#tasha tells tales

[dark-and-kawaii]

I love soft Haarlep and I do love your parent!Haarlep stuff but I can't help but wonder about the angst that would come from Soft!Haarlep realizing that Tav is pregnant with their child, ie a cambion (DND lore states cambion births that stem from a human mother x devil/incubus/etc always results in the mother's death).

₊˚⊹♡ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴏᴡ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ. ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴀʀɪᴏ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏʀʀɪꜰɪᴄ ᴏᴜᴛᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴘᴏᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴀʟʟʏ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴ. ᴏʀ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴏᴜᴛᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜᴀᴀʀʟᴇᴘ ɪꜱ ʀᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴅᴏᴠᴇ ɪꜱ ᴏᴋᴀʏ.

⋆˙⟡♡ Angst | Pregnancy | Soft Haarlep ♡

Haarlep’s usual guise of cruelty softened into something almost human as they watched you sleep, your chest rising and falling with the innocent rhythm of peaceful slumber. Oblivious to Haarlep’s unexpected worry. The incubus was always known for their merciless nature, feasting upon souls and taking whatever it is they wished without a care for the other’s wellbeing… But you… You were different.

Haarlep’s gaze drifted, lingering on the delicate features of your face before trailing down to your still flat abdomen. Inside you, unbeknownst to you, a new life was taking root. A life that Haarlep could sense with a clarity that cursed their very being...

Haarlep had always threatened to breed you, to knock you up with their demon spawn to show all of hell and Faerun that you belonged to them, once enslaved incubus, a lowly creature…

Closing their eyes, Haarlep realizes their very nature had gotten the best of them. That their very threat had come to fruition and with each beat of your heart, a silent countdown to your demise had begun…

The knowledge was a blade to Haarlep’s darkened heart. Incubi, like them, were no strangers to the fatal toll their offspring could exact on mortal lovers. History whispered of rare survivals, like Tasha the witch queen, who bore the children of Grazzt and lived to tell the tale. But you were not her. You were just some adventurer, who had gotten tangled with Raphael, which led you inadvertently into Haarlep’s embrace.

If this spawn was anything like a full blooded incubus, your mortal body would have trouble handling such a pregnancy. You could very well die trying to bring it into this world… If you even carried the spawn long enough for that to become an issue. The youngling may take you by surprise in the night and tear through you, feasting upon your very soul as it left your body.

With a heavy breath, Haarlep’s lashes fluttered back open as they placed their large hand gently on your stomach. They could only stare at it as memories flooded their mind of when you whispered dreams of carrying their offspring, begging for their threats of breeding to come true, wishing to feel your own belly swollen with a little mini Haarlep... You had smiled so brightly then… A smile they wished to keep to themselves… Haarlep wondered if that would be the last time they would ever see such a sight… Their favorite treat, always eager for a taste of the them… Always so loyal to them…

The incubus’s eyes began to harden…

A deep growl rumbled from within Haarlep, the sound echoing around the room as they thought of all the ways this could go horribly wrong. All the ways your precious mortal life could end.

The growing soul within you had to go. It must.

You were theirs. You were not supposed to be taken away from them…

They couldn't lose you.

Not you.

As they leaned down and pressed their lips against your stomach. It was a kiss, tender and loving, so out of place from their usual rough manner. Haarlep lingered there, lips brushing against the warm skin, feeling the flutter of your heartbeat underneath the softness of your flesh.

You were theirs.

Not Raphael's, not any other fiend or demon who thought they could get a claim on you.

Just Haarlep's.

Kelemvor, death itself, wouldn’t have you... Haarlep would seize the offspring, tearing it from your flesh with merciless hands if necessary…

#bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #raphael bg3 #haarlep #haarlep x tav #haarlep bg3 #haarlep x reader #raphael the cambion #bg3 Raphael

[yelenabemylova]

My Shirt - Natasha Romanoff x Reader

summary: someone has taken natasha's shirt...

"Good morning, detka," Natasha leaned over the bed slightly, kissing the tip of your nose to wake you up. Your eyes fluttered open at the tickling sensation and you frowned up at your girlfriend, "too early."

Chuckling, she stood up straight, watching as you pulled your blanket that was resting just under your chin, over your head. "Have you seen my black shirt with the mirrorball on it?" she asked you, gently uncovering your face. "I don't think so, maybe ask Lena," you kissed her fingers when they grazed over your lips.

She sighed, storming out of the room as she mumbled something threatening in russian. You closed your eyes again, refusing to get up at this hour.

Unfortunately, your peace didn't last long. An angry blonde woke you up, swiftly ripping your blankets from off your bed, "I knew it!" Curling up into the foetal position, you attempted to hide the tell tale sign that you were not innocent.

"Natasha said she wouldn't finish knitting the jumper for Fanny if she found out I had her shirt. You have to tell her you have it," she demanded.

"No," you smirked.

"No? You really want to tell a black widow 'no'?" she pulled a knife out from her pocket. "Natasha would kill you if you hurt me," you grinned. She huffed, "cyka."

After retrieving your blankets from the floor, you threw them back over yourself before falling back asleep.

"Malysh," Natasha kissed the top of your head. "Tasha," you reached your arms out for her, trying to pull her into bed with you. "I have to shower, ангел, but I'll be quick," she went into your bathroom, towel in hand.

She returned as soon as she promised she would, wrapped in nothing but her fluffy towel.

"See something you like?" she made eye contact with you through the full length mirror. "A lot," you subconsciously got out of bed, making your way over to her.

A gasp from the redhead caused you to realise your mistake. "I threatened half the compound," she walked over to you, her steps heavy. "It's so comfy though," you pouted.

"You're lucky you're cute," she groaned, admiring how beautiful you were in her clothes.

Wrapping your arms around her, you hugged her tightly, "I love you." She held you as if you were made of glass, afraid to break you, "I love you more."

#marvel #natasha romanoff x reader #avengers #fluff #natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff fluff #drabbles #ybml writes

[vavuska]

It's like Maleficent, but they are lesbians 💖

The princess isn't supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of Sleeping Beauty, true love is more complicated than a simple fairy tale. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Holly Black.

'Malice is the dark and wicked heart of a fairytale carved into a book. This story is beautiful, vicious magic.'

Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

'A truly original and clever retelling of a classic that had me racing to the end - you'll never look at Sleeping Beauty the same again.'

S.A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass

Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love's kiss.

Utter nonsense.

Let me tell you, no one in Briar cares what happens to our princess. I thought I didn't care, either. Until I met her.

Princess Aurora, last heir to the throne, the future queen her realm needs. One who isn't bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. But with less than a year before the curse kills her, any future I might imagine for us is quickly disappearing - and she can't stand to kiss yet another idiotic prince. But maybe I can help her. If my power began the curse, it might be the one to lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.

But we all know how this story ends. Aurora is the beautiful princess.

And I am the villain.

Credits: @kimocchika

You can find her original post here: [X]

My GoodReads: [X]

#vavuskapakage #Vavuskabooks #Maleficent #Malice #heather walter #fantasy books #lgbtq representation #lgbtq fiction #lgbtq fantasy #sleeping beauty #fairy tale adaptation #lgbtq+ representation #lgbtq+ books #lgbtq books #sapphic novels #sapphic fantasy #sapphic books #Malice by Heather Walter #young adult fantasy #ya fiction #young adult #malora #maleficent

[grapecaseschoices]

I'm so curious as to how hiyam, lala and ori would fare in the world of bg3. What race, class and subclass what they be and would they be a dark urge or a regular tav? And who would they romance and who would they not stand? 🫣

haha. this is such a tough question. especially since i am not dnd world expert [or whatever is between expert and novice]. so come on the journey wif meeee~~

Hiyam:

Hiyam is someone who cares about appearance and success. She cares about her looks, music, and isn't the most social of people -- though she knows how to flirt.

So I feel she might be an undark being. Maybe half/full-drow or duergar. I'm leaning the latter because it seems that drow society is Intense and I don't feel that such an intense society would actually beget Hiyam, though she would probably fit there after birth. Also duergar are dwarves -- and dwarves are creatures of pride [from what I can see] and can be quite snobbish. Plus the duergar we've met are DICKS.

I can see her being a bard, because music. But also because I feel it would get the same reaction from the duergar society as it got from her parents: WTF.

Duergar value toil above all else. Showing emotions other than grim determination or wrath is frowned on in their culture, but they can sometimes seem joyful when at work. They have the typical dwarven appreciation for order, tradition, and impeccable craftsmanship, but their goods are purely utilitarian, disdaining aesthetic or artistic value.

So I can see her being like the cultural hard-work but being like well I like flash and substance, and everyone was like .... was she dropped in the head? Also, I feel Bard works because Hiyam is a flirt -- and she has the allure of a songstress. She isn't traditionally charismatic but she does draw people. Plus vicious mockery and tasha's hideous laughter is perfect for her lmao. I think College of Valour would work best for her because music tells a tale -- I mean most mine do, but she definitely I feel uses her music to recount her experiences or hint at things. But also to talk about certain things she finds important.

Like her beat was definitely upbeat political popsong in game:

"Try as you might but we're not goin' without a fight." "The people have spoken and our spirits aren't broken." "We're a million awoken hearts. We're a million bright lights." "Yeah, we're a million eternities. You try to break us but we'll always be free."

Alternatively, I think half-orc could work for her as well.

Lala:

I want to say Lala is human. Because off the top of my head, I feel they best fit that sort of whimsical race? But maybe gnome. They would be a fat gnome, lmao

Gnome Cunning: You have an advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma Saving Throws.

I would lean with Forest. Because tho they aren't RECLUSIVE but 1. the speak with animals [which lala would mostly just use to speak with cats] and 2. they do value their quiet and own space. They're not very out to the party [tho they are the one to walk to their own beat]. [Though would deep gnome indulge the love of black and rocker aesthetics~? lmao.]

Also for CLASS. Druid doesn't seem -- from what I've seen about druids though they're nature-y, they seem to be very fixated re: a certain ORDER. I suppose they could be like Integrity and do their own thing. Or a barbearian like Kendis.

Would Bard be a cop out? In another life Lala was a math teacher. So, Wizard lmao. [Though infamous Lala probably should be a bard or at least have a background as entertainer. If they were a bard, I feel they'd be college of Lore.] Tentatively I say Divinity or Transmutation sublcass.

Ori:

Ori is defiinitely human. Or half-elf. Jack of all trade: skilled in all, master of none. I also like the 'belonging' element that hits half-elfs, tho. Especially since Ori is mixed and also trans.

I wish artificer was a thing in BG3. Because Ori liked to make model planes and etc. Still does iin infamous but it was a whole connect thing in another time I played him. I really don't know what he would be.

#grapecase plays bg3 #ask: bg3 #ask: infamous #grapecase answers #long post #im sorry this is such a mess and sorry for teh delay! #<- is what i originally put then i still forgot to lost this?? why??? #hehe thanks for the food for thought :-D #so sorry anon #if youre still around /sobs

[tehaspy-spec-evoposting]

As they say, Fuck it, we ball.

Last time we saw into our future, I told you the Tale of Tasha. But the thing is, I never finished the timeline. I've yet to tell you about the final age of humanity. The Omni Age. First, I'll tell you how it began.

Warp travel works by warping space. So, to use the rubber sheet metaphor, when you stretch a rubber sheet for a while, it permanently deforms. This manifested in the universe as stretches in space where you would go faster than if you didn't go through there. For our purposes, we'll call them Cracks. Cracks started forming late in the High Space Age, more specifically the routes where hauler ships went most often. Scientists quickly learned that these Cracks were formed by warp travel, and they decided to do an experiment. If extended warp travel permanently deforms spacetime, then what happens when these Cracks get too deep? I'll say what happens, it makes a hole in the rubber sheet that is spacetime. Scientists only found it out after 50 years, and that is because they saw it happen. They made a hole. It wasn't like a black hole, nor was it like a white hole. There was no singularity to speak of. It was more like a portal than anything we've seen thus far. So somebody threw a camera in there to see what there was. Suprisingly, the camera could still send video. And that was the first case of Exposure to True OmniSpace Syndrome, or ETOSS for short. I'll tell you the symptoms after I tell you what an "omnispace" even is, let alone why exposure to it's true form is a plague.

Little did they know, these scientists were the first to discover Omnispace. Now, I have to clarify a few things first.

This world is in a multiverse. It's full of bubble universes, where each universe is a bubble in an infinite* sea of them. *omnispace may seem infinite, but it's actually finite, albeit bigger than human comprehension.

In omnispace, the laws of physics are actually a placebo, so if you think that e=mc^3, then it will be that way in some sort of radius (this is also malleuable via the placebo).

If you see omnispace without a placebo applied, like through a camera, then you will get ETOSS.

Now let's go over the symptoms of ETOSS. When you see omnispace without a placebo applied, it transfers to you. It then puts you into a coma. During this coma, brainscans reveal that the fear and confusion parts of the brain are the most stimulated. It's a game of chance if you survive this coma. Those that do survive (which are only 40% of those infected), often kill themselves shortly after. Do NOT ask those patients why, as that's another mode of transmission for the plague. If intercepted in time (or if they don't even try to kill themselves), therapy can and will help with their condition. Those infected, sadly, will never fully recover, and may even go into suicidal relapses.

For a hundreds of years, **Omnispace** was the final frontier. People colonized hundreds of universes, and all was good. Hell, someone named Sheeana Dubois discovered a more potent source of energy than even antimatter factories. (It'll get it's own post).

But then people started to run out of room. There was still thousands of universes out there, but none of them were habitable. So they built omnispace stations. And kept building them. This is when the age splits. We now enter the Late Omni Age, defined by humans losing their humanity, and the grand city of Omnitropolis (please give name suggestions I know it's a bad name and that's why it needs to be changed). For sixty-five million years, humanity kept building up this grand city. They even destroyed universes to make room for it.

Little by little, humans forgot about the Placebo, because they made a device to keep physics in place. It was derived from other humans, who were bred (and modified) to be constantly thinking about our laws of physics. After just a couple of centuries, it could think of nothing else. And after a couple thousand years, nobody even **knew** that it was once a person. It could only be thought of as a "physics anchor".

Unmodified humanity changed too. Or maybe I should put that "unmodified" in quotes, to show that they were modified also. These humans knew that evolution would change them, so they did all they could to stay the same. They did plastic surgeries and GMO's galore, yet they still changed. They would become, uncanny to us today. Which is why their scientific name (by me) is Homo Sapiens Homunculus. It is that way because they tried so hard to retain their humanity, that they lost it near entirely. They look like what a shapeshifter from andromeda (the galaxy) would imagine humans to look like.

I'll talk about the end of humanity later, as this post was written in the course of >2 hours, and I'm tired of it. Questions are appreciated though! Please, I want to talk about it more.

#worldbuilding #apocalypse coming soon #ama #questions appreciated #aspie infodumping #the tale of humanity

[shouldhavebeenpersephone]

Not in any way negative, just like your vibe so would love to know; do you have any other big interests besides tlt? looking for new shit to get myself into

I will take that as a compliment any day of the week Anon, thank you for the ask! This turned out much longer than I expected, so sorry about that, I can talk about all of these forever (and if you want to know more or want non-book recommendations feel free to ask). Here is a non-exhaustive list of books I feel completely Normal™ about for your troubles;

The Power by Naomi Alderman - Role reversal of patriarchal male/female dichotomy. Unique standalone with religious themes and biology based sci-fi, and it's the only "what if women were in power" I have read that feels (and is) accurately disgusting. It does a wonderful job of showing the absurdity and horror of misogyny and sexist laws/ideologies. What can I say, I love a well written compex and potentially evil woman, and there are multiple here. Pretty heavy subject matter, so check content warnings online if you feel hesitant.

One Way and No Way by S. J. Morden - Murder mystery on Mars! Finished duology where main character Frank is a contractor jailed for murdering his kid's drug dealer and a company buys his freedom in exchange for spending the rest of his days on Mars building and maintaining a research base. People start dying and after a while it becomes obvious the deaths were no accident and Frank is determined to live to tell the tale. To me it feels very The Martian meets GtN meets Knives Out.

The Jasmine Throne and The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri - Unfinished trilogy about powers granted at a cost by entities treated as deities. Delicious lesbian yearning between a Princess wanting to be Empress and a servant who is the Chosen One™. Beautiful queer friendships alongside gut punches making you consider how much you would give up for love and the safety of your (chosen) family. This series is a favourite of mine because of how incredibly well the deities are written. No power comes without a cost and truly powerful entities do not adhere to our ideas of what morality is. Also I love cutthroat women. See a theme?

I have yet to find something that comes close to the hold TLT has on me, but occasionally something else burrows into my brain and makes room for itself. Thanks again for the ask!

#Ash Answers

[nerdgasmnoire]

Smut Book Club's Smut Book Club 1: A Taste of her Own Medicine

Hey everybody, Welcome to the inaugural episode of Smut Book Club’s Smut Book Club, a book club where me and Melissa read our long list of romance novels and talk about them in the only way we know how, messily. Melissa also shoots some ideas for the jingle for this particular podcast. It goes about as well as you think.

  This week Melissa and De read A Taste of her Own Medicine by Tasha Harrison (https://tashalharrisonbooks.com/products/a-taste-of-her-own-medicine)

  Synopsis

Single middle aged newly divorced mom Sonja is trying to start her own business. Enter Atlas, the teacher in the six week entrepreneur course. They navigate an age gap (10 years and she's older) in a small town. Real sexy times.

    Come join the fun!

Next Smut Book Club's Smut Book Club book is going to be Once Upon a Dream by Sierra Simone (https://www.thesierrasimone.com/once-upon-a-dream).

  Synopsis

Lush. Evocative. Romantic. Enter the sensual world of modern day fairy tales with three novellas by USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone. Music Box Girl A Twelve Dancing Princesses Story Every night they dance. Every night he follows. Ex-soldier private investigator Cal Dugan has been hired to follow Tamsin and her ballerinas to find out where they go at night. He didn’t count on Tamsin’s courage or her passion. He didn’t count on the way she twists him up inside. He solves the riddle of their disappearing act, but he’ll never reveal Tamsin’s secrets, no matter the cost. American Witch A Princess and the Pea Story Morgan wants to start fresh, but a mystery man at the masked ball lights her up from the inside. His hands, his touch, his scent--they're all too familiar, all too real. He’s always been her weakness, but can she deny him when every part of her is on fire for him and only him? Red & White A Snow-White and Rose-Red Story All that art student Scarlett wants to do is wait out a howling snowstorm and kiss her best friend senseless, but all her careful plans fall apart the minute a near-frozen bear stumbles through the door. Except he's not a bear—he's very much a man—and there's only one way to warm him up from the cold... Have you read the book? Tell us what you think about it on Twitter @NerdgasmNoire. Make sure you join our new discord channel and hang out with the community! discord.gg/7DqMZSy ENJOY! Intro / Outro - Dreamy provided by Mike (Pound 4 Pound Podcast) & Marion Moore from ALBM Production

Latest Episode of Nerdgasm Noire On-Deck!

#NERDGASM NOIRE NETWORK #NERDGASMNEWS #PODCAST

[creepymutelilbugger]

Here's a summary of my Future Ages of Hmanity project.

From 1969 to sometime in the 2200's humanity is in "the Solar Age", defined by our inability to leave the solar system. During that time, we create a dyson swarm. Some people made it into something called a Dyson Laser however, concentrating all the sun's energy into a laser, and when they tested it, they made any human activity on mercury unobtainable for millions of years. So there was an Apocalypse Prevention Convention, which outlawed anything that could destroy entire planets, loke the dyson laser.

After the solar age we entered the Middle Space age, defined by us becoming an interstellar civilization and our search for intelligent aliens. Humanity also became balkanized during this period, and they never reformed back. Now, some historians debate splitting this age into two parts, the dividing point being the introduction of FTL travel into the consumer market. This was called The Scattring (no relation to Dune's), and it was when humans decided to leave and create new nations. Both post, and pre FTL humanity had one power source that defined them in this age however. Dyson spheres. They were everywhere, even in the globular clusters near-but-not-in our galaxy. They were the most efficient power source for centuries due to how much power they generated. But they could get even more efficient.

The High Space Age, or "the grand and humble age" was a period filled with grand megastructures, and robots smaller than quarks. Sentient AI was banned during this period, due to insane government officials wanting to protect humanity (they still existed however, but they were just treated like drugs). A very large minority of humanity during this age was living in megastructures during this time. There was a strange effect from visiting ringworlds and o'neil cylinders if you weren't from them. Doctors called it E.E.B.S, or Exposure to Eldritch Beauty Syndrome. If you went to these megastructures, but weren't native from them, you would go into a coma, and your brain would give you the feeling of being in the sublime. You'd wake up afterwards if you left, but that's a story for another time.

It was called the humble age due to nanotechnology reaching it's peak with a new invention. The picobots. Picobots were small enough to manipulate particles generated from the quantum foam, and they were still controllable. This invention was so revolutionary that the inventor, Greg the AI, was made legal. It allowed an entire power plant to fit into your pocket, and seemingly break the laws of thermodynamics while charging your phone. It replaced nearly all dyson spheres in the galaxy, and made allowed for (seemingly) infinite power.

I'll talk to you about the other ages, and the Tale of Tasha later, as my hands are getting tired as I type this, but thank you for giving me this opportunity to infodump.

Greg the A.I. has been legalized.

that shit is so fuckin cool dude. you can tell me about whatever you want whenever you want

[thechanelmuse]

My Top Albums/EPs of 2022

So I bet you thought I forgot to post my end-of-the-year music list 😏

Chile, I did 🙃. Better late than never tho, right? 

Enjoy!

JAZZ

The Baylor Project - The Evening: Live at APPARATUS

Billy Drummond & Freedom of Ideas - Valse Sinistre

Brandon Coleman - Interstellar Black Space

Cécile McLorin Salvant - Ghost Song

Charlie Gabriel - Eighty Nine

Jeremy Pelt - Soundtrack

Joshua Redman Quartet (Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Brian Blade) - LongGone

Makaya McCraven - In These Times

Marquis Hill - New Gospel Revisited

Ron Carter - Finding the Right Notes

Samara Joy - Linger Awhile

COUNTRY

Abbey Cone - Hate Me EP

Carrie Underwood - Denim & Rhinestones

Luke Combs - Growin Up

Madeline Edwards - Crashlanded + Madeline Edwards EP (two projects)

Maren Morris - Humble Quest

Mickey Guyton - I Am Woman EP

FOLK

Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days (Deluxe Edition) - In the Canyon Haze

Kina Grannis - It's Hard to Be Human — (2021 album)

Valerie June - The Moon and the Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers + Under Cover (two projects)

GOSPEL

DOE - Clarity

Kirk Franklin & Maverick City Music - Kingdom Come One (Deluxe)

Ricky Dillard - Breakthrough: The Exodus (Live)

Tasha Cobbs Leonard - Hymns (Live)

Tye Tribbett - All Things New

BLENDED GENRES

Gabriels - Angels & Queens – Part I

Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope (Deluxe Edition) — 25th anniversary

Moonchild - Starfruit

PJ Morton - Watch the Sun (Deluxe)

Robert Glasper - Black Radio III (Supreme Edition)

SZA - SOS

Tank and the Bangas - Red Balloon

Various Artists - Stranger Things: Soundtrack from the Netflix Series, Season 4

YEBBA - Live at Electric Lady

SOUL/BLUES (ROCK*)

Jamison Ross - JAMO

Lady Wray - Piece of Me

Lee Fields - Sentimental Fool

Liv Warfield - Live at Cafe Wha? *

Lizz Wright - Holding Space: Live In Berlin

Miko Marks and The Resurrectors - Feel Like Going Home

Various Artists - Summer of Soul Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

R&B

Alex Isley & Jack Dine - Marigold

Ari Lennox - age/sex/location

Arin Ray - Hello Poison

Coco Jones - What I Didn't Tell You

Durand Bernarr - Wanderlust

India Shawn - BEFORE WE GO (DEEPER)

Kenyon Dixon - Closer

Lucky Daye - Candydrip

Mariah Carey - Butterfly: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition

Mary J. Blige - Good Morning Gorgeous

Ravyn Lenae - HYPNOS

Sevyn Streeter - Drunken Wordz Sober Thoughtz

Siergio - BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

POP/ALTERNATIVE (ROCK)

The 1975 - Being Funny In a Foreign Language

Aurora - The Gods We Can Touch

Avril Lavigne - Let Go (20th Anniversary Edition)

James Bay - Leap

LÉON - Circles

Lissie - Carving Canyons

Sigrid - High Note

RAP

Danger Mouse & Black Thought - Cheat Codes

Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See Your Future

Elzhi & Georgia Anne Muldrow - Zhigeist

JID - The Forever Story

Leikeli47 - Shape Up

Mozzy - Survivor's Guilt

Nas - King's Disease III

Saba - Few Good Things

Smino - Luv 4 Rent

EXPERIMENTAL

Niia - OFFAIR: Mouthful of Salt

Sault - Air + Aiir (2 projects)

HONORABLE MENTION

Beyoncé - RENAISSANCE

I know it’s coming... *hands on hips* “Honorable mention?!?”

I just can't listen to Renaissance straight through. I’ve tried and tried and tried. When it comes to my listening experience, I approach music sonically first, following the story and arrangement of the music instruments, and how the timbre of one's singing or rapping meets and interweaves between those elements. Give me an audio painting with a tapestry of enthralling colors and textures that I can feel. Then I'll invite in the lyrics.

It's like cinema. The average person most likely follows the eyes of the camera as it relates to the dialogue for the cinematic story. The way my brain is wired 🤖 I have to separate a number of other elements into parts as the story moves along — from the color grading and lighting to the sound design and mise-en-scène — to fully understand the director's vision and grasp the actual tale.

The thing about Renaissance as a whole is that it doesn't breathe enough for me. It feels chaotic like a tide than a flow if I let it run straight through. Give me spatial, darling! But that's the intentional, heavy-handed part about Renaissance, especially on the heels of a post-pandemic world: "Get tf up, dance and feel good." I don't wanna dance; I just wanna listen 😩 lol

Side note: 

We all have a specific musical palette as to why we fully gravitate to some songs/albums and not to others. I posted my review of Susan Roger’s book, This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You, a few months ago. (She was Prince's sound engineer from 1983 to 1988.) If you’re curious about why you like the music you like, I recommend for you to read it.

#2022 music #best music of 2022 #2022 albums #music recommendation #2022 eps #thechanelmuse #thechanelmuse music list #beyonce renassaince

[bharatiya-naari-sab-pe-bhaari]

Excerpt 3

"Your husband must really be a brainless arse madam. I can't say I have ever seen a man as blind, worthless and undeserving as him."

Severus Snape drawled silkily. His lank hair looked soft flowing gently in the midnight breeze. His oynx eyes had an uncharacteristic shine to it, a sparkle of disbelief and a clearing of a long gathered fog. His face was an another story in itself. It would remind one of a waxy canvas over which his bruises splattered red, blue and purple crisscrossing the elegant bone structure of his cheeks. A deep gash marred his left cheek which had painted half his face and his white collar a lothesome crimson. He had a long arm wrapped around his middle as if supporting half his battered frame on it.

In short the wizard looked like someone had driven a truck over him and backed it up for good measure.

And in hindsight it probably wasn't his brightest idea to antagonize the powerful witch standing in front of him looking like she could murder him with just her gaze alone.

The woman was a good five feet seven even without her muggle styled heels which looked like it could decapicitate a man. Her luscious mane of glossy black hair blew ferociously in the rather chilly wind and he could see the storm clouds gather behind her usually cool ocean blue eyes. Her plump blood red painted lips pulled in a contemptuous scowl and her lithe yet suitably voluptuous body stiffened in a typical battle formation.

The Slytherin Head of House found his laboured breathe catching in his bruised chest painfully. Merlin! The woman looked so devastatingly beautiful in all her righteous almost homicidal fury that it was criminal.

However much dire the consequences may be Snape couldn't find it in himself to regret the intentional provocation. The witch oblivious to her admirer's observations flared her nostrils in anger.

"How dare you insult my husband so callously that also in front of me! If you had even an iota of self preservation then you would have known that no one can bad mouth my husband and live to tell the tale."

She said amidst gritted teeth while taking a step in front. Snape chuckled breathily and coughed a bit. He opened his eyes to see the woman standing very close to him the next moment, her shapely eyebrows drawn in concern.

"Forgive my impudence madam but I cannot help but mention the truth. Any wizard with an iota of sense would know how miraculously lucky he is and how pathetically undeserving."

The woman's demeanour changed instantly in a split second as her wrath crumbled into the air and her beautiful features morphed into an unspoken agony. Severus found her warm slender frame support him by encasing him in her arms. She rested her head against his bleeding chest and heard the broken rhythm of his heart as his own arms wrapped around her.

"Tasha..."

Severus breathed into her fragrant mane of hair, his baritone reduced to a husky low rasp, torn with the phantom pain of the cruciatus curses he had been bestowed with by his gleeful colleagues. The said woman raised her face from his chest and her shimmering eyes met his own. Severus bent down painfully to lay a tiny smattering of kisses over her smooth forehead and eyes which finally let the collected silver streams of tears escape it's bind.

She tiptoed and pressed a gentle kiss on his bruised jaw tasting the blood which was welling in the split from his lower lips.

"Please... please Severus don't go. Don't leave me here alone.. I can't do it without you... I can't..."

Severus felt tears burn in his lone eye, the one which had not been swollen shut, purple and blood clogged. Natasha kept dropping kisses on her husband’s lowered face, mapping the tapestry of pain with her soft lips soothingly.

"You can love.. you don't need anyone. You never have...You can and you will. You must... or else this will never end. We may never..."

He stopped swallowing the tears and the bile welling up his throat. The truth was too painful to acknowledge out loud even if they knew it in their hearts. This was their final meeting.

Severus would not survive the final wave.

A sob escaped his wife's thickened throat as she collapsed on his chest again, hiding from him as if that would stop the flow of his unthinkable words.

And then there was silence punctuated only by her weak whimpers and muffled sobs. Suddenly a loud crackling sound burst upon them startling both into a shocked quiet.

The sun had gone down since long and the battle had started in earnest.

He was here.

*art by @serpenera *

______________________

#severus snape #harry potter fandom #snape fandom #prosnape #pro severus snape #snape love #headcanon #severus x oc #severus snape fic #excerpt from the book i'll never write #jumbled ideas #i love the art #serpenera is the artist #go check her other works

[hirunda-maxpw]

Playlist-a-thing

I might be a little late to the party, but I got mentioned by @risu5waffles to do a randomized music playlist sharing challenge. Here’s the copy pasted rules for those not in the know:

Rules: You can usually tell a lot about a person by the type of music they listen to. Put your playlist on shuffle and list the first 10 songs, and then tag how many people you want; I'm not your mom.

Now I spread my music library far and wide over a huge span of my life (basically from high school to now) so, after downloading and transferring most of the music I’d listen to nowadays on my phone, here are the 10 auditory dice I rolled:

Whales In A Window - Cosmo D from the Tales From Off-Peak City Vol.1 Soundtrack

Run - Tatreal from the Art of Rally OST

My only chance - Toxic Avenger from the Furi OST

Awake - Tycho from Awake

Give Up The Ghost - C2C from Tetra

* Don’t Stop - Tatreal from the Art of Rally OST

Duct Tape, Take the Wheel - Ramova from the Trackmania 2020 OST

Strotha Tynhe - Aphex Twin from Drukqs

Looking for Tracy Tzu - Carpenter Brut from Trilogy

* Intro - Welcome to the Station - Archie Pelago from the Off-Peak OST

I had some songs that were from the same album or were introductions to albums. I marked those with a star (*) and continued with an extra 2 for a lil more diversity (feel free to disregard these for a purist list):

D.A.N.C.E. - Justice from † (or Cross)

19:00 - Danger (feat. Tasha The Amazon) from 太鼓 (or Taiko)

It was a little odd to go back through my song list at random, I usually go with an album when I want to just listen to stuff. Certainly a fun exercise (though one album certainly wedged it’s way a little more than the others). It’s fun to see how my music library has become this mish mash time capsule. I honestly believe there’s a lot of solid electronic adjacent music in this list. 

I don’t quite know who to nominate next for this list. I think I’ll leave it here unless people riot. Oh well :P

[bergdg]

Bard Subclasses in One D&D

A recent playtest document for One D&D featured changes and updates to the Bard class, including one subclass for the full playtest experience. It got me thinking about what other subclasses we could see in the “One D&D Player’s Handbook,” as Jeremy Crawford Has revealed that the plan is to have 4 subclasses for each of the 12 base classes. So far, I’ve shared my thoughts on the Cleric subclasses.

As with my previous thoughts, I think the main subclasses we will first see in One D&D will strive to offer different playstyles for each class.

Let’s take a look at the Bard class. So far in fifth edition, there were 2 subclasses in the Player’s Handbook (PHB), 3 subclasses in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything (XGE), and 2 subclasses in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (TCE). In the Expert playtest document, the College of Lore subclass was given as the first of the four.

After looking through the list, I think we will see the College of Valor from the PHB (possibly seeing a combination of it and the College of Swords from XGE) and the College of Creation and College of Eloquence from TCE. Below the line, I’ll share why I would pick those three over the other options.

College of Creation

Both the increased lore offered in the playtest document and the lore for this college pull from the same source, the powers of creation from the beginning of the Multiverse. From the playtest document: “Bards believe that the creators of the multiverse spoke and signed it into existence and that remnants of those Words of Creation still resound and glimmer on every plane of existence.” And from the College of Creation: “That creative work included harmonies that continue to resound through existence today, a power known as the Song of Creation. The bards of the College of Creation draw on that primeval song through dance, music, and poetry…” So, having that flavor tie-in gives a lot of creative fodder when creating a character.

This subclass also has some light artificer qualities, with many features concerning creating/animating various objects. With the artificer being absent from the initial release of One D&D, this will give players another avenue to pursue that type of character (alongside the rock gnome).

College of Eloquence

If any subclass of the Bard screams “Face of the Party,” it’s this college. These bards are masters at persuasion and deception, and they do it without the trappings of being a musician. This will help drive home this statement from the playtest document: “Not every singer or poet in a tavern or jester in a royal court is a Bard. Harnessing the Words of Creation requires hard work and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack.”

College of Valor (and maybe some of Swords)

Flavor-wise, Valor Bards have been an important aspect of cultures from around the world; telling tales of victory in battle and inspiring those troops who are feeling disheartened. The College of Swords dabbles in some similar areas, and so it would make some sense of the One D&D offering brought the two together.

Mechanically wise, both the College of Valor and Swords are about combat, with extra armor and weapon training and getting Extra Attack at 6th level. Having a melee + support style bard would give a nice option for a player who wants to play in that archetype. With the right touch to merge the two subclasses into One, you could have a potent subclass option that could match up with other martial/magic mix subclasses, like the Eldritch Knight Fighter.

What are your thoughts? What three subclasses would you pick for the initial release of One D&D?

#one d&d #bard dnd #dungeons and dragons

[damedarcy]

1. The Chalice and the Blade , Our History , Our Future By : Raine Eisler New York, Harper Collins 1987     The Chalice and The Blade tells a new story of our current cultural origins.  It shows that warfare and the war of the sexes are neither divinely nor biologically ordained.  It proves verification that a better future is possible, and is in fact firmly rooted in the haunting dramas of what happened in our past. 2. A Time To Keep : The Tasha Tudor Book of Holidays NY Simon and Schuster 1977  My beloved Great Grandma signed this book as a gift when I was a child.  And it’s victorian country values and simple elegance influenced my drawing style and  philosophy for a lifetime.  3. The Classic Fairy Tales  By editor Maria Tatar , W.W. norton and co. 1999  The rendition of these classic fairytales show women our own herstory.  In a Patriarchal world like our true last names, given to us by our fathers, then changed by our husbands.  So much of our true linage , past , and wisdom,  is lost, appropriated, twisted and buried.  These classic tales remind us of who we really are.  4. Till We Have Faces  By: C. S. Lewis , Time Life Books 1956  A mythic tale about a remote God-haunted pagan kingdom filled with the divine magical terrifying and a static reality in which we all live now.  It is not an escape from life but the higher kind of fantasy that conveys the essence of things as they are in subtle symbolic terms. 5. Wuthering  Heights  By: Emily Bronte  Bantam Classics , originally published Dec. 1847 My personal take on this classic mother of all ghost stories, is that it’s a true depiction and definition of Soul Mates. How they are a mirror to your own self.  And if those who are fortunate enough in this lifetime to find their soulmate, can not step up to the tasks of communicating properly, and fixing whatever issues in yourself you see reflected in your soul mate, instead of having a life partner and source of strength to weather all storms of life.  The soul mates are doomed instead to be two halves of a whole. One a ghost , and the other alive but dead inside.  @damedarcy https://www.instagram.com/p/CjVUtFwuPcZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themculibrary]

Hanahaki Disease Masterlist

All the Fear and the Fire (ao3) - this_is_too_fyuckking_much sam/bucky T, 10k

Summary: Sam gives no thought to the persistent smell of flowers in the air wherever he goes.

----------------------------

Sam has trouble acknowledging or confronting his feelings for Bucky, especially since he couldn’t imagine Bucky ever feeling the same. His safe ignorance is broken by a cough that sticks around for too long.

Beyond Our Dreams (ao3) - thudworm tony/thor T, 1k

Summary: Apparently Hanahaki disease isn't a thing for Asgardians. Tony doesn't know if that makes it better or worse, since he's suffering it because of Asgardian.

But Not for Love (ao3) - Mireille steve/tony, minor pepper/tony T, 7k

Summary: Great. He was being murdered by a magical disease with a sense of humor.

Tony's coughing up flowers. The SHIELD database can't possibly be right about why.

i cried a constellation for you (ao3) - lmao_thunder, starksnack steve/tony T, 8k

Summary: Star Tear Disease. The internet tells him it’s deadly. It's not a very well-documented disease, officially at least, because it's been romanticized in the media for years but it's very real. As real as the glittering abominations clumped in his palm and soaked in tears. A grin curls onto Tony’s face. Maybe he’ll have enough to make his own American flag of unrequited love. Perhaps Steve would get a kick out of it.

Leave behind your heartache (cast away) (ao3) - Sparklefingers stephen/victor von doom E, 7k

Summary: In the evening, when his mask is removed, two small blue flowers fall out.

Hydrangeas, Victor realises.

This does not answer any of his questions. Neither do any of the books he consults before falling asleep in his library in the early hours of the morning.

No Ordinary Love (ao3) - TheFlashFic sam/bucky T, 11k

Summary: Bucky’s been magically cursed to be allergic to Sam Wilson.  

For fuck’s actual sake.

Oops, those are petals (ao3) - FawnoftheWoods bucky/tony N/R, 2k

Summary: Bucky's gone on a mission with Tasha and he left Steve to keep Tony safe while he's gone. But Tony is coughing an awful lot. What's going on?

Proof I Can Feel (ao3) - Remember When (scribblemyname) bruce/natasha G, 1k

Summary: Finding love in the middle of a war, in the middle of defection and rewriting your own identity down to your bones, it’s the fairy tale story neither of them can find it in themselves to believe.

She’s a creature of blood, he thinks. Red suits her. When he sees her brush off a blood-soaked red petal from a uniform drenched in the blood of her enemies and rub the streak from near her mouth with a shrug, he thinks it’s a strange sort of poetry. Somehow it’s beautiful.

The Winter Aconites (ao3) - Nameless_Hanna sam/bucky T, 4k

Summary: Whether Bucky doesn't love him anymore, or never loved him in the first place doesn't matter, because it wouldn't change the results –which is Sam getting the Hanahaki Disease.

turquoise petals on my fingers, in my lungs (ao3) - mish_mish steve/tony N/R, 2k

Summary: hanahaki disease AU

The heart crumbles in his hands, something whines lingeringly in his chest and beautiful turquoise flowers twist around his ribs. Stephen Strange knows what that means. He already feels the velvety petals sticking to his throat and choked him, when he looks at Tony Stark a little longer.

Where Flowers Bloom (ao3) - MarvelousMenagerie (HiddenOne) bucky/tony T, 9k

Summary: Bucky wakes up to rose petals on his pillow, petals he coughed up during the night. He knows exactly who the petals are for, and he's excited. All he needs now is a plan.

A fluffy hanahaki disease twist, in which coughing up petals isn't lethal - it's just a sign that you're in love, and you woo your intended with your beautiful bouquet of affection.

where flowers bloom (so does hope) (ao3) - hollyandvice (hiasobi_writes) steve/tony T, 7k

Summary: There's something ethereal about the man that has Steve's heart humming in his chest, and not in the way that means he's coming down with something. His eyes are roving over the street, catching on things that Steve can't identify. It's like he's trying to rebuild the street with the power of his mind alone, and for a second, Steve believes that he could. This man just doesn't belong at the entrance to a Brooklyn tenement building with wide eyes and fluffy hair and a lost expression on his face.

A strange man shows up in Steve's life, only to disappear just as abruptly, leaving Steve behind with a chest full of flowers. Steve doesn't expect to find him again, but he'll live this life as long as the flowers will let him. He owes Anthony that much.

white petals stained red (ao3) - scriptatur bucky/steve/tony T, 2k

Summary: When the first petal falls, he’s not even surprised. He’s not quite sure who it is, but that’s not really a surprise either. Only he could be so lucky to fall in love with two people at the same time. Unrequited love, that is, hence the petals falling from his lips. Tony stares at the two white petals in his hand, feels the back of his throat itch and thinks “Oh. This is it, then.”

Winter Jasmine (ao3) - Larilyn bucky/darcy G, 1k

Summary: Darcy has made it her mission to make Bucky Barnes smile. And Darcy never fails on her missions.

#themculibrary #mcu #marvel #hanahakidisease #hanahakidisease masterlist #masterlists #illnesses

[jessimmersimqueen]

Life in Long Beach: Images from my early childhood

Take a trip back to late 1970s- early 1980s Long Beach, CA. This video is part auto-biography, part therapy, part fairy tale, and all California history. The Chortkoff Archives is a start up non-profit. We worked with the worlds smallest budget to accomplish my epic and ambitious vision! I think you will find this video is fast paced and an enjoyable way to spend 47 quick minutes. Please leave respectful comments. I don't even want to say how long I have been working on this one! I had the idea way back in 2013. That year my childhood home was up for sale and I called the real-estate agent who was only interested in selling the house and I said all the wrong things. So I just thought about it and eventually this was made. The interiors were recreated in The Sims 2, and you get a video walkthrough. So come check out my simulated time machine! Let's go to Long Beach back to the groovy and awesome late 70s early 1980s LA! There is a little something for everyone here! If you like animation, California history, video games, or grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, I think you will like this! If you have lost loved ones and family you will relate to it. If you had a unique childhood I think you will like it too. It is a story about picking up a little girl I left behind in LB in 1985! I had a big story to tell but no budget. I have big visions that I hope to bring to the big screen someday! Hopefully this video will help gain me the popularity I need to buy camera stabilizers, microphones, actors, and sets. Maybe a small camera crew someday! But all I had was a Canon 6D and it's built in microphone. But I got the sound down pretty well anyway! Thanks to Will Wright for inventing the Sims games. They have helped me work through the tough processing of everyday life. I recreated my childhood from memory. I also include a lot of interesting historic facts and elements to make this enlightening for everyone. I exorcized some childhood demons too! I recommend going back and writing out your story from birth! It was hard to keep this under an hour long because I began to remember so much stuff! Plus as I reached out I found my Cuz Peter Shaw, nephew of my beloved grandpa Thomas. I did not see a photo of my grandfather from the age of 10 until about 7 years ago when my dad, Rand Chortkoff passed. He had them! Cuz Peter also hooked me up with lots of photos of grandpa! I have yet to find where my grandparents are buried. This goes by fast and is light and fun I think! It is not made for children, but it is from my inner child's point of view. I would rate it PG. Safe for work, safe for TV, and probably just fine for children but viewer discretion is advised. And PLEASE subscribe to my Youtube! Life in Long Beach Images from my early childhood (and today) All photo restoration, digitalization, animation, and photo and video editing by Jessica Chortkoff Story by Jessica Chortkoff Featuring Jessica Chortkoff and Tasha Ayame Vest as themselves. Kiimm Vi as herself. All Original paintings by Jessica Chortkoff Images of maps and street photos by Google Maps. Other Sources include: Ancestry.com Familysearch.org http://calheights.org/community-event... https://www.longbeach.gov/park/recrea... Vintage Photos: [email protected] "Chewing Gum" Performed by Annie Produced by Richard X Written by Richard X and Hannah Robinson Published by Universal Music Publishing on behalf of Native Songs / Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (P) 2004 679 Recordings Ltd. By arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing "Sim 2 Theme" "Sim Sation" "Sim Time Sim Place" "Makeover" "Sims Heartbeat" "Busy Sim" "Sim Heaven" "Sim the Builder" "Sim shopping Spree" By Mark Mothersbaugh "Funky Suspense" by Ben Sound "Big Day Out" "Hep Cat Jive" "Rendevous" "Call of the Mountains" "Toys" by Purple Planet Music Bells by Sukhavati (Tasha Ayame vest- Bells and Nick Vest- Guitar) "Popeye the Sailor Man" by Sammy Lerner sung by William Costello "Neighborhood 2" by Marc Russo and Jerry Martin Additional music by Ben Sound and Apple Special thanks Tasha Vest: Driver/lunch Also Nick Vest Rich Riggio (emotional support) Peter Shaw (research and photo-achive) Angel Heart (she knows) Will Wright EA Games (Simulation software) All characters created by Jessica Chortkoff and the Chortkoff Archives 2022

#youtube #Jessica #chortkoff #sims #sims2 #marriage #Las Vegas #Last Frontier #sukhavati #mark mothersbaugh #popeye #grandfather #grandmother #nana #family #architecture #long beach #california #family search #schwinn #stingray #art #paintings #original content #animation #therapy #ptsd #ptsdawareness #ancestry #gaming

[mydarlinginej]

read my full review of what souls are made of by tasha suri here.

What Souls Are Made Of, British Fantasy Award-winning author Tasha Suri’s masterful new take on Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, will leave readers breathless. As the abandoned son of a Lascar—a sailor from India—Heathcliff has spent most of his young life maligned as an “outsider.” Now he’s been flung into an alien life in the Yorkshire moors, where he clings to his birth father’s language even though it makes the children of the house call him an animal, and the maids claim he speaks gibberish.

Catherine is the younger child of the estate’s owner, a daughter with light skin and brown curls and a mother that nobody talks about. Her father is grooming her for a place in proper society, and that’s all that matters. Catherine knows she must mold herself into someone pretty and good and marriageable, even though it might destroy her spirit.

As they occasionally flee into the moors to escape judgment and share the half-remembered language of their unknown kin, Catherine and Heathcliff come to find solace in each other. Deep down in their souls, they can feel they are the same.

But when Catherine’s father dies and the household’s treatment of Heathcliff only grows more cruel, their relationship becomes strained and threatens to unravel. For how can they ever be together, when loving each other—and indeed, loving themselves—is as good as throwing themselves into poverty and death?

my review:

Although I haven’t read Wuthering Heights, I couldn’t wait to read Tasha Suri’s reimagining of it. I’ve loved her previous books so I was excited to see how she would approach this, especially for her first young adult novel and I was not disappointed! Stunningly gorgeous, What Souls Are Made Of tells a haunting tale of finding identity and a sense of belonging.

When Heathcliff is brought into Cathy‘s family as a child, the two of them quickly became friends. However, now, he has run away to Liverpool to start a new life there. Cathy mourns the loss of his presence but tries to pull herself together as a proper lady in order to marry her betrothed Edgar. Although separated, they both go through similar journeys of discovering new things about their identities and who they truly are.

Again, I haven’t read Wuthering Heights and only knew a little about it previously, mostly a few famous quotes. Prior to reading this book, I did read the Wikipedia page so I knew the bare bones of the plot. From my understanding of the characters, I think the way Tasha Suri reimagined this story with two protagonists of Indian descent living in England was incredibly well done. In the original novel, I don’t fully understand why Heathcliff and Cathy feel so closely bound to each other, but in this novel, it is clear that their stolen identities tie them to each other, even before they fully understand them.

In her author’s note, Suri talks about why she chose to set this book during the time period of Wuthering Heights where “Heathcliff first runs away, and Cathy is left behind.” She calls this book “a reimagining in which they discover things about themselves that set them on a different and more hopeful path.” I also like how she notes that in the original story, Cathy is never a narrator and that in this novel, she “wanted to give them both the chance to speak. And I wanted to give them roots.”

read my full review here.

#what souls are made of #tasha suri #reviews #book reviews #booklr #mine #link #q