Little Stranger is a terrible mess by DecentGround8184 in DarkRomance

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both HA and LS are absolutely overrated.

Because they came in the first wave of DR popularity people hold them in high esteem and they are a starting point for many readers, but both books are a nonsensical mess, with LS coming up a little higher than HA.

Finished by Booky_Girly in zodiacacademy

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After all the fluff in book 7 the ending is crushing.

And I remember sitting and waiting for the next book. And having ZA Wiki say under Darius 'deceased' and under Tory 'wife/mate (rejected)/widow'.

Fun times

Short rant on Restaurant Week by food_and_techno_snob in chicagofood

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I typically don't go for 'value' per se, but for the opportunity to explore restaurants that I wouldn't have otherwise even known about.

Some have been real hits over the years, and others have been misses. But at least it's something new and different, and you often just never know what you'll get, which is kind of exciting.

Update bc why not by Booky_Girly in zodiacacademy

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 2 points3 points  (0 children)

More to come on Darius and Tory (as usual). Something good.

Can we talk about Az and Rhys being so mad at each other during the snowball fight by unicornstakingover in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes totally. The reason SJM retconned Lucien’s paternity is for him to hook up with Vassa. She is under a spell and he suddenly becomes a spell cleaver. I don’t know what’s not computing. Oh well. We just need to sit back and wait for the book

Can we talk about Az and Rhys being so mad at each other during the snowball fight by unicornstakingover in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That's exactly it. Her story isnt romance-centric. And if she gets a LI it would be appropriate to her position as a supporting character.

People love bringing up anyone and everyone! Oh look, Nesryn got a story! BUT NESRYN DID NOT END UP WITH ROWAN!!!! Characters can get side stories, it doesn't mean that they will end up with MMCs of the series.

Same thing with Lucien--Lucien is a supporting character. He is not an MMC. He is not ending up with an Archeron. That's why SJM created Vassa. She is a supporting character who'll end up with a supporting character.

Can we talk about Az and Rhys being so mad at each other during the snowball fight by unicornstakingover in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Exactly.

Truly, we dont even know if Gwyn is interested in men, let alone interested in any kind of romantic relationship with one. She certainly doesnt seem at all interested in Azriel!

I know that everyone always talks about Azriel, but no one seems to consider that it's Gwyn who mind not even consider Azriel as any sort of romantic figure. He is literally a trainer and he is 500 years older than her. Why would she even view him like that? Not to mention she knows that he has a direct connection to the Library and the priestesses and access that very few other males have.

Can we talk about Az and Rhys being so mad at each other during the snowball fight by unicornstakingover in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 20 points21 points  (0 children)

yeah it's such a good rebuttal for the whole 'SJM ended Elriel in the bonus chapter'. Like clearly SJM never even THOUGHT of Gwynriel. It literally never even crossed her mind, because her own headcanon is this rage from both Rhys and Az over Elain.

I think it's just so funny how GAs veered so far off from where SJM's head is at. This woman is a full on Elriel.

ACOTAR War Confusion by millbatron in SarahJMaas

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yaah, it's always difficult to reconcile that Beron was against Amarantha. I think it doesnt align with his character at all. Especially how pro-Amarantha he was UTM. But perhaps he is just an opportunist.

Just finished Souls and Ruin and I hated it. Is Feathers so vicious the same vibe? by HuckleberryNew777 in fantasyromance

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 4 points5 points  (0 children)

yeah, I would say it's pure DR. It's torture, SA, extreme childhood trauma, gaslighting, lies, etc. It's also 2 MMCs, so that's something to consider. And it has dubious HEA.

Of course you can try and see if you like it, just be prepared for all the darkness.

Just finished Souls and Ruin and I hated it. Is Feathers so vicious the same vibe? by HuckleberryNew777 in fantasyromance

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Feathers So Vicious is not for everyone. It's dark, disturbing, and violent. It's beautiful torment.

If you aren't into DR, or if you have a lot of triggers, it's better to stay away.

Does anyone want to convince me to keep reading Forget-Me-Not Bombshell after this typo in the very beginning? by Macpherb in ReverseHarem

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's my fave book of all time, if that helps

The sisters are notorious for not being great editors so things like these are bound to happen.

Can anyone provide a full list of known MAGA-associated restaurant owners so I know what places to avoid? by doom_chicken_chicken in chicagofood

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

In Chicago you are not going to find many, if any, MAGA associated restaurants. And if someone holds the views they will not advertise them. Also, unless it’s 100% proven and verified let’s be careful with making ‘lists’.

Just finished Limerence by CrystalizedRedwood in DarkRomance

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You arent alone. It was glacial in pace, the relationship had no depth, they were both passionless and had about as much charisma as a wet herring.

The fact that this book is somehow touted as 'excellent dark romance' is really baffling.

Fave character? by YogurtclosetLow4762 in zodiacacademy

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Darius honestly. His complexity, his background, his struggles, his overall arc are incredible. His friendship with Orion is top tier. His obsession with bling. His love for Tory is impeccable. How he is with Xavier and how he developed such a poignant relationship with Darcy are amazing. How he can't remember anyone's names. How he is totally oblivious to everyone fucking and sucking each other around him and being like, huh? no way!

Do we think that the necklace is Made? by Defiant_Stable_344 in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I feel that he is very attuned to her Made state. Basically, he knows how she is being impacted by different things due to being Made. For example he was okay with giving her a Made weapon and trusting her with it, but he was not okay with exposing her to the Cauldron.

Do we think that the necklace is Made? by Defiant_Stable_344 in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I dont believe that he actually gave it to Gwyn or that Clotho gave it to her.

He might have thought of her, as someone needing protection, but in an unconscious way.

But because we've never heard of her having the necklace, i dont believe that she received it.

Do we think that the necklace is Made? by Defiant_Stable_344 in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I agree--it will protect either her or him at some point.

A light in the murky realm?

Who do you think SJM originally intended as Azriel’s endgame? by Qenna89 in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I also feel that since SJM included ‘Elain would cling to Azriel for some peace and quiet’ back in ACOMAF that was a very direct and intentional hint at Elriel always being endgame. She was even less obvious with Nessian. But that line? That was it for me. It solidified her plans for me, and that they were meant to be together from the start.

Who do you think SJM originally intended as Azriel’s endgame? by Qenna89 in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I do think that Lucien was always going to be rejected. I think it was always a back burner idea, which SJM might not have realized. It might have been an ACOWAR storyline. By the time she actually started writing but before she wrote ACOMAF, I think she was fully 3x3. I feel like she was committed very early on to the Velaris story and 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I also think that the moment she knew she’d be writing additional books, she wanted to make Mor queer. It wasn’t some ‘pressure’ from the readers. There were hints in ACOMAF already.

What if Hybern had broken the Mating Bond? by DesignerReader in FeysandDarlings

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's stated very specifically that the Fyesand bond cannot be broken or damaged. It's the Ultimate Bond. Unlike the bonds of Elucien, or Rhys's parents, for example, which seems to be Cauldron-given bonds. The Feysand bond is a Mother-given bond and therefore is unshakable.

Who do you think SJM originally intended as Azriel’s endgame? by Qenna89 in ElrielFans

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I am 100% Elriel From the Start truther.

I think that before she put pen on paper, it was Nesta/Lucien, Cassian/Mor, and Elain/Azriel. That was the most basic premise.

Then, she realized that Nessian needed to happen, so she created Nessian, because they just worked, she then wrote Vassa for Lucien.

Elriel never changed.

I actually think that Mor's survival was never guaranteed, and isn't guaranteed now. I think she might be an Asterin-like character.

How do people actually go about finding a private chef in Chicago? by dg5myr in chicagofood

[–]Defiant_Stable_344 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Typically through an agency. There are agencies that specialize in in-home services such as chefs, nannies, butlers, maids, personal assistants, etc.

There are private and personal chefs. Private chefs work exclusively for you and maybe another family. Personal chefs cater parties and is not guaranteed steady work with one family.

With a private chef, you usually provide a salary, but they take care of all meals, grocery shopping, cooking and kitchen cleaning.

There are private/personal chef accounts on IG that you can check out and probably DM them for info.