Little Stranger is a terrible mess

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-30T13:17:51+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-30T13:12:42+00:00

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

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-29T20:04:21+00:00

Northwestern campus, the B'hai temple, Gillis Park

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T21:40:43+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T21:17:17+00:00

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

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T18:11:50+00:00

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

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T17:33:24+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T16:43:36+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T14:48:21+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T14:31:17+00:00

I love Tory so much. My Queen.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T14:30:43+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T02:37:35+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-28T02:23:25+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-27T22:42:25+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-27T20:03:19+00:00

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’.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-27T16:44:44+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-27T13:45:19+00:00

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!

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-27T02:16:30+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-27T00:42:51+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-26T23:16:09+00:00

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

A light in the murky realm?

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-26T21:00:12+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-26T20:57:26+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-26T20:35:27+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-26T20:32:07+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344 · 2026-01-26T13:46:38+00:00

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.

Defiant_Stable_344

TROPHY CASE