#icarus on olympus map

[acecoffeccat]

Gaming content up on youtube.

[alliwanttodoiscollectpoetry]

Icarus, he advised,

heed the warning: don’t fly

too near the sun or sea;

stay the path.

But I mistook the sky for an iris,

and entered at the northern horizon,

where map edges blister,

and the compass wasps.

I was dutiful but unwooed

by chisel and bench, contracts

scribbled in fig sap, or watching

Ariadne ungold time.

What awe is there

in earthen labyrinths?

Wax molds itself sublime,

shapes wings each night.

Light refracts my name in

dialect only moths comprehend.

I belong elemental, where trees

chance to become constellations,

where the bar-headed goose flies

past with the heart of a clock and

Zeus is a silver kite tethered

to Olympus by harp strings

trembling an offering.

Of bliss? To remember

the why of it all.

Altitude

Airea D. Matthews

[chipm4b]

today's poem a day from poets.org

Altitude by Airea D. Matthews

Icarus, he advised, heed the warning: don’t fly too near the sun or sea; stay the path. But I mistook the sky for an iris, and entered at the northern horizon, where map edges blister, and the compass wasps. I was dutiful but unwooed by chisel and bench, contracts scribbled in fig sap, or watching Ariadne ungold time.              What awe is there in earthen labyrinths? Wax molds itself sublime, shapes wings each night. Light refracts my name in dialect only moths comprehend. I belong elemental, where trees chance to become constellations, where the bar-headed goose flies past with the heart of a clock and Zeus is a silver kite tethered to Olympus by harp strings trembling an offering.               Of bliss? To remember the why of it all. Bliss is a body absconding warp speed toward a dwarf star whispering, Unsee the beheld. My fall, well, yes, those depths matter less. What I learned by height— that’s the story.

[thesefevereddays]

Altitude

By Airea D. Matthews

Icarus, he advised,

heed the warning: don’t fly

too near the sun or sea;

stay the path.

But I mistook the sky for an iris,

and entered at the northern horizon,

where map edges blister,

and the compass wasps.

I was dutiful but unwooed

by chisel and bench, contracts

scribbled in fig sap, or watching

Ariadne ungold time.

What awe is there

in earthen labyrinths?

Wax molds itself sublime,

shapes wings each night.

Light refracts my name in

dialect only moths comprehend.

I belong elemental, where trees

chance to become constellations,

where the bar-headed goose flies

past with the heart of a clock and

Zeus is a silver kite tethered

to Olympus by harp strings

trembling an offering.

Of bliss? To remember

the why of it all.

Bliss is a body absconding

warp speed toward

a dwarf star whispering,

Unsee the beheld.

My fall, well, yes,

those depths matter less.

What I learned by height—

that’s the story.

[heloisedaphnebrightmore]

what are sone of your personal favourite romance books??? as in absolute favourite

No! No no no! You did not go there! You do realise this is a very biased list, right?! 😁 I don't mean biased because everyone has a different favourite, but because when we talk about romance as a genre, it means a different kind of book to everyone, still the genre is decided by publishers. Not only fantasy, contemporary, historical, and dark romance etc., but like one of my favourite romance books is not even romance! It's political fantasy with a romance subplot, still it belongs to romance, because for some unknown reason someone decided to market it like that.

Yes, Hot Keys, Bonnier Books ltd., I'm looking at you! 😅

Anyways, you asked, so you shall receive! 😁 Keep in mind, this is my personal opinion, they are not in order and my taste changes faster than you can blink, so I take no responsibility.

‘Heloise the book addict’ masterlist | Heloise’s map

Side note: I know I always add trigger warnings, but like I'm so damn tired, please check trigger warnings for yourselves this time here or here. I'm so sorry, but I honestly don't have the energy to go through them all.

So, let's begin;

The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black (The whole series which belongs to The Elfhame series by Holly Black, same world setting, different couple)

The Cruel Prince #1

The Lost Sisters #1.5

The Wicked King #2

The Queen of Nothing #3

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories #3.5

In January 2023 comes out the companion duology of The Folk of the Air series, The Stolen Heir duology, with its first book, The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame which will then be part to The Elfhame series.

I am a complete and utter simp for Cardan. You can tell me how you didn't enjoy the book, how the romance was barely there or how it was too political. Nah, don't care. I love politics, I study business after all. I love fantasy, and it was fantasy and more. Romance? Wasn't there? We all have a different expectation when it comes to romance. I'm a character and romance focused reader and it was still simp-worthy for me. Everyone can judge for themselves, but I am a sucker for Cardan and Jude even if I'm still slightly mad at Jude. 😅 However, objectively speaking, it is a political fantasy and should not be marketed as fantasy romance, but because it is, it's now on my list.

Electric Idol by Katee Robert (Book #2 of Dark Olympus series. Kind of a stand-alone, but the books are somewhat linked.)

Other books in the Dark Olympus series include;

Book #0.5: Stone Heart [Medusa and Calypso]

Book #1: Neon Gods [Hades and Persephone]

Book #1.5: Hades and Hades [Hades and Persephone; a Patreon short story]

Book #2: Electric Idol [Eros and Psyche]

Book #2.5: Zeus and Hera; a Patreon short story

Book #3: Wicked Beauty [Achilles and Patroclus and Helen]

Book #4: Radiant Sin [Apollo and Cassandra]

Book #5: Cruel Seduction [Aphrodite and Hephaestus and Adonis and Pandora]

Book #6: Untitled [Charon and Orpheus and Eurydice]

Book #7: Untitled [Minotaur and Ariadne]

Book #8: Untitled [Poseidon and Icarus]

Book #9: Untitled [Hera and Zeus]

Book #10: Untitled [Hermes and ?]

The series is contracted for 7 books as of now but Katee said even if something happens, all 10 books that have been promised will be published. I might add, she said it because fans are going crazy over Zeus and Hera. I'd also like to add that once Zeus and Hera's story is out, you bet it will be on my list because I've been a sucker for those two since the very first book!

I'm a sucker for Eros and Psyche's relationship. He is a simp for him, but they start off along the lines of "I should hate you, but f*ck it, I can't" and I am here for it. It is very spicy, like the plot is pretty much just there in the background, but the characters themselves, the banter, the chemistry, the witty remarks make up for plot that's lacking a bit. Many people started this book off as "meh" only to come out simping. It'll make you swoon if you let it. 😅

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (Stand-alone)

It was a funny, witty, enemies to lovers but also not, but also yes, with a lot of swoon-worthy moments. I love this book, it honestly makes my little heart swell. 😁 It's one of those little books that has a plot, but doesn't require you to use your brain much. Just a simple little read. I'm still mad about the conflict though, it made me quite pissed off. 😅

The Summer King Bundle by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Book #3.5-3.7 of A Wicked Trilogy, consists of 3 novellas: The Prince #3.5, The King #3.6 and The Queen #3.7)

Wicked #1

Torn #2

Brave #3

The Summer King Bundle: #3.5-3.7

The Prince #3.5

The King #3.6

The Queen #3.7

The Summer King bundle is basically a collection of 3 novellas that follow a different couple, though it is heavily connected to the series. I liked the Wicked Trilogy, it was a good read, but The Summer King Bundle stole my heart. Caden and Brighton are just so sweet together, they gave me cavities. It's full of drama, so not a sweet little paranormal fantasy romance, but I loved it.

A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas (The whole series except ACOFAS; I still can't get over that one scene, makes my stomach churn)

A Court of Thorns and Roses #1

A Court of Mist and Fury #2

A Court of Wings and Ruin #3

A Court of Frost and Starlight #3.5

A Court of Silver Flames #4

This whole series made me so immersed, I finished the books in 5 days. 5 days when I was hella busy. I was reading like a maniac and only so many books can do that to me. Although Azriel's book didn't come out yet, I'm such a simp, that SJM could literally write the worst book about him and that book would still be on this list.

And last, but not at all least, the person who introduced me to paranormal/fantasy romance books back when I was 14!

J.R. Ward (I'm a sucker for this woman's writing! I own almost all of her books, except 3. But no, it shouldn't be read under 16 😅)

Black Dagger Brotherhood series

Black Dagger Legacy series

Black Dagger Brotherhood Prison Camp series

The Lair of the Wolven series

Fallen Angels series

Though my absolute favourites are—

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood #2)

Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood 11)

Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy #2)

Blood Fury (Black Dagger Legacy #3)

She writes paranormal fantasy romance with male leads that make you swoon. She writes diverse characters, back stories, personalities and her whole writing is brilliant. I know I'm biased, but she is amazing! Each story is about a different couple, but the books are interconnected so they have to be read in a reading order which you can find here.

Well, that would be all for now. My brain is not functioning well. I hope you'll find something you like <3

[kelesaria]

I was on the Olympus map, and I found a gorgeous black argy and couldn’t resist. Once I got him home, I whistled at him to land and he went straight over to my other argies and landed right next to Icarus. I thought it was cute, then kind of just forgot about it.

Then I found a forest wyvern while getting the new argy some meat. I got tired of the wyvern (now named Spirit) flapping in circles over my head so I switched mounts. Once home, I whistled the argy to land, and this time he went from the opposite side of my yard, all the way over to the other birds, and landed right behind Icarus again, practically sitting on his tail. I am starting to really wonder about my birds now.

The fact that I named him Daedalus just makes it even better.

[jeremyhillary-boob-phd]

The Artist

We are the windmakers We are the outcasts and the Pathfinders who script our own Destinies into the blank Parchment maps our Teachers lay before us. We are the authors and the artists and The poets who read and write How far we would reach towards the moon. We are the Icarus who reached the sun and continued to fly, despite the wax Dripping down our bodies in beads of Determination. Like the sweat and the tears we create With a single brush stroke. We are the dynasty that sits on Olympus and watches our creation. We sing of love and truth and Lust for what we cannot have, Yet we pursue, and we soon Steal our wants away from those Who would abuse it. We spread our arms to the light as it basks us in a radiance undefined. Apollo plays the songs as his chorus of angels inspire our hands to Sculpt a new world birthed at The touch of our padded fingers. Our nails are filled with the soft clay Of children we have yet to raise into An adult that is capable of changing Beliefs. Our caliced minds throb when Faced with challenge, yet Through the spectrum of all that Can be found, we breathe our Last breath, giving a final Statement, of how we mark The world.

[kelesaria]

This has been a long painful weekend, but I finally get my delayed vacation starting tomorrow.  \o/

I was zoning out really bad when I got home from work, but when I finally woke up enough to play something, I got on Olympus (after a couple failed attempts at a new modded map that kept crashing). I now have a gorgeous courser, who is now my highest level horse on that map. 

After that I went exploring on my new argy girl, Athena, so she could get some levels and catch up to Icarus a bit. While I was out, I found one of the artifact caves and managed to get the artifact while getting hopelessly lost. Fortunately I have ‘flying in caves’ turned on, so I was able to get through on Athena, and she got quite a few levels along the way. I even found a sleeping megalosaurus (sp?), but it was glitched inside some of the tek rubble inside the cave ceiling.  :(

After I found my way out of the cave, I found myself a pretty sabertooth, and almost got a very pretty spino (but she attacked a stego and it killed her :( :( :( ). Then I took my therizino out for some berries and practically tripped over a level 20 female rex. After missing out on the spino, I didn’t want to miss this chance, so I ran my theri back (it was very close to my base) and got my new high-level horse. He kicked her unconscious very easily, and since she was a low level she tamed nice and fast. So now I have my first big carnivore on this map.  :D

Then I quit for the night cause it was almost 2 a.m. and I don’t want to sleep through too much of my first day of vacation. I’m gonna play with her some tomorrow though. :D