avataremrys

[avataremrys]

Hope in the Shadows

Shadow Beings by GardenOfProserpine ​Genre: fantasy, paranormal, young adult Content warnings: death, violence Description: “In our recondite knowledge of the universe, the spacetime continuum is our presently known model of dimensions that tells us where and when things happen. But what of the other questions, possibly other dimensions, and possibly the beings of the other dimensions? In the world of the Shadow Beings, the ‘darkest’ Shadows - the Demons - wake from their dormancy. Secrets begin to unveil and Audrey, a Shadow-Trapper, has to somehow bring everyone and everything together to stop madness from happening; a way to stop war. In the midst of all this, she will understand who she truly is.”

If you are looking for fantasy book that is not only packed with wondrous worldbuilding and fascinating main characters, but also deep insights about human nature and heroism, then GardenOfProserpine’s novel Shadow Beings is for you. This novel has so much to say about collaboration, time, and more. Any person reading this book cannot come away without being pressed to think more about the choices they make and how they care about those around them.

What I enjoyed: -The characters are the core of this novel. Their banter, teamwork, and conflicts bring so much heart and meaning to this story. I love how this book emphasizes collaboration even when it’s difficult and how by the end of the story, all the characters are given so much depth. -The themes of this novel surrounding time, trust, human nature, teamwork, and so much more are tied together so nicely by the end of the story. Each chapter provides some deep message for readers to think about without ever feeling preachy or condescending. -The worldbuilding of this novel is well-done. While it takes time to understand the world of the Shadow Beings and there definitely are instances of info-dumping or lack of information, overall, the world feels very thought-out and the culture of the shadow trappers is defined clearly.

What I thought could be better: -While the characters definitely are a strength of this novel by the story’s end, there are a lot of them and they often are introduced in quick succession, making it hard to get to know them individually at first. I wish we had a chance to meet them more at the beginning of the novel instead of at the middle and the end when their characterization suddenly becomes clearer. It might make the emotional parts of the middle and end more impactful. -The worldbuilding is incredible, but it definitely can be confusing sometimes with so many beings starting with “shadow” or “demon.” While it’s natural in fantasy stories for it to take time to fully understand a world, this story sometimes struggles between giving too much information at once for readers to remember then leaving readers confused later on when that information becomes important.

Shadow Beings is a thoughtful, inspiring tale that I highly recommend to any fantasy lover looking for a story that will make them think. The messages this book emphasizes will stay with you for a while.

[avataremrys]

the avatar, and the last airbender :: an aang meta

I’ve been wanting to write this meta for about six years, and now seems like as good a time as any, so without further ado: Why Aang Sparing Ozai is the Most Important Scene in ATLA, from both a Character and a Thematic Standpoint.

And with that thesis out of the way, let’s go all the way back to the beginning.

Aang is the titular character of the series, two fold. He is both the Avatar, and the last airbender, and it’s these two facets of identity that inform his arc as much as the duality of Zuko’s scar informs his. So why then, is one arc written about and praised endlessly and the former is rather left in the dust, so to speak? 

There’s a few reasons for that, I think. The first is that Zuko is a more traditionally masculine and therefore Western protagonist. He has a more understandable loss, too. People can relate to losing a parent, or to an abusive household. These are traumas and ghosts, the brooding nature, that we are regularly shown in Western media, over and over again. The angry man who lost his wife/daughter/sister. Who does bad things like burning down villages and kidnapping people, but can’t you see that he’s just sad inside? And I’m not saying that’s all Zuko is. There are plenty of subversive things about him, his arc, and his poignant story of overcoming emotional and physical abuse. He is an incredibly important character and deserves all the praise he gets.

I just think Aang is just as noteworthy, and doesn’t get nearly the amount of credit he deserves. Aang is not a traditional Western protagonist at all. He makes jewelry, is vegetarian, loves animals, cries easily, tries to avoid violence, and has a fun loving nature. Many people deride Aang’s behaviour as childish - and sometimes it is - but the best parts of him, his forgiving nature, his fun loving nature and compassion, isn’t because he’s young. They come from him being an Air Nomad. And without those same traits being displayed towards him, Zuko never would have become the character we know and love (but more on that, later).

So yes, as above, Aang’s arc is about the reconciliation of him being the Avatar, and him being the last Airbender. Each part is equally as important as the other. If you can’t understand that, then you don’t understand the show, full stop. 

Okay? Okay.

Keep reading

[avataremrys]

kids shouldn’t be fighting your wars

[avataremrys]

I’ve seen a lot of posts on my dash tonight about users who are threatening suicide, with other Tumblr members posting in effort to try to get ahold of them. I think you all should see this:

IF THERE IS EVER A TUMBLR USER WHO HAS POSTED A GOOD-BYE MESSAGE, SUICIDE NOTE, VIDEO, OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS POST.

1. Scroll to the top of your dashboard.

2. See the circular question mark icon at the top? It’s the third one over from your home symbol. Click on that, and a screen similar to the one in the picture will come up.

3. Where you can type in questions, the box with the magnifying glass at the top, type in the word “suicide.”

4. Click on the first link that shows up. It should say, “Pass the URL of the blog on to us.”

5. Type in the user’s URL and tell Tumblr admin that the user is contemplating suicide and has posted a message indicating that they are going through with it or will be attempting. Hit send! Tumblr administration will perform a number of actions to contact the user and take the necessary steps to prevent the suicide.

TUMBLR: THIS COULD SAVE A USER’S LIFE. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE SUICIDE THREATS.

Reblog this to keep other users aware. Suicide isn’t a joke, and neither is someone’s life. If you didn’t know this, someone else may not, either. Pass it on.

This post is old, but you are STILL ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF TUMBLR STAFF in an emergency: this just happened to me recently. All you have to do is email SUPPORT@TUMBLR.COM and they will handle the situation for you. Thanks for passing this along, guys!! xo Kate

[avataremrys]

This just suddenly popped in my head, I can’t believe I haven’t said this before.

I don’t know if I seem like a friendly and/or approachable person, but I just wanted to say that if you all ever want to talk about anything and simply need a friend, you can talk to me :)

[avataremrys]

May I just say I am so happy you included Count Olaf. Barely people know gem characters like him nowadays. 

...Count Olaf from the show or the books though?

I got Hecate haha, forgot who she was for a second. Better research a little now.

made a quiz, tell me what greek deity favours you!!

https://uquiz.com/N17OGW

[avataremrys]

Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Tales of Ba Sing Se (2006) THE TALE OF IROH

[avataremrys]

I’ve always thought that if, in this scene, Morty responded in a more serious, calm and low tone and sounded even a little like Rick... I dunno, I think that would’ve been really powerful and ironic(ish).

[avataremrys]

Since this Rick was being controlled by Evil Morty, perhaps Evil Morty is genuinely confused here (assuming he didn’t programme the Rick with Rick’s basic mindset).

[avataremrys]

[x] Bonus:

[avataremrys]

you ever think about the ultimate legendary status aang left at that one fire nation school he went to? 

like. just imagine the stories that came afterward. this random kid from the colonies shows up for ONE week, tops. probably even less. and in that time, he: shows up in the middle of the school day because he was caught ditching, gets away with breaking the school uniform code and wearing a headband, speaks out in class to question the authenticity of their fire nation history books right to the teacher’s face, brings back all the vintage lingo from a hundred years ago like flameo and hotman, flirts with the girlfriend of the most popular guy at school who also happens to be the school’s biggest thug, totally wipes out popular thug guy’s ass in a fight without breaking a sweat or lifting a finger, throws the single most epic, greatest dance party rager ever that would go down in history, in a CAVE, dances with all the prettiest girls, escapes from the school’s administration trying to catch him at aforementioned party, and disappears that same night without a trace. 

i’ll bet those students probably still go around saying stuff like “man, remember kuzon?” *shakes head in wonder* “wonder what kind of crazy shenanigans he’s up to these days”

legendary, I’m telling you. 

[avataremrys]

i saw a comment on this post saying zuko should have a youtube and i don’t have self restraint lmao

[avataremrys]

Please join me in appreciating my favorite part of the Avatar pilot.

[avataremrys]

The Adventures of Prince Achmen. 1926. German. The oldest surviving animated film in history.

[avataremrys]

avatar: the last airbender.

don’t repost anything, like/reblog! ♡

[avataremrys]

Me_irl

[avataremrys]

very tiny compilation of carmen art from the past few days