the first option is more possible. During volume 7, I came up with a scenario where Ruby and Oscar manage to escape from their kidnappers and get their own mini-arc while trying to survive in Solitas. We would get to see things like their team attack, Oscar’s backstory, a proper character development and some cute (not romantic, too early for that) bonding scenes. This isn’t a post where I want to discuss this, but I may write more about it in the future.

How would it happen?

Oh boi, we could talk about this for hours! We don’t know if Hazel, Emerald and Mercury came to Atlas (they might be still in Salem’s castle or in Vacuo), we don’t know what Neo and Cinder plan to do with the Lamp, Tyrian is running free and Watts is still in prison. Basically, chaos. I assume all (or most) of them will meet with Salem at some point in volume 8. However, someone has to get the Staff, and they need the Winter Maiden to open the Vault. We also don’t know what Ironwood will do after finding out about Salem’s army. Again, I don’t want to discuss it in this post, so here’s what I think can happen: Salem announced her arrival in a very spectacular way. She’d mention her “talk” with Ironwood to the people of Atlas. Her army of Grimm would also make them think if fighting her is a good idea. It wouldn’t take long to kill everyone in both cities... However, as we all know, Salem is merciful. She didn’t come here to kill people. She only wants a few things: the Relics, the Winter Maiden (mainly her power), the Silver Eyed Warrior and Ozpin.

She gets what she wants, she leaves. No victims, no bloodshed, no destroyed cities. Wouldn’t Ironwood announced he “killed” Oscar? How would Salem know he’s still alive? In my opinion, Salem knows how powerful Ozpin (Ozma) is. He wouldn’t just let someone kill him like that. But could our heroes trust her? The jury is still out on this, but I think she’d be lying. She has to show other Kingdoms, especially Vacuo, what she’s capable of. She’d give Ironwood and citizens of Atlas some time to give her what she wants. If the time were up, and she didn't get what she had "politely asked for", she would have ordered the destruction of Atlas and Mantle. I’m not really sure what will happen in volume 8. Whitley and Willow, Winter, the Happy Huntresses, the Ace-Ops, other villains... Maybe Weiss will try to help her family? Maybe some of our heroes will decide to defend the relic and the rest will try to evacuate people from the Kingdom? What’s Oscar plan to save it? Will Atlas fall on Mantle? We still have to learn about Nora’s backstory... CRWBY has a lot to work with, and they have to play it well. Regardless of what happens, in my vision, our heroes, after reuniting with Oscar, would have to face Salem in the finale.

But would they fight her? I don’t think so. Maybe they’d try to use the Staff, but we still don’t know how it works and I’m not sure if they would bring it with them. They would try to convince Salem to spare the kingdom and leave with what she already has. Obviously, she would refuse. Ruby and Oscar, maybe one of them at first, would agree to be taken, much to other’s disapproval. But Salem would agree to that.

 I’m not sure what would happen later:

Salem would betray them and order her army to kill everyone in the kingdom. Our heroes would try to fight her, but in the end Salem would leave with Ruby and Oscar, leaving others in Atlas.

It would be our heroes plan. The rest would attack Salem’s associates and try to get back the Lamp. However, their opponents would still win.

Some Salem’s subordinates, probably Cinder or Tyrian, would attack the rest of our heroes. Ruby and Oscar would try to help, but they fail. Salem wins again.

I have a few more ideas, but they differ mainly in details. Most of them ends up with Ruby and Oscar getting captured. I think they would manage to escape and, as I mentioned before, I have a few ideas what would happen after that.

#it's chaotic but I hope it makes sense XD #rwby #rosegardenweek2020 #rosegarden #ruby rose #oscar pine #salem #rwby theory #rwby volume 8 #rwby volume 7 #rwby7 #rwby8 #mine

[ramblings-of-a-mad-cat]

If you have sent me an Ask in the last thirty-six hours or so, This post is for you.

I was almost entirely done with answering all your beloved messages, when Tumblr decided to crash. Lost all the paragraphs of my rambling (which is why I’m no longer taking chances and am typing this on Google Docs) and even worse, the Asks seem to have been eaten by Tumblr’s great void. They’re gone, and nothing I’ve tried seems to work to get them back. Thankfully, I’m fresh off of responding, so I’ll try to summarize with one big epic post. Apologies for the inconvenience and unusual style, blame the Tumblr Overlords. 

WARNING: If you don’t read the data-mines and don’t want spoilers, do not go beyond this point. This mainly concerns The Quidditch Cup. 

There were a couple of Asks about Ismelda, someone talked about the head-canon that she’s secretly blonde and dyes her hair. Which I agree with, and really like. It would tie in to how Ismelda saw Penny as being no different from her sister. It would be a sign of her trying to spite her parents and distance herself from her family, to the point of even looking like them. I also think it would echo with Beatrice and how she changed her look to reinvent herself and be less of a “Mini Penny.” Another message was talking about her parents, wondering why they would ever visit her at Hogwarts given how they were portrayed. After all, they’re not about to be the next Ethan Parkin, are they? Not going to turn around and be well-meaning, but oblivious. I think it’s far more likely that they would visit her sister at Hogwarts, and it would be pure chance that Ismelda was there at the same time - if there was indeed any overlap where both sisters were at school. But that’s the real question of the hour - just what is the sister like? After all, it’s not her fault that she’s the favorite, right? Newt Scamander was estranged from his brother, who was engaged to his ex-girlfriend. From that description alone, we might think he was awful, but he wasn’t. Theseus was genuinely caring, he just didn’t know how to connect with Newt. We might have a similar situation on our hands here. Or, who knows, the sister might be the “Dudley” to Ismelda’s “Harry.” She was compared to both Emily and Penny, if memory serves. But until such a time that we meet her, we have no way of knowing who she’s really more like. Psst, Jam City, you getting this down? This would be a great TLSQ, to have Ismelda come face to face with her sister. Could perhaps end with, oh I dunno, befriending her? Just a thought…

I saw another Ask talking about how Beatrice would go back and forth between MC and Jae during their detention and how adorable it was to see her all flustered and excited, how it looked like she was gushing to MC “He’s so dreamy” and things of the like. It’s making me wish they would come back to this sub-plot because it’s funny as hell and a good way, again, to tie in Ismelda. She also fancied someone she had no chance with, she was also jealous of another person. (Chiara might not actually have a thing with Jae, but if memory serves, Beatrice is shown to be jealous of them talking anyway.) 

There was an Ask that talked about punching Barnaby’s father in the face. Or at least, the idea of doing so. But regrettably, he is in Azkaban and it cannot be done. Well, maybe not by MC, but someone who was already there could do it. New head-canon, Sirius decked him on his way out. It happened, I don’t make the rules.

@guppygirl I read the first chapter of your fic! Do you know what you’ve done to me, do you know how many feelz it gave me to see Rowan alive and well and acting so sweet? You nailed their character and I love the inclusion of their parents! Maya’s reactions make just want to give her a hug. Everyone should check out the fanfic on her page, seriously!

I believe there was an Ask lamenting that the Festival TLSQ didn’t come out this week, and believe me friend, I’m right there clowning with you. It seems like every week now, we think, “Okay, this time it will come out, they can’t delay it anymore.” And we’re always wrong. Here I am just starting to worry that my far-fetched theory about them shelving it until next year because it’s no longer “seasonal” isn’t so far-fetched after all…

But the vast majority of messages that were lost were, as I’m sure you can guess, about the data-mined House Cup for Season 2. I wrote a lot about it and I do indeed have some thoughts and feelings. 

Before I get into anything else, can I just say...that first scene with Ethan where he meets MC. I don’t think it’s possible for me to ever dislike Skye. All it ever takes is one vulnerable moment to erase any doubts and have me back in her corner. And you cannot tell me that Ethan knowing everything about MC because “Isn’t this the best mate you always talk about?” Didn’t melt your heart or at least give you feelz. Think back to how hurt Skye was when MC befriended Rath - to the point of snapping a broomstick in half. This is just proof of what I’ve been saying. She has no social skills and hardly any friends. Of course she sees MC as her bestie. The poor thing, oh my god, it’s adorable...

Ethan Parkin….I’m not a fan, even now. As I heard, he’s not as bad as we all feared he would be. He definitely has his moments. Still...he’s still pretty annoying. Ethan is basically a less obnoxious version of Lockhart, who actually has the talent to back it up. But I didn’t like how he involved himself in the practice and took over deciding who should be leader. Seriously, if he knows the game this well then he should know we already have a leader assigned. That’s what a Captain is. He was quite rude to Orion and while his pressuring Skye might have been inadvertent, it was still his fault. He’s also an extremely violent Quidditch player, which I’m not a fan of (Although apparently Penny is? The fuck?) I get that he would never cross the line into cheating, but I’m not impressed by how he lied. Didn’t give his team credit. And seriously...is cheating morally inferior to harming another player in a “legal” way? I guess it’s just a Quidditch culture thing, but I’m not here for it. 

Orion’s reaction to Ethan, though? God I loved it. He took everything completely in stride, had the maturity to say that no, he was happy to learn from a Quidditch master. His concern wasn’t about his ego, it was about Skye’s feelings. Because once again, he’s the only one with the empathy to realize what she might be going through. Orion’s response was measured and thoughtful and god, I love him so much. Side note: Were they seriously debating whether or not keeping Ethan around to learn his mystery move was worth it, even if it was stressing Skye out? My dudes, this is the exact same mistake you made during the Rath TLSQ. Involving someone who doesn’t need to be involved, just for the sake of a potential advantage in a meaningless sports game, regardless of how much it will hurt someone who is supposed to be our friend. Screw that. 

Folks were talking about Erika Rath. Someone brought up how hilarious it was in a previous chapter to see Andre actually tell her to be quiet, and for her to do so. And yeah, I agree. It’s a testament to how close their friendship must really be (Sorry, Depressed Erika Anon) I mean, most people wouldn’t dare say that to her. And I don’t think she’d have such a calm and passive reaction to just anyone. It’s unconventional, but their relationship is a sweet one. Overall, they’re involving Rath more and I’m quite glad of it. Seeing her proud of MC is heartwarming. Seeing her become more of a main character is great - I mean, she is one of the main four, after all. Face Paint Kid is a background character, as much as I love him. Penny is only here to develop Skye, and Andre is only here to develop Rath. There was also an interesting comparison made between her and Ethan, about how they both play pretty violently. Still not a fan of this. Maybe that’s one of the reasons that I’m mostly indifferent to Rath. But I’m coming around on her. 

This was a lovely place to cap off Skye’s character arc. Seeing MC stand up to Ethan (although I wish you could be firm without having to say that stupid “You’re off the team, Parkin!” line) was especially cathartic, and it’s clear that Skye appreciates it. She’s happier by the end, and has actually communicated with her father. I would sincerely like it if Season 3 focused on, say, Murphy a little more. He hasn’t gotten any development since the first half of Season 1. Even Orion got some development in this TLSQ. But...make no mistake, we’re not done hearing about Skye. I know that no one wants to hear this, but...they slipped in that line about her wishing she could play Rath. She still hates her. That hasn’t been resolved. Oh well, at least it’s an opportunity to further flesh out Rath. There’s also the possibility that, if they do give focus to Orion, it might be that Season 3 is his last hurrah. I hope he stays for the entire story, but even if they don’t want to confirm character ages...he could very well graduate. If he does, there’s going to be a story-line about choosing his successor. And again, I know that nobody wants to see this happen, but...the only candidates who matter in the story are MC and Skye. So they could be pitted against each other again. But I hope that won’t happen.

Curse you, Tumblr. Oh well, it should be safe to send in Asks again because I’m quite literally going to copy them onto a Google Doc from now on just to be safe. If I missed out on one that you sent in, please feel free to let me know or re-send it. I’ve also seen people taking screenshots of their Asks and then responding to the picture instead of just responding outright. Might do that too...thank you for your patience, this has been a doozy. 

#Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery #Fandom Asks #HPHM Quidditch #HPHM Datamines #Skye Parkin #Ethan Parkin #Orion Amari #Erika Rath #Murphy McNully #Ismelda Murk #Barnaby Lee #Beatrice Haywood