Rafstan

Because Theodora is, at the moment, only 4 episodes away from the end, I didn't go into the story blind. I knew about almost all the wow moments... and that didn't ruin the experience in the slightest.

I could gush about the author's writing forever, I was beyond impressed with... everything really, the atmosphere, the dialogue, the characters, the story, the descriptions, the MC's introspection, I can't find one thing to complain about when it comes to the style of writing and expressing. It never felt like serious matters were described too superficially, without giving sufficient attention, or too pretentiously, where it's just so artificial to the point of boredom; it stayed just on the line between too little and too much, keeping the reader entertained without feeding them gallons of information.

Maybe the season 3 finale will blow my mind, but honestly season 1 just set the bar so high everything after that just felt like "ok, moving on". This isn't at all an insult to the other two seasons, quite the opposite, I liked how season 2 gave wayyyy more attention to the MC and really dived into her head, because it makes sense. Season 1 takes a very mortal and human Theodora into unprecedented violence and suffering, especially for a woman whose previous concerns were homemaker articles. People are in pain and reality isn't safe. The fate of the burlesque dancers and Madame's unfinished business are serious problems (prostitution, abuse, drugs, abandonment), and very important at that moment, but they are fragments of other people's lives, the MC is mostly an observer, it can't even come close to the trauma of season 1. The story is coming to an end, but it's a handful of people against the villain, not innocent civilians resorting to suicide to remain on their land, coercion on top of coercion, lynching and so on. Season 1 instills terror, it shows not only the extreme fragility of human lives, how easy everything can be taken from you, but also human cruelty and sadism. Neumann isn't a supernatural creature, he's very much human and very much terrifying. I liked how there seemed to be no justice for the bad guys in season 1 and 2, it felt more realistic especially because it is unfair.

I loved how the characters were never put in the background even if they weren't the MCs LI. Being allowed to still have friendships while in a relationship and invest in those friendships is amazing. All the characters felt like humans with real lives that don't revolve around the MC, they didn't disappear if Theodora wasn't into them and their lives didn't start with her. Creating such a strong sense of family in every season with a new cast is also appreciated; even if it seems like a short time the pacing never felt rushed (it is a bit wonky in the last season but not enough to be a problem for me).

The LIs are just great. None of them really lacked anything, everything I said above applies to all of them. I didn't mind at all the "oh shit here we go again" because it perfectly showed the fact that yes, the MC is immortal and everyone around her will die, over and over again. This is where John falls into the soulmate trope thing. I casually romanced him and while I would've liked to be with him in the last season, it wasn't my fault he was in the same season with Charlotte. Regardless, I liked the "demon is soft for human, they are bffs" and John giving literally everything for Theodora with no expectations is my new addiction (though I do want to romance him properly after the story is finished). I could read whole episodes of just their interactions, not even interesting ones, like training or yearning for each other, just... having breakfast and discussing the news, or walking in the park like an old couple.

Now, the MC my beloved

From a young, inexperienced but very determined journalist who wants to make the world proud and her name known to a sad, self destructive and lonely woman, forced to live her life without end, Theodora's mind is really entertaining. Every time she got into her own head, every emotion or lack of emotion, every breakdown, it was all so authentic, I felt what she was feeling having never been in those situations myself. A character drowning in solitude and despair who occasionally sees the light just to be plunged over and over again in the dark and still go on with her life (I mean there's no choice but still).

I liked that she never fell into the not-like-other-girls mess, there was always a sense of solidarity between her and other women, more or less similar to her, without it being exploited to ridiculous levels. She wasn't above anyone but also didn't force camaraderie.

Tbh I would've been fine having like 7 more seasons of Theodora just... living her life in different places while spiralling into madness and alcoholism; that's how good she is. I think overall the characters in this book really tie everything together, like they're the cherry on top but also the frosting and main flavour of the cake.

I devoured this story, I don't even care if the ending won't be satisfactory, the first two season were just mind-blowing. I don't even know what else is there to be said, everything is so good, from the visuals, the music and noises, the CGs, to the writing itself.