#az reads

[grandwretch]

books i read in january 2025

books started: 29 /books finished: 19

We Burn Daylight by Bret A. Johnston -- Romeo and Juliet but make it about a southern cult. super slow burn, super anxiety inducing. i loved every moment, especially as a benvolio stan, although i still say he suffered more than jesus.

Mo Dao Zu Shi Vol. 1 by MXTX -- explains itself, natch

Blood Jade by Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle -- the sequel to a book i read in december, i ended up loving this one way more. although i still hate her love interest, this western take on cultivation novel is AMAZING. can't wait for the third one

The Forgotten Dead & Rattling Bone Jordan L. Hawk -- cute queer stories about ghost hunting youtubers and a parapsychology professor, but ultimately a shallow representation of both the romance and horror genres

One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole -- interesting take on the horror genre from the perspective of a DID system. a bit covoluted, but ultimately enjoyable.

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross -- sequel to a book i read last year. ended up not liking this one very much; i prefered the magical realism aspects of the first one. this one leaned far too much into fantasy.

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine by Laura Pearson -- weird and emotional, but ultimately satisfying. the ghosts of a woman's potential children follow her throughout her life.

Dragon Ball Vol 1. by Akira Toriyama -- listen. i am not immune to nostalgia.

15 Summers Later by RaeAnne Thayne -- not at all the cozy read the cover makes it seem! an interesting look at trauma and how it inspires people into their best... and their worst.

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma Alban -- i enjoyed this WAY more than i expected to. a lesbian regency romance, it's way more realistic about the time than i expected. the dialogue isn't period accurate, but i don't mind because it doesn't pretend to be. the main characters are very cute.

Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix -- pretty bog standard mystery novel; poor man's jessica fletcher. the main character being soooo clumsy was annoying and So 2009 mystery novel vis a vis meg cabot.

Lion's Tail Jordon L. Hawk -- the sequel to a book i read last year. an alternate history in 1920s chicago, an action packed mystery. did not like this one as much as the first, mostly because the main characters pissed me off. i'll still give the third one a go.

Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP -- I AM NOT IMMUNE TO NOSTALGIA

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix -- i would have preferred less magic, actually. a book about witchcraft practiced by unwed mothers in a home in 1970 florida, this book straddles the line between magical realism and fantasy without ever really picking a side. is it a metaphor? is it a parable? who's to say really. didn't like it. might stop reading this author

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall -- a trans woman tired of hiding herself uses going MIA in war as a perfect opportunity to transition. when she is reintroduced to her grieving best friend, though, emotions ensue. i loved this. more fictional trans women should top their boyfriends. the ending left me a little lacking, though, which is the only thing that kept this from being one of my all-time favorite books.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware -- what if lord of the flies were about reality tv stars instead of tiny imperialists? not exactly a thinker, i did actually enjoy reading this. sometimes thrillers can be about turning off your brain the same way romances can. this is great for that.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle -- we all know chuck is king. i would have preferred a little more worldbuilding, but that's my style, not king's. it's a great little horror/adventure that ruminates on faith, family, and the importance of agency.

The Reanimator's Heart by Kara Jorgenson -- autistic necromancer accidentally reanimates his murdered wizardcop crush. they fight crime. despite the dark subject material, both the characters are flawless in a way that leaves me feeling cold. oliver's only flaw is that he's autistic. fillipe is absent from his family dynamic, even though his wife has another partner and a child, but it's only because he LOVES his JOB and DUTY so MUCH. the ending was so boring i decided not to read the second book.

[nonightingalesinberkelysquare]

WARNING FOR GOOD OMENS SPOILERS!!!!

FURTHER SLIGHT SPOILER WARNING FOR THE FOLLOWING BOOKS: The Bone Clock by David Mitchell, You Only Call When You're In Trouble by Stephen Mcauley, and Bibliomaniac by Robin Ince.

Edit: Photos by @polychromicron-persei-8 !!!!!

So I'm sure a lot of the fandom have seen the pictures posted by a very lucky fan who saw the production of good omens happening out in Scotland today!!

However what I'm not seeing people talk about is a hidden gem in the reblogs.

SOMEONE HAD MANAGED TO GET A PICTURE OF THE BOOKS IN THE WINDOW!!!

Naturally, I had to go and do my research to see if these books give us any clues or serve any other purposes other than decorative purposes

AND LET ME TELL YOU

These are the the books visible in the window:

I'll go through them one by one

(Please bear in mind, I haven't read any of these books personally!! The only information I have on them are the little bits I found online in a very rushed attempt at research!!!)

Okay firstly

"The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell

Now, this is the one that I struggled to make sense of the most out of the three.

The story appears to follow a runaway teenage girl who is a "lightning rod for psychic phenomena." These visions are said to reorder reality and send her into a real life nightmare.

However,

It also states that there is a boy who eventually crosses paths with her and who's story "comes together in moments of grace and extraordinary wonder"

As I said, I've never read these books and the only link I could begin to make with this is the idea of a "supernatural being meets another supernatural being and what they can do when they're together defies anyone's wildest dreams" story, similar to what we have seen and could see in GO3.

The next book is where it gets FARRRR more interesting (in my opinion)

NOW

THE TITLE? INTERESTING ASF.

IS AZIRAPHALE IN TROUBLE? OR EVEN CROWLEY?

The quotes are literally taken from the amazon listing itself, but I'll just point out the bits that stuck out to me personally.

☆ "is it ever okay to stop caring for others and start living for yourself?"

And I'm skipping a HUUUUGE chunk of the story here so apologies

☆ "Tom does what he's always done - answers the call."

☆ "Thus begins a journey that will change everyone's life and demonstrate the beauty or dysfunction (or both?) of the ties that bind families together and sometimes strangle them."

THAT LAST QUOTE REALLY STICKS OUT TO ME. Personally, I'd say that could possibly relate to the heaven and hell divides?

But furthermore, we were told prior to the whole NG situation that Aziraphale and Crowley aren't talking.. so could that mean that as soon as they begin speaking once again, they have the power to leave heaven and hell behind? Perhaps stop the divides?

And last, but certainly not least

Now, keep in mind that this particular book is nonfiction and appears to be written from the authors own point of view as he aims to visit 100 bookshops in 100 days.

This has a relatively short description from what I can see right now so I'll put it in here

"Bibliomaniac takes the reader on a journey across Britain as Robin explores his lifelong love of bookshops and books - and also tries to find out just why he can never have enough of them.

It is the story of an addiction and a romance, and also of an occasional points failure."

This one interested me SO much because it SCREAMS Aziraphale character development sort of thing? You know?

I really struggled to find any spoilers for this one whatsoever but one website did mention the author's love for vintage books, which he only ever reads as and when, as opposed to focusing on just one book.

I just thought this was SO SO SOOOOO interesting, and if anybody has any differing thoughts/interpretations or has even read the books, the comment section is a safe space to do so!!! All theories/suggestions are welcomed (any hate WILL be blocked, don't test me).

OR MAYBE THIS ALL MEANS NOTHING AND IM JUST CLOWNING FAR TOO HARD?!??!??!

[heyitsrink]

Small collection of doodles as I work my way through the Running Close to the Wind audiobook. Clearly I'm having a great time.

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

Azriel after losing Truth Teller

[ineffablyruined]

Did we all notice Aziraphale's reaction to Crowley's mention of how he's dressed at the Bastille?

The quick little eyebrow raise and eyes immediately going to Crowley.

That face is very: "He commented on how I'm dressed! He noticed what I'm wearing! Wait, was that a good tone or a bad tone? I'll fight him if it was a bad tone. No, no, I look fabulous and we are both aware of that."

Original gifs from @winter-seance.

[commonmexicanname]

So, in my Catholic up bringing, there's a whole thing about the body and blood of Christ. These are represented with wine for blood and a cracker for the body. You humbly eat and drink to accept Christ into you.

Crowley offered wine, his blood, to Aziraphale who quickly rejected it. However when Crowley offered his body in form of an ox rib, Aziraphale was cautiously curious at first, then went to town after just a taste. That angel fully accepted the demons body into himself.

Just... 😏

[mostlarkly]

braidbeard hehehhahauaggaghu

(full mini comic has been posted)

[szent-johanna-gimi]

“– Nyugodtan hibáztasd a körülményeket, A környezetedet, de a te döntéseidet te hoztad meg, senki más.”

Suzanne Collins: Énekesmadarak és kígyók balladája

[lovemyromance]

"Make sure you pay attention to the foreshadowing LANGUAGE and words used in the Azriel BC! It really hints that GA is the next couple!"

You see, me personally, I like to read my books without paying attention to the language and words.🙄 So thankful to the GAs for giving the advice above

[howmanysideblogscanihave]

It’s time for another game of ✨ARE WE READING THE SAME BOOK✨

This time featuring “nothing is keeping Az apart from Elain” in the same comment thread where the same person brings up the bOnUs ChApTeR (of course for it signaling G/wynriel).

What is keeping Azriel from Elain, I wonder.

Could it be…Azriel is begrudgingly respecting the mating bond?

ACOFAS

“Lucien is away right now.”

Az’s brows rose. “Where?”

I winked at him. “You’re my spymaster. Shouldn’t you know?”

Az crossed his arms, face as elegant and cold as the legendary dagger at his side. “I don’t make a point of looking after his movements.”

“Why?”

Not a flicker of emotion. “He is Elain’s mate.”

I waited.

“It would be an invasion of her privacy to track him.”

To know when and if Lucien sought her out. What they did together.

“You sure about that?” I asked quietly.

Azriel’s Siphons guttered, the stones turning as dark and foreboding as the deepest sea.

The famous (Elriel) Bonus Chapter

He left the rest unspoken. Because her mate was here, sleeping a level up. Because her mate had been in the family room and Azriel had needed to stay by the door the whole time because he couldn't stand the sight of it, the scent of their mating bond, and needed to have the option of leaving if it became too much.

Elain's large brown eyes flickered, well aware of all that. Just as he knew she was well aware of why Azriel so rarely came to family dinners these days.

Maybe it’s not that he’s trying to be respectful. Maybe the super special bonus chapter gives more insight.

Rhys growled, "Allow me to make one thing very clear. You are to stay away from her."

"You can't order me to do that."

“Oh, I can, and I will. If Lucien finds out you're pursuing her, he has every right to defend their bond as he sees fit. Including invoking the Blood Duel.”

…

Rhys bared his teeth. "So you will leave Elain alone. If you need to fuck someone, go to a pleasure hall and pay for it, but stay away from her."

Azriel snarled softly.

"Snarl all you want." Rhys leaned back in his chair. "But if I see you panting after her again, I'll make you regret it."

Rhys had rarely threatened punishment or pulled rank. It stunned Azriel enough that it knocked him from his rage.

Rhys jerked his chin toward the door. "Get out"

Nothing keeping Azriel from Elain, yup.

[grandwretch]

modern au; nonbinary steve

dustin bullies steve into playing their favorite MMO with them. to Dustin's disgust, Steve's favorite part is collecting all the different cosmetic items and making cool fantasy outfits for his avatar. unbeknownst to the party, steve creates an alt account where he can collect the female outfits and wigs, because there's a bigger selection and they're much prettier.

as Steve interacts w people on his new account, he realizes he likes it better-- for one, people pay attention to women in a way he isn't used to. not all of it is good attention, but steve relishes in it. also, he likes that people see him as a woman. he likes that they don't even think about it. quickly he joins a guild and actually starts playing the game in earnest, just so that he has these relationships with people who view and treat him as a woman.

he meets Eddie there. Eddie is charming and flirtatious with everyone, men and women, but it's clear that Steve is his favorite. Very carefully, Steve becomes closer and closer to Eddie-- close enough that Steve is full of guilt.

He feels like he's lying to Eddie about who he is, even though he's told the truth about everything but his gender. Even worse is the realization that he doesn't ever want Eddie to think of him as man-- which is confusing, because steve isn't exactly comfortable with someone he's falling in love with thinking of him as a woman.

Things get even worse when, after Steve drunk texts Eddie after a night out with Robin, they start sexting. Its fun, casual flirtation, nothing too serious, but Strve realizes he likes the idea of sex better as his alternate self. He likes pretending to have tits, he likes imagining what it would be like to have a cunt, he likes talking about wearing lingerie and being Eddie's good girl.

He thinks he can't come clean without losing the best thing he's ever had, so Steve pushes his guilt down and pretends he's not in love.

Of course he gets caught out, eventually. Dustin and Eddie become friends in real life and Eddie isn't an idiot. Steve is mortified and distraught, but once Eddie is sure that this wasn't all a cruel prank, he's quick to assure Steve that nothing has to change-- Knowing that in real life Steve has broad shoulders and a square jaw doesn't make him any more of a "man" than his online avatar makes him a "woman". Not if that's not what Steve wants.

So Steve doesn't have to give anything up. He gets to keep his amazing, supportive boyfriend. He gets to keep his pretty clothes and avatar. He gets to keep experimenting in the bedroom, finding out what makes him happy instead of what he thinks he should be doing.

And he gets more, things Steve never even dreamed of having: He gets to start buying pretty clothes in real life, too, and they hang next to his polos like they belong. He gets to grow out his hair. He gets to slowly find out what he likes, how he wants people to think of him, how he wants to think of himself.

[acourtofthought]

“The other side” acting as if their girl will make Az wanna live while he wants to die for Elain (imagine thinking this ain’t the most important sign that he loooves her) trying to make it seem like that’s a sign of how wrroooong Elriel are for eo. 💀💀💀

BABESSSSS, the only thing he wants to live for is his flower Elain, and… her OTHER flower. 👀 To taste the nectar. 🌸

(Feyre begging Az to get Elain to safety and Az ignoring her so he could help Feyre).

(Az being willing to risk his and Elain's life for a girl he doesn't know)

(Az giving zero shits about the supposed love of his life as he prepares to run back into danger while injured)

(Az once again not caring about the danger he'd be putting himself in)

What did we learn class?

Az is willing to risk his life for literally everyone and his desire to taste the "nectar" of Elain is really not something special considering he's enjoyed quite the number of others. I wonder how many secret lovers he's had since he met Elain. Your "forbidden love" trope simply turns Elain into a secret just like the rest.

Not to mention he stared at Mor with heat and yearning while Elain sat in the room with him after the events of ACOWAR, that's your idea of love? 🤔

You should be less focused on Az putting another notch in his belt and more concerned with why he put more thought into planning for a snowball fight than how he might have a future with Elain.

Class dismissed.

[kuruna]

[ previous / next ] AZ and Xan have an awkward but badly needed conversation, part 3 !

AZ's realization was of course the most harrowing realization of all ... If he wants Xan to know how he's feeling, he has to say it out loud 😭

The flowers in the first image are bindweed (uncertainty) + marigolds (Xan's signature flower)

I also finally managed to do something I'd been wanting to try for awhile ^.^ combining my drawings of their past to create a background ... These previous versions of themselves... They will always exist in one way or the other, but with that vulnerable confession the "idealized self" has been shattered. Now, they can see each other for who they truly are...

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

Az really said yeah I do stick em with the pointy end

[romanticatheartt]

Gwyneth and Rhysand

Having the same traumas:

Both being victim of SA

Rhys said quietly, “I was a prisoner in her court for nearly fifty years. I was tortured and beaten and fucked until only telling myself who I was, what I had to protect, kept me from trying to find a way to end it. Please—help me keep that from happening again. To Prythian.” ~ acomaf ch.11 “I hadn’t yet participated in the Great Rite, and we were so remote up there that I never had the chance to lie with a male, and he took that from me, too. And then he called over three of his soldiers and told them to keep going until I revealed where the children had gone.” ~ acosf ch.68

Losing their sisters in the most brutal way

“... I was supposed to be there. I wasn’t. And they slaughtered my mother and sister anyway.”... “It should have been me,”... “They put their heads in boxes and sent them down the river—to the nearest camp. Tamlin’s father kept their wings as trophies. I’m surprised you didn’t see them pinned in the study.” ~ acomaf ch.45 “... So he grabbed Catrin, because our scents were nearly identical, you see, and told me that if I didn’t reveal where the children were, he’d kill her. And when I didn’t give the children up …” Her mouth shook. “He beheaded Catrin right there, along with two other priestesses...” ~ acosf ch.68

Having the same blood rite experience:

He could still feel the crumbling rock beneath his boots, hear the rasp of his breathing as he half hauled Rhys up the slopes, Azriel providing cover behind.* ~ acofas ch.3 Nesta marveled at the hope and bravery in their faces. “I can hold them off.” *... She didn’t wait for Emerie to speak before she helped ease Gwyn onto Emerie’s back, the latter hissing at the weight upon her wings, splaying them at awkward angles. ~ acosf ch.69

They won the blood rite and have the Carynthian title. And I wonder if Rhys at any stage of his life thought he's not a real Carynthian because Cassian had to help him and if Gwyn also might feel the same. And maybe they can bond over it...

Being pretty AF:

Standing before me was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. ~ acotar ch.20 If Rhysand was the most beautiful male I’d ever seen, she [Mor] was his female equivalent. ~ acomaf ch.6 The priestess had been pretty in the library, but with that joy, that confidence as she aimed for the three priestesses, she had emerged into a beauty to rival Merrill or Mor. ~ acosf ch.29

2+2=?

Nerds...

Az, of course, had been fascinated. Rhys had built the model himself centuries ago. It could not only track the sun, but also tell time, and it somehow allowed Rhys to ponder the existence of life beyond their own world and other things Cassian had, again, instantly forgotten. ~ acosf ch.3 “I could only pick up every other word,” Rhys said. Feyre arched a brow. “You speak the language of the ancient Fae?” Rhys shrugged. “My education was thorough.” He waved an idle, graceful hand. “For exactly these situations.” ~ acosf ch.37 “Some philosophers believe there are eleven worlds like that. And some believe there are as many as twenty-six, the last one being Time itself, which …” Gwyn’s voice dropped to a whisper. ~ acosf ch.13 Gwyn let out a breathy laugh. “I mean it. I learned about a new Valkyrie technique last night. It’s called Mind-Stilling.” ~ acosf ch.38

This has nothing to do with their similarity but him being cute and protective<33

The casual smile of a male used to people either fleeing in terror or falling to their knees in worship. “Hello, Gwyn,” he said warmly. “Good to see you again.” Gwyn blushed, shaking herself out of her stupor, and bowed low. “My lord.”... You are to treat Gwyn with kindness and respect. ~ acosf ch.28

*Bonus*:

Gwyn and Rhys were injured and had to be carried to the top while Nesta and Azriel stayed behind to cover for them.

Nesta 🤝 Azriel -> we expected them to have a strong friendship and it happened in hofas. They also have so many similarities!

Gwyn 🤝 Rhys -> ...?

[kayvalencourt]

Arizona Miku for the new Miku trend!!!