#this book was all kinds of fairytale elements with political intrigue and i love it

[dregstrash]

king of scars re-read thoughts

i just finished re-reading King of Scars and boy oh boy I have some more thoughts (mostly on zoyalai, and damn this was a long post).

I ship Zoyalai even stronger than I did before

No seriously

Both of them are so determined to be noble and self-sacrificing that they lean on one another like two people who need the support of another (kind of reminds me of Nina and Matthias when they had to swim to shore)

Nikolai being so determined to save people. K I L L S  M E

While I love a good broody, edgelord. I do love the heroic, arrogant type of dudes who are just trying their best

Also Zoya literally has a vision to save all the Grisha ever and if she doesn’t end up being Queen by Kos2 then what’s even the point

Cause she says that the people won’t accept her, but girl, seriously. Pull a Sultan Jasmine and just change the law--the perception--save the Grisha

I also didn’t realize the depth of Nikolai’s optimism until this second reread. Like it seeps into everything he is or does. With Kirgin, he sees the noble heart and not the rake (for the most part). With his real dad and his half-sister, their very lives are threatening to his position, but he won’t pull the trigger on them just cause he thinks their very lives shouldn’t be forfeit simply for his existence.

Let’s not forget the fact that he really believes he can get his country out of a very very very difficult spot through sheer will and wit

I am also revitalized by the secondary relationships (Genya/David, Nadia/Tamar). It’s like a found-family dynamic with just a dash of “everyone’s getting together and there’s Tolya reading poetry in the corner”

Also Zoya and Nikolai subtly checking each other out is 10/10 content

I’m no expert but Nikolai is defff an extravert (maybe an ENFP) and Zoya is obviously an introvert (I’m thinking an ISTJ, but I could be wrong)

Kid Nikolai kills me each time I read his backstory

Like learning why Nikolai is the way he is. Knowing why he wears a thousand masks a day. Knowing that he saw monsters in his own family and has been fighting them since his childhood is absolutely amazing.

“My ruthless Zoya, I’ll load the gun myself” --> Iconic. Brilliant. Love of my life

Zoya saying the people would “never” accept her as queen is entirely laughable. Because as we know there’s really nothing quite impossible...just improbable

After re-reading all the stuff about the Starless Saint cult and The Darkling’s impact I’m here to report it’s just as horrifying as the first time I read it. The Darkling was a lonely, arrogant, narcissist with a delusion of grandeur and his followers are the kind of people who will forever be quoting other people’s pains as something to be taken for granted because to them “everything happens for a reason”

Nikolai has all these ideas that he’s always seeking for power and ambition, and while that may be true to a certain extent he’s awfully ready to hand over his country to his most trusted adviser

Also Zoya’s arc in this book is absolutely beautiful. Like just her process of grief and how that manifests into anger and will. And the fact that Juris doesn’t ask her to stop being angry or good, he’s just asking her to reconcile what was so she could move on fully. He’s literally just asking her to heal so that could be another scar she carries to make her stronger, just like the claw scars she has

And don’t get me started on the Juris/Zoya mentor relationship. I love it so much. Literally the only person who can match her snark for snark, and I love his “give no shits” attitude, but still be able to care kind of

Literally everyone in this book is advocating for Queen Zoya 2020, and I’m all here for it

And for real, there is so much foreshadowing to the fact that Zoya can’t be stuck being general forever. Despite her own protests or what dictates as “normal.” I think for Grisha to enter this new world where they can be treated like people, they need someone with significant political standing, and if that isn’t Queen Zoya than idek (cause i mean wouldn’t that solve a lot of their problems with Parem? With a Grisha Queen the use of Parem could be heavily regulated or banned, no other country wouldn’t dare use it against Ravka in case of enacting war, and it could finally finally unite Ravka and Grisha alike?)

Nikolai contemplating his own death is such a mood. I know I’ve talked forever about Zoya and her arc, but damn Nikolai. The Golden Boy hero who is willing to act for the rest of his life just so he can save others. And despite his strength he displays such a tenderness that makes him sooooo loveableeeeee. Also, don’t @ me but the iconic line of “if things were different. if he was led by his heart and not by duty” was the beginnings of a love declaration. i’m standing by that

One of the lines that kills me each time is when Nikolai is facing off the demon (one of my fav parts of the entire book tbh) and he says “he would never, ever turn his back on a wounded man-- even if that man was him.” just that hit me hard. that someone so confident and so self-sacrificing can survive by staring at his fears and deciding he was worth saving too is incredibly motivational. And while I aspire to have the Steel of Zoya Nazyalensky, I want Nikolai’s ability to be so Determined and Dedicated.

I also want to make a point about different views of love in King of Scars. Cause I think Zoya’s view on Love is the fruity, lusty kind of love that never lasts. Nikolai’s view of love is unattainable and based on pleasantries. I think they’re in love in the sense of choice. That love is the choice one makes after the attraction settles down and becomes normal. They just choose to be dedicated and choose Ravka (and each other) over and over again. And I don’t think they’re familiar with that kind of love to even recognize that that’s what it is (this is my own personal theory, I could also be wrong)

Reaching the end and realizing that Ehri doesn’t even want to be Queen, I really highly doubt that this marriage is going to work out. Not even because of the lack of love. It’s her lack of love for the people and zero political ambition. That’s pretty much useless to Nikolai who wants more for his people (i.e. Zoya will be Queen, I will keep saying it till the day I die)

Also, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Darkling is a piece of shit

Juris will be #1 Zoyalai shipper. I can see it. I can taste it. It’s going to be grand

I may have missed this the first time, but Nikolai saying that they’re about to go to war again is insane, and damn if I thought Ketterdam was a raging dumpster fire of a mess Ravka is a Whole Ass Disaster

Final thoughts: 

Nikolai is a good man and a good king despite his very mortal standing and him being vulnerable with himself and accepting his darkness is beautiful. 

Zoya is a powerful woman, who has a lot of capacity to love despite what she thinks and she’s going to make a kick ass queen. 

Zoyalai is endgame

Book 2 is going to be hella chaotic but I’m ready for it all

Ready for Zoya, Genya, Tamar, Nadia (literally all the Grisha women) to have their Avengers: Endgame moment, and destroy the Darkling for good

Ready for Nikolai to be himself unequivocally and be the King his country deserves

Ready for Zoyalai to realize that love doesn’t have to look like doe-eyes and silly platitudes, but it can look like understanding the other person and be willing to die for something greater

I almost wish that the Grisha TV show was about SoC and KoS, instead. That way the Grisha Trilogy can be told through flashbacks, and that way we can focus on the actual effect of the Darkling rather than glorifying him in this weird dark light (but that’s just me)

Anyway: ZOYALAI WILL BE ENDGAME 

[smalltownfae]

Top five fantasy subgenres?

I am not even sure if I know all of the fantasy subgenres that exist! *googles* There are too many that exist and some don't perfectly encapsulate what I like about the fantasy books I like... but I will do my best to make a top. Apparently low fantasy means set in our world or one like our own instead of just having less magic like I thought.

1. Coming of Age Fantasy

"Though few tales are classified exclusively as coming-of-age, many have such elements about them. The main character typically starts out young, naïve, and yearning for adventure — which he or she gets. By the end of that adventure (or series of adventures), our protagonist has matured into an adult and become much wiser through their experiences."

I love to see a character change and grow from a child into old age. There is a lot of potential for complex character work here, but most books in this subgenre seem to be aimed at a younger audience and I wish more adult books would do this too. I would consider the Farseer trilogy in this subgenre since it's pretty much a coming of age story about Fitz.

2. Medieval Fantasy

"A particularly popular brand of historical fantasy, medieval fantasy means castles, knights, and damsels in distress — though with the caveat that those damsels are often guarded by dragons, and sorcerers are present to help out the heroes. As one of the most prominent and accessible niches in fantasy, it’s a great starter subgenre for readers new to the genre. In fact, you’ve likely consumed some form of medieval fantasy without even knowing it; if you’ve ever seen Monty Python or Shrek, you’re already well-acquainted with it."

I KNOW! I know that this setting is tiresome in fantasy and there is so much of it. I know! But I can't help loving the castles and the forests and horse back riding. I really like this setting and I am sorry. I know it's overused. I don't particularly like the tropes though, especially not the damsel in distress. I love the setting but I want something new to be done with it. The wizards can stay though.

3. Political Fantasy

"Alas, this one doesn’t involve your favorite politician in a compromising position. What it does involve, however, is some serious political intrigue, often with schisms between different sides. The worldbuilding in this subgenre tends to be particularly strong, since you need a fully fleshed-out political system for the political clashes to seem real. These stories also often include allusions and commentary on real-life issues — so chances are, if you’re politically active yourself, you’ll very much enjoy political fantasy."

I do love me some political intrigue and for this to do well the characters need to be complex and smart. Sadly, a lot of people fail at it though because a lot of cases are simplified or the information isn't all disclosed to the reader in order to appear smart without having to show it.

4. Fable/Fairy Tale Fantasy:

"This subgenre is the stuff of picture books and Disney movies: fables and fairytales that many of us already know, but presented in a fresh new way. Nevertheless, they usually contain similar morals and lessons to the original tales, especially if they’re targeted toward a younger audience."

Once again, usually targeted to a younger audience and I wish more adult books would pick this subgenre up. "Daughter of the Forest" by Juliet Marillier actually did it and I appreciate it for that. Another one of my complains is that these have too much focus on romance. People know that there are fairy tales with zero romance in it, right? At least I hope they do. When I say I like these kind of books honestly what I mostly mean is I like Patricia A. McKillip, Diana Wynne Jones, Juliet Marillier and T. Kingfisher because I haven't seen anyone else do it well for my tastes so far. I am also tired of Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella retellings too. So many fables and fairy tales in the world and people keep using the same 10 or so.

5. Grimdark Fantasy:

"While dark fantasy incorporates elements of horror in order to inspire fear or dread in the reader, grimdark paints a picture of supernatural places or people that are morally grey. They often take place in the “underbelly” of a magical world, and contain themes of violence, cynicism, or bleakness. They are — ahem — grim and dark."

*sigh* I hesitated to put this one here because this subgenre can get so over the top that I find it ridiculous instead of poignant and meaningful (see "Prince of Thorns" by Mark Lawrence). However, I love First Law and Poppy War for the most part so I couldn't exactly leave it out of my top. On paper I love the morally gray characters. The problem is that people confuse gray with black quite often. I have a tendency for darker stories that is true, but I don't like when it becomes too unrealistic in terms of character work. I need the characters to feel real in order to believe them.

Others considered: Historical Fantasy, Magical Realism, Fantasy of Manners, Quest Fantasy.

I will leave the rest of the questions for later because I need time to think about them. Sorry.

[mycatshuman]

Castle of Devils

Chapter 2

Pairings: Eventual Prinxiety

Warnings: mentions of blood? I don't think there is any others? Let me know if I missed any.

Word count: 1,868

Thank you so so much to the amazing @civilsounds17 for helping me and reading through this for me! 💚💚💚 also thank you so very much to @wxlcomxtothxjunglx for helping me with the title.

More Chapters

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Roman awoke the next morning to find a tray sitting outside his door with a note. He frowned slightly before glancing around. He wasn't sure how long the food had been out there, he hoped it was still warm. Grabbing the tray, he brought the tray inside and closed the door behind him. Taking a moment to debate where he wanted to eat, he decided to sit his breakfast on the desk beside the window so he could sit and look out at the view.

He shoved the velvet red curtains aside dramatically (as he did everything) and sat down, opening the window, he let out a surprised breath at the view. It was, it the simplest of terms, enchanting. The sun shone down on the land, it's beams hitting the multicolored leaves adorning the trees below. The reds, yellows, and oranges swirled through the air as they fell from the dying branches. The twinkling of the cool water in the river below as it ran over small pebbles and rocks was picturesque, and Roman could have sworn he could hear the trickling of the crystal liquid as it flowed. He let out a small shiver as the crisp fall breeze blew through the air, bringing with it, the smell of apples and pumpkins. The whole scene was like something out of a fairytale.

Roman felt a small, content smile make its way to his face before he turned to his food. He delicately picked up the small note bearing his name with intricate, crimson script. Bringing the note close to himself and opening it, he felt his breath hitch in his throat as the faint scent of...something, trailed along with it. Roman felt his head grow slightly dizzy. The smell was intoxicating. It was the smell of crisp autumn leaves, the smell of pumpkin spices, clover, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The smell of ancient tomes and a slight smell of thrill seeking danger. Roman recognized the scent as it all swirled around him in one unique smell that he distinctly remembered from last night. Virgil.

Roman felt his cheeks warm. He hasn't even been here one night and he was already finding himself falling for someone. And it was his host! At that. Roman shook his head to clear his head of thoughts of pale skin and stormy eyes. He quickly read through the note his host left him.

Dear Mr. Prinz,

I trust you had a pleasant sleep? Please enjoy this meal I have prepared for you when you wake. I shall be quite busy today and I hope that you can get yourself settled into your new home for the next month. If you finish that, please enjoy my library. It has a vast collection of novels and I can only hope you will find something that intrigues you. I shall come find you somewhere around five and then we can start my studies. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask.

Yours truly, Virgil Stoker

P.s. the Wifi password is alucard500

Roman chuckled breathlessly before setting the paper down and starting on his food. As he ate, he looked out over the forest surrounding the castle. His thoughts wandered from the serene view to the people in the gas station. Why were they so scared of this place? Sure it looked scary on the outside, at night with wolves howling, but in the day, it was like something out of a fairytale.

Roman frowned. What could they possibly be scared of? It couldn't have been the castle's owner. Virgil was too kind and polite, albeit a little weird, but that couldn't be cause enough for them to call him a devil. And it wasn't like there was anyone else who lived here who could have caused the reputation of devils. Could it possibly be the castle? Maybe something in its past. Could it be haunted? Are there ghost and literal devils and demons here? Could it be a previous owner? The land?

Roman was beginning to drive himself mad as he went over countless possibilities in his head. Maybe I could ask Virgil? He thought as he finished his breakfast. Yes. Surely Virgil would know how the rumors came about. Roman stood up from his spot on the window sill and began to unpack his things and put them away. He was extremely happy to find his closet was much bigger than his one at home. After he was done, he opened the door to his joined bathroom and took a nice soothing bath in the clawfoot tub.

As he soaked in the warm water with the soothing smell of candles swimming through the air and the instrumental tracks to every Disney song playing from his phone, he thought, Why would anyone want to leave? Roman's green eyes flew open as he hit Eureka. Maybe Virgil wants to leave because they whisper such nasty rumors about him! It wasn't much, but it at least gave some light? On the subject. It still didn't give him an answer as to why such wicked rumors were spread in the first place. Although, it could possibly be due to a lifestyle of Virgil's or part of his personality.

Roman let out a sigh and sank into the tub as he closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles. It wasn't really something he should concern himself with. After all, it wasn't like it involved him. For all he knew, it could just be a family feud that doesn't involve games and television. Roman pushed all thoughts from his mind and focused on the music spilling through the air, creating a calming atmosphere as Roman prepared for this evenings lesson with his host.

----

Roman found himself sitting at his desk, a few minutes before five, writing about his stay so far when a feather like knock sounded at his door. Roman startled slightly and turned his head to the door. “Mr. Prinz? If you're ready we can start the lesson now.” Roman glanced down at his attire, he was wearing a pair of black dress slacks and a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the top two buttons were undone. Is this professional enough?!?! “Mr. Prinz? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I'm coming!” Roman called out as he frantically glanced around the room, forgetting his dilemma of a few seconds ago as he tried to make sure his room was at least presentable. Roman moved quickly to the door and fixed his hair before opening the door. “Good evening Mr. Stoker.”

Virgil quickly took Roman in, suppressing the irregular jump of his heart in his chest. The reaction totally wasn't due to how handsome Roman looked. Not at all. “Please, call me Virgil,” he replied before stepping away from the door and sweeping his arm to the side. “Shall we?”

Roman swallowed a lump in his throat as he nodded and left his room, closing the door behind him and looked expectantly at the other. A ghost of a smile spread across Virgil's smooth pale face before he lead the way through the hall to the study where they would be completing the lessons.

Roman took the time to study his host's face as they traveled through the dimly lit halls of the castle, the flickering light of the candles (not sure why the castle had candles what with all the technology this age provided but Roman appreciated the aesthetic) casting shadows across the darkly dressed man's face. What had Virgil so busy today? Roman had to admit, it was a little strange that he had only ever seen his host in the shadowy hours of the dark. Then again, Roman hadn't even been here for two days. He could just be paranoid. Although, he wouldn't lie and say the words of the cashier weren't still ringing in his head, putting him on edge.

Roman continued to glance at Virgil as they walked through the halls. On one of these small stalker moments, Roman caught a glimpse of Virgil's eyes. They shone slightly in the light, the grey orbs flashing with mystery. And, oh, how Roman loved mystery. They stopped outside of closed door, which must have been the study, and Roman watched as the other twisted the silver handle and pushed the door open. Virgil stepped through the threshold and Roman followed, finally tearing his eyes away from the other man and getting a look at his surroundings. There was a wide window overlooking the back of the castle grounds where a sprawling garden of flowers and trees of all sorts stood. It was beautiful.

Roman tore his attention away from the view outside and took in the view on the inside. It was gorgeous. Rich mahogany bookshelves stood along the wall to the right, the spines thick with words. To the left, a magnificent woven tapestry hung against the wall, it's thread woven picture depicting a scene of the ocean, her waves reflecting the full moon as it floated above her vast waters. The stars accompanying the moon in the sky of the artwork seemed to almost twinkle in silent knowledge of complex detail. In the middle of all of this, a table stood out amongst the other elements of the room.

The table was a deep brown, its chairs of the same shade. It was round with the base carved into the shape of a great tree trunk, it's thick branches holding up the surface on which one would place their books. Although, Roman would wonder how anyone could possibly place anything atop its surface was when it's face was decorated with such delicate, intricate detail. Roses and thorns carved themselves into the table, their stems connecting all of them all over the wooden surface. It was magical.

Virgil noticed his awe. “You like it?” He asked as Roman ran a tan hand over the dark wood with a feather light touch. He nodded.

“Yeah, this is-” he swallowed. “This is truly magnificent. Such gorgeous craftsmanship. It's like something out of a fairytale,” Roman breathed out, his voice soft with appreciation. “Wherever did you get it?”

A smile tugged at Virgil's lips as he watched Roman. He shifted slightly before mumbling. “I-I made it.”

Roman stopped running his fingertips over the carvings and turned to look at the other, surprise evident on his chiseled features. “You-you made this?” He asked, his voice soft. Virgil nodded and scratched at his cuticles. Roman glanced at the table beneath his fingers and felt a warm feeling blossom in his chest. He turned back to Virgil. “Virgil… this is magnificent. Truly. You have a gift.”

A faint blush colored Virgil's cheeks as the blood warmed his face. Roman watched as the other stared at him with what could only be an expression of pleasant surprise and felt his blood rush to face as it turned a slightly darker shade of blush. After a few moments of uncomfortable warmth and silence, Virgil cleared his throat. “Um, shall we get started?” He asked.

Roman stayed silent for a few moments as he waited for his cheeks to cool, then he nodded. “Yes. Let's begin.”

-----

Taglist: @kittycake574 @rainbow-roman @icequeenoriginal @ilovemygaydad @roman-flair

[quoteablebooks]

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis:

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ... Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

*Opinions*

So I was told that I must read this novel as my friend is obsessed with the series and needed someone to talk to about it. (Yell is probably a more accurate term but I digress). She is also the one who bought me the book for Christmas so I really had no reason not to dive in. From the summary, it has everything I like in a fantasy novel, action, danger, politically intrigue, and romance (Yes, I like romance, sue me). I had heard some rumblings of people taking issue with the series, but I will say right now that I didn’t look into any reviews or discourse while reading or writing this review. I’m more than happy to have a conversation with people about it now that I had finished the first book, especially those who found the novel to have many faults, but any ignorance on my part was intentional so I didn’t go into reading the novel with someone else’s thoughts clouding my judgment. One hiccup in this plan of not knowing anything about the story was that I was unaware that it was advertised as a Beauty and the Beast retelling of sorts and I had so many questions until a friend pointed out that it was supposed to follow the fairytale. Like, I was getting a little aggravated because the beginning third of the book reads very close to the Beauty and the Beast we all know and love. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good retelling when it’s done well. However, when you go into a story not knowing that that was its main aim, it can be a bit jarring. Again, this is completely my fault. The first major positive I have is that Maas allowed Feyre to have sex with a man she had no intentions of marrying and really didn’t even like. It is rare that heroines are allowed to have sex for the pure reason of release and nothing else and it gave me a good idea who Feyre was as a character. As her sexuality evolves and expands throughout the novel is very realistic and something that I was not expecting from the novel. Sure, it said there was romance, but I was expecting the normal fade to black scenes. Instead, the scene in the hallway after the magical ritual (being as vague as possible to avoid spoilers) was unexpectedly intimate. Like, I was almost metaphorically clutching my pearls (a phrase I stole from my friend) intimate. I was not expecting that, but I enjoyed it. Another thing I was not expecting from this novel was the darkness and grittiness that it possessed, both in the world building and in the characters. Feyre is a rather dark and gritty character at the beginning, due to her circumstances, and I really enjoyed that. Too often the main character is soft and the events of the story harden them, but this novel takes the opposite approach in a way. Feyre never becomes soft and helpless or losses the darkness in her, but she is allowed to have some freedom and happiness, and that changes her in much more subtle ways. Maas also leans into the dark, scary, and creepy side of myths and legends surrounding the faeries. Now I am going to be honest, I don’t know what in this story is known the lore and what is Maas’s creation, but I wanted more of the creepy and scary things that lurked outside the lovely manor and gardens where Feyre found herself. There are real threats and real dangers in this world and Maas doesn’t let you forget that, even if Feyre ignores the warnings completely some times. You knew that people would get hurt, people who die, and appreciated the stakes. Feyre and Tamlin’s relationship is the core of the story and it is a slow burn, which I really enjoy. If I didn’t know that this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I might have thought Lucien had a chance, but it was obvious that Tamlin was always going to be the main love interest. It was a romance that grew and one that you believed could elicit so such feelings from Feyre to propel her through the ending of the novel and what she had to endure. That being said, Lucien and Rhysand are by far the most interesting characters in this novel. Maybe because they are shown to have flaws (Rhysand’s being very in your face and plentiful) but I wanted to know more about them and enjoyed their presence on the page more than Tamlin. It’s not that I don’t like Tamlin or Tamlin and Feyre as a couple, but Tamlin was always either bestial or perfect whereas Lucien and Rhysand were portrayed as much more complex. Maybe I just have a thing for characters who are also kind of bastards, who knows? The world that Maas creates is very easy to visualize and understand from her descriptions. From the cold of the forest to the lowly cottage, to the manor, estate, and gardens, you see what Feyre is seeing. There is something very visceral about this novel while you’re reading it that I really enjoy. Maas has the ability to take you into the world of Prythian which is what you need in any fantasy novel. I was a little disappointed when we finally got to Under the Mountain. The creatures are described so viscerally, but the actual ancient heart of the mountain left some things to be desired. However, that was really my only complaint about this novel that relayed so much on being with Feyre as she experienced everything. Now, for some negatives. The biggest one was that giant plot dump that happened when Alis finally explained the curse and what was happening when Feyre returned to the estate. I am not going to spoil what the curse is, but that whole chapter was literally a neon sign that read EXPOSITION and flashed. It was something that could have been broken up between two chapters, especially since the ones leading up to it were Feyre trying to come to terms with seeing her family. That leads me to my second big issue, that Nesta was That Bitch and therefore the fairy glamour didn’t work on her. On one hand, I like that Nesta got a bit of a redemption arc after being so awful in the beginning, on the other, it makes no sense that the glamour just didn’t work. Maybe if the explanation was that Tamlin’s powers were failing, that would be one thing, but just that Nesta was too strong-willed just seemed like the easy way out. It bothered me. The whole section with Feyre at home bothered me because it didn’t really add to the story all that much. That being said, I am still not convinced that there isn’t something going on with Feyre’s mom, like she was Fae or half-fae or something. Watch her never be mentioned again, but like I’m sure there is something up with her. Overall I enjoyed the world I was presented and the story I was told, even if it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, there were enough new elements to set the second half of the book to set it apart. I am interested in seeing where the story progresses and keeping an open mind.

[utopiaparkway]

Storytelling

English 1100C    Global Lit    Professor Lee Ann Brown 

Fabulosity: The Importance of Stories

“A writer is always reading and a reader is always writing.” 

—Robert Scholes 

“In a newsletter as early as 1977, when asked in an interview why people should pay attention to storytelling when issues of social justice, housing, schools, and health care were the “real” issues of the day, Morrison was unapologetic in her reply, doubling down in her steadfast belief that it’s not an either/or proposition. She argued that supporting and protecting the art of storytelling is as crucial to human progress as any other issue: 

"…that’s where truth lies—in our myths, in our songs, that’s where the seeds are. It’s not possible to constantly hone in on the crisis. You have to have the love, and you have to have the magic, that’s also life, and I regard it even though it may sound as though I’m dealing in fantasy. I don’t think so; I find it all terribly realistic because I regard my responsibilities as a black writer as someone who must bear witness. Someone who must record the way it used to be. The way it ought to be, I leave to the sociologists. But I want to make sure that a little piece of the world that I knew...doesn’t get forgotten."—Mary Gannon / Toni Morrison, CLMP newsletter, November 21, 2019.

This is an assignment designed to practice combining research with critical and creative writing skills. It is a two parts which should inform each other: One part Critical and one part Creative. In working incredibly rich and varied world of myth, fairytale and folktale you will encounter many issues and threads of traditional and innovative intertextuality. Both sections of the assignment should be informed by independent research: Use at least 2 primary sources, 2 critical sources and one reference source, and include a works cited page. Please use in text MLA-style citation. 

Research: Read through and take notes on material from the world of global myth, fairy tale, and folktale. Gather further source material that adds to your stockpile of ideas, images, characters and motifs for your own story. Gather visual as well as intextual materials. Anything that can help you recombine materials until you spark some ideas for stories of your own. Work with your sources and notes to gather a kind of  “look book,” or fantastic map, cut-up or collage of this material in your journal.  

ESSAY:

Instructions: Choose one of the prompts below (or develop a topic of your own) and write a well-developed essay with an introduction and conclusion, answering the questions posed in the prompt. Use specific examples from your primary texts, including page numbers for reference. Each paragraph of your paper should cover a single main idea. 1000-2000 words,  double-spaced and typed in 12 point New Roman type. 

Choose a word, name of a character, or place name from a myth that is full of layered or hidden meanings. Explore etymological meanings, recurrences in other stories in other cultures, or in some way “unpack” the significance of that one term or name. Write an essay analyzing the significance of the word, phrase, name or saying to the work as a whole. Also add in commentary on how you are using these new insights in your own creative piece. 

Focus on a single contemporary poem that uses elements from traditional fairytales, folklore or mythology and do a close reading of the work. Try searching keywords in websites such as the Academy of American Poets  https://www.poets.org/ and The Poetry foundation https://www.poetryfoundation.org/ 

Add in commentary on how you are using these new insights in your own creative piece.

Select a fairytale, folktale or myth from any global culture that features a character whose origins are unusual, mysterious or intrigue you for some reason. Then write an essay in which you analyze how these origins shape the character and that character’s relationships, and how the origins contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole. Also add in commentary on how you are using these new insights in your own creative piece. 

Many myths contain a character who intentionally deceives other. The character’s dishonesty may be intended either to help or to hurt. Such a character, for example, may choose to mislead others for personal safety, to spare someone’s feeling, or to carry out a crime. Choose a fairy, folktale, ballad or myth  in which a character deceives others. Then, in a well-written essay, analyse the motives for that character’s deception and discuss how the deception contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole and how you are using parallel practices in your own creative piece. 

It has often been said that what we value can be determined only by what we sacrifice. Consider how this statement applies to a character from a fairytale, folktale or myth. Select a character that has deliberately sacrificed, surrendered, or forfeited something in a way that highlights that character’s values. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the particular sacrifice illuminates the character’s values and provides a deeper understanding of the meaning of the work as a whole. Also add in commentary on how you are using these new insights in your own creative piece. 

In literary works, such as fairytales, folktales, ballads or myths, cruelty often functions as a crucial motivation or a major social or political factor. Select a fairytale, folktale, ballad or myth in which acts of cruelty are important to the theme. Then wel a well-developed essay analyzing how cruelty functions in the work as a whole and what the cruelty reveals about the perpetrator and/or victim. Also add in commentary on how you are using these new insights in your own creative piece.

CREATIVE WRITING: 

Write a short narrative by transforming, borrowing or subverting elements of the fairytale, folktale, ballad or world myth you wrote about in your paper. Look to Angela Carter’s rewrites of classic fairy tales for clues on how to do it your own way.  You may want to combine characters, plot, themes, talismanic objects etc from two or more sources, then let your imagination go from there.  1000-2000  words

EXTRA CREDIT: 

Transform / Translate your narrative (or part of it) into another narrative genre, or art form such as Comic Strip, Graphic Novel (see MAUS, PERSEPOLIS), Ballad (see CHILD BALLADS or those collected by CECIL SHARP and MAUD KARPELES), Dialogue Poem (see Frank O’HARA’s True Account of Talking to the Sun in Fire Island), Video, Screenplay, Poets Play (see work by KEVIN KILLIAN and others), Song, Painting, Collage (see JOSEPH CORNELL), Map (see Bruce Chatwin’s SONGLINES)  etc. . . 

Include a Works Cited Page at the end of your Essay: 

Use at least 2 primary literary sources

At least 2 secondary (critical articles or journalism)

And at least 1 reference source

Relevant Readings: 

Carter, Angela. The Bloody Chamber.   (On Reserve)

Introduction to Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber by Marina Warner.

 The Bloody Chamber”

“The Company of Wolves”

“Wolf Alice” etc  

Handout of and literary rewrites and analysis of Red Riding Hood, including 

Bruno Bettleheim, works by Olga Broumas, Roald Dahl and others. 

Anthology of World Myth edited by Angela Carter (Reserves)

Textbook hand-out on writing short stories

Phillip Pullman essays on Writing Fairytales

Philip Pullman: recent interview in the New York Times and the New Yorker 

Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (in Reference section of Library) 

SCHEDULE

Friday, NOVEMBER 22, 2019: Bring in topic ideas (In class Writing)

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 26th, 2019  Independent work in Library writing and research

Friday, NOVEMBER 29th, 2019: Thanksgiving Break 

Tuesday, DECEMBER 3rd, 2019: Bring in 1st Drafts of both pieces (In-class Workshop)

Friday, DECEMBER 6th, 2019:   TBA   - Please bring in 3 pages of best work from semester for class magazine with your name, email and class

Tuesday, DECEMBER 10th, 2019:     TBA

 Final Reading during Exam Period: TBA

First drafts due: December 3rd in class 

Final Draft Due: In Final Portfolio

Final PORTFOLIO: 

-Revised and expanded Letter to the Reader  Please include a paragraph or two on how you worked together as a group, what your role was  and what you observed about writing in collaboration

-Revision of first half of semester writing 

-Collaborative“Poet’s” Tree Play 

-Storytelling Project: Critical Essay and Creative Writing 

[instantlit]

Popular books that didn’t work for me - Part 1

I always find this topic interesting because it's always full of Unpopular Opinions™ . Of course, it could bring some backlash, but on the whole, I find it funny, especially when other people mention similar opinions to mine. I decided to name it Part 1 because, unfortunately, there's bound to be other popular books that will fall short in my eyes. So, let's bring in the first 5!

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: This was back when only the first four books, as well as maybe one or two of the Infernal Devices were out. I can't believe that Cassandra Clare has managed to keep such a massive audience, and expand it the way she has. I can't believe, years and years later, people still can't get enough of the Shadowhunter universe. I can't believe that she hasn't grown tired of it, and I can't believe that she still finds stuff to put into her novels. Because, for me, the first three books were more than enough. The problem I had with this series, and it was from the very beginning, was that I couldn't stand most of its main characters: Clary was annoying beyond belief, with the kind of reckless idiocy that makes you wonder "How the hell that girl isn't dead yet?!" I actually wish she had died at some point, it would have saved me so much frustration; Jace is the broody, tropey romantic interest with the hero-complex, the kind that readers fall quickly in love with because of his so-called devotion to poor, plain, Main Female Character. Oh, he's so dreamy! No, he really isn't; don't even get me started on the parents, especially Luke and Jocelyn (the fact that I had to Google what was the name of Clary's mom is telling enough as it is) whose romance I couldn't have cared less about and still was forced to endure for a couple of books, and all the other forgettable characters and romances, those who've been thrown into the story at random, as if these books needed a more voluminous cast. It really didn't. I kept up, for a while, only because I liked the only non-straight, bi-racial romance, because Simon was the kind of nerd that I like and because Izzy was the completely badass opposite of Clary but, in the end, even those four characters weren't enough. I stopped after the fifth book. The fact that I even managed to get this far is prodigeous, and I constantly pat myself on the back for showing such resilience and effort. I'm not kidding, these books were torture and made me roll my eyes so hard and so often that I thought they would eventually end up stuck in the back of my head. I'm so relieved to know that I'll never have to put myself through that again.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: Outlander had everything working in its favor to make me like it: it's a period drama, I love period dramas; it takes place in Scotland, I love basically anything related to the UK; it includes a lot of folklore elements, I love Fantasy and Folklore; and, to top it all off, I love the TV adaptation, which was actually the main reason I wanted to read the books. Outlander had all the keys to my heart, and I had all the best intentions to make a place for it. It didn't work. Outlander is one of the most drawn-out pieces of trash that I've read in a really long time. I hate using the word "boring" to qualify a book because I think it's too reductive and doesn't mean anything unless you elaborate, and anyway, everyone has a different definition of the term, but Outlander is a boring book. And it's even more so when you just think about the potential that a novel about time-traveling, rebellion and political intrigue has. How can such a book be boring?! It should keep me on the edge of my seat. Instead, I'm faced with ten different ways to write sex scenes. Awesome, but I'll just pass. Every Day by David Levithan: I have so many issues with this book. On paper, the idea sounds great: A is a person, except that A doesn't have a body. A has a different one every day. It works a bit like possession, but that's why I'm mad at this book. I'm mad because, one day, A falls in love with their host's girlfriend and then decides to freaking stalk her via their different bodies in the months after. The story has also the worst case of insta-love that I've ever seen. The thing is, this book could have been a great way to explore gender and attraction, but Every Day does nothing of the sort. It's the worst book. The worst!

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials series) by Philip Pullman: Can you imagine that I discovered this series because of a fanfiction AU I've read years ago? True story. I admit, I think I'm too old for this series now, but even when I started on the first book, it was a bit difficult to get into. I found the MC annoying (I can't even remember her name) and, while the world itself was interesting and I wanted to know what my Daemon could be, I couldn't detach myself from the thought that  this world is the opposite of practical. I know that Fantasy is not supposed to cater to the basic laws of science and physics that we deal with in reality, but this world seemed too ludicrous to work. It doesn't help that I had read some unpleasant things about the author (nothing too drastic, but he seemed like such an asshole). All in all, I finished the first book unsatfisfied and I procrastinated reading the sequels. Now, I've just given up and I don't feel guilty about it. I've come to accept that some series are not for me anymore. Actually, some series were never for me, and it feels like getting rid of an enormous weight.

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer: I wasn't going to read the Lunar Chronicles series. While I was all for fairytale retellings, it seemed too stereotypical, too predictable, too heteronormative. And then, someone I know recommended them, said that, considering the way I like slow-burn romances, these books could work for me. They didn't. Well, actually Cinder was okay. Just okay. It convinced me that maybe I should try the sequels, but I wasn't exactly over the moon about this series and the world Marissa Meyer had created. And then, Scarlet happened. In my review of Scarlet , I wrote that this book proved to be everything I had feared. I described the series, and Scarlet in particular as a "mushy romance between characters with no chemistry, brought together by the sheer force of the author's will, and a clumsy attempt at twisting a popular fairytale". I stand by those words and I can assure you that I won't be reading the sequels.

So, that’s it for me. Don’t hesitate to share your Unpopular Opinions, too!