#shadow rising

Rand and Co. travel to the Aiel waste, where he and Mat enter  Rhuidean, followed by Moiraine and Aviendha. We don’t know what the girls see/do, but we do for Mat and Rand. Mat goes through the arches, thinking its the same as before but of course its not, and he gets into trouble. I am enjoying actually getting to see Mat’s personality and character develop. 

Rand experiences his ancestors history through their eyes. It honestly took me awhile to figure out what was going on, and I didn’t realize he witnessed the hole being drilled into the Dark Ones prison until I went back to read a summery of what had happened. I think it’s a unique plot device, explaining the history in a way that’s interesting and relevant to the characters.  

And we get another little bubble of evil, nice to see those aren’t a ‘one and done’ sort of thing.

Rereading right now, I still agree with my younger self that the magical duels are really exciting and well set up. Even knowing what happens I’m still glued to the pages in these moments and they really get me. So, I’d still say it’s worth reading the books for these.

Half way through “Shadow rising” I remember why I really dislike almost all the canon ships. Or I should probably rather say that I dislike how they every conflict in any ship is based on “men are from Mars, women are from Venus” gender essentialism. The only exception is Lan/Nynaeve. They have a real hindrance because of their duties. It’s just not good writing if the problem of every relatonship could just be solved by: Let’s talk for about half an hour. I mean, objectively I know that sometimes people do not talk, but it’s way too much.

Some minor things bug me that I read over the first time around. Jordan has an immense cast and he usually is attentive to details. But sometimes he is just not. In “The Dragon Reborn” Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are really a very short time at the Tower, a fortnight perhaps, if even that. And yet Laras, the cook, already challenges the Amyrlin because of their exhausting time in the kitchen. Sry, not sry, a few days scrubbing pots does not endanger the wondergirls’ health. This is a minor point, but I remember that later on, this is more of a problem: This and this has to happen really affects character consistency.

And though I loved Perrin and Faile in “The Dragon Reborn” all their conflict in “Shadow Rising” seems so forced. And then I remember that it will become worse.

GASP. New favorite comment, on an edited updated copy of a 20 year old fic.

"I forgot how trippy this was. But it's such a deep dive for all of us not just Mike and the boys. There is a lot of background we don't know about. But that's OK, because we see the important bits and pieces as we go.

Out of many of your stories this one seems to be more, viscera. Though I'm not sure if that's the right term. It's raw and painful, we're experiencing Mikey's trauma with him. Following the flight of thoughts and fears along this winding path into neverland; where we are unsure how to escape. Or even if we want to escape. Our own truths are hidden in the narrative, we're just as lost as he is and we're all finding our way out of the dark."

@silexwitch

I actually forgot about everything I could do with this.

Here is a brief introduction to each of my main current aus. All aus feature LGBTQ+ characters, naming systems, and accurate genetics.

Wind!Holly Rewrite:

AU where Hollyleaf is raised in WindClan, focusing on arcs 3 and 4. My own interpretation of canon, sometimes referred to as my general rewrite (usually in reference to events before Power of the Stars). All other aus use this one as a base up until arc 3. Early arcs feature a distant, unknowable StarClan whose very existence is sometimes doubted, while later arcs are closely related to the rising prominence of StarClan and the effects of their meddling in the world of the living. A bunch of kids are visited by spirits from beyond the grave, powers and prophecies abound, and family problems only complicate everything. Tagged as “whr”.

Royalty AU:

AU where leadership is inherited a la European primogeniture. Closely follows whr in most aspects. Not focused on any specific arc or character. Tagged as “royalty au”.

Shadow Rising:

An au where Darktail is the son of Sol and Blackstar and may or may not be part of the kin of your kin prophecy. Arc 3 and 4 focused, featuring a lineage system and SkyClan. Pre-arc 3 follows royalty au. Tagged as “shadow rising”.

Blood Skies:

AU where Tigerclaw succeeds in becoming ThunderClan’s leader and forms TigerClan, exiling Fireheart and his close followers. Fireheart establishes SkyClan at the gorge, and several moons later, receives a prophecy and a reminder that the clans still need him. Also, BloodClan is a thing. Arc 2 rewrite featuring completely different main characters (Whitepaw, anyone?). Lies and loyalty, royalty and revenge. Pre arc 1 follows whr. Tagged as “blood skies”.

Fire Shadows:

An enterprising Brokenstar sends patrols into Twolegplace to recruit/kidnap cats into ShadowClan. A young kittypet, eager to see what lies beyond his fence, joins ShadowClan, and becomes Firepaw, Brokenstar’s own apprentice. Arc 1 focused. Pre arc 1 follows whr. Tagged as “fire shadows”.

Warriors asoiaf au: