#blueenvelope

[fictiongarden]

Fan Fiction Review: Twilight of the Gods by blueenvelopes

Fandom: Star Wars

RATING: MAJESTIC

Blueenvelopes on fanfiction.net/blueenvelopes935 on ao3 has made something of a second unpaid career writing about Sith lords. Her Sith lords span antiquity right down to Darth Plagueis and beyond. Whatever may draw a person to create over twenty-five fanfic stories mostly about Sith lords, it’s my bet that blueenvelopes is female, older, well-read, and perhaps works in an artistic field. You’d certainly have to be all of those to create the damn-near-perfect masterpiece that drifts around fanfic land under the title Twilight of the Gods.

The story is thirty-nine chapters spanning the time between A New Hope and the end of the original trilogy and will take you several days of dedicated reading to finish. Happily, you will read it on the edge of your seat even though the author tells you how it will end in her copious story notes.

The story appears to have two main themes: One, to get the miserably widowed Darth Vader past Padme Amidala and married off to another wife; and two, to argue against a central premise of Star Wars that the reader may or may not agree with. It also brings back Darth Plagueis as the real star of the show in a capacity that will startle many readers.

Fortunately, when a writer with some talent thinks deeply enough about the paradigm and philosophy behind Star Wars to write thirty-nine chapters of coherent argument against it, the result is usually a well-thought-out and engrossing read. Even if you don’t agree that Snoke is Darth Plagueis or that the whole point of the GFFA isn't to stamp out darkness forever, the characters are so well drawn and the story is so intriguing that you should give it a chance anyway. It’s a hell of a good read whether you agree with blueenvelopes or not.

One of the story’s greatest strengths is the clear, convincing characterization. Darth Vader becomes even more nuanced here than he is in the hands of George Lucas, and that’s saying something. It takes real talent to make paragraphs of solid introspection, which this story features in abundance, just as riveting as an action scene. If nothing else, you will get lost in Darth Vader’s fascinating mind and beg for more when it’s over.

Another well-drawn character readers will enjoy is the Alderaanian art dealer Vader falls for and ends up marrying, a redhead named Astral Sidhu. (Is it my imagination, or is every female OC in Star Wars a redhead?) Unlike many OC In both the fan and professional worlds, Astral is older, in her mid-forties, so she beats many of the fanfic tropes right there. Her art world is so well-drawn and the character is so authoritative in her knowledge of it that we are swept right along into her world. There’s also the vicarious pleasure of being along in Astral’s wedding shoes as she’s recruited to help save the Empire’s second-in-command during a crisis, comes to know him more personally, and then ultimately falls in love with him and marries him. Yes, the sex scenes are included … a bit more realistically than in many other fanfics as well. (Yes, Darth Vader can be impotent … at least now and then.) Vader’s doctor and house staff leap right off the screen as admirable individuals in their own rights, too, although readers may not appreciate seeing fan favorite Firmus Piett trashed in this fic.

Another strength of this fic is the element of surprise. Not to reveal too many details, but who knew this much could go on between Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Plagueis between Empire and Return of the Jedi?

The last point I can’t praise this work highly enough for is the strength of the writing. Not only is this writer at near-professional level (and as the widow of an award-winning novelist myself, I can say that), but the musings of the characters contain so much wisdom and so many truisms about war, about peace, about regret, and about middle age and the slide into life’s decline. You don’t find this kind of thought in fan fic usually, and that makes this a rich and rewarding read.

Of course, even the best-written published novel has its faults, and Twilight of the Gods does, as well.

The most obvious is the oft-repeated fan trope of having an OC stand in for the reader in the vicarious experience of getting intimate with a favorite character. Sadly, this trope is so often done that even when it’s very well done, it can’t escape the unfortunate associations with all the other thousands and thousands of the same thing that came before it. When even the creators of deeply loved film and TV series get accused of writing “Mary Sues” themselves, there’s no getting around it. It’s a plot device that’s not original. Here, at least, it’s well-done and enjoyable.

I say the writing here is “near-professional” quality because it has a number of noticeable flaws. First, and worst, there are too many Earthisms. No one in the GFFA has any idea what a Mary Sue is or what an eggplant emoji is. There’s nothing worse than being all caught up in such a tense, thought-provoking story only to get jarred right out of it when GFFA characters use Earth American slang or suddenly drop out of the high-minded diction for which they are known. The Darth Vader of the screen, for example, would never use the word guy.

Characters sometimes go off on tangents that are wildly out of character. A particularly grievous sequence has Hego Damask worried about his dramatic entrance when everyone has far more important things on their mind, and the Hego/Plagueis of Darth Plagueis fame would never. At least, not out loud or at the length he does here. The long, long chapter notes are a trademark with this writer. Personally, I would never be so brazen as to spend paragraphs and paragraphs believing my work is so good people will want to read pages of me explaining what was in my head as I wrote it. Blueenvelopes does, however, and it seems many agree with her. The danger here is that one may slack off in the work knowing one will explain it in story notes that are long enough to be a whole chapter by themselves. (The story is supposed to do the job, not your “liner notes.”) This, happily, turns out not to be the case, and many commenters are as fascinated with the story notes as they are with the story. If it works, do it. Overall, this story has ambition, scope, great characters, and enough surprises to keep you reading. It’s rich and thought-provoking enough that your mind will come back to it all day until you finish it. For good measure, there’s a happy alternative ending for those saddened by the conclusion.

My conclusion is, faults aside, this is one fan fiction not to be missed. *I will be posting these reviews on ao3 and my Substack, Garden of Deceit. Fan Fiction Review: Twilight of the Gods by blueenvelopes (substack.com)

[annfriks]

💙 Y es que no todo el vintage tiene que ser marrón. También hay sobres con colores muy bonitos y siguen siendo #vintage . Por supuesto, el sobre y la decoración están hechos a mano y es donde iba envuelta la libreta tamaño A5 que os enseñé en la anterior publicación. Fue el regalo para el intercambio del grupo de Gallegas Scraperas. . . . #blueenvelope #envelope #vintageenvelope #sobre #sobrebonito #sobrevintage #envolvervintage #gallegasscraperas #snailmail #ideassnailmail #snailmailideas https://www.instagram.com/p/ByM2JP3IU6l/?igshid=hmjalu02db3n

[boxedwedding]

Hey guys, the invitations I made for my son’s 2nd birthday? Custom elephant birthday invitation and envelope. For custom inquiries Info@boxedweddinginvitationa.com #elephantinvitation #birthdayinvitation #acrylicinvitation #acrylicinvitation #elephant #babyephant #elefantulcici #birthdayparty #happybirthday #elephantcake #jungleenvelope #custom #customenvelope #stationery #babyboy #happy2ndbirthday #birthdayparty #blueenvelope #prettyenvelope #birthdaypartyideas #birthdaypartyideasforkids (at Boston, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtCP7KrHgx3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=abd2zvupw7xu

[southslates]

i am never going to be able to understand why i simultaneously hate that reylo is canon but can never look away from reylo fic (especially by blueenvelopes) because the lore and dark side romance just scratches that itch i wish i didn't have. like i really like it but i know that it's not something i would ever want to actually witness but it's so awesome in fic with the stupid lore and stupid murder plots god i wish i understood why i was like this

[rockoutetc]

Thank you to everyone who came out to the friends and family screening of #garyandjune ! #bts #outoflineproductions #blueenvelope #vsco #red #filmisnotdead #color #🎥 #redcamera #setlife #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/BkBBD_BABfC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5iexo0zc98vf

[these-are-the-first-steps]

If you have received blueenvelopes hate on your story, comment the links to all affected chapters where hate appears and I will send a compiled report to Ao3

Please also include your story name and ao3 author name in your comment for easy copypasting

Because enough is enough.

[aurelioarmstead]

b is for best or f is for friends inspirational by blueenvelope https://ift.tt/33eYjnA

[leannapearson]

December 28, 2005; I remember it like it was yesterday. On that day I received my acceptance letter in my large blue envelope to SPELMAN COLLEGE!!!!! Congratulations and Happy Holidays to my future Spelman Sisters who will receive one of the greatest Christmas Presents ever!💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 #Repost @spelmanadmiss (@get_repost) ・・・ It's the most wonderful time of the year---when we have the opportunity to spread a little Spelman College cheer to #FutureSpelmanites!! We're so excited to announce that #blueenvelopes are now out the door and in the mail for Early Notification applicants! Be sure to check your SpelCheck portal for information about the status of your application. #Spelman22 #earlyaction #earlynotification #spelman #spelmancollege #bestchristmasever

[wmladow]

#BlueEnvelope: Indianapolis 500 Ticketing Deep-Seated in History, Hard Work ...

#BlueEnvelope: Indianapolis 500 Ticketing Deep-Seated in History, Hard Work …

March 23, 2017 | From IMS

There are countless rites of spring. Warmer temperatures. Leaves sprouting from barren tree branches after the cold days of winter. Spring cleaning. Spring break. Spring training.

But there’s one spring ritual that may stand above all for Indianapolis 500 fans: Seeing that blue envelope in the mailbox.

Indianapolis 500 advance sale tickets are mailed to fans around the…

[tricourilemelero]

L is for Love- Inspirational Alphabet - Child t-shirt - tee - raglan - toddler, baby, infant - American Apparel by blueenvelope on Etsy http://ift.tt/2jmarPD Pinned to Valentine shirts by Betsy Davis

[fictiongarden]

ANNOUNCING:

OK, everyone. I think I am going to have to start a blog where I review fan fiction. Fan Fiction Review: Twilight of the Gods by blueenvelopes (substack.com)

[geekyblackgirl]

Words cannot describe the happiness that I'm feeling right now!! I got into my dream school and I couldn't have done it without my family who's been there for me through this stressful time. Big things are happening .... @spelmanadmiss #blueenvelope #spelman19

[paulkostabi]

Too much blue confused #bluebag #blueenvelope #money #taxi

[rockoutetc]

The short film @adcjordan and I wrote and directed, #garyandjune has had its cast & crew & friends & family screening and now it’s off to #festival submissions! #bts #shortfilm #pdx #portland #pdxfilm #portlandfilm #pnw #forest #forestpark #tbt #hoytarboretum #setlife #red #redcam #color #costume #comedy #film #filmisnotdead #northwestisbest #producer #blueenvelope #outoflineproductions https://www.instagram.com/p/BkBJnqzgcJ8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10kgs6op08vn2

[rockoutetc]

Gary & June #bts #tbt . . . . . #film #director #filmmaking #cinema #producer #cinematography #movie #actor #setlife #cinematographer #artist #art #shortfilm #production #movies #filmlife #video #filming #portlandfilm #outoflineproductions #indiefilm #films #blueenvelope #videography #16x9 #pnw #GaryAndJune https://www.instagram.com/p/BiYpXnLH_SM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=o4q6rr2f0ycv

[tricourilemelero]

L is for Love- Inspirational Alphabet - Child t-shirt - tee - raglan - toddler, baby, infant - American Apparel by blueenvelope on Etsy http://ift.tt/2jmarPD Pinned to Valentine shirts by Betsy Davis