#someone send me a message and tell me how the results are looking 😂

[amaliabalash]

just went through a bunch of AO3 comments and one person said they found my fic after reading my door discourse here, and it made me wonder...

[wordsmithic]

Your book seems and promising and refreshing. It's a retelling but it's det in other times and combines other cultures as well. The best part is that it doesn't look like the typical trope of forcing labels and stereotypes.

For example, many retellings have the forced sa trope in greek mythology and the guys look either sexist expect the main protagonist. Yours look like it focuses on plot and all the characters are important to the story and Ismene is strong because she has to from her position and status, not to force some message.

I'm so happy the story feels like that to you! I think it would be good for the readers to FINALLY see some Greek culture, and also the Persian culture which is like a cousin to ours!

Many stories/retellings accentuate the female heroine's misery and note how bad and evil all the male characters are. Even the original myth we are aware of is more nuanced than that, and makes notes about the ancient patriarchy in a more grounded way. Either way, I am not doing an exact retelling, and some situations are changed. Plus the story takes place in our current century when no reasonable person in Greece and Iran is ok with abducting brides, and the patriarchy is not the main obstacle in the story so I cannot have the same framing as the original myth.

As my story takes heavy inspiration from the Hades and Persephone/Charos and Lygeri story, Ismene is the "Persephone/Lygeri archetype" and Raphael (the Persian Iranian immortal) is the "Hades/Charos archetype".

Lygeri (Maiden) and Charos (Death) are two central characters in Greek folklore, something like Hades and Persephone, to illustrate the juxtaposition between Life and Death. In our traditional songs Charos is a cut-throat SASSY businessman, let me tell you that 😂 (See this small video for more)

The abduction/taking happens but it's in the context of a long war between the species of Niruvei and Isior, and captives are taken from both sides. So, Ismene in Raphael's House is neither personal nor the result of targeted action. It's an emotionally wrecking process for both Raphael and Ismene as they struggle for power as a means to achieve peace. (There are also many central Greek and Iranian characters in the book, with different povs and motives)

Ismene is a certified Pain In The Ass for everyone 😂 She can be the feral type of "gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss" that makes mortals and immortals go "what THE FUCK???" Ismene can be very cute, she plays the violin, does gardening, wants justice, and has a soft heart but........ the gal is trained in killing and torturing and does both in the book. This gall will send all your money to an offshore company of hers. She will beat people up. She will lie to your face a hundred times per day. She will empty your alcohol cabinets. The story is called "The Other Evil" for a reason 😂 And, let's be real for a second. Power and influence are often gained through dirty means.

Raphael is absolutely disgusted and starstruck by Ismene but that's because he's far from a saint, too, and he wants some salt and someone competent in his life. Raphael just wants to live in peace. His second-to-last child died just a decade ago and he's not in the mood for brides and weddings. (Not that he would ever abduct his lover or future bride!) All he wants is to watch Greek soap operas and pet his three-headed dog!

99% of male characters in my story are decent in general. They try their best and aim to help as many people as possible from their positions. Of course, they are not perfect but they want to keep their family and friends happy and safe. They live in the age of information and they are more than aware of social issues. Most also have the experience to go with it.