Val's Book Nook

Welcome everyone! Here's a quick introduction to me and my blog!

NAME: Val/Valerian

PRONOUNS: she/they/he. Anything goes. My gender is anything you want it to be!

LIKES: reading (duh), (physical) books, drawing, painting, arts and crafts, MUSIC!!!, winter, medieval stuff

DISLIKES: Common sense DNI stuff, zionists, MAGA supporters (ewewew!!!)

BOOK FANDOMS: PAX, Septimus Heap, Realm of the Elderlings, the First Law, Bartimaeus Trilogy, Kingkiller Chronicle

My favourite characters: Jezal dan Luthar, FitzChivarly Farseer, Burrich, Nighteye, Alrik and Viggo Delling, Marcia Overstrand

EXTRA: English is not my first language, so I might get things wrong in my posts since I'm just translating them raw. Also. I am a homosexual! I LOVE fantasy books and probably will only write about those here.

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I started this blog to share my opinions on books that I read. That's it. It's either to vent my frustrations or to share my joys.

The series I'm talking about is PAX by Åsa Larsson. And it's not that the book is bad–it's because it is just that unknown. I'm not even sure if it's fully translated in English. (English is my second language. PAX is fully translated in my first one 😎). BUT THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT.

I really, really recommend this series. It's a children's series, yes, but it is just so interesting. It's a mix of supernatural elements, mystery, Swedish mythology and brotherhood.

It basically talks about two brothers who move into a foster home (with very loving parents!). They get in trouble, come upon some real and scary shit, get out of the shit, fall into it again. It's a real rollercoaster with very likeable characters! Like, I love the main characters so much! <3 Alrik and Viggo Delling... ah, so sweet.

And dear gods—the art. The damn art in these books. It is so beautiful. It's this black-and-white comic style. Marvel comic style. It has so much motion, detail and emotion. Absolutely beautiful. Here's on example:

PAX is just too underrated. I'm literally the only fan :(. Okay, for the record, there is a half-assed Fandom.com page in Polish, but it's not enough. I need people to know about this, read the books and appreciate it with me!

But damn, it doesn't have a single fic on Ao3. Not a single one. And I'm about to create the first one. I'm not giving any promises, but I'm really tempted to do it.

On the note of fancreations, I'm also planning to draw fanart. (Surprise, surprise, I can draw!) On one hand, I don't care that PAX has no fans and I'm creating art for an empty gallery. On the other hand, I want someone to appreciate the work! I want others to create! It's a damn struggle.

I'm kind of rambling here, but I have to get it out of my system. I never see anyone talk about this. I think I have seen ONE (1) post about PAX on Tumblr. That's IT.

Also the writing?? I know it's a children's book and written in a simplistic manner, but it tackles difficult themes at times. I was sobbing at the end of the last book. And I had never cried to a book before. So, PLEASE, just give it a chance. Find it in your local library or on the internet and try it out. It really is worth it, trust me.

The first book is called "Nidstangen" in English. Translated from my first language the title is "The Magic Staff" or "The Cursed Staff". Sounds pretty childish, but damn—the premise is pretty damn scary and the illustrations really add on to it.

So, I finished the book.

Overall, it was pretty damn awesome. I especially liked the end sequence where everything was going well for Kvothe: he had money, friends and just had fun. I was heartwarming to read ❤️.

It almost felt like the end. I *would have* accepted it as the end, only if he had solved the Chandrian and Amyr mystery. So, I googled to see what the next book was like, only to see IT HASN'T BEEN RELEASED YET. I read some reddit posts and IT WOULD PROBABLY NEVER RELEASE. Gods, how it frustrated me.

I *love* books. I love long series with 1500+ pages. I was on the euphoria train of the Kingkiller Chronicles and *really* wanted to read the next part. The knowledge that it would probably never come, left me a bit bothered–not to say empty. Like an itch you can't scratch or a thing you–for the life of it–can't remember.

I would have really wanted to learn about the Chandrian or Amyr. There was such a threatening and mysterious vibe around them... *sigh* Well, I just got to get over it. That's life. *shrug*

But I will be VERY happy when the third book releases.

Overall, the Kingkiller Chronicles was an awesome series and I really recommend it, despite the third book situation (damn you, Rothfuss!) and the ickier parts I mentioned in my last post. But if those things don't bother you, GO FOR IT! The adventures of Kvothe are waiting for you!

It made me laugh a lot, made me gasp in shock and so on. I have a whole stack of sticky notes what I annotated the book with. (It was a library book, couldn't write inside lol)

I'm like 70% done with the book, but I have some comments...

First of all, why make Kvothe sleep with the Felurian? He's 16??? Also, now he's apparently some kind of seduction expert. Idk, I liked my virgin Kvothe a bit more. Just because he had a flaw–something that made him human, y'know. Now I get the feeling that he's this... unrelateable character. He's so smart, he's so good with women, he knows everything, learns super fast etc. Now he's not as relateable anymore.

Secondly, am I the only one who felt like he had a situationship with Tempi...? I'm not through the Ademre Arc yet, so I don't know how it plays out, but they had so much chemistry. Kvothe was a bit oblivious, but I feel like Tempi definitely felt *something*. Also, Marten called Tempi "his mercenary" (Kvothe's). Others definitely saw the tension, too. Tempi felt totally at ease, being naked in front of Kvothe *while Kvothe blushed beet red*. Straight? Nah. Tempi taught Kvothe Ketani even when it could get him in trouble.

Lastly, the Felurian Arc was very weird. As I already mentioned, Kvothe was 16. SIXTEEN. Okay, Felurian is a Fae and they have some other morals, but to me–the reader–it was an odd experience. Especially with the implied SA that Kvothe went through/almost went through. It was strong enough to snap him out of the Felurian's charm. And then he slept with her?? Tens of times?? Maybe it's just me.