If you like politically intriguing urban fantasy that centers around morally questionable characters with complicated pre-established relationships that find themselves in the middle of inter-clan conflict but still sticks together in the end because they are familyā¦ this is the book for you.
The Green Bone Saga is heavily political, brutal, intense, fight scenes that will give you a heart attackā¦ but also heart-warming, emotional, detail-oriented and sincere down to itās core. Itās as much about family as it is about everything else related to it. The most satisfyingly beautiful and painful conclusion I could have ever asked for. If you want something emotionally investing, I think it is an understatement to say that I highly recommend. My new favorite series of
![ā for those who love tender character dynamics amidst dark realities with artful world-building in fantasy books
[ my thoughts on Assassinās Apprentice by Robin Hobb ]
Hobb successfully captures the innocence, nostalgia, and wonder of childhood while simultaneously carving a well-realized and cleverly plotted story.
it took me a while to write my review for this one bc i was trying to pinpoint what made it so fascinating to me aside from Hobbās artful world-buildingā¦
i realized it was Fitzās relationship with every other character. Hobb manages to do something both addicting and bewildering with her character work. truthfully, i didnāt realize how invested i was in the character dynamics until the last page. by the end, i wanted to slow clap ā this isnāt a mystery but i was blindsided until the last moment and didnāt notice how much the characters outgrew my initial skepticism (for their motives)
the discussion on companionship, parenthood, and nuanced perspectives on family was insightful and done with a caring hand. something about relatively grim settings feels lighter if the character relationships are tender
from the material of the buildings to the fabric of their clothes, Hobbās writing is vibrant and almost bursting at the seamsā¦ but she rightfully holds back in order to not make this story feel like itās biting off more that it can chew. something that i think is very skillful to know as a writer. all these aspects combined makes the narrative flow seamlessly.
i have a feeling Royal Assassin is going to take me OUT. youāre in for a ride if u get emotionally attached.
do check trigger warnings because although i have a strong stomach for dark themes i have 1 weakness and that was apparent here. otherwise, if youāre used to adult fantasy themes, i donāt think this was depressing to the point i couldnāt keep reading. i needed happiness breaks bc i hadnāt yet figured out Hobbās point but after, iām having an easier time being in Fitzās head in Royal Assassin~](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/602252553_18077340809349188_8933238666382572758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=8U7dcKklOFQQ7kNvwEOsWmm&_nc_oc=AdlWYdmfcntXWbLQISZ0SyxNuojXYAvEUqy0ZNUZMDQLLxg0gTSpN9MBfwF478LiybE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_Afpe6_VDPEE23b3a7VHPx3MkKY6G013j6E1N-A8xIBMPrA&oe=695E54B2)
![in my mind, i am filleting some fish, cleaning a small hut, and sitting on a small boat on the waves of a small islandā¦ patiently waiting for them to come home.
[ my thoughts on The Trident and the Pearl by Sarah K.L. Wilson ]
I FEEL ALIVE!! the island atmosphere was so tangible and the character dynamics made me want to jump out of my skin šš¤ Sarah K.L. Wilson, i was not familiar with your game. this isnāt a greek myth retelling but itās definitely for those who like the yearning tension and high stakes those stories bring. i was hooked.
the atmosphere and setting was seamlessly interwoven. reminiscent of Poseidon x Amphitrite, highlighting the weight of responsibility and how people will believe whatās convenient to them. i underestimated how dark this was willing to go and how much it would explore systemic power imbalance, specifically, how those given power by its people should be in service of those same people. itās fantasy foundation was incredibly well-realized and insightful.
fast-paced and built on character motivations while still feeling like the author is comfortable letting their readers live in the moment. i usually feel that fantasy fully written in first person is limiting but i think this was very self aware. from the main charactersā inner monologue to the action sequences, the author understands what she wants readers to take. by the end, i think its the only way to write this book to keep the tension and mystery alive
the FMC understandably goes through a lot and the MMC never invalidates her emotions.
most importantly, however, is how much it was able to capture the oceanās nuance, something vast and encapsulating but also grounding. the authorās bio says she spends a lot of time in the āoutdoors of Northern Ontarioā with her family and it reads like it. only someone who spends a lot of time in nature with her loved ones can translate this much whimsical nostalgia of the ocean and outdoors into writing. and i say this as someone who lives in a tropical country.
iām already anticipating the next book and this isnāt even out yet #altheasreviews
*ARC sent by @littlebrownbookgroup_uk @orbitbooks_uk š¤ out Feb 24 2026](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/591172865_18076764986349188_7502689286111730884_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=FYlQhyy1Y4kQ7kNvwHiOMfl&_nc_oc=AdnhJfMrH50zl7md1CneT6SjPcPMEhfNDtk9MsGJE2oYL_RC_q2oseCn_ncgjfb_uaE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_Afr3XfRMuu5iTsc8xRLp243rfBYIeWOjLDGEbwloIix1rg&oe=695E6A62)
![a masterclass in character-focused narratives. on this hill, i stand.
[ my thoughts on gifted & talented by olivie blake ]
if you like nuanced character work built around a big event where context unfolds through flashbacks and character interactions, with unreliable narrators (like Daisy Jones and the Six) you should read this.
for a book tackling generational trauma and grief, this was the farthest thing from depressing.
THE DRAMA AND CHAOS was perfectly balanced with itās softer beats. when i opened the first page, i immediately understood what ppl were saying abt the writing style BUTā¦ the sharp-tongued and uninhibited chewy writing suits the tone. It made the softer moments sink deeper and stand out. i was crying and laughing within the same page.
if i read this with less years in me, i might not have loved it as much ā a lot of subtext would have gone over my head. luckily, it found the 20-something version of me that is more traumatized by life lol
additionally, the exploration of biracial identity and diaspora weaved into the narrative?? the fully bipoc cast with illustrations so that no one can deny it?? this is peak. i didnāt mind that it had little magic and i wouldnāt exactly read it for the fantasy but the intros to their powers were so creative. it also matches how traditional filipino culture looks at magic/myths
iāve seen criticism that āthe writing is too much. it does not need to be 500 pages.ā but respectfully, i DISAGREE. i sometimes think weāve lost the love for character-building and the ability to sit with characters and let the author build upon a point. a commentary on capitalism and how we fixate on specific pplās incapacity to love us the way we need them to ā but fail to see the other types of love around us or how we, ourselves, might be hindering our own happiness.
this is a new favorite of mine for itās nuance and self-awareness. itās chewy and explores nuanced perspectives on adulthood, parenthood, and friendship but never forgetting to remind me that olivie blake could be taking it more seriously when she drops the most beautiful lines and tender moments. she just chooses to be wonderfully unhinged š¤](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/588953534_18075912620349188_1257163679297382028_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=79O1RWtMeOIQ7kNvwH1MM3Q&_nc_oc=Adm-T-Qu2rE9l3fdWoG2EXG0Iu9IwVPV7uDUS7U6-FVWSiJSEr176J170dsNoFkHPfE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_Afq0bYSJ9aQN2Zv8WRt4IbHIp-5lU7AV80Xq6rYU4QlwzQ&oe=695E7693)
![i lived through 10 heart attacks by the time i finished
i didnāt expect Green Bone Saga and Poppy War level of historical inspiration and for these characters to be so addicting to read about ā my level of intrigue was ridiculous!
my current thoughts on The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon [authorās preferred text only]
this series is difficult to grasp from the outside bc u risk spoiling a lot and i think itās best to go in knowing little about the settings/plot. part of the fun is figuring out peopleās motives and who to trust with a sarcastic mc
TBS as a series is a more character and politically-focused fantasy, exploring fascism and trauma. i understand why those looking for a queernormative world that takes out intentional and unintentional misogyny would resonate with this
something about it is both weirdly comforting and traumatic. no wonder ppl keep rereading. the depictions of platonic and romantic relationships full of love but found amidst trauma were enticing and heart wrenchingā¦ one poke and i was going to pass out (in the best ways). it explores being faced with the realities of a system that benefits u and the complexities that come with that kind of implied loyalty without feeling like youāre losing yourself ā i didnāt expect itās strong social commentary on colonization and i was so fascinated with the tangible use of literature as propaganda
miss shannon is committed to her first person POV and you know what, i respect that. even if she has to be creative in depicting charactersā history. she has a vision ā i am seated and letting her cook. i do think u need to be prepared with the nature of the POV and wide range of clairvoyance, there are times when parts of the magic system are suddenly used at certain scenes which might be jarring if youāre used to multi or third person omniscient. i only really felt itās disadvantages later on though
itās biggest strengths are in itās character plays, deep exploration on trauma, exhilarating action, fueled tension, and how effectively samantha shannon makes u feel every single thing the mc feels
i think Dark Mirror ended in a good place for me to collect enough peace to last until 2027](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/581643222_18074387537349188_2938634542848569092_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=54Xeto5K1YQQ7kNvwHcmXtg&_nc_oc=AdlXNyo7lGG_itMZ0QDZWP5NZDgxTPIkQ679QmECH3MFYJNg2XUMm58hTzKipA9cbdY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_AfpSyZC3FN104DzFdIZWxqerDfXHeYdM21CFrnFBhM4_BQ&oe=695E7B22)
![i just finished watching frankenstein twice and i gotta say: adaptations donāt need to tell the same exact story
āāā
[short version of my thoughts on Guillermo Del Toroās Frankenstein vs Mary Shelleyās]
the beauty of classic literature is in its ever evolving interpretation, the tragedy of adaptations is in its inability to encapsulate every single one.
but does that even matter? any kind of adaptation that makes you curious enough to seek the original story or appreciate the heart and themes of the original work is successful in my books. if we lose the ability to sit with art, i feel like weāve lost the whole point. Del Toroās Frankenstein is vivid and a beautiful homage despite itās melodramatic beats. i loved that Del Toro highlighted generational trauma, the grotesque creation process, and the issue of resources & funding ā realistic problems given any time period. itās the best changes of the movie and the story is better for it. i do, however, think that Del Toro has depicted his own characterization. bc in the books, you donāt know who to root for between Victor and the Creature. but i appreciate that we now have this version of the creature thatās softer ā the movie would have been more palatable if the dialogue matched the narrating voice of Mary Shelleyās, something more whimsical
if you havenāt read it, you should pick up the book but i think thereās something poetic in Guillermo Del Toro ending a classic built on grey morality in something hopeful and soft while centering the simple human desire of wanting to be loved š¤
āāā
i was going to further detail my thoughts on but i feel like others have said what i wanted to say better than i can so hereās a slide compilation of some that reflect my own + i highly recommend checking out the analysis made by @culture_dumper and @liyalibrary ā they have been my favorite so far, backed by knowledge on the source material and discussing the true horror of Frankenstein: the subservient expectation for women in a patriarchal society
# sci fi fantasy bookstagram - fantasy hybrids](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/583069766_18074103911349188_1901862907037419115_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=sFbhOlO_HUoQ7kNvwG9Bzdd&_nc_oc=AdkCOGKgQP6sWbjUjz_REPNl5a5MvY8FP9GW5fPbzETw7qPJef5QXOL0mcoiIHAOIhE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_AfqW6mJC8XGLRNFT3uqzVi-wYQy5pYc9cQm0DalJTSCdDg&oe=695E5CB9)
![there is no one more disappointed than i am. (review + T. Kingfisher books ranking)
i actually think you can like this book if youāre in it for the character dynamics and romantic subplot.
āā
who would have thought we would be getting a medical student-like pov from one of the most unique mcs iāve read with the personality of Maomao from Apothecary Diaries in a subversive fairy-tale retellingā¦
but it would get lost among the non-existent mystery and flat prose in the second half. itās a tragedy that the in-court politics, medical ethics, and social commentary did not get the room to flourish when the foundation was already so well-established. this could have been a much stronger story than it is. i didnāt hate it and i thought the character dynamics would be enough for me but i just couldnāt overlook everything else. [ full review ā> ]
š: Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher ā #altheasreviews
~ have you read it?](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/579625623_18073916294349188_628196064893771864_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=hJZByvZ9UbAQ7kNvwHq58Md&_nc_oc=AdmUqTm7SEYnr3ajm1pgj8G_4ILNN4xBLVZHV_qky9JrR0WcevRzXzLxSRoST9W4Ibk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_AfrSE9gdzmz8y0R9_0On50OfVRGtUA360zxA4pojFdoT6A&oe=695E4CC5)
![ā finished 2 of my 10 before the end
[ some recent reads + manhwas ]
iāve committed myself to not posting monthly wrap ups this past few months because i find it too constricting and sometimes overwhelming, waiting at the end of the month while subconsciously competing with myself instead of reading for the sake of reading. nothing against those who make monthly wrap ups but not doing it takes away that little voice in my head whispering that i need to finish a certain amount of books within a certain period of time. itās freeing, with the nature of bookstagram, and i like to hope maybe someone out there is finding comfort in it too. i tell myself that the best parts of a story is all the pages in between and not just turning the last one.
my own little way of focusing on the quality of my reading
a long winded way of saying this is the style iāve found to look back on my reading without the self-inflicted pressure, yay ā i feel less like iām overwhelming myself and u, reading this
āā
books mentioned:
the honjin murders by seishi yokomizo
the book of disquiet by fernando pessoa
the decagon house murders by yukito ayatsuji
the mask falling by samantha shannon
the dawn chorus by samantha shannon
hemlock & silver by t. kingfisher
manhwas mentioned:
secret lady by banana & anngato
no office romance by dooboo & namsoo
ā
p.s. hemlock & silver was a lil tragic. i have the review ready for after this š iām currently watching GTDās Frankenstein and LOVING it](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/574759227_18073744112349188_4320755693706842639_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=J4onDRkm5JoQ7kNvwEX1ZGn&_nc_oc=AdnW3cUyBInAbBbBeH9q-jKHknRQev16QPuhhaBFvT4FU5xdU3W8QsqX_kfmEoLlrPk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_Afo8peGW-_uu6FTajkq8nPQz3uuTVguRgBbZGSG1o4ubqA&oe=695E740D)
![this series lost itās tension and character focus (imo)
my current thoughts on the stormlight archives by brandon sanderson (spoiler-free but note context)
[preface: i finished OB a few months ago and even though there were parts i liked, it felt like i was dragging my feet, i started a few chapters of book 4 but put it on hold]
one of my main gripes with OB and where i stopped in RoW is how i feel like characters i was invested in for the first 2 books have been sidelined. while i do love Kaladin, there are other central figures that have been built up that arenāt getting the chapters they should have at this height of the plot
moreover, the tension doesnāt feel proportional to the conflict. itās hard to internalize the danger and iām finding it to difficult to pull from my emotional bank during action scenes ā like iām just watching them go through the motions. the tension died down the more that POVs outside the kholinar family, kaladin, and shallan were added. i felt it most while reading OB but itās as if weāre being overstuffed with what to feel about the antagonists through chapter povs that donāt feel like theyāre adding much that we donāt already know from what has been established/implied in previous interactions and arcs. the more iām separated from the characters in books 1-2, the lower my investment, especially when i donāt feel the weight of the plot.
this isnāt necessarily about the length bc u can have a long and slow-paced book without losing focus on the plot and its characters... but i may be on the side that thinks some of these chapters donāt need to be as long as they are. i also think BranSanās use of in-world scholars to info dump tech functions is done a few too many times.
iām putting RoW on the backburner bc maybe i need to recaliberate what iām expecting from this series. it does seem like a lot of ppl loved RoW but iāve seen some who also favored WoR, rate RoW lower than OBā¦
while i do love these characters, life is short. Mistborn still has the crown.](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/571998250_18072388157349188_1836042811910489482_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=YPkhlDxfHX0Q7kNvwHNflcg&_nc_oc=Adl63oBspH_pw5BK2wbjTKIQ6X0fAcs_KP0SJiDp_noTBc1OtbMhahhTUdvwHzYGcPs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_AfoiKzzchv3V87ciOxcPiqteix6Wd1yD3opjMqcjLAXuOA&oe=695E5787)
![some recent reads ep. 2 + mini reviews
i donāt track my monthly reads (highly recommend) but itās that time of the year where i get the āso many books, so little timeā feeling but i like to remind myself it just means that iām excited to be reading the books i got
āā
favorite of the batch: [too hard]
ā¢ 4 out of 6 of these books are from the same two authors and the genres are too different so itās difficult to pick faves. one thing i appreciate in reading authorsā works back to back is seeing how their writing style and approach to the genre develops in between releases. i also realized that i actually do like mystery crime fiction, i may have just been reading the wrong kind of mystery books. iām currently reading The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo and iām liking it! it has more character development than uketsuās works for those who are looking for that.
p.s. i always debate putting my star ratings because itās so subjective and based on my style/preferences. i do end up still adding them since i think it helps ppl judge whether or not a book might be for them relative to my taste :>
books mentioned:
strange houses by uketsu
strange pictures by uketsu
thornhedge by t. kingfisher
the factory by hiroko oyamada
the song rising by samantha shannon
what moves the dead by t. kingfisher](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/568153060_18071617139349188_215219860620482587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=KCkMrVN4_zgQ7kNvwEduey8&_nc_oc=AdkE-8_CH31fxs6Zg5E6QtfydDStUztkUCCeDTis6EYS6ZxijD8xmyDDTo_5yfq3muI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_AfoqGhsKIUKUPKWJjeLw3DwfObeEaywSKB4N9xZ2d7XwbA&oe=695E4D99)
![bone season and itās portrayal of media & literature as propaganda ā a review
[note: i read the revised editions, the old editions are there since i already bought them heh]
in honor of the past banned book week: bone season series ā a dystopia inspired by greek myths highlighting the use of literature and media as propaganda while blending old to modern england aesthetic ā might be one of the most creative crossovers iāve seen
the series brims with tension and exhilarating moments but i wanted to spotlight how effectively samantha shannon depicts propaganda through in-world literature. you see how, when dressed up in flair and drama, propaganda is that more subtly persuasive and effective.
the layers of censorship is subtly done, shaping their current cultural ecosystem ā from music to art. all this is wrapped into a story full of tension and well-placed exhilarating moments. despite being caged in the middle of a crime syndicateā¦ the beats of warmth, the tender relationships, and dynamics between various characters make them so deeply addicting to read about.
samantha shannonās writing only gets better with every arc, and with it, my curiosity + investment on the overall lore and character motivations grows. iāve been told that it only gets more stressful from here and iāve already gone ballistic soā¦ i know iām doomed.
p.s. Arcturus should be on all those list of yearners!
#altheasreviews](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/565523100_18071040887349188_4928364282055757674_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=yHOuH4BDJMMQ7kNvwEXLcyK&_nc_oc=AdmmrnJUHAmdQILp_kcoqlKOTs4-NGe1RG0sli8drBqUsgACt9U2u3V1JiaizsQQXhk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_Afp55FIFt-KypNdRkHCd32_TGuE9zA1WIbUYzTmN8OzBvA&oe=695E7B5B)
![ā thereās no stronger bond than a girl and the 14-book series that got her out of a reading slump (it wasnāt really a slump i was just busy)
[ A WHEEL OF TIME CHAT: no spoilers ]
the reason weāve gathered here today is because i feel the need to tell people that one episode in season 3 of The Wheel of Time (iykyk ā the one with the harvest song) managed to rewrite my brain chemistry. i was really just there for funsies (s1-s2 wasnāt really the best) but it ended up dragging me through the dirt bc of how limp i was from my neurons not comprehending why i didnāt see it coming. i gotta give them credit where credit is due.
about the actual book: this isnāt my book review yet but i need to say that this might be the first book/series where i 100% agree with the criticisms and praises.
it it wordy? yes.
but is it immersive? also yes.
is there a lack of female characterization? yes.
but is there a point to it? also yes.
are there scenes that i think it could have done without? yes.
but am i hooked? also yes.
yes, i genuinely see why robert jordan is so loved for this series and also why he is criticized for certain parts of it. BUT I SEE THE VISION! I SEE THE LIGHT!! (lol)
after being so back and forth about starting it for years bc of the dedication needed, i donāt regret the time iāve allowed myself to be fully immersed and invested.
robert jordanās writing style is a lot more digestible than i thought. iām told it builds up well and i appreciate that i donāt need to stretch my brain too much. his writing style makes me feel iām lying at the back of a wagon, slowly getting pulled into the depths and weaves of the pattern of the wheel of time. slowly and surely.
this is a beginning.](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/531512122_18063989231349188_1572549592666384780_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=71JYpBJi040Q7kNvwGoa8gT&_nc_oc=Adm6oKyQZvEksRJzuH40a3g4WCtoRTp97tBuq382d9cIC3-VG07JGyVwxPfEDlws7S0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_AfqweKgIS_4S8jKYbIpKS-iP2p0EkUnpwaDCoL8fTMGFRw&oe=695E5415)
![thoughts on blood over bright haven by m.l. wang (spoiler-free review) šāļø + annotations
this is feminine rage that actually demonstrates the full arc of being faced with a system that is built against you, including the turmoil and crash outs that come with it
it explored the very real fact that when a system falls and fails, the people who suffer the most are the ones who have already been oppressed in the first place (i.e. the women + Kwen/minority)
I am convinced M.L. Wang has unlocked the formula to slicing out a part of a fantasy world within a much bigger world while feeling like all you need is right here ā the secret formula to writing Standalone Fantasy that is, in every sense of the word, complete. This is apparent in both Sword of Kaigen and Blood Over Bright Haven wherein you feel a story has begun before we started reading and there will be a story that continues on even after turning the last page. Itās very realistic in the sense that we know, in our own real life, how thereās so much to explore but we have a place right here thatās brimming with experiences and love. It made the characters and who they are relative to their setting feel that much more real
it exemplified systemic injustice to the dot. IN A STANDALONE FANTASY!!! It did in one binding what takes other series 3+ books to doā¦ sometimes not even that well
it also highlights a discussion on privilege and how we arenāt absolved from one kind of prejudice just because we experience another ā through complex characterizations through morally complicated characters that you also canāt help but get attached to š« *breathes*
I can scream and cry about this all day but really all i want is to relive this book and iām glad i took my sweet time reading. She was very clear with what she wanted out of this story and her ability to flush out incredible characterizations within limited settings and pages is incredible. If you havenāt already read it, this is required reading. Go read it right now. But if you want my opinion: take your time reading it as I did.
a customary: *chefās kiss*
[swipe for full review ā>]
5.0
#altheasreviews fantasy bookstagram](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/498698648_18054974867349188_2670736918283753105_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=jBm_wjYg7UgQ7kNvwGZPnQm&_nc_oc=AdmanulU8j6jnpMrvf3Hz0p0gZ0LIOoIIoQqXvqn1CDvE08zUncZgvtVi4Tv0fQjUio&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=qA3TWednRYr7LSXPGd3P5Q&oh=00_AfoFAteY2qKJhopql101kQVdhuCESavezMuIoRgZAs6epQ&oe=695E6040)
