#silvertomes

[silvertomes]

Sweet Bean Paste

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Sweet Bean Paste Author: Durian Sukegawa Rating: 5 / 5

"People's lives never stay the same colour forever. There are times when the colour of life changes completely."

Sentaro spends his days in a tiny confectionary shop selling Dorayaki. Feeling he's failed in life, drinking too much and giving up his dream to become a writer, he lets the days pass aimlessly. Until an old woman, Tokue, shows up on his shop doorstep with a proposal. She will teach Sentaro how to make the best sweet bean paste for Dorayaki if he will allow her to work there. An unlikely friendship blossoms in this tale of love, loss and loneliness in contemporary Japan.

Parts of this book really resonated with me. Sentaro's pov during times when he was distressed and not in a good place was so hard hitting. And when Tokue understood his situation perfectly without judgement, I teared up. Well, I broke down several times during this book. It explores heavy topics, self-harm, depression and suicide. But these aren't without meaningful commentary.

Its main theme explored feelings everyone experiences at some point, pondering the meaning of life. Too often we're always trying to learn a new skill, adapt, contribute and meet expectations of a high-pressure society that's always seeking out something useful.

But for our own sake it can be good to find stability in our own minds, even if that seems useless to others. We often rarely take the time to stop and reflect. To just breathe. To not be so hard on ourselves. To raise our mental-health meter even if it means a day of just doing 'nothing'.

I loved this story and its memorable characters. The visual imagery and atmosphere. The hopeful message and interesting take on an age old question. I feel this book is important. A sweet and moving read I'd highly recommend.

TW: Suicidal thoughts, self-harm

[dr-acula121]

WIP Sunday (Actually posted on a Sunday for once)

Thank you @NW39, @strixamans, @arafel0194 and @shadoretheexporer for your mentions!!

I don't even know who else to tag in this from all the people who've mentioned me! Thank you!

I'm posting probably the least angsty snippet of my upcoming chapter 29 of Naturae Ferox. We're gatecrashing a ball babyyyy!

“Invitation?” Wyll, with his cloak flaring behind him like a midnight breeze, stepped forward. His mask glittered with a tapestry of amber jewels, and his posture radiated smug confidence. He produced a rolled parchment and unfurled it with a flick of his wrist - utterly blank. Fen winced. The guards frowned. “Are you ‘aving us on, mate?” But before either could object, Wyll stooped with a courtly bow. His voice slipped into something silken, warm as spiced wine, laced with magic. Fen felt the weave of enchantment hum low in the air. “Gentleman,” he said with a grin, “Please - surely you recognise nobility when you see it.” Wyll lifted the paper in front of them, and let the magic slip from his tongue like honey. The enchantment coiling invisibly into the guards’ minds as they stared at the blank page. Their eyes glazed, then lit with sudden recognition. “You are in the presence of Lord Galen of Silvertome, and Lady Fenelra of the Autumn Court - nobility of no small renown, despite their charming penchant for discretion.” He gestured grandly to Gale, whose mask gleamed like a silver crescent and to Fen who shrunk beneath the weight of the fantasy title. “Their court travels with them, naturally,” Wyll went on, voice dipped in honeyed grace. “Their retainer of war, the Blazing General of Broken Chains herself.” Karlach gave a low theatrical bow, flames briefly flickering over her shoulders in delight. “Their strategist, of most foreign and… focused disposition.” he passed with a sidelong glance to Lae’Zel, who stood rigid as ever, arms crossed, her scale-detailed mask glinting. “And of course,” he said, drawing it out as he turned towards the back of the group, “The Lady of Sorrows and Starless Waters. Rumoured by some to be the last scion of Selune’s twilight.” Shadowheart glared at him, with visible malice behind her opalescent mask. “She rarely deigns to speak,” he added, “but her silence is considered an omen of great favour.” The guards, utterly enraptured, nodded and stepped aside. “Right, o' course - o' course you’re expected. Apologies, m'lord. Right through, please” one said, holding open the thick velvet drapes as he did. Warmth flooded out from within like a breath from a beast - thick and perfumed. Music spilled after it, too fast, too sharp, gilded with strings and echoing laughter. Fen let out a breath she hasn’t known she was holding. As they crossed the threshold, the floor beneath them shifted from cold stone to marble veined with gold and crimson. Shadowheart brushed past Wyll with a shove. “If anyone calls me a scion tonight, I will shove this mask somewhere inventive, Wyll.” Wyll beamed in reply, “I got us in didn’t I?” “You were embellishing.” “I was adding gravitas.”

Absolutely no pressure tags for: @alwaysmauria, @roguishcat

And please please please go read all their amazing fics!

[kfroschauer]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: VERY PRETTY THIN SILVERTOME HOOP EARRINGS.

[art-essandro]

Silvertome (silverfish+tome)

The studious pokemon

Type: bug/psychic

Ability: swarm or compound eyes

Pokedex entry:

After receiving an old tome, lepiscroll evolves into a silvertome and develops psychic powers. It spends most of its time reading and increasing its powers but in spite of everything it remains very insecure, when it doesn't know what to do it seeks advice in its old book.

[hipsterbrigadier]

hmm....I have some campaign ideas in mind that would allow me to play Ulric Silvertome, my dwarf librarian/knowledge cleric again as well as Sir Emmerson Malek, my renown gnomish explorer.....I may have to set it in Eberron 

[silvertomes]

The Girl From London

BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Girl From London Author: Olivia Spooner Rating: 4 / 5

"That's what counts in this war. When you're brave, you can take whatever is thrown at you and pick yourself up again."

Ruth is a young teacher that volunteers to accompany child evacuees during World War II, from Britain to Australia and NZ. During the return trip German raiders attack the ship with survivors becoming prisoners of war. It is a harrowing experience that changes Ruth’s outlook forever.

With a dual timeline, her story unfolds in a book gifted to Hazel, a young woman travelling from NZ to London in 2005. On the plane ride over Hazel meets Joe, and the two strangers share the story in a curious parallel.

Seeing Ruth's growth, warming to the people around her during tough times was wholesome. Some of my favourites were the Polish stewards who, despite the language barrier, cared for the children on board as if they were their own. Also kiwi CORB volunteer Bobby who left a deep impression on Ruth's heart, and Fergus who helped to overcome her own personal trauma.

This was a touching story of love, hope and resilience during times of war. Learning about CORB and the ships that met unfortunate fates was eye-opening. Though parts were bleak it also gave an uplifting reminder to take each day as it comes and with gratitude. I feel it's a great holiday read especially for avid historical fiction fans.

[silvertomes]

Blood Orange

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Blood Orange Author: Karina Halle Rating: 3 / 5

"A love so deep that it transcends time. A love so strong it lasts beyond death."

Dahlia is a witch studying incognito as a music student in Venice. A role deliberately chosen to observe the target she's tasked with killing, Professor Valtu Aminoff. Getting close is the easy part but following through is difficult when he happens to be one of the most powerfully seductive, infamous vampires in history - Dracula. While Dahlia gets to know him she starts to feel a strange and dangerous familiarity as they are both slowly consumed by their mutual desires.

A dark romance novel that leans less toward gothic horror elements and more toward TW's this genre can potentially contain. Large amounts of sex, violence or bdsm vying for attention in place of plot. I don't think this genre is for me since I was keen for more plot progression and convincing character action, but I did enjoy the cute moments between this pairing.

I'm a bit conflicted on this one. Enjoyed the atmosphere of the book but the build up without payoff didn't make sense until the reveal that this was the first in a duology. Would definitely recommend this one though if you're a lover of dark romance.

TW: sex, violence, blood, bdsm, murder, non-con

[eru-wyrmrestaccord]

The Emergency Response Unit is recruiting!

Various flyers posted around Stormwind read as follows.

If you or someone you know is caring, motivated and willing to work in a fast-paced, friendly environment, the ERU is in need of medical personnel and brave individuals for our growing Fire & Rescue division!

The Emergency Response Unit is responsible for responding to medical emergencies across Stormwind through the guard dispatch channel. We are looking for those who are hard-working, determined and engaged in the mending field in either mundane or magical capacity. Contact Leah Hammond, Andrastyn Sundershade, Zeykn Silverwind, James Theran, Selintha Silvertome or Resadras Winterflower for details or to schedule an interview.

OOC Information: The ERU currently has spots available for recruitment in all divisions. Visit our careers page for more information on each. We require Discord for further communication IC and OOC out of game, and prefer members to be 18+ due to the content we handle in our RP and matters discussed in guild chat and Discord. Characters and RPers are not required to have prior experience in the medical field. See our staff for information on who to contact in-game, or send this blog an ask with any questions!

@the-royal-courier