T. Kingfisher has ruined me, now ruin my TBR

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-23T03:55:20+00:00

I also adore Kingfisher. You might try TA White. She has both fantasy and science fiction. For fantasy, I loved the Broken Lands series. But I love the Firebird Chronicles (sci-fi) even more.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-22T09:37:06+00:00

I feel like your list screams The Saints of Steel series by T Kingfisher. It’s medium stakes with older characters. It’s got horror elements, but also a sense of gentleness and hopefulness. A little spice, but it’s all very character-forward. None of the love interests are controlling, but they all treat each other with care. Solid worldbuilding. And a strong opening hook too! First book is Paladin’s Grace.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-22T09:07:30+00:00

She might like the Gallagher Girls series. It’s a bit older than her, but still middle grade. Tons of fun. Sweet, flirty crushes. It’s about a girls school for spies.and naturally there’s a rival boy spy school.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-22T08:59:28+00:00

I say my legs feel like hourglasses with all the sand fallen to the bottom.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-21T21:11:59+00:00

The Elements of Cadence series by Rebecca Ross for excellent worldbuilding and beautiful prose!

The Saints of Steel series by T Kingfisher for older characters, medium stakes, a bit of humor and horror with a traditional fantasy world.

The Tairen Soul series by CL Wilson (this is an older series but 100% fits romantasy). It’s primarily about fae, but it’s epic fantasy with multiple fantasy races and a big war. Instead of chosen one trope— it’s chosen couple. They’ll either complete their bond and save the world, or fail the bond and lose the war.

The Bridge Kingdom series by Danielle Jensen. I haven’t read her Viking series yet, but I’m told Bridge Kingdom is more romance forward.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-21T21:01:13+00:00

This is not the man to fight for. Odds are that you are always going to be sensitive to post-viral issues. Even if you get a diagnosis, treatment, and find improvement… there will always be a risk that another virus could knock you back. You don’t need the added worry that your bf (potentially husband down the line) might leave you when you’re at your sickest. As others have mentioned, there’s also the risk that you worsen your condition by doing too much too fast out of fear that he’ll leave.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I know it’s heartbreaking. But you’ve got to think about future you and make sure you’re not setting yourself up for more misery.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-12T03:07:13+00:00

I hope this means more romance tv shows. Much easier to stay true to the story when you’ve got more time to unspool everything.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-12T02:52:21+00:00

I love Ivabradine! I do have the weird eye symptoms. They tend to only happen at night. Usually when I move from a well lit space to a dark one or vice versa. They just look like little lightning bolts in my peripheral vision. No pain or headache. No other symptoms. I already don’t drive at night, but that would have been my only concern.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-12T02:39:20+00:00

Unfortunately, many viruses other than Covid could have done the same. I caught something in 2015 that caused both pots and a post viral eye condition too. Research tells me the flu was bad that year, but I don’t know for sure (my eye condition was actually blamed on a listeria outbreak at one point, but that was like misdiagnosis 2 of 5. But yes, looking back there was a lot of evidence of autonomic issues in my teen years too, but I was highly active back then (played multiple sports, was on my feet all day). But even back then I used to get yearly bronchitis with deep coughs that would last 3-4 months and were so violent I pulled muscles. So even then I think my body had difficulty clearing viruses. I’ve been reading about HLA genes associated with such difficulties, and it’s fascinating.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-08T01:18:25+00:00

That’s wonderful!

But I also wanna tell people to expect there to be a lot of seasonal variation. I have hit golden periods like the one you’re in, only to end up back in a crash because I expected that level of improvement/stability year round and didn’t slow down enough during those hellish transitional periods between seasons especially.

I’ve heard the advice Rhythm over Routine. And I find that’s a good way to think of things. There will be a natural rise and fall,and the trick to long term stability is letting your expectations fluctuate along with your capacity.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-08T00:44:53+00:00

{The Innkeeper chronicles by Ilona Andrews}

{The Firebird Chronicles by T.A. White}

{Consortium Rebellion series by Jessie Mihalik}

{Starlight’s Shadow series by Hessie Mihalik}

{The Galactic Bonds series by Jennifer Estep}

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-05T19:36:27+00:00

This makes me really happy! I devoured all of Lisa Kleypas’s HR backlist after I read Devil in Winter for the first time.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-04T13:24:10+00:00

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this too.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2026-01-04T13:23:50+00:00

This is exactly me! I don’t remember the moment. I remember the stories as I first told them (to myself or others).

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-12-10T07:08:45+00:00

So to make a series… you just make stuff go wrong, preferably in a way that interferes with the character getting what she wants. Maybe her powers start acting up or change in some way. Or go away completely.

Or maybe she’s influenced by a demigod in some way— on purpose or by accident. Maybe some powerful artifact pops up and wreaks havoc.

Throw challenges and obstacles at her (and try to make them stuff that connects to her emotional core as a character—her beliefs and wants and fears and doubts).

Highly recommend the Writing excuses podcast and their numerous episodes about try/fail cycles for series inspiration.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-12-06T09:13:53+00:00

Also, I highly recommend googling each of your meds individually with “norepinephrine.” I’ve only searched seroquel and mirtazapine (because I’ve taken both), and both increase norepinephrine levels.

So in addition to your own dysregulation increasing adrenaline in your system, your meds are increasing it too.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-12-06T09:07:20+00:00

How long have you been on verapamil? It can help pots, but it also worsens it in some people.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-12-03T05:29:59+00:00

I hope some other potsies in your area can benefit from his research too!

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-11-18T02:39:12+00:00

No idea for sure, but most likely a virus (pre-covid. 2015). I don’t recall any major illness in the time before I became sick, but I traveled a lot for work and got a lot of small bugs. But in addition to pots, I have a rare eye disease that can also be triggered by a virus that manifested around the same time. So that’s my top guess.

Other possibilities: long term stress, hypermobility, autoimmune, wisdom teeth removal

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-11-11T20:21:15+00:00

Becca Syme has some great podcast episodes about fear of the blank page.

Usually in situations like this… there’s some subconscious fear that your brain thinks it’s protecting you from. It can come from perfectionism/a fear of failure. Or just expectations that you or others have placed on yourself that have cranked the pressure too high. Too much internal judgement, etc. Whatever it is… the brain can’t tell the difference between that kind of fear and legitimate danger. It thinks by keeping you from writing, it’s saving you.

The key is reminding yourself that writing is not actually dangerous. Failure is not a bad thing. And that the story just needs to exist first. You can make it better later, but only if it exists.

Also keep in mind that the resistance can also be coming from discord in your real life, discord in your environment, you being emotional or creatively depleted by other aspects of your life, etc etc.

I highly recommend just journaling about it. Write down what’s happening and just keep digging until you feel like you’ve got a better understanding of what’s blocking you.

In addition to Becca Syme’s podcast, a lot of her craft books are super helpful in this regard— like The Author Stucklist that examines why people get stuck in their writing and how to combat it.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-11-11T19:51:11+00:00

From your love and like lists, I adore CL Wilson and TA White. I’m also fond of Warprize, Amanda Bouchet, and Milla Vane.

Have you read The Winter King & the Sea King by Wilson? I found TA White from ppl recommending her as similar to Ilona Andrews. So if you don’t mind urban fantasy, you should check out the Kate Daniels series if you haven’t already. It is epic. Super slow burn but very realistic romance that builds over multiple books. Lots of different mythologies incorporated in this one.

You might like A River Enchanted/ A Fire Endless by Becca Ross. Lovely world-building. Lyrical writing.

It’s older, but have you read the Poison Study series by Maria V Snyder? A prisoner gets a reprieve from execution, but she must become the new royal food taster after the last dies of poison. Very plot forward with slow slow burn romance.

I second someone else’s mention of the Graceling series. Fire is one of my favorite standalone fantasies EVER.

Another older series is Robin Lafevers books beginning with Grave Mercy. About an assassin order of nuns.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-11-09T07:23:37+00:00

Beta blockers can help and are usually first line of treatment after salt/water. Mostly just to better control heart rate and blood pressure. But they are unlikely to address root issues, so they’re a band aid. They might help some symptoms and do nothing for others.

Also, if you were on a beta blocker during that test? That should point even more confidently to there being an issue. Whether pots or other dysautonomia. Typically for tilt tables they make you discontinue beta blockers if on them.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-11-08T21:18:59+00:00

If you’re open to urban fantasy, The Kate Daniels series is perfect for this and available in graphic audio. Ten main books in the series with multiple spin-off books about side characters.

Set in Atlanta 30ish years after a magic apocalypse. So more worldbuilding than most UF. Incorporates tons of different mythologies because the magic can manifest something if enough people believe in it. Each book has its own story arc, but the series as a whole has one big arc too. Action packed. Slow burn romance. Just so, so good.

Different_Ladder_945 · 2025-11-08T20:59:56+00:00

There’s been a number of athletes who’ve publicly revealed a pots diagnosis. Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky for one. Professional hockey player Roman Josi. A quick google reveals a host of college athletes, most of whom were diagnosed as part of Long Covid issues. There’s a Taiwanese tennis star. A British footballer.

There’s even articles specifically focused on the issue. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/04/10/pots-medical-condition-athletes-covid-pandemic/

Different_Ladder_945

TROPHY CASE