#for like having a typical sister rivalry with Arya

[virtual-dragon-almond-bakery]

A reminder that Sansa was only 11 YEARS OLD during AGOT, she is not the evilest bitch in the world for acting like a typical 11 year old

[decadentbutterflies]

"How many grown ass women are acting like Arya and Sansa not getting along is this incredibly big issues and that either of them are the spawn of the devil" The issue we had with that post was the fact that it minimized bullying to "normal sibling relationship".

And if that's surprising of us "grown ass women" to point that out, what about people who argue over what happened and the relationship between characters in the books that they haven't read?

I have to assume these people who do this are children. It also makes sense that their arguing points are not in the books or are disproven in the books lmao.

We've seen other Stark sibling relationships. How Sansa treated Arya was not one of what they describe and if they read the books they'd know that. Even the "sibling bickering" people like to downplay the bullying as, has a typical "only I can tease my sibling" rule, they however always have your back. They sure as hell don't let other people bully you or even being more worried about a guy who tried to RUN YOU THROUGH with a sword and then be on his side instead of the sibling.

"Arya blames Sansa for everything" Sansa (and Jeyne) literally mocked Arya about Mycah's body (which is messed up on it's own) after he was murdered and blamed her, told her it was all her fault. That's not normal behavior overall, that's something Joffrey would do (tho I have seen people make excuses for him "being just a kid raised in Royal Family ofc he's going to be snobby" as well).

"Arya isn't angel, she called Sansa stupid" which funnily enough if she did call her stupid, not only would it be valid, but THAT would be a normal sibling bickering lmfao.

In that post they even wrote "siblings don't get along sometimes" And if they read the books they'd know it's not "sometimes".

"All those unhinged Arya stans" Like George Martin? He literally wrote it like that, he made it very clear it's not a normal relationship and even talked about it and said that they have lot of stuff to work out. Their relationship isn't of healthy functioning normal sisters and IF YOU READ THE BOOKS YOU'D KNOW THAT.

I- one thing is to clump the show with the books. Another thing is to not even touch the books and ARGUE with people who read it over what actually happened in it and how it is between the characters 😭.

"Sansa said something mean one time" I- please for the love of God if y'all haven't read the books, DON'T ARGUE and spread lies/misinformation. It makes you look so stupid.

How can even people argue about something they haven't read? What kind of delusion does it take? The arguing points go against what George wrote AND said, which is extremely disrespectful. "Your post is so harmless" Yes, spreading lies or "fanon" over canon, and again, going against what the author wrote and said, and minimizing bullying to sibling rivalry is so harmless.

And we're such bullies because we.. Read the books and point out it isn't true and that she canonically bullied Arya? ☠️. "For suggesting Arya is less than an angel" ??? Ah, so because "she's not angel" she deserves to be bullied and we shouldn't dislike that. Gotcha.

[torchwood-99]

A terrified, half starved Arya lashing out at S@nsa when she refused to tell the truth about Mycah’s death, and Arya throwing an orange at S@nsa after she victim blamed Mycah, is not in any way equivalent to S:nsa and Jeyne consistently tormenting Arya over her looks for years. 

And look, siblings can name call and fight and have falling outs, and at the end of the day still have a strong a firm bond. People who are intimate and understand each other well and are comfortable in their respect for each other, can tease and muck around with people who they are not so close to and therefore need to be more cautious.

But S@nsa and Arya do not have that. It is clear from their very first page that there is a massive gulf between them. Horseface was not a one of, nor was it used in good fun. These girls do not like each other. They love each other because they are sisters, but any fondness they have for each other, any affectionate memories, are vastly overwhelmed by the mutual hostility. S@nsa’s treatment of Arya is not normal sibling rivalry and teasing, because it is not countered by the  warmth and trust and loyalty normal siblings have for each other. It’s always ‘even S@nsa’ or ‘even Arya’, they are lesser than their brothers in each other’s eyes. Because unlike their brothers, they don’t love each other for who they are as individuals, but because they are related and shared a childhood. Because they are both Starks and family ties matter and they have been taught to value that. There is not sufficient personal intimacy and trust to handwave the namecalling as ‘normal sibling squabbling’. 

S@nsa is a child. Septa Mordane and the society they live in have done much to cause this hostility between the girls and to encourage S@nsa’s behaviour. And this is why S@nsa bullied Arya. But S@nsa still bullied Arya. You can forgive her. Understand why and see that it does not mean S@nsa thrives off causing pain for others, but she still bullied Arya. Lots of children bully, and S@nsa is one of them. Arya fans just want Arya’s experiences to be acknowledged and for it to be recognised that this was not a good or typical relationship, where two girls got on each other’s nerves a bit but were really actually very loving, it was bullying.

A kid tells their parents or a teacher that at school another child and their friends have been name calling them for a long time and making fun of their looks. This is bullying. It is indisputably deal with as bullying It is no different just because it took place at Winterfell and between siblings. 

No it is not the worst thing to happen in the books, not by a long shot. It’s not in the top five worst things to happen to Arya alone. But it is a big part of her formative experiences and has had a massive effect on her as a character. To ignore that Arya was bullied is to ignore a massive chunk of her childhood and who she is a person by result. It will also colour any reunion these girls have in the future. `

[empiregalaxy]

I love Arya. Which makes me more angry that this is her ‘storyline’ for this season. It’s not about her making friends, helping with the Whitewalker threat, helping Winterfell, her connection with Nymeria / faceless men skills or anything like that. Hell, it’s not even about ‘her list’ and ‘vengeance’ (typical themes D&D associate her with). Instead, it’s about her rivalry with Sansa.

Her confronting Sansa was just so sudden and awkward, it was jarring. Less of a fan of the ‘scroll’ revelation. Arya was a prisoner of war under the Lannisters, forced to work at Harrenhal. She knows what it’s like to be forced to do things. So technically, Arya would at least consider the possibility that Sansa was forced to write it.

Sansa and Arya do not have a perfect relationship. They have issues, which I hope they work through. Yet the writing isn’t about repairing those issues, it’s just miscommunication after miscommunication. Sister relationships on this show are pretty hostile: the Sand Snakes constantly fought, and you have Lysa x Catelyn. Realistically, no sister relatonship is perfect. I have had problems with my sister. Because my sister and I became better communicators, more empathetic and kinder, more mature... those problems were resolved. 

I think Arya is an incredibly kind, mature person. The show just won’t let her. Sansa is as well. But I suppose ~drama~ is better than two characters growing.

I don’t think the writing is to show the nuances of sisterhood, or the complexities a sister faces every day. No, it’s written to make both Arya & Sansa as catty as possible. It’s frustrating.

Arya and Sansa deserve better.

[ramajmedia]

Game Of Thrones: The Hound's 10 Best Quotes | ScreenRant

Largely considered to be Game of Thrones' resident badass antihero, Sandor Clegane, aka "The Hound," has led a dark and conflicted life. This jaded warrior has seen it all - serving as King's Guard to Joffrey, reluctantly joining the Brotherhood Without Banners, and clashing with White Walkers. He also spent much of season 4 escorting Arya to safety, making himself a prime target.

He's been marred by fire as a youth, thanks to his older, more brutish brother, Sir Gregor. This has given him a fear of flames, which he has cowered from despite all the battles and carnage of Westeros he's gone face to face with. But while he possesses a solemn cynicism, The Hound also has a subtle and often dark sense of humor. These qualities make for an endless supply of cheeky one-liners and memorable quotes.

RELATED: Game Of Thrones: 10 Hidden Details About The costumes You Didn't Notice

So let's take a look at 10 of The Hound's all-time best quotes in Game of Thrones.

9 "I fought for you, didn't I?"

During one of their many amusing bouts of banter, Arya calls out The Hound's roguish ways by asking him, "when was the last time you fought for anyone but yourself?" It's true Sandor maintains an independent stubbornness following his departure from King's Landing.

Though, with his response, he reminds both Arya and the viewer of his selfless nature and desire to fight alongside those he cares about - even if that list of people is small. After all, he did spend the middle seasons of Thrones protecting Arya and attempted to do the same with her sister Sansa. This quote shows a glimpse of the battle-hardened Hound's softer side.

In a back-and-forth between Sandor and his "frenemies" of the Brotherhood Without Banners, Beric Dondarrion brings up The Lord of Light's "divine justice," an idea that The Hound scoffs at. The source of his cynicism and mourning is a result of the burned bodies of a farmer and his daughter; commoners with whom The Hound had crossed paths, and had not treated particularly well. It turns out the Hound was right when he predicted back in season 4 that "they'll both be dead come winter"

RELATED: 10 Best Board Games Based On Popular TV Shows And Movies To Own

We see some of the aftermath of Clegane's actions in this scene, as Sandor clearly exhibits a feeling of sadness and guilt. As with our previous entry, this quote reveals a rare sympathetic side to the typically stern fighter. It also conveys his wit, his distaste for religious doctrine, and his gloomy outlook.

8 "You're S***t At Dying, You Know That?"

What better way to reintroduce the fierce Hound than with this amusing line of dialogue?

During the show's 6th season, a run-in with the Brotherhood Without Banners leads to a slaughtered band of villagers, led by Septon Ray, who has helped Sandor recover after nearly being killed. After tracking them down at a campsite, the Hound strolls in and makes quick work of the men with his axe. Before being cursed out by the last man standing and finishing him off in a pretty brutal fashion, he chimes in with this gem of a quote. It's simple, yet humorous; an effective reminder of Clagane's vengeful and often violent nature tinged with his whimsical, nonchalant attitude.

7 "I'm Honest. It's The WORLD That's Awful."

There seems to be something about the Stark sisters that tend to coax some of Sandor's greatest lines. Such is the case during this exchange with Sansa at King's Landing.

After Sansa is given some blunt truths of the cutthroat society of Westeros, telling her that "there are no true knights, nor more than there are gods. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world," she responds by calling him awful. Sandor then tosses her this clever rebuttal, which acts as another major reveal to his negative perception of the world. It also establishes a sense of trustworthiness in a roundabout way, as it highlights his knack for "telling it like it is;" a useful quality to have in Thrones' society.

6 On The Lord Of Light...

"Thoros isn't here anymore, so I hope you're not about to give a sermon. Because if you are, the Lord of Light's gonna wonder why he brought you back 19 times just to watch you die when I chuck you over this f***ing wall."

RELATED: 5 Things Lord Of The rings Does Better Than Game Of Thrones (& 5 Things Game Of Thrones Does Better)

This bit of dialogue, spoken by The Hound after confronting Beric and the Brotherhood proves both revealing and memorable. It illustrates The Hound's distrust and distaste of religion, particularly that of The Lord Of Light. This isn't too shocking given his fear of fire - a central theme of this Essos-based religion. Moreover, this zinger just reinforces Sandor's charming wit and dark humor, providing some likable traits to the otherwise grizzled, misanthropic man that he can be.

5 "Hate's As Good A Thing As Any To Keep A Person Going, Better Than Most."

Amongst the countless pieces of frank advice given to Arya by The Hound while taking her under his wing, this characteristic line stands out. This feeling of hatred towards enemies that have wronged our heroes stands as a nihilistic sort of philosophy born of vengeance; one that very much defines Sandor's motivation. It also serves to tie the seemingly different characters of The Hound and Arya together. After all, she is largely driven by this same motivation, especially following the death of her loved ones throughout the show's run.

4 "The World Is Built By Killers... So You Better Get Used To Looking At Them."

During the Battle of the Blackwater, Sansa is hesitant to be escorted to Winterfell by Sandor, who looks to flee King's Landing once things start going south. After informing her that even the seemingly nicest figures in society - including some of the ones she loves most - are killers, The Hound tells her "the world is built by killers."

RELATED: Game of Thrones: 10 Best Sansa Stark Quotes

This stands as a true statement that helps to sum up the sociopolitical happenings in the dark fantasy world of Thrones. Yet, it also goes a long way in illustrating The Hound's sense of cynical wisdom brought about by his dark past.

3 "Remember Me? Yeah, You Do. You're Even Uglier Than I Am Now."

"...What did they do to you? Doesn't matter. That's not how it ends for you, brother. You know who's coming for you. You've always known."

Season 7 provides an enticing teaser of the much-hyped "Cleganebowl" that was set to showcase an epic sibling rivalry in the form of a dual between the two brute brothers, Sandor and Gregor Clegane. As both men have proven to be practiced warriors who had undergone similar transformations of "rebirth" (but in opposite directions), this promised an exciting fight.

This quote serves as a cool way to set the stage for this face-off, while reminding us of The Hounds largest character arch and motivation - his yearning to get revenge and kill his brother.

2 Cursing The King...

If there's anything Sandor is known for outside his nihilism and bloodlust, it's his rebellious spirit. This defining feature comes to fruition following the bloody, explosive Battle of Blackwater. After being ordered around by both Jeffery and Tyrion for much of the show's first 2 seasons, The Hound has had enough. He disavows Jeffery, uttering some choice words right to his face, as he curses the Kingsguard, the city, and the King himself. This act of defiance might just be the most punk rock moment of Game of Thrones, and sets the stage for The Hound's transformation as a renegade of the Seven Kingdoms.

1 Eating All The Chicken...

Here we have a scene and exchange of dialogue so amusing that it was quickly elevated to meme status. It was a tremendous way to kick off season 4, when just about everything had gone wrong for our heroes. Moreover, it helps to establish an enduring dynamic between Arya and The Hound.

In another line demonstrating The Hound's defiant nature, he satisfyingly curses King Joffrey right after one of the Lannister men claim that there's no one left to stand in the way of them or the king. Somehow, though, he manages to top this by imploring the man if he hears any more from him, "I'll have to eat every f***ing chicken in this room." This line is simple and goofy on the one hand, but somehow, acts as the perfect example of The Hound at his charming, chicken-eating best.

NEXT: Game Of Thrones: 10 Best Tormund Giantsbane Quotes

source https://screenrant.com/game-thrones-hounds-10-best-quotes/

[starkmatriarch]

Blue Moon Multi-fandom Supernatural Group Verse set in a Victoriana Westeros

In a world where the supernatural is commonly known as real, one of the most thriving magical countries is that of the Seven Kindgdoms, where all noble born families are also otherworldly families, and the common folk the normal people who live and work alongside them. Each of the Seven Kingdoms which make up Westeros have their own specialised branch of magic, but with the advancement of technology, of steam trains and steam boats, the country is getting smaller, especially with more instances of ‘Cross-breeding’ in the families.

There is Cersei, a shapeshifter, and Robert, a strongman, who raise their children in the Stormlands, there is Catelyn, a water sprite turned werewolf bite victim, and Ned, a werewolf, who have their family in the North, Jon Arryn, a seer, and his water sprite wife, Lysa, raise their sickly son in the Vale and even the ruling King and Queen, Rhaegar and Elia, are Firestarter and Spell Weaver respectively. The world is no longer as divided as it once was.

Or so they say. Old rivalries and speciesism are hard things to overcome for some, as well as rumours of affairs (is it true the King keeps the Stark girl for his mistress?) and when new matches are ventured and strange things begin to occur, tensions can rise, but will they have to overcome them when a group of Hunters from oversees land of Westerosi shores, intended to capture as many supernatural creatures for auction as they can.

Verse is open to anybody from any fandom, not just asoiaf. Just message me

Current members: Name: Birth Place: Species: [Current location if different from birth] : Blog

Catelyn Stark: The Riverlands: Werewolf(Sprite) [North] @starkmatriarch​ Ned Stark: The North: Werewolf @handofhonor​ Arya Stark: The North: Werewolf-Sprite @worshipsonlydeath​ Cersei Baratheon: The Westerlands:: Shapeshifter [Stormlands] @cerseilionesslannister​ Genevieve Schovajsa: Nadheri : Frigokinses [Northern Border] @snowdrenched​ Mona : The Vale : Seer [Riverlands] @takenwings​ Edmure Tully: The Riverlands : Water Sprite @tullyfreckled Sansa Stark : The North: Werewolf-Sprite @wolfqueennamedstark Robb Stark: The North: Werewolf-Sprite @yngwolfrobb Talisa Maegyr: Volantis: Skinhealer [North] @northernwarrioress

Family information and mythology under the cut.

North; Werewolves. The Northern nobles turn into wolves on the night before the night of and the night after the full moon (the only exceptions to this are the Boltons, who having consumed human flesh three hundred years ago, are now Wendigo, and the Mormonts, who become bears on the moon, said to be due to an ancestress who mated with a bear a thousand years ago). They are also known to change in moments of anger or self defence. and a bite from them will change a person into a werewolf no matter their original breed, thus why the North generally keeps it’s distance from the south. Yet, when Rickard wanting a southron alliance, he took his eldest to the Riverlands, Brandon bit Catelyn in a wild turn; some said this was sabotage to force a marriage alliance, but before she could wed him he was killed in battle and she married Ned in his place. She still has some water sprite gifts when in human form and their children have varying degrees of both families.

Riverlands; Water sprites. With so many rivers and water strew lands, the nobles that inhabit the Riverlands are water sprites. Sometimes considered a type of Fae like those of the Reach by the common folk, they can live in the water as well as on land, able to breathe in either. They manipulate water as well; rivers, ponds, rain, even the sea in the strongest sprites, and they have to live near some form of water source or else become ill.

Iron islands; Sea-skoggra. Similar to wood-wives or the normal skoggra, the sea-skoggra are intricately tied to sea; any injury to the sea injures them and if any abuse it or take advantage, they can conjure demons from the darkest depths to storm the lands and take back what is theirs. Their tempers also conjure storms and foul winds which have been known to ruin lands and destroy villages. Any ship, no matter where it is built or forged, is under their control should they wish it and so no man is safe from the sea-skoggra unless on main and dry land.

Westerlands; Shapeshifters. All of the Westerland nobles are shapeshifters, though each family is prone to a particular animal; the Lannisters are all, as befitting their sigil, lions. Perhaps the species most against ‘cross-breeding’, there is a pride there that has seen them rarely make marriage matches beyond their region. However, Tywin Lannister had hoped to marry Cersei to Rhaegar for not only a royal match, but also because the combination of firestarter and lion shapeshifter would have made for formidable offspring but Aegon had him wed to Elia Martell and, in turn, Cersei was instead wed to Robert Baratheon in the hopes of creating, instead, indefeatible, Lannisters with the strength of ten lions to each of them, but in an odd and unfortunate game of genetics, it seems all the children only took after the Lannister family, each of them shapeshifters only, growing up in the Stormlands amongst Strongmen, something it is said that the young Lord Joffrey greatly resents.

The Reach; Fae. The noble families of the Reach are the hardest to describe, for they are half of this world and half not, though they are commonly referred to simply as ‘Fae’. They have the ability to flit in and out of realms, they can bend nature to their will (the gardens, the flowers, the trees, even the weather in some) and while they’re known for fun and frolic, there’s trickery there also if you take a wrong turn, and some of the Fae of the Reach have been known to lure before. It is said that some commonfolk invited to dance at Highgarden a hundred years ago are said to be dancing there still.

The Crownlands; Firestarters. There is only one noble family that hails from the Crownlands, and that is the ruling family, the Targaryens. Much like their sigil, the dragon, the Tagaryens are firestarters, breathing fire, conjuring it, controlling it, starting it with a single thought. Though the current ruling prince is wed to a Spell Weaver, Elia Martell, from Dorne and only their son breathes fire while their daughter casts spells. The Targaryens have always wed brother to sister, and this seems ideal, but it is not the way of Dorne....

Dorne; Spell Weavers. Some call them witches or sorcerors, but they typically prefer the term ‘spell weaver’. Able to weave spells, glamours, charms, no cast is beyond their capability, though each family tends to specialise in a particular magic out of choice rather than capability. Some are more tricksters than others, and you always have to be careful in Dorne, for anything could be a glamour or spell.

The Stormlands; Strongmen. Some say they are actually descendants of the Gods themselves, demi-gods walking amongst mere men, but that is more the legends whispered amongst the commonfolk, while fellow nobles simply call them Strongmen, be they man or woman, though the type of strength they have varies from family to family. One woman is known to be able to bite through pure gold with her teeth alone, Stannis can never break a bone no matter what hits him, but Robert is considered the best of all strong men for he had (in his youth) the typical godlike appearance with large muscles which rivalled all others, indefeatible strength and a booming laugh.

The Vale; Seers. The nobles of the Vale are all seers, thought the extent of their skills vary from family to family; some can see decades into the future, others only into the past, others both. The strongest were the Arryns, who were able to choose what they saw at will, and could see further than others, but the latest heir, Robert Arryn, a ‘half-breed’ (for Jon Arryn married Lysa after her dalliance with Petyr, though the whole country believes it was only for a Vale alliance), is one of the weakest seers in centuries, barely seeing anything and what he does see often sends him into fits and there are whispers that the problem lies in ‘cross-breeding.

[cover2covermom]

Today I am sharing a batch of mini book reviews from participating in #IronTomeAThon in the month of July.

*Books included in this batch of mini book reviews: Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1) by Mark Lawrence, American Gods (American Gods #1) by Neil Gaiman, Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse, and A Natural History of Dragons (The Memoirs of Lady Trent #1) by Marie Brennan

» Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1) by Mark Lawrence

#IronTomeAThon

Red Sister is about a young girl named Nona who is beginning her training at Sweet Mercy, a convent that trains girls to become Sisters.  We follow Nona as she navigates her new life at the convent and the rigorous demands of her training.

 From the very first line, I was completely captivated by Red Sister.   The characters are complex.  The world is well developed and fascinating.  The plot was fast paced, action-packed, and an adventure from start to finish.  This book has everything I love in my fantasy books: bad ass leading lady, action, magic abilities, school/training setting, political drama, and an emphasis on friendships. 

One thing that Mark Lawrence did in Red Sister was take a few common tropes we see regularly in fantasy and flipped them into something unexpected.   You might think you know how a scenario might play out, but Mark Lawrence does a great job of keeping us on our toes throughout the entire book.

In my copy of Red Sister, Mark Lawrence included a glossary in the FRONT of the book, which I found very helpful.  More often than not, when these are included in the back of the book, I am not able to utilize it because I don’t realize the book includes a glossary until I’m finished.  This glossary included important information regarding the world, characters, etc.  I did not need to use this glossary aside from a time or two because everything is laid out clearly in the story, but I appreciated the inclusion.

One of my only complaints about Red Sister would be the fact that Nona was supposed to be a very young girl throughout much of the story.  Nona did NOT feel like a young girl of 9 or 10, but more like a girl of 14+ at the very youngest.  This does happen to be a pet peeve of mine in books.  While I do understand that this is a different world from our own thus a 9-year-old might mature faster than in our own world, it still bothered me slightly.

If you enjoy dark, gritty, and intense fantasy, I highly recommend Red Sister.   I read somewhere that someone described this book as “Arya Stark at Hogwarts,” and it really is an accurate statement.  Arya Stark is a character from Game of Thrones, and Hogwarts is the school setting in Harry Potter.  It also gave me The Name of the Wind and The Poppy War vibes.

***Trigger/content warning: graphic violence***

» American Gods (American Gods #1) by Neil Gaiman

#IronTomeAThon

American Gods is about our main character, Shadow, and how his world gets flipped upside-down when he get mixed up with a man called Mr. Wednesday, and begins working for him.  Wednesday insists that a storm of epic proportions is coming, and needs Shadow’s help rallying the troops.  Shadow & Wednesday set off on an epic journey across the U.S, where they come across eccentric characters, run into sticky situations, and see the different landscapes America has to offer.   Themes included throughout American Gods include identity, old ways vs. new ways, religion, belief, deception, etc.

I loved how Gaiman fused together ancient mythology with the modern, portraying the power struggle between the old ways vs. new ways.  He gives us classic examples of ancient mythological characters (i.e. Odin, Anansi, etc) and creates a few new gods (i.e. technology, media, etc.)  I enjoyed watching the rivalry and the build up to the big show down.  Furthermore, I also really appreciated that Gaiman’s cast of “old gods” represent many different cultures’ mythology.  For example, we see characters from Norse mythology, Slavic mythology, Ghanaian mythology, Egyptian mythology, Germanic mythology, etc.

Shadow was such an easy main character to root for.   Despite being thrown in the midst of chaos, he was very level-headed, loyal, and compassionate.  I could not help but love him and be invested in his journey.

American Gods is longer than Gaiman’s typical novels.  Coming in at around 630-ish pages in the paperback and just under 20 hours for the audiobook.  I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by a full cast, and I really think this is how this story should be experienced.  I doubt I would have enjoyed this story as much had I read it in print form.

I can totally see where this book would not be for everyone.  If you’ve read a Neil Gaiman book before and not enjoyed his writing style, then you will most likely not enjoy this one.  Neil Gaiman’s books tend to be dark, fantastical, odd, and quirky, so if you don’t enjoy those types of stories, Gaiman is probably not the author for you.  Actually, if you’ve never read a Gaiman book before, I would recommend NOT making American Gods your first. 

Is American Gods my favorite Neil Gaiman book?  No.  Neverwhere, Stardust, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane still hold the top spots as my favorite Gaiman books.  Do I think it is still a very worthwhile book to read?  Absolutely!  As long as you know what you are getting yourself into going into the book 🙂

I’d recommend this book to those that enjoy mythology, folktales, and longer epic saga type stories.

» Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse

#IronTomeAThon

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Trail of Lightning is about a young monster hunter named Maggie.  Maggie is determined to uncover the truth behind a new breed of monster, but she quickly learns that the truth is much more evolved than she ever imagined.  Trail of Lightning features themes like survival, good vs. evil, what makes someone a “monster,” PTSD/anxiety, and morality. 

What really worked so well in Trail of Lightning was the post-apocalyptic world that Roanhorse creates.  In this story, a global flood has wiped out most of the population.  Dinétah, the former Navajo reservation before the “big water,” is such a cool backdrop for this story.  In this new world, mythological beings and monsters walk among the survivors.  I loved the infusion of Native American mythology within a post-apocalyptic world.  The concept behind the magic system, that certain individuals receive certain clan powers like speed, fighting, weather control, etc, was also intriguing.

Maggie, our main character, was a very complex character.  While she was courageous, fierce, & strong, she was also withdrawn and guarded.   I appreciated that she was not perfect, and struggled with her own morality throughout the novel.

I must admit, this was probably a 3.5 star read until the last 100 pages.  For only being  287 pages, the first half of the book was a slow build up.  The first two chapters were action-packed and brutal, but then things slow way down from there until the final 100 pages.  Since the book was so short, I feel like some of the plot and character development was a bit rushed.  Trail of Lightning could have been 100 pages LONGER to give more time to develop some of these elements.  The final 100 pages, the climax and resolution, were on point!  I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.

 I’d recommend this book if you like books that give you a western-ish feel, enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction, and books that feature Native American mythology.  Trail of Lightning also gave me similar vibes to the TV show Supernatural, so if you enjoy that show d I think you’d enjoy this book.

***Trigger/content warning: graphic violence***

» A Natural History of Dragons (The Memoirs of Lady Trent #1) by Marie Brennan

#IronTomeAThon

A Natural History of Dragons is told in a memoir style narrative of a prominent dragon natural scientist in her early years before she became “Lady Trent.”  As a young girl, Isabella dreams of studying the natural sciences, specifically dragons.  A Natural History of Dragons follows Isabella as she grows from a young girl with a dream, to becoming a young woman traveling to the far off mountains of Vystrana on an expedition to learn more about the creatures that have fascinated her for years.

There was so much that I loved about this story: the Victorian era setting, the feminist tones, the fantasy-historical fiction mash up, the challenging of gender norms, the focus on natural science, the mystery story line…

With a title like “A Natural History of Dragons,”  you’d think that the book would include a lot of dragons or interactions with dragons, but it really doesn’t…  A Natural History of Dragons is really more about Isabella, her early years, her early interest in the natural sciences, her courtship, the expedition, and the mystery surrounding the expedition.  While I was a tad disappointed that dragons were not featured more throughout the story, I highly enjoyed Isabella’s personal journey.  I’m hoping that this first book is setting up the subsequent books for more dragon action.

Isabella was an excellent female lead who wasn’t about to tolerate the gender norms of the times.  While other girls her age are dreaming of making a suitable marriage match, Isabella is stealing books from her father’s library.  She is intelligent, ambitious, energetic, and persistent in her pursuits.  I loved that she refused to settle for a provincial life, but thirsted for more.  I also really appreciated that Isabella was very flawed, and admitted when she made mistakes.  She felt very realistic, and as a 19-year-old character, felt age appropriate.

It was refreshing to read a book from a single first person perspective that followed a linear timeline.   The storyline was easy to follow because I was not distracted by POV switches or a nonlinear timeline.  Since we are given access into Isabella’s thoughts and feelings through this first person perspective, I felt very invested in her character.

If you are looking for a book with lots of action and dragons, then A Natural History of Dragons is not going to be it.  If you are looking for a book that features a young woman that is passionate about the natural sciences and her struggle to overcome the limitations on her gender in a Victorian era setting, then this book is for you.

  Have you read any of these books?  If so, what did you think?

Comment below & let me know 🙂

    Mini Book Reviews: August 2019 - Part 1 #BookReview #Books #Reading #BookBlogger #Bookworm #AmReading #Fantasy Today I am sharing a batch of mini book reviews from participating in #IronTomeAThon in the month of July.

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Game Of Thrones: The Hound's 10 Best Quotes | ScreenRant

Largely considered to be Game of Thrones' resident badass antihero, Sandor Clegane, aka "The Hound," has led a dark and conflicted life. This jaded warrior has seen it all - serving as King's Guard to Joffrey, reluctantly joining the Brotherhood Without Banners, and clashing with White Walkers. He also spent much of season 4 escorting Arya to safety, making himself a prime target.

He's been marred by fire as a youth, thanks to his older, more brutish brother, Sir Gregor. This has given him a fear of flames, which he has cowered from despite all the battles and carnage of Westeros he's gone face to face with. But while he possesses a solemn cynicism, The Hound also has a subtle and often dark sense of humor. These qualities make for an endless supply of cheeky one-liners and memorable quotes.

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So let's take a look at 10 of The Hound's all-time best quotes in Game of Thrones.

9 "I fought for you, didn't I?"

During one of their many amusing bouts of banter, Arya calls out The Hound's roguish ways by asking him, "when was the last time you fought for anyone but yourself?" It's true Sandor maintains an independent stubbornness following his departure from King's Landing.

Though, with his response, he reminds both Arya and the viewer of his selfless nature and desire to fight alongside those he cares about - even if that list of people is small. After all, he did spend the middle seasons of Thrones protecting Arya and attempted to do the same with her sister Sansa. This quote shows a glimpse of the battle-hardened Hound's softer side.

In a back-and-forth between Sandor and his "frenemies" of the Brotherhood Without Banners, Beric Dondarrion brings up The Lord of Light's "divine justice," an idea that The Hound scoffs at. The source of his cynicism and mourning is a result of the burned bodies of a farmer and his daughter; commoners with whom The Hound had crossed paths, and had not treated particularly well. It turns out the Hound was right when he predicted back in season 4 that "they'll both be dead come winter"

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We see some of the aftermath of Clegane's actions in this scene, as Sandor clearly exhibits a feeling of sadness and guilt. As with our previous entry, this quote reveals a rare sympathetic side to the typically stern fighter. It also conveys his wit, his distaste for religious doctrine, and his gloomy outlook.

8 "You're S***t At Dying, You Know That?"

What better way to reintroduce the fierce Hound than with this amusing line of dialogue?

During the show's 6th season, a run-in with the Brotherhood Without Banners leads to a slaughtered band of villagers, led by Septon Ray, who has helped Sandor recover after nearly being killed. After tracking them down at a campsite, the Hound strolls in and makes quick work of the men with his axe. Before being cursed out by the last man standing and finishing him off in a pretty brutal fashion, he chimes in with this gem of a quote. It's simple, yet humorous; an effective reminder of Clagane's vengeful and often violent nature tinged with his whimsical, nonchalant attitude.

7 "I'm Honest. It's The WORLD That's Awful."

There seems to be something about the Stark sisters that tend to coax some of Sandor's greatest lines. Such is the case during this exchange with Sansa at King's Landing.

After Sansa is given some blunt truths of the cutthroat society of Westeros, telling her that "there are no true knights, nor more than there are gods. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world," she responds by calling him awful. Sandor then tosses her this clever rebuttal, which acts as another major reveal to his negative perception of the world. It also establishes a sense of trustworthiness in a roundabout way, as it highlights his knack for "telling it like it is;" a useful quality to have in Thrones' society.

6 On The Lord Of Light...

"Thoros isn't here anymore, so I hope you're not about to give a sermon. Because if you are, the Lord of Light's gonna wonder why he brought you back 19 times just to watch you die when I chuck you over this f***ing wall."

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This bit of dialogue, spoken by The Hound after confronting Beric and the Brotherhood proves both revealing and memorable. It illustrates The Hound's distrust and distaste of religion, particularly that of The Lord Of Light. This isn't too shocking given his fear of fire - a central theme of this Essos-based religion. Moreover, this zinger just reinforces Sandor's charming wit and dark humor, providing some likable traits to the otherwise grizzled, misanthropic man that he can be.

5 "Hate's As Good A Thing As Any To Keep A Person Going, Better Than Most."

Amongst the countless pieces of frank advice given to Arya by The Hound while taking her under his wing, this characteristic line stands out. This feeling of hatred towards enemies that have wronged our heroes stands as a nihilistic sort of philosophy born of vengeance; one that very much defines Sandor's motivation. It also serves to tie the seemingly different characters of The Hound and Arya together. After all, she is largely driven by this same motivation, especially following the death of her loved ones throughout the show's run.

4 "The World Is Built By Killers... So You Better Get Used To Looking At Them."

During the Battle of the Blackwater, Sansa is hesitant to be escorted to Winterfell by Sandor, who looks to flee King's Landing once things start going south. After informing her that even the seemingly nicest figures in society - including some of the ones she loves most - are killers, The Hound tells her "the world is built by killers."

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This stands as a true statement that helps to sum up the sociopolitical happenings in the dark fantasy world of Thrones. Yet, it also goes a long way in illustrating The Hound's sense of cynical wisdom brought about by his dark past.

3 "Remember Me? Yeah, You Do. You're Even Uglier Than I Am Now."

"...What did they do to you? Doesn't matter. That's not how it ends for you, brother. You know who's coming for you. You've always known."

Season 7 provides an enticing teaser of the much-hyped "Cleganebowl" that was set to showcase an epic sibling rivalry in the form of a dual between the two brute brothers, Sandor and Gregor Clegane. As both men have proven to be practiced warriors who had undergone similar transformations of "rebirth" (but in opposite directions), this promised an exciting fight.

This quote serves as a cool way to set the stage for this face-off, while reminding us of The Hounds largest character arch and motivation - his yearning to get revenge and kill his brother.

2 Cursing The King...

If there's anything Sandor is known for outside his nihilism and bloodlust, it's his rebellious spirit. This defining feature comes to fruition following the bloody, explosive Battle of Blackwater. After being ordered around by both Jeffery and Tyrion for much of the show's first 2 seasons, The Hound has had enough. He disavows Jeffery, uttering some choice words right to his face, as he curses the Kingsguard, the city, and the King himself. This act of defiance might just be the most punk rock moment of Game of Thrones, and sets the stage for The Hound's transformation as a renegade of the Seven Kingdoms.

1 Eating All The Chicken...

Here we have a scene and exchange of dialogue so amusing that it was quickly elevated to meme status. It was a tremendous way to kick off season 4, when just about everything had gone wrong for our heroes. Moreover, it helps to establish an enduring dynamic between Arya and The Hound.

In another line demonstrating The Hound's defiant nature, he satisfyingly curses King Joffrey right after one of the Lannister men claim that there's no one left to stand in the way of them or the king. Somehow, though, he manages to top this by imploring the man if he hears any more from him, "I'll have to eat every f***ing chicken in this room." This line is simple and goofy on the one hand, but somehow, acts as the perfect example of The Hound at his charming, chicken-eating best.

NEXT: Game Of Thrones: 10 Best Tormund Giantsbane Quotes

source https://screenrant.com/game-thrones-hounds-10-best-quotes/