#milly story-takahashi

[lily-from-fire]

The Cousins - Karen M. McManus

Milly (Mildred) Story-Takahashi

“Everybody has secrets,” she says, taking a sip of her drink. “That’s nondebatable. The only question is whether you’re keeping your own, or someone else’s.”

[homemademustard]

Intro post

Hello and welcome to the blog I made just to promote the silly stories that I somehow came up with so that I don't spam on my main blog, although it's not like I'm popular there anyway.

The last time I wrote fanfiction was back in 2012 just when I started university. By then, my experience with fanfiction in English (as it's not my first language) was reduced to drabbles or very short ficlets in general with some rough grammar. University sucked the life out of me, so I also stopped reading fiction (both "pro" and fanmade) for pleasure on the regular. So forgive me if my wording isn't very rich, if my descriptions are lacking, or if my flow is awkward. It's been quite a while, as you can see.

I always like to joke that the moment I stopped being 15, I lost the ability to write anything longer than a one-shot --so keep that in mind!

I have many, many ships, but I'll showcase the ones that have meant a lot to me over the years (can't promise I'll actually write a lot of content for them though): Miroku/Sango (InuYasha), Daniel/Charlotte (LOST), Anasui/Jolyne (JJBA), Neville/Hannah (Harry Potter), Wolfwood/Milly (Trigun).

Fandoms, besides the aforementioned, include: X-Men (Comics), the other Rumiko Takahashi works, A Song of Ice and Fire, and whatever I feel like consuming content of.

[writerkmc]

aubrey: do you like jonah?

milly: … no

aubrey: then why do you have m + j written all over your notebook?

milly: it stands for manipulation and judgement

[fleursincarnation]

this one is admittedly mostly Reputation and 1989 but in my defense I think those albums are very milly/jonah-core

milly/jonah (taylor's version)

Gorgeous

Lyrics of note: You should think about the consequence/Of your magnetic field being a little too strong

You're so gorgeous/I can't say anything to your face

Dress

Lyrics of note: All of this silence and patience, pining in anticipation/My hands are shaking from holding back from you

Sparks Fly

Lyrics of note: The way you move is like a full on rainstorm/And I'm a house of cards

Drop everything now/Meet me in the pouring rain/Kiss me on the sidewalk/Take away the pain

All You Had To Do Was Stay

Lyrics of note: Here you are now, calling me up, but I don't know what to say/I've been picking up the pieces of the mess you made

You were all I wanted/But not like this

How You Get the Girl

Lyrics of note: Broke your heart, I'll put it back together

And that's how it works/That's how you get the girl

New Romantics

Lyrics of note: And every day is like a battle/But every night with us is like a dream

Baby, we're the new romantics/The best people in life are free

Call It What You Want

Lyrics of note: My baby's fit like a daydream

Loves me like I'm brand new/So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

the others: one of us maeve/luis kris/cooper phoebe/knox

two can keep a secret malcolm/ellery

[colesartandbooksandstuff]

The Cousins- Karen M. McManus

Background: So I have read Karen M. McManus’ previous 3 books and have either liked or loved them, so I was gonna pick this one up right away (her next book is based on Ferris Bueler’s Day Off- can’t wait for that). This is also the first main review that I’m writing since the summer, so it might not be as intensive as usual.

1st half: This is her best book yet. Almost every chapter adds a new twist that come out of nowhere, but they all are completely believable. There are 4 POVs; the 3 teenagers (Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah) and Allison (Milly’s mom, but flashbacks to the summer when she is 18). Every character has so many secrets that they are keeping and the keep coming out. I also really appreciate how all of KMM’s books include queer characters and representation of divorce. These aren’t always included. While these characters are often sidelined, it is better than nothing. I am halfway through and although some preliminary questions have been answered, I have no idea where it is going. If it stays on the same track, this will be a 5 star read.

2nd half: Everything came together in both ways that ended the story neatly, and ended it in true KMM fashion; with a line that leaves you breathless. The parents got more involved in the second half, there was a romance, addiction was covered. There was a spot where I thought the plot would end but instead we went in the complete opposite direction. I loved this. It was my favorite of her books yet and I finished it in a day. I 100% recommend. 5/5 stars

[buffyfan145]

Loved Karen M. McManus’ “The Cousins”!!! :D I love her “One of Us is Lying” series and finally got to read one of her standalones and it was another great mystery/thriller. She’s always based her books off of 80s/90s movies and shows and with this it was the full 80s soap opera like any of the daytime ones (including my last soap on “The Young and the Restless”) and primetime ones like the original “Dynasty” or “Dallas”. There also were some “Karate Kid/Cobra Kai” shoutouts too with Archer and that too now focuses on multiple generations so it fits. I loved Milly, Jonah, and Aubrey and quiet a few of the supporting characters too. So many twists and amazed how Karen can keep us guessing. Can’t wait to read her other book “Two Can Keep a Secret” and her new book “You’ll be the Death” of me soon. 

I can totally see this becoming a movie or miniseries (like how “One of Us is Lying” is) and decided to include my fancast of who I saw while I was reading.

Jessie Mei Li as Milly (The whole time I read I pictured Jessie as Milly. She’s just perfect for the role, trying to figure out what really happened to her mother and family all those years ago, her attraction to Jonah, sisterly bond with Aubrey, and her elegance as Alina on “Shadow and Bones” just fits.)

Drew Starkey as Jonah (Was having a hard time picturing Jonah till season 2 of “Outer Banks” came out and Drew did such an amazing job and then reading Jonah he easily fit. With all the secrets Jonah has, his relationship with Milly and how he can’t really be with her because of his cover story, his brotherly love for Aubrey, and everything else that happens Drew would be a perfect choice and a character you actually root for and is a good guy.)

Reylynn Caster as Aubrey (Sadly they’re no gifs but found a pic and Aubrey felt a lot like how Reylynn plays Faith Newman on “The Young and the Restless” and part of the Newman family who the Story family reminded me of. Also teaming up with her newly reunited family to figure out what exactly happened and all the issues with what her dad did.)

Then I mentioned this in an earlier post but still convinced Karen did base Archer somewhat off of William Zabka and his 80s movie roles, especially Johnny Lawrence, so that’s how I saw Archer. For Allison Story I saw Amelia Heinle again with this book feeling like a version of “The Young and the Restless” and her playing Victoria Newman on there. Adam I saw as an older Mark Grossman who plays Victoria’s brother Adam Newman on the soap too (mixed with Lee Pace), which also made me see Abraham as Eric Braden who plays their dad Victor on “Y&R”. Then for Anders it was Tom Cavanagh (JT being a younger version of him), Mildred it was Jane Fonda, Hazel was Madison Bailey, Dr. Baxter was Danny Glover, Donald Camden was a mix of those classic white haired soap villains like Adam Chandler on “All my Children”, Ephram was Denny Love, Enzo was Ralph Macchio, Rob Valentine was Ron Garrison, and Teresa was Sorcha Cusack. Did have a hard time thinking of actors to play Kayla, Matt, and Oona but all the flashbacks of the original Story siblings would have to have scenes of them as teens too and actors who looks like the younger versions of the adult ones.

[seeyounexttime]

This is Part 2. Please read Part 1 first.

Whenever you scroll down, a red square that says MENU appears in the lower right-hand corner

Tap that

You get a menu like this:

新着情報 "What's New"

Sends you to the same place that the ARCHIVE button from the home page did.

チケット・劇場情報 "Ticket - Theater Information"

This is only in Japan: those who go to the movie premiere will also receive the special volume 23.5 "Sword of the Wizard King" written by Johnny Onda (who wrote previous Black Clover light novels), with the original draft by Tabata.

"Wait there's light novels?" you may find yourself asking. The answer is yes. Yes, there is. There's 3 of the them. Part of the first light novel was adapted into the two "The man named Fanzell" episodes from the anime. Fanzell, Domina, and Mariella were all introduced in that first light novel, and later they appeared in the manga in the Witchs' Forest arc.

There is no official translation, but there's a fan translation available here:

https://blackcloverdatabase.tumblr.com/novels

Apparently this new novel will also contain interviews with the voice actors.

イントロダクション・ストーリー "Introduction - Story"

Takes you back to the home page. I already covered this in the previous post.

キャラクター・キャスト "Character - Cast"

Click on that one. Here's a direct link while I'm at it:

https://bclover-movie.jp/character/

It just gives a little description of the characters. Nothing we don't already know.

They have their designs from the 6-month timeskip (Yuno is listed as vice-captain and Julius is a child too), but the movie will take place before the Dark Triad's attack.

Then there's some info about their voice actors like awards and some roles, but you can find more thorough info about them on Wikipedia or myanimelist, etc

So let's go the actual interesting part: the new characters 👀

Conrad Leto

The 27th Wizard King. Attribute: ???

Julius's Wizard King predecessor. He was respected and loved by the citizens of the Clover Kingdom, but suddenly rose in revolt against the Clover Kingdom.

Edward Avalaché

The 20th Wizard King. Attribute: ???

A person who was once Wizard King. He was also a Father in the church; a presence who was idolized and depended on by the people. He thought he needed to change the situation of weak people.

The description of his voice actor, Hōchū Ohtsuka, actually adds a bit of information about Edward:

He plays the resurrected 20th Wizard King Edward, an original movie character. Pay attention to how he plays Edward's strict personality.

Princia Funnybunny

The 11th Wizard King. Attribute: ???

A person who was once Wizard King. A larger than life mighty warrior who took pride in having one of the best combat abilities among successive Wizard Kings. She was feared by people because of that strength.

The description of her voice actor, Miyuki Sawashiro, also includes a bit more about Princia:

She plays the resurrected 11th Wizard King Princia, an original movie character. Pay attention to how she plays Princia, who has a cold and cruel personality, but relaxes her guard around companions she can trust.

Jester Garandros

The 16th Wizard King. Attribute: ???

A person who was once Wizard King. He is sometimes seen speaking and behaving like he looks down on others, and has a flippant attitude like a clown, but he possesses a calculating strategist side.

From the description of Jester's voice actor, Fumiya Takahashi:

He plays the resurrected 16th Wizard King Jester, an original movie character. Pay attention to how he plays the calculating Jester.

Millie Maxwell

Magic Tool Research Lab: Branch 0

As the coordinator of the "Magic Tool Research Lab: Branch 0", she conducts research with Sally. She doesn't like unfounded ways of thinking that leave it up to chance such as "doing something without a plan", and people who take action with nothing but sensibility are not her cup of tea.

After that is the Black Bulls. Again it's just a short description that we already know. But there was this: they wrote Zora as Zola, and Henry Legolant as Henry Legorant.

Then it's the captains, some magic knights, and others. Again, stuff we already know.

Lumiere

Clover Kingdom's prince 500 years ago. He protected the kingdom from a demon, and later became known as the "Wizard King." He left behind numerous magic tools for future generations.

Considering that one of the original characters is a researcher for the Magic Tool Research Lab, I wonder if one of Lumiere's magic tools will become relevant in the movie?

Sally

A magic scientist who loves research and experiments. She used to belong to the terrorist organization "Eye of the Midnight Sun", but is now conducting research on magic tools at the "Magic Tool Research Lab: Branch 0"

スタッフ・音楽 "Staff - Music"

Talks a little bit about the previous work of Tabata, the director, character designer, (background) music, and studio – which as previously noted, is the same folks behind the anime.

TREASURE, the same boyband that provided the anime's 13th ending song "Beautiful", will again contribute a song to Black Clover (I assume the ending song)

世界観 "World"

This page gives a quick rundown of the Black Clover world, such as: the Clover Kingdom, the Wizard King, the Magic Knights, the Black Bulls, and grimoires.

ムービー "Movie"

Videos related to the movie's advertisment.

TVシリーズ "TV Series"

That takes you to the website about the anime series.

⁠☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ

And that's just about it for the website besides some bits of information from the newsflashes.

Remember the Date: March 31st

[vivviane]

Milly Story-Takahashi, The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

“Everybody has secrets,' she says, taking a sip of her drink. 'That's nondebatable. The only question is whether you're keeping your own, or someone else's.”

[writerkmc]

gaslight (milly)

gatekeep (ellery)

girlboss (aubrey)