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Okay I can't sleep because I finished The Poppy War Trilogy half an hour ago and I can't stop thinking about it... I'm being as spoiler free as possible but take this as a minor spoiler warning for the tone(?) of the ending!

So this series didn't end where I wanted it to - the catharsis just wasn't there in the way I was expecting. I thought, from part 1 of book 1, that this series was going to end in an epic, Greek-style tragedy - rivalling the gut punches I've had from Robin Hobb. It didn't happen that way, at least not for me...

In some respects I think it's because I put SO MUCH into this ending, my expectations were high, especially after The Dragon Republic (now that was everything I'd been looking for at the end, I cried so much!) I'd seen so many people rave and breakdown over it, that in the end The Burning God just couldn't live up to it. No matter what the ending it wouldn't have been enough.

So, no I didn't cry. I just sat there feeling very drained, exhausted, and slightly sad. It was like, to use a slight pun, looking out at the ashes of everything I'd ever loved and not having anything left in me to care. There was a resolution but no catharsis. It wasn't apathy or indifference but neither was it an emotional turmoil.

Then I started thinking about it and R.F. Kuang is a genius. She didn't tell the world's most satisfying story, at least not for me (don't ask me what I wanted, I'm not sure, I'm also not a storyteller.) But she did capture the essence of history and the real stories we, as historians, deal with everyday.

History is not cathartic or satisfying, as most people know it's messy and frustrating. Narratives are cut short, things are lost, what we want very rarely happens and when it does it's not quite how we wanted it to play out. This is exactly what Kuang showed with her story. There is a resolution, it's still fiction after all (and one so linked to history I could extrapolate answers if I wanted to do the research...) But it's not quite the good old sob, bittersweet tragedy, or sheer emotional outpouring that I wanted and expected from the narrative conventions around similar stories. The ending isn't particularly neat. It's just done, tired and sad, drowning (got another one in 😉) in the weight of what happened.

Did I love it? Yes and no. The reader in me wanted the most satisfying ending - I wanted to cry. And I was left disappointed.

But the historian loved it. It's fucking genius.

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The Poppy War Pronunciation Guide

I saw a post recently that made me realize one of these would probably be helpful. But as my ability to pronounce Mandarin is awful, I will be using Google Translate as a resource lol. There are also several ways to pronounce a lot of these names, since Mandarin is a tonal language and we’re never told which character goes with each name. I list the possibilities of each character next to the links.

(I’ve only read the Poppy War and picked up Nezha’s siblings’ names from a tumblr post, so if there are more, just reply to this post and I’ll add it in!)

Also, tumblr sometimes chooses to block outside links from appearing in the tags, so…we’ll see how it goes.

A caveat: I can only offer pronunciation help based on the real Chinese names. I’m as much at a lost as the next person when it comes to the made up ones. Or the Mongol ones. Also, Japanese is pretty easy to pronounce so it is’t included here.

Fang Runin • Fāng (方, 坊) or Fáng (房). • In Cantonese, Fang is pronounced ‘Fong(1)’, the (1) indicating the tone.

Yin Nezha • Unlike when we say yin/yang in English, Yin is actually pronounced with a long ‘e’ rather than a short ‘i’ sound. Yìn (印), Yīn (阴, 殷), Yǐn (尹), Yín (訚) • Nézha (哪吒). Note that the pinyin in Google Translate is wrong but the pronunciation is correct lol…哪 can be pronounced nǎ in other words, but in this name it should be pronounced né (this ‘e’ sounds more like an ‘uh’ than an English ‘e’).

Nezha’s Siblings • Jinzha (金吒) • Mùzhā (木吒) • Mingzha (明吒). I used the ‘ming’ that means ‘bright’ since the Nezha from myth has only two siblings: Jinzha and Muzha.

Chen Kitay • Chén (陈, 臣, 谌).

Niang • Niáng (娘), Niàng (酿)

Jiang Ziya • Jiāng Ziyá (姜子牙). He was a real person.

Jun Loran • You don’t see Jun as a surname often, so I listed some possibilities. Jūn (君, 军, 均), Jùn (俊). • If we’re going off Chinese pronunciations, you can pronounced ‘ran’ like this. 

Su Daji • Sū Dájǐ (蘇妲己). She is based off the Daji from the myths, whose family was named Su (蘇).

Erlang Shen & Sanshengmu • Èrláng Shén (二郎神). A deity. • Sānshèngmǔ (三圣母). In myth, she is Erlang Shen’s sister and the Third Holy Mother of Mount Hua.

Lan • Lán (蓝, 兰). This was the name of Kitay’s servant/cook.

Han • Hán (韩), Hàn (翰). One of their classmates.

Baji • Bājǐ (巴戟). The character is based on Zhu Bajie from Journey to the West, so it’s not quite the same. 巴戟 is the name of a plant lol, I just used it as an example pronunciation.

Jima • Well, this name reminds me of Sima, but in Mandarin, Jima is the name of a type of insect called a thrip…So if you really want to hear a possible pronunciation of it, here: Jìmǎ (蓟马).

Sunzi, Mengzi, Zhuangzi • Sūnzi (孫子). More commonly written as Sun Tze in the West due to an old transliteration system, Sunzi is the pinyin form. • Mèngzǐ (孟子). Again, we know him as Mencius. • Zhuāngzi (莊子). These guys are all philosophers. These are their titles; their personal names were different.

Miscellaneous • Cike is cìkè (刺客) meaning ‘assassin’. • Yuelu Mountain is Yuèlù Shān (岳麓山) and it was a real school. • The Keju is Kējǔ (科举), the name for the imperial examinations irl as well.

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This reminds me of Cassian, Nesta, and Azriel

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ACOSF Thoughts

I’ve seen a lot of people tearing apart ACOSF, and — that is fine. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion on the media they consume, but for me… I felt like this book was written for me. 

Keep reading

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Taylor Alison Swift is the real life, human version of Aelin Ashryver Galathynius

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Me reading Throne of Glass: oh this is cute! a little competition between assassins! aww the prince likes her!

Me two books later:

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Here are a few sassy Rowan moments because that’s what we all really live for

You’re welcome.

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wanna know why Zoyalai is such a great ship?

because it wasn't meant to happen.

because these two characters are their own people. they've each got their own separate pasts, personalities, goals. they were not designed for each other.

usually in books, authors specifically create a character to perfectly round out the sharp edges of our mc. that's why we have stereotypical relationships. that's a great way to make a pair but it's unrealistic.

whereas Zoyalai was never intended to be a ship at all. zoya was just there to cause rifts between Alina and Mal. Nikolai was there to further Alina's plot and solve Ravka's political issues. Nikoali became the privateer prince, then the king of scars. Zoya was the squallor then the storm witch.

their growth had nothing to do with each other.

and then one day Leigh decided they could do well together.

and this is why Zoyalai is the best (and most realistic) pairing in all of ya.

thank you for coming to my ted talk.

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Best Zoya Nazyalensky Insults

This is for day one of @zoyanazyalenski‘s Zoya Week (day one (22.07): best insults). Yes, I know its a little late in the day: I was running errands today. I don’t have the programs to do edits so you’re all getting quote collections for the prompts I didn’t write fics for. I have fanfics for days two, five, six and seven, and they’ll be posted on my writing blog @emjenwrites. Hope you enjoy!

“Maybe you’re hungry,” said Zoya. “I always get mean when I’m hungry.” “Are you hungry all the time?” asked Harshaw. “You haven’t seen me mean. When you do, you’ll require a very big hanky.” He snorted. “To dry my tears?” “To staunch the bleeding.” –Zoya and Harshaw, Ruin and Rising

“We are the Triumvirate. We do not take orders from Kerch street rats with dubious haircuts.” –Zoya to Kaz, Crooked Kingdom

Zoya peered at the tiny bottle Genya handed her. It was fitted with a glass stopper. “Is this enough?” “More than enough,” said Genya. “Give him one drop immediately before sleep, a second if you have any trouble. Any more than that and there’s a good chance you’ll kill him.” “Good to know. Regicide isn’t on my list of preferred crimes.” Genya’s lips twitched into a smile. “You’re saying you’ve never wanted to kill Nikolai?” “Oh, I have. I just don’t want him to sleep through it.” –Zoya and Genya, King of Scars

“Are we calling it a presence now?” asked Nikolai. “I preferred ‘monster.’ Or ‘demon.’ Even ‘fiend’ has a nice ring.” […] “We can name it Maribel if it suits you,” Zoya said, pushing away her empty cup.” –Zoya and Nikolai, King of Scars

He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. “How is it I smell like goose shit and cheap whiskey and you smell like you just ran through a meadow of wildflowers?” “Ruthlessness.” He breathed in again. “What is that scent? It reminds me of something, but I can’t place what.” “The last child you tried to eat?” –Zoya and Nikolai, King of Scars

“Forgive me, Your Highness. But…a creature like this cannot be trusted.” “Pray go on,” said Zoya. “I’d like to see if an excess of irony can actually kill a man.” –Zoya and the Apparat, King of Scars

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Six of Crows / Crooked Kingdom plot described badly Six random people team up, leave the city for a job (it’s not called a “mission” Matthias!) and return as three couples. No sex, one funeral.

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QOTD: Can/do you read in different languages? AOTD: I can read in three languages(ish)😅 I can read in English, Mandarin and Spanish although the other two not as well 😂 I’m also learning Latin but I don’t think I will be reading Harry Potter in Latin any time soon😂 https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_NlH9g3OI/?igshid=8lachufdb6s0

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QOTD: do you collect/own collector editions? AOTD: I usually don’t but this clockwork angel one is so gorgeous and I love the art inside and it’s also my favourite book ever!!! (I really want to collect them but at the same time I also want to get new books😂) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC8npYoATPq/?igshid=9v5wha3d1w9c

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QOTD: Have you read any of the Grishaverse books? AOTD: I didn’t until recently and I’m now addicted!! I buddy read this series with @booksandteabreaks and honestly why did I wait so long?!?! I’m currently reading Six of Crows and it’s so so goooooood!! Idk why but I love the darkling😂 and also Nikolaiiiiii (he kinda reminds me of Magnus)❤️❤️ These wax melts are honestly so so pretty!! They are from @pageburnerscandles and omg they smell amazing!! These are from the limited edition inner circle wax melt boxes so make sure to get some before they’re sold out!! You can also use AVIRGOBOOKWORM10 to save 10% and honestly you get 30 wax melts for only £10?! Each wax melt lasts me over two weeks as well😂😂 https://www.instagram.com/p/CC6CunOgDud/?igshid=vf3io3syk2c7

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QOTD: favourite hate to love romance? AOTD: Jurdan Jurdan Jurdan Jurdan Jurdan Jurdan Jurdan Do I need to continue? 😂 I just love them so much and their dynamic and ahhhhhh (this page is ICONIC ok?) I’m so so soooooo excited for the Cardan Novella😍 I just love them too much💜💜💜💜💜💜💜(I know I already said this but ahhhhhhhh) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3dK_hgu_G/?igshid=47ewf1yeujoi

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QOTD: do you buy art prints? AOTD: not usually but I saw this and I just had to get it!!! It’s so pretty and I love Cinder and Kai so so much!! (Although personally Cresswell is probably my fav🙈) This mini candle is so adorable!! It smells amazing and is the best decoration for bookshelves! This is by @pageburnerscandles and they are honestly amazing!! You can now use AVIRGOBOOKWORM10 to save 10%!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CCyTwJvAGqc/?igshid=17l066ppyaxgm

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QOTD: who is your favourite LGBTQ+ ship? AOTD: I have too many! Mine is probably Malec, Alex and Henry, Achilles and Patroclus... ok they are my top three (and not in order because I love them all too much!!)😂😍 I’m so excited for the Lost book of the White omg😍 https://www.instagram.com/p/CCvvcxxAW42/?igshid=1d1s0nuqkcd43

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QOTD: Favourite Contemporary Romance? AOTD: so so many but how could I not say this? 👆 it’s honestly so so soooooooo good and I would recommend everyone to read it and just 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 One of my favourite reads of this year and honestly of all time - it 10000000000% deserves the hype!!! If you haven’t read it yet- please doooooo❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtK8engfzW/?igshid=1qw6xde6vsohn