#gifted kid burnout the comic run

[obibail]

i don’t like red hood/arsenal because it’s well-written (it’s not) or well-characterized (it’s not), i like it because jason and roy are out there just absolutely rawdogging life and no one is even pretending they know how or want to stop them

[rustycopper4use]

My grease fire life comic story idea~

It’s basically the group get isakaied(?) into a fantasy world (original I know right)

Where creatures of all shapes come to life

The royal monarchs reigns over all

And child labour laws, human/creature exploitation and experimentation laws are non existent.

Except the group don’t start off as they should. 

  Turns out they have life’s in this world. How you might ask, doesn’t matter anyways!

  They replaced their fantasy counterparts.

Clementine 

She formally was very close with the royal household, and even worked closely with their eldest child. But after a disastrous argument and learning family secrets, bridges were burnt. And now clementine is accused of witchcraft, living on the edge of the town to avoid law enforcement.

Denise (deez nuts- I’m sorry)

Came from a line of incredible swordsmen, passed down techniques not dared to be heard outside the family.

 What’s this technique? Well! Denise doesn’t know, to her luck somewhere down the line her father vowed to never learn the family trade and estranged himself from his family to pursue cooking.

   And now Denise wants to relearn the family trade. And start her own traveling hitmen- I mean hero’s for hire!

Sarah

A thief, whose heart is in creating, inventions were their specialty as a kid. Won a competition, and showed great promise a true gifted kid.

  After a while their creations were less interesting and more standard. Everyone else caught up. And now they run this old tavern/store in town, stealing on the sidelines.

Burnout gifted kid at its finest.

Ash(ly)

New to the town and lives in a rundown part of it. With no remarkable abilities or background, this fresh start might be what he needed! (It’s the fourth time he moved)

 Working small jobs to stay afloat, tired and regretful of his choices he wishes for more than this.

  Maybe he can find someone to help him

@piffany666 @lunaritychuwolf

[wyrdle]

👀👀👀 a Geeta fan? Hell ya. I can't think of a specific ask, but I do wanna say that despite it being an "easy fight" I looove how much of her character is in her team like genuinely it's so damn interesting. I'd kill for a fic of her meeting and raising this team of hot headed leader pokemon.

(also, I don't think I've struggled with a champion fight since like...Cynthia. which is fine! But omg lay off Geeta like damn)

Ok I'm currently working on a Geeta Centric comic, purely about Glimmora tho, and it'll be a while till I finish it buuuuut. Here is a snippet :D

Spoiling things a bit, the comic is about Geeta losing her glimmer as Top Champion. I was thinking the grand reveal of the Profs' endangerment of Paldea didn't affect Geeta too much, mostly just the 4 kids + some hints of Clavell.

The rough premise of the comic will be exploring Geeta's initial meeting with the professors upon her new appointment as chairwoman, just 10 years ago and right around Tera orb discoveries. Despite not being able to approve funding and manpower to the profs further Area Zero research, she approves their proposal to continue researching the area, likely being duped about what the research is about. The professors gift her a Glimmora from Area Zero to celebrate her appointment, and Geeta uses it on her team as a Paldean symbol of the region's researcher's achievements. Hence why it's such a distinctly different pokemon from the rest of her team. She even plans out her fashion around it! PR people!!

Fast forward to present day, I plan to have Clavell and her actually discuss the fallout together, + the emotions swirling about over both of their oversight on the professors. Geeta asks after the kids wellbeing, and has to make tricky decisions to cover up the circumstances surrounding the professor's death (Eg. maybe Paldea discovering their most beloved profs were going to sacrifice them all would be terrible for moral in addition to ramifications as to new students not wanting to attend the Academy out of safety concerns etc. I've not thought too far just yet XD)

Anyway, Geeta regrets deeply about all of this. Being the detail oriented/ potentially over controlling leader she is, oversight on the Area Zero research weighs heavily on her conscience. TLDR I just like the thought of her being very stressed/stretched thin, flawed in her leadership despite good/kind intentions. Maybe the E4 will step in and support her, I like to think she's quite self-sacrificial, lonely etc. in her work as a leader. Giving Larry a run for his money in burnout, overworking + keeping up appearances haha.

Maybe that's just me, wanting to see Geeta's potential complexity as a flawed leader (but human, very much human).

(Also oops, rambled on and on XD)

[mzminola]

Now I'm thinking about which comics titles I've read and what I'd recommend to people jumping into DC comics. These are all in the Post-Crisis Pre-Flashpoint era, so not only are they finished running, the universe they're in is closed too.

Robin minis I, II, III: 15 issues total, from 1991 - 1993.

Establishing character stories for Tim Drake as Robin, with some interesting geo-political time capsule elements because they're all from the very early 1990's. This is when Tim is a relatively new vigilante, and each story has a reason for Batman to be mostly out of the picture so we see what Tim is like by himself, rather than as Batman's Partner. Spoiler: Tim by himself will always find people to team up with, and not just other capes! Very much plays into the struggles of having a double life.

Also serves as a good introduction to the city of Gotham & the crime stories the Bats handle, covering the mafia, international organizations, and various levels of Rogues.

Young Justice 1998: 55 issues, 1998 - 2003.

Fun ensemble cast, whacky adventure stories, with a solid emotional core running through it. In an era when more adult oriented comics were trying for realism by going Grim & Gritty, Young Justice said "How about we tackle realistic Teen Issues by putting them in the zany shenanigans that the golden/silver age would've had?"

This can create some mood whiplash, but also really works. Probably because that's often what being a teenager is like.

Batgirl 2000: 73 issues, 2000- 2006.

Speaking of what being a teenager is like, Cassandra Cain's Batgirl run my beloved. Lots of snark. Both Cass and her primary mentor are disabled women, and though Cass's disability is based on Comics Logic, it's internally consistent for the story, and her illiteracy has real effects on the plot and her life. Coming of age story, gifted kid burnout, the lengths you'll go to to get being the best back, wrestling with guilt, heroism, & self-worth.

Cass has a language disability and is one of the deadliest physical fighters in the world. Her mentor Barbara Gordon is paraplegic, a librarian, and information specialist. They have some shared experiences and values, and some wildly different experiences and values, and they clash! They care about each other deeply! They tease each other! Barbara fucks up sometimes, and also sincerely apologizes when she does.

Huntress: Cry For Blood: 6 issues, published in 2000.

Solid short noir mystery & rehash of Helena's origin story. Has a very poetic vibe. I was able to follow it after only seeing Helena in crossovers rather than reading her solo series.

~

I got the number of issues from the fanwikis, and should note that Young Justice & Batgirl issue count does not include crossover events, where issues in other titles may be needed for the full story. I found Batgirl mostly understandable without reading the crossovers, but with Young Justice I needed to either track the issues down or search fanwikis for context.

What are some titles or story arcs you all recommend?

[imagines-mha]

💋brutally honest advice based on who you kin / your favourite hq character 💋

💌 i’ve been MIA from this blog for so long lmao 😭 happy summer kiddos

Daichi- sometimes its okay to take breaks and enjoy yourself!! I know you are the reliable friend and i know you love to think your life has linear direction but baby!! You are young!! Enjoy yourself and go fucking crazy every once in a while!! you dont need to be mature 24/7!!

Suga- bro as a suga kinnie im so fucking sorry. You know you’re hot- im so glad you do, but start treating yourself like it!! Its one thing to be sweet to everyone and lift them up but another to do it in place of caring for yourself! Its unsexy to neglect your own needs. Drink some water. I love u.

Asahi- are you in therapy? No? Maybe you should look into that… please stop being afraid of taking up space. U are an angel and everything you say is 100% worthy, interesting and valid. Its alright to be anxious and stay inside sometimes too- do what makes YOU happy, but take care of yourself too okay

Noya- YES i love ur energy but PLEASE STOP NEGLECTING RESPONSIBILITY!!! I mean this from a place of sweetness in my HEART i love you so much and i know youre gonna regret not making that phonecall/doing that essay in the long run. The sooner you do it the sooner its over.

Tanaka- being the comic relief friend is not a full time job my love. Its okay to have your off days- if you were happy 24/7 you would be a robot. Are u a robot? No u arent. I love u. Also please drink some water

Ennoshita- yes i know gifted kid burnout shit is hard i know but do you know how proud everyone is of you? Sometimes you need to take a little step back from life and just inhale, and then exhale again. You dont have to be productive to be successful. I love u

Kageyama- stop clenching your jaw/ tensing your eyebrows right now. Also relax your shoulders. You arent going anywhere bby. I know you hate it when people look at you, but it doesnt always mean theyre out to get you. You are loved, and you have the potential to be loved by everyone- rbf or not

Hinata- i think nows the time you start to stand up for yourself when people call you annoying/ ignore your ideas. I know you just wanna do what makes everyone happy ,and you dont mind when people use you as the butt of the joke, but you deserve sm more than that. Also have a good cry every once in a while

Tsukki- bro its okay to show emotion do you know that? I rlly hope you know that. I know you were raised in an environment that stunted that for you. Now its okay to breathe and its okay to love and its okay to cry. You dont have to feel guilty for it. You dont have a limited stock of tears. I know you like to be chill all the time but youre neglecting ur emotional needs bb

Yamaguchi- you need to look at yourself and say im proud of you. Also, stop comparing yourself to your friends. I know you feel like you’ll always be behind your peers because of your younger years but the only person you need to focus on is you. You’re the only person you’ve got for the rest of your life- so love yourself <3

Kuroo- i know you love to pick your friends up, i really do. You’re an angel and youre the friend everyone loves and needs. But you run away from your own issues way too much. You probably have like 3538 hobbies and thats great!! But you need a self care day, and maybe to confront your demons so they dont outrun you. Love u

kenma - open your curtains and let some sunlight in. also drink water. The sanctity of your bed s lovely, i know, but its okay to sit outside and just take in your surroundings every once in a while. Its also okay to have “childish” hobbies. Stuffed animals? Animal crossing? Thats fucking hot babe dont feel embarrassed for it

Lev- write things down. Literally make reminders on your phone and stop being late to everything. I know you dont mean it and i know you hate taking responsibility for your actions but PLEASE itll save you sm stress. Also stop feeling bad because you lack common sense. Its sexy.

Bokuto- validation from friends is really fun but sometimes its even better to validate yourself!! Instead of asking what people would think of you, look in the mirror and tell yourself you are a fucking hot bitch. also , never stop validating your friends. They love it, even if they pretend they dont

Akaashi- the weight of the world is not yours to bear my love. I love the way you romanticise the little things in life like books and music, but remember that its okay to have lazy days too. You dont always have to be aesthetically pleasing to survive. Also, accept affection from your friends. They adore you.

Konoha- bb u need to breathe. You dont have a time limit to do everything on your bucketlist. You dont have to go out every night to have a good social life. You constantly feel like you need to have the cookie cutter teenage life, ad beat yourself up when you miss the mark. But honestly? Noone has that life. Its a societal construct. Work at ur own pace

Oikawa- go to therapy. I dont know how many times you need to hear this but you dont need to be perfect all the time. I know you dont believe me but im so serious. Also, not everyones out to hurt you. You dont need to prove youre better than people- theres room at the top for everyone. Just prove that you’re good enough for yourself

Iwa- showing affection doesnt make you weak!! Also, you should take up a hobby to deal with those anger issues you may or may not have. You bottle your emotions up then act surprised when they explode. This is not healthy behaviour bb, remember that you are loved even if you show love through eye-rolls and playful smacking

Mattsun- first of all if you kin mattsun DM me immediately and ill sort the wedding. Second of all, your life isnt gonna write itself bb. I know you love to “go with the flow of things” but sometimes you gotta steer the wheel yourself to get that perfect life youre trying to manifest. Also, please dont do drugs. I know you want to, but please dont. I love u

Makki- stop joking about yur unresolved traumas and face them like a bad bitch, i know your cool, i know your hot and i know your fashion sense is off the fucking charts but oh my GOD you need to confront your issues ASAP before they throw you into a breakdown

Kunimi- i know you thought you’d be dead by now and you’re living life on autopilot bc you have no idea what to do with it but babe. You made it this far. Look at you. Im so proud of you and you should be so proud of you too. Youve got this more than anyone. Dont give up now and stay safe

Futakuchi- you are so sexy i know but you are literally 1 step away from turning into a train wreck. I know adrenaline is hot and i know you like to pretend you dont care about life but oh my god. Please dont text your ex. Please dont do that dangerous thing that could get you in trouble. breATHE BABE

Aone - you are a strong believer that a hug from this man could cure your depression. Me too. Maybe invest in a djungelsnog bear from ikea. Surround yourself with stuffed animals and soft things and never stop being kind to people.

Koganegawa- never stop trying to befriend people!! If people think you’re weird for it then that just shows how close minded they are. You are so approachable and people appreciate you so much. Also, the most trustworthy person in the world. Treat yourself to chicken nuggets every once in a while.

Ushijima- its okay to take breaks. Yes you’re deadset on your goals and yes you’re successful as hell, but sometimes a night off with a friend or family is all you need. You close yourself off and noone really knows what to say to you bc of it. Its okay to share your personality- it doesnt make you weak

Tendou- people who look at you weird are cowards. Youre hot. You show support to your friends to make up for the lack of support people showed you when you were younger. I know you think you’ve never moved on from your past but i swear you have. Such a cool person. I love u

Semi- add my number and date me. Tumblr 2014 is your comfort zone and you probably developed serious issues cus of it. Please stop romanticising your sadness and going back to that time period everytime you need a coping mechanism.

Goshiki- ik you have a praise kink but you need to praise urself baby. You are doing a good job!! Your hard work is enough, even if it doesnt pay off! Youre so resilient and you try so hard, it makes you the best person to be around. You have nothing to prove to anyone, i swear

Atsumu- stop trying to be funny it doesnt work no im jk. Who cares if people dont like you? Who cares if you embarrass yourself in public/? YOU SHOULDNT. You dont have to be a pillar of friendship or reliability for everyone, and you dont have to wear a happy mask all the time. Let yourself fall down sometimes

Osamu- you like to be taken care of and you deserve it so much. Sometimes you have no motivation for anything at all and thats okay!! People grow at different rates- let your independence guide you to where you need to be. Dont take shit from anyone

Kita- your soul is literally like a lake on a summers day. You are so kind, so patient, so peaceful and so supportive… to everyone but yourself. You need to treat yourself like you treat everyone else, and stop letting people walk all over you because you see the good in them smh

Suna- its okay to be soft. Being soft is strong as hell sometimes babe. You love to laugh at your friends and act unbothered about things concerning you, but sometimes you cry in the middle of the night. Thats cool. Thats fine. Do something that thrills you- like a rollercoaster or going out at night. Feel that dopamine rush baby 😎

Terushima- let down your walls babe. I know youre flirty and hot, but you also wanna be held and thats cool too. Also maybe make a to do list. Having fun is all you need, but sometimes you want a deep talk at 2am on a rooftop. You are complex. That is okay. That is hot

Sakusa- you overthink everything and worry that what you said or did to someone wasnt enough, or was hurtful in any way. People love you for how you are- quirks and everything. You excite hot energy and like to do things alone. Thats hot. Who cares if you get judged?

[styxbugg]

ive made a character playlist for martin, my boy!

more songs to be added later!

explainations for each song under cut

…well, better than the alternative - Will Wood:

Mostly the end part where the singer is asking the subject “What's so wrong about what's wrong with me?! I'm just trying to do what's right by you!” and so on, feels like Martin breaking, realizing and finally addressing how messed up his town is. Also “If everyone's sick, well then nobody can catch it, and if everybody's different how can anybody match?” reminds me of Citizen Valley.

The Main Character - Will Wood:

Mostly vibes, partially Martin feeling superior to others while in the throes of the brainwashing. “God forbid I'm seen as just an average human being.”

Woke Up - Adventure Time:

Martin realizing how awful his town is, directed at Citizen Brown (or Edna). “I should say, that you're kind of a dictator in a way. You're to blame, you're a constant source of misery and pain!”

I'm Gonna Win - Rob Cantor:

Thanks Jay. Evil Martin au, but also the vibes of Martin getting tired of Citizen Valley in a… not so healthy way… “It's hard to be charming and smart and disarming, it's hard to pretend you're the best.”

All I Need is You - Rob Cantor:

Mostly the vibes. A sense of hopefulness at a better future only to be shot down by reality. I drew a thing for this song.

Disobedient - Steven Universe:

Like “Woke Up”, Martin addresses the reality of his town and, like the song says, wanting to be disobedient. “It's feeling strange, man, this whole arrangement is gonna end with me totally deranged!”

Goodbye - Bo Burnham:

Post woah-everything-I've-ever-known-is-a-lie depression

Keep Your Head Up!! - MilkCan:

Martin slowly losing it due to pressures and other such things. Before he addresses the reality of things.

Cough Syrup - Young the Giant:

Gifted kid burnout. Also, my Martin one shot name comes from this song. “If I could find a way to see this sane, I'd run away to some fortune that I, I should have found by now.”

Taken for a Ride - Tally Hall:

Half vibes. First lyric sounds like, “[Martin] walked into a helpless land and wondered lightly, am I happy?”

Rät - Penelope Scott:

Sounds like Martin’s opinion of Citizen Brown after he breaks free. “I bit the apple cause I loved you, and why would you lie? And then I realized, you're just as naive as I am.” < Specifically sounds like Martin addressing Edna in this problem too.

Anytime You Smile - JT Music:

That whole “There is no war in Ba Sing Se,” vibe. Yes everything is perfect and amazing! (No it's not.) “Let me mask your sadness, I can make happiness a choice! You won't have any tears left to shed when your heart is filled with joy!” Last half really leans into things not being okay.

Oh No! - MARINA:

That whole vibe of being stuck. Martin playing along and feeling terrible. “One track mind, one track heart. If I fail I'll fall apart. Maybe it is all a test, cause I feel like I'm the worst so I always act like I'm the best.”

Time Machine - Miracle Musical:

Time machine. That's it.

Misery Fell - Tally Hall:

Wow that is literally just Citizen Valley! This song is about Citizen Valley. “First they do is to substitute pleasure for pain, helping themselves figure out there's so much they can gain.”

Gadzooks - Lemon Demon:

Martin’s curses. Maybe also, a twisted brainwashed view of the “hooligans” in town.

What the World Needs - Ride the Cyclone:

Another brainwashed superiority song.

It's Alright - Mother Mother:

Martin feeling awful again. Maybe when he starts to break free and starts to realize how he's acted his whole life. “You're not a demon, there's a reason you behaved in that way… And I believe, yes I believe that you will see a better day.” Trying to comfort himself. “I don't wanna know I'm not capable of coming out alive.” Poor Martin

dumb dumb - mazie:

Brainwashed superiority song with a hint of a coming breakdown. “I just wanna be the comic relief, making jokes, not taking responsibilities. It's like waking up inside of the dream.”

Sweet Hibiscus Tea - Penelope Scott:

The aforementioned breakdown. “I am not your protagonist, I'm not even my own! I don't know anything, I don't even know what I don't know!”

Wow, I'm Not Crazy - AJR:

Here come the ajr songs. Mostly vibes. Maybe Martin finding comfort in Jenn again after everything.

Birthday Party - AJR:

The lies he grew up with his whole life. “My minute’s been going great, and I hope it stays that way!”

Karma - AJR:

Right at the beginning of Martin waking up and can't quite handle the truth yet. “I've been so good, why am I feeling empty?”

Come Hang Out - AJR:

Martin overworking himself and by extension, pushing everyone away. (He doesn't have friends tho)

Next Up Forever - AJR:

Vibes

Normal - AJR:

Martin right at beginning of waking up, trying to pretend things are still fine.

Role Models - AJR:

His role model is being manipulated by his wife to brainwash an entire town.

Pretender - AJR:

Most of his personality is pretend, something that happened because of how he grew up. He's completely the opposite of Marty. “Oh I'm insecure, I'm insecure, I think I like what I'm supposed to.”

Be Nice To Me - The Front Bottoms:

Be nice to him, he just realized his life is a lie. “There is very little left of me and it's never coming back.” Between breakdown and rebellion stages

Blame - Air Traffic Control:

Like “I'm Alright”, feels guilty about his actions but is realizing it's not his fault. “Don't blame yourself. Cause you tried as hard as hell, with the hand that you've been dealt.”

Puppet Boy - DEVO:

Brainwashing is kinda like puppeting someone, right? I also just love this song. “Listen puppet boy, before you disobey, consider that the strings attached could make a big change in your ways.”

[collisiondiscourse]

Codi may I humbly request you info-dump about the zombie oc you just posted? Anything you want to say about them and in any order that they come to you.

AJFNQJDNA HI ARIOZ JUMPS ON YOU THANK YOU YES YES YES!!!!!

so. ehehem. this is a little bit of a surprise actually but im kind of sort of maybe JUST maybe...

...planning a zombie apocalypse webcomic? (OOPS)

its nothing solid yet and its nothing confirmed! it was just a little plot bunny that emerged from one wacky and long conversation i had w a few ppl in the collidisc and got me SOOO obsessed that i decided to take the leap and try my hand at making a comic series!

the fella i just posted earlier is a 17 year old special-infected 'zombie' named 'Perch' ! they're a silly little guy and one of the main characters of my planned webcomic — along with their two besties whos names i cannot yet reveal 👁 perch is a teenager who was caught in a mall right as the zombie apocalypse hit and was swept up into a rag-tag group of teenagers who share one thing in common:

gifted kid burnout syndrome

together, this group of suspiciously talented teenage proteges learn to survive the world after its zombification, while also maybe healing along the way.

perch themself is a very happy go lucky and mischievous kid, often being the one in the group who makes the most jokes and lightens the mood with a prank or two whenever the going gets tough. however, perch is also a teen with an extreme martyr complex, so one day an incident occurs that changes them forever when they get run over by a large horde of zombies.

surprisingly not dead, perch learns that they are actually 'immune' to the zombie virus and thus did not lose their life despite being swamped. unlike most "immune characters" in zombie media however, perch does NOT gain any special powers or superhuman abilities. no super healing ability, no strength, not even not getting attacked by other zombies! they still get chased by zoms' that havent already tried biting them, and thus explains all the bitemark scars they have all over their body.

using their newfound immunity from zombie bites and knowing that they are one of the only people in their survivalist group that do not have a certain chance of death every time they go out alone, perch becomes one of the main scouts and fighters of the small group.

if you think giving one of the most self sacrificial and wreckless members of a group a special power that allows them to throw themselves into even RISKIER situations is a bad idea...

well. you'd be right!

[clint-barton-lover]

Honestly Tim was always my favourite Damian being a close second (being haha autistic kid vibes) but I cannot explain how much I've always loved Tim, now there's the occasional comic where I'm just reading about one of the others and they take over all of my mind for a while but TIM FUCKING DRAKE is the best Robin, maybe it's because I'm also a gifted burnout insomniac with a caffeine addiction horrible self care and only 1/4th of a brain cell capable of focusing on anything other than my current hyperfixation and the fact he's always been heavily queer coded (at least in my eyes again maybe I’m projecting) especially in his relationship with say Conner Kent but I've always loved him so fucking much he's just always been such an amazing and relatable character for me and the fact that DC is finally taking all the queer tones about his character and making it explicit cannon, having him find a guy who's genuinely interested in him and start a romantic relationship with someone in the comics other than Stephanie Brown who he does love (but doesn’t belong with) in the comics is great and the fact that it's a pre-established character who never had too much development (at least not that I know of I’ve only ever seen Bernard in a few comics ever) so it's almost a complete blank slate except for the fact that him and Tim have been on good terms and did have a subtle hint of chemistry that can be easily built upon in their earlier runs together means there's a lot of room for development and growth for both characters and I just love seeing this I also love that they aren't putting a label on Tim's sexuality because it's so great to see a character who doesn't immediately need to put themselves in a box upon realising that they're on the queer spectrum and I am just so fucking excited Tim Drake has a boyfriend and they're adorable and I'm in love with this comic so much I just I love it so much.

[welllpthisishappening]

Welllp These Are Books: the April 2021 Edition

I did not read Romeo and Juliet this month. I read a bunch of other books. Like, a bunch. More than one series. Because Big Bang burnout is real and grown adults missing their deadlines is a real good way to stress me out. So, I read a bunch. Good books, very bad books, books that caused limbs to flail. For positive and not-so-positive reasons. Naturally, all those reasons must be shared. Under the cut with occasionally long and rant-prone reviews, as well as spoilers. Beware of spoilers under the cut. Please keep telling me what to read, internet. My library wish list is almost comically long now.

GIVE ME ALL THE WORLD BUILDING AND SNARK AND FIGHTING! WITH MAGIC! AND SWORDS! IT’S MY FAVORITE THING IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!

Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab

Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.

— Picture it, approximately twelve forty-seven am. My husband is asleep. I am reading. The second book in this series ends. And I say, right out loud, at what might now be twelve forty-eight am, HOLY SHIT IT JUST ENDED. Justin thought we were under attack. No man has ever snapped awake quicker. He was not pleased. At least not in the same way that I was about these books. Which I goddamn LOVED. Loved. The world building. The magic. The banter. Rhy and Kell’s relationship. Once more. RHY AND KELL’S RELATIONSHIP. Which I might have cared about more than the romance??? Maybe??? I cannot get over how good this world building was. I know people have quips with it, and that’s fair. I saw the “twist” coming in the first book, and I think trying to preserve that left some plot holes that are understandably frustrating. Because Lilah definitely needed depth perception to fight as well as she did. Also did Schwab really refer to her as a cross dresser in her author’s note? Yikes. She wore a dude’s jacket, like—c’mon V.E. Other than that though. I loved it. Also shout out to @peglegsjones for suggesting this one in my 2020 post and call out to me for taking so long to read it.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . . A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.  A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.   Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

— I’ve talked about how little I cared about anything that happened in Shadow and Bone before, but I kept seeing gifs of the Crows in the Netflix show and my brain was like: huh, I could like them. So, after some help from the very helpful internet, I’m happy to report I do in fact like them. At one point, I slunk into the couch. Like that’s how overcome with emotion I was. Kaz ripped a dude’s eye out! For Inej! Matthias loved Nina’s laugh! I would like to hug Jesper. Seriously, this hit all my high points and world building and banter and I lol’ed at “scheming face.” I would like my hold to come through faster on the sequel.

THEY DID NOT CALL INTERMISSION HALFTIME AND MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE WAS WAY DIFFERENT THAN THESE KIDS

The Off Campus Series by Elle Kennedy

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

— The first book in this series was free on Amazon. So, I read it. And really liked it??? It was so chock full of cliches and badly written tropes and Garrett probably should have accepted that Hannah didn’t want to go out at the start, but like—he was cute? And as we all know I am TRASH™ for stories set in the same verse, so, like, I just kept reading these trashy college hockey books. Trashy is a compliment here. God, these kids had so much sex. So much. An incredible amount, really. I once had a guy tell me he was physically attracted to me, but not emotionally attracted to me in college. Like, that was my college experience. The first and second books were the best, I think. I didn’t really like Dean that much.

MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE HE WAS A RABBI???

The Intimacy Experiement by Rosie Danan

Naomi Grant has built her life around going against the grain. After the sex-positive start-up she cofounded becomes an international sensation, she wants to extend her educational platform to live lecturing. Unfortunately, despite her long list of qualifications, higher ed won't hire her. Ethan Cohen has recently received two honors: LA Mag nominated him as one of the city's hottest bachelors and he became rabbi of his own synagogue. Low on both funds and congregants, the executive board of Ethan's new shul hired him with the hopes that his nontraditional background will attract more millennials to the faith. They've given him three months to turn things around or else they'll close the doors of his synagogue for good. Naomi and Ethan join forces to host a buzzy seminar series on Modern Intimacy, the perfect solution to their problems--until they discover a new one--their growing attraction to each other. They've built the syllabus for love's latest experiment, but neither of them expected they'd be the ones putting it to the test.

— Ok, I know that sounds bad. Again, I’m a creature of predictable habit and this was the sequel to The Roommate, which I absolutely LOVED last year. But where as the relationship in that one was kind of swoony, this one was...I don’t know, really. Everyone was a well-rounded character and the plot was good, but there was this semi-invisible something that made it difficult for me to get fully on board with the whole story. Honestly, it might be because he was a religious figure?? Also, they got together real quick. Like zero to sixty in twenty-six seconds flat.

I KNOW IT’S BAD, IT WAS BAD AND YET—I CANNOT STOP READING IT???

Too Wild to Tame by Tessa Bailey

Sometimes you just can't resist playing with fire . . . By day, Aaron Clarkson suits up, shakes hands, and acts the perfect gentleman. But at night, behind bedroom doors, the tie comes off and the real Aaron comes out to play. Mixing business with pleasure got him fired, so Aaron knows that if he wants to work for the country's most powerful senator, he'll have to keep his eye on the prize. That's easier said than done when he meets the senator's daughter, who's wild, gorgeous, and 100 percent trouble. Grace Pendleton is the black sheep of her conservative family. Yet while Aaron's presence reminds her of a past she'd rather forget, something in his eyes keeps drawing her in. Maybe it's the way his voice turns her molten. Or maybe it's because deep down inside, the ultra-smooth, polished Aaron Clarkson might be more than even Grace can handle . . .

— Last month I read the first book in this series and it was absolutely ridiculous. This one even more so. The Clarksons are still on the road trip (sans one sibling because she fell in love in a week in the first book) and Aaron was, like, not a root’able character? Very Edward Cullen I’M A BAD GUY, BELLA vibes and his relationship with Grace was so strange. Super rushed again, obvs. Meeting in the woods is weird enough. Professing love forty-eight hours later is decidedly unbelievable. Also there was a kidnapping involved? I totally put a hold on the next book in the series.

COME UP WITH DIFFERENT TRAUMA, I DARE YOU! OR NO TRAUMA. WHAT A CONCEPT!!

The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel

Liya Thakkar is a successful biochemical engineer, takeout enthusiast, and happily single woman. The moment she realizes her parents' latest dinner party is a setup with the man they want her to marry, she's out the back door in a flash. Imagine her surprise when the same guy shows up at her office a week later -- the new lawyer hired to save her struggling company. What's not surprising: he's not too thrilled to see her either after that humiliating fiasco.

Jay Shah looks good on paper...and off. Especially if you like that whole gorgeous, charming lawyer-in-a-good-suit thing. He's also infuriating. As their witty office banter turns into late-night chats, Liya starts to think he might be the one man who truly accepts her. But falling for each other means exposing their painful pasts. Will Liya keep running, or will she finally give love a real chance?

— I had such high hopes for this one. Which is on me, I guess. Because I didn’t hate this one, but it was...not great. Maybe I’m just getting old and crotchety but I am BEGGING romance writers to come up with different trauma for their female protagonists. Not every woman has to have been assaulted to rationalize their current personality. Doesn’t have to happen. Like, ok, yes it does happen. Far more than it should. But that’s an entirely different story, and I am so tired of female characters getting absolutely destroyed by their past only to have that be their defining characteristic for so much of the book. Until a nice man they were initially mean to shows up and he’s UNDERSTANDING and he CARES and it’s just, bleh. It’s bleh. Tired and predictable and I’m over it.

IN WHICH I SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THE COVER

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young

At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling’s life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she’s passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There’s no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover. Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she’s drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can’t deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.

— Ok, so I had had this book on hold for so long that I genuinely forgot about it and forgot who it was written by. Samantha Young wrote that one book that I called the worst book I had ever read. Only I did not realize that when I started reading this one. So, you see how this sets us up for disaster. Because this book was a disaster. Everyone was goddamn annoying. And whiny. Shit, everyone whined. About everything. Also, the actual writing was atrocious. I am not usually one to be like “men can’t write,” but at one point I told both @shireness-says and @optomisticgirl that this book must have been secretly written by a man because no woman writing it would be so obsessed with pointing out where her cellulite was. Like, what??? Also the first sex scene? Oh my God, I laughed. Guffawed. The so-called love interest literally asked: “Are we going to have sex now?” And then they just did. It was so bad. Also there was a dog? Who went everywhere with the so-called love interest. And they just never explained that? I thought it was going to be part of some crushing and depressing backstory. Nah, he was just there.

HOLY SHIT THIS WAS SO DUMB I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS WAS A BOOK! A BOOK MEANT FOR YOUNG ADULTS! WHAT IS YOUNG ADULT???

The Queen’s Secret by Melissa de la Cruz

Lilac's birthright makes her the Queen of Renovia, and a forced marriage made her the Queen of Montrice. But being a ruler does not mean making the rules. For Lilac, taking the throne means giving up the opportunity to be with love of her life, the kingdom's assassin, Caledon Holt. Worse, Cale is forced to leave the castle when a horrific set of magical attacks threatens Lilac's sovereignty. Now Cal eand Lilac will have to battle dark forces separately, even though being together is the only thing that's ever saved them.

— Remember last month when I was like: can’t wait for my hold to come through on this sequel so I know what happens? What an idiot. THIS BOOK WAS SO DUMB I CANNOT BELIEVE IT WAS A BOOK. As always in my rage-induced rants, no apologies for spoilers because seriously do NOT read this, but Lilac (legit, that was her name) married some other dude but just kept fucking Cale??? Like she had a secret door? So he could come in and they could fuck?? I just—oh my God. So, all these things kept happening. Magic and bad stuff and horses were killed. Lilac’s mother was the absolute WORST. Honestly the most worthless character who at one point was like “well, my story is over, guess it’s time to leave,” and then just left?? Forced Lilac into a marriage of alliance and no love and then everything evil was defeated in point two four seconds. It happened so fast I wasn’t even sure it happened. So, then I’m like, ok, how are Lilac and Cale going to end up together? Because this is YA and that’s how it’s supposed to work. Only her being married and that marriage requiring an heir is something of a rather large hurdle. Don’t worry! Remember when Lilac and Cale were fucking? Everyone totally knew. Including the king Lilac is married to. Who is somehow like...ok with this? And tells Cale that Lilac is pregnant. ISN’T THAT WONDERFUL! Sure, because now they can lie and claim its the king’s heir. ONLY IT’S CALE’S KID! AND CALE IS COOL WITH THIS! His entire internal monologue during this is about how he realizes he might not ever be able to tell his kid he’s their father, but he’ll be around and that’s good. Wait, what??? But there’s more! Not only is Lilac having Cale’s kid, but the king she’s married to is in love with one of Cale’s spy associates. So the king and the spy are going to go hang out (and presumably have their own kids) at one castle and Lilac and Cale are going to go to another. Lilac and the king never get divorced or annulled or whatever. Everyone stays as is and married as is and—they all live happily ever after? This was presented as a good ending, I swear. What the shit, guys, seriously.