#mara posts

Did it have potential? Possibly. I wouldn't have minded it if it was developed since book one and James didn't have as much history with Rafal.

Is it for poor single Rafal who didn't get anyone? Eh, not that either. (Though the lack of closure was admittedly annoying.)

I just felt like I could relate to Kyma about the whole boys thing, and the way James treated her in the beginning was similar to my experiences. (Basically, immature, rude, even physically violent boys. Mostly the former though)

Maybe they would have been better if James slowly outgrew his belief that girls are a waste of time and they became a platonic pair. But honestly, I'm questioning if James even realized the error of his ideas, because to the very end, he had some of the "me and the boys mentality."

And when James was consumed by Rhian's magic in that one part where he physically hurt Kyma-- no. I'm sorry, but that's a big nope for me. I don't care if he was "possessed" or whatever. How can any girl love someone after that?? He was choking her. And when she "saves" him, that also felt off, because it reflects the whole idea that women can save their man from his vices and problems! She just has to love him! Which shouldn't be a message to people, because nobody can save anybody from their vices if they aren't the person themselves. Also, this was after he saved her, so this seems to be this push-pull thing where it's frustrating, and Kyma deserves something happier than that to be honest.

James saw loving a girl as a distraction to his goals, got defensive over Kyma asking a question to me/confronting him, and even gave her what she herself called a "backhanded compliment." Immature boy but he gets the girl in the end. Aladdin was also superficial and immature.

I could tell James respected Rafal-- a guy-- and he sure as hell didn't see him as an obstacle or he being attractive an issue. he invited him to Neverland. But with Kyma? The whole "because you're pretty" was just so... off and the way he kept putting her down for being on the crew was annoying.

So yeah, i dislike the ship because James seemed to be that kind of boy towards her.

Since it won the poll, I'll explain a bit about my world.

I am actually tempted to start with Mira's world since that's a bit more fleshed out.

Remi's country and Mira's are at the brink of a war.

Remi's country is outdated and it exploits electrons and neutrons, prevents access to social media, etc. Remi's father is an extremist who keeps the people wallowing in victimhood until they fight it.

Surprisingly, Remi's country has a higher literacy rate and they score higher on tests than Mira's country, the supposedly free democratic developed country.

Mira's country has a low literacy rate and most people can't even do basic math. They're fully drugged and drunk, and indoctrinated and that's the only thing they know. They are very blessed with things someone like Remi doesn't have and yet they pull the oppression card.

And they are so stupid and weak they can't defend their own country from Remi's country or from slipping into a society that legalizes genocide and eugenics. these bozos even think people who were considered awful in the past were groundbreaking and amazing, and of course, they put it on the internet.

Mira's mother is a scientist that is one of the main proponents of the whole eugenics thing and is in cahoots with the President.

"Es'cuse me mister!"

"D'you know what they're doo'n to my dad?"

Ooo interesting ask!

I think some favorite tropes are marriage of convenience (or inconvenience in some cases)/arranged marriage as long as the development is done right and there is no major power imbalance or anything. Honestly, it's probably the one of the only tropes I would read a romance book for. (But also it needs to have plot) Another thing I love is when the story tricks you and everything you thought was real was a lie, but again it has to be done really well, because wasted potential (like Fall) just sucks. One good example of that is Caraval. I enjoy themes of poisoning and murder mystery and anything that has a supernatural or paranormal vibe to it. Gods/power vs mortals with the mortals learning how to survive and flip off these powerful beings, humanity for the win! Enemies to lovers but well-developed and not just a copy of a copy. I know there are iconic couples people try to get inspired from but sometimes it feels unoriginal.

I like cases where the protagonist tries to help but ends up being tone deaf at times and makes things worse? The example that comes to mind right now is not a book, but a movie.

Feminine characters that are not airheads, weak, or hated by the "I'm not like other girls" MC. Actually, let's have girls and women supporting each other. It makes stories less infuriating to read. Also men who are attractive by personality or energy and NOT by constant depiction of his abs or whatever like it's getting so OLD. And maybe move on from blonds for a little.

Found family or a familial relationship that isn't blood based like adoption.

Reincarnation (whether there's second chance love involved, well, as with all second chances it has to be written good enough) or spirits guiding their loved ones!

My favorite endings are bittersweet endings where it isn't fully happy but not excruciatingly sad either. (I mean I love tragic endings though but happy endings get old) Something with a touch of realism for the characters or a believable state of mind.

Archetypes? Hmm probably Mentors, Mother's, Rulers, Villains, Rebels and Tricksters. (If this is the character type meant)

I see how they view you

Always so awed

While I’m pushed to the side

Forget how it’s me always talking

It’s me that always tries 

And I hate that you constantly mock

How I often cry

When I see who you are

And how you act

A part of me dies

What is so hard?

Why are you often sharp?

Can you just stop cutting through me?

Can you just see that I’m a human that makes mistakes?

That maybe, just maybe, i will never be as fucking good as you?

You act like you’re brave and you say that I’m weak

And if not with words it’s by that condescending way you speak

Yet explain why you are the run who runs away?

I want to be perfect

I want to be fucking perfect

Good and kind

I wish I was like you

I wish I didn’t love like you

I wish I had no heart like you

I wish I was cold like you

All I really wanted was your kindness

All I really wanted was one good word

I wanted to be enough

You blame me for seeking more

But why are you never happy with me?

I’m sorry that I got your blood on my hands

Do I even care?

You were happy 

You dared

You were willing to leave me to die

Our relationship is a lie

I want to be perfect

I want to be fucking perfect

Good and kind

I wish I was like you

I wish I didn’t love like you

I wish I had no heart like you

I wish I was cold like you

I guess now that you’re gone all of that is true

To them I am perfect

I am the one

I don’t love you (you didn't love me that much anyway)

I have no heart because you burnt it all up

Now I’m cold like you

@liketwoswansinbalance

I don't know why, but an SGE related musical would be fun. Not just already existing pop songs but original songs too.