Onyx’s
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(group member since Oct 10, 2013)
Onyx’s
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from the Captivated group.
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fantastic, fantastic video where Pacat discusses her favorite sci-fi book "Ancillary Justice" (and then has intelligent debates with other guests on the show!)http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday...
Welcome to all the new members!! I can't believe we're over 500 now :D
Wallawoo wrote: "Hi everyone! I just finished KR and really wanted to have intense discussions with people, so here I am :D"welcome wallawoo!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sc...a blog post by Pacat herself. very cool that it's published on barnes and noble website! (for non-americans, it's the most widespread book retailer in the country)
she's said a lot of things here before, but this is a beautiful, concise piece on her approach to fiction writing and queer heroes ^_^
here is a radio review of Kings Risinghttp://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p...
it is FASCINATING hearing two men discuss this book! wahhhh!!!
LainaL wrote: "It occurs to me now that I also kind of like the symbolism of literal ice melting and Damen, just like Damen is slowly melting away the figuratively icy facade of the prince who brought it to him. Ha! "I LOVE THE ICE METAPHOR.
oh, wow, that is so beautiful and perfect.
the next day is the battle for Ravenel and of course that night is their first time....it seems very laurent. 'i love him, ergo, he will be mine.' baha!
Deterna wrote: "Hi guys, deterna here.I've been going crazy about the series and I HAD to tell this to someone.
So I have been going back and forth between obsessing over the series and doing research.
And I cam..."
Welcome Deterna! Can't promise we'll help your CP addiction but we're all suffering happily anyway ;)
Midnight wrote: "Oh and also, judging by this bit here, you're not interested in any discussion as much as presenting your reading of the book as the only correct one. Well, I'm not here for that so don't bother replying to me again, I'm not interested in any further entitled and grasping at straws opinions anyway."Midnight, your words reflect more on you than you realize. This kind of language is not acceptable in our group, and especially not to Rachel, who has been nothing but responsive, considerate, and thorough in her explanations.
If you want to start a thread for unmet expectations, you may. If not, you are welcome to leave.
We each need to decide if participating on this thread is enjoyable or aggravating and if the latter, be sure not to lash out at others in our frustration. Everyone here should be open-minded and respectful (even while disagreeing) to each other's view - and if you are not here with an open mind, this group might not be for you.
Alright so I have to write a response to the white washing debate from messages 368 - 384 because I am very disturbed by white washing and quite honestly very disturbed by your reactions. ***BASICALLY AN ESSAY***
Racism does not exist in the books. The animosity between Vere and Akielos is not based in skin color but rather cultural differences and warfare. In fact when they travel through Delpha you see people are really mixed up anyway. The point is that while racism doesn't exist in CP universe, it does exist in our universe. and when fans interact with the canon text, shit happens.
Colorism is a real thing. It is a ripple effect of racism that refers to the glorification of lighter skin / white features, even within communities of color. Colorism is why Lupita Nyongo and Viola Davis are the only two hollywood stars I can think of who are super dark skinned and super successful. It's why there was an uproar when light-skinned Zoe Saldana was picked to portray kinky-haired black-skinned singer Nina Simone, who ironically never reached her potential for fame because no one thought a woman with such dark skin would sell records. It's why angry racist fans cropped up when Rue was played by a young black actress in the Hunger Games, because in their eyes, only little white girls can inspire sympathy. Cleary Rue's death wouldn't matter if she were black. The list, as you can imagine, goes on and on and on.
The question isn't whether Damen is "black" or not, because black culture - however you define it - doesn't exist in CP. Going off the 'regional analysis' from your conversation, the skin-color differences between southern and northern italy isn't exactly benign. Anecdotally I have an italian friend who identifies more with black and brown people in the US than white.
But Damen is dark. He is significantly darker than Laurent. And maybe that didn't impact you, but so rarely are we treated to characters who are heroic and trustworthy and swoon-worthy and DARK. White washing Damen is different than vampires!CP or genderswap!CP because these fanartists are not producing colorswap!CP artwork, they are quite literally erasing his identity.
Hair length is not skin color. We do not live in a a world where changing skin color is the same as dying your hair. It's goddamn offensive if someone says, "Damen's great, I just prefer him lighter." that is wrong and I don't laugh it off because that artist, consciously or not, is bringing their outside racist/societal influence into CP. It is doubly problematic considering Pacat's brilliant and subtle commentary on Damen's attraction to youthful prettiness / light skin / blond hair, which in the Regent is a fetish. (if you're curious, here my thoughts on that topic: (view spoiler) taken from a comment on a review found here)
All opinions are valid but it's equally important to be informed. This discussion board isn't the place for a lecture so I'm sorry for if this sounds like one, but I take racism and societal legacies of slavery very seriously. if it was not clear why white washing is an issue before I hope is is now.
On a slightly related note, I was so, so happy when Damen said that slavery would be abolished in Akielos.
Welcome Dyuthi! I'm rereading now too :P
April wrote: "Oh, wow... that livestream with questions and answers was amazing. Lots of the same questions that have been discussed here (did you all send some in?) :D"i did!!! it was amazing to hear her answer them :D I asked about the fate of the pets in Vere, and whether it was always her plan for the Regent to reveal Laurent's abuse to Damen.
and lol, brian cox
Rachel wrote: "but then Loe got in my head and pointed out that bad people - even pedophiles - sometimes win out on the genetic game and are attractive."She would.
Rachel wrote: "there is a good chance that physically he was a genetic winner. "
haha, i suppose it makes sense in a deeply wrong sort of way. i'll elevate the regent to 'above average-looking' in my head. but i still think mads is too attractive <3
the TV show Hannibal probably isn't your cup of tea, but trust me, it's not at all awful that you can rationalize Mads as a serial killing cannibal. he's amazingly hot when preying on people, specifically, Hugh Dancy.
anytime you want to join the dark side and watch it, just let us know...
Rachel wrote: "This is what I have to do to get you to come visit the group. :D
But yeah, you were right ..."
ROFL!
but rachel, obvs the regent is not supposed to be attractive ;)
Hannibal, god yes; the Regent....? nope.
Here's Beth's review for KR.http://thats-normal.com/2016/02/much-...
It's everything. You rock. <3
And here's a blog interview with CS Pacat... https://1girl2manybooks.wordpress.com...
I left this book with a fascination of vaskian culture. I really want a sequel(?) that's like the coming-of-age story of Damen's vaskian daughter. wielding daggers. training panthers. having a male harem. raiding shit. LOL
...but actually very tempted to write fanfic right now...
yes, really glad the cliches were avoided! (view spoiler) their love scene came across as so authentic. and there's something really tragic/hot about Laurent saying his name during foreplay. i'm a strange person.
Am I the only one who liked the how the regent died?It was entirely fitting. the regent, a coward, would never have faced them in a fair fight. if laurent and damen had brought their armies to the Ios, the book would have been 1000 pages and covered a years-long war campaign. Damen's method of simply barreling forward head first was simply not going to work.
In fact, the regent knows this and precisely chose to reveal his abuse of laurent in the kingsmeet, where he could have Damen killed for trying to attack him. He never had to lift a finger himself. he can't. he's not a warrior, and he'd never even try to fight Damen on his terms, or with a strategic battle, because he would lose. as we all know, he "won" the battle of marlas by killing his own brother and taking his place as regent. he's a lying, cheating, scumbag rapist, and the only way to defeat him was with the truth.
They had to beat him as his own game.
it was epic. i loved how disgusted everyone was, i loved the slow realization that neither Kastor nor the Regent commanded to soldiers in the hall, and that small injection of emotion, that poor boy who had no idea how wrong his life had become.
a part of me, the part that identifies with Damen, wanted a passion-filled and violent end for the regent. but ultimately that wouldn't be as satisfying a defeat. the regent is disgraced and killed by the very traps he set, publicly shamed, and simply eradicated. it's his worst nightmare, and that's exactly what he got, the bastard.
you guys i was so sad there wasn't an epilogue. I need closure. this book has left me reeling for 24+ hours....
