LIGHTLARK RANT
I'm mainly going to be addressing the major hate posts that I saw. I don't want people in the replies talking about "you forgot about this!" or "You didn't talk about how____". Don't be that person. If some of this stuff is incorrect, I want someone to correct me. Not with a counterargument, but with what actually happened in the book. My memory is a bit hazy.
I searched up #lightlark and expected to find others who enjoyed Alex Asters book to the level that I do, but no. Within the entire 10 minutes that I scrolled, I only saw about 5 posts of people who actually liked it.
If you don't like the concept at first glance, nobody is telling you to read it ml. Nobody is forcing you to pluck every single book in the series from Barnes & Noble, just so you can be able to write an extremely detailed, abhorrent review. I know I might get some strong opinions about this, but pointing out every little miniscule detail to whine about isn't going to put you higher on the podium. Though, I completely understand that some people might find the plot and writing style a little weird; everyone has a different opinion.
A lot of the complaints that I actually bothered to read were talking about how the rulers lives being bound to their people was not a good choice, but I respectfully don't agree. Not everything is going to be peace and sunshine, and there are going to be major obstacles and responsibilities. Especially for rulers.
Near the beginning of the book, it says that rulers were responsible for using their power to keep their realm alive and thriving, which is usually what rulers are supposed to do given their high status. If the ruler dies, obviously their realm is going to die with it unless they have an heir. Which, of course, none of them did because of the Centennial.
Some of you guys act like Isla chooses to constantly get herself in danger. What she chooses to do--even if it doesn't turn out well--is always for the better of her people. Yet ya'll act like she throws herself off of cliffs for the love of the game.
I've also seen people complaining about how Alex doesn't know enough about politics, and...what was the point of even saying that? Lightlark doesn't take place on earth. It's a fantasy world with castles and powers and realms with rules that aren't going to line up with the governments that are here.
This one is actually so unnecessary: OP's complaining about quotes like "who did this to you?" are cringing so goddamn violently. As if one of the MC's just said some millennial cringe line while howling at a full moon with red eyes. But...all of these booktok people would be giggling and kicking their feet if it was literally any other book. Interesting.
It's also gotten to a point where people are hating on the fanart, as well as the people who made it. That issue speaks for itself.
A lot of you need to realize that this is a fantasy world made up by Alex Aster with the rules that she wants to implement. Rulers wear their crowns all of the time, they have powers, there are different government systems, and again, authors have different writing styles. Every author is different, has had different tutors (if any), and some get inspiration from the writing styles of other books that they have read.
The amount of people comparing the situations in Lightlark to real life happenings, and going on to say that it "isn't realistic" are something else. Nothing about fantasy books are realistic. Are you going to read about somebody coming back to life and complain that it isn't realistic? Or are you going to read about a creature that the author created themselves, and piss your pants about how their trying to be different? (yes, I've seen that before.) Get a grip.
Just so people don't think that I'm bowing at Alex Aster's feet, here are some things that I agree with in terms of criticism:
-The dislike towards Isla's obnoxious stack of powers. She was born Wildling and Nightshade, along with her two flairs, Oro and Grims's powers, Starling abilities, and probably more. It's unnecessary, and makes her seem more like a god then one of the six rulers.
-Some of the questionable lines such as "clad in her dagger filled pants." Even so, some of you all don't need to vomit up insults or bash her head with a rock about it. I never thought that I'd see so much hate over somebody having a different writing style. A lot of writers write because they like to do it, not to please every single reader. Of course, I'm not excusing bad grammar as a writing style. There are just pointless things that you guys choose to hate on.
-The dragged love corner. It should have ended some time ago. But this is MY OPINION: I like the suspense. Especially because I'm team Oro, and I want Isla to swerve away from Grim at the end.
-The cheap merch. It's all printed. I will admit that I like some of the hoodie designs, but the merchandise with square, no frame photos of fanart look unprofessional.
