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so-many-ocs · 4 months

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user so many ocs, my beloved, fellow Locked Tomb enjoyer, I am about to finish Nona and I am losing my mind because nothing will fill the Gideon Nav sized hole in my heart (lol). do you perchance have any recommendations of what I can read next that's similar to TLT?

ok i wanna preface this by saying i've only read GtN (i needed time to recover after the first one and left HtN at my parents' house for the semester lol but by virtue of Existing On Tumblr i know most of what happens in the series + i plan to read HtN asap)

BUT LET'S GO!! (storygraph summaries linked)

if you liked gideon the ninth, try:

This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone & Amal El-Mohtar - maybe i just read these 2 really close together but Time War has time travel, space fuckery, gut-wrenching sapphic yearning, and a drily humorous tone all packed into the span of less than 200 pages.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan - historical fantasy, rich worldbuilding, one of my All-Time Favorite Books (right alongside Time War and Gideon the Ninth lol)

Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang - historical fantasy, political intrigue, silver possesses the ability to manifest any meaning lost in translation between languages.

Cosmoknights by Hannah Templer - graphic novel (2 books out now); princesses, politics, and gladiator-style fights, but in space!

now for books i haven't read (on my tbr) that others have recommended for fans of TLT:

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark - fantasy, desert empire, a soldier and a princess "haggling" over the price of a nation.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri - fantasy/romance, one seeking revenge, one seeking family.

The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix - fantasy, girl who is a monster (favorite trope of Ever btw), witches, kingdoms, and assassinations.

Crier's War by Nina Valera - fantasy with some sci-fi elements(?), humans vs. robots but with a twist! i want to read this so bad but have not found it anywhere

this list has some of the books i've recommended here, as well as a couple others i haven't! most of the books i've recommended are sapphic or at least lgbtq as well if that's something you're specifically interested in :)

lastly, storygraph does have a "browse similar books" feature, though i'm not sure how accurate it is as i've yet to really try it out!

i hope that was helpful !!!

#🌿 literature #gideon the ninth #book recs #this is how you lose the time war #the locked tomb #she who became the sun #babel an arcane history #cosmoknights #the unbroken #the jasmine throne #the ones we burn #crier's war #lgbtq books #🌿 asks

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mysticallilac · 8 months

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remember when i said that i should make a discord server for wlw fantasy books? well, a lot of people were interested in the concept so i did it!

the server includes the priory of the orange tree, the masquerade, the burning kingdoms, among all others (which i've tagged this post with!) here's the link if you're interested in joining:

co owned by me and @ephemeralzenith 🫶

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lavellan-the-ninth · 24 days

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So I'm done with Crier's war!

It was ended so openly i will never recover! I-

*picks up Harrow the Ninth*

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youshouldjustliveinmychurch · 11 months

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Not Ayla staring at Crier’s lips and then being like it’s only because I can use it to get close to her so I can kill her. Oh, honey. I’m sure that’s why you’re staring.

#crier's war #crier x ayla

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moonah-rose · 2 years

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Howling right now. 🤣

When you do the Fake Married trope being fully aware that it's completely unnecessary.

#loving this a lot more than the first one #crier's war #iron heart #crier x ayla #fake marriage #lgbt fiction #enemies to lovers #sapphic

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niroke · 1 year

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You know what I'm going to make a purely self indulgent Wenclair head cannon.

I think Enid loves reading just not the kinda books Wednesday likes, she's over there reading like graphic novels and webcomics while Wednesday usually goes for the classics. So as part of her schemes to bring Wednesday more into the 21st century Enid's been trying to introduce her to more modern books. There's a lot of recs that didn't really stick, but some of them become some of Wednesday's favorites (not that she would say that out loud of course). The much larger selection of queer relationships are greatly appreciated by Wednesday, books like The Jasmine Throne and Crier's war are put in particularly nice spots on her bookshelf. Eventually it becomes a common thing for the two to trade book recs and enjoy nice rainy days together.

#wednesday netflix #wednesday tim burton #wednesday addams #enid sinclair #wenclair #enid x wednesday #wednesday x enid #wenclair headcanon #i just know she would love the jasmine throne series so much #sorry for it not being worded great i dont really write much #the jasmine throne #jasmine throne #crier's war #favorites!

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sunnyihan · 8 months

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from ayla dismissing crier's attempt to learn her by saying she's not a book crier could read once, to ayla desperately wanting to be one just to get crier's attention.

she's so— me

#crier's war #crier x ayla #iron heart #wlw #sapphic #sapphic books

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zoyaofthegardvn · 1 year

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could we get a crier’s war proposal fic? I honestly loved the way you wrote both of them in your last CW fic and we def need more of them ^^

Marry me?

A/N: Awh yay! I love to see a request for Crayla, I love them so much and really enjoy writing for them. Thanks so much for the request and kind words, anon <3

CW: None that I can think of!

---

Crier's hand shakes as she feels the small box in her dress pocket. She'd had the ring for months, had it made by a jeweler especially for Ayla. It's a band, as Crier assumed Ayla wouldn't want a ring with a stone that sticks out. She'd snag it on something, she'd break it while sparring, or she'd lose it. And besides, Crier figured that regardless of all of that, the band would fit Ayla's tastes more.

It's gold, complimenting Ayla's brown skin perfectly. Small rubies are lain within the band, wrapping around the entirety of it. On the inside of the band, Crier had the jeweler engrave 'A + C.' She wondered if that had been overkill, but she was cheesy, and she wanted this, this proposal, and hopefully, eventual wedding, to be as representative of their love as possible.

Crier jumps when the bedroom door opens, and she turns from her spot at her desk, near the window, to watch Ayla enter the room. She's glistening with sweat, her curly hair pulled into a bun. A few strands have fallen out, and are stuck to her forehead, her neck. Her cheeks are pink, and her pants are covered in mud stains. She's never looked more beautiful. Though, Crier realizes, she thinks that every time she looks at Ayla.

She smiles as she approaches Crier, one hand on her hip, the other fanning her face.

"Long day?" Crier asks, stomach fluttering at the sight of Ayla's easy grin.

She shrugs, and comes to stand right in front of her. "It was fun, hard work, but fun. So, not too bad," then she bends to plant a sweet kiss on Crier's mouth.

Crier kisses back, then playfully pushes her away with a hand on her chest. "You're all sweaty, Ayla," she whines, but she's smiling.

Ayla barks out a laugh, then in a flash, she's grabbing Crier, one hand scooping up her thigh and the other around her back. She lifts her, and Crier squeals in delight, playfully hitting Ayla's back and arms. Ayla laughs and laughs and laughs, rubbing her sweaty face into Crier's neck, peppering kisses wherever she can reach.

Finally, she sets her down, and they both have to catch their breath. Crier swats her arm, heaving between laughs, "I hate you! You're sick, Ayla!"

Ayla hums, rolling her eyes. "You love me, Crier, you love me," she singsongs, hand rested on her stomach from the cramp her laughter caused.

They both calm down enough for Crier to finally get started on her plan. "Are you too tired, my love? Or would you like to go on a date tonight?"

Ayla's eyes widen, her brows lift in excitement. "A date? How could I ever turn down a date?" she says, resting her hands on Crier's waist.

Crier smiles sweetly at her, "You don't have to say yes, I can tell you worked hard, you're probably tired. We can go on a date any night."

Ayla shoots her a look that says 'yeah, sure,' because when do they ever get a chance to have a date? Between Ayla's training, Crier's studies, and their shared courtly duties, rarely do they have the time to sneak off.

"Crier, darling, light of my life, be serious, please," and Crier rolls her eyes at Ayla's jest, though her heart flutters at the terms of endearment.

"Only if you're sure..." she trails off, and giggles when Ayla nods her head in excitement.

"Let me just bathe first," then Ayla's pecking Crier's cheek and sprinting to the bathroom, clearly eager to get date night started.

Crier grins, and Ayla winks at her before she closes the bathroom door. When she hears the sound of the bath water running, she turns to their shared closet, searching for the perfect dress, especially since Ayla had muddied and crumpled her current one.

---

Once they're both ready, they head out, and shoo away the guard that attempts to accompany them. Ayla is in a tight pair of black trousers, with a deep burgundy silk tunic, and Crier in a lilac gown that hugs her form, then flows straight down from her waist. It's detailed with small flowers, the sleeves soft and delicate. Crier had picked it out weeks ago, and when Ayla whistled at her, made her do a spin, and gushed about how gorgeous she was, she couldn't even meet her eye, too shy and nervous.

Crier led them towards the garden, towards the cliff from their fateful first meeting, with a picnic basket in one hand and Ayla's in the other.

Ayla shot her a curious look when she saw where they were going, and Crier just shrugged. Yes, she'd nearly died here, but Ayla had saved her, like she has over and over again since they'd met, simply by loving her, being with her. It wasn't a place Crier associated with any negative feelings, not anymore.

They laid the blanket Ayla had toted out onto the ground, and Crier placed the basket down as Ayla eagerly began to rummage through.

Crier snorted. "Hungry, my love?"

"Ravenous, I haven't eaten since breakfast," she answers, pulling the wrapped sandwiches out, the fruits, the bottle of juice. Though Crier didn't need it, she'd likely snack on a few of the berries she'd packed, enjoying their taste. Mostly, everything was for Ayla. Always for Ayla, her health, her happiness.

Ayla moans around the first bite of her sandwich, her eyes fluttering back. "You're amazing, Crier," she says, like she'd preformed a miracle by placing some meats and lettuce and cheese between two slices of bread.

"I love you," Crier blurts out, unable to not say it a moment longer.

Ayla stops chewing, her eyebrows raising, and a slow smirk tugs at her lips. She finishes her bite and swallows. "Well, I love you too, very much," she says, and Crier nods, she smiles. She knows that, of course, and it's her favorite thing to hear, maybe right after Ayla's laugh.

They eat their meal, they talk about their days, they laugh, they steal kisses, they act sickeningly in love.

When they finish, there's a brief moment of silence. They take in the wind on their face, the sounds of the waves crashing and breaking against the rocks. The sun is warm on their skin, and Crier watches as Ayla tilts her face up, like a flower taking what it needs.

Feeling Crier's gaze on her face, Ayla slowly peels her eyes open, catching Crier's look of wonder before she's turning away, embarrassed she had been caught.

Ayla laughs and moves closer, grabbing Crier's face, kissing her. "What's gotten into you today, huh? You're acting like this is a first date," and though she's teasing, Crier can't help but worry she's ruining the moment.

Crier holds onto her wrists from where her hands are framing her face. "A-Ayla... I didn't... I didn't intend this to just be a date..." she says, biting her lip in anticipation.

Ayla quirks her eyebrow. "Oh? Please do enlighten me, little fox."

She gives a shaky, nervous nod. She stands up, grabs Ayla's hands, and pulls her up, too. She guides them toward the cliff, though not to the edge, as she'd learned that lesson once before. She turns to face her girlfriend, and hopefully, her new fiancee.

"Ayla..." she begins, but trails off.

"You don't have to be nervous around me, Crier, you know that," Ayla urges, looking her deep in the eyes.

"Do... do you remember when you saved me? Right here, you saved my life."

Ayla nods, curious as to where this is going. "Of course I do, how could I forget my lovely little damsel in distress?"

Crier rolls her eyes, playfully, and has to work to fight back her grin. "Yes, well, you're making this less romantic than I had intended."

Ayla laughs, she squeezes her hand. "Okay, okay, baby, I won't joke anymore."

Crier nods, and she tries again. "I.. I-I hope you know that isn't the only time you've saved my life.

Ayla says nothing, she just stares.

"Your love Ayla... I don't deserve it..."

Ayla shakes her head, furiously, cutting her off. "Don't say that, Crier, seriousl-"

Crier shushes her, turning to fully face her now. She puts her hands on Ayla's shoulders. "Let me finish, please?" she pouts, and tentatively, Ayla nods, though she hates when Crier self deprecates.

"Ayla... by all accounts, you should hate me." Again, Ayla shakes her head, but she says nothing. "And somehow, I got lucky enough that you fell in love with me anyway. Your love, Ayla, every day, it saves me. Makes me feel like the luckiest, happiest girl in the world. I'm thankful, so, so, grateful. And I love you, more than anything."

"I love you Crier, so much," and though she isn't typically one for tears, Crier can hear the wavering in her voice.

"I-I want to show you... how much I love you," and then she reaches into her pocket, and pulls the small ring box out.

Ayla's jaw falls open, one hand coming to cover her mouth. "Crier..." she starts, and then Crier backs up and drops to one knee, taking Ayla's hand in her own.

"Ayla, I love you. And you can say no, but I... I hope you'll say yes. I had always intended for us to spend forever together, but I'm asking if you'll spend it with me as wives? Will you, Ayla? Will you marry me?"

She opens the box, the ring on display. Ayla, too stunned for words, just nods her head furiously, and so Crier slides the ring onto her finger, her hands trembling. Tears brim and spill over Ayla's eyes, and before Crier can even stand back up, Ayla's dropping to the ground, throwing her arms around her.

Crier breathes a sigh of relief, nuzzling her face into the crook of Ayla's neck. She plants a kiss there, and mumbles, "I was scared you'd say no, that you'd think it was too soon... or too... serious. Too real."

Ayla huffs a laugh. "How could I ever say no, Crier? I'll marry you right here, right now, if you wanted me to."

It's Crier's turn to laugh. She pulls away from their embrace, frames Ayla's face in her hands, thumbs the tears away, and kisses her. It's soft and sweet, and each time they go to pull away, they can't help but kiss again.

Finally, Crier manages to say, "I do enjoy planning, you know. As ready as I am to marry you, I would like it to be an event."

Ayla nods, she smiles. "Anything you want, Crier. Anything."

Crier brushes her nose against Ayla's, their eyes fluttering back at the gentle gesture.

"I have everything that I want, right here, in my arms."

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wondereads · 11 months

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WLW Book Recommendations

Happy Pride!

Recommendations are under the cut due to the size of this post. The books listed below are:

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Crier’s War by Nina Varela

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

Seven Devils by L. R. Lam and Elizabeth May

Malice by Heather Walter

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (high fantasy)

Yes, this book is a monster, but it is well worth your time. Told from multiple perspectives spanning a huge fantasy world, an ancient evil is waking up, and humans must be prepared. This book does a great job of blending many different cultures into one narrative, and the way it deals with organized religion is better than any other book I've ever read. While this is a fantasy over a romance, the sapphic relationship in this book is top tier. It develops slowly and naturally; it's not big and sweeping like a lot of romance in fantasy, but the smaller things really come through.

Crier's War by Nina Varela (high fantasy)

In a fantasy world, humans are ruled over by automae, artificial beings that were initially created by humans but have now taken over as the 'superior' beings. Ayla's family was killed by the king, and she vows to take revenge by killing his own family, his only daughter, Lady Crier. I find the history of the automae very interesting in this book, and Crier's story in particular has a lot of good reveals. While this is an intense high fantasy, there is a bit of humor in it. Told from both Ayla and Crier's perspectives, I find it incredibly funny that a human girl is scheming how to assassinate a princess while said princess is experiencing her first crush on said human girl.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri (high fantasy)

This book is set in a world inspired by ancient India, and tells the story of a maidservant and princess. The maidservant has a dark past that involves illegal magic and old societies, and the princess has been imprisoned by her cruel and despotic brother. This book is very much on the slower side, but some people prefer that. Similar to Priory, this book is told from multiple points of view, not just the two main characters. The unrest in the kingdom is slow and creeping but happens steadily and realistically. Also, concerning the romance, I actually quite like that the two main characters, Priya and Malini, don't exactly have a very healthy relationship.

The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett (high fantasy)

One of my favorite books, The Winter Duke is about Ekata, one of the many children of the duchy of Kylma Above. All she wants to do is leave this place and her family to pursue her dreams of scholarship, but when her family falls into a permanent sleep the day before her departure, she must step up to rule. As someone who loves political fantasy, this book is right up my alley, and yours too as long as that's something you like. I really like that this book explicitly states that Ekata has zero interest in men romantically and is only interested in women. Her romance with Inkhar definitely brings out the YA aspects of this book. Ekata is forced to grow up so quickly, it's nice to see her have a crush and get flustered over it like any teenage girl.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide (mystery thriller)

At a predominately white private school, the only two Black students are targeted by an anonymous texter, Aces. Though they have nothing in common, they team up in order to uncover Aces and protect their secrets. Plot wise, this is by far my favorite thriller I've ever read. It's tense, it'll keep you on the edge of your seat, and it discusses institutionalized racism, especially in academia, masterfully. One of the main characters, Chiamaka, has a great sideplot of coming to terms with her sexuality. However, when it comes between her safety and her romance, I love that she keeps a level head on her shoulders and always chooses the former. (There is also MLM rep in this book with the other POV character.)

Seven Devils by L. R. Lam and Elizabeth May (space opera sci-fi)

An intergalactic empire spreads across the universe, and it's up to a ragtag group of rebels to stop it. Eris was once heir to the entire empire, but she gave that up to be part of the Resistance, and one mission may be the deciding factor in the universe's continued freedom. While Eris is technically the main character, this is fundamentally an ensemble cast with multiple perspectives. This book has quite a bit of LGBTQ+ representation, including a sapphic relationship between two of the POV characters. While not a huge focus of the book, their relationship is sweet and touching.

Malice by Heather Walter (high fantasy)

Malice is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty following Alyce, the Dark Grace, who is reviled but used by all in the kingdom of Briar. Alyce dreams of escaping Briar until she starts to master her powers and meets the Princess Aurora. I will admit that I prefer the plot to the romance in this book for the most part, but the ending really gets me sometimes. Alyce's powers and her people's history are so interesting, and Aurora is a great, understanding, and kind love interest.

Stay tuned for more pride recommendations all throughout this month!

#books #recommendations #lgbt #pride #fantasy #mystery #science fiction #wlw #sapphic #lesbian #bisexual #pansexual #the priory of the orange tree #the jasmine throne #the winter duke #crier's war #ace of spades #seven devils #malice

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