#dargha

[thebookbin]

Cataclysm

Lydia Kang

Publisher: Del Rey, RandomHouse Genre: sci fi, fantasy, star wars Year: 2023

This book perfectly encapsulates the danger of writing prequel series. And although I will be the first to tell you that I believe collaborative storytelling is the next major frontier, Cataclysm manages to make every mistake possible to make when being a part of an endeavor like this.

This book is just... bad. There's no other way to put it. It's heartbreaking to be a Star Wars fan, particularly someone who loves the High Republic era and get this as an offering.

Where to even begin... Let's start with inconsistent characterization. Gella, the independent Wayseeker in Convergence is nowhere to be seen. In her place is a simpering idiot who makes every mistake in the book, is manipulated at every turn, and worst of all gets her partner killed. Why? Oh, because Axel Greylark is pretty, of course.

In case you're not fully up to date, in the first installment, tenuous interplanetary negotiations keep getting sabotaged at every turn, things go horribly awry, and thousands of innocent people die. The main cast discovers that it is Axel Greylark, hiding among them, who is responsible for this, and he is sent to prison.

If I ever read the phrase "she had to clear her head" or "she tried to focus" because apparently just being in the presence of a single (1) bourgeoisie mass murderer who is a bit pretty is enough to rattle Gella to her core. Seriously. This is a major plot point. Part of me genuinely wonders if Lydia Kang was chosen for this installment specifically to fend off accusations of sexism. The misogyny in the Star Wars fandom is already so prevalent, this honestly felt like a kick in the teeth. Especially because there are absolutely no other relationships that Gella holds as dear, even ones she's had for far longer--even ones that are more meaningful (I'm basing this on the fact that her attachment to Axel is based on the events of the first book, and he never said a true thing in that book, ergo her affections are based on a lie). When she gets a mentor in the form of a senior Jedi, who gently tries to prod her away from succumbing to her emotions, she goes around and immediately gets him killed. This does not affect Gella for more than 3 paragraphs. Meanwhile the only person she sheds tears for the entire novel is Axel Greylark, who, at the end of all this, must carry out his actual prison sentence. He gets tears, but Master Orin Dargha, killed by Axel Greylark, does not.

If you couldn't already catch on, this is an Axel Greylark hate account. There is absolutely nothing wrong with his character, I don't mind evil characters. It's the fact that he is narratively wasted. I was hoping for this book to be a corruption arc so desperately, but I could tell how much Kang wanted us to like him just because. Despite being a coward, despite getting people killed through inaction, and directly through his own actions, despite causing the deaths of thousands of innocents, Axel Greylark is narratively redeemed because he gets injured in battle and goes to jail at the end. Now first let's talk about the injured thing. This book was so hard to read because for some reason Axel is favored by the writer. Here is a list of things he somehow survives: getting blown up hard enough he goes unconscious, shrapnel to the chest (which he pulls out), a lightsaber slice to his shoulder that somehow didn't cut off his arm, strangulation, and drowning. This is all within hours of each other with no medical attention in between. Then when he switches back to being a "good guy" (I use the term loosely) it's because, and I am not joking, when the cultists he killed Orin for realize he's useless they make him do grunt work instead of being a Leader, and he doesn't like doing the grunt work. This man is selfish to his core. I thought for sure he would die in the battle in some bullshit Anakin-esque move that would "redeem him" because he made one right choice at the end of a decade of truly terrible choices, which I was going to roll my eyes at. But no! Not only does he survive, he gets to go to cushy white-collar criminal prison at the end of the book, and THAT is supposed to be enough. I want to throw him off a bridge.

Then came all the narrative blunders. The tension in the Eiram and E'ronoh and the not-so-subtle hints in the first book that the leaders were being manipulated into war, yes, but that manipulation was easy because of the old and set ways of their respective rulers, which is what Xiri and Phan-tu were supposed to mirror in the younger generation that solves it, but the politics of the first book are completely erased in this one. There is no resolution to this plot point, just a quick scene of a new treaty being signed in the postscript.

Another is Binnot Ullo, the orphaned street rat taken in by the Path who befriends the aristocrat Axel as a child. Where Axel literally has everything, and his entire selfish motivations stem from "my mom doesn't pay enough attention to me and I'm sad my dad's dead" while being lavished in every whim he could think of, Binnot had to earn his way his entire life. And while Binnot's story is truly a tragedy: an orphaned child with no family taken in by a Force-user hating cult. He has to suppress his Force abilities his entire life, because if he makes a slip the people around him will kill him. No, we can't be sympathetic to him, what about Axel! Binnot's death would have been so poetic if he was killed by a Force eating beast. In his last moments, he would be forced to confront his own hypocrisy and discordant world view. He would be forced to acknowledge the people he considered family--in his messed up sort of way--would throw him away in an instant. Narratively, we would understand that the "weapon" meant to kill Jedi has been unleashed, but anyone could fall victim. But we don't get any of that. Why? Because Axel needed to look cool. Axel kicks Binnot so that he... accidentally strangles himself with his poison glove? It seriously makes no sense. Binnot has a glove with retractable needles in the fingertips. He is reaching for Axel. Axel kicks his hand. Now, in my mind the needles are still facing away from Binnot's body, he was reaching out to use them against someone else. That does not explain how his own hand got around his neck after a single kick. I digress.

Now for the weird continuity things. Kang introduces another of Yoda's species, a female little green alien, who I kid you not, is named Master Yaddle. The weirdest part is: Yoda still talks like Yoda in this timeline, hundreds of years before the movies, but Yaddle talks like everybody else. I was hoping it would just be a cool linguistic quirk of the species but if Yaddle speaks normally, then Yoda's famous form of speech is... because he's just Like That. What?! Also, we know from the Mandalorian that there are more of Yoda's species, but Yaddle's presence is just baffling. There's no real point to it, besides the interesting tidbit she is also a caretaker of younglings. Honestly the whole time I was thinking of thee 1980 Empire Strikes Back puppet with a red wig on.

The whole point of Phase II was supposed to be an exploration of how and why Marchion Ro came to lead the Nihil and shed more light on their intentions in Phase III. Because Phase II takes place two hundred years before Phase I, it's like going back in time from going back in time. In Phase I we were introduced to this incredible weapon that turned Jedi into husks (Bell Zettifar, my boy, needs so much therapy). This same weapon is in Phase II HUNDREDS OF YEARS BEFORE PHASE I, and how does Kang explain why Jedi hundreds of years later fight the same enemy and have them still not know anything about it? The LAST SCENE OF THE BOOK is Yoda and Creighton Sun decide to just not talk about it until they "know more."

WHAT. You mean Loden Greatstorm died because Yoda JUST FORGOT TO MENTION the Force-eating monsters?! It's inconceivable. It's laughable. I just imagine Yoda going "Oh ya. Those guys. Bad news, they are." Because the book ends where it does, there's no investigation into these monsters, and we've already read Phase I in which they are a surprise, so we can surmise as the audience that, yeah. Yoda just forgot about the Force-eating monsters, after he and another Jedi decided to keep them a secret (despite multiple other Jedi coming face-to-face with them so literally how is it a secret between just them two?) and decide NOT TO KEEP ANY RECORD OF THE FORCE EATING MONSTERS and just NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS?!

Also, this duology really revealed absolutely nothing about the Nihil, Marchion Ro, or anything super relevant to Phase I. I am left thinking "what was the point of all this needless misogyny?!" IT WAS ALL FOR NOTHING?! WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS?!

Honestly. This book is terrible. Just so bad. Poorly written, nonsensical plot, lack of continuity, and no clear purpose. At this point my recommendation is you can skip Phase II entirely.

storygraph | bookshop.org | local houston

★ don't waste your time on this mess star

[shi1498912]

Can’t get this bit of dialogue out of my hand, had to try translate it myself. This scene is from the 2015 Bollywood Movie Bajirao Mastani. I’ll put a glossary below the cut. I cannot recommend this movie enough. You should watch it when you have the chance.

Rough translation from minute 1:18 to 1:53:

Chimaji Appa: If you had to flatter your way into the Peshwa’s* family, at the very least you should’ve brought saffron coloured cloths. What need was there to bring this green coloured posion as a gift?

Mastani: It is true that each religion** has chosen it’s colours, however, colour itself does not have a religion. Though, it is also true that from time to time man’s mind tends to turn black which makes him believe to see religion in any colour.

Chimaji Appa: (about to respond angrily)

Priest: Calm thineself, Chimaji, who are you quarreling with? She seems to have forgotten the difference between Durga and (a) Dargha***...

Mastani (to the Priest): And you seem to have forgotten that, when Durga’s idol is decorated, she is adorned with green bangels, green shawls, green bodice, and that at the Darghas of the most venerated Pirs and Fakirs****, saffron coloured shrouds are used to cover their tombs. There does not appear to be any awareness of colour then, does it?

Glossary:

Peshwa = a Peshwa was akin to a prime minister in the Maratha Empire. He was second in line to the Emperor. Bajirao was a Peshwa between 1720-1740. Chimaji Appa was Bajirao’s junger brother.

Religion = in this case, the religions in question are Hinduism and Islam. Hinduism is usually associated with the colour saffron, while Islam is usually associated with the colour green. Bajirao and his family were a hindu, while Mastani was a muslim, and Bajirao’s lover.

Durga and Dargha = Durga is a hinud goddes, while Dargha refers to shrines dedicated to Sufi saints. Sufism was spiritual and mystic body of relgious practices in Islam. 

Pirs and Fakirs = Pir and Fakir were titles of outmost respect in Sufism.

[siddiqbabukhan]

Sure Anftaar Sura No 82 Aayat No 6 me Allah Puchte hain.

Ai mere Bandde Aisi Kon si Baat ne mere Baare me Tujhe Dhoke me Daal Diya.Jab k mai ne Tujhe Paida Kiya.

Bandde ne Kaha:Aap se Duayen Mangte Mangte Thak Gaya.Jaise hi mai Aap k Wali ki Dargha Par Ja Kar Dua ki Qhabool ho Gayi.

Ab Aap hi Bataiye mai Aap ka Deewana Bano Ya Un Wali ka

Allah ne Kaha:Jab se tu Paida hua.mai Apni Neyamate Tujh Par Bhejta hi Ja Raha hoo.Kiya Tune Un Neyamato ka Shukar Ada Kiya.Bajaye Oske Teri Zaban Par Ek hi Baat hai.de Allah de Allah.Jab k mai Subah Shaam Neyamate de hi Raha hoo.tu 24 Ghante meri Nafarmaniya Karta hai.Phir b mai ne Apni Neyamate Tujh Par Band nahi ki.Kabhi Tune mujhe Khush Karne Koi Nek Kaam Kiya.mai ne Teri Hidayat k liye Quran Bheja.

Quran ka ilm Hasil Kiya.

Aur Tujhe Maloom mai Be Sabre ki Dua Qhabool nahi Karta.Pahele Sabar Karna Seekh Teri Zindagi me Aasaniya Paida Kar Donga.

Tujhe Mangne ki Zarurat hi nahi Padhegi.mera Hukam Maan aur Shukar Ada Karte Rahe.

tu Kaheta hai:Wali k Paas Ja Kar Dua ki Puri ho Gayi.

tu Apna imaan Bigadh Baith.

Tere Dil me se meri Mohabbat hat Gayi aur Os Wali ki Baith Gayi.

Ab tu Dunya se b Gaya aur Aakhirat se b Gaya.

[choppeddefendorphilosopher]

Sure Anftaar Sura No 82 Aayat No 6 me Allah Puchte hain.

Ai mere Bandde Aisi Kon si Baat ne mere Baare me Tujhe Dhoke me Daal Diya.Jab k mai ne Tujhe Paida Kiya.

Bandde ne Kaha:Aap se Duayen Mangte Mangte Thak Gaya.Jaise hi mai Aap k Wali ki Dargha Par Ja Kar Dua ki Qhabool ho Gayi.

Ab Aap hi Bataiye mai Aap ka Deewana Bano Ya Un Wali ka

Allah ne Kaha:Jab se tu Paida hua.mai Apni Neyamate Tujh Par Bhejta hi Ja Raha hoo.Kiya Tune Un Neyamato ka Shukar Ada Kiya.Bajaye Oske Teri Zaban Par Ek hi Baat hai.de Allah de Allah.Jab k mai Subah Shaam Neyamate de hi Raha hoo.tu 24 Ghante meri Nafarmaniya Karta hai.Phir b mai ne Apni Neyamate Tujh Par Band nahi ki.Kabhi Tune mujhe Khush Karne Koi Nek Kaam Kiya.mai ne Teri Hidayat k liye Quran Bheja.

Quran ka ilm Hasil Kiya.

Aur Tujhe Maloom mai Be Sabre ki Dua Qhabool nahi Karta.Pahele Sabar Karna Seekh Teri Zindagi me Aasaniya Paida Kar Donga.

Tujhe Mangne ki Zarurat hi nahi Padhegi.mera Hukam Maan aur Shukar Ada Karte Rahe.

tu Kaheta hai:Wali k Paas Ja Kar Dua ki Puri ho Gayi.

tu Apna imaan Bigadh Baith.

Tere Dil me se meri Mohabbat hat Gayi aur Os Wali ki Baith Gayi.

Ab tu Dunya se b Gaya aur Aakhirat se b Gaya.

[444names]

english towns + irish forenames BUT excluding "b"

Adagord Aidheath Aidis Airíostan Alaod Alliach Allinghit Alseoseárd Amlaingha Amsling Amstonhald Anaith Anymoutham Aodmordge Aoilíogán Aoirne Aoiton Aoley Apley Apsterch Arnston Ashall Askestell Asset Astenlanle Aster Atert Atham Caithey Caithwing Canntand Cantern Caoill Caols Caord Caosaoilín Carickemon Caráine Casteigham Catearn Cater Ceamuch Cester Chley Chton Chwok Ciactonain Ciltaver Ciodh Cirkenhamh Cleall Cleyniston Cleárónán Clianán Coirksouth Colchtlín Coleirna Colton Coláthgham Conck Conelde Congs Conórlache Cornaithy Cougham Coughamuay Coutham Creac Creachilín Crear Criaharl Criderd Crington Croimheán Crossough Crouth Críoft Culwestle Cyrial Cyrid Cyrin Cyrion Daglow Dallimhóg Daotgroord Dargha Darkinn Darroodóir Dartid Darus Denheatch Denry Derham Dinhess Donamsgra Donglon Doverster Dridgeford Dulpen Durnaigh Durníleet Durypoin Dáinstowde Dóinn Eadham Eamhán Eamintán Eareengdon Earperide Easeast Eddle Edwict Egneasad Eickwarry Eidghed Eimhnan Ephall Eppin Eveest Exhamuir Eóiringh Faolmán Faxmouth Feacheack Feadh Feanlan Fearne Fearón Feimorth Felshath Feltán Fieldon Fielesfort Fiell Fielmán Fielstley Fielton Fiere Findston Fingtona Fiodhlan Fleming Flewick Fodaladley Forne Forth Frighton Frood Féidge Gilind Gláth Gorthal Greachton Gredne Gridge Guilklingh Gushalleen Haichudley Haldformas Halton Haltow Hamail Hamham Hamhán Hamptott Hanven Hatlin Hatock Haxmuiric Heashea Hemind Hernaith Hersda Hesgréaste Hileárla Hinewich Hithnacán Holum Horleepton Horpen Horthnalt Hotteárós Hournán Houseard Houth Houthmidge Huirk Hyton Imerid Iridhean Irley Jardge Joham Keadhán Kegnoress Kegntone Keldon Kench Kireepwor Knall Laiddid Laigh Lasán Launsfit Leard Ledge Legranlan Letet Levee Lingla Lisley Lomer Loswar Loughall Lowley Lowlin Luilkettle Luiredre Lumhón Luntworos Luthsey Lutseadend Lyden Lymit Lymithy Lympswood Lyton Maceham Maeld Maelís Maidgnock Mainnéam Maintone Maintríon Maith Maithat Malimon Mallache Mallachán Maltry Maodst Maoin Maottochad Marne Meadher Mermort Mervis Miandrack Midderhamh Midge Minchwivey Mingh Mington Minslow Minter Monng Moolán Morth Morton Muandswad Muile Muire Muishach Murgus Naidh Naimhlith Naith Neach Neadh Nings Nitwhitch Norcham Norle Norow Nuads Nuailey Nórana Oifnalton Oines Oiríony Olerr Olmske Orwols Othfla Paigh Pathesey Peigh Penfow Penton Ponield Proutheace Pruth Ravent Reahamon Righam Ritre Rocks Rockway Roirfhín Roold Rothitter Rouge Rough Roughat Routh Royard Ruadhanit Ruaitton Ruall Ruarri Rugharl Ruton Réade Safforth Saffrave Saldh Saltonach Salydeim Sangtowst Sawketon Scolmer Seacham Searnán Sedge Selired Septon Shaler Shampstord Shard Sheaffrome Shflaignes Shild Siach Sianch Siaslon Sidgelin Sitcht Skenwith Skidd Slernford Slington Somáinfley Sopste Sough Sougham Soughseach Soughton Souther Sowels Spoodaver Sporne Spridley Staith Stapestone Stave Steley Sternainn Sterst Sterwicket Steál Stigh Stoft Stokimels Stoth Stroydere Stíney Swigh Sword Séanley Séarl Tachlasels Talton Tergath Teringh Terthiltry Teverland Thworth Tiann Tighton Tinnea Tiúdán Toncheld Toning Tonnutham Tonsey Trehallin Téodal Ualimon Ulton Ulvenick Ulvenzana Utherfhor Wadidd Waire Waltán Wandsoury Warch Warry Water Watfore Wathidge Watley Welín Wences Wenher Weshe Westord Whill Whillaith Whing Whingh Whipshit Whiptoch Wickhilín Wickley Wicton Wighultonm Wiley Wimícher Wingham Winnet Wiseach Wisíogán Witon Wokestach Wokin Woold Worchy Wormford Wornemswor Worth Wortigh Wotter Wrampton Wymin Yarth Árthal Áróirford Árónam Éadaing Éarachlín Éarich Órfhle Únlac

[travel-my-kashmir]

undefined

DARGHA hazratbal 

[cfor36garh]

Luthra Sharif Ursh 2k22 …..❤️✨

.

.

#darghasharif #dargha #bilaspur #❤️

#chhattisgarh #darbar #ursh #goodvibes #peace

#explore #instareels #trend #trendingaudio

#somethingnew #vibes #indianreels #reels

🎥: @_stay_for_more_

[thebookbin]

Star Wars The High Republic: Cataclysm - 57%

I am so overwhelmed and disgusted by this plot line, and part of me is wondering if the Powers that Be had Lydia Kang write this installment just to fend off accusations of sexism.

I'm currently a little past halfway.

First of all, Gella went from a Jedi who was strong and resilient, someone who was going to forge her own path as a Wayseeker to a bumbling idiot in the face of a pretty boy who gets her partner killed. Misogyny is already so rampant in Star Wars everywhere, it felt like an actual punch in the face.

That, and the fact that if Axel's story was a corruption arc, I would be totally behind that. He is irredeemable at this point. And yet, I know that this is not what the author is intending. There is still tension between Gella and Axel. I'm still supposed to believe, what he can be redeemed enough that Gella would betray her Jedi vows for him? It's insulting.

Also, the entire "Jedi aren't supposed to feel" storyline is so overdone. It's like the franchise keeps making these incredible characters and they have such great bonds and then they say "just kidding, these bonds aren't as important as one (1) pretty bourgeoise dickhead."

I swear, Gella continuing to "be confused" and needing to "clear her head" around Axel has set feminism back 10 years.

Also, I saw someone try to compare Axel Greylark to Wei Wuxian and I wanted to laugh so hard. Like please, I'm begging you, learn media literacy, and not every story is improved by a shallow "enemies to lovers" concept so that people can use that to label a book in a 15 second tiktok. (Also, Axel is not Wei Wuxian, Axel is Jiang Cheng if instead of luring the Wens away from Wei Wuxian's hiding place he gave Wei Wuxian up to be tortured, and joins the Wens. Axel has no motivations other than pure selfishness).

If there is any attempt at a redemption arc for Axel Greylark, I may just give up on Path of Vengeance and wait for Phase III instead.

I don't even know how I feel about finishing this. Part of me wants this story to just descend into full tragedy, and Gella can't forgive herself (she should feel horrible, Orin Dargha's death was 100% her fault) and goes into contemplation. My only condolence is that this is the final installment in Phase II, so I won't have to deal with this shit for much longer.

[jaan-nissar-ali]

OUTSTANDING QUOTE... Your Breath Comes... To Go. Your Thoughts Come... To Go. Your Words Come... To Go. Your Actions Come... To Go. Your Feelings Come... To Go. Your Illnesses Comes... To Go. Your Phases Come... To Go. Your Seasons Come... To Go. You Have Come... To Go. Then Why Do You Hold Your Guilt, Anger, Unforgiveness, Hatred, So So So Tightly. When It Too Has Come... To Go. L E T I T G O..... Have a Blissful day 💕 🤗 ❤ 👍 #motivation #inspiration #jaannissarali #jaan_nissar_ali #jannisaar #artist #writer #influncer #dargha #darghahazratbal #kashmir https://www.instagram.com/p/CNFxjmYs2so/?igshid=yyb81y3yok3v

[arahmn710]

#asalamualaikum #pahadisharif #dargha #hazrat #babasharfuddin (at Dargah Pahadi Shareef) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9eZkxyprLA/?igshid=mu53fy2148ve