#kosika

[luciehercndale]

2023 books - the fragile threads of power by v.e. schwab A thing taken by force would always be a pale shadow of something given freely.

[ghoulorghost]

I have an inkling possession is going to make an appearance in the next two books. Specifically Kosika being possessed by Holland's supposed ghost.

Also the idea that she has his magic seems to be a lie to me, to keep her compliant with whatever comes next. If she was chosen that obviously means she was done a favor, so she's virtually indebted to him and White London, and she'll be obligated to follow, no matter what he asks of her. I feel like she's being manipulated, her belief in the Saint and the respect she has for him being weaponized against her.

That's why it seems to me that the apparition is just someone masquerading as the real Holland. And the piece of dialogue about bringing something back from Black London? I think she already did, just nothing solid.

And the mention of the pull the magic in the Inheritor has over Tesali, Osaron attempting to grab at people even when sealed away, makes me theorise Kosika might have pulled on that magic when she tried to grow the plants in the courtyard and consequently fell ill for a week. Some part of him might have latched onto her, and activated the moment she made contact with Black London. He is sealed away together with the magic Holland lost so maybe he cloaks himself in that? Pretends to be someone that he is not? Puppeteering what's left of Holland in this realm?

And rekindling the magic in Black London sounds like a trick.

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

[typingwithmyhandstied]

Tes's characterization, storyline, and backstory has parallels and similarities to almost every other major character in The Fragile Threads of Power. (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Kell: Kell's parents traded him in for his powers. That's probably very similar to what Tes's father would have done to her if she hadn't gotten away. Both Kell and Tes want to be viewed as a human being and something beyond their powers. Neither really are. Both feel like people look at them and see their power not a person. They also seem to both have the urge to hide it as a means to not be viewed that way.

Lila: Lila's father sold her to pay off his debts. Tes fears---or really knows---that if her father knew her power, he would try to do something similar. He made use of all her sisters in similar ways. Both Tes and Lila had to leave and fend for themselves on their own because of this. They just did so in different ways.

Alucard: There's the very obvious fact that both Alucard and Tes can see the threads of magic, but both of them also have a bad relationship with their siblings. Obviously not exactly the same, but it is still very reminicent of the other.

Rhy: Tes and Rhy seem to share the same core goodness. Both of them are the kind of characters who don't seem to believe that their survival is anymore important than anyone elses.

Nadiya: Tes and Nadiya are both inventors to a certain extent.

Kosika: They are the two youngest characters. Kosika also had a parental figure that was ready to sell her for her potential power (maybe that is really just the repeated pattern throughout the books). Both were also thrust into a situation where they had a lot of independence at a young age.

Holland: He's the only character I can't really think of anything for.

[melodywritesstuff]

Spoilers for Fragile Threads of Power!!!

I just finished reading and I have some thoughts and predictions about a certain character...

Major spoilers below!

Am I the only one who's not convinced that Kosika's Holland is, well, actually Holland?

When Holland dies at the end of ACOL, his hair is white and both his eyes are green.

Kosika's Holland has white hair, but still has the black Antari eye.

That makes sense if he's a figment of her imagination, because she wouldn't have known that his eye had changed, and that's how she would have pictured him. But if it were actually Holland from beyond the grave, he wouldn't have the black eye.

In ADSOM, if I remember correctly, Kell mentions that it would be easy to enter Black London, but likely impossible to leave, since the walls were designed to contain Black London, not to keep people out. Holland, I think, was only able to leave (in AGOS) because Osaron was lending him power. And yet, Kosika returns to White London without difficulty.

I think that Kosika did bring something back from Black London, and it's masquerading as Holland; adopting the appearance she would expect from her Saint, and manipulating her into rekindling the flame in Black London, which will instigate the main conflict for the remaining books in the series.

[antaripirate]

kosika when anyone dares speak ill of her saint:

[mercurialskiies]

I need to talk into the void about the stuff i’ve read about Fragile Threads so far (because everyone I follow on the non-blue bird app hasn’t read it yet) since it came to my house early and I need to scream in a way that’s cohesive and also non-spoilery.

I just. I have so many thoughts.

So if you don’t want spoilers please don’t unravel this post.

I’m warning you.

Please do not click the “Keep Reading” tab if you don’t want spoilers.

You cannot hold me accountable otherwise.

Okay, if you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’ve sealed your fate on spoilers.

Good. Cool. We’re on the same page.

It should be noted that, in the five hours I’ve been reading, I just got to like, the second chapter of part three. We devoured two whole parts, which will be my main talking points here.

—————

First thing’s first: I’m desperately awaiting more from Kosika and Tes. I really love their characters so far (more Tes than Kosika, because I’ve only seen that first chapter from her and Tes I’ve seen two). I want to know what it is about Tes’ sister (or, maybe, who her sister is involved with) that has Tes so absolutely terrified. Her character as a whole intrigues me and I’m excited to see how she interacts with everyone down the line (if she does).

Also, bonus points and shout outs to Tes naming her owl Vares. She’s just like me for real.

Second thing’s second: I really LOVE how so far the first nearly 150+ pages are a reunion for characters from Shades (which I think is really welcome if you read the Shades of Magic books first). Seeing Maris and Kell and Lila again was just REALLY nice, and I missed them.

Which, speaking of Kell and Lila, holy crap I missed them and their dynamic so much. I do very much love the growth they’ve gone through in the seven years from what I’ve seen. Lila, while she has some of the same traits (knife kleptomaniac), feels like she’s softened a little and Kell, while he has some of his sadboi traits, definitely feels…way more confident. Like, I’m talking LEAGUES more confident.

Plus, seeing them both function as Antari magicians is really cool, because Lila only really “grew” into her powers starting in AGOS. To see her using magic with proficiency is like “Wow”.

It isn’t the same for Kell, who, first and foremost, those flashback scenes to the months/early years after his magic was shattered hurt me so much, dude. Especially because like, magic was the thing he was valued for as part of the crown—his worth always lied in his ability to not just do magic, but wield it with ease and proficiency. He was always looked on as this figure of power.

I don’t blame him for being so afraid and anxious about what that means for his sense of self-worth. Especially considering that most, if not all of his worth, hinged on his ability to do magic.

I did like the little analogy that Lila gives him, though, about the swordsman who learned to use his other hand to fight (implying that Kell can still fight, just with using other things instead of his magic—magic, whether he can use it or not, doesn’t define his worth).

But the other little thing I appreciated is that this, even seven years after the fact, is still something Kell struggles with. Using magic, Antari spells or otherwise, is still a fallback for him when his swords and knives fail. It isn’t something that just goes away.

Some other small things I wanted to note is just I love all of the little callbacks to the first series (Lila and Kell’s little “What was that for?” “For warmth.” exchange had me giggling and kicking my feet. They’re so whipped it’s insane).

Also, this would explain where the ring (in that one snippet that had me literally on the floor) came from. It’s not a wedding ring (like I assumed it was), but it’s a binding ring. Which, is almost kind of like a wedding ring, but without the vows. Plus, the fact that Kell mentions he only wears two for the people he loves most (his girlfriend and his brother) made me 🥺

Some things for these characters never change.

And I’m excited to see the rest of it and meet the newer ones.

[evenstarfalls]

For anyone who didn't see it, VE Schwab posted a video reading the first chapter of The Fragile Threads of Power!

[teartra]

I freaking dropped my phone

[necromancybaby]

Thinking about Them ✨

[clockworkbee]

Holland: I never wanted to be a King

Kosika: Well, guess what? You're a saint now.

[nerdy-girlramblings]

Kosika is such an interesting character. She's a child queen who was surviving on the streets until she got her power. She is a child but can command and hold herself like an adult in authority. But, she has complete child-like devotion to Holland and his ideas. I loved reading her pov and I can't wait to see how her character develops in the next book.

[luciehercndale]

Each of the new younger female characters in Threads of Power is a fan of the original Antari trio and I think it's funny and could also be foreshadowing, I don't know Kosika admires Holland and she is dedicating her life to accomplishing what he couldn't do. Tes' owl has a black eye and a blue eye and is called Vares after Kell. Ren is enamored with how Lila uses her magic and seems to hang on her every word.

[ghoulorghost]

Stumbled across this while scrolling mindlessly and couldn't help thinking it would absolutely be an outfit Kosika would wear, maybe during the blood rites?

[starsailores]

i just think he deserves to be treated nicely. for once

[melodywritesstuff]

More thoughts about Holland 🙃

Spoilers ahead!

I know I've said the exact opposite before, but what if Holland in the Fragile Threads of Power actually is Holland?

It absolutely destroyed me that he died without knowing that his death would wake the magic in White London. And his ending was beautiful and painful and poetic and horribly tragic, and I know lots of people wish he hadn't come back because of that, but hear me out.

If it really is Holland, he gets to know that he healed White London- that his death was meaningful. He gets to guide Kosika so she can finish what he started. And hopefully, by the end of the series, he gets to see his lifelong dream through to conclusion. And only then does he finally, finally, get to rest.

Honestly, I still kinda doubt it's actually him, but I'm starting to hope I'm wrong because I think it could be a really beautiful ending for him.

[antaripirate]

FELLOW BRITS THIS IS WHAT WEVE GOT SO FAR IF U CANT FIND IT (bc waterstones is being a dick)

IM SO EXCITED