#TOR: Voyager

[magicianapprenticelyra]

Apprenticember—DAY(s) II & III (Part I)

Event created by: @ghoulfriendfangs​

Prompt(s): The LIs and your MC’s relationship with them.

The short of it: Lyra is paired with all the LIs of The Arcana. It’s just split into twelve different timelines. For the sake of readability/not wanting to put readers through thorough essays about each and every bit of said timelines, I’ll do my best to condense each bit into small paragraphs.

Asra—

Overall/In Other Routes: Lyra sees Asra as one of her closest, dearest friends. She’ll always find ways to keep in touch: be it keeping consistent correspondence while out of Vesuvia to finding time in her busy schedule to meet up with them. In Muriel’s route, Asra even officiates the wedding! There is, however, one timeline where their friendship is strained to its limit . . .

Upright (TOR: Compass Rose): He’s been there since the beginning of it all. Even if she can’t remember six of the nine years she’s actually known Asra, she wants nothing more than to make new memories with him. Be it in Vesuvia or some far-flung place on the continent over, she’s always found a home wherever Asra is.

Reversed (TOR: Songbird): Asra’s everything to her. He’s everything she’s ever known. He's also the only thing that she remembers.

[more under the cut!]

***

Nadia—

Overall/In Other Routes: Depending whether Lyra’s in an Upright or Reversed timeline, Lyra can be anywhere between having the utmost of respect for the Countess, to being totally neutral/indifferent. As a woman in her position, Nadia has a lot of responsibilities; Lyra doesn’t envy her in the slightest. If they’re friends, Lyra’s a visitor that Nadia looks forward to see. If they’re estranged or on hostile/unfriendly terms, at best it is awkward. At worst, it’s bitter and angry.

Upright (TOR: Emerald): Initially, Lyra only knew her as the widowed Countess. As she learned more about Nadia, she found a kindred spirit. While busy with their duties, they find each other—and their friends/loved ones—to lean on. The pair push each other to be better, and to do their best with whatever energies they have on a day to day basis.

Reversed (TOR: Ruby): With the new Devil being her significant other, Lyra’s found herself having many freedoms. Said freedoms, however, are at that the end of a very, very long leash. With the slightest sign of her Devil needing her presence, Lyra’s instantly transported back to the seat of Nadia’s throne. While free to do as she wishes, Lyra’s internal turmoil isn’t quelled in the least.

***

Julian—

Overall/In Other Routes: At best, she gets along with the fellow pun-loving doctor. At worst, interactions between the two of them can be either awkward or leave one or both of them completely and utterly exasperated. Julian isn’t the easiest person to be around, whether or not he does it intentionally. Lyra knows the man means well 89% of the time, but his flair for the dramatics makes her shake her head.

Upright (TOR: Voyager): Their relationship starts off not unlike a roller coaster. He’s wanted for murder, yet he doesn’t remember much from his time in the Red Plague. Lyra knows there’s more to the doctor than he lets on, especially when time and time again it seems like he’s a death seeker. After things are resolved, Lyra and Julian learn each other’s styles of affection. While Lyra is the more ‘serious’ of the pair, she’s not uptight to the point Julian’s shenanigans feel grating. Despite their very obvious differences, deep down beneath, they both care for the same things. They just go about it differently, especially when magic gets involved.

Reversed (TOR: Undertaker): They both have nightmares that feel endless. Both their bodies have changed, and they’re both doing their best to cope with it. Julian’s become something of a raven-based harpy, and Lyra’s shifting into a black sheep of sorts. Travelling together, Julian doesn’t pry much into what Lyra’s seen en route to finding him. It only comes up when Scout and Julian assist Lyra in sheering the excess amount of wool off of her skin and face. Despite it all, they’re together, and looking for their loved ones in their changed world. So long as they’re together, they can do anything.

A/N: It’s been taking longer than I would’ve liked to finish this, so I’m splitting this into two parts instead. If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Part 2 should be coming along soon enough.

PART 2: [TBA]

[bumblingbabooshka]

[TUVOKTOBER: Day 12] Casual telepathic conversation. There are some things you can't discuss with non-Vulcans.

No text!

The lady Tuvok's talking to is a canon, unnamed background character:

She's ex-Maquis and appears in like two scenes where she doesn't speak.

[thresholdbb]

Fascinating

[offtay]

off mingling with so many of my faves lately 🥰💚

[armofianthe]

Tamsyn Muir and Neon Yang interview transcript in the Voyage Into Genre podcast.

Tamsyn's segment starts at 21:39, if you want to listen. She talks about Nona, Greek tragedies, world building, the concept of love in TLT and much more. A very interesting read/listen.

[whatsheread]

Novel Nuggets - Still Catching Up

So many outstanding reviews to write. Here are just a few more. I was not expecting to love The Blood Trials by N. E. Davenport as much as I did, but holy hell did I. It was my favorite book read in March. In The Blood Trials, Ms. Davenport creates an exciting story that also teaches the dangers of inherent racism. I love Ikenna and her loyalty, as well as her determination to succeed; I…

[jesslovesboats]

BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT, I'm back with more Sad Boat Books for Sad Boat People! But first, some words.

I never dreamed that a silly little graphic I made for some friends would generate this much response on twitter and here, but I'm overjoyed that it resonated with so many of you! I read every single comment and tag, and by far my favorites are all of the people who say some variation of "I thought I was the only one who loved these books." We are NOT alone, there are literally thousands of people who reblogged or retweeted this list-- people of all ages and backgrounds and gender identities. Sad Boat isn't just for old white men! I was also delighted to hear from other librarians who are using this in displays and for reader's advisory. PLEASE go forth and do so with my blessing, nothing would make me happier! I was recently laid off from my librarian job as part of a restructuring under new management (don't worry about me, it sucks right now but I'm gonna be fine), so I would love to think that I'm still contributing to the library ecosystem while I'm out of commission. I would also love to keep making these lists (including one that deals with Sad Boat fiction and one with recommendations for other types of media), and I've never had more time to do it, so if you have suggestions, please drop them in my inbox!

Anyway, enough of that-- here are more books! I've either read all of these, or the recommendation came from someone I trust, so read with confidence!

First Hand Accounts

The Quiet Land: The Antarctic Diaries of Frank Debenham edited by June Debenham Back

The Voyage of the Discovery by Robert Falcon Scott

Farthest North by Fridtjof Nansen

Endurance by F.A. Worsley

Boats boats boats!

Franklin's Lost Ship: The Historic Discovery of HMS Erebus by Alanna Mitchell and John Geiger

The Voyages of the Discovery: The Illustrated History of Scott's Ship by Ann Savours

HMS Terror: The Design, Fitting, and Voyages of a Polar Discovery Ship by Matthew Betts

The SS Terra Nova (1884-1943): Whaler, Sealer, and Polar Exploration Ship by Michael C. Tarver

You'll learn about the Ross Sea Party and you'll like it

Shackleton's Heroes by Wilson McOrist

Shackleton’s Forgotten Men: The Untold Tragedy of the Endurance Epic by Lennard Bickel

The Ross Sea Shore Party 1914-1917 by R.W. Richards

The Lost Men by Kelly Tyler-Lewis*

Polar Castaways by Richard McElrea and David Harrowfield*

*These were on my other list, but this is my graphic and I'll do what I want

Sad Airships and Planes

From Pole to Pole: Roald Amundsen's Journey in Flight by Garth James Cameron

N-4 Down: The Hunt for the Arctic Airship Italia by Mark Piesing

Antarctica's Lost Aviator by Jeff Maynard

Disaster at the Pole: The Tragedy of the Airship Italia and the 1928 Nobile Expedition to the North Pole by Wilbur Cross

More Shackleton Content

Shackleton: A Life in Poetry by Jim Mayer

Shackleton's Last Voyage by Frank Wild

The Quest Chronicle: The Story of the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition by Jan Chojecki

Shackleton's Forgotten Expedition: The Voyage of the Nimrod by Beau Riffenburgh

Polar Partners

Snow Widows by Katherine MacInnes

Polar Wives: The Remarkable Women Behind the World's Most Daring Explorers by Kari Herbert

Widows of the Ice by Anne Fletcher

Sad Boat Graphic Novels

Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey by Nick Bertozzi

The Worst Journey in the World- The Graphic Novel Volume 1: Making Our Easting Down adapted by Sarah Airriess from the book by Apsley Cherry-Garrard*

How To Survive in the North by Luke Healy

*This was also on my other list, but this is my graphic and I'll do what I want

Biographies

Scott of the Antarctic by David Crane

Ice Captain: The Life of J.R. Stenhouse by Stephen Haddelsey

Cherry: A Life of Apsley Cherry-Garrard by Sara Wheeler

Birdie Bowers: Captain Scott's Marvel by Anne Strathie

Roald Amundsen by Tor Bomann-Larsen

Miscellaneous sad boat books that are well worth your time

I May Be Some Time: Ice and the English Imagination by Francis Spufford

Fatal North: Adventure and Survival Aboard USS Polaris, The First US Expedition to the North Pole by Bruce Henderson

Barrow's Boys: A Stirring Story of Daring, Fortitude, and Outright Lunacy by Fergus Fleming

Pilgrims on the Ice by T.H. Baughman

The Coldest Crucible: Arctic Exploration and American Culture by Michael F. Robinson

Ghosts of Cape Sabine by Leonard F. Guttridge

Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Andrea Pitzer

If you read and enjoy any of these, please let me know!

EDITED TO ADD: OG Sad Boat Books post here!

[trekkingthroughthestargate]

Has anybody ever thought about the absolute heartache associated with Spock canonically not remembering a lot of his life prior to his death as per the conversation in The Voyage Home "Not lie, just... exaggerate. You've done it before, can't you remember?" "The hell I can't".

The moment is played for laughs, but Spock genuinely cannot remember. He can sense a familiarity with his crew - Kirk and McCoy in particular - and by the end of The Voyage Home has rediscovered a new friendship and familiarity with them.

But all the memories they made beforehand? They're just not there.

How many times did Kirk or McCoy start reminiscing about something that happened during their five year mission, only to be met with a blank, but polite, stare from Spock. When McCoy almost dies of cold on Rura Penthe, does he recall Sarpeidon (All Our Yesterdays), and how gently Spock cared for him then. Even in the midst of everything he was going through, did he wonder if Spock even remembered that shared experience? When Kirk finally tells Spock that he had to sacrifice his own son to get him back, does he think back at how Spock had tried to comfort him when he lost his brother and sister-in-law. Did he realize that every time he's suffered a loss (with the exception of the loss of Spock himself), Spock has been at his side to provide comfort. Did he wonder if Spock even remembers that, or if he even realizes that to Kirk recovery from grief requires his calming presence?

How many times over the rest of the years spent together did they still feel a sense of grief over what they lost, made all the more potent by the ever-present bittersweet reminder in their lives in the form of the newborn Spock. The same comforting, logical, frustrating, loyal, impossible, dependable presence... just with fifteen years of camaraderie lost.

Yes, they have Spock back. And they will take whatever version of Spock the universe has blessed them with without complaint. Even if Spock had walked away after the Fal-tor-pan and never remembered them they would have counted themselves blessed by the knowledge that even if he doesn't know them... at least he's alive. And they got so much more than that. But for the rest of their lives, they are fighting a deep sense of grief at the time that was lost, the memories that were lost, the shared experiences that are now only shared between two... not three.

[fandomsandfeminism]

The 2023 Nebula Novel Finalists

Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree (Cryptid; Tor)

Spear, Nicola Griffith (Tordotcom)

Nettle and Bone, T. Kingfisher (Tor; Titan UK)

Babel, R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US; Harper Voyager UK)

Nona the Ninth, Tamsyn Muir (Tordotcom)

The Mountain in the Sea, Ray Nayler (MCD; Weidenfeld & Nicolson)

[trek-tracks]

The end of Search for Spock but they mess up the fal-tor-pan and McCoy and Spock’s minds wind up in each others’ bodies, SNW "Spock Amok" hijinks-style.

They don't want to worry anyone further, so the entirety of The Voyage Home is exactly the same, except Bones and Spock are in each other's bodies and desperately trying not to let anyone know:

Gillian: Do you like Italian? Bones in Spock's body: shit, does Spock like Italian? No. Yes. No. Jim: I love Italian and so do you. Bones: Of course. I forgot because I died.

Spock in Bones' body: please don't ask the doctor to run my station Him? I mean him, back at his post, like nothing happened. I don't know if you've got the whole picture but he isn't exactly working on all thrusters. Bones, sitting at Spock's station: this was such a bad plan, Spock. What's something that fucker would say uh...a joke is a story with a humourous climax.

Jim: Bones, you stay here. Spock in Bones' body: No way, ...somebody's gotta keep an eye on him! to make sure he doesn't do something massively illogical with my body

Bones, watching Jim sell the glasses Bones gave him: Excuse me, weren't those a birthday present from Doctor McCoy? asshole Jim: it's ok he won't know

Scotty: I've travelled millions of miles Spock: I must correct him; it bothers me too much Thousands.

Bones: I have to swear so badly but I can't. How would Spock swear? How would... They are not the hell your whales. close enough

Jim: You're acting a lot more formal and stiff than you used to. Bones, who is overcompensating by trying to act as Vulcan as possible: I cannot tell a lie.

Spock: you took my body swimming WHERE Bones: I had to ask the whales for their consent ok

The slingshot through time on the way back home throws them back into their own bodies, because that makes as much sense as anything else. They never tell anyone what happened.

[celestialvoyeur]

💛💙SPIRK FIC REC💙💛

This TOS fic takes place after a The Search for Spock.

Following the fal-tor-pan, Spock is still struggling to recover his memories. The disastrous maiden voyage of the USS Enterprise-A causes him to realize that he’s forgotten something important about his place in Kirk’s life.

This is quite a gentle one, with deep love and tenderness. A lovely story with which to close out the year 🥰🖖

[ichayalovesyou]

The Music of Vulcan

Relevant Kir'Shara Article: What Does A Vulcan Listen To?

Songs from T'Khasi

Songs created by Vulcans, primarily in Vulkansu

Nadordatoran na'o T'Khasi (Tribute to Vulcan)

A mourning dirge for the Vulcan home world composed after it's destruction in the Kelvin Timeline, performed by T'Prion.

The Ballad of Solkar The Slut

A chiding parody ballad recounting the historical event referred to as "First Contact", specifically the handshake transpiring between Ambassador Solkar and Zefram Cochrane. Written by @yel-halansu and performed by @axelastralis

Falor's Journey

An excerpt of the musical epic known as "Falor's Journey" performed by Tuvok (played by Tim Russ) from the Voyager episode "Innocence" in Federation Standard via Universal Translator.

The Works of Sidzhan T'Gai & T'Prion

Sidzhan T'Gai's youtube channel consists of 7 original compositions in various Vulcan musical traditions and styles performed by T'Prion. The titles consist of I'kushizhau Etek Salan (Now We Shape The Wind), Ken-tor Rik'faiyan, Dvel (Choice), Sochya (Peace), IDIC, Kaiidith (What Is, Is), Fmak t'Sochya (Sanctuary of Peace). For more information go to Vulcan Legacy.

Earth Songs in Vulkansu

See the Vulcan Linguistics Post for translation tools!

Ki'orentor (You & I Have Learned)

A poem written by Leonard Nimoy in 1981 and shared on Twitter a few days before his death, translated here into Vulcan (with English subtitles).

How to Save A Life

Original song by The Fray, translated and performed by Denatonia, title translated to "Remembering A Friend" for lyrical restructuring purposes.

Aluk-kumsu (The Wellerman Song)

A translation of the New Zealand whaling shanty that took the internet by storm earlier in the pandemic, translated and performed by myself.

Rom-halan Mahk (The Parting Glass)

A translation of an old Irish drinking song into Vulkansu by myself, since dedicated to Nichelle Nichols and all beloved Star Trek actors now departed from us.

Inspired by Vulcans and Vulkansu

Songs of T'Khasi

A five playlist Masterpost composed by myself of short playlists meant to depict the grander overarching history of Vulcan. From when they first evolved into thinking humanoids in the unforgiving T'Khasi desert, to their ever changing and enlightened future among the stars.

Aluk-kumsu (The Wellerman Song)

A translation of the New Zealand whaling shanty that took the internet by storm earlier in the pandemic, translated and performed by myself.

Pon Farr: An Amok Time Tribute

A fan re-interpretation/playlist recounting the events of of Star Trek: The Original Series' "Amok Time", each song depicting a particular chapter in the narrative.

Vulcan Performance at Unifision

Theoretical waxings on the various stylings of performance from Federation worlds at a United Federation of Planets "Eurovision" instigated by @goddamnshinyrock and @swordfern. With particular description on the Vulcan performance by @aceofwands. Fanart depiction can be found here, created by @sleepysnowfinch!

Click Here to Return to the Vulcan Masterpost (Coming Soon!)

[bumblingbabooshka]

“As it was in the dawn of our days As it will be for all tomorrows To you, my husband, I consecrate all that I am. T’Pel, my wife. From you I receive all that I am. As it was in the beginning, so shall it be now. Two bodies, one mind.“                                                                   - Pon Farr Ritual Lines

Tuvok can have a little overwhelming guilt, sorrow and heartache as a treat. Also, people need to start talking about that fucking Pon Farr opener because it’s hardcore and so loving. Anyway so I was thinking about the fact that pon farr is a bonding ritual which helps to alleviate fever...how intimate that would be and how it’d feel to have to share that kind of thing with a facsimile of the person you care about.  It’s not just sex, it’s love. And Tuvok loves his wife - to the point that even having sex with a hologram that didn’t look like T’Pel was unacceptable to him. To the point that he noticed that her ears were 4 millimeters too long. It must be difficult knowing that your wife is there, waiting for you, still in love with you, but you can’t reach her.  It must be difficult holding a woman who looks almost exactly like your wife but where she had a mind as familiar to you as your own (a mind which was your own, as yours was hers) this woman has only a static buzz and a voice you half-remember. I think it’d be very complicated and painful! And so so interesting! And I was picturing Tuvok, still under the pon farr’s influence, feeling so bad about not being able to control himself and also missing T’Pel and his children and regretting being trapped in the delta quadrant and just like....crying. All of his emotions from the past few years are just bubbling to the surface. And Holo T’Pel doesn’t know. She can’t help him like the real T’Pel could. She can’t receive his telepathic apology or pain or love and he won’t say it out loud because her inability to respond/understand is painful and in his state he feels the pain is deserved. What use would talking to a hologram be? It would just be even more pathetic. But Holo T’Pel sees that he’s crying she asks what’s wrong and when he doesn’t answer she presses their heads together as if they actually could speak properly, telepathically, and know each other. But they can’t.  They are two bodies, two minds. They will never become one.

[calliethetrekkie]

Triunmvirate Prompts: Day 24

#24. Favorite TOS movie moment?

Oh wow, that's hard. There's a lot, The Voyage Home especially has so, SO many fun moments that I could pick. But because of my Spones-loving heart, I'm gonna go with...

MCCOY: I'm gonna tell you something that ...I never thought I'd hear myself say. But it seems that I've missed you. I don't think I could stand to lose you again.

I may be in the minority who feels like this, but McCoy got utterly screwed over in The Search For Spock. Not that what he got was bad. Far from it, and thankfully, De Kelley was a fantastic actor who added enough depth to make his screentime work. I could go on forever about Spock giving him his katra, and I've already talked about my love for the theory that the fal-tor-pan bonded them. But seriously, the guy who is literally carrying Spock's soul and was as close to him as Kirk was and who had been through SO MUCH with him despite the amount of times they were at odds... the lack of focus really, REALLY sucks. Maybe Shatner just needed the screentime that bad and Kelley didn't want to deal with it and make a fuss? I don't know, but it still pisses me off that McCoy never got to properly process his grief on-screen.

Thankfully, however, we got this at least.

After all the Hell he and the others went through, McCoy's finally alone with Spock's body. He has no idea how to get the katra out of his head and back into Spock and can't do anything but stand there and wait to reach Vulcan. But it's the one time in the film that McCoy is allowed one little moment where he can express how he feels. How much losing Spock hurt him. How much he missed him. How he cannot bare the thought of losing him all again. It's that bit of acknowledgement of the two and their history and development together that the film desperately needed. It's a brief scene, but De put his all into it (and Leonard Nimoy did a good job of just laying there motionless XD) and thus it hit exactly as it was meant to. When he accepts the danger to bring Spock back? Are any of us surprised? Nope. If it brings Spock back, he'll do anything, because he loves him that much (feel free to take that in any context that you would like... but those who know me know where I stand XD)

[whatmakesagod]

10 Books to Look Forward to in 2024

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan, an adult East Asian fantasy featuring kelpies, kappas, sea witches, a water dragon princess, and a half-siren captain of the border guard. The city of Tiankawai is half-submerged and the humans are looking down on the fathomfolk from their skyscrapers. Available on February 8th from Hachette and February 27th from Orbit

Goodreads

Pre-order link

Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova, a Balkan folklore crossover fantasy with shadow magic, witches, monstrous exes, Berlin wall-inspiration, and dragons. When Kosara's shadow, the source of her magic, is traded to give her safe passage across the Wall, she is struck with a fatal illness that impacts all shadow-less witches. She has little choice but to go back over the Wall and confront her ex, the Tsar of Monsters, to get her magic back. Availabe on June 25th from Tor and McMillan

Goodreads

Pre-order link

Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase is an adult Botswanan cyberpunk Africanfuturism Queer thriller with horror elements from a Queer Motswanan author. Nelah has everything she could want except a child. On a rendezvous with her lover, they hit a young woman and Nelah will do anything to hide their actions or else she'll lose her chance at being a mother and, perhaps, her chance at having a body. Available from Kensington Books on January 23rd

Goodreads

Pre-order link

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo, a YA mystery debut focusing on young women and their trauma. When Jo-Lynn's former best friend goes missing, Jo seeks out the truth while trying to find herself again. Available from Bloomsbury on April 30th

Goodreads

Pre-order link

The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim, a feminist psychological horror featuring cannibalism and a young woman slowly turning into a murderer. When Ji-won's mother starts dating George, a white man with an Asian fetish, Ji-won because obsessed with his blue eyes and hungers for them. Available on June 25th from Kensington

Goodreads

Pre-order link

Road to Ruin by Hana Lee, an adult Queer fantasy love letter to Mad Max: Fury Road. Jin-lu, a magebike courier, carries love letters from her prince to a princess across the wastelands...and she's in love with both of them. Available from Simon and Schuster on May 14th

Goodreads

Pre-order link

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft is a Sapphic voyage to discover the origin of magic, until the leader of the expedition is murdered. With Germanic folklore and lush prose, it looks to be another hit from Allison Saft. Available from Penguin Random House September 17th

Goodreads

Pre-order link

Teller of Small Fortunes is an immigrant cozy fantasy adult debut. We're a bit too early for a cover or pre-order link on this one, so here is the PM deal. Please keep it in mind as we get closer to the publish date in November!

Kacen Callender's first YA fantasy features polyamorous characters of color, trans representation, and a quest to find the Book of Source, an alchemic text said to give its reader great power. Available on February 6th from MacMillan

Goodreads

Pre-order link

Not in the Plan by Dana Hawkins, a Sapphic contemporary romance. Mack, an author struggling to write her sophomore novel, meets Charlie, a nearly bankrupt coffee shop owner and sparks fly as Mack uses parts of Charlie's story for her book. Available January 31st only in digital and audiobook

Goodreads

Pre-order link

[nzbookwyrm]

https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-hugo-astounding-and-lodestar-awards-finalists/

The 2024 Hugo Award nominations have been released!

Nominees for Best Novel:

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, Shannon Chakraborty (Harper Voyager; Harper Voyager UK)

The Saint of Bright Doors, Vajra Chandrasekera (Tordotcom)

Translation State, Ann Leckie (Orbit US; Orbit UK)

Starter Villain, John Scalzi (Tor US; Tor UK)

Some Desperate Glory, Emily Tesh (Tordotcom; Orbit UK)

Witch King, Martha Wells (Tordotcom)