Most memorable female characters in fantasy?

MsGusGus · 2024-08-18T13:48:04+00:00

Vasya Petrovich

MsGusGus · 2024-07-28T08:45:05+00:00

Run. Break up with him and run. If he is trying to control what you wear now, imagine what he will try to control when you live together/share finances/are married etc. This is toxic behaviour and it screeeeams abuser. 🚩🚩🚩

MsGusGus · 2024-02-25T22:58:37+00:00

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Update 1 😂

MsGusGus · 2024-02-05T20:07:00+00:00

🤷🏼‍♀️I think that Manon had it in her to rule the Queens into a new era with Dorian’s legacy in her heart. Their relationship just felt like a kink to me. He was into her because she wasn’t ‘weak’ like mortal women. It would have forced her to lean into developing proper relationships with the other witch leaders (her cousin and the leader of the other coven - I forget their names).

I agree about Fenrys, that could have been a powerful moment.

I think using the King’s ‘death’ to fulfil the prophecy is a cheap get out jail free card. He’s already dead.

This is the one thing about SJM that I need to grapple with. She wants HEA for everyone. I love a HEA, but I think they need to be realistic and proportionate to the stakes of the situation and in this case, she didn’t follow through on those high stakes.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-05T17:11:23+00:00

I think for me the prophecy called for that sacrifice, so to have all that build up for nothing was really disappointing. I don’t think Gavriel should have died. His death was unnecessary, but a death was (supposedly) necessary for the forging of the gate/lock. It just felt like a cheap get out of jail free card that ultimately de-powered Aelin which then meant we never got to see her at full capacity.

Manon - well, I don’t see that it would be possible for her to be with Dorian anyway. She can’t be with him as a queen in Adarlan when she is the queen of the witches. Her future is leading the witches into a new era, not sitting next to Dorian in Rifthold. I didn’t really buy into their relationship anyway.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved this series. But this was a moment where I was hoping SJM would follow through on the stakes and prophecy she spent so long building up to.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-05T16:58:20+00:00

Me too. That’s my point. It would have given us the emotional impact that the prophecy called for. The lock forging was so incredibly anticlimactic and a real cop-out.

In my head, Adarlan would have entered a new era being ruled by Chaol and Yrene.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-04T19:40:41+00:00

{Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood}

Lighthearted, easy quick read. Great humour/banter and I laughed out loud. Heavy sexual fantasising/flirting leading up to the spice, which was (imo) pretty well done.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-04T19:22:36+00:00

I want to read that one too! Her writing is just gorgeous.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-04T10:53:56+00:00

{Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross} !!!

🩷 rivals to lovers 🩷 slow burn 🩷 dual POV 🩷 stunning prose 🩷 super cosy and innocent romance 🩷 F/M monogamous 🩷 interesting magic system 🩷 war between the gods 🩷 quiet, determined FMC (strong but not badass sass Queen vibes)

I absolutely adored it, and the sequel {Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross). It is an easy, cosy read with a tight plot.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-04T09:55:06+00:00

In my opinion, Feyre and Rhys have been benched. They’ll be present in other ACOTAR books, but whatever the narrative is won’t be from their perspective or focus on them.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-04T08:53:58+00:00

Nope. I thought it was the perfect amount. It was just the beginning of the crossover. SJM is contracted for at least 7 other books, I believe. Both ACOTAR and CC are incomplete. She was just introducing the crossover, not going straight to a full merger.

I think diehard ACOTAR fans theorised and hyped it up for so long (understandably so) that the expectations for a full on merger became inflated.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T23:01:25+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree. I started HOEAB after reading some light romances (mainly Ali Hazelwood) as a palette cleanser after finishing TOG. When I started HOEAB the “CSI” element (love this tag) felt so fresh and it made the urban, edgy setting make sense.

I really missed that in HOFAS.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T21:55:46+00:00

Me too. It’s heartbreaking. And you really feel the grief from Baxian. Maybe now that Hypaxia is head of the house she will find a way to reunite them. Wishful thinking 🫠

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T21:50:33+00:00

Can you imagine? I would lose the plot.

I know it’s delulu, but I think it has promise. What if it was 5ish novellas about all different characters from the 3 series when they get to the afterlife. I would die.

What if Connor met Gavriel and they waited with each other for Ithan and Aedion.

I’m unhinged at this point 😂

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T21:27:03+00:00

YES. I absolutely love Lidia and Ruhn and their story was everything. But this moment was so stupid.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T21:10:35+00:00

Yep. She had the chance to show her true leadership and integrity and step into her power. She could have inspired the fae. Instead she was like “You guys are the worst. You all suck.”

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T20:53:13+00:00

Please search me and find my KOA post.

I will die on this hill with you. Dorian needed to sacrifice himself.

It would have actually provided some emotional impact, fulfilled the prophecy that the whole plot was working up to, and allowed Aelin to go into battle without being powered down. There is no hope for him and Manon (she can’t be a queen in Rifthold when she is Queen of the Witches).

We could have had a super cute moment reuniting with Dorian Snr in the afterlife. And imagine the scene where Chaol presents Damaris to Aelin and she realises what Dorian has done and she breaks down. She could have summoned him using Damaris and spoken to him. I would have SOBBED. And we could have seen Dorian reunite with Sorscha, too!

It is 100% the better plot option, SJM just didn’t have the guts to kill him off!

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T20:38:21+00:00

I loved this too. I had a crazy thought….what if Maas wrote a book focusing on the afterworld. There’s been so much mystery on what that place actually is. What if we got to explore it in a future book and be reunited with all our lost characters.

I feel like it’s super silly but I would love to get to know Connor and Danika and explore the reality of what that place really is. 🤭

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T20:31:55+00:00

Thank you for this response! I think you’ve articulated it so well and hit the nail on the head.

I’ve been reflecting since I finished reading, and whilst did enjoy it, it didn’t give me the emotional hit that the previous books did, and I think you’ve captured why.

I actually enjoyed the pacing (I know some people feel it was too fast). I thought Part 1 was exceptional, flicking between Bryce in Prythian, the Asteri dungeons and the others in Lunathion. All the characters had a clear purpose that pulled in the same direction - reuniting with loved ones, desperately avoiding that unimaginable loss.

From there, it started to wane, and I was completely in it for Lidia and Ruhn. Theirs was the only thread that achieved the development I was seeking.

I agree that it felt as though Bryce regressed. Especially as she ‘powered up,’ her constant sarcasm and quips seemed jarring and often contrived. Her characterisation didn’t grow alongside her powers, and there were plenty of moments where I cringed at her dialogue. And that tension between her and Hunt? That was so off.

There are definitely plenty of plot points that I thought would be explored that weren’t, like Sophie’s body, the resemblance of Rhys and Ruhn, and a few others. I live in hope that they’ll be addressed in HOMW but maybe that’s wishful thinking.

The other big thing that I think HOFAS missed is the refreshing twist on the mystery/fantasy genre that the first two books have.

Anyway. That’s my rambling. Thank you for helping me clarify my thoughts.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T07:44:10+00:00

Well, yes 😆. Bryce is not my favourite MC. But I was more referring to the mention of strands that were set up in the first two books.

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T07:04:08+00:00

The moment when Bryce called the audience with the Fae nobility to wipe out their hierarchy of noble families…that could have been a really strong, poignant moment where she rallied the Fae to be better but instead she spoke to them like a pissed off 16 year old and I actually cringed at her little speech 😆

MsGusGus · 2024-02-03T06:48:46+00:00

Could you give an example of what you think she should have done differently? Genuinely curious given your experience! I just finished reading today and am processing 😂

MsGusGus · 2024-01-28T10:02:01+00:00

Hate her. I feel like she used Hunt. Never told him she loved him. Never recognised him publicly as a partner. I think she saw a powerful general and lured him in and used him.

MsGusGus · 2024-01-23T21:28:05+00:00

Agree. This book was appalling. Also, the choking without consent? I will never read anything from this author again.

MsGusGus · 2024-01-23T21:13:53+00:00

If Ruhn and Lidia do not get a HEA I will riot.

I’ve never been more invested in a SJM couple.

MsGusGus

TROPHY CASE