#Wayfarer reads 2021

[idrellegames]

Hello all,

This is a general announcement post to cover a few changes, as well as a public build patch.

This patch addresses some lingering issues and bugs in Episodes 1 & 2. This is not a content update.

✦ Playthrough Restarts

Because of changes and fixes, if your save file is from June 24, 2023 or earlier, you should load a save file from the beginning of the Lethalis meeting in Episode 2 or restart from the beginning of the game. If you do not, you may encounter continuity, UI issues, or other errors. None of these are game-breaking. 

If you keep Wayfarer running in a tab, please either refresh your browser or close the tab and open the game in a new one. This is the only way to ensure the patch takes effect.

Full patch notes can be read here.

✦ A Statement on AI

NO AI TRAINING. Using Wayfarer, its images, or any of its written work to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. Creating chatbots based on the game’s text is not allowed. 

✦ A Statement on the Alpha Build

Wayfarer’s public build is free to play. It will not be updated until the alpha build’s Episode 4 is complete. Half of Episode 3 is available to play on my Patreon (available for the Recruit tier and above). Currently, the alpha build is a couple months behind the planned trajectory announced in the 2024 roadmap. Progress will be reassessed in July and updates made. 

The last alpha build update was on May 28, 2024. 

✦ Updates to the Game’s Structure

Since 2021 Wayfarer has been conceptualized as 3 acts and 15 episodes. While that story structure is still at its roots, it’s very apparent now that this is far too much story to be contained to a single game. So, I am breaking it into a trilogy.   

I have had this idea for a while, but I have held off on doing anything about it because of technical issues. Because of the way the story builds on itself, I need to ensure that continuity (including details like the player character’s inventory and locations they have visited) is preserved across all three game. However, even with some technical things to still test and figure out, I am at a point where I would like to move forward with the new structuring.  

WAYFARER 1

Prologue

Act 1: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3

Act 2: Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6,

Act 3: Episode 7

Epilogue

WAYFARER 2

Prologue

Act 1: Episode 8, Episode 9

Act 2: Episode 10

Act 3: Episode 11

Epilogue

WAYFARER 3

Prologue

Act 1: Episode 12

Act 2: Episode 13, Episode 14

Act 3: Episode 15

Epilogue

The structure is still very much the same as it was prior (what is now a single “game” in the new structure was an “act” in the old one). The change has been updated and reflected in the Story Log, which now only goes up to Episode 7. 

With this change, I will be looking into getting new cover art that is more specific to the first game’s events. All titles are TBA. 

If you’ve enjoyed Wayfarer and would like to support my work, please consider supporting me on Patreon. Patrons receive access to the alpha build, a private Discord server, exclusive previews, bonus content, side stories, and other benefits.

Wayfarer is a passion project and creating it is a full-time commitment. Any little bit goes a long way to help me bring it to fruition.

If you aren’t in a position to support financially, reblogs, shares, ratings and comments, and spreading the word about the game are much appreciated and do a lot to help me out! 💕

[galaxyostars]

My Archive Of Our Own Wrap-up

I wanted to put together a thank you to all the fanfic writers who have gotten me through this year.

This wrap-up is me going through my history month by month to see which fics I'd visited the most (because you can be damn sure I read through them over several days).

So this is a celebration of the wide variety of fics I've read and/or bookmarked and/or subscribed to. Thank you to every writer on this list for keeping me entertained.

My first fic of 2023: Finding the Balance, by Amberlioness

Summary:

Events following ‘Bound’, leading up to ‘Demons’. Trip and T’Pol begin to explore what their bond means and how it affects them. Follows “Beginning in Earnest”. I’ve tried to keep as close to canon as possible, while filling in events and back story as the muse commands.

2023 in fics I kept returning to by month

January

Brand New Day, by cecilyjones

Star Wars Rebels, rated T. Completed 2023-03-29.

The Force wasn’t the only great power in the Galaxy. There were also the laws of physics. Kanan was strong in the Force, but the bind he had gotten himself into had to do with physics. (My inevitable “Kanan lives” story. He survives, and the story unfolds from there. Some of it resembles the story we already know, and some of it doesn’t. The ripples travel out.) Update: Chapter 1-8 is a complete story, you can stop reading there and get some nice closure. After that, I’m just kind of adding as I get ideas. Mostly I just like seeing Kanan get to be a dad so that’s what I’m doing. Thanks!

February

Synced To You, by TuppingLiberty

Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, rated E. Completed 2017-04-09.

Canonverse but Omegaverse: Though everyone can choose whomever they want as mate, your one true mate, the mate with which you 'sync', is your one best match in the entire galaxy. Poe recognizes Finn as his sync-mate immediately, but Finn is reluctant - extremely. Chapter 3 and various chapters thereon are explicit. This fic is now in epilogue-mode. Everything after Chapter 13 is epilogue. I will come back to it as it pleases me, which, right now, is often. :D

March

Poor Wayfaring Stranger, by lithos_saeculum

Final Fantasy XV, rated T. Last updated 2022-08-04.

Out on a mission, Cor Leonis finds a teenager, lost and sick and partway to becoming an MT. Against the advice of all and sundry, he brings him back to Insomnia. There's not a lot of love lost for MTs in the Citadel, but some of its inhabitants may still be young enough to put aside their prejudices.

April

Three Bullets, by The_Midget

Grand Theft Auto V, rated M. Completed 2021-01-27.

After Michael is shot in the street, his friends and family can all agree that it was an act of retaliation. However, none of them can agree on who pulled the trigger.

Bookmark note: The one where Jerry White is a piece of shit and also Trevor, Michael and Franklin have to deal with white supremesists. I don't think that's how supremesists is spelled. Lemme look into that.

May

Over And Over, by Nightwinging_it

Borderlands, rated M. Completed 2020-12-17.

Timothy Lawrence has resigned himself to his fate as Handsome Jack's property, even if it means losing himself. When an attempt by a friend to rescue him lands him in trouble with Jack, Timothy is banished to the casino as punishment. Angry and betrayed, Timothy is all too eager to seize the chance to escape, even if it comes in the form of a brash Operative. When Zane Flynt is hired to steal weapon schematics from Hyperion, he finds himself needing the help of Handsome Jack's Eridium addicted doppelganger. It's supposed to be a simple job, and he and the doppelganger will part ways the moment it's over. Only Zane didn't expect to get so damn attached to Timothy. (OR: Zane accidentally adopts Timothy, and chaos ensues)

Bookmark note: The one where Timothy's made to be hooked on eridium and Zane basically nurses him back to life.

June

Finding Home, by Iha_1419

9-1-1 Lone Star, rated E. Last updated 2022-08-08.

TK Strand’s life has been filled with pain and rejection. His parents, extreme traditionalists, hate him for being a male omega and have kept him isolated for most of his life. When he finds out that he is going to be bonded to an alpha named Carlos in his Uncle Owen’s pack, he doesn’t know what to expect. Years of enduring verbal and physical abuse from his parents have left him withdrawn and wary of his new mate. Carlos is determined to get the omega to trust him, but TK’s scars run deep and old habits are hard to break. Can Carlos and the 126 help TK overcome his past and embrace his future?

July

Ultraviolet, by @five-7

Borderlands, rated E. Completed 2021-11-11.

After all the shite they'd been through together, Zane doesn't quite know what to think of them. Amara might have an idea. [Shameless and massive Zane-centric fic]

Bookmark note: The one where Amara and Zane have a friends with benefits thing that accidentally falls into something more serious but then shit goes a little wrong and there's a few chapters where they're fucking dumb but it's okay because they eventually work it out.

August

Bless Those Tired Eyes, by thenewradical

The Martian, rated T. Completed 2015-12-20.

Johanssen suggests that Beck sleep in her bunk since it's closest to the med bay and Watney. This goes exactly as well as you would expect.

September

Sick Days Not Needed, by Jillie_chan

Star Wars Rebels, rated G. Completed 2015-02-21.

“You’re sick.” Kanan said, resting his hand on the back of the seat. “So?” Ezra asked, resting his head on his fist. “I’m not holding you back.” “Not holding us back?” Kanan echoed. “On missions,” Ezra clarified, “It’ll pass in a few days.”

October

True Colors, by Cinderpaw1, dancer4813

Critical Role (Vox Machina), rated E. Completed 2017-08-26.

Vex knew her father hated them. It had been obvious when he left their mother alone to raise a pair of twins by herself. But she had never imagined he would hate them enough to stick them in foster care only a few months after losing her. Now Vex is scraping by on the streets, using her artistic talent to make enough for her and her dog to eat, searching for the twin brother who had been taken away from her because of the system. She didn't realize that when her search took her to Emon, the bustling city held both promises for the future and ghosts from the past.

November

Struggle, by ela11

Mass Effect, rated M. Completed 2014-12-06.

Two people would have no idea of the struggle ahead of them��� For their existence. For their love. (Femshep/Kaidan from Mass Effect 1 to 3 and a little beyond.) Contains canon, altered events, and new events. Alternative ending.

Fics saved in 2023 (My notes in bookmarks)

Two for the Road by Spacewidget - The one where Daryl and Connie pose as a married couple to gain access to a group. [The Walking Dead]

Run by justtakemehome - The one where Michael and Amanda De Santa get a bounty attached to their head and they basically have to Mr & Mrs Smith their way out of trouble. [Grand Theft Auto V]

Witch Ways by @aliquistis - The one where a druid learns to put up, like, and maybe even love Gale. [Baldur's Gate]

you can fake it for a while by nighimpossible - The one where Percy creates Vex's titles and a fake marriage, and they fall into a legitimate relationship. [Critical Role (Vox Machina)]

And They Lived Happily Ever After by @ginger-floor-goblin - The one where Keyleth and Vax get their happy ending. But also consequences to deals made. [Critical Role (Vox Machina) / The Legend of Vox Machina]

Pieces Still Stuck In Your Teeth by @howlsmovinglibrary - The one where Astarion lost all the kids in the divorce. [Baldur's Gate]

We Circle by Night by @insanitysilver - The one where Caleb goes back in time to fix his past, only to accidentally save Mollymauk from his demise. [Critical Role (Mighty Nein)]

I'm finishing 2023 with...

Ship to Wreck by Snailsol

Witch Ways by Aliquistis

Pieces Still Stuck In Your Teeth by howlsmovinglibrary

Resistance by ela11

Thank you to every fanfic writer whose work I've had the pleasure of reading this year. <3

[newtsoftheworldunite]

Reading tag game! Tagged by @hoeratius. Tagging @the-lincyclopedia @the-knights-who-say-book @oughtaagh @eponymiad @cartograffiti

Last book I read: The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho. It’s a comedic wuxia adventure in a fantasy setting where religious orders have been caught in the crossfire between an authoritarian government and rebel bandits. A nun who loses her job as a waitress joins a group of black market vagabonds attempting to navigate this new reality and everybody gets more than they bargained for.

It’s a whole lot of fun and also gave me so much to think about. I wish I had a hundred more books like this one.

Book I recommend: Maria Dahvana Headley’s translation of Beowulf. @hoeratius recommended the Heaney, as is her right, and that’s the first Beowulf I read but I encountered MDH’s translation in 2021 and was absolutely blown away. I want to do things like this as a translator.

Book I couldn't put down: I first encountered Nate Stevenson’s graphic novel Nimona while it was being serialized online and probably about 80% complete, zoomed through everything that existed so far in a few hours, and then waited eagerly for each additional page. It was absolutely captivating. I’ve had other similar experiences but that one stands out right now in my memory.

Book I've read twice: I’ve been an inveterate rereader over the past four years. Through 2019 probably less than 10% of my reading was rereads and now it’s around 50%. The Queen’s Thief series, The Goblin Emperor and Cemeteries of Amalo books, the Murderbot Diaries, the Wayfarers novels, the Vorkosigan Saga and the Five Gods books, Discworld, and the Young Wizards series have all been ones I’ve revisited regularly. And in 2022 I did a LeGuin readthrough that included revisiting many of her works and experiencing others for the first time. There are so many others as well. Rereading is great!

A book on my TBR: Navdeep Singh Dhillon’s YA romcom Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions. I don’t see books with Punjabi protagonists very often so I’m very interested in this one.

A book I have put down: I started An Immense World last year, which is an examination of nonhuman sensory experiences, and I’d really like to get back to it but my brain has been having a harder time with nonfiction over the past couple of years so I haven’t found my way back around yet. I’ve also bounced off Translation State a couple of times now which is frustrating because I’ve enjoyed every other Ann Leckie book I’ve read.

A book on my wish list: I don’t actually have much of a wish list for books because I’m very library-centric. There are definitely books I end up buying and I have a fairly eclectic home collection. But mostly I get books through the public library and the Libby and Hoopla apps with the library’s digital holdings. I do like to buy interesting haggadot and siddurim and have my eye on a new translation of Tehillim, so that’s something.

A favourite book from childhood: There is a picture book with text by Lloyd Alexander and illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats called The King’s Fountain, which I haven’t encountered in decades but remember adoring as a child. It’s a fable about a monarch who plans to divert the city’s water to build a beautiful fountain for himself and a beggar who tries to find some way to convince him to change his mind.

A book I would give a friend: The Thief by @meganwhalenturner. I want everybody to read it.

A book of poetry or lyrics I own: I’m very invested in my local poetry scene which means that unfortunately most of the poetry I own would reveal more about my geographic location than I’m comfortable posting on tumblr. TFW most of the books of poetry you own are written by people you personally know. Highly recommend. I grew up on a lot of Billy Collins and e e cummings and Paul Lawrence Dunbar and Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou and Edna St Vincent Millay and so many others. But that was my mother’s collection and I unfortunately haven’t filled my shelves at home with poetic classics. As a teenager I also had an absolutely wonderful global anthology of poetry from all over the world and from ancient times until the nineteenth century that I’ve never been able to find again and I don’t remember the title. It was very thick and paperback and had a reddish purple cover and was organized by the language each poem had been translated from.

A non-fiction book I own: One of my favorites is The House Book by Phaidon which is a little reference book with a selection of 500 houses from ancient times to the present as an exploration of how people live and what architectural possibilities we’ve explored.

Currently reading: Demon Daughter by Lois McMaster Bujold, Omnitopia Dawn by @dianeduane for the @crossingscon book club, Little Thieves by @what-eats-owls, and Witch King by Martha Wells, not counting rereads.

Planning on reading next: Painted Devils and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. There are a few other titles that might intervene, because my choice of reading material is heavily dependent on mood now. Which is part of what makes rereading so appealing. It’s easier to know what mood something is right for if I’ve already read it!

[redrocketpanda]

Thanks for answering my ask before. If you don't mind me asking (again), can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......

Hello again - thanks so much for all of these questions!

Hmmmm, I have so many favourite things across so many different forms of media that choosing a top 7/10 is super hard. I've gone with my gut of the first things I thought of that I love, but the list could easily be wayyyyyy longer. I'm sorry - I tried to keep this as short as I could... In no particular order:

My Hero Academia (anime + manga) MHA is the first anime that I think I ever really properly enjoyed. I watched it in 2021/2022, immediately fell in love with it, and proceeded to devour both the anime and almost all of the manga. I obviously adore all of the characters, but I also love the way that MHA portrays superpowers - both in terms of how they function (w/ there being unique limitations to them) as well as how it depicts/explores superhero society. I don't normally go in for superhero type media anymore, but the combination of all of the above (plus literally the sickest soundtrack from Yuki Hayashi) easily makes it one of my fave ever things

The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers (books) I could write an entire dissertation on why this is one of my favourite series of all time, and why Becky Chambers is one of my favourite authors. But the shorter answer is: literally everything about them. Chambers' writing is beautiful, her narratives are full of love, hope and community, and her characters are incredibly diverse and well written. My fave book from the series is Record of a Spaceborn Few.

Dragon Age series (video games) I first came across Dragon Age at a fan convention back in 2016/2017 during a panel on queer media (I think). In addition to the panel discussing the general queer relationships/characters in the series, they specifically highlighted Dorian and Krem in DA: Inquisition. The following day I went out, purchased all the games, and then played them through from the first game. IThe games are super fun to play, the writing is *chefs kiss*, and I love the themes that the games explore. I love them so much I've even written an article and done a podcast episode about them!

Jurassic Park franchise (films, books, games) Jurassic Park is one of the franchises that I was raised on (along with Star Wars) and I have been obsessed with it ever since. I've seen all the films (up to Jurassic World), read the books, own books about JP, played a bunch of the games, and even have a poster map of Isla Nublar on my wall. Dinosaurs are one of the big reasons I love them, but also I think the films have always been very interesting to me for how they give us a lens in which to think about animal rights + conservation in a science fictional setting (something else I have also done a paper on!)

Final Fantasy XV (video game) I'll keep this one short and sweet: best boys on a roadtrip that will both make your heart full of joy but will ultimately leave you a sobbing mess on the floor (Honestly I didn't play FFXV until the end of 2022 and I am still !!!!!!! over it)

Haikyuu!! (anime) sksalkkljsa. I don't even know what to say about this. HQ is just the fucking best.

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (video game) I don't talk about it so much anymore, but Exocolonist is still one of my favourite games and it makes my heart feel so much whenever I think about it. I love the entire aesthetic of it. I love how impactful your choices feel and how many different routes you can go down. I love how inclusive the game is, not just in terms of gender, race and sexuality but also with polyamoury + family/community dynamics. The worldbuilding is beautiful, the soundtrack is *cries*. Just...it's such a wonderful game.

Manic (film) There are a lot of films I could choose for this list, but if I can only choose one (bc space) then I think Manic is a good pick. It's the 2001 indie film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Don Cheadle, etc, and is set in an adolescent psychiatric ward. This film means a lot to me personally, I'll just leave it at that.

Xandri Corelel series (books) I spoke a bit about why I love the series so much in response to your favourite characters question but to summarise: cool as fuck science fiction series where cool as fuck autistic bisexual polyam protagonist, Xandri, is the head of the xeno-liaisons team. It's got stellar worldbuilding, excellent characters, and explores lots of interesting issues. Also, my favourite book is Tone of Voice (2nd in the series) partly bc its got space whales in it.

Mass Effect (video games) I think by now its pretty clear I love science fiction, so Mass Effect was always gonna be a big hit with me. I actually played Dragon Age first, and then a friend told me I had to play ME. The entire series is just sooooo good for very similar reasons to a lot of my other favourites: well-written, beloved characters, cool ass narrative/s, choice-based, fun FPS moments, cool worldbuilding, sick soundtrack!

[astralscrivener]

For the End of the Year Book Ask! #3, #10, #16 <333 Let your correct onions be KNOWN Beautiful <3333

I LOVE TALKING ABOUT MY BOOK ONIONS

3. what were your top 5 books of the year?

FUCK this one took a lot of thinking

i had to go to my shelf of favorite reads of the year and it was. very tough to choose.

firstly is yellowface by r.f. kuang, which i talk about more in the next question (i answered these out of order oopsies)

second i think is the fifth season/the obelisk gate by n.k. jemisin. i read the fifth season both last year and this year for two different classes, and then finally got around to the sequel + am currently reading the third book and i am bonkers about them. i am thinking about essun and nassun and alabaster and hoa constantly. deeply unwell. a lot more geology than i had initially expected but i'm having a GREAT time

the long way to a small angry planet by becky chambers. my fucking beloved. i've literally owned the book since like 2021 but took forever to read it but i love it sooo much i love the entire wayfarer crew but i think about kizzy and ashby constantly. the socks match my hat scene was so small but lives in my head rent-free

circe by madeline miller!!!! this one is popular for a reason. i know a lot of people tend to prefer TSOA/their first introduction to miller's writing is TSOA but circe was mine bc i love the odyssey (and also the emily wilson odyssey came out before wiliad. so. i have not had the brain power to get thru the fagles translation of either one yet). anyway i loved this a lot. i connected a lot with circe as a person and a character and her entire web of relationships...i am so emo about it. also i am a circe/penelope truther and when i write a sci fi or fantasy novel very loosely inspired by their dynamic. then what. ....wait i might have just had a breakthru on one of my wips wait a minute—

and finally the haunting of hill house by shirley jackson. i think about eleanor too often. way too often. someone in the goodreads reviews commented on her loneliness and it clicked for me why i like her so much and i have not recovered <3

10. what was your favorite new release of the year?

out of the ones i read this year? yellowface by r.f. kuang. i don't read thrillers much but this one was so much. i loved it. chaotic satirical thriller criticizing the publishing industry and raising questions about ownvoices and representation, which authors and stories the industry rewards and prioritizes, the pitfalls of being a young prodigy, and also it was just bonkers. i know this one was divisive for some people but i loved it. i had a great time. i have not stopped thinking about "they called it a globule" for months.

16. what is the most overhyped book you read this year?

you know DAMN WELL what you were doing when you chose this question. kissing you on the mouth

anyway is this a safe space. is this a safe space for me to be bitch. f**rth wing. it was f**rth wing. spoilering so tumblr doesn't put it in the search for the stans to find me

it is bad. it is bad. i initially gave it i think 1.5 stars (rounded up to 2 on GR) but i hate it more every single time i think about it. there is just so much wrong with it as a book but is also emblematic of a lot of larger issues in publishing, and particularly with red tower as an imprint, but i do not have all day to rant or we will be here forever

end of year book ask!

[thevikingwoman]

AO3 fic stats meme

tagged by @a-shakespearean-in-paris and @myreia thank youuuuu!

rules: give us the links to your fics with the most hits, second most kudos, third most comments, fourth most bookmarks, fifth most words, and fic with the fewest words.

I also thought it was interesting to add dates!

Fic with the Most Hits: Temporal Arrangements | Dragon Age: Inquisition | Solas x Iwyn Lavellan | longfic | written 2018-2020

Second Most Kudos: Home | Uprooted (Naomi Novik) | Agnieszka  x Sarkan | one-shot (book coda) | 2019

Third Most Comments: Hay | Dragon Age: Inquisition (modern AU) | Solas x Iwyn | longfic | written 2020-2021

Fourth Most Bookmarks: Home [again!!] | Uprooted (Naomi Novik) | Agnieszka  x Sarkan | one-shot (book coda) | 2019

Fifth Most Words: Bright Are The Stars Above | Dragon Age: Inquisition | Solas x Iwyn | short story collection | n/a

I wish I hadn't published my short stories as one story, but it's too late to change.

Fifth Most Words without shorts collections: Together | Dragon Age: Inquisition (Modern AU) | Solas x Iwyn Lavellan x Ellana Lavellan (unrelated) | short story | 2019

Fic with the Fewest Words: Bhrianna Osirion - Child of the Desert | Wayfarer IF | Wayfarer MC | microfic | 2022

I'm not surprised some of my most popular fics are my long fics - especially posing so many of my DA shorts in one story. I do wish I had the fortitude to write more longer fics, but the date ranges speak for themselves.

Endlessly humbled by Uprooted fans - it's not a very active fandom, but it's clear a lot of people are fans of the book (you should read it too) and enjoyed my little fic

tagging @galadrieljones @allaganexarch @buttsonthebeach @redinkofshame @roguelioness @kittlesandbugs @bearlytolerant and anyone else who wants to

[genderascendant]

I posted 16,987 times in 2022

That's 3,846 more posts than 2021!

192 posts created (1%)

16,795 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@nonbineraryitinerary

@angry-purple-ace

@manforsale

@stunfisk-uses-attract

@blackbeardskneebrace

I tagged 6,786 of my posts in 2022

#ofmd - 2,329 posts

#art - 1,193 posts

#blackbonnet - 629 posts

#ofmd meta - 313 posts

#wwdits - 278 posts

#locked tomb - 176 posts

#mine - 165 posts

#taika waititi - 153 posts

#about me - 151 posts

#hannibal - 124 posts

Longest Tag: 124 characters

#💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

taika is soooo real for not watching any marvel movies or reading any comics or doing any research for his marvel movie at all

186 notes - Posted July 10, 2022

#4

i think rewatching hannibal should be in the dsm

202 notes - Posted July 18, 2022

#3

I LOVE THEM

294 notes - Posted April 21, 2022

#2

✨ofmd fic rec list✨

Here it is, the list absolutely no one one of my friends all of you have been waiting for: my our flag means death fic recs!! Now, I mostly like AUs and long-ish fics and am ambivalent about smut, so that's what most of this list is; but I put a couple of very special post-canon fics at the beginning, and shorter or one-shot fics at the end. My absolute favorites are marked with 🌸. Enjoy! 💖

post-canon-ish

🌸 Chiaroscuro by @menaceanon - WIP, 22k, T - gratuitous Mary and Ed get to be buds content. Their friendship and bonding is so so sweet, and especially since Jenkins said Mary probably won't make a return...... enjoy it here!!

Uncle Ed by StormySeaWitch - WIP, 21k, T - twin narratives about Ed adopting the kiddos, and one I actually like even more: Stede and co. slowly plotting and executing a takeover of the English naval ship that rescued them:') It's great Stede competence and killing-with-kindness content

Wayfaring by @justkeeptrekkin - 35k, E - Unbelievable masterpiece where Stede and Ed have to make up on the deserted island they're stranded on. The exploration of EMOTIONS. The ROMANTICISM, the SCENES. I have no words, you just have to read it

🌸 the only proof the field existed by @nonagethimus - 22k, M - Also a masterpiece. Part 1 is a searing character study of Ed and Lucius, and part 2 is a perfect reunion. Screaming and crying and throwing up.

AUs

🌸 it's what isn't in the name by tciddaemina - 41k, M - the entire Season 1 rewritten as a daemon AU. Absolutely love the characterization here and it feels so real, i came out feeling like i had an entire extra version of the season in my brain.

it's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do by lacecat - WIP, 33k, M - Stede opens a gastropub. Ed owns the dive bar down the street. An accidental murder leads to... them getting married the day they meet so they can't be made to testify against each other. It's SO well plotted and sweet and funny that so far, it's my only reread.

🌸 Ship in a Bottle by @neverwaswise - WIP, 14k, NR - HRRRNGH i am so obsessed with this one. Lighthouse keeper Stede, literal kraken Ed. The characterization is INCREDIBLE and i absolutely LIVE and am FERAL for this Little Mermaidy version of Ed. THE SWEETNESS!!!!! Shutting up now!

Bark and Bite by @amuseoffyre - WIP, 32k, M - the vampire/werewolf AU of my DREAMS. Season 1 rewritten with vampire!ed and werewolf!stede, of course. It's incredibly silly and sweet, and I love how they work the au into the canon. An update always brightens my day!!

🌸 this tired world could change by @sassygwaine - 95k, E - FERAL I SAY. Stede is a depressed office worker at his dad's company, Ed is a mechanic and ex-enforcer for the mob. The way their relationship is written and grows is.......... so, so beautiful, I can't even. There's a sequel coming!!

We were the winds -writing our names in the sky- by sapphos_gh0st - WIP, 37k, T - What if Ed and Stede met as teenagers? Impossibly sweet and fluffy, literally soothes my soul. Boys finding the love and sweetness and care they DESERVE *clenches fist*

🌸 Once Upon a Summer in San Francisco by samwise - WIP, 95k, M - This fic has me in a fucking chokehold. I am rabid about it, obsessed. 1970s AU, Ed is a drug dealer with a record store front, and meets Stede at a music festival. Their lives and their world feel so real and lived-in, which makes their love story that much more compelling. Excellent and often HYSTERICAL prose, especially from Lucius, and I want to live in Stede's gay commune-house with the crew SO badly.

Our Flag Means Rock by @captain-athos - 22k, M - This one has really taken up residence in my brain! 1960s pirate radio AU, and the author really knows and cares about music history. Made me go listen to the Beach Boys!

This Could Be Love by @zombee - 16k, E - Ed is an ex-professional skier who meets Stede at a hotel conference... and fake dating AND only-one-bed ensue! I particularly love their take on DESPERATELY horny Ed

shorter AUs and whatnot

you'll marry a music man by @soft-october-night - 7k, T - "Poor man's Elton John" Stede covers one of Ed's songs! Soooo sweet and funny

in the margins by @weatheredlaw - 3k, T - Ed and Stede find each other over and over, in every life. This one is so healing, kind of ties the whole idea of reading AUs together, and is especially nice after watching Everything Everywhere All At Once

a small adventure by @sassygwaine - 4k, T - Dungeons and Dragons podcasting AU! Their exchange about tabaxis is probably going to stick in my head forever!!

Dealt a Soft Hand by @mintly - 12k, M - ACCIDENTAL DRUNKEN VEGAS WEDDING, and also Ed is a professional gambler. Funny and sweet

🌸 Washington Square Park Dog Run for Larger Dogs by @fortinbrasftw - 6k, T - Ed and Stede meet at the dog park, and later, Izzy and James Flint meet at the dog park. Hilarious, perfect characterization. I've never seen Black Sails and it did not impact my IMMENSE enjoyment of these fics at all.

that's all for now! got recommendations? reblog or reply! 💖

366 notes - Posted July 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

i love you fanfiction i love you fanart i love you character/ship playlists i love you gifsets i love you meta writers i love you shitposters i love you transformative works i love you everyone who feels for a piece of media so deeply that it inspires you to transform it into something new and your own and share it with the world

1,814 notes - Posted July 25, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[reverienne]

W 2022 roku na moim blogu pojawiło się 3945 postów

O 2825 postów więcej niż w 2021!

12 utworzonych postów (0%)

3933 zreblogowane posty (100%)

Najczęściej reblogowane blogi:

@lastvalyrian

@notgreengardens

@shenyaanigans

@aryashi

@andromedamirtle

1917 moich postów w 2022 miało tagi

#long post – 323 posty

#the legend of vox machina – 154 posty

#eurovision 2022 – 105 postów

#ace attorney – 99 postów

#dracula daily – 87 postów

#atelier spiczastych kapeluszy – 74 posty

#for future reference – 68 postów

#miraculous ladybug – 64 posty

#star wars – 63 posty

#wayfarer – 59 postów

Longest Tag: 136 characters

#(and that's not taking into account any of my other sources of income and other savings that obviously can stay on this account as well)

Moje najpopularniejsze posty w 2022:

Nr 5

@aadefenseweek Day 3: Contradictions / “The only time a lawyer can cry is when it’s all over”

...except Athena Cykes is not crying because she managed to secure a not guilty verdict for me! (Or, at least I hope that she will, I haven’t met her yet, though I trust Loes’s judgement that she’ll defeat Miles just fine.)

Happy belated birthday to my dear friend, Loes @etoilebinaire, who pretty much got me into Ace Attorney! 🎉💕

6 notek (opublikowanych w 21 września 2022)

Nr 4

Brooke's outfit reminds me of Winx Club's Bloom's first transformation and I love it.

6 notek (opublikowanych w 12 maja 2022)

Nr 3

I was tagged by @visionmarred to make myself in this picrew! Thank you so much, Sierra! It was fun. 

@etoilebinaire, please, imagine that what I'm actually holding is a vleermuis from you because if the picrew allowed me, it absolutely would be! 💕

I'm tagging @bitchesofostwick, @bluekaddis and whoever wants to do it! No pressure, of course. :)

6 notek (opublikowanych w 4 stycznia 2022)

Nr 2

will learning that someone read Dracula via Dracula Daily become the new shoelaces, except mostly in the book clubs/the academic settings?

9 notek (opublikowanych w 8 maja 2022)

Mój post nr 1 w 2022

ESC 2022 Top 5 in a slightly better world where all boring and/or bland performances are banned 😌

9 notek (opublikowanych w 17 maja 2022)

Zobacz Przegląd roku 2022 już teraz →

[ao3feed-piltovers-finest]

Wayfaring

by hdsoull

“So, is tying me to a tree part of the whole captive experience or are you a bondage enthusiast?” she asks lightly, trying to assess the situation.

The blue-haired looks up. If she’s startled by her comment, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she smiles amused.

“I was hoping you wouldn’t find out the nature of my intentions until we reached our destination.”

“Our?” Vi echoes sarcastically. “You think I wouldn’t have noticed if we started heading a different direction?”

Words: 4459, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/F

Characters: Caitlyn (League of Legends), Vi (League of Legends)

Relationships: Caitlyn/Vi (League of Legends)

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Post-Apocalypse, Enemies to Lovers, Suicidal Thoughts, Hostage Situations, Vi Needs a Hug (League of Legends), Alternate Universe - The Last of Us Setting, Dirty Jokes

Read on A03.

from AO3 works tagged ‘Caitlyn/Vi (League of Legends)’

[anantradingpvtltd]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] Attractive men's combo introduces a unique range of men's combo suiting any occasion one might think of. These are available in various designs to suit your style. This combo is meticulously designed for the impressive look which everyone loves to carry. Stylish Men's watch, cap and aviator sunglasses are enough to make the first impression. Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20 x 6 x 6 cm; 229 Grams Date First Available ‏ : ‎ 3 November 2021 Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ UNEQUETREND ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09KYDGDZN Item model number ‏ : ‎ UND-9956 Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ India Department ‏ : ‎ mens Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ UNEQUETREND Packer ‏ : ‎ Packed By UNEQUETREND Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 229 g Item Dimensions LxWxH ‏ : ‎ 20 x 6 x 6 Centimeters Net Quantity ‏ : ‎ 3.00 count Generic Name ‏ : ‎ watch, cap, sunglasses Box Content: Wrist watch, Cotton Cap and Aviator Wayfarer Sunglasses Watch Movement: High quality imported Quartz Movement This Watch, Aviator sunglasses & Cap combo is suitable for every occasion (outdoor, business, party etc), also a great gift option for friends and family, luxury simple design watch and sunglasses, This combo is a perfect gift option for men Ideal gift for husband and boyfriend : Birthday Gift,Valentine Gift, Festival Gift And Anniversary Gift, Pack Of 3 [ad_2]

[hesperleveret]

My publications masterpost

“At Dragonbone Bay” is an epic fantasy story (in 2,500 words) about a princess fighting for her birthright in a bay where the skeletons of long-dead dragons lie beneath the waves 🌊 🐉🦈

It’s published in this anthology: https://wyldblood.com/product/from-the-depths/

“Our Lady of the Void” is a tale of folk horror… in SPACE!!!

Featuring singing, spaceship shenanigans, and even a cat!

It appears in Interzone Issue#296 (June 2023), order your copy here: https://interzone.press/iz-296/

“A Banquet in Turquoise and Indigo” is a fantasy tale of poison, swordfighting, and sapphic romance.

It appears in the “Prismatic Dreams” anthology from All Worlds Wayfarer, order your copy here: http://www.allworldswayfarer.com/anthology-prismatic-dreams/

“Not A Basking Shark” is a tale about how the sea is beautiful and also terrifying. It features a marine biologist’s encounter on a Cornish beach with a mysterious creature from the depths. Spoiler: it’s not a basking shark.

It appears in the February 2022 issue of Fireside, read it here: https://firesidefiction.com/not-a-basking-shark

“We Who Are Left On This Dying Earth” is a gentle and bittersweet tale of the climate apocalypse and the last survivors clinging to life at the end of the world.

It appears in the June 2021 issue of Luna Station Quarterly, read it here: https://lunastationquarterly.com/story/we-who-are-left-on-this-dying-earth/

Non-fiction

“Why Space Sweepers is the Future of the Future” is an assessment of the 2021 Korean science fiction film that provides food for thought as well as popcorn fodder. Read it here: https://medium.com/interstellar-flight-press/why-space-sweepers-is-the-future-of-the-future-f0d0eb3ea82e

“How Dungeons & Dragons Saved Life in Lockdown” is the story of how an online D&D game helped save me from depression, boredom and loneliness in the year of the plague. Read it here: https://medium.com/interstellar-flight-press/how-dungeons-dragons-saved-life-in-lockdown-43681a4e013

Both these articles appear in the November 2021 edition of Interstellar Flight Magazine.

[wayfarerreads]

Thinking more about Rashta & Sovieshu's relationship this morning. As one does lol

I actually find them to be pretty sad. I'm on chapter 56. Sovieshu is ill, away at the country house (can't remember what it's actually called) with Navier. Rashta is told that he's sick, but her first thoughts aren't even for him, she's only concerned with the fact that it's Navier who is with him & not her. She worries that he might not even be sick at all. She's terrified of him actually falling for Navier instead of her. She's literally just been told that Sovieshu is sick & one of her first thoughts is "But even if he was sick, that was still a problem. If the Empress stayed by his side and cared for him, he might forget his feelings about Rashta. " (ch.55)

It's honestly sad to me. Exactly what Sovieshu deserves, considering how awful he is to Navier, but still sad. If he wasn't the Emperor, if he was just some random commoner, Rashta wouldn't give him the time of day imo.

[aroaessidhe]

2021 reads // twitter thread

The Galaxy, And The Ground Within

a quiet, mostly plotless book about 3 people who get trapped for a few days at essentially a truck stop on an empty planet, along with the owner and her child

non-anthropomorphic alien cast

family, & friendships with strangers

final Wayfarers book 😭

[thefolioarchives]

Reading of 2021, VI

30-33. The Murderbot Diaries 1-4 by Martha Wells (books: All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol & Exit Strategy)

I have a lot to say about these books. I read the first one while finishing my master thesis and I honestly remembered so little of what had happened in that book (even though I read book #2 earlier this year lol) that while I was reading the third and the fourth one I felt compelled to re-visit the entire series again because I felt like I was truly missing out. I often find it challenging to not read book series back-to-back because my memory isn't great. And that can sometimes be a challenge because I'm so keen to read all the things all the time and sometimes I can think to myself "you need to be reading other stuff, not just this stuff". So that's fun. Anyway.

Turned out, that was not a bad idea. The story of Murderbot starts on an alien planet where they're part of a research team doing a survey on an uninhabitable planet. Needless to say, things do not go well and from there the story evolves into a mystery of discovering why things went so wrong, how they were allowed to go so wrong, but it's also a narrative that explores discovering who you are, dealing with new and terrifying stuff in an environment that basically treats you like a rampant, unstable killer. Murderbot's journey is incredibly relateable, even though they're flying about in outer space, there is something incredibly human about them and what they're going through and I think a lot of people can find solace in these books.

Firstly, I really enjoy (not enjoy but like and appreciate) the world Wells has created. It feels so blatantly familiar and, to me, is definitely the course of action that would occur should humanity (god forbid) colonise the stars: capitalism becomes religion influencing terrible worker's right that also extend to bots and AI because you always gotta oppress someone right? Secondly, Murderbot is such a great character and the turmoil they experience as they're coming to grips with who they are is so universal and touching and UGH I just want to hold them and say it's all going to be ok! You're ok! (I went back to see what I read about the second book and included it in my summary for 2021 and I referred to Murderbot as a she! I'm sorry for misgendering you, please accept my humble apology.) Thirdly, all the relationships Murderbot forms with other bots (ok this is a lie, this is actually my favourite aspect of these books) on their journey to self-discovery is another highlight. The bots are all so different with distinct characteristics and voices and they all have different reactions to Murderbot. But what they all have in common is this desire to protect humans which is probably the most heart breaking of all. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that these books make me feel a lot of feelings and I think everyone should read them.

34. The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers (Wayfarers series #4)

Ugh… what can I say about this book? Like the Murderbot diaries, it's a book that makes me feel a lot of warm and fuzzy feelings. I'm in love with the world Chambers has created. Her alien races are so inspiring and they feel real, meaty. And humans aren't at the center (this story doesn't have a single human character) of the story or the universe. This is a story about how five strangers end up working together and helping each other during a minor-ish emergency, like "we're all stuck here for a while, how can we make the best of it?" so please don't be expecting much in the way of plot. That's not what Chambers does. Chambers does communities and relationships and how we struggle with those sometimes and how we struggle with finding our own place in the universe, trying to get by, trying to find happiness. I would read about her characters forever and I mean that, I honestly do. I'm quite heartbroken that this series have come to an end, but these are definitely books I will revisit time and time again and I'm so excited for whatever she does next.

35. Lynn Margulis: The Life and Legacy of a Scientific Rebel edited by Dorian Sagan.

This is an important book about a phenomenal woman. Margulis was instrumental in showing how symbiosis is at the heart of evolution, making us re-think Darwin's "survival of the fittest". Margulis argued, alongside others, that eukaryotic cells didn't devour each other all those millions of years ago, but instead absorbed each other and started "working" together. However, a lot of the essays included here are heavily repetitive. Does everyone have to provide us with a summary of Margulis' career in order to tell their one anecdote about her? Also, where are all the stories/essays written by other women? I refuse to believe that Margulis was only connected to men both in her life and career.

I did really enjoy the introduction by Sagan (her son, she was married to Carl Sagan from 1957-1965) and it includes this line about death that I found oddly comforting: "Death is a mystery, but it is also a sublation, a rising up to another realm, a reckoning, not just a negation but a planting and possible flowering, an archiving, a setting of the seed of the soul as information into the fertile if not eternal field of collective memory." I have been thinking about death a lot recently (if you're living in 2021 and not thinking about death constantly what are you even doing??) and however sad and tragic it is, those who leave never truly leave because we're here to still love and remember them until we eventually leave and I truly find that so beautiful, even though it might be a cliché, it's incredibly true.

[idrellegames]

Wayfarer Episode 2 Has Released! ✨

The complete episode is now available to play on the public build. This is a massive update that adds 340k words of total new content to the game, with multiple paths, consequences, and outcomes.

An average playthrough of the episode is 81k words, or around 4.4 hours of gameplay.

What Is Wayfarer?

Wayfarer is a dark fantasy interactive fiction game. With the storytelling of a novel, the player choice of an RPG, and the dice roll mechanics of a tabletop game, the game creates a unique experience that changes with every playthrough.

You play as a Wayfarer, a mercenary from an order of warriors immune to magic. An important contract brings you to the city of Velantis, where you are tasked with the mission of retrieving an ancient magical artefact. Along the way, you are embroiled in enemy factions, meddling guilds, and escalating political tensions. Your choices will ultimately determine the city’s fate – and the fate of every person who lives there.

To ensure the update works properly on a browser:

Launch the game from a fresh tab or window

If your save file is from September 2021, you MUST start a new file

If you encounter errors at launch or issues with saves, please read Troubleshooting Game Launch & Save Errors

Use Save to Disk to save to your device rather than your browser. This will prevent save data loss if your browser clears its history and you lose your browser saves.

Play the new episode here! 

✦ New Story Content

Episode 2 picks up a month after where Episode 1 left off and includes:

The Wayfarer and Aeran’s arrival in Velantis

Surprise politics!

Two new factions to make an impression on, for good or ill

Name your sword and choose its history

A fancy gala

The introduction of several major recurring characters and potential romance interests

Actors! Theatre! Art!

Lore (oh so much lore)

A (potential) entanglement of a certain nature… or two

The ripple effects of your past choices as the story continues to evolve around you

✦ Game Statistics

Episodes Released: Prologue, Episode 1, Episode 2 Average Word Count Per Playthrough: 156,000 words Average Playtime: 8.5 hours Total Cumulative Word Count: 927,000 words

Statistics are for the entire game, not just the update.                                              

✦ Bug Report

If you encounter a bug, please file a bug report through the official form. Bug reports will not be processed until August at the earliest.

✦ Discord

Wayfarer has an official Discord server! It's a chill place to chat with other players about the game, your playthroughs, the characters, lore, and possible theories about what might happen next. You can join it here! 

Please note that the server is 17+ only.

✦ Thank You, Playtesters & Patrons!

A huge thank you to the playtester team for their incredible work checking for errors and bugs, and thank you to all my patrons! Wayfarer would not be possible without their generous support, and I would never have been able to create Episode 2 without them.

If you’ve enjoyed Wayfarer and would like to support my work, please consider supporting the game's development on Patreon! Patrons receive access to the alpha build, private channels in the Discord server, exclusive previews, bonus content, and other benefits. 

Wayfarer is a passion project and creating it is a full-time commitment. Any little bit goes a long way to help me bring it to fruition.

Enjoy Episode 2! 💕

Anna (Idrelle Games)

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

favorite books of 2021

in chronological order because there's simply no other way to sort them

The Death of Vivek Oji (Akwaeke Emezi) - a novel as much about life as it is about death, as a Nigerian family tries to make sense of their enigmatic child's death. Vivek Oji was somehow even more tender, gutting, and mystifying than Emezi's debut novel, Freshwater, and firmly cemented them as one of my new favorite writers.

Tampa (Alissa Nutting) - a prickly, nauseating novel detailing a chillingly remorseless middle school teacher's sexual abuse of one of her male students. an acerbic and excellently crafted modern Lolita that turns a sharp eye on the double standard often afforded to female abusers - especially those who, like the novel's subject, are attractive, white, and married to police officers.

Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers' Rights (Molly Smith and Juno Mac) - hands down my favorite nonfiction of the year, written by two sex workers from an explicitly socialist, anti-work perspective. if you're confused about the difference between legalization and decriminalization, wondering whether anti-sex work legislation actually helps survivors of trafficking, or a generally looking to be a more educated ally to sex workers worldwide, start here.

The Daevabad Trilogy (S.A. Chakraborty) - a series of doorstopper fantasies set in 19th century Egypt and drawing heavily on Arab and Islamic mythology to create a sweeping story of magic-fueled political intrigue. but despite its incredible scope, what really sold Chakraborty's epic series for me was the deft handling of her three lead characters - an savvy urchin turned princess, a naive and noble prince, and an ancient, tormented warrior - that turned them from familiar archetypes into fully realized creations whose stories were resolved with breathtaking perfection.

Red at the Bone (Jacqueline Woodson) - a little gem of a novel that dives deep into two families brought together by an unexpected pregnancy, exploring the grief, economic strife, and generational trauma that complicate their lives. as always, Woodson's writing is simultaneously deep and delicate, incisive and insightful.

The Galaxy, and the Ground Within (Becky Chambers) - a bittersweet and beautiful send-off to Chambers' Wayfarers series, and arguably the best one yet. five strangers of different species are caught together at an outer space truck stop after a technological accident, and - as if so often the case in Chambers' stories - a heartfelt conversation about the nature of life, compassion, and celebrating difference as much as similarities ensues.

Living a Feminist Life (Sara Ahmed) - I first read Sara Ahmed's concept of being a "feminist killjoy" somewhere in the middle of undergrad and was gripped immediately by her crystal clear articulation of the struggle to stand steadfastly by one's principles even in instances where it would be much more simple and pleasant not to. having finally found my way to this book, I found so much healing in her unflinching anger and resolve, and especially resonated with the chapter describing the thankless and frequently infuriating nature of doing "diversity work" in higher education. I'm greatly looking forward to reading Ahmed's 2021 release Complaint! that details her decision to leave that line of work behind altogether.

Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir (Akwaeke Emezi) - Emezi once again establishing themself as masterful in everything they set out to write with a blazing bruise of a book that delves into the epic depths of their struggles with depression, embodiment, and sudden literary stardom. it's also very much a writer's memoir, exploring Emezi's profoundly spiritual drive to make a life as a storyteller in spite of every obstacle. a confrontational gem of a memoir.

The Chosen and the Beautiful (Nghi Vo) - I read three books by Vo this year and all of them were dazzling, but this queer, magic-infused reimagining of The Great Gatsby truly knocked me on my ass. told from the perspective of Vietnamese adoptee Jordan Baker, this novel is packed full of furtive glamour and fiendish charm, told with a style that perfectly captures the smothering heat of one strange, sexually-charged summer.

The Monster of Elendhaven (Jennifer Giesbrecht) - an absolutely perfect little black pearl of a story, following a scheming sorcerer and the monster who desires him through a tale of power, revenge, devotion, and depravity.

Superman Smashes the Klan (Gene Luen Yang) - a great graphic novel from my best frenemy Detective Comics Comics, revitalizing an old Superman adventure through a smart modern lens. I liked this story so much that it made me start seriously thinking about devoting some time to keeping up with comics again in 2022, and that is NOT a small feat.

The Girl Who Kept Winter (Giao Chi) - an unexpected delight recently translated into English after being released over a decade ago in Vietnam! I anticipated a straightforward fantasy romance, but what I got was even better: a world filled with master martial artists and convoluted family drama, populated by a vivid cast of characters who swing wildly from star-crossed romance to slapstick comedy at a moment's notice. it's difficult to describe how reading this novel made me feel except to say that I was never not having fun.

Milk Fed (Melissa Broder) - I inhaled this sumptuous novel in a single afternoon, unable to pry myself away from Broder's story of insecurity, desire, and appetite. truly this was the year I fell in love with contemporary fiction, and Milk Fed made for a sumptuous dessert.

Iron Widow (Xiran Jay Zhao) - if you haven't heard about this book you must be living under a rock. I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype, but it was impossible not to fall instantly in love. our protagonist Zetian is absolutely electric - furious, bloodthirsty, utterly pragmatic and out for revenge. there's nothing she won't stoop to - including becoming an influencer!!! - to get what she wants, and I can't remember the last time finishing a YA novel left me so excited to see what will happen next.