gwiliaana

[gwiliaana]

The Queen of Attolia is one of the best enemies-to-lovers I’ve ever read

Attolia is a ruthless queen. As a princess she poisoned her husband on their wedding day and took the power for herself. Since then, she hung her enemies from the walls, tortured them and quartered.

Gen is a thief and liar. He steals, but he hates violence. Too clever and stubborn for his own good, he has stolen something the queen even didn’t know she possessed.

I know I’m late to the party (only some 21 years :D), but it was so good! It’s slow burn, subtle and heartbreaking. It’s a story where every word and little detail has a deep meaning.

It’s not a fluffy kind of story (at least not in this book), where they have to work in the same cafe, although they have an embarrassing past together (Now, that I mention this, I need this AU :D). They are real enemies and they don’t hesitate to kill each other or even worse. But it’s just beginning of the journey for these incredible characters.

Warning: The Queen od Attolia is the second book of The Queen’s Thief series and you NEED to read the first one - The Thief - first. There is no romance in The Thief, but it’s brilliant book of it’s own, where we meet all the characters and the setting through eyes of Gen. Gen is funny and there has never been better unreliable narrator. How to enjoy this book – well, never underestimate Gen and believe that there is happening more, than you see.

So, don’t make the same mistake as me and go to read it. It’s like all the stories where Rey is a dark empress but better.

#enemies to lovers #the queen of attolia #reylo

[gwiliaana]

Rian Johnson in the interview about Knives out sequel:

“Where the sequel would be set?”

“Space.”

I know he was very probably joking, but if someone is able to do great detective story in space, it’s him.

And as a bonus he explains why the story and satisfying character arcs are more important than suprise revelations.

#rian johnson #knives out

[gwiliaana]

Can we talk about how in The Bear and the Nightingale Morozko says:

“We who live forever can know no courage, nor do we love enough to give our lives.”

And then he spends the next two books risking his life, power and internal essence trying to save Vasya? Including getting captured and “forever” imprisoned by his brother (who he hates the most)?

#the winternight trilogy #winternight trilogy spoilers

[gwiliaana]

I was in mood for an enemies-to-lovers book, ideally with a sad angry protagonist who is considered a villain, but in fact is more lost and misunderstood (and has a happy and hopeful ending because what is the point otherwise?)

I found Letters to the lost and although it’s a contemporary YA, the book is  much more than I’ve thought it will be. It is deep, dark (but the difficult themes are really good managed) and there are two lonely souls who understand each other as no one else can. They reach to each other and help themselves to heal. Plus the secret-penpals-but-enemies-in-real- life is always fun to read.

#book recommendations #enemies to lovers #reylo

[gwiliaana]

Sometimes you just want to watch a beauty and the beast story with REALLY happy happy ending. It doesn’t matter that it’s too cheesy, there are too much slow motion parts and shirts don’t exist for the hero. It’s a love story old as time, there are  “I am monster” dialogues and seeking the wind (or the Force) together. We may start in a pit but we continue to a honeymoon on “Ahch-To”. And the ending is just everything that wasn’t in TROS. The film is called “I am Dragon” in english.

#reylo #beauty and the beast #happy ending

[gwiliaana]

Good Omens is so good!

I guess I have a weakness for lovers on the opposite sides/ star-crossed lovers trope.

Meeting secretly for centuries? Helping each other? Being the only one who truly understands? Fighting with their feelings? Having serious troubles with their sides and superiors? Trying to stop it, but always coming back when the other one is in trouble?

All of this. And we even get a scene of failed proposal in gazebo.

#good omens #star-crossed lovers #crowley and aziraphale

[gwiliaana]

I’ve read most of the recommended books and they are great (Especially Lost Stars, Bear and the Nightingale and Spinning Silver)

I would like to add to the list:

Paladin by Sally Slater which is funny fantasy book about fighting with demons (and maybe loving one :D).

Carry On by Rowell Rainbow, which is Harry Potter inspired enemies to lovers romance.

Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima, fantasy with beautiful worldbuilding, star-crossed lovers and maybe redeeming ‘evil’ ancestors.

Strange the Dreamer by Taylor Laini, because it’s great and the dream magic strongly reminds me of Force bond scenes.

Hi there! I was wondering if you have any book recs, perhaps with a reylo vibe? I really need things to occupy my mind this summer.

Hey Nonnie!

I’ve got a Star Wars books list going and if you’re looking for canon Star Wars books with a Reylo vibe, then definitely pick up Lost Stars by Claudia Gray. The two main heros are on opposite sides of the galactic civil war and it’s romantic af. One of my favorite canon novels, for sure (YA Romance).

Generally speaking, my tastes run towards paranormal romance/fairytales, but if you’re into Russian folklore, definitely consider the Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden (starts with the Bear and the Nightingale). I’ve only read the first one, but it was wonderful (adult historical fiction/fantasy). A young woman with special abilities captures the attention of an ancient frost demon, among others, and it’s beautifully written.

If you’re looking for something a little more smutty, then Sarah J. Mass’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series is great, especially book two (I kind of had to slog through the first book a little, but it picks up and the second is GREAT). There’s a really great enemies to lovers type/soulmates story here, plus some secondary characters/relationships that I really enjoyed (I’d call this New Adult fiction). Additionally, her YA series Throne of Glass is also pretty fun and eventually has an enemiesish to lovers romance, and then another one with a grumpy tol and a sassy smol and I JUST LOVE this couple to death.

If you are looking for something SUPER FUCKING SMUTTY, Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series (is massive) and has some really great enemies to lovers entries, though I’m specifically thinking of Lothaire (it’s pretty dark, so make sure to read a summary to make sure it’d be an enjoyable experience for you). Enemies to lovers in every sense of the word.

I also loved Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series, starting with The Cruel Prince. Also GREAT enemies to lovers, slowburn. Love love love love. Everyone’s an asshole and I love them all.

Also really enjoyed the Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh (it’s amazing, though I wish the second book was stronger), which is a retelling of Scheherazade which is my JAM.

I’ve also had Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver recommended to me, though I haven’t read it yet. I’ve also got Illona Andrews that everyone has recommended to me, but I haven’t been in a reading mood lately, so I haven’t gotten to it. I’ve also had Land of the Beautiful Dead on my kindle since forever (also thematically really dark, so be careful before you read it), but it’s SUPER FUCKING LONG and I just haven’t been in a reading mood lately.

That’s a pretty good start haha. If anyone has anything else they’d like to recommend, throw it in the comments/reblogs.

Cheers!

[gwiliaana]

I saw The Last Jedi and read Oathbringer both in December 2017. They were both really great and they resonated for me together. Because along with being outstanding on their own, they also share a common theme: FAILURE

A would like to share a few quotes from both my favorites, but before it a little about Oathbringer: It’s third book of The Stromlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson (which everybody who likes epic fantasy should definitely read and yes, it’s one of my favorite fantasy series ever.) To keep from spoilers lets just say that in the book the author allows the heroes and villains fail a lot and learn from their mistakes. Because as Yoda says:

“The greatest teacher, failure is.”

And Wit mysterious character by Sanderson agrees:

“The longer you live, the more you fail. Failure is the mark of a life well lived. In turn, the only way to live without failure is to be of no use to anyone. Trust me, I've practiced.”

As well as Dalinar, whose arc in Oathbringer was truly heartbreaking:

“I will take responsibility for what I have done,” Dalinar whispered. “If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man.”

Which is exactly what Luke did, in the end of The Last Jedi.

In the epilogue of Oathbringer we find another wisdom, this time an undeniable meta-commentary:

“All great art is hated,” Wit said. “It is obscenely difficult—if not impossible—to make something that nobody hates,” Wit continued. “Conversely, it is incredibly easy—if not expected—to make something that nobody loves.”

“This makes sense, if you think about it. Art is about emotion, examination, and going places people have never gone before to discover and investigate new things. The only way to create something that nobody hates is to ensure that it can’t be loved either. Remove enough spice from soup, and you’ll just end up with water.” (shortened)

I find it true and funny, especially after the backlash to The Last Jedi. And I am glad, that someone was brave enough to choose as important and difficult theme as failure.

#star wars tlj #Oathbringer #the stormlight archive #quotes #failure

[gwiliaana]

Hi! I’m new here, but I have read some blogs since December (since I saw TLJ :)) and they are great. I’ve finally decided to participate more actively, so I would like to write about TLJ (one of the best movies ever!), Star Wars generally and my other favourite books and movies.

#personal #star wars tlj