thedrunkenreadersreviews

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A Review of Strange the Dreamer by Lani Taylor

Well, hello there, friends! It's been a hot minute but I got another review. This one is bit a older but I finally got around to it.

Let me preface the review with these opinions are entirely my own. If you enjoyed any of the books I reviewed negatively, that is absolutely fantastic! I am so happy when people find books that they like, even if I did not enjoy them. Everyone should find good books, and I do not ever wish for someone to read something that they do not enjoy, except myself, of course. I am my own personal guinea pig in the "read good/bad books" experiment. Results, inconclusive.

For today, I'm keeping it calm with just a cold one courtesy of Belgium.

*Sip, sip*

Strange the Dreamer by Lani Taylor

I wanted to like it. Like, I really wanted to like it, but I just couldn't, which is odd because even in this book, I do believe Taylor has such an incredible command of words, and I devoured her Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. Alas, with this one, I felt stuck. So stuck in fact that I ... I DNFed it at about 70%.

*Sip, sip*

I do NOT DNF books. It takes a lot for me to give up on a book because I stand firm that endings can be redeeming for a book. So I typically stick it out. I have only ever DNFed one book prior to this one.

*Sip, sip*

So, what happened? Well, Lazlo's story I did not find interesting. He just felt like an incredibly flat character with no depth. Everything felt surface-level. His personality is determined and good. I like struggle. I like watching characters sway in their morals and have to ask themselves difficult questions. I like it when they are questioned. Lazlo pretty much stays the same throughout the entire book, and so while he is sweet, he is particularly boring to me.

*Sip, sip*

And then there is the whole incident called the Carnage and how Minya saved the few godspawns who are left and enslaved ghosts and all that jazz.

All of the godspawns, to me, are just as flat as Lazlo. Okay, you got the sympathetic, the aggressive, the needing-to-feel-desire-carefree (god, I hate that troupe!), the only male, and the meek one. And they stay that way for the whole book (or, at least 70%). Dull. Just dull. Everything they did was so predictable; nothing surprised me.

*Sip, sip*

And in regards to the Carnage incident in which the human sex slaves were used as involuntary seed donors or human incubators for the godspawn, deciding to revolt so that they could stop being slaves and having to give their human children to the gods to serve that purpose ... I say good on the humans. Killing the godspawn that they were forced to produce, yeah, I get it. Make sure another human child is not taken, make sure no one is forced to conceive or carry the children of the gods, make sure this reign of tyranny comes to an end. I was all for it.

I had absolutely 0% sympathy for Minya or any of the other godspawn, which is what I think Taylor was really trying to pull from the reader; yes, the gods did this horrible thing, but the humans, when they rebelled, slaughtered children. But what the gods did was so atrocious in my opinion that I really didn't care about the spawn that the humans thought needed to be executed to prevent the cycle from starting anew.

*Sip, sip*

She got me in the beginning, with that short prologue, but everything after that was just down hill from there. And in my personal opinion, Eril - Fane and Thyon Nero were the two most compelling, interesting characters, as well as the only reason I was able to make it 70% of the way through the book.

*Sip, sip*

Truly unfortunate, as the premise seemed so compelling, and Lani Taylor is an incredible writer. The 70% I read, 1.5/5 stars, and only because of Eril-Fane and Thyon Nero.

*Sip, sip*

I suppose that is it for now. I am making a Tome account if any of you would like to join me over there and check out the scene. My username is TheDrunkenReader.

I have more things cooking up. If you have any suggestions, let me know. And as always, cheers.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

Straight fire! This is EXACTLY how I pictured Maia! Chef’s kiss! Fabulous!

wonder tales and cloud bridges

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

An end-of-the-year confession...

Let's pop some champagne as we await the New Year.

Now, as the title demonstrates, I do have a confession to make, or rather, an opinion. My main focus is on male main characters (mmc) but I'll start with my short gripe on female main characters (fmc).

*Sip, sip*

I want more fmcs like Evangeline Fox from the Broken Heart trilogy. Or Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle. The book, not the movie.

I want more fmcs whose main goal is to find love. I want to read about a girl who loves pink and dresses, who is pinning over a boy, who sees the good in people even when most others don't. I want a girl who is not strong with a sword but strong in love. I want a girl who can save the world with love, not war, like Evangeline Fox. I want a girl who takes pride in doing what many deem to be typical feminine tasks like cooking, cleaning, and sewing. Some of the best moments in Howl's Moving Castle are the concoctions Sophie sews together. I want girls who find liberation in these typical feminine tasks like Sophie did; who enjoy them.

*Sip, sip*

And I want more male main characters in young/new adult in general but more mmcs like Cardan. I am so sick of the Rhysands and Xadiens and Kais and Dark whateverthefucks from Lightlark that are just copies and pastes of the same character over and over and over again. Some shadow-daddy with a massive dick who gets under the girl's skin and gives her a cringy nickname. Who is a warrior and several thousand (hundreds) years old and has slept with so many women that it is astounding how he does not have an STD (since condoms are not a thing in these books). The number one thing I disliked about Cardan was the promiscuity but damn at least Holly Black made it somewhat important to the plot and character development. But Cardan is one year older than Jude and still otherworldly! And he is not some big, muscular, warrior, shadow-daddy---he's a moody noodle. A MOODY NOODLE! (Another pet peeve is the fanart of him with a six/eight pack, like no, Jude is bigger than him in the muscle department.) I want my noodles!

*Sip, sip*

Male characters are critiqued so disgustingly in these romance/romantasy books that as an Asexual I really roll my eyes to the point that they nearly get stuck to the top of my head.

Masters of Death literally opens with Fox banging a client after she came to him to have a seance with her recently departed husband. Like, what?

The Selection series (as ass as it may be) gave me hope with Maxon. And then I read the script for the (thank the stars above!) canceled Selection TV series that was going to have Maxon's first scene be him banging some random maid in his bedroom. Like, WHAT?! He was a virgin in the books and was nervous about talking to girls. He hadn't even kissed anyone until America Singer! Even Mafi pissed me off with what she did with Warner when he and Juliette broke up for that short while. Like, seriously? He is utterly, devastatingly in love with this girl but you know, gotta stick it somewhere. 🤷 Emily Wilde's trilogy. I love it! But why does the mmc have to be such a hungry-for-sex creature and flaunt it in the fmc's face?! It adds absolutely nothing to his character, their relationship, or the plot!

*Sip, sip*

Am I supposed to have this information just so that I know they're good in bed or so heavily desired? It takes one sentence: "A string of broken hearts trailed behind them." BAM! That tells me everything I need to know. And even if so, why does their being good in bed matter? Is their status diminished if they are not? Why does the mmc have to have a slew of bodies in the past of their sheets in order to qualify for being an attractive companion while the fmc needs to be portrayed as having less history if not no history altogether? And this is not a male author issue. All of the examples I provided are books written by women. I really don't give a damn about their sexual history unless it is intrinsic to their character development, the plot, and/or their relationship with another character.

*Sip, sip*

I think Margaret Rogerson did this perfectly with Nathaniel. He is actively pushing girls away by trying to ruin his reputation and coming across as some evil sorcerer. Here are just some of the best quotes by Master Thorn regarding romance and his romantic life:

"'I've been hard at work trying to ruin my reputation for years. Perhaps after this, influential families will stop trying to catapult their unwed daughters over my garden fence. Which actually did happen once. I had to fend her off with a trowel.'"

"'Scrivener, I know I cut a devilishly handsome figure lying here on the floor all covered in blood----which I hear some girls find quite appealing, strangely enough, and if you're one of them I'm not going to judge---but please stop crying. It's only a flesh wound. I'll be back to fighting evil any moment now.'"

"Nathaniel nodded. 'If you can believe it, I used to fancy him. Then he went and grew that mustache. Or he murdered a gerbil and attached it to his face. For the life of me, I can't tell which.' ... 'I like girls too, Scrivener.” Amusement danced in Nathaniel’s eyes. “I like both. If you’re going to fantasize about my love life, I insist you do so accurately.'" (It should be noted that his bisexuality is never mentioned again, and I appreciate it so much as it normalizes it and that is what I want!)

"' [Silas] What is this, master - the third time I've broken you out of a jail cell?' Nathaniel coughed. 'Minor misunderstandings, on both previous occasions,' he assured Elisabeth. (….) [Silas] spoke mildly, his lashes shading his eyes. 'At least you're wearing clothes this time, master.' ... 'I'll have you know,' Nathaniel said, 'that that was an accident, and the public certainly didn't mind. One woman even sent me flowers.' To Elisabeth, he added, 'Don't worry. She was forty years old, and her name was Mildred.'"

On top of that, Rogerson does not go into heavy detail about his past. He does not flaunt to Elisabeth about how many partners he had in the past or how great a lover he is. It is summed up so nicely in those quotes which is pretty much all you get about Nathaniel's love life.

*Sip, sip*

Exuse me while I go reread A Sorcery of Thorns.

*Sip, sip*

But yeah. Shout out to V.E. Schwab who not all their mmcs are sex addicts, Laini Taylor, Shelby Mahurin (even though I didn't like Serpent & Dove I appreciated how Ried didn't have 100 random, faceless girls in his history), and ... and ... oh, shit, I think that's it.

If y'all have any more recommendations for these types of characters, let me know.

Cheers to a new year! And hopefully a better one for books.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A quick chat on why Stolas DID chose Blitz over Via

WAIT! Hold everything! Let me explain over a nice cup of steaming hot cocoa with some peppermint schnapps in the spirit of Sinsmas. Yeah?

*Sip, sip*

There we go. Now we're calming down. I'm going to combine "Master Mind" with "Sinsmas" in this analysis and I waited until "Sinsmas" came out before writing this because I wanted to see the outcome. And while my original prediction turned out to be the case, I am happy I waited to get the full picture. So let us begin.

*Sip, sip*

It all starts with acknowledging one thing: Stolas does love Blitz. Not to the full extent that he can (more on that later) but by "Master Mind," it is implied with that "always" at the end that Stolas knows he's in love with Blitz, and "worse" than that, it is not a choice. There is no "moving on" or "stepping away" from Blitz. He's fully entangled at that point and he knows it. So let's look at "Master Mind" now that we have acknowledged this.

*Sip, sip*

In "Master Mind," Stolas, still depressed as hell, does not get any warning that the imp that he is in love with is about to be publicly executed for breaking a law that Stolas helped him (and encouraged him through their original deal) to break. At that point, the executioner was getting ready and Blitz's head was damn near on the block. And just with a second to spare, Stolas steps in and essentially takes the blame for everything. Because, for Stolas, at that moment, it is not a matter of choice anymore, but sheer survival. Blitz will not be okay without Stolas' intercession at that moment. Knowing that Blitz is safe, Stolas accepts his fate. He willingly approaches the executioner's block and does not argue with the verdict though that verdict does not end up being the case.

Many have argued that the first question that Stolas asks upon his banishment was about Via; and while that is true, his first thought when he took the blame for Blitz was not about Via but about accepting Blitz's penalty as his own. There was no arguing, "Let me take the fault but please consider my daughter."

*Sip, sip*

Now, let me say this.

I understand.

I understand that in that moment, Stolas did not have time to think. I understand that he rushed to the courtroom with the only thought being "I have to save Blitz." Undoubtedly, he was also thinking about how he is partially responsible for Blitz about to be executed. It is a mixture of desperation, anxiety, panic, and guilt all culminating in a matter of seconds. The mind can only handle so many thoughts at once. In life or death, we don't tend to think about consequences. We just go into survival mode. That is what Stolas was in. Survival mode for the person that he loves that is about to die.

When that threat is neutralized, he has a moment to think about the consequences and that is when he asks about Via.

So, for Stolas it is:

Problem: Blitz is about to be executed for using MY book.

Solution: Stop that from happening by taking the blame for it.

Consequence: Blitz lives.

It is a split-second decision infused with panic and desperation.

*SIp, sip*

Now, let's look at his banishment. The adrenaline starts to fall. Blitz is safe. Stolas is going to live but the stars won't talk to him anymore. Not for another 100 years. He has just been stripped of his titles, his power, his home. Everything. All of this swirling in his mind, him being given a moment to now think about the consequences since that life/death threat has been removed, Stolas is sort of locked in autopilot blur.

It is when he sees Blitz and Loona that it clicks.

"I just lost Via."

This is the way, I believe, that minds work in such high-stakes situations. It is not a question to me: Via is the number one most important person in Stolas' life. I would never argue against that.

In the execution moment, he did choose Blitz over Via---willing to die for Blitz. But only because, in the moment, it was NOT a matter of Blitz or Via. It was a matter of "I have to save this person by any means necessary" stuck on repeat until it happened.

*Sip, sip*

In "Sinsmas," the reality of it all starts to sink in. Not only does he spend the entirety of the episode pinning for a lick of attention or acknowledgment from Via, but he also has a mental break in which he openly admits to himself that throwing himself into that courtroom and so openly being willing to die for Blitz was stupid. Not because Blitz wasn't worth rescuing but because he didn't think it through. He sobs not only over the fact that he lost Via, but also over the fact that he lost everything else! His house, his money, his status, his daughter are all being occupied by his abusive ex-wife and her obnoxious brother who almost had Blitz executed. Via is the final straw. He could handle everything else but not being able to see Via is something that he just cannot accept.

*Sip, sip*

Via's feelings are valid too. Although, misguided to some extent. Her song did an excellent job at showing what she thinks of Blitz. And she has every reason to think that way. Blitz is the one who "ruined" her parents' marriage in her opinion (it was ruined from the get-go but in Via's mind, it was Blitz), got her dad to openly accept public execution in his stead, leaving her behind. Blitz is the one Stolas "leaves" his family for. He is this dark, manipulative spirit, there to just destroy.

And then we see a glimpse into how Blitz views Via; as a potential addition. As a wanted addition. No, they don't interact much. And in regards to ruining Stolas' marriage, season 1 Blitz would not care at all. "Sinsmas" Blitz, when Via points him out at the end, looks down in shame. He knows he did damage, that he is partially to blame for this falling out between Stolas and Via. And he is ashamed. Where there was once indifference to Via, Blitz's (come on, guys, we're there at this point) love for Stolas has altered how he sees Via. She could be another daughter. Another addition to the family he yearns for. That is why she is in his vision. They see each other so differently because they are just on opposite sides of the situation.

It's tragic and beautiful and fantastic storytelling.

Because it's real.

*Sip, sip*

Because neither of my parents are horrible people. They are incredible people. But my mom took "happy pills" and my dad worked all the time. And they stayed for me just as Stolas stayed for Via. And my mom drifted towards someone else and my dad secluded himself into his work. And before long, I blamed a stranger for my family falling apart. And I blamed another for making sure it never repaired itself.

But my stepdad saved my mom.

And my stepmom saved my dad.

My family wasn't broken because of strangers. It was never whole to begin with. My parents just weren't meant for each other, and I see that now. My step-parents are additions in my holiday visions like Via is in Blitz's, though they started off as malicious shadows in my childhood like Blitz is in Via's song.

And just as it did not take me 100 years to figure this out, I do not think it will take Via a 100 either. She already knows about her uncle's hatred towards her father. Her mother is openly antagonistic towards them having any relationship and so there is no "hiding it" anymore.

*Sip, sip*

Via will come around. I think Blitz is going to have to help that along. Loona too. But she will. Because she still loves her dad. Because Stolas will never stop trying. Because Blitz loves Stolas, so he'll try too.

*Sip, sip*

And on the note of Stolas and Blitz; Stolas is not falling out of love with Blitz. Stolas, I think, is starting to feel a more genuine love for Blitz. While he was in love with Blitz prior to this episode, it is the fact that he no longer idolizes Blitz (starting around "Apology Tour") that he is able to communicate better with Blitz and is pulled into the reality of what being in love actually is; it is not the fantasy he wrote about in his journal, nor is it a rom-com. It's raw and challenging, and the people you love are going to piss you off and fuck up from time to time. But they'll give you a couch when you need it, make you breakfast in bed, catch rats in an alley for you, get you a job, and they may even slay an ice dragon for you. That doesn't mean the love is less or fading. It is becoming more real; he's not falling in love with idolized Blitz. He's falling in love with genuine Blitz---the true Blitz that Blitz himself did such an expert job at hiding for so long.

Likewise, Blitz is falling in love with Stolas. We saw it in "Master Mind." Not with just the song lyrics, but also in that Blitz does not question Stolas' insults towards him nor does he object to them---because he knows Stolas does not mean it. And when Stolas takes the fault, it finally sets in for Blitz that this prince, this Goetia, really does care no matter how hard Blitz pretends he did not or truly believed he did not. And that is why Blitz brings Stolas home and takes care of him. Best believe he is going to worship the ground that bird walks on! This humbling on Blitz's part, not Stolas', allows Blitz to better communicate with Stolas too! Allows Blitz to put more effort into the relationship now that he knows, without a doubt, that a relationship is possible and worth fighting for with Stolas.

*Sip, sip*

Stolas feels incredible grief and depression. You can't quit "happy pills" cold turkey. It tends to make the symptoms worse. Stolas lost everything---he lost Via. So even though all his dreams with Blitz are coming true, at what cost? Stolas feels guilt. He smiled and laughed and danced right after he accepted that Via is (in his mind) going to forget all about him. He did these things with the man he unintentionally threw all those things away for.

It is guilt that keeps Stolas' hands at his sides at the end of the episode. Guilt that has him so somber in the eyes and keeps the smile from his face.

It is guilt that has him looking up at the stars that once whispered to him---now silent for a hundred years.

*Sip, sip*

Merry Sinsmas everyone.

And have a happy new year!

Cheers.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

Jude and Cardan on a flower field. Cardan laying his head on Jude's lap. Jude makes a flower crown for him and puts it on his head. Cardan tilts the flower crown succeeding in making Jude laugh. The flowers bloom brighter all around them. That’s it, that's the post. Just happy and soft Jurdan.

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

@rosiethorns88 never fails! An awesome piece of art from one of the most hysterical comfort reads I have ever encountered. Love it!

Dropping the latest Sketch-a-Wish, voted on by my lovely Patreon members for October! Featuring Evie and the Villain from ASSISTANT TO THE VILLAIN by @hannahnicolemae ! This was a stinkin' cute book (like the hijinks of The Office meets fantasy and dragons) and a stinkin' cute scene!

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

I never understood why fans wanted their favourite characters to suffer so much... until now. Now I get it. I get it. I want him to suffer. I want him to bleed. I want him to hit rock bottom so hard he smashes right through and keeps falling. I want him to break down and cry.

Then I want him to win.

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

The deal was leaked and my life is a lie.

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A thought on why Alastor HATES Lucifer

*Takes a hard shot of Tequila*

So, it's been a minute. And on the eve of Hazbin Hotel's release date all those years ago in 2019 I felt an obligation to finally post my thought on this. I'm certain the title says it all. I'm certain part of this may be incorrect but I had a lot of time to think (and conduct research that was fun but also a headache) and have concluded my running thesis based on the information made available as to why exactly Alastor HATES Lucifer.

So ... *takes another shot* let us begin.

As Genesis says ...

In the Beginning:

Lucifer: Lucifer's beginning, based on the information given to us in the show, consists of him straying away from the rigid structure of the other angels in Heaven, being "a dreamer." In this universe, the concept of "God" is not explored and, based on what I'm hearing, perhaps never will be. Which, I'm fine with. I think the angels serving as the runners of Heaven works well, especially with the story Viv is trying to tell. Anyway, Lucifer ends up falling in love and marrying Lilith, who, much like him, refuses to bend to the will of the angels which, in this case, kept evil out of the universe. Those two get together, and offer up the apple of knowledge to Eve, which unleashes Sin or the Root of all Evil, or---now, let's be honest here---Roo (but more on her later). Because of this action, Roo flourishes, corrupting the entire existence of earth. Being forced to have this shoved into his face as punishment, Lucifer is cast into Hell and falls into a deep depression even before his separation from Lilith. He is more than just a neglectful parent; he is a neglectful ruler as well. Hell is a free-for-all; overlords, turf wars, exterminations that Lucifer signed off on, etc. Now, I love Viv's imagining of Lucifer as a character, and I think this allows a lot of potential for him especially given all of these flaws. So, there's that.

Now, let's look at Alastor's beginning.

*Takes a shot and steadying breath*

Alastor is a bit more complicated because we don't have the full story yet but we do have bits and pieces so let's try to put some of these together to analyze his psyche.

Now, throughout "Hell's Greatest Dad," yes, one hundred percent he is doing that to get under Lucifer's skin and yes, he doesn't like the fact that he is no longer the most powerful/influential person in the room and this is kind of his low blows at that.

But then ... where does he get the bravado to do that? Why would he be so confident that Lucifer would do essentially nothing? Yes, Charlie is there, but we're talking about the King of Hell. Viv mentioned that the hierarchy is kind of there in name alone ... but how did it get to that point?

Lucifer's neglect of the realm itself.

Now, examine Alastor, who is obsessed with control. He is smiling all the time to maintain a sense of control. He is frustrated when Lucifer is present because it hinders the control he has on the patrons of the hotel. He is enraged when Husk calls into question Alastor's control by mentioning his leash, as well as a few other examples scattered about. Right away, you have a demon who yearns for control and a demon who really couldn't care less about it with the former being lower on the Hellish hierarchy than the latter.

*Takes another shot because I know I'm starting to look like Charlie from It's Always Sunny with his mailroom red yearn map and deranged expression*

This is where we start getting into speculation using what information we have on his backstory to get a clue of Alastor's character.

When he was alive, Alastor was a serial killer but Viv said he was more of a "Dexter" type serial killer. If you haven't watched or read the Dexter series, Dexter is indeed a serial killer but he only kills those that have killed others. Think of a Batman that won't send these criminals to Arkham but to the morgue. I believe even Dexter thought of himself as "taking out the trash." So Alastor was only killing people he believed deserved to be killed; the worst of the worst. Looking at the comic, which is still cannon, Alastor has a soft spot for "those of fairer means" and is protective of people who may not be able to protect themselves.

*Takes another shot*

This might just add a little sprinkle into Alastor's mindset of "protection" but I'll mention it anyway. Stay with me! *Stands unsteadily like a drunk dad explaining the rules of a football game or something* Alastor grew up in 1920s/30s Louisiana. Now if my history classes have taught me anything about 1920/30s Louisiana is that it SUCKED for people of color, especially for black Americans. Alastor (What? Yes, I know the cannon changed, but we can still work with this.) is of mixed race, however, he could have been white passing as Viv also said that Alastor was living his best life as a radio broadcaster and well just look at the art for human Alastor. He is also quoted as being a Mama's boy and I'm leaning on assuming it was his mother's side that contained his black ethnicity.

My speculation---again, my speculation---is that his father was abusive; perhaps towards both him and his mother. I am also speculating that growing up in the 1920s/30s American South, he saw the police brutality, he saw the injustice, he saw people in power fail to protect the ones that they were supposed to, leading him to "take out the trash."

*Takes another shot, grips the table*

And now ... he's in Hell, in which the person with the MOST power, who could have all the control, is failing to maintain order and protect those that need his protection spectacularly.

*Takes another shot, climbs onto the table*

On TOP of that! Alastor could blame Lucifer for everything he saw/endured when he was alive because it was Lucifer's actions that allowed Roo to exist and for evil to corrupt the world.

So not only does Lucifer not get Hell under control, leading Alastor to clean up the mess that is Hell, but he is also the reason that evil exists (as far as we know) and he chooses to do absolutely nothing!

*Plops into chair, takes shot, slams glass onto table, points unsteady finger at you, blinks like a frog*

And that (hiccup) dear reader, is why I think Alastor hates Lucifer: because he is the reason for all the evil that Alastor had to put up with and has all the power to distribute justice but chooses not to do it; a repeat of Alastor's life when he was alive.

*Smiles stupidly*

They are such perfect foils for each other and if Viv said "they will have enemies to lovers" type arch and even those involved in the production teasing 'a match made in Hell' I think this is strictly platonic and that they are hinting that these two are going to end up having the most fantastic, most interesting, most heartwrenching, most fucking awesome enemies to ride-or-die homies relationship in existence. At least (hiccup) I hope so!

Cheers.

*Passes out*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A brief tantrum on the portrayal of faeries.

Well, we gotta go with the green fairy for this one. Pour a very demure and mindful amount into a glass (I am so sorry).

*Sip*

Well, it has been a hot minute. And I am slowly climbing out of a reading slump brought upon me by the great letdown that was Masters of Death (more on that later). But as I was staring at my shelf (which became known as the Void for the time being) I found myself utterly enthralled by my various versions of The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. The Juniper edition just ties that whole section, dedicated solely to all the books set in the world of Black's Faerieland, together nicely. And while I sat and stared and admired how finely I decorated the area with little mushrooms and fairy lights, I found my smile slowly fading as I thought to myself "Is this it?"

*Sip, sip*

There is a YouTuber by the name of "WithCindy" who is funny as can be, reviews books, talks about other major issues, and is just overall entertaining. Now while I don't always agree with Cindy, there is something they said when reviewing ACOTAR (which, I cannot recommend enough, their videos on that whole series are just perfect!) that I think about a lot.

Cindy, when first starting ACOTAR, asked their reading buddy,

""What makes them fairies?'"

To which the agreed-upon consensus became:

"'Basically, they're magical and have big dicks.'"

*Sip, sip*

How disappointing. Maas is not the only one to write faeries in this way, she is just one of the most popular. But many authors using faeries do this and I have become rather melancholy when thinking about faerie portrayal in literature. Which is why I think I cling to The Folk of the Air so tightly.

FIRST, let me say if you enjoy books like ACOTAR and favor that portrayal of faeries, that is wonderful! And I'm truly happy that you found something you enjoy as that is what reading should be for and I have no beef with anyone who enjoys this type of depiction of faeries.

With that out of the way: It is what I have been yearning for when it comes to faeries for so long. I crave the scary, tricky, terrifying creatures from Irish and Nordic Folklore. I want to see them be cruel and cunning, I want them to look grotesque and imbued with nature.

*Sip, sip*

Cardan, for context, IS a faerie. Like, in every way. He has powers, he cannot lie, there are wards to be used against him, he has a freaking tail! And he is not some thousand-year-old militaristic war leader with a six-pack who knows how to swing a sword. My boy is a noodle. A seventeen-year-old, moody, grumpy, noodle. And I love it! (I don't care for how so many fanarts depict him as a buff dude with a six-pack, like no, he's a skinny boy, but damn these artists are talented as Hell so I can't complain too much lol) I love how he doesn't use his powers to their full extent until book 3. I love how he is so into makeup and dressing up and caring about how he looks before he gets sloppy drunk and then smears his eyeliner all over his face. I love how he is beautiful and dangerous and sometimes downright haunting when he tries to be. I love how he doesn't always know best and how he has to find out that he can be a fantastic ruler/good person if only he tries. I love how he feels excluded from things and longs to be included in them. I love how since he doesn't have the ability to lie, he does so by telling the truth. I love that when he had a crush on the weird girl he got so angry and disgusted with himself and yet just let her tie him up.

I love how in this world, you don't know what the faeries will do next. You don't know what trick they'll play or what riddle they'll provide.

I want these faeries. I miss these faeries. They are magical and horrifying and I love them.

*Sip, sip*

The Replacement, The Call, Emily Wilde's trilogy, and Holly Black's Faerie world. I'm on the hunt for more. I hope to find more. And I hope---my goodness, do I hope---that more are created.

Because faeries are awesome.

Cheers.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A quick thought on episode 3 (S2) of "House of the Dragon"

Pinot Noir.

Harrenhal is hella haunted.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A quick reaction to "Apology Tour"

No time for drinks.

That hurt more than "Full Moon." How the hell am I supposed to wait FOR OCTOBER?!?!?!

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A small, yet, HUGE thing that happened during the "Full Moon" episode of Helluva Boss.

Pineapple whiskey for this one, folks. Sweet but burns all the way down, just like parts of this episode. (Side eyes the Cherubs).

*Sip, sip*

Blitz runs away. Granted, he is an immensely complicated character (which is why I love him just about as much as I love Alastor), with a plethora of emotional baggage. But it is a common trait for him when faced with difficult situations, especially regarding intimate partners, to just run away.

He, in part, ran away from Fiz.

He ran away from Verosika.

He ran away from Stolas as well.

But when Stolas tells him he cares, when Stolas confesses he wants more and sets Blitz free and admits to having these heavy feelings, Blitz yells and screams and says some hurtful things (no, I'm not on Stolas' side. They were both right and they were both wrong, but that is for another post).

But he doesn't run away.

"You can't just dismiss me like that! ... Well, I'm not letting you, bitch! Let's go! ... Stolas, wait. I'm sor---"

Blitz, who pushes everyone away while running in the opposite direction, stays to have the conversation just to be pushed away.

Blitz has grown. Tremendously. And I am so damn excited for more of him. And based on those few glimpses that we see of him in the S2 second-half trailer, he is not going to give up easily. He is not running this time, he's not pushing this time. Now he's fighting if only to have the conversation and I am here for it!

Blitz running towards something---someone ... I love it.

Cheers.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

In the history of things that have never happened, this is the most did not happen thing ever. Whatever happened in those 7 years most likely was not, in fact, "well earned" and it most definitely was not a "sabbatical." He is Viv's favorite, which means this dude probably went through the most traumatic shit in the Hellaverse's history of trauma that is all just going to be dumped on us in the span of a single episode which is just going to abruptly end there and leave us reeling for at least a week but I would not put it past her to make that as part of a season finale, thus making us wait up to a year.

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A long review of "Exquisite Corpse" by Poppy Z. Brite

NOTE: This review contains spoilers for "Exquisite Corpse." At the time of publication, the name of the author was Poppy Z. Brite. During reprints of the book, such as the copy of it that I have, the author's name still appears as Poppy Z. Brite. The author now goes by the name William Joseph Martin with the author name of "Exquisite Corpse" remaining Poppy Z. Brite. His website refers to the previous publication name of Poppy Z. Brite. This review respects Martin's pronouns (male) and name. His publication name in the title is only a reflection of the name of the author that still appears on new editions of the book as well as on the author's website. Going forward, the author will be referred to as Martin with male pronouns.

*Pours margarita out of the pitcher and into the glass. Sip, sip*

I know, right? Where the hell did this one come from? Well, it is a bit older but I was recommended it by a few people so I thought I'd give it a read. I am one of those people who can read extreme horror books and show no facial expressions whatsoever. I grew up watching horror movies, my Dad not noticing my three-year-old eyes peeping between the staircase railings as he watched Scream and The Exorcist on the big screen in the living room. I'll read about serial killers, watch the documentaries, and dig up all the dirty details. I guess this is why I love history so much; so many forgotten, unexplored details. But I digress.

*Sip, sip*

This book compiles a bunch of elements and throws them all into a pot like the numerous ingredients going into gumbo (get it? 'Cus ... 'cus it takes place in New Orleans mostly ... anyway). But while most of it works and Martin has a fantastic command of words there are some areas that fall flat.

*Sip, sip*

First, the praise.

Martin is a fantastic sentence writer. What I mean by that is, yes, he has an excellent command of words and yes, the sentences flow beautifully, and yes, sometimes you sit there and think, wow, that was an incredible sequence of words to explain this emotion or event or character or whatever it is. Martin can write an incredible sentence ... that does not mean that he is an incredible author.

*Sip, sip*

Now, hold on. I'm not suggesting that Martin is a bad author. I will confess, this is the only book I read by him. However, I will die on the hill of what I just said---Martin writes great sentences but the story is a little flat in the case of THIS book.

*Sip, sip*

The length of the novel, I must say was perfect. Nothing in the book was fluff, every detail was essential to understand the characters and the story. Also, with a book containing the subject material as this one does, less is more. If the book is too fat, too filled with gory details, the hardcore readers who won't flinch (like myself) will be able to push through, no problem. However, the exploratory reader might find themselves stepping away because the material is too thick. Length, in this area, is everything for this reason. Martin seems to understand that----mostly.

*Sip, sip*

The characters. For the most part, they are ... okay.

Focusing on the main ones, of course.

*Sip, sip*

Compton has a real Jack the Ripper vibe to him, is entirely self-serving, but not really balanced. What I mean by that is, his character is kind of two-dimensional. He doesn't really go into the "why" at any point. His backstory is lacking and his psyche is very, I'm doing this so I can do this to do this. There is no concept of consequence or inner struggle. Which, I understand, he is a serial killer. However, those types of people have more thoughts than just what I refer to as "road map thinking." Road map thinking is - I'll do A to get to B which will get me to C so then I can get to D. It's ... dull. Really, the only time Compton becomes interesting is when he meets Jay because that kind of throws a twist into his thinking. But even so, upon Jay's death there really isn't any diving into it. Compton kind of just leaves and says he's going to try to be in this state of meditation to be with Jay but here's the thing: the two of them interact so little that I was thinking, "Woah, when did any of this happen?" Granted, Compton is absolutely inflating this idea of love with what I'd say to be found obsession (Someone like me! We must be soul mates!). But even that is not fully unwrapped. Compton is the only character with a first-person narration in the book (which, I don't think did it any justice), while everyone else is viewed through the third person. I think it would have been great if Compton was in the third-person or everyone was in first. That way if one character is thinking one way because that is how their mind works, we should see how the others' minds work.

*Sip, sip*

Jay, by contrast, has a real Jeffrey Dahmer vibe. Like, tremendously. Even down to his looks, his method of killing, his reasons for killing, his disposal of the evidence and corpses. Anyway, he was also very flat with not a lot of backstory.

*Sip, sip*

I guess I found myself disappointed with these two main characters because, yes, THEY ARE EVIL, and one of the most important things that we can do as people is examine that evil. What led to that? What messed up their minds so much that they deviated so incredibly from the path? What happened to Dahmer that led him to do those things? What was wrong with Bundy? What the fuck was going on with Gacey? What the hell was the Zodiac killer's deal? Why was Jack the Ripper so fucked up? Why are these questions important? To try to stop this from ever happening again. There are always going to be serial killers and evil people, but the more we understand evil the more we can combat it and, more than that, prevent it. I wanted to know what happened to Jay and Compton. What brought them here but we don't ever get a peek and that peek, I think (for it is the case with me) is what interests us, as an audience and (hopefully) non-evil people when exploring these areas. Like, Damn! Who fucked you up so bad that this is what you do now? It is our desperation to solve the mystery, to find logic in the illogical, and to make something nonsensical make sense.

*Sip, sip. Sip, sip*

Tran. Damn. I barely had sympathy for Tran. Did I want him to die? No, absolutely not. I wasn't necessarily mourning him, however, or pleading for him to have a miraculous escape. If he did manage to get away, that would have been cool but I didn't really mind that he died in the end. Why? Well, that whole conversation with his dad. Tran kind of took this whole "woe is me" approach and I was just like "weird take ... but okay ..." I think his father had every right to be concerned. Tran, after all, was a very young adult who was obviously queer during the time a strain of a deadly disease that was running rampant through the queer community. The letters his father found, though he did not know the age of the person, were written by an adult to his young adult son and spoke in tremendous explicits. And Tran's father never tells Tran he has to leave. Tran just takes it upon himself to do so.

*Sip, sip*

In no way would I ever support a parent disowning, disapproving, or even ridiculing their child for being part of the queer community. That is horrible. It is alluded to that Tran's dad (T.V.) does not approve or like the fact that Tran is queer---more than that, T.V. does not seem to like the fact that his son is having all of these explicit things done to him, is taking hard narcotics, engaging in sexual activity with a deadly strain going around, and not knowing if Tran has ever brought any of that stuff into the house with the two younger kids around. T.V. also goes on to blame himself, saying that if Tran is doing all these things, he must have failed as a parent. 99% of this makes logical sense from a parent's standpoint. Do children deserve privacy? Yes, absolutely. Do all parents snoop into their child's belongings from time to time? Yes, absolutely. Why? For these very reasons. It's not a lack-of-trust thing. It is a been-there-done-that thing and I-want-you-to-do-better. In T.V.'s and other immigrant parents' cases, I think it is more of a I-sacrificed-a-lot-to-get-us-here-please-don't-waste-this-opportunity thing. And, it can also be a combination of both.

*Sip, sip*

And Tran dropping that whole "well, you came into my room and went through my things so you don't trust me" line when he lied to his dad literally like a minute before, come on.

*Sip, sip*

He's a teenager. Yes, I get it. I really do. Teenagers lie to their parents and they do stupid things and they don't think their parents know anything and that they know everything. I was a teenager at one point too and I, for the most part, thought the same thing. I guess what really turned me away from caring so much about Tran is never does he think, "Maaaayyyyyybbbbbbeeeeee my dad was right about something." Not everything, but something. Nope. Never.

And he constantly, constantly puts himself into stupid situations. And he is a cheater. I have no forgiveness for cheaters. Doesn't mean I wanted him to die, I just felt nothing for him.

*Sip, sip*

Luke. Ugh! I liked him a little in the beginning but then the more I read about him the more I hated him. The fact that he tried to kill Tran, the fact that he was EVEN WITH Tran when there is that tremendous age gap! And once again, all for the sake of "woe is me." I know he is pissed off at the world for the shitty card he was dealt but I'm supposed to care about a character who tried to kill someone he claims he loves because he's pissed that he has a disease that will most likely kill him? Pass.

*Sip, sip*

The bulk of these characters have so little redeeming qualities or any, I don't know, substance. Compton is just evil. Jay is just evil. Tran is a typical teenager. Luke is just a bitter idiot.

The one character I loved and I mean LOVED and was always so happy to see was Soren.

He was the best part of this book and it is because he was so different from the other characters. Soren never takes this "woe is me" standpoint like Luke and Tran but he is not evil like Compton and Jay. He is just a freaking fantastic person who tries to help everyone. When you are stuck reading about a bunch of characters who just complain or have such dark thoughts, that one ray of sunlight, that one character that is different than the others has such a gravitational pull.

*Sip, sip*

And Martin ruins it.

Soren and Luke. Oh, I almost rage quit. I was so close to rage quitting. Soren having feelings for Luke, no problem. Soren asking to sleep with Luke right after Luke abused him and confessed he is going to try to save his relationship with Tran ... what? Luke going through with it after just confessing to Soren that he is in love with Tran? The fuck?! Luke being into it even though he has never expressed any interest in Soren or ever alluded to the fact that he even finds Soren attractive? WHAT?!

Like, it is explicitly said I believe twice, maybe even three times in the book that Luke has a fetish for Asian boys---and Soren is white.

*Sip, sip. Sip, sip. Sip, sip.*

I think this book did more harm than good. All of the main characters are gay men, which is absolutely, one hundred percent perfectly fine. All of the main characters are overly sexual and just scramble all over each other. I am not judging people who enjoy the promiscuous lifestyle, who enjoy sharing themselves with others, and who just seek the gratification of pleasure. To each their own. But to overly sexualize your gay main characters on top of not providing them with much depth is just ... bad. It feeds into the stigma that all gay men are promiscuous and just sleeps with whoever and prey on younger, vulnerable boys.

*Sip, sip*

So ... was it good? The words were great! The imagery was spectacular. The vocabulary is top notch and the story itself had the potential to be excellent! But the plot is not carried by the characters. Give Luke something beyond bitterness and hopelessness, which, I'll admit, is alluded to in the end. But only for like 2 pages. Not enough for me. Give Tran something beyond "woe is me." Give Jay more than just stab, sex, and eat. Give Compton more than just sex, stab, maybe try a piece.

And my goodness, don't give your ray of sunshine character such desperation in their romantic affairs.

Gay people, like everyone in this world, be it straight or queer, have depth to them. That is just one piece of them. There is so much more that could have been explored with these characters. I wish we could have found it.

*Sip, sip*

And I think that goes for every queer character which is part of the reason why, as you can tell from my page, I love Hazbin Hotel. I love Alastor (ace). I love Angel Dust (gay). I love Charlie (bisexual). They have SO much depth to them. They have so much within them to explore and bring forward and it's not just about who they desire to have as a partner or lack thereof. I don't want writers or creators to just full on this "well, they're queer so they have depth" idea.

And I'll leave it with this. The Hazbin Hotel post-Season 1 finale Q&A.

Blake Roman who plays Angel Dust was asked what he considers to be Angel's greatest flaw and strength.

Roman replies that AD's flaw is he refuses to accept that he is in as horrible of a situation as he actually is and will make light of it and not let people in.

However, his strength is, well, his strength! "Once he does allow that wall to come down, he is a fierce friend. You know you've got him."

Oh! Depth!

And Amir Talai who plays Alastor is asked, "What are [Amir's] thoughts on being part of the ace-rep through Alastor [...]?"

Amir, who is not ace, wonderfully replies, "It means a lot to mean a lot. [...] If you're aro-ace, that doesn't mean you're lame. It just means that there is a part of you that is different from what is considered typical. [...] And people ask, 'How has that affected your portrayal of him so far?'. Well, it hasn't."

Jessica Vosk, who plays Lute, shortly after jumps in and tells Amir, "But it's kind of nice to hear you say that when you were asked whether or not it has informed you with what you do or how you changed it. You said it doesn't because it's not like that is why Alastor is ..."

Amir: "Right!"

*Sip, sip*

In essence, a character's queerness is part of them, yes. But it is not ALL of them. That is not just who they are and to diminish them to just that one aspect of them is incredibly belittling. One of the main issues I have with the production of queer entertainment, [for example, the new "Mary & George" series] is that it is overly sexual as if that is the only thing that queer people have to offer. No. Queer people live like anyone else. And depending on the queer person, some may even have very little to no sex at all! There is no reason to saturate queer material with sex. This book mentions the word "dick/cock" in a sexual (not insulting, but purely sexual way) nearly 100 times.

*Sip, sip*

If you can stomach some gory details, I'll recommend the book but I don't think it is a book that you should read before you die. It's a book with a lot of sex and swearing and some blood. So ... yeah.

Cheers.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A Review on The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black (SPOILERS)

*Sip, sip* And we're back at it again with that faerie wine!

Now, I know. It has been a hot minute since I posted. The new year has been hectic but I got 2 book reviews coming at you. Let's start with this one.

*Sip, sip*

I knew they would be back and that is why I went to a midnight launch to get my hands on this book. To see the return of my High King and Queen ... ahhhhhh ... but we must have patience and so we shall.

Let's examine this in plot and characters first.

*Sip, sip*

Firstly, let me say that the plot felt a little ... perhaps not as organized as previous plots. For example, the first book focused on the theft of Mab's bones and the creation of these stick creatures which I thought was pretty awesome and enjoyed. Here, that plot goes no further. I wished it was explored a bit more; the power of Mab's bones and the connections it has to the land of Elfhame as a whole. We know Mab was the first High Queen and essentially created Elfhame, so I wanted to see just how interwoven Mab was with the land because, as was explored in The Folk of the Air trilogy, the High King/Queen is immensely connected to the land. That entire part of the mythos kind of fell away to make room for Wren.

*Sip, sip*

Speaking of the whole storyline with Wren ... I'm sorry guys, for the most part, I did not care for it. It's not that I necessarily found it lacking but rather, I found myself disappointed. I had mentioned in a previous post of mine how Holly Black is one of those authors who does not sacrifice the importance or power of one character for another, typically in the case of taking from a male to distribute to a female character. For example, in her novel The Darkest Part of the Forest (which is my favorite standalone faerie book thus far and not just a Holly Black fairy book), never is Severin's status or power diminished for the sake of building up Hazel. It makes perfect sense how, during the climax, Hazel is able to fight as she is. Likewise, in The Folk of the Air, it makes sense that Jude is more strategically inclined while Cardan is more magically inclined, and I LOVED it! I loved how Jude did not possess anywhere near the same magical abilities as Cardan but was rather spectacular for everything she earned. Cardan is a faerie, a descendent of Mab, and the blood High King. It is understandable how he is more connected to the land and thus able to wield it more absolutely than Jude. Jude, on the other hand, taught herself the ways of spying, learned to fight from a vicious redcap, and had to learn to play the game of the folk as she lived in Faerie most of her life. They complement each other incredibly.

*Sip, sip*

Wren, to me, was a bit much. This whole concept of her being able to unmake things made me twist my lips. I understand that hags are the supreme beings of Faerie and how Wren has hag-blood. This manipulation of magic, of being able to unmake things took away, I think, from Cardan, Jude, Oak, and yes, even Mab.

Why? Well, Mab, in a way, is like Jude. She learned how to play the game, she played it well, and Bogdona was upset she got fooled. But, to me, Mab won the Faerie Game fair and square. The land, Elfhame, the crown, all of it belongs to Mab and her bloodline. And Mab gained the ability to create, to bring life. That is the whole Greenbriar thing.

Now, I could work with Wren having the ability to unmake things if it contributed more to the plot of this Greenbriar = Creation, Bogdona/Wren = Destruction. But it doesn't. It just creates a hurtle for Jude. What I think would have been great was to bring this question of Creation vs. Destruction to the forefront. Mab's bones can make things because they are imbued with her power. Great! Can they cure Wren? Can the remark what Wren unmakes? Could Cardan and Jude's power to create block Wren's power to destroy? Could Mab's bones and Cardan and Jude's powers protect Elfhame from Wren's? There are so many questions I wished would be explored but they were never touched on. Could Cardan deflect Wren's spell of unmaking? Could Wren unmake something that Cardan made?

Now to some of you, it may seem obvious ("Well, duh, she can. She has the blood of a hag.") And, you know what, fair. But we should not underestimate the abilities of Mab (who tricked a hag and gained the power of one) and I would have loved it if it played out more.

*Sip, sip*

As for Oak ... oh no.

Readers ... this book made me dislike him. Not hate him, no. And I did not always find myself annoyed with him. Most of the time, throughout the book, I enjoyed Oak but when he annoyed me, my goodness did he annoy me.

*Sip, sip*

As someone who personally detests the whole "ghosting" trend, beating around the bush, talking in circles, and not being direct, I DESPISE the miscommunication/ no communication trope to no end. Anytime Oak even thought about Cardan I slammed my head into the book and seethed past gritted "Just fucking tell him!".

Truly, I had some theories on why Oak may be reluctant to tell Cardan anything. I found no reason besides him being afraid Cardan would tell Jude. Again, fair, but something as simple as saying point blank because faeries cannot lie, "Listen, Cardan, I am not going to ever try to take the throne from you. You do not have to worry about that." Oak's guilt about what he made his sisters endure for him, fine, I understand. But I don't remember a time of him lamenting what he put Cardan through (as I hoped he would) or what he took from Cardan. Rather, he mentions it briefly in passing but does not elaborate. This whole concept of him thinking Cardan wants him dead seems a bit much, even with what he overheard Jude and Cardan talking about in the beginning.

*Sip, sip*

As suspected, though, Cardan is not an idiot.

*Sip, sip*

Jumping back to the plot, the whole ending seemed a little like "Wait, what?" Why is the Ghost done so dirty? Randalian's flip-flop seemed a little Fallout meme "hold on, now." Nacassia and the Undersea were just sort of there (I know she is setting up for an Undersea storyline but as someone who hates cheaters, sorry, I feel nothing for Nicassia so I couldn't care less), Madoc is kind of just pardoned, the falcons who betrayed Elfhame are sort of okay now, someone who literally tried to assassinate Cardan (I think it was twice now) is just sort of free to go. Like, what?

But anyway ... On to the main points.

*Sip, sip*

Oak and Wren.

As much as I found myself annoyed by Oak, I did not necessarily dislike Wren (as I tend to favor villains in books) but found her unforgivable at times. Some of her actions had me pondering, "Oak, how could you have romantic feelings for this girl?" I understand why Wren did most of the things she did. But the way she treated Oak the whole time he was at the citadel, uh, no. Freezing him, starving him, having him in solitary, humiliating him, like ... lying by omission as Oak did, yeah, not cool. Torture via neglect---not cool either.

*Sip, sip*

Do I ship them? I mean ... I don't oppose it but I wasn't really rooting for them through the book. I did not feel the same chemistry as I did with other faerie romances that Black has written. Some characters with great chemistry are Kaye and Roiben, Severin and Ben, Cardan and Jude especially, even Hazel and Jack I felt more pull to. Hell, even Val and Ravius. Why is that? Well, I'll keep this in the Elfhame part of Faerie for those who haven't read the other books. So comparing Cardan and Jude to Oak and Wren as both can be considered enemies to lovers:

Cardan and Jude start off with a mutual hatred.

Oak and Wren do not.

Cardan inflicts his hatred upon Jude and Jude does it right back to him. It is mutual, shared, and practiced on both sides up until they both cave and when they both cave they both cave at the same time.

That's not what happens to Wren and Oak. Their hatred, or rather cruelty, is one-sided. Wren is far more, I guess, negative towards Oak than Oak is towards Wren. Neglect is still a form of abuse; even if the person is not actively being physically, verbally, or mentally abusive, they are still abusing the person via their lack of attention and mindfulness. So when Oak was Wren's prisoner, she was being neglectful and tormenting. Which, hey, he lied and it was a big lie too. So I could fully understand Wren wanting to humiliate Oak because she felt humiliated too. But humiliation is one thing. Neglectful abuse for several weeks is another. Yet, since book one, Oak has had feelings for Wren, whereas Wren harbored a lot of resentment for Oak in the beginning of book 2.

*Sip, sip*

So, do I ship it? As I said before, it is not in my fleet. However, I am not opposed to it. I think Oak does a lot more for Wren than she does for him positively, and I think Wren inflicts a lot more negative things upon Oak than vice versa. Honestly, for this one, I feel as though Wren and Oak would have been better if they ended as friends with the possibility of romance in their future. I think they jumped it too quickly, especially after everything they put each other through. I think having the time to explore being friends again would have been better for their relationship with Black leaving us with a nugget of but you know, they are going to be together in the future.

*Sip, sip*

And now, for the main event.

*Lifts glass*

CUE THE HOMELANDER MEME!

It was perfect. Perfect. Everything. Down to the last minute details.

*Sip, sip*

Yes, my High King and Queen were as fabulous as ever and stole the show every time they were on the page. They were just as in love as ever, still as badass as ever, and both have even matured but not entirely.

Cardan commanding everyone to be killed had me cackling like a Disney witch. Jude's sword fighting is still top-tier. And the fact that Cardan and Taryn still don't like each other had me crying even though Cardan dots upon her son.

Confirmed! Cardan is great with kids as we all suspected.

Him completely ignoring Oriana and her opinions on decorum because he is the High King had me nodding in agreement, one hundred percent. Throwing food into people's wine goblets as a game with Leander, splendid.

Jude resting her head on his shoulder, well done. Jude "threatening" Oak to die for the High King, badass. Jude calling for her good sword, sick! The fact that the sword Severin gave her was not destroyed, big relief (like I was actually sweating when I saw it return, beginning Wren not to touch it).

Them agreeing to Nicassia's stupid little party to keep their people safe, major flex.

Cardan walking off getting stabbed in the chest, giving the order to have people executed to then escorting his people to safety by making a deal with his cheating ex is an I'm him moment.

"Liar," gave me chills and flashbacks to The Wicked King, chapter 15 (hehe ¬‿¬).

Jude acting just like her "dad," put some respect on her name.

Like, if this book was worth reading for any reason, it was them. They did not take up most of the book but when they were there, they were THERE. I loved Jude and Oak's fight at the end, and I loved Oak and Cardan's conversation. I wish they had spent some time talking about how Oak was part of the original plot to put the crown on Cardan's head or how they both fell for vicious women, but the ending was great.

*Sip, sip*

So, was it a good book? Yes, it was. It was an enjoyable read and had that whimsy that all of Black's faerie books have. It was great to see old characters, discover new ones, and expand even more on the realm of Faerie. You know Holly Black loves these characters, especially because of how frequently she keeps returning to them in recent years. It is understandable. These characters are spectacular.

All of the books set in Faerie written by Black so far, for me, from most favored to least, are as follows:

The Wicked King, The Cruel Prince, How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories, The Darkest Part of the Forest, The Queen of Nothing, The Prisoner's Throne, The Stolen Heir, Tithe, Ironside, Valiant.

Also, another review is being posted soon to make up for my absence. If you have a book you'd like to recommend for me to read, I'm all ears (or, eyes, I guess lol). I am also on Goodreads (same name: thedrunkenreaderreviews).

Anyway, thank you for your time, enjoy the faerie wine, and with the weather growing warmer, why not go for a swim with the nixies?

Till next time, cheers.

*Sip, sip*

[thedrunkenreadersreviews]

A thought as I'm reading The Prisoner's Throne (Minor Spoilers)

Cardan playing a game with Leander that consists of basketball shooting mushrooms into people's wine glasses during dinner, referring to Leander as an "imp," smack-talking Locke to his own kid for fun all while maintaining the attitude of "I'm the High King of Faerie and I'll do what I want," is the content I needed to remind myself, yup, this is indeed my favorite MMC in literature.

I missed him so much.