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marianneshepherd · 8 months

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The Starlight Chronicles

In August 2023, I read every book (and the in-between episode books) of The Starlight Chronicles by C.S. Johnson.

I have made it my mission to read as many Christian fiction books as I can while writing my own book. This series was my first taste of the genre.

Specifically, this series is Christian fantasy with supernatural elements in a modern setting. There was so much to read, but I could not put these books down. If you like Angels and Demons and lots of action (superheoroes?) and a little bit of romance, this is for you!

Brace yourself for this long list ahead. These are the books in the series:

#1 Slumbering

#1.5 Awakening: A Christmas Episode

#2 Calling

#2.5 Falling: A Starry Knight Episode

#3 Submerging

#3.5 Seeing: A Wedding Episode

#4 Remembering

#4.5 Belonging: Date Night Episode

#5 Continuing

#5.5 Reflecting: A Dream Episode

#6 Outpouring

#6.5 Reawakening: A Rebirth Episode

#7 Everlasting

#8 Searching (the Prequel that's meant to be read last)

I loved this series and have found it difficult to find books that can follow this series and still keep my attention.

Without spoilers, the book found me laughing uncontrollably, sobbing until my eyes burned, and had me on the edge of my couch to the point where my family had to make sure I was okay on a dozen occasions.

The pros, I didn't see any noticeable plot holes and there were plenty of moments I didn't see coming. The characters were well written, and the setting was vivid enough for even me to see (I struggle with visuals.) The characters had so many redeeming qualities, which is a must-have for a book of this nature. On another note, her books are very affordable and available in paperback, hardback, box sets and digital copies. I did a combo of paperback and digital (because I was too impatient to wait for shipping at the time) and it worked out wonderfully.

The cons of the series, many reviewers said they gave up in the middle of the first book (don't do this.) The said the main character was too narcissistic and rotten, but I promise you it's worth getting through the first book to read all the rest of them. Lastly, the editor did a terrible job (I know it's not the best news.) But, I was able to work around it, just like I work around autocorrect. This was not the author's fault, so I can't fault her for it. Unfortunately for the author, her work was muddied by the editing mistakes made and if I could change anything about the series that would be the only change.

Biblical tie-ins: I saw the transformative power of God throughout this book. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude and love for my Savior. I've had time to soak in silence after finishing the series, and it drew me into a closer relationship with Jesus.

Verses that go with this series include:

"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

"We also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope." Romans 5:3-4

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

"So then, let those who suffer according to God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good." 1 Peter 5:9

Final Thoughts: If you're looking for a finished Christian-based urban fantasy series about love, faith and giving evil an epic butt-kicking then pick up these books and binge until you cry snot-faced tears all over your dog. You won't regret a single moment of it.

-Marianne Shepherd

#christian fantasy #christian writers #books #fantasy #literature #my writing #christian fiction #angels and demons #superheores #good vs evil #book recs #book review #book series #fantasy books #book recommendations #starlight chronicles #c.s. johnson

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tallbluelady · 5 months

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What's this? Seems there's an uninvited guest at the Leveilleur's Starlight party...

(Featuring @abyssalmermaiden 's Aryaille)

#i need a screenshot tag #rowan argentas #aryaille nox #happiest starlight ever 2023 #prompt: what's this #the leveilleur estate starlight party #i am going to attempt to chronicle this party a bit #weeeeeeeeeeeeee'll see how long i can keep this up for

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juliaswickcrs · 7 months

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ALINA KINSLEY + MARJORIE KIRKE

you're alive, so alive "Your grandmother was the most beautiful, vibrant, woman I'd ever known. I was a fool not to fall in love with her. I was a fool to choose this over what was offered to me. ...you remind me so much of her. my Marjorie." -CORIAKIN, the voyage of the dawn treader

tag list: @bisexualterror @foxesandmagic @iron-parkr @thatmagickjuju@camiemendess @a-song-of-quill-and-feather @arrthurpendragon @villain-connoisseur @starcrossedjedis @drbobbimorse @noratilney @stanshollaand @kingsmakers @elmunson @darth-caillic @mystic-scripture@aliverse @misshiraethsworld @chrissymunson @asirensrage@eddiemunscns

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sundoodle · 2 years

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twitter expression requests from this expression set

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thecrenellations · 2 months

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there are SO many passages that highlight the spectrum of emotions and tones in the Lymond Chronicles, but one of them is certainly the end of Ch. 4 of Pawn in Frankincense.

We’ve got “however much I try, don’t let me turn you against me” and then the gorgeously-written horror of finding Oonagh. And sandwiched between them is Jerott saying “see you later” to Francis right after agreeing he’s going to be momentarily murdered…

… and then walking into a wall! Beautiful.

#cloud-muffled starlight!#and of course there’s a fountain #shaking hands with everyone who read this the first time and thought at first that it meant that Oonagh was sitting there listening #to these clowns having a touching moment #and one of them (a random guy she met in a bar once) walking into a wall #IF ONLY #pawn in frankincense #lymond #lymond chronicles spoilers #but for real this sequence is probably one of my top two or three for jerott pov at its best #something I #Esoteric Disasters for Gabriel’s Adversaries: the book #and also for gabriel #jerott blyth

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ephemxras · 2 years

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thinking about that one ao3 tag that’s like “the love is requited they’re just idiots”

#khux #khux copium chronicles #ephelayer #ephemer #ephemera #khux keykid #thinking abt those nico blorbos over there……#they are absolutely so damn funny i love them so much #kh #kingdom hearts #sweet starlight saga

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fairydust-stuff · 2 years

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Abuse SA survivers as Emilie Autumn songs

Alois Trancy: Gothic Lolitia

Ash Lynx; God help me

Serena & Blair :Gentlemen aren’t nice

Armand De romanus: Misery loves Company

Anthy: Castle Down

Yut Lung lee: dead is the new Alive

Starlight/Annie: I know where you sleep

Jamie Fraiser: If I burn

Caroline Forbes: Gaslight

#black buttler #alois trancy #banana fish #ash lynx #gossip girl #serena van der woodsen #blair waldorf #vampire chronicles #armand de romulas #revolutionary girl utena #anthy himemiya #yut lung lee #the boys #starlight #jamie fraiser #outlander #caroline forbes #vampire diaries

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dany36 · 2 years

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the scenes of nia and melia joining your party cleared my skin, watered my crops, cured my anxiety etc. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 it's so fucking funny to think that nia REALLY has to try to act all regal and majestic but in reality she is just the same goofy, carefree nia she's always been!!! especially considering that melia, who was raised as part of the royal family of high entia, is so used to talking all proper but nia is just a wild cat who just never had to deal with all that crap.

also melia trying to sneak away from the castle so she can explore the world on her own instead of just looking above from her castle...what a fucking queen 🤧 AND EUNIE being surprised at her wings yes thank you for bringing that up with all the talk eunie does about the queen and her wings lmao. but also, i don't think i ever paid attention to other high entias in this game and their wings.....does no one else have big white wings like melia's and eunie's?

either way holy shit i loved those scenes and can't wait to see what other interactions they'll have with the party!!

#xenoblade #xenoblade chronicles 3 #xenoblade chronicles 3 spoilers #xc3 spoilers #junk #it's not enough to witness these scenes i need them injected directly into my veins #can't get enough of these two HELP #xc3 #now brb i NEED to see melia do a starlight kick in this game LAKSDJFLAKJSDLF i didn't know they included it!!!#no thunder bullet that's fine no mind blast cool cool BUT YES THANK YOU STARLIGHT KICK #also omg only melia's is called starlight kick and for everyone else it's just called starfall laskjdflaksdfl LOVING THIS!!!!#ALSO ALSO love their outfits!! 😭#ok i need to eat something before i pass out from hunger and excitement laksflasdjlsdkflsf #talk to me about all things nia and melia

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smashbrosartsandothers · 1 year

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Top 9 Crossovers Ships Part 1

9. Tari X Deku izku midoriya

8. Senpai X Pyra

7. Byleth M X Cj

6. Joker X Luminary

5. Roy X Gunner

4. Cloud Strife X Shulk

3. Marth X Starfire

2. Nick Wilde X Funtime Foxy

Sora X Inkling Girl (Yuki)

This of multifandom and others

This Here My Top 9 Crossovers Ships BTW here Honorable Moments of Crossovers Ships

4. Mythra X Daredevil

3. Lucina X Robin TTG

2. Edward Elric X Ruby Rose

Sephiroth X Palutena

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aesthetic-solar-space · 2 years

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Lady Nesta Archeron

So many people hated on Nesta both before and after A Court of Silver Flames. However when we got a full view of her in A Court of Silver Flames it was easy to see we never really knew her, nor what she had gone through. Sure we had seen it the way Feyre did but her few was hindered by anger and sadness.

Nesta deals with so much trauma and it’s so real. Even the way she ends up healing from it is magical because it is represented really well. There was no shying away or fade to black of the darker issues. From the lose of her dad, her forced transformation which ended up having her being used in a war, from being the cause of Cassians injuries, to her childhood - all of it was so real that you could practically imagine it happening to yourself or a friend.

Nesta in my opinion is one of if not the strongest characters from this series and she deserves less hate.

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thechroniclesofhriddick · 1 year

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A Boy and his Bun Wish You Happy Starlight

#hrid chronicles #a'kiva and svan #happy starlight #happy holidays #loki wishes you happy starlight too!

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elizabeth--reads · 1 year

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2022: A Reading Retrospective

I'm going to try and list my favorite book from each month of 2022. This is not necessarily my top 12 books of 2022--because what if every book I read in May was better than anything I read in August?--but picking a favorite from each month seemed like an easier task.

January

Highland Wolf by Lynsay Sands

February

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

I wasn't so sure about this book when I first started it, but the ending made it a memorable read.

March

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This was a re-read, but since I only read two books in March, this was an obvious choice.

April

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Another re-read, but Cress was always my favorite book in The Lunar Chronicles.

May

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

I loved this blend of fantasy and regency romance.

June

The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller

I don't normally like second-chance romances, but Diana Biller knows how to write a great story. This novel has even more paranormal/supernatural elements than The Widow of Rose House.

July

Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik

I love Mihalik's sci-romances, and this grumpy x sunshine was a fun read.

August

The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

Holton's Dangerous Damsels books are an enjoyable blend of fantasy, humor, and romance.

September

Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase

This novel reminds me of The Mummy (1999) movie in the best way.

October

Babel by R. F. Kuang

Probably the smartest book I read all year. Kuang uses a fantasy Oxford to craft an incisive critique of British colonialism.

November

The Heretic Royal by G. A. Aiken

Fantasy + Humor + Grumpy x Sunshine Romance = A Happy Reader

December

A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan

A well-crafted historical romance novella makes for the perfect holiday read.

#2022: a reading retrospective #reading #books #favorite reads #historical romance #fantasy romance #fantasy #young adult books #the lunar chronicles #starlight's shadow series #dangerous damsels series #crescent city series #babel

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potato-doodles · 1 year

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It’s that time of year again! Most of these are of later parts of the year since i had broken my previous Ipad. These past month or two ive had a teeny weeny problem with medication causing a hand tremor so ive had a harder time picking up some of my WIPs, but heres to hoping i can finish them up soon!

I’m honestly blown away by some of my improvements this year, especially in posing, shading, and lining! My recent Hikari piece especially wowed me the whole time i drew it haha

In the next year im hoping to continue going out of my comfort zone pose wise and do more foreshortening! Also i want to try to better my backgrounds and composition

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landofanimes · 1 year

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Sailor Moon 30th Anniversary Musical Festival -Chronicle-

Cancelled Guest Appearance

Meiku Harukawa (2017 Seiya/Sailor Star Fighter) had to cancel her appearance on the Festival because she tested positive for covid :( She was scheduled to appear on the last show on Sunday.

I hope she gets a quick recovery and that no one else got sick!

#sera myu #sailor moon musical festival chronicle #meiku harukawa #bssm #we were gonna have a full starlights reunion :'(#get well soon meiku!

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starlessea2 · 8 months

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The Dawn Watch (Astarion)

Pairing: Astarion x Reader [Baldur's Gate 3]

Summary: As dawn breaks the morning after the tiefling party, you find a vampire basking in the sun. In the daylight, all of his pretty words start to unravel. (Act 1 spoilers).

A/N After a week of feverishly playing (and completing) BG3, here's my first Astarion writing. Part 1/3 of a WIP mini-series called the Sunlight Chronicles.

Masterlist

Sunlight was warm on your eyes. It coaxed them open and made you blink: once hard, twice fast. Your lids were heavy, yet you could hardly remember closing them in the first place. Neither could you recall dozing off in a pile of leaves.

As you pressed yourself into the ground, the forest floor rustled beneath you. A cacophony of dried foliage and bark, made somewhat comfortable by the mossy overgrowth. It took you a moment to understand your surroundings.

The tiefling party had bustled on into the early hours. It was the first reprieve you’d allowed yourself since being plucked from Baldur’s Gate and thrust into this new adventure. But, perhaps you had overindulged…

There was a fire in your belly still, laden with mead and lingerings of lust, and it had led you here: stark-naked and alone on the outskirts of camp.

A chuckle sounded behind you. “I was starting to wonder whether I’d drank you dry.”

You sprung up to your elbows. Not alone, you suddenly remembered.

Your head whipped around, settling on the figure bathed in the light of the low sun. “But alas, you were just making good on that beauty sleep. Morning, pet.”

Rubbing the bleariness from your eyes, you found Astarion. He was radiant. Rays of dawn had snuck through the trees, dappling between branches onto his pale skin. And his hair... Caught in that glow, it looked like leftover starlight.

The only thing letting him down was his smile. It was utterly charming, as always. But it was more obvious in the daytime; that smile was well-practised.

“Umm, good morning,” you eventually croaked back.

Your eyes locked with Astarion's, too nervous to wander over his body. He noticed, of course, and so he paced before you—a small strut, hands on his hips to invite your appraisal.

You looked away. Even in the warmth of the sun, you could feel the man’s contribution to your cheeks. It incited a laugh from him.

“Oh now don’t pretend to be coy, my sweet,” he said. “Not when there was hardly any of that last night.”

You turned your head; any liquid courage you’d gotten from the party had long since worn off. But now sober, Astarion made your heart ache. His falsity was clear as day. He uttered the words you so desperately wanted to hear, but delivered them on the back of a deceitful voice.

A sigh escaped you; perhaps the only time he hadn’t lied was when he’d called you naive.

Awaiting your reply, Astarion became indignant. "What?" he asked. "Disappointed at the lack of morning cuddle? If you ask nicely, perhaps I’ll come back to join—”

"No," you said. "I just..." His eyes watched your every move, red and calculating. You took a moment to collect yourself. "I'm surprised that you stayed at all," you admitted. "Didn't take you for the type."

His hand fell over his chest. "Oh, how you wound me! I try to do the gentlemanly thing, and yet you accuse me and look at me like that."

You cocked a brow. "Like what?"

Astarion let out an exasperated sigh. "Let’s just say it’s easier to know what you're thinking when your eyes are shut.” He made a face, mortifyingly reminiscent of one you’d likely pulled the night before, and your mouth fell ajar.

If you’d been wearing shoes, you would have hurled one at him. But embarassed and barefoot, you instead dug your palms into the soil, more than ready to depart.

Astarion was roused into action. "Oh come on, my dear," he said softly. He sunk to the floor beside you, coaxing you to stay. "All in good fun."

You deliberated for a moment, watching him in your peripheral. There was a smile on his face but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Somewhere in the depths of your mind, a pang of hurt made itself known. You quickly squashed it down, hoping Astarion had not noticed it in his.

Whatever feelings had bubbled over last night were absent this morning, you could just tell. Perhaps he no longer found you interesting now that he'd conquered you. Maybe he'd pursued you just to break your heart, or gods forbid, he'd been put off after sleeping with you—

“It’s just so warm.”

The words left Astarion, quiet as a whisper. But then his eyes widened and his lips formed a taut line—as though they'd never intended to let anything escape at all.

"What?" you started. But with one small glance at the man, you realised; he was talking about the sun.

For a moment, you watched him, basking in the glow like there was no place he'd rather be. You hummed in agreement. “I guess it’s something we all take for granted here.”

He nodded. It became obvious then; he hadn’t stayed for you, but for the sunrise.

“Astarion, I–”

He snapped his head. The look in his eyes cautioned you—told you the two of you weren’t that close. But something behind that almost dared you to try.

Against your better judgement, you proceeded. “You might have already guessed, but I’m no early riser." A chuckle instinctively followed. “I know Lae’zel told us not to question the shifts she allocated, but..." you paused, "who wants to take watch at the crack of dawn? Certainly not me.”

It was silent for a moment—save for the soft lilting of birds and the occasional breeze. Yet even then, the morning dawned so quiet that your breaths felt loud.

It took a few seconds for Astarion to reanimate, but when he did, it was with a smile. “Oh, my dear... If you’re struggling that badly, you could’ve just said." He sat up, readjusting to meet you straight on. “It’s not a bother swapping with you—if the night shift is more to your taste.”

Your heart felt warm. Truthfully, you liked the dawn watch, but you had a feeling it would be better appreciated by him. “That would be wonderful, thank you."

You had an inkling that Astarion recognised your ploy, but but if did, he wasn’t making a show of it. His hand wove its way into yours, and pressed it into forest bed. “My pleasure," he said. Then he leaned forward with a grin.

You anticipated a kiss, but he stopped before your neck, tracing the bloody bruise he'd bestowed with his lips—worrying last night's sore between his teeth. “It's the least I can do...”

As he mumbled against your skin, a shiver sparked through your shared connection.

“I’ll be more gentle next time." His breath fanned hot over your ear. “Both ways.”

You let out a gasp. "It's okay, we don’t have to—” The words ejected from you, all flustered and not at all how you pictured them.

Astarion offered a smirk in return, but it was accompanied by an expression you now recognised.

He thought you naive.

“Precious,” he said beneath his breath, before returning your crumpled dress to you. “Now come. We best not keep the others waiting.”

And so you followed his lead and quickly dressed: smoothing your hair and attempting to rid your cheeks of their flush.

If anyone asked, you'd say you were sun-kissed.

#astarion #astarion x reader #bg3 #astarion x tav #astarion x mc #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 fanfic #astarion fanfic #astarion romance #baldur's gate 3 fanfic #astarion fanfiction #astarion x you #bg3 fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #dnd

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xenoblade-chronicles-brackets · 1 month

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Submitted propaganda for Melia's Feet

STARLIGHT KICK! And in Xenoblade 3, she finally sticks to landing!

Submitted propaganda for Moonblades

double the weapon, double the fun

#xenoblade chronicles #xenoblade #xenoblade chronicles 3 #xenoblade 3 #poll bracket #tumblr bracket

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