#Mystic prodigy series

[khlegacynexus]

I’m bringing this classic meme back: very much wondering how canon this is to the show!!! yeah Thos amazing 40th anniversary short comic had many thugs I was not expecting. Available at your local comic store (the geekier the better!) one of which were the face reveal of Frida. And Splinter’s death wholly crap! Also Dying Splinter bomb shelling the reveal of the missing siblings. I’m gonna spread more of those thoughts over of the content I have coming out over the next few days or weeks.

And there will be a Blurb about it in the upcoming chapter of Others

But I will say SPOILERS: MP!Splinter still has at least fifteen more years under his belt

[doyouknowthistmntau]

Do you know Mystic Prodigy Series by @khlegacynexus??

Learn more about the AU by clicking here!!

Reminder!! Submissions are still open!! You can use the submission form or the asks!! ^^

Submission Note: Separated AU

[khlegacynexus]

I want that to be the mystic prodigy series for some people

don’t you ever read a piece of fanfiction so good you just

[evenmoreofadisaster]

Question for 1-D what do you think of the Leo from the Mystic Prodigy series he might be trying to one up all the other Leo’s in the competition this year what day you?

the last question

[tmntaucompetition]

As promised here’s the full list of every submission plus the creator! Keep in mind I’m only human and might’ve missed a few AUs. If so, let me know! (This does not mean every au on here is in the competition! Refer to the other two lists for those who are.)

Mystic Prodigy Series - KHLegacyNexus (+ao3)

Rabbit’s Broach - Pigeonsgrame

RatTrap AU - RatTrap tmnt

Uprising Dystopia AU (ROTTMNT) - alexthenerdbird

Uprising (2012) - hypernovasmash

Down with the Stockholm - devotedtoasadpoetry

Donnie Disaster - 5ilent5ilence

Until I Found You - PhoebePheebsPhibs

Little Subjects - AllyHeart707

Snapdragon - bluesgras

Remember Forever - uncannyAlien (ao3)

Totpocalypse - pastadorable

Warriors Heart - PeanutRat20

Gemini AU - tangledinink

Kid Leo - Angelpuns

Mama’s Boys - honey_rye

Feral Casey - azucar-skull

Lone Turtle and Hunter - MidnightCreator12 (+ao3)

We ran out of rats - breadle_doodles and sheltered-uno

Tmnt search for our colors - breadle_doodles

Minor interference - bambiraptorx (+ao3)

Rita’s AU - ProbablyNotARutabaga

Catch You - mudlurkspur (ao3)

Spikerangleo - Sweeenydino

Sorry I’m Late - GeminiForest

Kendratello childhood - zeawesomeness

Kendra tells Childhood AU - AlleyHeart707

Empyrean Weeping - cupcakeslushie

Open your shell to find - Onejellyfishplease

The lemonade leak - turtleinsoup

Fears embrace - Karonkar and OwlieDoesNothing

Their memories - 3mutantsinatrenchcoat

The last ronin becomes a discord admin - MelonPaloonza

Lost and found - LilliputianDuckling (ao3)

Two souls - virgilsspidey

Jacob’s Ladder - Tapakah0

Happily ever after - Phykoha

Ghost in the shell - amevello-blue (+ao3)

Of mutants, mystics, and magic - clanofjones (sideblog: of-mutants-mystics–and-magic)

Rise of the parallel - Indieyuugure

The mutation situation - Indieyuugure

Quilt au - Cokowee

Difference (2012) - NeptuneIsaPlanet (ao3)

The colors of yesterday - boots-with-the-fur

Tmnt greyscale - broken-slime-boi

Good genes 2012 - lordshroom

Two shades of blue a new timeline - Leon/Blue

Aberration - ProbablyNotARutabaga

I’m sorry teenage mutant what now? - tangledinink

TMNT stabilize - tangledinink

Slice of life – Theawesomeninja_XD (+ao3)

Memories - Theawesomeninja_XD (+ao3)

Miraculous hamato - Theawesomeninja_XD (+ao3)

Twin-Sync (More than you think) - little-banjo-frog

Snapper and stinkpot - Paytato435

Blood Orange Multiverse - JadeClementine, Mylenapony11, Cherry-Blossom-Consumer

Teenage turtle ninja mutants - idiot-mushroom

Revelations Timeline - idk-im-just-here-now (+ao3)

Through your hollow bones - idiot-mushroom

Age Gap - pezhead

The Lonely Buzz in Blue - Overthinkingbluesparks (+ao3)

Flowers amongst ashes - Spacemimz

TMNT Reticent - tmnt-reticent

Tabletop turtles - caffetato-the-caffinated-potato

Who rescued who - shardkn1ght

Purple squared - debb987 and bluepeachstudios

Michelangalone - error-code400

TMNT Street punks - Sir Concon (DeviantArt previously, Instagram currently)

Wrong home - Demonwitchcat (TikTok)

Subnautica leon au - havendoesthings

Space pirate leon au - havendoesthings

Pacific turtles - FantasiaWandering (ao3)

Snapdonnie - Onejellyfishplease

TMNA (Tortugas Mutantes Ninja Adolescents) - matuito

Prime Leo - Darth Sonny

Onryo leo - Aquariumgirls (+ao3)

Lost in the pink mist - lost-in-the-pink-mist

Hues of mystic neon - Overthinkingbluesparks (+ao3)

The Neon void - sugarpastelTMNT (+Twitter)

TMNT but warrior cats - Fireheartfan

Reptile rampage - lexa-ocean

What once was calm - lucatea

Soulmates (evil) – error-core-animations (Oofiescreams - ao3)

The somber sunrise - Mocha_Mochaccino (ao3)

Sorrow is an autumn heart - Srloc_Elbisivni (ao3)

Replica - Kathaynesart

Mitosis - Varian_dislikes_cheese (ao3)

Vengeance is yours - that_one_dork (+ao3)

The likeness of mirrored souls - enthblaze and omgselinabeckendorf

Future!rise mandalorian - TinyP3ncil (+Twitter)

The employees - theemployees

Hello, Clairvoyant? - cogentsummoner (+ao3)

When the world crumbles - tmnt-obessesed-ace

Same story different font - tmnt-obsessed-ace

Non-canonical chronicles - tritailed-shenanigans

The cupboard game - pianokantzart (mollykittykat - ao3)

Sidelined au - Dandylovesturtles

100 feet and a world away - Dandylovesturtles

Villain leo – villainleoau

Bloom from oblivion - Aliteraladhdmess

2012 sep au - Jaydrawsdoodles

Scraps - Skrapadoodlez

Magic au - Vaudeville-Moggie

TMNT unified - Bellaizumi13

Surp-Rise! - TheWritingDork (what_in_the - ao3)

Shades of purple - the_lavender_clown (+TikTok)

Never better - less-depresso-more-espresso

TMT Croc pot - less-depresso-more-espresso

Multiple red masks - Insane_lollypop

Eclipse - G0LD_Tea (Twitter)

Mama’s Wishes - Bucketofbugz

Twins Stick Together - YourGlitchedFandom (ao3)

The last something that meant to me - kinky-asexual

Forgive me - reagi-df

Rottmnt x TADC - insane-ace

Teenage Mutant Meddling Turtles - kaysdenofchaos

Ghost au - Melliedoodles

Difference between the appearance - jasminegazer

Bayverse rewrite - ragathaempanda

Feral leo - cupcakeslushie

Feral Leo (2012) - Tmntforeverinmyheart

Just this once everybody lives - TheDragonTribes (ao3)

The rift - Mathclassd00dles

Multi-Mutant Verse - MerakiMagic

Guess i’ve been disarmed - PhoenixDeleted (+ao3)

The Little Prince - Beannary

Same as it never will be - Hecktail

Is this right - cruilty-ink

Turtles all the way down - Pommigranite

Call me here I will appear - callmehere-iwillappear (rbt_lvr - ao3)

Firefight au - remedyturtles (remrose - ao3)

Death wish - remedyturtles (remrose - ao3)

Strawberry skys - frogandbird

Swanatello - tangledinink

Finding home - sad-leon

Once more, with feeling - oncemorewithfeeling

Causa scienta - urlocalllama (ao3)

Tmnt 04 - koolaidashley

DNAngel - blye-flower

Spider-lily au - tinker-the-dragon

No crime only brooches - olliethescribe

Villain PB and J duo - onionninjasstuff

Size upgrade - twin-disaster-tutel-brainrot

Know peace - less-depresso-more-espresso

Childhood dreams - chaos-potat

Wow, what a coincidence - Mathmusic8 (ao3)

Monophobia - MarukisSnack

Little Scraps of Wisdom - spectralsleuth

Mystic Malfunction - VanillaVengeance (ao3)

Softshell in human clothing - HoonHarpoon (ao3)

Puppet tightly strung - clairakitty (ao3)

Even more a disaster - 3lectricinsomnia and teaableu (mainblog: evenmoreofadisaster)

Red rover - Red-Rover-AU

Old soul - Delicatechildwitch

Camp hamato - P0t3n1al

Ktech - dontfindmeimscared

The sky is still red - cartoonhostage

At my worst - teainthesnow

No fun in fungus - boots-with-the-fur

August’s au - star-sparkler

Years we’ve lost - reagi-df (Reagy_jay - ao3)

Hueso raised leo - shardkn1ght

Remnant au - SelinaBeckendorf

Alt ninpo au - azure-fl0wers

Bad end ninja turtles - butterfilledpockets

Teetlez-verse - shiveagit

The girl who was once human - YourGlitchedFandom

Killer donnie - Yumeleo

wanderer - vangh17a

Live life - centerofleesmind

Twinpathy - vangh17a and centerofleesmind (mainblog: twinpathy)

Wouldn’t it be easier - 12Muffinz

Portal baby - Quartergremlin

Clarification - Quartergremlin

Caseys high school disaster era - Quartergremlin

Teenage mutant neglected turtles - nerves-nebula

Krang infection - Abbeyofcyn

Mutant Menace - 3m0n3rd

One turtle short of a lair - bucketofbugz (+ao3)

Remember your mission - Srae13 (+ao3)

Two arms left - intotheeliwoods

Rise rodeo - wanderinguteruspress

Dadatello - dadatello

Tlr rise - x bluebell (TikTok)

True colors - V-albion

TMNT 1999 - ezguple

Five Nights at the Mad Dogs - cj-can-art

2000s au - Youtube (???)

Mutinis - mutinau

Same as it never was – Kittynumyumm

Dee-evolution au - cnwolf-brainrot

The dragon on 5th ave - Lavender_Chaos (ao3)

Please Don’t Leave I Need You - TownFowl (ao3)

Battle scars - kaysdenofchaos

Blood is thicker than ooze - Linkymew

Loyalty leash - Nicoforlife (ao3)

Little brother au - Sharkfinn

Spider’s web - blue-star-doodles

Multidimensional turtles - multi-dimensional-turtles

Raised by the capybara au - rube-tmntluver and auggie-arts

Minecraft isekai - calebscornerofart

Ronin plural au – cpunkhobie

We’ll go from there - koolaidashley

Universes - XxLea_nardoxX

Honor bound - Terrazooid

New home au - clovers-super-cool-ask-blog

Crusade of a lonely turtle - revitalizationrat

Mustachello - revitalizationrat

Little warrior - NovelistServant (ao3)

TMNT x Sonic the Hedgehog - theelvishfiddeler

Aftermath - Happyfoxx-art

August and papatello au - Star-Sparkler

Her inspiration - Onejellyfishplease

Memories of a tyrant - Idk_im_just_here_now

TMNT Pokemon au - rubie-tmntluver

Bad end friends x tmnt - Landon Discher

Tmnt masa - Masadesign

Separated leo au - dianagj-art

Sewer punks - kettle-bird

Rottmnt ghost au – melliedoodles

Its not always the rabbit that takes a wrong turn (Dimension Hopper Leo AU) - nights-flying-fox (nightsfox - ao3)

Snapper lou au - Kittynomore

Reboot: a second chance - donniesbrows

Tmnt foodie au - Sleepis4theweak

But first they must catch you - mudlarkspur (+ao3)

Mirror maze au - idk-im-just-here-now

Omniverse - glitter-alienz

Life goes on - Andromeda_Galaxy2877 (ao3)

The unicorn paradox – Mushangaa

Starblind - WeirdNCrazy (ao3)

Prison leo au - Turtleblogatlast

Tiz sep au - Tizeline

Mutanimatronics - patate.frenchie (TokTok)

Not quite kintsugi, but close - terveneula

There must be something in the water - Filsamek (ao3)

Once upon a turtle - Metalshootingstar

Hunger games - daboyau

Fireflght - dandylovesturles

Tmnt chicago style - its-captain-sir

Tmnt shen and the lesbian league - genderfluid-envy

Broken trifecta - genderfluid-envy

Prodigy AU - koolaidashley

Leomori - koolaidashley

Four knights - lactoseintolerantswag

Leaves from the vine au - Cheetochild989

The extracurriculars - Nameissmile

Unfamiliar Familiar - Torable (ao3)

Goosey Leo au - GooseyLeo

A ninjas life for me - Triona-tribblescore

Grown apart - Chriscribbs

Turtle torchwood - Kiaxet

[khlegacynexus]

An AU crossover I did with @evenmoreofadisaster yeah these 1-D and MP!Leo don’t get along clearly if you saw my bits from last years SepAUcompetition that’s where it all started.

I also like the idea that 1-D has furious look. While Leo’s is a bit more loose

Heads up @teaableu and @3lectricinsomnia

[khlegacynexus]

Guys guys guys

Fanfic Writer Ask Game

These are always fun so I wanted to make one! Reblog this and let others send you an ask based on any of these emojis/questions:

❤️ What is your favorite line that you’ve written in a fic?

💥 What is one canon thing that you wish you could change?

✨️ Out of the comments you’ve received on your fics, what are two or three of your favorites?

👻 What is your wildest headcanon?

✍️ What’s your ideal writing setup?

🚀 Do you like to outline your fic first or create as you go?

🎁 Have a piece of a WIP you want to share?

🏷 Is there a tag you like to search for when looking for fanfics to read?

⏰️ Do you like to post fics on a schedule or at random?

👓 What helps you focus when you write?

💕 What is your favorite fic that you’ve written?

🐇 Do you write for yourself, for others, or both?

🥳 Why did you start writing fanfic?

🦋 Which character is your favorite to write?

🦈 Which character is the toughest to write?

🍬 Do you write for multiple fandoms? If yes, what is your favorite fic of yours for each fandom?

🌻 How often do you read your own fics?

📗 Do you want to write something outside of fanfiction? If so, what about?

🎬 If a movie or show were based on your fic, which fic would you choose and who would you fancast?

💭 What inspires you and your writing?

🧪 Do you research for your fics?

😎 What fics do you prefer on a scale of canon compliant to wildly original?

💎 Do you often write about a relationship or focus on an individual?

🔥 Have you included any sexy scenes in your fics? If yes, do you find them easy or difficult to write?

💘 Is it easier to write angst or fluff?

🚦What sort of endings do you prefer to write: ambiguous, bad, happily ever after, etc.?

💡How many WIPs do you currently have?

🔎 Does anyone beta read or edit your fics?

📚 Is there a fanfic or fanfic writer you recommend?

🤩 What led to your interest in the fandom?

🤖 Are non-fandom friends aware that you write fanfic?

💛 What is the most impactful lesson you’ve learned about writing?

👑 Do you like writing short fics or long fics?

🎯 Do you have a writing milestone you’re working towards?

🔮 Any advice for writers working through burnout or writer’s block?

🤔 Would you ever want to write something canon if you got the opportunity?

💌 Is there a favorite trope you like to write?

🎨 If someone were to make fanart of your work, what fic or scene would you hope to see?

[indieyuugure]

That last panel in your Most recent update would be even more hilarious with the to be continued arrow on it. I think it’s from JoJos bizarre adventure.

Also Raph and Leo being grossed out by human Nudity reminds me of a scene in my Mystic Prodigy series Mikey back when he was Attila was looking for Klunk with a cloaking broach but got curious about what he looked like without clothes in that form so he went into a Changing room Stripped while keeping the disguise on and immediately regretted it

Mikey: MY EYES!!!!

Lol, I’ve only watched a few episodes of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures, but I know exactly what you’re talking about! 🤣

lol, that’d be pretty funny! I mean it’s not to late; chapter 1 hasn’t even ended yet 😏😂

Lol, Mystic Prodigy Mikey made a big mistake💀

Good question! :]

[todaywasamaritale]

‘small talk in the kitchen, dated dumb traditions’

✧ mari ♡ 18 y/o cryptid fem ✧ s.her ♡ christian ✧ biromantic asexual ♡ 🇵🇸🫒 ✧

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mari-the-tortured-poet -> todaywasamaritale

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ABSOLUTELY everything to know about me ->

american (derogatory) // christian (the good kind, shouldn’t have to clarify but here we are😭) // scorpio // bday oct 25 // music lover and writer // fanfic consumer // local neighborhood ace with the dirtiest jokes // i swear like a sailor to offput certain men // spring supremacy tbh // avid disneyworld enjoyer and corporate disney hater 🤝 // conflict makes me itch but i’m a professional debator // singer and stuff i already said // dwdw if i hate you, you will KNOW straight up // a downbad schemer, evil even // call me a double A battery the way i be autistic and asexual // whump enjoyer and writer at times // i do rp on minecraft a lot // and then there’s chunky he’s DEAD

music ->

swiftie (taylor’s version) // k/da // heartsteel // itzy // everglow // blackpink in your area // little monster for mother monster gaga <3 // olivia rodrigo // chappell roan // Jesus was a Carpenter!!! // boygenius // emei! // precious jewel amor // derivakat // cg5 // reinaeiry // mave: MAKE A NEW WAVE!!!!! // dua lipa // ive // the warning // dove cameron // tobymac // daft punk // britney spears // madonna // gracie abrams // thomas sanders

movies & tv ->

miraculous ladybug aw yiss // vaguely intrigued in pokemon sun & moon // felix fathom and gladion mohn you are forever famous and not at all similar nono // mha // murder drones // hellaverse // tadc // saiki k // bsd // tangled the series NO SPOILERS // kimmy schmidt // schitt’s creek // the mindy project // atla // downton abbey // pride and prejudice miniseries with colin firth if you prefer the movie i’ll fight you // big bang theory // friends // star wars enthusiast // maleficent // guardians of the galaxy (what do you mean there are three movies??? there are only two uh huh….) // juno // the perks of being a wallflower // spiderverse // barbie // enchanted // hunger games // narnia // everything everywhere all at once // RAINBOW ROCKS // princess diaries // enola holmes // klaus // princess protection program // high school musical (no spoils for the series) // legally blonde // mean girls // frozen // alien stage!!! // project mc2 // the owl house

games ->

star guardians xayah x rakan truther // minecraft // sims 4 // prodigy // yandere sim

broadway ->

wicked // moulin rouge (not the movie) // she loves me // jeremy jordan is God’s gift to earth have you even heard him giggle tho. have you // newsies // shrek the musical >>>>>>> // holiday inn // dear evan hansen // mean girls // anastasia URGH brainrot // six // heathers // mystic glen // frozen

books/fanfic ->

keeper of the lost cities // the impossible quest // septimus heap // the land of stories // school for good and evil // narnia // artemis fowl don’t even TALK to me about the movie i’m still fuming // amulet // wonder // star of deltora // passerine // thirteen

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caution to my younger followers: this blog DOES contain sensitive content and language, but i’m not your mom so legally i can’t stop you. and if your mom doesn’t accept you or your identity, i’m adopting.

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[rufwooff]

I made A post of this I tagged you in but the Tumblr feed is being weird with my post or stuff after a half hour ago for some reason. So here is Frog Attila/Mikey in my Mystic Prodigy AU! For context in the Mystic Prodigy Series Mikey with the name Attila was raised and Abused by Baron Draxum. After the Lab Exploded Attila ran away to find Klunk and escape Draxum and Everything began from there.

I LOVE HIS OUTFIT LHDSDDSDCBL they're so cuteeee <333

[khlegacynexus]

This was the closest I got

i love when people draw 2 characters cuddling and it looks like this

[raayllum]

I know you like to analyze thematically in TDP a lot and you write top down the same way, so I’m curious, what are some of the themes/motifs in your upcoming novels? and do any of them coincide with TDP?

(GASP you get a gold star oh my god thank you!! and i will try to not make this too Long but i'm very excited!!)

Basic premise for ppl who have never heard of my novels before:

Latest generation of a reincarnated group of chosen ones have to grow up in a world of increasing violence and political instability that they're supposed to fix while also facing their own choices and demons. The main character, Ally, starts off as an 'unchosen one' — she lost her powers as a young child and has been trying to get them back, which kinda makes her resent her chosen one friends just as much as she loves them. The other two co-leads are her twin sister, a former child soldier with death powers she doesn't want, and her friend / one sided rival, a draconic-powered prodigy looking for redemption and to escape her past.

The funny thing is that when I was writing out my series (2014-2017 has all the pieces we currently have, though things have ofc been finessed since then) only ATLA existed as an inspiration point, which was, "How do you always know the Avatar is going to be a good person (and what if you didn't? What if they weren't)?" + "what if there was more than one running around?"

The rest was all from my head. There's a mystical magical heart broken into pieces. A continent divided in two with a long history of war. Characters anchored to the idea of Autonomy who then go through a loss of powers arc (hi Callum s2) and then brainwashing/possession arc (hi arc 2 Callum) that was probably by far the funniest coincidence. Circles and cycles and children and choices. The fact that these all just also found their way into TDP shows just how much it feels like the show was Made For Me in the best way creatively, and one of the reasons I think I've found TDP so personally rewarding to analyze—happy coincidences all around.

There's other coming-of-age themes of course that are shared between the two—grief, identity, friendship—but being prose I get to lean more into religious and political worldbuilding in much more detail.

I think my novel(s) are also more grey and angsty (especially later on) than TDP was at the start, too. A good chunk of my protagonists don't have any moral reservations about assassinations or killing/torturing people push come to shove while also still wanting and trying to be Good People, but that just makes the ethical dilemmas more interesting to explore. That said, everything is ultimately more Hopepunk, I just prefer to never pull punches on the way there

Motifs I like to use:

a tarot inspired in-universe version of chess for foreshadowing purposes

stage motif (who are you when you're performing for everyone around you / constantly fronting?)

birds / ravens

wolves

knives

eyes / the ouroboros (snake eating its own tail)

Themes: gods vs monsters (vs humanity), complex family and friend dynamics, living vs survival, grief and cycles, loss of sense of self, idolization and scapegoating as two sides of dehumanization, etc.

I also wanted to have unique power sets (Moon is one of my favourites with leaning into shadow magic and being able to make things temporarily out of moonlight, or Life not just being all fuzzy plants and animals and showing more of the well, brutality of being alive).

People have said my main protag is basically if Claudia and Rayla were the same person and yeah that's a fair assessment, Unfortunately for her.

I feel like I blabbed enough here but if you want more info on writing things from a top-down approach / what it's like to build from theme first I'd love to talk about it more in relation to TDP (and also my books, mayhaps!)

[quasi-normalcy]

How different "legacy" Star Treks are reflected in current series:

TOS: The main character on Discovery is prominently related to Spock; Strange New Worlds is basically a sort of "TOS season zero"; George Takei reprised his role as Sulu in a mystic vision in an episode of Lower Decks; Picard brought back Walter Koenig as Chekov's grandson; Prodigy did a whole episode about the fate of a one-off redshirt; constant references to Kirk and company; constant references to Khan

TNG: Spinoff series about the main character, with a third season that's basically a reunion special for the main cast; Lower Decks closely follows its tone and narrative style; even exceedingly minor characters like Jellico, Okona, and Locarno get followed up upon

VOY: Seven of Nine is a main character on Picard; Prodigy is a stealth sequel, bringing back Janeway, Chakotay, and the Doctor; Tom Paris appeared in an episode of LWD, which also made its fourth season premiere a Voyager tribute.

DS9: Crossover episode with Lower Decks featuring Kira and Quark; Section 31 turns up all over the place (unfortunately); villains in Picard season 3 are (supposedly) Changelings; lots of references to Quark

ENT: Um. ...Connor Trineer turned up in the least awful episode of "Very Short Treks"

[tmntseparatedaucompetition]

Bracket

Part 1

A Turtle Like Me vs. 2012 Sep AU

Shadow of a Turtle vs. Give Peace a Chance

Mystic Prodigy Series vs. Dance of the Super Turtles

Magic and Masks vs. Stardust AU

Warriors Heart vs. Mama's Boys

Our Other Halves vs. What Was Lost

Joint Custody vs. Sundered by Time

Aay'han vs. Shades of Purple

Part 2

Prodigy AU vs. The Little Prince

Snapdragon AU vs. True Colors AU

Never Better vs. Same as It Never Will Be

Through Your Hollow Bones vs. Even More of a Disaster

Little Subjects vs. Little Brother AU

Leon Me Alone! vs. Ninja Club AU

Mikey Sep AU vs. Chosen Amoung Four

Code Name: Violet Skies vs. Scrap Metal

When Will You Return? vs. Lost and Found

[khlegacynexus]

Beat you too it @charcoaldustonmyfingers except my Klunk is a Yokai

1-D/Leo belongs to @evenmoreofadisaster

I raise you: What if Rise Mikey had a cat tho

Just a little doodle of a potential pet for the brothers! I named him Slice because Klunk is usually orange like a pizza slice, and Raph’s pet turtle in ‘12 is named Spike or Slash. They found him eating pizza in a dumpster.

Like all friendly orange cats, he shall be loyal as a dog and dumb as a rock! Mayhem probably begrudgingly tolerates him. His paws are big cause he’ll grow to be be a big fella someday.

Partially inspired by my housemates’ cats, who are silly and big respectively.

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC REVIEW: Evocation by S.T. Gibson

2.5/5. Releases in audio 5/28/24.

vibes: dark academia, occult societies, polyamory, ex damage

Heat Index: 4/10

The Basics:

Former psychic prodigy turned lawyer-by-day-medium by night David is in danger. A Faustian bargain is about to come due, and his life hangs in the balance--which leads him to the doorstep of Rhys, his ex-boyfriend and rival in their secret occult society. And also Moira, Rhys's wife. Moira is the key to getting Rhys's assistance; but she doesn't exactly trust David. If he's going to survive, the three of them are not only going to have to work together, but truly trust each other.

The Review:

I............. am feeling a lot of feelings. Many of which aren't exactly positive.

The reason this doesn't have a lower rating is that I do like S.T. Gibson's writing style, and in general I enjoyed this overall world. I love a secret society. I love an occult moment. I honestly feel like we need more of this in romance (though, is this romance? Mmmmm). It's all compelling. You can tell that Gibson has done her research on that level.

I was really excited to hear about this book, after enjoying A Dowry of Blood. It was pushed as the beginning of a poly romance series, and it sounded like it sat somewhere between paranormal and fantasy. It does that, and it is poly. But...

I'll go ahead and get the "is it romance?" question out of the way, because you'd think that would irk me the most, but it really doesn't. I feel like this really toes the line. The triad relationship is a core part of the story. In fact, I would say that it basically did drive the plot, as you couldn't really have the rest of it if these three weren't engaging with each other. But somehow, it still didn't feel completely like a romance to me. Perhaps it is. Perhaps it's just not a good romance.

I was initially so intrigued by this tension and anger, this push-pull between David and Rhys. I love messy exes, and I was totally down for the angle of a wife also being in the mix, someone who knew what these two were to each other and like... didn't exactly hate David, but did express wariness. Because nobody wants to get cheated on.

This seems to be a controversial take among people who have critiqued this book, but I actually did like Rhys. Probably because I enjoy the Stern One Who's Trying To Do The Right Thing. And I was into his connection with Moira! They seemed like a real married couple--trying to make their relationship work despite some tough odds and trials of the past. David I was less into because it became abundantly clear to me that, though this book does offer POVs from everyone involved, I was supposed to really like David and be into his mess and he was the snarky guarded white guy and so on and so on and so on......

Moira is where we started running into issues. And not because I disliked her! Nope, not at all. Because of how she functioned in the story.

To preface, Moira is a Black woman from the South. I am from the South, but I am white, so please take anything I have to say regarding her characterization with a grain of salt. I hope that by the time this book is out for a bit, there will be more reviews from Black readers (specifically Black women) who can offer more insight.

I did begin narrowing my eyes fairly early on when it felt like Moira was coming in to offer mystical help to these two white guys--well, more one than the other, as Rhys clearly wanted to help David but also didn't want to fuck with his own marriage... David was the one who needed help--when it really didn't super benefit her. I get not just wanting to let someone die, that's human decency, but I didn't really get as much... conflict? As I wanted. Like, she knows this guy had a very tumultuous relationship with her husband, she knows there is unresolved shit going on, and she knows that David would FOR SURE want another go with Rhys if he could have it (even if it was only momentary). So... while I'm sure I would ultimately help to save a life, she seemed rather magnanimous about it.

And I thought... Bonnie Bennett warning bells.

However, as Moira and David began hanging out together, I liked it. I liked their chemistry. I liked their friendship. I liked their platonic love for each other. And yes, it is platonic, because while this is a poly romance, it is not so much MMF as it is MM .... FM. Big difference. Rhys is bisexual and loves both Moira and David, romantic and sexually. David is gay. David and Moira do grow to love each other, but it's not romantic or sexual. Rhys is the only person in this trio who is with two people, ultimately. Which isn't inherently bad, but, as I've expressed in romance commentary, I do think it's harder. If you don't thread the needle, it feels like one person is getting "everything", where at least one other person is just sort of having to give.

That's where we ended up here. Like, I believe that Rhys loves Moira... although that love also was expressed in a way that felt REAL PACIFYING. Not pacifying her so much as the reader. He calls her "little goddess" and worships her and talks about how good she is... Whereas his relationship with David is fraught, crackling. Yes, one of those dynamics is on paper "healthier" than the other, but one is also more stagnant and safe and seems to have less depth invested in it, compared to the other. When you have Couple A over here tra-la-la-ing their way through problems and Couple B fighting and angry kissing and oh damn he just hit his knees in a Walmart (not in a Walmart, elsewhere, but you get me) it becomes clear that the writer is having a lot more fun with B than A.

And it felt like, frankly, we were being pacified with this idea that Moira was loved and cherished and worshipped in theory, when in reality she gave and gave and gave. She's saving David; she's becoming his friend, even though he's kind of an asshole; she's endlessly understanding of Rhys, except for when she needs to protect David, because we wouldn't want her husband to hurt the feelings of the guy he's cheating on her with...

Because there is cheating; and I'm not inherently against that. I am kind of against the person who was cheated on being like "welp, it is what it is, I FIGURED" about it. Especially when the person who was cheated on is this endlessly giving, nurturing, understanding Black woman who's sort of shuttling between these two white guys who mostly just seem to draw from her "strength". She's so strong that when she finds out her husband cheated on her--with his ex at that--and wants to be with the other person AND her, she's like.. already picked up a book on healthy polyamory? Because she saw this coming?

And like, maybe that book would also have something to say about how to deal with your polyamorous relationship sort of kicking off with infidelity, and how to handle that beyond "I'm good with it, and maybe down the road I'll get someone too, who knows".

So yeah. For all that the book has interesting points and interesting character beats, I really couldn't get past how it felt like Moira was this long-suffering, really cool Black woman with supernatural abilities whose white companions basically kind of jerk her around. And she just takes it like a champ, because she's Strong. It's the Bonnie Bennett issue I referenced above (if you've seen The Vampire Diaries, you get it--if not, then, well, I hope you get it anyway based off of this review). It's not that I didn't like Moira. I did, for sure. I just felt like she was there to serve Rhys and David's narrative, and that made me feel really shitty. Like, I don't want to read white guy m/m with the one dude's wife, a woman of color, going "Have fun, boys!" I want her to have her own role, and I want her to RECEIVE things, versus giving.

The Sex:

There are a few different sex scenes. Nothing crazy, nothing super explicit. Kind of euphemistic. I feel like it would've been hotter if I believed in the relationship(s) more.

If I'm being honest, while this isn't totally without merits, I'd recommend checking out other poly romances over this. I'd also say that if you want to read a Gothic romance series with polyamory and queerness, you could always check out Sierra Simone's Thornchapel books!

I don't think S.T. Gibson intended for the portrayal of Moira to be off the mark; but ultimately, to me this was a case of a writer being much more invested in the M/M than the F. Which is a common issue when you have a "V" triad versus a triangle triad in romance.

Good ideas, and outside of the context of the narrative, good characters. I just think this one needed another draft, at min.

On an audiobook note, Oscar Reyes does a really good job; I've listened to him (actually, on Sierra Simone projects) before, and he's always great.

Thanks to NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me with an audio copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.