#the only real love triangle in literature

[bethanydelleman]

Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena enter the forest. The friendship of the women torn apart, the men rivals for Hermia's heart.

Puck opens their eyes to who they truly love.

Hermia and Helena leave the forest hand in hand, never to return to Athens again.

‘Two Women Kissing in Nature,’ an illustration from ‘Le Poison Des Pierreries’ by Georges-Antoine Rochegrosse, 1903

......

Viola began to think she had never loved Duke Orsino. Here was Olivia before her, begging for her embrace. Did she love only the mask that was Cesario or could Olivia love the soul that had given her life beyond the death of her brother?

"For you, only for you," Viola thought, "Viola could die to the world, and live as your Cesario."

[hagnanimous]

I read The Once and Future King years ago but I’m still convinced that the love triangle is a complete, three-sided situation. Arthur and Lancelot were for sure just best bros! Dedicating years to training for knighthood so you can hang out with the really cool handsome king who came to visit once? Friend activities!!

[destieltropecollection]

Destiel Trope Collection 2024 | Day 19: Two-Person Love Triangle

Mysterious You | @verobatto Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 2,003 Main Tags/Warnings: Teacher!Dean, teacher!Castiel, modern setting, coming out Summary: Based in the movie 'Love Simon', professor Dean Winchester wants to find out who the mysterious and charming man Angel is. Will he be able to know him in person?

Books, Pies, and Roommates | @seidenapfel Rating: Explicit Word Count: 27,731 Main Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Two Person Love Triangle, Idiots in Love, Professor Castiel (Supernatural), Professor Dean Winchester, Mechanic Dean Winchester, Bakery Shop Owner Gabriel (Supernatural), Friends to Lovers, blink and you miss a minor mention of Rowena MacLoad/Sam Winchester, Fluff and Humor, Fluff and Smut, Misunderstandings, Mutual Pining Summary: Everything seemed easy when Castiel landed a job in Lawrence as a literature professor at KU. He even found a place to stay with his cousin in Topeka. But the daily commute quickly gets on his nerves and he begins looking for a room in town. When he finally lucks out on a house, it comes with a catch. His mysterious landlord/housemate works and lives in Topeka during the week, and will only be at home for the weekend while Castiel is back at his cousin’s to honor a promise he made. When Dean walks into his favorite pie shop, the new sales assistant takes his breath away. Steve is gorgeous, and part of the owner’s family. Dean doesn’t even mind that he picks up Gabriel’s stupid moniker for him. After all, Deano has one syllable more, and Dean will do anything to hear Steve’s voice just a little bit longer. Though, as breathtaking Steve might be, he isn't Angel. If only Dean's book-loving best friend weren't a mystery in himself — a guy who Dean has only met online, but who has slowly taken his heart away. And it seems that Dean isn't alone in his feelings. When the lines blur and fantasies merge three guys into one, disappointment and heartbreak seem to be inevitable.

Dear Western Red Cedar #2409 | @mittensmorgul Rating: Mature Word Count: 63,433 Main Tags/Warnings: Two Person Love Triangle, Park Ranger Dean Winchester, Librarian Castiel (Supernatural), Writer Dean Winchester, idiots to lovers Summary: For a decade, Dean had been living his dream life in Montana as a national park ranger. When Sam and Eileen followed him there a few years later, he had no idea how to tell them about his side gig as the author of a wildly popular series of novels loosely based on his own experiences. Well, minus the monster hunting. He never expected them to become bestsellers—or potentially a tv series, if his agent could only convince him to out his real identity. While Dean's also writing his latest bestseller on a deadline, a misunderstanding and his own social ineptitude leave him completely cut off, aside from his new pen pal who Dean only knows as Bluebird. Cas had spent the last two years desperate to hold Dean’s attention. Right when he felt they might be getting somewhere, Dean was called away on an emergency. Of course he had to go and lament about his troubles to a random tree, thanks to a distracting plaque inviting the public to participate in a new town project. To his surprise, he seems to hit it off— completely anonymously of course— with Western Red Cedar #2409. Through a ridiculous series of coincidences, it could be the best thing that ever happened to either of them.

[marthastewieeee]

modern alicent hightower au.

head canons.

born september 1st, 1993 (virgo)

high femme lesbian

daughter of otto hightower, head adviser of balerion co.

from oxfordshire but moved to london at age twelve to attend an all catholic girls boarding school.

that is where she first met rhaenyra targaryen, heir to balerion co.

favourite subject: english literature and history

(she get's REALLY attached to her female English teacher)

(and still had no idea she was a lesbian...)

prefect in sixth form while rhaenyra eventually becomes head girl

absolutely adores vintage stores and drags rhaenyra to notting hill every leave weekend they possibly can

(rhae always complains but she secretly adores it)

alicent becomes vegan for a few years

(rhae does NOT like that)

otto does not want alicent to go to university truly but (through rhaenyra) viserys convinces him to allow her to apply.

alicent is allowed to apply to edinburgh and UCL.

(upon hearing that, rhae applied only to edinburgh and UCL).

both decided on edinburgh in the end.

alicent studies english literature with a minor in business.

(no one can really remember what rhae studies, it's an ongoing joke between them)

viserys pays the rent on their flat in the city centre and the two truly become roommates.

(now THAT is a real joke between the rest of their friends)

after a messy, weird, love triangle where they realised they were way more interested in each other than the exchange student (Criston Cole), they finally figured out what all their friends had been joking about.

after graduation, rhaenyra takes over balerion co. while convincing (demanding) otto to allow alicent to get her PHD in classic literature at UCL.

the two move in together in a penthouse in Knightsbridge.

Otto discovers their relationship too late and vehemently disapproves, refusing to pay for the rest of Alicent's education.

rhae murders him (no she doesn't)

rhae threatens to fire him unless he pays for her PHD course.

she fires him two years later, the night alicent receives her PHD.

alicent ends up writing bestselling fantasy novels (think shadow and bone/six of crows) while also being on call as an advisor for balerion co.

rhae proposes the day the book series becomes a New York Times bestseller (the aim alicent was always reaching for).

(Ali said yes).

they are married when they are thirty.

the wedding takes place in lake como.

laena velaryon is rhaenyra's maid of honour and emmeline tully (Alicent's cousin) is Alicent's maid of honour.

Otto refuses to attend.

Gwayne walks alicent down the aisle.

(to the instrumental of this love by Taylor Swift)

alicent goes on to win the Pulitzer Prize for her book on how catholic guilt manifests in the 21st century.

continues to write while rhae and alicent raise their children.

three carried by alicent (aegon, helaena, aemond).

three carried by rhaenyra (jacaerys, lucerys, joffrey).

alicent never allows them to meet otto.

but they have a grandparental figures in corlys and rhaenys velaryon (rhaenyra's uncle and aunt).

and they all live happily ever after <3

wardrobe.

wedding.

[alkalinefrog]

Hiya Alka! I just finished what you have up of your Arthuriana AU for HiJack- it blew my socks off!

I study medieval literature as part of my undergrad degree and I was astounded that you included Yvain's story with the lion! He's such an underappreciated knight! And the queer themes with both that tale and Gawain and the Green Knight? AND that Gawain appears in Yvain's tale? *chef's kiss* (is this foreshadowing?)

Thank you for your writing- it's clear that you are extremely talented and that you work extraordinarily hard on what you put out!

I hope you are having a great day!

AWWW Thank you so much omg!!! I'm so glad to hear that you like the Arthurian aspects of it already, especially if you're studying it, WOW!!

Oh thank god I'm not just projecting my own queer themes on them, I'm glad to hear confirmation of that from someone else LMAO. Regardless, I was ready to bastardize them into being gay, but I'M GLAD THERE'S A REAL BASIS TO IT.

Yeah dude!!! When I was first going into this AU I only knew about the basic story with Arthur and the love triangle and Mordred and all that, so this is the first time I'm reading into more of the knights and general lore! I started off by reading "King Arthur" by Daniel Mersey, which I found as an e-book at the library and that was a really great digestible intro to all the different historical origins of the story. It also had a lot of different mentions to the stories about the other knights, so I wrote a list down that I want to read more into (and am still reading into lol). Sir Yvain IMMEDIATELY became one of my faves because of that friendship, and I'm waiting on my hold on the "Sir Yvain: The Knight of the Lion" graphic novel by MT Anderson and Andrea Offermann to look at it more in depth!

Actually I completely forgot that Gawain makes an appearance in Yvain's story too aslfdjasldkfjlkasfdj I'M STILL NEW TO THIS LMAO. I'm not gonna be able to read up about everyone in depth, so it's been a lot of wikipedia article jumping so far!

If you have any book recs (preferably more accessible ones for beginners lol), I'd love to hear them! I'm like, intentionally avoiding watching BBC's Merlin because I want the fic to be its own separate take on the source material and I feel like it'll spoil the fun of researching for me lol. I might watch it after I get a better sense of what the plan is!

I can not confirm or deny what's being foreshadowed, but there's a reason I'm making you read through a bunch of bad live-theatre LMFAO.

Thank you so much for swinging by dude!! This made me really happy to read!

[lunarsilkscreen]

The Triforce is Mathematical

(For the tile hunters: Divinity is Mathematics. That's it. ty.)

And now to address the question asked 5 posts ago: Is there a missing piece of the Triforce?

It's my theory that Miyamoshi and crew original designed the function to draw the Triforce in the Zelda Menu using "Pascal's Triangle". Or, at least were inspired by it.

Programming degrees still require a heavy Mathematical background after all.

Pascals Triangle is a similar algorithm to the Fibonacci sequence. Overall they both result in the same function, just one is a pyramid, and the other was designed to describe a Nautilus Shell.

Fibonacci Sequence, by the way, is also known as "The Golden Algorithm". (I've written a lot on the Zelda subject so far, you're going to have to make some inferences here so I don't go on a repetitive tangent.)

Math as a divine concept has very ancient roots, as far back as man has cataloged human knowledge, so have they cataloged Mathematics. Mathematics are the literal building blocks of life after all. Both Financially and Structurally.

And that is why the Jewish people have a reputation for being Misers, because a lot of Math is also taught in Jewish literature. Not only in the Bible with numbers, but in the Kabbalah describing different ways to use mathematics.

It's the same thing as modern day calculus but harder to understand.

But that doesn't explain the Tetra-force.

In WindWaker, unlike the other games which obfuscated the *real* Zelda by naming everybody Zelda, Zelda instead was given the name "Tetra". I imagine a loving father when asked the origin of the name, or even "Why does it look like it's missing a piece?" By his daughter, responded:

"That's because you're the fourth piece. The Tetra."

Which probably means he was just being sentimental and didn't know himself. But, it could also mean that the fourth piece is *the human element*. That none of it exists without the consciousness in order to discern and interpret reality.

*or* It's now a Sierpinski Triangle. Which is a triangular fractal generated by division. Without that initial division, there is no fractal, just an equilateral triangle.

Which also means that like the "three timelines"; As reality is fractured, as more perspectives are needed, the more "Triforce" fragments there are.

They are all one, but they are also pieces.

Or maybe, they're a Sierpinski Tetrahedral, or a Sierpinski pyramid and you can't see the ones behind the ones in front...

-OR- if there is one; perhaps it was taken by the Gods so that humans hylians could never rival their own power.

[ilbenmalpensanteus]

I think I cannot hold myself back anymore, so I will say it.

The fact that Sasuke and Naruto decide to marry two stereotypical, canonical, a-characterized girls is not a sign of a necessarily brotherly (merely platonic) bond.

In the medieval Japanese culture, in fact, true love often could be found only between two man (‘cause they are similar creatures and they can understand each other better than man/women couples - yeah, I know, how sexist, but we are talking about the 13th century sooo). It is possible to recognise the same idea in the antique Greece (even if usually the relationship is between teacher and his student - but the concept is, more or less, the same - you can see Platon about it). Marriage is a tool to grant reproduction and connection (Sasuke’s idea about “I want to repopulate the clan”, -yeah, alone and far away from home for 12 fucking years (r’u okay, dude?) Naruto dream of becoming hokage - never at home after:

-Hashirama that went for a walk everyday with his bff

-his brother who spent more time masturbating on proibite jutsu than actually ruling

-the third that, like the first, went for a walk but with Naruto instead

-the fourth: a loveable father and husband that had dinner at home with her wife and cooked as well

-tsunade: alcoholic, gambler, one of the sannins AND medic nin

-kakashi… well, you all know about his addiction for porn

-NARUTO: orphan, love-starved for life, can’t find the force to stay at home, shitty dad ecc ecc in time of peace.

Buuut oookkkkaaaayy?!).

Many aspects of Kishi’s plot and characters are inspired by historical Samurai’ customs and figures (also, the ninja world’ structure described by Kishi is more similiar to Samurai’ than that’s of true ninjas - whose usually are mercenaries and more similiar to bandits than heroes).

ALSO, who knows something, even if only the basics, about literature, can easily read in the entire story the most important iconographic topoi of romance and LOVE.

I will summarize some of them because there are many:

-Romeo and Juliet: “I’m the only one who can bear the full brunt of your hate! It’s my job, no one else’s! I’ll bear the burden of your hatred… And we’ll die together!”. Then, summarising the rest: “in the afterlife I will not be the vessil anymore; you will not be an uchiha ecc ecc”= Capuleti and Montecchi: Juliet and Romeo tried to bear the hatred that their families had for each other; finally only death permits them to love and realise their dream to stay in each other arms.

-in their afterlife (pre-mortem experience) Sasuke and Naruto are found together (no itachi, no parents - only the two of them)

-Achille and Patroclo (I think I won’t speak about that because I could spend VOLUMES)

-the love triangle

-star-watching while whispering the name of smone we love (or desire)

Anyway I have no watched Boruto and I don’t intend to: everything after the second Valley of End is no more than “found raising” (without charity) and politically correct (that of 15 years ago - especially in Eastern Countries). Same thing about The Last and these other craps: BULLSHIT: Naruto, suddenly, DON’T understand love anymore… came on, are u serious man?

PS when I think about chakras of two siblings I cannot not think about soulmates:

- chakra, like soul, have NO gender (and we all know that Naruto and Sasuke are not brother)

-if you insist about they being siblings thanks Indra’ and Asura’ chakras I have to remind you that VERY OFTEN in EVERY MYTHOLOGIES of the world (yeah, in Japan as well) between deities there is no incest concept and ooops Indra and Asura WERE SEMI-DEITIES, so..

I would thank my current occupation as phd student in History and Religion: that has helped a lot to understand the implicit tune of the show/manga

PSS the shit about “clingy Sakura yelp cause sasuke taps her forehead” is, precisely, bullshit: Itachi (sasuke’s real brother) did the same thing to keep away sasuke. When he says “I will always love you” he doesn’t do that, no SIR; also, when sasuke asks Naruto what he really means by “friend”, Naruto, at the very end says “I DON’T FUNCKIN KNOW, but when you hurt I hurt”. He is the one that really understands Sasuke NOT SAKURA

Also, Naruto frees Kurama (8 tails) after Hinata’s (fake) death, okay but, seriously? The seal is merely there at this point, everyone is dead, she tried to help him but cannot do it because is not a real ninja and he got LIVID. I understand that.. than he forget all that she had said

When the kages asks for sasuke elimination, Naruto is not angry, Naruto is broken and has a real panic attack, so… I think there are some difference due the circumstances.

The hints ‘bout canonical ships during the series are, really, unuseful like an ass with no hole.

So, I have to stop here. This is my deposition, your honor.

Sorry if I made mistakes but it’s late here, I’m tired and English is not my native language

[hotlink907]

request: boarding school au, 2yeon (frenemies) x fem!reader love triangle

pairing: 2yeon x fem!reader

genre: fluff, love triangle

warnings: nothing, really

a/n: I really liked writing this. I might do another part later. No promises, but maybe...

“I’ll see you after class, right?” Soyeon asked. She always wanted to hang out when you were done with your literature class. Maybe it was because she knew that Miyeon was in that class. Maybe it was because she knew you were roommates with Miyeon. But whatever the case, she always wanted to be the one to grab dinner with you and hang out in the little campus garden. “I have some new songs I want to show you!”

You smiled at your tiny, black-haired musician friend. “I already told Miyeon I was going to go eat with her. I mean, you can join us if you want!” There wasn’t any reason why she couldn’t join you. She and Miyeon were friends after all.

It was just that they were also rivals. And that you were the one in the center of their rivalry.

You weren’t leading either of them on. You really weren’t. It was much more complicated than that. The real problem was the fact that you were interested in both of them. Some days, it was more Soyeon. Some days, it was more Miyeon. And whichever you picked, you knew the other would be crushed. You couldn’t stand the thought of losing either of them as friends.

“Oh...” said Soyeon, and the disappointment was clear on her face. She was wearing her glasses, large round ones that would have looked absurd on anyone else. They just made her look even more adorable. “No, that’s okay. Maybe later?”

You knew that despite the fact she was doing a decent job of hiding it, on the inside, she was burning. Her tiny, unassuming frame did a good job of containing a lot of emotions. You had only ever seen her explode once or twice, but when she did, it was quite a sight to behold.

“Well...” you said, a little awkwardly. “I guess I’ll see you later then?”

She smiled at you, and you could tell that it was a genuine smile. “That sounds nice.”

She gave you a quick hug and then hurried away. You watched her with happiness. She was always so busy. She took her schoolwork so seriously.

You glanced at your smartwatch. The wallpaper was a picture of you, Soyeon, and Miyeon, all together, all laughing and smiling. And then you noticed the time. “Oh!” you said out loud, startling yourself. “I’m going to be late!”

---

“Hi!” Miyeon smiled when she saw you. Her smile always brought butterflies to your stomach. She just looked so radiant and pure. It was a cliche, but you couldn’t think of any other way to describe it. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

You had been a few minutes late, but luckily, the professor hadn’t minded. Miyeon had looked worried until you had walked in, at which point she had begun practically beaming.

“Sorry,” you said breathlessly, sitting next to her and shrugging your bag onto the ground. “I was talking to Soyeon, and I lost track of time.”

“Oh,” said Miyeon. “Is she okay?”

You nodded, distractedly. “Yeah, she’s good. She has a new song she wanted me to hear, I think. Oh, damn, I think I forgot my notes in our dorm.”

“You can borrow mine!” Miyeon said brightly, seemingly eager to redirect the conversation from Soyeon. “You look nice today.”

You looked down at your outfit. It wasn’t much, not compared to Miyeon, who always looked like an angel. And not compared to most of the other students at the all-girls boarding school you attended. “Oh, please,” you said shaking your head. “It’s just whatever I could grab.”

Miyeon shrugged. “I didn’t mean your clothing.”

You blushed a little. Being complimented by Miyeon always felt surreal. She was the girl everyone wanted to be. And be with. The fact that she was interested in you... it didn’t seem possible. “Thank you,” you said quietly, trying to hide your embarrassment.

She, as always, seemed oblivious to the effect she had on you. “Still want to do dinner?” she asked, as she pulled her notes out and shifted her desk so that she was closer to you.

“Absolutely,” you said warmly. But then you hesitated. “I was just... wondering if would be okay if Soyeon joined us?” You already knew Miyeon would say yes. She was a gentle soul, and she’d never turn anyone away--even if they were her rival for someone’s affection. And anyway, her relationship with Soyeon was... complicated. “I just didn’t want her to have to eat alone.” You knew that Soyeon didn’t mind eating alone, but sometimes it made you feel a little sad, seeing the tiny girl sitting by herself, hunched over some manga, eating whatever she had picked up for dinner.

Miyeon deflated a little, but she nodded. “Of course,” she said. “No one should have to be alone.”

“Thank you,” you said, meaning it. It meant a lot to you that the two of them were willing to work through whatever differences they had for you. “You guys are both really important to me.”

Miyeon reached out and squeezed your hand. “You don’t have to thank me. I know.”

---

“...and then the professor asked to see my notes, and I had to pretend Miyeon’s were mine!” you said, shaking your head. “I wasn’t even going to do it, but Miyeon nudged them over to me.”

“And then I kicked your shin,” Miyeon said proudly. “And then you didn’t get in any trouble.”

Soyeon shook her head and laughed. “What would you do without us?”

“No,” you said. “What would you do without us? Have you ever eaten a single vegetable that we didn’t force you to eat?”

“No,” said Soyeon darkly.

“How are you so tiny?” Miyeon marveled. “It’s just not fair.”

“You two keep me so busy,” said Soyeon. “It’s all the running around.”

“I heard you have a new song,” Miyeon said. “Will you play it for both of us?”

Soyeon looked a little shy. Sometimes she could have all the confidence in the world. And then sometimes, you remembered just how small she really was. “I mean... if you want to hear it, I guess...”

Miyeon nodded. “I would love to hear.” She glanced at you. “We both would, wouldn’t we?”

You agreed. Maybe things were complicated. Maybe the three of you had some things to work out. And maybe none of it was perfect right now.

But at least you all had each other.

“We really would,” you said. “More than anything.”

Soyeon blushed. But you could tell that inside, she was just as pleased as you were.

[slavic-roots-western-mind]

Intro: Favorite Mongolian Authors & more

#slavic roots western mind

I've always had an interest in Mongolia, primarily because there's literally so little international news coverage, at least in my neck of the woods so to speak.

Despite my Mongolian language learning attempts being paused for the time being, I nonetheless continue to fall in love with Mongolian literature with every read, especially with poetry, which is why I've wanted to share my favourite authors.

Here's my quick list of Mongolian authors who's works I've read so far (and a few that are on my to-read radar).

1. Galsan Tschinag

My absolutely favorite poet, born in Mongolia in 1944, famous for his poetry, which interestingly enough was originally written in German, and then translated to English.

His works primarily feature the themes of a nomadic lifestyle, nature, heritage and cultural identity, so if any of these topics interest you, definitely check out his works!

2. Chadraabalyn Lodoidamba

I've only managed to read one of his novels "Тунгалаг тамир" (The Crystal Clear Tamir River), but it's definitely a worthwhile read. Set in the 20th Century, it provides an interesting insight into Mongolian history leading up to the uprising of Mongolia in 1932, with a strong focus on the struggle of the poor against the rich

There's no official English translation (there are German and Russion versions somewhere, but I didn't find them yet), but google translate helped me create a readable version from the original Mongolian.

There's also a movie split into several episodes avaliable on yt but with iffy subtitles, so if you liked the book, you can sort of follow along with the movie.

It's rare for me to hear spoken Mongolian, so watching the movie episodes has been a fascinating experience.

3. Choinom Ryenchi

Once again, I've only read one of this authors works "Buriad", written in 1973 and published in Sümtei Budaryn Chuluu [A Stone from the Steppe with a Monastery] in 1990, but it was enough to interest me.

Buriad refers to an ethnic group in Mongolia, with the poem describing their lifestyle and history. I don't know if what I've read is the entire work, as I found it in a research paper, feauturing said poem with the translation, but it was still quite beautiful.

The style is very lyrical, almost like a song or even a chant at times, and very captivating. A must-read.

4. Mend-Ooyo Gombojav

He has written quite a lot of novels, with many of them luckily translated into English.

His "The Holy One" is a great work of historical fiction, about a 19th century poet and teacher of Buddhism, whose memory and works were later persecuted by the governments fight against intellectuals and free-thinkers, all whilst his works protector attempted to save his works.

Unfortunately I've only read excerpts and bits and pieces, which is pretty frustrating because it seems so good? The style is unusual for me, but it's pretty great either way.

I've read the peom "The Way of the World", which has a rather nostalgic vibe, remembering the past warriors and their heroic deeds but also suggesting that only the stories of their victories will remain. Short but "sweet".

5. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba

I only know her "The Green-eyed Lama", co-written by her and her husband Jeffrey Lester Falt, but the plot description is enough to have me hooked. A love triangle, love and faith amidst war and rebellion... Here's me hoping that it won't be a tear-jerker, because sad endings are not my favorite genre.

Here's a link to a video about Oyungerel's and Jeffrey's writing and research process and how they wrote the novel. It's actually based on a true real-life story, so I guess I'll see how reading this novels turn out. History isn't exactly known for it's happy endings, so we shall see.

6. Combo: Mongolian Short Stories

This one is a compilation of short stories by various Mongolian authors rather than just one author, but it'll have to do because Number 6 exhausts all my knowledge of Mongolian literature.

Edited and compiled by Henry G. Schwarz, each story is about 4-15 pages long with different themes, ranging from daily life in rural Mongolia to critiques of the political situation at the time, the style is a tad over the place, as each author has their own distinct style. Nonetheless, this book gives interesting insights into what life was like in Mongolia at the time, and whether our notions and initial ideas about Mongolia reflect the literary depictions.

Here's my list so far, but chances are I'll update it soon, so watch out for any new updates!

I'll happily share any links and digital copies of these works that I have, just message me please!

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, March 15th

XANDER: Arrr! Careful, me mateys! These be fireflies spat from a volcano off the coast of Katmandu. Arr! LITTLE BOY: You're not a real pirate! Real pirates live on boats and don't look stupid! XANDER: (fake laugh) Oh, a salty swabbie! Maybe you be fishin' for the taste ... of me hook! He shakes his hook-hand in the boy's face. The boy is unimpressed. GILES: (calls) Uh, hello, Ahab, a little help please?

~~All The Way~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

take me back into your corner by The_Eclectic_Bookworm (Giles/Jenny, M)

I wish I knew you when I was a kid by Madonnalal (Tara & Spike, G)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shadowed Suspicion, Chapter 416 by madimpossibledreamer (Ensemble, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure crossover, T)

The Vampire's Daughter, Chapter 19 by PuellaPulchra (Spike/OC, T)

Straight to the Heart, Chapter 9 by QuillBard (Buffy/Faith, M)

A weapon of victory, Chapter 8 by FPBarbieri (Buffy, Tolkien crossover, T)

No Going Back, Chapter 17 by Tru2urheart (Willow/Tara, M)

Keep You Ghosted, Chapter 3 by hydranjenna (Buffy/Spike, M)

A Slayer of Nightmares, Chapter 2 by LJMouse (Buffy/Spike, InuYasha - A Feudal Fairy Tale crossover, not rated)

A Different Path, Chapter 5 by Anaxilea (Buffy/Faith, M)

Horrorshow, Chapter 4 by vampbrat (Fanged Four, AtS Ensemble, E)

Slayer No More, Chapters 1-3 by jsaint34 (Buffy/Pike, T)

Goodbye to Everything That I Knew, Chapter 25 by fortes775 (Buffy/Spike, R)

Afterburn, Chapter 24 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Forwarding Blue, Chapter 5 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, PG)

All Choseny's Lost Drabbles, Chapters 1-7 by all choseny (Buffy/Spike, PG)

What the Drabble? Chapter 98 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, R)

Glimpses of the Cellar Dwellers, Chapter 15 by Maldorana (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

X.X, Chapter 15 by Rea (Buffy/Spike, R)

30 Ways to Say I Love You, Chapter 15 by Maxine Eden (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Dreaded Lurgi, Chapter 15 by SomeKindOfADeviant (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Forever and Always? Chapter 15 by scratchmeout (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Dawnster Drabbles, Chapter 15 by Passion4Spike (Buffy/Spike, PG)

We’re Having a Baby! Chapter 15 by Maxine Eden (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

Slowly At First, Chapter 10 by Gabby (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Bang, Chapters 1-14 by scratchmeout (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Enemies to Ghost Hunters, Chapter 15 by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

The Balance, Chapter 15 by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Triangles, Chapter 15 by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: I Drew Buffy! by parawh0remal (worksafe)

Artwork: William The Bloody - Spike in Peanuts style by MattanzaMFedora (worksafe)

Gifset: “Spikey” by clarkgriffon (worksafe)

Artwork: Tara MaClay by isevery0nehereverystoned (worksafe)

Artwork: practice sketches ft. cordelia by mistyintherivers (worksafe)

Artwork: Summerberg all day every day — Graveyard dates.... by pzyii (Buffy/Willow, worksafe)

Gifset: Spike/Drusilla by andremichaux (worksafe)

Fanvid: Tara and Willow- Unruly Heart by Multifandom_Fanatic (0)

Fanvid: Willow | Willow Rosenberg (+Tara) [BtVS 27 Anniversary Celebration] by Taco_Id (0)

[Fandom Discussions]

Oz fanfic idea by idle-flower

I’m noticing a lot of Faith-in-Buffy on this rewatch by inconsistentlywrittensoul

the scariest assassin in What’s My Line is just Woman With Gun by inconsistentlywrittensoul

Oz is such a slight presence in his first couple of appearances by inconsistentlywrittensoul

american high schools and extensive occult literature by jennycalendar

how male characters are handled in shows like Veronica Mars and Buffy by raisedbythetv89

I genuinely think that faith should’ve hooked up with willow in season 7 by thepunkmuppet

Very tired of the "Buffy didn't have good sex until she was with Spike" take by spangelmybeloved

Spike and the first continued by multiple posters

Groo Should Have Been the Guardian of The Deeper Well by Mr_Wind-Up_Birds

Approaching Seeing Red with first time watcher, please advise! by Vaethe_W

For those who watched the show as it came out, did anyone know that Spike would fall for Buffy early on? by Kindofaddictedtotv

Imagine if Faith and Kendra met by sadhungryandvirgin

Would've been nice to encounter more Watchers w/Slayer experience by primal_slayer

When a Slayer is called by RavenNight789

If Buffy hadn't gotten a haircut... by Tuxedo_Mark

In “Entropy”, how could Willow tell… by hthbellhop76

Xander’s speech to Dawn in a potential by Eagles56

The Body by UKMegaGeek

Anya in Empty Places by sazza8919

How would their human selves [of the Fanged Four] all interact with each other? by Ivy_2535

Into the Woods has weird implications? by SafiraAshai

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[raybeansbooks]

Iron Widow

Iron Widow - Diverse Characters By Xiran Jay Zhao Published 2021 by Penguin Teen

In a sci-fi retelling of China’s only female emperor, author Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow. According to the author’s site in description of the book, “The series follows an 18-year-old re-imagining of her as she avenges her sister’s murder by an intensely patriarchal military system that pairs boys and girls up to pilot giant magical mecha…” using chi and the spiritually system of yin and yang, “in which boy pilots are treated like celebrities, while girl pilots must serve as their concubines” (2020).

This has been a stellar hit for YA and Adult audiences alike with Asian/ Chinese identity and culture representation throughout as well as the main character having a disability- needing to use a wheelchair when not in her mech or for longer periods of time-, there being sci-fi elements like mechs and otherworldly creatures, and- the real star- an actual polyamorous relationship. The three members involved in this relationship aren’t fighting in a love triangle but sharing immense compassion and love for one another with the bond only strengthening as the story progresses. We are definitely going to see all of this again in the second installment titled Heavenly Tyrant.

Author Xiran Jay Zhao is masterful in her character development as well as world building in this science fiction best selling gem. It’s rare to see someone with this much strength in creation paying attention to eastern storytelling- as opposed to omnipresent western themes- and doing so in a way that feels very human in a universe so much different from our own. 

Not only is her book powerful, but so is the author. Zhao, whether sporting her iconic cow-onesie or an incredibly gorgeous hairstyle and garb, she speaks up for what she believes in and stays true to herself while uplifting her community of writers and readers. You can find her active on a number of social media platforms but she gets a lot of traction on tiktok for her informative news on her and wider spread literary events.

I think this piece, and materials like it hold an amazing place in literature and of course on library shelves. Like author Elizabeth Lim who also writes in fantastical Chinese spaces, Zhao helps bridge the gap for older YA readers into adult fiction. The power of someone able to write for this transitional space shouldn’t be ignored- since this area is so often. People in this stage deserve as much representation as any other reading group and- as previously ranted upon by me in writing, life, and probably in this blog- adult representation doesn’t hold a candle that in YA materials. I am amazed at the diversity in this area of media and that it continues to grow exponentially year after year- take note adult materials publishers and buyers. 

As I said, this book couple holds an awesome presence in a display or place celebrating Chinese culture, Chinese writers, and even just the transitional space of older aged or higher level themed YA materials. I look forward to the next installment of this series which I believe is going to be a trilogy and I encourage you to check it out and engage with the author. She has a lot to give readers.

- Ray 12/16/2023

Xiran Jay Zhao. (n.d.). https://xiranjayzhao.com/ 

P.S. After you read Iron Widow, please check out and appreciate the fan art and memes on the author’s website- blessed https://xiranjayzhao.com/

[twwpress]

Creator Spotlight #22: jazzjo

Welcome back to the TWW Author Spotlight! For every spotlight, we’ll ask each featured author the same ten questions (as well as questions you submitted on Twitter!). This week we’re excited to be chatting with jazzjo (on AO3 - @sameschtick on twitter)!

1) What are your top 5 desert island fics by other authors?

baby it’s cold outside by crossingdelancey It’s short, it’s sweet, it’s cj’s gay meg ryan winter, what more could you want.

may these memories break our fall by claudiasjeancregg A real gateway fic to cj/toby/andy that captures the internal lives of all three characters so well; I could (and do) read it over and over.

Red, White, and Boo by fleurfemme Scream meets West Wing meets great ensemble writing. Incredible.

departures and arrivals by rearviewmirror Atlas plays with distance and time and liminal space to pack so much yearning into this piece.

we thought love was something we weren’t meant to find by darlingdarling I love pieces that take a little moment in canon and expand on the potential and this one just knocks it out of the park. 

 2) Do you have a favorite character to write? Favorite ship(s) to write? Are there characters or ships you'd like to write more of? 

My crutch character is C.J. by a long shot (who’s surprised) – the interiority of her as a character in how she’s portrayed is just so fascinating to me. My favourite character to write is probably either Andy or Charlie. Both of them get witty repartee in canon but there’s so much not said that I do love taking my authorial liberties.

Favourite ship is cj/andy hands down. I think I’ve populated half the tag (the math works out – 29/55) because I’m incorrigible about them. This extends to permutations within the cj/andy/toby triangle, which is a sandbox I love to play in.

I’d like to explore writing more about Charlie, Donna, and Joey. I’ve done a bit of all three (finally caved and wrote something Charlie-centric recently) but they’re still more challenging to properly capture. 

 3) Tell us about your writing process (setup/location? Night or day? Snacks/beverages? Computer/phone/notebook? Music or silence? Anything else you want to share is welcome!) 

My (somewhat messy) rolling desk. Night (by necessity, because work). Emotional support water bottle or seltzer or a hot drink. Laptop, though I used to primarily write in a notebook. Music either completely accelerates or impedes the process, it’s really a toss up. I love writing with it, and take a lot of inspiration from it, but I sometimes get too distracted by it and have to turn it off.

I used to write longer things, back before I started working full-time. I only started writing for TWW in the last half-year and have gravitated to shorter chapters and one-shots because I like writing a full chapter in one sitting and I have less time. Even so, this lil baby can fit so much angst into it. 

 4) What writing advice do you have for others who may be reading this? 

Write what you want to read. If something comes naturally, lean in. Catch passing thoughts and phrases in a small notebook or on your phone. Make a habit of writing. There’s always time to write – five minutes on the train, ten minutes before you sleep – but don’t let it take over your rest time. 

 5) From where do you usually draw your inspiration? (Other forms of media, music, tropes, etc?) 

I love pulling and expanding on the tiniest moments in canon, or I’ll get a single line of a song so under my skin it turns into something on the page. I love intertextuality and my best work tends to happen between mediums.

I tend to draw on things I know well, so you’ll see recurrent themes and references like classical music, theater, Jewish life, and literature sprinkled throughout my writing.

6) What is the fic you've written that you're most proud of and why? 

This is cheating, but I couldn’t pick between two.

turning in place is probably the best developed of anything i’ve written for TWW. It digs into Toby as a character in ways I didn’t really think I could do, and it really was me trying to find a way I could stomach the shuttle leak arc. It plays with time, it plays with religion, it plays with guilt and family and dwelling too much or too little or just enough on things, and if that isn’t Toby Ziegler. I think form, character, and content collided in a way I have been trying to get to again in this fic, and I still don’t know how I did it.

In one-shot land, enumerated powers comes to mind. It came completely out the left field, but I loved writing Evelyn Baker Lang as a character and imagining (aka spreadsheet planning) a workable backstory for her that bled through the whole fic. 

 7) What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd read 1000 of? What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd write 1000 of?

Romcom tropes kill me in the best way every time. Writing-wise, I love writing looks into post-canon and filling in the blanks within canon. 

 8) Is there anything you'd like to try writing-wise that you haven't yet? 

A true ensemble fic. I came close in too wise to woo peaceably but not quite. 

 9) What's your go-to Starbucks/coffee shop/other drink order? 

I tend to go for black coffee out of my aeropress, sometimes slightly sweetened, and I love all manners of tea, but both of those tend to be drinks I make myself. My one vice is bubble tea, and I’ll almost always get unsweetened oolong tea with taro pearls, without the ice in it if I can help it. 

 10) Do you have any current projects you'd like to promote or anything upcoming you'd like to tell us about?

I’m working on an Andy/Toby fic inspired by The Last Five Years – we see Andy in reverse and Toby in chronological order – called compel me to ask you for more. 

Submitted questions:

From @JessBakesCakes: Do you have a headcanon about one of your fics that didn’t make it to the story for one reason or another? If so, what is it?

The continuation to watching the skies (the charlie-centric fic I mentioned earlier where Charlie is COS to POTUS, which is Andy) that I clipped and set aside to focus more on Charlie’s road back to the White House has C.J. eventually running for Congress in Andy’s second term because the spin boys make a whole case for it, even though she still feels a bit like an outsider to Hill politics. I almost always think of C.J. – like Leo – as the person behind the curtain, but I think one of the ways she might step into a campaign of her own is if someone she really trusted made a case for why it would help the constituents for her to run in place of a shitty incumbent. 

 From @S4MWILS0N: favorite: season, ep, one liner, character duo (romantic), character duo (platonic), plot arc, hc for pre post and during canon? craziest au you’ve ever considered? snippet/idea that never became anything? fave trope to read or write? moment that made u fall in love w the show?

Favourite…

Season: Three

Episode: The Supremes or Hartsfield’s Landing

One-Liner: “There is literally no one in the world that I don’t hate right now.” 

Character Duo (Romantic): CJ/Andy

Character Duo (Platonic): CJ & Josh (early seasons) CJ & Charlie (later seasons)

Plot Arc: debate prep (also that we only saw the original campaign after we were already invested)

HC for Pre-Canon: CJ and Andy were grad school roommates. When Toby first introduces the two when he starts dating Andy they don’t tell him, and just let how similar they can be freak him out. He doesn’t find out for way longer than you think. 

HC for Post-Canon: Charlie sets out on his own for a bit. Donna finishes school and goes back into politics. CJ never goes to California – she goes to Ohio to take care of her father, then back to the East Coast. 

HC for During Canon: CJ has a personal relationship with each of the Bartlet girls – she’s the older sister Liz never got to have; she’s a model for living a full life while queer to Ellie; Zoey is a little skeptical at first but she ends up closest to CJ because CJ always Shows Up for her, no matter what, and holds her father back from being too embarrassing. 

Craziest AU: rockstar AU my white whale

Snippet that never became anything: I have a whole folder titled “ideas i may never write / finish”. I will refrain from naming names out of hope that something will eventually exit that folder.

Moment that made me fall in love with the show: when I realised everyone talks as fast as I do

Thank you so much to jazzjo! And thank you to everyone who asked questions. This is our last creator spotlight for now - we may pick it up again if there’s interest in the future! We really appreciate every one who signed up to be featured and who asked questions for making this such a fun experience! As always you can reach us at weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com, through tumblr messages, or on Twitter!

xx, What’s next?

[sungbeam]

HONEY BUNCHES OF POLLINATED PETALS HELPPP 💀💀💀💀 Nearly choked when you ended with that RDJYDJ WHAT A LINE 😭

BUT IDK IF I SHOULD SPOIL [REDACTED] 🫣 but just for you I’ll give you a line from the book, “You know, when you’re as sad as I was, you love sunsets.”

I KNOW IT MIGHT SOUND KINDA CORNY BUT CONTEXT MATTERS 🤓☝️ and you’re right I just never brought it up JEFNEJFN sorry to the people for making it seem like I read as much as I used to back in ye old days 😔💔 BUT! I’m trying to get back into reading so lmk any book recs hehe cause I’m so sorry anytime I walk into a book store all I see are those corny ass Canva lookin book covers and it’s turns me off immediately 😭 not to be like “argh what happened to literature 👺” but like ARGH WHAT HAPPENED TO LITERATURE 👹👹 now all we got hyped up is Cassandra Clare like… is this who we are now… is this what we represent as a society 😔

N E WAYS MOVING ONTO A STUDY IN MONSTERS- Medusa!yn??? 🫣 also omg the preview is giving like… the intro to Mirror Mirror yk? Like the animated backstory 😳 which is a coincidence because that was onE oF My FaV MoViES???? Omg now I’m more hype PLELRJEKRNE

OK OK BUT I DID HAVE A FEW IDEAS LEMME SHARE LEMME SHARE AHEM-

1. Something like Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them and Chanhee and yn were lil vets for the beasts/monsters OR explorers that went around looking for them to document them

2. Something like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (cause the children are seen as monsters yk-) where Chanhee or yn encounter Hollows and wants to know more abt them which leads them to the home for peculiar children or smth like that LOLOL

3. Could’ve also gone the route of Chanhee or yn making it out of a traumatizing event or smth and other ppl in the story are the real monsters

4. Could’ve also gone existential and could’ve been Chanhee and/or yn contemplating as to if they’re actually good people and what makes a good person etc etc

BASICALLY THE CURTAINS COULD’VE JUST BEEN BLUE OR THEY COULD’VE SIGNIFIED SMTH DEEPER LMAO

and EEEK Eric or Juyeon it is 🤭🤭🤭 AND STFU I COULDN’T FIND A BETTER WORD OTHER THAN BEQUEATH ATM OKAY 😭

AND PLEASEEEEE A LOVE CORNER IS JUST A LOVE TRIANGLE BUT THE MORE PROPER VER CAUSE THE MLS ARE INTERESTED IN THE FL BUT NOT INTERESTED IN EACH OTHER IF YOU CATCH MY DRIFT

Like if one of the MLs were interested in both the FL and the other ML then THAT would be a love triangle but in this case all the MLs are just attracted to the FL which makes the love triangle a ✨love corner✨

….

IF YOU WERE THINKING OF ANYTHING ELSE THEN WATCH OUT PERV I GOT MY EYES ON YOU 🤨🫵

And abt your banners, I think they’re perfect honestly 😭 it doesn’t matter if they’re more simpler or minimal, they perfectly convey the vibes of the story and honestly your banners are what attracted me to your works in the first place 😭 I thought the banners for In all your endeavours and Party people were so well done that I clicked on them AND BOY AM I GLAD I DID LOLOL

AND ABT BONES- the og ver def sounds interesting but I can also see how it would’ve been hard to write since idk why but imo it feel so hard to write dark academia like I only get the aesthetic pics but I don’t get how to translate it into words properly yk 😭 THAT’S JUST ME THO-

YES MY LOVE FOR WOO IS UNDENIABLE JUST AS MUCH AS MY LOVE FOR ERIC 😩🙏 I fell in love with Woo during Deja Vu era LOLOL right when I watched his AOTM like damnnnn I knew he was the one for me on SIGHTTTTTTT😔🙏

- Love you always my beammie weammie sugar plum honey bunches of oats paczki boo boo ba ba pookie bear 🤭, 🌷 anon

(Ps. Yes, I tried my upmost hardest to make a unique cutie name 😔🫶)

AHAHHAHAHA I ACTUALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW I GOT TO HONEY BUNCHES OF POLLINATED PETALS 💀💀💀 this is what happens when i let my intrusive thoughts win 🤡🤣

"you know, when you're as sad as i was, you love sunsets" NOW THATS A LINE 😔 i didn't find it corny at all tbh maybe cuz i have a special place for sunsets and sunrises in (as my mother once said 💀) my black heart skfnekdmkr i def have not read the book tho so no worries abt spoilers LOL OMG PLS 😭 im literally an english major and i haven't read for fun in YEARS 😭 it's so sad, i think the only way to get me to read again is to get me to drop out of fanfic,,, like the dry spell is that bad skfnkemfk U R SO REAL FOR THAT WHY IS EVERY BOOK COVER LIKE THE SAME JUST IN DIFFERENT COLORS???? LIKE GUYS . PLEASE. GUYS /PLEASE/ wait wait hyped up cassandra clare??? that's still going on 😭😭😭😭 i thought we were over this guys skxnekdn but i honestly wouldn't know cuz im not on tiktok 💀 anyways. Booktok sucks!

omg wait 😭😭 i've actually never watched mirror mirror before don't come for me 😭😭 but im glad the similarity hypes u up even more !!! OKAY WAIT I NEED TO COMMENT ON ALL UR BRILLIANT IDEAS 🤸‍♀️🔎

AHHH A FANTASTIC BEASTS AU WHERE THEY'RE VETS OR SUMN TO THAT EFFECT WAIIIIIIT TULIP. TULIP U R ONTO SOMETHING BESTIE. THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN AND SO CUTE !! it's like that one disney movie called the rescuers 😭😭 i haven't watched the full thing, but when u said little i immediately thought of that TT

ohhhh miss peregrine's au would be SUCH an interesting idea too, and i def see where the title comes into inspire that 🤔🤔 it's been awhile since i've seen that movie actually, i can't remember what my orig thoughts abt it were

humans = monsters tbh 🙁🙁 BUT ACTUALLY the fic im like writing has a lot of those elements in it of itself cuz yk they're "different" so they're treated and seen differently yk ,, and i literally start off w both yn and chanhee's separate traumas TT

AHABAHHAHAHAHHAHA THE CURTAINS COULDVE JUST BEEN BLUE OR SOMELFNSKDNDJ THATS SO FUNNY I HATE THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT 😭😭😭 but a fic that's existential? my life tbh 😎

OHHHHHHHH WAIT THAT ACTUALLY MAKES SO MUCH MORE SENSE THAN A LOVE SQUARE I TOTALLY GET IT NOW 😭😭😭 GIRL I THINK U NEED TO GET /UR/ HEAD OUT OF THE GUTTER 🤣🤡 my mind went nowhere but a corner shaped diagram 🤡

wodjoejdkejdkrj im crying if u couldn't tell 😭😭😭 PLS DONT MAKE ME BLUSH 😔 WAIT WHERE IS MY MEME—

i lurv you (´Д⊂ヽ im so happy to hear that like lemme go yell on a cliff rq 😃😃😃 LIKE WOW WHAT A COMPLIMENT CUZ SKDNKENF as long as it does what it needs to and it looks pretty then my job here is done 😎 like who needs a whole fic 😎 OOP both those fics' banners were made bc i fell in love w those pics of joong and cobie (´Д⊂ヽ i literally saw joongs lemon tree mv screenshots on pinterest and they were PERFECT and then cobie dropped those pics from the i like u stage and they were PERFECT. omg when my banners brought us together 🤩🤩🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️

ahh yeah i think i kind of have dark academia down, i just wasn't feeling the fic after all the planning i did for it 😭😭😭 so it never made it past 1k words LMAO 💀

OKAY BUT wooyoung and eric kind of give off similar vibes, don't u think ???? cheeky, flirty mfkers 😔😔 BUT OH MY GOD. WOOYOUNGS AOTM LIVES RENT FREE IVE WATCHED IT LIKE A BILLION TIMES ITS SO ICONIC. i literally almost wrote a fic because of it 😭 i also LOVE christopher's songs, and bad just hits SO HARD TT

AHAHAHHAHAHA THE BEAMIE WEAMIE POOKIE BEAR OSFNKENDJ PLSS 💖💖 roses r red / violets r blue / im sending a heaping spoonful / of sugar (and love) to you ✨💖

[fantomcomics]

What’s Out This Week? 11/16

Raven had the entire post typed up and ready to go, but the internet crashed and she lost the draft. DONATE TO OUR TOYS FOR TOTS BOX TO MAKE HER FEEL BETTER (AND ALSO HELP KIDS)

True Beauty GN Vol 1 -  Yaongyl

From the smash hit WEBTOON comic comes a story about self-esteem, love, and learning to accept yourself for who you are. True Beauty follows a high schooler named Im Ju-kyung who sees her social standing skyrocket when she masters the art of makeup from YouTube. Once bullied for being perceived as ugly, young Im Ju-kyung uses Youtube tutorials to transform into a beautiful popular girl. Caught in a love triangle between a mystery man and a bad boy, Ju-kyung navigates both high school and her personal life, while her self-esteem, romantic life and career are constantly in flux. How long can she keep her true identity a secret?

Voyagis #1 (of 5) -  Sumeyye Kesgin

What if one of the VOYAGER probes was found by aliens on an uninhabitable planet laid to waste by a wandering black hole? Their resources dwindling and under the thumb of a relentless tyrant, alien hero Sen's discovery of the probe leads to adventure - and possible salvation - for her and her people.

Movements & Moments TP -  Sonja Eismann 

Indigenous Peoples all over the world have always had to stand their ground in the face of colonialism. While the details may differ, what these stories have in common is their commitment to resistance in a world that puts profit before respect, and western notions of progress before their own. Movements and Moments is an introductory glimpse into how Indigenous Peoples tell these stories in their own words.

You’re Funny For A... GN  -  Sophia Zarders

Looking for your next laugh? This illustrated guide to women, non-binary, and trans comedians has what you're looking for! Showcasing emerging talent along with well-loved icons, you're certain to discover your new favorite comic in the stand-up scene.

I Hate Fairyland #1 -  Skottie Young & Brett Bean 

Eisner Award-winning writer SKOTTIE YOUNG (MIDDLEWEST, TWIG, THE ME YOU LOVE IN THE DARK) and artist BRETT BEAN (Marvel's Rocket & Groot) bring back the hit comic I HATE FAIRYLAND for an all-new ONGOING SERIES! Everyone's favorite green-haired, axe-crazed maniac returns in this Deadpool meets Alice In Wonderland adventure! Gert is all grown up and living in the real world. Times are tough, and the only job she's qualified for has her trying to find her way back to the place she hates the most...Fairyland.

Invader Zim 25th Anniversary Edition #1 -  Jhonen Vasquez, Aaron Alexovich & Megan Lawton

The comic that launched a thousand Girs: Invader ZIM #1 returns in this special Oni 25th Anniversary Edition!

Kroma #1 (of 4) -  Lorenzo De Felici

Imprisoned in a tower within the walls of the Pale City, Kroma is believed to be the most evil creature alive. But a chance meeting with the mysterious orphan Zet creates an opportunity for Kroma to escape her cruel... that is, if they can survive the strange dangers within the city walls and the monstrous threats that lie beyond!

Hell In A Bottle GN -  Kyusaku Yumeno & Honojiro Towoji

A beautiful book that can be enjoyed both as a short story and an artbook. The first in a series combining gorgeous contemporary artwork with literary classics of the early 20th century, bringing classic Japanese literature to a new audience. A children's Eden on a deserted island turns to hell, as a brother and sister face the ultimate temptation... Told in epistolary form, this bizarre short story takes on themes of faith, degradation, and transgression, accompanied by stunning original artwork.

Touring After The Apocalypse GN Vol 1 -  Sakae Saito

With a surprisingly upbeat tone, readers of Girls' Last Tour will enjoy this trip through apocalyptic Japan. All alone after the end of days, two girls bike through the empty ruins of Japan-and they're not about to let the collapse of civilization get in the way of sightseeing! Even when the world ends, their journey goes on.

Artist TP -  Yeong-Shin Ma

In Artist three artists are on the outer limits of relevancy in an arts culture that celebrates youth. They're caught in circular arguments about what makes real art and concerned about the vapid interests of their younger contemporaries, none of them are reaping the benefits of success. But there's always another chance to make it. When it comes time, out of the three, who will emerge as an acclaimed artist? More important, when one artist's star rises, will he leave the rest behind?

Door To Door, Night By Night #1 -  Cullen Bunn & Sally Cantirino

The Heritage Mills sales team travels from town to town, knocking on doors. They're the best at what they do... which also means they're the worst. They're broken, each and every one of them, haunted by closets so full of skeletons, they're bursting. When they discover a terrible secret behind one fateful door, it opens their eyes to a world full of real monsters hidden in every small town.

Embrace Your Size: My Own Body Positivity GN -  Hara 

A love letter to those who dream of being fashionable but consider their weight as an obstacle, this uplifting comic essay by a plus-sized author chronicles her own journey with body positivity and learning to love herself as she is.

Futari Escape GN -  Shouichi Taguchi

In this modern yuri romance, a professional manga creator and her slacker girlfriend try to relieve the pressures of adulthood by finding joy in the little things in life-and each other! Two young women-one an overworked manga artist, the other a complete slacker-try to escape the realities of adult responsibilities. Whether it's running off on a day trip instead of being productive or going into debt for an epic meal, the two always have fun when they're together!

Hirano & Kagiura GN Vol 1 -  Shou Harusono

Basketball players. Bad boys who aren't really bad boys. Roommates. Senpai-kouhai BL romance. It all started when Kagiura moved into the school dorms with what seemed to be a bad-boy upperclassman. But after he's left in the tender care of his mother hen of a roommate, Hirano, it's too much to ask for Kagiura not to fall in love...right?!

Last Flight Out TP -  Marc Guggenheim & Eduardo Ferigato

With less than twenty four hours before the last ark leaves a dying Earth, Dr. Ben Caewood's daughter Sara has gone missing. Finally, the critically acclaimed series about a father and daughter trying to reconcile at the end of the world is collected into a single, unforgettable graphic novel from Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, X-Men) and Eduardo Ferigato (Radiant Black).

The Panic TP -  Neil Kleid & Andrea Mutti

Ten strangers, trapped beneath the Hudson River, are forced to depend on their fellow commuters in order to survive an apocalyptic event. Those left must fight their way through more than rubble to make it to safety. But the darkness is closing in, and with it their own individual fears and paranoia. It'll be a long road to the end of the tunnel . . . that is, if they don't kill each other before they get there.

Notes From A Sickbed GN -  Tessa Brunton

In 2009, Tessa Brunton experienced the first symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome). She spent much of the next eight years unwell, in a medical holding pattern, housebound and often alone. In 2017, she found a strategy that helped reduce her symptoms, and soon began creating the first installments of a graphic memoir. Notes from a Sickbed collects previously released and brand-new, unseen comics that recall her experiences with honesty, a pointed wit, and a lively visual imagination.

Gay Who Turned Kaiju GN -  Kazuki Minamoto

Bullied for being gay, teenager Takashi Arashiro wishes he could just be somebody else-but who could predict he'd morph into a giant-headed sci-fi creature?! Takashi's tumultuous emotions become the catalyst for personal and social exploration of the LGBTQ experience in this quirky, profound manga from prolific BL author Kazuki Minamoto.

Whatcha snagging this week, Fantomites?

[maaagnetize]

Home Beyond Hell by Karen Yakey

Book Summary:

Captain Ethan Evans has been running from his for two years. Europe is a big place. He and his outlaw army of ex-soldiers are good at surviving, but commandeering a crumbling Dutch fort in the Netherlands might be just another mistake. Hidden by a mask and robe, his scorched, scarred body is a constant reminder of what he did…and of what he deserves. Maybe 2066 will be the year his enemies catch up and put his head on a pike. Because vengeance is a ruthless hunter.

Home is full of painful memories for Vanessa Brouwer. She yearns for a change and a chance to find a soul mate. But who knew some freaky Phantom of the Opera wannabe and his band of marauders would take over the fort she’s trying to escape? His attitude is icier than a North Holland winter, but something fierce burns beneath that mysterious exterior. And the more he melts, the more she wants to see what’s behind his dark disguise and even darker mood swings.

Now, despite the deadly threat drawing closer, the one thing they can’t seem to escape is each other.

Purchase Link – Amazon, Bookshop.org

Reviews:

Seattle Book Review

Karen Yakey’s Home Beyond Hell takes place in a futuristic dystopian world ravaged by war. Vanessa Brouwer is a young twenty-two-year-old green-eyed blonde who yearns to see the world outside her castle community. A gardener by trade, this plucky heroine and her community are taken hostage by a passing gang of soldiers captained by a mysterious masked man. Although he seems cold and ruthless, Vanessa discovers that while his exterior is tough, there is much more than what meets the eye.

Captain Ethan Evans is a man running from his past. Struggling with losing his own home, Ethan has found Vanessa’s and is uncomfortable with how much he longs to stay, but fear of destroying her home keeps him ready to run. His mask hides more than his disfigurements, and Vanessa soon learns that the reason he and his soldiers move so often is darker than she first anticipated.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The point of view switches in-between Vanessa and Ethan giving the novel a well-rounded perspective. The characters are likable even in their woes, and the story seems promising. Every character is fleshed out, and Yakey does a great job exploring their histories. Vanessa is not a one-stop heroine, she’s invested in the characters around her, and through her, the reader becomes involved with them as well. For example, Morgan, Ethan’s right-hand man, has an interesting storyline verging in a possible love interest with Vanessa, but Yakey keeps it from becoming too much of a clichéd love triangle.

Yakey’s storytelling takes the classic romance tropes and makes them interesting. She doesn’t rely on lazy cliches but instead takes what’s typical and twists it into something new. I found myself rooting for all the characters even when they were at odds with each other. Yakey has taken the anti-hero ideology and created something new and shiny with it. The only thing I didn’t care for because this is the first in a series was that it felt disappointingly unfulfilled. This novel read more like a long prologue that never really went anywhere plot-wise. It felt like it stopped at the beginning of the real story instead of ending at a point that made sense. However, it is quite a long novel, clocking in at about 373 pages and 44 chapters. Perhaps that is a testament to the quality of writing that I found myself frustrated by the end and wanting more. This is a series worth following, and I personally will be on the lookout for the next chapter.

~ Jenna Swartz, Seattle Book Review

About the Author:

Karen Yakey writes novels for adult readers who enjoy a cocktail of romance, humor, and action with a dark-drama chaser. Though her literary leanings harken back to a Master’s degree in literature, linguistics, and communications, she has spent twenty-three years in global corporations within the tech world and financial services, which helps feed an appetite for diverse experiences. A self-professed queen of beer-brewing and brisket-smoking, she has pulled up her Texas roots to plant them in Florida. Owing to a love of traveling throughout Europe, she has sought to imbue this story with an honest sense of how a simple human connection can bridge any border or culture.

The blog on her website at www.KarenYakey.com is where her introspective, often hyperbolic, humor goes to play, and pessimism has no place there. Please reach out anytime, sign up for her newsletter, and feel free to follow her on Twitter & Instagram (@KarenYakey) and Facebook (Facebook.com/KarenYakey).

[readingforsanity]

The Wife Upstairs | Rachel Hawkins | Published 2021 | *SPOILERS*

Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates - a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts a discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.

But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates' most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can't help but see an opportunity in Eddie - not only is he rich, brooding and handsome, he could also off her the kind of protection she's always yearned for.

Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie's heart before her past - or his - catches up to her?

With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wie who just don't stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literatures most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?

Jane is the neighborhood dog-walker, having left behind a sordid past in Arizona and taking on a new identity, she finds herself envious of the rich men and women in the neighborhood where she works. When she can, she swipes expensive jewelry from those she works for, a piece here and there, so they don't notice anything is missing.

When Jane meets Eddie, the young widower living in the large house in the neighborhood, their relationship goes from 0 to 60 very quickly. Eddie's wife, Bea, and her best friend, Blanche, whose husband Jane also worked for, died in what is assumed to have been a boating accident at Eddie and Beas lakehouse only a few months prior. Their bodies hadn't been found, though they are presumed dead. Having gone away for a girls' weekend in hopes to mend their broken friendship, the police assume that the girls had too much to drink, took out the boat and an accident soon followed.

Jane and Eddie quickly begin a relationship. She weasles her way into the lives of the women of the neighborhood. The gossip is almost too much for her, but she listens to every word. Eddie is busy running two businesses, his own construction business and the one that Bea created and what made her into a self-made millionaire. Soon enough, Bea is officially living with Eddie, though the thoughts of her past she has run from continue to creep into her current life when a "friend" from her group home days begins blackmailing her for money.

Shortly after, Eddie proposes to Jane, and she accepts. The two of them begin making wedding plans, albeit none that are very solid. Jane continues her charade of being someone she isn't, and she gets the feeling that Eddie is doing the same thing.

All the while, we get snippets of the past and present from Bea herself. Though she has been declared legally dead, she is not. Eddie has her hiding inside of a panic room on the third floor of the home he built, a panic room that he was insistent on having. Bea claims that Eddie is the one responsible for killing her best friend, and has now hidden her inside of the panic room because he wasnt sure what to do next.

And this is where Bea remains for months, even during the times that Jane was there, living there, making love to her husband there. Bea is aware of Jane's presence, as she suspects Eddie has begun seeing someone, to which he confesses on one of the occasions that he brings her food, water and things to occupy her time.

In the end, Blanche's husband, Tripp, is accused of murdering the girls. Blanche's body was removed from the water after having been discovered, and it is now being considered a homicide, as there was evidence that she was murdered and it wasn't just some boating accident. Tripp reaches out to Jane during his time out on bail where he could remain at home, unable to pose as flight risk enough to stay inside of jail to await his trial.

Tripp explains that he was invited to the lake house by Bea, that Blanche was surprised when he showed up, as it hadn't been the plan. He had passed out inside of a guest room, and hadn't even been aware that the two women had taken the boat out on the water. He wasn't even aware that anything amiss had happened to his wife until Monday, when she still hadn't returned home nor had she returned any of the phone calls he made to her.

He also explains to Jane that there was a possibility that Blanche and Eddie were having an affair, beginning at the time they had hired Eddie to do some renovations on their home. But, nothing was ever proved.

During Eddie's point of view, he confirms that nothing ever happened, and that he is also not the person responsible for Blanche's death and Bea's supposed disappearance. That he was simply protecting Bea, as she was the one who did all of the dirty work.

After her visit with Tripp, Jane tears apart the home she's been sharing with a man she realizes she hardly knows. When she finds a novel inside of his jacket pocket in a closet, she realizes that it is a handwritten note from Bea, whom Jane finds inside the panic room upstairs. Now that she's free, Bea can continue the charade that Eddie is the person who did all the dirty work, though Jane realizes that they're more alike than she realized, and that she can see right through her lies.

In the end, Eddie sets fire to the home in order to release himself from the panic room, where the girls had locked him away after discovering Jane had found Bea. Eddie and Bea were not located inside the fire, though it is presumed that Eddie had died after his teeth were found within the ashes of the home. Jane walked away with nothing more than smoke inhalation. Emily, a friend and former neighbor, takes her in and once again, Jane went from being the help, to the friend and back to the help in such a short span of time.

Ultimately, we learn that Eddie and Bea's relationship wasn't everything that it was cracked up to be. But, in order to buy Jane's silence, he had his will changed to give everything, his business and Bea's, over to Jane, who is now a millionaire herself.

Jane still isn't aware of what happened to the two of them, but she imagines that they are somewhere in hiding, with each other but happy, as it was clear that Eddie could never love her the way that he had loved Bea, especially after Jane found out that she was still alive. She has moved on, taking the dog Eddie had bought shortly after their meeting and creating a new life in another state.