I read 78 books this year! It was mostly manga and manhwa but a book is a book! These are my favorite books & series from 2022 with a few honorable mentions that I felt bad for as they didn't make the list,

Save The Marriage System Reviews❌⚠️Other Save The Marriage Lee Baucom Re...

Today's episode was "Pretension", where Felix kidnaps Kagami and that somehow leads to them falling in love, thereby proving once and for all that the romance issues in this show aren't somehow the fictional Marinette's fault. The writers are just weird.

SO's main takeaway: the realization that Kagami didn't know Adrien or Felix pre-canon.

I didn't realize he didn't know that, so I've casually mentioned the point in previous reviews as a general observation/addition to my critique. It wasn't something we actually talked about until now.

Kagami not knowing Felix was when my SO put the issue together and brought it up for discussion. He had a lot of questions. All I could do was shrug because, yeah, it makes no sense whatsoever. The arranged marriage thing is even more of a retcon than the sentistuff and that's saying something!

Kagami has been a character since season two. She and Adrien have had romantic tension since the latter half of that season, yet we've never seen Gabriel or Tomoe encourage a romantic relationship before. Gabriel even seemed to be fine with Marinette and Adrien dating in Chat Blanc and Ephemeral! Where did the arranged marriage plot come from? Why was Kagami raised away from the other sentis? And, most importantly, what was Emilie's role in all of this and why do they keep introducing plot points that make her a bad mother if we're supposed to like her?

SO was also confused as to why we're focusing on Feligami and not having Felix try to rescue Adrien/talk to Ladybug and, well, then the show would have to have solid pacing and plot progression which is expecting way to much from this property. Distracting the audience with a new ship is their go-to move and, somehow, it works? I have thoughts on how Feligami could have been very fun, but I'll save that for another post as it involves systemic changes dating back to her introduction.

Pod-Together Day 5 Reveals 2023

Where No Flan Has Gone Before (Star Trek) written by BookGirlFan, performed by lilolilyrae Summary: These are the reviews of the Starship Bakerprise. Its five year plan - to explore strange new pastries; to seek out new recipes and new dessert combinations. To boldly go where no flan has gone before.

Homing Beacon (Supernatural (TV 2005)) written by ReformedTsundere, performed by Ceewelsh Summary: Ambushed and captured on a recon mission, coalition fighter Dean Winchester is brought to an unknown location by an unknown party and thrown into a cell for unknown reasons. The only thing he is sure of is that he's pissed and that he's not alone.

periphery (no labels) (Tortall - Tamora Pierce) written by kitsunerei88, performed by korechthonia Summary: Lovers, Kel thought, rolling her eyes. At least there was one headache she didn’t have. She was about to tell her friend he could wait when she remembered that she’d get to see Dom while at Steadfast. It would be nice to be able to sit and chat for awhile without kidnapping, flight, and war to distract them.

Or: on falling together, in five scenes.

The Stars Are Still There (Tales of Arcadia (Cartoons)) written by Hagar, performed by klb Summary: “Please don’t be on your own,” Barbara says quietly. “Whatever you do, don’t isolate yourself. There’s very little that hurts us more than that.” “I think I learned that lesson in the Darklands,” Jim says. His voice is heavy, heavy and full of bone-deep exhaustion, of the weariness of the soul.

Death Wish [text, audio] (The Locked Tomb Series | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir) written by zombified_queer, performed by mistbornhero Summary: In another life, Harrowhark Nonagesimus was raised alone. In another life, Gideon did not grow up in the shadow of the Ninth House. In another life, they still find one another.

SWSSS (Star Wars Self-Saving System) [starting text, with pensieve podfics by Flowerparrish,GodofLaundryBaskets, sisi_rambles, bluedreaming, and Litra ] (Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, 人渣反派自救系统 - 墨香铜臭 | The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù) created by Opalsong, GodOfLaundryBaskets, Sisi_Rambles, bluedreaming, Litrapod, and Flowerparrish Summary: When anti-fan Shen Yuan dies of outrage at the latest piece of trash he watches, he transmigrates into the world of the Star Wars. Can he fix all the plot holes in his beloved most hated series? Or will he unintentionally make things worse? At least he’ll be able to meet Anakin for real and tell him how special he really is. Oh. And Star Wars creator Shang Qinghua is there too. Surprise!

Satisfaction Brought Her Back [text, audio] (Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types) written by Trudemaethien, performed by stargateinmybasement Summary: The Torrent Command bunkroom has welcomed its newest member with open arms since Commander Cody was last able to spend any quality time there with Rex: Commander Tano. She’s an unquantified variable Cody was not expecting. Quantity and quality aren’t mutually exclusive though, and neither are the clones’ relationships. Rex is glad his two favorite commanders are able to get along so well. And Ahsoka continues to explore and expand her experiences.

Constructing a Biography (The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells) written by bluegeekEM, performed by kalakirya Summary: Murderbot finds the process of creating a biography for the upcoming documentary release... complicated.

All Manner of Things (Wiedźmin | The Witcher - All Media Types) written by nimblermortal, performed by Drel_Murn Summary: Julian is pretty sure he's not the Count of Lettenhove's daughter, but after he's thrown away his other marriage prospects, his father sends him to forge a political marriage with the Warlord of the North. Julian's just trying to survive, but in the face of true kingship and the Kaer Morhen Fanon Hot Springs, he might just learn to thrive. Accidental Warlord AU in which Jaskier is trans. With, perhaps, a few other changes along the way.

Reconditioning (Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling) written by BinteMuhammad, performed by SerenaEW Summary: Harry had gained an unexpected interest in potions, but that does not stop him from blowing cauldrons. To counter that, Harry throws himself headfirst in studying the theory. Ironically, he just keeps getting worse, and Harry can't figure out why. Umbridge is another obstacle, as is Professor Snape. Or is he?

The Solutions We Reach For [text, audio] (The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells) written by estelraca, performed by Koschei_B Summary: It was just supposed to be a boring mission for all of them--do a little archaeology, a little biology. But then they actually found the people they were doing the archaeology on, and, well, things got a lot more complicated.

Emperor Satoru Gojo

~And the heart is hard to translate, it has a language of it's own. It talks in tongues and quiet sighs, and prayers, and proclamations.~ [Any POV] - Kingdom of Kaisen Series Vol. 1

The crown is a heavy burden to hold.

Satoru Gojo forcibly took the crown at the age of 18 cementing his power. In the ten years since he has brought prosperity and peace to Kaisen.

But it isn't enough-- threats loom and not just beyond the border.

The nobles have called for him to take a partner-- to foster a relationship with a neighboring kingdom through the bonds of holy matrimony.

It's the last thing he wants--- he has far more important goals in mind, he seeks to bring change to the class system that has so long been in place.

And his heart still belongs to the person who saved his life as a young boy. But as you arrive from a small neighboring kingdom for marriage talks... Satoru can't deny the undeniable pull he feels towards you.

Art Credit: u/modorinlychee on instagram

I was so inspired seeing this art I had to do a series. I'll be making bots for every character she's released except Mahito 'cause fuck Mahito.

You can choose if you are the child who helped Satoru as a kid and what kingdom you're from. ♡

♡I'd really love if if you left a review! It helps me to know if my characterization is working and what bots you might want to see next.♡

Hey Tumblr, Queer Found Family Space Opera Book? *LIMITED TIME - FREE, GAY BOOK*

Oct 26th - *Edit to edit* I reopened the giveaway. 7/20 copies are claimed, so you have another shot at grabbing The Meaning Wars (book 3, see below) FOR FREE! Oct 25th - *Edit* The giveaway period for the promo has ended! However, the omnibus - including books 1-5, the complete story - is available on Amazon on Nov 10th. If you're short on funds, message me, because I'm also in need of reviews for that!

The omnibus

Check out the gorgeous cover.

advised.

And if you're more of a binge reader, you might be into the omnibus, which will be out November 10th.

Amazon.com: The Meaning Wars Complete Omnibus: A Queer Space Opera eBook : Browne, Michelle , Kyselova, Kateryna: Kindle Store

Two best friends looking for love.

An oppressive interstellar government.

Adulthood has never been so stressful...

For the first time, all five books in The Meaning Wars are united as a complete collection. In this queer space opera featuring a diverse cast, a found family navigates the politics of revolution and freedom.

Join Crystal, a wormhole engineer, and Sarah, an English Literature graduate with a chip on her shoulder, as they try to find romance and friendship - while an oppressive interstellar government watches their every move.

As Crystal deals with her faltering marriage, Sarah makes risky career decisions - by doing what's morally right. Running from the surveillance state of the Human Conglomerate, will the Interfederation's multi-species alliance prove their salvation? A crew of old friends and a union of renegade space pirates may be their way out. But first, they have to save rebel icon Patience Ngouabi from arrest and certain torture - and make sure they all get out alive.

Fans of Ruthanna Emrys' A Half-Built Garden and Becky Chambers' Wayfarers series will love the cosy yet intense adventures of this crew of misfits fighting for political and social justice.

So yeah, please take a look at it. It's full of gay, diverse characters, there's disability and mental health rep, and the protagonists are in their thirties, rather than being fresh-faced teenagers. (There's nothing wrong with fresh-faced teen protagonists, but it's nice to read about life after age 25 sometimes.)

*Original post*

So like most indie authors, I'm in dire need of reviews - and I'm also trying to get some eyeballs before I release the omnibus edition of my soon-to-be-finished series.

It's a queer, found family space opera about politics and trying to do the right thing while falling in love (and dodging a massive, oppressive interstellar government).

It's basically tailor-made for you, Tumblr. Because I love you.

The best jumping-on point is actually book 3, and that's the freebie!

Grab it here: https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/LkNADD9I

Worlds collide and peace shatters in Book 3 of The Meaning Wars…

On the way to a new wormhole-building gig, Crystal and her husband Jai fight over the future of their family. But the safe haven of their base is paradise compared to Pluto. Recovering from her imprisonment, Sarah and her cousin Toby try to scrape their lives back together and stay out of trouble on the icy planetoid. Rebel leader Patience Ngouabi's actions have triggered a growing insurrection on the colony planet of Indus, and the shock waves have reached even the Solar system's worlds. Both Crystal and Sarah will have to decide between uneasy peace and constant danger - if they get to choose at all.

Content advisory: this book contains references to abuse, sexual scenes, torture, and mental health issues. Reader discretion is advised.

And if you're more of a binge reader, you might be into the omnibus, which will be out November 10th.

Two best friends looking for love.

An oppressive interstellar government.

Adulthood has never been so stressful...

For the first time, all five books in The Meaning Wars are united as a complete collection. In this queer space opera featuring a diverse cast, a found family navigates the politics of revolution and freedom.

Join Crystal, a wormhole engineer, and Sarah, an English Literature graduate with a chip on her shoulder, as they try to find romance and friendship - while an oppressive interstellar government watches their every move.

As Crystal deals with her faltering marriage, Sarah makes risky career decisions - by doing what's morally right. Running from the surveillance state of the Human Conglomerate, will the Interfederation's multi-species alliance prove their salvation? A crew of old friends and a union of renegade space pirates may be their way out. But first, they have to save rebel icon Patience Ngouabi from arrest and certain torture - and make sure they all get out alive.

Fans of Ruthanna Emrys' A Half-Built Garden and Becky Chambers' Wayfarers series will love the cosy yet intense adventures of this crew of misfits fighting for political and social justice.

So yeah, please take a look at it. It's full of gay, diverse characters, there's disability and mental health rep, and the protagonists are in their thirties, rather than being fresh-faced teenagers. (There's nothing wrong with fresh-faced teen protagonists, but it's nice to read about life after age 25 sometimes.)

Enjoy, please share/reblog, and let me know if you grab a copy/copies!

Edit: it is free on kindle until Oct 25th!

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb: From acclaimed author Makiia Lucier, a dazzling, romantic fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology.

In the old tales, it is written that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person’s greatest sorrow. But as with all things that offer hope when hope had gone, the tale came with a warning.

Every wish demands a price.

Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most. A chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong.

Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign. Sam is left with two choices: to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time-hope.

But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And as they battle enemies both near and far, there is another danger they cannot escape…that of the dragonfruit itself.

Review:

Every wish has a price. An exiled maiden with a connection to seadragons, a prince desperate to save his family, and their connected history that converges once again after they meet each other years later. When the royal family and a handmaiden are poisoned, a desperate father steals the only antidote, a seadragon egg, to heal his daughter, the handmaiden... but the price was his own death and her exile. Years later she is now trying to find a way to save the royal family, a family she loved, and find a way to repay for what her father did. Hanalei of Tamarind is the beloved daughter of an old island family and she grew up close to the queen and the prince and princess. Yet when the Queen is poisoned as well as Hanalei and the princess, Hanalei's father steals the only antidote to save Hananlei. After saving her , the price for using the egg was his own death and Hanalei is desperate to find another seadragon egg to save the poisoned royal family. She's been forced to endure so much to find a way to get on a ship and all the years of pain and suffering have made her even more desperate. Yet her latest ship has her close... only he captain of the ship might end up killing her in his greed. To her surprise she is saved by Samahtitamahenele, Sam, her childhood friend and the Prince. Sam can never inherit the throne since Tamarind is a matriarchal society. Yet his mother has fallen ill and his grandmother is close to the end of her reign. Sam's only options are : enter into an arranged marriage or save his mother, and he wants nothing less than love for his marriage. Sam is desperate to search for the dragonfruit and the seadragons. Yet in his search he never expected to find Hana. Sam and Hana reunite and now are both searching for dragonfruit but they'll be facing dangers unlike anything they've faced before. Sam and Hana aren't the only ones searching for the dragonfruit, but when they have it... it will cost them something if they do make a wish. This was such a fantastic read, I adored the magic system that was created and the story was a fun one. Hana and Sam both went through so much, yet together they were a really cute pair of "childhood friends to lovers" kind of relationship. The seadragons and the tattoo magic was so well done. This book just felt like a beautiful read and I loved the Pacific Islander mythology that was weaved into this book. I would absolutely recommend this fantasy with a touch of romance read!

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Clarion Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

■✿♥

Let’s review some of the Headcannons I’ve used with my Senshi/Shitensou series or elements I hope to use in the future: 

Bedroom/house/living quarters headcanon

Crystal Tokyo happened with everyone living in separate wings of the palace. 

Beforehand, Mamoru and Usagi bought a home, preparing for Chibi-Usa even if they didn’t become King and Queen. 

Jadeite worked at the Hikawa shrine attempting to show Rei he has changed. 

Nephrite and Makoto lived together saving for her to buy her bakery. 

Ami continued to live at the apartment she shared with her mom, eventually moving in with Zoisite when they got married. 

Minako, although she briefly shared an apartment with Usagi, usually spent most of her time at Kunzite’s place. 

Luna does her best to stay with Usagi and Mamoru by having them work out a hand gesture system to the cat now she should make herself scarce. 

Sex headcanon

Mars & Jadeite: Rei and Jadeite often appear to be in a loveless marriage by people who don’t know them. This is because they share so much passion for each other, it takes very little physical affection for them to end up in bed together. (I used this in Captured Spy)

Jupiter & Nephrite: As I said in @sailorheadcanons post: Makoto and Nephrite enjoy being very aggressive during their love making usually resulting in collateral damage. They have destroyed 8 beds, numerous lamps and vases, and a poor roomba that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. (really need to use this one in the future)

Mercury & Zoisite: Despite when many think, Ami is one of the first to become physical when she reunites with her Shitensou lover. This happens in many reincarnations as Ami finds it difficult to articulate her feelings for her beloved. (Kinda used this in The Healing Properties of Mercury). 

Venus & Kunzite: Are switches who work to explore each other’s fetishes extensively. Kunzite especially is down to try anything as he has a slight worry Minako would find someone else if he refused. Minako is well aware this is the one area of his life Kunzite lacks confidence and does her best to be reassuring he’s all she needs. (I haven’t explored this as much as I wanted but I have so many Kunzite/Minako series right now I won’t explore it for a while). 

Endymion and Serenity: I explore this extensively in my “Royal Affairs” series.  

Luna and Artemis: Luna is actually well aware of how she treats Artemis and flirts with handsome men like Yaten intentionally. Once she found out how animalistic he got when he was jealous, Luna couldn’t help herself. (This was actually going to the sixth entry in the “After the Cauldron” series but when I got a low reception to that Andrea Hui)

Family headcanon

The Sailor Amazons are reborn as the children of the Senshi and Shitensou, giving them the opportunity to come from loving families as they grow up to eventually be Chibi-Usa’s guardians. The second batch of children are Kousagi and the girls shown in Sailor Moon: Parallel Moon (who I renamed as just calling them Junior after their mothers seemed lame). 

MARCH WRAP UP ☆

Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri

4.75 ☆

How to put into words how much I loved this book? I couldn't put it down, and I spend hours just thinking about it, thinking of Mehr and Amun and all they had to go through just to be free. Empire of Sand is a beautifully written book inspired by the Mughal empire and Bharatanatyam for its magic system.

When Mehr uses her powers, she's found by the Emperor's mystics and forced to accept an arranged marriage with Amun, one of the mystics. And here's lie the beauty of Empire of Sand: it's a story of coercion, of the importance of vows and promises, and the fight for freedom and free will. It's also a story of slavery.

Empire of Sand may not be perfect but it was everything I wanted and more. It was also satisfying to read a standalone fantasy book that succeeded in exploring many themes and tropes in a new way.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

3.75 ☆

The Poppy War is a well crafted story inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese war during the 20th century. The book is separated into three parts that are very distinct from each other, and each part has its own atmosphere and narrative arc. Together, they offer a good introduction to the world building, the conflicts with and within Nikan, as well as Rin's pursuit of power and freedom.

The world building is very rich, and truly it's the best part of the book: there isn't a line that doesn't add something to it, and it creates a very engaging story. The writing is very good and I was immediately sucked into it. It was hard to put the book down.

I really liked Rin as a main character: she may not be likeable sometimes, but you can really understand where she comes from and why she's so desperate for power. She's always moving back and forth between being a hero or a villain, and to be honest, she can be her worst enemy. So, even though I couldn't always agree with her actions, it made sense, and I was rooting for her.

But one of my critics would be that, as a main character, she kind of "disappeared" from the story during the second part of the book in profit of the plot

The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

4 ☆

I've never written a proper review for this book because even now, I'm still haunted by the story and its characters. Told from August's pov, we follow him and his best friend Jack as Jack starts to experience hallucinations of a strange world superposed onto reality. Desperate to save Jack, August accompanies him on a quest to save Jack's fantasy world. It's a story of abuse, neglect and codependency but it's really well done and I couldn't put the book down (I read it from 1am to 4:40am).

Matcha Made in Heaven - vol.5 by Umebachi Yamanaka

4 ☆

I don't really have anything to say, it's still cute and I can't wait for the next update.

Never Seduces a Scot by Maya Banks

3 ☆ - reread

I was in the mood for an arranged marriage story and I thought of this book. It was as good as the first time. Eveline and Graeme are so soft, and I liked their respective families. It's not something I mentioned in my initial review, but I liked the way deafness was explored, especially because it's a historical romance.

L'Atelier des Sorciers - vol.1 by Kamone Shirahama

3 ☆

I've seen a lot of post on tumblr about this series, so I was intrigued and picked up at the library. I loved the magic system: it's very easy to understand while being unique. And I can't wait to read the next volume.

my goodreads 🪐

How to Make Sure You're Withholding and Reporting Your Taxes Correctly

Taxes are an inevitable part of life for most individuals and businesses. Whether you're a salaried employee, a freelancer, or a business owner, understanding how to withhold and report your taxes correctly is crucial to avoid potential legal troubles and financial headaches down the road. In this article, we will explore the key steps and considerations to ensure that you're handling your taxes in a responsible and compliant manner.

Know Your Tax Obligations

The first and most critical step in ensuring you're withholding and Outsource Management Reporting your taxes correctly is to understand your tax obligations. These obligations vary depending on your employment status and the type of income you earn. Here are some common categories of taxpayers:

1. Salaried Employees

If you're a salaried employee, your employer typically withholds income taxes from your paycheck based on your Form W-4, which you fill out when you start your job. It's essential to review and update your W-4 regularly to ensure that your withholding accurately reflects your current financial situation. Major life events like marriage, having children, or significant changes in your income should prompt you to revisit your W-4.

2. Freelancers and Self-Employed Individuals

Freelancers and self-employed individuals often have more complex tax obligations. You are responsible for estimating and paying your taxes quarterly using Form 1040-ES. Keep detailed records of your income and expenses, including receipts and invoices, to accurately report your earnings and deductions.

3. Small Business Owners

If you own a small business, your sales tax responsibilities extend beyond your personal income. You must separate your business and personal finances, keep meticulous records of all business transactions, and file the appropriate business tax returns. The structure of your business entity (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation) will determine the specific tax forms you need to file.

4. Investors and Property Owners

Investors and property owners may have to report income from dividends, interest, capital gains, or rental properties. These income sources have their specific tax reporting requirements, and it's essential to understand and comply with them.

Keep Accurate Records

Regardless of your tax situation, maintaining accurate financial records is essential. Detailed records make it easier to report your income and deductions correctly, substantiate any claims you make on your tax return, and provide documentation in case of an audit. Here are some record-keeping tips:

Organize Your Documents: Create a system to store your financial documents, including receipts, invoices, bank statements, and tax forms. Consider using digital tools for easier record keeping.

Track Income and Expenses: Keep a ledger or use accounting software to record all income and expenses related to your financial activities. Categorize expenses correctly to maximize deductions and credits.

Retain Documents for Several Years: The IRS typically has a statute of limitations for auditing tax returns, which is generally three years. However, in some cases, it can extend to six years or indefinitely if fraud is suspected. To be safe, keep your tax records for at least seven years.

Understand Deductions and Credits

Deductions and credits can significantly reduce your tax liability. Deductions reduce your taxable income, while credits provide a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax bill. Familiarize yourself with common deductions and credits that may apply to your situation:

Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deductions: Depending on your filing status and financial situation, you can choose between taking the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions. Itemizing requires more documentation but can result in greater tax savings.

Tax Credits: Explore available tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and Education Credits. These credits can provide substantial savings, especially for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.

Business Expenses: If you're self-employed or a small business owner, be aware of deductible business expenses, including office supplies, travel expenses, and home office deductions.

Seek Professional Assistance

Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Seeking professional assistance from a certified tax professional or CPA (Certified Public Accountant) can be a wise investment. Tax professionals can help you:

Maximize Deductions: They are well-versed in the intricacies of tax law and can identify deductions and credits you might overlook.

Ensure Compliance: Tax professionals can ensure that you are complying with current tax laws and regulations, reducing the risk of costly errors or audits.

Provide Tax Planning: They can help you create a tax-efficient strategy to minimize your tax liability in the long term.

Represent You in Audits: If you face an audit, a tax professional can represent you and help navigate the process.

File Your Taxes on Time

Filing your taxes on time is crucial to avoid penalties and interest charges. The tax filing deadline for most individuals is April 15th. However, if you need more time, you can file for an extension, which typically gives you until October 15th to submit your return. Keep in mind that an extension to file is not an extension to pay any taxes owed, so pay as much as you can by the original deadline to minimize interest and penalties.

Consider Electronic Filing

Electronic filing (e-filing) is a secure and convenient way to submit your tax return to the IRS. It reduces the risk of errors and ensures faster processing and quicker refunds, if applicable. Many tax software programs offer e-filing options, making it easy for individuals and businesses to submit their returns electronically.

Stay Informed and Adapt

Tax laws can change from year to year, so staying informed is essential. Follow updates from the IRS and consult outsourcing sales tax services professionals or resources to understand how changes in tax laws may affect you. Be proactive in adapting your tax strategies to maximize savings and remain compliant with current regulations.

In conclusion, withholding and reporting your taxes correctly is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Understanding your tax obligations, keeping accurate records, leveraging deductions and credits, seeking professional assistance when needed, and filing on time are essential steps to ensure a smooth and compliant tax-filing experience. By following these guidelines, you can navigate the complexities of the outsourcing sales tax services system with confidence and peace of mind. Remember that taxes are a fundamental part of our society, and paying them correctly ensures that essential public services and infrastructure are funded for the benefit of all.

Retro Corner: Vay (Sega CD) Review

A new edition of Retro Corner Reviews is up, and we finally tackle a Sega CD game called Vay that was a JRPG. Developed by Hertz who are known for putting together the Genesis port of Outrun was tasked to produce a traditional role playing game. When it came to RPGs in general, the Mega Drive was a distant second to the Super NES that had hosted many titles of the genre. That forced Sega to produce their own games like Phantasy Star to make up for the lack of these titles. It is one of the reasons the House of Sonic wanted to release their own CD add-on beyond trying to stay competitive. While Compact Disks as a format was the next thing for gaming, Sega was obviously trying to get the genre on their platform. This was to entice third parties to develop on the Sega CD using the more advanced technology then the base system couldn’t perform. As history tells us, that didn’t work out for the House of Sonic for more than just this genre. Despite getting a string of decent games, the addon’s lineup was nowhere near the quality of the Super NES’s JRPG library.

For Vay it is titled this based on the plot about an advanced alien mech crashing on a planet that was still developing. Over a thousand years ago, a battle was waged far from most civilized planets in space. In the midst of the war, one lone large mech veered off randomly straight into unknown space after its pilot was killed. It eventually crashed on a world that was still primitive in a medieval age and on auto pilot the advanced armor attempts to destroy all life across the planet. Eventually, five of the powerfullest wizards cast a spell to subdue and seal away the advanced mechanized armor. After a millennium had passed a marriage between a prince named Sandor was set to marry his lover Elin to ensure the Lorath Kingdom was secure. However, his kingdom was unaware the Danek Empire was staging an invasion using technology from the legend to attack and kidnap Elin. Now, Sandor must brave an adventure to save his lover and stop the Danek Empire from its conquest across the world. The gameplay follows the traditional format that many studios used regardless of what quality they were. Can the studio of Hertz redeem their previous work? Vay (Sega CD) Review

Artificial Condition, Chapter 5

(Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Murderbot Diaries, read this one!)

In which Murderbot has to trust.

MB meets the humans at the embarkation zone, with its mostly superfluous knapsack. The main thing it needs is the comm interface from Art installed in a compartment inside its ribs, which will maintain contact even from down on RaviHyral proper, to take the place of the HubSystem and SecSystem it's used to.

The three humans we met are all being seen off by their collective, which is registered as a group marriage. Once the others leave, MB approaches the trio. Rami is optimistic that Tlacey bought them passage on a public shuttle, but MB knows it's a terrible sign. It has Art scan the shuttle, but it detects no anomalies, which just means any explosive is inert for now.

The only human crew is an augment(1) who just checks for shuttle passes, the transport is driven by a bot. MB immediately wrestles for control of the security system, which isn't directly linked to the driver, despite that being the norm.(2) The augment says there are only three registered, but when MB doesn't respond, Tapan says it's their security consultant, and the augment checks the voucher again, but doesn't argue the point.

MB gets control of the ShuttleSecSys, and refuses to let it notify the driver or human that it's compromised. None of the passengers look like threats, but MB wonders if they plan to shoot the shuttle down from the moon once it's underway. Art acts suspiciously, and on questioning, admits it has a debris deflection system. MB knows the only way to deflect debris like that is using weapons, but Art is still cagey about it.(3)

MB has the ShuttleSecSys inform the driver bot that it's authorized by transport ring security, and the driver pings MB happily. The augment is in the cockpit, but not as a pilot, just reviewing her social feeds and doing admin tasks. MB would love to sit back and watch a serial, but it has a hunch, and keeps monitoring the bot pilot.

Then twenty-four minutes forty-seven seconds into the flight, as we were on approach, the bot pilot screamed and died as killware flooded its system. It was gone before ShuttleSecSys or I could react; I flung up a wall around us both and the killware bounced off. I saw it register task complete and then destroy itself.(4)

This leaves about seven seconds until the shuttle crashes. MB calls for Art, and nudges ShuttleSecSys, which sets off the cabin alarms. Art asks for MB to let it in. It's not sure it wants to give Art full control of its brain, but with just three seconds left to save the shuttle, it has no other choice.

It was like the sensation humans describe in books as having their heads shoved underwater. Then it was gone and ART was in the shuttle, using my connection with ShuttleSecSys to leap into the void left by the erased bot.

Art manages the controls and guides the shuttle into the RaviHyral main port. The augment hails the Port Authority, who could upload emergency landing protocols, but none of the humans could have saved the shuttle in time.

Rami touches MB's shoulder and asks if it's okay. MB replies with a terse yes, then thinks better, and says it's got sensitive hearing. Rami nods sympathetically. Nobody else notices anything unusual except the alarms.

Still in the cockpit, the augment explains to Port Authority that the pilot bot is gone, and she has no idea why the shuttle is following its route and not crashing. When ShuttleSecSys starts trying to scan Art, MB quietly takes it over, turns off the alarms, and deletes the whole trip from its memory. The passengers murmur with relief.

MB asks Art to send an error code to Port Authority, who assign a new berth on the emergency dock. MB figures better safe than sorry, if there was a backup plan for the killware not working. Maro eyes MB suspiciously, asking if it knows what happened, but MB remembers it can hedge now, with this persona, and says they'll discuss it off the shuttle.

Art lands in the emergency dock, and erases all traces of its presence.(5) Emergency services personnel are present, though thankfully unnecessary. MB herds its clients out before anyone can think to stop them.

MB tests the security as it finds an open area with no recording devices it can detect, and tells the team Tlacey just tried to kill them, and MB's friend loading a new pilot module is the only reason they're alive. MB suggests they could go back to the transit ring, a public shuttle leaves in eleven minutes that Tlacey shouldn't have time to trace them to and hijack, but all three decide to stay.

MB tells them they can't go to the meeting. Tapan says it's their only chance, but Maro hushes her. Rami asks what else they should do.

MB thinks how they don't have to be its problem anymore… but they're its clients. It couldn't bring itself to abandon the clients it didn't choose, when it was still company property with its hacked governor module, it's certainly not going to leave the clients it chose to sign on with.(6)

It suggests they pick a spot and make Tlacey come to them. It's at least a tiny bit safer than the original plan. They pick a fast food place, notify Tlacey of the change, and wait. MB infiltrates the public area's security, which isn't much more difficult than the shuttle was, and focuses on the area around it.

In the mean time, it's going over the publicly available maps, looking for potential Ganaka Pit locations in the missing and misleadingly cut off areas. It also notes that Art was correct, and SecUnits are available for contract here. They wouldn't come through the human areas, but the people would have seen them. And, worse, if a SecUnit saw MB, it would absolutely recognize it, even with the alterations, and be obligated to report it by their governor modules.

That's about when MB feels the ping. If its governor module weren't hacked, it would have been compelled to answer. Something is looking for SecUnits, specifically, nearby.

Three humans approach the table. Rami remarks in the feed that Tlacey herself came. One of the men comes closer, and MB stops him, noticing that he's armed. He asks who it is, and Rami says it's their security consultant. The man looks back at the others, uncertain. MB doesn't move, thinking it has clear shots at all three, but not even augments have energy weapons in their arms, so using them would be a dead giveaway.

MB takes the moment of diverted attention to look in the security cameras for what's pinging it, and finds… a sexbot, officially ComfortUnit but essentially sexbot. Walking around in human areas, where it shouldn't be any more than MB should, if working properly.(7)

Art pokes MB out of its reverie about the sexbot, to catch the discussion. Tlacey asks the team why they need security, MB tells them in the feed to not answer that, stick to business, on another hunch that Tlacey's expecting an angry confrontation after the murder attempts. The team has an advantage they should press it.

The team acknowledges, and says they want the files back, as their deletion wasn't part of the contract, but they will agree to returning the signing bonus as requested.

MB keeps one part of its attention on the negotiation, and the other on scanning the local public feeds' archives from around the time of its incident here. With Art's help, it also notices two more augments, in addition to three other people at different tables around the facility, showing calculated disinterest in the negotiations.

In the feed archives, MB finds a hint at the route to Ganaka Pit because of a transport line that had closed abruptly, without the usual bankruptcy filings of such events.

The conversation concludes, and Tlacey leaves. The team is upset. Tlacey promised to come back tomorrow, but Maro says there's no reason she couldn't hand over the files immediately. MB suggests they go talk about it somewhere more private. As it guides the team, one of the potential threats follows them.

MB sets up a trap for the threat while the humans go into the lobby of a hotel they can't afford, but that promises high security. Two more humans have joined the threat, and MB now reframes them all as targets.(8)

MB waits, unobtrusively, until the targets get close to the team, then strikes when their guard is down, as they think they've accomplished their mission. All simple humans, even armed they stand little chance. The team is lowkey horrified at the targets, and the violence MB inflicts on them. MB nudges them to go wait for it in the lobby. Tapan asks if they should notify security, but MB says the targets told someone to cut the camera feeds, they have an insider, which is why the team needs to go, and not look panicked.

MB deletes the temporary storage on the cameras adjacent to the one that got cut, to help obscure the record for anyone trying to investigate the issue. But it knows Tlacey and her two guards saw it.

MB heads to the hotel, where the team finally believe that it's right about Tlacey never giving them back the files. Rami asks what they do now, and MB suggests they let it get them out of here.

=====

(1) I run in too many video game communities to not want to just shorten this down in my head, so I'm just gonna start rolling with it since it's coming up more often and "augmented human" is so many extra syllables. (2) The second terrible sign. (3) Let Art have a few of its illusions, Murderbot! Its brain is so big it can only maintain a few. (4) I think we're supposed to take it for granted that this is 100% effective at covering the kill switch's tracks, but so little is ever guaranteed in technology, data storage especially, without care. (5) Can you imagine what explanations the authorities are going to come up with for this one? (6) MB has so much empathy, so much conscience. I don't think any reader really thinks it chose to attack the humans four years ago, by this point. The only question is what really happened. But, the fact that it knows that these humans are only its responsibility by choice, and still keeps helping… It just gives me the feels, you know? (7) Just what is a sexbot doing, acting like a human, and looking for SecUnits? (8) I love the way this is done so casually. Threat, threat, threat… then, when MB knows it has advantage and its clients are safe, target.

Warrior Season One Highlights

(Originally posted on May 28, 2022)

Jonathan Tropper’s TV show Warrior, which premiered on Cinemax in 2019, brings to life a failed pitch Bruce Lee made for a series dramatizing San Francisco’s Tong Wars. Executive-produced by Bruce Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, among others, the action-packed serial centers around the exploits of Ah Sahm (Japanese-British Andrew Koji), a Chinese immigrant who becomes a hatchet man for the Tong known as “Hop Wei”. Warrior seems to have earned a modest cult following, especially after HBO Max posted the first two seasons. After I finish each one, I’ll review my favorite episode from each Asian-American director. Among this season’s five directors, two possess Asian heritage, who in total directed three of the 10 episodes.

The Blood and the Sh*t

Airdate: May 3, 2019 (#5)

Director: Kevin Tancharoen

Writer: Kenneth Lin

"Transporting precious cargo via stagecoach through the Sierra Nevada, Ah Sahm and Young Jun (Jason Tobin) are forced to spend the night with three strangers at a frontier saloon in the middle of nowhere. The detour turns perilous when Harlan French (Christiaan Schoombie), a notorious outlaw, shows up with his henchmen, looking for a lucrative payday."

Sending Ah Sahm and Young Jun out of San Francisco for this episode serves the dual purpose of refreshingly changing Season One's pace halfway through, and fleshing out their friendship.  Despite the shift to a less urban setting, the episode maintains thematic consistency with the rest of Warrior, through its cynical depiction of anti-Chinese discrimination.  With a cast of Asian, Caucasian, and indigenous actors depicting a time of high racial disparity, the template of intimidating strangers winning over skeptics under their protection gains a poignant new layer; although I haven't seen the script's inspiration, The Hateful Eight.  Considering the influence of Japanese cinema on Western movies, it almost feels poetic to find an Old West tale boasting a Japanese lead actor.  Even though not all of this show's Caucasian characters hate Chinese people, the line between "good white person" and "bad white person" blurs when Harlan quickly shifts from saving Young Jun from castration by Mason (Craig Urbani), to attempting to rob Ah Sahm's and Young Jun's party.

Impulsive Young Jun, long-time Hop Wei member, provides a fascinating contrast to solemn newcomer Ah Sahm, with whom he does share an engaging camaraderie.  Young Jun's status as a second-generation immigrant justifies his cynicism, when he laments that his disconnect from his the culture of his father - Hop Wei leader Father Jun (Perry Yung) - makes him feel as out of place among other Chinese people as among Caucasians.  Ah Sahm's and Young Jun's varying degrees of familiarity with America even come through during the "anything goes"-style fight scenes, which prove as brutal and engaging as I can expect from Thai-American Kevin Tancharoen.  Young Jun mostly fights with weapons, as do other characters assimilated into or born in America.  In juxtaposition, Ah Sahm relies on his former home's hand-to-hand combat techniques, yielding additional gruesome results.

Bartender Lu (CS Lee) contributes a distinct Chinese-American perspective on the late 19th century.  As a manual laborer who eventually opened up his own business, he makes money through more honest means than Tong members do.  However, his backstory teaches that the majority of Caucasians would only respect people of other ethnicities for their own benefit - and even then, not to the extent of paying Lu fairly for his labor.  Judging by his statement of rarely receiving Chinese patrons, his current entrepreneurial position still amounts to serving white people for money.  Lu does prove that systemic discrimination hasn't rendered him submissive, such as when he and his wife Billie (Erica Wessels) both help protect the bar from the bandits.

Lu's blissful marriage to Billie delivers a necessary depiction of a functional interracial romance.  The episode before this one sees Penelope "Penny" Blake (Joanna Vanderham) begin to cheat on Samuel Blake (Christian McKay), the mayor of San Francisco, with Ah Sahm, as reward for saving her life in the second episode.  With Lu and Billie, Warrior gains a relatively less sinful example of love transcending racial boundaries.

Young Jun's own love interest in this episode, Native American prostitute Wankeia (Rachel Colwell), likely wouldn't present the most empowering depiction of an indigenous woman; her silence and profession reflecting the Old West's limited education and career opportunities for women of color.  On the positive side, Jason Tobin sells the plainly stated notion of Young Jun finding a kindred spirit in another societal outcast, as opposed to simply adoring Wankeia for her physical beauty.  During the climax, she also defies the impression that Native Americans in Westerns need non-indigenous people to protect them from selfish Caucasians.

The closest thing I could find to a flaw with this story concerns Harlan's motivations for the second attack on Lu's bar.  It doesn't seem like the episode ever explains how he knows exactly what type of "precious cargo" Ah Sahm and Young Jun must transport back to Father Jun.  The Western tone and aesthetic convinced me to overlook this, and just enjoy the adventure as an old-fashioned thrill dashed with social commentary.  Given the high quality of the performances and set pieces, I can excuse the contrived writing of a one-off baddie.  "The Blood and the Sh*t" adds an exciting buffer to Warrior Season One's midpoint, while reinforcing the importance of companionship in a ruthless society.

They Don't Pay Us Enough To Think

Airdate: May 24, 2019 (#8)

Director: Lin Oeding

Writers: Evan Endicott & Josh Stoddard

"After a bloodbath on the streets of Chinatown, the Hop Wei and Long Zii consider a novel way to end hostilities. Ah Toy (Olivia Cheng) and her real-estate business partner, Leonard Patterson (Frank Rautenbach), hit a fork in the road in their effort to buy a valuable piece of land. After promising jobs to Dylan Leary (Dean Jagger)'s Irish workers, Byron Mercer (Graham Hopkins) toasts senator Robert Crestwood (Patrick Baladi) at a fundraiser, while Penny struggles to hold her tongue. Mai Ling (Vietnamese/Chinese-Canadian Dianne Doan) warns her brother, Ah Sahm, against waging a battle he may not win."

The more plot-relevant of the two Warrior episodes discussed here demonstrates the series' captivating exploration of San Francisco's 1870s pecking order.  The various ongoing plot lines divide our attention between Chinatown's Tongs and prostitutes, working-class white denizens/citizens, and politically-powerful white citizens.  Each of San Francisco's social classes contains people who survive through unscrupulous business, but the Tongs and prostitutes earn the viewers' sympathy as people making the most of desperate situations.  When considering the period's patriarchal atmosphere, it feels even more intriguing to see the ruthless lengths that vigilant brothel owner Ah Toy and Long Zii's ladder-climbing Mai Ling will take to accumulate and exert power.

Throughout Season One, most of the Asian actors emphasize their characters' isolation by speaking fluent English among each other, but switching to broken English when addressing Caucasians.  When the latter group hears Chinese characters' personal conversations in Chinese, the spoken translations for the audience become reminders of the importance of understanding marginalized perspectives on society.  Due to Ah Sahm inheriting some American lineage from his grandfather, Andrew Koji and his writers emphasize Ah Sahm's isolation without resorting to broken English.  While he does demonstrate the ability to converse intelligibly with Caucasians, he usually prefers to say nothing at all to them.

Despite Ah Sahm's tendency to disappear for long stretches of this episode, he remains an engaging protagonist.  His devotion to the Hop Wei requires him to unquestionably follow orders from Father Jun, yet he still seems in control of his direction in San Francisco.  His agreement to duel Long Zii lieutenant Li Yong (Chinese-Indonesian Joe Taslim) comes off at this point as an attempt to ensure himself that despite Mai Ling's rejection in the first episode of his offer to bring her back to China, and Penny's termination in this episode of their affair, he still has purpose in America.  He goes so far as to disregard advice to drop out of the life-risking duel, knowing that a loss could both weaken the Hop Wei's hold on the drug trade, and embarrass himself.  Through Ah Sahm, Koji and the creatives tackle the task of presenting a protagonist as both dutiful, and proactive.

This episode draws its title from a quote by Bill O'Hara (Kieran Bew), an Irish-American cop assigned with lessening crime in Chinatown.  Warrior's attempts to endear him to viewers usually prove ineffective to me; in this particular story, any admiration I would've given him for refusing to support political supporters of the Chinese Exclusion Act feels canceled out by his own act of brutality later on.  I have noticed the irony of the oppressed becoming the oppressors, but his plotlines more often than not leave me anxious to resume focus on characters enduring a larger degree of discrimination.

A mixed martial artist and stuntman, Lin Oeding helped provide this episode with thrilling and visually stimulating fight scenes.  The opening battle between the Hop Wei and the Long Zii begins this episode in chaotic fashion, as a countless number of gangsters engage in fascinatingly choreographed killings.  A later brawl between Ah Sahm and some masked opponents impresses on a more intimate level; between the focus on Ah Sahm's need to survive the unexpected obstacle, and the long takes showing off everyone's skills.  Across all of the fight scenes, the total amount of onscreen blood seems to reach a tolerable level: Neither unnaturally low, nor nauseatingly high.  The goriest sights of both of these episodes go by very quickly.

Caucasians who engage in systemic racism boast understandable motivations, such as maintaining peace and creating jobs.  However, the show doesn't ask the viewers to forgive their bigotry.  In this episode, it becomes especially explicit when Penny objects the Chinese Exclusion Act, by attempting to point out hypocrisy of white men banning immigrants from a country that didn't originally belong to them.  While this opinion doesn't gain much traction in her patriarchal social circle, her lingering empathy for Ah Sahm helps her to nonviolently demonstrate resilience and a headstrong attitude.  Overall, "They Don't Pay Us Enough to Think" successfully provides several compelling perspectives of San Francisco on the brink of the Tong Wars.

Plugs

Special thanks to the Warrior Wiki for helping me keep track of everyone, even though several character pages reveal Season Two plot points right at the top.

Kevin Tancharoen and Kenneth Lin did a fascinating interview about the making of "The Blood and the Sh*t" on the day that it aired.

Violence towards Asian-Americans has reached alarming levels.  I would like my readers to donate to The AAPI Community Fund, even if I personally take no share of the funds.

Did anyone else have trouble following (HOTD 1x06)?

What exactly was going on after that timeskip? I mean, it’s a little disorienting, being dropped right in the middle of things, especially with the abrupt change of actors and all the parts were still moving. But I got used to it, I guess. The factions being pretty much baked into the cake by this point helped to some degree though. Anyway, the review:

- I was pretty sure it was Rhaenerya giving birth in the opening scene, but I wasn’t 100% about it until a little bit later. But it is very interesting watching her grow into her role and how well she’s learned to play the game, like when she tries to negotiate a marriage alliance with Alicent’s branch of the family, unlike her descendant, who embodied the when-all-you-have-is-a-hammer mindset

- Again, it took me a little bit to catch on with so many new players, but while the description applies to the vast majority of human beings ever to live, the fact that you had three separate Targaryen boys being born dark-haired and dark-eyed...should have tipped me off pretty quickly that there was some Jaime x Cersei shit going on there

- And speaking of new(ish) families and (semi) consensual cuckoldry: Laenor, my brother in the Seven, your marriage is a political alliance and Rhaenerya is literally your beard. And she’s doing damn near all the work while you decide to name your new son after your dead boyfriend. Of course she’s gonna be a little cross with you!

- After saving Ser Downbad from committing sudoku (Criston’s sword was at his abdomen, that’s what he was doing) a decade ago, my girl Alicent has her hands full, to say the very least. Kids being awful to each other is kind of in the job description and Aegon growing up...to be a spoiled rich kid, even by spoiled rich kid standards, isn’t exactly surprising. And pulling her very best Catelyn Stark routine to save as much of her family as possible, telling Aegon to treat this like his life is at stake (which it is), start taking his duties seriously and stop wanking out the window

- And after all he’s been through, it’s actually nice to get to watch Viserys getting to spend his twilight years as the doting, benevolent familial patriarch he’s always wanted to be. That said, it also makes his see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil stance on Rhaenerya’s sons make more sense, but definitely increases his wife’s headaches substantially. But knowing this author and source material, alas, this can’t last

- And speaking of...unconventional patriarchs, probably the most interesting change is (especially with that intro to him we got) is seeing Daemon being...well, a dad. And from what we’ve seen a pretty attentive one too. Again, it’s not terribly surprising giving some statements and actions he made before, but it’s interesting because he’s not Chaotic Good/Neutral/Evil, Daemon is pure chaos. He’s like a human tornado, but instead of cars and construction material, you’re never exactly sure whether he’s going to be throwing fire and blood, shit or sage, fatherly wisdom, or even all three at once

- But like I said, this (relatively) peaceful state of affairs can’t last, as bastardry among Westrosi nobles (not unlike real life) is serious fucking business. And if it involves a disputed line of succession? I don’t care what system you have or when it is, times like that become an absolute feeding frenzy

- Since I knew they were pretty intelligent in this universe (just in a different way than humans) and they are bonded to one rider, I had my doubts as to whether it was possible, but suicide-by-dragon, is in fact, possible here

- And as we have seen, things like the (attempted) child murder of Bran or kinslaying here, are on the table to keep these dirty secrets from getting out. I’m sitting there like “bro, you orchestrated the horrible deaths of your brother and father by fire. That’s some (ahem) cold-blooded shit right there. I thought you were cool!”

some thoughts on the wandering earth II (spoilers under cut)

too bloody long

visuals: spectacular. plot: eh, dont think about it too hard. robots: not enough, but i liked the ones that existed. moon: kaboomed.

loved the worldbuilding though. they should have made a pseudo-documentary instead of a blockbuster.

hey, what was up with liu peiqiang locking the door? we're shown han duoduo repeatedly kicking your ass, she's clearly better than you at kicking ass yet you just leave her behind? are you an idiot? it's one thing if she were weaker, but she's supposedly stronger? could have at least shown a scene of him kicking her ass to justify this dumb fuck decision. was her stunt double too expensive or something? lmao

i don't know anything about the chinese mental health system, but i think sending tu hengyu to a grief counselor would have prevented at least one of the many disasters in this movie. blah blah insert justification about how grief is love and love is part of human condition and that love both saved them in the end and damned them in the first place.

someone was sobbing so fucking loudly at han duoduo's cancer scenes, i actually thought it was part of the movie at first. unfortunately, that means the only emotion i associate with that part of the movie is 'kinda annoyed'. ...now that i think about it, they might not have been crying. im going to say they were crying for my own piece of mind.

lots of reviewers complaining about the chinese military propaganda. i mean, yeah, but it's still got nothing on top gun maverick lmao. for real though, it's not even that bad. yall are just too used to american military propaganda.

some funny bits. i especially liked the gag about the russian bomb triggers having no safety, just two triggers. and that bit in the first act where liu peiqiang is told 'don't fall in love', sees a woman kick someone's ass and immediately imagines their marriage. really was too bad her badassery was to make her an especially sexy lamp instead of an actual character. /hj

bit in the movie where a fossil of a broken and healed femur was shown, and a story was told about human civilisation being about supporting each other or w/e. sorry, man, i get that it was supposed to be emotional and heartwarming, but all i could think of was this fucking site.

a bit that did make emotional though, was when liu peiqiang is wandering around the moon all confused and everyone waves him off bc they're too busy and his comm's broken. he doesn't know what the fuck is going on! everyone's on a suicide mission and he has no idea! i don't think there's any emotion worse to end a life on than confusion, except maybe fear. when the man contacted by zhang peng has to tap on liu peiqiang's helmet several times, that was when i realised, 'oh man, this guy is concussed as fuck'.

did they. ever explain who it was that organised the attack in 2044. pretty sure it was the digital lifers but like. they never expanded on it.

oh, ok, we're doing time travel now. hope they explain all the cuts to the cameras in the next movie.

apparently there were post credits. i chose the 9pm showing like an idiot bc i somehow did not register that the movie would be 3 fucking hours long, and had to bolt out of the cinema in order to not miss the last bus home. hope they're online somewhere.

read the synopsis for the first movie to jog my memory, and realised that i retained absolutely nothing from when i actually watched it. this will happen again when i watch the third movie.

The Book Eaters I Sunyi Dean (SPOILERS)

Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Content Warning: Domestic violence, arranged marriage so questionable non-consensual sex since sex is required for procreation (I personally would label it as non-consensual) but not overly explicit and rather more alluded to, child taken from mother, murder, child death, death, violence, infertility, alcoholism.

Honestly, this book has a lot of dark content as a result of misogyny. If you need help discerning if you can read it or not please message me. Personally, I had no issues because while what's happening is horrifying it's never too explicit for me. But everyone's different.

Synopsis : In England, there are 6 families left consisting of people who eat books. Unfortunately, their population is dwindling and female book eaters are a rarity. So, the families have a complex system in place to limit inbreeding by having the remaining 6 women enter arranged marriages where they give birth to a child and are then taken away from the child to have one other and then returned to their original families never to see their children again. To keep this going the families rely on Knights (male book eaters forced into servitude) and their dragons (or mind-eaters)-book eaters that suffer a mutation in the womb that causes them to hunger for human minds-to enforce the marriages.

Our story follows Devon, one of the 6 remaining female book eaters, and her 5-year-old son Cai, a mind-eater. The Ravenscar family, manufacturers, and providers of Redemption, the drug that allows mind-eaters to sustain themselves on books, have vanished. Without Redemption, Cai will starve so Devon must track down the missing Ravenscar family or be forced to continue feeding her son humans. Added to that she has knights, one of them a sibling, tracking her and Cai down. Everything is difficult but Devon's priority as a mother is to save her son, regardless of the horrible things she may have to commit.

My reaction review as in once again there will be spoilers: A chilling read that evokes a strong message about patriarchial systems and their cruelty. Dean's debut novel is original, emotional, and makes you question how far should a mother go for her child. There are so many good lines in this book and I think Sunyi Dean should be proud of what she's created.

I have seen people grip about two things: not enough exploration of the book-eating world and unlikable characters.

I say bah to the first one because yes there was!!! Yeah, we don't get answers about why book eaters exist or the creators but why would that be necessary? It would have been completely irrelevant to the plot. But there are so many little things that add to the lore like not being able to write, the slowing down of minds, the difficulty in communing with a book eater, and the different tastes in books. It was amazing!!!

Let me be clear: Devon is not supposed to be likable and the book does not shy away from that. There will be several moments in the book where you will ask yourself if this is even a character you believe deserves to live. However, you will understand her and it's that understanding that got me to keep going and keep rooting for her. There are bigger villains at stake and I admire the book for not flinching from the ugliness but embracing it. Very few characters in the book are likable but the plot is so well done that you can't help but want to keep going. There's an abundance of character growth by the end of the book and the villains of the book are truly detestable. Scenes that are supposed to gross you out do a very good job (that ending scene with Cai will haunt me).

As for the downsides, this book moves at a very slow pace despite it being on the shorter side at 298 pages. This is largely in part due to the flashbacks to the past which are actually very interesting and necessary for backstory. However, Dean's writing started to suffer here because she would sometimes get too stuck on making social commentary. Don't get me wrong, I got some great quotes but it's also necessary to trust your audience. Just based on the actions of multiple characters alone I would have come to the same conclusion that Dean herself goes out of her way to spell out. I would have focused less on the commentary and instead took more time to work on the character bonds (I think we needed more Devon and Cai interaction as well as Devon and Hester).

Hester. That brings me to such an important point. Big spoiler. Devon's a lesbian and overall it was well written. It added another depth as it's obvious (to me at least) that Devon didn't like men in her scenes as a child so her arranged marriage was another thing that took away her ability to be true to herself. However, as for the lesbian romance in this...uhm, I would have not done it that way. While Devon and Hester have great chemistry and share some intense moments it was very strange how fast their relationship turned to romance. I mean, there's a lot of shit going down and I think both characters would honestly be too wrapped up in those issues to even think about romance. Not to mention the whole betrayal stuff. I would rather the ending allude to a future relationship rather than have it established in the book because it would have made a lot more sense. Honestly, I cared a lot more about the queerplatonic relationship between Jarrow and Devon than her romantic relationship with Hester and that's because the growth in their relationship is more natural and given more time in comparison.

I hope people take the time to read this and I hope people enjoy it. I have a feeling this is one of the books where either you like it or you don't. For a debut novel, Sunyi Dean did a great job and I can only forsee her writing getting stronger from here on out.