#duke divinity

[ultrajustjo]

Of Loving Grace

Anabaptism, evangelical white women, and Amish novels: how history and fiction affect our neighbors and ourselves

The arts I'm examining this week are film and written fiction, and how they play together to illuminate harm and to reflect changed experiences.

This week, I caught part of a docu-video on Mary Byler, a woman who shares her trauma from living Amish in the United States in the late 20th/early 21st century. You can view it at the link below. I was curious enough about her story to find her public socials. Recently, Ms. Byler hosted several ex-Amish or Amish-related women for a discussion on the harm they say is done by the publishing industry on the psyches of Amish women and how they are perceived in American culture. You probably already have a stereotyped caricature in your mind of an Amish woman right now: demure, happy without electric power or personal agency, part of a loving community. Unless...you live near an Amish community and shop at Walmart with your Amish neighbors. If you've stood in line after work with an Amish neighbor, you might have a different mental image, particularly as there are 50 states with Amish communities and the Amish population is growing, according to both Wikipedia and Lancaster Online. If you hold that caricature in your mind, it's probably time to get rid of it. Byler says it's more than past time because the image is damaging to abused women who seek help outside of the Amish communities but are denied due process because of the perception that the culture-within-a-culture takes care of itself. (Any misunderstandings or misrepresentations of her stance are my own, and I encourage readers to follow the links and determine the stance, themselves.) Unfortunately, court cases like the ones Byler was involved with are proof that there is trouble within a very human community, and, also unfortunately, the ways abuse is dealt with in some Amish communities is to punish the victims.

Anabaptism is on my radar: I'm struggling through taking Church History at Duke Divinity School and reading about Reformation on the European continent. The bloody persecution of Anabaptists is part of that history, and, like their modern-day counterparts, the Amish, there are cultural, economic, and social elements at play along with religious expression. Does the broader American culture that pushes into and drives the economies of many Amish regions remain hands-off on the abuse of women and children with a unique heritage? Is it American patriarchy partnering with Amish patriarchy that leaves women vulnerable to abuse? Probably. In 2024, American women of all cultures and ethnicities face abuse and lack of due process.

Part of the lived cultural experience today, Byler says, is widespread abuse that is obscured by the Amish romance industry's depiction of Amish women. Some novels may describe sacharrin-vanilla characters empty of drive, intelligence, or autonomy. Has a fictionalized depiction of a small demographic caused harm? Byler says it has. Is that depiction limiting the help available to young girls and women living Amish who face abuse on what Byler says is a regular basis? Her panel says it is. You can see both videos below.

and, this one:

https://fb.watch/qkPqCyyRqK/?

Part of my ministerial training

...involves listening. I need to listen to these women speaking their truth now. For my training, I also need to listen to the voices of the past, the probable ancestors of these women (culturally, if not genetically). Anna was drowned and then burned, as were many Anabaptist martyrs. See if your heart doesn't break reading this:

As a Christian scholar and leader, I need to listen to these women of the present and of the past to acknowledge that harm is done and has been done. After acknowledgement, what do we do? Do we act with justice? Do we turn our eyes away? Do we use our voices in print, or carry them forward in song? Do we march? Do we pray in silence? Does our response matter? To Byler and her guests, our response does matter.

The first response from us, after prayers for humanity, is to buy Byler's book. Just buy it. Rush to buy it, then buy it, and then read it. Tell your friends to buy it and ask your libraries to buy it. Byler has a story that is part of humanity's history and it cannot be ignored or erased. Read her story, mindful of triggers. This is your trigger warning, ok? Buy it here:

THEN,

Go to her website and any of the websites for non-profits she is supporting and support them, too. In these ways, we can actively listen and actively respond with care.

Here is where it gets sticky.

Byler's guest panel discussed an author, Beverly Lewis, known for writing in the current fiction genre. They called out evangelical white women as the audience for the industry, and questioned the readers' motives such as imagining a fairy tale of a simple farm life. Their description reminded me of a 2020s version of the 1970s Little House on the Prairie phase, but with Amish religion instead of Methodist. A complaint I thought I heard from Byler and her guests was the theology infused throughout the books -- white-washed Evangelicalism, not Anabaptist American Amish or Mennonite.

Additionally, they complained of being erased in identity when they expressed their lived experiences, because the fiction is affecting the reality. One panelist was told by a male, non-Amish-related professor that he knew more about being Amish than she. Mansplaining at its finest, right? The lude requests they also received as Amish-related women were really over the top, and yet, so very familiar to any woman in nearly every culture. Fetishism is everywhere and in every time. Who is surprised?

I heard their anguish at professional diminishment. I heard their anger at being traumatized and ignored. And I heard their appeal to other women like me, readers of fiction. They asked us to boycott the Amish novels the way we boycott McDonald's for Palestine and Starbucks for unions. I am willing to boycott, but I've been boycotting Gillette for 30 years for vivisection and Dole for 30 years for violence over vegetable fields, and I, as a single individual, am really, really tired. Also, I was really annoyed that I got lumped into a group of people whose motives were speculated on, but isn't that just life? Can I let that minor annoyance go to prevent true harm against a people? Isn't that part of listening and choosing wisely and with care? Sure, yes.

But.

Is the fiction harmful?

This is the "ourselves" part

On the personal history side.

My grandmother loved novels by Grace Livingston Hill.

She had a set just like the ones pictured below. I'll include a link to buy them, too. Enjoy.

Want to read some? Try this auction:

Grace Livingston Hill novels were Christian fictional novels, clean and full of fluff, and Grandma loved them. She was Church of Christ, through and through, and five generations of our family have followed Church of Christ rules: no female teachers; and women cannot read in Church, serve communion, lead a prayer, or make a financial decision for a church. Women are to let their husbands be the head of the house, which means that men make the decisions for both the church and individual households. All Churches of Christ are independent, but my family had the knack of knowing which CoC was a "true" CoC and which wasn't -- some had pianos, and you know that wasn't going to fly! In my mother's era, no one divorced, no one danced, no one smoked, no one drank, and no one cussed -- in public. Countless relatives have their vices, but we all look the other way, or shame them, depending on who they are, how old they are, and what leadership roles they hold. It was an interesting life, full of love and faith, but not quite "right" for me, and sometimes, quite harmful. Abuse was hidden here, too. Whispers stayed in corners. Let's get back to Grandma.

Grandma was a spitfire, but she followed the rules, for the most part. She did divorce her wayward, violent husband and then remarry a gem of a man, and the couple had many early meetings with church heads before it was all through and they were allowed to marry. The Church of Christ, while no longer my cup of tea, is still full of caring people, and they cared for my grandparents for many years.

Grandma lived on an isolated farm as a young bride, and some of her children, including my mother, were born in a log cabin in the Ozarks. They had rusty trucks to take them to town, but on the farm, they used wagons. In the picture below, this couple is supposed to be my young grandparents, the wayward one and the spitfire, riding away on the wagon. They eventually sold the farm and migrated north to do factory work in Michigan, settling in Indiana. The family has been in northern Indiana for 70 years now. We have brunches at the Blue Gate Inn and spend occasional Wednesdays at the auctions. My grandpa, the one below, used to buy random lots from the Shipshewana auction and refurbish and resell them in front of his house in his retirement. This region holds our shared, intergenerational history.

The original of this photo hangs on my living room wall along with three others of people long passed. We don't remember their names but we still know their faces and their lineage. In 50 years, where will my photos be seen? It won't matter to me!

Grandma loved to take her grandkids to Nappanee to see the Amish tourist places. We didn't go because the people were Amish, though. We didn't gawk at them because 1) we were taught early in school about our Amish neighbors, 2) we shared the roads with the Amish, and 3) if someone wasn't Church of Christ, they weren't saved (in Grandma's book), and the Amish seemed to be set in their ways so staring at people without converting them would be rude. Grandma took us to Nappanee to see the tools she used to use on her farm. She showed us the sewing machines, the butter churns, and the wax-dipped candle strings. She would take a turn milking a goat to show us that she still could, and she'd reminisce about her old horses that used to work her father's farm and her own, too. Then she'd thank the young girls working that day and we'd leave.

On the way home, she and grandpa -- the second, not the wayward -- would split a hamburger and fries because "they were old and didn't eat much," and besides that, they could pinch a penny harder than anyone. And when she got home, she'd nap or re-read a Grace Livingston Hill fluff fiction that wasn't her religion but was close enough -- GLH was Presbyterian, but the books were "clean" and happy. I miss my grandma. I've run off on a few tangents already, so let's get back on track.

Was the fiction harmful? Is today's fiction harmful?

Grandma has now passed but she allowed that GLH was not harmful. My aunts and I don't read GLH, but we do read Amish novels -- many are romances, but some are mystery novels, and some feature DOGS. Yes, dogs. Cute little mutts. We read about fictional women taking care of their homes they way we still take care of our homes -- and yes, I live on an old farm. We read about fictional women who butt heads with stubborn men the way we do sometimes with our husbands. We read about fictional women who have limitations imposed on them by religion, or about fictional women who willingly participate in religious limitations. Members of my family fracture off into groups and leave one church community for another over disagreements, and when we come together at funerals we acknowledge the loss and then go our own ways. Religion both binds us together and rends us apart, and we identify with the situations in these silly, fictional books that let us read about the happy endings we wish we had.

Does anyone really have happy endings? Or do we gratefully acquire, or create, happy moments? Is a choice of fiction going to give a happy ending, or a happy moment? Will that choice cause a bad ending for women?

I want to be a listener, but I also want to be a discerner.

I don't want to consume graphic, dark novels. I don't want to buy or read porn. I don't want to read or watch anything that is going to have a trigger warning. These materials are harmful to me and to my psyche, but I am not going to call for their censorship for two reasons: 1. Censorship has dire consequences, and 2. Other morally decent and intelligent people do want to consume those materials. I have discerned that I feel better without associating with them. I argue that they can reflect violence in our society, but I also argue that they do not cause violence. Humanity is capable of violence on its own.

I don't know if I'll read any more Amish novels, but I may -- there are very good authors out there trying to make a living. I want to say that the novels are the modern day equivalent to GLH books -- harmless, fictional, and a trend that will wane. I'm not sure I can say that, so I ask more questions. What is the intentionality of the authors writing about Amish romances? Is it to harm a group? If the group says they are harmed by a false image, does a positive intent matter? Are the Amish depicted in books similar to the blonde in blonde jokes -- an annoying part of pop culture that is unfortunate for how actual blondes are perceived? Or, are they a misused cultural appropriation like Native American sports team mascots?

What will you do?

I'm going to finish Church History, then spend a month baking Grandma's bread recipe every week and crocheting a new sweater, or maybe a cross doily.

You should go buy Byler's book.

[andrastie]

So I'm about halfway (maybe a bit less) through Veilguard and am loving the game!

My biggest issue, however, is the lack of choices that carried through from Inquisition and the previous two game. I feel like Dragon Age Keep made the games more personalized based on the choices you made in the previous games.

For example, I was screaming when we got the little cameo of King Alistair in Inquisiton and the mention of my Coulsand Warden as the Queen of Fereldan.

Here are some things I wish had been included in the new game based on decisions made in my canon Inquisiton run (very very mild spoilers):

Divine Victoria mention - based on who we supported to be the new Divine in Inquisiton. I supported Leliana. When Harding is talking about the Inquisiton advisors and Leliana comes up, I would have loved a line about how she's settled in to her new position as Divine Victoria.

Codex entry about the Orlesian civil war - I read a codex entry in Veilguard about Empress Celene and I'm pretty sure one of the companions mentions her (I can't think of who). I chose to sacrifice Celene and put Gaspard on the throne with Briala pulling his strings. Maybe the codex could mention her assassination or another could talk about whether or not Briala still holds the power behind the Orlaisian throne.

Stroud - where the fuck is Stroud?? I sacrificed Hawke so that the Grey Wardens had a senior Warden with a brain that could step up and lead them. Yet their new Warden Commander still has no brain. Where is Stroud???

Hawke mention - an acknowledgement of whether or not we left Hawke in the Fade (I did). Maybe a comment or codex entry from Varric wondering if Hawke is still somewhere in the Fade, like he is now. We don't have to see Hawke, just a comment or codex would do.

Inquisiton companion updates from Harding - kind of like how in Inquisiton you could ask Varric or Hawke about the DA2 companions and they'd give you little updates. For example, "Cassandra rebuilt the Seekers," or "The Iron Bull and his chargers still take jobs across Thedas, more recently against the Antaam. That's gotta be awkward," or things like that, referencing what trajectory we set the companions on (Cassandra pro seeker-rebuild or Iron Bull Tal-Vashoth).

Grey Warden decision fall out - one of the big choices in Dragon Age: Inquisiton was choosing to banish the Grey Wardens or absorb them into the Inquisiton. I chose the later, knowing we'd probably need them in the new game. Maybe a comment from Davrin about how when he first joined the Wardens, he briefly served the Inquisiton, or one from Dorian when he confronts the Warden Commander, saying something like "My friend's mercy is the only reason you still stand to fight the blight".

Idk, I'd love to see people's own ideas and headcanons regarding their past choices so please let me know what you think they should have added based on previous game decisions!

I understand them wanting this to feel like a new game, not bogged down by the last games, but the suggestions I made were mostly one-off comments or codex entries that don't require voice recordings. Having three codex entries for the three Divine candidates and then just rotating them depending on the player choice wouldn't have been that hard... I don't think?

[contemptism]

　　 𓏶། ྀིྀ⠀⠀　　Cale Henituse Graphic.

　　　　　Self Indulgent 。F2u w/credit.⠀⠀ ུ ༙

　　　mod's note 。: the fox felt like posting something instead of answering letters。( _ 、_)

[wellthebardsdead]

Karlach: I have to say the feathers go nicely with the velvet membrane of your wings.

Lucy: yeah- when Lathander suddenly threw them at me I was expecting them to replace my devil wings entirely but it’s a nice combination.

Karlach: I wonder what lathander even wants with you?

Lucy: no clue to be honest.

*Meanwhile between heaven and hell*

Asmodeus: *choking and clawing at Lathanders arm* LET GO!

Lathander: you already stole one daughter from me you’re not taking this one.

Asmodeus: FUCK YOU I SAW HER FIRST!

[forcedhesitation]

that one bozo who made the gender swapped dame aylin mod: it's unrealistic for minorities to exist in this game because it's supposed to take place in medieval europe!!!!

aasimar, vampires, devils, and dragons aside....

bg3:

[wierdfanficwriter]

Okay, so i started reading Nevermore and my first impression of Will and Montressor’s relationship is “oh cool, their friends” AND THEN THE MANSION THING HAPPENED and now im like “oh god, Will is so gay for Montressor” AND THEN THE MANSION CHAPTERS CONTINUED AND HE GOT FUCKING LEFT BEHIND WITH MONTRESSOR SHOWING NO REMORSE AND I WAs like “Will, Will Will, baby, we need to have a talk about your.. type in men. This— *gestures to montressor* is highly toxic. Come, come to my hut, i will serve you the best comfort foods and we can talk about.. *gestures to Montressor again* ..all that”

So, my blorbo is Pluto and i will protect Will from all— *gestures to Montressor* —that. And i do hope we find Duke soon

[yannysif]

Boy summons meets cute

Sorry only had the energy for a rough sketch today, it's been a hard week 😭I'll redo this properly later

In the meantime, I've been typing out the "meat" of the prologue script last two days, for some reason the words aren't flowing easily atm so I've just been setting up the scenes first so I can edit the phrasing afterwards to make it all sound better.

[divinityunleashed]

Here King, you dropped theses: 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑

But I think you're doing an amazing job. Not sure if we interacted or if I owe something, if not. I'd love to write with you sometime.

Send 👑 if you like my writing! Bonus points if you tell me why!

[daimonpriestess]

My Birthday was today and I spent it buying things for my altars! 😊

I bought a wolf statue to represent Lucifer and I, a galaxy obsidian for Focalor (he asked for a stone that looked like the night sky and I thought this was perfect) as well as adding Marquis Andras to my guardian demons altar, I got him a fluorite heart, an owl figurine and a lovers candle that smells like blood orange & embers. I plan on getting him more things soon!

I also bought Asmodeus's coin and a charm bracelet (not pictured)

[cinderschild]

@tidesfate liked this post for a small starter.

The gilded dragon exhaled a puff of smoke from their nostrils as a sickly green light breached their lair. The smell of salt, old books, and something akin to oil filled their sensitive olfactory. ❝ Greetings, Hermaeus Mora, ❞ Helia rumbled. Great scales and sinews stretched as the beast rose to sit in a more respectful position. ❝ Have you and yours been well since last we met? ❞

[ultrajustjo]

Sitting on the wall, basking in the sun

resting from basking in the Son

pausing my bath in the Word

I choose the wall attached to concrete, not the wall with grass or lily borders that teem with ants and mites,

the messy necessities

of Creation's life cycles - necessities that I recognize 

and that recognize me

I see Abigail, a fresh breath who blows toward me and shines like the sun - an unexpected gift. My soul walks then climbs, escaping its shadows

The sun burns my shrouded back, reminding me that I must return to Shadow, though I want to stay

Sitting.

[defensivelee]

quiet night in for an au of your choosing? :)

-🪷

Of course !! Here is the full card if anyone wants to request something else!

This is for Your Tears Divine, featuring Marly and James :] little story under the cut, slightly suggestive material at the end!

Churchill thought there were many things absurd about these murderous robots, but maybe what was the worst was the fact that the planet they had chosen to live on had the ability to rain. Wasn't that sort of a tiny death sentence every time?

He heard the king speaking with his ever-booming voice, and who knew how far he was, but Churchill could hear the words loud and clear.

"Caution: rainfall. Stay inside. Caution: rainfall. Stay inside."

And he supposed that it was a very nice thing, but the kind yet authoritative voice made his skin crawl, and the repetition almost made him sleepy, as he stared outside at the constant, gentle rainfall from the night sky.

"D-Do you like my brother's v-voice, Churchill?"

Churchill blinked and lifted his head. He hadn't realized he was leaning it on the window.

"I used to l-love it too," the Duke of York said. In the darkness, his blue eyes were what illuminated his metal body, and it almost hurt to see. "But then you realize it wants to s-sing to you. That is dangerous."

"Dangerous, Your Highness?" Churchill looked up at the android as he stopped beside him.

"Any king must b-be," James said softly. He lifted a hand, a hand rusted around the fingers especially, and began to run those very fingers through Churchill's hair. Occasionally they would pause and tug at it, maybe on purpose or maybe by accident. But Churchill liked it anyway and lifted his head into the touch.

"You w-waited for me here all d-day?" James asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," Churchill said. "Just as you ordered."

"What a good boy," James purred, the fans in his head whirring briefly. "And there is nothing else you wanted to d-do today? You just waited for me here like a d-darling little pet?"

I....I- maybe? Churchill hesitated. In the morning, there was something he'd been thinking to himself-

"Churchill..." There was a warning in the Duke's voice, and Churchill looked up into his suddenly much brighter eyes, hearing a faint ring echoing in the air. It reached into his head and whispered dizziness, and Churchill winced, shutting his eyes.

...No. Nothing else. This is what I want, I want to serve you, let me be the only human that serves you. He didn't know who was saying that, if it was him in his own mind or something else trapped there. Either way, it felt good to obey, to listen and to know that.

"Of course not, Your Highness," Churchill said, opening his eyes. "Why would I want anything else in the world when I already have the greatest gift of serving and obeying you?"

"Ah." James tilted his head to the side, and the ringing seemed to fade back. "As all androids have th-their purpose coded into them at birth, so do you have a purpose that I have d-decided for you. And you follow it well, boy, better than most r-robots."

Churchill felt his face warm up at the praise. "Thank you, Your Highness." This was the right thing to want, the right android to obey, was it not? It just made him feel so good, the Duke made him feel so good...

"You have no idea how stupid you l-look right now," James laughed, digging his fingers into Churchill's hair and pulling his head up sharply. Churchill gasped slightly, and James laughed again.

"See, I do love that about y-you," James said. "There's this dim look in your eyes I adore. A pretty thing like y-you doesn't think of much anyway, does it?"

"No, Your Highness." Churchill winced as James pulled him forward, his grip on Churchill's hair tightening. "I only think about you."

"All about me, hm?" James used his other hand to stroke Churchill's cheek. "You cannot think that I actually b-believe that."

"It's the truth-"

"The truth?" James snarled suddenly, leaning in so that Churchill could see all the way into his mouth and down his throat. "Humans were n-never this easy to train."

"I am, Your Highness," Churchill whispered. "Believe me." There was something in his mind that wanted to shy away from that reality, but how could he, as he stared right into James' eyes?

"And is that something you take pride in? That you roll over on your back like Charles' dogs whenever I praise you?"

"Yes, always, Your Highness."

"Whenever I t-touch you? Is that what you like?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

James paused, now running his hand under Churchill's chin. "Too easy." He bowed slightly, placing his metal lips onto those of the human, and Churchill shut his eyes to meet the kiss gratefully. There was nothing soft about the Duke's lips, so that it was almost painful to have the long tongue jerk around in his mouth like a live fish. Even more so when that tongue shoved itself down his throat, and Churchill jolted, trying not to choke on the cold metal.

"Open your eyes, look at m-me," James said, the voice now coming from the speakers on his chest and not his mouth. Churchill obeyed, his eyelids fluttering as the tongue shoved itself deeper.

"Ah, there it is," James said. "Tears in y-your eyes. It's a lot, isn't it?"

Churchill nodded. It was the most unnatural thing he'd ever seen, to have someone kiss him and speak to him at the same time, and the realization made him shudder.

"Your throat is s-so warm," James said. "One of my favorite things about you h-humans."

Churchill shut his eyes, instinctively trying to pull away as he gagged on the tongue. But James held him there by his hair, and Churchill groaned involuntarily. There were tears in his eyes, he realized, tears that told him he had to try to breathe now.

Your Highness-

"There we go," James said, at last pulling his lips and tongue away. Churchill gasped shakily, trying to catch his breath, and James stared at him.

"That panting like a dog," he said. "I should have known. Y-You really are n-no better."

Churchill looked up to say something, but James waved a hand in the air. "Shh, no, no, no," he said. "Quiet, now. F-Focus on your breath."

Churchill nodded, bowing his head gratefully.

"Your lovely breath that you must s-save for later," James continued. "Save for me."

Churchill nodded again. He tried to muffle his heavy breaths, but when he looked up and saw James' face, he thought that maybe this android liked to hear them, just as he loved to see him cry.

And this is what I want?

Yes-- this is who you w-want.

[beastsovrevelation]

You know how sometimes, you decide one thing, only for the characters to show you the middle finger, and do whatever they want?..

Happened to me. Again. Max (my Antichrist OC) and Crowley decided they want a story where they're together. Which is fine, I actually like the pairing. It seemed strange at first, since in most of my ideas, Crowley's Max's mother, stepmother or uncle, then I realized it's a stupid thing to let stop me, I mean... Max's mother in this would be Michael. Enough said.

Speaking of Ms. Sword of God, she's not happy. Not because Crowley's a demon, she's married to Satan himself (her own twin brother), she doesn't like that Crowley's a "traitor", and has no rank. Luckily, Max puts momma in her place, and Lucifer is supportive of the relationship. Michael will relent eventually, too.

All in all, I guess I'm adding another WIP to my ever-growing hoard. Though, for now, a coherent plot is yet to dawn on me. I mostly imagine random scenes. Some of them are rather funny, like when Nina tells Crowley that yes, his relationship with the woman he loves might indeed be decided by the impression he makes on a bird. Since, Max has a hunting falcon, and Crowley, being a snake, does not feel easy around raptors.

[limelocked]

Things I’m currently working on against my better judgement

- dcxdp fanfic where I don’t know any of the components only the crossover fandom

- isekai erased now in round 5 of revisions to the structure/planning that’s gotten to the point that I’ve forsaken the spreadsheet I’ve been working in and am writing in a zine-like booklet instead

- volleyvolleyball, don’t worry about it

- straight up legitimately new norse myths

Backburner;

- like 4 different gay isekai stories in the same universe (solen and his duke, accidentally married the archduke and duchess, I was reincarnated into another world as the northern duke in an adoption story, and a 4th one that’s just kinda brewing)

[committingtothetbr]

The List.

Hi Everyone! After some demand, people would like to see the current TBR that I have in place for myself! For all the 63 books, we have a lot of different options. I kinda read everything haha (Please note that if I have the same series, I plan to read the series at least for the first book. If I like it, I will continue on.)

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Too Hot to Handle by Tessa Bailey

The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Lightlark by Alex Aster

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

That Dark Infinity by Kate Pentecost

Book of Night by Holly Black

Sinner by Sierra Simone

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Bite of Loyalty by R.L. Caulder

The City of Brass by S.A. Charkraborty

Furyborn by Claire Legrand

For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

The Shadow Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

The Secret Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

Namesake by Adrienne Young

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Think Again by Adam Grant

These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan

Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Beach Read by Emily Henry

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

King of Battle & Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

Yinka, Where is your Husband? by Lizzie Damilolam Blackburn

The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Darker Shade of Magiv by V.E. Schwab

The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis

A Soul of Ash & Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

The Awakening by Nora Roberts

The Girl Who Could Move Shit With Her Mind by Jackson Ford

Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

Once More Upon a Time by Roshani Chokshi

The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Any recommendations on where to begin? I could use help!

[deer-with-a-stick]

on one hand, if larian gave us raw rules for revivify/raise dead, you could do things like save Duke Ravengard without Mizora (ignore her, go to Iron Throne where he's going to be dead for some stupid reason, cast Raise Dead with a diamonds and boom. you can't tell me that he's been dead for more than 10 days when you find him) or just revive random NPCs for fun but on the other hand dear god the chaos