#not everything needs to be a fluffy cookie cutter romance | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

1eos · 2 years

Note

Kendra! I was wondering your opinion as you’re the tumblr philosopher on these matters and I enjoy and agree with you on your literary critiques. But Lately (past year or so) I’ve seen a lot of comments along the lines of “does this drama have a happy or sad ending” literally any video on Instagram that has a collage of dramas or movies you’ll find comments like this or ones like “this story isn’t going the way I want I’m going to stop watching” I honestly am so confused I swear this is a newer phenomenon where people decide what to watch based on if the ending is happy or if the story comes together the way they want.

Like, I understand —sometimes I am only in the mood for something sad or dark so I can cry, but, I never determine what I’ll watch based on the ending! are people asking about the ending so they can watch in peace knowing it’ll end how they want? They can’t handle the events or the narrative if the happy outcome isn’t there? Is this like a side effect of fan fiction and self-insertism? Or an over-reliance on escapism? I am so confused by this and I see it on such a large scale.i can’t help but be bothered by it when I’d normally just mind my business but I feel like it’s so derivative of the work and feels like it’s enabling people not to be affected by work if it hurts them or is tragic or complicated. Maybe I’m just overthinking this and need to log off Instagram sometimes

oh let's DISCUSS!!!!!!!!!!! i've noticed this phenomenon too nd i mainly think its another fallout from fanfiction 😑 like when ppl say 'does it have a happy ending?' MOST of them are not asking if the story's themes take a turn that's upsetting or if there's heavy triggers (bc when ppl want to know abt triggers they straight up ask abt triggers) they're ACTUALLY asking 'does the story end how i want it?'

it's hard for me to put into words but nowadays ppl start getting into a piece of media not with the intent of enjoying what's there, but actively fighting against what something is to create fandom fodder. FOR EXAMPLE ppl who watched squid game or all of us are dead but get upset when........ppl die? its a fucking death game show and then zombie drama like what do you expect??????????? ppl are LITERALLY fighting against what the narratives are supposed to be.

and like you said there's nothing wrong with wanting to know if a piece of media is super heavy emotionally or super fluffy bc sometimes you want one or the other. nd there's also nothing wrong with wanting to know abt any specific triggers in a piece of media. that makes sense. it even makes sense for something's tone or message being offensive to you so you drop it.

BUT imo there's a difference btwn accepting that you and the narrative of what you're engaging in just aren't compatible and being upset that this piece of media isnt something you can control and make your own. like what even is a happy ending to these ppl? is it everyone living and getting what they want? well is the narrative about people facing consequences for their actions? is it in the horror genre where characters are EXPECTED to die? is the happy ending two characters ending up in a romantic relationship? ok but is the narrative about how the characters need to accept themselves before focusing on an intense romantic relationship??

my point......a lot of times when ppl ask 'does it have a happy/sad ending' theyre bypassing everything abt the possible themes and narratives involved bc a good/bad ending is entirely subjective on what actually goes on in the story. so you asking that BEFORE engaging with it is boiling it all down to your preconceived desires........the cookie cutter approach to media..........being totally detached from what's actually in front of you. that's why ppl are mad that a marvel movie isnt a gay romance movie. or being mad that people die in a show abt a fucking death game

the rise of fanfiction has people sooo adverse to accepting the story put in front of them its crazy like ppl have forgotten that writers (sometimes) actually have a story to tell with specific messages!!!!!! this isn't burger king!

#tl; dr: you can wish an ending was different but just bc its not exactly what you wanted that doesnt make it bad #sometimes it makes it bad but i think ppl forget stories can make u feel emotions #its not just an escape fantasy #if thats what u want watch that #but literally don't watch a tragedy nd get mad when its not structured like a disney movie #oh thats what i forgot to elaborate on ppl totally ignore genres #theyre fucking telling you this is NOT a romance why are u getting mad when its not......a romance #its crazy ppl just see a character they like and want to change everything abt where they come from nd what they go thru #asks

21 notes · View notes

sukunasun · 2 years

Note

sunny it’s 3am and i am sobbing. my pillows are drenched in tears and sweat because i’m under my covers and it’s hot here but i refuse to give myself a break because i just read ‘say it’s here’ and you didn’t give nanamin a break. you didn’t give him a break. so i am asking, while utterly heartbroken, will there ever be a part two?

im so sorry u cried :( ...but it had to happen...nanami was sitting way too comfortable being perfect. yes, a part two is in the works, i'm just wondering how it's going to all pan out from here. i know i could have written a fluffy insta-love fic but i thought...this is nanami falling in love, it can't be in an instant, he isn't the type, and even if he was, there's just not much to it, it's so...cookie cutter. he would be desperate and yearn for her, all without her knowledge, all without showing it on the surface, that's what makes him so good for a slow-burn. and in return, she would need to get accustomed to reading his expressions, his actions, his signs of love.

there's something so 'i have struggled in vain and i can bear it no longer...' about him. like when he falls he falls hard, literally and figuratively tormented by everything to do with her, from the instant infatuation to jerking off and feeling nasty about it, to making loaves of bread because he doesn't know how to deal with his feelings so he just spends his time distracting himself with the cooking and the baking. despite his opinion on 'love' and whether or not he believes in it, she's in his life now and he's never actually gotten to this point.

against his better judgement—he's found 'the one' and he has to come to terms with it. but he doesn't do a good job at it because he's too afraid to go after what he wants, all because he might lose it, or worse, that he doesn't deserve it. not realizing how much it pushes reader away. when he denies her in front of his friends and the people he cares about, it makes her feel like she doesn't matter. and when he's asked for the truth—the thing he's never had trouble with—he says nothing.

and lemme just say that he really does love her because 1) she is everything he's not. she sees the world differently, she's in her head about love and romance and this wholesomeness is exactly what he's been missing out on, she's everything he never thought he wanted/needed. and 2) nanami is in it for the long run, he's all about commitment and having a family and building a life together, hence, 'i care about the things that last', telling her this, precisely means that he wants these things with her, which is why losing her becomes the absolute worst type of pain.

#not me getting shocked even tho i was the one who wrote it #ask

7 notes · View notes

sobstoriesandshitposts · 4 years

Text

2019 has already ended but here’s a list (+ my unasked for opinions) of all the books I’ve read in 2019 in chronological order, Part 2.

((Disclaimer: this is a shitpost for myself and highly overrun by my emotions — I shall not be held accountable if my opinion is taken seriously. And I know it’s 2020 already, but procrastination is prevalent.))

By the way, here’s part 1, if you’d like.

8. The Dragon Republic

Rin was an absolute mess the entire book and god knows how frustrated I got with the dumb decisions™ she made every step of the way. But the poor girl was going through some shit and she picked it all up at the end, so I’m ready for the third installment, and to finally, see the end of the poppy war. Also, THE THIRD BOOK HAS BEEN NAMED “THE BURNING GOD” and I stan. But generally, book 2 wasn’t very memorable to me, and I don’t remember it very well anymore so it was eh.

Characters: 3/5

Plot: 3.5/5

General feel things factor: 3.5/5

9. An Ember in the Ashes

God, I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED BY THIS BOOK. I almost hate it. I might actually. It’s definitely the book I dislike most of 2019. Ok listen, I’m pretty sure I dislike it because I hadn’t been in the right mindset to read it, and it just ended up not being the kind of book I was looking for in terms of plot and mood. Maybe it was intentional, but everything ended up being really dreary and boring and so underwhelming to me. I didn’t feel anything for the story nor for the characters (whose names I no longer remember). I mostly wanted to follow the first girl’s story rather than the other two characters (even though honestly, I didn’t care for what was happening to her either) so I ended up skimming half of the book and then forcing myself to finish the rest of it. Why didn’t I just DNF it? I don’t know too. I was probably going through some kinda mood.

Characters: 1/5

Plot: 1.5/5

General feel things factor: 1/5

10. To Kill a Kingdom

NOW. I’ve seen some reviews on this, and boy, were they mixed — but let’s ignore them, because here is my significant opinion: it was cute. I think tkak is just a simple, short fantasy-romance that got out a cute couple and was done with it. I loved Lira’s character, idk there was just something about her dryness (hah, even though she’s a siren-) that I really enjoyed. Although I have to say, the main guy character had been rather bland, and I don’t remember his name anymore. But anyway, I liked the first-meeting-girl-slaps-boy-scene. I liked the pirates. I liked the romance. I liked the straight-forwardness. I liked the happy ending. (And after AEITA, this was exactly what I needed.) So 10 points to Alexandra Christo.

Characters: 3.5/5

Plot: 3.5/5

General feel things factor: 3.5/5

11. An Enchantment of Ravens

SO. DAMN. ADORABLE. Some people hate enchantment, some people don’t. I personally absolutely loved it. I found Isobel and Rook so cute together, and everything was just really soft and fluffy. Like tkak, it’s just a short and sweet romance, but it leans more towards the fairytale vibes — and I was vibing. I found both the main characters so whimsical and dramatic and ridiculous and they were just so ENJOYABLE to read about. The plot was simple and to the point and it didn’t meander when it didn’t have to — so I don’t care what anyone has to say, an enchantment of ravens is probably one of my favorite reads in 2019 and I adore it. (And the line “Now stop making me feel things.” is just iconic to me. I mean, please, Rook.)

Characters: 4.5/5

Plot: 4/5

General feel things factor: 4.5/5

12. Graceling

Alright, so this is the book I ended on before I stopped reading, aka stopped ignoring the reality of my exams, to start studying for my exams. I found Po and Katsa cute together and I enjoyed their dynamics, but they got a little boring towards the end. I think their relationship got too mature and serious for me (or maybe exams looming over my head just made me really depressed) so they lost the childish charm about them that had drawn me in in the first place. But that doesn’t change the fact that Katsa is an absolute badass, that the entire scene in the courtyard where they fought is iconic, and that the truth behind Po’s sight at the end made me cry. Wasn’t my favourite, but graceling was enjoyable, which was exactly what I needed to feel satisfied to end on, and not too drawn into a world that I needed another one to replace it after it ended. Thank you Graceling, for saving whatever had been left of my grades.

Characters: 2.5/5

Plot: 3/5

General feel things factor: 3/5

13. The Cruel Prince (& The Wicked King & The Queen Of Nothing)

This is definitely my favourite book (and series) of 2019 and I was ruined by it. I actually had to reread the cruel prince, because the first time I did, I didn’t enjoy it and that didn’t sit right with me — I mean, come on, Holly Black is my queen and there’s no way I’d dislike a 4.2 star book of hers. And boy, was that one of the best decisions I’ve made in 2019. I was so immersed in Jude’s world and everything she was about to face; I rooted for her the whole way. I loved her character so, so much (for once, we get an mc that is actually smart). I loved Cardan so, so much. Honestly, I truly liked all of the characters. And Jurdan? I live for that sh*t. I was completely floored by this trilogy and I. Still. Want. More. (+ The quotes from this series??? Just freaking iconic.)

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

General feel things factor: 5/5

14. Sorcery of Thorns

Ah, yes, another one of the books I was disappointed by. After An Enchantment of Ravens, I had been so excited to read the second work of Margaret Rogerson, but it wasn’t what I thought it’d be. I really enjoyed it at first, but around the half way point I started to get bored and almost DNFed it. And yes, I am aware that Sorcery is meant to be an epic fantasy and is different from Enchantment, but I just thought that the characters would still have that whimsical, ridiculous flair that had been done so well in Enchantment — but the character building here kind of just fell flat for me. Although there were moments I did enjoy reading about Elisabeth and Nathaniel, I just didn’t really see the chemistry between them and I couldn’t appreciate their interactions and banter much. I felt like Silas was just a cookie-cutter “cold on the outside but warm on the inside” character as well. Okay, I’m being extra harsh on this book because of my crushing disappointment from great expectations, but actually, Sorcery had been a pretty good read that started off well. Although the middle got a little dry, i think it picked itself up again at the end and I felt compelled to finish it. Plus, Silas’ moment made me tear up even when I hadn’t expected myself to, so, that’s always a bonus.

Characters: 3/5

Plot: 3/5

General feel things factor: 3/5

15. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

So whimsical. So funny. So light-hearted — yet it had the surprise punch-you-in-the-gut feels. I spent a good deal of time laughing over Henry’s antics (when he ran naked around Versailles???? Oh my god, what are you doing, Henry?) and his efforts at trying to be a decent human-being. It was honestly, a very heart-felt and romantic story, which really has me torn up because how does Mackenzi Lee weave in so many heavy, important themes like abuse, trauma, racial and sexual discrimination and mental illness, and still make it such a light-hearted story — that was done well? (And lets not forget how she’s also managed to include some serious Fullmetal Alchemist vibes in there complete with murders and violins and pirates. Geez.) She’s a genius that’s how. The number of times I’ve almost cried, but was saved by Henry’s comments is just- ugh. If there’s any book I’d recommend just for being a damn good book, it’d be this one because, wow, was it good.

Characters: 4.5/5

Plot: 4/5

General feel things factor: 4.5/5

16. Carry On

We have now reached my final book of 2019: it was an absolute delight and one of my favourites. I just loved the characters, like they were so enjoyable to read about. I mean, I felt like Simon had a stick up his ass for a good portion of the beginning, but he softened up later on and my god, Baz. I loved his character so much. And the pining? HELL YES. And then, of course, his refusal to admit that he was pining to anyone else but himself. Simon and Baz were just extremely shippable, and I was ready to gobble up whatever I could of their romance. So fluffy, so ridiculous. Rainbow Rowell also made good use of the switching POVs. I normally dislike it when author’s switch the perspectives because it tells a side of the story that I really don’t care for (ahem, an ember in the ashes...) but Rowell did it so damn well. Even Agatha’s pov was enjoyable. She provided a different perspective on things compared to the other characters and I actually really liked her “I don’t want to have anything to do with this bullshit” take on things. It was fresh, and funny, even if she was being an ass half the time. So, Carry On? It’s a yes from me.

Characters: 4/5

Plot: 3/5

General feel things factor: 4/5

And finally, my 3 DNFs, in which I will rant about them just a little:

1) Wicked Fox

Didn’t like the writing style. Normally I don’t notice writing styles much because I’m just not that good with the technicalities, but Wicked Fox’s bothered me and I just couldn’t enjoy it. Also, I wasn’t in the mood to be patient, so I just decided to drop it.

2) Serpent & Dove

I actually really liked the beginning, but I think I wasn’t in the right headspace and I started to get bored by it, so I stopped reading. I’ll probably pick it up again in the future when I’m in the mood for it though :)

3) Throne or Glass

My god. I picked this up purely as tribute for Feysand — which, I guiltily admit, I really enjoyed — but- I- I couldn’t get past the first five chapters of tog. Putting aside the writing style (Why! Are! There! So! Many! Exclamation! Marks!), I didn’t feel anything for any of the characters, and any of the scenes. I don’t know what it is, but everything just felt so disconnected from me, and I had an inkling that I wasn’t going to care about what happened to the mc, or what happened with her and the other two (who I presume are) love interests because even on first impression, and a little past that, both seemed so bland to me. Sigh.

That’s it for the list; if you’re still here, good on you.

#the dragon republic #an ember in the ashes #to kill a kingdom #an enchantment of ravens #graceling #the cruel prince #the folk of the air #sorcery of thorns #the gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue #carry on

29 notes · View notes