#My second favorite scene was the bedroom iPad scene that was awesom

[nightcolorz]

spoilers for iwtv s2 ep1 but my favorite scene in the episode was after Louis apparently persuades number 1 interview hater armand to go on record and offer his side of the story they cut to morning where the two of them come out to meet Daniel holding hands like the most awkward Mormon couple of all time and they sit all cuddly next to each other doing weird fucking knee rubs while Louis is like gently holding Armand’s hand and doing lil soothing couple things to try and coax him into being comfortable with the interview, like smiling at him in that reassuring way people do when they r subtly trying to encourage someone who is out of their depth. Like cuz clearly the interview is not something armand feels safe with even happening let alone being a part of so him agreeing to join in is a pretty big step for him. And then IMMEDIATELY when armand tentatively goes to offer his input for the first time on record Daniel tells him to shut tf up and wait his turn 😭😭😭 omfg I was dying. The old maniel and armand rivalry is giving me life

[hellyeahomeland]

Things Carrie Wore This Week

TCWTW hive, last week we ate. This week, we feast. 

This is the same ensemble Carrie was wearing at the end of last week’s episode but I just have to say I totally love it. Carrie in all black is perfection. 

Her earrings are these little silver dome studs. Remember when Carrie wearing earrings was a surprising occurrence? Props to the costume department this season because Carrie has worn ALL THE EARRINGS and looked great doing it. 

~the last Theory pantsuit~

She buttoned both buttons... again. I was exasperated last week... I’m now so mellow about it all that I don’t even care. Hey, it’s waist-defining. You do you, Carrie!

She did TUCK IN HER SHIRT. I’m gasping!!! The shirt is (probably) a long-sleeve blouse, in this actually very nice olive-y green color that looks more brownish here. This is great, too! Sorry, I’m reveling in the tucked shirt. If she’d done a French tuck I would have passed through to another dimension.

Interlude the First:

Bonus ~Things Tasneem Wore This Week~

This fucking gorgeous ~eggplant~ ensemble. This is officially my favorite of the season, but purple is my favorite color so I’m not impartial. And the pearls! Which, per Nimrat Kauer, are actually her mother’s? I love that! I love this show! Thank you life, thank you love, it is true, there are some angels in this city! 

Anyway, where were we? 

Oh, right! Carrie goes to the West Bank and throws on this actually lovely dark teal Henley. This is fabulous! I love the sleeve length. The color is wonderful and looks tremendous on her. 

Here’s the full look. Her dependable black skinny jean, the black suede boots. Oh, and the gun. This is your look, Carrie. This is an A. Bravo. 

Interlude the Second:

~Bonus Things Hugh Dancy Wore This Week~

ANOTHER FUCKING KNITTED TIE. I am beyond amused at this homie and his tragique facial hair and his $10,000 suits and his Park Slope knitted tie. 

I’m just... honestly kudos to Hugh Dancy for bringing the ultimate sliminess to this role. He was overjoyed, you could tell. But these knitted ties. How many does he have? Eighteen? In different shades of blue and grey? Anyhoozles, I’m sure John Zabel landed squarely on his feet and is headlining his own Fox News primetime show. 

ARE YOU ALL READY? WE’RE ABOUT TO GO TWO YEARS INTO THE FUTURE.

How does one describe the feeling when the camera slowly pans over to Carrie Mathison, hair perfectly curled, sitting in her beautifully- yet moodily-lit Moscow penthouse at her vanity, wearing a silk robe in a lovely shade of mauve, applying mascara? Remember that other dimension I mentioned above? I’M IN IT. 

I’m... speechless. You know that meme that’s like “when you listen to your new favorite song so many times that you eventually get sick of it”? I’m in danger of reaching that territory.

She’s wearing lingerie?? She’s smiling?????? She!!!!!!!!!! 

(admittedly the lingerie doesn’t fit that well but WHO GIVES A SHIT)

(we’re all in agreement that everything Carrie wears in the last twenty minutes has been a gift from Yevgeny because he is apparently rolling in cash and loves to shower her with presents, right? and she indulges him because she loves him and she knows she looks fucking awesome?)

PAUSE to just take in this scene:

The mid-century-style vanity with all her makeup neatly arranged. Y’all, I’m wheezing!!

His and hers stools at the foot of the bed. 

The largeness of it. This bedroom is massive!! I thought Saul’s bedroom was giant (it is), this is on another level. 

“I just like how he’s always leaning. Against stuff. He leans great.”

Another smile. God, these close-mouthed smiles, I’m truly in another reality.

ANYWAY: the necklace. It’s a Dominique Cohen “diamond pendant necklace (large), in 18k yellow gold, 22-inch chain,” 0.85 carats of white diamonds. It is now officially called “the Carrie” and you can buy it for the low, low price of $3600 (really, it’s on sale).

Yevgeny being a man who knows jewelry is so damn on brand it’s ridiculous. 

Not the series but IJLTP.

Interlude the Third: Carrie and Yevgeny: A Height Difference Made in Heaven

(married couple) 

(how is he so giant)

(she’s wearing heels and still just comes up to his chin!!!!)

They’re a match made in heaven, and that’s actually where I am right now. 

THE COAT. THE HEELS. It’s hard to tell in this photo but her toenails are also painted black. In case we had any doubt that Carrie is living her best life!! 

This coat is gorgeous and so unexpected. They could have just had her wear a more standard black peacoat, but instead they went with this decidedly more elegant textured (beaded?) number. Also, Yevgeny had the coat waiting for her when she walked down the stairs. Did she pick this out beforehand? It’s very much an evening coat, I’m just wondering how he knew that’s what she’d want to wear. 

Good God the last twenty minutes of this episode are just Carrie looking stunning and radiant. It’s what we deserve, and we absolutely love to see it! 

Ok, the earrings! They are also Dominique Cohen (and therefore almost certainly a previous gift from Yevgeny?), specifically the 1.5-inch oval diamond hoops in 18k yellow gold with 0.44 carats of white diamonds. You can get them for the low, low price of $2750 (again, they’re on sale!).

Y’ALL. THEY MADE A CARRIE COLLECTION. CARRIE MATHISON HAS A COLLECTION. OF JEWELRY. NAMED AFTER HER. 

My girl’s not just surviving, she’s thriving. 

The outfit. The top is by Narciso Rodriguez, from his pre-fall 2018 collection: “matte black sequin embroidered one-shoulder silk top.” 

Given that Claire Danes’ favorite designer is Narciso Rodriguez and they are dear friends, do we think this is from Claire’s own wardrobe? ‘Twould be fitting, I’ll say that. The whole ~lewk (especially the asymmetry!) is so Claire it’s wild. 

I”m fairly certain the skirt is Narciso Rodriguez too, because why not?! 

The much-speculated-about purse is the Tango bag by Tissa Fontaneda (sells for $770, but she bought two so that’s $1540). Again, très distinct. The taste! 

CARRIE HAS A TANLINE. CARRIE A. MATHISON.

From which remote beach location did they just return? Croatia, maybe? Or Fiji? Please let me know your thoughts.

By the way, it goes without saying how fabulous Carrie looks. She looks gorgeous. The curled hair is... *chef’s kiss* It got me thinking whether this is a look (the curled hair) she goes with more often than not now... I can’t decide! 

The ring! What an unusual ring. I love how geometric it is. God, Carrie wearing three distinct pieces of jewelry is something I’ll never get over. I’m also calling that this is one of Claire’s own, since my favorite ever credit in a Claire Danes photoshoot is “rings: Danes’ own.” 

Interlude the Last: Claire Danes Wearing Eyeglasses

The ponytail.

Her Zoom username being “Le iPad (2)” is sending me. 

I had to include this because this is a thing Carrie wore. Love the (presumably white) Oxford shirt. This photo will always haunt me. This is Carrie too. No one’s just one thing.

What is Carrie wearing at the end? How about an honest-to-God smile? 

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

IN CONCLUSION: I LOVE YOU, CARRIE. 

[fandomriderx-1]

The Play’s The Thing

Hi all! Here's a short story I wrote for my fiction class. I’d love to hear some feedback, especially from the admittedly great writer, though thoroughly incompetent arch-nemesis, @identityconstellations

I sobbed as I held Amon’s limp body, when I heard loud footsteps just a little to my left. I wiped my tears and gazed at Amon.

“Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. Oh happy dagger!” I picked up the knife in Amon’s hand, still a little warm. I held it with both hands in front of me.

“This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die.” I shouted these last words, plunging the knife into my chest. Warm red liquid poured down my chest, turning the purple of the dress black. As I collapsed next to Amon, I couldn’t help a small smile. Sometimes, friends are the greatest things in the world.

Rewind a few months. It was the second week of my senior year, and a giant banner had appeared in the main hallway. It was one of the cheap kind the school always used, made from that really big paper the school buys in huge rolls and letters in paint that would flake off if you breathed on it. Still, it did its job, proclaiming tryouts for the school’s production of Romeo and Juliet.

My friend Maddie nudged me as we walked to our first class. “We should try out, Cindy!”

I stared at the poster. Today was Monday, and the try outs were on Friday.

“I’m not sure we even have enough time. It says we have to recite a monologue.”

Maggie rolled her eyes at me. “Oh please, you’ve had ‘The V Speech’ memorized since we watched V for Vendetta last year. You made me recite Evey’s line so much when I die they will cut open my skull and find ‘Are you, like, a crazy person?’ carved into my brain.”

I chuckled. “Ok, I get your point. Still, that’s from a movie. Think Chrismon will count it?”

“Probably,” Maddie said, shifting to take her jacket off without removing her backpack. “That whole speech is basically a really long tongue twister. Get it right and he’ll know you can handle Shakespearean.”

I mulled over it for a second before nodding. “You’re probably right. Ok, I’ll try out.”

We spent the next few days rehearsing after school at Maddie’s house.

“What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe! Oh time, thou must untangle this, not I. It is too hard a knot for me to untie!” Maddie finished in her best man-voice, reciting Viola’s monologue from Twelfth Night. Putting down Maddie’s iPad with the monologue on it, I gave her a round of applause.

“Awesome! Pull back the hair, add some fake stubble, and you could totally pass for a man!” That earned me a pillow aimed at my head.

“Gee thanks, Cindy.” Maddie said, sitting down beside me. I shoved her with my shoulder, getting a shove in return.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Maddie began. “Are your sisters trying out for the play?”

My sisters, Theresa and Mildred, and yes they look just like their names sound, were notorious members of the drama club. They’d try out for every single play the school would put on, get small parts, and then throw fits if the whole family didn’t come see every single performance.

I sighed, exhausted at the thought of those two. “Of course they will. They wouldn’t miss a chance to stroke their enormous egos.” I glanced at my watch “Crap, I’ve gotta get home. Mildred has laundry duty this week, and she wants me to get my clothes together tonight.”

I grabbed my backpack and Maggie walked me outside. “We still good to go for lunch after auditions tomorrow?” Maggie asked as I got into my car.

“Yep! I already got my chores for the week done, so I should be free.” Chrismon, the drama teacher, had a small family emergency and had to reschedule the tryouts for Saturday instead of Friday, so we planned to meet at tryouts and then go for lunch afterwards. I closed my car door and pulled out of the driveway, waving to Maggie as I drove off.

The next morning, I woke up to a pile of dirty clothes landing in my face.

“Get up, Cindy. Its your turn to do the laundry.” Theresa announced.

I shot up in bed, knocking bras and skirts to the ground. “What are you talking about? It’s Mildred’s week. I vacuumed the house.”

With a smirk Theresa shook her head. “Check again.” She called, walking out of my room. I untangled my body from the sheets and dirty clothes and raced down the hall to the kitchen downstairs. My stepmother, Susanne, had instituted a chore chart that rotated every week, making sure everyone vacuumed, cooked, did the dishes, etc. When I got home last night under my name was written ‘vacuum & dishes’ in my stepmothers exquisite handwriting. Now under my name was ‘laundry & dishes,’ with ‘laundry’ written in a crude imitation. The same could be said for Mildred’s category, which now had ‘vacuum’ in the same crude handwriting.

“Midlred!” I shouted, loud enough that Susanne’s cat jumped and ran out of the room.

I stormed upstairs to Mildred’s room, throwing open the door. Mildred was sitting on her bed, reading a book I couldn’t see the title of. She turned the page before answering. “Yes, Cindy?”

“What do you think you’re trying to pull, changing the chore chart? It was my week to vacuum, and I already did it two days ago.”

Mildred laid her book down, still open, and dramatically raised her hand to her mouth. “What in the world are you talking about, Cindy? It’s your turn to do the laundry. I was the one who vacuumed on Thursday. Now, you better get started. Theresa couldn’t get to my or her laundry last week so you’ve got quite a lot to do.” She motioned to the huge pile sitting by her door, and handed me her book, nails perfectly manicured from their salon visit last week. “Unless you want to make something of it.”

I took the book, seeing it was the complete works of William Shakespeare book that Susanne kept in the living room to look smart. It was open to Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene II. My stomach sank. Maggie’s monologue. You could say a lot of things about my stepsisters, but three things would always be true: they were egotistical, they were overly dramatic, hence handing me the book like this, and they were cruel. I could feel Theresa grinning from the doorway.

A few hours later I pulled up to the front of the school, Theresa just exiting the building. She ran over to my car.

“Cindy, where have you been? You completely missed auditions!”

I motioned for her to get in the car. Maddie knew me well enough to know when I needed to be quiet. I drove us to Moe’s, our favorite lunch spot. We got our food and grabbed a booth in the corner. I was halfway through my burrito when I decided to talk. I gave her the short version of what happened that morning.

“Wait, they threatened me? With a book?” Maddie questioned.

I nodded. “Kinda. I don’t know how, but they found out what you were planning to do for your monologue. My stepsisters are evil, but they’re smart. They knew that Romeo and Juliet doesn’t have many female characters, just Juliet, the Nurse, and the moms really. They figured by getting rid of one of us they’d have a better shot of getting a lead role.” I took a sip of my drink, the cup crunching a little in my hand. I was pissed. “So, they rearranged the chore schedule so I’d be stuck doing laundry all morning and miss the auditions. And if I tried to do something about it, like tell Susanne or something, they’d find some way to ruin your audition instead.”

“Ok, your sisters are freaking psychos.”

I raised my cup like it was a toast. “Amen to that.”

Next Friday Chrismon had posted the cast list. I know this because the moment he taped it to the door Mildred and Theresa had taken pictures of their names and sent them to all our relatives, telling them to RSVP now for opening night, announcing that they had been cast as Lady Capulet and Lady Montague respectively. I turned off my phone and slammed my locker, marching down the hall to Biology.

“Cindy!” I heard a shout from down the hall. Maddie was running towards me with her phone in the air. Once she got close enough she shoved it in my face. “Chrismon posted the cast list.”

Barely looking at the phone, I tried to give my friend a small smile. “I know, Mildred and Theresa already messaged the whole family.”

Maddie shook her head, black curls flying everywhere. “No! I mean, yeah they were cast, but look!” She shoved her phone closer to my face, so I finally gave it a good look.

“Amon Strong is Romeo … Maddie Henson is Juliet!” I shouted, wrapping my arms around her neck. “You’re going to be Juliet! I can’t believe it!”

Maddie wrapped her arms around me too. “I know! But that’s not the biggest thing.” Maddie pulled back from me.

“I’ve got an idea about how we can get back at your sisters.”

The next few months flew by in a blur. Maddie had to go to rehearsal almost every day after school, and even a lot of Saturdays once October rolled around. I already gave Maddie I ride to and from school most days, so it was easy for me to stay behind and work on homework while they put the play together.

It was really interesting to watch. Chrismon apparently has never done Shakespeare before at our school, so he wanted to take this weird, minimalistic approach to it. Instead of a complicated, moving set, they just had this long, rising platform that curved around the stage. It was only about six inches off the ground on the left side, but on the right side it was so high that people would walk under it to get on stage. The idea was to let the context of the scene shape how people viewed the set. So, when the scene is supposed to be in a town square, the platform surrounding the middle of the stage would look like buildings. When the scenes were supposed to take place in the Capulet’s house, the highest platform would serve as Juliet’s bedroom. And when it was the final scene and Juliet was ‘dead’, the platform would feel like her tomb. It was pretty smart, especially on a high school budget.

To add to the minimalistic thing, he even had them simplify the csotumes. Everyone except Juliet, the moms, the Nurse, and Friar Laurence were wearing black dress pants and shoes, a white dress shirt, and a blue or red vest. And even then, Friar Laurence basically just had an overgrown vest on, and the girls were just wearing basic dresses. The idea was that everyone who was a part of the family feud was wearing a particular color. If you were on the Capulets side, you wore red, and if you were a Montague, you wore blue. To show their being apart, Prince Escalus, the Friar, and the Nurse all wore purple, as did Romeo and Juliet after they got married. Contrasting with the black platform and white background with shifting red, blue, and purple colors, it made a stunning display.

While I was admiring the set one day during a dress rehearsal, one guy wearing a red vest walked over to me.

I didn’t know his name, but I had scene rehearsals enough to know his role.

“Well, if it isn’t the noble County Paris. To what do I owe this pleasure?” I joked.

He made a deep, overdramatic bow. “To see why this fair maiden has dined to watch our humble practices all these weeks, with hope of learning her name.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Nothing quite like performing Shakespeare to get you accustomed to the language.

“I’m Cindy, Cindy Todd. Maddie is my best friend.” I answered finally.

The boy quirked his head. “Todd? As in-“

“Yes, as in Mildred and Theresa Todd. They’re my stepsisters.”

The boy scrunched up his lips in disgust. “Yikes. The worst I’ve got is an older brother who won’t shut up about how I’m the favorite child. Though between you and me,” He leaned down to stage whisper in my ear. “He really doesn’t make it that hard.”

I chuckled again. “Which brings the subject back to you. You know my name, so what’s yours?”

The boy extended his hand. “Jim Davis. Pleasure to meet you, Cindy.”

I shook his hand, smiling. “Pleasure to meet you, Jim.”

Over the next few weeks Jim and I ended up chatting quite a bit. As Paris he wasn’t in Acts III and IV, so he spent long stretches of rehearsal in the audience seats with me. Eventually I let him in on me and Maddie’s plan.

He frowned a little. “I get why you’d want to do it, but do you think it’s the smartest thing to do? I mean, this play isn’t just Mildred and Theresa, it’s everyone else. This is a lot of people’s senior year. If you mess the play up, you could hurt their chances at scholarships to go to acting colleges.”

“That’s why we’re only doing it for the last two performances. Our family can only come on that last night, so it’s the perfect time to strike.” I assured him.

Jim seemed to mull it over. Eventually he gave in. “Ok, fine, but you need to let me help you prepare. We did the play back in middle school, and I was Romeo then. I know all the lines, so I can make sure you don’t screw this up, no offense.”

I raised my hands in defense. “None taken. Thanks a ton!”

After that Jim would join me and Maddie at her house every night after rehearsal. We’d work together to rush through our homework, then continue working on the revenge scheme.

Opening night went off without a hitch. Susanne was busy that night, so I sat with Maddie’s parents in the front row. Her dad had even gotten a bouquet of flowers that he passed out to us. When Maddie took her bow, we threw the flowers on stage, congratulating her on a great performance.

Still, nothing could compare to what happened that Friday. Chrismon always insisted on running the play at least once before every performance. I was sitting in my usual spot in the audience while she and Amon, our Romeo, practiced the balcony scene. We had brought in Amon, who had dated Mildred last year only to discover her cheating on him, weeks before and he knew what to do. In our version of the balcony scene, Romeo climbs up the platform and spends a few lines up there with Juliet before climbing down part-ways, still holding Juliet’s hand.

Only this time, while reciting “I would I were thy bird,” Amon let his foot slip, keeping an iron grip on Maddie’s hand, who was already mostly leaning off the platform. With a shout, Amon fell to the ground, pulling Maddie with him. The two landed in a heap.

“Maddie!” I shouted, running up down the aisle and practically jumping onto the stage. Chrismon was there almost as fast.

“Ow!” Maddie shouted, peeling herself off Amon as she clutched her left arm. “I think I broke it.”

Chrismon checked on Amon while I inspected Maddie. It was well known that I had some first aid training, so he let us be.

“Nice fall.” I whispered. Maddie shot me a slightly angry glare.

“It wasn’t entirely fake.” Maddie grunted. Feeling her arm, I could defiantly tell it was messed up. Nothing broken, but her wrist and elbow were definitely sprained from Amon’s yanking.

“Crap.” I locked eyes with Maddie. She mouthed for me to stick to the plan.

Maddie turned back to our director. “Mr. Chrismon, is Amon all right?”

Chrimson nodded his head. “A little bruised, but I think he’ll be fine. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was a planned.” He gave us a wary look but didn’t say anything else about it. “What about you?”

“She definitely sprained her elbow,” I reported. “But I don’t think anything’s broken. I guess Amon broke her fall.”

Still a bit dazed, Amon gave a thumbs up.

“She’ll need to be checked out by a doctor, but either way I don’t think she can do any more show’s” I concluded.

“The who’ll play Juliet?” Jim helpfully asked. That boy should’ve gone to Julliard for that performance, you could never tell he rehearsed that line.

I could hear Mildred and Theresa shouting from the back of the crowd that had gathered, but Maddie had already grabbed my arm.

“Cindy, you can do it! You’ve been here for every rehearsal, and you helped me with memorizing all my lines. I know you can do it!” She looked to Chrismon for encouragement.

The drama teacher looked at me. “It’s last minute, but do you think you can handle it, Cindy?” Loud twin screeches could be heard in the background.

I tried my best to look conflicted before nodding.

“I’ll do it.”

We called Maddie’s mom and had her taken to see a doctor while we worked to get me into Maddie’s dresses. One thing we failed to account for was that Maddie was at least three size larger than me. Luckily Chrismon is a wizard with safety pins and soon the dress fit perfectly. An hour later and it was curtains up.

I sobbed as I held Amon’s limp body, when I heard loud footsteps just a little to my left. I wiped my tears and gazed at Amon.

“Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. Oh happy dagger!” I picked up the knife in Amon’s hand, still a little warm. I held it with both hands in front of me.

“This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die.” I shouted these last words, plunging the knife into my chest. Warm red liquid poured down my chest, turning the purple of the dress black. As I collapsed next to Amon, I couldn’t help a small smile. Sometimes, friends are the greatest things in the world.

We received a standing ovation. It turned out that was the night the local paper sent over a reporter to do a piece on our play. It was a slow news day, so I took great satisfaction in throwing the paper at Mildred’s head the next morning. Under the big bold headline of “THE PLAY’S THE THING” was a picture of me, taking a bow.

[emthinks]

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

No. No. What? No.

I don’t have thoughts. I do not comprehend. Give me a few moments (days, weeks) to gather the broken pieces of my brain. I shall be back.

Fair warning: Someone told me ACoMaF is like wrapping you in a warm, fluffy blanket and not letting go while EoS is stabbing you a thousand times with needles. I’d like to point out right now that that statement is false. ACoMaF can be a warm fuzzy blanket at first, sure, but one that slowly falls apart so just when you think you’re safe and okay, it freezes your ass off because it can’t protect you any longer. It betrays you.

Rating: 9.8/10

My Notes (as condensed from my iPad):

I start off and my first thought is: “wtf is going on?” Like, there’s a wedding? Feyre/Tamlin right? No. No. Like, five pages in and I’m reading about dresses and parties and Feyre saying how she wishes she’d one day learn to love her role as the blushing bride and all I’m hearing is no. Because Feyre is not, under any circumstances, just a pretty bride or the helpless princess. She is a warrior among her own right and should be treated as such, damn it. Wtf happened in that time gap between the end of ACoTaR and the beginning of this book? What the fuck?

And she’s not allowed to help? At all?

“Feyre Cursebreaker”. Huh. That’s new.

“I was introduced and passed around” like a fucking toy? Hell no.

“Alone in my bedroom, I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I’d truly laughed.” Jfc. Is it just me or does it sound like Feyre might be in a little – just a little – pain? Huh, Tamlin? Tamlin, who doesn’t give two shits and who doesn’t wake up when Feyre is puking her guts out every night? Wow, what a wonderful and supportive fiancé you are Tamlin. Would really want to marry you

Also, is it just me or does the first part of this where Feyre is trapped read a lot like Just Ella? Anyone ever read that? It’s about after the happily ever after of Cinderella. Except it’s not much of a happily ever after. That’s how I felt. Like this was just a really shitty happily ever after.

Also, hey, after three months Rhys finally calls in the bargain. Right during Feyre’s wedding. Good. Because Feyre sounded like she was so done with this right now. Except she’s so deep in denial, it’s kind of side. Also, like, Tamlin just gave up so easily – he just threatened Rhys a bit and called it a day. Like, no. If you really love her – if you really want Feyre – you should be fighting a little harder for your bride-to-be.

Hey! Feyre gets to learn how to read and write. “Rhysand is the best, Rhysand is awesome.” That’s hilarious. Also, Feyre is learning Occlumency. I’m literally getting flashbacks to HBP and Snape’s lessons with Harry. Fun, right?

Yes, yes, yes! We finally rescue Feyre! Yay Mor! “Not safe. Not protected. Free.” Hell yeah you are!

The Court of Dreams vs. The Court of Nightmares. Oh I love that.

Okay, idk what that whole prison scene shit was but it sounded a lot like Azkaban. But worse. Because these prisoners have been here for a long time. Also, the Bone Carve scared the shit out of me. It better not come into play later – Feyre shared one too many secrets with that asshole.

The whole Weaver scene was absolutely insane. Like, I couldn’t flip the (metaphorical) pages on my iPad fast enough. Feyre needed to get out. (Fuck you Rhys and making her fetch a ring.) Feyre has to get out. Go, go, Feyre!

Wow, this scene with Elain and Nesta went real well, didn’t it? Nesta, wtf? I thought you were supposed to be on our side?

Also, the Feysand training is basically Rowaelin training. Fae mates are just merciless, aren’t they?

The Summer Court bit was fun. A nice break. I like Tarquin. Tarquin is our friend. Also, going down to get the Book, I knew shit was going to go to pieces. There’s no way they’d make it that easy for us. And guess what? I was right

Wow, the mortal queens are assholes. Willing to abandon the island to save the continent. Fuck them.

Also is it just me or did the sex scenes read like fanfics? I’m not complaining, per say, just finding it…odd. Very well-written fics, but…fics nonetheless. Basically, what I’m saying is that Sarah J Maas’s original stories read like my favorite fanfics/authors and you don’t understand how ecstatic I am about that.

Like that throne room scene in the Court of Nightmares? Literally the sexual tension was through the fucking roof. It got so heated. Was expecting they start banging right there in front of everyone.

I mean, so were the cabin scenes, I guess, but that throne room. JFC. Combustion. I was in public reading this on iBooks on my phone and I was like so worried people would take the words out of context. That would've been awkward

Starfall scene was wonderful and beautiful and fluffy and feels

Okay, that journey to the Illyrian camp could’ve gone a lot better. Like, I thought everything was okay, right? And then Feysand go into the mountains to train. And who shows up but Lucien? Like, still convinced Feyre is brainwashed and here to “rescue” her.

And if that wasn’t enough, basically immediately after, we get Rhysand super injured because some assholes just shot him with ash arrows? Like, no. It’s Hybern. Ofc. Fuck them.

Okay, love how whenever Feyre has a question/problem, she just goes and traps the Suriel

They’re mates! Yes! I knew it! Thanks Suriel!

Okay, Feyre, wtf? Why you running away into a secluded cabin? All Rhys wanted to do was protect you.

But lol, Mor telling Feyre to paint her eyes next to Amren’s so they can all judge the boys is great. I love it.

Finally, finally Feyre just accepts it. God, you’ve been family for ages already jfc just accept it and can we move on please?

Okay, Rhys talking about he was dreaming about Feyre for years, even when she was mortal, and how she was all that kept him sane Under the Mountain was just heartbreaking

THEY SHOWED THEM VELARIS AND THEN THEY WERE ATTACKED

I know the nice queen warned them not to trust the other queens, but seriously? Velaris?! The only beautiful thing left in this fucked up continent? You assholes

“So I won my wedding ring without even being asked if I wanted to marry you.” Wow. Figures it would go something like this.

So the whole “let's go destroy the Cauldron” part sounded sketchy from start to finish lbr, so I was just waiting for something to go wrong

I just didn't anticipate it to be that wrong

First Feyre puts the Books together. Which. Idiot

Then Jurian shows up. I'm not particularly sure his storyline (am still confused about his history) to tell us that he's just been sent here to distract us

And then they shoot Azriel. And all I'm thinking is “Fuck they WOULD target Azriel”

And so they can't do shit. The most powerful people ever, Feyre with all seven court lords’ powers, Rhysand as the most powerful High Lord, Cassian as a ridiculously powerful Illyrian, Mor who was auctioned off as a bride because of her power – none of them could live a god damned finger. And I was SO worried

And then fucking TAMLIN AND LUCIEN STEP THROUGH

NO

HELLS NO

I have to be reading this wrong. <Goes back to reread last line of last chapter> Fuck. No.

Fucking Tamlin is delusional and Lucien’s loyalties are ridiculous and you literally just let the dude who wants to destroy the whole world in through your backyard so it'll be easier for him to destroy your world, and all for what?

But noooo, we’re not done yet. The mortal queens show up

And we learn they've given up their whole world to be made immortal. Like, what?

And then we’re thoroughly fucked because  Feyre’s sisters get dragged in

We learn that the King of Hybern can use the Cauldron to turn mortals immortal. And Nesta and Elain are the test subjects

(Keep in mind that I am reading this whole ending, starting from like right before they reach the Cauldron, in line at lunch. In public. And I couldn't scream or flail and it was torture)

Cassian’s WINGS. Omg I almost forgot. Cass no. He'd rather have death than not be able to fly Cass NO

I almost lost it - would've started crying had I not been in public – when they made Elain go first.

Elain comes out Fae, which, yay? At least she’s not dead. And she's immortal now

Nesta goes down, kicking and screaming and cursing the King of Hybern. And that line – that line of “I knew something was different”, I nearly knocked into somebody in line before me because I was so worried it would say she was dead

But she wasn't. Thank the Cauldron. Actually, fuck the Cauldron

But we’re not done yet. Not even close.

Because Feyre starts to say she's willing to do anything – give up anything – to those she loves. To save her sister. And – oh no – a feeling of dread starts to build up…

Feyre fucking manages to convince everyone that she was indeed under Rhysand’s spell and she's in love with Tamlin again. Like, no Feyre.

And if that wasn't enough, fucking Feyre asks – asks – the King of Hybern to break their bond. NO NO NO. We just spent like five hundred pages trying to make the bond are you ducking kidding me?

It happens anyways. And we’re sobbing right alongside Feyre. As she returns to the Spring Court with Tamlin and Lucien

And then we get a Rhysand PoV. And we learn that LOL actually, the mating bond wasn't cleaved. Just the whole bargain one. And also, LOL, Feyre can now be a spy for us. And also, LOL, we got married last night. And also, LOL, I made her the High Lady of the Night Court so fuck y'all fuckers

Tbh, that one Rhysand PoV at the end was my saving grace. I don't think I foul would've been as soothing if we heard it just from Feyre. I needed to have known that Rhysand was on board too, that this was what we had to go with

I mean, I'm still not actually happy with the ending, but it's (spoiler alert: EoS) still one hell of a better ending than EoS. Fml #savefeyre

“When you spend so long trapped in the darkness, Lucien, you find that the darkness begins to stare back.” – Feyre Archeron

The Characters:

One thing that I really loved about this second book was that we really got to see how Feyre grew, as a character and as a person and how she learned to fight. Like in the beginning, she was so helpless – or, rather, she thought she was helpless and should just subject herself to Tamlin locking her up, but then she runs away and starts training with Rhysand and it gets so much better. But not immediately, because that would be unrealistic. Instead, Feyre slowly learns about her abilities and what she can do with the powers of all seven High Lords, and it’s a slow process. Especially in the beginning. She has no control – she’s just been made High Fae, so it’s understandable. But to read about the trials and error she undergoes, how she learns how to winnow and how she works on her water abilities in the Summer Court because she’s near Tarquin and how she finally gets over Tamlin (mostly) and shapeshifts and it’s great. It really is. Feyre has become a bamf and I can’t wait to see what she can do – what she will do – now that she’s an official spy in Tamlin’s Court. She’s no longer going to be held down, locked up. Not anymore. Not this High Fae Feyre. Not the High Lady of the Night Court. No, if you upset Feyre – if you get on her bad side – you better pray to whatever god or Cauldron you believe in that she leaves and piece of you behind when she’s finished. She can defend herself now, fight for her own rights, and I think that’s so important.

Rhysand is not an asshole. What do you know? Well, I never thought he was a complete asshole, even in ACoTaR, because he was just subjecting himself to Amarantha Under the Mountain to protect his people, after all. But then in ACoMaF, we learn just how far he’s willing to go for his people. To protect Velaris. And honestly, Velaris is like a fucking dream. It’s beautiful. Who wouldn’t want to protect this city? And we learn Rhys has sacrificed so much of himself for others, to make those he love happy, to make sure his friends weren’t Under the Mountain and even initially giving up on Feyre because he just wanted her to be happy, even though if it meant if he’d be suffering for all of eternity. Like, Rhys, when have you ever done something nice for yourself? You should. When this trilogy ends, you better treat yourself good. I mean it. That’s an order.  

Cassian is amazing. He’s so entertaining and fun and I love him. He’s like the jokester of the group. Except after hearing his backstory, you start to wonder why he’s the jokester. Why he’s so goddamned happy all the time and – more importantly – how? Like, Cassian’s childhood was shit. Azriel at least knew he was special and Rhys. I mean, with Rhys, everyone knew he was the child of the High Lord of the Night Court and thus his powers were through the roof, even if he was training with everyone else. But with Cassian. Oh poor Cassian. I felt so bad because Cassian was just a regular guy who just wanted to prove his worth but wasn’t allowed to and he had to go through so much and he deserves all the happiness he gets right now and and and his wings! I almost screamed when I read about his wings being burned off (or ripped?) and I can’t. He has to be fine. They have to be fine. They said an Illyrian warrior would rather die than not be able to fly, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t have Cassian dying on me. Nope. That’s not going to happen so you better buck up and get those wings fixed mister before I even get to ACoWaR.

Mor is Nehemia. But more badass. Like Nehemia fought with words and subtly, while Mor was in your face and you had to defend from that. Mor is great. I really wish Feyre had bonded with Mor more. (Wow, “Mor more”. That sounds weird even in my head while I’m writing it.)

Unlike Mor, I didn't know what to think of Amren for a while. She seemed okay. She's Rhys’ second in command so she had to be a good person, and capable. And then we learn more about her. About how she's not of this world – of how she's so fucking powerful, she's currently on a leash. (Rhys mentioned at one point to Feyre that if all else fails, he’ll find a way to unleash her powers on the world and kill himself first.) And she drinks blood. Which I did immediately think when Feyre saw her not eating, but I thought that would be too Twilight-esque. Apparently not. Still, she's not a vampire so I'm not particularly sure what she is. I want to know. I want to know what Amren really is, and I want to see her going full out and ravaging the King of Hybern. That would be a sight to behold.

Azriel is my kind of guy. He's silent but he's always present and he's so damn good at his job, it bothers him when he can't accomplish shit immediately. He's like always on call and he's just as capable as everyone else in the Inner Circle and it’s wonderful.,

Tarquin is freaking awesome. I really liked him. I didn’t think I would. But he was an idealist, a young High Lord, and he was like Rhysand. Except not as cunning. I think he would make a wonderful ally. And I think, if we just explain the situation to him, we could get him on our side, making him understand why we needed the Book. Also, side note, Tarquin sends giant rubies personally engraved as a sign of aggression. Like, sign me up please! Where can I get some of those?

Tamlin is a fucking bastard. There’s no nice way to put it. Tamlin is a bastard and I can’t believe I liked him before. Jfc. Did you have to ruin everything, Tamlin? Everything. He ruined literally everything. And for what? A woman who no longer loves you because you had locked her up, didn’t listen to her. A woman you didn’t treat as your equal. And you wonder why she wanted to escape so badly from you? Why she’s still secretly escaping? You are delusional and you are an idiot and I really hope you come back to us (because you’re hot) because otherwise, you’re going straight to hell, a grave right alongside the King of Hybern and Ianthe and Jurian.

Lucien is honestly not much better. Could be worse. Still doesn’t question Tamlin. Still doesn’t try to fight him. He knows Feyre is wasting away. He knows Tamlin is doing some dumbass shit. He knows. He has to know that Tamlin making that god damned bargain with the King of Hybern was the stupidest thing he could’ve ever done, but did I see him do anything? Nope. Just sobbing over a once-human mate. You’ll get what’s coming to you, Lucien, unless you convert too. I’m sorry, but I really have no pity for you. You’re not dumb, Lucien, nor blinded by love, like Tamlin can claim, so I don’t really understand why you aren’t protesting more – your protested more in ACoTaR when Tamlin wouldn’t tell you shit about the curse! Jfc Lucien I know you can do more, so I better see you step up your game, talk to Feyre, otherwise if she leaves you behind, I won’t protest.  

With Ianthe, I really should've seen it coming. Because she was just such a randomly introduce character whom we had no background for, unlike Lucien, so we couldn't even see if she was semi-decent and she's complying with Tamlin’s every wish and ignoring Feyre and dressing her up and not an actually friend. One thing I'm glad this book did is teach Feyre who actual friends are and what they'd do for each other. Aka. The Inner Circle and not Ianthe.

“The issue isn’t whether he loved you, it’s how much. Too much. Love can be a poison.” – Rhysand

The Ships:

Feysand (Feyre/Rhysand): Is beautiful. They’re mates. I knew it! I predicted it ever since Rhys’ eyes went wide Under the Mountain. That parting scene. And it’s everything and more that I could want from them. Really.

Azriel/Mor: Is the saddest relationship ever. I don’t mean sad like Tamlin/Feyre said (that’s just messed up) or sad like there’s no chemistry. I mean sad like why the fuck haven’t they fucked yet? Like, Azriel doesn’t think he’s good enough or something, and I guess Mor thinks the same, because of what she had to undergo as a powerful woman born in the Court of Nightmares. Like, no. Literally, “Azriel would likely love Mor until he was a whisper of darkness between the stars” should not be the best quote about your relationship. Please fix this. Please. Someone, anyone. Feyre? Rhysand? Amren? Cassian?

Nestian (Nesta/Cassian): it’s not just me, right? Like, this is an actual thing? I think they’re mates. I also think they’re going to tear each other apart before they admit that, but hey, it’s Nesta and Cassian. That wouldn’t be surprising at all.

Elucien (Elain/Lucien): These two are actually mates. And honestly, I think this could work out really well. Or really badly. Like, Elain is the one who was engaged to an anti-faerie guy, but Elain is also a lot nicer. A lot less strong-willed than Nesta. So as long as Lucien isn’t an ass – which, honestly, he seemed just shocked – we should all be good with this pair. They seem like they’ll be cute.

Tamlin/Feyre: Is someone seriously still questioning the shipping dilemna? There isn’t. Tamlin is an ass and it’s Feysand all the way and if you aren’t Feysand that’s some fucked up relationship you’re behind right there. I’m not about that shit, sorry not sorry.

“I was his and he was mine, and we were the beginning and middle and end. We were a song that had been sung from the very first ember of light in the world.” – Feyre Archeron

My Questions:

Just what are the limits of Feyre’s powers?

Like, she has the power of all seven courts, all seven High Lords. Does she have a limit? I want to see her go full out. The Cauldron was practically singing to her. She would tear the whole god damned world apart if she mastered all seven courts. And it would be glorious to watch her do so.

Wtf happened when Nesta went into the Cauldron?

Like, Feyre said that with Nesta (in comparison to Elain) it was different. Did Nesta get more powers? Was Nesta’s grudge against the King of Hybern going to come into play.

Wtf is Amren?

I really want to know what Amren is. To see the full extent of her powers. Because she will decimate her opponents, especially without whatever leash holding her back that Rhys casually mentioned that one time. I want to see her go to town on the King of Hybern. She better. It’s the least she can do, after everything her friends have gone through.

“No one was my master – but I might be master of everything if I wished. If I dared.” – Feyre Archeron

My hopes/predictions for the future:

I finally get what #savefeyre means

And I wholeheartedly agree

Yes, she’s a spy, but she’s also your mate Rhysand. Go and get her back god damn it.

Also, it might be stupid and naïve of me, but I’m still holding out hope that Tamlin joins them.

I have slightly higher hopes that Lucien will understand. Or at least work with them (Feyre, mostly) because his mate has been taken. But I think Lucien understands and can sympathize better with Feyre in general, so I have higher hopes that he’ll really join their forces and work with Rhysand and see that the Night Court isn’t just a bunch of assholes

Oh, that’s another thing I want to happen: people seeing the Night Court as it truly is – a split between the Court of Nightmares and the Court of Dreams. People being able to see – and appreciate – Velaris (fuck those mortal queens. Fuck those bitches to hell. I’m with you on that Feyre)

Although, the Court of Nightmares does exist still, so I really hope that after everything is said and done and the King of Hybern and fucking Ianthe, that bitch, and the mortal queens and Jurian and everyone is disposed and taken care of that we can go back with Mor and Cassian and Azriel and sack the god damned place. And return the wonderful treatment Mor received during her time as a female in that underground

Another thing: Amren. Amren and her power. I really want to see what the fuck she can do – what her limits are

And Nesta and Elain! I want them to fight alongside Feyre & co. That would be ideal. And drag along Lucien.

“To the stars who listen – and the dreams that are answered.” – Rhysand