#they remind me more of the book of kells

[chronbinary]

"a drawing of a cat from the voynich manuscript"

[from-a-legends-pov]

Star Wars Legends Highlight of the Week: Dorset Guards the Fake Falcon

In this feature, a fan will share one thing they love from Star Wars Legends — a book, a comic, an author, a character, a scene, an event, or anything else they want to highlight — and tell us more about it.

If you, too, love Legends, follow @from-a-legends-pov and check out our From a Legends Point of View fanfiction event, where we’ll be bringing together writers (maybe you?) to build a collection of Star Wars Legends fanfiction set during the time of the Original Trilogy. Writer signups are open through June 2 — use our Signup Form to pitch your story concepts (Signup Guidelines available here), and please encourage your favorite writers to participate!

Today’s Legends highlight is a scene from Aaron Allston’s novel X-Wing: Solo Command in which Polearm Squadron pilot Dorset Konnair is guarding the Millennium Falsehood in battle (after working with the Falsehood to mimic a YT-2400 freighter), and we’re talking with WraithFourteen.

Tell us about your Legends highlight. What is it? What’s it about?

My highlight involves a scene in X-Wing: Solo Command where Wedge and other characters are flying a fake Millennium Falcon as bait to lure forces of the main villain, Warlord Zsinj. There’s several notable elements, including a protocol droid wearing a Han Solo mask and clothes because Wedge can’t speak the Wookiee language to Chewie, but my focus is on the single fighter assigned to guard the fake Falcon (called the Millennium Falsehood) here - and how baiting the enemy in this case meant taking on two full squadrons of TIE Interceptors.

What makes this a highlight for you? What do you love about it?

This scene stands out for a few reasons, but especially because it involves Dorset Konnair, a more minor character from the Wraith Squadron trilogy, flying an A-Wing to escort the Falsehood. Dorset was in just three scenes before this — two in Wraith Squadron flying with Kell Tainer, and one in this book depicting her a small, quiet woman with a star-flare tattoo around her right eye and others that are unspecified but also varying shades of blue.

During this scene, Dorset logs at least two kills and outflies the other enemy pilots despite their numbers. Since Rogue Squadron ace Tycho Celchu previously flew an X-Wing in the Falsehood escort role, it’s also subtly impressive that Dorset was selected in the first place. This implies to me that Dorset is a capable minor character who doesn’t brag about it, sort of like Wedge was in the OT movies.

Fellow pilot Myn Donos had interpreted her quiet nature to be a sign she felt out of place as a native of Coruscant, the former Imperial capital. That and her tattoos created a bit of mystery around her even when I first read the novel as a kid.

Do you have a favorite detail or moment?

Going back to the bit where Dorset’s A-Wing detaches from the YT-1300, it reminded me, even when I first read the book, of how small planes would be dropped from a larger one in the late 1940s through mid-1960s. That was mostly done with test planes (like the first supersonic flight depicted in The Right Stuff) but also attempted unsuccessfully with a tiny fighter jet. It helped that I’d seen both that tiny jet and the larger plane that carried it at a museum as a kid.

The YT-2400 shell being dropped away as well also reminded me of how the Apollo program’s rocket had lower sections and rings that were detached along the way to the Moon - an image of that inspired how I envisioned the book scene. (As you’ve probably noticed, I was really into stories of air/space exploration as a kid, and so the pilots were what drew me into Star Wars. I also had a hand-drawn image of the first supersonic plane being released on my wall as a kid, similar to the “you can’t look dignified when you’re having fun” OP.)

To learn more…

If you’d like to read more about Dorset and the Millennium Falsehood, check out X-Wing: Solo Command at your library or favorite bookstore, or read the entry on Dorset Konnair or the Millennium Falsehood on Wookieepedia.

And be sure to check out @from-a-legends-pov and our From a Legends Point of View fanfiction event. Writer signups are now open — access the Signup Form (step-by-step Signup Guidelines available here) as well as our Event Overview and FAQ.

[art-that-fucks-you-up-tournament]

ROUND TWO

Text form and links under read more

Just a reminder, these are one day polls!

SET 1

MATCH ONE: Lament for Icarus vs Untitled (the angel came to me in a fever hallucination, perched upon my bed as I returned from the bathroom)

MATCH TWO: Figures vs Hubble Deep Field

MATCH THREE: Bath Curtain vs Une Martyre

MATCH FOUR: Can't Help Myself vs Rape

SET 2

MATCH ONE: A Walk at Dusk vs Diary Page

MATCH TWO: Dead of Night vs Christina's World

MATCH THREE: Untitled (I’m Turning Into A Specter Before Your Very Eyes And I’m Going To Haunt You) vs Lustmord

MATCH FOUR: Untitiled (Zdzisław Beksiński) vs The Fallen Angel

SET 3

MATCH ONE: Device to Root Out Evil vs Fifty Days at Iliam: The Fire That Consumes All Before It

MATCH TWO: Exotic Bodies vs Doubting Thomas

MATCH THREE: Somebody Fell From Aloft vs Anguish

MATCH FOUR: Cat in Obsolete Bath vs Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World)

SET 4

MATCH ONE: Symphony of the Sixth Blast Furnace vs Tarpaulin

MATCH TWO: Khajuraho Group of Monuments vs ปราสาทสัจธรรม (The Sanctuary of Truth)

MATCH THREE: The Weather vs The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit

MATCH FOUR: Statue of Vincent and Theo van Gogh vs Judith Slaying Holofernes

SET 5

MATCH ONE: Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands) vs Chauvet Cave Bear

MATCH TWO: Winged Victory of Samothrace vs Crouching Aphrodite

MATCH THREE: Kūya-Shonin vs Arena #7 (Bears)

MATCH FOUR: Enbu (炎舞) (Dancing in the Flames) vs Belfast to Byzantium

SET 6

MATCH ONE: The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayan vs Nighthawks

MATCH TWO: Electric Fan (Feel it Motherfuckers): Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate vs Forgotten Dreams

MATCH THREE: Pixeles (a group of 9 works) vs War Pieta

MATCH FOUR: Ajax and Cassandra vs Nāve (Death)

SET 7

MATCH ONE: Meeting on the Turret Stair vs Stańczyk

MATCH TWO: Closeness Lines Over Time vs The Maple Trees at Mama, the Tekona Shrine and Tsugihashi Bridge

MATCH THREE: Survival Series: In a Dream You Saw a Way vs The Kitchen Table Series

MATCH FOUR: In the Grip of Winter vs NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt

SET 8

MATCH ONE: Blue Plate Special vs Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

MATCH TWO: Susanna and the Elders, Restored - X-Ray vs Moby Dick

MATCH THREE: how to look at art vs St. Sebastian

MATCH FOUR: Carroña vs The Dog

SET 9

MATCH ONE: David vs The Other Side

MATCH TWO: Starry Night vs Headress - Shadae

MATCH THREE: Woman with Dead Child (Frau mit totem Kind) vs Siroče na majčinom grobu (Orphan on Mother's Grave)

MATCH FOUR: Fighting Against SARS Memorial Architectural Scene (弘揚抗疫精神���築景觀) vs The Hull

SET 10

MATCH ONE: Worship vs Wheatfield with Crows

MATCH TWO: Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X vs The Tragedy

MATCH THREE: Judith and the Head of Holofernes vs oh god i had a really big epiphany about love and personhood but i’m too drunk for words

MATCH FOUR: I am happy because everyone loves me vs Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan

SET 11

MATCH ONE: Water-Lilies, Reflection of a Weeping Willow vs The Grief of the Pasha

MATCH TWO: Passion vs Two Earthlings

MATCH THREE: Seer Bonnets vs Clytemnestra after the Murder

MATCH FOUR: “Untitled” (Perfect Lovers)/The Lovers (TIE) vs Kedai Ubat Jenun

SET 12

MATCH ONE: The Apotheosis of War vs Mouth

MATCH TWO: The Icebergs vs Maman

MATCH THREE: The Book of Kells Folio 188r: Luke carpet page vs Dome of the Rock mosaics

MATCH FOUR: Rowan Leaves and Hole vs Le Désespéré (The Desperate Man)

SET 13

MATCH ONE: Deimos vs Prudence

MATCH TWO: Siberian Ice Maiden shoulder tattoo vs Transi de René de Chalon (Cadaver Tomb of René of Chalon)

MATCH THREE: The Day vs Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban জাতীয় সংসদ ভবন (National Parliament House)

MATCH FOUR: Juventud de Baco (Bacchus Youth) vs Oath of the Horattii closeup

SET 14

MATCH ONE: St. Francis vs Thunder Raining Poison

MATCH TWO: Among the Waves vs Sagrada Família stained-glass windows

MATCH THREE: Noonday Heat vs Gielda Plakatu

MATCH FOUR: The Garden of Earthly Delights vs Kuoleman puutarha (The Garden of Death)

SET 15

MATCH ONE: da oracle vs Panel from Fun Home

MATCH TWO: La Mort de Marat (The Death of Marat) vs Düsseldorf 4 (Museum Kunst Palast)

MATCH THREE: Capriccio vs José y Maria

MATCH FOUR: Lágrimas De Sangre (Tears of Blood) vs Boy Staring at an Apparition

SET 16

MATCH ONE: The Gran Hotel Ciudad de México Art Nouveau interior vs Unfinished Painting

MATCH TWO: Memorial to a Marriage vs A Few Small Nips

MATCH THREE: Saturn Devouring His Son vs Lamentation over the Dead Christ

MATCH FOUR: Little Girl Looking Downstairs at Christmas Party vs Agnus

ROUND 3

SET 1

MATCH ONE: Lament for Icarus vs Hubble Deep Field

MATCH TWO: Bath Curtain vs Can't Help Myself

SET 2

MATCH ONE: Diary Page vs Dead of Night

MATCH TWO: Untitled (I’m Turning Into A Specter Before Your Very Eyes And I’m Going To Haunt You) vs Untitled (Zdzisław Beksiński)

SET 3

MATCH ONE: Fifty Days at Iliam: The Fire That Consumes All Before It vs Doubting Thomas

MATCH TWO: Anguish vs Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World)

SET 4

MATCH ONE: Symphony of the Sixth Blast Furnace vs Khajuraho Group of Monuments

MATCH TWO: The Weather vs Judith Slaying Holofernes

SET 5

MATCH ONE: Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands) vs Winged Victory of Samothrace

MATCH TWO: Arena #7 (Bears) vs Belfast to Byzantium

SET 6

MATCH ONE: Nighthawks vs Electric Fan (Feel it Motherfuckers): Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate

MATCH TWO: Pixeles (a group of 9 works) vs Nāve (Death)

SET 7

MATCH ONE: Stańczyk vs Closeness Lines Over Time

MATCH TWO: The Kitchen Table Series vs NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt

SET 8

MATCH ONE: Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba vs Susanna and the Elders, Restored - X-Ray

MATCH TWO: how to look at art vs Carroña

SET 9

MATCH ONE: The Other Side vs Starry Night

MATCH TWO: Woman with Dead Child (Frau mit totem Kind) vs The Hull

SET 10

MATCH ONE: Wheatfield with Crows vs Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X

MATCH TWO: oh god i had a really big epiphany about love and personhood but i’m too drunk for words vs Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan

SET 11

MATCH ONE: The Grief of the Pasha vs Two Earthlings

MATCH TWO: Clytemnestra after the Murder vs "Untitled" (Perfect Lovers) and The Lovers

SET 12

MATCH ONE: Mouth vs Maman

MATCH TWO: Dome of the Rock mosaics vs Le Désespéré (The Desperate Man)

SET 13

MATCH ONE: Deimos vs Siberian Ice Maiden shoulder tattoo

MATCH TWO: The Day vs Juventud de Baco (Bacchus Youth)

SET 14

MATCH ONE: Thunder Raining Poison vs Sagrada Família stained-glass windows

MATCH TWO: Noonday Heat vs Kuoleman puutarha (The Garden of Death)

SET 15

MATCH ONE: Panel from Fun Home vs Düsseldorf 4 (Museum Kunst Palast)

MATCH TWO: José y Maria vs Lágrimas De Sangre (Tears of Blood)

SET 16

MATCH ONE: Unfinished Painting vs Memorial to a Marriage

MATCH TWO: Saturn Devouring His Son vs Agnus

[purplebass]

Do you think that an Antari can get sick ? Or their blood protect them from any infection ? As they heal very quickly and can survive very bad injuries, could they also resist not-magic diseases ?

This is not something pointed in the books but the story takes place in the 1800s, where many diseases killed thousand of people and life was shorter. Even if Red London appears to be the cleaniest of the four, this is interesting to note there is no accessible magic for healing. Priests can balance elements but seem not able to heal people. They should have very good knowledge of medecine or being lucky (or having an Antari at hand…).

Lila probably got sick when she was young, and maybe her mother has died from infection. It would be highly tragic if her power manifested to try to save her mother. I really want to learn more about her past!!

Hi anon! That's a good question. I would love to see this in the books, because it never happened so far. Their blood has healing powers, so we could assume that they do not get seriously ill like ordinary people. But an antari still needs another antari to heal wounds of any kind they may sustain, so I don't think their blood protects them from any infection either. Or maybe just light things. I think if it would, the antari wouldn't need another antari to heal them. I guess it's because of the balance of power. The antari might be able to use their blood to do things others can't do, and they're harder to kill, but they are still human beings at the end of the day. So I think they get sick :) maybe we haven't seen it yet because it's not relevant to the plot like when someone gets a fight wound or breaks a few bones. Plot wise, this has more impact. I think there is a slight possibility that we may see an antari get sick and I have a scenario in mind of when/who could be. I might write a story about it. 👀

I also think Lila's mother died because of a disease and I need her full backstory like yesterday. lol Like you said, around that time even a cold could kill a person, or even hunger. She died when Lila was 10, so her power had manifested already, if we think Kell's had manifested before he was 5. The trying to heal her mom theory would be devastating to read about, but then it would clash with what happens later because Lila doesn't know she's an antari until she goes to WL to save Kell.

Part of me thinks Lila would remember trying to use her magic to save her mother, because unlike Kell (who has forgotten everything about his biological parents due to the forgetting spell), Lila remembers everything and the trauma of losing her eye, but also of losing her mother is still vivid in her mind. I definitely think her mother died before her eyes and she felt powerless because she couldn't do anything to save her. Unless, since it was a traumatic experience, her ptsd manipulated her memories and she forgot about this or has a distorted recollection of the memory.

It would parallel with the scene I mentioned above of Lila going to WL to save Kell. When she finally frees him, she wants to heal him using antari magic, but she doesn't know the words. "Tell me the fucking words," she orders Kell, and he obliges. She goes feral when Kell is injured, maybe because it reminds her of when her mom was dying. What if this also happened with her mom but her mom didn't know the words? Would be mind blowing! I also realized something about the mothers when I reread A Life Erased... but I'll write another post about it.

I love answering btw <3

[crookedcrowclub]

Review for A Conjuring of Light by V .E. Schwab

5/5 ⭐️

WOW.

reading this felt like reading a crossover novel of all my favourite characters from the previous two books because each of them were so incredibly fleshed out that this could’ve been anyone’s story. it feels as if i’ve met these characters and had conversations with them because they seemed so tangible.

Plot & Pacing

what book 2 lacked in terms of plot and pacing, book 3 more than made up for it. the story picks up right where book 2 left off and the momentum doesn’t slow down one bit. it only kept getting better with surprises and twists at every turn. if you know me, you know that books are my sole sustenance when it comes to escaping the horrors of reality and ACOL swept me off my feet from the very first chapter!

Characters

the character dynamics were much more nuanced and their interactions were TO DIE FOR (!!!) not to mention, they all had insane chemistry with each other and some wholesome moments thrown in as well. kell, lila, and holland have cemented themselves as my ultimate disaster trio and i just couldn’t get enough of them.

the flashback scenes gave a deeper insight into each of the characters’ backstory and i ended up caring more about them than i imagined. holland’s especially packed a punch. his chapters were agonizing to read, emotionally charged and tugged at my heartstrings. i saw him as the villain at the beginning of this trilogy but it turns out, he’s an anti-hero who deserves to be happy after everything he’s been through. his chapters alone were a solid 5/5 stars for me, and he has earned a top ten spot in my Most Favourite Fucked Up Characters of All Time 😌.

as for lila, she had it all: beauty, brains and brawn! but besides that, we also see her come to terms with her attachment and abandonment issues that she’s struggled with since book 1. her arc was moving yet powerful. most of it strongly resonated with me because it hit too close to home. delilah bard is basically me but in different font and i adore my knife wife so much 🫶🏼.

kell’s daring persona that i sorely missed in book 2 made a sweeping comeback and his character was even more striking than before! unlike in the previous book, he was very level-headed in this one and took on the fitting role of a natural leader who guided his team in their quest to defeat evil. he kinda reminded me of kaz with the easy way he almost always got the final word. his chapters were poignant with direction and focus, which was refreshing to read.

i was thrilled that we finally got alucard’s POV (!!!!) i like his character but sadly, he didn’t really stand out in the book for me. it felt as if he was merely a plot piece to keep the story going. things were happening and he was just kinda there. either way, i enjoyed being in his head and learning more about his past.

rhy was less annoying and bratty (thank goodness) which i think had a lot to do with alucard’s presence at the beginning. he also had lesser chapters in this book but he started growing on me around the 70% mark. i liked how resilient he was in never giving up or cowering in face of adversity and how much he cared for his people. towards the end, he proved to be a well rounded character with a satisfying arc.

side mention: the minor characters (hastra, lenos, tieren, maris, ned, maxim, emira, even cora!) were amazingly well developed and despite their limited page time, they stole the show all the same! i would deadass be down to read each of their spinoff stories if the author ever decided to write them.

Conclusion

overall, ACOL struck a perfect balance between character-driven and plot-driven storyline to the point where the characters ceased to be fictional and started seeming like actual people in my head. not only that, this trilogy felt like getting a warm hug from an old friend because it reminded me of six of crows and a couple other YA novels which i loved during that time. it was nostalgic reading it even though i’d never read it before.

as for the ending, it was satisfying but the suspense was over quick. i wanted to see more action in the final fight scene after all that buildup but either way, it was fulfilling to see my beloved characters find closure after everything that happened. i can see where the continuation trilogy is headed and im beyond excited to read it!

ANOSHE✨

[edwinspaynes]

Do you have any good fantasy book recommendations? I'm looking for something new to read and love TLH.

Hallelujah! Yes, I do. :)

If you're down for a little bit of weirdness, I would love to recommend the Charm of Magpies series by KJ Charles. They're extremely weird self-published books, and they're simultaneously masterpieces of queer literature and so genuinely off-the-wall terrible that they form a perfect dichotomy. Either way, they have a place of prominence on my "favourite books" shelf and if I'm honest with myself are my personal favourite fantasy novels besides TLH and TID. The first book is called The Magpie Lord.

If gay magicians with moving tattoos fighting giant rats and angry art students with the power of their magical sex bond isn't your thing, The Jasmine Throne is a much more normal fantasy novel. Inspired by Indian history and mythology, this sapphic book is super fast-paced and features some amazing characters. The world-building is super rich, and if you love to immerse yourself in a well-built world, this is definitely the series for you.

Another awesome book I loved was The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by SA Chakraborty. It featured kickass pirates and a main character who had a huge heart but also was ruthless and cunning. I loved her and her crew so much, and if you're a pirate enthusiast, you'll adore it.

Romance fans, these ones are for you: Laura Thalassa's books. All of them. She's a top-tier author. They're romantasy, meaning that their primary focus is romance and the fantastical world is meant to enhance the characters and relationships. I especially love the Four Horsemen series, a 4-book quartet where each book follows a horseman of the apocalypse falling in love and becoming a malewife. Book one is Pestilence. But if you prefer faerie courts and bad bargains, the Bargainer series is great. The first book is called Rhapsodic. Please note that these books contain somewhat dark subject matter like SA and abuse and may not be for everyone.

The Shades of Magic trilogy by VE Schwab is also wonderful, and I've been gunning for a reread lately. It's set in a world where there are multiple alternate Londons and the MC Kell Maresh can hop through them. He's the adoptive son of the King and Queen in one of the Londons, and his brother Rhy is set to be king. I love this series and it's so fun, especially if you like things set in London. Book one is A Darker Shade of Magic.

Up until this point, I've only talked about adult fantasy. If you like YA, you also will probably adore the We Hunt the Flame duology by Hafsah Faizal. At this point in my life, Faizal and Cassie Clare are my only two auto-buy YA fantasy authors... and, honestly, the only two YA fantasy authors I really enjoy reading from. The world is based on ancient Arabia, and there are tons of awesome characters and an enemies-to-lovers romance. There's also a great side character, Altair, who reminds me a bit of Matthew Fairchild. 10/10 duology, honestly.

I'm going to tag @belle-keys here too because I know she'll have more to say on this. :)

[smalltownfae]

Magical Bond Book Recs

I have been noticing that I really like the magical bond trope in my fantasy books so if you like it too here are some recommendations in order of execution and how I like them. The magical bond is when two characters are somehow connected to each other through some sort of magic and it’s usually very emotionally strong and often tragic.

1. Fitz and the Fool / Fitz and Nighteyes (Realm of the Elderlings)

Including both of those even if one is a magical bond with an animal. Fitz has a strong connection with the Fool through the magic called the Skill, in which when the Fool touches him with his fingers stained by magic they can use that link to feel each other’s essence and emotions, heal, etc. Fitz and Nighteyes share another kind of magical link through the Wit, which is the magic that allows the people that possess it to understand and connect with animals. Nighteyes is a wolf. Through Fitz, the Fool and Nighteyes also share a faint magical bond. Besides this, Fitz and the Fool are also connected by their destined roles since one is a prophet and the other a catalyst (meaning one has visions of the future and the other the capability to change that future in big ways).

“I was the Fool and the Fool was me. He was the Catalyst and so was I. We were two halves of a whole, sundered and come together again. For an instant I knew him in his entirety, complete and magical, and then he was pulling apart from me, laughing, a bubble inside me, separate and unknowable, yet joined to me. “You do love me !” I was incredulous. He had never truly believed it before. “Before, it was words. I always feared it war born of pity. But you are truly my friend. This is knowing. This is feeling what you feel for me. So this is the Skill.”

- Assassin’s Quest (Farseer #3) by Robin Hobb

“Come, hunt with me, the invitation whispers in my heart. Leave the pain behind and let your life be your own again. There is a place where all time is now, and the choices are simple and always your own. Wolves have no kings.”

- Royal Assassin (Farseer #2) by Robin Hobb

2. Rin and Kitay (Poppy War)

Rin and Kitay eventually form a bond like Chaghan and his sister have. Kitay is Rin’s anchor and helps keep part of her sanity while using the magic of a god. The bond can make the magic stronger and Rin both craves it and wants Kitay to not get involved with it. It is a more tragic kind of bond and it’s platonic.

“Because once you have an anchor, they become a part of your soul. Your very existence. They know your thoughts. They feel what you feel. They are the only ones who completely and fully understand you. Most would die rather than give that up.”

- The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War #2) by R.F. Kuang

3. Kell and Rhy Maresh (Shades of Magic)

I decided to make this post because I was reminded of these two actually. Kell is Rhy’s adoptive brother and just like Rin and Kitay they share a platonic magical bond that can kill both of them in one go. At one point in the series Rhy dies and Kell uses magic to save him, a magic that binds them so that they can feel each other’s pain.

“I bound your life to mine,” said Kell, “As long as I live, so shall you.” Rhy’s eyes widened. “You did what?” he whispered, horrified. “I should get out of this bed and wring your neck.” “I wouldn’t,” advised Kell. “Your pain is mine and mine is yours.”

- A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab

4. Seregil and Alec (Nightrunner)

This series is known for having an mlm couple as the main characters so it’s a given that they will get into a relationship at some point. They share the talimenios bond (which basically means soulmates) and they can feel each others’ emotions to a certain extent. The reason why it’s last place is that it isn’t that impactful in the story and not as strong as the ones before even though it is the romantic one. It isn’t so much different than being together with someone for years and getting to know them really really well.

“One pair of men held Alec’s attention for dance after dance. It was not simply their skill that moved him but the way they seemed to hold each other with their gaze, trusting, anticipating, working in perfect unison. His throat tightened as he watched them during one particularly sensual dance; he knew without being told that they were talimenios and that they had lived this dance, this mingling of souls, together most of their lives. He felt Seregil’s hand cover his own. Without the least embarrassment, Alec turned his hand, weaving their fingers together and letting the dance speak for him.”

- Traitor’s Moon (Nightrunner #3) by Lynn Flewelling

[hollywoodxwhore]

wanted (epilogue)

Colson x Original Female Character x Pete

Warnings/Content: Major fluff, kids/pregnancy, Pete & Kells being cute dads

Really short. I just couldn't help myself.

And wanted is COMPLETE!

Ten Years Later

“Can you hurry up? We’re starving,” I say teasingly as I sidle up to Colson. He’s standing over our grill, flipping burgers, but his free arm surrounds my shoulders. He sets the spatula aside and turns to face me.

“We, huh?” He asks, hand going to my swollen belly. 

“I’ve told you,” I say, looking up at him. He looks so handsome in his sunglasses, his face tan. “You and Pete make giant babies. Those fuckers make me hungry.”

Colson laughs and bends to kiss me, giving my belly a little rub. “Sorry,” he says with a smile, but I know he isn’t. I’ve never seen the boys prouder than they are of their children, running around and not yet born alike. 

I glance out at the yard where Pete has our son James in a swing, making him laugh hard, a laugh that’s identical to Colson’s, just in a higher pitch. He looks like Colson, too, blue eyes and a cheesy smile. Stick skinny. 

But Scott, James’s little brother, is just as skinny. They take after their dads. Scott is my bookworm, sitting at the table with his bony knees pulled against his chest, a book propped on top of said knees. He starts first grade in the fall and is already reading at a third grade level. I let go of Colson long enough to drop a kiss on Scott’s head, his hair brown just like Pete’s.

Each time I’ve gotten pregnant, we haven’t bothered to do a paternity test. It doesn’t matter. Colson and Pete are both the father to our children. But as the boys grew from babies to toddlers, it was pretty obvious who came from who. Not that it matters. Colson and Pete love our boys the same, a fierce, protective love that takes my breath away. 

I waddle to a chair and take a seat, running my hand over my belly. I can’t wait to see what they’ll be like with a daughter. The protectiveness is only going to get worse, even though I warned them that if they’re those misogynistic dads that won’t let their daughter date, I’ll leave their asses fast. They both assured me they’ll behave, but we’ll see what happens sixteen years from now.

“Mommy!” James is breathless as he bounds onto the deck, and I lift my three year old into my lap. 

“Hi honey,” I say, brushing back his sweaty blonde hair. 

“I’m hungry,” he says, leaning his head on my chest.

“Tell your daddy that,” I say, and just like that, James is off my lap and has an arm wrapped around Colson’s leg. 

Pete chuckles and sits beside me, his hand going to my belly. They can never keep their hands off my belly, either of them, but I don’t mind. It’s just a reminder of how lucky I am to have two dads to help me care for the kids. 

“Scotty,” I say. He peeks up above his book. “Time to eat. Put the book away for now, sweetheart.”

Scott pouts but does as he’s told, his little hand slipping an alien bookmark between the pages and setting his book on the table. Colson comes over with James on his shoulders and a platter of burgers. 

“Dinner is served,” he says, setting it down. And then, it’s the chaos of making plates for two young boys, then plates for a hungry mom and two very tall dads with big appetites. It’s a good thing Colson grilled a lot of burgers. 

The back gate swings open and both boys gasp, wriggling out of their chairs to sprint across the yard, unison squeals of “Aunt Casey!” blurted out as they run to Pete’s sister. She scoops up James and hugs Scott with her other hand. Pete’s mom is close behind with some sort of dessert, and Scott rushes to her. She bends down to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. 

She comes over and kisses my cheek first, then loves on her son and son-in-law. We consider ourselves spouses even though we aren’t married. Colson fixes Casey and her mom a plate, and as they sit down, the gate opens again, and Casey and Grandma become old news as Nana, my mom, enters the backyard. More shrieks erupt as the boys bombard my mom, this time Scotty making it first to be scooped into her arms. She greets us all lovingly and sits down, Scott in her lap. James runs to Pete’s mom and climbs up into her lap, and then we all start eating.

Colson’s dad passed away five years ago. I know it’s hard for him not to have his dad around, but my mom and Pete’s mom have both taken him under their wings. He’s gained two moms in the process of falling for me and Pete. 

As we sit around, enjoying Colson’s grilling and each other’s company, I think back to that day on the couch where I was panicking about what everyone would think. I chuckle to myself when I look at us now, happier than I could’ve ever dreamed.

“What’s funny?” Colson asks, leaning in to kiss me. 

“Nothing,” I say, rubbing my hand over my belly. 

“You doing okay? Need anything?” Pete asks me.

I lean back in my chair and look around, at my babies sitting with their grandmas, spitting images of their fathers; at my two partners, tan and smiling and so happy; at the big belly that carries our daughter, not yet named. 

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, wondering how life could ever be better than this. “Nope,” I say. “Everything is perfect.”

[scotianostra]

St. Columba is said to have been born in Donegal, Ireland on this day in 521AD.

Born  into the royal Ui Neill (O’Neill) clan, Columba demonstrated scholarly and clerical ability early in life.  Entering the monastic life, he was first received his training from Finnian of Moville and then from Finnian of Clonard.  Even before his ordination to the presbyterate, he founded the monasteries of Derry (546) and Durrow, and probably Kells.

Twelve years after his ordination, he and a dozen companions left Ireland for Iona, a small island off the coast of what is now the southwest of Scotland.  According to legend, Columba’s tiny coracle had washed ashore on the island, and the Irish king of Dal Riada, a Gaelic kingdom in the western isles and Highlands, made a gift of the island to him.  Columba remained in this northwestern part of the island of the British Isles for the rest of his life, returning to Ireland only for occasional, though important, visits.

On Iona Columba founded the celebrated monastery which became the center for the conversion of the Picts, who were still largely pagan.  He was kindly received on his missionary journeys among the Picts and the Irish of the Dal Riada and was allowed to preach, to convert, and to baptize.  He converted Bruide, king of the Picts, and in 574 he consecrated Aidan, king of Dal Riada.  

Columba founded two churches in Inverness and made long journeys throughout the Highlands, as far as Aberdeen.  From Iona, his disciples also went out to found other monasteries, which in turn became centers of missionary activity.

The  principal source for Columba’s history is the Life written by Adamnan, one of the most influential biographies of the early Middle Ages.  Though disappointing as an historical document, this Life is a portrait of a charismatic personality and skillfully presents miracles, prophecies, and visions from the Iona tradition.  From its pages Columba emerges as a tall, striking figure of powerful build and impressive demeanor, who combined the skills of scholar, poet, and overseer with a fearless commitment to God’s call.  

For thirty years, Columba evangelized, studied, wrote, and governed his monastery at Iona.  He supervised his monks in their work in the fields and workrooms, in their daily prayers and in their study and teaching.   He imparted spiritual counsel to those who sought it, and he gave his counsel in solving the problems of neighboring rulers.  Because he retained a sort of oversight of his monasteries in Ireland, he returned to there to attend synods of the Church, and thus established Iona as a link between Irish and Pictish Christians.

His skill as a scribe can be seen in the Cathach of Columba, a late sixth-century psalter which is the oldest surviving example of Irish majuscule writing.  It was later enshrined in wood, and then in silver and bronze, sculptured with figures of the saints.  The Cathach was venerated in churches, used at visitations, and carried into battle as a reminder of Columba’s authority and power. It’s a remarkable relic,  the third pic shows the cover it was held in. 

Four years before his death Columba’s strength began to fail.  He spent much time in transcribing books, and he died peacefully while working on a copy of the Psalter.  Adamnan relates that he had put down his pen, rested for a few hours, and at Matins was found dead before the altar, a smile upon his face.  He is recorded as having said, “This day is called in the sacred Scriptures a day of rest, and truly to me it will be such, for it is the last of my life and I shall enter into rest after the fatigues of my labours.”

Columba’s memory lived on in his monasteries and more widely in Ireland, Scotland, and Northumbria.  His traditions were upheld by his followers for about a century, not least in the Synod of Whitby and in the Irish monasteries on the continent of Europe.  His feast is attested in the Calender of Willibrord, a book written in that saint’s own hand in the late seventh or early eighth century.

[callunavulgari]

Scrapbook 2023 | Pt IV

NGL, a little heated that Tumblr's new editing bullshit has made it so I can't save more than a month at a time, so I guess I'll have monthly ones from now on.

For anyone that’s new to this, this is how I keep track of all of the things that I enjoy and/or create throughout the year. I have literally been doing this since I had a livejournal.

It’s a nice little snippet of my life and helps to organize my brain.

A reminder:

Normal font - Indifferent/Neutral Italicized font - Enjoyed bold font - Loved with an asterisk* - All time favorite (bracketed titles) - Re-watches/Re-reads strikethough - Disliked

Goals are: read 65 books, finish 4 video games, write more than 20 fics or something larger than 20k, and expand on your original novel outline to the point that you START WRITING.

Past Years

MOVIES

November

(Interstellar)

(Lotr: Fellowship)

(The Birdcage)

December

No Hard Feelings

The Muppet Christmas Carol

(Love Actually)

(Lotr: Fellowship)

Saltburn

(Everything Everywhere All At Once)

TV SHOWS

November

Loki, s2

Scavengers Reign s1

All the Light We Cannot See

December

Yu Yu Hakusho - Live Action

One Piece - Live Action

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

What If, s2

YOUTUBE CHANNELS

November

Watcher: Ghost Files

Watcher: Ghost Files Debrief

Watcher Podcast

Watcher: Food Files

Claire Saffitz Cooks

Gino's Italian Escape

Top 5 Beatdown

Inga Lam

December

Beryl!

Watcher: Too Many Spirits

Kimi

Imamu Room

BOOKS

November

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix [Fin]

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten [Fin]

(A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab)

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske [Fin]

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros [Fin]

The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec [Fin]

December

(A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab) [Fin]

The Only One Left by Riley Sager [Fin]

(A Gathering of Shadows by VE Schwab) [Fin]

(A Conjuring of Light by VE Schwab) [Fin]

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [Fin]

All Systems Red by Martha Wells [Fin]

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells [Fin]

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells [Fin]

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells [Fin]

Starling House by Alix Harrow [Fin]

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia [Fin]

Network Effect by Martha Wells [Fin]

PODCASTS

November

Watcher Podcast

December

Watcher Podcast

VIDEO GAMES

November

Baldur’s Gate 3

Hollow Knight

LoZ: Tears of the Kingdom

December

LoZ: Tears of the Kingdom

(Ghosts of Tsushima)

POSTED FIC

November

for years or for hours | Loki | Loki/Mobius | 1,677 words | “What the shit are you doing?” Mobius hisses, and Loki— Loki is tired.

touch-a, touch-a, touch-a, touch me | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 2220 words | “God,” Steve murmurs into Eddie’s mouth. “You look— I cannot deal with how you look right now.”

December

these, our bodies, possessed by light | Shades of Magic | Holland/Kell/Lila, Athos/Holland | 2,134 words | Holland tells her simply. “I want to go home.”

this house says your name like an elegy | The Untamed | Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang | 6768 words | “Good night, ghost,” he says. “We can play tomorrow.”

WIPS | UNPUBLISHED | ORIGINAL

November

Eddie/Steve - Rocky Horror

Yuletide

December

N/A

Fanmixes/Spotify Playlists/Graphics

November

Holland Playlist - Lost

December

N/A

DELIGHTFUL FIC

November

The Water's Edge by entanglednow | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 2k | In which Steve takes a walk in the rain, sees something he's not supposed to and has some thoughts he didn't expect.

The Shortest Straw by entanglednow | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 4k | In which Steve gets to indulge in a bit of roughhousing with a friend and realizes how much he'd missed it.

Manacled by senlinyu | HP | Hermione/Draco | 370k | Harry Potter is dead.

Extra Fresh Cherry Flavor by entanglednow | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | The cold, dry weather is not kind to Eddie's mouth, if only someone could offer a little help.

Faith, Faith, Faith by avocadomoon | Teen Wolf | Derek/Stiles | 21k | "Is there literally anywhere in the world you haven't been? Jesus fuck," Stiles said.

Crocodile Jock by entanglednow | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 4k | When in doubt, Eddie figures you can never go wrong with a classic.

some version of you (that I might not have, but I did not lose) by PinkCanary | Loki | Loki/Sylvie | 4k | Mobius offers her the bedroom, but she insists on the couch.

come back. even as a shadow, even as a dream. by harleygirl2648 | Loki | Loki/Mobius | 6k | Dreams don’t happen in the TVA.

the earth from a distance by spqr | HP | Draco/Harry | 16k | “Really,” Malfoy drawled. “We’re stuck in the 16th century, with no idea how we got here or how we might go about getting back – pray tell, Potter, how could this situation possibly be worse?”

Five Stars by Dira Sudis (dsudis) | The Sandman | Dream/Hob | 3k | Robert G. who brings the groceries is one of the most-texted numbers in Dream's phone. This will surely never cause any problems.

A Sign of The Morning by ToEdenandBackAgain | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 86k | Vecna is dead. The Upside Down is cut off from Hawkins yet again. Steve is trying to go back to normal, whatever that is. He's also trying to figure out exactly how Eddie Munson has managed to fit so easily into his life.

(meet me tonight in atlantic city) by greatunironic | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 20k | Ten years on, in a town in Nova Scotia, on the edge of the Atlantic, Eddie finds Steve again, and also maybe himself.

Desperate Measures by Asidian | BG3 | Astarion/Karlach | 7k | "I think Scratch is coming down with something," says Karlach the next morning, and Astarion, who's in the midst of packing up for the day's travel, drops the pillow he's attempting to make space for.

Eye Of The Beholder by entanglednow | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 22k | Eddie works himself up to ask Steve if he can borrow his instant camera, because the type of pictures he wants to take are…not the kind he can get developed in town.

In Our Blood by secretsalex | HP | Harry/Draco | 38k | Draco is an accomplished pure-blood curse breaker, and Harry is tasked with accompanying him on his latest job—cleaning up the Van Boer mansion, which has been under a devastating fertility curse for seven generations.

Terminus by RC_McLachlan | Loki | Loki/Mobius | 4k | "Keep me here," he begs against Mobius's lips. "You must keep me here."

What Made Milwaukee Famous by synthetica | Danny Phantom | Danny/Vlad | 31k | Ten years after establishing a tenuous truce, Danny crash-lands at Vlad's Milwaukee lakehouse with a particularly nasty wound, three days recovery time, and absolutely nothing to do but talk to his long-lost archnemesis.

December

then now and always by raisesomehale | Teen Wolf | Stiles/Derek | 14k | Stiles is stuck in the fucking snow in the middle of bum-fuck-nowhere at night with a broken down car three days before Christmas, and the nearest tow truck company—over fifty miles away—doesn’t open until morning.

many times, many ways by spqr | Suits | Mike/Harvey | 15k | Soulmates are something that other people worry about, normal people, the masses, like marriage and kids and mortgages in the suburbs, and besides, Harvey’s not the sort of person who wants a life partner.

Damage Control by entanglednow | Good Omens | Aziraphale/Crowley | 3k | When their meeting is unexpectedly interrupted by angels, Aziraphale and Crowley have very little time to do damage control.

the summer of '85 by ToEdenandBackAgain | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 20k | “Fuck The Man, Harrington. Gimme a taste.”

Handle Me with Care (I'm So Tired of Being Lonely)  by thesurefireway | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 8k | “I’m a virgin.” Eddie figure’s he’ll just drop one unexpected revelation on Steve for now. He can only expose so many squishy, vulnerable parts of himself at a time.

Strawberry Fields by ParadimeShifts | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 19k | “No,” Steve had said three days prior. “Literally anyone else.”

i don't ask much (i just want you) by ToEdenandBackAgain | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 8k | "The fuck are you doing, Harrington?"

Deadwinter Warmth by Asidian | BG3 | Astarion/Karlach/Wyll | 4k | In the noble houses, Midwinter is a time of alliances, and Astarion knows better than anyone what that means.

Blood in the Snow by linaerys | Crimson Peak | Lucille/Thomas | 5k | Before the house, there was the earth, and the blood.

you gave up all the golden factories by evewithanapple | Anastasia | Anya/Dimitri | 3k | Two Petersburg childhoods.

A Private Room by 20thcenturyvole | The Goblin Emperor | Csethiro/Maia | 5k | One morning in late summer, ten months into the reign of Edrehasivar VII and four months into his marriage, the Emperor was apprised of a scandal brewing in his court when his wife upended her teacup at breakfast.

seasons change (so do we) by ToEdenandBackAgain | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 7k | WIP | "Do you remember?" Eddie asks, in lieu of absolutely nothing. Steve doesn't look up from his place beside the hospital bed, flips his magazine page with a frown.

unintended consequence by itsmylifekay | One Piece | Zoro/Sanji | 8k | Imagine person A making person B a friendship bracelet, expecting person B to never wear it, but when it’s given to them person B puts it on and is rarely seen with it off.

our lady of zapovednik by magneticwave | Shadow and Bone | Darkling/Alina | 24k | Alina Oretsev owns a bookshop in a neighborhood in Os Alta that is escaping gentrification by the skin of its teeth and the sweat of its most notorious occupants, the Dregs.

just me against the sky by magneticwave | DC | Tim/Jason | 49k | Tim Drake stops stalking Gotham’s nocturnal wildlife when she goes to college. Unfortunately, they don’t return the favor.

DELIGHTFUL FANVIDS

November

Loki | God of The Multiverse

THE LAST OF US | Ellie Williams

Loki & Sylvie || Running Up That Hill (+2x06)

Spider-Gwen

The Beginning of the end. [COLLAB]

Loki || Glorious Purpose (God of Stories)

December

LOKI & SYLVIE | DYNASTY

Loki | The God of Stories

MARVEL || Believe in Me ft. Armanni Reign

DELIGHTFUL MUSIC

November

Now and Then - The Beatles

What Happens Tomorrow - Duran Duran

Vois sur ton chemin - BENNETT

could have been me - the struts

freya - christian reindl

history is now - natalie holt

purpose is glorious - natalie holt

have yourself a merry little christmas - mother mother

ice storm - lindsey stirling

December

my goodbye - jorge rivera-herrans

thus always to the tyrants - the oh hellos

a child's shadow - jessica curry

the power - borislav slavov

i believe - christina perry

dj play a christmas song- cher

paint it black - wednesday addams

my sails are set - sonya belousova

[televinita]

Goodreads Choice Awards but the nominees are just the books I've personally shelved

I have a lot of thoughts about the options as they exist (mostly not that bad, except when it comes to the total elimination of children's literature, about which I am furious), but per usual I can't really articulate them in a coherent way SO I sorted my shelves by publication date, ignored the GCA requirement of a minimum 3.5 average rating, and am doing this instead.

[update: oops this did not turn out coherent either. but it got typed!]

Important Reminder: These are not all books I consider equal contenders for "best." I simply wanted to highlight every possible option I actually knew about and have read or am interested in reading.

YA

After the Sirens - Sharon Farrell

Begin Again - Emma Lord (forgot to add this one before)

The Brothers Hawthorne - Jennifer Lynn Barnes (actual nominee and I'm gonna vote for it even though it seems like it may be more of a filler book. The Davenports is the only other official nom to intrigue me, and its lower average rating + hideous cartoon cover isn't enough to flip me unread so sorry, we're going Basic Popularity Contest Pick)

Cleaning Up - Leanne Lieberman

Five Survive - Holly Jackson (definitely not a winner)

Gather - Kenneth M. Cadow (edit: National Book Award finalist?? like with the adult fiction??)

Good as Gold -- Candace Buford (definite contender for fave so far)

Holly Horror - Michelle Jabès Corpora

The Island - Natasha Preston (lol. lmao even. but ridiculous fun)

The Lake House - Sarah Beth Durst

A Long Stretch of Bad Days - Mindy McGinnis

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway - Ashley Schumacher (here on author loyalty only)

Three Rivers - Sarah Stusek (THAT'S RIGHT. HER.)

Summer Rental - Rektok Ross (why am I this aware of brand-new ya horror??) (because I love horror and it's usually better paced and spookier and less shock-gory than the adult brand? fair)

YA FANTASY / SCI FI

Dream to Me - Megan Paasch (I think it would go here, anyway. but maybe it's just regular YA)

The Eternal Ones - Namina Forna (I gotta remember this series exists)

FANTASY

Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries -- winner winner pick!! (no like officially)

Starling House - Alix E. Harrow (though this is a close second, and honestly, if they weren't both actual nominees I'd think The Unmaking of June Farrow has some potential intrigue)

ROMANCE

Hazel Fine Sings Along - Katie Wicks (no comment on its Wattpad origin. I didn't notice until just now. have not read it.)

Famous For A Living - Melissa Ferguson (popular enough for Once Upon a Book Club! but not for for an official nom, despite my hopes, in this fiercely competitive category. boooo)

Out On a Limb - Hannah Bonam-Young (damn I actually saw this one making rounds on BookTube, thought it might be here)

Something Wild & Wonderful - Anita Kelly (can't believe there's actually a queer romance I want to see show up and it doesn't)

(Bonus: legit nominees I am considering for validity include Happy Place; Yours Truly - I really need to figure out if Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez are in my wheelhouse or not - and Hello Stranger, though as much as I like Katherine Center this one does not call to me)

FICTION

This Bird Has Flown - Susanna Hoffs (might also have been under romance if picked for the actual GCA? feels more mainstream than that but idk. anyway HATERS 2 THE LEFT.)

^ also my pick for debut

The Lost Manuscript - Mollie Rushmeyer (dunno which category this would officially go in either. probably romance? maybe mystery? but it's got a lot more plot than the average romance)

HISTORICAL FICTION

The Echo of Old Books - Barbara Davis (holy crap this one's actually in the nominations?! Instant vote. Almost disappointing because there are some other candidates I would have felt fine voting for to block the worse ones, but this is the only one on my acute TBR. If I don't give at least 4 stars I will be shocked)

MYSTERY/THRILLER

Forgotten Trail - Claire Kells

The Hike - Lucy Clarke

The Only One Left - Riley Sager

Homecoming - Kate Morton (crisis alert! the latter two are both official nominees and I am equally interested in both/both have equally good track records with me) (probs. gonna vote Kate on the principle of female solidarity. even though this is really stretching the definition of "mystery")

HORROR

A Haunting on the Hill - Elizabeth Hand

(How To Sell a Haunted House is a hard maybe but also the only one I think I'd even consider trying from the official noms)

MEMOIR

Paris: The Memoir - Paris Hilton

The Woman in Me - Britney Spears

Grimoire Girl - Hilarie Burton Morgan

Tell Me Everything - Minka Kelly

If You Would Have Told Me - John Stamos

Goodbye to Clocks Ticking - Joseph Monninger (forgot I just stumbled upon this one recently! it's on my library list but not my GR account)

and one more except GCA put it in a different category hang on

Three of these - not Burton's, alas - are actually nominees. Britney is gonna win but not without a fight from me. Do I go with Paris, whose memoir impressed me even though I still don't care much for her as a person, or Minka, whose memoir I haven't read but whose reviews sound excellent and whom I like more?

HUMOR

Being Henry - Henry Winkler (there is absolutely no reason for this not to be nominated in memoir btw. I hope it wins Humor because nothing else appeals in that category and I have multiple vendettas (SAMANTHA IRBY), but it would be as misplaced a win as the Office Ladies book was last year. fully deserving of an award! actually the best of the given nominees! but also like an adult beating a bunch of children in a footrace.)

MIDDLE GRADE

(no longer a GCA category but it fudgin' should be)

Just Gus - McCall Hoyle

Falling Out of Time - Margaret Peterson Haddix (actually glad I don't have to choose between these two because like. dogs - but also boy MC - or author loyalty ft. sequel to my childhood fave??)

Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen - Geri Halliwell The Spice Girl (no. 😔) (and yet it is still on my shelf)

I have no strong opinions for any categories I skipped.

[booreadsbooks]

A Darker Shade of Magic, V.E Schwab

A Spoiler-Free Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Darker Shade of Magic checked all of the boxes I have when it comes to a compelling fantasy novel– a cool setting with a thorough and creative magic system, flawed characters who I loved rooting for or against, and enough tension that I was excited to keep reading.

The pacing didn't feel rushed, but matched the urgency of the situation. I always felt like Kell and Lila understood the gravity of their problem. The character development was subtle and well paced; their relationship progressed in a really natural way.

I was so interested in reading and wanting to see what would happen next that I didn't take as many notes while reading as I usually would, but the notes I did have were focused on how much I enjoyed the deeply held love between the brothers, the complexity of the minor antagonist, and how Lila is definitely a nonbinary icon (even if the words are never said on the page- I just feel it.)

***Very Spoiler-y Review Below: ***

Kell is an Antari, a dying breed of magic user who can create and walk through doors between the worlds using his blood and a token. He is a powerful man kept by the royal family of Red London, the version which thrives more than any other. Feeling out of place among his family and kingdom, he illegally smuggles goods back and forth, a seemingly harmless crime until it eventually is not. Lila is a petty thief and cutthroat badass who manages to always get away with her crimes, until she steals an artifact that pulls her into a world of powerful magic, ruthless dictators, and coats that can be made infinite.

Kell and Lila fit together so well, with the same determination and stubbornness that kept the plot moving at an acceptably quick pace, and kept the other person constantly on their toes. Kell's cold calm seems to warm to her, and Lila's intense every-man-for-himself attitude breaks down so beautifully throughout the course of their adventure.

The minor antagonist, Holland, interested me from the get-go, with his forced obedience being such a tragic aspect. We never know how far Holland himself would go, we barely know who he is– all we know is he is a prisoner, who once was powerful and ruthless and is now ruthless while under a tyrant's thumb. I love a complex villain, I love "is he evil or is he a victim too?" Holland filled this role so well, and I found myself devastated by his ending without even realizing how emotionally invested I was hoping for his freedom.

I thought the story did such a good job questioning who was trustworthy or not- the rulers all felt callous, even in the Red Kingdom. I am excited to keep reading and see if more comes from their treatment toward Kell.

Rhy, unfortunately, fell a bit flat to me, so I hope that he gets more screen time and development in the next book. I loved their bond, the mark he bore at the end reminding me deeply of the parabatai bond from the Shadowhunters universe that has always really interested me.

All this to say, I am just very really excited to see what comes next (hopefully I can get my hands on the sequels soon)

Anyway, here are some quotes I liked:

"A life worth living is a life worth taking."

"I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still."

"'I'm not going to die,' she said. 'Not till I've seen it.' 'Seen what?' Her smile widened. 'Everything.'"

(This one in particular is from a little extra snippet at the end about the erasure of english magic) "In the beginning– but then, of course, in the beginning, you say, there was God– though God in the semantic sense is not a true beginning, but a rebirth, a reimagining, if you will, a new face sculpted over old ideas. A name. Why cannot God be another name for Magic?"

[mi6021roishutton]

Character and Environment Design

After my tutorial, I was asked to rethink how much I should incorporate Irish and Celtic art (Book of Kells, Lindisfarne Gospels) into my final film. At first I wasn't very enthusiastic about this as it just wasn't what I saw in my head for my film.

I was also told about making a physical sphere of influences and references, good or bad. I have tried to do this and will continue to add to it as I continue my research. It has helped somewhat so far.

I started to look into Celtic art of animals and I did love a lot of these, I really like how flat they look while being so complex and also how they are incredibly stylised while still being fairly clear on which animal it is.

While I was looking very shallowly through Celtic art, I saw the name Jim Fitzpatrick and remembered his mythological art series he did which I grew up loving as my mum used to do the puzzles of these. They're highly detailed and eye-catching and very art nouveau in their colours and style, especially the composition of the pieces. I already love this art style so Fitzpatrick's art appeals to me a lot.

An example of art nouveau:

Fitzpatrick's work:

I really loved this piece of Fitzpatrick's in particular:

It reminded me a lot of Hokusai and his use of gradients in his pieces.

I think I am usually quite scared to reference already existing art too heavily for fear of copying it without realising or wilfully using the style of a piece or artist to avoid pushing myself more in my design.

From Fitzpatrick and Hokusai however, I like the use of flatness and patterns as it creates a very interesting texture. I really like this for use in the background or for bigger objects that require less detail. I also love the gradients and how unnatural they are while still using mostly natural colours.

I think I might try do a test of this style or blending them for some environment and character design and see what works and what doesn't for my pre-production.

This has gotten me on to my next step which is to look focusing the environment design on Celtic knots, to make the woods very entangled and magical.

[heatherinireland]

Our time in Ireland is coming to an end! We've done so many exciting activities in Dublin, including spraining my ankle! We’ve taken another walking tour of the city, seen the Book of Kells, the Botanical Gardens, The National Art Museum of Ireland, and the Photo Museum of Ireland, along with taking a bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher. The walking tour of the city was informative. We saw Dublin Castle and learned more about the history of the city. In between the walking tour and visiting the book of kells experience, some of us went inside Whyte’s, an Irish Art & Collectables Auction, and we were able to look at some really neat Irish art. I thought it was interesting to see the price variation in the pieces. Some of them were valued at around $1,500 while others were upwards of $100,000. After wandering the city a bit we came back together to enter the Book of Kells Experience. I was really looking forward to this part of our trip, because I had learned about the Book of Kells in a medieval history class that I had taken a few semesters ago. The museum was really interesting, and I enjoyed the multiple 3D experience rooms. That felt really unique, and wasn’t something that I had seen in a museum like this before, although it did remind me a little bit of the Van Gogh Immersive Experience. After this, a group went to see Furiosa at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield. I did not like the movie very much, but I did enjoy the theater quite a bit. The chairs were comfortable, and the walls had several movie characters illustrated on them. After our movie we went to dinner at O’sheas and then I sprained my ankle :( 

The following day I missed our planned activities, and I was a little bummed about it. However, on our free day and for the rest of our time in Ireland I still got to do incredible things, like visiting the Cliffs of Moher. Seeing these massive cliffs on such a gorgeous day is something that I hope to remember forever. Other stops on the bus tour included several small towns and castles. These were pretty similar to other places that we had visited during our time in Ireland.

Overall, I would say that my time in Ireland was life changing. Not only was it my first time out of the country, but I learned so much about not only Irish culture but also myself. I also have no doubt that I have made some life long friends on this trip that I just wouldn’t have met otherwise.

[beneath-the-irish-sky]

June 19th - 21st

June 19th 

Our plane landed 30 minutes after midnight. We had booked a taxi, but every driver kept denying us. We ended up waiting until 2:30 am for a ride back to UCD. My keycard would not work to open my door, and I had to go to the front desk to get it sorted. I ended up falling asleep around 3:30 am. 

We had to get up pretty early for a class on Irish Mythology. We talked about religion and the role it has played in cultures all over the world, including Ireland. It was an hour-long lecture that covered the differences in religion and how it came to be as well. It felt a lot like the history lessons we had when we first started the class. 

After class, we went on the Viking Splash Tour (picture 8). We toured around on a boat wearing Viking hats and yelling “RAHHH” at pedestrians. Our driver told us all about how the Vikings were the ones that changed the Irish language to include more vowels. We learned where they stayed when ashore and that they named Dublin after their docking station. We eventually got to even go on the water since the vehicle was meant for water and land. It was such a fun tour - minus some odd and racey comments which I will spare you.

We then went back to UCD to swim in Dun Laoghaire at the Forty Foot cliff (picture 10). The cliff is not actually forty feet, it is more like 20. It is an additional 20 feet under water so it is called the Forty Foot. When we got there, it was a 30-minute walk to the cliff and it was packed. We ended up swimming at a nearby beach. We caught the sunset on the beach, and it was gorgeous. 

After swimming, we went to a restaurant. The staff was short with us because they thought we were under 18 (we aren't, we are all over 18). We then caught the bus back to UCD and went to sleep.

June 20th 

This morning we had another class on Irish Religion. This time however, it was about how religion has affected our lives. It was more discussion based. I like lectures like this a bit more. It gives us the opportunity to share our experiences and learn more about other beliefs. A big thing that I have learned on this trip is that America does have a culture. It is less apparent when you live in America but there is a certain way we speak, act, and do things. Discussion-based lectures give me the opportunity to learn more about it. 

After class, we went to Trinity College (picture 2) to see the Book Of Kells (picture 3). In all honesty, I was a bit more excited to see their library. I wished I could have spent all day there. They had busts of famous writers, philosophers, and books as high as the cathedral ceilings. Every turn, there were books and books. It smelled like old books. I was in awe of the architecture and the beauty. 

While there, I purchased two books from writers who went to school at Trinity College - Oscar Wilde and Sally Rooney. I am so excited to read these books. Trinity College was everything I hoped it would be. I have always wanted to go and the architecture was as amazing as I thought. It was gorgeous and reminded me of castles. It is crazy how much history took place on the top of those buildings during the Easter Rising. After Trinity College, me and Kaylee decided to head back to UCD. We wanted to film our 10-minute video for class. 

It took us about three hours, but we filmed, edited, and posted it on YouTube. We felt a great sense of accomplishment. I think our topic is interesting and informative, and we had such a good time filming the video. 

I then went back to my room, called my family, did some light cleaning, watched some movies, and went to bed.

June 21st 

Today, my day started off at St. Patrick's Cathedral (pictures 5- 7, 9)! I have been wanting to go here since we arrived in Ireland. It was gorgeous. My favorite thing about cathedrals are the stained glass windows. They are always so breathtaking. I love how the light catches the color. I think that most of my camera roll contains stained glass windows. The Cathedral is tall in stature and stands out against the landscape around it. The inside is an art piece lined with statues, tombs, arches, candlelight, choir pews and is a beautiful place of worship. I imagine the choir’s echo throughout the cathedral.

After the cathedral, I went with a few people in the class and my teacher's husband, Steve, to the Dublina Museum. Steve is big into Vikings and wanted to take some of us to the museum There was so much to learn and look at. Me and Isabela had a good time looking at the lifelike statues and laughing at some of the poses. This was a really cool expeirence because it allowed me to connect what we have been learning with visual representations. 

After the museum, I went back to UCD to pack to go home since we would be busy over the next few days. I hate packing, especially when it means leaving a place I truly found to be beautiful and intriguing. I really want to see more.  After I packed a good amount away, I got ready to go to the River Show (picture 1). I had no idea what I was going to see, but I was impressed by the skill. The dancers moved so quickly and were amazing. It reminded me of the Nutcracker but with tap instead of ballet and with a loose plot. 

We then went to a restaurant and ended our day in the Temple Bar area (picture 4).

[bike42]

Friday September 1st

We slept from 8pm last night until about 6am this morning. I got up and did some yoga and showered before breakfast. The hotel breakfast reminded me of the hotel breakfast in Santorini - they bring a basket of pastries (including my favorite chocolate croissants), give you a choice of starter (fruit, yogurt and granola, or porridge) then a choice of 4 different egg entrees. We both had yogurt and the “Irish Breakfast” today which is two eggs, thick bacon, sausage, two different blood sausages (no, thank you), potatoes, and grilled tomato and mushrooms. We ate too much, but it was all good.

We went back to our room and slept for another two hours, then hustled to meet our tour guide for the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle tour. I’d booked this through Viatar which I’d used before - worked out well. Mostly other Americans on our tour, some from a cruise ship - stopped in Dublin for just a few hours?

Our tour guide, Antonio, was fantastic. He told us all about Trinity College, the Book of Kells, and the long library. Guides aren’t really allowed to “guide” inside, so he prepped us on what we’d be seeing and met us in the library afterwards. I’m still having a hard time wrapping my mind around a book as ancient as that - what went into it to make it, all the symbology, and the fact that it’s just that old!

After that, we walked together through the streets - such dangerous crossings, past the Molly Malone statue (Antonio was impressed that I knew of the Dubliners) to Dublin Castle, which didn’t appear to be much. We went around the side to the garden and Antonio gave us a few more facts and suggestions for other things to see and do.

We had 4pm tickets for the Guinness experience, so we popped into a coffee shop for a coffee and sandwich, and walked about 1km more to Guinness, passing many beautiful old churches and cathedrals. We were early, but we got in anyway and started our tour. We’d learned some things from Antonio earlier, and that helped Jeff win an extra glass of beer (what color is Guinness? Red). We also learned about the criteria for a perfect Guinness pour, and how to find a pub that’s been certified by Guinness (identified by a special red sign). Criteria are: 45 degree tilt, fill 3/4 full and let surge settle for 60 seconds. Should not exceed 119.5 seconds total. 12 mm foam top.

The whole tour exceeded my expectations. Guinness has long been one of my favorite beers, but the experience was well laid out from the process of how the beer is made, to the history of making the barrels, their advertising history, etc. There was a man playing a Bodhran (Celtic drum) with a bunch of extra drums. I jumped in and tried to learn and play along - tough on the wrist, but fun to try.

We’d bought the ticket for the “Stoutie” experience, which is having your face magically “printed” into the foam head. Fun, but I “drank” my head before I got a very good photo! We ended our tour on the seventh floor “Gravity Bar” with another pint each. Luckily, I had some almonds in my bag so we could mute our buzz just a bit. Quick stop at the gift shop and we were on our way.

We received a text from Connie and Jeff who will be joining us on the M&M tour in a few days, so we made a plan to meet them at Stag’s Head Pub (walked by it this afternoon and Antonio said is was good). Friday night and things were picking up, so we were lucky to snag the last table for 4! It was good to meet them ahead of time, make it easier to sort out who is who when we meet the whole group in a few days!

We left there about 8pm, and walked through the Friday night crowd back to our hotel. Exhausted after our first full day, and still a bit jet lagged.

Saturday September 2nd

If I hadn’t set an alarm this morning, we would have slept through breakfast! We went down and ate a little less this morning, then back to our room. Jeff went back to sleep again, I researched options for today and tomorrow, then did a yoga session and got ready for the day.

We headed out about 11:30am and found a warm sunny day - so far we haven’t used an umbrella since getting on the plane in Amsterdam! We walked to the river, and verified our coach (bus) pickup spot for Monday morning. We noticed commotion across the river and learned there was a “Liffey Swim” race going on. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay to watch the swimmers arrive as we had tickets to the “Jeanie Johnston” tour and it was about to start!

I bought 1pm tickets for the Emigrant Museum, and they gave us a noon add on tour of a replica of a 1847 three masted sailing ship - living history museum on 19th century emigration. The Original ship would have been used for trading between Ireland and North America (emigrants to NA, timber back to Europe).

We had the most fantastic guide, telling us the most horrific story of the Potato Famine and “coffin ships.” I’d read enough historical fiction of emigrants crossing from Europe / UK in the 1800’s to know the voyage was gruesome and dangerous. But hearing about it while standing in a replica ship really made it come to life.

Between 1848 and 1855, the Jennie Johnston made 16 voyages to NA, average length of the journey was 47 days. The ship was licensed to carry 40

people, including crew, but the most passengers ever carried was 254! They claim she had a perfect safety record and no passenger or crew member ever died onboard, in contrast to many others known as “coffin ships.” The original ship sunk in 1858 after becoming waterlogged hauling a load of timber - but the crew was rescued by another ship.

Our guide told us the difference was the Donovan family who owned the ship.

It was referred to as a “miracle ship,” but they had better sanitation and provided food and clean water to the passengers. They also had a physician on board - he screened passengers before boarding, insisted on toilet buckets to be emptied and washed out frequently, blankets to be aired on deck everyday, and passengers were allowed on deck for 30 minutes each day. All that was unusual for those days apparently.

The cost to passengers for passage to North America was 3 pounds (2400 Euros in those days). Most couldn’t pay that as they were already poor when the Potato Blight ruined the potato crop in Ireland. Families would often send one person to get settled, who would send money for others to follow (if they were still alive and if they were healthy enough to travel). She told us of one woman who gave birth to a son onboard, they later settled in St Paul and there is a photo of him in a bar that he owned there when he was a grown man.

Our guide knew a lot, and was delicately choosing her words. She pointed out that the blight impacted potatoes all over the world, but economically, Ireland was the only place that was devastated by it. We stayed and talked with her more after the tour, with our naive questions of why didn’t they plant other crops? What we didn’t understand is that Ireland was under UK rule then and many other crops were grown, but they were all “property” of the crown and exported to England. She said different parts of Ireland were impacted differently - her family was from north of Dublin with little impact, but the west coast where we’re headed was most devastated.

It is estimated that 1.2 million people died and another 1.5 million left Ireland (population number have yet to recover) between 1845 and 1852. There is no word for “Great Famine” in Irish - their word “Gorta Mor,” means the Great Hunger.

The famine was a defining moment in the history of Ireland. The British government provided little aid and made statements that the famine was due to lacking moral character of the Irish. A vicious cycle of mass evictions led to people living in ditches and hedges. One politician had been quoted as saying “let them eat grass.” Soup kitchens were set up for about six months, but then withdrawn to “avoid dependency.” It’s not hard to see how this triggered the eventual fight for independence from the UK.

We left the ship and headed to the Irish Emigration Museum - very well done, illustrating contributions Irish descendants have had around the world in politics, the arts and history in general.

We grabbed a quick sandwich and began the 30 minute walk to the Jameson Distillery for our 3:30pm reservation. The streets were crowded with people, buses, cars and bikes so it made walking a little more difficult!

We enjoyed the Jameson tour, but they don’t actually make it at that site any longer, so it was more of a talk and tasting. We also did a “Cask draw” from a first use bourbon barrel, added 18 years (2005). It was made from a single pot still - no corn or maize, and was quite good malted barley. In the gift shop, we bought a bottle of Jameson Crested, aged in a sherry barrel from Spain - quite yummy and I thought it’d be fun to share on the M&M tour. Sine metu = without fear (Jameson motto).

We were sitting in the converted warehouse having a Jameson and ginger beer cocktail, when I realized that Guinness and Jameson apparently operated right through the time of the Great Hunger / Famine. Hmmmm? Wonder how that worked?

We’d received a text from Steve, another M&M participant that arrived in Dublin just today. He suggested a pub near his hotel so we walked back across the river and met him there, and Jeff & Connie met us as well. I had a gin & tonic (talking to a couple from Cornwall made me thirsty for gin) and a massive yummy hunk of battered fish, and some so-so “chips.” The bar was really hopping - several different music acts while we were there, made me anxious to get the musical portion of this trip going. We walked back to our hotel along the end of the Temple Bar area, know for its partying - really starting to pick up at 8pm on a Saturday night. We walked along Gaston Street with the high end shops and bought gelato along the way. People watching would be awesome tonight, but we’re exhausted and ready for sleep!

I learned Jimmy Buffett died yesterday. Makes me sad as his music had been such a big part of my life, especially in the days when I needed some “escapism” from my reality. I know that like John Prine, John Denver, Tom Petty and so many others, his music will live on. It was fun to get messages from Regina and Becky and think about what fun we had at those Alpine Valley concerts - one year we made a huge fin out of cardboard and ducktaped it to the ski rack on top of my old Saab.

Sunday September 3, 2023

We’ve fallen into a good morning routine of yoga/stretching, shower, and a hearty Irish breakfast. We had a later breakfast this morning, no need to rush into our day. I awoke with a craving for green vegetables, so I started perusing the menus of needby restaurants for tonight … ready for a break from pub food!

We went to the 11am tour at the “Little Museum of Dublin,” which was just down the street. It is an eclectic mix of stuff in an old Georgian style townhome across from St Stevens Green, a large park across the street. One of the interesting artifacts they had was a key to the park, as the park had been locked and only the wealthy neighbors had keys! Most of the staff were likely actors in training and they told amusing stories and anecdotes along with their version of the history of Ireland. We most liked the room dedicated to U2, since we’re not going to make it over to the Rock n Roll museum.

We strolled through the park - very alive with families being a warm beautiful Sunday afternoon! From there we walked down Grafton Street, window shopping and listening to buskers. It was even more crowded that it had been last night. We were on a mission to find “super glue” to repair Jeff’s shoe. We struck out a the pharmacies, then on Google I found “Mary’s Bar and Hardware,” a cute little place with a friendly bartender who suggested we try Dunnes, where we found several different types. Back to the room for some R&R before heading out again. A couple days of this sidewalk / museum strolling pace and I’m ready to get out to the countryside and do some hiking with a fast pace and normal stride!

We had a few more museums we wanted to see, but we were pretty tired, so we bought tickets to the Hop On - Hop Off bus and rode around the city being entertained by our driver Alan. It’s always a different perspective from the top of the bus, and it was a great day to be out on the top deck.

We met our travel partner, Steve, at an Italian restaurant close to our hotel for dinner. We shared a bottle of “Super Tuscan” wine and I had my fill of good vegetables - a nice break from pub food. Early night - tomorrow we travel 3-hours by bus to meet the rest of the group in Bunratty!