#and then learned darrow killed him | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

insignificant457 · 11 months

Text

Pierce Brown Light Bringer Q&A

I went to pierces book signing tonight and I will attempt to regurgitate everything I can remember since I didn’t take notes

When asked if there’s any characters he regrets killing off, he said Trigg. But he also said he has a different answer every time someone asks that

He talked about how he writes two different types of deaths—deaths that feel like the end of an arc, and deaths that feel like they cut off in the middle. He said the latter are more like life, and that’s why they hurt more, and why he’s more likely to regret killing them. Trigg is one of these, as is Fitchner

Speaking of Trigg, his aborted arc factored into the decision to add ephraim as a pov character—it allowed him to explore Trigg and his backstory even after he was gone

The other povs in iron gold were specifically chosen because each had a bone to pick with Darrow, and also because he wanted a high, mid, and low color pov

He was complimented multiple times on how he writes female characters, and his response basically boiled down to “I subscribe to the radical idea that women are people”. He said it’s funny that no one ever compliments him on his ability to write complex male characters

Related to the above, both victra and Aja were originally conceived as male characters, but he couldn’t quite make them work until he flipped the gender. He said that after making victra a woman, he immediately knew exactly who she was and she became incredibly easy to write

Speaking of victra (she got a lot of love, as she deserves), someone asked for a random fact about her, and he said she plays Karachi, which is a gambling game, but she doesn’t want anyone to know because she doesn’t want people to think she’s reckless. Everyone knows.

When asked how he feels about Lysander, pierce said “he’s doing his job,” both in universe and as a vehicle for the story. He also said this was always the path he’d imagined for Lysander

Some of his favorite lines are “do not fear for me, pity them” and “worthy”

He called Darrow a drama queen, and said that he often talks out loud while writing, and darrows internal monologues get weird reactions from friends who overhear (“who’s the motherfucking consequence?!?”)

Darrows experience in light bringer (in particular his reading of the path to the vale) was very much inspired by pierces own struggle trying to write light bringer. He said they both had to learn that the right path is not always forward, sometimes you have to go back

Light bringer was by far the hardest book for him to write (he said “if you ever want to know what the hardest book for an author to write was, just look at how long it took to do it) but he said it’s also possibly his favorite

When asked if any characters or relationships surprised him, he said yes absolutely. Sevro was apparently supposed to be a tertiary character, but basically hopped off the page, and victra was another surprise. He also said (light bringer spoilers) the relationship between Cassius and Lyria was also a huge surprise, but he realized on writing their first interaction that they would absolutely love each other

He also said that the snark between Darrow Cassius and sevro just flowed really easily, and that Darrow and Cassius understand each other, but that Cassius simply Does Not Get sevro

When asked about bringing the jackal back as a clone, he said it was an effort to explore cloning in a way that, in his opinion, has not been done particularly well in many other media. He also said it came about because there was more to explore with virginias relationship with her brother

Tongueless was a hat of death kill, but he told us the original backstory he had planned for him. Apparently tongueless was a high up leader of the syndicate, who was deposed by Lilath when she came in and instigated a coup

He said he tries to write using “South Park writing rules”, meaning instead of saying x and y and z happen, he always uses x happens but y happens or y happens therefore z happens. He said this helps keep things from feeling predictable or trite

When asked what he hopes people take away from the series, he said he doesn’t want to say, because he fears that would be showing his hand for red god. But he did say that what he hopes people take away from light bringer is the same thing darrow tells sevro in morning star “we keep looking for the light, but we’re it”

And lastly, in the signing line, I asked him when sevro found out his father was ares, and he told me it was “probably around the same time darrow found out”, and said a lot of that is because sevro had spent a long time hating his father, because he could always sense he was being shut out. He mentioned that children can tell when there are walls there, and it can actually have a very damaging impact on their mental stability (mental instability? I said. sevro? Never.) anyway rip to my sevro joined the sons pre series theory, you will be missed, but it’s nice to have an answer thanks Pierce

Anyway it was a very fun time, if I remember more later I will add it

#red rising #pierce brown #light bringer #$36 plus I got a signed copy of light bringer and he signed my copy of morning star #well worth the cost

213 notes · View notes

berystraw · 4 months

Text

LOVE LEAVES SCARS: INTRODUCTION

Synopsis: In which! Due to a letter calling her to go back to Texas Verity Rosewood goes back to the place she spent years trying to forget. While she is there, she tries to reconnect with the people she left. Her family, friends, and especially the person she loved most.

[L.L.S Masterlist] [M. Masterlist] [G.H Masterlist]

Case file #1:

[Name]: Verity Rosewood

[Nickname(s)]: Veri

[Age]: 20

[Date of birth]: August 22, 2000

[Gender]: Female

[Sexuality]: Bisexual

[Eye color]: Brown eyes

[Hair color]: auburn

[Height]: 5'6

[Playlist]: Top of my school 【Katherine Lynn-Rose】 Pov 【Ariana Grande】 You're on your own kid 【Taylor Swift】 Brutal 【Olivia Rodrigo】 Little Miss Perfect 【Write out loud】Lose you to love me 【Selena Gomez】 All I want 【Olivia Rodrigo】 Dollhouse 【Melanie Martinez】 Be myself 【Why don't we】 I wanna be yours 【Arctic Monkeys】 Consequences【Camila Cabello】 Mess it up 【Gracie Abrams】 Control 【Halsey】 Elastic Heart【Sia】Applause 【Lady Gaga】 Thumbs 【Sabrina Carpenter】 In my mind 【Lyn Lapid】 Happier than Ever 【Billie Eilish】 Not strong enough【Boy genius】 If Only 【Dove Cameron】

Case File #2

[Name]: Grayson Hawthorne

[Nickname(s)]: Gray

[Age]: 19

[Date of birth]: August 23, 2001

[Gender]: Male

[Sexuality]: heterosexual

[Eye color]: pale gray

[Hair color]: blonde

[Height]: 6'0

[Playlist]: Looking at me【sabrina carpenter】Can I be him【James Arthur】Labyrinth 【Taylor Swift】Daddy Issues【The neighborhood】Ador You【Harry Styles】If I killed someone for you【Alec Benjamin】Man of the House【Marilyn Hucek】Money, Power, Glory【Lana Del Ray】I bet in losing dogs【Mitski】Angels like you【Miley Cyrus】Surface pressure【Jessica Darrow】People Watching【Conan Gray】I ain't perfect【IV of spades】Mistakes like this【Prelow】Mirror ball【Taylor Swift】Favorite crime【Olivia rodrigo】Feelin good【Michael Bublé] Lay all your love on me【ABBA】All of the girls you've loved before【Taylor Swift】Set fire to the rain【Adele】

Verity Rosewood

—The one who absquatulated

"I never wanted to leave, but I had to. For me."

Being the heir of the Rosewood family, Verity has been training and learning how to manage her family's company even at such a young age. She went to different kinds of classes, may it be public speaking classes, business management, dance classes, and many more. She had to be different, to be perfect. The pressure of being the best and perfect heir was exhausting, but she had her friends, right? The Hawthorne brothers have helped her cope with all the pressure and stress her family and everyone else pressed on her. She thought she could handle it, but everyone had their breaking points.

Grayson Hawthorne

—The Heir Apparent

"And that made me hate you even more."

Grayson had been considered as the "Heir apparent" of the family for as long as he remembered. As a Hawthorne, he was taught many things, and that included never showing emotion. He had to learn how to not cry or show signs of weakness. Being one of the oldest siblings didn't help with that at all. In fact, it just added even more pressure on him. Having to be the older and more responsible brother out of the rest. It was difficult. Trying to make yourself look as if you're not broken. He is broken and hurt, yet he makes sure not to show anyone even a second of his true emotions. He was not raised to be like that.

Verity + Grayson

—The never ending story

"In this toxic and suffocating world, we had each other."

The friendship of the Rosewood and the Hawthorne family has lasted for years now. So Verity being friends with the Hawthorne grandchildren was no such mystery. The group was always seen together during classes, tea time, playing outside on the grounds, or even skipping classes together. They were inseparable, but there were 2 children in the friend group that were much closer with each other than the rest; Verity and Grayson. The two consider each other as their safe places, the person who brings comfort to each other. Due to the pressure of their families, both of them really understood each other and considered one another as the place that they could bring down their walls and become their true selves. They felt safe, comforted, and peaceful in the presence of each other. Because for once, they felt as if they had one place they didn't have to pretend as if they're perfect.

[Playlist]: Back to December【Taylor Swift】Play date【Melanie Martinez】Tattoos forever【lauv】Love song【Why don't we】Make you mine【Public】Somebody to you【The Vamps】You and I 【One direction】That way【Tate McRae】Runaway【Aurora】If the world was ending【JP Saxe, Julia Michaels】Your name hurts【Hailee Steinfeld】Why's you only call me when you're high【Arctic Monkeys】Talk too much【Coin】Overdrive【Conan Gray】The one that got away【Katy Perry】House of memories【Panic! At the disco】Back to you【Selena Gomez】Midnight Memories【One direction】Still the one【One direction】Lover【Taylor Swift】The way I love you【Taylor Swift】Favorite crime【Olivia Rodrigo】I love you so【The walters】WYD now 【Sadie Jean】Somewhere only we know【Keane】Afterglow【Taylor Swift】Kiss it better【Rihanna】Kidult【Seventeen】No one can fix me【Frawley】Fall for you【Sarah Kang, Jesse Berrera】Remember that night【Sara Kays】

#Inheritance games #the inheritance games #grayson hawthorne x reader #grayson hawthorne #grayson hawthorne x fem!reader #grayson hawthorne fluff #Grayson hawthorne imagine #grayson hawthorne story #grayson x reader #inheritance games x reader #own character #fanfiction #own work #grayson hawthorne angst #hawthorne #grayson #grayson hawthorne x oc!reader

39 notes · View notes

ctitan98official · 5 months

Text

Anonymous asked:

Hi, What would the RE8 women react to Y/N singing “We don’t talk about Bruno” from the movie “Encanto” from Disney. Thanks!

Ooh! Good one. Quickly, I have to share this story because I love Encanto. Jessica Darrow (The voice of Luisa) did a virtual celeb visit at the children’s hospital that I work at. A couple employees got to ask her a question (I was lucky and got picked!) I asked her what power she would want from the movie and she said she wanted the power to talk to animals. Like, I love that for her. Anyway, one of the kiddos asked her to sing Surface Pressure and she had them sing it with her and I thought I was going to cry (it meant so much to the kid! T^T) I love Encanto sm. Now, on to the ask!

Alcina:

She can tell that the song is a bop, but 3 problems: She don’t know what it’s from, she don’t know who Bruno is, and she don’t know how long she can keep listening to Y/N sing “A seven-foot frame, rats along his back” (That’s their favorite part and they just sing it over and over) Please, Y/N. Vampire Mommy has a headache. Knock it off.

Donna:

When Y/N gets to the part that Isabella sings, they always insist that the character reminds them of Donna because she can control plants (And is fucking gorgeous, but I digress). Donna sort of understands what Y/N is getting at, but she’s never seen the movie. Y/N makes it a point to not only watch the film with Donna a few times, but also lay out an entire damn character analysis of Isabella so the doll maker can get a better picture. Donna’s too polite to say anything, but in her head she thinks Y/N is a complete idiot… easy to love though…

Miranda:

Miranda is done with Y/N’s bullshit. Seriously Y/N, Miranda kidnapped a baby, broke her into fucking pieces and has literally killed thousands of people… Either sleep with one eye open or quit singing “I associate him with the sound of falling sand” with weird intensity on repeat. It’s for your own good.

Bela:

Bela likes music. Like, a lot. She studies it. Like, a lot. But the thing is, she primarily listens to classical and opera. She doesn’t know what to do with a catchy Pop Salsa tune. Like, what meter is this song in? How many styles have been incorporated? Is that polyphony she hears? (What a nerd oh my goddd) Y/N just wants her to enjoy it without getting caught up in the theory of it all… Maybe with time she’ll get better at doing that?

Update: She’s currently ripping her hair out trying to analyze the song. Y/N hasn’t slept in days ‘cause she won’t shut up about her research… And that’s what you get for being a nuisance all the time, Y/N XD

Cassandra:

Cassandra is a logical person. She sees a problem? (Like Y/N singing at the top of their lungs) She fixes it. Y/N better not complain. Cass originally wanted to cut out their tongue, but Dani suggested she try this first. Honestly, Y/N is beating the odds on how they’ve been able to survive this long… maybe they should go out and buy a lottery ticket… Or go stand on top of the castle to see if they can get struck by lightning.

Daniela:

Nobody screeches Encanto songs harder than Dani. The noise level gets so loud in the castle when Y/N and Dani sing together that Alcina throws them in the dungeon for a few hours to let them both get it out of their systems. They always end up having brutal sex once they’re down there though… Alci learned that the hard way. One time she walked in and saw Y/N kissing their way up Daniela’s body to the rhythm of “Bruno no, no” while Dani sang, called them a hoe and spit on them… These two nasty.

Masterlist

29 notes · View notes

porterdavis · 11 months

Text

Ah, des bons mots

1. "I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play;

Bring a friend, if you have one."

George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill.

"Cannot possibly attend first night, I will attend the second...If there is one."

- Winston Churchill, in response.

2. A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows, or of some unspeakable disease."

· "That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

3. "He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr

4. "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure."

- Clarence Darrow

5. "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."

- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

6."Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it."

- Moses Hadas

7. "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."

- Mark Twain

8. "He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.."

- Oscar Wilde

9. "I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."

- Stephen Bishop

10."He is a self-made man and worships his creator."

- John Bright

11. "I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."

- Irvin S. Cobb

12. "He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others."

- Samuel Johnson

13. "He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."

- Paul Keating

14. "In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily."

- Charles, Count Talleyrand

15. "He loves nature in spite of what it did to him."

- Forrest Tucker

16. "Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?"

- Mark Twain

17. "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork."

- Mae West

18. "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

- Oscar Wilde

19. "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... For support rather than illumination."

- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

20. "He has Van Gogh's ear for music."

- Billy Wilder

21. "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."

- Groucho Marx.

22."He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."

- Winston Churchill

30 notes · View notes

cathedralcomic · 1 year

Note

hi! new fan here. I’ve been poking around and I recently discovered your making a cool comic about pretty cats (aka the theme for this tumblr page) WHICH I AM ALL IN FOR. this is really cool and I would LOVE to learn more!! is there anything super important and cool I should know about that maybe I’ve missed looking thru the blog? (or maybeeeeee extra details 👀)

heyyyy welcome aboard! :DD thank you so much for your interest! you may have seen some of this already but here’s some pretty crucial info u should know since you’re new:

- splinter and honey are the daughters of thorn bethel, former head cat of her clowder. she was killed by darcy. splinter and honey have a very fractured relationship, in part due to their father pairing off with a different cat (dawn) and having another kitten (sparrow). splinter is mean and angry. honey is a prodigy and natural leader who everyone loves.

- darcy had a best friend (and first cousin) named shiver whom she killed but the circumstances around it are very vague and mysterious. shiver remains the only darrow cat darcy killed.

- moth was rescued as an infant by frond, who found him dying in a ditch. since he has darcy’s branding this made the bethels paranoid about his origin/parentage. no one knows where he came from he just.. appeared the same day thorn died.

- the clowders have a handful of important ranks/roles and they are the head cat, the physician, the flora (herbalist/gardener), the fauna (wildlife expert/linguist) the gatherer (collects goods from the town and surrounding area), and the scribe (keeper of stories and historical records).

- all domestic cats have the same religion but some interpret it in more extreme ways than others

- (mythology/religion) rhune is the cat god. puck is kind of like the cat “devil” but it’s complicated. lyre watches over purgatory. rhune and puck created the universe together (+lyre) and they’re in love. :)

- (mythology/religion) grimalkin is the first proper cat and her children are called the “grims,” which is another word for domestic cats in general. since all cats are technically her children.

#ask

63 notes · View notes

betwixtbeasts · 1 year

Text

BETWIXTBEASTS WRITEBLR INTRO

ABOUT ME;

hello! my name is Ezra, also known as betwixt beasts. I'm in my early thirties, acespec, bisexual, and non-binary, and I use they/them pronouns. I'm a college student and aspiring educator, and I have adhd, depression, chronic pain, and anxiety. I keep fish tanks, have a cat, and when I'm not writing or working on school I'm usually reading or gaming.

most, if not all, of the fiction that I write is romantic. and it's a rare day that I write something that doesn't involve some level of fantasy or sci-fi. oh, and it's all very queer. at the moment I'm posting a bit on wattpad, but I also would like to eventually use p*treon, and perhaps other publishing methods, in the future.

my hope is to make some new friends, find more to read, and also learn more about writing here on tumblr. and maybe promote my own work a little, as well!

a note; this tumblr may contain nsfw text and/or images and written smut. if you are under 18 or feel uncomfortable with that kind of content, please do not follow. thank you!

WORKS IN PROGRESS;

the dragon queen

To protect her people, Aellys must marry the dragonking, unite their empires, and defeat the leviathans who would rule them all.

Dragons and humans have been mortal enemies for as long as anyone can remember, and Queen Aellys hates dragons more than most. They’re monsters who deserve nothing but death and destruction, and she will personally hunt every dragon that sets foot on her land or wing in her sky.

But something worse is coming.

Leviathans are emerging from the sea, great beasts of legend who once had aspirations to take over the world. It was only when humans and dragons united were they defeated before. And it is only when humans and dragons unite that they will be defeated once again.

requiem (book one of the triumvirate trilogy)

A hundred years ago, vampires, witches, and werewolves emerged from hiding, revealing themselves to humanity. Soon after that, they took over the world. Forming the Triumvirate, the three ruling classes, humans became second-class citizens, serving their supernatural betters.

Oliver is one of the hidden, an unregistered human, hiding from the forces of the Triumvirate to live a life of freedom. Until he is betrayed by one he loves, and sentenced to ten years of indentured servitude. He expects to be sent to labor in one of the factories or in the fields - instead, he’s auctioned off, and sold to a vampire as a servant and source of blood.

Just when Oliver thinks it can’t get any worse, he meets his new master, the vampire Prince, one-third of the Triad who rule the country. Theo Montgomery has a reputation, and it isn’t a kind one. But Prince Theo won’t take what isn’t freely given.

And as Oliver is introduced to the decadent world of noble vampire society, he’ll learn nothing is as he thought.

at the edge of the sea

Prince Felix Darrow has spent his whole life dreaming of the sea.

But living in landlocked Vadraia, he’s never even seen the ocean. Not until his father, the king, announces his marriage to Princess Nadiya of Apresh, deciding his future in one fell swoop. No matter that Felix has never felt an ounce of attraction to anyone before, or that he doesn’t want to become prince-consort. But his father insists he do his duty to his country, and so Felix is sent away, across the ocean, to a foreign land.

When his ship runs into a terrible storm, Felix is thrown into the sea, a deadly fate. If the water doesn’t kill him, the many creatures who call the ocean home surely will. Or so he thinks.

Until he grows gills at his throat, and scales on his back.

Felix is one of the seafolk, a merman, inherited through the mother he never knew. But as he discovers an empire under the sea, and freedom he never felt before, can Felix resist the pull of the land he once walked upon?

When he’s captured by fishermen, Felix believes his fate is sealed. Until a pirate attack changes everything.

#writeblr #writeblr intro #writeblr introduction #wip intro #wip introduction #writeblr community #writers community #writing community #mine.

53 notes · View notes

throneofsapphics · 10 months

Note

Oi, tudo bem, queria fazer um pedido, o leitor he does uma tatuagem escondida, mas os pais de Lysaedion descobrem

snitch

Summary: Reader (Lysandra and Aedion's child) have a secret tattoo.

Warnings: a bit of violence

A/N: sorry this went a bit off script, but it was fun to write thank you for sending it, I love your requests!

You invite your younger brother to go out with you and your friends. Well, he invites himself and pesters you until you agree.

“When are you getting your next one?” your says, nearly yelling over the noise.

“Next what?” I shout back.

“Tattoo.” She rolls her eyes.

You don’t know that your younger brother overhears the entire conversation, and walks away with a mischievous look in his eyes.

You find a quieter booth, and slide in, she passes a drink across the table.

“I’m not sure what it would be.” You shrug, thinking of the small rose tattooed on your upper rib cage, one you got a few months back. Another of your friends did it, his seventh tattoo. The lines are a bit shaky, but overall it turned out nice.

“Maybe another flower? It could easily blend into the other.”

You hum, “I’ll consider it.”

A few days later, you drag yourself to the mandatory family dinner. Every Sunday, without fail. You love your parents and siblings, but sometimes they can be a bit overbearing. Your mother told you, but you forgot there’s company. Rowan, Aelin, and Fenrys. All of whom get offended when you call them aunt or uncle.

Food is laid out on the table, and your younger sister is happily updating you on what she learned in school last week. You wish Evangeline is here, but she’s off doing something political - something for Lord Darrow. Instead, you smile and nod at all of the correct times.

Your brother is sitting directly across from you, and catches your eye, and based on his expression you know whatever he’s going to say next is either going to start a fight, or piss you off. Maybe both.

“So, Y/n,” he drawls, “when are you getting your next tattoo?”

You see red as the entire room goes still.

“You have a tattoo?” Your younger sister squeals excitedly, “Can I see?”

You ignore her, debating throwing a fork directly at your brother's face. Instead, you go for the steak knife, and it narrowly misses his ear - intentionally of course, lodging itself in the wall behind. His eyes widen in shock, before narrowing and reaching for his own. Before he can retaliate, arms are tugging you into separate rooms.

“Gods.” You hear your mother groan, “can we have a peaceful dinner?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Aelin’s voice sounds, but someone - Fenrys actually, is ushering you away, ignoring the profanities your brother is currently spitting out, only throwing a vulgar gesture over your shoulder.

“Did you really have to throw a knife at him?” Fenrys asks you, but his voice is laced with amusement.

“He’s being an asshole.” You grumble. “He’s lucky I have good aim.”

“Or bad.” You hear your father’s voice from the doorway.

“I wasn’t going to kill him.” You protest, whirling around to look at him. He’s equal parts amused and pissed off.

“She’s certainly got your temper,” Fenrys drawls, and you shoot him a nasty look.

Next, your mother breezes into the room - elegant as always. One look from her and Fenrys excuses himself.

“A tattoo?” She says, one eyebrow raised. You sigh, but turn and lift your shirt up just enough that she can see it.

“It’s pretty,” she comments, but with a slightly distant look on her face, her thumb brushing her wrist once, before she drops both arms.

Your father squeezes her shoulder lightly, “It looks like you let a ten year old scribble on you.”

“Aedion,” your mother warns him, as your jaw drops.

“The real issue is throwing a gods-damned knife at your brother. Again.” His voice grows louder with each word, but you square your shoulders, crossing your arms.

“He’s being an asshole. I wouldn’t have hit him. You taught me better than that. And, last time he threw first.”

He exhales sharply through his nose, and I can see his patience waning. “You’re getting another tattoo?” He asks instead.

“I’m thinking about it.” You shrug.

“Hopefully by someone else.”

You roll your eyes, and push past him, back into the dining area. Aelin is sitting at the table, listening to your sister, who isn’t phased at all, go on about her last week. Aelin turns as you enter,

“You know, I threw a knife at your mother once.”

The woman in question snorts behind you. “The circumstances were a bit different.”

“Maybe it’s the Ashryver blood,” Aelin shrugs, but sends you an approving grin.

#throne of glass fic #throne of glass #throne of glass imagine #next gen throne of glass #lysaedion #lysaedion parents #lysandra ennar #aedion ashryver

41 notes · View notes

vesperpharsalius · 10 months

Note

Too many people on the Red Rising subreddit spend so much time trying to come up with the most out-there theories while not managing to absorb the most straightforward, surface-level information in these books. It's like they're trying to do calculus when they never mastered addition.

Agree completely. The sheer amount of conversations I’ve seen where people fail to understand the most basic RR facts astounds me.

The most obvious one we’ve talked about before: Lyria being pregnant. Makes me laugh. People are still debating it. What the actual fuck.

I also saw a post where people were arguing over whether Tactus would’ve supported Darrow after learning he was Red. Like, hon… PB flat–out said so. Another arguing over the etymology of Darrow’s name, as if Reds aren’t blatantly and canonically Irish–coded. Endless ones fruitlessly debating Virginia’s mysterious source; it’s admittedly unknown, but Abom seems the obvious candidate.

Several over what strain of the Eidmi would affect Darrow, Pax, and Sevro, as if they aren’t canonically Gold to their core. Saw another discussing when Lyria was going to get a proper antagonist; they had to be reminded that Harmony and the Red Hand… existed. Another asked what happened to the Vox Populi, a Lunese political faction, on Mars, and if Mars had become an autocracy.

Do these people read with their eyes closed?

But ones that ask questions directly answered by the book bother me most. Whether Matteo/Quicksilver actually removed the parasite from Lyria, whether Lysander would’ve killed Cassius regardless, whether Cassius knew Lysander would kill him, whether anyone will know Cassius killed Fear, what Lysander’s Evil Plan entails, etc. Maybe… read the book? Lysander’s PoV at the end of LB is admittedly vaguer than necessary, but it’s not that ambiguous. Some things are pretty fucking clear.

Oh, well. The subreddit’s a swamp. What else is new?

#red rising #light bringer #light bringer spoilers

16 notes · View notes

coffeeangelinabox · 2 months

Text

Day 9: Self Doubt

Follows on immediately from Day 8, but changes POV.

“No,” he says quietly to David’s back. No argument. One day, his crimes will be too much for the medtech. He deserves more than this, Darrow should never have swept him up in his crusade.

Tiredness seeps through him, past his bones and down to his very soul.

He knows exactly what David thinks of him and he’s not even sure that the man isn’t right.

They’d been friends once, back when Darrow had first left deserted the service, before he’d had a whole ship and a crew that depended on him, when he’d been nothing but an angry, betrayed no-loner soldier. They’d used to drink together. Laugh.

Darrow remembers feeling close enough to David to open up to about the reasons why he’d run. What they’d done to him. The lies they’d told.

He remembers David doing the same, explaining how he’d only ever wanted to help people, about how the Domain had made it clear that that wasn’t what they valued in, even in their medical personnel.

Once.

And of course, David makes a good point. He could walk off the board, a pawn that refuses to throw his life (the lives of everyone he touches) away in a pointless, unwinnable battle. It could go back to the way it was. He and David and Gene, the friends they had once been, the three musketeers: no longer Darrow standing as a new kind of dictator, running the Valjean as his own petty fiefdom.

He could have peace - Lee is as close to him as any born son, and the rest of his pathetic rabble are his family forged in laser fire. Nico and Casey are mature enough to split, if they had the safety and security, Rosie is little more than a girl (in fact, is one, he treats her as an adult because it suits his purpose, because the Domain presses child soldiers into the field and he cannot stomach the thought that he does the same, that he learned well under their tuition). They’d have children about them. Community.

But he can’t. Why won’t David understand that? (Or is he right? It’s been so many years, so much blood and fire, charred bodies on broken space stations). It is not in him to look after only himself. He has to help the others, that’s how he knows that he’s no longer the Domain’s good soldier. It’s the only truth he can cling to after all this time.

The call, the endless longing for green skies and cool water and soft flora, for meals that taste of more than protein paste. For a long lie in, knowing no one needs him…

But every time he thinks of it. Thinks of putting down his weapons. Thinks of tucking himself away safe and secure.

Well.

What of those whose governments are being taught a lesson by Domain central for refusing to raise taxes to crippling levels and have their climates destroyed, livestock and crop killed, starvation and death inevitable? What about the shanghai gangs who prey on those on the furthest reaches of space, taking the weakest - drunk boys on their first shore leave, children with no connections - to fill berths on their fleetboats? What about the way creativity and art and expression is systematically bred out in the central worlds, removing even the language for free thinking?

Refusing to bury his head in the sand, refusing to allow that, even at terrible cost to his own soul, that’s what makes him a hero?

Isn’t it?

#my writing #whump #whump prompts #introspection #coffeeangelinabox's space opera ocs #take's place straight after day 8 #continuity for a change #posted after midnight #but I'm still totally counting this as my daily challenge #whumprilday9 #whumpril2024 #self dount

3 notes · View notes

hyena-frog · 1 year

Text

Light Bringer predictions post

I’ve been jotting down notes all day, trying to remember all my big and little predictions for Light Bringer. Some of these have already been discussed to death, some have been idle thoughts floating in my head. But I want to write it all out before LB finally comes out, so I can look back on this and either laugh at my naivete or feel vindicated by my genius.

I’m sure I’m still forgetting some things, so I may end up editing this later.

The new POV is either Diomedes or Volga.

Two or more POVs interact.

Light Bringer starts off in some way no one has theorized, because that's what Pierce Brown does best. (This happened with Dark Age too.)

Pierce Brown introduces even more plot points that won't be resolved until Red God.

There will absolutely be at least three huge things happen that no one predicted or even considered might happen. This is how Pierce Brown do.

Not everything will be resolved by the end of Light Bringer. (This is a given of course; I mean some of the things people are theorizing or want won't happen until next book.)

The Morning Star was originally commissioned by Octavia as a gift to Lysander. Since it is now in enemy hands, it is repaired and handed over to Lysander, as the "rightful" owner.

Cicero becomes important.

Someone we don't expect is sympathetic to the Republic, or is otherwise an unexpected Reformer (ie not Diomedes because everyone suspects him).

There is an epic showdown at Lorn's castle, or on Europa in general.

Rhonna and Char survived and fight on Mercury still.

Holiday remains true to the ideals of the Republic; she was never a traitor, and the people who keep repeating that theory despite having zero evidence will finally shut the fuck up.

We learn more about whatever Oculus is and what Quicksilver's intentions are.

Mickey comes back.

Evey comes back.

Evey is working with the remaining Sons in the Rim.

Faust/The Duke of Hands comes back.

Deanna dies. Holiday dies. Screwface, Pebble, and/or Clown die. I don’t want these to happen but I also don’t want to think about what kind of death made Pierce Brown cry. I don’t truly think any of these would really make him cry, but this is as close as I want to get to considering what the real answer is.

Lysander plots to kill Atalantia.

Atalantia becomes pregnant with Lysander's child but dies by DNA poison backfire.

Atalantia dies, Atlas remains alive to deal with in Red God.

Lysander gets worse, despite the guilt over Cassius.

Lysander doesn't face consequences yet but the winds shift against him.

Ajax seeks revenge on Lysander.

Ajax and Diomedes bond as cousins. Alternatively, they duel, but I think that is too obvious.

Ajax joins Darrow (out of revenge against Atalantia, not love for the Republic).

Cassius confronts Lysander. In person? Over holos? It is epic and emotional.

Pytha turns against Lysander and returns to the Archimedes. Alternatively, she remains with Lysander as a spy for Cassius.

Darrow and Cassius have a heart to heart.

Cassius talks to his mom. For better or worse. Julia will help Cassius despite hating the Republic because he is her only remaining family.

Cassius finds closure with Virginia.

Diomedes/Cassius or Screwface/Cassius becomes canon. Listen, I know these have a snowball's chance in hell, but I can dream.

We get a detailed explanation of how Cassius escaped the Rim. Either Diomedes and Aurae worked together, or Aurae worked independently. There’s not enough information yet to guess.

Cassius meets Pax and Electra; Pax has a celebrity crush on him but Electra is not happy, since Cassius literally murdered her grandpa.

Cassius demonstrates that he has matured as a person.

Cassius faces consequences for killing Fitchner or otherwise expresses regret for doing so.

Cassius returns to Eagle Rest. He repairs it and the city ransacked by Fa.

Lyria finds Volga and they kick Fa's ass together.

Lyria and Volga fall in love.

Volga is changed by her time with Fa, more hardened, but Lyria brings out her kindness again.

Volga gets that damn farm, and a womb, and has a child.

Volga’s heart being on the opposite side becomes plot relevant when Fa tries to kill her but goes for the wrong side of her chest.

Volga becomes queen of the Obsidian.

Valdir shows up again and joins Darrow.

Valdir is confirmed to love Darrow romantically.

Fa is being slowly poisoned by the DNA poison in Sefi after eating her heart. Alternatively, Fa does not get sick, proving he is not her real father.

Pax is involved in the war effort somehow. Maybe helping Lyria? Darrow has complex emotions about this.

Darrow is able to show Pax that he still has his hoverbike key and it's a touching father/son moment.

Darrow and Pax ride the hoverbike together again -- for fun? In battle?

Pax makes more friends his age. Diomedes' younger siblings? Baldur comes back??

Pax struggles with the weight of essentially sending Ephraim to his death; logically he knows it’s not his fault, and that Ephraim knew the risks, but by god, Pax is only a child. Darrow is able to help ease his distress with an epic dad speech or something.

Pax kicks the Abomination's ass.

The Abomination becomes good, or otherwise decides being the Jackal sucks, actually

Lilath dies for real. Painfully. But definitively.

Atlas is the big bad; a blind spot even in the Jackal's plans.

Virginia and Victra save Sevro.

Darrow and Cassius save Sevro.

Sevro is brainwashed by the Jackal and Virginia has to fix him.

Sevro learns what happened to Ulysses. Pierce Brown writes this scene in such a profoundly sad way, the entire the fandom dies instantly.

Darrow and Sevro have a heart to heart.

The Darrow/Sevro/Cassius trio do something epic again, like they did when they stole the Minerva standard in the first book. I am starving for these three.

Cassius is jealous of Darrow/Sevro. I think that would be very funny.

Virginia and Victra bash sisters moment.

Virginia and Victra actually become friends, not friends by virtue of their husbands being best friends.

Mars becomes the capital of the Republic under Virginia.

PsychoSpike tech comes back in a big way, as either a boon or a detriment to the Republic.

Victra is called on by Volga and Lyria to fulfill her promise to aid them whenever they need it.

Darrow and/or Victra will face (or at least be threatened with) consequences for the destruction of the Docks of Ganymede.

Eagle Rest becomes a campus to teach lowcolors important life skills they might lack, following what Sefi was doing for Obsidians, but expanding the idea.

Rhea is resurrected and becomes habitable again; possibly a new home for the Obsidian, depending on how the Rim ends up.

Diomedes joins the Republic/Darrow.

Diomedes is captured by Darrow's crew and comes to an understanding with them while in captivity.

Diomedes discovers Atlas' plans, which include destroying the Rim, which motivates him to join Darrow.

Diomedes becomes Sovereign of the Rim.

Aurae joins the Republic/Darrow with Diomedes. Alternatively, Aurae is revealed to be a Sons of Ares agent, perhaps one of the survivors of the SOA purge in the Rim.

In Iron Gold, Aurae played music during the dinner scene. So my predication is, if she joins Darrow's crew, she will entertain them with music. idk I just think that would be a nice moment.

Diomedes is confirmed to love Aurae (beyond Lysander assuming so for a brief sentence), or at least this is expanded on in some way.

Apollonius tries to duel Diomedes but the latter is Not Interested in a moment of comedy.

Reaperstang reunion??? Please???

We see more of the Raa family, and get to know established members better. Vela, Gaia, Diomedes' remaining siblings, etc.

Virginia, Diomedes, and Volga become a Triumvirate, ruling over Republic, Rim, and Obsidian factions respectfully, in a peaceful political alliance, rather than warring to get everyone under the same empire banner again.

Big damn Reaperstang reunion kiss.

At the end of it all, somehow Darrow's banishment is the only way to maintain peace.

Darrow is believed to be dead throughout Light Bringer, until an epic reveal at the very end. This miraculous second resurrection is why he is the Red God.

Darrow lives. He lives and he is happy. (Shh I know there is another book coming, let me have this.)

#surely by throwing this many darts some of them will be on target #light bringer #red rising #pierce brown #my post

31 notes · View notes

sarahnotjmaas · 9 months

Text

Kingdom of Ash

Struggling to get into this one

Awww Rowan and aelins babies

This book feels like all my sweet babies are grown up 😭

Omfg is Yrene pregnant?? Is this the book they all have babies? Idk if I’m gonna like that

Dorian is gonna learn how to shift!! Wait last fall? This all happened so fast! 8 books of drama in like two years?? Jesus

I’m 100 pages in and needing more!! The last two books ended with so much action to be had it feels like nothing is happening!

Okay Manon is looking for a way to connect with the Cochran and her great grandma literally told her ‘we got our fire cuz Brannon GALATHYNIYS gave it to our queen your great great great great great grandma’ and you’re literally allied with Aelin Galathynius….. I read that and said ‘whoop there it is’

Yay Aelin is back!! Taking her scars is FUCCKKKED

I have been slacking on note taking but I’m like 400 pages in now and Aelin and Yrene finally met!!!!! I’m so ready for Aelin to start kicking ass again!

Oh and I hope Lysandra is okay….

So many story lines finally coming together!

Queen of witches🥹

Okay I’m getting sick of Aelin not using her power!! People are DYING Aelin! Get it together miss ma’am

When is it gonna be revealed that Elide had dope powers? I know it’s gonna happen

Okay Elide your man just got cut down, now would be the time to be a powerful badass

What a stupid reason for Aelin to not be using her powers. You’re literally at war lol

Manon and Dorian always get me!!! Ugh she loves him and just wants him to stay and not sacrifice himself!! Me toooooo!!

Forget any bad thing I’ve ever said about Elide and Lorcan, they’re precious 😭😭😭

Why doesn’t Yrene use the tower to cure all the valg

Don’t ask me why I go over huge plot points and don’t feel the need to document my emotions but Lorcan gives Elide a foot rub and I’m 😯🤭📝✍️ But seriously me too girl, a man giving you a foot rub is sensual as hell iykyk lol

The way that could’ve been so hot and SJM just blue balls the shit out of the reader. It’s fine I’m fine. She just got my heart racing just to go into one of Aelin’s fucked up nightmares 👍🏻 cool cool cool

Aelin and Dorian have all 3 word keys…

No one has died yet and I don’t want anyone to!!! I’m so scared I have 250 pages left, I know what feelings are coming for me I just don’t know why yet wait did Dorian learn how to use portals from Maeve!?!? Could he transport the army. My boy is the most powerful mf in the books

Not Abraxos. Bitch I’ll throw this book out the window. PETRAH!!!!! Bitch that was So badass fuck Iskra

Wtf!!!!! The entire 13!?!? No I fucking can’t wtf!!! Seriously what the fuck

Waaaahh😭Dorian and Chaol

They’re not wasting time on a vote… really?

I’m hyperventilating reading this unfold. Please don’t kill Dorian or Aelin for this stupid gate

‘My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius and I will not be afraid’ WAAAAAAHH 😭

The king saving Dorian and telling Aelin her parents are proud 🥲 I’m not ok

Snow capped mountains under shining stars. Where A winged Fae male stood beside a heavily pregnant female, gazing at those very stars. 👀👀👀👀

Wow Rhys saved her

Chapter 100 wow I’m so proud of myself

So quick recap: Stones are gone no longer in play and gate is shut meaning erawan can’t ever return to his brothers of bring them to him. BUT he and maeve are still strong scary muthafuckas who have like 100k soldiers a bunch of witches and 6 spider fuckers cool 👍🏻

Oh no Murtaugh

It’s about time Lysandra and Aedion! You’ve literally lived eachother for like 4 books now

Aelin has missed her entire war. It’s literally her war on her land and she’s been absent for like all of it.. I’m glad she saved Anielle but her own home needed her weeks ago

Darrow naming Evangeline his heir got me all teary eyed and shit

Omfg Gavriel!!!! No no no why do I even read SJM books they just hurt me

All the battle scenes are so bleak, they’re getting smeared in this war!! I don’t see how they’re going to pull through tbh I’m waiting for a big Aelin scheme but idk if I can take another 100+ pages of them getting they butts whooped

Ugh ‘And she will not be afraid’ that’s gonna stick with me forever

I’m so close! They did it! Chaols reading a letter from his mom and his wife literally saved the world 😭

I’m unwell.

#i did it #sarah j maas #celaena sardothien #throne of glass #sjm #heir of fire #aelin galythinius #dorian havilliard #chaol westfall #rowan whitethorn #sjm books #yrene westfall #erawan #Maeve #kingdom of ash #abraxos #manorian #manon blackbeak #manon crochan

10 notes · View notes

pearblossommina · 11 months

Text

Last night I finished Kingdom of Ash (🥳)

I had a physical copy, but for a good portion of this read, I was reading an ebook I checked out from the library. Unfortunately, too many people were waiting for this book, and Libby automatically returned it when I only had about 30% left, so I had to lug around my gigantic dictionary-sized copy with me everywhere to finish. (😵‍💫)

I apologize for doing a bad job of taking notes, i literally stopped doing it about 20 chapters before the end, but if you’re interested, here’s some raw thoughts up until that point.

IT WAS QUITE THE JOURNEY.

And what a fulfilling end to an epic series!

ToG Read-A-Long, Kingdom of Ash, Day 11

Ch 79

I think Yrene and Elide are so compatible as friends, I like this combination actually. I definitely want to see Yrene work her miracle magic on Elide’s leg. Yes, girl! Get healed! Form new bonds and friendships!

Ch 80

Lol, Elide’s uncle is such a piece of shit. I love how rutheless Aelin is. She’s the best. And true to her word!

It’s all starting to come together. This fear, this hype, the whole adventure coming to its final conclusion. I’m very excited for when Dorian shows up like a total badass with all three wyrdkeys. I’m very excited for the demolition of Erawan, and maybe Maeve too if Aelin can find it in her.

Let’s go. Let’s win the war against evil, and save the whole world.

Ch 81

The scene with Evangeline and Aedion and Lysandra is so cute. My heart! Aw.

Um, I also really like Darrow; lmao, he’s such a shitty person but he’s not evil, he’s just a jerk.

and hell yeah

Hell yeah, Manon is here, to honor a promise made to a friend

Hell yeah, queen of the Corchan’s

Hell yeah, let’s kick some ass

Ch 82

“Freedom - freedom from the Matrons who had forged them into tools of destruction.”

I would have liked to see Manon take over ALL the witch legions, the crochans and the Ironteeth both, but if they won’t follow her, then they have to die. This is war! And we’re gonna win!

For a better world!

Aedion and Lysandra are finally declaring that they love each other. It’s about time for those two. No one’s ever asked Lysandra permission to kiss her before? Girl, my poor heart. You should let him, Lysandra! Just go for it! Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy something consensual at least once before you die?

Ch 83

Dorian you’re so sweet, aw.

I don’t want anyone to die!

I want to find another way. Why can’t we just be Elena, and seal Erawan away without dying to forge the lock?

I know it supposedly pisses off the gods - but - I can’t stand these gods - I’m pissed off that everyone’s talking about dying all the time

I’m sick of sacrifice

I just want to be happy

And I just want the characters to be happy, too

Ch 84

Building to another battle

Lysandra’s up to something fishy (har har)

Day 12

Ch 85

Right into it

It does make me sorry to see Manon killing Ironteeth witches. But not everyone can be saved. This is war.

Lysandra is a dragon again

Love her

Aedion is fighting the good fight! Love him.

Ch 86

Um!

Is Ren okay!

Aedion got knocked out - by something - but is Ren okay?

I think I said before how much I love Evangeline. It’s good to have diversity of characters, and someone like her, who is a literal child, getting to have perspective on some of these big moments, it makes the world so much richer.

I also like Darrow for part of the same reason - even though he’s extremely unlikeable, personality wise.

The combination of Darrow and Evangeline isn’t something I knew I needed, but I actually like it a lot.

Aedion will be alright, honey. We have to have faith.

Ch 87

Elorcan my whole heart!!!!

Do I hate the fade to black? Yes, actually, how dare you SJM, she worked so hard for this virginity loss moment, how dare you cut away!

I wanna be in there, I want to feel my heart fill up with feelings while Elide gets to experience sex for the first time and learn how good it feels!

Boo

Aelin having nightmares, boo

I love Rowaelin, tattoo me up, baby, let’s be lovers forever.

And yay!!!

Dorian’s finally back!!!!

We’re all together now, the happy ending is at hand, we can get there, I KNOW we can get there, it’s not far now!

Ch 88

I told you Aedion was gonna be alright. 🥰

It’s the kind of fight that just keeps going - but don’t worry friends. Aelin and Dorian are on their way, and it’s gonna be amazing.

Abraxos is gonna be just fine.

Ch 89

Manon bared her teeth. “I am.” She pointed at the shape-shifter. “You can carry me.”

Aedion snarled, “No.”

But Lysandra shook her head, sorrow and despair in her green eyes. “I can’t - the magic is drained. If I had an hour -“

Am I the only one hoping for Dorian-as-a-wyvern to dramatically turn up and give Manon a ride to the witch tower?

Omfg Asterin

All of them?

I want you to live, too.

Don’t do this to me

Ch 90

NO this is the WORST

Manon :(

Ch 91

YAY

DORIAN AND CHAOL, TOGETHER AGAIN AT LAST

That flicker of sorrow in Dorian’s eyes, when Chaol introduced him to his wife, I know it was probably just brotherly sorrow that he couldn’t be there for the wedding day, but I absolutely believe he was sorry that Chaol is off the market and he’ll never get his chance to make out with him now.

(I’m going down with this ship, toot toot, Dorian x Chaol, sinking beneath the surface)

Why! Why do we have to die! It’s so dumb!

I don’t want either of you to do it. I vote, we anger the gods, and do what we want, and live long happy lives and fall deeper and deeper in love. I vote we die of natural causes, at the ripe old age of 200 or whatever.

Ch 92

The issue of dying in place of your friends is so selfish. I especially love Rowan right now for fighting to keep Aelin’s heart beating.

She wouldn’t let him die to save her, so what makes her sacrifice any better?

I like the idea of both Aelin and Dorian giving “half” of themselves. Maybe they’ll only die a little bit. Only mostly dead, like in The Princess Bride. And what could be a better reason for living than true love!

Day 13

Ch 93

Ok you are kidding me

This is nuts

They’re gonna come back, right?

Right?

Ch 94

I’m sorry but I actually laughed out loud when no one knew Dorian’s dad’s name

#tog read along 2023 #kingdom of ash #Maddy plays catch up #this book!!!!!!#i’m so sad it’s ending #what am I gonna do with my free time now

14 notes · View notes

385bookreviews · 3 months

Text

1.72.6 Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas

SPOILERS

Pages: 689

Time Read: 11 hours and 22 minutes

Overall Rating: ★★★★★ Storyline: ★★★★★ Dialogue: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★★★★

Genre: YA Fantasy

TWs for the book: Violence, blood, war, s*xual content, torture, death, murder, injury, gore, fire, grief, physical abuse, confinement, vomit, kidnapping, body horror, slavery, death of a parent, emotional abuse, abandonment, child death, cursing, misogyny/sexism, colonization, genocide, toxic relationship, ableism, animal cruelty, animal death, s*xual assault/r*pe (not on page), discussions of pregnancy, gaslighting, classism, panic attacks, su*c*dal thoughts, su*c*de attempt

POV: Third Person

Time Period/Location: Terrasen, Adarlan, Skull's Bay, and Eyllwe on the fictional continent of Erilea

First Line: Elide Lochan's breath scorched her throat with every gasping inhale as she limped up the steep forest hill.

Aelin, Aedion, Rowan, Lysandra, Fleetfoot, and Evangeline have finally arrived in Terrasen after a week or two of travel from Adarlan. She arranges a meeting with Lord Darrow, Lord Murtaugh, and Murtaugh's grandson, Ren. They are supposed to meet them in the woods, but the lords demand they come to an inn. When they arrive, Ren and Murtaugh, responsible for Chaol's kidnapping in Crown of Midnight, are shocked to learn that Aelin is Celaena. Lord Darrow is harsh and judgemental, and gives her a decree signed by all of the lords of Terrasen saying she is only a princess and that she is not to be queen unless they see fit. She is discouraged, but as they are leaving the inn, they receive news that the witches are flying to sack Rifthold. She sends Rowan to fly back to rescue Dorian, gives Evangeline and Fleetfoot to Lord Murtaugh to look after, and her, Aedion, and Lysandra make their way to Ilium, a port city in Terrasen that used to be ruled by fierce pirates called the Mycenians.

Meanwhile, Elide travels through the woods on her own to try and get to Terrasen, forging for berries and drinking from streams. She realizes she is being followed. Lorcan senses the Wyrdkey she carries and follows her around, thinking she is Valg. He realizes she is not when she is suddenly hunted down by ilken, terrifying eight foot beasts that were bred by Erawan. Lorcan kills three and Elide evades another, and they manage to make it away. They make a deal to travel together, Lorcan offering protection for Elide's knowledge of Morath. Pretending to be married they join up with a traveling circus to get past the Adarlanian soldiers guarding the river.

At Morath, Erawan reveals his true form, no longer masquerading as Duke Perrington. He orders Manon and the Thirteen, along with Yellowlegs witches led by Iskra, to sack Rifthold. Manon tries to get there before the Yellowlegs, but arrives right as Dorian is about to be attacked by a member of Iskra's coven. Manon kills her, and tells Dorian to flee. Rowan arrives and kills four more witches and tries to kill Manon until Dorian stops him. Rowan and Dorian escape and head for Skull's Bay, and Iskra accuses Manon of being a witch killer. She lies and says that the sentinel attacked her first, but Iskra doesn't believe her and runs back to Morath. When Manon arrives, she is put on trial. The Matrons ultimately decide that while Manon will live, Asterin must be brutally put to death. At the execution, Manon asks for the right to kill her, but she instead swings her sword at her grandmother. The Thirteen flee, and the Matron reveals that Manon is the last Crochan Queen, her father being a Crochan Prince and her mother being an Ironteeth witch, and that her she killed both of them upon discovering the truth. Manon takes a near fatal wound to the stomach, and then drops off the cliff and is caught by Abraxos. She manages to kill the witches that chase her, and then passes out and wakes up in Oakwald Forest. She is attacked by a shapeshifter turned monster by Erawan, calling itself a Bloodhound, and she escapes again and tells Abraxos to take her somewhere safe.

Aelin, Aedion, and Lysandra arrive in Ilium to find it occupied by Adarlanian soldiers, the temple there being used as their barracks. She makes a dramatic appearance, giving some of the soldiers the chance to flee, and then the three of them kill the rest. They go to the temple and Aelin meets with King Brannon's ghost. He tells her to go to the Stone Marshes of Eyllwe to find a Lock that can bind the Wyrdkeys back to the Wyrdgate. The trio are then attacked by Erawan, possessing the body of the Chief Overseer of Endovier that tortured Aelin. She manages to kill him, but not after being taunted by Erawan. They then sail for Skull's Bay.

Dorian and Rowan arrive in Skull's Bay two weeks before the rest of their companions. Upon arriving, they go to meet with Rolfe, who insists upon staying neutral, but also find Gavriel and Fenrys in his company. They say that they were sent by Maeve to hunt and kill Lorcan. Rowan bargains that he will tell them where Lorcan is so long as they help them until then. They hesitate but Rowan tells Gavriel that he has a son, and so they agree. Rowan begins to train Dorian in magic. After two weeks, they go again to meet with Rolfe, and find Aelin, once again acting as Celaena, in his office. She then reveals that she is Aelin, and tries to bargain with Rolfe to get him on her side. He is angry and refuses. After some scheming, Aelin comes up with a plan and sends out a ripple of power that the Valg in the Dead Islands detect. They come with ships and sea-wyverns to attack Skull's Bay. Aelin offers her and her courts' help in exchange for Rolfe's allegiance and him gathering the remaining Mycenians to fight for her. She also says she will make him a lord of Terrasen and give his people back Ilium. He reluctantly agrees. Lysandra turns into a sea dragon and fulfills the Mycenian prophecy that once a sea dragon returns again, so shall the Mycenians. Aelin and Rowan combine their powers to wipe out the Valg ships, but Aelin wears the Wyrdkey, and is possessed by Deanna. Deanna gives them a riddle and tries to destroy Skull's Bay with her silver fire, but Rowan jumps in front of Aelin and she redirects her blow to the ships. She still ends up taking out most of Rolfe's ship, some of his men, and the entire Valg fleet save three boats. Lysandra takes out the two sea-wyverns, but is attacked by three more fully grown ones. She barely is able to kill them, with the help of Dorian and Aedion, and also sinks the remaining three ships. Aedion promises a wounded Lysandra that he is going to marry her one day. After the battle, Aelin then summons Elena, who tells her again that she needs to find the Lock.

Lorcan and Elide continue traveling together, but are attacked again by the ilken. At the next town over, their traveling companions sell them out to the Adarlanian guards, and they are forced to take a boat and flee. Lorcan discovers that Aelin has tricked him and he didn't actually have Wyrdkey this whole time, and he tells Elide that he will be bringing her to Aelin after all, and reveals that Aelin and Celaena are the same person. After a long ways of travel, they stop in another town, and Lorcan leaves Elide alone to buy clothes. Elide is attacked by ilken and her uncle Vernon, and they attempt to take her back to Morath. Thinking that Manon is dead and Lorcan has abandoned her, she attempts to kill herself, but Lorcan knocks her knife out of her hand and attacks. She and Lorcan kill the ilken, but her uncle Vernon escapes. Elide finally reveals what she is carrying with her, and Lorcan explains about the Wyrdkeys. They continue to head south to Eyllwe.

Aelin and her court travel on boats to the Stone Marshes to find the Lock. On the way, they see the coast of Eyllwe burning, and the townspeople blame Aelin for it. Abraxos finds their boat and they fetch an unconscious Manon out of the ocean and begin healing her wound. Once she is conscious, Dorian and Manon grow closer, and Aelin attacks Manon for leaving Elide alone in Oakwald Forest. Aelin makes a connection between something Fenrys said and Baba Yellowlegs' prophecy, and throws up. Rowan wants to know what's wrong but she only talks to Lysandra about it. Dorian advocates for Manon's freedom on the ship, and when they go to release her, they are attacked by a Bloodhound pretending to be Fenrys. She tells Manon that Asterin and her Thirteen are dead, and then Dorian kills her. The ship is attacked by ilken, and they fight them off, Manon assisting. They worry as Erawan now knows their location. They eventually make it to the Stone Marshes. Manon sends Abraxos to lie low and the court makes its way into the marshes. After three days of travel, they find the temple containing a chest that supposedly holds the Lock. Just then they begin to feel a magical warning signal from Lorcan, who, along with Elide, has noticed an army of 500 flying ilken heading straight towards them. They set up a trap, but Aelin obliterates them with her flame, and the others pick off the rest. When Lorcan comes into sight, Fenrys and Gavriel immediately attack him. Elide jumps in front of Lorcan, causing Fenrys to accidentally wound her arm. Gavriel heals her, and then Rowan declares that Lorcan and Elide are under their royal protection, which delays the blood oath command for them to kill him. Elide has a tearful reunion with Aedion, Aelin, and Manon, and she offers Aelin the second Wyrdkey. They then go back to the temple to open the chest, and find not a Lock but a witch mirror. They carry it back through the Marshes to the beach, and encounter a hooded woman with soldiers at her back. Everyone goes on alert, and Lorcan sends out a pulse of power to signal Maeve to come so that way Elide will be saved if there is trouble. Aelin goes down to talk with the stranger, who reveals herself to be Ansel of Briarcliff, Queen of the Western Wastes, Aelin's old friend turned enemy from when she trained with the Silent Assassins of the Red Desert. Ansel owed Aelin a life debt, and she gathered her forces and conquered Melisande, taking it away from Erawan's control, all for Aelin. They ready to leave for Terrasen, but are cornered by Maeve's armada.

They give them a day to decide whether to surrender or fight. That night, Rowan flies to all of the ships in Maeve's armada bearing the Whitethorn crest and begs them to switch sides. A few hours before the dawn of the day of the battle, Dorian solves Deanna's riddle and the mystery of the witch mirror. Aelin and Manon join hands and step into the mirror. Aedion is enraged at Dorian for suggesting such a thing, and Rowan is left to command the fleet against Maeve.

Inside the mirror, Manon and Aelin are shown what really happened when Elena and Gavin fought Erawan all those years ago. Elena stole the Eye of Elena, the true Lock, from her father Brannon and used it to seal Erawan in a tomb. The gods then appear before her, angry at her for using the Lock. Brannon had made a deal with them to use the Lock to send the gods back to their home world, and they would take Erawan with them. But by wasting all of the Lock's power on Erawan's tomb, Elena ruined their chance and doomed her own bloodline. The gods tell her that her bloodline will pay the price she couldn't and ultimately one would have to give their own life to reforge the Lock and seal away the keys, sending the gods and the Valg out of the world. She agrees, and agrees to set clues and hints for that future descendant to help lead them into doing it. They are then shown Nehemia coming to the Stone Marshes, thinking the prophecies and clues were for her. Elena appears before her and tells her that it must either be Dorian or Aelin that does it, and that Nehemia must help by going to Rifthold and preparing one or both of them, but that she will forfeit her own life in doing so. Nehemia agrees. Aelin is enraged at Elena even though she had already figured out that she would have to die to reseal the Wyrdkeys. Elena shows her what really happened the night her parents were killed and she fell in the river. She almost drowned but was pulled out by Elena put in a physical form by the gods. Aelin died from the cold but Elena revived her, and the gods told Elena to take Aelin then, as a child, to reforge the Lock. But Elena wanted Aelin to at least have a chance to live her life before she died and instead compelled Arobynn Hamel to come and find her. The gods were angry with her for this and as her punishment Elena cannot enter the afterlife and she will simply cease to exist the moment the keys are put back.

The battle between the courts' forces and Maeve's wages on. Lysandra is able to take out some boats in sea dragon form, but against Fae warriors they are ultimately losing. But then the Whitethorn ships turn on Maeve's armada and begin assisting them. Abraxos flies back with the Thirteen, ultimately turning the tide of the battle and causing the remaining force to flee.

Manon and Aelin are sucked out of the mirror and teleported to the beach where Elide had been sent by Lorcan for safety. Her guards are all dead, and Maeve has her held prisoner. She cuts Gavriel off from the blood oath, and reveals Lorcan's betrayal, as well as how Aelin walked perfectly into her years long schemes. She also reveals that Rowan is her mate, and that she used her magic to trick him into thinking Lyria was his mate, and then had her killed in order to get him to take the blood oath. She then demands that Aelin surrender or Elide will be tortured. Aelin surrenders, and Cairn whips her brutally. They seal her into an iron box and sail away, right before Rowan, Aedion, Dorian, Lysandra, and the Thirteen arrive. Elide and Manon reveal everything to Rowan and the others, and Rowan reveals that they had a secret marriage, making him the King of Terrasen. Lysandra then reveals that she and Aelin already made a plan for her disappearance/death in which Lysandra would pretend to be Aelin for the rest of her life and Aedion would father her children so Terrasen would have heirs. Lorcan is immensely remorseful, and Elide and Aedion are enraged. Just then Ansel and Rowan's cousin Enda arrive, along with Galan Ashryver, Prince of Wendlyn, and all of his naval forces, and the Silent Assassins of the Red Desert. They realize that Aelin called in every life debt owed to her to raise an army, and Lysandra shifts to become her to maintain the ruse that she is still leading her own forces. Dorian leaves with Manon, Elide, and the Thirteen to find the Crochans, and Rowan, Lorcan, and Gavriel head off to begin the hunt for Aelin.

Aelin Ashryver Galathynius (Celaena Sardothien/Aelin of the Wildfire/Fireheart): Aelin has shown a lot of growth in this series, but we still get to see her mistakes. Even though she is learning to trust her court and delegate more, she still takes on a lot of secrets and schemes on her own, which leads to the attack from Maeve in the first place because Lorcan got scared for Elide and summoned her. While she accepts her role as the sacrificial lamb of her bloodline, we still see it scare her, and I'm glad she didn't just stoically accept her death.

Aedion Ashryver (The Wolf of the North): While I am personally not a huge fan of Aedion overall, Aelin and Lysandra's plan to use him to produce heirs was really messed up and he had every right to be angry with them about that. It also doesn't make sense because according to shapeshifter rules (Feyre's pregnancy in A Court of Silver Flames for example) if Lysandra and Rowan made kids while Lysandra was in Aelin's form, the kids would look like a mix of Rowan and Aelin, so Aedion is completely unnecessary. That would have really sucked for Rowan but getting him involved in that way wasn't even needed. The kids wouldn't even look like Lysandra's usual form either because Lysandra's form isn't how she was at birth and she can't go back to her original look because she doesn't remember.

Storyline: I once again loved seeing old characters come back into the fold and watching Aelin's schemes fall into place. Everything feels connected and purposeful and there are reasonable explanations for everything. Nothing is just left up to fate (looking at you House of Flame and Shadow) and things come together either by Maeve, Erawan, Aelin, or the gods' scheming and planning.

Representation: Aedion is bisexual, Rowan's cousin Enda is mentioned as being gay, and Lord Darrow was the former King of Terrasen's consort. Representation for POC is once again lacking. Elide is crippled due to her ankle being deformed from a break that was never healed.

Summary: This is my second favorite book in the Throne of Glass series, right after Queen of Shadow. All of the plot line were entertaining the whole time and everything is intentional and flawlessly comes together.

Quotes: "The world... will be saved and remade by the dreamers..."-Aelin (p.248) "I love you. There is no limit to what I can give to you, no time I need. Even when this world is a forgotten whisper of dust between the stars, I will love you."-Rowan (p.350) "It is not such a hard thing, is it--to die for your friends."-Dorian (p.594)

2 notes · View notes

darrowsrising · 1 year

Note

Been following this page for a while and I just wanted to say that I love it.

I also have a question. What makes you think Ajax is going to join the Rising? I was thinking about it last night and I thought it would make sense since he despises Lysander for what happened when they were kids and also for stealing his aunt away from him. But I feel like Ajax has been around Atalantia too long and that she would’ve warped his brain to fit her ideals. What would make him want to switch sides other than Lysander?

'Lo, Howler! Thank you very much, glad you like it and that you are reaching out.

I am not 100% sure it will happen, but I thin it's more possible than people generally assume.

Pierce Brown tends to use irony regarding paired characters. For example, Tactus would have joined the Rising, but Roque was an enemy, while the audience would have expected it to go the other way around.

Ajax and Diomedes are what I would call paired, in the sense that their connection, whether parallel or mirrored, would make their relationship interesting.

Ajax and Diomedes arw mirror images of each other both emotionally and physically. I honestly think that Pierce will use his skills as a writer and pull the very ironic, yet interesting act of Ajax joining the Rising. Specifically joining Darrow.

Ajax is not upset that Lysander 'stole his aunt'. He is upset Lysander stole his place. And he feels that his very life is threatened - the last person in Ajax's functions was Apollonius and look what they did to him. He has to be of use, he has to be worthy of existing and for a bit of time, he thought he did just that. Hence the very cocky and obnoxious attitude. It's survival of the fittest and he's not up to par anymore.

Ajax has never known love aside from Aja's and he's been bullied, abandoned, groomed and manipulated. He's suffering and he fears for his own life, he knows first hand what happens to him when he does not meet the standards imposed. And he still carries that trauma around.

Now, because Ajax is more preoccupied with his own preservation rather than 'doing his duty', he's a better candidate to join Darrow than Diomedes is. Ajax has no one to protect, he is not loved, he has a higher chance of learning to live for more than live for the dead.

Diomedes is steeped in his duty. It would be harder for him to change sides without hating himself. He also has a family, that does love him, to think about. His own self-preservation is bound to doing his duty - he does not want to die like Romulus.

Also, this is just a feeling, but Darrow could relate to Ajax more than to Diomedes. The anger, having a parent killed, feeling unworthy of/hard to love etc. I think Ajax could benefit from Darrow's guidence and love.

Diomedes could benefit more from Cassius' guidence - hopefully second time's the charm. Because their families and upbringing were very similar and their values as well.

But yeah, I think Ajax could form real bonds and learn to value and protect them and live for them instead of whatever make him feel like less of a failure.

I am not saying that it would be for the best of reasons though. Tactus would have joined for his own glory. But I think Ajax would have a better time joining and maybe eventually learn to ve there for the right reasons too.

Ajax and Diomedes are the lesser evils imo. And yes, compared to Lysander, I think both of them have a better chance of changing sides.

Howl on!

#red rising #light bringer speculation #ajax au grimmus raa #diomedes au raa #storm knight

13 notes · View notes