#I cannot age them up because of Themes however I look at Evan who I made when I was ~11 maybe and go :Horrors:

[selfcontainedunivcrse]

big moves in the Guys I've never drawn design department tho i think the demon stuff is more like. perception based ... Evan looks like yr average edgy demonboy BC he was like. Catholic and really bought into the very traditional beliefs of Demon Corruption, that he's a horrible person etc etc and he's got like horns + batwings + red eyes while still keeping it cute BC he's kind of into it. he does unfortunately perpetually look ~15 because he isn't rlly able to conceptualize himself living longer

and kyle gets a sick half-dragon fursona

[miaswetnambcu]

Brand Group Meeting 2

Our second brand meeting was based around finalising our original ideas as well as establishing a customer profile.

Our first point was to decide a name for our brand. Our first idea being the name ‘Sensuell’ which means voluptuous in Norwegian. As the word would be pronounced as the English word ‘sensual’, we thought it would work as a double meaning for the brand name. However, our brand does not hold any link to Norway and it would not make sense to use a Norwegian word for the name of our brand. 

Our second idea was Curvé. The idea was derived from the word curve and as our products are aimed at curvy women, we though it would be fitting. We added the accent on the end of the ‘e’ so that it is pronounced as ‘curvay’, which makes it sound more luxurious. Also, the word curve on its own is not very interesting and wouldn’t draw people into our brand. 

We decided to do a mood board surrounding the colours we are going to use for our products. Our initial idea was black with some nude shades as well. Both of these compliment each other and will work for many different skin tones for our customer. For a statement piece, we chose a lilac colour. We chose this colour as it is a soft colour that will flatter most body types and skin tones, as well as it being a very wearable colour.

Our design inspiration was found on plus-size models that showcase different styles of clothing. We decided our outfit ideas were going to consist of one dress, one skirt and top co-ord and one trousers, top and blazer set. The products from the sets would be able to buy separately, as well as being able to choose the sizes for each individual item if they were to be bought as the set. Figure-hugging silhouettes is the main idea, with some corset style elements into the garments. 

Our social media is based around the same colour theme as our products, which is black, nudes and lilac. The Instagram posts will be centered around plus-size women with various body shapes. This is to ensure that all types of plus-size people are included in our brand and so that each customer is able to find someone showcasing the same body type as them on our page. This should make the customer feel more included and accepted into the brand to improve our customer engagement. 

Once we had established these elements, we decided to create a customer profile. We chose to do this to ensure we are aware of what our customers likes and dislikes and can hopefully portray this through out brand outcomes. 

The ideal customer we created was 22 year old woman, either a post-graduate or in her last year of uni. The customer would live in the main part of a city such as Manchester or Liverpool. She is a size 18 and is very active on her social media by constantly checking her timelines and liking other people’s posts. She would be likely to follow some sort of plus-sized model such as Ashley Graham, as well as other influencers such as Kylie Jenner or Molly-Mae. We decided she would most likely follow these possibly look for tips for make-up and hair. In contrast, she may follow these people as she would like to look or dress like them, but cannot find the right clothes to do so. This is where our brand is needed, as it would give people like her the opportunity to wear clothes like Kylie Jenner to make her feel just as beautiful.

To look further into customers and a current need for our brand, we decided to create a survey to look into these aspects. 

The first question on the survey was for the person to state their age. The responses ranged from 17- 27 year olds, which is close of our age range of 20-30 year olds. This indicated the results would be in significant relation to our brand. 

The second question was centered around people’s plans when we are out of lockdown. 27.7% said a restaurant or pub and 23.1% said they would go to a bar or club. This equates to just under 50% of people on the quiz saying they would go to the places where our clothing range is most likely to be seen. This idicates that there is a need for our brand in the near future. However, this question was slightly misleading as our brand is for when we are out of the current pandemic, not lockdown. This lead to there being such a high percentage saying they would stay home. If we were to do this quiz again, we would have to alter this question to be more specific. 

Our next question posed as to whether the person would buy new clothes for this. It is split quite evenly on both sides. This may reflect the previous question as around 50% said they would go to a bar or a pub. Those 50% would most likely say yes to this question, with the other 50% saying no.

The next question was based around the brands that people tend to shop at. 23 people said ASOS and 8 said Zara. Pretty Little Thing was said 7 times, with House of CB and Missguided mentioned 3 times each. Most of these brands have a similar price range, which could help us to asses the market for price. ASOS has multiple brands on their platform so their price range varies between each one. House of CB sits slightly higher on the price range than other like Pretty Little Thing and Missguided.

The people or things that influence people’s fashion choices was asked in the next question. 27 people stated some form of social media, such as Instagram and Tik Tok. Friends was the second most popular with 5 people stating it, as well as catwalk fashion being said by 2 people. This gives us insight as to how to promote our brand, with social media being the obvious choice.

Our next question was based around the price range that people would pay for a dress. We decided to include this in the survey as it would give us a rough margin as to how much people will pay. 54% said £0-£30, with £28.6% saying £30-£50. This indicates that 82.6% of people in this survey would only pay up to £50. This is something we will have to take into consideration when planning our pricing for our products. 

The last question on the survey asked what the person would wear on a ‘night-out’. 49.2% said jeans and a nice top, with 9.2% saying a dress and 7.7% saying a co-ord. This shows that there is a market for the products that we decided to make.

After the meeting, I decided to interview someone who was previously plus-size to see if our brand is needed in the market. Paige was a size 20 when she was age 20. She displayed her stress to me regarding her weight and the clothing that was available to her at that time.

I explained our brand identity to her, which is to make plus-size women feel beautiful and confident in their bodies. I added that our brand is a party/eveningwear brand for plus-size women with products such as dresses and co-ords. After I explained our brand to her, she said that she “needed a brand like that” when she was that size.

According to Paige, the clothing that was available to her was not made for her age and were made for people upwards of 40. With her only being age 20, the clothes were obviously not her style and would not have made her feel confident when wearing them. She showed me a picture of her at a party where she wore a blue leopard print dress. The dress was obviously not something that a 20 year old would usually wear to a party as the dress seemed to be made of a thick cotton and was not very flattering on her figure. Although she could not remember where she got the dress from, she stated that it was not from a standard high street store like New Look or H&M. She said it was more likely to be from a brand like Evans. Evans is a plus-size clothing brand in the UK that stocks sizes from 14-32. The standard customer for Evans would be women 50+, which Paige is not part of. The dress she wore to the party did not make her feel beautiful or confident and she even felt the need to wear two pairs of fat pants and a pair of shaping tights underneath the dress. She said that even though she wore these shaping garments underneath, she still did not feel confident in the dress and though that it did flatter her figure. 

The way she described this is exactly why we wanted to create a plus-size partywear brand. She was unable to find any dress that she thought was flattering on her body, and even the dress she chose to wear did not make her feel beautiful and confident. Our brand is centered around making plus-size women feel empowered and confident enough in themselves to wear our garments. People like Paige are exactly the target market we are looking for and this interview reinforces the fact that a brand like ours is needed in the fashion industry. 

Paige eventually lost a lot of weight and dropped from a size 20 to a size 10. She stated that even though she has lost a lot of weight, she still does not feel confident in her body. She said that this was because she was unable to build that confidence when she was younger as the clothes that were available to her did not make her feel good about herself. Paige could not build her confidence up when most people do as she did not have the resources to do so, and had to resort to feeling uncomfortable in any piece of clothing she wore. Although clothing brand make clothes in her size, they did not make clothes for her size, which led to them being unflattering on her body. The picture above shows this, as although the clothes do physically fit on her body, they were not made for the structure of her body, leading to the proportions seen on the top and the shorts not fitting as well on her body as it would on a smaller sized person. As our products will be made to fit a curvy body, this will not be a problem for our customers.

[vivypotter]

Vivy’s Harry Potter Fic Recs

I’ve had a load of people ask me for my favourite tomarry fics, so I thought I’d compile a fic rec! This will probably be updated as I think of things. However, I have a lot of favourite fics which aren’t Tomarry, so I thought I’d add a few other pairings as well. I think I’ll put up a few recs of other fandoms as well when I get ‘round to it, like Hannibal or the Hobbit (I have weird reading habits okay?) It’ll help me find them too xD.

Tom Riddle or Voldemort/Harry Potter

Consuming Shadows by Child_OTKW (WIP)

On the night of the attack, Lily managed to escape with her infant son, but at the cost of her husband’s life. Distraught and distrusting of her friends, she fled to France with Harry, to raise him away from the corruption in Britain and the rising influence of the Dark Lord. She trains him to the best of her abilities, shaping him into a dangerous, intelligent and powerful wizard.

But when Britain re-establishes the Triwizard Tournament, and Harry is forced to return to his once-home, he finds himself questioning whether he really wants to kill the Dark Lord. Voldemort finds an unexpected challenge in the child, and as his intrigue and amusement grows, so too does the desire to possess the spark in those defiant green eyes.

I feel this is genuinely one of the best Tomarry fanfics maybe ever written, and I’m sure you’ve probably read it since it’s so popular - but I thought I’d recommend it anyway! It’s not finished, but there’s enough of it to really sink your teeth into and action is properly going down right now. Harry is such an interesting character and his cat and mouse dynamic with Voldemort is so entertaining. I anxiously wait for every update!

Set the Sails (and don’t look back) by Terrific Lunacy (Complete)

1724. All Harry wanted to do was to cross the Atlantic and start his apprenticeship under one of the most renowned physicians. Tom Riddle is convinced everything floating in the seven seas belongs to him. That includes ship-wrecked, green-eyed youths. Especially if they tell him to fuck off.

This is a fic that’s really stuck with me. It’s complete (a miracle in the tomarry fandom) and there’s a fun back-and-forth between Voldemort and Harry. Our goodhearted Harry is a doctor! And for some reason, I’ve been really into Pirate AUs recently.

A Thousand Paths Among The Stars by haplesshippo (Complete)

Harry Potter, newly appointed Captain of the Marauder and son of the famous Captain James Potter, was falling apart at the seams. His crew didn’t respect him, he was lost in the empty expanse of space, nightmares plagued his sleep, and his Commander deserved the Captain position more than he did. Good thing multiple attempts on his life and a vicious warlord after his head was all it took to turn it all around.

Alternatively, that space fic in which Harry Potter almost dies too many times, Tom Riddle slowly becomes the most smitten fool on the ship, and the rest of the crew are all just a bunch of assholes with popcorn watching the show. And exploding ships, don't forget the exploding ships.

Another pirate AU, kind of! But this one is in space! And it’s actually more of a Star Trek AU. Okay, it’s not really a pirate AU but I wanted to keep the theme going. This is such a freaking good fic- the relationship between Tom and Harry is very unusual (not as combative as the last two fics) and there are some nice twists, as well as combination of HP lore and what I assume is Star Trek (I’ve never seen it okay). And the extended cast is excellent. I fully recommend!

The Dragon's Mate by Strange_Soulmates (Complete fics but WIP series)

Harry Potter has recently escaped from his dragon-guarded tower. So has his fellow prisoner - the dragon who was enchanted to guard him. Harry's friend is missing, however, and so he sets off to assure himself of his well-being before he finds the person responsible for imprisoning them both. Accompanied by a stranger with a familiar name, Harry finds himself with more questions than answers as he slowly learns about the customs of dragons and the history of the dragon he befriended, the fearsome Voldemort.

I really love pretty much all of Strange_Soulmates’ fics, but this is definitely my favourite (and maybe the only complete one? Don’t quote me on that.) The characters are so well done, and although I love the first fic a little more than the second, they are both excellent reads! Dragons and wizards? Yes, please!

Everything's Fine in the Beast Division by Merrinpippy (Complete)

Harry's lifelong ambition is to become an auror, but as his knowledge of Dangerous Beasts is somewhat lacking, Newt Scamander agrees to take him on as an apprentice. Contrary to the Weasley twins' predictions that Harry would die of boredom, Harry finds his time at the Ministry very interesting, and befriending the very attractive Tom Riddle doesn't hurt at all- in fact, quite the opposite.

This is such a fantastic fanfiction, and a crossover with Fantastic Beasts (a franchise I can’t stand but that’s a conversation for another time). It manages to be fluffy without going OOC which is difficult for tomarry fics, and the supporting cast are adorable!

To Be Set Free by Merrinpippy

Harry Potter, raised and abused by the Dursleys ever since his parents died, lives in the cupboard under the stairs. He has no friends or family who love him and his life is dull until one day a letter arrives arrives for him, written in green ink, that promises freedom. Sounds familiar, right?

King Thomas Riddle's illness combined with his political paranoia pushes him to arrange three royal balls, after which his son, Prince Tom Riddle, must choose a guest to marry, thereby securing the kingdom's future and solidifying their strength in the eyes of their allies/enemies. Tom is convinced that he will be able to defy his father and choose no-one, or at least he is until at the first ball he meets an attractive stranger with dark hair and glasses who won't tell anyone his name...

This is also excellent, and I love a good Fairytale AU. Merrinpippy has some really good stuff. I love all of it!

As Clichéd as Clichés Go by thecrimsonmonarch (One-shot)

Harry Potter wasn't known for his social skills, mainly because they were practically non-existent.

This is a bit random but very fun. Harry is a fucking dork. That’s all there is to say. A thoroughly amusing Lawyer AU.

Lily and the Art of Being Sisyphus by The Carnivorous Muffin (WIP)

As the unwitting personification of Death, reality exists to Lily through the veil of a backstage curtain, a transient stage show performed by actors who take their roles only too seriously. But as the Girl-Who-Lived, Lily's role to play is the most important of all, and come hell or high water play it she will, regardless of how awful Wizard Lenin seems to think she is at her job.

This is a still-uploading fanfic and one of my faves. It’s not for everyone- it’s a fem!Harry and she’s so different that she’s really an OC to be honest, and the story is slightly complicated. This is certainly not a fic to go for if you want IC characters. But I really love the writing and the ideas and it’s basically a new, fascinating universe. And even if they’re not IC, I love the characters all dearly. The Carnivorous Muffin is certainly an extremely talented writer- all of her stuff is excellent.

Little Bits by lordmarvoloriddle

Inspired by Cinderella. Only there's no prince and surely no one is singing about their feelings and Harry's life could be a lot worse than having three step-brothers and a father who didn't liked him. He's going to be proven right.

This is such a bloody creepy fic and so so good. The ending is a complete twist and you should definitely read it!

Drarry

Draw a Line from Your Heart to Mine by CreateImagineWrite (Complete)

Being Harry Potter's best friend isn't always fame and beating off raving fans. It's also the anxiety of hearing your best mate's been cursed by another Dark Lord, or love potioned by some crazy woman. Or having his boyfriend you knew nothing about turn up on the Burrow's doorstep.

This is a bit of a random inclusion, but I was just reading this and it is SO GOOD. Perhaps a bit cliched in places, but Ron Weasley’s inner monologue makes up for it.

Turn by Saras_Girl

One good turn always deserves another. Apparently.

This is an also an excellent fic that I read bloody ages ago and has apparently stuck with me. There’s this whole Harry going into an alternate dimension where he’s married to Draco Malfoy plot, but the really beautiful thing is Harry exploring his dissatisfaction with his life- through carpentry! I know it sounds like a crack fic, but it’s not- it’s a gorgeously written fic.

Away Childish Things by lettered

Harry gets de-aged. Malfoy has to help him.

This does the ‘Harry was abused’ revelation so well and really interestingly explores both Harry and Draco’s childhood. The overarching plot is also excellently done, which can’t always be said for character-focused fics!

Jily

#Jily by Chie (Chierafied) (One-shot)

Twitter seemed awash with the hashtag Jily. Lily blinked at in confusion, until she realised it was one of those silly couple monikers people had bestowed on her and Potter. …Though there was a small dissenting crowd following a tweet from Potter’s bandmate Sirius Black: Jily? Hah! More like LAMES.

This is such a fucking cute one-shot. I love social media AUs (if you find any, send them my way), so I loved this!

The Rise and Fall of the Extraordinary Jilysanschilly: Including Excerpts of their Best Collected Works by elanev91 (One-shot)

James Potter and Lily Evans are both wildly successful YouTubers and Sirius cannot believe that people ship them enough to write erotic fanfiction about them. 

You might be picking up on my love of modern Jily AUs. This is so cute, Sirius is weirdly IC as he gets caught up in a smut addiction and James and Lily don’t hate each other from the beginning so that’s fun. A very sweet YouTuber AU.

Hit the Like Button by elixirsoflife (One-shot)

YouTube star James Potter is living it up at uni: filming videos, getting drunk and professing his love for aspiring singer Lily Evans to anyone who'll listen.

It’s another modern AU, but this time, Lily is a famous singer! This was fucking adorable, enough said.

The White Album by cgner (Complete)

James poses as an advice charm in Lily's diary. He's really got to start thinking through his shenanigans.

This is the strangest mix of angst and fluff that I’ve ever read, but it really, really works. It’s also kind of a crossover, as it’s written by the co-author of:

Haggis from Algernon by Rude Gus (Complete)

The fic about nothing.

Everything written by both Rude Gus and cgner is brilliant (not a surprise as they’re almost the same person), but Haggis really is a classic. And check out their Bachelor AU fic! It’s surprisingly brilliant.

Gen and Misc

Kid by Anonymous (Completed)

A Potion's "accident" turns Harry into an eight year old. Draco Malfoy begins planning his kidnapping/conversion to the Dark Side. But Harry's a passive-aggressive, revenge-obsessed little bastard. Maybe Draco will wait on that whole Dark Lord thing… 

Such a cute fic! A really nice character study of Draco and cute kid Harry is always a bonus. I’m not usually a Draco Malfoy fan, but this is a great fic.

Harveste by kyaru-chan (Complete fics but WIP series - probs abandoned)

He's done it. He's just five years old, but he's finally done it. The Dursleys are gone. And now he's with a new family who seems just as twisted as he is. How strange.

This is a really weird fic series. It’s actually an Addams family AU? Harry kills the Dursleys and gets adopted by the Addams family, and then there’s a separate fic for each HP book up to Half-Blood Prince, where I think they stopped. It definitely still worth a read though. Harry is certainly not IC but it’s a fascinating combination of the two universes with all the quirky Addams family humour. It’s certainly a bit of a crack fic to read when you’re down.

Sarcasm and Slytherin by sunmoonandstars (Complete stories but WIP series)

After ten years of misery with the Dursleys, Harry Potter learns that he has magic. Except, in this story, it's not a surprise-the only surprise is that there are others like him. Including his twin brother, Julian Potter, the savior of the Wizarding world.

This isn't the Harry you think you know.

This is WBWL kind of story (although we don’t know if Harry actually is the BWL yet. Harry is a really interesting character and his relationship with his family- especially Jules - is very well developed and nuanced. Harry’s friendships and the authors interpretation of Slytherin house is also a new twist on old tropes- it feels very fresh! I’m eagerly waiting for updates!

So there it is. Just some of my HP faves. I’m considering doing one for Hannibal, Yuri on Ice, The Hobbit, Labyrinth (my tastes are so weird) etc, so let me know if you’re interested!

[quartusbellum-blog]

EMMY for the role of  LILY EVANS, using the faceclaim SOPHIE SKELTON.

Welcome to the roleplay, Emmy! I adore that you include Petunia in your app, making her an important presence in Lily’s life even when she’s not a physical one. This line particularly stood out to me: “The war had been so much of her life already. Perhaps it was meant to be her whole life.” What a way to round up the biography!

ooc details

Name: Emmy

Age: 25+

Pronouns: she/her

Activity Level: Moderate. Online every day, minimum reply every other day.

Other: I am a pancake.

Acknowledgement: I acknowledge that the themes of this game may include triggering elements. I also acknowledge that my character may be harmed, coerced, or even killed (with player’s consent) during paras/events or may cause harm to or kill others during paras/events.

                                                  ჻ ჻ ჻ ჻

general ic details

Name: Lily Ruth Evans

Age: 20

Ships:  Chemistry; While this game does start with the premise that Lily and James were together prior to the start of the game, and I believe that their relationship is an important one to Lily, it does not have to be the only one. I would be open to exploring Lily turning to comfort from others in her exile, being under extreme stress and pressure, feeling isolated and lonely. Most easily this would be with other Ashen members, but nothing is ruled out. I don’t expect any ships, however, or expect romance or shipping to be the focus of the game.

Gender/Pronouns:  She/Her

Face Claim: Sophie Skelton/Rose Leslie

                                                  ჻ ჻ ჻ ჻

bio questions

biography:

Unlike most of the wix in the Order, Lily never had a choice to join this war. She had been swept into it since her first day at Hogwarts and braced to face the full force of it since the end of her fifth year. Joining the Order wasn’t inevitable for her. While no employment prospects left her with plenty of free time, she dedicated herself first to a network of Muggleborns escaping the war. Sourcing information, relocation opportunities, paperwork and financing to help them get out, either disappearing into the Muggle world once more, or leaving for countries with more robust defenses for their Muggleborn population than the British Ministry was willing to offer. She never considered taking such an escape for herself. Lily didn’t want to run away. Plus, she had her boys to take care of; someone had to ensure they held themselves together.

That desire to take care of her foursome is what drove her to ultimately get involved with the Order. Her involvement grew as the war dragged on; partly because there was less work to do helping fleeing Muggleborns, and partly because the Order needed more hands to replace those who had fallen. Lily wasn’t blind to the increasing desperation to this war the were losing, but she could never have forseen what was going to happen when Peter and Dumbledore went on a mission.

The world exploded around Lily and the Order quickly fell to pieces. Even before she’d fully put together what had happened, she was on the run, a wanted criminal for crimes against the Dark Lord. Perhaps an even worse blow than that was James being caught. Months passed without any news of him, and Lily’s desperate attempts to hold what was left of her life together grew into something more. From her fellow fugitives, she pulled together a resistance. The inheritors of the Order, rising from its ashes, to pick up a new fight against the Dark Lord. What else could she do? The war had been so much of her life already. Perhaps it was meant to be her whole life. Until it is over.

                                                  ჻ ჻ ჻ ჻

my character is:

How is your character lying to themselves (and how is is it shown externally). Lily tells herself that this war is winnable, that they can make progress in this fight and survive. She tells other people, encourages them to hold on, even as she is starting to unravel. Add to that the constant losses, the guilt of what’s happened to her sister, the absence of the man she loves(loved?), it’s all causing a strain that is wearing on her physically. She doesn’t get to sleep often, and when she does it’s fitful. Her hair has lost its vibrancy and shine, threatening to go dull and mousey, and her skin has taken on an ashen hue, fine lines spidering across her face. This year has aged her immensely; from a fresh faced 18 year old to someone who looks closer to thirty.

Please Provide a description of Your Character’s Job: As a fugitive, Lily cannot have a regular job. Even if the Muggle world’s economy could support someone with no apparent education after the age of eleven, doing so would feel too much like endangering people for Lily to be able to stomach. Instead, she has thrown herself into the Ashen Phoenix. From the ruins of the Order, she has pulled together the survivors who haven’t given up fighting or been killed, becoming the ad hoc leader of the new force. Keeping Sirius from running after reckless revenge and Severus from killing him; isn’t that a job enough? She doesn’t have time to think about what she’d rather do, all dreams of magical research and theory craft near forgotten.

ooc questions

Writing Sample:

Keeping a PO box felt like an extravagance, considering it was primarily for one person in the whole world to use and and every bit of money mattered. Lily couldn’t really consider letting it lapse, though. Not when it was the only remaining connection with her sister, the only viable avenue of communication. A few others had the information for it, the remnants of the ‘Muggle Railroad’ she’d operated through the war, but recently all that had shown up was some junk mail and the infrequent letter from Petunia.

Even those, half the time, only dealt with some matter resolving their parent’s estate. Needing Lily to sign something or just letting her know that her share of the inheritance was sitting in a bank account for her. More than Petunia had to do, and it meant more than she could know, that little pile of money was the only thing keeping Lily fed and warm. If she’d reached out to her sister, perhaps there would have been more, but – no. Lily wouldn’t endanger her sister like that. This was her lost war, and her fight to continue, in a world Petunia didn’t want anything to do with. Plus, if Lily started leaning on her sister, she might finish falling apart, unable to maintain the delicate balance of the last year.

Chucking most of the junk that had appeared in her box into the bin, Lily paused outside the post office, leaning against the wall. She ran her thumb over her sister’s name on the return line. ‘Petunia Dursley’. That had been over a year ago, too. Being uninvited from the wedding had hurt at the time, but in hindsight, perhaps it had been for the best. One fewer point to tie Petunia to a wanted fugitive. Her sister would be safe in her utter Muggle-ness. And surely even the most hardened Death Eater would qualm at the bulk of Vernon Dursley.

Stuffing the letter, unopened, in her coat pocket, she peered out at the grey sky. Heaving a sigh, she tugged her hood up over her head, hunching her shoulders as she darted out into the slow drizzle. Like with so many of her hopes, she would cling to the idea that at least Petunia’s life had turned out how she’d wanted it. That would have to be enough.

Exploration:

The immense responsibility Lily has taken on becoming a de facto leader of the Ashen Phoenix, connected as she is to all (playable) current members, and trying to keep Sirius from running off on his own, and how that balances (or fails to) with her own increasing desperation and trying from bursting off in rash directions.

Lily’s personal relationships and dealing with the loss of James, her own loneliness, and potentially moving on in the year since she’s seen James. Especially her processing the potential death of James, the realization that he’s joined the One Army, and unpacking why he’s doing what he is and how she’s involved in his choices.

Lily’s relationship with Petunia and how that evolves in response to the war, and even Petunia eventually getting dragged into it as well. WerePetunia!

Extras:

Confessing now that if Petunia doesn’t get picked up, I’m totally down for picking her up too.

[violent-optimism]

My Ranking of all the MCU films so far

Hey guys! So now that I have finally caught up and watched every single film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (to date) I will now rank them from worst to best!

Just an FYI: Some of you will probably not agree with some of my choices, and that is perfectly fine. This is just my personal opinion.

Here we go!

#19: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Hulk has always been one of my favourite superheroes, and as far as I am concerned this movie completely ruined him. The CGI looked like a video game, the narrative was terrible. No redeeming qualities whatsoever. Just not a good movie at all in my opinion.

#18: Iron Man 2 (2010)

I actually saw this one in the theater, and I kinda wish I hadn’t. However, unlike the previous entry I wouldn’t say it’s a completely awful film. There are a couple decent/funny moments. But for the most part, it’s not great and I don’t think I’d watch it again.

#17: Thor: The Dark World (2013)

I seriously cannot believe I wasted my money TWICE to see this in the theater. I was pretty disappointed by this movie. The villain had no clear motivation. The romance was so awkward and the majority of the humor just didn’t work. The only redeeming qualities are the performances of Hemsworth and Hiddleston.

 #16: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Now, I don’t think this movie is actually that bad, but it’s just not quite as good as some of the other high caliber MCU films. I liked that they addressed Tony’s mental health issues and the film has a pretty good ending. This movie won’t exactly waste your time, but there are other films more worthy of it.

#15: Thor (2011)

While not NEARLY as bad as its sequel, the first Thor film is a bit cheesy, clunky and predictable. That being said, it’s a visually impressive movie with some pretty fun and hilarious moments. At this point I feel kind of neutral about it. It ain’t no Ragnarok but it’s not as terrible as the second installment.

#14: Iron Man (2008)

For the very first film in the MCU line-up, this one is pretty good. Right away we know exactly what kind of person Tony Stark is, and the first half of the movie is surprisingly suspenseful and emotionally charged. It has a few humorous and bad-ass sequences. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really stand up in comparison to some of the later MCU films. That being said, it’s still a pretty good time.

#13: Ant-Man (2015)

Now the only reason I put this above Iron Man is because of how much it exceeded my expectations. I really didn’t think it was going to be that good, but it was. Not a perfect film by any means, but I was surprised at how entertaining and funny it was. I suppose my only complaint would be that unless you are really into Ant-Man as a character, it’s not that memorable of a film.

#12: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Don’t get me wrong, I did think this film was very enjoyable for the most part, I just don’t think it was as good as the first one. I think what I liked most was the development of the relationship between Gamora and Nebula. I did think most of the humor was good, but there was so much of it that it ended up feeling more like a comedy rather than a super-hero flick.

#11: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

There is no denying that Chris Evans was cast perfectly as Captain America/Steve Rogers. He is someone you can really root for, which is what makes this movie so successful. However, the film is very cheesy at parts, and some sequences are slowly paced, but overall it’s a very entertaining movie and a great introduction to one of the MCU’s most important characters.

#10: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Personally, I do think this one is better than the sequel. All of the characters are introduced perfectly, and their interactions are written in such a clever way. I also think this movie has the better soundtrack when compared the sequel, and the humor is not as overblown. I guess my only complaint would be that it kind of feels like the film makers were trying to copy the Avengers with the whole “team doesn’t get along at first but then they do” scenario. It definitely works, but it’s not the most original idea. Overall, very well done.

#9: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Although the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films (excluding the 3rd one) will always be close to my heart, I have to admit that this movie was really good. I really enjoy Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker. He has an innocence about him that makes him so likeable, and you really want him to succeed. I also thought the humor in this movie was perfect, and Michael Keaton was not just another boring Marvel villain. Overall, I would definitely see it again.

#8: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

To be honest, I don’t think this movie is QUITE as good as the Tumblr community thinks it is. However, it is pretty darn good. Some of the action and fight choreography is absolutely stunning. I love how it feels like a spy/espionage film while also displaying themes that the MCU is known for. I love the developing relationship between Steve and Natasha, and how this film exposes their true colours. Really well done.

#7: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Again, I don’t think this movie is as incredible as the Tumblr fans say it is, but overall I did enjoy it quite a bit. A lot of the issues I had with the previous Thor films are not in this one.The Director must have realized that the previous Thor films just weren’t working, and decided to give this one a fun, energetic spin that I think was the perfect choice. Of course, I have to talk about my favourite actress, Cate Blanchett, who KILLS IT in this role (no pun intended). With a brilliant aesthetic and motivation that makes sense, she might just be my favourite MCU villain yet. In my opinion, this is the best Thor film so far.

#6: Black Panther (2018)

Alright, now we’re getting to the really good stuff! This movie took the world by storm, and it’s not hard to understand why. With a cast full of talented and diverse actors, Black Panther is unlike any Marvel movie we’ve ever seen before. I can’t tell you how unbelievably refreshing it is to see a film that is not 90% white people, it’s the other way around! Although the story is a tad predictable if you’ve seen The Lion King, the action is superb, the visuals are beautiful, and the script is very well written. Wakanda forever!

#5: Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Without getting too much into spoiler territory, I will say that this film is probably the most ambitious cross-over I have ever seen in all of cinema. The crazy part is that the directors actually managed to tell a clear and concise story despite the fact that they were dealing with something like 30 characters in one film. Emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking and hilarious, this one hits all the marks that it should in the most surprising ways.

Still not sure what to think about that ending though....

#4: The Avengers (2012)

I don’t know about anyone else, but when I first saw this movie it totally blew my mind! It truly is an epic movie with some of the best writing I’ve ever heard/seen. While I feel that fans obsessed over Loki a little too much, he is a fun villain with a pretty clear motivation. This movie also introduces Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner who I think is by far the best actor to portray the character. I feel like this is the movie that started the trend of MCU films that were actually really good. It’s a really entertaining ride from beginning to end.

#3: The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

I know exactly what some of you are thinking: “Oh my god she thinks Age of Ultron is better than the first one are you freaking kidding me”. Yes, you are correct. I do think that Age of Ultron is better than the first Avengers, and I seem to be very very alone in that opinion for some reason. Basically I think that this film has everything that made the first Avengers film good with a couple things that make it even better:

1) The character interactions are more complex and interesting

2) The stakes are a lot higher and the heroes suffer more

In a nutshell, that is why I think it’s better than the first one. To be perfectly honest I’m not really sure why Tumblr hates this movie so much. I get that nobody really likes the Bruce/Natasha pairing but is that really a valid reason to hate the entire movie? I guess I’ll never know.

#2: Doctor Strange (2016)

Unless you’ve been counting, I doubt you saw this one coming up so high on my list. It wasn’t until I started thinking about my ranking that I thought: “Wow, I LOVE Doctor Strange!” Not only is Benedict Cumberbatch an incredibly talented actor, I always liked this film because it was a marvel film that didn’t feel like a stereotypical “marvel” film (if that makes sense). Aside from having a visual style I don’t think I’ve ever seen before, I think my favourite part about this movie is the progressive character arc that Stephen Strange goes through. By the end of the film he’s not a completely different person, but his priorities have shifted and he wants to help make the world a safer place. Also I can’t talk about this movie without mentioning the SOUNDTRACK, oh my goodness the soundtrack. Here’s the link, listen and be amazed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc0KNrpFka8

#1: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

It took me a little while to figure it out, but I definitely feel that this movie is my favourite in the MCU so far. Sort of a scaled-down version of Infinity War, this movie has a lot of characters, but the story is balanced so well that you barely notice. The comedy is really good, and is countered with scenes of irreversible emotion. Everything ties together so wonderfully, and despite the long run time, the movie is extremely well paced. Although it has one of the more darker endings in a marvel movie, it still manages to end on fairly positive note, which I love. I don’t know what else I can say to praise this movie, so I’ll end it right there.

Wow, that took a while! There you have it folks, my personal ranking of all 19 MCU films so far. If you took the time to read all of this, thank you so much for doing so. Hope you guys enjoyed it!

[meredithsreadingchallenge]

I’m so thankful to be writing this review right now. Now, I can share one of the best books I’ve read this year. I have to consider this for the No.1 spot unless another book comes around and steals the title.

For this review, I’m going to see if I can try a different format for writing. Please feel free to leave feedback for which review is best for you to read. Any is appreciated!

In 2019, I received the “His Dark Materials” series by Philip Pullman as a Christmas gift. I watched the movie earlier in the year, which I know is not what a reader is supposed to do, but I loved it. The story was interesting, and I fell in love with the main character and her journey across the world to save her best friend. I started reading the first book, “The Golden Compass” after Christmas because I was excited to start, and I finished the book on the second day of the new year. It counts, by the way!

Here is what I think of the book, even though it’s four months down the road. Remember, spoiler warning:

1.     What audience is the author writing for?

I think Pullman is writing for anyone that listens. The main character is about 11-13 years ago at the start of the book, so it does appeal to readers who are in that age range who likes mysteries, fantasy, and adventure. I would also argue that this book is for young adults, which is about 8th grade-12th grade, for there are vocabulary words that I had to look up a couple of times. The third audience would be adults because there are many parts in “The Golden Compass” that deal with mature thoughts, events, and feelings that are viewed from a child’s perspective. This book can appeal to any age group!

2.     Do I care about the characters?

If caring is defined as ‘I like the majority of the characters’, then yes. For someone that watched the movie with no idea about what was going on until a half-hour in, I enjoyed them. Lyra is my favorite, and her daemon, Pan. I like her because she’s at that age where innocence is stripped for reality, and I don’t mean that in a sick way. She goes through several major events that alter her perspective on the world, politics, religion, and most importantly, what family is to her. It was intriguing to read the story from her point of view because Pullman revealed to the reader her thoughts, feelings, and motivations with appropriate dialogue and exposition.

3.     Did it have a compelling plot?

Yes, YES, YES IT DOES! Excuse my enthusiasm, but here are some spoilers about the book.

It’s about Lyra Belacqua, a twelve/thirteen-year-old girl from Oxford who is forced to take a side in a complicated war. After stumbling on a proposal meeting for her uncle, Lord Asriel, she learns there are these mysterious particles called Dust, and it divides her home to two sides: those who want to explore it and those who despise it. She has no idea why people are touchy around the subject, but when kidnappers called ‘Gobblers’ abduct her best friend and the Master of Jordan college gives her a golden compass with symbols, she sets out on a journey to save her best friend.

This is all I’m going to reveal because the plot thickens and gets disturbing as she travels the world. Personally, I was hooked the minute I finished Chapter 1, and I even began to mutter comments to myself when I felt strongly about important plot points, especially when Lyra interacted with Ms. Coulter. Of course, I saw the movie and know Ms. Coulter’s role, but still! I felt so much more hatred for her than I did when I watched the movie. You don’t mess with that woman!

4.     Did any quotes strike me?

Yes, but this one is another spoiler. Please feel free to skip this question!

When Iorek Brynison says to Lyra, “Belacqua? No. You are Lyra Silvertongue” (Pullman, pp. 348), I wanted him to win the fight against the bear king so bad. You see, Lyra and Iorek share a special bond because she rescued his honor in exchange for his allegiance to save the abducted children.  He swore to protect her during the mission, but he also told her once that his kind cannot be tricked because they possess the talent to see pass deceit. However, because Lyra tricked the current bear king that she was Iorek’s daemon, Iorek respects her for proving him wrong. It makes me smile every time!

5.     What is the author’s voice like?

The author’s voice is quite interesting. Pullman takes the role of a narrator—an observer in the world of the book. The narrator knows what Lyra does and thinks, and sometimes they view other character’s stories as well as share their opinion. Based on the verb tense, the narrator is speaking about a time in history, but when reading the book, it almost feels like you’re right there, watching Lyra as she reads the Golden Compass (or aethalometer!).

6.     What is the author’s purpose?

I think that Pullman’s purpose was to demonstrate that religion has a strong influence on the minds of adults. As Lyra further investigates the Gobbler’s abduction patterns to save her friend, the Church’s opinion becomes prominent. It seems that those who work for the Church are against the investigations of Dust and have power over the distribution of information, so it becomes clear that Lord Asriel’s proposal is a threat to their cause. Pullman wanted to highlight this theme because religion is known throughout history to want to control the thoughts and beliefs of its followers, especially when it comes to new findings in science. Also, if science threatens an idea supported by the Church, then the world becomes divided on what is right and what is wrong.

7.     What did I learn from reading?

I learned that the world is very different from the eyes of a child. A child, like Lyra, can pick up on something wrong from time to time, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. The more a child is exposed to the reality of adulthood—such as abduction, religion, deceit, and war—the world changes. Lyra was able to compose herself, to remain present in learning about the world around her, but it still came as a shock when she found out that the people who loved her would also not hesitate to put her in harm’s way. Lyra learned the importance of bonds with people who are not your family with the Gyptians and Iorek Brynison, and this also established her core belief of loyalty and justice.

8.     What rating did I give this book?

I gave this book 5 stars because it made me think, I wanted more, and I was intrigued by the themes!

9.     Who would I recommend this book to?

I would recommend this book to anyone. It has a little bit of every genre in it, like fantasy, science fiction (I would argue), general fiction, and adventure. Because of the vocabulary and themes, I think it would encourage young readers to investigate meanings they don’t understand and ask questions. While religion is known to be restricted, sometimes offended for free-thinking, this is what learning is all about. I would also recommend it because it’s a good story, just a little something to read when you want to explore a different world.

10.     When will I read the remaining books in the series?

Because of the pandemic, I am reading the next book, “The Subtle Knife,” earlier than I expected. The remaining books on my list for the year are somewhat similar, I want to include a little more diversity, besides just anxious about what happens to Lyra next!

Speaking of which, what am I currently reading?

· “IT” by Stephen King: You will not believe it, guys. I made it to the halfway point! I’ve completed 50% of the book, and it’s a lot to swallow. It’s certainly different than the recent adaptation (mind you, I haven’t watched that one all the way through, just snippets). Still, I think this is why I appreciate the book more. I love reading about the memories the losers club have when they return to Derry, and I’m always wondering what’s going to happen next, even if my eyes are tired.

·“Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis: I haven’t continued to read much of this book because I still need to make a blog post for Excuse 5 and I’m currently working on their #Next90challenge course. When she started advertising for it and mentioned it was a free course, I thought it would be a good idea to try it out. So far, I’m having fun! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the lessons. For now, thank you again for being patient. Excuse 5 will be created shortly after this review.

I finished three books since my last blog post, which were “The Fates Divide” by Veronica Roth, the novel version of the hit musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” and “The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire. Currently, I am figuring out which book review to do next after the Golden Compass because I am behind. Using this month to focus on making posts is going to be beneficial now that I have this free time to do it. No more excuses!

 As always, please stay safe wherever you are and practice healthy habits.

* Photo Credit: this photo is a blurred version of the cover from the book. The cover is originally based on art by Iacopo Bruno (2017). Text is generated from FireAlpacca.

[thecontentedreader]

It’s time for another book haul post! My reading has not been as great as it had been during the summer. I’m back to school and working towards finishing up my teaching degree -which is taking up the majority of my time. That being said, I have picked up some books this month that I am really looking forward to jumping into! My book haul this month is under the cut! 

Book: The Young Elites | Author: Marie Lu | Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | Format: Paperback | Pages: 384 | Genres: Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance

Synopsis:

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and survivors are rumoured to possess more than just scars - they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites. 

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.  

Why I Bought It:

When I was in my local Chapters recently, they asked me if I wanted to donate two dollars to a local school and in exchange I got to ‘pick a date’ with a book. Beside the counter they had a number of books wrapped up with different things written on the front. Some books had a genre written across it, while others had one word to describe the theme of the book. I loved the concept of being introduced to a book without having any preconceived notions about it. I picked up a wrapped up book that had “YA read for the young and fearless” on the front. It turned out to be The Young Elites by Marie Lu! I am super excited to read this book. I haven’t read any of her books before and have only heard wonderful things. I can’t wait to dive into it. 

Book: The Chemist | Author: Stephenie Meyer | Publisher: Back Bay Books | Format: Paperback | Pages: 528 | Genres: Fiction / Thriller / Mystery / Romance

Synopsis:

She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn’t even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning. 

Now she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They’ve killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon. 

When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it’s her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more dangerous. 

Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of. 

Why I Bought It:

While Twilight was an entertaining series, it was never one of my favourite series to read. I enjoyed the books and the movies but it was never something I obsessed over like many other people my age did at the time. Meyer’s other novel The Host, however, is one of my favourite books. While some people I’ve talked to haven’t been fans of The Host, I most certainly have.

I was at Costco with my mom a couple of weeks ago and saw The Chemist and figured I should pick it up. I’m really curious to see if her next adult novel will be as enjoyable to me as The Host was. My hopes are up high, so I hope it doesn’t disappoint! 

Book: I See London, I See France | Author: Sarah Mlynowski | Publisher: HarperTeen | Format: Hardcover | Pages: 378 | Genres: YA / Contemporary / Romance / Travel 

Synopsis:

Nineteen-year-old Sydney has the perfect summer mapped out. She’s spending the next four and a half weeks traveling through Europe with her childhood best friend, Leela. Their plans include Eiffel-Tower selfies, eating cocco gelato, and making out with très hot strangers. Her plans do not include Leela’s cheating ex-boyfriend showing up on the flight to London, falling for the cheating ex-boyfriend’s très hot friend, monitoring her mother’s spiraling mental health via texts, or feeling like the rope in a friendship tug-of-war. 

As Sydney zigzags through Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy, and France, she must learn when to hold on, when to keep moving, and when to jump into the Riviera ... wearing only her polka-dot underpants. 

Why I Bought It:

First: the cover. How could I pass up an amazingly gorgeous cover like this one. It’s perfect. Do judge a book by its cover when it looks like this one (haha!). Second: the author is Canadian! I really love supporting Canadian authors when I have the chance too and I’ve heard some great things about Mlynowski. Third: the synopsis of the book reminded me so much of Love, Lucy by April Lindner (read my review here) and Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch (read my review here). Passing up contemporary travel reads just isn’t in my vocabulary! I cannot wait to give this book a read! 

Book: The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook: Charming Recipes from Anne and Her Friends in Avonlea | Author: Kate Macdonald | Publisher: Race Point Publishing | Format: Hardcover | Pages: 112 | Genres: Nonfiction / Childrens / Cookbook

Synopsis:

Avonlea beckons in this cookbook inspired by the most famous Canadian children’s book, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. “Kindred spirits” both young and old will enjoy experiencing late-nineteenth-century Prince Edward Island firsthand through the delicious recipes culled from the eight books in the Anne of Green Gables series. 

From Poetical Egg Salad Sandwiches, to Anne’s Liniment Cake and Diana Barry’s Favourite Raspberry Cordial, these recipes are easy to prepare and delicious to serve up any day, on a weekend, or for special occasions! With full-colour photography, whimsical illustrations, and quotes and anecdotes from the books, get ready to be immersed in Anne Shirley’s world. 

Why I Bought It:

Anne of Green Gables has been a staple book series in my house. I was Anne for halloween one year, I’ve been to Prince Edward Island (where the book was set) and to a museum in Bala, Ontario. The author and the book are Canadian and like I said before, I really love supporting Canadian authors and stories. Needless to say, Anne of Green Gables has been a large part of my life. The author of this cookbook is Lucy Maud Montgomery’s granddaughter and her father, L.M. Montgomery’s son, was the doctor who delivered my mom into this world! 

We heard that Kate Macdonald would be at our local chapters to chat about the cookbook and sign copies. My mom jumped at the opportunity to meet Kate and tell Kate the story of how her father delivered my mom. Kate was absolutely wonderful to meet and was so genuinely pleased to hear the story. She said that she loves hearing stories like that and to know the different people that her father brought into this world. I can’t wait to try out some of these recipes and immerse myself more into Anne’s world! 

Book: Turtles All the Way Down | Author: John Green | Publisher: Dutton Books | Format: Hardcover | Pages: 286 | Genres: YA / Contemporary / Fiction 

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divices that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis. 

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 

Why I Bought It:

I was a fan of The Fault in Our Stars. Similar to Twilight, I didn’t become obsessed with it like most people but I certainly enjoyed the writing of John Green. I haven’t read any of his other books even though I own them all. But there was something that drew me towards this book and I’m really curious to see how I enjoy it. 

I was invited by Penguin to attend the 2017 Fall Gift Show at their Toronto office on October 19th. One of the perks for attending was receiving a 20% discount at the Penguin Shop (which is the tiniest little shop ever!). I actually had no plans of buying any books because I have so many on my TBR shelf right now. But, I saw this book with a tiny little sticker on it that said “Signed Copy.” How could I walk away from a book that I will eventually read that was signed? Yeah, not a chance. I’m really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book and seeing how John Green’s long awaited return plays out!