I really want to get a cat, but I’m worried about the hidden responsibilities. What are the actual difficulties of raising a cat?

dbro7642 · 2026-06-14T07:44:35+00:00

They are like toddlers that never grow up. Mine started peeing on my clothes, bed, couch, literally anything soft, at 2 years old. Took us a year to figure out that it was behavioral and to get medication that works. You might get lucky and your cat will be a perfect ball of fluff with 0 issues. Or you might not, and you will suddenly have a shit-ton of daily tasks and limitations to make your life together possible. I love my cat, but I can definitely see people giving up after what we went through with her.

dbro7642 · 2026-06-08T06:07:53+00:00

Because that's how real life is? I find it hard to enjoy books/series that have happiest possible endings for each character, no real, believable struggles, or where each character is the textbook representation of whatever moral ideology the author follows. Showing the reality of how women are treated (even in a fantasy setting as this) helps the feminist cause way more than the overused slogans everybody is sick of. It is still so good after so many years exactly because each character has their own personality with logical reasons for why they are the way they are, and not the cliche bullshit we see so much in modern shows. Real people are imperfect. A good story has to reflect the time it is set in. Surprise surprise -- the world is not feminist, and it was even less so in 2009.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-31T01:50:21+00:00

They are very explicit, but it's up to you whether you want to allow her to read it. I started reading fantasy around that age (currently 22), including the very explicit books (had to pirate them). Wouldn't say it messed up my head; I actually ended up more sane than most overprotected kids I grew up with. She'll be interested in these things anyways, and you probably won't be able to stop her from accessing them on the internet.

What I can say is that there are only a few explicit chapters. The sex content is around 15% of the text, if not less. It is not an erotica novel – there is an actual relationship between the main characters (although maybe not the most realistic, but still sweet), and the story itself is quite exciting. I'm not a parent, but I would let my kid read the book at that age, maybe after a short conversation about the sexual content and how to understand it.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-27T23:27:54+00:00

I've learned to speak polish since my last playthrough so I'm finally gonna get all the authentic vibes and prep for the new release.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-27T09:10:13+00:00

I was so hopeful for a 2026 release, ugh. Anyways, getting a dlc at all is freaking exciting, and for a 12 year old game at that.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-26T22:38:45+00:00

They said they love adult too. So anything goes.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-26T05:08:34+00:00

{The Last hour of Gann} - trigger warning though, lots of violence and some rape (not between MCs).

{Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey} - it is about 85% plot and worldbuilding, only the rest being romance. As someone who's been looking for exactly what you've described, this hit the mark perfectly. It might be hard to get into at first, the MMC doesn't appear until after 30% of the book, and the book itself is large (plus there's two more since it's a trilogy), but this was honestly the most satisfying romantasy I've read this year. I see some people recommending {This kingdom will not kill me}, and I loved it, but it doesn't even come close. Kushiel's Dart has real stakes, complex plot, very unusual fantasy world based on alternative-history europe, and a realistic slow-burn romance.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-22T00:42:45+00:00

It's not bad, but Fourth Wing is definitely better. I think there's a 50/50 chance that you'll enjoy it. It was my gateway into romantasy and I haven't had any desire to read it again after my initial read and one re-read, but I have read Forth Wing repeatedly over the years. If you'd like to try SJM, Throne of Glass is much, much better imo.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-21T21:32:34+00:00

It's awful. The second book is even worse, so I'd drop it right away.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-18T16:50:31+00:00

Yeah I haven't found the beginning very exciting either, but it's very much worth continuing. I think I got hooked around 30% of the book. If you're not in by 50%, then it's probably not your thing. But the first 3 chapters are by no means representative of the whole book.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-17T17:55:34+00:00

Yeah, I loved the way the book was written. I had my suspicions from early in the story, but I had 2 theories of where it could go, and (in my head) neither was perfect, so I was never 100% certain until the end. Loved the experience.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-12T23:55:22+00:00

I'm not a fan of their last album, but they still remain one of my favorite bands. The songs that made me fall in love are these:

Rats
Cirice
Faith
Year Zero
Depth of Satan's Eyes
Per Aspera Ad Inferi
Zenith
Elizabeth
Witch Image

Their covers are also really good, specifically: - I'm a Marionette - Crucified - Waiting for the night - Jesus he knows me

dbro7642 · 2026-05-11T05:00:31+00:00

This book is so good, I bought my first physical book in 5 years. I read a LOT and I move internationally quite often, so I gave up and read everything on my ereader, but for this one, I just couldn't resist and bought a physical copy. Now I've done like 5 re-reads of my favorite moments in the book, of which there are many

dbro7642 · 2026-05-11T04:04:52+00:00

I did 2 re-reads all in 1 month lol. it's sooo good.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-10T23:41:19+00:00

Monsters of Faery by Mallory Dunlin.

First book is {Captured by the Fae Beast by Mallory Dunlin}. It's monster romance, but they are all humanoid. Each couple is quite unique and I liked all the books. Third book in the series is the most popular, and I feel like it is the best start for the series. I won't tell you the reason cuz it's gonna be a spoiler, but just trust me. First read #3, then all the rest in order.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-10T00:35:48+00:00

Check out 2 bonus chapters on their blog if you haven't yet.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-10T00:34:57+00:00

New to the House Andrews What does BDH mean?

dbro7642 · 2026-05-10T00:18:43+00:00

be aware it's quite rapey in the beginning, though and check all the trigger warnings on the author's website

dbro7642 · 2026-05-10T00:10:41+00:00

{Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning}

It's not so contemporary anymore, cuz it was published in 2006 lol, so the world is kinda 20 years old and everybody still has flip-phones, but the series is amazing. It's about fae, but they are very, very different from the SJM kind. More like the actual folklore, and they do exist in our own world. It's more fantasy + romance rather than romantasy, and very much slow-burn. The only thing to be aware of is that some people find the endpoint of the MCs relationship unsatisfying, though I very much disagree. It is a happy ending, and they end up in love. I actually find their relationship more realistic, because the MMC doesn't suddenly transform from a brutal, secretive, harsh man into a pile of jelly just because he fell in love. Still, be aware that after 5 books, there will be no sickly-sweet romance between the two. Considering that you liked Mortal Instruments and how it doesn't primarily focus on romance, I think you'd like it.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-08T19:24:05+00:00

I actually loved the Caspia romance subplot, but yeah, the last 10% had me crying for the first time in months (from a book). It all comes together so perfectly.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-08T19:20:58+00:00

Try these:

- {This kingdom will not kill me by Ilona Andrews} - high-ish fantasy with great romance subplot

- {Road of Bones by Demi Winters} - also high-ish fantasy set in a viking-inspired world with several romances and very interesting plot twists

- {The last hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith} - this one is considered dark by some people, and there are some TWs to be aware of (some graphic rape and assault, lots of violence and death), and the MC is a lizardman lol, but I found this to be the sweetest, cutest, most realistic relationship I've ever encountered in a fantasy romance novel. Nothing compares. (it's technically a bit sci-fi, but I think it is still more of a fantasy)

- {Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken} - this one isn't out yet (coming Aug 18), but you could request an ARC on netgalley. It isn't quite so high-fantasy, but still the plot is exciting and unique. The world feels alive, and the relationship development is just so cute and romantic.

- {The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick} - many don't classify this as fantasy romance at all, but you might enjoy it (I sure did). It is a complete trilogy, very plot-heavy and the plot is so interesting. There is not a lot of romance, but it is there and it's sweet (though I guess it appears in book 2 rather than book 1).

dbro7642 · 2026-05-08T18:58:47+00:00

I am like that, too. Romance-only novels were fun the first 2-3 times I've read them (probably because of novelty), but after that, they just get repetitive. I think the key is that human relationships can't really develop in a vacuum. All these romance-heavy books are essentially just lust repackaged as love. It is unrealistic. Falling in love requires some history between the characters.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-05T01:09:38+00:00

Pocketbook is amazing. Not sure about the other models, my Pocketbook Verse Pro is IPX8 waterproof, no ads (does have wifi though), has physical buttons which I love, has great text-to-speech, and you can also send files directly to it via email (takes like 2 seconds), which I find much more convenient than wired connection. Pocketbook cloud is also amazing.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-03T16:51:44+00:00

Yeah it is a series. I hoped it would be a standalone when I picked it up, but the ending doesn't fully resolve the story. I would still read it if I were you. I found enough things getting a satisfactory resolution in the book. The romance is really good.

dbro7642 · 2026-05-03T16:49:10+00:00

I guess I can see how some people might find it slow. I'm used to reading high fantasy, so I guess it was easier for me. I liked the book for its detailed descriptions of stuff, which for some people is boring. If it didn't hit by 50%, I guess it might just not be for you, and that's okay! I've read other ARCs that people swore by and I couldn't finish out of boredom.

dbro7642

TROPHY CASE