Ai-sha > Recent Status Updates

I was aware of the controversy going into this, but wow, the way Clanchy talks about race is very awkward, isn’t it.

I fear modernism isn’t for me

The worldbuilding in this line alone: ‘I realise that Margo is a person from whom authority, armed authority, is reassuring.’ We’re in an alien world with alien characters and yet O’Donoghue manages to keep Margo - the readers point of reference as the only character from earth - at arms length through the politics of our own Western privileges.

Re-reading in adulthood as intended, so the full force of despair settles

Reading a questionable translation - “I don’t want any money, period” said the 18thC wet nurse who prob has little experience with punctuation

Cringing at “I tried to talk to Roy about Roy … about Roy’s being both black and short and what a fine that was to be.” Was this his first time interacting with another human?

“…St Ives, the sleepy, suburban town forty miles north of London” ??

“I took the Metropolitan Line to the nether regions of East London to watch West Ham.” Ok.

He freed Jerusalem without bloodshed, welcomed home the Jews, showed mercy to the occupiers, pardoned the poor, elderly, prisoners and children. Offered gifts to Frankish widows and orphans before they left. Mashallah Salāh al-Din Yūsuf, you who restored the spurned dignity of this nation. 🙂↕️

“Looking back over her shoulder, sobbing, she saw Rockingham at the foot of the stairs. And he was not standing upright…but was climbing towards her, on all fours like the dogs at her heels.” Horrible horrible horrible.

Audiobook narrator doing an inexplicable French accent for the mysterious and sinister Cornish manservant in a book about French pirates. But I’m sure this means nothing!

Grand Maester Orwyle the feminist ally, deserting the Night’s Watch to work as a cleaner in a brothel, providing the girls with healthcare and surreptitiously teaching them to read 🫡

Do not embarrass me in front on my book club now, Leigh

oh and please describe in greater depth the glowing erect demon penis?

The incinerator shaft chapter!!!!!!! The ferocity of will versus the chains of devotion! Inej is the emotional lynchpin of the series, she is Mary Magdalene, she is Chihiro from Spirited Away. And THIS chapter is the turning point of the whole series - where it cements itself as astounding storytelling.

Kaz and Inej both being asleep when their childhoods are stripped from them :-( kaz and Inej forging themselves into weapons of industry and unrelenting observation to never be caught off guard again :-(

Inej: ugh kaz is so rude and annoying
Inej, a moment late: time to reflect unprompted on my father’s romantic parables!

(Posting abt my re-read bcos I’m banned from talking about these books in my real life lol) Chapter 2 is such a perfect introduction to the world and characters and SO FULL of foreshadowing. “Kaz Brekker was gone, and Dirtyhands had come to see the rough work done.” Let’s goooo Dutch crime empire!! 🥷🏽🗡️🏦🕷️💰

“In the year that summer stayed too long, the heat lay upon the prairie with the weight of a corpse.”

We are soooo back baby!

The Alcotts did not smuggle slaves through the Underground Railway - did not SUCCUMB TO TYPHOID FEVER WHILE SERVING THE NORTHERN ARMY - for modern au Mr March to go “make a better world for his little women” in the Afghanistan War!

The Crows cameo is so unserious but I can’t pretend like I don’t enjoy Kaz being blackmailed into helping the Crown with threats to The Wraith. I know he’s sooo mad that everyone Inej is his leverage.

the way this series brings out the 13 year old tumblr user in me!!!

Truly a PERFECT sequel. Plot and characters develop seamlessly, and all the interpersonal conflict is well founded and sooo relatable! I am laughing at Maeve developing telepathy and just using it to hurt her own feelings - very Teenage Girl Making Herself Sick By Stalking His Likes vibes.

Edward’s perspective lets us appreciate how Bella does everything so thinly, so waifish, so not-eatingly 😍