#as are her children regardless of parentage by virtue of being her children and even then they are recognised by laenor as his

[feydrautha]

"If you dont pick a side - aka the side I personally prefer for moral reasons - in HOTD, then you miss the entire point GRRM wanted to make, and are immoral"

Have you considered that you can do two things at once, understand the deeper meaning of the Dance and also watch this in the same way you would follow a telenovela or a soccer match between two bitter rival teams where you don't really have a horse in the race

[thelonelyrdr-blog]

Thoughts on the Heroes of Olympus series (Part 3)

(The ending is somewhat spoiled in this one, so if that bugs you, read with caution.)                      Apparently, yesterday was Percy Jackson's birthday. So he's a Leo. Makes sense, I thought, and set to integrating this piece of trivia with my mental image of Percy, but then I realized that I already knew it from the following exchange in The Blood of Olympus: "Like the zodiac sign?" Percy asked. "I'm a Leo." "No, stupid," Leo said, "I'm a Leo. You're a Percy." The bad puns in this series are so real, guys. Anyway, given that it was Percy's birthday, it would've been neat if I could've posted this review yesterday, but alas, I just didn't have the energy after work. But hey, my lateness won't stop me from tagging this post with #happybirthdaypercy in a shameless attempt to increase my readership. Happy Birthday, Percy! I know you won't mind my using your birthday as a marketing tool.   The Blood of Olympus  Reyna and Nico are by far my favorite parts of this book, both separately and as a pair, but especially as a pair. Both are characters with deeply traumatic pasts who feel a respect and kinship for one another that eventually evolve into familial affection. Hazel may be Nico’s sister in name, but Reyna seems closer to filling Bianca’s role as big sister to Nico: whereas, historically, Nico has had to protect and guide Hazel, Reyna is someone who will not only do the same for him, but who will also worry for him. She has the magical ability to literally empathize with his need, as a boy who has lost a mother and an older sister, to feel cared for and considered, and is therefore uniquely qualified to respond to it. Nico’s bonds with both Reyna and Hazel, though, are beautiful.  As for Reyna herself, as much as I love all of the female characters in both this series and the original, in my estimation, she's the best, simply by virtue of being the most complex. Riordan's skill with developing characters through their internal struggles shines in Reyna's chapters. Let's not kid ourselves like the other characters do: she killed her father, even if it was in self-defense and even if he'd degenerated into a mania, giving her what is certainly the darkest backstory of any character in this series and probably of any character in any middle-grade series ever. I'm surprised that the publisher didn't insist on cutting the murder, though Riordan does gloss over its moral ambiguity somewhat. Nico's pretty terrifying in that one scene, too, and in his case, Reyna and Coach Hedge fully acknowledge the immorality of his actions. You all know the scene I'm referring to, or will if and when you read this book. Can I get some Dark!PercyxDark!Nico fanfics in addition to the Dark!Percy ones I already tried to commission in my previous blog post? (Oh, and if you're wondering about my thoughts on Reyna's sexuality, as I know many have imagined her as gay or bisexual, I personally ship her with herself regardless of her sexual preferences. To be clear, I have nothing against either interpretation of her character, but I got a little disenchanted with every character being or wanting to be in a serious romantic relationship as the series progressed. There are single teenagers, you know. I was one of them.) Before I conclude my discussion of Nico and Reyna, though, I have to mention the scene where Nico finally confesses to Percy that he once had a crush on him. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one cheering for him and wishing that I could be that cool while simultaneously laughing at Percy’s confusion and Annabeth’s amusement. And oh man, that high five between Annabeth and Nico. Perfect.  But it's time that I commented on Leo’s happy ending, in which he fulfills his role in the prophecy by dying (but not really) and keeping his oath to Calypso to free her from Ogygia.  Their whole relationship is comprised of moments of subtle tenderness, but the line in the last chapter that struck me most was:  “Leo Valdez,” she said. Nothing else - just his name, as if it were something magical.  I fangirled when I read that line, and the entire last chapter, for two reasons. The first is that, no matter how I try to deny the tendency in myself, I’m a hopeless romantic (yes, I’m a hopeless romantic who doesn’t read straight romance and who wants to see more single characters in middle-grade and YA novels. Everyone has their contradictions) who was invested in this couple from the start. However, the second reason pertains to Leo’s character. He’s the “seventh” wheel of the group, who’s spent the whole series doubting his own merits and developing crushes on girls who either take no interest in him or take no interest in him and seem interested in one of his friends instead. To be fair, one of these girls is a villain anyway, but her rejection still validates Leo’s insecurities. Even Calypso herself has a history with another of the Seven (Percy) and initially reacts to Leo's arrival on Ogygia as though it were a cruel joke of the gods'. The fact that the other characters largely disregard Leo - even I've ignored him until now, ironically, despite how hilarious I found his dialogue and narration - is what makes Riordan’s positioning him as the hero of the series so emotionally and narratively satisfying. He forms a plan to defeat Gaea without even consulting the others (might it be said that his inherited tendency to work independently and in isolation, which he and dad Hephaestus both perceive as a flaw, is what enables him to save the world?); he breaks Calypso's curse without leaning on the gods or on Percy's bargain with them. He goes from being the most overlooked of the Seven to someone whose very name inspires awe (and you can't tell me that Calypso's awe results solely from romantic feeling - I'm sure that, when she utters that line, she's also thinking of how Leo is the first and only person to manage to free her, to even remember her after leaving Ogygia). His is an underdog story done right. Overall As I hope you've gathered from my individual comments on each book, there's a lot to appreciate in this series: it's by turns light and funny and dark and morally ambiguous; it's smart and subtly overturns stereotypes and prejudices; and, perhaps most importantly, it's full of likable, relatable characters who feel distinct and real. It's self-aware too: as in the original series, Riordan raises the question - here, most notably in Arachne's version of her myth - of whether the gods are truly good or merely better than the alternatives of Gaea and the Titans; whether theirs is the side the demi-gods would willingly choose or merely the one they happen to be on because of their parentage. It's not often in children's adventure stories that the heroes consider that the villains may have a valid moral point, and beyond that, one that invalidates theirs. Even the last two Harry Potter books don't go as far with humanizing and demonizing Voldemort and Dumbledore, respectively. Unfortunately, the narrative does not adequately answer this question or many of the others that it raises. Take, as another example, Percy's "fatal flaw," loyalty, which I noted in Part 1 of my review never seems to result in negative consequences for either the Seven or the quest, despite being talked up by both gods and monsters throughout the series. Were the repeated warnings about it supposed to be foreshadowing Percy's decision to fall into Tartatus with Annabeth? If so, that makes no sense, as at least one demi-god was needed on each side of the Doors of Death, anyway, and Percy and Annabeth were obviously more successful as a team than either would've been alone. Or, as is more likely, was Percy's "fatal flaw" part of a larger plot thread that was dropped due to time and space constraints? But if that's the case, then why couldn't the first two books in the series have been condensed into one, or the series extended to include six or seven books? Surprisingly, considering how tightly plotted the original series was, the plot in this series fizzles to near nonexistence by the end of The Blood of Olympus, the tension building inconsistently as the climax approaches. Compared to the final battle in The Last Olympian, which engrossed me even more than the Battle of Hogwarts did (fellow Harry Potter fans, you don't have to call me a traitor; I assure you, I already feel like one), the stakes in the battle against Gaea and her army seemed the equivalent height of those in a fight involving elementary school children wielding sticks. Riordan's failure to deliver in this respect was especially glaring considering that he'd promised readers not one major battle in The Blood of Olympus, but two. Instead we get a one-on-one fight between Reyna and Orion that feels more internally than externally resonant and forestalls Major Battle #1, the Roman attack on the Greeks, before it even begins; a fight with the earthborn during which no one but Jason is really needed, as he's shown to be tremendously overpowered; and a fight between Leo and Gaea, which should've been Major Battle #2 but which is over within a page or two. The characters reiterate throughout the series how powerful Gaea is and how much more substantial of a threat she is than the Titans, but even the lowest monster in Tartarus was scarier and took longer to defeat. Hell, the Minotaur in The Lightning Thief would've been a worthier opponent for our heroes. The only explanation I can think of for the disappointing finish to this series is, again, that Riordan must have run out of time or space to give readers a proper final battle (though he hinted at two, I would've settled for one). Or possibly steam.   Still, although the series as a whole has a rushed and sloppy quality to it, I would still highly recommend it, both for the reasons listed above and for its resemblance to fanfiction. Yes, sadly, only in fanfiction would I expect to read a continuation of Percy Jackson's story with as many minority as white demi-god protagonists, whose cultures, used respectfully by Riordan, inform rather than define their identities; a gay character who is revealed to be in love with the protagonist of the first series; and an emphasis on female empowerment and the glorification of the feminine. There’s even a character -  arguably the most physically attractive of the Seven, might I add - who discovers that he needs glasses! I was shocked, albeit pleasantly so, to find a published series containing all of these elements, and I'm not even gay or a minority. If you pick up these books for the representation alone, you won't regret it.     But that won’t be necessary: there are a multitude of other fun reasons. 

[justjessame]

Diamonds Are A Boy’s Best Friend Chapter 10

After Ike kissed me breathless and handed my underwear back to me with a smirk, he vanished from the dressing room. I shook my head and pulled the silky fabric back up my legs as I sat on the bench. He seemed to take pleasure in the danger of having me. Of taking something that was so clearly off limits by virtue of my parentage, Isaac Evans seemed to get a singular thrill.

I would have to examine that thought later. I had clothes to try on.

 I had more bags than Lily for once, when we finally left the store. The driver took one look at my packages and I could swear he considered going on the roof and diving off onto the pavement. I was tempted to tell him that this wasn’t even all of it, since my gowns (I’d actually purchased two of each of the styles I’d chosen, in different colors) had to be recreated and fitted. He huffed a sigh as he took the bags and boxes from the young men who carried them out for us. Opening the boot of the car and, after I admonished him to be more careful, gently arranged them.

“You’re good at that,” Lily said, once we were seated in the car.

I looked at her in confusion, wondering what she meant. “I’m good at what, precisely?”

“Giving orders.” She smiled and pulled off her sunglasses. “You may be better than your dear old dad.”

I laughed. “It comes from being surrounded by ‘the help’ from the time you’re in diapers,” a sad, but true fact. “The only time I’ve ever been at the receiving end of direction was during school.” I shrugged and sat back as the driver joined us in the car.

“How often did you see Ben?” She was looking out the window, but I could tell she was burning with curiosity. A curiosity I was surprised had held out this long.

“I didn’t.” I turned my head to stare out my own window. “Until I arrived in Miami, the only time I’d seen my father, that I can recall, is in photographs.”

“You can’t be serious.” Incredulous. That’s the tone Lily was using. She couldn’t believe that my father and I hadn’t spent time together at all. “How old are you, Liz?”

Another laugh. “Don’t you know you aren’t supposed to ask a lady that question, Lily?” Another admonishment, but this one playful. “You first.”

“I’m twenty-five.” Not a hint of concern in her voice. And I could see why, she WAS younger than me.

A smirk played on my lips as I volleyed back my own. “Twenty-eight.”

“The same age as Vera.” She offered, but I said nothing. “I know, you know.”

“Pardon?” She knew what? “What is it you know?”

She turned, and I found myself turning to face her as well. “I KNOW.” Her eyes widened, and I understood. “Why do you think we went shopping for New Year’s?” She smiled, showing that she wanted to soften the blow a bit. “Ben thought you could use some-” Lily seemed to be considering what word best filled the blank. “Help.”

I almost snorted. My father had my younger stepmother decorate me to whore out. If that didn’t sound completely far fetched, I didn’t know what would. “Of course he did.” I shook my head. “Are you the only one?” That knows, I meant and she nodded. “Good.” I’d hate for MY reputation to be ruined before I even met anyone. And I wanted to be certain that she didn’t tattle during pillow talk with Stevie.

“You know that-” she stopped, glancing at the driver and shook her head. “We’ll talk more at home.”

I nodded my acquiescence and we drove on in silence.

 “Is there anything left in the stores?” Father asked, his smile as wide as when he told me about the New Year’s Eve party.

“Yes, the rest of our purchases.” I offered back as he leaned forward and air kissed my temple. His chuckle seemed genuine. “You seem happy.”

He kissed Lily before answering me. “I am.” He had a cigar in his hand and his grin held. “It’s been a good day, Liz. A good day.” And then he wandered off, and I felt safe thinking that at least someone might not get shot today.

“The bags with the red mark are mine,” I was telling the workers who showed up to take our things to our rooms. “The ones unmarked are Lily’s. Do be careful, some of the fabric is quite delicate.” I warned as they gathered up the bags and boxes and toted them upstairs.

“A natural.” Lily was shaking her head at my tossing out orders. “Come on, we have a chat scheduled.”

 Once we were safe in a small room with only a bed, and a ceiling full of mirrors, Lily told me what she felt I should know. That her and my father had only moved to Florida days before I’d returned. While she’d lived in a place called Weeki Wachi before, Father was Chicago by way of Philadelphia. That the upheaval in Cuba was causing issues with the casinos that his associates ran in Havana, and he needed the investment with Ike to pay over and above what was formerly agreed upon.

“And I’m what precisely?” I asked, thinking that my part as the queen in infidelity chess didn’t seem to fit. “Catching Ike cheating may ruin his reputation, but you and I both know that celebrities can get away with anything and isn't he a Miami celebrity? It won’t force the Miramar into Father’s control.”

“Maybe your part isn’t simply to cheat with him, Liz.” She seemed to be trying to tell me something, but damned if I could see what. “Think, Liz, think.” So I did, and it dawned on me.

“No.” I shook my head. “He can’t think that would work.”

“You’re everything she wants to be.” Lily was studying me. “Everything she pretends she is.” Pounding the idea home step by step. “And I’m sure that you can give him more children without help from supernatural mambo jumbo.” I didn't ask how she knew. I had a feeling Lily had ways of finding out anything. As did my father.

I was shocked. He didn’t want to ruin Ike. Not completely. No. It was far worse. He wanted to make Ike part of the family. So he’d have a direct line straight into the Miramar Playa’s safe. Or worse still, that I'd become his beneficiary and then Ike became expendable.

“He loves her.” Whispered, because I felt like the worst type of traitor. “Regardless of who she may be. Ike loves her.”

“She was a showgirl in Havana.” Lily offered, as though her background could be better. “I heard you two were bonding at the hotel. Did she mention she was a dancer?”

I nodded, and realized I’d assumed ballerina. Tall and leggy, slender as a reed, what other type of dancer should I have assumed? Not that there was anything wrong with being a dancer of any sort, I supposed. I was still wrapping my head around my father’s ill conceived plan.

“A showgirl who pretends she’s a society matron. She was the headliner there.” Lily conceded with an eyeroll. “There are whispers that Ike’s sister-in-law was his first choice. Or that she wishes she was his first choice.”

“What?” I hoped I didn’t hear that correctly. “His sister-in-law?”

“The dearly departed first wife’s older sister. Emphasis on OLDER.” Another eye roll. “She does have the class and sophistication of old money. Like Molly, the first wife.” She tapped my hand. “And YOU.”

I did snort then. “I have the class and sophistication that blood money bought, Lily, not quite the same thing.”

“Don’t you know who your mother was?” She was staring at me like I was an idiot. I shook my head, still feeling completely numb from our girl chat so far. “Doris Diamond came from truly OLD money. Think Chicago Rockefeller old.” Lily shook her head. “You’re the real deal, Liz, whether you know it or not. It surprised the hell out of me when I heard Vera made friends with you.”

“She’s nice.” I offered lamely. “Kind and open.” Why was I building her up again? Because Ike loved her, not me.

It was Lily’s turn to snort. “More likely she’s hoping some of your natural class and elegance rubs off on her.” I raised an eyebrow at my would-be mother. “I don’t pretend to be something I’m not, Liz. You can’t dress a pig in an evening gown and call it Miss America.”

 I shook my head with a chuckle. “You’re terrible, Lily.”

“No, I’m honest.” She sighed. “Ike Evans may love his wife. He may be tempted by his sister-in-law. You, though, I have a feeling you’re what he’s been searching for his whole damn life.”

 Lily and my father went to the Miramar alone for dinner after our chat. I grabbed my book and went in search of the kitchen. No point in the staff making dinner for little old me. I wandered the house, realizing that aside from the briefest tour when I’d arrived, I hadn’t explored the house at all.

I opened door after door. Bedroom after bedroom. Library. Sitting room. I was upstairs looking through the rooms and came to one more closed door. Opening it, I noticed that the room beyond looked unremarkable. The rug was askew however, and I walked forward to fix it and then I saw that it was covering glass. A glass floor?

I tugged the carpet back and a chill ran through me. Not just a glass. A one-way glass with a view directly into the room that Lily and I had our little chat in.