#ember quartet

[princessyuwa]

Laia × Elias Civilian Life

[mercerislandbooks]

Book Notes: Heir

I read Sabaa Tahir’s Ember Quartet long enough ago that only the first one, An Ember in the Ashes, was out — and then had to wait, not so patiently, for each subsequent installment. With nods to the days of the Roman Empire, An Ember in the Ashes features a brutal military school (sans dragons) that might feel familiar for Fourth Wing fans and is loaded with subterfuge, betrayal, and romantic tension. As the series spun on, I was impressed with way Sabaa Tahir expanded her reach and wove together all her characters. She continually deepened their motivations and surprised me with twist after turn. The final book culminated with an epic battle and a bittersweet yet satisfying ending.

When I heard that Sabaa Tahir had a new book on the horizon, I didn't know it would be returning to the world of the Ember Quartet. Heir opens in an entirely different location, the isolated and impoverished country of Kegar, and is action-packed from the start. I finished the first chapter and reluctantly turned to the next (since she left her first character, Aiz, in quite the tight spot), encountering a new POV. As soon as I saw his name — Zacharias Marcus Livius Aquillus Farrar, Quil for short — I knew I was back in the Martial Empire.

Heir is told from three POV’s. Aiz, an orphan from the lowest rung of Kegar society, with nothing to lose. Quil, the reluctant and ambivalent heir to the Martial throne. And Sirsha, an exile from her native country, a tracker for hire that just wants to make enough money to leave her nomadic existence behind and settle somewhere warm. Sirsha’s hunt for a killer puts her on a collision course with Quil, who is searching for answers after the Kegar launch a surprise attack on the Martial Empire, with more devastating effect than anyone thought was possible. And Aiz — well, I’ll let the reader discover her story for themselves.

Beyond the high-stakes action and potentially world-ending ramifications, Sabaa Tahir’s books are just FUN to read. Her characters share great banter in the midst of running for their lives and trying to find a heart-destroying demon. She employs some tropes that I recognized from my romance reading that made me grin when she walked characters right into them. And her plot twists are wonderfully and surprisingly complicated. As I noted in my reading journal after finishing Heir, she leaves her characters in quite a pickle. I’m so curious to find out what she has planned for them in the second book of this duology.

We still have signed copies available, so stop by and pick up your copy today!

— Lori

[fantasticalmysteryacademia]

I have this urge to start a lengthy fantasy series and i absolutely abhor the reality that i can't afford that sort of distraction and escapism right now as I have to appear for several determinant examinations in the next three to four months 😫

[harmonicaorange]

the ember quartet is now one of my favourite series of all time i’ve probably cried 3 times reading the final book and i cried twice in the third book. i haven’t done this in so long 😭 it’s books like this that remind me why i love reading

[ghostbsuter]

It's not that Danny didn't try to stop them.

It's more like they really don't want to leave him alone.

Clingy they are.

It's been a day since he's been adopted by the famous Brucie Wayne. He'd tried everything to creep the man out, but?? Who knew that those aspects would make him try to speed up the process?

It's only a day, and Ember already urges him to follow Shadow, who's been leading him on a wild goose chase around the Manor.

He can hear the barely there snicker from Johnny, Kitty's muffled giggle and Embers persisting tugs.

Danny curses once he's sure the butler wouldn't hear him, giving up and following the cat.

It leads him to an office room? Shadow disappears behind the bookshelf and Danny follows behind.

He did not expect an elevator, nor how far down it goes.

Nor the giant BATCAVE UNDERNEATH WAYNE MANOR.

"That's makes explaining so much easier now."

This also explains the eerily quiet during nighttime, so he takes the chair in front of the batcomputer and sits.

Laughing when johnny falls from the T-Rex statue, overall having a good time with the trio. Hell, he nearly missed the family coming back from how hard he's laughing.

When Batman's looming form overshadows any view on his friends, Danny sobers up quickly, giving a nervous smile.

"Heyyyy, so what if i kinda found this super sketchy place, hypothetical."

"Then, hypothetically of course, you would be given an explanation and choice." Batman's stoic stance and firm voice change, from sagged shoulders and tired sigh.

Hey, that's definitely a step up from vlad.

Ember is wiggling her two fingers behind Batman's head, he stifles his giggles and nearly topples over at Kitty making swooning noises at Barbara Gordon, who is watching from the screen.

He's so screwed.

[mariamboogy]

I just finished the last book and I can vent about this for hours if only I have the platform.

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AEITA Characters: Twitter Memes

[madlovenovelist]

#bookporn #coverlove

Another series I’ve been sleeping on. I know there’s another two books to complete the quartet, so I’ve got this moved to the top of the reading pile because my best friend keeps hounding me to read it. What’s the one series your friends are always hounding you to read?

[jessread-s]

What's your favorite book you've read so far?

Thank you so much for your ask! 🫶📖✨ Picking just one is impossible, so here are some of my favorites of all time (in no particular order - with my reviews linked):

Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

The Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

The Selection series by Kiera Cass

The Legendborn Cycle quartet by Tracy Deonn

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy by Stephanie Garber

The Secret Shanghai series by Chloe Gong

Daydream by Hannah Grace

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

The Legend quartet by Marie Lu

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

The Assistant to the Villain series by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

The Dance of Thieves duology by Mary E. Pearson

The Letters of Enchantment duology by Rebecca Ross

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

The An Ember in the Ashes quartet by Sabaa Tahir

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

You can find my complete list of favorites here.

[melancholicmarionette]

[Oh shit I did something. I wrote Val and Sam as podcasters. Warning: this is fucking stupid. I literally had to just stop writing bc it made less and less sense as I went on. But I love writing dialogue and it’s silly and this is tumblr. here have a little snack my dudes]

Graveyard Girls Episode 12: Roasting Ember’s Beauty Guru Era at 1 AM

“Hello and welcome to Local Ghost Smash or Pass—”

“I will fucking kill you.”

Valerie had to admit that Sam Manson’s ability to keep a completely straight face while saying the most unhinged nonsense was probably one of the reasons their video podcast was so popular. Her own ability to refrain from actually killing her was the reason it still existed at all. How they’d made it to episode twelve, however, still remained at least partially an enigma.

Though it was overall Danny’s kindness that slowly made his trio of friends into a tenuous quartet, Valerie had slowly become accepted by all of them, once she finally came to terms with Danny’s secret. Sam was the last to come around, though by the time they were both seventeen their tension was less due to fighting over a boy and more due to the fact that they could agree on almost nothing.

Most of Graveyard Girls was the two girls arguing, originally spawned by a viral TikTok Tucker posted, in which Valerie—at Danny’s bizarre request—tried to explain The Bachelor franchise to them and Sam being convinced she was making some of it up. People had been interested, and with Amity Park being a niche-but-also-hot topic, a weekly podcast was born.

“Okay but,” Sam leaned back in a vintage-looking office chair, “if I returned as a ghost, would you sma—” Sam cut herself off with a grunt as she dodged a throw pillow.

The show was mostly the two competing to see who could get the other to essentially rage quit, and while Sam’s personality was surprisingly just as strange as those of her best friends, Valerie was competitive enough to be a worthy opponent.

“You might just be, like, the worst person,” Valerie said, expertly catching the throw pillow as it was hurled back at her. “We’re not even three minutes in and I’m so uncomfortable with the energy you’ve created.”

“So our very last episode is three minutes long and titled Valerie Quits, then?”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you Manson?” For a tense moment they stared each other down. “Say it one more time, see what happens.”

“So what is today’s topic, then?”

It was a challenge, to see if Valerie had forgotten it was her turn to start. She had.

They had the Box Ghost to thank for it, too.

“Okay, so—full disclosure,” she began, and she looked at her phone, “it is…1:16 in the morning. And both of us have been awake for like…”

“More hours than usually recommended,” Sam continued, “for reasons. We wanted to get this episode out on time so we are crunching.”

“And suffering.”

“And suffering quite a bit,” Sam concluded, nodding. “So my topic is that Ember McClain is trying to release eyeshadow palettes.”

“You cannot just drop that on me.”

“It was dropped on me,” Sam told her, “I’ve had to live with this. You don’t read the DMs for our official account so you didn’t see it and this poor lady, she has this indie cosmetics company and she slides into our DMs asking ‘is this person for real? I think she’s a ghost? She wants to collab.’”

“Collab…”

“And she sent me like…a mock up. I’m putting it in the google drive so get ready.”

Valerie picked her phone, opening their shared drive and—sure enough—seeing a digital version of a very Ember-esque palette, showcasing both dark and neon shades.

“She’s unhinged. But like…some of the shimmers on here aren’t terrible.”

“That’s the thing—I don’t like the bright blues and greens but there’s potential here. I could make a look out of it.”

“I’ve got conditions—if she wants to start the beauty guru era of her ‘career’ I need a full press release saying it’s not a complex murder plot,” Valerie said.

“I swear under penalty of perjury that I’m not imprisoning your parents in hamster wheels to power my sound system,” Sam affected an impression that would positively enrage the ghostly pop star as she spun around in her chair.

“My mad power-grab via subliminal mind control is so over, okay? That was the old me. Get to fucking swatching.” Valerie continued, snickering. “We kid, but this is actually peak influencer already.”

“We’re writing her YouTube apology for her,” Sam said, and she trained her eyes on the camera before continuing, “you cannot use this. I know you’re watching, I said your name once, and your Obsession is name-searching the universe. You have to do your own YouTube apology.”

“We should edit her name out before we upload.”

“We should.”

“…We’re not going to.”

“No, and a certain somebody’s gonna be on my ass about it. We should perhaps move on…”

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

[ x ]

🦇 Heir Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite fantasy book?❓ 🦇 An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees. An old tragedy fuels Aiz's need for vengeance, while love of her people that propels her. Sirsha agrees to use her magic to hunt a killer who is murdering children across the Martial Empire. And Quil is the Empire's crown prince, though he's loath to take the throne. Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of these three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives—and their hearts. Literally.

💜 *Insert a plethora of creative curses here* For fig's sake. I can't even begin to describe the pure AWE I have, not only for this story, but for Sabaa Tahir, fantasy and Muslim-American literary goddess, in general. I honestly can't think of a story I've read that was so well intertwined, so fully conceptualized, while respecting roots of the series that came before it. Earlier this year, I had the fortune to read The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab, which continued her Shades of Magic series. Reading Heir sparked that same feeling; the sensation of returning home after a long journey through other vast worlds. I'm grateful that Penguin Teen hosted the Ember in the Ashes read-along this summer. While Heir introduces us to new characters, 20 years after the Ember in the Ashes series ends, each mention and emergence of a familiar character provided a sweet taste of nostalgia I didn't know I needed. These books have seeped themselves deep within my marrow since 2015, and Sabaa Tahir has been on my favorite/auto-buy author for just as long. She's the first Muslim-American to win the National Book Award for Young People's Literature; a feat that gives me hope and inspiration as a Muslim-American writer.

💜 Reading Heir, you can see how much Tahir's prose has flourished over the past decade. Despite stepping back into this familiar world, it's richer, more vivid. The action is just as intense and ruthless, the characters undeniably unique. The underlying themes resonate deeply. I loved every nod to South Asian, Pakistani, and Islamic culture. It's always the five-star book reviews I struggle with the most. I could talk about this story for hours, but I'd spoil so much that I want you to experience for yourself.

💙 Don't worry: if you haven't read the An Ember in the Ashes quartet, you can still enjoy Heir. The three main characters have their own vivid story to tell, and while there are mentions of many beloved characters from the original series, they're supporting cast to Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. I will say that the first part of the story took a moment to adjust to, and there's the lingering question of HOW these characters are connected, but once you realize how the breadcrumbs were laid out for you, you'll realize the execution is FLAWLESS. The fast pace keeps you on your toes, the ever-growing tension driving you to the last page. As for the underlying romantic story, AH! It was perfectly built, the sass and chemistry playful without stealing from the main plot, yet heart-wrenching; that kind of painful that keeps you invested long-term. OH! And can we talk about our villain? That BUILD?! I love a villain with reason--a character who doesn't realize they're the villain at all, someone with a mission that goes about it in all the wrong ways. This story had EVERYTHING and then some. I'll be recommending it for the next 20 years.

🦇 Recommended for fans of The Red Queen series, The Lunar Chronicle series, and The Throne of Glass series.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🫀First in a Duology ✨ Young Adult High Fantasy/Romantasy 👑 Political Intrigue ⛏ Enemies to Lovers 💓 Found Family 👁 Multi POV

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #Heir

💬 Quotes ❝ Get what you need. Forget the rest. ❞ ❝ "You are a daughter of the evening star. You are not meant to be caged." ❞ ❝ “I give my heart unto her keeping, a gift with no compare.” ❞ ❝ "The past will distract you from the now. And it’s the now that matters.” ❞ ❝ “You seek to understand the fibers that make the world,” Loli Temba said, “but not your own pain, nor that of others. You’d be better served understanding the latter.” ❞ ❝ He looked at her like her secrets were the sea, and he was at home in dark water. ❞ ❝ “Quil—” His name rolled off her tongue, a prayer. “Please—” “Mmm,” he said. “You should say that more, Sirsha. I’d give you whatever you wanted.” ❞ ❝ “Care about yourself as much as you care about those you love. As much as— as we care about you.” ❞ ❝ Sirsha grabbed his hand, wishing she could articulate the desire suffusing her, something more than I need you and I wish I didn’t. ❞

[rwac96]

RWBY vs ....? (Crossover Shitpost)

Yang Xiao Long let out a heavy exhale, as she leaned against the railing of the SDC Ship, the Artic Naught, which drifted into the seas where there were reports of a 'Sea Monster'. Usually, it would be chalked up to the Grimm causing havoc, such as the infamous Leviathan and Sea Feilong. But, according to Jaune Arc and Nora Valkyrie, who ran awry of a beast that wasn't one of the Creatures of Grimm. The Blonde Brawler exhaled, as she turned around, leaning her back against the railing. Her lilac irises focused on the rest of her team, who were preoccupied with other tasks.

"I'm still thinkin' we're being punked," Yang said with a bored tone, furrowing her brows in annoyance. "well, mostly by Nora. VB probably saw a shark and freaked."

"I don't know, sis," Ruby Rose shook her head, "Jaune sounded pretty freaked out when he and Nora got back to port."

"And Nora looked ready to bust some knees," Blake Belladonna added, "more than usual."

"Even if it came from Arc and Nora," Weiss exhaled, "the reports of missing ships can't be ignored."

"Plus, no Grimm," the silver-eyed leader points out, as she rests a hand upon Crescent Rose, the weapon currently in 'Sheathed Mode'. "Something...weirder is happening."

"Alright, alright," the powerhouse of Team RWBY groaned, "fine. Still, a 'fire-breathing monster', definitely sounds like Grimm."

"Still," the silver-haired fencer, rubs her temples, "whatever this is, it's a threat to the town and trade."

"Well, duh," Yang ceased leaning against the railing, beginning to approach her teammate. "But, ya heard what Nora described the thing: 'a giant, spiked, lizard-cat monster'? That is really out there, even for her."

"Aye," spoke a voice, a middle-aged man in Atlesian Uniform, who was behind the wheel. "But, when you've been out in the seas and encountered many Grimm, ya can't rule anything out, lass."

"But our friends said it wasn't a Grimm," Blake corrected the captain, who had a grey & cyan cybernetic eye, where his right one used to be. "Captain Aso, I know this sounds like a usual Grimm attack, but from what they said--."

"Oy, Faunus!" Aso, who gave the Stealthy of Team RWBY an unamused scowl, "I've been takin' on the bastards long before ya were even spurted into ya whore mama's muff!"

Blake scowled but was held back by her blonde partner, giving her an 'It's not worth it' glance. It would've been easier for the quartet to take the pair with them, but Nora's temper had made her a liability...and Jaune gets seasick, similar to the air sickness on their first day at Beacon. Thankfully, after calming down, the aspiring swordsman gave them the coordinates where they last saw the beast. But, they'd been searching for this sea monster on the Artic Dreadnaught for hours, and it was eerily quiet, aside from the sounds of the sea.

Then, Ruby's silver eyes noticed something, rather grotesque. She looked at the edge of the ship, seeing what appeared to be a school of fish...which were horrifically mutilated. Varying from half-eaten to being turned inside-out. This grisly display made her grimace, turning to her team and the Atlas Captain.

"Guys!!" She shrieked, "There's a bunch of dead fish floating close to us!" She points to the slaughtered school, "There's something close by!" Ruby warned, clicking a button on her weapon, pulling it out, and shifting it into rifle mode.

"Bloody hell!" The captain exclaimed, while the rest of the Team pulled out/activated their perspective weapons. "I've never seen no Grimm do this!"

"It's not a Grimm!" Blake shouts, pointing Gambol Shroud at what appears to be leaf-life dorsal fins poking through the waves.

"Those fins look like what Jaune described," Weiss notes, as she readies Myternaster for combat.

"Alright," Yang exhaled, cocking Ember Celica. "so Jauney wasn't losing it."

"Get ready!" Ruby ordered as the mysterious being began to surface a few feet from the Dreadnaught.

Emerging from the sea was what appeared to be, a giant woman. Though she wasn't the monster their friends warned, she sported the dorsal fins that the beast they reported about. What Team RWBY could see was that she had long, ebony hair that reached past her shoulders. She wore what appeared to be a black leotard, black arm bands, and sporting a long, whip-like tail. Crimson eyes glance down at the humans who stare in awe, confusion, and bewilderment. The large, seemingly mutated woman sports a glare at the intruders. Some would mistake her for some Faunus gone wrong, but it was clear: She wasn't a part of this world. An ominous, deep, and terrible roar erupts from her lips.

"SKREEEEOONGK!!!"

"What the fuck?!" Yang raised her eyebrows in alarm, as the large...Monster Girl stared them down. "What the fuck?!"

"Okay," Weiss gulped, sweat rolling down her forehead. "they didn't say the beast was a--."

"M-Monster Musume," Blake answered with an evident stutter, her hold on Gambol Shroud becoming shaky. "Monster Musume!!"

"Oookaaay," Ruby said with a long exhale, lowering Crescent Rose as the otherworldly giant growled. "We need to come up with a careful, coordinated plan."

"FIRE!!" Aso screamed at the top of his lungs, slamming his right fist onto a blue button. "SHOOT THE BITCH!"

Suddenly, the nose of the ship opened a hatch, revealing a dark grey cannon, aiming at the beast woman. A green orb glows, then erupts in a wave of energy hitting the newcomer dead on. It caused an explosion on impact, causing the waves to rock the ship back. It nearly knocked all five passengers on board, but thankfully, no one went overboard. But, as the smoke clears, the giant woman looks unphased, but her irritated scowl turns into a death glare.

"Great," Yang turned her glare to the captain, who was regretting that impulsive decision. "it looks like ya pissed her off!"

[meltedbluecaterpillar]

Olfactophilia

QUARTET NIGHT - HE★VENS

TW FOR SEMI SUGGESTIVE CONTENT! These are my personal headcanons on what I think the idols would wear. You do not have to agree with me. I just dislike how Broccoli always gives their character merch scents like; apple or lavender. They are adult men in an entertainment industry. They usually get promotional items so I think that they have preferences... But I also have a thing for exploring the world around me with my nose first. I hope you enjoy.

Quick explanation; top notes, middle notes, and base notes are the length of how long the scent will last when applied. Top notes; 5 - 15 minutes / Middle notes; 1 hour / Base notes; Max of 6 hours

Otoya Ittoki

God of Fire by Stéphane Humbert Lucas Unisex Cologne Around 200 USD // 29,896 Yen

I chose this particular cologne based on my personal views and how I see Otoya Ittoki. Usually for character merch he has a very delicate and gentle smelling item (lavender usually) but I personally do not think it fits him. Especially now that he is a fiery adult! Do I think he would actually spend that much on cologne? Once... If he is planning to go on a special date or he has to go to a big fancy event he will have this prepared. God of Fire has the scent of smoke and embers. Imagine a wildfire that has reduced it's surroundings to ash. Otoya is a very free spirit and he is full of energy like a burning flame. He and I also share a star sign, so I know my Aries men the best. The top notes are mango, ginger, lemon and red berries (usually this is raspberries) which gives it an upper tropical and fruity smell. Middle notes; Coumarin (a grassy smell mixed with vanilla), jasmine and cedar. Making it very woodsy! And base notes have musk (this usually means fabric, soft and clean), amber, agarwood. The base notes are the raging, smoky flames that will reduce everything above to ash.

You won't be burned by Otoya, although he is much hotter than any sun...

Ren Jinguji

Triumph of Bacchus by Argos Masculine/Unisex Cologne Around 250 USD // 37,370 Yen

Ren usually will have citrus as his scent. Oranges... But I think that is overplayed. Allow me to entice you my little lost lambs!~! This cologne is designed to seduce. And Ren is also a nepobaby so I don't think he looks at prices very much? As long as it is something he truly wants. And what he wants is to charm you out of your clo- I mean... Take you on a date... And fun fact, Bacchus is one of the twelve Olympians and he is the god of wine making, fertility, ritual madness, theater, and 'religious ecstasy'. Catch my drift? The top notes are Rum, white peach, green apple and saffron which are nice and fruity!~! Middle notes are tonka bean, patchouli, jasmine and vetiver (it's a grassy smell with wood as well). This is where the more sexy aspect starts to really kick in especially when he hugs you tightly against his chest... The base notes are tobacco, vanilla, amber, sandalwood and musk. Tobacco (natural and unburned) is actually oddly sweet so it fits extremely well to me.

Don't lose your way little lamb, the big bad wolf might lure you in... Just kidding, it's only Ren...

Natsuki/Satsuki Shinomiya

Au Lait by Alkemia Unisex Perfume 20 USD // 2,990 Yen

Le Lion by Chanel Unisex Perfume Around 325 USD // 48,581 Yen

Natsuki is our double dipper because he is a very special case. His scent is... Pure yellow. But that reminds me of extra strength cleaner which is so horrific. I like these instead! The first one is something I think he would buy because it reminds him of bouncy fresh bread. He doesn't seem interested in prices or anything like that. Just if something is small and cute. Because it isn't a luxury brand... Fans would go insane knowing this is what he wears. It has only a few ingredients which aren't really categorized. But we have wild honey, hints of brown sugar, tonka beans and creamy milk. Some reviews say it really does smell like fresh buttery bread which I adore. The next one is technically Satsuki, but still Natsuki. But please interpret this however you want. I picked this particular fragrance for many reasons , but I won't bore you to death! Honestly... A fan probably bought this and sent it to the company PO box... The top notes are bergamot and lemon. Which is very acidic and citrusy, like a sudden jolt when you inhale. Crackle even. The middle notes are labdanum(woody smelling resin from a species of rockrose) and amber. This makes it have a very inviting and somewhat... Almost animalistic... In a good way. Kind of wild and a little... Dangerous. But it lingers around because if Natsuki is wearing it there's nothing to worry about... Right? The base notes are vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, and musk. This is where that charm really shines through for me Natsuki wise. It's delicate and masculine, still inviting and strong just like he is.

Natsuki wishes he could hold you all the time... Satsuki has other intentions...

Cecil Aijima

Oro Verde by House of BŌ Unisex Perfume 175 USD // 26,159 Yen

Unfortunately Cecil is a victim of the green apple craze. I do not think green apple suits him at all it is such a childish thing. Something I would get at Claire's. So I choose this. Which is very simple but I also do not see Cecil as someone who would wear a lot of cologne? He doesn't want to rub stuff on his skin that isn't natural so he probably dabs this on his clothes or staff will ask to put it behind his ears/on his wrists. The top notes are bergamot, cannabis, mate- LOWER YOUR PITCHFORKS! Cannabis smell when it is unburned has an earthy scent to it. Somewhat sticky and almost like fresh cut grass. When it is burned that's when you get the skunk and garlic... Okay? Middle notes are basil, watermelon, and vetiver sables (earthy like rotten log smell). This with the light scent of lingering fruit really makes me smile it has a very fresh smell which I really like. Like the scent of your skin when you sunbathe. And finally the base notes are herbals and spices (I don't want to list off all of the plants). When they say spice that actually is in reference to black pepper! Which all together is so wonderful to smell. And Cecil is a prince so of course he smells good.

The fresh scent lingers on your clothes, just as Cecil had hoped!~!

Masato Hijirikawa

Quasar Ice by O Boticárioro Masculine Cologne 50 USD // 7,474 Yen

Of course our ice prince gets something ice themed. I did not want to give Masato something expensive like the others just because I don't think he is into luxury items. I am not suggesting the others are... I am implying that he doesn't think to hard about cologne. As long as it smells nice for a meeting he won't mind. The only issue is that this is an alcohol base so he would spray it gently... Leaving a nice fade out. No dousing... The top notes are ice (this is hard to explain but it is the molecule that allows you to smell cold air), lime, sage, and cardamom. So in other words... A store bought key lime pie! I wanted something sweet for Masato since I think he is a very sweet guy, even if he doesn't look like it. The middle notes are cedar, black pepper, bourbon geranium, and lavender. This will reminisce a nice winter walk though the forest! And the base notes are oakmoss, amber, sandalwood, and cashmere. So after your frozen pie and a chilly walk, it's like you've returned to a nice cozy cabin with him at the end of the night...

To think that even Masato could wear something so romantic...

Tokiya Ichinose

Midnight by Rawchemistry Masculine Cologne/Pheromones' 30 USD // 4,485 Yen

My original choice for Tokiya was something different. However I cannot find the original scent and nor do I think it truly fits the Tokiya that lives in my mind anymore. So, I chose this. It is also not an alcohol base which I think Tokiya would like because he is overly conscious and critical of everything he eats/wears/does. And this is technically pheromones. Not cologne. So there aren't really top, middle and base notes. Just an overall scent. And that would be; lavender, orange blossoms, patchouli and vanilla. And if you didn't know... All four of these are aphrodisiacs. The usual notes used in cologne are made in fact to attract. But these all together are made with the intent to seduce if that makes sense since there are no other ingredients to note. Is Tokiya a sexual character? No. But he is designed and written to have that form of charm without directly saying it. So that is also why I chose this. He is very confident with what he does as an idol. So... He wants you to understand that without him saying it...

Maybe there is some appeal to Tokiya after all... Just kidding...

Syo Kurusu

Sahara Rose Absolute by Habibi NY Unisex Perfume 135 USD // 20,180 Yen

So... Usually Syo will have a rose scented item. Which... I personally like a lot actually. He is a character designed to not fit into most traditionally masculine stereotypes while still being very masculine. So I chose this scent because it sort of replicates what I think his actual character scent actually is and what he would like to wear. Although I regret to inform the masses that he used to drown himself in Axe body spray... Thankfully he's grown now and he knows that shit was wack. The top notes are Turkish rose, geranium, jasmine and black currant. Very floral and very delicate which is so pleasant when it lingers. The middle notes are pink pepper, saffron, incense, and agar wood. These are spicy and semi-sweet, the balance between femininity and masculinity. The incense offering a powdery-ness that makes it not overwhelming. And finally the base notes are musk, sandalwood, vetiver, and amber. Very sensual at the end, and again not overpowering. I love the balance it has personally and this one was my 'absolute' favorite.

Even though Syo is so strong... He still leaves that rose colored hue behind...

[reviewsthatburn]

UNDER THE SMOKESTREWN SKY brings Avery, Zib, and their companions to the Land of Ash and Embers. As fire is the most obviously transformational of the four elements in this series, I appreciate how this book focuses on transformations and the endpoints after major decisions.

As the final book in the quartet, UNDER THE SMOKESTREWN SKY wraps up many dangling narratives, including but not limited to the fate of the missing queen, whether Avery and Zib make it out of the Up-and-Under, and whether any of them reach the Impossible City. There’s a mostly new storyline which didn’t appear in the other three books, as the general goal of finding the missing queen becomes their specific task at hand. To this end they begin searching the Land of Ash and Embers on their way to the Impossible City. There’s a crisis related to Zib which is introduced and resolved in this book. As the story nears its end, Baker's narration is at times concerned as much with the emotional state of the reader as she is with the decisions made by any of the characters. A foundational assumption in Seanan McGuire's writing is that knowing something changes the person who finds it out. This is said quite explicitly in the narration as Baker discussing how you can only read the story for the first time once, after that you'll never view it the same way again.

Full Review at link

[harmonicaorange]

i read ember in the ashes and torch against the night last year and i enjoyed them but i didn’t feel connected to the characters or the storyline but reading the last two books this year makes me think maybe i just read them at the wrong time because this series means EVERYTHING to me now

[ghostbsuter]

Danny loved this dimension!

First, the yellow ring powered attacks, and now the fear gas! Jazz would have an aneurysm if she ever found out how high he's gotten in the past week alone.

Now, if only he could shake off these pesky green lanterns and the giant bat guy.

Haunting this dimension seems like promising bonding activity between him, Ember, Kitty, and Johnny!

He really should hunt down that yellow lantern guy, tho, that stuff was great quality.

[willowstar204]

Back here because I'm re-reading Heir for third time and I need more OG Ember content in my life <3

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