#chris d’lacey

[godzilla-reads]

❄️ Icefire by Chris d’Lacey

[the-emerald-wyrm]

Ugh, the covers are just too pretty!!

I’m obsessed with anything as long as it has a dragon on the cover and between the pages 😋

[marcvscicero]

wait guys in tldc whatever happened to zanna’s family? do they still believe she’s dead? but wouldn’t she have been mentioned on the news w all the david stuff maybe? or did she tell them she’s alive but they just never get mentioned? cos she seemed rly close with her sister and like… she has a literal kid now so have they never met alexa?

[tc-illustration]

The ninth project of my second course focused back onto illustration work in terms of creating a zine. With this zine, we could focus on any topic we wanted which I personally chose dragons as that was my fixation at the time.

We first did a workshop that focused on Cut/Shape, Collage and Doodle​. We then focused on print making and ink drawing, with the print making we did monoprinting which I have previous experiences with from my time in high school. These prints generally had nothing to do with the main theme as these were tests/experimentation.

With these tests/experiments, I took photographs of them so that I could do the digital session of editing photographs together and applying effects in Photoshop.

After doing these tasks, I then focused on the main focus on this project. I gathered some images for inspiration which the main inspiration came from the dragon statues I have and the illustrated book covers for Chris d’Lacey books, mainly his series 'The Last Dragon Chronicles'.

I then had to do another session about creating collage work, most likely to inspire the designs for the zine. The first was a traditional collage (Which mine was horrible as I didn't understand) and a digital one where I used a range of my own photographs to create, with the digital collage, I created three versions of it.

I then started on creating the main zine where I drew thumbnail sketches and the assets traditionally. I wanted the zine to look traditional but I needed to apply specific effects so I decided to edit them digitally.

With the final design, I used both illustration and photographs to create it as I wanted to experiment with using photographs for backdrops instead of hand drawing it.

I used the techniques introduced to us in the digital sessions and Photoshop to create the final. I am really proud of these since it took some time for me to edit them together.

That's is all I have to show for this project.

If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

[saphira-approves]

We as a fandom really see a book cover completely dominated by a colorful dragon face written by a Chris-something and lose our minds, huh

[worselydrawnaranea]

Hey Aranea you should have my old copy of The Fire Series aka The Last Dragon Chronicles by Chris d’Lacey. They start pretty simple but once the Polar Bears get involved the lore goes Wild I think you’d like them.

Thank you very much! ::::)

I love 8ooks that are like that so I'll make sure to enjoy them!

[orchidyoonkook]

Get to know me Tag Game!

Tagged by: technically @sailoryooons (hello darling!!)

Name: Yoon/Orchid

Number of Siblings: okay so this is hard cuz I only have two I consider actual siblings. My biological ones. But my parents both have partners who they aren’t married too. And those people have one kid each, however I haven’t met either of them so I don’t count them. So 2. But technically 4.

Number of Pets: 1 cat that’s mine, my daughter Marmee, and 1 cat that I live with who’s my roommates.

Favourite Colour: sun flower, sunset, golden yellow and deep royal purple.

Favourite Author: Sarah J Maas, Richelle Mead, Marissa Meyer, Chris D’Lacey, Holly Black • SenLinYu, Kithtaehyung, mxlia, themfchase, and many many many more.

Favourite Song: Currently probably Dethrone by Bad Omens or Atlantic by Sleep Token or Eat Your Young by Hozier or Supernatural by Barns Courtney—music is my life’s driving force and this question is impossible. Also the answer to this changes weekly.

Hobbies: on an ever changing rotation of reading, writing, painting, book binding, crocheting, knitting, clay sculpting, drawing, window shopping, and book collecting.

Favourite Holiday: Halloween 🎃

Fun Fact/ Something I’d Enjoy Sharing: I’m on a celebrities Instagram page in a post they made. And by celebrity I mean like. 17 million followers.

And I try not to think about that.

Tagging: @violetsiren90 @remmykinsff @katykatmeow @leohatter @keen-li and @herarcadewasteland

[ask-the-archs]

“Good”

*He grabs a book and starts reading it aloud*

“Part One — The Spark

‘Welcome to Wayward Crescent’

‘Well, here we are,’ Mrs. Pennykettle said, pausing by the door of the room she had for rent. She clasped her hands together and smiled. ‘Officially, it’s our dining room, but we always eat in the kitchen these days.’”

*Zee slithers into Gabe and Noah's room, clinging to the first person he runs into.*

*Gabriel looks down at Zee*

“Hey, kid, you doing alright?”

[juliandrws]

I know Lucy is explicitly written as 16 in The Fire Eternal but I dismiss that and favor the idea that Lucy should have been a university student approaching her 20s in TFE, and let me explain why you should, too.

a) it tracks SO MUCH MORE with the timeframe of David arriving at Wayward Crescent and the time jump of five years because I refuse to believe Lucy was 11 for most of The Fire Within AND everything that went down from Ice Fire to/in Fire Star? she was 11 for the months of David dating Sophie, to the point that he thinks he’ll move in with her? she was 11 for the months of that scholarly Arctic escapade? she was 11 for the months of that interpersonal Arctic escapade? absolutely no way. that, and Lucy talks about David as if he stayed with them much longer than a year, which brings me to...

b) the parallels that would have popped had Lucy been a university student for the 4th and 5th books! this is the most important to me. David is 20 in The Fire Within...Lucy is 18-19 in The Fire Eternal...Lucy is 20-21 in Dark Fire...when David returns to her, she is the age he had been when he met the Pennykettles. pls!!! I could cry thinking about the inclusion of that little detail.

c) whatever was going on with the dynamic between Lucy and Tam would have been much more digestible because seriously @ Chris d’Lacey, Lucy could have been 18/19 and pursuing her undergraduate degree, Tam could have been 23/24 writing his master’s thesis about David, and I’d have thought “somewhat questionable but not the worst thing ever” but instead she was 16 and he was close to 30??? what the actual fuck!!! my daughter did not deserve that, and young impressionable teenage me deserved dynamics between Lucy and characters her own age, justice for Bella the cat girl!!!

[darkandstormydolls]

okay so today I am compiling a list that I have had in the back of my mind for a while and want to get written down: books with well-written goth characters

I am putting it on the internet in the hopes that there are some other people who have spent a while being frustrated with stereotypical rebellious and depressed teenagers in books who will enjoy some decent goth characters

This list is inspired by the fact that I was looking for more books with goth characters and I kept getting recommended by the internet to “The Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl”. And I read about half of “Goth Girl Rising” (the sequel. I did not realize it was the sequel until I was pretty far into it) before I had to put it down because I was so frustrated with it. The main character is every negative stereotype played up to an absurd degree, to the point that it’s painful to read, and the same thing goes for all the other goth characters. So, here’s a list of actually good goth characters!

Side note: I know there are lots and lots of books that fit into the gothic genre or are considered “goth” books. And those are good, and I enjoy them. However, this list is reserved for books set in the modern day that have characters who explicitly call themselves “goth” and fit the definition of the subculture.

Without further ado:

1. Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe by Lindsey S. Zrull

I will shout the praises of this book from the rooftops as long as I live. It’s absolutely wonderful, and and admittedly I am a bit biased because I have a lot in common with the main character, but it really is a good book. One of the themes in it is basically “embrace the cringe if it’s something that makes you happy”, which I love, and it also handles mental illness really really well in my opinion. The main character says at one point that she first got into goth through the works of Edgar Allen Poe, and all in all it seems like the author really has a good grasp of the subculture

2. The Last Dragon Chronicles by Chris d’Lacey

Okay, so a confession: it has been years since I read this series. To the point that I had to look up the title because I only remember a vague impression of the books. And I don’t think I ever finished it. But I feel they deserve a place on this list. The goth character here, Zanna, the main character’s girlfriend, and it’s not really a big deal in the books, but she’s mentioned as being a goth early on and is described in black skirts and heavy makeup and things throughout the books. I may have to go back and reread these books because I think I may have been a little young to fully get them when I first read them back in elementary school. Anyways, it’s not a big part of the books, but this isn’t a list of books about goths, it’s a list of books with them, so here it is

3. Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schrieber

Admittedly, this series is not the most highbrow of literature. It is pure teenage vampire fluff. But it is also utterly delightful, as many fluff books are.

Now, I will say: yes, these books are full of troupes and stereotypes. But they’re the kind that the subculture makes fun of itself for affectionately. The main character is obsessed with vampires, and the vampires are perhaps tied with the movie Hotel Transylvania for stereotypical appearance, but they’re great fun to read, and they portray a wide variety of goth characters representing all facets of goth, from the main character of rather mallgoth Raven, to the gentle, romantic Alexander, edgy and rebellious Jagger, femme-fatale-pastel-goth-out-for-revenge Luna, perky Scarlett, and a whole range of others. I’ve only read the fist seven books (my library doesn’t have book eight and I didn’t want to read nine before it), but they’re wonderfully fun, easy reads. There’s also a couple of manga books if that’s your thing.

4. Mall Goth by Kate Leth

Now, graphic novels are not usually my cup of tea. But the draw of good goth characters was enough for me to pick up and idly read about half of it at the library. I don’t have a super firm grasp on the plot of this book, since I was mostly skimming it, but it seems like a pretty typical teen drama book. I have no objections to the way that the alternative characters are depicted, and there are a couple of them, including the main character

Honorable mention to: My Summer as a Goth

This one is a movie, not a book, but it still deserves an honorable mention because it shows teenaged goths really well. It’s a pretty typical teen drama, and there are a few contrived coincidences and minor plot holes, but it’s overall a delightful movie with a very nice plot and lots of fun characters. One of my friends and I have taken to watching this movie repeatedly and have a wonderful time every time

If anyone has any books to add to this list, please tell me! I am always looking for more books with goth characters

[godzilla-reads]

🐲 Dragon Recommendation #4 🐲

THE FIRE WITHIN by Chris d’Lacey

📖 SYNOPSIS 📖

When David moves in with Liz and Lucy, he discovers a collection of hand crafted, clay dragons that comes to life and has magical powers. David's personalized dragon, Gadzooks, can forecast the future, and inspires him to write a story which reveals the truth behind an unsolved mystery close to home.

⭐️WHY I RECOMMEND IT⭐️

Another unique story, this one filled me with childlike wonder at the prospect of magic and dragons that are just at your fingertips. The story is mysterious and fills you with hope.

[bonanana]

ok book recs!!!

if youre feeling fantasy/medieval -> Rangers Apprentice series

if you’re feeling like you want a sweet little modern story with a little fantastical mystery - The Fire Within by Chris D’Lacey (idr much about it but I read it and fell in love as a kid)

If you’re feeling like you want an almost paranormal(?) mystery about family and loss and coming of age-> Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eager

Cute animal magic fantasy story -> The familiars

Spooky yet cozy mystery with cute dogs but less child targeted-> Mysteries in Aspen Falls: Hounded by the Past (I wanna find the rest of the series but haven’t been able to!!!!!!!)

I’m sure I have a million more for other genres too ahhxhahhdhw I mostly read fantasy

I am getting to this so late, but honestly? That's just how it be sometimes.

But thank you so much for all of these awesome recommendations! I've added them to my long list. >:) And one day... I will read them all...

[fisherrprince]

was it like. college kid w like lil dragons but they were like. statues. bc. shrugs thats one of the Few i remember that was like. fantasy but modern (n i dont even remember the name lmao)

No but that’s actually the Last Dragon chronicles by Chris d’Lacey I think!

[bigbangbuffer]

middle grade to YA fantasy books that were formative for me, personally, that I don’t feel like I see talked about all that much?? idk lmk if you read any of these too, I’m feeling nostalgic :0

The Old Kingdom Series, by Garth Nix

The Last Dragon Chronicles, by Chris d’Lacey

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, by Patricia C. Wrede

Septimus Heap, by Angie Sage

The Heir Chronicles, by Cinda Williams Chima

The Song of the Lioness Quartet, by Tamora Pierce

The Protector of the Small Quartet, by Tamora Pierce

[ariapmdeol]

Reading the ORV epilogue for the first time. At the same time I am finishing my reread if Chris d’Lacey’s Last Dragon Chronicles, which I read and reread so often as a kid that the spine of the first volume is coming apart. I’m cackling because David Rain, the protagonist of LDC, seems to have a similar backstory to YJH. Right down to their parents’ address being an address no one has ever lived at. (Tho due to David being more of an author, things are either ‘better explained’ or ‘even more confusing’ in his case.)

I am just. Deeply amused. I loved LDC so much, perhaps liking ORV a lot too was kind of inevitable with them both going so meta and paradoxical? I forgot how the final volumes of LDC get so confusing that a hundred or so pages of the finale have to be spent making sure all the characters, and the reader, are all on the same page…

the overlap is real! metafiction enjoyers when there is metafiction at the function,, I cried at the ORV epilogues they GOT TO ME

it's always funny when the lore gets so off the rails that they need to take the time to make sure no one is lost SADKADJSKL

[ragnars-tooth]

okay here are the ratings of chris dlaceys casting :D!! but only david zanna liz and tam because thats as far as i got and i dont have my book on me to check the rest of the casting 👍 

okay so first up! ben barnes as david (thankfully not young johnny depp): i see it but i just dont think he really works for david, a little too chiselled imo

i think that they should just time travel and get young chris dlacey to play david honestly 😎 like ben barnes is very davidcoded in these pictures i’ll admit but somethings kinda just off?? anyway he could play david but there could be better actors for him anyway I DIGRESS. ONTO ZANNA!

alright so for zanna he chose either gemma arterton or gemima rooper! and what can i say i disagree. but also agree. like they both have some of the general zanna feel but theyre just kinda off like

sort of like if you put zanna thru a pressure washer?? anyway they both work pretty well ig but honestly its hard to tell without zannas typical style (goth and stuff) to really hammer in the zanna feel so i remain neutral

NEXT UP- emma thompson as liz! honestly a pretty good choice overall but her features feel a little idk. sharper than i see liz with

also i think shes skinnier than liz would be, she’d be chubby at LEAST in my opinion,, i also feel like she would have a lot of freckles but i mean thats flexible

last up for now is a quick review of tams casting! my opinion has changed since when i first did this im now a colin farrell tam truther

so tam was cast as colin farrell, who im guessing his appearance was based off of a lot because,,, same last name and they look very similar. colins a bit more idk square? than i picture tam but honestly he fits quite well i mean look at this 👇 

like he doesnt necessarily look quite how i imagine tam but i think he has enough of the vibes that he could definitely play him and also there are a lot of silly pictures of him that i think its funny to imagine tam in lol

AND THATS ALL because i cant check for the other casting since im in class </3 and also should probably get back to my work fghjgfdghjgfdsfgh

hope you enjoyed my review 😎 please feel free to say your own opinions on the cast >:) (also iirc this casting was from the back of fire world or fire eternal? cant rllly remember tbh)

HELLO! I got stuck in corporate hell for a bit there soz but I made notes and realised I had more opinions about this than I thought lmao

(Disclaimer off the top: I’m quite faceblind so characters are mostly disembodied vibes to me but I Tried to find actors to fit my points)

Ok so:

David – Ben Barnes (I am so glad I was wrong about the Johnny Depp thing you have no idea)

I wrote exactly one thing about this and it is as follows: ‘he looks like he knows too many things’. I’m a Ben Barnes boy at the best of times but fr he looks too put together and like he could name more than five countries. I think I’m a bit too used to him playing badass characters too and sorry but david just isn’t </3

Zanna – Gemma Arterton/Gemima Rooper

Both of these women look like they would host bake off (this does not disqualify someone from playing zanna) It’s so hard to tell when they’re not all gothed up, zanna through a pressure washer fr 😭😭

Gemma Arterton feels closeish for me I think! She needs grunging up though. Zanna is a henry cavil kinda thing where whatever actress plays her needs to get hotter when fucked up (affectionate) yknow? The opposite of ‘she polishes up nice’

In googling her though I did realise why d’lacey thought of her for sure:

Him and his one goth girl reference fr

Liz – Emma Thompson

I think personality-wise she would be soo good as liz but fr there’s probably someone out there who would be a better visual match

Weirdly enough my first proper exposure to Emma Thompson was when she was Mrs Lovett in sweeney todd so initially I was thinking maybe she’s a good Gwillanna?? But now I just think she’d be a funny cameo as like… Agatha Bacon, or Mrs Gee or something?

Tam – Collin Farrell

This is literally hilarious to me. I am losing my mind. Tidy him up a little and whack some glasses on him and I’ll take it.

(I am now legally obligated to draw tam as obscure collin farrell images)