#a fatal grace

[realclaramorrow]

how do I singlehandedly create more tumblr interest in the chief inspector armand gamache detective novel series because so far all I can see is

-1 louise penny quote (its a good one tbf)

-2 fanart

-50 bazillion simping for alfred molina

he's not an unnatractive guy and I love his portrayal of gamache but guys please

[freshlybrewedbookreviews]

'I think people who have had that experience and survived have a responsibility to help others. We can't let someone drown where we were saved.'

– Louise Penny (A Fatal Grace)

[lonestardust]

CARLOS REYES & Wyatt HARRIS at the call centre. 9-1-1 : LONE STAR : SERIES FINALE "Homecoming"

[oliveoilisedible]

Percy Jackson in SoN really said he lost all his memories except for

1. There’s a girl I know

2. She has a smile, I think

And somehow that was all he needed to know?? The vague outline of Annabeth’s smile was literally all he needed to know he was wifed up and I love that so much

[frey-draws]

Grace Howard- No wait, Geese Howard- No wait, Grace Howard- No wait, Geese Howard- No wait, Grace Howard- No wait, Geese Howard- No wait, Grace Howard...

[princessofghosts-posts]

Grudges

It's been a while since I've done a long post,but finally here it is. I'm going to talk about Nico's fatal flaw and why Riordan misused it (coming from a girl that hold a lot of grudges,even for the stupidest thing ever from when she was a child-).

So,first off,having grudges means holding onto feelings of resentment,bitterness,or anger towards someone (usually because you feel they have wronged you in the past). These feelings are persistent and can last a long time,causing ongoing negative emotions and potentially impacting relationships and mental well-being. In some cases,they can also lead to a desire of revenge.

Now,a great part of Nico's development is the growth he had during BotL,where he decided to stop holding Percy accountable for his sister's death. His character arc in this book is basically him starting from having a grudge,towards Percy,to accept reality how it is. It's not bad,especially considering that we are taking about his fatal flaw (and Nico himself has a big golden heart),but the way it got solved is totally wrong.

Nico's grudge towards Percy start at the end of TTC because of Bianca. It's uncalled for because Percy wasn't a fault here but Nico wasn't thinking this logically,he was a kid that got to know that his only living relative is now dead and he is now alone in a world he doesn't know well enough. Blaming Percy,another kid that actually felt responsable for her death (also uncalled because Bianca knew what she was doing and could happens)for this was also extremely horrible but from Nico's point of view that's the only thing he can do.

When people are hurt,because of something out of their control,they usually tend to blame someone for their suffering. Percy was the only one Nico could blame at the time for this,grieving his way through it. Was it ok? No. Was it right? Also no. Was it fucked up? Extremely. Was it a child natural respond to a tragic event? Yes. Am I justifying him with this? Nah.

Anyway. Nico's feelings about Bianca's end are pretty strong from the start,he literally opened the ground to the Underworld and used his powers out of grief and rage for her (there are still a fear factor,about him thinking the skeletons where going to kill him,and a feeling of betrayal,towards Percy and their "promise",that also play here). And that was only after he just found out.

The months prior to BotL and the halfway through it,Nico turned into almost a murder,while also being suicidal. I saw few people pointing it out,but we actually needs to talk more about this because this is an eleven years old that already tried multiple times to exchange his soul for his sister's,at fucking 11. And the same child almost become a murderer because he wanted his said sister back (while being also manipulated by Minos). Nico lost his morality there for a good part of the book before the arc could end in "let go of your grudges because they are our fatal flaws". Which is stupid.

Nico "letting go" of his grudge because Bianca asked him to do so,was only a demostration of how much he cared about her (not like it's reciprocated) and how big his heart is. While it's a good way to show Nico's kindness and willingness to forgive someone once he let go of his anger (and isn't being manipulated by a very scheming ghost),it's also....not how grudges works in general???

It doesn't take a "stop it before it destroy you" type of talk to stop holding grudges –especially if they are linked to something deep. I hate Bianca,but her death was an important part for Nico development (and a good wake up call because things were starting to get actually real) and Nico obviously cared about her. His reaction to the news was devasting and so is his grief (not to talk about how much Bianca answering for Percy,instead of the little brother "she raised" made it worst). But he still ended up forgiving himself (and her).

Now,one of the few thing that is a bit misleading about this subplot is "Nico blamed Percy for Bianca's death". AT THE START it was like that,Nico was hurt and needed to put the blame on something or someone,and unfortunately that person was Percy since he was the one to tell him the news (he also probably felt hurt about their "promise" and how it was "broken"). But that's a distraction for what the real deal was here: Nico was projecting his own feelings on Percy. Nico blamed himself for her death because he wasn't good or strong enough to do something,but since he couldn't accept that,his mind made sure to project those insecurities and his view of the situation on Percy. He was angry at himself because he wasn't enough (something that Bianca and Hades both amplified),he was angry at Bianca because she left him,and he was angry at the world for taking his sister away from him. The "It's your fault that my sister died" to Percy is just a facade for all the other things unsaid. Still,doesn't excuse his behavior towards the guy,since Percy was in a similar position. Bianca truly traumatized both of them in the same way.

Got a bit sidetracked here,sorry. Anyway! Going back to the main topic-

The way Nico's grudge got "solved" that way was extremely lazy writing. You go on about how grudges are Hades's kids fatal flaw,then you have a character that hold one and puff,it vanish because another character he cares about said to do so. I'm sorry,but as someone that is a very resentful person,this isn't how "solving" your grudges work.

First off,when you hold a grudge against someone you actually take time to hate their guts (it's sound extremely petty and immature but it is how it is). You don't let go of them in the span of a conversation or 2 because you built the resentment for that person for a lot of times,it could be weeks,months even years. The time-skip between TTC and BotL is of 6 months –of which Nico had all the time in the world to build said resentment (especially with Minos around). And you are going to tell me that 6 MONTHS of resentment are wiped out like nothing? I'm sorry but that's is impossible. You don't spend so much time building negative feelings towards someone or something only to change your mind last minute,because someone told you to do so (it wasn't even from him this realization,but from Bianca???). There are so many negative emotions to unpack there that it will takes time,like,a lot of time. Ence why it doesn't work.

Having Nico slowly realizing that his own fatal flaw was destroying him and the few connections he tried to build (Percy,CHB,the campers,etc...) would have be much better,because it was something that would have begun from him. Because Nico himself realized it was wrong. Also,having him try to change his attitude towards the people he was holding grudges against would have be good,starting with Percy especially. Learning also how to forgive himself and letting go of his guilt and fatal flaw,without being rushed,would have been actually healing for him. But nope,one book he is all "It's your fault!" (with all the hidden feelings) and the next one he and Percy are pretty fine with each other.

Listen,I love BotL and TLO because of their strange friendship development,but it's still lacking when it cames to Nico's fatal flaw. It's impossible that after so many months projecting on him and "hating" Percy,Nico wouldn't feel awkward with him or trying to not involve himself much at the start. Not to talk about the whole fiasco with Hades's plan (fuck him for that). And even after that,he tried so hard to make Percy see he could still trust him,because he changed from before and was different from his dad,but Percy was still hurt from what happened before (which was misleaded because Nico didn't knew shit and Hades even said so). Those two are a mess,when Nico isn't holding a grudge against Percy,Percy doesn't trust him enough and viceversa. While I liked how Nico wanted to show that he is trustworthy because he is that stubborn,be taking into account the fatal flaw that should be at play......meh.

Again,Nico here should be still trying to let go of his resentment,which is very effective because he and Percy are ok now (keyword: should). But he should definitely feel resentment towards Hades because of what he pulled and said (but he doesn't,and if he did we never knew about it) and Percy too,because the guy first tried to kill him and then didn't trust him anymore even tho Nico got him out of the palace and helped him to get to the Styx. Realistically,Nico's past feelings towards Percy (the negative ones-) should have resurfaced but they didn't. Another thing about working through grudges is that,sometimes,even a single thing can tackle you off. Especially if you spent so much time disliking them. That's why it isn't simple and it takes time. But here? 0,nada,nothing,Nico is the one that is acting like he did something wrong,which he didn't because he didn't knew. He should be angry and have every right to leash out,especially with his fatal flaw,but he didn't (idk how to feel about that-). Hades and Percy on the other hand...

I feel like Rick totally missed the shot with Nico (what's new at this point) when it cames to his fatal flaw. It got said multiple times that grudges are children of Hades fatal flaw,but then you have Hazel that doesn't hold any (idk if for children of Pluto it's different) and everytime Nico does it's not even permanent like a grudge should be,it's just there for a while and then goes away.

I'm not saying that Nico needs to be a resentful person and have grudges forever,just that we should actually see him struggling with his fatal flaw. But that's something that's not only about Nico,because in general everyone fatal flaw is kinda just there in the background without weights (looking at you Percy in BoO),expect Annabeth's because hers actually had consequences in the narrative multiple times (and Thalia's when she almost gave up and killed Bessy).

[aurantiumred]

fuck it i would give you a 10 page essay on how Waving Through A Window is jason coded but YOU'RE NOT READY FOR THAT CONVERSATION!

[punkeropercyjackson]

They're both black british punks but there's not a strong enough word for how much Hobie Brown and Thalia Grace would hate eachother

[coolchickblog]

Be good. Be bad. Just be🥀🎱🦢

[vintage-tigre]

Grace Jones, Paris, 1975 by Hans Feurer

[lookingthroughmirrors]

There are people who think Annabeth is very powerful because she is the leader of the seven. What do you think about this? Is Annabeth really the leader of the seven and she is very powerful because she has "the control"?

I haven’t read much of the books of the heroes of Olympus series, but I think Annabeth as a character has always stayed the same in the fact that she has always had a superiority complex, to the point where it’s her fatal flaw, and I don’t think it’s discussed enough.

I suppose I think about it the same way I think about people saying that Annabeth was the leader between her, Percy and Grover. What it really was, was that Annabeth couldn’t be wrong and as you said, ‘have control’. Something I am familiar with from HOO is the scene between P*rcabeth and Akhlys, and I think it’s a very clear representation of Annabeths character, particularly her reaction to the events of the scene. She is scared because she doesn’t have control. It’s all but confirmed when she says “some things aren’t meant to be controlled” which then leads to a Percy spiral and him passively thinking about suicide, which, is its own entire thing but I think it’s very relevant when talking about Annabeth. Particularly because it all comes back to control.

I truly believe Annabeth is only viewed as a leader because she likes to have control, and her superiority complex that she’s automatically better because she’s a daughter of Athena, which again, is shown entirely from her introduction in the first book, and is pretty central to her character as a whole. I think Percy and Jason probably acted the most like the leader, and I kinda feel like Annabeths role is pretty interchangeable. Personally, I think bringing Thalia back to be part of the seven would’ve been more impactful. Especially because when you look at the quests the OG trio went on, Annabeth doesn’t really do anything in particular that means they would’ve failed had she not been there. Which is why I also don’t think Percy gets enough credit for the role he played in his own quests.

Every single member of the seven had better, more interesting and are factually more powerful than Annabeth. They did not need Annabeth there to do that quest, and I think that really Jason and Percy acted more like leaders, both of which have also been leaders in the past and have more experience (Jason through the legion and Percy through TLO, since he led all of camp halfblood against the titan army. Percy did, not Annabeth, Percy did but that’s besides the point). I think Annabeth is simply elevated because she’s a fan favourite, not because she is a leader or anything. And I don’t mind Annabeths character, if her flaws are addressed.

So no I don’t think Annabeth is overly powerful, and I think the only reason she’s seen as the leader of the seven is because she’s the only one who cares about being seen as leader, in comparison to the others to an extent. I really think it was more that nobody had the energy to fight her on it, then her being the true leader.

I hope this answers your question! Also feel free to ask more I love getting these, it’s exciting!!

[rat-prophetess]

Pathologic 2 + text posts again because I am not feeling sane

[freshlybrewedbookreviews]

A Fatal Grace (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #2) by Louise Penny

When I had been recommended the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, the person said "they only get better with each book," and with this second book, she was right. This is how I want my mysteries: tough and logical. Penny gives you just enough to think you've worked it out, but then goes a bit further. I like that: it wasn't too easy, and I felt like I was part of Gamache's team, working with him to solve the case.

I'll definitely be reading more Gamache books, and soon. I'd rather be reading a good, reliable series than continuing to try new things (at least for awhile: I want to be consistently reading books I enjoy!)

[sunshines-child]

Nico is a femme fatale, Percy is a beautiful princess, Jason is a fucking angel descended from heaven.

this is it guys everyone else go home

[bright-eyes-strawberry-lies]

Do you think that one of the reasons Luke and Thalia were so close on the run was that Thalia seeks out power/control, and Luke was willing to give her almost complete control over him? And a reason for why Thalia had her "I don't recognize you anymore" line aswell as suddenly turning so hostile being that she no longer had that control over Luke's actions?

Yes, I do think part of Luke's appeal for Thalia was that he did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it.

Maybe equally important was that Luke didn't stop Thalia from doing what she wanted. In Demigod Diaries, Thalia makes them follow a goat around for three days before Luke even asks why they're following it. When Thalia wants to go into Hal's house, Luke thinks it's a bad idea but he goes with her.

Luke's devotion to Thalia is such that she almost killed him - like actually, for real, with powers she can't control - and he stayed by her side. He didn't even blame her for it. Luke also took her to May's house when she needed help, a place it's pretty clear that Luke never meant to return to (and according to Hermes isn't welcome at).

Part of it may be her "fatal flaw" or whatever but I think it may be even simpler than that.

Thalia being power hungry for the sake of having power and that being her "fatal flaw" doesn't even really make sense because she really only uses what little power she has to take control of (or to save) her own life.

I hate talking about Beryl because she's so pathetic and a sorry excuse for a human, let alone a parent. But Beryl is a large part of the reason Thalia is how she is. She tried to baby-trap Zeus with Thalia and when that didn't work, she turned to drinking (or drinking more heavily, I guess). But like, she's another mortal parent who didn't want her kids (thinking about Frederick but like at least Beryl knew kids were a possibility the poor man). She didn't want Thalia and she didn't want Jason, they were just the side effects of getting to have Zeus/Jupiter for a moment.

Growing up with an alcoholic mother and an absentee father and a lost/dead infant brother (I dont remember what they did to Jason when they took him away but I seem to recall Thalia was either kept in the dark or lied to about it), Thalia had no control and no one who put her first in her life.

Luke was the first person to put Thalia before themselves.

Also it's pretty explicitly said that Luke is a gift (or a prize or a weapon, whichever you like) to Thalia from Zeus. Zeus led Thalia to Luke using the goat. Zeus led Thalia to her magic shield using the goat. Thalia actually says Zeus led her to Luke specifically.

As for her "this isn't you" line...aside from my opinion that it (Thalia siding with the Olympians at all) was spawned entirely because Chiron brainwashed Thalia...I think if Luke had been there (either because the rebellion never started or because he actually got to put the fleece on her tree himself and was there when she was birthed from the tree) then Thalia would have sang a different tune.

She was asleep and her dog was not there waiting for her when she woke up. That's out of character for Luke and Thalia would probably take it as a sign that he's no longer loyal to her personally (especially after Hal saying that Luke would betray someone and planting that idea in Thalia's head).

Now the puppy daddy got her is a full-grown dog with grownup dog teeth, and everyone is telling her that he's rabid, that he needs to be put down. And Thalia agrees.