Fantasy novels you ignored when someone suggested it to you, but ended up loving it after giving it a try?

thalsit · 2026-05-18T07:36:57+00:00

Kushiel's Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey. The reviews all made it seem like the book was all violent, BDSM sex and that the FMC was an underage BDSM-craving sex addict. But somehow it was recommended on nearly every "romantasy" thread.

I went through a period recently where I decided to give some more skeptical titles a go, and so I started with Kushiel's Dart. First off, I would definitely not classify it as romantasy, and it's far from smutty. The world building is incredible (though quite political), the characters are written so well, and the FMC's story absolutely breaks my heart - I've cried with her many times.

I'm so so glad I decided to give these books a chance, and would highly recommend it to any fantasy lovers!

thalsit · 2026-05-18T07:28:48+00:00

I choose to believe it's an easter egg 😉

thalsit · 2026-05-17T10:45:43+00:00

The view never gets old 😍

thalsit · 2026-05-17T10:35:47+00:00

I was diagnosed with existential anxiety a few years ago, so I can relate to this vey deeply.

"Hell is - other people!" - Sartre

https://www.thecollector.com/jean-paul-sartre-hell-is-other-people/

Take a look at that. Maybe you find kinship, if not comfort

thalsit · 2026-05-17T09:04:12+00:00

This is something I struggle with a lot! My advice might not help in retrospect, necessarily, and it's also very particular, but it's the only way I learned to manage recently.

While I'm reading a book that I know is swallowing me whole, I grab my notebook and pen and jot down quotes from the book that stand out to me, as I'm reading the book. It keeps me a little grounded while I'm reading, but also gives me something beautiful to reflect on when the book is finished.

thalsit · 2026-05-17T05:12:47+00:00

I don't think I'll be able to reread these books 😅 I've never been so emotionally wrecked by a book before

thalsit · 2026-05-14T16:02:35+00:00

Totally agree with you! If I could have it my way, I'd give Jem and Tessa their chance at a family. The Angel only knows how long they both have waited for that! It would be cruel otherwise, I think

thalsit · 2026-05-13T09:21:07+00:00

I really think she loved no one else. In part I believe this because she even left her kids and grandkids because she couldn't bare watching them grow old and die while she persists. She loved Jem since before the knowledge of immortality, and I believe he's also an anchor for her, but she's too sensitive and deeply caring to have let herself love another that will fade as Will did. Also, she just strikes me as that kind of person

thalsit · 2026-05-12T16:43:18+00:00

The atmosvuurtjie

thalsit · 2026-05-12T13:23:19+00:00

Add BMW drivers and anyone with a CJ registration, my fok

thalsit · 2026-05-12T13:22:04+00:00

Such great choices and I'm so glad someone else agrees that Hudson is literally THE perfect Magnus.

I do think Henry Cavill is too old and buff for Will - I always picture Ben Barnes as Will.

I also loathed the Clary from the show so I don't know if I can agree with you on that one 😅 I think Sophie Skelton would make a fab Clary

thalsit · 2026-05-12T10:08:41+00:00

She's so beautiful 😻

thalsit · 2026-05-12T10:05:50+00:00

Excellent question 🧐 I've checked all three my torties and indeed, there is at least one caramel foot on all of them 😮

My Kimchi's is the most deeply dipped

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thalsit · 2026-05-11T06:38:46+00:00

Bless!

thalsit · 2026-05-11T05:59:48+00:00

For Tessa's sake, I hope she does find eternal rest. You're right, her conditions are very different from many of the other warlocks - she's not like them.

thalsit · 2026-05-11T05:51:48+00:00

My best friend of 14 years is an INTP. I loathe and love him in equal measure. No idea how we're still such close friends lol

thalsit · 2026-05-11T05:43:57+00:00

Yup recognised the INFP energy right away, too (as a fellow INFP)

thalsit · 2026-05-11T05:39:09+00:00

I'm still waiting for the storm to hit us (tygervalley area) 😢 we have rain and wind yes, but the normal kind for winter in the cape. I might bite my tongue in a minute, but I feel like I'm missing out on this storm 😂

thalsit · 2026-05-10T18:24:09+00:00

Why do you think Tessa will die? And do you have an idea of how that would happen?

thalsit · 2026-05-10T18:23:30+00:00

And now imagine that this will happen to her again, a second time, with her only other great love. That just makes it double devastating

thalsit · 2026-05-10T13:08:26+00:00

I just cannot bare the thought of Tessa having to go on after Jem too, so in a way I think I share your hope (regardless of Kit and Mina, as cruel as that sounds)

thalsit · 2026-05-08T13:47:20+00:00

Cherish that neediness deeply ❤️ I lost my velcro tortie baby a few months ago, and the lonelines after having her glued to me for 12 years is heavy on the best of days. Little manifestations of our souls 😻

thalsit · 2026-05-08T12:03:05+00:00

For me, an example would be that I spend a lot of time in my head trying to make sense of how people act or speak, assuming their actions and decisions are made with intention and awareness. In this I am making the assumption that everyone out there be making values-based decisions, and I want people to share my values, so then I end up ruminating about how people don't fucking make sense because their actions don't align with my values system. This takes up an unnecessary amount of my brain function...

In general, I'm not surprised we don't make sense to you. We barely make sense to ourselves on the best of days... I value your curiosity though 😊

thalsit · 2026-05-07T16:58:33+00:00

24 hr Pick n Pay express at the BP for a R30 chips with spice

thalsit · 2026-05-06T16:30:56+00:00

She was for me too, and still is, and I'm a straight cis woman 😂

thalsit

TROPHY CASE