#cameos from broken and HEA

[deedjre]

i thought about smitten too much so to get myself to stop thinking about smitten i drew smitten. i think this might've been an excuse to draw him post the character arc i made for him that lives exclusively in my head and my google docs. which is odd bc i didn't realize it as an excuse earlier. uhm. anyway enjoy this idiot being irreparably changed by his own actions

[absolutebl]

Top 10 Best BLs on Gagaoolala

My Beautiful Man AKA Utsukushii Kare

Japan 2021

One of the most Japanese BLs to release in the last decade, as weird and as messed up as any 2000s yaoi: emo af and hella warped, entirely true to itself with no attempt made to modify its POV for modern sensibilities or current BL fandom. It used seriously old school problematic and kinky tropes, like whipping boy, for a truly uncompromising piece that also manages to hit up themes of communication, consent, and self acceptance. It’s a wonderful BL but uniquely dirty and harsh, in the best possible way - Japanese cinema, uncompromising.

I lost my ever loving mind over the ending. This show won the Grand Prix “My Best TV Award” at the 16th Galaxy Awards.

Minato's Laundromat AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry

Japan 2022

A classic age gap romance where a high school student pursues the man of his dreams (who runs a laundromat). This BL is so steeped in yaoi nostalgia, not to mention a classic romance arc, that it will overload some, but those of us who love this genre for its DNA will adore it. It made me very happy because it did everything I want a BL to do - there’s not much more I could ask of a show than this. It’s the closest Japan has come to perfect live action yaoi since Seven Days (and I never make that comparison lightly).

Squee watch-along here.

My Ride

Thai 2022

Thai BL grew up with this pulp (the first ever to make my end of year top 10). It’s a truly lovely and special little show featuring the extremely rare pairing of sunshine/sunshine (AKA a cinnamon roll couple) plus mature explorations of relationships using one of the softest, sweetest, and most innocent friends to lovers vehicles. Kindly, overworked doctor meets broken-hearted motorcycle taxi driver in an “other side of the tracks” slow burn romance. The support cast is excellent, making for great friendship groups and family dynamics. With honest queer rep that adds to, but doesn’t impede, the story, and genuine conversation about the nature of class, wealth, and classism, not to mention communication, honesty, and respect for boundaries, you can’t go wrong with this show. In other news, I am a sucker for a single dimple.

Takara & Amagi AKA Takara-kun to Amagi-kun

Japan 2022 I gnawed on my knuckles and squealed a lot with this BL. Reserved cool kid who must learn to communicate to keep the tiny disaster nugget he’s madly in love with. It is beyond charming: soft and gentle, packed with cuteness and high school angst, thirst, & yearning. Was there plot? Not really. Was it emotionally tense and paced well enough for me not to notice? Absolutely. Did I enjoy the hell out of it? Oh yes.

Kiseki: Dear to Me

Taiwan 2023

The plot is totally ridiculous and slightly unhinged, but that’s normal for Taiwan. It involves all the tropes under a very casual framework of gay mafia gangs + food = love. Absolutely every character is queer. There’s a gum-ball machine of cameos, elder gay rep, great chemistry from all pairs, and a KILLER side couple. As a result Kiseki is a poster child for Taiwanese BL, and I happen to love Taiwanese BL. Bonus? They also managed to END IT WELL, which we cannot expect from Taiwan.

My Personal Weatherman AKA Taikan Yoho

Japan 2023

This style of live action yaoi really only works from Japan. Basically: boys who fell in love in college end up living together but both are so repressed they actually don't realize they're in love. It's higher heat than we usually get from Japan's HEA stuff, and that part is also very well done, but it leaned into the "why don't they just talk for fuck's sake?" trope which is only exacerbated into undiluted frustration by the fact that they're already fucking. It's great, but watching requires more patience than usual, even for Japan.

Our Dining Table AKA Bokura no Shokutaku

Japan 2023

A lonely salaryman and talented cook gets accidentally adopted by a college kid and his little brother. I was always gonna love this show if they stuck to the manga (which is very dear to my heart). And they did, paralleling it almost exactly. It’s a quiet & cozy little parable of found family alleviating loneliness. Possibly too slow for some but definitely high up there for me as the best of what Japan can do with softness (like Restart After Come Back Home). It’s only flaw (if I dare say such a thing) is that it is not really “romantic.” Lovely & sweet but the romance beats are being used to build a family relationship, not just couple intimacy, but that's OK with me. This is a very safe show for anyone to watch.

Step By Step

Thai 2023

This was Thailand’s answer to The New Employee, and everything I loved about that show I loved about this one. This office romance between a stern boss and sweet subordinate felt more authentic to cubical work than previous Thai BLs of this ilk. That authenticity added tension to the narrative and its characters development (how novel). I also really enjoyed the charming side characters and the brothers' relationship to each other (although I could have done without that brother's side BL).

Long Time No See

Korea (Strongberry) 2017

Catfishing assassins on either side of a turf war who fall in love not knowing they are on opposite sides. Or do they? Suspenseful plot, good fight sequences, mature characters, hot sexitimes and even hotter beating the shit out of each other and kissing while covered in blog (this came from KOREA?), plus an HEA. One of the hidden gems of the BL genre.

About Youth

Taiwan 2022

A truly lovely little coming of age high school BL with a classic YA low drama but high angst and an earnest depth. I didn’t even mind the singing, and that’s saying a lot. A weak seme/uke dynamic but tons of BL tropes (both rare in a high school setting but common for Taiwan) makes this one feel both sweet and colored by real world authenticity and grit.

Some of these shows ALSO appeared on Viki or iQIYI, but these BLs will appear only once on these round up posts (here for Gaga), not on the other platforms top 10.

(source)

This list updated Spring 2024, not responsible for cool stuff that aired on Gaga (or was taken off the platform) after that date.

This is part of a series more here:

[theyellowroseofsodor]

Another Life Update

I know I’ve disappeared again and I apologize. Some of you know that I live in Alaska and currently where I live it’s pretty much on fire. My husband works for the fire department on our area and he’s out there from 7-11 at this point, besides his normal job working for DoT (department of transportation). My in-laws are living in the small town that is basically on fire and we’re almost evacuated last night but the call hasn’t been made so they went home.

My original plan was to bring The Yellow Rose of Sodor back this past Monday but things have gotten busy. We had a fire nearby us too caused by lightning, but it fizzled out on its own. If I can get my internet to cooperate I will upload the newest chapter today. I have several shorts ready as well, but life is currently a bit crazy. Right now I’m using my phone to post and it doesn’t like it when I try to do the bigger chapters because of course it doesn’t.

So that’s my update for now. If I can you will see an update for The Yellow Rose today, which will be awesome because it’s The Dance!

Another fun little side note, many of you may have noticed the frequent communication I’ve had with @smol4bluengine and they’ve been ever so kind to let me create a character for Camille and Gordon. This is completely AU from the Yellow Rose because, although I find it to be absolutely adorable, it doesn’t exactly fit for the story.

So, things to expect soon:

•New chapter for The Yellow Rose

•The following, but not limited to, shorts: Pebble, Broken Bones Heal pts 1 and 2, The Dance: Aftermath (James x Edward) - Rated M

•More cameos of Camille’s brothers (as I may have accidentally neglected them)

•A bit more rated M (not Explicit!!!) content: violent/scary themes with the villain appearing, intimate/sexual themes (don’t get your hopes too high, the explicit stuff stays with me), tear-jerking life and death situations

•Guaranteed HEA (Happily Ever After)

TL;DR The world is on fire and writing is hard to do with 7000 acres 30 minutes away coming your way and fast. It’s gone from 700 to 7000 in 5 days despite efforts. Fire is scary stuff and my internet is down.

[bookaddict24-7]

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK!

Books I’ve read so far in 2022!

Friend me on Goodreads here to follow my more up to date reading journey for the year!

___

205. The Wall of Winnipeg & Me by Mariana Zapata--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read in July 2022. It's a tradition now. This is one of my all-time favourite books. The fact that my blurb is now also on the Indigo edition (I am an employee) just cements how much I love this book. How interesting is it how opinions change over the years? When I first read this book, I wasn't that impressed. I read it on vacation and remember thinking that the pacing was off. But the second time I read it, I grew to appreciate the story more. Then after reading it again this week, I was again reminded of how much I love this book. The craving to read it is just something that will forever linger with me. I love this author and her ability to make me jello for her characters. Aiden. Oh sweet, sweet Aiden. One of my fictional crushes. Sigh. Anyway, if you love slow burn romances, fake dating/marriage, enemies to friends to lovers, sport romance, and big broody silent and grumpy love interests, then you're going to love this one! ___

206. Hands Down by Mariana Zapata--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While this wasn't as good as its predecessor, I really enjoyed this story! One of the things I love about this author is how she manages to write these addicting stories that are relatively drama-free. They're just a good time full of angst and really cute moments. I definitely see myself re-reading this in the future. Zac is such a sweetheart and although he isn't the smartest, he truly tries to love with all of his heart. I'm really happy he got his own story, especially because he was such a big personality in WoWaM! And of course, I loved seeing the cameos (like always!) These cameos also reminded me that I have more books by this author to read in the future. The few things that are stopping me from giving this five stars are the nicknames used here. They made me slightly uncomfortable because we all know that these two characters get a HEA. Maybe a re-read in the future will have me cringing less, but for now, that was definitely a miss for this book.

___

207. Blindsided by Amy Daws--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have had BLINDSIDED on my TBR for a while now and I finally decided to give the audiobook a listen. Imagine my surprise when the male love interest had a Scottish accent. SWOON. Once I got over the shook and excitement of that, I found myself really falling into this story. I loved their chemistry and the bickering because I find that the passion behind healthy bickering can really produce some amazing chemistry between characters. One of the uncomfortable moments for me that made me have a bittersweet and deeper love for this story was how self-deprecating the female MC (Cookie) was when it came to her weight and body shape. She was constantly on the defensive and ready with a fat-shaming joke aimed at herself. Her comparison to others and that "Little c*nt of an inner voice" often left her feeling less than stellar. Even her commentary on how she has accepted that she's destined to be alone and that she never thought of her male best friend in a certain way because guys like him don't look at girls like her. All of that resonated so heavily with me that at first, I would roll my eyes. I would get SO annoyed because of her actions and her words. But then I realized, "Holy crap, I do this." And I do. I do it to myself all of the time when I'm with friends, or when someone compliments me because, seriously, "You're complimenting me? Are you sure?" And it made me think that if I found it annoying for her to do to herself, imagine how frustrating it must be for those who love me to hear me talking about myself like that. It was very eye-opening. This book even made me cry. I cried for Cookie when her heart was broken and I cried for her when she felt that her insecurities were realized. In a way, it felt like I was crying for myself. I'm glad I finally picked this up because not only was the trope of best friends to lovers such a wholly enjoyable experience, but seeing myself in Cookie was something completely unexpected. ALSO, hello spicy spice. This book was HOT. And I absolutely adored the curvy fat girl representation!! I know most of us deal with those physical worries when things get spicy, or have the potential for spiciness. I really loved how real that felt! Read this if you want a character who felt more real, a male love interest who was imperfect but had a big heart, and if you love a good dose of humour and heartfelt moments along with your smutty smut.

___

208. Beauty & the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was really surprised by this book! I honestly thought this was going to be a cheesy sports romance (especially with a cover like that), but I hadn’t expected it to have a grief subplot (no-reading the synopsis fan club). I loved the idea that these two found each other after such a disastrous night (one of my favourite tropes) and that he essentially had to prove himself to her. I also loved the fake dating and the fact that it was all to make someone else jealous and sad about what they lost. Also, the spice was spicyyyyy. Don’t sleep on books with covers like these. They might surprise you!

___

209. Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read July 2022 Every once in a while I crave this series and although it’s hella cringe and super cheese fest, I can’t seem to stop wanting to read it. Like always, this was fun and I loved every cringey moment. I don’t have much else to say other than I will probably read this again in a couple of years!

___

210. Never Too Far by Abbi Glines--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read July 2022 This sequel was just as messy as I remembered it being. There’s a particular scene where he is exceptionally assholish and I just…I love the drama of it and love feeling that pang of sadness for her because he is just something else LOL Anyway, glad I got to experience this again!

___

Have you read any of these? Would you recommend them?

___

Happy reading!

[patchworklove]

thoughts on mayans pt.2

(s4 mostly) part 1 here bc apparently i have a lot of thoughts

controversial - but i kinda like hope and nails. i think nails was better suited to hank, especially because he was gonna step up for her in a way that angel never did. and sure nails was a ons/fwb broken condom situation, but that doesn't mean she should be faulted for falling for someone who was a self-absorbed arsehole and wanting her child to have a 2-parent household. she went about things wrong, but at the same time, i think angel led her on in regards to what he would and could bring to the table. i hope she bails after the loss of her baby.

hope and coco had a sweet relationship, and whilst i don't think they were madly in love soulmates, it was nice to actually have a mayan in a relationship and be putting in the effort. (obvious exception: marcus). i also enjoyed her storyline: she was from charming and after soa s7, got mixed up in drugs. like the nords were still probably running it, and sons overlooked it. and she ended up around stockton and oakland mayans bc that's what she knew? let's not act like sons were saints with mad respect for the girls at the clubhouse bc they weren't. her ending up on meth mountain, with a son who didn't care, is supposed to be shitty, bc that's what the club gave the girls who weren't old ladies: a shitty deal. so her getting clean and having happiness with coco was a good thing. addiction isn't easy, and nor is recovery and i liked that they showed that, and how coco was going to help her through it. it sucks that there is no hea for hope, but i don't think there should be.

leti is an annoying character, and after the rumors i've read about emily, that 4x06 scene was annoying and kinda cringy. she's not the greatest actress and i feel like she sort of doesn't do much other than be pissed. i can't tell if that's the writing and lack of development for the character after 4 seasons, but it's growing stale.

i don't know how i feel about taza's storyline being ongoing still? it's good that there are actual repercussions for things that have happened in other seasons, bc they keep getting overlooked. it is getting old though, and lbh bishop could just drop him in it and tell marcus that's the reason for the war.

the sons/mayan war storyline is frustrating. jess should've known what she was doing, and her naivety is annoying. how do you hang around a clubhouse for years and not realise they'll shoot people. you literally heard someone die a few months back. did you think they were gonna sit down and talk it out??!

i'm glad marcus brought up 92 and how no one won, bc i feel like mayans (show) often forgets he does have a history. i'm a little annoyed they're bring esai into it though i can't wait until he tells ez it's bc his son was a power-hungry idiot who made moves that impacted everyone, and he needed to die to stop a war. 1 necessary over many unnecessary. marcus has become softer from sons, which means he'[ll probably die bc he's not what a 1% leader should be. even though i actually think he's one of the bet ter leaders.

i've been annoyed by the galindos in the past seasons, but at this point thank fuck they're here. the only saving grace. i'm ready for miguel to be the cartel leader he was in s1 but more. i have enjoyed him sort of spending time with his aunt and tomás, and working on himself. i think he lost who he was after dita died.

i'm conflicted over what emily's storyline is bringing to the table. like i know we need to know she's alive and in hiding, because it's gonna be important to miguel's story. but outside of that, i don't really care. i liked the emily who was ready to get her hands dirty and join miguel's world when cristobal was missing. i don't like the dreary "ez 😍" bullshit version. but i fear any hope of emily being a force not to be fucked with is long gone.

i'm glad tig is returning, but it will probably be some fanservice cameo, and it may not be enough to make fans view this show like they have before

i realise this is so much longer than it should have been, and the fact that i have had to make 2 posts?! goddamn. but i have a lot to think about. i'm not sure it will be renewed, which is a shame bc it had potential. if it does, s5 would (read: should) be the last. and even then, i don't know that i'd watch it. i'll have to finish this season and decide if i can go through more of this.

[maroucia]

Sansan Russian Roulette, summer 2021: the fills!

Here’s all the fills with links for the SanSan Russian Roulette 2021. Thanks everyone for your participation! 😄

Links under the cut!

1. Meet Me In The Moonlight Author: Fleurdeplume: “Dusk. Secret meetings. Stolen kiss. Sansa looks like a little bird but deep down, she's a wolf.” (Prompt from Lysae).

2. Broken Like Me Author: TheImmaculateBastard: “Inspired by a tweet, "I don't know what just happened, but I was at an animal shelter before work and a toddler walked in, pointed to me, and said “I want that one”. His mother looked at me and said “you can’t have that, that’s a grown man”” (Prompt from Lorel).

3. The Eyes Have It Author: Jadedelcinismo: “Sansa is in love with Sandor and is jealous of someone in his life. Canon/AU, your choice.” (Prompt from Missy-1978).

4. A Long Time Coming Author: Vermilion_Sunrise: “Sandor tucks Sansa in bed after her first day as Queen in the North.” (Prompt from Prettybadmagic).

5. Russian Roulette Author: Meganfence: “Fight, argument or other disagreement. Open to interpretation, minor or major.” (Prompt from Redbirdblackdog).

6. One Picture Author: Sharkaria: “Sandor discovers he's got a good eye for photography. He fills his time taking pictures of his urban landscape, until he spies a Little Bird Muse...” (Prompt from Glamgrowl).

7. The Season Author: Missy-1978: “Kinda stole this from the Discord, but I love a forced marriage trope! Maybe Sansa got left at the altar and Sandor steps in last minute. Or a role reversal where she has to marry him to save his honor. Something fun and unexpected, can be modern or set in GOT world.” (Prompt from Atomic-bomb-shell).

8. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓐𝓻𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓻𝓭𝓲𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓘𝓷𝓿𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭... Author: TailBobSquid: “Jumanji AU - either a game that they are playing comes to life or they get sucked into a game that they are playing.” (Prompt from ReadyReaderOne).

9. Magic Act! Author: Prettybadmagic: “Sandor is going to do it. He's going to do the kiss your best friend challenge. The friend he just happens to have been in love with since day one.” (Prompt from Islandida).

10. You should meet my Sister Author: Glamgrowl: “Feel good and funny modern au where all Starks are alive and well. Sansa makes the first move on Sandor even though she's not sure she's his type as he is much older and works a blue collar job. (Please no Joffrey bashing) Cameos from other Starks would be awesome but not necessary.” (Prompt from Rayne).

11. better days (just around the corner) Author: Glitterswitch: “Bakery/coffee shop AU Stranger is Sandor’s service animal.” (Prompt from OrangeTabby).

12. A Thin Line Author: LittleWolfBird: “Sandor joins the Stark family traveling circus when he sees a casting call for "freaks." Bonus points for Sansa on trapeze or tightrope.” (Prompt from GlitterGoth114).

13. Feels Like Spring Author: Diverse.lorde: “Sansa playing her high harp (or other instrument) and singing a song that she wrote about/for Sandor.” (Prompt from Neleam).

14. Going Viral Author: Lysae: “Sandor finds out Sansa made him TikTok famous after a video of him goes viral: Sansa: hey can I have x/can we go to y? Sandor: no. Sansa, in a sweet voice: pretty please? Sandor, huffing: fine (Daddy on the end of pretty please would be lovely, but if Daddy Sandor isn’t your thing, no problem).” (Prompt from TailBobSquid).

15. The Package Author: OrangeTabby: “Mafia AU, fancy party. Dominant Sandor, thirsty Sansa Sandor in a suit, hand tattoos, creeping neck tattoo, whiskey - Sansa thirsting.” (Prompt from Meganfence).

16. I Wonder That Too, Ser Chirrup Author: Neleam: “Sanson Stark has always been the dutiful yet idealist second son of House Stark. Sandra Clegane is a Silent sister who has been disappointed by the very songs she once admired. A knight of the Seven and a handmaiden of the Stranger unexpectedly find comfort in each other.” (Prompt from Jadedelcinismo).

17. Good Girl Author: Redbirdblackdog: “Sansa gets her first tattoo by none other than the famous tattoo artist "The Hound". When she's in pain, she exhales slowly and Sandor says, "Good girl". Sexual tension ensues. (This prompt was inspired by a meme.)” (Prompt from Thequeen--in--thenorth).

18. Ever the Same Author: Thequeen--in--thenorth: “Following a tumultuous few years, Sansa has spent every penny she's ever earned on a quiet cottage, surrounded by forest and wildlife. Not long after moving, a strange man appears in the pond near her home, half-alive and unable to remember anything about himself except his name: Sandor.” (Prompt from Suzi).

19. Closure's Overrated Author: Atomic-bomb-shell: “Crust punk modern AU. Sandor is a crustie squatting in the backyard of an abandoned house. Sansa is a friendly neighbor who offers him a warm meal and access to her laundry room.” (Prompt from Diverse.lorde).

20. All Because of a Little Bird Author: Lorel: “Sansa manages a gallery in King’s Landing. After storming out of a fight with her boyfriend, she drives off into the countryside. That’s when she sees the most amazing art behind some dusty glass in a car repair shop. Now all she has to do is convince the artist, Sandor, to do a show at her gallery.” (Prompt from Vermilion_Sunrise).

21. Caught Author: GlitterGoth114: “Walked in on. Caught in the act. "Can opened, worms everywhere." (Prompt from TheImmaculateBastard).

22. Unanswered Author: Islandida: “Robb comes home from war with a big loyal man behind him. Sansa never thought she'd see her brother again let alone *him*. Modern au or canon.’’ (Prompt from LittleWolfBird).

23. Hajime (To Begin) Author: Rayne: “Modern AU: After finally getting out of an unhappy/controlling relationship with Joffrey that desecrated her self-worth, Sansa enrolls for self-defence classes with martial arts Master Clegane, who proceeds to build up her self esteem and fighting skills while the two fight their mutual attraction.” (Prompt from Fleurdeplume).

24. Thig crìoch air an t-saoghal, ach mairidh gaol Author: Suzi: “Prompt submission -- passionate time travel.” (Prompt from Sharkaria).

25. His flame Author: ReadyReaderOne: “Sansa leaves with the Hound that night. Their journey thru Westeros is loosely similar - Arya, Twins, etc. They find Elder Brother to help Sandor. After healing, all 3 head for Braavos, and the Dragon Queen. Lots of friendship/bonding b/t all 3; both defend Sandor from Dany. Devoted sansan, HEA!’’ (Prompt from Glitterswitch).

[stygian-omadas-epic-chronicles]

My thoughts on STYGIAN by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Book review)

The new installment in the Dark-Hunters series doesn't disappoint. It has everything I love about these novels: heartache, humor, great battles, and heartfelt down-to-the-earth moments. And, of course, a great love. 

I know that I sound like a broken record in my SK's book reviews but she always surprises me with her books and I love that. Stygian has its good share of surprises. Although, I admit that the plot twists aren't as mind-blowing as they had been in some of the earlier books. The story both takes you to the deepest pit of angst and makes you roar with laughter until your belly hurts. 

Also, it shows the Apollite/Daimon world like we've never seen before. We see how the betrayal that meant Apollo's curse to his own people warped the Apollite mindset, specially Stryker's. To tell the truth, I stopped hating Daimons a long time ago. Don't get me wrong, I don't like them killing and stealing human souls but I get why they do it. Being in their shoes, I don't know if I'd do the same.

And now, I get them even more. 

One of the things that I like the most of the book is that it fills some of the gaps left by the previous books and has amazing cameos of the characters we know, like seeing Wulf in passing before he became a DH.

Stygian is a fine example of Sherri's great talent and exceptional imagination. Once more, she takes us to this amazing world she has created during all these years and let us live in it for a while.

Not wanting to spoil anyone who hasn't read the book yet, I'm spilling all the juicy details below the cut.  It's really long and full of explicit spoilers so read at your own risk.

If you're still with me, let's dig in. I have so much to tell you.

URIAN

*sighs dreamingly* Urian... Uri... my Urimou.  This adorable man, gosh, you have to love him. Since birth, he's the cutest thing ever (well, being the biological son of who he is, I don't know why it surprises me. I guess that being raised by Stryker I thought he wouldn't be THAT cute but he's even more adorable). Anyway... what I was saying? Oh, yes, I died of cuteness overload with him.

He’s so passionate, so loving, loyal. He’s willing to do anything for those who he loves

His childhood wasn't easy. At all. Between the raw and devastating sense of treachery because of the curse that Apollite race had (and still has, rightly so) and Urian's own (inexplicable at the time) sense of not-belonging had a great impact on him. As it did the blatant discrimination of everyone toward him. Seriously, they had not even an ounce of compassion to feed him?!! Bastards all!! 

It didn't help either the tough love he got from his family, especially his brothers, which more often than not were a bunch of assholes (pardon the language but that’s what they were) with him like the rest of the people. However, there's something that can't be denied. Despite that brotherly animosity, Urian was a loved child. By his brothers and sister, by his surrogate mom and Stryker. They LOVED him and they had his back, no matter what. That makes me happy.

All that made him the amazing person that he is.

URIAN'S LOVE LIFE

It breaks my heart that because nobody would feed him, Urian fell into the claws of Xanthia. Marrying her out of necessity is so heart-breaking. My poor Urimou. He wasn't in love with her but he respected her as his wife and the ungrateful cow cheated on him!!!  And no less than with his brother-in-law! How dared she?! The only good thing that was worthy in that marriage was the children. Gosh, reading how much Uri loved those kids and they loved him was so great. 

Then, it came along Bethsheba, who was like a few steps up in the healthy relationship ladder but not nearly high enough. He wasn't in love with her either and she was a rebound. She cared about him but treated him as a trophy husband. She reminded me of Sera (Max's dragonswan) when the dragons first got married. Well, it makes sense. Both Sheba and Seraphina were Amazons and in their culture men were inferior.

It broke my heart the guilt Uri felt when Sheba was killed (without mentioning how awful her death was). He cares so much about everyone in his life and all he wants is protect them.  Watching them die and incapable of doing anything to stop it literally destroys him bit by bit.

It doesn't surprise me that after such bad experiences with marriages he took so long for getting married again. 

Centuries pass until he meets Pheobe at last. For what we knew from previous books, we all thought she was the love of his life, and yes he loved her very much but that relationship was condemned to failure from the beginning and not just for the obvious my-father-wants-you-and-your-entire-family-dead thing. 

If there's something (I think it's the only thing Phoebe is right in reproaching him at the end) is that he withheld things from her since the beginning. True, he told her that he was Stryker's son and all but he didn't tell her that he had killed her grandparents, which he should have.

And just like his 2 previous marriages, this one was likewise for necessity. This time it wasn't Urian the needy part but Phoebe. She needed him for feeding and sharing the souls because she wouldn't kill a human for them. Also, she needed him for both her own and her family's protection. Maybe, she didn't mean to but put him in a tough situation. He was split between protecting her and being his dad's second-in-command.

Urian also has a responsibility in this. He chose to lie to his dad. Granted, Stryker isn’t the most understanding person but as we learn later, Stryker might’ve supported him. Crazy, I know.

And there's another thing. I never thought Phoebe would be as petty as she was. So whiny. I agree with Stryker when he says she was immature and insipid. I think her lowest point was getting mad because Cass wanted Wulff with her when they get to Elysia. As if the case was reversed she would've done the same thing with Uri.  I know she was worried about him, rightly so, but I don't know... her attitude was spiteful. It riled me up.

I guess going trelos was helping her mood, to be honest.

And her hissy fits at the end and working with Apollo!!! Yeah, nope. I don't like Phoebe anymore.

On the other hand, I love Sarraxyn. I think she's perfect for Uri. I've been thinking that since she first appeared and paired her with Urimou without knowing she was truly his HEA. I don't know how I got that idea but it was back when I was reading Dragonbane or Dragonmark, I'm not sure. That's why the revealing of Phoebe being alive threw me off so bad at the end of Dragonsworn. It's been a year of wondering who Urian's true love was (In fact, I mentioned in this review). I love that Sherri chose Xyn. I'm over the moon because of that.

I love that Xyn wasn't willing to settle for less than what she deserved. She knew that as long Urian needed other women to feed and kill humans for their souls, their relationship wouldn't work. It didn't have to do with the love they felt for each other but their circumstances. I think they handled it the best possible having only a yearly rendezvous instead of forcing things, which would have destroyed them both.

Besides, if they had stayed together, Urian wouldn't have met Phoebe, Stryker wouldn't have cut his throat, and neither Ash would have saved him and turned him into a no-daimon.

I can't wait to see more of Xyn and Uri in the coming books.

APOLLYMI

One of the most delightful things about this book is how much we see of her. As I've repeated a gazillion times already, I love Polly and, honestly, now I love her even more. The whole grandma/grandson thing going on between her and Urian is simply amazing. Because that's what she is to him. Twice his grandmother, actually. First, because of Stryker, right. But also because of Styxx. She officially adopted him too and we know thanks to the Chronicles of Nick that Styxx will eventually call her Matera. He's not there yet but he will.

My goodness, she loves Urian so much. We get to see her most kind side with him, especially when he was really young. I just adored the scene when she invites him to see the sunrise in the pool in her garden. 

Of course, she wouldn't be her if she didn't have a plan to use him eventually but wow, you better not harm Uri or you'll feel her wrath. 

I laughed so hard when Apollymi appeared almost at the end when Uri was seeking Phoebe and she says that if it wasn't because the lot of them were there because of Urian she would have split them into oblivion.

That's who she is. She protects fiercely those who she loves.

STRYKER

Okay, I officially nominate this man for the best dad in history award. Even if he cut Urian's throat. Don't care. Since I read Silent Night, I knew he had a heart but damn! Not like this! 

I have to thank Apollymi for choosing him as Urian's surrogate dad because I don't think there's anyone else who could have done a better job. Well, except for Styxx, of course. 

When Stryker says that Urian is his pride and joy is because he truly is. The fact that he didn't kill Phoebe and kept her alive all these years because he couldn't harm what his son loved is astonishing. As it is that he cut his son's throat not out of anger as he made everyone believe but out of pain, in a foolish and reckless desire to protect both Urian and himself from further heartache. Like he said, he cut his throat but couldn't kill his son.

I'm so glad that he and Urian are in so much better terms now. That fills my heart with joy because, despite everything that has happened, Urian loves Stryker as much as Stryker loves Urian.

CRAZY FAMILY

If we thought only Urian's adoptive Apollite/Daimon family was psychotic and crazy, well, his blood family isn't too far behind. Oh, my goodness! I laughed so, but SO hard the scene when Ash comes back after sending Uri to Kalosis and Styxx is waiting for him. That was hilarious. Seriously, I just remember about it and I start laughing out loud.

I think Acheron needs to start thinking before acting, especially when his family concerns. I mean Styxx and Beth overprotection gets overboard but if there's anyone who could understand where that comes from is Ash. And if the situation was the opposite and Styxx would've sent Katra to some hellish place without telling his brother, Ash's angry fit would have been even worse. 

Too funny is seeing Beth in Mama bear mode. So it is Styxx trying to calm her down before she attacks Stryker and then Apollymi.

The moment with those 2 that melt my heart was when Stryker shared his memory of Urian as a child and Styxx declared that from now on they're brothers. See! That's why I adore Styxx, my baby!

Now, they all are a crazy, amazing and big family. 

OTHER FAMILY MATTERS

Seeing Urian's point of view as he got to know Styx was amazing (and made me cry all over again because, you know, it's Styxx and all the feels). In conclusion, Urian is me when it comes to defending his best friend/dad. My favorite scene on Styxx is when Urian bitchslapped Ash for how he treats his twin brother and, in this book, it got better with the new details. I won't get tired of reading that. Ever.

A note on Urian having children:

Let's be honest. Urian asking Apollymi to make him infertile didn't work as he planned. I mean, I understand his point of not bringing children to this world to suffer the curse and watch them die but he loved Geras and Nephele as his, so he had the heartbreak he was trying to avoid anyway. The same thing happened when he adopted his nephews and nieces later on.

Urian's exact words to Apollymi when he asked her to take his ability to procreate were "Can you please make it so that I will never father any while I’m an Apollite?” but he's not an Apollite or Damion anymore. Does that mean he can have children now with Xyn if they wish so? 

RANDOM STUFF

I love Ruyn Widowmaker. I need to know so much more about him. Like, right now!

I never thought I would cry for the death of a Daimon but oh, boy, how I did! Several times and bitterly.

Urian using Moppet as a nickname for Wulff is the funniest thing ever. Does Wulff know that? I think not or he'd have staked Uri LOL!!

I love seeing CoN bunch in the main series.  Shadow, Kaziel, Aeron, Brynna. It makes me crave Cyprian's books even more. Gah! I wish SK would say the release date already.

And, of course, I'm so excited for the truce between Daimons and Dark-Hunters. I think it's more than necessary now than ever because Helios joined the list of baddies to defeat as if we didn't have enough with Apollo, Zeus, Noir and Azura, Kessar, Morgen.

NEXT

We have the title (Queen of All Shadows) but not the description. But for the epilogue we can guess is Xander/Brynna story. I can't believe we're having a DH/human pairing for the next book!! So good to be back to the roots. It's been a really long time since the last novel, which if I'm not mistaken it was Dark Side of the Moon with Ravyn and Susan. Because even if Devil may cry and No Mercy are about a DH, Sin wasn't truly one and Katra is far from a human; and Samia was indeed a huntress but Dev is definitely NOT human. 

And after that, we'll have Shadow's book!!! Shadows Within. That hasn't a description either and I can't do a wild guess who his HEA is.

What I like about this line up is that connects a lot with the chronicles of Nick and we could get the much-needed details about what the hell went/is going/will go on that front. I'm desperate to know.

I know there's a million of details I'm forgetting but I think I've covered the most important things. Anyone who wants to talk about the book, feel free to message me on this blog or on my main one ( @green-arrows-of-karamel  ). I'd love to know what you all think about it.

Pax.✌

PS: Wait for my favorite quotes from the book that I’m about to post too 😊

[secretsfromwholecloth]

Pallegina's quest triggers the first time you bring her to Sacred Stair, you must've just never happened to have her in the party when you went there.

They absolutely knocked it out of the park with those DLCs, especially BoW and TFS.

I too have a lot of emotions about Adaryc's cameo (and I know there are variations from digging around in the game files, but I always make a beeline for the temple to go talk to him as soon as I can, when I still have my initial party and very few quests done, so I've never actually seen said variations). And it's wonderful to see Kana as well—I certainly felt a lot better about ending PoE1 with broken Kana when I saw how it translated into him being like, "uh, maybe don't colonize all the things?" here.

Rekke! Especially with the closer look at him we got in the DLCs, he's just intriguing enough that I want to know everything. Somewhere among the infinite possibilities of the multiverse is a timeline where he was a full companion, and I'd love to take a look over there.

Edér's quest and epilogues are odd. A bunch of us were talking about it last spring, like, a) you'd think he'd hook into the Eothas plot more strongly than he does, but of course the game needs to leave room for players who got him killed or sent him away, and b) the way his friendship with the Watcher is built up, it seems to be leading towards a platonic HEA right up until you get that "and then they never saw each other again :)" slide.

That said, it was a little strange to see the Eothasian church seemingly have no flaws as an organization (not that every Eothasian is a perfect person, but it's all individual foibles rather than anything doctrinal or systemic like we see elsewhere) in such an antireligious game as PoE1, so I'm kind of glad that was tweaked, including the addition of Xoti, even if she skeeves me out sometimes.

Absolutely want to see that setting bible. Also all the conlang documents.

Thoughts on poe2 under the cut. Will be incoherent. finished the game last night at like 330 am instead of sleeping.

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