#Post Rule of Wolves

[azatas]

"we need more complex female characters" you couldn't even handle her

[persimnon]

Imagine you are an eighteen year old gang boss who is so good at crime that the king of a foreign country commissions you to help steal from your own country’s military to aid in a war against another foreign country. At the very last second, said king unleashes a horrific shadow demon from his body to make sure the job is done clean. And you have to smile and nod and pretend you wouldn’t do the same thing in his position. Such is the life of Kaz Brekker

[xblackmariahx]

on fictional victims

(mouthwashing spoilers!)

so this is sort of like my 'on genya safin' post (which you can read here: https://www.tumblr.com/xblackmariahx/766319845622038528/on-genya-safin) but with more characters so yay!

so, as i said in that post, genya is my favorite not because of her trauma, but because she overcame it. however, recently, i got really into mouthwashing, and as you can probably tell by my profile picture, my favorite character is anya. anya didn't achieve great things or poison her abuser or even live to get justice like genya did, but i still like her. so why's that?

i think, looking back, i really do just like victims, no matter their ending (as long as they're well-written, ofc). everyone has different endings, and i think it's relieving to see that your story doesn't have to end one way.

let's take inej ghafa. did inej kill her abusers? no. did she get justice properly? no. however, she still fought men like them, and took down the brothel that gave her such trauma. sure, i doubt she even knows the names of the men that raped her in the menagerie. i doubt she even remembers all their faces. but she did live to fight, and that's an interesting ending.

i think genya safin is what every victim hopes to achieve. she achieved great things in spite of her scars, she got justice, and she was able to confront her abuser. she's an all around inspiring character, and i think that's an ending everyone hopes for.

and then there's anya. anya didn't do any of that. in fact, anya killed herself before even seeing jimmy die. i think something about that, about seeing a character who didn't achieve this great things and overcome her trauma, is comforting too. in my opinion, characters like these sort of say that it's okay to be hurt because of your trauma. you're going to hurt. you're going to be scarred, and bruised, and you'll hurt, and that's okay.

i guess what i'm trying to say is just flat out advice: try to be genya, but it's okay to be anya.

[grishaverse-only]

Fanfic Recs?

Can I have some Grishaverse fanfiction recommendations? Preferably on Ao3. I'm looking for Post-season 2 of shadow and bone as what might have happened had the show gotten a season 3 with all of the characters. A post King of Scars would be good too, hopefully with a Crows and Zoyalai heist. Really anything after canon would be good.

[heliocharis]

Rule of Wolves (2021) by Leigh Bardugo

[weregonnabecoolbeans]

I think Ezra Bridger and Ty Blackthorn would be good friends 😌

[sanguivorouscorvid]

RIP David Kostyk, the world wasn’t ready for your neurodivergent swag. the making at the heart of the world sure was though

[bookworm-center]

Nikolai, drunk: tell me why

Nina, also drunk: ain't nothing but a heartache

Nikolai: tell me why

Nina: I never wanna hear you say

Both of them: I want it that way!!!

Zoya, screaming: shut the fuck up, it's two in the morning!!!!

[thequeerlibrarian]

Finishing this book right now - I'm crying

[sniffermynose]

reading the Rule of Wolves for the first time rn and like Hanne Brum is. SOOOO giving off transmasc/man energy.

i’ll be genuinely shocked if it’s not confirmed by the end of the book cuz wdym you only felt like yourself when you were tailored to look like a man??? idk if its transness or the freedom to do what a man DOES but honestly im leaning more toward transness…

[claudiarya]

I can’t believe I’m re-emerging on tumblr.

I’ve written a Kanej and Zoyalai fanfiction if you’re interested.

Hardest of Hearts 4/4 multi chapter fanfiction

[oakthcrn-a]

Lark Oakthorn had never been one for large ships. She was no sailor. Truth be told, she didn't even really know how to swim, however, her Dragon Queen requested her and Lark would always heed the call.

Lark stood upon the prow, a brewing uneasiness bubbling up within her. However, she would not be facing this new mission alone. The Ravkan queen had the sense to send Strumhond along with her, though she doubted Nikolai could quell the anxiety that came with sailing.

Lark exhaled a soft breath as she remained on the back deck. She stared out of scenery. There had been alarming reports of " saintly " like miracles cropping up like wildflowers within the Wandering Isle, and coincidentally Grisha had been going mission. Lark wasn't thrilled that she would venture into such dangerous lands where Grisha was hunted and bloodletted like cattle-- to be strung up to the beams of warehouses and barns as some magical cure.

Her jaw tightened at the thought. If there was Grisha to save, then she would not hesitate to do so. She pivoted then, her sapphire hues tracking Strumhond's movements. She silently studied the teal coat. Nikolai had slipped into it so naturally, and Lark pondered if it was some small mercy that Zoya bestowed the mission upon his shoulders. To have the ability to play pirate once more.

She slowly canted her head to the side. She blinked for a moment before stepping to him. She tried to hide the nervousness from her face, though she was sure Nikolai would pick up on it.

❝ So...Have you been to the Wandering Isle before? ❞ She asked. If he had, then perhaps the trip wouldn't be so torrential after all.

@etdraconis