#REVIEW REVIEW EVERYBODY

[starrynightsxo]

THE FINAL GAMBIT REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 on storygraph, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ on goodreads (see below for reasoning - NO SPOILERS UNTIL AFTER KEEP READING LINE)

I really really enjoyed this one! The whole series has been amazing and I've loved going through all the twists and turns with Avery. The Hawthorne Brothers with always have a special place in my heart, that's for sure. Would definitely recommend!

I was sad about Toby having to become a "Blake" but I suppose this was a way to show he was serving a penance or something??

My favourite quote from the books is probably from Jameson Winchester Hawthorne:

"Secrets upon secrets. Riddles upon riddles"

I feel like it's a very good summary of the books and when other parts of the plot were unravelling I was just sat there thinking about how this quote really does fit with the series.

I also love Avery Kylie Grambs as a character. She is so intelligent and is a queen. Her and Jameson are everything. Tobias Hawthorne's very risky gamble indeed.

The only reason I rated it a little below 5 ⭐️ on storygraph was because I felt like at some points I got a little lost as it was a little repetitive, so I loet engagement. However. on goodreads it does not allow for decimal ratings and it was DEFINITELY not 4 ⭐️ so I ended up going for 5 :D

some of my fellow tig moots (lmk what u girlies make of my review lol) @thejudeduarte @viivdle @agirlwiththoughtsandnegativity

[khaoray]

2024 WATCHLIST

Humanity has always been aware of the presence of darkness since ancient times and call it by different names... Ghosts. Demons. Goblins. Apparitions. These things constantly crave for bright places, that sometimes they cross over to our world... Exhuma, south korea (2024)

[elennemigo]

Benedict Cumberbatch´s year in review ✧ 2024.

"This isn’t a very natural thing, you know what I’m doing right now, talking to all of you, but the person in here, that’s carrying this through to try and communicate to you, is someone who’s tied to people that they’ve known for a long time in their life, tied to family, tied to children, tied to things that keep me grounded. I’m not afraid to tackle darkness or difficulty or the less attractive sides of the human condition as long as I know there is space to take that off and put that on, and if I feel safe doing that, then I’m good.” x

[rattanwhip]

Year in review 2024 🎉🎉🎉

[dxppercxdxver]

a kick to the teeth is good for some a kiss with a fist is better than none!

[wyd when your ex-major situationship shows up outside your door drunk and half dead. you beat him up about it of course. you're both women btw]

[negobeauriva]

New Music Analysis Part 1: Souvenir Pop - From Music for Children to Burnt-out Ballads

Last Friday I got to listen to both Joker Out and Käärijä's new albums, and I enjoyed them throughly. I loved the new experiments in music in the case of Joker Out, and the perfect mix of feeling and party music in Käärijä's case.

My friends pointed out some theories as to what stories were being told in each case, and I've decided to write this kind of critic/storytelling post to tell you both my opinions about the songs, the story I think the albums want to tell and how they relate to each other.

This post is about Souvenir Pop, because if I do a single post for everything I want to touch, I'll be here for like a thousand years. I based myself off the translations of @jokeroutsubs to do my interpretations.

People's Champion review will be [here] when I post it, and then the analysis of both [here], when I post it too. Stay tuned and follow me if you want the rest!

Without further ado, enjoy my yapping. And if you are Joker Out or any of their components - you guys are insane for reading all this but I love you.

This album has "discovery" written all over it. Joker Out know who they are - Balkan rockstars that go with their own flow, in a scene where passion is loved only if it's presented in the most marketable way. They are disruptive and unapologetic about it, which is why I love them in the first place. After Eurovision Song Contest, they gained a bunch of fans and started experimentating the hard punches of musical stardom, something that was fairly foreign to them, given the fact that they had never gone out of the Balkan zone.

It speaks about them adjusting themselves to the changes, about how the excitement for the music world became some sort of bittersweet grief they now live with. Let's be honest, they love what they do, and it shows in their music. But there is a hint of sadness, of heaviness to some songs, that I would like to explore a bit further.

I'll also add a "Souvenir" (which I'm also taking in it's literal sense, from the French word for Memory) associated to each song, because I discovered that all the songs in both Umazane Misli and Demoni talk about the theme of their title - let me know if you'd like me to elaborate on that too.

Let's go track by track!

Muzika Za Decu - This ain't rock and roll, this is music for children

A very strong start to the album that's sure to sweep you off your feet. I remember listening to this the first time and headbanging like crazy. In their last album, Demoni, Joker Out had a song called Novi Val (New Wave) in which they described the "Generation of Love" that would change the world and seek for what seemed to be lost. Muzika Za Decu takes this message again, as a "where we left off", and talks about the other side of it. No revolution is made without disruption, after all. It perfectly encapsulates the chaos, the naivety of being young and revolutionary, and of course, how great their music is.

This is the prologue of the story: Joker Out, the disruptive children of Balkan music that lead a revolution, who don't care about what others say and go forward with their ideas. This is their presentation card.

Souvenir: Revolutionary hearts tend to remember the lost values. This souvenir is about remembering good times and keeping them alive with music.

Šta Bih Ja - What would I do in this black night without you?

I'm going to be completely honest, and you all can judge me, but I don't really like this song. It's okay if you do, I see why you like it, but it's not for me. The change of pace at the end is strange for me and the vibe of the lyrics is completely different to what I expected the instrumental to be. Still, I must say that this song is the perfect power anthem when you need a pick-me-up. The guitars are immaculate as usual, and Bojan's voice adds an extra layer of unpredictability and flavor. It's a mini-storm inside a song, packed-full with flavors, like popping candy.

Chapter one of the story tells us about these heartbreakers. Bojan is Slovenia's sweetheart, the boyfriend of the Balkans. The city they might be referencing might be Liverpool, or even every city they've been for the pre-parties. But this paints the picture of the band: Pure rock music, party vibes, and vague love song lyrics. These boys are here to play and have fun.

Souvenir: This song is about the memory of someone who you love at long distance. You take their memory with you to get on by.

Carpe Diem - Let's dance and play until the stars fade

This is a classic. This song was a surprise for me when I saw it in Eurovision, and it struck me like lightning. Admittedly, I did not watch the semifinals last year because I was busy with my admission to law school (which requires you to do a previous course), but when I saw them in the final? I was sold. This is a perfect party song. It deserved so much more than it did. It's fun, it's catchy, it's everything.

Chapter two is about the Eurovision chapter of their life. How they conquered Europe and took it by storm, and how they gained most of their worldwide popularity thanks to the exposure.

Souvenir: The Eurovision Song Contest, the most important night of their lives.

Stephanie - Love ain't built for people like me

This is one of my favorite songs in the album. Bojan's English pronounciation has matured a lot and now it has deep, rich layers of tonality. This song is about finding and losing the love of your life and the despair that you'll never be able to make that connection again. After listening to it a couple times, I realized there's a subtle detail that makes me love the commitment to this song even more - Bojan mentions drinking to forget he lost Stephanie, and through all the song, his voice sounds slurred. His voice inflections make him sound drunk. Pair this with the vintage guitar sounds and the 80's pop beat, and you have the perfect "crying on the dancefloor" anthem for when you've gotten your heart broken.

Chapter Three is about the heartbreakers realizing how ephemeral love truly is, and how you don't know what you have until you lose it. Their switch to fame is bringing things in, sure, but it's also costing them some others.

Souvenir: That feeling of love at first sight, the memory of someone you loved for one night, but wasn't meant to be.

Ako Toga Više Neće Biti - If that won't exist anymore, love is nothing but a lie

A slow song, both beautiful and sad at the same time. Bojan has said that it's easier for him to talk about love in Serbian, and it's completely true. In this song, we can hear the process of a withering relationship, when you realize that you've lost something precious and it's not coming back, no matter how much you want it to. This song beautifully walks you through the five stages of grief and makes you feel like you're floating in the Dead Sea, wondering where all you used to love has gone.

Chapter Four of this story is about wanting to keep everything under control, but ultimately failing. It's realizing that things change inevitably, and dealing with the loss and the grief of things you love. It's wanting to keep it together, but being unable to.

Souvenir: The memories of a relationship you've had for years and now you have to let go.

Bluza - If the sun rises, I'll be alone

I don't know what kind of sorcery Bluza has, but everytime it comes on my random player, I have to stop and listen to it in its entirety (what kind of drugs did they put to that song, really?) and I inevitably cry. This song is just what falling in love feels like. I personally covered this song in my native language (Spanish) and got a nice feedback from Bojan, but that's a story for another time. This song was paired up with a great MV that also told a story of not wanting to lose something precious. I'd say that Bluza is a dream that happens right after Ako Toga ends, coincidentally, those two songs are in the same key and on a similar beat, so they could well be twin sisters. It's dreaming about that person you love, that for a moment you are back where you wanted to be, but knowing that it's just a dream and it won't last. It might seem like a love song, but the final lyrics seal the deal on this only being a fantasy, a place where you find comfort, but aren't meant to stay.

Chapter Five is about ephemeral dreams, and about finding those small pieces of comfort you want to keep but know you can't. This is about them falling in love with cities, crowds, places, but deep down knowing that once the party is over, it's time to go back to the grind, to planning concerts, protecting themselves and trying not to die in the attempt. You can notice the exhaustion on Bojan's voice in some points of the song (which can also be a nice nod to Ako Toga where he says he hasn't slept well).

Souvenir: A dream from which you don't want to wake up from, the warmth and comfort of a place you know you're not meant to stay in.

Lips - True love and pain go hand in hand

The first time I heard Lips, I was overwhelmed. Too much noise, the reverberation of Bojan's voice was more than I could take, and I remember texting my friend "this song needs drums" halfway through. This song has received mixed criticism, and with due reason. Nace was the mind behind this song and I have to say I am impressed. He is a through musician indeed. I've given this song a fresh new listen for this review, and I have to say that I don't dislike it as much as I did the first time, I'm getting used to it. Lips feels like a fever dream, like an overdose with lyrics that try to be about love, but somehow are about tragedy. This is the song I'm the most excited to talk about for some reason. Props to the bass and guitars in this song, by the way. Unsung heros, that paired with Bojan's breathy, silky voice, build a sensual, toxic and dangerous feeling.

Chapter Six is the fall of the rockstars. If I had to pair this song with another, I'd definetely go with Padam (Falling) from Demoni. This song is what comes to mind if you ask me to think about that fatidic Ptuj concert in August 2023, where Bojan had his biggest mental breakdown that forced him off the stages for some time. This is burnout catching up to them and making them realize that they aren't indestructible. The fact that the lyrics try to be about love, but ultimately end up being about despair, makes me think of Bojan making everyone believe he's okay and he can go on, but knowing deep down he can't.

Souvenir: Ptuj concert in 2023, and all the incidents that sent Bojan to the hospital before that.

Mesto Duhov - Music has died, laughter has gone out

This song feels like the opening to a beloved shonen anime. It's a fast paced song, which comes witht he added element of the slow portion that serves as a chorus, which sounds like a funeral march, very adequate for a song called City of Ghosts. The lyrics talk about a town where everything has died and there is nothing left. Where once stood a beautiful city, now there is sorrow and grief, just memories of what once used to be. The themes of loss in this album are pretty strong after you get past the initial euphoria Carpe Diem gave us. The mixture of rock and the haunting funeral song is one of those strange combinations you're gonna crave as a midnight snack. Definetely one of the best songs of the album.

Chapter Seven is reflection on the overdose that Lips put us through. The attempt at rock at moments is the rockstars trying to get back on their feet and give their fans that sound they crave, but when they get back to the funeral sounds, is when they know they can't ignore the pain anymore. The City of Ghosts is not a town, it's a heart, it's a mind, it's the enthusiasm that died out and is starting to fade away and disappear. It's almost like they're questioning if it's worth it to try again. Is the pain superior to the joy, or the other way around?

Souvenir: I associate this with Sunny Side of London. A cheery song that was released right after the storm. There is some sense of recovery, but it isn't quite there yet. At the same time, this is about memories of a familiar place that used to bring comfort but now has dread associated to it.

Sonce - I've lost everything that you called the sun

This is a gorgeous song. I am a pianist myself, so hearing Jan at the keys was very touching. This song reminded me a whole lot of a popular Argentinian song called "Alfonsina y El Mar" (Alfonsina and The Sea) which talks about poet writer Alfonsina Storni and how she left this world by jumping into the sea. This song feels like an elegy, and it ceirtainly is one. As far as I know, this song was inspired by "current social events", and I can see why. This is a song about despair, pure and unfiltered, with no more attempts at rock or love. This song is about fear of darkness, of feeling helpless and worthless in a world that keeps being violent and wild, and being a bystander, unable to do anything beyond singing to bring comfort. This world, this society we live in, is a chaos far beyond what we could imagine or control. The Generation of Love seems to lower their head, cover their ears and ask themselves "When did it get like this?".

Final Chapter is about the rockstars sulking and seeing how everything around them is crumbling down inevitably. The band has had it share of incidents and backlash, and it's been a particularly rough road, mentally and physically. There is a need for musicians to be involved in the world they live in, and when they don't speak up, there is backlash. This is a song where they arrive to a dead point. It seems like this story is not bound to have a happy ending.

Souvenir: Memories of easier times, when everything was a bit less terrible, and the feeling of familiarity that's lost in an everchanging world.

Everybody's Waiting - No one's ever gonna make it easier, you're the only one who can

The perfect final touch for an album that talks about changing world perceptions. The first time I heard this song, I cried, after knowing all that was behind it. Bojan's story with music and balance is not an easy one, not after all that he's been through. A kid who thought he could have the entire world in his hands but ultimately lost balance, tripped and fell. Luckily, Bojan has a support network composed by friends, family and even music producers, who wouldn't let him fall further and did everything in their power to bring him back up. Everybody's Waiting is a cathartic song that gives perfect closure to a cycle of self-torture and doubt. While it might not seem like a victorious or happy song, it's definetely a way to celebrate you made it out alive. By acknowledging the feelings of loss and the pressure he is in, Bojan was able to finally get it off his chet and realize he's not alone. And with this release, he sent a message to all of us who are in the dark and feel like they are lost - You are not alone. If he can make it out alive, you can. And there is no shame in asking for help.

This Epilogue is about finding balance, and the rockstars realizing that this world isn't perfect, nor is how they expected it to be. Everybody is waiting for them to do something good or bad, because anything goes in a world where talk runs cheap and fast. Everyone wants them to always shine and be perfect. But as much as they try, they can't always be perfect. This song is them embracing the fact that there might be expectations, but it's okay to take a break if necessary even if you don't meet them. The only one who can make your life easier is yourself. If you choose to hold out that hand and let someone reach it, if you choose to set boundaries and keep what's worth close to your chest, you'll be making your life easier. Just like that. It doesn't have to be a long journey. Just a step is enough.

Souvenir: Everybody's Waiting release. I also want to add Ptuj 2 because I feel that was the real moment where Bojan closed that chapter, by returning to that stage he once was frightened in, and now being able to be himself to a crowd that would not judge him. This is about closure, about accepting memories as they are.

Final words

Overall, this album has a great storytelling pace. It tells a story beautifully in very well told chapters, and it sums up perfectly the rollercoaster Joker Out has been through. It's very notorious that they have grown up as musicians, and the variety of music styles is proof of that. This is a perfect CD to show to someone who wants to see a newer face of the Slovenian boys who conquered Eurovision, even though they did not touch top 10. Not all losses are defeats, definetely speaking. I cannot wait to see what else these boys have in store, and I definetely want the album release tour to start already because I am very, very sure that the live performance will add just the perfect touch to cement these songs as masterpieces.

Overall rating score of the album: 8.5/10.

[maplesyrupbloodfeud]

Genuinely enjoying Everyone’s In LA. 80s + 00s Adult Swim vibes. Absolutely adore how they made a point to say ‘murder is bad’ for the neopuritans out there while showing how ridiculous having to do so is in reality. Laughed probably too hard at John saying, “structure is important for me.”

I think it’s a real step forward for Mulaney as an artist and comedian. His commentary and style are becoming more clear and pointed without losing the charm and honesty he laid the groundwork for in his last special. My main criticism of that special was that it wasn’t the set he could make, but the set he had to make. Now, he’s reaping the rewards.

Back to the show at hand:

The live format and callback to late night hosts of old add an authenticity that i think Americans are hungry for. It very much reads as (mostly) unscripted where sometimes jokes don’t hit very well and sometimes technology fails. Also, the guests are obviously free to say whatever so there are some slightly uncomfortable moments that John does an excellent job pivoting from. But I think all of that’s a good thing. The American audience is so used to seeing media that feels made in a lab with all of the research boiled down to exactly what most people will spend money on. Failing something on live tv in an obviously unplanned scenario feels human in a way AI and the current MCU could never obtain.

What’s most impressive is that Mulaney and those involved with the production (including guests!) have somehow figured out the formula of what we’ve missed about earlier media while also being modern, relevant, and actually funny. All without seeming like any board of directors or agent is micromanaging the content.

Only the first episode is out but, based on it, I very much recommend watching the rest. “Something someone just out of rehab would make” indeed (complement).

Note: I say all this as someone who’s been in similar positions with the mental health system as Mulaney, is now becoming a therapist, and understands how fucking hard it is to “get better”. Also, I don’t keep up with celeb drama. I got enough shit to worry about. This is about THE ART (/hot iron giant guy) … also it’s about how I had been in a mental health/rehab facility before Mulaney went public on his own struggles and had never seen a popular celebrity talk about life events similar to mine. So I paid more attention to this than I normally would.

[frances-baby-houseman]

I saw Twisters and it was GREAT!!

Here is my review:

If you liked Normal People, they are just the same! Smart girl with beautiful bangs speaking in her non-native accent doesn't ever say how she really feels to the internet's boyfriend. Except in Normal People there is no weather and lots of sex, and in Twisters there is lots of weather and no sex.

I loved it! Like just exactly what you want at the movies. Great chemistry! genuine weather-based tension! The tornadoes, particularly the one with the swimming pool, were very scary! Two genuine movie stars! LOVED it!

[very-bad-poetry-captain]

TOS novel book review - McCoy edition nr 2

By popular demand I'll continue these... but since I'm on holiday I picked a short story this time - probably not a well known one but I really enjoyed it!

Link to the first one

Title: Where Everybody Knows Your Name (part of the short story collection Constellations)

Author: Jeffrey Lang

Year published: 2006

To summarize the story in two sentences:

McCoy is forced to present one of Spock's papers at a conference together with Scotty. Unfortunately we only get to see the trouble they get into on the way home.

Official plot summary:

As the Enterprise approaches the end of her five-year mission, Dr. McCoy and Mr. Scott step off the ship for an adventure of their own, involving a misguided Klingon and several Denebian slime devils - proving once again that you're only as old as the liquor you drink.

This book is for you if you:

Can accept that you won't get to read about McCoy actually presenting Spock's research at a starbase

Can accept that they don't even show McCoy pestering Spock about it

Like reading about McCoy getting drunk with Scotty (scones anyone?)

Enjoy McCoy getting kidnapped

(It's actually really good despite my slight disappointment over missed potential)

The ultimate McCoy questionnaire (below the read-more):

1. Is McCoy in it?

Yeah for sure it's his pov mostly

2. Is McCoy in it a lot?

This author really likes McCoy (a man of my own taste) I only wish it had been longer. It starts off with McCoy agonizing over the end of the mission and feeling old (classic), goes on to give him ample room for complaints about the conference's accommodations, and ultimately allows him to do some drunken commiserating together with Scotty.

3. Does he get to be concerned over whatever angst has befallen Kirk lately?

Well he tries but Jim won't let him. Uno reverse card kinda thing, really.

4. Does he get to have silly little arguments with Spock?

Not really, no. But they sneak in some meaningful eye contact for mysterious reasons. He does all the arguing with Jim in this one.

Quote:

"You were only here for a day," Kirk said.

"I do not think he means Denebia, Captain," Spock interjected.

McCoy was surprised to hear the comment come from the first officer, but the two locked gazes for a lingering moment. Something in his eyes made the doctor wonder if he was the only one who was feeling like it was time for a change.

👆note the lingering slipped in there. Which could mean nothing.

5. Is he the damsel in distress?

I mean, aliens do kidnap him, but they do it very badly. And he gets to win a barfight. What's a cracked rib or two in the grand scheme of things if you get to befriend a random Klingon, much to the shock and consternation of your captain?

6. Does he suffer, preferably a lot? Physical and/or psychological torment

Well. The suffering is pretty tame in this one, with some regular end of mission anxiety. Obviously he thinks Jim and Spock would continue to work together in some manner and leaves himself out of it ofc. We can assume most of the suffering was done during the presentation at the conference, which, again, we don't get to read about.

Quote:

Somewhere in the middle of the second day of lectures, meetings, and endless technical debates, he had lost all will to live.

"I'd be thrilled if my only problem was depression," McCoy said from his bunk. "But I think I'm also suffering from a bout of murderous rage mitigated by nervous exhaustion and, oh, my back hurts. I think I've mentioned my mattress?"

"Aye, Doctor," Scotty said. "Once or twice."

"I'm going to kill Jim. And Spock. Spock first."

7. Does he get to whine and complain and be right about it? Even better is he wrong about it?   

He's 100% correct that they should stop drinking those drinks named Denebian slime devils. But Scotty proves that they can both transcend the limits of local alcohol tolerance and so after that point everything is great instead. He did really hate the beds at the conference and the ship that takes them to and from the conference. Scotty even says he turned those smallest cabins into storage rooms on the Enterprise so you know it's real bad :/

8. Does he get to throw some of that southern charm around?    

My personal belief is that this is how they won the Klingon over. Unimportant that it contradicts the text.

9. Does he get to do some medical malpractice?

Apparently there are so many doctors and nurses etc training on the Enterprise right now that they can spare him for the conference:/ poor man

10. Does Spock call him illogical or similar?

Another compliment and not a single insult... highly suspicious. Whether or not Jim is putting words in his mouth is up to interpretation.

Quote:

McCoy groaned. "Am I even going to understand what I'm presenting?"

"Bones," Kirk said cheerfully. "I'm surprised to hear you talk that way. When I asked who should go in his place, Spock said, 'We are fortunate to have one of the finest scientific minds in the Federation aboard the ship'."

11. Is he forcibly put through his arch nemesis the transporter? Or the dress uniform?

Presumably but it's not mentioned :/

12. Does Kirk call him handsome (joke or not this happens more than you'd think)?

Jim says he looks like his dog died. Sad.

13. Bonus points if his accent is pronounced and his speech is full of befuddling southern expressions which make Spock question McCoy's sanity (and me wondering if I need a dictionary)

One day I'll find a book that goes as hard as the comics do. But I'm not sure I'll enjoy it.

Criticisms/things I’d change

I truly, desperately, want to read about McCoy presenting Spock's research. I feel robbed... I'll forgive the author only because I assume there was a word limit and the kidnapping thing was pretty funny.

Highlights

McCoy realizing he's become a person who doesn't like being alone anymore and immediately deciding to do a paper on the psychological effects of five-year missions. While drunk ofc. Also how petty he is towards Jim. It's like they were already divorcing lol. All in all a fun little story!

Final McCoy meter: 7/10

A little extra bonus for those who like spock/kirk and/or perhaps mccoy/scotty (for context, the aliens think scotty is kirk and mccoy is spock) (yes mccoy is very upset by this when he finds out):

Kirk elbowed his companion. "What do you think? Fancy a little stew?"

"Ehhhhh..." Spock said without lifting his head from the seat. Apparently the stories about these two having an almost telepathic bond was true because Kirk simply said, "All righty then. Off we go."

[the-useless-vampire]

Some memes to celebrate ace week

[tinacentury]

2024 Fic Year in Review

Before re-reading my 2023 fic year in review post, I think I would have said “I’m feeling kind of weird about fandom stuff lately”. In 2023, I felt like fandom was kind of slipping away from me, and like, what the hell I am still doing here? In retrospect, I’m feeling less weird about it than I did last year, or at least have accepted the weirdness that comes along with still enjoying in a hobby that many have moved on from.

This year, I find that I’ve reflected more on the nature of fandom friendships than on fandom itself. I reposted a thing on bluesky a few weeks ago that was like (and I’m paraphrasing) “fandom friendships go from we like this same thing to here’s my trauma to please review my resume”, and I added “and then they go to not really talking and feeling wildly guilty about it or not really talking and feeling rejected or not really talking but still looking back on things fondly.” I think all of these things can be true at different times in the same friendships, and now I find myself looking up research about the nature of online intimacy, etc in an effort to understand (my psychologist brand remains consistent).

I guess my main point in saying all of this is that I’m sorry to anyone whom I’ve made feel bad by not staying in touch—I really do treasure every connection I’ve made across two different fandoms—and thank you to those who have made me feel like I’m worth it even when I’m not always great at maintaining relationships myself stayed in touch with me, even if our relationship looks different from how it used to. Every text (even the ones I have very, very delayed responses to), card, Facebook message, gift, comment and in-person meet-up (was lucky enough to have a couple of these this year!) has meant a lot to me this year. I hope you all have a cozy last few days of 2024, and I truly wish you all the best for 2025.

Anyway, on to the writing reflections.

List of fics completed this year (in order they were finished):

lol none 😬. I got married this year; life was busy.

Number of words written:

11,504 (lol see above)

Your most popular fic:

A Change of Time

Your personal fave:

A Change of Time

Your fave scene:

I think it’s the ball scene in a Change of Time, when Kate realizes Anthony isn’t a groom.

A fic or scene that challenged you:

My Before AU. I see now that it’s been almost a year since I updated it. I just wasn’t able to get into it this year, but I recently re-read it and was like, “oh this is good; I should continue”, so…that’s the goal.

A line of writing you’re proud of:

From the Before AU:

“ ‘I didn't say I was bad at it. Just that I didn't care for it.’ Kate laughed at the disgruntled huff Anthony let out that she could only describe as … adorable. It made her want to push—to tease—just a little bit more.”

A comment that touched you:

Someone commented on A Change of Time “thank you for being such a wonderful voice in the fandom” and, as someone who 1) didn’t feel at home in the fandom at the beginning and 2) often feels like I’m just word-vomiting thoughts that people secretly (or not-so-secretly) judge into the void, it meant a lot.

Something that inspired your writing:

@grantairesbottle, who got me out of a writing slump with her encouragement (also I’m coming back; it’s just been hard with holidays!)

Your proudest accomplishment:

Hmm last year one of my goals was to get back into writing regency Kanthony, and I’m proud of myself for doing that with a Change of Time

Do you have any writing goals for next year?

-finish a Change of Time

-finish write the next Chapter of my Before AU and take it from there

-stop getting in my own head and just enjoy this little writing hobby of mine

I tag @misstwentyynine, @grantairesbottle, and @uglygreenjacket if any of you want (and also anyone else who wants to!)

[telomirage]

before 🤎🖤 and after 🪲🌱🌿🥬💚

[pigeons-paintbrush]

hey we did pretty good on the tumblr year end review. up three spots and into fourth place

and he might be a bit far down, but lookit papyrus getting some love! as he should :]

meanwhile, a little further up, his brother is off uhhh homewreaking phoenix and miles apparently. say happy divorce to the wrightworths, everybody

[elvenchevalier]

Lies of P

So I just finished this game and let me tell you something, I never loved Pinocchio more than I do right now. Genuinely, I would not have expected “Bloodborne meets Pinocchio” to work so harmoniously.

Lies of P wears its Bloodborne inspiration on its sleeve, and all the love and passion the devs had for Bloodborne shines through. It’s probably the best spiritual successor it could possibly have asked for. If we had ever gotten that sequel, I’d have wanted it to look something like Lies of P—despite P not having guns.

The story, unlike Bloodborne and other Fromsoft games, is mostly told on its face. It still has lore in item descriptions, but unlike Fromsoft’s games it doesn’t rely solely on environments and item descriptions to convey its story, and that’s hugely to its benefit. One of the flaws of Fromsoft’s souls formula games is that it expects you to dig deep to find the story; Lies of P actually tries to tell its story, and it’s all the better for it.

I’m going to say Bloodborne more times than Lies of P this writeup, I swear.

The weapon crafting system was a little strange to get used to at first, but once I did it felt like the perfect evolution of Bloodborne’s trick weapons. They don’t change form mid-combat, of course, but at any Stargazer or the weapon shop in the hotel you can mix and match to your heart’s content—for normal weapons, anyway. Boss weapons, earned from boss Ergo in the same vein as Remembrances in Elden Ring, cannot be separated into blade and handle like normal weapons can. But there is a wide variety of normal weapons to choose from, so the possibilities are virtually endless.

And that goes almost double when you run an Advance-focused build—Advance, as opposed to Motivity (Strength) or Technique (Dexterity), focuses on elemental weapons (Fire, Shock, and Acid). Advance only boosts your base damage by a tiny amount, because most of your damage is in making the most of elemental weaknesses, and it is STAGGERINGLY effective. I’m glad to have done my first run as an Advance build.

Aside from the not!trick weapons, Lies of P offers another method of attack in the form of the player character’s left arm, a changeable weapon referred to as a Legion Arm, and each one fills different niches. The one I ended up sticking with was a defensive option called the Aegis, but the Puppet String was also a lot of fun. If I had to lose guns for anything in a hypothetical Bloodborne 2, the Legion Arm is a pretty damn good option.

The voice acting was ON POINT. I didn't skip a single voice line in the entire game because the cast went all out. Venigni is painfully Italian--it's very funny.

If I had to give a flaw for the game, I would have to say I strongly dislike the visual similarity between each of the armor pieces. The converters and cartridges all look the same save for their colors and size for progressively stronger variants—and the size is almost negligible, easily missable if you’re not paying attention, sometimes causing you to equip a weaker version of the one you wanted if you aren’t diligently using the storage to prevent that. The liners are the worst of the lot, with three variants all looking nearly identical because they have no colors.

Another problem was that some enemies felt too aggressive; it’s fine for bosses, but when an average mook or even an elite is so aggressive that you barely have a chance to heal, it can get pretty frustrating. I have died more times to aggressive elites than most of the game’s bosses.

Man, it’s hard to come up with stuff to talk about that isn’t riddled with spoilers! Speaking of which: SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT

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

Holy crap the King of Puppets difficulty spike was MASSIVE. It took me the most tries out of any boss in the game, and it’s not even close. KoP took me something like 12 tries, while no other boss broke 5. He’s tough as nails and it’s great—I love a real challenge.

(For the record, the boss that took me the most attempts out of anything in Bloodborne, LoP, and Elden Ring was the Orphan of Kos at 22.)

(I don’t count Shadow of the Erdtree’s final boss.) (Fuck that guy.)

(Fuck that guy with Simon’s giant fist.)

(He wasn’t a “challenge”, he was just actively unfair to any but the cheesiest builds.)

...Anyway,

Every boss in the game was interesting, unique, and a LOT of fun. Each fight felt fresh and like a brand new puzzle to solve. I don’t think there was a single boss fight I did not actively enjoy, even when KoP was kicking my ass, and I can’t wait to get my ass kicked some more using different builds and new weapons.

Speaking of unique bosses, the game actually managed to make use of two early-game bosses again, but organically and in a way that made sense! The green monster in the Fromsoft Special’s second phase made use of the Scrapped Watchman by basically using its outer chassis as armor, and then the Parade Master after the game reused the first TWO areas—again, organically—was the same except with bonus attacks. They made sense, they were great, they demonstrated how the story was developing…ace. Absolutely ace.

Also, sidequests don't always end in horrible tragedy and/or death! Looking at you, Elden Ring. You actually feel like you're making the world a better place by doing Lies of P's sidequests, whereas you actively make the world better by IGNORING most sidequests in Elden Ring, save for like, Nepheli and Kenneth, and Ranni of course.

(It is VERY nice that the stargazer teleport menu shows when you can talk to someone to progress a sidequest. Again, looking at you, Elden Ring.)

One thing to really shake me was the reveal that P is Carlo. I actually did not manage to pick up on that before it was outright stated, but it was wonderfully foreshadowed in retrospect. Taking some notes on that one for sure.

...Speaking of foreshadowing, I realized during the Romeo fight that you can actually read the puppet speech—it’s just the regular text but garbled. It’s still very legible. My friend made sure to tell me not to do so, though, cuz it could have meant spoilers—so I don’t know what any of them say. I’m a little scared to find out when I take my character into NG+. Or just start a new run, because I can just read them then. Cuz I rule like that.

The final area is ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE. It comprises the whole of Chapter 11 and is big enough that there are ELEVEN Stargazers. The run up to it is incredibly foreboding, what with the Ergo crystals everywhere and the Ergo flowing toward the peak of the tower, and the actual climb actually feels as big inside as it looks outside. There are a few points toward the top where you’re granted a view outside, and you can see Krat and the St. Frangelico Cathedral in the distance. The area is also big enough to house six whole bosses—though two are avoidable.

The first one, the Door Guardian, actually made me tap into my latent Bloodborne instincts! Dodge, hang by the left leg, get shots in when you have an opening. Very, very cool fight.

And the MUSIC. For most of the climb, the music is this ominous chanting, fitting for a final dungeon, but toward the top the music actually STOPS, which actually feels MORE foreboding. Like you're finally coming up on the end. It's now or never. Heaven or hell.

Final notes:

Sophia is best girl,

Venigni is best boy,

And you can pet the cat 10/10 goty every year

That’s a wrap, everybody! VERY good game, will absolutely be playing again, probably soon. But next up is going to be Oracle of Seasons which I’m also nearly done with, so I might even have two writeups posted today LOL we’ll see.

じゃね！

[iscreamicescream]

Just watched this movie might have to change my letterbox favourites ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[sailforvalinor]

So I just finished “Half a Soul” by Olivia Atwater, it was absolutely fantastic. Full review maybe forthcoming, but for now, I love how Elias and Dora are just like:

Elias: “Look at me, I’m such an unlikeable rogue who has no regard for propriety or decorum. I make a point of making myself disagreeable wherever I go, and you wouldn’t catch me dead at a ball. I’m universally hated by the ton, and you probably should too! Who knows, I’m probably completely morally bankrupt!”

Dora: “Actually, he’s very noble and good: he gives all his money away to charity, and puts all of his time and energy into supporting an orphanage in the slums of London.”

Elias: “How dare you. How flipping dare you.”