#her soc look is sooooo beautiful

[wassupmygays]

omg omg maggie bev tonight maggie bev tonight

[dregstrash]

king of scars re-read thoughts

i just finished re-reading King of Scars and boy oh boy I have some more thoughts (mostly on zoyalai, and damn this was a long post).

I ship Zoyalai even stronger than I did before

No seriously

Both of them are so determined to be noble and self-sacrificing that they lean on one another like two people who need the support of another (kind of reminds me of Nina and Matthias when they had to swim to shore)

Nikolai being so determined to save people. K I L L S  M E

While I love a good broody, edgelord. I do love the heroic, arrogant type of dudes who are just trying their best

Also Zoya literally has a vision to save all the Grisha ever and if she doesn’t end up being Queen by Kos2 then what’s even the point

Cause she says that the people won’t accept her, but girl, seriously. Pull a Sultan Jasmine and just change the law--the perception--save the Grisha

I also didn’t realize the depth of Nikolai’s optimism until this second reread. Like it seeps into everything he is or does. With Kirgin, he sees the noble heart and not the rake (for the most part). With his real dad and his half-sister, their very lives are threatening to his position, but he won’t pull the trigger on them just cause he thinks their very lives shouldn’t be forfeit simply for his existence.

Let’s not forget the fact that he really believes he can get his country out of a very very very difficult spot through sheer will and wit

I am also revitalized by the secondary relationships (Genya/David, Nadia/Tamar). It’s like a found-family dynamic with just a dash of “everyone’s getting together and there’s Tolya reading poetry in the corner”

Also Zoya and Nikolai subtly checking each other out is 10/10 content

I’m no expert but Nikolai is defff an extravert (maybe an ENFP) and Zoya is obviously an introvert (I’m thinking an ISTJ, but I could be wrong)

Kid Nikolai kills me each time I read his backstory

Like learning why Nikolai is the way he is. Knowing why he wears a thousand masks a day. Knowing that he saw monsters in his own family and has been fighting them since his childhood is absolutely amazing.

“My ruthless Zoya, I’ll load the gun myself” --> Iconic. Brilliant. Love of my life

Zoya saying the people would “never” accept her as queen is entirely laughable. Because as we know there’s really nothing quite impossible...just improbable

After re-reading all the stuff about the Starless Saint cult and The Darkling’s impact I’m here to report it’s just as horrifying as the first time I read it. The Darkling was a lonely, arrogant, narcissist with a delusion of grandeur and his followers are the kind of people who will forever be quoting other people’s pains as something to be taken for granted because to them “everything happens for a reason”

Nikolai has all these ideas that he’s always seeking for power and ambition, and while that may be true to a certain extent he’s awfully ready to hand over his country to his most trusted adviser

Also Zoya’s arc in this book is absolutely beautiful. Like just her process of grief and how that manifests into anger and will. And the fact that Juris doesn’t ask her to stop being angry or good, he’s just asking her to reconcile what was so she could move on fully. He’s literally just asking her to heal so that could be another scar she carries to make her stronger, just like the claw scars she has

And don’t get me started on the Juris/Zoya mentor relationship. I love it so much. Literally the only person who can match her snark for snark, and I love his “give no shits” attitude, but still be able to care kind of

Literally everyone in this book is advocating for Queen Zoya 2020, and I’m all here for it

And for real, there is so much foreshadowing to the fact that Zoya can’t be stuck being general forever. Despite her own protests or what dictates as “normal.” I think for Grisha to enter this new world where they can be treated like people, they need someone with significant political standing, and if that isn’t Queen Zoya than idek (cause i mean wouldn’t that solve a lot of their problems with Parem? With a Grisha Queen the use of Parem could be heavily regulated or banned, no other country wouldn’t dare use it against Ravka in case of enacting war, and it could finally finally unite Ravka and Grisha alike?)

Nikolai contemplating his own death is such a mood. I know I’ve talked forever about Zoya and her arc, but damn Nikolai. The Golden Boy hero who is willing to act for the rest of his life just so he can save others. And despite his strength he displays such a tenderness that makes him sooooo loveableeeeee. Also, don’t @ me but the iconic line of “if things were different. if he was led by his heart and not by duty” was the beginnings of a love declaration. i’m standing by that

One of the lines that kills me each time is when Nikolai is facing off the demon (one of my fav parts of the entire book tbh) and he says “he would never, ever turn his back on a wounded man-- even if that man was him.” just that hit me hard. that someone so confident and so self-sacrificing can survive by staring at his fears and deciding he was worth saving too is incredibly motivational. And while I aspire to have the Steel of Zoya Nazyalensky, I want Nikolai’s ability to be so Determined and Dedicated.

I also want to make a point about different views of love in King of Scars. Cause I think Zoya’s view on Love is the fruity, lusty kind of love that never lasts. Nikolai’s view of love is unattainable and based on pleasantries. I think they’re in love in the sense of choice. That love is the choice one makes after the attraction settles down and becomes normal. They just choose to be dedicated and choose Ravka (and each other) over and over again. And I don’t think they’re familiar with that kind of love to even recognize that that’s what it is (this is my own personal theory, I could also be wrong)

Reaching the end and realizing that Ehri doesn’t even want to be Queen, I really highly doubt that this marriage is going to work out. Not even because of the lack of love. It’s her lack of love for the people and zero political ambition. That’s pretty much useless to Nikolai who wants more for his people (i.e. Zoya will be Queen, I will keep saying it till the day I die)

Also, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Darkling is a piece of shit

Juris will be #1 Zoyalai shipper. I can see it. I can taste it. It’s going to be grand

I may have missed this the first time, but Nikolai saying that they’re about to go to war again is insane, and damn if I thought Ketterdam was a raging dumpster fire of a mess Ravka is a Whole Ass Disaster

Final thoughts: 

Nikolai is a good man and a good king despite his very mortal standing and him being vulnerable with himself and accepting his darkness is beautiful. 

Zoya is a powerful woman, who has a lot of capacity to love despite what she thinks and she’s going to make a kick ass queen. 

Zoyalai is endgame

Book 2 is going to be hella chaotic but I’m ready for it all

Ready for Zoya, Genya, Tamar, Nadia (literally all the Grisha women) to have their Avengers: Endgame moment, and destroy the Darkling for good

Ready for Nikolai to be himself unequivocally and be the King his country deserves

Ready for Zoyalai to realize that love doesn’t have to look like doe-eyes and silly platitudes, but it can look like understanding the other person and be willing to die for something greater

I almost wish that the Grisha TV show was about SoC and KoS, instead. That way the Grisha Trilogy can be told through flashbacks, and that way we can focus on the actual effect of the Darkling rather than glorifying him in this weird dark light (but that’s just me)

Anyway: ZOYALAI WILL BE ENDGAME 

[tragically-broken]

10 Questions Tag

 Thank you @abookandacoffee for tagging me! I really enjoyed reading your answers!

My Questions:

1. When’s the last time you wrote for fun?

2. Growing up what did you want to be?

3. How many bottles of water do you drink per day?

4. Fav way to exorcise? 

5. Do you think you’re good at texting?

6. What is your go-to outfit?

7. If you could have any pet what would it be?

8. Do you use bar soap?

9. What are your thoughts on winter?

When’s the last time you felt pure joy? 

@abookandacoffee ‘s questions:

1. Would you rather vacation in the mountains or at the beach? 

Mountains 100%

2. Describe your perfect day in five words or less.

friends who love me back 

3. Who is the last person you had a deep conversation with?

Briannica aka @tintinnabulary 

4. Do you read any genres other than fantasy?

MS = obsessed with Nicholas Sparks Novels

HS = obsessed with Hunger Games and anything “end of the world” 

College = my fav obsession by far with SJM novels 

sooooo yes? lol 

5. Do you have an idea of where you want to be 5 years from now? 10 years?

-Working for a school that I love

-Living in a cute apt w/ my pupper

-Have my first draft of my novel finished 

-Completed my masters in education 

-Financially stable so that I can visit family/friends and travel the world....there is so much on this beautiful earth to see and I’ve barely laid eyes on a fraction of it.

-By the 10 yr mark I hope to have successfully adopted at least one child

6. What is your favorite thing to cook/bake?

I wish i cooked more than I do, but I feel like chocolate chip cookies are the most rewarding lol

7. What is your favorite thing about tumblr?

Friendship & Freedom

8. What is the last thing you would want to do with your free time?

M A T H 

9. You see a big spider. What do you do?

Find a shoe and deSTROY HIM 

10. What’s the last book you read? Rating?

The last book I read that wasn’t SJM was Six of Crows and I’d give it 5 stars it was soooooooooooooooo gooooooooooooooood

From Lucia:

1. Are you afraid of getting old? Or do you want to grow old?

I wouldn’t say i’m afraid of getting old, but I would say i’m afraid of aging....getting old is just a number on your diverse license, but aging is when your boy starts to slowly break down and your quality of life ain’t so great anymore.

2. Favorite type of landscape?

I haven’t had the chance to experience many different types, but I’d have to say mountains...4 summers in a row I’d hike part of the Appalachian Mountains and it’s one of the most amazing experiences and the water, OMG THE WATER so cold and crisp. What I love most about it is that the only thing touched my man is the slim trail. That’s it. The animals, trees, rivers, its all untouched. Breathtaking.

3. Favorite work of art?

I love art in general, but haven't gotten to see as much as I’d like. However, I’d have to say my fav is Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. My Mamow (grandmother) had these coasters at her house that I was memorized by and they were all pictures of art made by Vincent and the Starry Night one was always my favorite. I actually got to visit the MoMA 2 years ago to see it in person and it was a really cool experience.

4. Favorite newspaper or magazine to read? 

I literally NEVER read either of those anymore....the last time I read a magazine was when I was 16/17 and it was Seventeen Magazine

5. Sweet or savory breakfast food? 

Chocolate Pancakes is my fav breakfast food ever

6. Fall fashion or spring fashion? Or do you not really care either way?

FALL GIMME ALL THE FALL COLORS MAN 

7. Are your books organized nicely or just in random piles/groups? 

I WISH. I’ve actually never owned a book shelf in my life which really sucks but i basically have a “read” pile, “haven’t read” pile, and a “WRECK MY LIFE” pile sooooo

8. Does a messy room bother you? 

Messy? nah. Dirty? yes. 

9. How big of a procrastinator are you? 

I can’t even talk about this rn lol

10. Whats your star sign? 

Libra

From Harry:

1) What one piece of fiction has most affected your world view? 

Throne of Glass by SJM 100% Those books have helped me in too many ways to count

2) Which three real life people do you look up to most? 

I don’t really do that?? I feel like the sooner you realize that everyone is human and will let you down at some point the better....I do admire certain things about ppl though like my aunt’s strength/independence, my papow’s determination/love for others, certain friends for not caring what ppl think about them, but overall I’m just tryin to do the best with what I have because at the end of the day no one on this earth is exactly like me. So why should I idolize ppl?

3) Which three fictional characters inspire you? 

Aelin (ToG series), Rhysand (ACOTAR series), Nina (SoC series) 

4) What, or who, is your guilty pleasure at the moment? 

I’d have to say anything chocolate related....

5) What trait about yourself do you feel is under appreciated by either yourself, or those around you? 

I’m a very good friend, and a lot of ppl have taken that for granted....as a result I’ve learned to drop ppl who could care less about me 

6) How do you dance? 

I loooooove to dance, but I’m so bad at it it’s embarrassing 

7) How do you entertain yourself on long, LONG car journeys? 

I get car sick which means reading makes it worse which sucks, but I drive now so just the radio mostly and whoever is my driving companion 

8) Are you at all religious or spiritual? 

I am both, but the term “religious” these days has a very bad rep which is understandable. I’m always open to conversation about these things. After all isn’t that how we grow as people? 

9) In light of October approaching, what are your favourite spooky films/books/shows/etc? 

I wasn’t allowed to watch Halloween movies as a child so I dont really have any...saw Hocus Pocus about 2 years ago for the first time and that was fun lol

10) And finally, which song are you most likely to sing along to regardless of the situation around you? 

If I know it, i’m singing it.

From Yfke:

1. What is your favorite movie of all time? 

whhhhhYYYYYYY THIS IS SO HARD 

I can watch Tangled any day any where so I guess that’s it

2. How old were you when you first fell in love? 

I’d like to say 16, but tbh I’m not even sure if that’s what love is

3. What is your biggest wish? 

Equality 

4. How old were you when you read your first book? 

Hmmm interesting question. I have no idea.....I remember loving the Junie B Jones books tho! Those were classics 

5. Who is your favorite person in this entire world? 

This hits a sore spot, so I’ll pass on this inner turmoil question

6. What is one place you would love to visit? 

Alaska 

7. What is one place you would love to move to? 

Somewhere that’s not here and has 4 seasons lol

8. What time do you usually go to bed? 

I have the worst sleeping schedule in the world, maybe im in bed by 8pm or 8am who knowwwwws

9. Favorite drink? 

Milkshake or Some sort of adult beverage 

10. What is/was your favorite subject? 

MS/HS = English 

College = Advanced Writing (shocker) 

Tagged: @tintinnabulary @kylar-black @abookandacoffee @kashews @dr-woodsprite @literarynonsense @mirroredsilence @ilikebigbooks-and-icannotlie @akcrion @kiminicricket 

^ngl this did take quite a bit of time so no offense taken if ya don’t wanna do it XD