asilentbytch

[asilentbytch]

Why don’t I understand Italian… I NEED THE ORIGINAL TEXT OF THE DIVINE COMEDY

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“It is is better to know one book intimately than a hundred superficially”

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“No softer, sweeter scene could be imagined.”

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“You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough “

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The hollow heroine

“You will be hollow. We shall squeeze you empty, and then we shall fill you with ourselves.”

Every new novel, I stop and think of one thing: I need the female lead to be strong, mighty, cold—but also loving—with an interesting and equally hot love interest, and of course, she must be of remarkable beauty…

SAID NO ONE EVER.

Let’s stop and start over. What defines a good character—especially the main character of a story? A "strong, empowering lead" is now just a checkbox for the publishing industry. A book without it won’t even be considered. They think giving her a tragic backstory, making her seem “quirky,” not like other girls, cold, sarcastic, and emotionally unavailable (trauma™) somehow makes her interesting.

AND PEOPLE EAT IT UP.

The next segment is just my constructive criticism of such characters and their (lack of) writing:

The Prison Healer series Kiva Meridan, the main protagonist, is a case I dread talking about. The first book was amazing in its details and story! She seemed caring toward her patients but distrustful of everyone—which made sense given her situation. She was scared. There were clues of her being well-versed in healing, but not in a way that hinted at what was revealed later. Her hatred of the royals was justified, and her distrust toward Jaren—even after he saved her—was believable.

The plot twist at the end was truly unexpected and opened the door for her character development (that never happened).

In the second book, Kiva— escaped a prison, forced to heal or face death, alone, without family, having watched her mother die, with the Kingdom at fault for everything that’s happened to her— is suddenly surrounded by rulers who are so kind and loving toward her. They even help her.

The tragedy of facing two opposing sides, and her being stuck in the silver lining, could’ve been revolutionary. Sadly, that wasn’t the case…

Somehow, she gets thrown between the two forces in the dumbest way imaginable. The kidnappings. The vomiting.

The crying over a man she didnt even like before? The sudden loss of all combat ability? Pathetic. I can’t even begin to fathom the forced “enemies-to-lovers” trope between her and Jaren.

For god’s sake, there’s more chemistry between my socks.

But the most annoying part is— she becomes so trusting of the people she literally promised to overthrow just days ago?! And yet, the Kiva in book one wouldn’t even trust her own family? THEY LOCKED HER UP.

All of this is to say: Be mindful of the stories you choose to read.

Reading is fun, but that isn’t its sole purpose. Books are critical. Pretending they’re not cheapens their value. Characters are not selling points. They are reflections.

Thank you for reading.

[asilentbytch]

[asilentbytch]

Dear R. F. Kuang,

WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS?! I mean it’s my fault by reading the dragon republic at the beach.. BUT WHAT THE FUCK.

I read other books guys pls, I’m just hyper fixated on tpw for now 😋

I need help

[asilentbytch]

The Tarot Shelf: Pick a Card, Get a Book✨

Some of these books have dark themes not to be taken lightly, do your research! This is just for fun.

I will be also posting this on my instagram page that is under construction right now.

Even I have to take time for such minuscule tasks (pls follow me)🩵

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Throwback to this diabolical page.

I can talk for days about Pips character development throughout the trilogy.

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SPOILER

Kitay talking to Rin after she annihilated the whole of the Federation.

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The Dragon Republic is a comedy actually

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Romantasy or reality? How booktok ruined media literacy

Has it ever happened to you that a prominent "booktok" influencer recommended a book by just a few titles? Enemies to lovers, one bed, "if you touch her, you die".. etc. You pick up the book and…. It's not what you were told it is.

The lack of critical thinking and imaginative thought in this age is showing its cracks through new books being written, as well as in how they are perceived. For example, The Poppy War series by R.F. Kuang, a series known for its dark themes and honest depiction of real-life events shown through a fantasy plot. The MC Fang Runin and her actions are the result of war, famine, racism, colonisation… And the things she does in the series can be explained by it, but not justified, as at the end of the day, she is a war criminal (not to spoil). On TikTok, she has been framed as a "girl boss" who can do no wrong (everyone has the right to their interpretation, but in an honest recommendation, not so much). She is not good nor bad, she is complex like we all are.

Then you get to the framing of the whole series. I have seen tags as enemies to lovers, dark academia meets fantasy, dark academia Harry Potter, and fantasy meets politics. The only romance you get is in between the lines and some interactions between characters that are shipped in the fandom. Politics is not some small aspect of it; it's the whole plot! Then you get people to read it, but they don't like it as it's too heavy. The book is dark and sadly not far from real-life events. Chapter 21 is not infamous for no reason in book 1. Afterwards, no one actually understands the reason behind the story. And it gets compared to ACOTAR, Fourth Wing,…

Books are a reflection of the time they are made in, which is the reason why so many new novels have been lackluster. Turning off your brain is not a compliment; it's the result of today's lack of thinking for yourself. Which books like Poppy War (through the people of Nikara only being good at orders), 1984, Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451, and others show how we are doomed if we don't fix our problem. Romantasy is not bad; it can be excellent and fun to read. But so many books are now just romantasy and have such a cast of characters or plot that is easily forgettable and has no substance.

Tell me, in the last few years, from all the new romantasy novels that have been released, which ones are truly unique? I will wait a millennium for an answer if I have to. Until then..

This "rant" came to mind after watching a video by a Tik Tok creator @piasreadz on the decline of fantasy. I have finished poppy war recently and was amazed by it. After reading a few fantasy novels (that shall not be named) which put me in a reading rut. Thank you!

[asilentbytch]

No bookish friends to talk their ear off about that really subtle meme of your favorite character from a book they haven’t read? Well me neither.. BUT IM HERE NOW!

Welcome to my blog about everything (mostly books but I do love some good media iykyk) You shall be permitted to talk about your favorite books and etc with me (please do).

You all are dimissed until next time (come back pookies the kids miss you)

[asilentbytch]

fanfiction truly being the savior for everyones sanity