We Set the Dark on Fire Book Tag

Did I say you wouldn’t see much from me this month?

I LIED.

So far, NaNoWriMo has made me super productive about blogging, unpacking, and cleaning my apartment.

It’s a mixed blessing.

When Leelynn made an original book tag based on We Set the Dark on Fire, a book I haven’t read, I decided to take part to avoid my draft support her.

Leelynn also made these graphics, which – AS ALWAYS – look great and make it easier to participate in the tag.

Artemis Fowl?

My only other picks are Kaz Brekker or Kyoya Ootori and I hate both of them.

Wait…there’s an Artemis Fowl movie out next year?

I’m so out-of-touch, I swung all the way back around to relevant.

 

(Spoilers for Avalon: Web of Magic)

There are better characters for this prompt, but you want to know which one is my favorite?

KARA DAVIES!!!!

I used to resent her for being rich, popular, blonde, AND A PRINCESS.

Since then, I have worked through my issues and embraced her character.

I think I love Kara’s unapologetic pursuit of power the most.

Heroines don’t get to be ambitious very often in literature, much less middle-grade fantasy.

ALSO: Kara once stabbed a dragon right in the heart.

So cool.

 

UGHGHGHGHGHG.

Let’s START with Rylan from Defy.

“How dare you fall for the prince, Alexa, when I’ve loved you all this time!”

BRUH. SHE DOESN’T LIKE YOU. Get OVER yourself.

And, UGH, because he PISSED ME OFF RECENTLY, let’s not forget DEAN from Gilmore Girls, the guy who broke up with his girlfriend ON THE SPOT because she didn’t want to say “I love you” right away.

“BUT I MADE YOU THIS CAAAAAAAAARRRRR.”

LOVE IS NOT A TRANSACTION, DEAN.

 

While reading How to Be an Antiracist, I kept comparing the material to Ijeoma Oluo’s So You Want to Talk About Race.

Where Oluo focuses on systems, Ibram X. Kendi focuses on individual experiences.

I didn’t know how to parse the differences between the two texts.

I need to read more antiracist perspectives from black authors.

 

Far From the Tree is about siblings, I still haven’t reread it, I want to, I don’t have time.

This book shows how, for adoptees, biological family can become family of choice.

THIS BOOK BROKE MY HEART.

Tangent: I am SO glad that both of Maya’s families accepted her sexuality.

Also, Joaquin’s entire relationship with his foster parents HURT ME.

 

Once upon a time, preacher’s kid Billie McAffrey set the youth room on fire…

…and I loved her for it.

As a bonus, Eowyn went to war even though her brother and uncle told her to stay home.

I know writing female-led fantasy wasn’t Tolkien’s bag, but I would have loved an Eowyn spin-off.

Is that what The Song of the Lioness books were?

Did I get my wish?

 

After a long hiatus from A Darker Shade of Magic, I finally got back into it and WOW.

THE VIOLENCE.

Kell does something questionable for…reasons, and a mysterious something spreads through questionable means.

I was Team Holland before, but now…?

That man is AWFUL.

 

I wish I had written Texts From Jane Eyre and that’s all there is to it.

I will always support parodies of popular literature.

I have to buy this book on my next Powell’s trip. It’s required reading.

 

My book! The book I’m writing for National Novel Writing Month!

It has EVERYTHING:

Bi bois!

Gingers!

Existential dread!

Twins!

Amateur filmmaking!

Cat co-parenting!

Tarot cards!

Rude baristas!

Scorpios!!!

At the moment, I’m calling it Tropical Storm.

It’s a working title. Be patient.

 

You know what you did, Wayward Son.

How dare you waste my time.

 

I name Vivian Carter the Patron Saint of Intersectional Feminism.

I still think she should ditch her boyfriend.

Otherwise, I trust her guidance!

 

I don’t know if I’m ready for Carmen Maria Machado’s memoir about past abuse.

In the Dream House looks fantastic…but I will need to gear up for it.

You may see more posts from me yet.

I’m using blogging as a warm-up for working on my draft.

It’s helped me so far.

If you need a warm-up or you just like doing tags, take part in this fun one.

I tag you.