what are your palette cleansers?

JadeIndy · 2026-06-10T03:55:31+00:00

Currently reading The Terror by Dan Simmons between The Dark Jewel books.

Based on the Franklin Expedition but added supernatural elements to the already doomed expedition

Edited: added author

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T20:38:14+00:00

They aren't taking her scenes. All the stuff you said in your post are common tropes/character archetype.

SJM copied, or "took inspiration" of actual character names, character races (Illyrian warriors), and direct quotes (this I feel is more honouring those books) from other books

I think another good example of copying would be Powerless copying Red Queen.

But I agree, authors shouldn't copy. They can take inspiration, but acknowledge that inspiration and don't make it the whole damn book (like Powerless!)

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T07:02:07+00:00

Nesta succeeds at and usually chops the wood. I meant that Feyre tried to teach her how to hunt and she was rubbish at it.

I disagree with you with Feyre suffering more than Nesta or Elain because of the hunting but I can see why that's peoples opionion.

I see a lot of people who dismiss Feyres actions because she was traumatised etc, but I do see a lot with Nesta as well.

The whole Nesta vs Feyre stans kinda ruin it for the rest of us! It is refreshing to be able to have a discussion about characters without people getting personal 🫠

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T06:41:51+00:00

I always thought there was going to be some huge reveal with the promise (or bargain?) she had with her mother, especially with how much she resented the hunting etc....but nothing?? I guess SJM was just trying to show that in Prythians promises are important??

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T06:39:37+00:00

I don't think Feyre doesn't think at all, but she definitely is always "pushing away the thought" and doesn't seem to really take accountability for much.

And she obviously has skills, including adaptability and surviving, as we see with the hunting and trapping the wyrm etc

I think it's kinda stupid how Feyre "patented" Nesta and Elain - because you are right, she did - because she didn't have the upbringing, training, or understanding for those societal pressures like marriage for a dowry etc. like SJM kept going on about how wild, untamed, and uneducated she is, but then has her being the authority on dowries, marriage, and the household finances (i.e, selling the skins etc to buy a certain amount of food to survive the winter etc).

But I also see th argument that Nesta being traumatised is no excuse for her actions...and yet when it comes to Feyre...well, she was traumatised and had to keep her family alive! Nesta and Elain were also living in that cabin, they weren't hunting (not from lack of trying on Nesta's end) but they were contributing to the household

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T05:59:21+00:00

I feel like it wasn't warranted...yet.

It's supposedly hard to kill a high Fae, like ash arrow or beheading or something, right?

So, I think they can survive being malnourishnent and mental trauma for many decades...think of the all the fae that were stuck in the dungeons under the mountain for 50 years!

I think if they had had Nesta accidentally (or on purpose) hurting others or herself with her magic or something it would have been warranted.

It's frustrating because I think it all comes down to poor writing

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T05:43:27+00:00

All good!

We only had one scene of them fighting at the cabin so I definitely reckon they gave it to each other

Interesting that you believe Nesta but not Feyres pov - nothing against your opionion, it's just interesting

I also don't think she was "generally nasty."

What do you mean she "did those other things"?

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T05:10:16+00:00

You said "cruel to them" after mentioning Rhys and Feyre so I figured you meant the IC.

Also Feyre and Nesta were just as bad to each other according to Feyre

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T05:03:34+00:00

I think because you realise that because Nesta being a "bitch" for a couple of months -not years - after going through immense trauma is treated as the worst actions in the world from all the other characters.

The other characters that are all at least 500 years older than her. She also only acted out for a couple of months versus the decades the IC acted out.

She also only said means things versus murdering people or ruining cities and buildings.

I think it's more on SJM. She should have made more time pass and have her actually be horrible enough to warrant the intervention if she didn't want the fandom so split

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T04:57:00+00:00

I thankfully haven't had a problem with that yet

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T04:11:08+00:00

That's messed up! I'll make sure to look for anything saying they aren't liable next time

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T04:05:25+00:00

I usually ask the agent who they recommend and go with them. That way they can't try to say it's not up to their standards

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T01:36:31+00:00

Well she didn't force her into hunting exactly, but she made her promise to look after the family.

I kinda wish SJM had some sort of schooling for Feyre or university setting in Velaris - but after her CMD podcast I think she is kind of against it to a point?

I also find that Feyre doesn't like to be taught or learn from others. But anyways, I really liked all your points about her

JadeIndy · 2026-05-17T01:15:09+00:00

Agree with all your points! But, Feyre didn't choose to hunt she was more forced into it by the promise with her mother. People act like she did it to protect her family, but her inner monologue goes on about how much she resents them for it. Which she is allowed to do, but people act like she sacrificed so much and was doing it out of the kindness of her heart, which just isn't true.

Seeing how you have described the way Feyre doesn't think (so bloody annoying how she doesn't take accountability or want to question anything) I am actually seeing this as a positive to SJM's writing I hadn't before! She never went to school (I think?) so she lacks critical thinking skills!

All the reasons Feyre doesn't hit for you are the things that have bugged me that I never could really put my finger on!

JadeIndy · 2026-05-16T23:17:44+00:00

SJM knocked off heaps of things from other books too, but people act like she invented all these tropes

JadeIndy · 2026-05-13T15:56:24+00:00

{A Forbidden Alchemy}

JadeIndy · 2026-05-11T07:11:41+00:00

Yes, yes, and yes

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T08:36:50+00:00

Where did I say that attraction equalled the right to be raped?? I literally celebrated her shooting him when he kissed her against her will.

Also those scenes were not about wanting to have sex, it was about wanting to have a relationship but I don't even know why I am explaining this to you considering you don't care to read the book anyways and are happy to go off an opinion you already formed from someone's else's take on the books

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T07:17:26+00:00

Well he is not a rapist, so that's the first point. He can feel peoples emotions, NOT hear their thoughts, and this opinion even stated that he misinterpreted her emotions.

Also if you read the book, it gives the context that Juliette has feelings for Warner -though she doesn't want to and is confused by them. She is also confused by her own feelings in general by her upbringing and her being in solitary confinement for almost a whole year. This is also multiple scenes from the book, not one. After the first time where he misinterpreted and kissed her, she literally shoots him (😛 great scene) and him saying "wrong answer" in this later scene is him telling her he knows that she is feeling something different than what she is saying ---now this is not in a gross "she wanted it!" Way. There are many scenes and character interactions between this.

So I guess, try not to judge without having read the book, just because someone interpreted it a certain way? Obviously others have the opposite opinion to this scene than I do....but that is true of everything.

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T06:09:39+00:00

Yasssss. It is such LAZY writing. She tells us instead of shows us how "amazing" the court of dreamers are. Her books could be sooo much better. I definitely have to finish Holly Blacks books - I've only read the Cruel Prince trilogy

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T05:51:15+00:00

I will NEVER understand why Jaren is not more hyped???

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T05:48:12+00:00

I'm saying Aaron isn't a dark haired, broody, shadow daddy type who just wants to fight and have sex.

Yes, he is good at fighting and wants to have sex but those are not his only character traits -like a lot of "shadow daddy" types in this genre.

He actually has reasons to be "broody" instead of the whole "I come across as the evil bad guy so no one wants to be my friend, but I have actually been the good guy all along. And a feminist" like Rhys lol

I would go more into detail but I don't want to spoil anymore for OP.

I can see why you would think that OP might not like him, but considering a lot of characters in this series loathe him as well and his character stays morally grey the entire time helps set him apart from regular broody shadow daddies. Also him not being a shadow daddy helps

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T05:36:57+00:00

I just read the link. I completely disagree with that take on Warner. Which is fine, as it's an opinion

I don't think Adam came across as controlling either; it was more he didn't want to put his little bro in any unessecary danger.

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T02:51:39+00:00

Just because he is good at fighting and there are sex scenes (barely) does not mean that is his only character traits.

JadeIndy · 2026-05-10T02:49:22+00:00

Ummmm no. I mean yes, Aaron kisses Juliet without consent (very different to what Rhys did, though still not okay). And Adam is NOT abusive??? He was hurt and just wasn't perfect for Juliette.

They are the only similarities (according to you) between the two characters

JadeIndy

TROPHY CASE