#Heartless recommends

[rhythmmortis]

kh1 is the best kh game because it lets you go Creature Mode

[orlandooo]

Sem Coração (2023)

Dir. Nara Normande & Tião

[escapeaddict]

Heartless had everything I could have asked for from a book based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass

incredible and imaginative world building, every thought out detail traceable back to the original books while having its own spin on things, and just the right amount of riddles and nonsense

and I enjoy an inevitable tragedy that you hope will end differently, but you know never will

[celestialbooks]

If you like this song, try this book

Haven't you ever listened to a song and thought Man, I wish I could read a book like this song! Well, allow me to make your day and give you FIVE song-to-YA book recommendations.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) SONG-to-BOOK: That's so True by Gracie Adams to The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Naturals is a YA murder mystery book/series by JLB in which a group of teens make up a secret FBI task force and assist their "handlers" in solving serial killer cases. But my god, JLB writes this book so well. Her understanding of the complexity relationships is chef's kiss. If you loved the dreamy, yet harsh lyrics and beats of That's so True, don't sleep on The Naturals! And, forgive me, but That's So True gives off such Micheal and Cassie vibes.

Remember how I died/When you started walking/That's my life/That's my life

Like, you CANNOT tell me that Michael DIDN'T sing this in his head when he thought of Cassie.

2) SONG-to-BOOK: Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Heartless by Marissa Meyers

When I listen to this song, I think of Catherine. That's it. That's the summary. I can so clearly envision Catherine singing this song it's not even funny. If you love the techno beats of the song and the lyrics, Heartless is THE book to read. Heartless is a Victorian-style Alice in Wonderland prequel. The book follows Catherine, the daughter of a marquess, who is - against her will - engaged to the King of Hearts. This book was so good, and I wasn't expecting it. Like, Catherine and Jest? Perfection. I don't want to spoil this book, but this song can be applied to Catherine at two points of her life. When she found out she was supposed to marry the King of Hearts, and when her love died.

The men cry out the girls cry out/The men cry out, oh no Off, off with your head/Dance, dance til you're dead (dead)/Heads will roll

3) SONG-to-BOOK: Trouble by Valerie Broussard to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

This song describes Six of Crows so well that I'm starting to think it's a conspiracy. If you love the background beats, the kind of gothic-dark-ominous-angry vibes of the song, and the strong vocals, Six of Crows is perfect for you. It follows Kaz Brekker, the teenage unofficial leader of the Dregs and nightmare of the Barrel. He brings together a group of five teenagers with special skills and "employs" them on a mission to break into the impenetrable Ice Court. The six teens each have their reasons for joining this mission, and because all of them are so, so traumatized, angry, angsty, and scary, they fit this song perfectly. No, but actually. Like, I want to wrap Kaz in a hug, and Jesper my precious. Inej my beloved, Wylan, you crazy pyro, Nina my strong baby, and RIP Matthias.

We wear red so they don't see us bleed/Hundred dollar bills under our sleeve/We intend not to sleep 'til we're dead/Drink our problems right out of our heads

4) SONG-to-BOOK: Paris is Burning by St. Vincent to The Gilded Wolves by Roshini Chokshi

Okay, wow. This song, this book? Bewitching. That's the only word that can be used to describe both, even individually. If you love the strong melody, haunting vocals, and killer lyrics, you are SERIOUSLY missing out on The Gilded Wolves. The Gilded Wolves is a historical fantasy novel that follows a diverse group of talented outcasts on a heist to claim their rightful inheritances. Led by Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, the team navigates a world of dark magic, ancient artifacts, and dangerous secrets as they unravel a mystery that could change the course of history. This book was so haunting and was on my mind for WEEKS after I read it, and the song pairs perfectly with it. This song reminds me of all the characters mixed into one, and their cumulative anger at their circumstances. My poor babies NEED things to go well for them, okay? The Gilded Wolves is dark, gothic, and lyrical, with witty humor and excellent world-building. If you love Paris is Burning, it truly cannot get better than this book.

We are waiting on a telegram to give us news of the fall/I am sorry to report, dear Paris is burning after all/We have taken to the streets in open rejoice, revolting/We are dancing a black waltz, fair Paris is burning after all

5) SONG-to-BOOK: Carousel by Melanie Martinez to Caraval By Stephanie Garber

Carousel fits Caraval so well but in an underrated kind of way. if you love the hardcore-dream feel of the song with its tough beats and dreamy-hard lyrics, READ CARAVAL! I promise you won't be disappointed. Caraval follows Scarlett Dragna as she and her sister, Donatella, travel to the faraway, once-in-a-lifetime, and mysteriously adventurous Caraval. But as soon as the two sisters arrive, Donatella gets kidnapped. And though Scarlett knows that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance, it doesn't feel like it.

Oh, come, take my hand/And run though playland/So high, too high at the carnival/And it's all fun and games/'Til somebody falls in love/But you already bought a ticket/And there's no turning back now

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Happy reading to you guys! I hope you enjoy the books I've listed with the songs, and I genuinely hope you give them a try. Some of these books are so underrated, and they deserve all your love. See y'all next time!

[margridarnauds]

I get being worried and skeptical about where your money is going, especially when it involves hot button political issues, but some of these posts are, like, actually heartless.

[elliepassmore]

Rebel Witch review

5/5 stars Recommended if you like: fantasy, witchy reads, enemies to lovers, dual POV

Heartless Hunter review

Big thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2025 and it did not disappoint! For those like me who were worried about where (and with whom) Rune ended Heartless Hunter with, have no fear: she is perfectly aware it's a problem and has no plans to really stick around. That was honestly my biggest issue with book 1, so I'm glad Ciccarelli had a solution for it.

Gideon and Rune are once more on opposite sides, but now they have the added complication of their feelings for each other. Falling for Rune made a fool of Gideon, even if he turned her in in the end, and falling for Gideon nearly got Rune killed and did get someone killed. The two are a big bundle of conflicting emotions in this one, though Rune seems more willing to let things slide than Gideon does (to be fair, Gideon also thinks Rune wants to be with Cressida). Only one of them knows the full story.

I liked that Ciccarelli started the book with Rune and Gideon about to meet again after weeks/months apart rather than starting it with them separated and part of the plot being them finding each other again. Enemies to lovers works best when they're in proximity, and in proximity they are. That's not to say they get along though. The 'enemies' are back in full force, with Gideon being particularly prickly and ready to double-cross Rune the second he gets the chance. Despite that, the two are still familiar enough with each other that they work quite well together and are mostly able to scheme a way out of trouble.

With the Blood Guard still in charge and Cressida gathering an army, politics naturally comes into the conversation. The Blood Guard is clearly bad, indiscriminately torturing and killing witches simply for being witches. On the other hand, Cressida presided over a reign of terror with her sisters, allowing and even participating in the torturing and killing of non-magical people. So...both sides are bad, but at this point there's no alternate solution. I was definitely interested in reading Rune and Gideon talk their perspectives out since they both make valid points but also don't see a non-extremist solution. Other people join in on this conversation as well and I liked seeing what other characters had to say about things. In the end, I think they come up with a good solution that works for everyone.

Rune is stuck between a rock and a hard place when the book opens. She greatly dislikes Cressida, but she can't go home and she still wants to see witches free. She does get out of the situation, but is in deep trouble with Cressida as a result of it, leaving her with two enemies at her back. Rune definitely goes on a personal journey in this book, trying to stay true to what she wants while also remaining free and dealing with the trauma that is Cressida Roseblood (and Alex's death). She has some low points, but her loyalty to the people she loves as well as to witches as a whole is able to bring her around.

Gideon is back to being fully against witches (although admittedly I don't know if that ever stopped). He's on thin ice with the Blood Guard, so he's determined to prove that Rune isn't a weakness where he's concerned. She is obviously, so Gideon has to juggle keeping her safe while also steering clear of the Blood Guard and trying to figure out where his loyalties lie and what he really believes. I have to say, Gideon really comes through in this one. He fought in the Revolution because it was the right thing to do and he continued to be in the Blood Guard because he thought it was right. This can very easily lead to a rigid character who sticks to his guns even when proven wrong, but Ciccarelli wrote Gideon to be moral, not necessarily loyal. As evidence mounts that neither side is entirely correct, Gideon is able to shift his perspective and comes to understand that there's good and bad on both sides. I really liked seeing this shift in him and seeing him put his brain power and experience behind a new solution that benefits everyone.

We meet some new characters as well as some old ones. Harrow is back and we get to learn a little more about her background. I enjoyed her character and do wish we got to know her a little better since she's still pretty closed off. Laila is also back and I liked seeing her camaraderie with Gideon. She definitely doesn't understand his actions always, but she's loyal to him and trusts that he at least somewhat knows what he's doing. Seraphine is back as well and we get to learn more about the older witch as well as her relationship with Rune's grandmother. Seraphine definitely has some surprises up her sleeve and she proves to be a good ally.

Bart and Antonio are two new characters. Rune and Bart used to run in the same circles before things blew up in Heartless Hunter, and it seems Rune wasn't the only one keeping secrets. Bart ends up being much more serious and down-to-earth than Rune thought, his socialite persona just as fake as Rune's was. Antonio is Bart's lover as well as an ex-acolyte for the Cult of the Ancients. He's not a witch, but is just as much at risk as Rune is if anyone finds out. I really liked the dynamic between the four of them and wish we got more page time to see a deeper friendship develop (maybe a novella?).

Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and think it's the perfect sequel to Heartless Hunter. I wish it were longer, but that's only because I want to stay in this world for a longer period of time.

[prince-of-pages]

very overdue reading update

okay so

last i said i finished the winners which closed out the beartown series and i adored them so much. i love benji and i have done a heavy amount of reading since then.

i ended up dabbling in a genre i'm not entirely familiar with, that being romance. i read and finished the chestnut springs series by elsie silver in the span of 12 days and i really enjoyed them believe it or not. though i hated the last one and i will personally fist fight beau eaton myself.

now to shift from all of that sappy lovey dovey stuff i am reading

drum roll

a little life by hanya yanagihara

yes i know how sad the story is and no i do not think i am prepared for it but i feel like this is the time in my life i just need to bite the bullet and finish it.

that being said, since starting streaming i have been really good with my reading goals and i've been flying through books. this has been really good for me and i'm so happy that i have reached affiliate on twitch so i can start earning money on doing something i love.

i think i might wrap this post up soon but if you are interested in watching me on twitch and would like to join reading sprints you can check out my link in my pinned post, i stream every tuesday, thursday through sunday at 10pm est.

i've been feeling really good. reading slumps do pass

[elrielbaby]

Hello, friends!

I haven’t made a proper post of my own in some time, mainly just reposting. The toxicity of the ship war (and honestly, just the fandom in general) is not conducive to good mental health, and with there being no hint of any news I just found it draining. The thing is, we are all here because we love these books, and for many of us books in general. So before I get back to posting my own elriel related content, I wanted to share with you some books I’ve absolutely adored this year. Please feel free to reblog this and add your own!

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff 🩸

This is the second book in the Empire of the Vampire series (first book of the same name) and it is a strong contender for my book of the year. Not for the faint of heart, this series is bloody, brutal and emotionally devastating - but my GOD what a world, what characters. They are flawed and full bodied, the world is desolate and grim, with such little hope but it is a corker!

All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi 💔

Okay so this is the 3rd book in the This Woven Kingdom series. The first book in this series I felt very luke warm about, but I liked it enough to continue. The second book in this series is when I began to get really excited, I started to fall in love. The third book? Get out of here, I’m obsessed. If you like stories that include Jinn, inspired by Persian mythology and absolutely jam packed with all the yearning, pining and painful brooding you could possibly ever imagine - this is the book for you. Small caveat, that not an awful lot happens in this book to move the story forward, but the MMC is so down bad that I loved it regardless.

A Fragile Enchantment by Alison Saft 🪡

This one really took my by surprise. This is set in a regency era setting with a sprinkling of magic (and I do mean a light dusting) with a Lady Whistledown style sub plot that really did have me guessing. Our main character, Niamh, has the magical ability to imbue clothing with feeling - and has been hired by the Royal Family to make clothes for the Princes upcoming nuptials. Except there’s a chemistry to Niamh and the broody, irritable Prince Kit that is undeniable. Couple that with a growing unrest of the Macklish that threatens the Royal Fam, it all leads to a very delicious story. I didn’t expect to love this but it truly worked it’s way in to my heart.

Emily Wildes Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett 🧚

This is the second book in the Emily Wilde series but as with the first book I absolutely adored this. It is whimsical, mildly cosy. Emily goes through one of the best character arcs I’ve ever read, and Wendell may be the best blonde haired fictional man to ever exist. If you love proper Faerie stories, you will love this.

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare ⚔️

This was an absolutely impeccable start to what I think is going to be an epic fantasy series. Forbidden romance, political intrigue, an interesting magic system and world to boot. I cannot wait for the next book!

The Crimson Moth (aka Heartless Hunter) by Kristen Ciccarelli 🦋

I absolutely devoured this. Witch and witch hunter. Courting for the sake of trying to discover the others secrets, angst, brooding, betrayal. I’m loathe to say anymore lest I give away more than I should. But this is for sure one of my favourite books of the year. I read it so fast, I think about this daily. Please please please, give it a go - you won’t regret it!

The Road of Bones/Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters 🪓

The Road of Bones was a 5⭐️ read I absolutely loved it, but it’s sequel KoC has made its way into the 6⭐️ category for me. Viking inspired fantasy, with impeccable world building, the romance in this is also chefs bloody kiss. I can’t recommend it enough. Silla isn’t a typical girl boss (I love a girl boss don’t get me wrong) and she got me through the missing Elain Archeron hours.

The Aurelian Cycle (Fireborne, Flamefall & Furysong) by Rosaria Munda 🐉

I loved this so much because it started from a different place than most fantasy stories. In this, we start 10 years post Revolution of a regime that was ruled by the Dragon Lords, who over taxed the poor and meted out brutal punishments to people who’s only crime was being poor and hungry. Our main characters met in an orphanage in the wake of the revolution, but they could not have come from more different backgrounds- and yet they love each other anyway. The political intrigue and emotional complexities of this story was superb. 10/10

The Ember Quarter (An ember in the ashes, a torch against the night, a reaper at the gates and a sky beyond the storm) By Sabaa Tahir 💀

I’m so incredibly late to the party but I’m glad I arrived nonetheless. What an epic tale, what a fantasy story. You truly set off at a running pace with this one - it feels like there’s very little stopping time. Every word and page of this story is used to its full effect. I’m in awe of this authors story telling prowess. It broke my heart, but by god how I loved it.

[maxiwaxipads]

babbling about potential fragaria memories worldbuilding (of course, it is made up <3)

Essentially, the concept of a “castle” is a kingdom’s lifeblood and creates the entire kingdom in the first place. It originates from the “Lord” who creates the castle and shares both a physical and mental connection to the Lord.

(The castle creates the castle itself and is a literal and symbolic heart of the kingdom) (Potentially creates the walls that protect/surround the kingdom, and might have the power to erect entire buildings) (Technically, a castle can expand its borders but expending too much power might strain the lord who creates the castle(?)) (Can only create buildings within the boundary of the walls)

(I like the idea that SEEDs are naturally attracted to castles because of the high density of magic surrounding these areas(?)) But also because the existence of a lord is essential to the kingdoms since they’re highly exalted and revered, taking them down would mean taking down the whole kingdom.

If the lord is damaged in any way, the castle itself will be vulnerable to attacks depending on the severity.

Relying on the idea that magic doesn’t come naturally to faeries (or whatever the people in fragaria are), I describe it as more “communal” if that makes sense? Castles provide unlimited magic to all citizens for public and daily use. Everyone has access to magic but is limited if too many are using magic at the same time. Communal magic can only be used within the bounds of the kingdom.

Using communal magic in an attempt to harm the castle is possible, but barely damages the castle. I imagine foreign magic or attacks by SEEDs are the only ways of directly harming the castle without attacking the Lord themselves(?)

Maybe the idea of “communal magic” can only be used through special wands(?)

If a castle undergoes damage, it can heal but requires the concentration of the lord to perform the healing.

Alternatively, everyone can use magic but has a limited use of it per month. The wand thing still applies. (Perhaps you can buy extra chargers for magic, but maybe it is a bit costly(?)) (Technically you can probably hoard magic, but maybe a heavy tax is placed to prevent people from hoarding magic(?)) (<- I kinda forgot, but I remember the initial idea was that hoarding magic is bad since it is considered a precious source and it would be preferred if it can be used for more important and practical matters rather than being stored and saved up(?))

Technically “communal magic” comes from the lord but are still vulnerable to others using their power against them(?)

(i like the idea of castles being a physical and mental representation of the lord) 

(something similar to brainless witch but less depressing) (…or would it be just as depressing?)

(creating a castle doesn’t require a constant maintenance of power, but for things like “communal magic,” it does)

(i like to think of castles as an extension of the lords)

Knights of Fragaria require a lot of power to form contracts and may deplete the kingdom’s defenses. They’re considered great assets for their loyalty and ability to act around as they please. Unlike normal faeries, they’ve been granted the ability to use magic as they please and more capable than the average faerie. It can be risky to have two knights of fragaria since it may endanger the defenses of the kingdom.

(Maybe Knights of Fragaria have an intrinsic connection to their lords and the castle themselves(?)) 

(I find it more instinctive rather than all-knowing(?))

A SEED that takes over a castle will absorb immense magic power for their own and may become unstoppable. Their abilities are heighten but are bound within the castle until it stops possession for whatever reason. A SEED possessing a castle may also strengthen SEEDs within the vicinity and birth new SEEDs. (Maybe they drain the castle themselves until it disappears for good(?))

“Purification” is the magical defeat against a SEED.

“Banishment” is the physical defeat against a SEED.

Music is something culturally significant in the world of Fragaria, especially during the SEEDs crisis. I might not explain this idea well, but imagine playing songs and trying to soothe a loved one while trying to remove the SEED from them? Even melancholic music being used to attract SEEDs.

Imagine singing being an important song to a loved one, hoping they turn back to normal? or maybe this is just me trying to make the fragaria memories music videos have lore significance aha 

Maybe I haven’t seen a lot of others write about lore, but have you ever thought about the implications of forgetting someone because of a SEED? 

Imagine looking at old photos, but suddenly recognizing someone you once knew as a stranger? Imagine having decorated rooms meant for someone, but not remembering who these rooms are for? Imagine finding old letters and notes you’ve lovingly written to others or have been written to, but not knowing the context or the people behind these letters.

Imagine someone sacrificing themselves under the brave act of protecting people from SEEDs but only to be forgotten.

What is the pain of wanting to desperately remember someone? Do you even want to remember anyway? Should we forget the people we can’t even remember? Maybe there are memorials or murals that honor these people, how would kingdoms honor those who are forgotten?

Maybe they don’t in the first place? Who knows?

But I’m more curious about the nature of SEEDs themselves? Are they a species that is controlled or are they animalistic and feed off a person’s negative energy for survival?

Do SEEDs have some level of intelligence? If they do, I imagine it isn’t too comparable to a human’s. I feel like it’s similar to the demons in Frieren in the Funeral(?)

In my opinion, I think SEEDs can discern if emotions are “negative” but are unable to truly understand the essence of negative emotions. They see it as a source of food. I mentioned melancholic music as bait for SEEDs, but I wonder about the idea of "manufactured negativity," if that makes sense? Imagine the sounds of crying children being used to attract SEEDs themselves. Imagine trying to purposefully invoke the saddest moments in life just to see if you can use that negative energy to attract a SEED?

I find it more meaningful that SEEDs have always existed as a consequence of the world. In Twisted Wonderland, using magic produces a pollution known as blot. But if Fragaria Memories was once a world that relied on magic but never thought of the consequences of producing its own blot?

So basically: "SEEDs are the consequence of using magic."

what if SEEDs is like the original sin if you get me...?

What was the world like before the arrival of the Strawberry King? Before the idea of lords and their kingdoms existed?

[vanebookrecs]

My simple review to "Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book!

[unhealthy-obessions]

Just realized that I haven’t posted anything abt Heartless and that’s weird cuz what the fuck

If you were wondering (you weren’t but fuck it, we ball) I AM still crushed and haven’t moved on from them after nearly half a year!!

10/10, I’m crying as I write this, was amazing, would recommend it to anyone who likes Alice in Wonderland or Caraval

[girlwithinfiction]

✨BOOK COUPLES AS TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS (PART 1)✨

🎶 So It Goes... - Celia & Marco from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

🎶 Paper Rings - Nick & Charlie from Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

🎶 ivy - Catherine & Jest from Heartless by Marissa Meyer

🎶 Untouchable (Taylor's Version) - Juliette & Aaron from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

🎶 The Very First Night (Taylor's Version) [From the Vault] - Shani & May from How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow

ig: girlwithinfiction

[aro-sora]

Heartless

This month's Carnival of Aros theme is "Humanity and the Non-Human" and these prompts were particularly resonant with me:

It’s been a fairly well-documented phenomenon that many aromantics tend to feel some sort of connection to some sort of fictional non-human species, whether as specific examples, or as a whole. If you relate, what are your thoughts on these characters and concepts as an aro(-spec)? Do you have any experiences in any subcultures related to non-humanity, such as Voidpunk?

So I thought I'd write something about my personal experiences.

It will come as no surprise to people who follow this blog that I am a heartless aromantic and I'm also a huge Kingdom Hearts fan. (To anyone who isn't familiar with KH, in the games there are beings of darkness called Heartless. There's a lot of designs and some are cooler than others so here are a few of my favorites:)

[ID: Various Heartless from Kingdom Heartles, in order, a Shadow, a Neoshadow, a Soldier, and a Darkling. End ID]

These beings are both literally and very much not literally (it's complicated) heartless. They are manifestations of the darkness in people's hearts and seek to steal more hearts to transform into Heartless.

(something something beings that are recognizably human but also . . . not and yet still have the instinctual desire to reclaim what was taken)

A common stereotype about aromantic people is that we are heartless and unfeeling because we don't experience romantic love. Aromanticism may influence a person's emotions and definitely impacts views on romance, but to say that all aros are cold and emotionless is hurtful and arophobic. But I also genuinely identify with the term "heartless." Not feeling romantic attractions makes me feel alienated from amatonormative society, and "heartless aro" is the best way for me to describe that feeling.

My love of Kingdom Hearts is also a huge influence on that. When I say KH rewired my brain, it's only a half joke. I was 5-6 years old when I first discovered these games and this bizarre Disney/Final Fantasy crossover was a very formative experience. "Heartless" is not just a way to describe my aromanticism, its a defining aspect.

What is it, to be Heartless? To be human, once, but now something . . . other: a being born of darkness. Darkness is a force that is often used for evil, but still KH makes a point of not making it inherently evil. Darkness exists in every heart. It can overwhelm, but it can also be accepted and mastered, like in Riku's case. To choose to become Heartless, in Sora's case, is a defining moment of humanity.

My blog url might be aro-sora (because let's be honest, he's super arospec) but the title, "My Heart Belongs to Me," is quote from Roxas, one of the best examples in KH of someone being denied humanity for supposedly not having a heart, yet being one of the most caring and emotional characters in the series. He's not an actual capital-H Heartless (that's Sora, briefly) but his story and his struggles just . . . resonate with me. "I am me! Nobody else!" I want for people to stop thinking of me as something I am not, as desiring relationships I don't want, or even being a gender I am not.

I don't have much experience with voidpunk culture (but now I want to look into it), but recently I discovered the term otherhearted: "Identifying strongly with something nonhuman and/or fictional, without literally identifying as that thing." (I'm a bit on the fence between being otherhearted and otherkin, but otherheart literally has the word "heart" in it and the KH influence is strong.) It's a very queer experience to want to change your identity and be something other than what people see you as. Sometimes I imagine that for myself—claws of darkness, eyes of burning gold. Darkness cannot exist without light, but neither can light exist without darkness. Nothing can destroy me, because I am the shadow at the very heart of the world.

I guess that would make me Heartless-hearted. An ironic term, I know, but similarly to my personal heartless aro identity I find it absolutely hilarious. So many parts of my identity are "contradictions": being bigender, being human and heartless. It fits with the lore of the Heartless themselves: some technically do possess hearts and some don't. (it's complicated)

I call myself heartless the same way I call myself queer. Bigots will use them as insults and an attempt to make me lesser and other and nonhuman, but to me these are my words. They are mine and I give them power, no one else. Someone thinks I'm "heartless" for not experiencing a certain feeling? Fuck them, I AM heartless. And I am still human because I choose to be, not because humanity is something to be given or taken away. I don't have to prove anything about myself to anyone. I define my own heart, NO ONE ELSE.

And if they still think that being heartless—being aromantic—is something "wrong" or "unnatural" or not human? I only have a warning for them:

Beware the darkness in your heart. The Heartless prey upon it.

[bleuflowerfields]

yo i know that i usually post drdt stuff on this blog;

but i highly suggest that y'all go and check out heartless deceit, since the first episode of the prologue's dropping on Saturday!

the trailers that have come out for this fangan so far are really high-quality, and the story's very interesting as it shows perspectives from both inside the killing game and outside the killing game (there's actually two seperate stories for this fangan, the main story, and the side story.) the voice acting for this fangan is also pretty killer (and there's VAs from other fangans like p:eg and DRDT in this project!) love the artstyle and the music as well.

you could go onto their youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@danganronpaheartlessdeceit5408) to check what they have out so far, there's quite a bit for the fact it isn't even out yet :)

honestly, this fangan deserves more attention, it looks awesome and i'm personally looking forward to it.

[princessofmanyfaces]

Heartless

A 4 star read for me | I have to admit, I never watched Alice in Wonderland because it creeper me out and that's why some things confused me about the world and I also didn't really pay attention to the synopsis, I just saw people loving it and hopped on the train. And as someone who never watched, or read, Alice in wonderland, I still loved that book. These kinds of books are my thing and the writing was very good. Right amount humor and heartbreak

⭐⭐⭐⭐

[artists-ally]

2024 Book List!

Not that anyone will care about this but I wanted to do it and have fun!! Here is a list of the books I have read so far this year and some of my thoughts!

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This was my favorite book of the Hunger Games trilogy. I haven’t read A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes but I do have it. I started the Hunger Games to cope with the fact that I didn’t have the next book for Throne of Glass, but I still loved it I cant wait to watch the movies!!

2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I still to this day have no idea what this ending was and I didn’t like the book enough to try and figure it out. It was alright, didn’t love the ending, and Katiness honestly pissed me off.

3. Heartless by Elsie Silver

Oh my GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK. This is the second book in the Chestnut Springs Series (Flawless, Heartless, Powerless, Reckless, Hopeless) Cade is the standard I have for men now. He is him. I want a grumpy, mid thirties, cowboy to tell me everything’s gonna be okay. Cade and Willa are my lord and saviors.

4. Powerless by Elsie Silver

This is the third book in the Chestnut Springs Series (Flawless, Heartless, Powerless, Reckless, Hopeless) and it was some of the best character development I’ve ever read about. It was fanfuckingtastic. So good, so we’ll thought out and so god damn smutty. Jasper is so 🤭🤭🤭 with his 6’4 tattooed ass.

5. Reckless by Elsie Silver

Theo. Silva. Is. Him. Bullriders are hot. Convince me otherwise. You cannot. Again, some amazing fucking character development form the FMC (Winter Hamilton). I love love love this book. My heart was so happy in the end.

6. Credence by Penelope Douglas

What the actual fuck did I just read. So…. She goes to love with her dads step brother and his two sons in the remote mountains of Colorado. And they get snowed in for the winter. And she’s the only women around. For five months. I’m gonna let y’all figure out the rest. But it has good moments? I think? It was so weird and I’m mad at myself for thinking some of it was hot. It’s fiction, it’s not real. (I’m delusional).

7. Where Broken Wings Fly by J. Rose

This book was outstanding. Fantastic character development and a really good portrayal of PTSD. It’s about a mom and her daughter who escape an arrange, abusive marriage and flee from Mexico to a remote mountain Villingen in England. The cliffhanger at the end made me want to absolutely tear down my house brick for brick to find the answers but I supposed buying the second book will do. It was so good, super smutty, absolutely beautiful.

8. How Does It Feel? By Jeneane O’Riley

What. The. Fuck. WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK. I AM SO NOT OKAY????? Those last two chapters had some Fourth Wing level plot twists that I had no hope of predicting. I am in shambles rn. Absolutely distressed over this fucking god damn mother fucking book. It’s about a biologist who falls through a faerie portal, onto the crowded prince. They think she’s an assassin sent to kill him, and he puts her through a lot of torture to prove her innocence. NOTHING. AND. I. MEAN. NOTHING. will prepare you for this ending.

9. Hopeless by Elsie Silver

AMAZING. 11/10 Elsie silver kills it ever time. This story is about Beau and Bailey. Arranged fake marriage, enemies to friends to lovers. He’s a medically retired special ops military guy and she’s got the worst last name in town. So cute. So sweet. So spicy. Beau Eaton is the standard I have for men now. He’s everything I need. Love love LOVE

10). One Dark Window by Rachel Ginning

My favorite book of the year. Hands down. I cannot stress how much I LOVED. THIS. FUCKING. BOOK. The main character Elspyth has been infected as a child and now harbors raw, unfiltered magic. It is a crime to use magic without the use of the Providence Cards. There are twelve Cards and they all give you separate abilities (strength, speed, beauty, to control others minds, influence emotions and so on). She had the ability to absorb the magic from these cards and now has one of them living inside her head. She teams up with a band of rebels to reunite the Cards in the deck to lift a deadly mist from their town. It’s insanity. It’s so crazy good idk how NO ONE HAS SAID ANYTHING I HAVE NEVER ONCE SEEN THIS BOOK ON BOOKTOK OR IG AND ITS CONCERNING. easily the best world building I’ve ever read. I finished the book last night and the second one will be here today 😭😭