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pearblossommina · 11 months

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ToG Read-A-Long, Empire of Storms, day 10

Ch 58

Ok so then… there’s no lock. Or the lock is already in possession of somebody else?

Who has the lock, then? The witch clans?

Maybe Baba Yellowlegs had it? In the traveling carnival? Maybe Lorcan and Elide can find it if they go back with their traveling carnival friends?

Ansel is here! I remember you. You broke Celaena’s heart, once. You made her afraid of opening up to people. Of making friends.

You kinda suck. Are you… here to make amends?

Ch 59

I guess SO!

I bet Aedion feels like a total ass right now.

The scene at the end with Aedion and Lysandra? Talk about putting the breaks on. Girl, he already proposed to you! What part of “something between us” do you still need convincing of, lol.

If she just wants to be friends, she just wants to be friends. I guess that’ll have to be enough. But I do feel kind of bad for Aedion, it sucks to put your heart out there and get received like that.

Ch 60

"There was not one hour that I did not think about what I did in the desert. How you fired that arrow after twenty-one minutes. You told me twenty, that you'd shoot even if I wasn't out of range. I was counting; I knew how many it had been. You gave me an extra minute."

AW.

That actually means a lot. This girl was the first one to break Celaena’s heart, and it’s good to know that she forgave her. That she was gonna come free her from Endovier. Damn, friendship really does mean forever in this story. And Ansel is a real valuable friend to have.

(My only wish is she would be nicer to Manon?)

(Like I get it, the connection to the Wastes isn’t just gonna be easily forgotten by either of them, but ouch)

(Everyone be nice to Manon, please!)

(She’s on your side, so treat her with respect!)

Another Manorian scene!

(It’s ok you guys, I’m a big girl, I can read about people having sex even if I don’t personally ship it, lol)

(I like reading smut! It’s actually kind of my favorite! I just like it better when… I can have feelings, and get emotionally invested in the characters, y’know?)(I also enjoy sex just for the sake of sex, so I’m happy to read any smut SJM is willing to write, because she’s really good at it, and it’s fun to read)

(I’ll stop picking on these two now)

(They seem happy and healthy and horny, and honestly, good for them)

Maeve is here to crash the party. Well well well. Maybe Aelin is gonna defeat her? Find some way to trick her into ending the oath on all the rest of them? Now would be a good time to do that, because I think Elide would cry a lot if Fenrys and Gavriel decide to obey her and kill Lorcan.

Ch 61

What is Rowan doing so secretly!

Is he earning alliances? I’m real curious.

I would like some clarification on mates and mating, as it pertains to this series. Are mating bonds treated like the most supreme thing in this world, the way they are in ACOTAR? Are they rare? If a person were to lose their mate, would they ever be able to find another one? How many mates can someone have? Is there a way to break a mating bond, if you don’t want to be in it anymore? Are Rowan and Aelin allowed to call themselves mates, because they’ve fallen in love, and claimed each other with bites, or is it more complicated than that? Would people respect a relationship like theirs - if they choose to be together even though they’re not fated mates - or is it taboo to devote yourself to someone like that?

Ch 62

“Dorian cut the Queen of Terrasen a wry glance. “People other than you can solve things, you know.” “

Lol. Yeah, we know!

Good job, baby. You put that mind to good work. You’re good at riddles!

(I think I spaced out, because I don’t remember reading that riddle) (but still. Good job!)

I’m kinda excited for a Manon and Aelin solo adventure!

Ch 63

So um.

No solo adventure, huh?

Just gonna stay right here with the rest of the cast. That’s - not what I wanted, but ok.

Dorian talking to Rowan about dying, oof 💔

At least they are among friends.

(They’re not gonna die tho! By the hands of Maeve? She wishes.)

Ch 64

Manon and Aelin solo adventure!

Let the bond of friendship begin!

I’m hyped!

I was talking to my ER provider about where I am in these books. He was very enthusiastic about telling me that Tower of Dawn is his favorite book in the series, and that I just need to hang in there, because it’s about to get so good.

I didn’t say I’m not enjoying this book, but I was complaining about the pacing, and how I’m sick of the stakes being so high all the time, and just ready for the characters to be happy and be in love. Which. I do still stand by. But also. I am sick of the action sequences that feel like filler episode fights. This book has been kinda nonstop with them. For all that Lysandra complains about her fear of losing friends, it doesn’t seem like that’s a reality. They’re kinda stacked, in terms of strength and power and magic vs the bad guys. I feel like I haven’t really worried about anyone, except Elide, but that was before she and Lorcan joined up with Aelin. Now that they’re all together I feel like they’re pretty much unstoppable.

I hope I’m not about to eat my words, because I DON’T want to see anybody get hurt. But yeah. Would like things to move along, plot wise outside of the action and fighting. I’m ready to feel something emotional.

#tog read along 2023 #empire of storms

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thebluenickel · 2 years

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Incorrect TOG

Lorcan: I'm here to kidnap you.

Elide:

Lorcan: I've hunted you through the woods for weeks.

Elide:

Lorcan: Whatever magic you're carrying, I'll take it from your cold corpse if I have to—

Elide: You're my husband.

Lorcan: I'm your husband.

#elorcan #tog #eos #empire of storms #elide lochan #lorcan salvaterre #Secretly TOG is my favorite SJM series #incorrect quotes

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moonshinesapphic · 4 years

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So you were disappointed in Throne of Glass...

(DISCLAIMER: This post does not intend to offend anyone who loves ToG. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and likes and dislikes and is allowed to express that. This post is meant to share books that have similar qualities to ToG for people who were disappointed in the series, like myself, but anyone who does like ToG can absolutely find great recs here! However, if you don’t want to hear anything ToG critical I recommend skipping over this post. Thank you!)

So last week I finally got rid of all my ToG books. I was mostly relieved that I now have more room on my bookshelf but I also felt a little sad. It was a series I really enjoyed when I first read it two years ago, and on some level it will always have a special place for me. It was one of the many books that got me back into reading after a five year slump, it’s the reason I became friends with the wonderful Nicole (@/rainbowbooktheif on Instagram) who was the first person irl to make me feel less alone as a bookish nerd, and it, unintentionally, helped me hone my critical reading skills. However, I slowly began to care less and less for the story and characters as the series progressed and ended up not reading the last two books because I just stopped caring. I wondered why a series that I loved so much in the beginning went down hill so fast for me, but in the process of falling out of love with ToG I realized I wasn’t the only one who felt this way about the series! The lack of diversity (and misrepresentation/mistreatment of diverse characters when they were there), sexism, lazy editing and lackluster world building, among other things, came up many times for me and other former ToG fans when discussing why we became disappointed in the series. But the pitch for the book (badass morally gray assassin taking down a tyrant king for her freedom, so cool!) and some of the elements (romance, female friendships, magic, trials) sounded so amazing even though in the end it was executed poorly. So, I decided to compile a list of books that I have read and loved that have some elements and themes of ToG. This list is by no means exhaustive and is limited by the books that I have read (which is not many when you look at how many books exist in the world) so I would love to see your recommendations! Please feel free to add onto this post any recs that you have! Now onto the list!

1) Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I read this book the summer before I started ToG and completely loved it. It was one of the early books that got me back into reading and it was honestly the perfect book for that. It was exciting and I couldn’t put it down. It follows an assassin for a tyrannical king who begins to realize her own gifts for killing are more then she ever thought they could be. Cashore does a fantastic job developing the lead character Katsa and the ways that she dolls out information to the readers slowly is impeccable. While this book is technically the first in a trilogy of books taking place in the Graceling world, it can be read as a standalone fantasy (which I feel like are very rare). Another part of this book that I really loved was the romance. I usually don’t read very many straight romances (due to the sexist/problematic aspects many of the ones that I’ve read have) but the relationship between Katsa and Po is honestly a breath of fresh air when you’re used to a lot of toxicity and sexism with cishet romances in books. The two take care of each other and their relationship is very balanced. There are no gender roles pushed on either of them and they truly grow to become a team throughout the story and it’s wonderful to see! I would consider Katsa and Po, while canonically cis (there isn’t any explicit queer rep in this book), both quite androgynous characters who often express themselves in a fluid manner which I really appreciate. Over all this is an amazing classic YA fantasy that everyone should check out!

Synopsis: “Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po.

She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.”

2) Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

This book is the first in a five book series about three royal sisters raised to battle it out for the throne. I must admit the first book in the series is a little lackluster due to the fact that it’s setting up a lot but the second book just blows everything out of the water in a fantastic way. This series is dark and bloody and intriguing. I got completely hooked on this series and it brought out a lot of emotion to the point where I was gasping and shouting and throwing my book around as I was reading it (I got very invested)! I think that’s one of the things SJM can do well is get you hooked on her characters and Kendare can do the same (if not better). I love the dynamic between the sisters, this book does a great job at exploring the darker side of familial and female/female relationships (mostly platonic.. there isn’t very much queer rep unfortunately) that I really appreciate. The magic system and wolrdbuliding are also something that I enjoyed and I though was quite well done. Kendare does a good job at weaving in worldbuilding and magic system seamlessly into the story and I love that so much. Three Dark Crowns is just a fun and exciting series that I think anyone who loves fantasy YA should check out!

Synopsis: “ In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born—three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.

The last queen standing gets the crown. “

3) The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

So a little disclaimer, this book is one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. I read it over the span of a few months last summer (its a long one guys...800+ pages) and it was one of the greatest, most well thought out fantasy books I’d ever had the pleasure of reading. I loved the characters, the world, the plot, the magic system etc. I loved everything! There’s some great political intrigue, dragon riders, epic battles, prophecies, weddings, funerals, romance and just general badassery and kickassery happening. Shannon clearly put so much time and effort into this book and it shows. That kind of dedication that shows is something that I really appreciate in a book, especially a fantasy book. Another aspect that I loved so so much is the diversity in this book. It came so naturally and didn’t at all feel like tokenism. The characters, with their differing genders, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, and nationalities etc, and their relationships with each other are truly what made the story. This book also has one of the BEST f/f romances I’ve ever read (as a queer woman I really loved that representation so much and felt very connected to both of those characters). Priory is a long one but if you have the time I highly recommend it.

Synopsis: “ A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.

The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door.

Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.

Across the dark sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep. “

4) Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

As a queer woman, I’m always a little on edge when someone mentions f/f friendship in a book. This is entirely because of the erasure many many f/f romances experience when they are just brushed off as friendships (we’ve all heard the term “gal pals”). It’s frustrating and even though I love a good f/f friendship when the f/f romances get erased and replaced by friendships it gets exhausting. However, Truthwitch is a true f/f friendship that I can fully get behind! Dennard is an author that I had been following for writing tips for a while before I finally picked up her book. I knew that she’s someone who is invested in making her series diverse, even if she herself doesn’t fit into those categories, and accepts criticism because she want’s to do her characters justice. That’s something I really appreciate seeing from white cishet authors and is one of the reasons I picked up Truthwitch. It’s so much fun and the heart of the story truly is the relationship between the two leads Safi and Iseult. Their friendship reminds me a lot of my relationship with my friends. Books about f/f relationships (romantic or otherwise) are few and far between so I really love that this book exists. Strong platonic relationships are so often pushed aside for cishet romantic ones so it’s SO refreshing to see a series where the book would not exist without Safi and Iseult’s bond. They are truly soulmates and their relationship with each other is the most important one in their lives and that is just beautiful. Not to mention this book has got an awesome magic system and is building up to an amazing fantasy series! There’s pirates, priestesses, princes and, of course, witches! It’s loads of fun all around!

Synopsis: “ Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.

Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.

In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch. “

5) Monstress by Marjorie Liu (Writer) and Sana Takeda (Illustrator)

Another disclaimer! This book is my favorite graphic novel, period. There is really nothing like Monstress out there and I think that it’s criminally underrated. Liu and Takeda are the perfect combo of writer/artist to make this GN come together. I’m constantly in awe of the world, characters, and story Liu built and the frankly stunning art Takeda creates to go along with it. It’s steampunk and dark and dirty and beautiful. The lead character, Maika, is one of the few truly morally gray characters that I’ve read. Her decisions will make you question if you’re a good person because you still love her despite the fact that she just killed that guy... and that guy... and those other guys. This graphic novel series is very reflective of the dark animes (like Tokyo Ghoul and Castlevania) that we are seeing more recently and I personally believe Monstress would make a fantastic animated series if it were ever to get an adaption. This book has also some great representation of queer women (Maika herself is a queer, disabled, WoC). It’s totally the norm for the world and all of the lead female characters are queer, which I just love. This story has amazing woldbulding, magic, characters etc. It’ll give you everything from giant dead gods, to talking cats with multiple tails, to demonically possessed teenage girls who need to eat people. It’s honestly amazing. (I would give a major trigger warning for blood/gore so as long as you know you can handle that I think you should check it out!)

Synopsis: “ Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both and make them the target of both human and otherworldly powers. “

6) The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

I never thought I would love a cishet romance as much as I love this one but here I am. The Bridge Kingdom is not really the kind of book I would normally pick up but it was on sale on kindle so I thought “why not!” And I was not disappointed. This story follows the assassin princess, Lara, who was raised to be married off to her fathers rival kingdom and kill the king. However, things get sticky when she begins to actually fall for the king and starts to realize that her father isn’t exactly who he says he is. Not only was this romance steamy as hell (this is an ADULT book folks so there are some explicit sex scenes, beware) but the world is super cool. The political intrigue was something I really enjoyed and I loved to see the world unfold from Lara’s eyes. I also totally loved Lara’s character. She’s complicated and cutthroat but ultimately want’s to do what’s right and is a character made to change and develop. I usually don’t go for that character trope that Lara fits into (beautiful and badass and despite being the MCs they somehow end up being very bland...) but Jensen managed to create a very mature and ever changing version of the YA trope that I ended up loving completely. If you love steamy fantasy romances with cool worlds and intriguing characters this is absolutely the book for you!

Synopsis: “ Lara has only one thought for her husband on their wedding day: I will bring your kingdom to its knees. A princess trained from childhood to be a lethal spy, Lara knows that the Bridge Kingdom represents both legendary evil - and legendary promise. The only route through a storm-ravaged world, the Bridge Kingdom controls all trade and travel between lands, allowing its ruler to enrich himself and deprive his enemies, including Lara's homeland. So when she is sent as a bride under the guise of fulfilling a treaty of peace, Lara is prepared to do whatever it takes to fracture the defenses of the impenetrable Bridge Kingdom.

But as she infiltrates her new home - a lush paradise surrounded by tempest seas - and comes to know her new husband, Aren, Lara begins to question where the true evil resides. Around her, she sees a kingdom fighting for survival, and in Aren, a man fiercely protective of his people. As her mission drives her to deeper understanding of the fight to possess the bridge, Lara finds the simmering attraction between her and Aren impossible to ignore. Her goal nearly within reach, Lara will have to decide her own fate: Will she be the destroyer of a king or the savior of her people? “

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rowan-buzzard-whitethorn · 7 years

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Tag-a-palooza

Let’s play “answer all the tags at once”! This is hella long and thank you so much to all the people that tagged me I love you guys!!

@catastrophicallyinlovewithbooks

Bianca darling tagged me for these:

1. What is a book you have that has sentimental value to you?

Jane Eyre. It was one of the first classics I read and it made me feel all the special feelings

2. Is there a scent that reminds you of something nice?

Honeysuckle. The house I grew up in had three big honeysuckle vines and I would always go out and eat the nectar.

3. Who would you choose to be stuck in a lift with for 24h (real life person or fictional character)?

Just give me one of my daddies I’m here for this trope. Right now I’m feeling Fenrys real hard. (I mean, I want him to be real hard... okay I’m getting off topic, focus sam)

4. Do you have a lucky item?

Not that I can think of!

5. What would you order if you went to a restaurant right now?

Mmmmmm I really want some enchiladas right now.

6. What’s the most beautiful book you own?

I have a book of African art and I love it a lot

7. Walk on the beach or hike in the mountains?

HIKE!

8. What’s next on your TBR?

An Ember in the Ashes, Luna is freaking out about it

9. Favourite poem?

GOBLIN MARKET, CHRISTINA ROSSETTI. LIKE REAL HARD.

10. Who are 5 people you’d invite to dinner (real people, either dead or alive)?

Oh man I don’t know, I’m really bad at these questions. I’d sit down with a ton of different historical people so that I could learn what stuff was actually like

11. Who’s your favourite person who shares your name?

Ooooo this is a good question...even though I can’t think of anyone?? I like Samantha Bee?

These I got tagged by my sweet belgian pastry @readinglikewildfire, thank you dear :D

1. Do you have any piercings or tattoos, what are they?

Well I used to have/ have tried a bunch of piercings. I had several cartilage, tried industrial and hated it, and I loved my nose ring, but then I had to take them all out for nursing :(((( I also have two tats so far, one off of a bible verse and the other is a Fibonacci spiral

2. Who is your style icon?

I don’t have one! Anybody that looks like a grungy hipster hobo really

3. Are you a night shower or a morning shower person?

Morning! hate going to bed with wet hair

4. What do you study at school if you are at school? If you’re not at school what do you do instead?

International studies for the first degree, nursing for the second!

5. Do you speak multiple languages? What are they?

lol no, for my first degree I had to take a language and I took french but I dont remember shit.

6. What do you like most about where you live?

My family living here/ the food. Thats about it lol

7. Favorite piece of jewelry, why?

Hmmmm... I don’t wear too much jewelry, I have a bunch but I dont wear it often lol

8. Whats one random fact about yourself?

I’m answering all these sitting on my back patio in my swimsuit!

9. TOG or ACOTAR?

TOG for sure!

10. Do you like fantasy books with a lot of romance or does it not really matter to you?

Yeah I do. I mean, I would say that I don’t mind if it doesn’t but the majority of the ones i’ve read have romance. I’m ashamed. lol

11. Favorite color!

I like blue, green, and purple!

These I got tagged by @fiery-feyre, thanks buddy!!!!

Are narwhals the Jedi or Unicorns of the sea to you?

I... love this question?? Totally the unicorns

Cats or dogs?

Both equally!!

Favorite fruit?

Peaches! or pears!

Favorite TV show?

I can’t pick!! Stranger things, peaky blinders, sense8, friends, etc

Headphones or earbuds?

Buds if I can find ones that fit in my ear

Favorite animal?

Elephant!

Favorite Disney song?

The Circle of Life! You better believe I “know” all the words

Favorite cartoon from your childhood?

I liked them all! Hey Arnold, old spongebob, I loved Angry Beavers. Anyone remember that show?? lol

Apple or Android?

Android! I say, as I type on a mac. But even it it annoying me lately.

PlayStation or Xbox?

PLAYSTATION

Do you like trains or planes better?

I like trains but I haven’t ridden one in forever!

Tagged by @seeliequeenofprythian, thank you!

Author you feel thinks the most like you?

Hmmm... I don’t know! I mean SJM and I probably think alike a little bit

Favorite emotion?

Bliss!

Favorite minor character?

Fenrys!

Superhero (DC/Marvel) that you relate to the most?

Captain America!

What bizarre eye color would you want to have?

bright green! I mean... that’s not bizarre but you know

Favorite IRL person?

I have too many! My mom, my friends, my sisters- you know, sometimes... lol

Which language really calls to you?

French!

Sweet or savory?

Sweet!

Innocent cinnamon roll character or complex tragic character?

Complex tragic character

What’s your favorite expression to make?

Where my eyes go different directions! I have no control over which way they go but it’s fun lol

Hogwarts house?

Gryffindor!

Tagged by the wifey Luna @lronteeth

1) Which event in history you’d want to witness if you could time travel?

hmmm... idk about event, but I would love to see all the empires in their prime. Oh and the library of alexandria. Stuff like that

2) How did you meet your best friend?

6th grade, we actually met in the cafeteria but I dont even remember it. We were assigned seats next to each other in class.

3) If you can be invisible for a day, what would you do?

This is such a trap question lol. Like, we all want to say that we would just enjoy our alone time or whatever but if invisibility lasted any longer than a day, if that long, I’m totally robbing the bank and so are you.

4) Your first kiss story

WHEN I HAVE ONE YOU WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON I TELL

5) Most embarrassing memory

probably when I pooped at a friends house and there was no toilet paper and I tried to sneak out and her whole family was out there and her mom was like “hey... wasn’t that bathroom out of tp? and you were in there for a while lol” which, looking back, was a total bitch move of her.

6) Best 3 books you’ve read this year

SIx of Crows, Queen of Shadows, The strange and beautiful sorrows of ava lavender (wait... was that this year?)

7) Worst 3 books you’ve read this year

Shatter Me series. Whoop there it is.

8) Make your basketball team out of book characters

Dude I just want all my daddies on one team, can you imagine?

9) Book trope you hate

CHILDHOOD FRIENDS MUST BE SECRETLY IN LOVE. Effing hate that trope.

10) Describe your style

Imagine Free People style but like, on a target budget. Then throw in a lack of self confidence and we’re there.

MY QUESTIONS! Let’s pick super random ones. Answer if you feel like it: @its-suriel @itsawriter @cassiancalore @dr-woodsprite!!

1. Root-beer: good or gross?

2. Pineapple on pizza: genius or madness?

3. Leader or follower?

3. Most overrated book character?

4. What is your favorite sound?

5. What got you in the most trouble as a kid?

6. If you had to pick a different name for yourself what would it be?

7. What show or movie has a family most similar to your own?

8. What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?

9. What is a random thing you judge people for?

10. Favorite accent?

11. Worst movie you’ve ever seen?

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