#similar to Hallmark books and movies

[lost-romantique]

Alright this is going to be the last Stolas and Stolitz anti related question for awhile. Another point the antis try to make Stolas and the Stolitz relationship look bad is that if Blitz was female while Stolas remained as a male everyone would be against Stolas. What do you think about this claim?

JFC the queer erasure is disgusting.

Alright then, lets completely ignore the huge elephant in the room that a huge part of Stolas' character is his newfound sexual identity.

Aside from that, I think antis are just upset that the Stolitz ship starts with such "messy" and "abnormal" beginnings. They're upset that it isn't just a simple "childhood friends become lovers trope" or simple "Prince and pauper". It's by all accounts, a sexual contractual agreement forged between two broken individuals where they both used each other.

Blitz used Stolas for the book.

Stolas used Blitz as a means of escapist fantasy from his shitty life.

They're both broken people, and they both fucked up a lot in the relationship. They don't know how to talk to each other, and they barely know the other.

But what makes Stolitz so fun, so unique, so popular?

It's because there's love.

It's because there's emotion.

It's because there's desire to be better for the other.

it's because both gentlemen truly want similar things despite their myriad of differences: to be loved wholly and dutifully.

Stolitz will never be that rom-com fantasy you see in Hallmark movies, but it doesn't have to be... because it's real.

And i think that's what truly matters in the end.

[tinkerleaf]

The Coffee Crime Cafe

Synopsis: Fyodor seems like such a kind man when you meet him at a cafe. Trusting him is so easy. Words: 1.6k Pairing: Fyodor x Reader Warnings: manipulation, weapons, crimes, etc. Genre: idk general? a/n: the idea I had for this one was so good but I hope it translates just as well.

-｡;+☆+;｡･ﾟ･｡;+★+;｡･ﾟ･｡;+☆+;｡｡;+☆+;｡

You were a foreign college student in Yokohama studying literature. It didn’t take you long to find out from the locals about some of the crazy things that conspired in the area. You knew better than to meddle in affairs you weren’t supposed to, but that rule didn’t help you avoid trouble.

Your footsteps echoed in the cozy cafe as you sat down and settled in a booth that would serve as your desk for the next few hours. The amount of work almost due on your dashboard was enough to make you sigh out of frustration.

“I should get started…”

As you rushed to collect your items, the man in front of you knelt to assist you. “Are you alright?” He asked in perfect English. It took you by surprise.

After a while, you managed to get a surprising amount of work done. You didn’t pay too much attention to the time, but you realized it might be best to save the rest for another day. You wanted to ensure you were back at your dorm before nightfall.

Quickly gathering your belongings, you headed towards the door of the cafe. Before you could pull the door open, someone on the other side pushed it, causing you to drop your things.

“Yeah! Sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you.”

A couple of days later, your workload began to pile up again. You decided to head back to the same cafe to continue where you left off. When you walked in, you noticed the same guy you ran into before was sitting at one of the tables by the window. You internally panicked.

“That’s quite alright,” he handed you one of your books. He had a thick Russian accent that made you melt inside. He smiled as he continued inside the cafe.

You left with your face flushed, speechless at the handsome man who ran into you like the start of some random Hallmark movie.

“Where do I sit? Has he noticed me yet? It’ll be weird if I sit too close, but the other seats are taken! “

You spotted a table a few spots down from where he was and made your way over to it without making any eye contact. Little did you know, he’d known you were there from the moment you walked in. He was sipping on what looked to be hot tea and looking over some papers in front of him.

After around thirty minutes, you realized you weren’t going to get anything done with such a handsome man within 15 feet of you. You wanted to take a little peek at him from above your laptop, so you shot him a quick glance. It turned out not to be so quick when you met his gaze. You immediately looked back down. You started to get anxious and decided to try and work on your assignments somewhere else.

As you get ready to leave, you hear his silky voice once again. “Leaving so soon?”

You give him a nervous smile, “Hm? Oh, yeah.”

“You know, if you need any help with your studies, I happen to be quite knowledgeable of all kinds of literature.”

You blanked for a second, “How did you know what I was studying?”

He gestures towards your books. “I’ve read those before.”

“Oh.”

“Why don’t you sit? I’d love to hear your opinions on them, and maybe even learn a little bit about yourself.”

You felt something rather sinister radiating from this man, but you couldn’t help the invisible force that was pushing you closer to him. After sitting across from him at the table, you introduced yourselves. His name was Fyodor, a name that slipped off your tongue in the best way.

The more time you spent with him that morning, the more comfortable you became with him. After all, he spoke your language, had a similar interest, helped you with your work, etc. You wondered if you were meant to meet him based on how convenient this was for you.

It was one o’clock when you parted ways, but you knew you would see him again next time. And so did he.

The next few times you saw him were the same. You sat with him and studied while he went on about his opinions on the books you were reading. Once you were finished, you’d go on about all sorts of topics. Sometimes he would offer to buy your coffee, which you only accepted once. After all, you didn’t want to seem too interested.

You nodded. “Sure! I can do that!”

One particular time, however, Fyodor asked you to do a simple favor for him.

“Do you mind returning this to the library downtown for me? I will not have time to take it back myself before it is due.” It was a classic you hadn’t read yet. “From my understanding, you travel that way often for class, is that correct?”

“Thank you, I promise I will make it worth your time.” He winked as he handed you the book, but before you could flip through the pages, he stopped you. “Don’t bother.”

You set it in your bag, “Is it not good?” It felt a little heavy.

“Terrible. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such atrocious writing.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” you laugh.

You didn't realize at the time that even if you wanted to open it, you couldn't. It had been sealed shut.

A few hours after leaving the cafe, you dropped off the book at the library through the slot next to the entrance. It was thick and old, and it felt like carrying a brick in your bag. No wonder Fyodor didn’t bring it back himself.

You didn’t see Fyodor for almost a week, but you were checking in almost every day after the library incident. You finally caught him back in his usual place by the window. You get an uneasy feeling as if you’re being watched.

The next morning, you didn’t see Fyodor in his usual spot at the cafe. He had mentioned before that he was a busy man, so his absence wasn’t a shock to you.

What did surprise you, however, was the news headliner. Apparently, that same library you were at just the day before had been completely leveled by an explosion. You gaped at your phone, trying to find more information.

“There you are, I’ve been looking for you!”

“No, I did not. However, I think I have a clue.” He sips his tea.

He looks up at you with a calm smile, “Why, my apologies. My work was keeping me away.”

You sit down, “I need you to explain some things to me. Did you see what happened on the news?”

You blink at him. “Fyodor, that library exploded. The day after I went.”

He didn’t even flinch. “Then it must have worked.”

You freeze. “Huh? What worked??”

“My distraction.” He stands to leave, satisfied with the current situation. You weren’t ready to let him go so easily.

“Fyodor? What’s going on?” You followed him, but he didn’t answer.

He was focused on the man in a trench coat sitting nearby, seemingly waiting for him. The look on Fyodor's face didn’t ease your dread.

You didn’t understand much of what he said. You had no idea who he was, but he must have had something to do with the situation.

“Again, what is going on?!” You pleaded, begging for an answer to this confusing mess.

“It seems they found us out.” The smirk on Fyodor’s face made you want to vomit.

“Us?” Once everything clicked, you became livid. “You-you had me do your dirty work?”

The next few seconds went by in slow motion. An armed group of officers pointed their weapons at you, and you were panicking. You watched as Fyodor killed one of them with a single touch.

You knew you’d be sent to prison. There’s no doubt about that. What you didn’t know was Fyodor’s intentions with you, which you feared was much more terrifying.

That evening, you were taken to a holding cell until you could be tried for your “crimes”.

When you woke up the next morning, you were in a hotel room. At least, that’s what you thought it was. You were confused, but you couldn’t complain. At least you were out of jail.

You quickly moved away from the bed to the window. On the outside, there was nothing but the sky.

“Where the hell am I?”

There was a knock at the door. Looking through the peephole, you saw the mastermind himself. You wanted to ignore him and hide, but it didn’t feel like you had any choice but to let him in.

“My apologies for manipulating you into my plans. But I promise you, my intentions with you are only pure."

“Do you hear yourself right now? You set me up! You made me a criminal!”

A soft smile remains on his face, “That’s correct.”

You sighed, “Why? Why me?” You really thought you finally made a friend in this country.

“At first, it was because I needed someone to set off a distraction, and you just happened to be right in my path. You were so naive.” He lightly chuckles, “But now I think I’ve grown fond of you.” He motioned for you to walk with him into the hallway. You weren't exactly sure what to do with that statement. Was that supposed to be a good thing? This man was clearly insane, but at least you weren’t his enemy.

You followed closely behind him, taking note of the luxurious furnishings and decor that surrounded the establishment you were in. “So…what now? How do I get home?”

“You’re not going home. You’re wanted in the streets of Yokohama. It’s best if you stay here with me. After all, I told you I would make that little task of yours worth your time.”

A gut-wrenching feeling filled within you. “Where is ‘here’ exactly?”

He brought you to a balcony that overlooked a grand gambling establishment, with all sorts of machines and dealers. There were people scattered everywhere like ants. The enormous room before you was absolutely stunning.

“This is the Sky Casino.”

[pandorasworkshop]

🫀Love Tropes in Tarot🫀

Pandorasworkshop

💌 Lovers + Six of cups

Soulmate indicator. Six of cups is a nostalgic type of love. Puppy love. Honeymoon stage of love. Childhood friends to lovers trope. Indicator of acts of service as a love language. The feeling you've known each other your entire life. Cooking as a love language? Or gifts!

🫀Two of Cups/lovers + The Tower

Unexpected love. Love that comes suddenly into your life. Whirlwind romance. Romance that hits you like a mfing truck. Sparks are flying (literally look at the tower card) passion is everywhere. Opposites attract. Physical touch as a love language or spending time. Going on adventures together.

💌 Emperor + Empress

Power couple. Another soulmate indicator. Meant to be. You guys just click. Type of couple to start a business together. Together through thick and thin. They always got the others back and balanced each others out. Olive theory. Hallmark movie. Beautiful wedding. Office romance. Rivals to lovers. Passionate sex. Type to have a beautiful family and home.

🫀The Sun + The Moon

Opposites attract. Starcrossed lovers. Fated encounters. Feeling pulled to each other even though you may not feel it at first. Sunshine meets black cat type. Opposite aesthetics think like pink and goth couples. You may be different in some ways but similar in so many others. Playful banter. Enemies to lovers vibes. Couple that perseveres through everything they are put through. Together through sickness and health. Time and acts of service are a love language.

💌 The Lovers + The Star

The love you have been waiting for. Fated lovers. Hopeless romantics. A love that comes later in life. Love that is really like a romance movie. The right person at the wrong time meets again. Long distance. You can tell what the other is thinking by just looking at them. Very very romantic. Type of romance that's in books. Quality time is a love language.

🫀if you want to book a reading with me dm me🫀

[undergroundbillions]

Raggedy Ann art style masterpost!

Sorry this is a long one, but I need to make examples! After over a hundred years, how Raggedy Ann is drawn in books and merchandise has changed a LOT, and I'm obsessed with identifying different eras of the art styles and how they're combined. These aren't all of them of course but here's a few major ones.

First off, the original Johnny Gruelle & Co. style. These are the books from her first appearance in 1918 to the late 40's, when she was now being drawn by Gruelle's family. Early on they look more like literal dolls, but as the years go on they look more lively and round.

We get different illustrators throughout the 40's to the 60's, but the little physical merchandise outside of the books continues to lean toward the Gruelle style.

In the 70's, Hallmark owns the licensing, and as expected they go ALL out on merch. This era is defined by childish proportions with large heads, big eyes, and a checkered-shirt Andy.

In 1977 we get the Raggedy Ann and Andy Musical Adventure movie! Here's the most commonly used promotional art:

But this barely gets a chance to exist on its own, because in next two years both Chuck Jones holiday specials are released. As a result, there's a whole lot of promotional stuff that combines these two styles in a very strange way. Often, Ann and Andy (and Arthur) are in the Chuck Jones style, with the title and Camel from the movie. Sometimes side characters from both pieces of media make it in!

In the late 80's, the CBS Adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy show along with the corresponding Grow and Learn series of books are released, with a new art style:

It's similar to the 1977 movie again, but as if they re-designed it from that above promotional shot alone. They're very much stuck in the one shape, instead of squishing and stretching like rag dolls as they do in the movie.

In the 90's you have the Snowden Target collab, which is pretty easy to spot since it's the most blatantly red & green christmassy thing you've ever seen.

Aaaaand last (and maybe least) we have Simon & Schuster's Classic branding in the 2000's. These are recognizable by solid black eyes with no whites, having the exact same expression in every picture, and visible stitches.

I will release you from this Raggedy Ann prison now. Go forth and be free with your new unnecessary Raggedy Ann knowledge.

-𝕸𝖔𝖉 𝕲𝖊𝖓𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖑 𝕯.

[mrs506]

I watched The Idea of You so you don't have to haha my friend got free tickets to a pre-screening last night. Here are my thoughts with spoilers:

The movie was funny, and Anne and Nicholas had great chemistry, but parts of it felt like a Y/N fic meets Hallmark movie. She's literally reading at Coachella and completely uninterested in the band or him. They also made an older fan look crazy for comedy, and it wasn't funny at all.

They FOR SURE took creative inspiration from Holivia to draw more attention to the film. Whether they want to admit it openly or not. They even had a pap montage, and I immediately remembered these pics (the outfits, the poses, and the narrative behind them). It's subtle if you didn't live through that hell, but it's obvious if you did.

They dressed Nicholas very similar to Harry's street style at the time. And fans will spot a character wearing a very close match to THE Harry sweater.

They had cute and sexy moments together, but nothing super spicy (for me lol). I haven't read the book, but I heard there's more emphasis on Solene finding herself and owning her choices. The vulnerable, serious moments were good, but I craved more substance.

In general, I could've done without the Harry easter eggs. That was distracting for me but not unbearable or a complete deal breaker. The ending requires a complete suspension of disbelief. I didn't like it because it felt forced and tied too neatly. BUT, I'm never truly mad about a happy ending. It was a 6/10 for me.

[riddles-n-games]

A few months ago, I had an anon request for Averyjameson headcanons about them spending time at True North for the holidays so here we are.

They arrive earlier than everyone else so they have a few days to themselves.

Jameson continues Avery's skiing lessons, teaching her a few tricks and some riskier ones when no bodyguards are around. Avery notices that he likes holding her waist a lot when he's teaching her a maneuver, sometimes longer than needed but she pretends she doesn't and secretly likes it when he does.

One day, they sneak out out of the lodge for an early morning game of Drop. Surprisingly, for her first time, Avery wins and manages to come back with barely a few scrapes compared to a certain someone. Jameson is all too happy, even if he's lost, but spends the rest of the day in bed or out in the hot tub with Avery tending to his wounds and giving him a kiss to the cheek.

When they're out on the trails, Jamie will sometimes sneak behind a tree, tug Avery along with him and have a quick make out sesh.

Before they come back in, both their faces are flushed red from the cold but Avery gets especially flushed, Jameson likes to pepper kisses along her cheeks and finish with a peck on her bright red nose. He calls her his Red-Nosed Reindear (cue eyerolling from his girlfriend).

They love to spend their evenings in front of the hearth wearing matching pjs and watching cheesy Hallmark movies. Jameson is actually a big sucker for them; it's his trash comfort.

Jameson makes hot chocolate and it's pretty amazing. It's his favorite holiday drink, as basic as it is. Avery doesn't judge him one bit for it but she prefers eggnog a little more.

Although they use the hot tub together, Avery has reverted to one piece bathing suits, she still isn't that comfortable in bikinis unless she has a pair of swim shorts on. Jameson is completely miffed by this as he really wants to see her in one again and even went so far as to sneak a red pair in her suitcase when she wasn't looking. She still hadn't put it on and he thinks maybe she hadn't found it (she has and knows that she didn't pack it but knows who did).

Throughout the holidays, he puts up a bunch of mistletoe and tries to catch her under it but ends up having to remove it because turns out, Libby is allergic.

For Christmas, Avery sets up a scavenger hunt for him to complete in order to find his present from her. It proves to be a bit difficult since they spend so much time together but when he's out on a solo ski, she takes a chance to hide another clue.

Jameson is ecstatic and pulls Avery along while he goes hunting, she merrily laughing at his antics. With every clue he finds, her smile gets bigger and bigger.

His gift from her is a card, the keys to the Chiron and tickets to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France for the following year. She also secured a personal day with the Aston Martin F1 team for him to participate with in training.

Her gift from him is a locket and bracelet set and a month of pottery classes since she's been wanting to actually try something new but keeps forgetting and because she's been very busy with work. He also got her a signed book series she'd been eyeing.

For New Year's, he surprises her with a visit from Toby.

At midnight, when they're about to drink spirits, she gifts him with a bottle of Jameson, laughing. He simply rolls his eyes.

They also do something similar to the Countdown Party in TFG, except, after midnight. For the first hour, they celebrate the New Year but after, they're a flurry doing all the most craziest things around the lodge; snowboarding at 1:00, drop challenge into the hot tub at 2:00, karaoke battle at 3:00, snowball fight in swimsuits at 4:00, reindeer sleighride at 5:00, etc.

Both of them get sick the following week and Nash is playing nurse because he was the only sensible one to not participate in Hour 4.

I hope you had fun reading. Stay tuned for a Christmas party fanfic with our favorite duo and fake dating Averyjameson au featuring a hot tub during the winter break story.

[twistmusings]

Character Analysis of the Twisted Wonderland Dorm Rooms - Pomefiore

Dorm Room Character Analysis Series

Heartslabyul | Savanaclaw | Octavinelle | Scarabia | Pomefiore | Ignihyde | Diasomnia

Vil Schoenheit

Vil actually has quite a few interesting little details in Vil's room!

Of course, Vil has workout equipment as well as yoga equipment. We know that Vil cares a lot about his appearance. Canonically, we also know that Vil works out the Jack in the mornings, and the two are friends. I feel like it's not a surprise to say that while it's fine to be interested in looking good, Vil tends to take this to an extreme. (Of course, this being a callback to the Evil Queen from Snow White.)

It's also interesting to note, though the theme color of Pomefiore is already a violet color, Vil has additional items in his room in a Violet color beyond what is the standard issue items for NRC, including his bedspread, pillows, chaise lounge, and additionally, it looks like most of his books on his shelves are a violet color, leading me to believe he likely uses book covers on them. Similar to with Trey and Cater, this leads me to believe that Vil's favorite color is likely Purple/violet. (This also tracks with him having a purple fashion color in his hair.) Violet colors typically are associated with Royalty due to it being a hard color to create in the early days of dyeing clothing, however psychologically it is commonly associated with ambition, power, creativity, and wisdom - which are all pretty apt descriptors for Vil.

Though wisdom might be a bit questionable in some cases - examining how Vil interacts with Epel in particular is a good indicator of this. Vil knows that being hyper masculine isn't attainable for Epel, so he guides him toward finding his own definition of his masculinity. Even if Vil is tough-love and doesn't always go about teaching this the correct way, it's clear that Vil has matured in a lot of aspects and actually wants to guide the others in his dormitory toward things he thinks will make them feel more fulfilled and whole. Vil is particularly interesting because of his dichotomy - there are times where it's easy to forget that Vil is barely an adult because of how he speaks and then he hits you with something like having to ask to be held back from punching Neige during the VDC. Speaking as an older person who has been there, it's a pretty accurate portrayal of early adulthood where you're still figuring things out! I definitely have a soft spot for Vil because of it.

Vil's room also features a bouquet! Though it's a little less clear than Riddle's bouquet, but if I had to hazard a guess, they appear to be pink carnations, baby's breath, and a hard to distinguish yellow flower. If I had to hazard a guess as to the yellow flower, it looks a bit like Yellow Cushion Pompoms but it's honestly hard to tell. Pink carnations are often associated with fondness or motherly love, Baby's breath is often associated with sincerity and purity, and yellow cushion pompoms which are generally associated with joy and passion. To be quite honest, none of these particularly ring with Vil's storyline unless you count him being something of a matriarch figure to his dorm, but I think an interesting take may be that they may have been sent by fans or a fellow actor/actress given the flower meaning!

All of Pomefiore feature an apple theming, particularly Epel and Vil. Vil has notable themeing in his rug pattern and his apple branch framed mirror.

Another thing of note, Vil has a crown motif over his bed. All of the other rooms we see in Pomefiore have a canopy, but Vil is the only one who has a whole crown over his bed. This lends to his royal theming, and in addition to one other item in the room...

the Chaise lounger at the foot of his bed, Vil has all of the hallmarks of a dramatic victorian woman in an old movie. I have said it before about Twisted Wonderland Characters, but he is cringe and he is free. Vil loves dramatics - he's an actor, he's a drama queen, and he's definitely draped himself over that Chaise Lounge and had Rook grab the smelling salts when he's feeling faint.

Now while I've talked a lot about Vil's penchant for dramatics, I think it's worth noting that even if his aesthetics are important to him, Vil is the only person to have a normal ballpoint pen on his desk. It's a fancy ballpoint pen with a stand, yes, but I think there is a takeaway from this. Whereas Riddle and Azul have a rather dramatic version of this, Vil, arguably the most dramatic Dorm Leader, does not have a quill. Why would that be? Well, probably the obvious reason. Convenience. Why would Vil want to use a quill pen when he could more easily use a ballpoint pen? It tells us that Vil is not averse to taking an easier route when it feels reasonable to him.

Stick with me for a moment, because while this might seem like a silly train of thought over a pen, but I think it gives a bit of insight into how Vil thinks. In book 6 (and yes, spoilers for those of you who have not been able to complete the story yet, I understand your pain), but Vil makes a point when talking to Idia to point out that unless he makes an effort, the chances of something he wants to happen actually happening aren't likely.

So, in combination with his pen, let's examine a little further. We know that Vil comes down hard on Epel for basically everything, which would seem to contradict the idea that he likes the ability to take a more convenient route though, right? No, actually, and that's because of one main thing - Vil hates to see wasted potential. Sure, when it comes to something like using a ballpoint pen or a beauty product that's more effective, he's all for it, but he also knows that in order to get anywhere meaningful, it's not likely at all to fall into your lap. Vil latches onto Epel because he sees that he has potential, even though Epel doesn't understand why he's doing it. From Epel's point of view, it feels like Vil thinks everything is wrong from him, but Vil actually just wants him to change his perspective. Vil expects a lot, of course. An unfair amount, even, however you can see that he is trying to be a mentor. Basically, this entire TLDR is about the fact that I think assuming Vil is a hardass just to be a hardass isn't the way to look at this - he values efficiency and he values people working toward getting what they want. He comes down hard on people who try and shirk work and avoid reaching their full potential as he sees it. he isn't against them taking a more efficient route to get to that potential so long

Mickey is hidden just above Vil's headboard.

Epel Felmier

Epel, of course, has the most apple themed room! Like several of the other freshmen, there's not a ton to examine here. Of course Epel's apple decorations lend to the pride he seems to have for Harveston, but he does have a couple of notable things.

To start, let's take a look at Epel's pinboard. He has a lot of photos on his pinboard, and likely a lot of these are either family or group pictures with his school mates. Epel doesn't talk about photography a lot in canon, so this is an interesting thing for him to have, especially when he has more photos on his pinboard than Cater, the one who is known to be a photographer. What does this mean? Well, simply put, Epel is sentimental. He likely hangs these photos up because they remind him of people he likes and fond memories. Epel does express a lot of fondness for his home town, but it's neat to see that he goes out of his way to make sure he holds onto photographs that are important to him.

Epel is one of the only Freshmen who brought a comforter with him to use on his bed! Given what we know about Harveston, this would seem to be a Scandinavian-style quilt. We know that Granny Marja Felmier is a talented seamstress, so it seems likely that she probably made him this quilt!

Epel's hidden Mickey is in the box of apples in his room!

Rook Hunt

Disclaimer as I know these posts reach beyond my normal audience, but Rook is by far my least favorite character in general. This is not me trying to yuck anyone's yum, of course, I just am saying this because of all of the characters, I have read the least of Rook's Vignettes, as I tend to leave him as far from my class lineup as possible. I honestly can't say that I know as much about Rook as I do the other characters.

To start with, let's start by stating something that most people know: Rook is loosely based on the Huntsman from Snow White, so of course we see a lot of hunting memorabilia in his room - particularly arrows and bows. Now, given that this is a magic school, we can't be sure that the rules are the same, but that does pose the question are hunting weapons prohibited on campus? If yes, then this is pretty normal, but if no, then it's entirely possible that Crowley doesn't know that Rook has weaponry in his room. Not that Crowley would do anything about this, of course, but I think it's worth saying that if it weapons are prohibited, this means that Rook is willing to bend or break rules.

It's also worth noting that of all of Pomefiore in general are cleanly. I imagine having Vil as a Dormwarden means that he probably doesn't allow much mess in their dorms. This ties in a little with the next point:

As has been pointed out by several others before, Rook has photographs attached to the wall behind the wallpaper that he has pulled down. This implies that these photos are something that he would normally hide, and as they aren't brought up by the others to my knowledge. People have speculated a lot about what they could be, and while i can't give any real additional insight, the common consensus is that they are of Neige or of other students at NRC that he considers his "quarry". Regardless, this implies that these photos are likely ones that he hides behind the wallpaper in his room and that Rook has reason to want to hide them, be that embarrassment or something else.

Of note, Rook also has a framed photo on his desk, though as to who is in it, it's hard to say. We know that Rook has a large family, so it's hard to say that it's a family photo given that it's a portrait photograph and likely to be of one or a handful of people. My best guess is that this is probably a photo of Rook and the other two from his dorm, considering it's on his desk. It could also be a photo of Rook and Neige, as we know that Vil is aware of him being a fan of Neige. (Vil likely has a reason to think of this beyond Rook having his album of Niege memorabilia, as Vil seems unlikely to just go snooping through Rook's things without asking.)

Rook also has a pair of Binoculars on his desk, ready to go. If I had to guess, these are likely for people watching, given that it's shown that Rook likes to do just that.

Now, something of note that I haven't seen pointed out before, but should be recognizable to anyone who has played through book 5 - does the droplet motif on Rook's comforter look familiar? It should, if it doesn't.

It's the same droplet motif that's on Neige's sweater. Now, while this is less noticeable in the English release, in the Japanese release I'm sure this was one heck of an easter egg to see while book 5 was still releasing if you were able to put two and two together. It's of note that these blood-drop patterns are not seen with any other characters in Pomefiore as a motif - it's literally just Rook and Neige. What does that mean? Well, the obvious about Rook - he likes Neige, obviously. However for the story, it means that Twisted Wonderland hides easter eggs toward story events in character's rooms, including characters that are not the Dorm Leaders. So far, we've seen the most clues about the events that happen in the Dorm leader's rooms, but it doesn't seem to be exclusive to the Dorm leaders.

Rook's Hidden Mickey is on his lamp. I have included the night-time version of the room in this as it's incredibly hard to see otherwise.

[skeletonpendeja]

Fav horror movie recommendations if you feel like sharing? I try to watch one a day in Oct and my list is a little light this year!

Hi hi hi I'm gonna be obnoxious and recommend a few of varying moods!! (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

1.) Ring

One of the main inspirations for the J-Horror boom in the early 2000's, Ring (often referred to as "Ringu") is a moody suspense flick with aspirations towards solving the mystery of a mysterious curse transmitted via VHS tape.

Based on the novel by Koji Suzuki, Ring captures the mood and tone of the book much moreso than the American Remake (which as far as American remakes go is loud but fine) and has a few stand out moments. It's definitely a favorite of mine.

CW: Child Abuse, Mild Body Horror

Liked this? Check out: Ju-On 2, Ring 0, and One Missed Call.

2.) Sleepaway Camp

Definitely not a popular pick, Sleepaway Camp is a typical summer camp slasher (as was the style at the time) and holds up shockingly well*** all things considered! (We'll get to the asterisk in the CW)

Sleepaway Camp is carried by odd, earnest, and fun performances, the kids are kids who yell, swear, and are silly, the adults are either Shakespearean or complete planks of wood, and they all bounce off each other with really naturalistic and hysterical dialogue, it's very quotable. A great fun time with friends. BUT...

CW: Spoilers! Transphobia, the entire film has trickles of mild queer symbolism in some dream sequences, but the big ending reveal is that surprise! The killer is trans! And that is depicted as being more horrifying than the decapitated head they're holding. In the queer lens I view this in today it's quite a fun film with a lot of revenge kills but it's still, in the text and to the mass audience, it's quite a Hallmark of pop culture transphobia. Take is or leave is.

Like this? Check out: Basket Case, Nightmare on Elm Street 2, Cabin in the Woods (I don't like that one but it tends to be loved by most who watch it)

3.) Us

Something more contemporary, more artistic, and honestly funny, Us by Jordan Peele is a very interesting high concept film, and his second overall. The concept of the doppelganger is not new, but to see it plain as day, so well executed is super interesting to see properly.

Us gets a lot of flack for being a bit more bloated and messy compared to other Peele films, but I like to think of the looseness of the rules and the bleakness of the metaphor to be very engaging and beautiful

CW: General violence

Like this? Check out: Nope, Get Out, Uzumaki (yes actually, I think they have a similar situation of an unnatural and bleak conflict that can't really be solved)

4.) La Casa Lobo

Where the fuck do I start with this one, La Casa Lobo is in universe, a propaganda-y children's story for a midsommar ass cult, and it is as beautiful as it is horrifying. This stop motion, paper maché, charcoal nightmare is always moving, always uncanny, and always isolating. It's phenomenal, and while it's premise may be simple, entering the wolf house will make you feel like you can't leave.

CW: animal violence, child endangerment, it's uncanny as fuck.

Like this? Check out: Mad God, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Midsommar

4.) [•REC]

This Spanish found footage "zombie" movie is a blast from start to end with great pacing. Not so much a story as it is more of a "things happening" movie, [•REC] never fails to deliver on the tension or scares. I have a soft spot for the film, as I saw it as a kid with my folks IN PARTS on YouTube like a fucking anime

If that doesn't age me I don't know what will.

CW: Child death, particularly jumpscarey, gore and body horror

Like this? Check out: [•REC2] (think Aliens compared to Alien), The Mandela Catalogue (yes really), Quarantine (American Remake that's not, terrible?)

5.) heck/Skinamarink

Predecessor to recent indie smash hit, Skinamarink, heck is the litmus test as to whether or not you can stomach Skinamarink. Slow, creeping, exclusively diagetic, and immensely creepy. There is little plot, and it's again an experience, but one that feels like a living breathing Nightmare.

The reason heck is here first instead of Skinamarink, is mainly length vs quality vs density. Skinamarink is a very good picture but for the average person it wears out it's welcome by the 1 hour mark, and we still got like 40 min to go. heck is a bite sized 30 minute short film that just gets to the point quicker. However with the reduced runtime, you lose the density of the atmosphere. It's both better but lesser. Both heck and Skinamarink are fine movies, but definitely pick which one you wanna see based on the mood of the evening and your company

CW: body horror, child endangerment (lot of that on this list)

Like this? Check out: Paranormal Activity, The Mandela Catalogue, Vita Carnis

Other Curiosities worth exploring

The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari - it's the first, it's beautiful, and still an admirable work of art to this day, around 100 years later

Gojira - while the character is nowadays more of an action property, the original Gojira is still incredibly harrowing

Tetsuo the Iron Man - loud, intense, and metal as fuckkk. Tetsuo is a more surreal extreme horror movie full of body horror and antagonistic sound design

Chainmail Chasers - a quaint horror series based off of the old smiledog creepypasta. Considering it's just like one gal and her friends it's very impressive, still in progress

Local 58 - a well regarded foreboding horror series regarding mysteries around the moon and how that relates to the local news station

Okay that's it sorry bYE!! (⁠・⁠∀⁠・⁠)

[thenerdyindividual]

hey! im obsessed with arthurs welsh christmas, that fic altered my brain chemistry. im searching currently, but i was wondering if you could rec any more of your merthur fics that are similar? (I think i specifically enjoyed arthurs pov and the whole low stakes of it all, just them falling for eachother.) it was so lovely. thank you for your help and also for writing such an incredible story, should be a real hallmark movie tbh.

Omg this was such a nice ask to see! If you’re looking for similar things, right off the bat would be

A B&B Romance in Modern Wales

Arthur Pendragon works sixty hour weeks and is devoted to his family name, until one night Uther goes just a bit too far. Restless and confused, Arthur gets into his car and drives until he can't. It is the middle of the night in a small village in Wales, and a helpful officer directs him to a B&B for the night.

There he finds a kindly innkeeper, his very weird historian gremlin nephew, odd people, odd situations, and even odder - himself.

A slightly absurd and very gentle story about coming back to yourself, finding a true family, and realizing that historian gremlins are actually really hot and rather amazing, and perfect to fall in love with.

That’s the most similar to Welsh Christmas. Features small quirky town, low stakes, and falling in love.

There’s also

Then and Now

Merlin skips a year of school when he is seven and ends up in Year Four instead of Year Three. The older kids all pick on him and the worst is by far Arthur. A stolen book brings Arthur and Merlin together, and they become best friends. Sadly, nothing they do can stop Arthur from being sent away.

Morgana pressures Arthur to hit on a guy in the pub. He does it to shut her up, but it turns out Emrys is actually a lot of fun to be around. One date turns into many. Arthur has never been happier.

Seems like fate had something else in store for Arthur and Merlin after all.

It’s a shorter fic, but you get childhood cuteness and then grown up flirtation and dating.

The Ethics of Sleeping with a Hot Stranger

In which Merlin meets Arthur at a club and goes home with him, only to find out that Arthur's occupation is less than undesirable. Good thing he has supportive friends who won't at all roast him for his poor life choices.

Merlin finds out Arthur is a cop and has a small crisis about it. But it ends in fluff and explanation of Arthur’s poor choice in career.

The Boy I Love, He Got Wavy Black Hair

Merlin heads out early one morning to help Lancelot in his classroom. When he meets Arthur at his office for lunch, his hair is different. Arthur is not a fan.

This one is a bit different since it’s established relationship, but Merlin catches lice. Much Arthur dramatics and teasing ensue.

Lastly, if you’re willing to go outside of straight up modern au, there is

You Hear Him Howling Outside Your Kitchen Door

Merlin thought a type-a student trying to break into his office to replace a section of an essay would be the strangest thing to happen to him, but then a man shows up on his doorstep naked and seemingly drunk. Giving that man a helping hand opens up the door to a strange hidden part of society in London. There is a group of lads who all live together and take way too much enjoyment in playing football together, but there is something more to them than meets the eye. Merlin just hopes it won't affect his growing relationship with their unofficial ringleader Arthur Pendragon.

It’s an urban fantasy au where all the knights are werewolves. It’s still got that fluffy falling for each other low stakes romcom vibe, but there also happens to be werewolves.

I hope these give you something to start with @isuckatbeinghappyallthetime! Thank you so much for reading my fics and for asking for more! That means so much to me!

[dedalvs]

I'm wondering about naming outsiders/insiders, us/them in world building. There's a sci-fi/fantasy trope that we as humanity may call ourselves earthlings or just humans if we encountered alien life while the "aliens" may call us Terrans or similar. In The 100 there were grounders etc. how do you determine in-group and out-group naming conventions?

First, I want to recommend an article I wrote about naming conventions in works of science-fiction and fantasy. There I talk about common stereotypes and biases in naming. Generally, though, when it comes to any type of naming, I favor coming up with names that make sense to the universe itself. It'd be weird if aliens called us Terrans if we didn't call ourselves that. Why would they come up with something so Englishy? Wouldn't they come up with a term from their own language the way we do? I'm not a big fan of authors who use English or English-adjacent terms because it'll be "easier" for readers. That's what happens in books I don't want to read, and with authors whose work I have no patience for. If it's sff, make it sff. If it's a "human story set in a non-human setting", I'd rather read a better human story in a setting that makes more sense—or in something that's deliberately nonsensical, like the version of America we see in Franz Kafka's Amerika. If it's going to be lazy, make it accurate (e.g. it's pretty easy to set something in your own home town, since you know it so well, but at least it will be accurate); if it's going to be unique, put real effort into it. A lazily unique setting is suitable only for a Hallmark movie.

All right, that's enough from Old Man Winter. Back to your scrolling, bah humbug!

[the-monarch-effect-official]

Hello, everyone, I have a some thoughts and questions for those who have been through RAMCOA, more towards Monarch-type experiences, but anyone who has gone through similar experiences will help me understand more.

Last week, I went to the mall with my family, it was a neat time, but I went into a store (Miss A, an ultra-cheap cosmetics store) with a checkerboard floor as our last stop. Now, if I wasn't developing a book around the subject, I wouldn't have paid any mind to it. But, as we were leaving, innocent things, like the playground being decorated with a fox and a rabbit had a dark hue (context: for my project specially, rabbits and wolves are prevalent in Samuel's life, both in system and events).

Watching movies is tricky now. All the time, you hear about celebrities and politicians being part of "The Illuminati" and such, with many of the conspiracy theorists having flat-earther levels of "out there." They speak some truth, but they are stereotypically way off. But, once you see the sings for the first time (like checks), it's impossible to not see it. As an artist, I only wonder, "We creatives have all this talent and drive, but to use it for this?"

I know not everyone in the industry knows all the signs and symbols, but I've learned that you can make anything mean anything under the right context. For example, some of Samuel's alters stay away from a Wolfsangle, while others are drawn to it, as they mean different things to different alters. (Wolves, keep away; humans, come fourth.)

I also had a dream a while back about a group of sisters who seemed to be well-off, with a mansion and outdoor garden. However, they didn't know that they were victims of "Monarch," to simply the terms. "I thought I was just normal," one said.

This situation is similar to that of the testimony of a woman who had gone through what you may know as Satanic Abuse, which, for those who are unaware, is not necessarily ritual abuse, but can be if it's done ritually (on a holiday like Halloween or Christmas, for example). She had gone to a sleepover (like a "normal" teen) and someone had microwaved some leftover pizza, which reminded her of the smell of death, which is a very distinct smell that I have had the fortune of not knowing. However, she did not know why it smelled in such a way until she recovered those memories.

So, my question sort of boils down to this: before realizing that you were a system, or recovered any significant memories of abuse, would you have considered your life "normal?" Do or did you have an alter/part that had a very different "normal?" I have heard that, with DID proper (with amnesia), some alters have very different lives. Though I have parts myself, I don’t black out on a regular basis and I suppose it wasn't necessary.

Another topic of curiosity that's been on my mind, probably since the start of this journey, was how one relates to art and entertainment (movies, music, TV, video games, ect) when such things are used as anchors to programs. For example, the Wizard of Oz movie is considered a household movie for its introduction to technicolor, but is also one of the hallmarks of Monarch Programming. I have been told that Pokémon Emerald had been used or tied to this, which saddens me as a fan of the series, especially of the Hoenn region where Emerald is set (one of my other blogs is an oc fan thing, it's very dear to me). I think, to keep it succinct, my question is: if someone were to watch The Wizard of Oz or a similar movie, could they possibly get to a point where they could watch it all the way through and form an opinion on it despite the trauma?

I ask this because I am an artist who likes movies, games, TV shows, etc. However, I also want to be mindful of what I create. My current storyline with The Monarch Effect isn't as overt with the common symbolism, but the concepts are still there (my current question is whether Samuel's family are actually Nazis or is Aryanism a better descriptor of their beliefs, and how that follows). I've even found a Nazi-era red riding hood film that employs a similar black & white to color and back technique before The Wizard of Oz did, though not as impressive. The Little Red Ridinghood story, as well as plenty of other German tales are stand-ins for the more commonplace stories used in programming scripts.

I'll end it here before I veer off topic, so I hope that

[alikestoread12]

Book Lovers by Emily Henry is a romance which is written with irony heavily embedded into the story itself. I will d!e on the hill that Happy Place, also by Emily Henry, should be considered literary/women’s fiction. In saying this, the only other full blown romance I’ve read from Emily Henry was Beach Read which I thought was just ok. But this book…one of the best romances I’ve read in a while. The entire schtick of this book is that our main character Nora is exactly like all of the cold-hearted antagonists in hallmark movies and small town romances like it. But, Nora and her sister Libby end up taking a trip together to a very small town in North Carolina called Sunshine Falls. Sunshine Falls also happens to be the setting of the bestselling book that Nora’s client just released. This book is full of small town romance cliches that are either sought out by our main character or, just end up happening to her. Nora is the epitome of a “type A” character on the surface, but in actuality she’s just so afraid of losing everyone she loves. She has a very “I can fix it” attitude toward everything that goes wrong in her life. Nora also radiates big sister energy in everything that she does, not only for Libby, but for those around her. This book does take a turn from the normal romance in that both Nora and our love interest, Charlie, are very similar. They are the complete 360 of the “opposites attract” trope. Nora and Charlie work so well together because they understand each other and they build their relationship off of this understanding. Overall, I really loved this book, it’s a great romcom that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys watching the same romcoms on a constant loop. I ended up giving this book a 5 star rating because, as I said before it was one of the best romance novels I’ve read in a while. 

Quotes ahead :)

“Like there were emotions deep in me, but too many layers of ash lay over them, deadeding them to nothing but a tectonic murmur.” 

“but maybe it’s possible to have more than one home. Maybe it’s possible to belong in a hundred different ways to a hundred different people and places.”

[libraryofloveletters]

I have been busy with finals to remember your holiday extravaganza. But for Estie Bestie, prompt 55 and Esteban taking you to a French cabin to escape the world for Christmas -Georgie anon

he sooo would // prompt: “Have you ever noticed how all Hallmark Christmas movies have the same actors, the same plots, and similar names?” “Oh, you mean like A Christmas Prince, My Christmas Prince, Crown for Christmas, Christmas With a Prince, A-”

Esteban had whisked you off for the weekend to a little cabin hidden away in hills and snow; just the two of you for the next few days. 

He had dropped down on the couch whilst you were in the shower. He could smell your lavender shampoo when the bathroom door swung open but he continued to click through the channels and landed on Hallmark. 

You join him a few minutes later, watching as you boyfriend intensely read the guide on the tv screen. 

“You okay, este?” You swung your legs onto his lap, laying back.

Esteban rubbed your legs, humming. “Just looking for something to watch.” 

You think nothing of it, reaching for your book off the coffee table before finding the page you stopped at. “Have you ever noticed how all Hallmark Christmas movies have the same actors, the same plots, and similar names?” Esteban calls for you and you hum, dropping the book on your chest. 

“Oh, you mean like A Christmas Prince, My Christmas Prince, Crown for Christmas, Christmas With a Prince, A-”

“Exactly! How’d you know?” 

“My mom loves them. They all end the same; a kiss in the snow.” 

“Perhaps we should do that too,” Esteban says and your brows furrow, “what?” 

“A kiss in the snow.” He says, like it's obvious. 

“It’s freezing outside, I’m not going out there. C’mere, lemme give you a kiss.” 

Your boyfriend drops down on top of you, his hands on your cheeks when you kiss him. He smiles satisfied, as he drops his head onto your chest, your book resting on his head as you read and he finally settled on a movie to watch. 

[fearsmagazine]

WILD EYED AND WICKED - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Gravitas Ventures

SYNOPSIS:  In a family haunted by a menacing medieval creature for generations, Lily Pierce grapples with the childhood loss of her mother, Silvia. Her therapist and girlfriend offer support as she navigates the pain of the anniversary of her mother's death. Encouraged to confront her past, Lily accepts an invitation from her estranged father, a disgraced history professor, to visit the farm where she grew up. To overcome the haunting presence, Lily must discover the strength and courage of a bygone era, a time when armored knights bravely faced and vanquished monsters.

REVIEW: Filmmaker Gordon S Foxwood sets out to tell a story that attempts to deconstruct a contemporary tale of knights and demons as a heroine grables with her mother’s demons, aided by her father and friend.

At its core, the WILD EYED AND WICKED exhibits influences from screenwriter Richard LaGravenese's "The Fisher King" and similar stories of the genre. Lily grapples with relationship issues and family trauma, but her psyche remains relatively stable compared to Parry in "The Fisher King." She embodies some aspects of both Parry and Jack Lucas. After encountering her mother's armor, letters, and pages from an old book about a demon, Lily ventures into the forest to confront the demon. The final act shifts the focus towards her relationships with her father and girlfriend. Ultimately, a collective effort is needed for Lily to break through and confront the demon. Director Foxwood does a commendable job of balancing these elements, but the film lacks fresh or compelling aspects to keep viewers engaged. Additionally, some of the dialogue feels insincere or unnecessary, and the story's lack of surprises diminishes its impact.

While the film features an attractive location and decent costumes, it falls short in several other areas. The cinematography is often very dark. The props lack authenticity due to insufficient aging. The editing pace is slow, featuring Lily’s excessive phone and laptop screen time. Lengthy dialogue scenes between Lily and her father utilize basic framing and methodical cutting, further contributing to the sluggish pacing. Numerous flashbacks to young Lily and her mother aim to provide background, but they ultimately slow down the narrative. The jump scares feel ineffective due to mistimed setups and poor execution. The obligatory montage sequence before the battle lacks energy and enthusiasm. The fight sequence is underwhelming, partly attributed to the simplistic demon design devoid of menace, the lackluster choreography and the sluggish editing.

Despite not being terrible, the performances failed to captivate this viewer. While the tale's depressing themes are appreciated, the characters lacked the spark needed to provide viewers with a sense of hope to sustain their interest. Unfortunately, there was no character or performance that offered any emotional contrast. All the emotional levels felt suppressed, and there were moments when the characters should have been more emotionally engaged but didn't come across as fully invested or enraged.

WILD EYED AND WICKED has a made-for-tv movie or Hallmark channel production feel to it. Many of its plot devices lack originality, resembling other stories and films with similar themes. The film lacks atmosphere, even during the protagonist's ride into the forest, and fails to build tension, suspense, a sense of wonder or  the loss of innocence. Although it is an independent film and may have had budget constraints, other filmmakers have achieved more with less. The overly ambitious film falls short. While it is clearly a labor of love for Gordon Shoemaker Foxwood, it is also a laborious watch for the viewer.

CAST: Molly Kunz, Michael X. Sommers, Stefanie Estes, and Colleen Camp. CREW: Director/Screenplay/Producer - Gordon Shoemaker Foxwood; Producers - Powell Robinson & Patrick Robert Young; Cinematographers - Matheus Bastos & Eyal Bau Cohen; Score - Kyle Hnedak; Editor - William Ford-Conway ; Production Designer - Hanna Hamilton; Costume Designer - Nadine Sondej-Robinson; Visual Effects Artists - Chris Riley & Justin Sarceno; Prosthetic Designer - Isabelle Isel; Practical Effects - Independent Studio Services & J&M Effects. OFFICIAL: www.wildeyedandwicked.com FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/FQc3rDYwpaw RELEASE DATE: TVOD/Digital and cable On Demand June 11th, 2024

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[clevermird]

Review: Deerskin by Robin McKinley

I’ve read and reviewed plenty of books by Robin McKinley before, and by now, I’m well-familiar with her signature style. A plucky but down-to-earth heroine (often with a love of horses), a fairytale-esque ambiance, a light romance plot, and a happy (if somewhat rushed) ending. In many ways, Deerskin is more of the same, but in just as many, it’s completely different.

The most beautiful woman in the seven kingdoms is in need of a husband. Her father sets many tasks for the suitors, but in the end, the prince of another land wins her hand. Although the two are madly in love, the queen falls ill, leaving behind their young daughter and a plea for her husband to never marry again unless it is to a woman as beautiful as she is. As the princess grows into womanhood, her similarity to her mother becomes increasingly evident and her father makes a horrific choice. Beaten, traumatized, and half-mad with fear, the princess runs away and begins trying to survive in a world that she has never experienced before.

This book was rough. While I’m no stranger to dark and disturbing content, seeing it written out here in such a dreamy, restrained style added to the horror in ways I was not prepared for.  From the very first page, we’re hit by something “off” and the first segment of the story is extremely effective, slowly unwrapping the self-centered and shallow nature of the royal parents and the life their daughter leads, culminating in the horrific violation that provides the incitement for the rest of the book.

From there, the story follows the princess’ survival and recovery – the two are inextricably intertwined – as she struggles through a winter alone in the woods and then seeks out a new life in another land. Each of these segments I think I enjoyed a bit less than the last, although I didn’t dislike any of them. The climax is satisfying and, while perhaps I would have preferred a slightly more extended conflict, it didn’t feel as rushed as some books by this author and I rather liked the slightly open-ended nature of the final scene. Healing, like many things in life, is not something that simply ends with Hallmark-movie neatness. McKinley’s typical attention to horses as companions and protectors for the protagonist is swapped here for a focus on dogs, but the featuring of animals as characters in their own right is still endearing and brings a much-needed softness to an otherwise deeply sad story.

There are a few things to dislike, however. The story drags a bit toward the 2/3 mark and, while many of the more coincidental or “easy” moments in the story are acceptable in its nature as a fairytale retelling (this one being based on the story known in various iterations as “All Furs” or “Donkeyskin”), there were times when I found the resolutions slightly straining to disbelief. While I wasn’t as bothered by it as I often might be – the focus here is on the princess’ inner journey, not the events of the plot itself – it is still a mark against the book.

While Deerskin is a far cry from much of the authors’ other work, I think it will wind up becoming one of my favorites, a portrayal of tragic and horrific circumstances suffused with hope and affection. 

Warnings: As implied, an incestuous rape is a major event whose emotional and physical effects are felt throughout the rest of the story; while the sex itself is not described in graphic detail, the rest of the incident is, as is the physical and emotional damage afterword. Additionally, harm to animals is a frequent occurrence and there is a scene involving a miscarriage.

Rating: 8/10

[shadowmaat]

Mawwidge

I'm more or less resigned to the vast majority of popular, women-led fantasy featuring some kind of romantic element. It's tedious, but it seems to be baked in and I can usually put up with it for the sake of a good story.

That said, there's something particularly malignant about the subgenre of "strong, independent lady adventurer who don't need no man" inescapably falling in love.

Oh sure, you think you're strong and independent, but look how much happier you are with a man by your side!

I do get some of the appeal, from a storytelling standpoint. Many of us love stories like the 1999 version of the Mummy, but ye gods! It isn't quite as bad as the Hallmark movies where the successful businesswoman gives up everything for life in the country with some local dude, but there's a similar vibe.

The problem, as always, is less to do with the romance itself than with the sheer inescapability of it. It's so overwhelmingly present that finding books where romance isn't an element is rare, so the majority winds up playing into the societal mandate/expectation that women aren't really "complete" unless they're married or otherwise romantically involved. And the whole "strong, independent" thing, even unintentionally, is there to undermine the belief that someone can have a happy life without a steady romance. All you lady adventurers will eventually realize that you're better off with a man by your side for your future adventures.

At least the queer community has been allowed to flourish more openly in genre fic, so we can get M/M and F/F pairings as a treat (and the occasional triad or other arrangement). I'd like to see more of that, in fact. But I'd also really REALLY appreciate more stories with strictly platonic relationships. After all, "platonic" doesn't mean "unloving."