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norabrice1701 · 11 months

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The Duke & The Witch - Ch. 1

Charles Brandon x Fem!OC, A The Tudors Slight-AU fic

Series Main List

Ch. 1 Warnings: Alcohol use; talk of witchcraft and religion; memories of death during childbirth

His head pounds. The sunlight shafting through the shutter slats blinds his eyes. His mouth feels heavy with cotton and the last thing he wants to do is stir from bed. Admittedly, perhaps he shouldn't have finished the flagon of wine last night. It doesn't agree with him the way it used to, loathe as he is to admit it.

The price of aging, he supposes. The mark of a weary soul.

But last night only brought the coming of today’s dawn. The day that should mark two years of wedded bliss. And now that he’s awake, he only has ghosts. His beloved Catherine, pale and still in the birthing bed. Next to her, his first child - the innocent face of his stillborn son. To this day, he doesn’t even know the boy’s eye color.

Tears sting his eyes but he refuses to let them fall. He is the Duke of Suffolk. He has duties and responsibilities to attend to, no matter the ache in his heart or the hungover state of his body.

He swings his feet over the edge of the bed, taking the space of a breath to gather his bearings before calling out for Joseph. His voice carries a gravelly and rough tone. An obvious indicator of his ragged state.

In short order, he refreshes and dresses in the adornments of his station, rich garments of black and gold. Breakfast passes with its typical silence, and Charles manages a small, grateful smile as Joseph sets a steaming pot of robust tea on the table. At court, Charles doesn’t dare partake in something so obvious as a pot of tea the morning after too much wine. But in the privacy of his own estate, he doesn’t think twice.

He refills his cup, watching the tendrils of steam curl and dissipate. At least, the Ipswich swordsmith has promised that his latest commission would be finished today. No messages have arrived to the contrary, but given that the roundtrip journey to Ipswich will take the better part of the day, Charles hopes the smithy stays true to his word.

At first, the more noble among noblemen had sneered when he brought the first blade not of London origin to court. Well, truthfully, the more noble among noblemen have sneered at everything his coronet represents. But in time, even Henry has expressed admiration over the handling of Charles’ Ipswich blade, in particular the noted ability to thrust effectively while maintaining the power to cut. It has been yet another point of pride for Charles, who will never let it be said that he is a slouch swordsman.

The fog in his head starts to clear as he polishes off the tea. The ache in his head subsides to a dull roar that he can mostly ignore, even as he squints through the cheery morning sunlight. Blessedly, the ride to Ipswich is an easy one, over well-traveled roads that aren’t too rutted. The sun climbs higher in the sky, heralding the stifling heat that will be present by late afternoon.

But even upon midday arrival in Ipswich, the heat already makes its presence known. The main street through the town hangs heavy with the stench of privy runoff as he passes, nodding at the commoners who stop to acknowledge him. He can’t imagine living his life surrounded by the constant smell of shit. But perhaps the more time someone spends around such a smell, the less that person is inclined to notice it. Nothing about the thought eases the waves of disgust roiling in his gut as he hears the smithy’s shop.

Sweat soaks the shirt beneath his heavy tunic as he dismounts, reaching for the water pouch. He really shouldn’t have overdone himself last night. With a signal for his man to wait outside, Charles steps around what must surely be a pile of excrement before ducking into the crude dwelling.

“Ah! Good morning, Your Grace.” The swordsmith – Milton, if Charles remembers rightly – greets him with an eager smile. The man has never been adept at hiding his desire for Charles to open his coin purse.

“Good morning.” Charles does his best to summon a pleasant smile, but he has no reason to linger. “Is the sword ready?”

“Yes, Your Grace – just as I promised.” Milton turns, gesturing excitedly at a soot-smudged, thin rail of a boy who hunkers against the back wall. “Boy! Go fetch the Duke’s sword. Come on, now – don’t keep him waiting!”

The boy shuffles to his feet, not daring to raise his eyes in the direction of either adult as he moves for a curtained portion of the shop. By Charles’ assessment, the poor boy looks just barely capable of standing, let alone hefting a heavy sword. He hasn’t heard of recent food shortages in his duchy, but it always takes him aback to witness poverty first hand. Sure, he can provide the lad with decent meals for a week, but therein lies the problem – if he provides for one, he needs to provide for all, and his coffers don’t overflow with such bountiful riches. It’s a problem that he isn’t good enough or selfless enough to solve.

When Charles refocuses his attention, something in his face must betray his thoughts. The swordsmith offers him a placating smile as he speaks. “He’s a good lad, Your Grace. Please do not be concerned. He’ll make a fine apprentice as he ages. My current apprentice is out at the market, otherwise, I would have sent him.”

Charles nods with vague understanding and disinterest. Milton continues to prattle on, offering more appreciation and platitudes as Charles takes in the rough tools scattered about various work surfaces. Orange coals roast low in the fireplace, ready to be fanned to life by the nearby bellows, and a primitive anvil stands sentinel. A high-pitched grunt of exertion draws his gaze as he turns with curiosity to see the boy staggering back, arms laden with a long, heavy burden wrapped in burlap.

Charles’ brow pinches in concern. “Well, he won’t make a good apprentice if he cannot develop the strength to lift his own wares.”

“Of course, Your Grace. He is still young, but he will learn.” Milton takes the burlap bundle and shoos the boy back to his resting place against the wall. The boy looks all too relieved to take up his previous post.

Milton rests the bundle on the nearest work surface, untying the crude wrapping to reveal a gleaming, polished sword. The hilt bears a tight wrapping of woven, black leather bands with a clean line of smooth metal studs. At first glance, the sword looks the part - made for slashing and gutting, not putting on airs.

“Please.” Milton supplicates, opening his hands with wide palms to gesture down at the sword. “Please see how she breathes and moves.”

Charles reaches for the sword with his gloved hand, flexing his fingers around the handle, testing the grip. He lifts the solid weight, bringing it up close to inspect the edges for any cracking or tells of brittleness. Taking a step away from the table, he lowers his arm, swinging the sword down and around in a small arc. He turns, thrusting forward and parrying back against an invisible opponent.

Milton beams proudly. “Does she not feel alive, Your Grace?”

Charles thrusts forward, continuing his assessment of the new blade. It feels…sluggish. Heavier than anticipated. He draws back and thrusts again, brow furrowing at the heavy movement. Pulling his arm back, he shifts his grip on the hilt, angling to look at the blade profile. Is there even a taper present? If there is, it certainly isn’t visible.

He looks over at Milton with a stern look, watching the smithy’s smile drain from his face in a wave of apprehension. “Do you expect me to accept and pay –”

“Master! Have you heard?”! A bright, eager young voice cuts off Charles’ words as he bursts into the dwelling, his face alight. “The witch in the woods is up to her tricks!”

“William!” Milton bellows. “Boy, you will hold your tongue and show your respect.” He storms over to the young man whose face has gone slack with fright to recognize Charles’ imposing presence. “You beg His Grace for mercy this instant!”

“Please,” William says, voice trembling above wide eyes. “Your Grace. I –”

Charles holds up a hand, not willing to hear the boy’s excuses over the distant throbbing still present in his skull. “You dared to storm in here and talk over me. I would know why.”

“I… I” the youth stammers, swallowing hard. “I was excited. And I… I didn’t see you there. If I had known… but the story is just so exciting!”

“You’ll do better to remember yourself and keep your head, lest you lose it to someone less forgiving.” Charles says, turning back to Milton and nodding at the offending sword in his hand. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice the taper? Or has age blinded you since last we spoke?”

“Your Grace, please – I-I know the taper is… perhaps more subtle than anticipated. But with your arrival today and my lack of knowing the sword’s purpose -”

“Your lies are disgraceful,” Charles interrupts. “You knew well of my expectations for how this sword should handle. And this does not meet with my expectations.” He raises his arm, tossing the sword with a dull, dismissive clunk to the worktable. “I’m saddened to see the compliments I give to your work are so poorly appreciated.”

Milton’s face falls, eager to make amends. “We will work all night and through the dawn to have it ready for your expectations by midday tomorrow. My humblest apologies to Your Grace for this waste of your time. I-I am not worthy of your compliments, but I assure you this sword will be the finest in the land when you next return, and I will not accept any payment for it.”

Charles isn’t going to allow that to happen, but he won’t correct the man now. Let it be a lesson to him. “You’ve caught me in a generous mood.” He says, not feeling particularly generous, but that isn’t this man’s fault. “Tomorrow it is.”

Milton offers a half-bow, blabbering on about his thanks and appreciation for Charles’ mercy, unworthy wretch that he is. Charles nods a curt farewell, ignoring the man and stepping back out into the bright sunlight.

At least the street smells a little less foul now . Either that, or he has lingered for too long and his nose has already become accustomed to the stench. He turns with every intent of mounting up for the long ride back to Westhorpe but stops at the raised voices from inside the smithy’s shop.

“Insolent, foolish child!” A high-pitched whine follows the sound of a slap. “Do you understand what a man of Charles Brandon’s influence can do? With one word, he can bring me to ruin and you will have no coins to feed what’s left of your family!”

“I’m sorry – I didn’t mean, please!” The youth whimpers through trembling words. “I’ll be much more mindful in the future. Honest, sir.”

“You’ll do more than that. You’ll stay and work the fires tonight while we make a new blade for His Grace’s approval before he returns.”

“But all night, sir? He didn’t say that he would return tomorrow.”

“I told him the sword would be ready by tomorrow, whether or not he deems it worthy to return tomorrow. It’s no less than you deserve for not doing it right the first time. The taper is the hardest part - but you will work at it until it is right. I will not tolerate another showing like that in front of His Grace.”

“Yes, sir.” A shuffling sound follows. “Do you think he’ll use this new sword to hunt down the witch and catch her?”

“I hear they burn witches alive.”

“Then, I hope he never catches her.”

Milton sighs. “I don’t think His Grace is in the business of witch hunting.”

“But today – oh, the story! She made a man of mud walk. And talk, too! They say she could make an army of mud men!”

“Stop your foolish blabbering.” Milton’s voice comes tense with exasperation. “A man of mud, indeed! What rubbish. Fetch the sword before dirt works into the leather. We might be able to salvage that, at least. Careful of the studs, now.”

The conversation turns more towards the business of sword making, all the excitement around the witch seemingly forgotten. But still… a man of mud?

The whispers of a witch in the woods aren’t entirely unfamiliar to Charles. He’s overheard servants and commoners speak in low tones, stopping short when they realize he approaches. But the presence of a witch is more of a concern for the duchy priests than himself. He’s always dismissed the whispers as tales that commoners use to frighten their children into obedience – but this man of mud business intrigues him. More than likely, it has been something simple that grows more fantastic with each retelling. Has someone merely fallen into a shallow riverbed and everyone assumes it was the work of a witch?

He’s no closer to answers, and his mind continues to spin on the possibilities as he rides over the hills back to his estate and retires for a quiet dinner.

Emptying the last drop in his wine glass, he taps the table to signal Joseph for a refill. As red wine splashes against the polished silver, he glances up at the older man. “What do you know of the witch in the woods, Joseph?”

The manservant shakes his head slowly and offers a kind smile. “I wouldn’t want to burden Your Grace with such nonsense.”

“Indulge me nonetheless.” Charles' lips lift with a tired smile as he reaches for his glass, taking a large drink.

“All that I have heard are rumors. They say she conjures fire and throws it when she is displeased. Another rumor talks of a wolfsbane stew that turned a dog into a man. Yet another involves a raven and lightning, I believe.”

“Dogs and ravens?” It’s hardly the stuff of a mud man, but just as perplexing. How do the commoners come to believe such fantastical stories? Charles wets his top lip in contemplation. “Do they say what she looks like?”

“No, Your Grace. While she has been glimpsed – it’s always in the same manner. Heavily cloaked with a deep cowl. She never speaks when she does appear. Some say she lost her tongue or can only speak the Devil’s language.”

“Never speaks?” Charles laughs against the rim of his cup. “Not even to cast her spells?”

“I wouldn’t know, Your Grace. Villagers in St. Edmunds have claimed that they try to follow her when she appears from the woods and disappears just as suddenly. But those brave souls return from the woods with wild tales – smoke from her fingertips that wordlessly render a man motionless.”

“That is indeed quite a lot for one rumored woman.” He raises a wry brow at Joseph. “Surely you don’t believe half of all that?”

Joseph’s face draws in with a dark, solemn air. “Just as God almighty has servants in this world, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn of the Devil’s unholy servants working among us, too.”

Charles sips his wine, more intrigued than he has any right to be. Mud men? Smoke from her fingers? Who is this woman? If she even does indeed exist.

“Your Grace… please,” Joseph’s hesitant words draw Charles from his thoughts to gaze up at the older man. “Please, I implore you…”

“Yes?”

“Stay in God’s eternal light, Your Grace.” Joseph’s face matches the plea in his voice. “To pursue these rumors - to pursue the witch herself - is surely to court a great darkness. And you can dismiss me for my words, but Your Grace has seen enough dark days these past years. I would not see you burden yourself or this house with any more.”

#charles brandon #duke of suffolk #the tudors #henry cavill #charles brandon x ofc #henry cavill x ofc #the tudors fanfic

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sednonamoris · 1 year

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teeth

Pairing: John Marston x gn!reader

Summary: John never returns from his scouting trip. You, Arthur, and Javier seek him out through the snow.

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, animal violence/attack/death (pretty brief), strong language, description of wounds, mild angst, snow storms, gratuitous horse content

Word count: 2,646

A/N: I like to think John made squeaky toy sounds when the wolves tried to eat him :) In all seriousness, though, Enter, Pursued by a Memory is one of my fav missions!! Really hoping I balanced the actual events with Ghost's presence well, but don't anticipate a rehash of every single mission like this. We had to establish a major plot point for John, but the rest of the story will mostly have the feeling of stranger missions as we see what Ghost got up to during the timeline of the game. My hope is to only 'redo' a handful of the really major missions - after all, RDR2 is Arthur's story!

Series masterlist • AO3

—

John is missing.

He’s a grown man and he can handle himself and he was sent out to scout and surely he can follow your tracks here but it’s been days now and he’s missing. No one else seems to have noticed but Abigail. Maybe because the two of you are the only ones fool enough to care.

Everyone else is too focused on their own survival here at the frostbitten end of civilization. Colter, as someone recalls its name to be, is just as beat to hell as the entire camp feels. Its remaining walls provide shelter, but only just. The few threadbare blankets that made the journey aren’t enough to keep everyone warm, and the handful of cans of salted offal Pearson snagged for the journey are hardly food enough to keep everyone fed. The wagons are stuck until the spring melt begins, and it’s looking less and less like you’ll all make it ‘til then - already you’ve buried Jenny and Davey. You swear you won’t bury John, too, much less mourn an empty, snowbound grave, so on the second day you give in to your restlessness.

“I’m goin’ out looking,” you tell Abigail with a grim shake of your head. “He’s run off before, but… not like this.”

“Thank you, Ghost,” she clasps your hands, and you hesitate only a heartbeat before squeezing back. “I’m— I knew you would understand.”

“Sure,” you try to offer a reassuring smile before heading out to tack your new mount.

Moonshine was Davey’s stud. He’s a stunning blue roan color with a powerful, compact build. He’s always been tough to handle, as wild and savage as his rider, but since Davey passed he’s been especially mean. That’s how you landed him; out of everyone in the gang, you’ve got the keenest horse sense. Already he’s bitten Charles in the short time he’s spent tending the mounts while his hand heals. Ever since, you’re the only one allowed to handle him. And still he’s a menace.

True to form, he pins his ears when you approach with the saddle and lifts a hind leg in warning.

“Enough of that,” you chastise.

“Sure that’s enough horse for you?” Arthur’s voice sounds from behind.

You turn to face him and raise a brow when you see he’s got his own tack at the ready. The big painted bay he took from the Adler’s barn snorts softly.

He shakes his head. “I still say Marston’s run off again, but Abigail asked me ‘n Javier to come with.”

“Hosea’s worried, too,” Javier chimes in. He flashes an encouraging smile over Boaz’s back that offsets the sour look on Arthur’s face.

You mount up and tilt your head towards the wilderness. “Let’s ride, then.”

—

Javier picks up the trail first, a set of hoofprints just past the stream that heads up further into the mountains. There’s an abandoned camp there still smoking, only a few hours old by Arthur’s reckoning. The embers in the fire have gone cold with the freeze, but you allow them to light a spark of hope in your chest all the same.

John is alive out here somewhere. He has to be.

The going is slow through snowdrifts and steep inclines, but the horses take on the challenge gamely - except Moonshine, who squeals and kicks out when Arthur rides up too close behind you. A quick spur forward redirects the stallion’s outburst. He prances and arches his neck before settling once more, and you pat his neck with murmured praise.

“Jesus, that thing’s mean,” Arthur says.

“So is Ghost,” Javier teases. His eyes glint with mischief when he looks back at you, and you scoff a tired laugh.

“So was Davey,” you say. “Still hard to believe that bastard’s gone. Everything happened so fast.”

“What did happen?” Arthur presses.

You glance up at Javier, who lets out a breath. “We had the money, everything seemed fine, then suddenly they were everywhere.”

“Bounty hunters?”

You shake your head and grimace. “Pinkertons.”

“It was crazy,” Javier says. “Raining bullets.”

As you climb the winding mountain path he explains how Dutch killed a hostage - a young girl, he says, in a bad way. You think about the blood on Dutch’s face as he dragged John to shore. The cold look there. Determination, not regret. You think about the feeling of a body going limp in your arms so many years ago. The eardrum that still doesn’t hear as well bursting with her head at the gunshot. The guilt you waited to feel that never came.

“Bad business,” Arthur says with a weary sigh.

You stay silent, staring past the falling snow. Bad business, alright.

There’s little time to dwell on it as the storm picks up. Javier leads everyone higher and higher into these cursed mountains. A wolf cries in the distance. The sound rakes a chill down your spine that has nothing to do with the cold. As snow starts coming down thicker you urge the horses to pick up the pace. In weather like this it won’t take much to lose the trail. You brace against the wind, tugging your coat closer around your shoulders. It does little to keep the biting cold at bay, but it’s better than nothing. This high up the wind is even worse, and the path only gets narrower.

Soon the horses begin to flag. You pat Moonshine’s neck and the palm of your glove comes away damp. He’s steaming with exertion. It won’t take much for him or the others to catch cold this way.

“Tough going,” you say. Your voice is laced with the worry you’re trying so hard to keep in check.

“Lots of fresh snow,” Javier agrees. “I don’t see the tracks anymore.”

“We can’t follow nothin’,” Arthur says, and your hackles raise. He and John haven’t gotten along for years, but his reluctance still rankles.

You turn in your saddle and open your mouth to snap at him when Javier makes the decision for you all that it’s worth pushing just a bit more. The trail could pick up again. John could be close.

Arthur sighs, but without another word you dig in for the climb.

A dark shape in the snow not too far ahead has your heart in your throat. When you canter up to it, vultures take off. You’re about to send up a prayer that it isn’t John when you realize it’s not a person at all, but a horse.

Dead in the snow.

“Missy,” you say, but they both know.

John’s faithful red mare lies frozen, petrified with death and cold. Something other than vultures has started to eat her as well, belly ripped open and guts strewn. The snow around her is stained red. You turn away with a sigh.

“Oh… that’s…” Arthur trails off. You pointedly ignore his glance towards you, laden with sympathy.

“John could be close,” Javier reasons, and raises his pistol above his head to fire off a single shot.

The sound cracks and echoes off snowy peaks. You swear you stop breathing when you hear a faint cry for help from a scratchy voice you know better than your own.

“Hey! Help! Here!”

You canter a little further up the path, but all too soon it narrows enough that taking the horses further isn’t an option. The three of you dismount and ground tie your mounts before continuing the journey on foot.

Arthur clutches his shotgun a little tighter as you climb. Your rifle is thrown over your shoulder, just in case, and even Javier loosens his revolver in its holster. Anything could be waiting for you; these mountains are not made for kindness.

Crouching beneath stone and scrambling up rock shelves you make your way towards the sound of John’s desperate pleas. He seems scared. A stab of fear pierces your own heart for him.

A narrow walled pass allows brief respite from the wind, and you all pause for a moment to breathe. Javier passes his flask around, and you let the whiskey sting warmth into you as it goes down. When you emerge on the other side the storm seems even worse.

“John!” you shout over the wind. “Hold on, we’re almost there!”

“I’m here! Out on the ledge!” he calls back. His voice sounds closer than ever, hoarse and desperate but alive.

“There,” Javier points, then raises his voice for John’s benefit. “We’re coming!”

You sprint through snowdrifts to the edge of the dropoff.

“I’m here!”

When you reach the ledge and look down to see him you curse under your breath. He looks… bad. Some predator got to him - wolves, if you know anything. Tore up his leg and made a mess of his face. The entire right side has been slashed through, nose, cheek, and mouth. He’s lost plenty of blood. The remaining skin is red and inflamed, like it’s infected already. He’s lucky it didn’t catch his eye. He’s lucky to be alive.

“Jesus, John,” you finally say, because you can’t think of anything else. “They chew you up and spit you out? Can’t taste that bad.”

“Nice to see you too, Ghost.” He tries to smile but only winces in pain. The relief in his voice could make you cry.

“That’s quite a scratch you got there,” Arthur observes when he catches up only a moment later.

Despite his heckling he’s quick to jump down and hoist John up to you. Javier helps pull him upright and he sags between the both of you.

“Never thought I’d say this, but… it’s good to see you, Arthur Morgan.”

You want to squeeze tight and never let him go, but he’s hurt, and even moving him from leaning on your shoulders to thrown over Arthur’s is enough to make him groan.

“You don’t look so good.”

“I don’t feel too good neither.”

“Hang in there, compadre.”

It isn’t a long trek back to the horses, but it certainly feels that way. You have to keep reminding yourself not to hover. All that pent up worry and fear has nowhere to go now that John is safe with you. Maybe a good cry later will get it out of your system, but for you just have to worry about making it back to camp.

Javier notices your hypervigilance and offers a smile. “Tranquilo, my friend. Not much farther now.”

You try to smile back at him, but your expression drops when you spy movement over his shoulder. Wolves. On the ridge ahead. Three of them. Their coats are mangy and they look thin, which scares you a hell of a lot more than it would otherwise; they must be as desperate as you are. A bone-chilling howl looses from the throat of their leader when its yellow eyes meet yours.

“Shit,” you say. “Fuck. Goddamnit. Arthur, you and Javier get John to the horses.”

“No,” he puts John down and shoves him into your arms. “You take him. I’ll hold them off.”

You have no choice but to nod your thanks and hobble as quick as you can to where the horses stand spooking. Moonshine’s eyes roll back at the wolves as they stalk toward Arthur, growling. He dances in place, but stands still long enough for Javier to help you hoist John behind your saddle, even when Arthur starts shooting. Two gunshots ring crisp and clear, and you wait for the third but hear a cry of pain instead. You whip your head over to Arthur and see one of the wolves has him by the forearm. Without thinking, you grab your rifle from your back and take aim. On the exhale you squeeze the trigger, and with a yelp the wolf falls to the ground.

Arthur looks up at you, eyes wide with shock and thanks, before running to meet you and scramble onto his horse.

“Nice shot,” he pants.

“Any time,” you tip your hat. “Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

You spur the horses down the mountain and don’t look back.

—

Apart from the initial excitement, it’s a quiet ride into camp. John is in rough shape, but his grip at your waist never falters. It takes three people to get him off the horse once you make it back, and even with the extra hands they catch his bad leg at an awkward angle. You flinch when he cries out.

“Careful, idiotas!” Javier scolds.

Hosea steps out to thank the three of you for a successful rescue, but you don’t stay to talk. Arthur can handle that. Instead you linger in the doorway, watching Abigail fret over John. Besides dressing his wounds he needs to get warm, so you pull yourself out of your stupor enough to close the door. Just before you turn away he catches your eye and mouths a thank you. You manage a sad smile and leave them be.

For the rest of the day you make yourself scarce, cooling the horses out and chopping firewood and even lending Pearson a hand with the stew. Only once night has fallen and everyone else is long asleep do you allow yourself to sneak back into the cabin to see John.

It’s easier than you’d feared to tiptoe around everyone’s sleeping forms and into the empty chair at his bedside. The hard part is ignoring the pang of guilt that comes when you spy Abigail’s beautiful, moonlit face asleep without that pinch of worry between her brows you’re so accustomed to seeing. Jack is snuggled in just as peaceful at her side. A family. John’s family.

But when you reach him, everything else fades away.

They did a good job cleaning him up, given the circumstances. Thick strips of cloth bandage wrap half of his face, even the eye. The other half has been sponged clean so the blood and grime is no longer caked frozen on his skin. His hair is still unwashed and limp, but no longer matted to his face. They even wrangled him out of his shredded clothes and into some of the few spares lying around.

He’s dead asleep. The exhaustion must have finally hit once the adrenaline and fear faded away. You settle into the chair at his bedside and just watch him sleep. Each steady rise and fall of his chest reassures you that he’s alive. That he’ll stay that way.

Before you realize what’s happening tears begin to wet your cheeks. You sniffle quietly to muffle the sound but can’t stop. He could have died up there. All alone on that mountaintop with only the snarl of wolves and the snap of their teeth to send him to the other side. This life you lead is dangerous, always, but you haven’t had to look mortality in the face in a long time. It stares at you with an open maw and hungry yellow eyes through John’s torn flesh, and you shudder in spite of the fire.

It should make you want to confess. To lay your heart out and speak the love that’s laden your tongue for years uncounting - before it’s too late. But when you glance over at Abigail you can’t bring yourself to say a word. Instead you grasp John’s hands as gently as you can and raise them to your chapped lips.

You press a soft kiss there where your hands are joined and smile down on him past the heartbreak. When you go to leave he closes his fingers around your wrists. You stop dead in your tracks.

“Knew you’d come for me,” he rasps. His unbandaged eye opens blearily and shines up at you. You squeeze his hands back.

“Of course,” you say. Whether he means the mountain or this room tonight, it doesn’t matter. The answer is the same. “Always.”

Still, you leave before he can convince you to stay.

#john marston x reader #rdr2 x reader #rdr x reader #ghost story #ch. 12 #fran writes #don't ask me how this one got so long lol

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usagirotten · 6 months

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Beyond Apocalypse: Why HBO's Scavengers Reign Demands Your Attention

If you’re looking for a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Scavengers Reign is definitely worth checking out. The animation is stunning, and the story is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Whether you’re a fan of science-fiction or just looking for something new to watch, Scavengers Reign is a great choice. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where survival is a daily battle, and the lines between hero and villain blur. That's the backdrop of Scavengers Reign. The show hooks you in from the get-go with its gripping storyline, complex characters, and stunning visuals. Trust me; this is one series you won't want to miss. Scavengers Reign follows the Demeter's four human survivors as they attempt to navigate this world in vastly different ways. Loner Azi (voiced by Wunmi Mosaku) tries to build and maintain a homestead with the help of her robot companion, Levi (voiced by Alia Shawkat). Pilot Sam and botanist Ursula (voiced by Bob Stephenson and Sunita Mani) make use of Vesta's many resources to try to find a way off-planet. Then, there's the deeply troubled Kamen (voiced by Ted Travelstead), who finds himself in the thrall of a hypnotic, toad-like creature simply known as Hollow. co-creators Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner (working from their 2016 short Scavengers) craft a tight story of survival and ecological turmoil What makes Scavengers Reign stand out is its ability to weave together action, drama, and mystery flawlessly. Each episode leaves you craving more, with unexpected twists and turns that'll have you reeling. One of the key highlights of this series is its phenomenal cast. From seasoned actors to rising stars, each performance is captivating, adding layers of depth to the narrative. You'll find yourself emotionally invested in the characters, rooting for some while questioning the motives of others—a rollercoaster of emotions, to say the least! Moreover, the production quality is top-notch. The attention to detail in creating the post-apocalyptic world is mind-blowing. The set designs, costumes, and special effects transport you into this dystopian realm, making it all the more immersive. But don't just take my word for it. Dive into Scavengers Reign and experience the adrenaline rush yourself. Be warned, though: once you start, it's hard to stop. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through a world where survival is the ultimate prize. This series isn't just entertainment; it's an experience—a thrilling, heart-pounding adventure that'll have you eagerly anticipating each new episode. So, what are you waiting for? Join the scavengers' world, where every decision could be a matter of life or death.

- Cast: Wunmi Mosaku (Azi), Bob Stephenson (Sam), Sunita Mani (Ursula), Ted Travelstead (Kamen), Alia Shawkat (Levi). Guests: Pollyanna McIntosh (Kris), Dash Williams (Barry), Freddy Rodriguez (Terrence), Sepideh Moafi (Mia), Skyler Gisondo (Charlie). - Credits: Created and executive produced by Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner; executive produced by Chris Prynoski; co-executive produced by Sean Buckelew and James Merrill; supervising director Benjy Brooke; produced in partnership with Titmouse, Inc. Read the full article

#animation #hbo #ScavengersReign #sciencefiction

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fatehbaz · 1 year

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When Dr Harold Young [...] takes visitors on a journey around Belize City, the first stop is an unremarkable building, whose basement entrance is partly shrouded by creeping pink bougainvillea. Its padlocked gates and broken windows back on to a parking lot in the city’s historic centre. Most passersby ignore the innocuous plaque outside. Belize, a country of 400,000 citizens, is [...] a part of the English-speaking Caribbean. A former British settlement and then colony, it is one of the region’s eight remaining Commonwealth realms – independent countries where the monarch remains the head of state.

Belize is the only Commonwealth realm King Charles has never visited.

The building is blocked from public entry but is known locally as the former headquarters of a TV station [...] once owned by the Conservative peer Lord Michael Ashcroft, who has sprawling business investments around Belize. But for those who are aware, the building serves as a horrifying reminder of the brutality of British rule here. “It’s the last remnants of a holding dungeon for slaves,” Young says. “Before they were put out for sale.”

Unlike the island states in the Caribbean, where plantation slavery underpinned the colonial economy, enslaved labour in Belize revolved around the logging of mahogany at camps in the country’s interior. [...] [T]he remnants of violent enslavement are now mostly absent from public view. The building’s story has been passed down for generations, and is noted in certain tourist literature. But the historic plaque outside, while acknowledging its use in the mahogany trade, presents its connections to slavery merely as “local folklore”. “When you live in a colonial environment, the colonialists don’t want you to prove what they were doing was a horrendous trade, right?” says Young, who is Belizean Creole, meaning of mixed African heritage. [...]

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History is still not fully told. Crimes remain unacknowledged. [...]

But as the United Kingdom prepares to crown its new king, the citizens of Belize are laying the groundwork for a similarly historic event: they could be the first nation to remove Charles as head of state. [...] The process, the prime minister [...] acknowledged in an interview [...] means it is “quite likely” that Belize will be the next country to leave the Commonwealth realm, following Barbados’s seismic decision to become a republic in 2021. [...] Belize is not alone [...].

[D]iscussions over the future of the British monarchy have accelerated throughout the region.

Now, officials in seven of the remaining realm countries in the Caribbean have indicated they will seek to follow the same path [...]. In Jamaica, [...] the government has committed to a vote before the next general election in 2025. In Antigua and Barbuda, the prime minister [...] said shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth that he would hold a referendum within three years. [...]

Such debate is far from new to the English-speaking Caribbean and did not begin with Barbados’s decision in 2021, nor the death of Queen Elizabeth last year. Carried by a wave of Black nationalism and socialism, three former British colonies, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the newly independent Dominica, removed the monarch as head of state throughout the 1970s. Alternatives to the crown had been debated in popular circles long before even then. [...]

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Still, symbolism and imagery of the current moment [...] matter, particularly as relations between the English-speaking Caribbean and the UK fall to new lows in the aftermath of the Windrush scandal and both the government and the monarchy’s recent refusals to go beyond passive expressions of regret and offer a formal apology for the atrocities of slavery.

In March last year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to the Caribbean marking the Queen’s jubilee was punctuated by a series of protests that cast a long shadow over the exercise in soft power. In Jamaica, photographs of the pair shaking hands with children through a chainlink fence and later parading in white clothing in an open-top Land Rover were decried as a throwback to colonialism.

In Belize, the couple were forced to abandon plans to visit a Mayan village in the country’s south, following protest. [...] “There’s only so much the fig leaf of public relations and exercises in ‘soft power’ can cover,” [...]. “These images and videos were widely shared on social media [...].” Outside St John’s Cathedral in Belize City, the remains of a semicircular brick wall mark the boundary from where, it is said, enslaved people were permitted to listen to services inside. The building itself was built by enslaved labour, but colonial authorities banned enslaved people from entering.

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Text by: Oliver Laughland. “‘Colonialism lingers’: Belize shrugs off coronation amid calls for repatriations.” The Guardian. 4 May 2023. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me.]

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alchemicalwerewolf · 19 days

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it’s time to infodump, me thinks.

⚠️⚠️DEAD BOY DETECTIVES SPOILERS AGEAD⚠️⚠️

Ok so, I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but I’ve been posting about it a lot. I’m obsessed with this Netflix show dead boy detectives.

It’s based on a DC comic series created by Neil gaiman. It’s about two ghosts, Edwin payne (an Edwardian school boy who was killed by demonic sacrifice and spent 70 years in hell before he escaped) and Charles Rowland (an 80’s punk who went to the same school as Edwin but 70 years later, and died bc he stood up for a Pakistani kid. His friends threw rocks at him while he was in a freezing lake. He died of hypothermia and internal bleeding)

The parallels of their deaths is literally so scrumptious. Like both perceived as odd? Yes. (Edwin seemed queer, in both senses of the word. And Charles was seen as weird bc he wasn’t white and also had pink views and style). Both killed by people they thought were their friends? Yes. It’s so wonderful.

So basically, they run a detective agency together, where they solve mysteries for ghosts, that way said ghosts can conclude their unfinished business and move on. However Edwin and Charles are constantly running from death, because Edwin wants to help others, and Charles wants to stay close to Edwin. One of their cases leads them to a psychic girl named crystal palace. She can see them bc of her powers (also important note, people with near death experiences can see ghosts as well). She was possessed by a demon (who is anlso her ex situationship/bf(?) and named David. He anlso wears a fuck aas ugly fedora) and they helped her. But the thing is she can’t remember anything, so Charles being the sweetie he is tells her she can stay with them. Edwin doesn’t like this bc she is human and humans are “messy,” he is also jealous bc he can tell Charles likes her. Well, he pushes that asside and desires to just be catty towards her. Crystal’s powers lead them to begin a new case, across the pond, one might say, in Port Townsend Washington (for reference their office is set up in London I believe. So this is a long journey) they land and hijinks immediately ensue.

One demon named cat king, many cases closed, one Charles and crystal kiss, a lesbian butcher date gone wrong, one sweet yaoi loving Aquarius girl, a crow turned boy, an evil witch, a walrus turned man, a few constituents of death, and many repressed feelings later, Edwin finds himself ready to admit his feelings for Charles. Btw, Edwin didn’t even know his feelings for Charles was love until a certain crow turned man, kissed him and made him realize. But Edwin is about to tell Charles, when suddenly he is ripped back to hell by a spider made of babydoll heads.

Charles is obviously very upset about this, and he convinces a certain constituent of death to open a portal to hell, so that he can retrieve Edwin. She agrees, but only after reading his memories, and finding out how Edwin and Charles met.

Edwin was soaking wet and shivering in the attic of his boarding school, when he sees a boy dressed in an old uniform carrying a lamp. The boy gives it to him and Charles asks him questions about himself. This is Edwin and he reveals that he is dead. So they talk for the last few hours of Charles’s life. Edwin had literally just escaped hell, and felt he had to help a boy who had undergone something as, if not more, traumatic than himself. This is why Charles wanted to stay with him and help him solve cases.

After she sees this, Charles basically says “he shouldn’t be in hell.”

And he goes to find him. He guides himself with a map that Edwin had drawn in a notebook. When he finds Edwin in hell, Edwin is shaking and terrified. He reveals that his punishment is to see himself be ripped to shreds by this spider thing. He says he can’t make it out, and Charles is basically like “naw mate I’m here” and he throws an old timer bomb at the spider.

They run away and as they are running through the last layer of hell, the staircase back up to the mortal realm, Edwin stops. And he’s like “Charles so gotta tell u this in case we don’t make it. I love u” and Charles is like “yah i loc eu too ur my best mate” and Edwin says “no I love you as more than a friend, I fear.” My reaction to that: 😭😭 And Charles essentially says “is this some typa Orpheus and Eurydice type shit” and Edwin is like “bruh that story ends badly.” To which Charles goes “idk I didn’t finish it I was bored. Anyway, I can’t say necessarily that I’m IN love with you. But if we make it outta here, we will have like eternity to figure it out.

so they escape, and Edwin is like “I was rejected”

BUT DUDE. Charles literally said, I haven’t thought of my love for you as romantic, but we have time for me to figure out if I can love you like that.

And I think about that everyday 😭😭😭😭

This is a very simplified version of the story. There’s so much sad awful heartbreaking shit. But I cut it out for ur sake. This show is like addicting. Straight up crack.

Anyway, thanks for listening to my incoherent babbling. If u made it this far… congrats? Idk

Ok bye bye.

I did make it that far. That seems very interesting!

#alchem answers #dead boy detectives

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fearsmagazine · 5 months

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DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Shudder

SYNOPSIS: William Brown is a neurotic, self-absorbed musician determined to finish his prog-rock magnum opus while working as an engineer at a recording studio. He currently faces a creative roadblock, a noisy and grotesque neighbor named Vlad. Finally working up the nerve to confront Vlad to keep it down, William inadvertently decapitates him. But, while attempting to cover up one murder, William’s accidental reign of terror causes victims to pile up and become undead corpses who torment and create more bloody detours on his road to prog-rock Valhalla. In addition, it is causing havoc on his relationship with his girlfriend.

REVIEW: Filmmaker Josh Forbes takes his skills as a director of music videos to serve up an old school horror film with one of the legendary special effects makeup designers, Gabe Bartalos (Basket Case 2/Frankenhooker/Leprechaun). DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS is a wicked goopy comedy overflowing with practical effects and buckets of blood.

The plot is your basic tale of a stress filled and frustrated aspiring musician who is on his last nerve. A series of events culminates with his new bizarre neighbor moving in and pushing him over the edge. Confronting his neighbor Vlad is the first in a series of unfortunate events that is filled with death and mayhem. There is a quality to the narrative that feels reminiscent of 1985’s “Return of the Living Dead.” The story nicely focuses on William and his spiral out of control. To some degree it feels like a journey to an insane Oz.

The narrative is magically brought to life by a fantastic cast. Jonah Ray Rodrigues’ William is a blend of Joel from “Mystery Science Theater 3000” as he channels a bit of Bruce Campbell. He brings a lot of energy to the performance and seamlessly switches between mental states that showcases a classic mastery of slapstick. Adding his dynamic energy to the film is actor Alex Winter as Vlad. Best known for his role in “The Lost Boys” and the “Bill & Ted” film franchise, the great prosthetic makeup design permits him to create a unique performance. The rest of the cast is an amalgamation of talented actors that deliver unique performances that add to the horror and comedy.

DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS has a classic look and feel, largely due to the practical effects and special effects makeup. The cinematography, framing, editing and lighting all harken back to the best of the 80’s franchise genre films.There were numerous moments where I found myself nodding my head and uttering “nice” at sequences and gags. Clearly they went through buckets of blood on this shoot. Ryan Kattner & Brett Morris’ score and music for the film nicely adds atmosphere, accentuates the mayhem and gore, and adds this fun take on Wliiam’s musical dreams. FYI, the official motion picture soundtrack will be available digitally worldwide on all digital platforms January 12th, including Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Bandcamp and SubPop.com.

Start 2024 the fright way with an instant genre classic, DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS. It's a dandy of a gorefest thanks to esteemed special effects artist Gabe Bartalos. Jonah Ray Rodrigues and Alex Winter are among the noteworthy cast members, along with a monstrous score that make this an exceptional viewing experience. The film also makes for a wicked introduction to the bloody era of horror for younger viewers. An excellent reason to subscribe to Shudder this month, among many other reasons.

CAST: Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Alex Winter, Kiran Deol, Christian Calloway, Randee Heller, DeMorge Brown, Jon Daly, Phil Hendrie, Ryan Kattner, and Thomas Lennon. CREW: Director - Josh Forbes; Screenplay - Charles Pieper & Jared Logan; Producers - Russell Sanzgiri, Alex Winter, & Jonah Ray Rodrigues; Cinematographer - Will Stone; Score - Ryan Kattner & Brett Morris; Editor - Hank Friedmann; Production Designer - Kati Simon; Wardrobe Supervisor - Aoife Baker; Special Effects Supervisor - Ben Gojer; Special Effects - Atlantic West Effects; Special Make-Up Effects & Sculpture - Gabe Bartalos; Visual Effects Supervisor - Casey Price. OFFICIAL: www.watchdestroy.com FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/ru1OuYNQDtY?si=yvtiKEj4sz3aMAiM RELEASE DATE: Streaming on Shudder January 12th, 2024

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

#film review #movie review #DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS #shudder #josh forbes #Gabe Bartalos #Jonah Ray Rodrigues #alex winter #horror #comedy #gore #joseph mauceri #joseph b mauceri

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amitstrom-blog · 5 months

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Remembering David Gale: A journey Through The Life Of a Beloved Actor

The entertainment world is mourning the demise of American actor David Gale, who passed away at the age of 58. Gayle's sudden death, known for her memorable roles in popular TV series like Beverly Hills 90210, Port Charles and Emergency, was announced by her sister Katie. Colmenares on Instagram. This article pays tribute to the talented actor, exploring the highlights of his career and the impact he made on both the small and big screens.

#america #asia #news #david gale

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fishyviolet · 1 year

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(no worries about a fast response! it's also late for me lol, and this'll be kinda long. +kinda comes with the hc territory, but tw for discussions of trauma, death, and suicide) i want to start this by saying i'm not trying to like demonize you or be argumentative! hc is a special interest of mine and i love analyzing the themes of it. and i definitely agree that vincent and charles have a deeply toxic and unhealthy relationship in canon, and personally i think it's really weird for people to just portray them as uwu soft gay boys in love because it really just romanticizes a dynamic that isn't good for either character

however, i do also think that boiling it down to "toxic scary horrible for each other forever" kinda doesn't fit with the themes of the series, and i don't think charles and vincent are always destined to be toxic and horrible. one of the main themes of hc to me is how circumstance impacts the healing of trauma and mental illness, and how that goes on to impact relationships. almost all the characters in hc are deeply mentally ill & traumatized and prevented from coping with this as they're retraumatized again and again, with no access to help, a big part of the true realm which translates to the largely metaphorical false realm - charlotte is destined to be the abused heroine, anri lashes out at everyone in self defense, charles dies and tortures himself in his own afterlife, vincent dies feeling deeply alone, etc. the characters deeply yearn for connection - vincent asks charles to be present for his last moments, charles and anri enter a relationship, etc - but this is distorted by their circumstance. charles' mental health restrains him from opening up, anri is too guarded to truly be vulnerable, vincent's view of life is heavily distorted by his delusions, etc

and while ep 3 does end on a more optimistic note (it isn't happy, but charles acknowledges a lot of his own flaws and moves on from the house, with etherane's commentary especially implying that it's the start of a healing journey) the main hc series is still largely deeply tragic and depressing. i'd like to add some text from near the end of hc3, when charles is discarding a vincent vessel and discussing him, as i feel it speaks to his self awareness with vincent in particular:

q84: Weren't you supposed to keep him safe?

charles: ...Yeah. I really messed up. In the end, all I did was postpone the inevitable. No matter what, there's no way I could've helped him. There was no way of "fixing" him, either.

q84: Well, duh, you can't go around trying to "fix" people. There's no way of doing that, anyway.

charles: I knew that somewhere on a subconscious level, didn't I? That's why the House is the way it is. Were I convinced I could change him, or anyone... They would've ended up being the brainwashed, unnaturally happy versions of themselves. Never once have I wished for that. However, the images of people I knew still became distorted in this place. Especially Vincent's. I was so fascinated with the idea of him that I failed to see him as a real person. That's why in the House, he's all but an empty shell. An imaginary construct.

before laying him to rest. it took putting himself through horrible cycle after horrible cycle to acknowledge the flaws in his own life, because he clung so hard to every coping mechanism he could.

but heaven's gate is noted to be a much quieter (and in my opinion, softer) visual novel - it examines a world where the most harsh aspects of hc aren't present (scarlett isn't there, nobody dies) and while the characters are still in bad circumstances, they're allowed to connect much more, especially with vincent and charles meeting earlier

but this doesn't mean hg is happy, just less intense. the characters are still in bad circumstances and still have deep amounts of trauma. but hg presents the characters an opportunity to heal from that trauma, even if by the end of the game, they're still in bad places mentally - it isn't a happy ending, it's a world where they someday have the hope of one. vincent is alive and interacts more heavily with charles, charles has less stress, and anri doesn't move away. even before the end, charles and vincent get more direct opportunities to bond, especially in sharing their works - in particular, i think of the scene where vincent says he has something to show charles, and when charles asks if it's a love confession, vincent says "almost" and shares aether, a work about how isolated he feels. he may not connect to charles, but he's willing to expose a vulnerable part of himself - a deeply personal act that he isn't shown to take with any other character, even ones he makes an effort to be friendly with.

the main point where i disagree with you is that the ending scene is representative of why they're so bad for each other - because while i agree it calls out how toxic both sides of the relationship are, i also think it's less a moment of "oh, we're bad for each other, we can't be friends/together" and more a moment that can start their healing journey. it's a scene that explicitly parallels other moments in hc, but it ends on an undoubtedly optimistic note.

the ending scene is one where charles and vincent truly open up and recognize the flaws in their relationship - charles accepts that he highly idealizes vincent and has trouble seeing him as his own person, and vincent admits that no matter how much he wants to, he's never been able to connect with other people and craves a sense of control. they have extremely different reactions to their trauma - charles desires to become one with another person, to lose his own individuality, and vincent is so walled off from other people he isn't even sure who he's supposed to be outside of an idealized view of himself that he projects to other people.

the difference from the main series is that nobody dies, and there's hope in the future. vincent admits to charles he tried to kill himself, and that he wants to connect to others but finds it nearly impossible; charles admits he hasn't been treating vincent fairly and hasn't been trying to get to know the real him. the ending text in particular i feel is poignant. an excerpt:

Neither of us can find comfort in each other's words. Neither of us know what to do.

"I want you to live," I croak out, not to a corpse, not to an imaginary construct, not to a vacant shell, but to Vincent Fennell himself.

History repeats. I can't see his face.

"I see," Vincent says simply. No tears, no surprises. That's how Vincent Fennell is. Yet, his words sound almost thankful. Vincent gets up and extends his hand to me.

"Congratulations on graduating, Charles." I reach out and accept his hand.

The future still remains uncertain. Yet, I feel like I'll be able to fall asleep tonight. The sun rises. A new day has come.

this parallels old scenes in multiple ways - the entire scene, charles keeps repeating that he has a sense of deja vu, that he's been here before, mirroring vincent's suicide scene (also on a high location where he has his first true heart to heart with vincent). charles outright echoes frei's line on love and individuality - he wants to lose his own sense of self to connect to vincent due to his own self loathing. and most vitally, he echoes the scene of charlotte and c in hc2 where c asks charlotte to kill herself with him - both of them beg vincent/c not to die, not because they can convince the other to live, but because they want the other person to be in their life. "i want you to live." it's a selfish wish, but a wish born out of some form of care and connection.

at this point, their relationship isn't healthy. charles is just admitting that he really doesn't know vincent at all, and vincent is just admitting how distant he feels from everyone. but with the ending of hc3 being so heavily focused on moving on and healing (with etherane explicitly talking about how it was related to their own mental health journey), and with the ending lines of "yet, i feel like i'll be able to fall asleep tonight. the sun rises. a new day has come," i can't see this scene as just a pessimistic confirmation that the two are bad for each other.

to me at least, this scene signifies that though they've had a very rough and toxic relationship, vincent and charles are willing to acknowledge that, want to change, and in opening up to each other and confronting their flaws, their relationship can evolve. charles is accepting that vincent isn't the idealized person in his mind. vincent is accepting that he can't project a perfect image to everyone forever. they can never forget their past, but they can help each other heal from it

in conclusion because i know this is long as hell, i don't disagree that vincharles is a deeply flawed and often toxic relationship, but i also don't necessarily think it's inherently a cannibalistic and self-destructive one - i think hc tackles a lot of themes of uncontrollable circumstance hindering healing from trauma and mental health, and those things impacting interpersonal relationships, and the end of the series is largely about confronting those issues and trying to heal. and i think another big part of the series is that relationships that may be unhealthy due to unresolved trauma and mental health issues may not always be that way - and that hurt people, even if they aren't in a good state now, can help each other heal, even if the journey is hard.

// anonymous submission

Everything below is my thoughts/comments

Oh i absolutely agree w your points! I never really meant to imply that the ending scene of HG was meant to be purely pessimistic or that i was viewing it as such; obviously, admitting one's faults (Charles acknowledging that he wasn't seeing Vincent as a person) is the first step to healing them, and in this case specifically he goes a step further and makes an effort to amend that fault (indeed speaking to Vincent Fennel himself). I was more trying to reinforce how insane it is to me that some people see their relationship as being way more genuine than it actually is Despite context like this. like I personally completely forgot the dialog of the exchange you cited between charles and q84 just because my memory is shit (and i probably need to reread hc at some point soonish). im sure plenty of others are also just as forgetful as I am in this regard. but the ending scene in heavens gate is literally the climax of the story so it's a lot easier to internalize and remember and factor into interpretation and such. thats why i brought it up in specific: when this is the climax of the story, how can one forget that charles is completely deluding himself in regards to how he sees Vincent?!?

i agree that the climax of heaven's gate is very optimistic. I think if vincent and charles worked hard and had the desire to do so, they could theoretically enter a deeper relationship, whether that be a true friendship or a romance or whatever. i liek heavens gate

also re: the Daydream rpf bit that was mainly a joke LMAO i absolutely agree that what vincent represents in The House is far deeper than that! i just thought the connection was funny :] your thoughts are super awsome i will be rereading it if i ever wanna think abt hc agai yayyy

#submission #hello charlotte #super awsom #lovely

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eternallyblight · 10 months

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A Realization, 6 Years Later

I watched the movie. Spoilers under the cut. Also I finally realized which song was the Song of Salvation in Galaktikon II.

It truly was brutal. The ten year wait was worth it. Although the wait was long and arduous, we got our ending.

The beginning of the movie was hilarious, and you can see how the events of DSR really affected Nathan. I felt so bad for him. My poor little meow meow getting blow after blow to his little ego.

It's interesting that Nathan was the only person who remembered what happened in DSR while the others and Abigail didn't. Could it be that his connection with the Whale Prophet got him to keep those memories?

Edgar Jomfru is my favorite side character. I loved the little suit he wore during the funeral. He's really grown on me in this movie. I already thought he was cool and this movie really upped his character. His death made me tear up, but, he is now with his brother ;-;

Dick... one of the first recurring side characters to be introduced to the series. His death hurt.

The ending of the movie though... truly fucking brutal. When I saw Charles leading the Army of the Doomstar, I couldn't hold back my cheers. And then there was Fatty Ding Dong and Twinkletits! And Jean-Pierre! Right there alongside Charles too! Oh god I couldn't stop smiling.

Charles is so badass. The upgrade from bread and butter to spiritual saviors, it says a lot about Charles' character. And the fact that it was Murderface who saved Charles, *chef's kiss*

I cried at the end. I've been a fan of Metalocalypse for almost 15 years and to see their journey come to an end after their abrupt cancellation ten years ago, it's... it's a blessing to me. I'm thankful to Brendon for giving us an ending. Whether it be through Galaktikon six years ago or now with the movie, I'm thankful for Brendon never giving up.

Of course, I can understand if people think the movie was a little rushed. They had to squeeze the 5 episode mini-series Brendon had planned into an 80 minute movie. There are definitely some parts that feel rushed.

I do wish we got to know more about what the Doomstar is. And some more insight into the characters but, I still feel satisfied with what I have.

By the way, those Galaktikon II references. ;-;

When I listened to Galaktikon II, I wondered which song exactly is the Song of Salvation.

The Song of Salvation is Become the Storm. It was right in front of me the entire time. The literal title of the album is the Song of Salvation. I can't believe it took me six years to realize that haha ;7;

#metalocalypse #army of the doomstar #army of the doomstar spoilers #aotd spoilers

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khaleesiofalicante · 1 year

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Matthew is still such a question mark character - he has a lot of character development to do in just 1 book like the guy hasn't even begun to go through his grief and guilt over what he did to his mother and then there's the alcoholism.... so much stuff to get through!

That's why I'm unconvinced that he'll die. It also seems like a weird message to send for him to go through self-acceptance and self-love for him to die the same book.

The vampire theory is interesting, although I would say that it would only make sense if Cassie has a purpose for him in the next series and I don't really see where his purpose would be. She can obviously come up with something but I just can't see any avenue where he would make a difference. Plus, Cassie has kind of done this before with Jem (not as a downworlder but kind of came up with a way Jem could be in the other series' at the end of TID)

Matthew is going to be interesting! I'd guess that this book will be his self-acceptance journey and he'll have learnt that by the end of the book, without death or turning into a vampire.

Hbu, Dani - which theory do you lean more towards x

Absolutely. I think he's the only character whose fate is really unclear as of now.

I'm not sure if CC will kill him (wouldn't put it past her lol) but I feel like it would be the easy way to deal with him. It's a very common writing strategy to kill off a character just as their life takes a turn for the better. It's a classic tragedy. I really don't want Matthew to be a tragedy.

The vampire theory (idk where it came from but i love it) but I fully support it. For one, I think Matthew would love to hangout with the tmi/tda gang. And it would be so interesting to see him in the current timeline.

PS - I really hope if he dies, it's not some sacrificial bullshit where he dies to save someone else. I WILL BE SO MAD IF THAT HAPPENS. His redemption shouldn't require him to die.

I'm super super excited to read about him. Especially about if and when he confessed to his parents. I want him to talk to Charles (they have more in common than they think).

#tlh #matthew fairchild

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laresearchette · 3 months

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Saturday, March 23, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: RAMY YOUSSEF: MORE FEELINGS (HBO Canada) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? DESIGN GOALS (TBD - Magnolia Canada)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

CBC GEM JUNO OPENING NIGHT AWARDS @7pm ET

CRAVE TV DOG

NHL HOCKEY (SN1) 1:00pm: Bruins vs. Flyers (TSN2) 1:00pm: Jets vs. Islanders (SN/CBC) 7:00pm: Oilers vs. Leafs (CityTV/SN Now) 7:00pm: Sens vs. Devils (CBC/SN) 10:00pm: Flames vs. Canucks

MLB SPRING TRAINING (SN) 1:00pm: Tigers vs. Jays

CURLING (TSN) 10:00am: BKT Tires World Women's Curling Championship: Qualification (TSN3) 4:00pm: BKT Tires World Women's Curling Championship: Semifinal

W5 (CTV) 7:00pm (SERIES FINALE): The Millionaire Murders; Total Recall: "W5" investigates the feud behind the murder of a Montreal couple in Dominica; "W5" investigates the science behind a special condition that results in super memory and the cons of never forgetting.

MLS SOCCER (TSN3) 7:30pm: Toronto FC vs. Atlanta

NBA BASKETBALL (SN1) 8:00pm: Raptors vs. Wizards

FALL INTO WINTER (CTV) 8:00pm: Life quickly changes for Kerry as she has to work alongside her high school nemesis, Brooks, an old friend of her brother's who unexpectedly buys into Kerry's family-owned candy shop.

A TASTE OF LOVE (W Network) 8:00pm: Taylor is determined to make a name for herself as a respected culinary chef. While reconnecting with her childhood sweetheart in her hometown, she receives an offer she can't refuse.

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT (Lifetime Canada) 8:00pm: Gabbi Luck, an ex-criminology professor, agrees to guest lecture at former associate Charles David's class; when Charles turns up dead the next morning, Gabbi and her detective daughter Lisa must put aside their grudges and solve the murder.

THREE DATES TO FOREVER (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm: Sparks fly when popular radio host Kathy Rae and carefree tech entrepreneur John Reed are paired by his new dating app live on air.

DOG (Crave) 9:00pm: With a dog named Lulu by his side, Army Ranger Briggs races down the Pacific Coast to make it to a soldier's funeral on time. Along the way, Briggs and Lulu drive each other completely crazy, break a handful of laws and narrowly evade death.

EXPEND4BLES (Starz Canada) 9:00pm: Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on, the Expendables are the world's last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table.

MANIFEST WEST (Super Channel Fuse) 9:00pm: A family goes off the grid into the untamed North American wilderness in an attempt to establish normalcy and escape the pressures of modern society.

IN THE EARTH (CTV) 12:35am: As the world searches for a cure to a devastating virus, a scientist and a park scout venture deep into the woods. As night falls, their journey becomes a terrifying voyage through the heart of darkness as the forest comes to life around them.

#cdntv #cancon #canadian tv #canadian tv listings #W5 #nhl hockey #mlb baseball #curling #mls soccer #nba basketball

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readingrobin · 11 months

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Hoo, July was a real busy month. Came and went like it was nothing. Still being in the throes of summer reading, I was able to get through a good chunk of reading material, especially some new graphic novels and manga. It seemed to be a bit of a middling month, with titles I really enjoyed, and others that really came up short. Still, this is the most I've been able to reading in a single month in a while.

Total Books Read: 24

Total Pages Read: 6,070

Books Read:

West by Edith Pattou (1.5/5) - When I heard that there was a sequel to East, a book I devoured and treasured in high school, I was excited, but a little surprised. East was a fairly open and shut book, being a wonderfully immersive retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. I wonder if, after 15 years, the author wanted to jump on the "what happens after happily ever after?" train to try and broaden the relationship between Rose and Charles. It, uh....it doesn't go well.

I don't think I've ever read a more unnecessary book. It feels like a retread of the first, especially the third act in particular, as Rose goes off to save Charles from the clutches of the Troll Queen, only now it's their child and for some reason Charles has amnesia. This latter bit was probably the worst aspect of the book for me. Throughout the majority of the story, we don't get the couple we grew to love in East. We don't get to see how their relationship has matured or who they are around each other after three years and a child. It's back to square one, with Charles having as little agency as he had before.

I didn't really care for most of the new characters, except maybe Sib, but only because her involvement gives a little bit more insight into the magic of this world. Estelle was, I have no idea, just a child to tag along and give additional perspective. None of them grew on me like the original cast did. I will say the Morae are a big highlight of the book, with the weaving of the three cloaks scene being the closest this ever comes to feeling like the first book.

If you liked East, I can't say that you should pick this book up as a continuation. At the best of times, which is rare, it does feel like that magical tale of a woman going up against insurmountable odds to save the people she loves, but at the worst, it feels like nothing.

Angels of Death Vol. 1 by Kudan Naduka (3/5) - Picked this manga up because I had seen some snippets of the anime and was interested to see what exactly the plot line is. It's always difficult to give your thoughts on a manga's first volume since it's pretty much an introduction and set up to the story, but this volume was sufficiently creepy enough to get my attention. I'm interested to see what exactly the outcome to all this will be, whether it's some kind of social experiment thing or something more nihilistic. Either way, you just know it's going to end in tears.

Nicola Traveling Around the Demons' World Vol. 1 by Asaya Miyanaga (3.5/5) - This series has such a charming art style, like something you would see from older, more whimsical children's books. Each chapter focuses on Nicola's wandering with the devil salesman Simon, going from your typical "you find yourself in a tavern" beginnings to staying in a creepy, ghost-infested hotel. Each story has some good laughs, great artwork, and the right amount of fluff to make it an enjoyable read. Can't wait to see more of this world with Nicola!

Crumbs by Danie Stirling (2.5/5) - While this graphic novel has stellar emotional storytelling, it came off as a bit meh to me. I know people who would absolutely adore this story and relate to the characters, but I'm wondering if I read it at a time where I wasn't in the mood for a more romantic plot. I do appreciate the wonderful balancing of Ray and Laurie's journeys, with her struggling with her internship and what she wants to do in life and him striving to become a musician, yet always prioritizing others' needs before his own, needing to always be the "fixer" in a situation. The highs and lows of their relationship are meaningful, yet I never really felt moved by it.

The worldbuilding takes a backseat to the romance and I think it sort of suffers as a result. I never got a good sense of what the Council did. I guess deal with magical goings on? Helping people? Just doing magic stuff? It was all a little unclear. But this is one of those stories where the backdrop is only meant to be just that and nothing more, which is fine, but not really my thing.

Also, some of the panels are incredibly blurry, at least in the print edition I got. I'm not sure if this is simply an issue of enlarging webcomic panels to full blown pages, but it became a little distracting. It's a shame because the art could be really beautiful at times.

Spider-Punk: Battle of the Banned by Cody Ziglar (4/5) - Spiderpunk (Hobie Brown) and his amazing Spider band are just non stop anarchic fun from beginning to end. Hobie brings the classic Spidey snark, heart, and tenacity that makes the character so lovable and seeing characters like Daredevil, Ms. Marvel, Riri Williams, etc. get a punk makeover just makes the comic that much cooler. Sure, I was afraid at the beginning that the story would incorporate a more commercialized, mass consumable depiction of punk beliefs, but I think by the end the story respects those ideals and follows through on them. And come on, who doesn't love a comic where Spiderman kicks the crap out of fascists?

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer (4/5) - This book has such enormous value, whether towards its significance as a way to interweave cultural practices and understandings with scientific study, to reflect on the state of the natural world and how we as a society interact with it, or just to feed our spirit. It's easy to dismiss what we take for granted: plants, animals, resources, especially when many are living in an age of abundance. Kimmerer imparts such knowledge on how to truly appreciate the gifts nature gives us, yet also stresses the need for us to give back in some way.

Her explanation of a reciprocal relationship with nature is such a needed one, especially when most are used to a commodity culture, where things are bought and sold through monetary means without a true understanding of where they come from. It takes action on top of understanding to make up what we get from nature, yet so many are willing to turn to ambivalence.

This was my second time reading this book and it was just as impactful the second time around. Since I had to read it for a class the first time around, I was glad that I could take my time to really read and reflect on Kimmerer's perspective. I think this is a book everyone should try reading if they have a love for nature and conversation and are searching for meaningful ways to cherish the world they live in.

The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman (4.5/5) - Neil Gaiman is insightful as ever in this collection of his essays, addresses, articles, and other nonfiction works from over the years. I like the varied nature of the collected material, with topics like music, comics, reading, interesting people he has met, introductions to books, etc. I will say, the final piece on Terry Pratchett did get me a little misty-eyed and knew from the moment he mentioned his name that I was a goner.

I am glad I chose to pick up this book on audio. I could listen to Neil reading tax forms and still be mesmerized by his natural storyteller's cadence. There were pieces that I had no context for, whether that be the music of Lou Reed or books and authors I had never heard of, but I still found the material so fascinating, because Gaiman has a genuine enthusiasm for each topic. It's like having a teacher that enjoys what they teach, so the class becomes that much more interesting instead of being a total slog.

Gaiman puts his intellect, wit, and heart in everything that he writes, even in the most day to day pieces. He has a mind made for writing.

Bone: The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith (4/5) - I took a big gap in between reading the first Bone volume and this one, but I had not trouble finding my footing and settling back into this world. The world of Bone is so charming and funny, like a Sunday newspaper comic strip given a bit more plot and page length. I can't remember if I laughed out loud at any time during the first volume, but it did happen in this one once or twice.

All around, great character interactions, lively art style, and the beginnings of a deeper plot at work.

Dinosaur Sanctuary Vol. 1 by Itaru Kinoshita (4/5) - This manga is simply "What if Jurassic Park actually worked" and I love that about it. The informational pieces at the end of each chapter, provided by a dinosaur research consultant, were really accessible and engaging. They're a great way to insert some dinosaur facts and theories into the manga without it feeling too much like a research paper. The dinosaurs are treated like any other wild animal, with respect and care, but still an awareness that they can be dangerous. They have quirks and personalities and are not just mindless monsters that only think about their next meal. They have some great characterization, especially through their expressive designs.

The tone is really laid back, but the first volume gives a few hints of mystery, which makes you want to stick around to see what's next.

A top pick for anyone that had a rampant dinosaur phase as a kid or are still in the throes of it.

Nicola Traveling Around the Demons' World Vol. 2 by Asaya Miyanaga (3.5/5)- The demon's world continues to be an absolute delight, with Nicola's and Simon's dynamic being as sweet as ever. Nicola is so fierce and determined when it comes to helping her friend, always going to great lengths to help him. This appears to rub off on Simon, as he's seen being a little softer towards her in return.

For a world inhabited by demon's, it certainly is a cozy place.

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (4/5) - There's so much going on here: slews of nihilism, both the usefulness and uselessness of religion, the moral irresponsibility and selfishness of those in power, the dangers of handing scientific progress to those that treat apocalypse-causing objects like toys and bargaining tools. This isn't a book that ends positively, for good reason. Like many sci-fi stories, it serves as a warning, so that we don't actually get to this point.

It's a bit light on plot, but very heavy on its messaging and implications. It's more like Vonnegut had a few ideas and needed some vessels to espouse them, which means that the story and characters may feel a bit empty at times. Still, what he had to say was insightful and thought-provoking. This was my first time reading Vonnegut, so I'm unsure if this approach is his usual style or something he did a little differently.

I'm still deciding on what this books means to me, with all its themes and viewpoints. There's a large case of religion somehow being both necessary as a lens for us to view life, even if it is a religion based on lies, and being entirely useless because of this. Bokonism is more a series of guiding principles, instead of devoting yourself to a single ethereal entity. Life is what you make of it, you decide your own life instead of using it to serve the interests of and sating an ethereal being that may or may not be real. It's a very inward-looking faith and yeah, it seems more appealing than a lot of religions I've come into contact with. Funny that.

There's also a hint of how nationalism can blind people to certain dangers that come from within their own country. I'm reminded of the moment where pictures of various dictators and foreign enemies of the US are being used as targets, with them being described as "every enemy that freedom ever had out there." And yet, there wasn't one American in that group, despite the doomsday object being an American creation, not just ice 9, but also the atomic bomb. What bigger enemy of freedom is there than a death weapon that can decimate literally every living thing? There is the ever enduring American thought that America is the hero, that there is nothing wrong with how the country operates, and to insinuate that there should be change, that America should try to be something else, is decidedly un-American. If the country is seen as perfect, then why should anyone take notice when something truly harmful and nefarious is going on?

Kino's Journey: The Beautiful World Vol. 1 by Keiichi Sigsawa (4/5) - This manga has a marvelous set up that makes it simple to tread any kind of territory, as KIno goes out to explore the world beyond her own land and learn the customs and ways of other people. I love the sense of freedom and reflection the manga carries, as well as the observant, non-judgemental nature of Kino. There are moments of reflection, but it feels like the reader is allowed to come to their own conclusions about the people Kino meets and their ways of life. Kino is merely a vessel in which the audience can view this world, but she still holds a good amount of character.

Children of the Whales Vol. 1 by Abi Umeda (3/5) - This is one of those first volume manga that absolutely leaves you hanging at the end, where you're practically desperate to get to the next volume to get either answers or to see the fallout of the ending. The world of the manga is intriguing, taking place on a moving island amidst a sea of sand, inhabited by people who are able to wield magic powered by their emotions. It's a mystery as to how they got on this island, one that the manga will eventually explore, which is introduced very compellingly.

Witchlight by Jessi Zabarsky (2.5/5) - While the art style is absolutely gorgeous, I felt like the story was a little too jumbled to enjoy. Some plot threads start and stop so abruptly, like "eh, tired of that direction we're going in so let's do a bit of a turn in the middle of the story." At some points it feels like the plot is just sort of going on without doing much, only to make a sudden lurch towards the end. Given some development, I think Lelek and Sanja could have been stronger characters, but they just seem there. Lelek's desire to learn to defend herself with Sanja as her teacher peters out during near the third act of the comic, which almost makes the inciting incident of her kidnapping Sanja somewhat pointless. Some character motivations either come out of nowhere or are so muddled that it's hard to get a sense of what they truly want in the narrative. I wonder if the author was going for a more vague form of storytelling, more abstract, but, in this case, it only led to more confusion than enjoyment.

The Binding by Bridget Collins (4/5) - What would you do if you had the opportunity to forget every bad thing that happened to you? To forget your past misdeeds, or even coerce those you had wronged to give up any memory they have of being mistreated by you? All to be contained in a book, these memories would either sit on the shelves of voyeurs, or be locked away forever. The Binding brings up these sorts of ethical questions, never completely examining them beyond their surface level, but maybe that's meant to be more of the reader's journey than the characters.' Around the halfway mark, the story shifts from being an alternative history/slight dystopian focusing on Emmett's apprenticeship as a binder to a romance story. I didn't really mind this change, as I liked the somewhat vague worldbuilding, and it puts the first half of the book in a completely new context. It also places Emmett in the interesting position of an unreliable narrator that has no idea of his unreliability.

Though I was satisfied to where the story went, it felt like this book could have done a more coherent job of tying together all its narrative threads. This books contains three parts, one told in Emmett's POV in the present, the second in the past, and the third following the present from another character's POV. With the binding being a more prevalent aspect in the first part, and the romance in the second, it would be natural to tie the two together in that third act, but one clearly has more time devoted to it than the other. It makes the theming somewhat unbalanced. We do get a better idea of how the binding process affects society and certain economic classes, while also getting a bit more of the morality and consequences of it, but not a whole lot more that what we've already been given.

The romance is at least pretty sweet. I can definitely see the chemistry between the two characters and I do ultimately want them to get together. How much you enjoy this book will depend on which aspect you want more out of the story. It's a dark, emotional, bittersweet read, one that will immediately suck you in with all its moral complexities and mysteries.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 1 Vol. 1 by Hirohiko Araki (2/5) - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure has been the source for a bunch of meme material and has made quite a comeback with its anime adaptation, so I was interested in checking out the original manga, just to see what it was like. I have to say, I hadn't expected quite that much dark content, but I suppose that came from me not really knowing what JoJo was about other than buff anime men looking very intimidating but goofy at the same time. I'm not exactly a fan of the art style, where muscles appear larger than some characters' heads, but it's definitely a classic 80s style that I think other people would enjoy.

I don't think I'll be continuing with this series, as, while the mystery aspect is interesting, none of the characters really grabbed my attention. Dio is painted as a jerk you love to hate, whereas I just straight up disliked him, and JoJo seems so bland as a main character. I know that the story hops around different generations and time periods, but I don't know if those will fare any better.

Nimona by Nate Stevenson (5/5) - Did a reread right after I watched the movie and seeing them side by side really is an experience. Stevenson's graphic novel might be a little more pessimistic than its movie counterpart, but there is still a small amount of hope within the rage. It feels like a necessary, justified anger towards ignorance, corruption, and those that uphold a skewed status quo. I wish I had more characters like Nimona as a kid, but there's still a great comfort in having her now.

The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones (3.5/5) - Sometimes I'm utterly blind-sided by the underlying aspects of colonialism, racism, and xenophobia in 20th century British children's fantasy. I feel like it's unfair to fault Jones' entirely, due to the environment in which she wrote and how our understanding of these elements has grown in the past few decades, but it doesn't make the content easier to digest at times.

It feels so out of place in what is yet another engaging Jones fantasy. I had similar feelings when I read Castle in the Air, so I imagine it's only going to be a reoccurring thing when Jones focuses on any nonwhite civilization or people. Again, a product of its time, but it doesn't exactly make it age well.

That aside, it's a classic fantasy about a boy coming into his power, kicking and screaming all the way. He's a reluctant hero in the most bratty way possible, without even fully realizing how much of a terror he is to other people. There's a bit of humor in when he realizes this and tries to be better, much to the relief of the castle staff.

This book is great for those that also feel between places most of the time, that find strength in discovering things on their own while also coming from a broken upbringing. While Christopher's innocence and loyalty is turned against him, it never leads him to betray those that matter most to him, only to realize there are better people to ally yourselves with than those who want you for only what you can give them.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (3/5) - Revisited this book on audiobook to see if I still wanted to continue with the series. Originally, I felt that Scarlet hasn't lost anything to make any of the stakes brought up in the book worth it. She gets what she wants at no cost, other than some very heightened emotions in the moment that go away once things are resolved in her favor. While I still believe that to be true, it didn't bother me as much upon a second retread.

I still have no idea why the father was so abusive for no reason. It seemed like there should be some explanation of why he's willing to go to such great lengths to harm one sister for the other disobeying. He was just an uninteresting antagonist without much to him. I get that Scarlet and Donatella needed to be in a situation that had to be dire enough to run away completely from, but he was getting to mustache curling cartoon villain levels of wickedry. I fully believe this man is capable of tying someone to some railroad tracks if need be.

I also mentioned the lack of worldbuilding, but I have seen that the world is expanded upon in later books, so maybe I will continue for that reason. Also, I had forgotten how clever Tella was. For a moment, I found her insufferable, but once the end comes through that all changed. Since the sequels focus a bit more on her, that's also a reason to keep going.

I don't think I'll change my rating. Three stars seems a fair rating for a book I found passable, but didn't get immediately swept away with.

Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron (4/5) - (Review)

Darkly She Goes by Hubert (3/5) - I really appreciate the dark fantasy feel of this graphic novel. It gave me Snow, Glass, Apples vibes at times, telling of a woman that is more that what she appears, and what lies beneath the surface is something monstrous. The art has a way of overshadowing the story, as I was more swept away by the fantastical, nature landscapes, and the characters really didn't do much for me. It's a standard fantasy story with the standard cast of characters: a disgraced knight, a naive princess, a scheming stepmother, malevolent crones, an inept squire, etc. There's nothing wrong with a tried and true archetype, but it didn't feel like these characters and their journeys were being explored in a captivating or nuanced way. It's definitely dramatic enough to tell a capable story, but perhaps I've been spoiled and wanted something more out of a monster princess narrative.

Begone the Raggedy Witches by Celine Kiernan (3/5) - I'm not a fan of books that immediately thrust their characters into danger before we really know them, so the first third of it seemed like I was looking through all these events through a clouded pane of glass. By the halfway point it became more engrossing as we start to see more of the land beyond the border and Mup's burgeoning magical talent. It felt odd that the story didn't focus a lot around Stella, Mup's mother and the apparent heir to the kingdom across the border, who was taken from her tyrannical mother by her aunt long ago. I think I've been conditioned by the standard fantasy tropes and that's why I felt that way, but it kind of contributed to the uneven feeling of the story. Still, Mup was a great main character, full of heart, kindness, and resolve that any kid would love reading about. Will probably take on the sequel just to see what happens next.

A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan (4/5) - Such a resonating story for librarians and those that have found safe havens in their local libraries. This book does an excellent job of showing young readers the value and importance of libraries within their communities and how they serve people at various levels. Seeing Jamie's growth over the course of the book was so impactful, as she goes from resenting and being embarrassed at having to spend her summer volunteering at the library to finding a new outlook and sense of self because of it. I'm always a sucker for a coming-of-age, summer of reinvention kind of story.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen (4/5) - An absolute must read for fans of Megan Whalen Turner's Queen's Thief series. Seriously, I have no idea whether Sage and Gen would either be good friends or constantly be at each other's throats. I have a weakness for protagonists that always seem to try their luck with a bit of snark or cleverness, ultimately getting themselves into trouble that they always somehow know how to get out of. Sage perfectly falls into that category, being the bane of almost everyone around him. And yet, he is a character you can admire for his resourcefulness and ability to think ten steps ahead. His narration immediately comes off as unreliable, though that only makes his every action all the more interesting.

I was surprised to see this book labeled as a young adult, due to the simplistic, yet accessible writing style which gives it a very middle grade sort of vibe. I suppose it's mainly due to Sage being fifteen, but it think it has enough appeal for both age groups.

Average Rating: 3.5/5

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mercurygray · 3 years

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So, I Hear You Liked: 1917

More World War One Films

I was very excited about 1917 when it first came out because it almost perfectly coincided with the 100th anniversary of the First World War, a conflict that I love to read about, write about, and watch movies about. This period is my JAM, and there's such a lot of good content for when you're done with Sam Mendes's film.

Obviously there are a lot of movies and TV shows out there - this is just a selection that I enjoyed, and wish more people knew about.

Note: Everyone enjoys a show or movie for different reasons. These shows are on this list because of the time period they depict, not because of the quality of their writing, the accuracy of their history or the political nature of their content. Where I’m able to, I’ve mentioned if a book is available if you’d like to read more.

I'd like to start the list with a movie that isn't a fiction piece at all - Peter Jackson's They Shall Not Grow Old (2019) is a beautifully produced film that allows the soldiers and archival images themselves, lovingly retimed and tinted into living color, to tell their own story. It is a must watch for anyone interested in the period.

Wings (1927), All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), A Farewell to Arms (1932, 1957), The Dawn Patrol (1938), Sergeant York (1941), and Paths of Glory (1957) are all classics with a couple of Oscars between them, and it's sort of fun to watch how the war gets changed and interpreted as the years pass. (The Dawn Patrol, for instance, might as just as easily be about the RAF in World War 2.)

All Quiet is based on a famous memoir, and A Farewell to Arms on a Hemingway novel; both have several adaptations and they're all a little different. Speaking of iconic novels, Doctor Zhivago (1965) based on the Pasternak novel of the same title, examines life of its protagonist between 1905 and the start of the second World War.

I think one thing historians agree on is that the start of World War One is worth discussing - and that there's a lot of backstory. Fall of Eagles (1974), a 13 part BBC miniseries, details the relationships between the great houses of Europe, starting in the 1860s; it's long but good, and I think might be on YouTube. The Last Czars (2019) takes a dramatized look at the Romanovs and how their reactions to the war lead to their eventual demise.

As far as the war itself, Sarajevo (2014) and 37 Days (2014) both discuss the outbreak of hostilities and the slow roll into actual battle.

The Passing Bells (2014) follows the whole war through the eyes of two soldiers, one German and one British, beginning in peacetime.

Joyeux Noel ( 2005) is a cute story - it takes place early in the war during the Christmas Peace and approaches the event from a multinational perspective.

War Horse (2011) is, of course, a name you'll recognize. Based on the breakout West End play, which is itself based on a YA novel by Michael Morpurgo, the story follows a horse who's requisitioned for cavalry service and the young man who owns him. Private Peaceful (2012) is also based on a Morpurgo novel, but I didn't think it was quite as good as War Horse.

The Wipers Times (2013) is one of my all-time favorites; it's about a short lived trench paper written and produced by soldiers near Ypres, often called Wipers by the average foot soldier. The miniseries, like the paper, is laugh out loud funny in a dark humor way.

My Boy Jack (2007) is another miniseries based on a play, this one about Rudyard Kipling and his son, Jack, who served in the Irish Guards and died at Loos. Kipling later wrote a poem about the death of his son, and helped select the phrase that appears on all commonwealth gravestones of the First World War.

Gallipoli (1981) is stunning in a way only a Peter Weir movie can be; this is a classic and a must-see.

Gallipoli is a big story that's been told and retold a lot. I still haven't seen Deadline Gallipoli (2015) an Australian miniseries about the men who wrote about the battle for the folks back home and were subject to censorship about how bad things really were. For a slightly different perspective, the Turkish director Yesim Sezgin made Çanakkale 1915 in 2012, detailing the Turkish side of the battle. Although most of The Water Diviner (2014) takes place after the war is over, it also covers parts of Gallipoli and while it didn't get great reviews, I enjoy it enough to own it on DVD.

I don't know why all of my favorite WWI films tend to be Australian; Beneath Hill 60 (2010) is another one of my favorites, talking about the 1st Australian Tunneling Company at the Ypres Salient. The War Below (2021) promises to tell a similar story about the Pioneer companies at Messines, responsible for building the huge network of mines there.

Passchendaele (2008) is a Canadian production about the battle of the same name. I'd forgotten I've seen this film, which might not say very much for the story.

Journey's End (2017) is an adaptation of an RC Sheriff play that takes place towards the end of the war in a dugout amongst British officers.

No look at the Great War is complete without a nod to developing military technologies, and this is the war that pioneers the aviation battle for us. I really wish Flyboys (2006) was better than it is, but The Red Baron (2008) makes up for it from the German perspective.

One of the reasons I like reading about the First World War is that everyone is having a revolution. Technology is growing by leaps and bounds, women are fighting for the right to vote, and a lot of colonial possessions are coming into their own, including (but not limited to) Ireland. Rebellion (2016) was a multi-season miniseries that went into the Easter Rising, as well as the role the war played there. Michael Collins (1996) spends more time with the Anglo-Irish war in the 1920s but is still worth watching (or wincing through Julia Roberts' bad accent, you decide.) The Wind that Shakes the Barley covers the same conflict and is excellent.

The centennial of the war meant that in addition to talking about the war, people were also interested in talking about the Armenian Genocide. The Promise (2016) and The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017) came out around the same time and two different looks at the situation in Armenia.

This is a war of poets and writers, of whom we have already mentioned a few. Hedd Wynn ( 1992) which is almost entirely in Welsh, and tells the story of Ellis Evans, a Welsh language poet who was killed on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele. I think Ioan Gruffudd has read some of his poetry online somewhere, it's very pretty. A Bear Named Winnie (2004) follows the life of the bear who'd become the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh. Tolkien (2019) expands a little on the author's early life and his service during the war. Benediction (2021) will tell the story of Siegfried Sassoon and his time at Craiglockhart Hospital. Craiglockhart is also represented in Regeneration (1997) based on a novel by Pat Barker.

Anzac Girls (2014) is probably my favorite mini-series in the history of EVER; it follows the lives of a group of Australian and New Zealand nurses from hospital duty in Egypt to the lines of the Western Front. I love this series not only because it portrays women (ALWAYS a plus) but gives a sense of the scope of the many theatres of the war that most movies don't. It's based on a book by Peter Rees, which is similarly excellent.

On a similar note, The Crimson Field (2014) explores the lives of members of a Voluntary Aid Detachment, or VADs, lady volunteers without formal nursing training who were sent to help with menial work in hospitals. It only ran for a season but had a lot of potential. Testament of Youth (2014) is based on the celebrated memoirs of Vera Brittain, who served as a VAD for part of the war and lead her to become a dedicated pacifist.

Also, while we're on the subject of women, though these aren't war movies specifically, I feel like the additional color to the early 20th century female experience offered by Suffragette (2015) and Iron-Jawed Angels (2004) is worth the time.

As a general rule, Americans don't talk about World War One, and we sure don't make movies about it, either. The Lost Battalion (2001) tells the story of Major Charles Whittlesey and the 9 companies of the 77th Infantry division who were trapped behind enemy lines during the battle of the Meuse Argonne.

I should add that this list is curtailed a little bit by what's available for broadcast or stream on American television, so it's missing a lot of dramas in other languages. The Road to Calvary (2017) was a Russian drama based on the novels of Alexei Tolstoy. Kurt Seyit ve Şura (2014) is based on a novel and follows a love story between a Crimean officer (a Muslim) and the Russian woman he loves. The show is primarily in Turkish, and Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, who plays the lead, is *very* attractive.

Finally, although it might seem silly to mention them, Upstairs Downstairs (1971-1975 ) Downton Abbey (2010-2015) and Peaky Blinders (2013-present) are worth a mention and a watch. All of them are large ensemble TV shows that take place over a much longer period than just the Great War, but the characters in each are shaped tremendously by the war.

#so i hear you liked #preaching the period drama gospel i am #world war one #period drama #period drama trash #1917

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