#rereading the rifter series

[itachi86]

i forgot how funny the rifter series is

[wiltkingart]

What queer books do you recommend?

oh honey i have a whole rec page here if you're up for anything, but i mostly read adult m/m fiction. lots of weird and old stuff with dark tones more often than not. if you want some specific titles as a flavor list, here's a few favorites! i'll link their storygraph pages so you can read their synopses too:

Fantasy: The Rifter by Ginn Hale (dark fantasy featuring a romance that spans years and time and space in decaying world with a destroyer god, and bones. so many bones. has one of the most interesting and well written story structures i've encountered. very moody and dark, hits just right).

Scifi: Body after Body by Briar Ripley Page (erotic adult scifi novella with transmasc and transfem MCs. dreamlike and grotesque, delicate and stomach churning, it's about a group of mind-wiped laborers tending genetically engineered mutant bodies.)

Historical: The Still by David Feintuch (my book series of all tiiiiiiime. it's fantasy too but mostly medieval military fiction. don't even talk to me about Rodrigo if you're not ready to be hit with a twelve page verbal essay i'm not joking, that is a threat. not a typical romance, expect heartbreak and plenty of it and to never recover.)

Horror: Hexslinger series by Gemma Files (planning a reread of this one soon to see if it still holds up but this series has stuck with me like a fly to molasses. it's a fucked up time full of desperation, Mayan gods and godessess, faggotry, blasphemy, and witchery) go with the Bound in Flesh anthology instead if you want good trans body horror, or Down by Ally Blue for deepsea suspense horror.

Contemporary: All for the Game by Nora Sakavic (you probably know about this classic but for me it still tops most everything else i've read. it's got sports, mafia drama, and trauma). for something a little different (but still traumatic) try Mo Du / Silent Reading by Priest (dark mystery set in China that follows several disturbing cases and the psychology behind them + romance between a detective and a rich pretty boy)

but yeah i talk about books a lot on my personal/main blog @wiltking (in lieu of updating my actual rec pages these days, it seems) if you ever want more real time recs! i'm a book guy. i like books a normal amount :)

[lucrezianoin]

Okay I'm gonna reread the Rifter series

I read it years ago and I basically devoured it and loved it and adored it. I want to see if it stands the test of time (I mean not much time has passed but I remember nothing of the main plot... It was truly a fever dream)

I just remember that thinking about it makes me cry but I don't remember why

[wiltking]

1, 2, 15, 19!

you're about to see my red flag of rarely reading books unless they have gay people in it. 🙈

1. book you’ve reread the most times? - The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic

2. top 5 books of all time? - Blindsight by Peter Watts - The Still by David Feintuch - The Rifter by Ginn Hale - By the Mountain Bound by Elizabeth Bear - Warchild by Karin Lowachee

15. recommend and review a book. i never did a review for Amberlough but i really liked it so here's a mini one! Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly - 4.5 ★'s M/M Historical Mystery Spy Thriller

a gay double-agent schemes to protect his smuggler lover during the rise of a fascist government coup this book has some of the most catered-to-me characters i've ever seen, they constantly felt too good to be real. the world is absolutely rich with color and glamor and grit and not everything is handed to you on a silver platter. you have to do a bit of your own work to understand the finer details and i love when a book does that, even if the politics were a little confusing at first. it's immersive, it's high stakes, its so unbelievably sexy. the drama and tension between Cyril and Aristide never let go of my attention, i loved every possible facet of their relationship. and their story is absolutely solid. the whole thing felt like a dream, like the quality was way too good to feature this much attention on messy, hopeless, viscous gay people. i haven't read the rest of the series yet but i do want to. (i am, however, a blond Cyril denier. that man has dark hair and you can't convince me otherwise.)

19. most disliked popular books? i don't read popular books on principle but here's a few that sort of qualify! - The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater (had to DNF) - Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale (the first book i read by her and i absolutely hated it. i can't even fathom what my life might have been like if i never gave her another try after this) - The Scottish Boy by Alex di Campi (how the hell does this stuff even get published) - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (really not a fan of constant quirky dialogue and low stakes... everything)

thanks! book asks

[notesfromnayeshi]

Ravishan looked up at him, as if he were startled, then slowly his expression melted into a radiant smile. John realized that part of what made Ravishan’s smiles so charming was the sense of surprised delight that they conveyed. He never seemed to expect happiness and that made giving it to him so much more of a pleasure.

The Rifter by Ginn Hale - Book 4, Witches Blood (Chapter 35)

[seeroftodayandtomorrow]

The Rifter group reread

Chapters 103-107

I don't have many notes on these chapters. Also, I kind of messed up my notes, so if you're confused, that's why.

Chapter 103

-After what feels a long time, we're finally back with Kyle being tortured.

-I can totally imagine Laurie writing English obscenities in between the sacred Payshmura writings.

-I still retain a sense of sympathy for Laurie, and I can -up to a point- understand her doing what she can to try and go back in time and keep them from going to Basawar in the first place. But at this point, she is just evil.

Chapter 104

-Yes, take the Yasi'halaun (the only thing that can kill you) back to the enemy's stronghold, that's a great idea, John!

-On the other hand, it saves him the trip back to fetch it

Chapter 105

-Ji's death must be quite a shock to the Fai'daum community, as she was not only a beloved leader and trusted advisor, but she must also have been one of their only constants for a long period of time

-Rousma is so cute it kind of spoils the drama of the scene a little

Chapter 106

-I profoundly dislike the wording of things like, "women inducted into the issusha'im", or, "sacred beds". I could understand Ravishan thinking in those terms, as he was raised with them, but John...? It's women being tortured in the vilest way imaginable, and I wish John wouldn't think in euphemisms.

-If Laurie succeeded and destroyed Basawar on the process, wouldn't Ravishan/Kyle die anyway? So there's really no reason forJohn to do what she says

Chapter 107

-The Rifter equivalent to Harry Potter's "All was well" : John is all right

Only the epilogue to go now...

[fakexpearls]

The Rifter Re-Read Notes: Chapters 98-102

I can see the end! It’s so close!!!

Chapter 98:

“Just Jath’ibaye,” John said. “I’m no one’s lord.”  I marked this because John has yet to accept the name, as he still refers to himself (and is referred to in the narrative) as John. Whether this is a stylistic choice by Hale to keep the timelines clearly separated or not, I think it also speaks to John’s identity as the Rifter. Jath’ibaye is the Rifter, not John. We see that has changed in the other narrative (even Ji calls him Jath’ibaye).

“The bone shimmered and then melted into John’s hands, leaving them feeling warm and just a little stronger.” So....the bone dissolved into him, right? I want to be sure I’ve read that correctly. But it also made him stronger, like hew as absorbing the strength of past Rifters. That was pretty cool.

“Only here on the seventh terrace, where the watchtowers and the Temple of the Rifter stood, did the buildings retain their structural integrity.” I know John didn’t avoid the temple on purpose but...coincidence? Did he subconsciously avoid it?

“I’d be far more offended if you didn’t allow women inside the temple than if you did.” John is so earnest here, but I also imagine a bit of sarcasm? Also, he’s a good egg. 

“Their Rifter was a the promise of divine justice and unfailing courage. John could promise neither of those things. He was tired and hurt and worried that all he could bring these people was more ruin.” John never accepts the religious icon part of the Rifter, as we know. I liked this because it showed the humanity to a God, which we discussed before with previous chapters. John is just a tired man. But he has all these people bowing down to him after he created all this ruin to get to his lover. 

Chapter 99:

“Even after all the ccrushing, bloody injuries he had endured, the thought of being burned alive still terrified him. The memory of the writhing, charred bodies on the Holy Road curled up in his mind, triggered by the sharp scent of smoke and veru oil. He couldn’t imagine any worse pain than burning. But the fires needed to be extinguished and there was no one else to do it.” Poor John, even though he created all that wreckage - and flame - he is still trying to heal (with no time to do so) from his own tragedies and horror. Which leads to my next highlighted section... “John almost broke down then. He could never even hope to mend the damage he had done here. The destruction seemed endless and irreparable. He didn’t know if he could stand to see any more burned remains or crushed bodies. He wanted to walk away to somewhere quiet and safe to escape from the all-encompassing ruin.”  To be honest, John hasn’t had a minute’s rest since arriving in Basawar where he wasn’t driven by some plan. He’s finally able to slow down (or slow down by his standards) and take note of all he’s done. “But he knew he couldn’t give up. He had brought this devastation down on Vundomu and he had to do all he could to make amends.” UNLIKE THE CHURCH EVER DID. But also, more crying about John being a good guy. “The kahlirash’im prayed for strength. But common priests and workmen wept. They begged the Rifter for mercy, begged him not to end their world.” I wonder if the kahlirash’im were also begging him for the world not to end, but in their prayers...or in private.  “You knew that I would do this?” John asked. “Not always.” Ji said.” I just really liked this. Ji with her all-knowing but never reading too far into it.  “John felt odd using the term ‘us’ so freely with Wah’roa. He’d hardly spent more than two days with the man, but during that time they had labored and suffered for a common cause. They had saved lives and stabilized much of Vundomu. John couldn’t help but feel a bond in that.” I liked this passage because it reminded me how much I did not like the previous war/planning sections with the Fai’daum.    Chapter 100: “John expected him to stand and embrace him. Instead Ravishan collapsed down against the floor, prostrating himself at John’s feet.” Hi, I hated this entire section SO MUCH. It felt so out of character for Ravishan.  Chapter 101:

“I never crossed to Nayeshi to find the Rifter. He crossed to Basawar and found me.” Look, I’m not saying soulmates...but.  “And most importantly, they will not be able to bring another Rifter from another time to Basawar. (with the destruction of the gates).” “Two Rifters? Is that possible?” Arren asked.” ....what do you guys think? Two Rifters? I don’t think it’s possible, but I’m curious what you guys think. 

“Don’t worry too much. Things will work out. We only need to give them the chance to do so.” “I’ll give them the chance,” John assured her.” Ji wasn’t wrong...it just took years for those things to work out.  Chapter 102: “He wracked the land with fury at what he had done with his own hands.” This is a beautiful sentence; it paints a great picture of John in the moment.

[bcydbeaulieu]

This will get better. So long as you’re living there’s always a chance it will get better. You can’t give up. [The Rifter]

[easterwings]

(re)read in 2017: The Shattered Gates by Ginn Hale

There were even times - when he pressed his hands down past the fallen leaves and decay to the dark, rich earth - that he almost sensed something reciprocal, a warmth beneath his fingers, a soft pressure, like an animal arching to be stroked.  He never mentioned it to anyone else.  It was too private, too absurd, and too deeply touching.  But, sometimes, he sensed that the very earth felt his affection and in some way returned that sentiment.  He guessed that this was what it was like to fall in love with a lifelong friend.

[booksteacats]

If you haven’t read Ginn Hale’s The Rifter series yet, then what are you doing?? If you like fantasy, parallel worlds, lgbtq characters, twists and turns then go read this series asap. Im currently in my second read because I cant get enough and im writing notes down to better understand all the many plot points and twists. A review will be coming soon when I’m done with the reread. But in the meantime go pick it up. You will not regret it, i promise!

[kind-destroyer-god]

Ok, so Ginn Hale’s writing the third installment of the series RIGHT NOW, and I can’t wait!!! Apparently we’ll be seeing more from Atreau and Ladislo and Ariz from book 1 (I don’t really remember the last two?? Someone help me out here)... Talk to me about this please!!!!

[wiltkingart]

hii first of all, i love your art, the way you use colors and shapes is truly incredible and your figures are simply stunning <3

if it's ok i wanted to ask about the rifter series, i remember your art for it (gorgeous) and that you recommending it, so i wanted to ask from "drop everything and start reading" to "yeah u should probs read it in near future" how much you would recommend it (or are they any other books you love equally/more)

again thank you for sharing your art it's so good <3<3

oh shit this is hard to answer because the Rifter series is one of my topmost favorite m/m fantasies, absolute legendary status in my mind, but some of my friends who have tried it didn't vibe with the length or the structure for one reason or another.

if you want a lengthy slowburn romance set in a horrifyingly dark yet shockingly romantic story full of depth, loss, time fuckery, revolutionaries and assassins and a destroyer God, then yes for the love of god read it immediately. Start it today. The structure of this story really makes it something unique in my eyes, and it has just the right amount of angst and hope to make me look forward to the day when I have the time to reread it.

If that's not something you're in the mood for my other favorite m/m fantasy series are Rodrigo of Caledon by David Feintuch (not a romance, more of a tragic love story), The Last Rune by Mark Anthony (i'm only halfway through the series but love it dearly. the gay stuff is not the main focus however. deals a lot with fear of intimacy), and the Cadeleonian series by Ginn Hale (same author as the Rifter but these books are easier to get into, more focused on romance).

And if you don't want fantasy, or want more options in general I have an entire rec page for lgbt fiction complete with reviews and summaries. (I am also always open to receiving recs!)

[transgenderer]

transhumanesque replied to your post: I'm rereading the rifters series, and the...

you have to make some sacrifices for maximal edginess

calling peter watts edgy is harsh but fair

[wiltking]

Hello, Wilt! I’ve been following your art for years now and it’s so wonderful to see how it’s changed and grown. Seeing you get so into reading has also been wonderful. Could you recommend your top 5 favourites (series included)? Gay relationships are especially welcome, though they don’t have to be romance-focused. I’d like to get more into reading myself as well. Thank you in advance and I hope you have a good day! Be safe.

ough i always struggle with answering this because my tastes are so wildly specific and i will muck through pain and despair if i love the characters enough. i like books that challenge me and confront me with difficult themes and complex relationships. for m/m books these are the ones that have stuck with me the most:

the rifter + the cadeleonian series by ginn hale (fantasy) - now that these series have been canonically connected i can get away with recommending them together. ginn hale just writes highly enjoyable gay stories. both series are complex and deal with somewhat dark themes but above all ginn hale values her books to be enjoyable experiences and it shows. start with the rifter (isekai, prophecies, bones) if you want something more plot-heavy, and the cadeleonian books (witches, blood curses, dukedom and royalty) if you want more focus on romance!

all for the game by nora sakavic (sports fiction) - i haven't reread anything as much as i've reread this series. and every time i come back to it it hits me with its full force. found family, a made up sport, the mafia, trauma, slowburn romance, an MC that distrusts therapists and middle aged men as much as i do. aftg has it all <3

havemercy series by jaida jones and danielle bennett (fantasy) - these books are heavily character-focused with a massive cast of characters. it takes place in a world with weaponized magic metal dragons, and there are multiple gay characters across the series. i like it because of how unique and alive all the characters feel. also, dragons.

hexslinger series by gemma files (horror fantasy) - this one's messy and dark and miserable. its about aztec gods and god-hating gays and black magic in the wild west. the main characters are villains, but at its core it's about how Love Is Not A Weakness and redemption is possible no matter how far you’ve fallen. The ending has lingered with me for years.

the still / the king by david feintuch (medieval fantasy) - yes i'm barely halfway through the sequel but i'm putting it here anyway because of how deeply it's rooted itself in me already. not a traditional romance by any means but i am endlessly breathtaken with how deep their relationship runs. its also got huge character development, politics and battles, all the pining you can imagine, and pain.

for a broader list, or if you're looking for a specific genre in particular you can check out my full lgbt rec list. i update it somewhat regularly!

[notesfromnayeshi]

John leaned back beside Ravishan. “You’ve had a crappy life.” Ravishan looked startled for a moment and then laughed. “Yeah, I have.” He leaned his head against John’s shoulder. John slid his arm around Ravishan and held him. “But it doesn’t seem so bad right now.” Ravishan closed his eyes. John held him until he fell asleep.

The Rifter by Ginn Hale - Book 4, Witches’ Blood (Chapter 39)

[seeroftodayandtomorrow]

The Rifter group reread

Chapters 98-102

Chapter 98:

-Don’t meet your Idol: The actual Rifter must be quite a shock to Wah’roa and the other Kahlirash’im, in that he is nothing as expected: No divine wrath and heavenly retribution, just a guy who doesn’t quite know what to do with all the power he possesses (and who definitely doesn’t want to be worshiped)

Chapter 99:

-Starving yourself won’t help Ravishan, John. Though I understand the impulse.

- “It was only Fikiri”: knowing what Fikiri is about to do and what becomes of him later, this is almost comically absurd

-I thought you could keep people alive with water and honey for quite some time

Chapter 100:

-Why do they discover Ravishan was cursed only after he awoke? What does that change? He didn’t say anything about being cursed?

-Fenn’s death is doubly sad because of  all the potential between him and Saimura

-Also, what a thing to tell someone! “He did this thing that killed him because he thought you’d approve! But don’t feel responsible for his death or anything!

-I wonder why the Kahlirash’im are always praying in front of the shrine. If they wanted something specific from the Rifter, they could just ask Jath’ibaye. So I think it’s either for the familiarity of prayer that might offer them comfort when their world has been turned upside down, or to pray for a different Rifter that might match their expectations

-I also guess they still have to learn that their Rifter has a sex life. Although, I think Wah’roa knows now.

Chapter 101:

- How does Ji turn pages?

-Ji should talk to John before ‘outing’ him as the Rifter. I guess that is one of the cases where personal feelings seem insignificant to her when looking at the whole picture, but this could have big consequences to his life, and she should at least consider his opinion or explain why she deems it necessary

-Also, maybe the fact that the RIfter this time is on the Fai’daum side and actually not in Basawar to destroy is something she should lead up with

-You should have killed Fikiri, John

Chapter 102

-What kind of woman is able to do this to other women?

-Ugh...I forgot that John just....straight up kills Ravishan. I though maybe Fikiri had used him as a shield or something. Ugh...to live with that loss, and that guilt, all this time....