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core classes as undead :)

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Legends and Lattes.

(Such a cozy book by @travisbaldree . I highly suggest it.)

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Murderbot in any situation with a human: Please don't talk to me please don't talk to me please don't- oh shit what do I do with my face how do I get out of this I need to go I'm gonna watch this conversation from a security camera

Murderbot talking to any random bot it comes into contact with: Have you seen the entirety of The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon? Would you like to?

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at the Vermillion Opera of Amalo

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do you ever read a fantasy book and get really obsessed with a dramatic elf-goblin who writes controversial operas and have to doodle him

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from the Maya Angelou quote which immediately make me think of MBD the first time i saw it👍

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I'm normally a very slow reader of published novels, but I devoured The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard and now I can NOT stop thinking about it.

Everyone who has read my Fire Lord Zuko content knows how much I love 1) people of power working tirelessly to make the world a better place for all; and b) kings, slowly being crushed under the weight of their crown and duty, finding love and care in their loyal servants and staff

Except this story is more. The Emperor is worshiped and treated as a god, bound by extreme taboos and protocols that he can't break. It's about his staff (his found family) looking BEYOND the exterior of godhood and finding the human being underneath - who is dying under the weight of being the Emperor - and deciding to reach out, even if by acknowledging his humanity they are technically breaking many laws.

God this book is about so many things, including:

Found family can be the Last Emperor and his senior members of staff

The Emperor learning how to be human again with the help of his friends

There's no romance in this book. The deep friendships are the beating heart of this story, and they very much Love each other.

Breaking down a previously corrupt imperial empire through hard work and radial reforms, leading to sweeping changes including UNIVERSAL INCOME

Embracing cultural heritage, even in the heart of the imperial palace. Our main character is both one of the highest ranking members of government and from an islander culture, and he dedicates himself to both

The struggle for your family (who have a case of tall poppy syndrome, and live far far away from the capital and palace) to see you as a respected adult and understand all of your (many, MANY) achievements, even when you're very literally brought the Emperor home with you.

This book has some BEAUTIFUL confrontations, take-downs, and revelations based on the past two points (and more). If you underestimate or insult our main character, You Will Regret It. Watching him lose his temper is a glorious thing to behold.

Anyway I'm pretty sure this just became my all-time favourite book, because it's beautifully written and touches on all of my favourite tropes.

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art dump!!! this is all fanart for The Hands of the Emperor (or its sequels), by Victoria Goddard, and is the best book you will ever read in your life so go read it (also, most of these jokes are from/inspired by the discord, so if you want to join the fandom discord it’s on victoria’s website!!! go go go!! come liveblog your reading of the book for us we’ll love you forever!!!)

edit: part 2 can be found here but watch out!!! there’s spoilers for nine worlds books after HOTE

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correspondence

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ID: A family tree depicting some members of the Drazhar family from The Goblin Emperor. They are drawn as a series of bust shots. All are elves with pale skin and hair, save for Chenelo and Maia who have dark grey skin and hair. Most of the characters wear jewelry and hair ornaments. 

Portraits along the top row, from left to right depict Arbelan, Leshan, Varenechibel IV, Pazhiro, Chenelo, and Csoru.

Along the middle row, from left to right are Princess Sheveän, Nemolis, Nemriän, Marquess Imel, Nazhira, Ciris, Vedero, and Maia.

Along the bottom row from left to right are Idra, Mireän, and Ino. They are children. 

Various straight lines connect family members indicating their relation to one another. Lining the right side of the image is an ornate border. A white cat sits in the right corner of the image, it’s tail curled around it’s front paws. 

Text reads: Arbelan Drazharan (div.), Leshan Zhasan (dec.), Nemera Drazhar VARENECHIBEL IV, Pazhiro Zhasan (dec.), Chenelo Zhasan (dec.), Csoru Zhasan.

Princess Shevean Drazharan, Prince Nemolis Drazhar, Nemriän Imaran (née Drazhin), Marquess Imel, Archduke Nazhira Drazhar, Archduke Ciris Drazhar, Archduchess Vedero Drazhin, Archduke Maia Drazhar.

Archduke Idra Drazhar, Archduchess Mireän Drazhin, Archduchess Ino Drazhin. end ID.

Drazhar Family Tree

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He said lamely, "She is very beautiful." "And she has the sense not to frighten you," Dach'osmin Ceredin said, and Maia took a step back, wanting to protest her deduction, but unable to deny its truth. "We should take lessons from her, we see."

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison is one of my favorite books of all time, and within it, one of my favorite scenes is Maia and Csethiro's first real interaction at Nurevis' party! so i drew it. their slow romance is so delicious.

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199. Summer

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Would love to see your take on kataang in their late teens or early twenties just being adorable!

Here's a speedy doodle of them all a little older with some mild kataang, if that suits you, anon c:

The gaang is teaching Zuko how to have friends!!!

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You both jump in place for a bit, grinning.

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my hand is hurting a little from drawing stuff for work, so today's flocking sketches are simple and silly. cretoxyrhina (with a pteranodon), barinasuchus, amplectobelua, clidastes and hypuronector

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sockeyeee in watercolor

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