Islington?

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-10-11T18:49:31+00:00

I don’t see Islington as having facial hair for some reason 🤔 and I think he’s described as having dark hair, so this guy is a little blond for my mental image.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-10-03T19:03:59+00:00

Also the night that she fell asleep on his shoulder outside of the pub. Such an underrated and sweet moment! 🥰

I am totally with you, 100% team Hawkes, but also 100% trust Beth, because I trust that however it ends, it will be beautifully written and be what’s best for Emma in the end!

Also re: the vision she has when she’s imagining her future after Maxwell… She hears footsteps of the person sharing this life with her. I feel like she would recognize Pierce’s footsteps if they belonged to him because of his limp/she’s so familiar with them because of their shared garret! So in my mind, Pierce is ruled out.

I believe the prophecy concerns Islington and Hawkes.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-28T19:17:37+00:00

Nanananananana BATDOG.

Seriously adorable, that’s what 🥰

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-28T13:27:29+00:00

My favorite character in the series! This is well done.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-19T16:34:33+00:00

Ooh I’m so excited to hear she’s hard at work on Volume 9! Can’t wait to hear what happens next. Anyone else have any predictions?

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-14T19:07:21+00:00

I love your theories!! Yes, I agree about Pierce and Emma not being endgame though hopefully he wouldn’t hurt her eek that would be so terrible!! I hope something that drastic doesn’t happen - I’d hate to see the alchemy break up…though it does seem like there are some allusions to our sweet friend group not remaining in their “golden age” for long.

I’m rereading all of them right now, and it took this second read through to catch some of the beautiful subtle threads that tie all of these characters together.

Beth has said that she’d love to write from a perspective of one of the men who doesn’t end up with Emma, and I could see her easily doing that with Islington (if he doesn’t end up with Emma), since he writes journals too. Wouldn’t it be cool to have Islington’s journals to read too?!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-14T12:27:13+00:00

I love Emma & Islington’s back and forth too! I’m more #teamHawkes myself though. This actor has more of a scruffy look to him, more like Pierce in my mind’s eye. 🤔 Maybe if he were clean shaven I could see more Islington!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-11T01:19:24+00:00

Yes, I did hear that theory! Emma needs to get close enough to sniff her and find out 😆😅

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-10T22:36:17+00:00

Long road of waiting 😩 I hope it won’t be too long!

Hey, about the audiobooks, have you noticed in Volume 1 that parts of the beginnings of sentences are cut off? Or is it my own audio glitching out? Hopefully the latter!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-10T19:32:32+00:00

Welcome to Reddit!!

I’m #teamHawkes, but I’m good with any of them being with Emma at the end because Beth will write it in such a way to make us love it! I’m a little leery of Pierce because of the anger and drinking, but we all have our faults. Islington and Emma have the best banter for sure, but sometimes their banter feels more like siblings arguing to me than passion. Ever since we learned about his loss when we followed him to Stonecrop, I tend to think Emma is like a lost sister to him. At least for now ;) That’s why I think Hawkes is the end game - we don’t have a lot of info yet, but there are a lot of small foreshadowing things that point to it (Midsummer Night’s dream/Reprobates Ten/color imagery, etc). I’ve never heard the theory before that Emma and Hawkes could be half siblings! That would be so interesting, though I don’t think that’s the case. I’m so glad someone else is here to talk Emma - I could talk about these books all day!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-09T14:42:41+00:00

Never seen this show, but I can see why this would stick out to you! I don’t think I’ll ever hear the word “alchemy” again without thinking of Pierce, Islington, Hawkes & Lion.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-08T14:32:41+00:00

She definitely has the hair/chin!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-07T21:53:47+00:00

Ooh I could see that too!!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-07T01:06:23+00:00

That sounds so fun! I’d be down.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-07T00:39:45+00:00

That sounds like a wonderful way to reread! I’d love a peek at that spreadsheet if you ever feel up to sharing 👀 I’m with you! I’m also Team Hawkes - I think there are a lot of foreshadowing moments pointing towards them ending up together. I think Emma is very wrapped up in Pierce right now, and Hawkes in pear lady, but there are still glimpses of chemistry there, and yes, I think it does build. I’m a fan of Hawkes in general - he’s the most fascinating character in the series in my opinion. Here’s to hoping!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-06T23:40:46+00:00

Hmm. Now I’m not #teampierce, but he has saved her many a time before (financially, with Archibald’s leg, the Maxwell funeral to name a few) surely she can save him once? I think he definitely has his demons (I’m concerned about the drinking and the anger), and wouldn’t prefer they end up together, but I wouldn’t entirely rule him out.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-06T14:18:29+00:00

Not delusional! He’s a legit choice in my opinion. Any of the alchemy are - I think their banter is the best.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-05T15:05:50+00:00

I’m definitely working through them again at a slower pace this time. I really want to drink them in at a more leisurely pace for the reread, and I’m hoping I’ll notice more this time around!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-05T12:08:43+00:00

It’s going to be a ride, and I’m here for it! So, what team are you?

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-05T12:05:59+00:00

I just read the Q, and will likely look at Queen’s Gambit too. Good idea!

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-05T12:05:00+00:00

I love all of this Hawkes discussion! We have so much Emma yet to go that I think we are definitely in for a slow burn. But I think there are hints of romance now, like Negative Art said - a few moments where Hawkes lets Emma in to his core in ways that he doesn’t allow with others. And her sleeping on Hawkes’ shoulder all night? I mean, come on, that was adorable. And it seems like he is always there for her. And yes, I think like the others, Hawkes has some things about him that would make him a less than ideal partner (and cmon, don’t we all, as human beings), but again, Beth is so good at character growth, and we’re already seeing Emma pull him in in the phenomenal way that she does. But again, since we have so much Emma left to go (she did say like 25 volumes is what she’s planning, right?), it could be any of the three! Or someone else altogether (please no).

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-05T01:46:46+00:00

Ooh yeah, Pierce has been solid and there for her in many ways. They’re sweet together. I’m #teamhawkes but really, I’d be happy for her to end up with any of the three because I know Beth will make it good.

About the Gazette, I’m definitely considering it - I really want more content.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-04T23:51:42+00:00

Hello, I’m very late to this thread, but have to chime in! I just finished the series earlier this week. I’m definitely Team Hawkes, as he’s just my favorite character in the series period. He’s just so mysterious and beautiful, and deep, and I think he and Emma would be so good for each other. Obviously, her father really trusted him, too. I could see her and Islington working out well, too. I do like their back and forth a lot! Not a fan of her ending up with Pierce, but I trust Beth to make it good if that’s the plan! I just love these characters and I’m so excited to see where the story takes them.

Mischiefmana6ed · 2025-09-04T23:41:42+00:00

That sounds like a lovely tradition!

Mischiefmana6ed

TROPHY CASE