#diverse retellings

[nightswatchdisbandmentera]

“Dead. He’s dead.”

“No.” The eunuch’s voice seemed deeper. “He is here. Aegon has been shaped for rule since before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. Tommen has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows that kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them.”

(ADWD Epilogue)

Varys’ words to Kevan Lannister about Prince Aegon are so interesting because of the overarching insinuation that the boy has had a slew of advisors and teachers who have carefully and extensively prepared him for the task of ruling. His listed examples to that point are rather peculiar, however: a knight to train him in arms, a septa to train him in the faith, and various tutors to train him in history and languages.

Now there’s nothing inherently wrong about Aegon’s educators but one has to ask, what do these people even know about actual ruling? What have they seen about the nature of ruling and the nitty gritty of it? What experience do they have? And if they themselves don’t really know what it means to rule, what does that say of their young prince’s education?

It’s an important question to ask when we consider Aegon’s narrative foil: Jon Snow. Jon does not have the expectation of ruling. In fact, as a bastard, he knows that he can never ever get a lordship let alone a crown/throne. Yet Jon has, unlike Aegon, a crew of experienced tutors who have shown him the nitty gritty of ruling. Every single one of his on-page mentors is either a ruler or a leader of men; in addition to the other tutors he had growing up.

So I wanted to take a look at Jon’s mentors and the positions they have held to contrast their experience (and thus the validity of the lessons that they give Jon) as opposed to the lack of experience in Aegon’s crew.

Ned Stark - Jon’s first and (arguably) most impactful mentor. While teaching Jon important lessons about rulership, he was serving as the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North; thus making him one of the most powerful men in the entire realm. He then went on to serve as Hand of the King - the most powerful official save for the king. The irony is that Ned didn’t teach Jon as a successor. Robb was the one meant to succeed him. Yet Jon absorbed his lessons all the same.

Benjen Stark - we don’t actually see much on-page mentorship from Benjen, yet he still is one of Jon’s many father figures in the series. He is a a man of the Night’s Watch so he is sworn to hold no lands or titles. Yet as First Ranger, he is undoubtedly one for he highest ranking officials in the Watch and potentially a skilled warrior. He takes on the role of the knight or leader of men among Jon’s teachers.

Tyrion Lannister - despite being an ‘outsider’, Tyrion comes to hold considerable power. He is an exceedingly learned and intelligent man and managed to impart important life lessons during his short time with Jon. He rises to become Hand of the King and later Master of Coin. Though he doesn’t actively teach Jon how to rule, he’s still an important part of Jon’s character development.

Maester Aemon - one of the anomalies in this list. Yet his impact on Jon’s life cannot be understated. He is a teacher to Jon; we have various references to Jon going to Aemon for advice on how to lead. Aemon also gives Jon advice meant for kings: “kill the boy and let the man be born”. What makes Aemon an interesting addition is that he is a would-be king. And an interesting contrast between Jon and Aegon is that both parallel Aegon V; Jon more organically, Aegon rather artificially. If we remember, Aegon V was a hidden prince who ultimately became king. This is the very same trope that Jon and Prince Aegon are following. And it’s interesting that Aemon, Aegon V’s brother, gives advice on governance to Jon; the same advice given to the unlikely king. So it’s Jon who is carrying the torch of kingship from Aegon V, not Young Griff.

Jeor Mormont - one of the most direct mentors in Jon’s arc. Not only is he a surrogate father to Jon, he does what Ned never did: he directly grooms Jon to be his heir. Jon gets to watch Jeor actually govern the NW as his steward but it’s interesting that he shadows the LC through servitude. Though Jon is intended to succeed the Old Bear, he has to humble himself; he has to follow before he can lead. It’s a contrast to Aegon who would hold power over most (if not all) of his tutors.

Donal Noye - the other anomaly save for Maester Aemon. He is a humble Blacksmith. Yet he has been in the service of kings (having served the Baratheon boys who would all end up as kings). He plays an important role in bringing Jon’s ego back to earth and helping him sympathize with those less fortunate than himself. Despite his humble origins, he does briefly take command of the Wall during Mance Rayder’s attack and then transfers that command to Jon, purely because he believed in Jon’s ability to lead (and he was right).

Qhorin Halfhand - another who takes on the role of a skilled master at arms for Jon. He is an undoubtably powerful warrior. But he is also a leader of men. He teaches Jon important lessons on leadership during their time together beyond the Wall - e.g., to lead your men you must first know them. And in true ‘fridged mentor’ fashion, Qhorin dies so the young prince can take over and grow as a leader.

Mance Rayder - the King Beyond the Wall and one of the most important leaders in the books despite spending all his time in the North. Mance’s role as a mentor for Jon is doubly important given that he also takes on the role as a Rhaegar proxy. Despite Jon coming to him as an (undercover) enemy, he’s still able to impart powerful lessons on how to command an army and wrangle support from different factions of men. Jon learns a lot about diplomacy from observing and being under the KBTW. Mance is a skilled warrior, commander, and politician. A charismatic and gifted man - the picture perfect king for Jon to emulate.

Tormund Giantsbane - a leader of the freefolk who rises to become an unlikely ally for Jon. A skilled warrior and proven leader (we know that he took charge of a couple of thousand of freefolk), Tormund becomes important when there’s a transfer of power from Mance to Jon as leader of the freefolk.

Stannis Baratheon - by law, he is the rightful king of the seven kingdoms. According to prophecy, as Melisandre says, he is the promised messiah. Despite a less than ideal personality, he’s still an important part of Jon’s political arc in ADWD. Arguably a man of immense administrative potential, Stannis is also one of the most successful military commanders in the series; which is great for Jon since he also learned from Ned, who ran an undefeated streak as a battle commander.

The total count now comes to: two kings, two Hands of the King, a ruling lord, three warriors, one wise maester (who has counseled a king), and one commander. That quite a resume for Jon. All these men have some experience leading men and commanding armies, however big or small. So Jon’s preparation has been quite thorough.

What a stark contrast between the two boys, then. Varys’ words give us a roadmap of a “perfect ruler” (or as perfect as one can be) yet when we actually take the time to examine what we see in the text, Aegon is not at all suited for that role - Jon is. In fact, not a single character in ASOIAF has had the intensive preparation to rule that Jon has.

It’s beautiful irony. The prince, the one promised to rule, is actually quote underprepared for the task of it. Meanwhile the bastard, who is at best promised a life of servitude, is the one with the most preparation (and experience) for rulership. It’s the way Aegon, as a narrative foil to Jon, acts as one who validates Jon’s journey. There are certain things needed of a ruler. Jon has them, Aegon doesn’t.

Winds isn’t out yet so we don’t yet know for certain where these two boys will end up. But I’m almost sure that young Prince Aegon is doomed and though he may hold the throne for a while, he will not be the king at the end of the story. And it just might be his inexperience that ultimately dooms him. So what does that say for Jon then? Aegon can’t hold the throne as he’s unprepared for it, but what about Jon who is?

#jon snow #aegon vi targaryen #young griff #asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #yes I am a Jon will be king at the end of the story believer - that’s the archetype #and so far he’s been following it despite several diversions #he’s the closest character we have to a true to form retelling of King Arthur #Aegon is there to validate Jon’s rise to kingship - he’s not the ruler we should be looking for because Jon is #Aegon is what happens when you make a young boy take on such a terrible task without adequate preparation #he is what happens when your prince in hiding relies almost entirely on blood and his father’s name #which is ironic given varys’ insistence that aegon isn’t entitled - we see that he actually is #Jon is what happens when you actually prepare your king to rule #a prince in hiding who relies on ability and experience - that’s why it’s so important that adwd serves as a training arc for him #and more poignant is the subversion to the trope #unlike most princes in hiding who learn of how special they are quite early in their journeys #jon still knows himself as a bastard - one with no entitlement to anything #Aegon is similar to many fantasy princes because the story starts out with him already knowing who he is #so basically Aragorn #His story has already been written as far as he knows #‘and king Aegon took the throne and ruled wisely for ever and ever’ #He knows he’s special and he expects that specialness to carry him to greatness #Jon doesn’t have that so he can only try - try to rule wisely #he can try to rule kindly and equitably #and he’s not perfect - he fails as we see in ADWD - but he tries anyway #remember Aragorn? Perhaps the most famous hidden king in fantasy? #well who do you think answers the question ~what was Aragorns tax policy?~ #spoiler alert - it’s not Aegon! #my stuff

[weepingpeachdragon]

You know how everyone seems mad about the new Snow White movie and saying her being white was important as she was supposed to have skin as white as snow? Well, all I can think about is how cool it would have been if they really leaned into it and made a Snow White movie set in old Japan. I mean talk about snow white skin, red lips, and pitch black hair being the epitome of beauty.

I like diversity and done like this it would have been so interesting. If they wanted they could also probably have switched dwarfs with a magical creature of Japan, instead of what forced sensitivity/diversity hell this movie has going on. (What actually bothers me about the movie)

Wouldn’t that have been so cool?

#snow white #snow white movie #diversity #retelling #cool idea #snow white disney #peachdragon

[evereadssapphic]

Book Reviews - Cinderella Is Dead, A Clash Of Steel and You're Not Supposed To Die Tonight

#sapphic books #book recommendations #queer books #bookstagram #wlw books #lgbtqia books #sapphic fiction #books and reading #lesbian books #lesbian fiction #sapphics #book reviews #book recs #bipoc books #bipoc representation #bipoc authors #diverse books #diverse reads #fantasy books #sapphic fantasy books #sapphic horror book #sapphic cinderella retelling #sapphic historical fiction #Instagram

[cmrosens]

Curl up with Cosy (or Not-So-Cosy) SFF

I’m currently revising my own darker, moderately spicy take on Beauty and the Beast, which has grown from novella to short novel, so I thought I would do an appreciation post for all the retellings and versions of it! That led me to thinking I could do a series of blog posts on this tale, which I’ve started here with some film versions I really like, and why I love the story despite its…

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#adult fairytale retelling #beauty and the beast #beauty and the beast retellings #book recommendations #Book Review #books #f/f books #f/non binary books #fairy tale #fantasy #fantasy books #genderqueer #genderqueer books #LGBTQ #m/m books #non binary books #queer books #sapphic books #We Need Diverse Books

[nogloryinthemidwest]

not to be controversial but i absolutely hate the term achillean. i would rather die than be compared to bitchboy achilles he’s my nemesis idc if hes gay id throw hands with him immediately

#achillean #all u bitches worshipping him clearly havent read the actual iliad and only the uwu gay boy retelling #i hate that man with my entire heart and soul #this is coming from someone who has spent a lot of time reading retellings and the original #like ok i hate most greek heroes #but mostly him #find a better mlm icon #like oscar wilde. does anyone hate oscar wilde?? #and if it *has* to be greek find literally anyone else in greek mythology #listen. finding unproblematic queens in history is impossible but like there are so many better options #alexander the great was gay (macedon predated greece ig) #julius caesar was gay (at least a little) #so many chinese emperors were gay #one of the uk kings was gay like. lets get a little diversity here #greeks weren't the only fruity ones #sorry im just an angry classics major. t has given me anger and i will direct it all at achilles now #i want that Twink Obliterated #sapphics can't have all the fun i want a good mlm name that doesnt fill me with primordial rage #mlm #nblm #gay #lgbtq

[a-brown-girl-recs-books]

POTENTIAL SPOILERS FOR OUR VIOLENT ENDS AHEAD

““What are you afraid of?” Roma Montagov asked.

Julliette’s lips parted. She exhaled a short, abrupt breath. “The consequences,” she whisperer, “of love in a city ruled by hate.””

#ya books #booklr #books #we need diverse books #book quotes #book recommendations #these violent delights #these violent ends #our violent ends #romeo and juliet #Romeo and juliet retelling #ove #TVD #Chloe gong #asian authors

[desdasiwrites]

– Ibi Zoboi, Pride

#book quote of the day #Ibi Zoboi #pride and prejudice retelling #ya #romance #realistic fiction #Zuri Benitez #Janae Lise Benitez #Bushwick #Afro-Latino protagonist #diverse reads #book quotes

[nerdypursuits]

Finished: Unwieldy Creatures

TITLE: Unwieldy Creatures

AUTHOR: Addie Tsai

CATEGORY: Adult Fiction

GENRE: Sci-Fi/horrorish, Classic retelling

PUBLISHED: 2022

VIBES: Frankenstein but make it queer and go even harder on the social commentary

REPRESENTATION: Queer cast of characters, biracial MCs

CW: abuse (physical and sexual), parental abandonment, societal sexism/racism/homophobia, death/murder, body horror, morally dubious MC (it is based on Frankenstein guys), questionable ethics in science

THOUGHTS: This is a phenomenal modern adaptation of Frankenstein. In it, we switch between two characters: Z who is the book's version of Dr. Frankenstein who tells her story to an assistant, named simply Plum. Then we also get the "monster's" version of events later on.

The writing in this is wonderful. The characters are fully developed people who you sympathize with, even as they do monstrous things. Tsai wonderfully weaves in the themes of the original book, while also bringing in new angles to the story such as the cycle of abuse and how society can form a person and many other things. This was a great read that packed a powerful punch.

MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five

#booklr #books #reading posts #read in 2023 #adult fiction #lgbtq reads #diverse books #Scifi books #classic book retelling #retellings

[super-jane5]

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

“Do you think I don’t know what kind of men this world has wrought? Every woman knows. And these men existed before everything fell apart.”

A deadly disease has wiped out most of Earth’s population. Instead of going to a quarantine camp, Red travels through the woods for months to get to her grandmothers house. But in the post apocalyptic world, the woods are very dangerous.

This book kept the mystery going until the very end. It also discussed important topics about todays society. Red was a good main character and she kept me invested in her journey. I love retellings, and this one had to be the most unique Little Red Riding Hood retelling I’ve red. Red isn’t just Red Riding Hood, she is also the Huntsman. The story keeps you guessing as it jumps back and forth between before and after the crisis.

However, the book left many questions unanswered. You could fill in the gaps, but its just left up too your imagination. I also found that the action scenes didn’t really leave you on the edge of your seat.

Although this is a fairy tale retelling, I wouldn’t call it a fantasy book. It felt more like a dystopian with hints of science fiction. If you enjoyed The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken then you would probably enjoy this book too.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Started Reading: 21/06/2022

Finished Reading: 26/06/2022

#books & libraries #reading #booksbooksbooks #book review #goodreads #TheStoryGraph #reading challenge #christina henry #little red riding hood #red riding hood #4.5 stars #diverse characters #The girl in red #girl in red #fairytale retellings #retelling #fairytale #review #loveable characters #book recommendations #dystopian #si fi #science fiction #fantasy #disease #cough #Red

[percysheliey]

was so excited to read a YA peter pan retelling …. i forgot YA talks like that

#😖 #help YA is so bad #im too old for this #why are the characters speaking like this #i was so excited too #i want a dark peter pan retelling !! give it to me !!! #i would write my own but i’m a strong believer that a retelling has to bring something else to the table other than diversity #i don’t want the gays i want a different angle !!! #(also the gays) #rosie rambles

[ezichiny]

Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne

TITLE: Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne My rating: 4 of 5 stars Genre: Modern retelling, contemporary romance, Jane Austen retelling, diverse romance Format: Paperback (401 pages) Published: November 15, 2022 by Berkeley Blurb: Liza B–The Only DJ That Gives a Jam—wants to take her neighborhood back from the soulless property developer dropping unaffordable condos on every street corner in DC. But…

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#23for23 #Audiobook #author of color #Chick-Lit #Contemporary Romance #diverse romance #Jane Austen retelling #Review #steamy lit con author

[yakamozarda]

I have so many thought and ideas for adaptations im genuinely into how adaptation with thought put into the source material can be so interesting etc etc and then i remember the current trend in media and im overcome with rage

#cecil.txt #If i see one more 'we made x into y minority for diversity :)' for a retelling im gonna kill #No thought put into it. Like if you really want y minority THEY HAVE THEIR OWN STORIEEEEEES #Im tired of capitalism and its allergy to originality atm fuck the nostalgia trend i hope we all die

[cassieswindon]

Review #351

This is the 4th Alix E. Harrow book I’ve read and I love how unique the voice is in the Fractured novella series. The author fit so much into this story and I gave it a 5/5 stars Zinnia’s character arc is beautiful and crystal clear. It made me immediately want to preorder the obvious upcoming book #3 that doesn’t have a title or cover yet. Does anyone know when the info will be…

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#2023 #adventure #clean #contemporary #diversity #fantasy #first person #five stars #one POV #retelling #sequel #series #young adult

[cmrosens]

The Dangers of Blue Beards (in Books)

Bluebeard Retellings and Reimaginings As I’m sure you all know I’m not a folklorist or anything like that, but I LOVE folktales and stories, and I think in worldbuilding one of the best and most fun ways to get to grips with a culture is by imagining what stories people tell about themselves and their world. In The Crows I made up local legends and sayings, and put out a little eBook collection…

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#bluebeard #bluebeard retelling #bluebeard stories #diverse books #fantasy #Gothic Fiction #gothic horror #Horror #horror books #mr fox #queer fairytales #queer gothic fiction #queer horror #queer retellings #robber bridegroom #sff #strange suitor

[toadwithbooks]

Tuesday Ten: 10 Fairytale Retellings

Tuesday Ten: 10 Fairytale Retellings

#1 Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron LGBTQIA book with POC lead 416 pages Set 200 years after Cinderella found her prince. The Annual Ball is now a requirement, and if a match is not found the girls are never heard from again. #2 Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire Book One of The Wicked Years Series 448 pages Basis of a Tony Award-winning…

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#book list #books #diverse books #fairytale retellings #quick read #reading #reading lists #tuesday ten

[a-brown-girl-recs-books]

POTENTIAL SPOILERS FOR OUR VIOLENT ENDS

“I will fight this war to love you, Julliette Cai. I will fight this feud to have you, because it was this feud that gave you to me, twisted as it is, and now I will take you away from it.”

- page 321 of Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

#ya books #booklr #books #we need diverse books #book quotes #book recommendations #ove #TVD #these violent ends #our violent ends #these violent delights #chloe gong #asian authors #roma montagov #Juliette cai #romeo and juliet #Romeo and Juliet retelling #shakespeare #tvd spoilers #these violent delights spoilers #our violent ends spoilers