#it’s up to 48 chapters and I’m not done with 5th year

[imaginationxfound]

Oh dear lord Heir is going to be longer than rearrange the stars by a lot isn’t it

[betweentheheavesofstorm]

i keep thinking i’m done beating this dead horse but no, because i’ve now read an interview with Kester Grant that explains, Well, a Lot.

 I’m also pissing myself because on her Agent’s site bio, she’s listed as being born on December 5, “alongside notorious British rebel Guy Fawkes” which strongly suggests that SOMEONE involved thought Guy Fawkes was born on November 5.

I then looked at her About page on her own website, where the note is “Death-day of notorious British rebel Guy Fawkes celebrated annually in the UK by giant morbidly ironic bonfire's & firework displays” which is ALSO wrong because he wasn’t even brought to trial till the following January ?? the fireworks commemorate the gunpowder plot aka the actual thing that happened on the 5th of november ohh my god  kester grant use wikipedia challenge 

Anyway, this is gonna be a Long Post, so I’m gonna put the quotes + commentary under the cut:

Firstly, Marius DID appear in an initial draft, only to be deleted later:

He was present in the first draft of the book when I sold it to the publishing house and I just struggled every time I had to write a scene with him. All the scenes with Marius and Enjolras St. Juste (it was Marius originally as well as St. Juste, and St. Juste was just a secondary character) and I was saying to my husband ‘if only I could write this scene with just St. Juste it would be 3 million times better’ [...] So I said to my editor, “listen, could I cut Marius?��� and she said “absolutely!” and everything was just three million times better and now we just have St. Juste who became the amazing star that he is and I love him.

so we did get Marjolas, just the other way round than we normally do. 

On her writing process:

I had the idea for The Court Of Miracles and I wrote it in six weeks to apply for a competition called Pitch Wars where you get mentored by two published authors and then at the end of the mentorship of two months they help you edit it.

Really? Written in six weeks? you certainly couldn’t tell...

Then, when asked about research:

I started to do research on a 48 hour flight from the States to where I live now in Mauritius [...] So I had this raging fever and I had a million tabs open on my computer and I was just eating the history of Paris, from this origin all the way through to Napoleon’s fall. And taking notes and getting ideas.

honestly her having a fever while doing the research suddenly means EVERYTHING makes sense 

On how she came up with the Guilds:

Then I went online to see what kinds of crimes there are and I looked up laws. I had a whole list of different crimes and said ‘okay, we can split these into guilds’ and then I thought if you’re two young girls living in a criminal world, who is the most terrifying criminal?’ and obviously it would be the human trafficker. So automatically I was like ‘okay that’s your big bad guy. That’s your Shere Khan’.

what kind of crimes there are

Being in the first person is interesting because I don’t normally write in the first person. Being of a certain age, I’m 35, everything I’ve ever read in England was written in the third person, but I knew I was writing a young adult book, or at least one bordering on young adult, so I had been advised to write in the first person, which I hated. It was completely unnatural to me but I think it’s worked very well for Nina. [bolding mine]

once again, you definitely can’t tell that she hates the first person !! not at all!! also that’s definitely not the sort of thing you should say in an interview?!

I have since been told, from my best friend and all of my siblings, that Nina is actually like me and of course it was easy to write her because she does what I would do.

ohoho it’s self-insert o’clock! and, as Briar pointed out, it’s just a wild coincidence that her self-insert is also universally beloved by the Hot Young Men of the novel. (Not that in fic I’m against self-inserts - but once again, this is published !) 

There’s going to be two sequels [to The Court Of Miracles] so there might *hint hint*, be a bit of jealousy or triangles or things between [Ettie and Nina]

personally i’m delighted by this! we already have a love square, what is it gonna become? a tetrahedron? is the dauphin gonna suddenly fall for Cosette? or Montparnasse, or Enjolras St. Juste????

Nina, if pushed a certain way, if she allowed herself to go a certain way, could easily become very similar to [Kaplan, the villain]. I’m not saying she would become a human trafficker but Nina is basically a walking PTSD case. She’s like Batman! She’s like Samuel Vimes in Ankh-Morpork [in Discworld]!

nina is like batman. right, got it.

Originally the book had the history of Paris by the Dead Lord in between every single chapter and I think it was a bit too weighty and a bit boring in places. So my editor said ‘let’s scrap that’ and I said ‘okay but then I’m going to put the short stories in’. 

you know, her editor dropped the ball in a lot of places, but at least they got rid of that, because I was skim reading the folk story bits as it was

I have another book coming out next year, it’s basically like The Jungle Book but on speed.

this is the bit that made me almost spit peppermint tea everywhere because who the fuck describes their own work like that

and finally, last but not at all least, here’s her overview of the French Revolution:

I mean the nobles [in The Court Of Miracles] were always monstrous in a way but they have become 100 times worse because they saw what the people of France were about to do to them. Which historically, the people of France, the revolutionaries, led the terror – they murdered everyone right left and centre! Then of course the revolutionaries famously turned on their own.

There was terrible suffering that led to the revolution but the revolutionaries were all mental. They literally murdered each other because they were so paranoid! Robespierre got rid of the Roman Catholic Religion entirely and then invented his own religion! Look it up its called the Cult Of The Supreme Being!

Then there were three guys who had joint power who were supposed to form an equal government. One of them rose to power and his name was Napoleon and he became a dictator. Although he was a dictator who took over almost all of the world, the people of France loved him. [Then] the people of France themselves in a strange turn of events turned on him in the end and betrayed him. Otherwise, he might still have been in power for years and years. And Napoleon is a big feature in Books Two and Three… just saying…

napoleon!! we’re getting NAPOLEON in the next two i am so genuinely excited because I have no fucking idea what she’s gonna do 

[jacktherph]

Actually, instead of a shoutout, could we get your opinion on the rp please? Thank you!

hi there @kismetrpg! i’m happy to give you an opinion. since you didn’t specify private, i will post this on my blog. feel free to ask me to take it down if that was a mistake.

NOTE: all opinions expressed here are mine, jack’s, belonging to jack. i make no claims to knowing what is best for every group – i only offer advice based on my experiences, what i’ve seen in the community, and my personal knowledge. no one person knows what is best for you or any group other than yourself; because you were the one who put all of this together in the first place. so take everything i say as a suggestion, and remember that you have accomplished so much!!

and if you have any questions, want feedback on something specific, or want elaborations on anything said in this opinion, don’t hesitate to message me!!

this isn’t just an opinion, it’s a shoutout and a rec! @kismetrpg looks like a really cool new supernatural-themed rpg set in new orleans, y’all!! with a unique lore, awesome factions, and tons of different species to take on, this is an rpg worth checking out!! they open on january 5th!

start: 1.20 | pause: 1.21 - 1.25 | end: 1.36TOTAL: 12 minutes to read all pages (please don’t take this as a measure of anything, I simply time myself and am a speed reader)

Before I say anything about the group and pages, this is a blanket recommendation: Read up on Apostrophe Rules and go through your pages with an editing eye. I’m definitely guilty of mixing up my apostrophe rules sometimes but I definitely noticed a lot of mistakes in pages like your plot. Fixing these can improve the overall professional atmosphere of your group!

My first impression was this: this is definitely a group I would have considered joining when I was looking for rpgs to check out!! You have a lot of lore, great details and descriptions provided, and the blanket plot seems really interesting. This is a fascinating looking roleplay, so I want to give you my kudos. Well done! The main is very clean, minimalist, if that’s what you were going for. All attention is definitely diverted to the heading image. Unfortunately without seeing the advertised “supernatural rpg” font, I wouldn’t know this group has supernatural intentions based solely on looks. I don’t know if you planned/wanted that, but I wanted to include that in case you were so inclined. Your sidebars are clean-cut and to the point and will, no doubt, fill up with things once you open I’m sure. I do like the blanket trigger warning on the top of the About–I don’t know if some might deem it entirely necessary, but you want potential members to know what they’ll be looking at before they delve into your info, and I respect that.

A word on your Navigation: I don’t know if, in your theme, you can divide the navigation up more than by two headings, but if you can I would recommend it. Personally, I would divide it into: “Before Application,” including plot, rules, app, forms, etc / “Lore,” (or similar title) including your info on the Council, Silence, bestiary, locations, etc / & “After Applying,” with what you have. If that doesn’t appeal to you, I would say just try and reorganize the links? Why I say this: because jumping around from lore, lore, to app info, to lore, to form info, all in the top was kind of confusing for me. I get having the most important things first but it did seem a bit mish-moshed.

Your Plot is spot-on. You gave me background, you gave me current happenings, you gave me how things went down, and that’s excellent. One thing: think about including a paragraph on when/how/why the Council was formed? I think that would wrap it all up nicely and send a potential member into the “Chapter One” section seamlessly. Because I was suddenly like “wait who are these guys?? Where did they come from??” when I saw their name. Just a thought. As a writer I adored how you put it in as a “Chapter.” Something about the word choice really made me feel like I was entering at the beginning of a story by applying.

Your Rules are standard and fill every criteria for base lsrpgs that I, personally, am aware of. Your last bullet-point in “God Modding” however brought up a curiosity that you might want to think about putting somewhere in your lore: the rock-paper-scissors effect of the supernaturals. Who beats who? Who has a natural weakness to who? Etc etc. Just something to think about? I like that your Activity Check window is 48 hours. Very appealing to people who want to join but also worry about Check limits. QUESTION: At the top of your Rules, you say this is a “canon and original character roleplay.” What canon? I couldn’t find a fandom influence–not a blatant one. If you don’t mean from a fandom, you might want to rephrase to avoid people applying with fandom canon characters. If you mean YOUR canon, might I suggest “an original canon and original character roleplay” instead?

I don’t really feel like I can give an opinion on your Lore pages – after all, the Lore is yours. But it all reads very simply, cleanly, and to-the-point. I feel like if I have any questions they are easily answered by hitting up the main, too. (And as an admin of an rpg with a lot of lore, just be prepared to answer questions that are answered already, semi-often. It happens, am I right? ;) ) Something that would be cool: snippets from the Holy Book of the False Silence. HERE a popular video game, Dragon Age, wrote actual verses from their in-world “scripture,” maybe you could too. It would be very immersive and exciting for people who are Followers!

I love your Location page – plain and simple. There’s pictures, info, territory info, even economy info! You really did your research on the Big Easy, huh? That is great because it can mean potential members will feel immersed. I also like that you included a form for new locations to be added; it makes the members feel more included for sure.

And your Bestiary makes me melt. Firstly, I love the theme. You provide a great deal of information and also the essentials needed; a good balance for people who have a species in mind and people who are species-shopping! Great images, great aesthetic too. But one thing: the Bestiary is very dark compared to the main and all other pages. That struck me. Would you consider going lighter with it, or going darker with the main? Something to give it a balance.

Your app is smart and clean – asks for the necessary info on the character but that’s it. I don’t really understand what you mean when you say “Be calm!” at the top but if you like it, it doesn’t change anything. Simple apps have their benefits for sure, especially on the person reading and reviewing them. Personally, I’d recommend adding a question or two unique to your group, but that’s just a suggestion. It works well either way.

So about your Follow List… it confused the hell out of me, I’m going to be honest. Some characters had blogs, some links were dead, who are these people? As I understand it you haven’t opened yet? I’m a little lost at what to say here because I don’t want to make assumptions, ramble, and be wrong. So if you want to talk that one out together, feel free to message me! Otherwise, that confusion is an outsider’s opinion and might extend to potential members as well. Your Events Blog showed information from 4-5 years ago though, and I’d recommend either archiving it or deleting those posts because it does make a knee-jerk implication that you’ve already begun things.

My FAVOURITE THING about this rpg: your plot and lore. While supernatural-themed rpgs are still pretty common in the rpc, you took your idea with a fresh heart and great twists and the vitality of it is definitely something that I can see giving you a good membership, as well as great stories to thrill those members with. Main plots, side plots, factions; all things that make a great lsrpg in Jack’s book™.

My LEAST FAVOURITE THING about this rpg: you have a lot going on–a good thing–but somehow when I return to the main it feels a bit… hollow. Maybe that’s because you’re still prepping and not-yet open. Maybe that will change when you get events and plots going. Unfortunately I can’t quite describe it, and please feel free to disregard this as rambling, but I feel like something needs to solidify this group in my mind and heart. Something in the story, perhaps, that leaves me craving to know what will happen. But you’re probably working on that with your plots, I’m sure.

Overall, this is a group with potential brimming from the proverbial cauldron. You have a lot going on and a lot to finish up and already some great generated interest. I think anyone who looks at this group can feel like they have a new world to play in, but also the comforts of the supernatural rpg genre to form a community within. I wish you the best of luck, admin!!

Sincerely,Jack

[powderedwhiteviolets]

1 through 97

You play a fair game anon

1. What’s your middle name?

Wednesday. I no kidding. That is my bonafide middle name. And it’s not after the day. It’s after Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family.

2. What are you listening to right now?

Scream and Run Away - The Gothic Archives

3. What was the last thing you ate?

About three tiny snack bags of Dorito’s

4. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

I never use my phone for it’s intended purpose - instead i just use it to go through Tumblr whenever i don’t have my laptop.

5. Do you drink?

I’m underage, so no. Even if i was the legal age i wouldn’t, that shit tastes gross.

6. Do you smoke?

Nope.

7. What is the first thing you noticed in someone?

I’m confused by this question - the first thing i notice in people in general or the first thing i noticed in the people i now call my friends? If it’s the former, then i barely notice anybody else in this world as it is. I live cut off from everyone else.

If it’s the latter, then i don’t know what exactly was the thing that makes me think “wow your actually worth my time”.

8. What is your hair color?

An ugly and startling shade of brown with this fast disappearing blonde streak that i had dyed back in Year 8.

9. What is your eye color?

Brown.

10. Do you wear contacts/glasses?

Only fake hipster glasses. Otherwise i have no need for them.

11. Dogs or cats?

CATS FTW

12. What’s your favorite animal?

CATS

13. What’s your favorite television show?

At the moment it’s the ASOUE Netflix series, but it’ll probably change to Star once Season 3 premiers.

14. What’s your favorite movie?

It’s well-known that i love Anastasia and Big Hero 6, so i’m going to share something different for a change. Some of my other favourites include Wreck-It Ralph, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, and When Marnie Was There.

15. What’s your favorite band/singer?

Melanie Martinez.

16. How old are you?

15, 16 at the end of next month though.

17. Do you have a crush on anyone?

Yes, i do. I’d rather not talk about it though.

18. What’s your sexual orientation?

Heterosexual.

19. What’s your favorite color?

Silver

20. What was your most embarrassing moment?

I already give myself such a hard time late at night about all the embarrassing shit i’ve done i don’t need to broadcast it to the world

21. Do you ever wish you were someone else?

Not necessarily someone else, but somewhere else. 

22. What were you like when you were a kid?

Take any classic bratty child (Pacifica Northwest, Veruca Salt, ect) and there you have me. 

23. What would your dream house be like?

Big, spacious, has a lot of unnecessary rooms i just keep because i feel like it, with plenty of room for the cats to roam. Ideally, it would be in a city.

24. What last made you laugh?

I don’t remember.

25. What is your favorite word?

“Inordinate”

26. What is your least favorite word?

“Excess” . I always think of something gross whenever i hear the word.

27. What turns you on?

Being as crazy (or crazier) than i am (evil is just an added bonus), looking a very specific way as well, and not being afraid to call the shots. 

28. What turns you off?

Anything that is not the above, but most notably becoming super uncomfortable with any gore. I mean, leave me to be the one who faints over this stuff. 

29. What is your star sign?

Gemini.

30. What are your favorite books?

As i stated before, i don’t tend to read anymore but there are a couple of books i’ve enjoyed over the years.

31. Do you have any siblings?

No.

32. Do you like to dance?

I used to like dancing before a particularly embarrassing moment back in 5th Grade made me uncomfortably realise i’m actually shit at it.

33. What is your definition of cheating?

Hacking a game just so you can win and rub it in your friends faces.

34. Have you ever cheated on someone?

There’s no-one to cheat on, never has been.

35. Do you regret anything?

*looks at my long list* how about we don’t

36. Do you have any phobias?

I do but i’m too smart to reveal them here.

37. Ever broken any bones?

Nope.

38. Ever come close to death?

The multiple times i tried to commit suicide back in 2015, plus a close call with a car that if it weren’t for dumb luck i would have died. 

39. What is your religion, if any?

I’m not religious.

40. Have you ever been to a psychiatrist/therapist?

One years ago during that period of time where i couldn’t shut the fuck up about how much i loved this one boy at my former school. As well as it being a depressing chapter in my life, it’s also kinda cringey. The psych i saw wasn’t very good at his job. Many people have said i need to go see someone now but i think they’ll just try and stop me.

41. Are looks important in a relationship?

Yes. Call me shallow, but i have to be attracted to something, personality is just an added bonus.

42. Are you more like your mom or your dad?

I don’t consider myself to be like either.

43. What is your favorite season?

Spring.

44. Do you have any tattoos?

No, and i don’t like needles so i’ll never get one.

45. Do you have any piercings?

Nein.

46. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had?

Depends on who you count as a boyfriend.

47. Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?

48. Who is your celebrity crush?

Don’t have one.

49. Are you a virgin?

Underage, so yes. I’ll probably stay a virgin.

50. Do you get jealous easily?

Yes, even over petty things.

51. What is your favorite type of food?

Japanese food.

52. Do you ever want to get married?

(Copy ‘N Pasted from an earlier ask)

Yes, but it’s extremely unlikely for this to happen. I’ll be the 60 year old spinster who hides in her massive mansion still obsessing over a game that came out 46 years ago (in that time)

53. Who was your first kiss with?

Never have kissed anyone, unless you count the brother of a friend many years ago, but since i was 5 and it seems more like assault looking back on it, i don’t. 

54. Have you ever been cheated on?

No.

55. What is your idea of the perfect date?

It happens with the person i want it to happen with.

56. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert, though i become extroverted around the people i’m comfortable with.

57. Do you believe in aliens or life on other planets?

Never really thought about it. I’ve spent to much time thinking of how much better alternate universe versions of me are doing right now (to be honest, apart from one specific thing in life i’m doing kinda fine)

58. What talent do you wish you’d been born with?

A good singing voice

59. What is your saddest memory?

That ties in with most traumatic memory, which is something i do not ever wish to recount as i’ve spent most of my life blocking it out.

60. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes.

61. Do you believe in soul mates?

I guess?

62. Have you ever dyed your hair?

See question 8.

63. Has someone ever spread a nasty rumour about you?

Of course. I was always regarded as the crazy one throughout my years of school, though i haven’t been doing much to help it with my crazy escapades and talk that disturbs those around me.

64. Would you go against your moral code for money?

My moral code involves money a lot, so no.

65. What are three things most people don’t know about you?

I have a tendency to faint, but a few specific things have to happen for me to pass out. I have to have not eaten anything all day, gotten minimum sleep at night and have a trigger that sets it off (eg: overt descriptions of blood or drugs). Though if you’ve ever been in a Health class with me you’d already know this.

I’m not an empathetic person.

And finally, when i was little i once ate a flower in a bowl of flour because i thought it would turn me into a fairy.

66. Who are you jealous of?

Alternate versions of me, and people who have a Snow Miku.

67. Do you sleep with a stuffed toy?

Yes, mainly a rabbit named Silver and a Kyubey plushie.

68. How long was your longest relationship?

A week.

69. Is the glass half empty or half full?

It’s empty because i drank it all.

70. What is the sexiest thing someone could ever do for/to you?

Just plainly pin me against a wall and do whatever you want with me. I just like the idea of being forced.

71. Who is your most loyal friend?

My long time friend Ella, who’s been with me through thick and thin, even after years ago in Year 3 i sent her a bunch of mean messages on Moshi Monsters because i was jealous of all the stuff she had.

72. Are you in a relationship?

No, i wish i was.

73. If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, what is your favorite thing about him/her?

N/A  

74. Are you a bad person?

Yes.

75. Are you a lover or a fighter?

A fighter. Definitely a fighter.

76. What did you do on your last birthday?

I went to get Korean Fried Chicken and see Alice Through The Looking Glass (great film btw). It was pretty awesome.

77. What is your favorite quote and why?

“I defeat Brazilian Night” - Hameru, Meduka Meguca because of the meme

78. If your best friend died, what would you do?

If they were murdered, enact vengeance, if they died by accident i would be a super hermit for awhile.

79. If you had to go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?

I would get all my dolls and hide them at my Dad’s future house.

80. If you only had 24 hours to live, what would you do?

Admit all the horrible things i’ve done or almost done, probably bang some random guy, hug a bunch of cats, watch my favourite series’ and eat everything.

81. What is the strangest dream you’ve ever had?

So i posted this on Reddit ages ago but to date it’s my weirdest dream (even weirder than the one with Kizana and Usami).

It started off with me, some internet friends and kids created by my subconscious hanging out in the town i used to live in. We ran into my Dad and i said hi to him and he told me that he’ll be getting home from work early today to celebrate New Years Eve.

We then went to an Italian restruant and i ordered some spaghetti. Then for some reason we all split up and left before eating. I went with this girl named Bessie and we ended up walking around in some dark suburb. I acquired a car so we went driving around for awhile but we drove past my former stepmother who was loudly complaining about some kid at her work. I freaked out, so we both abandoned the car and took a train to Craigieburn instead.

The train had this really nice old-timey look to it and you could order food and beverages. The train stopped at this one station, and this old fat guy got on the train and sat next to me. This demented weirdo thought i was Jesus Christ (what) and tried to make advances on me. I stood up and was like “that ain’t happening” and he followed me. He insisted that i was god but i just kept saying “No, i’m a girl named Luna and i’m an atheist. Leave me alone”. (my name isn’t Luna in real life) Bessie and some other passengers told him to leave me alone and he kinda skulked off after that. I had a nice conversatuion with Bessie about the New Year and checked my phone for the time. It was 9:40 so i still had time to make it to Nana’s house to see Dad.

So up until this point. the dream hasn’t been overtly crazy. At this point, we had finally arrived at Craigieburn station and everyone left the train. I stayed back to clean up the various plates and cups (totally unlike me by the way) and then the doors just shut. A few other straddles were on the train at the time too. The train started moving and everyone freaked out because they didn’t want to be there, but instead of the train just looping around like it should have, it went UP. Then we ended up on a tram track and were fine for a little while until we collided with the tram. Somehow i survived all of this and woke up in hospital.

And congrats if you read that all.

82. Are you happier single or in a relationship?

I’d be happier ina relationship, but only with the right person.

83. Who were you in a past life?

Probably some irrelevant fuck.

84. What is your happiest childhood memory?

I don’t remember to be honest.

85. Have you ever experienced unrequited love?

FUCK YES that whole bullshit in 2015/half of 2016 as well is because the guy i liked wasn’t interested and was frankly creeped out by my constant stalking.

86. Have you ever had an imaginary friend?

I don’t remember one in particular but apparently when i was younger i used to talk to people who weren’t actually there. I still kinda do,

87. If you were the president, what would you do?

Forcibly cancel Teen Titans Go and PPG2016.

88. What is your ideal career?

Writer/Director of animated films and television series’

89. What is your political affiliation?

As of right now and for the foreseeable future, i remain apolitical.

90. Are you conservative or liberal?

I don’t give a crap about politics anymore.

91. Is the male or female body closest to perfection?

Neither is perfect. Perfection unfortunately doesn’t truly exist in this world.

92. Do you like kissing in public?

Theoretically, no.

93. If you could change one thing in the world, what would you change?

I would make fictional characters real for one.

94. Where would you like to live?

Not in this world.

95. Where would you go on your dream vacation?

Japan or St Petersburg

96. Describe yourself in one word.

Materialistic

97. Describe yourself in one sentence.

“Yeah, Anya? She’s many things. Arrogant, Selfish, Materialistic, Obsessive, Insane, Lazy, Idiot, Brat, Loser, Sadsack, Psycho, Weak, Sick”.

That’s enough of my pity party

[willreadforbooze]

Hello fellow boozie readers!

Sam’s Update:

I had a good week all in all. I wanted to avoid the St. Paddy’s nonsense in DC so I hosted my own mini weekend readathon. I was hoping for 24 in 48, but I got to 12… so it was a 12 in 48 lol.

What Sam finished this week:

King of Fools by Amanda Foody: This is the sequel to Ace of Shades and we continue to follow our kids Enne and Levi. Holy hell was this good. I was meh about the first one but I LOVED this one. Our characters get more fleshed out, the plot twists were better, and we get angsty and non-angsty romances. I loved it. Review to come soon, closer to release date.

Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik: This is the 4th book in the Temeraire series. Talking dragons, gentleman’s honor, etc. I didn’t like this one as much as the others, but the end though. THE END. So. Good.

The Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa: I liked this much more than I thought I would. I liked the characters a lot. And the way it ended was… get this… a satisfying cliff-hanger. GASP. Linz wrote a review here.

What Sam’s reading now:

The Defiant Heir by Melissa Caruso: I’m literally in chapter one. But I’ve been trying to finish up series that i’m in the middle of that are already out. I finished The Tethered Mage last year. I believe I have a review… yep. Here.

Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik: This is the 5th book in the Temeraire series. Fortunately, this audio was available as soon as I finished the previous one and I was cooking so I needed something to listen to. Picks up some time after the 4th one left off.

Ginny’s Update:

 Well, I didn’t get much reading done during the week but I fucking crushed some books this weekend.  I mean, yeah, one was a novella and one was middle grade but I still read a lot this week (sorry Sam for making you find so many pictures….). 

Currently Reading:

Hold Me by Courtney Milan: I wasn’t lying about the romance novel kick.  This is a sequel to the one I just read by Courtney Milan, this book stars Maria who is Tina (from the first book’s) best friend who runs an apocalypse blog and absolutely loathes Jay, her brothers best friend.  She also has a long time commenter that’s she’s pretty into, one guess as to who it is… 

Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta:  This is a book I’m reading for a book club.  Gonna be honest, I’m not very far into it, but it’s a book I’ve heard a lot about so I’m looking forward to telling you what I think. (Sidenote, goodreads is telling me I’ve already read it… Welp, guess who is still gonna have to skim it)

 Completed this week:

  The List by Patricia Forde:This was a pretty solid read, very reminiscent of the Giver, it’s a middle grade book (I assume) so I could give some of the more obvious twists and turns. Letta was a good character in that she grows to think for herself and fights for what she thinks is right.  For more info, Parker wrote a review.  (see it here) 3.5/5

An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire: OMG I love Seanan McGuire’s books so much.  I know I’ve said that I’m not huge into Urban Fantasy, and that’s still true (I feel things tend to need to be life or death at all times and that can be a bit frustrating) but this book was by far the best in the series so far.  Toby Daye goes to fight the proverbial boogeyman.  This is a book that could have ended in three different places if Toby wasn’t so damn noble, but nope, if she’s working a job she’s going to see it through.  My favorite characters made a return; Tybalt, the king of cats, Quentin, the quasi-awkward teenager who follows Toby around.  And holy crap do I have some new favorites too! 5/5

Once Ghosted Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole: Believe it or not, my biggest complaint is that I needed this to be longer.  Likotsi (from the first book in this series) has a novella of her own that explains her attitude in the first book.  I adore the way that Alyssa Cole fleshes out this universe she has created.  There are things going on in the background and it feels like she has thought out everything. Likotsi and Fab had a whirlwind romance set during A Prince In Theory, which is abruptly cut off for reasons.  This picks up 7 months later when they have a chance meeting and can’t fight their own magnetism.  4/5 but only because it was too short.

The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman: Ugh, I’m digging this series so much.  I’m hoping I can knock out a post on this one so I don’t want to give too much away.

  Melinda’s Update:

What Melinda is reading now:

Beach time! Great opportunity to finish what I’ve been reading and start something(s) new. What was the last thing you read at the beach?

What Melinda read this week:

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab – I was really enjoying this book and SO excited to see how it ended, and then… well it had an ending. It was a bit of a let down, but it happens. Review pending. 

What Melinda is reading now:

The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money by Chelsea Fagan – The title says it all—adulting all over the place. One of my resolutions this year was to get a handle on my finances, so figured this is could be a good first step. 

The Charm School by Nelson DeMille – Spies, Russians, POWs, and the CIA… what more could you want? This has been on my to-read list for awhile, so planning to start on our road trip home.

Linz’s Update:

What Linz read:

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal: HIGHLY recommend. A young Indian-British woman signs up to teach a creative writing course at a Punjabi community center in London, and after a series of miscommunications, ends up with a group of Sikh widows who want to write some sexy creative stories. It’s funny, endearing, emotional, takes some great plot turns, and frankly, a piece of modern fiction I ended up loving.

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera: Didn’t love but I’m also not the intended audience. Two gay teens, Ben and Arthur, who are VERY different, meet-cute in a New York post office. Complicated teen romance and drama ensue. 

What Linz is currently reading:

King of Fools by Amanda Foody: I had to put this one aside for a bit because I’m in feast mode with the library loans right now *hysterical laugh**frantic hand flapping*

For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig: I started reading this yesterday and I’m just having a really hard time getting into it. I actually tried to read another book by her recently and I think her books just might not be for me–there’s a LOT of telling, not showing, and I’m having a hard time with the world building. I strongly suspect I won’t finish it, especially when I want to knock out King of Fools

Looker by Laura Sims: I REALLY want to finish King of Fools, but it’s got some formatting issues (it’s an ARC), so it’s hard to read when I’m working out, so I started this ebook today. I liked the premise–a woman set adrift by her inability to conceive (and subsequent divorce) becomes increasingly obsessed with a celebrity neighbor and her family–so I hopped on the waitlist immediately when it came out earlier this year. I GUARANTEE someone will try to tell me this is the 2019 Gone Girl; I don’t hate it, but I’m like 40% of the way in and wondering when the real action is gonna start.

 Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Melinda, Linz, and Ginny

 Weekly Wrap-up: Mar 11-17, 2019 Hello fellow boozie readers! Sam's Update: I had a good week all in all. I wanted to avoid the St.

[reviewape-blog]

A real art lesson teaching realism that you succeed with!

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