I’m on BookTube now! You can find my channel here! =)
Oh, WOW! It’s been a while an author was able to get me THAT invested in their characters and ploI’m on BookTube now! You can find my channel here! =)
Oh, WOW! It’s been a while an author was able to get me THAT invested in their characters and plot! I was so on board with all those intrigues and character arcs! Also hot damn! The plot twists! Some of them hit me like a brick! O_o This was good! I want more! When can we get book two?!
Full RTC soon! I’ll have fun writing this one. ;-)
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It’s finally time to start reading Dylan’s baby and I’m so pumped for this, you have no idea! I waited months to get this book into my hands and now I’m going to read the hell out of it. *lol*
And to give you a couple of pointers what it is about: - Inspired by ancient Greece - m/m relationship - f/f relationship - lots of LGBTQIA+ reps - satyrs, gorgons, sirens, phoenixes and many more - character growth and good character arcs
There are probably even more things I could have added but I just want to start reading this book so you’ll have to wait for my updates and bear with me. ;-P
I said I’d start reading this in January and me being, well me, it took me an entire month to get to “Winter”. XD But hey, I’m I’m on BookTube now! =)
I said I’d start reading this in January and me being, well me, it took me an entire month to get to “Winter”. XD But hey, I’m reading it in winter and technically it’s still January. So I’ll take that as a win.
Anyway! It’s about time I finish this series and I can’t wait to read how all of those characters will come together and fight Queen Levanna! I hate that woman with a fierce passion and I want Cinder to throw her off her throne. *lol* I think this is one of the biggest books I’m going to read in 2023, though. I mean 823 pages? Wow! This is hopefully going to be quite the finale! *fingers crossed*
”Had you crawled out from under my bed when I was a child, I would have bludgeoned you to death with my father’s mace.”
I must admit, this was really ”Had you crawled out from under my bed when I was a child, I would have bludgeoned you to death with my father’s mace.”
I must admit, this was really something different! *lol* I mean the book blurb already suggested that this wasn’t going to be your ordinary love story but wow, this one was really something else. XD The concept of arranged marriages between different countries is nothing new, in this case however it aren’t just dissimilar kingdoms but also different species our two protagonists have to deal with. Ildiko is human and Brishen is Kai and I’m pretty sure they couldn’t be any more different even if they tried.
”Thank you for not lying about what you thought of my appearance. You might have a face to turn my hair white, but your honesty is handsome”
Yet, despite all their obvious differences they bond through their humour and the first time they meet had me laughing really hard. Those two are nothing but honest with each other and I loved this so much! They might have totally different cultures, habits and appearances but they are both kind and merry souls. XD Their relationship starts with mutual understanding and at first it’s nothing more than friendship. It was something I really appreciated because they like what’s inside of each other and therefore try to ignore their outside appearances. Well, at least at first.
”Theirs was an agreement based on the beginnings of friendship, respect and an intuitive understanding of each other that still left him slack-jawed with amazement.”
I really couldn’t have said it any better. Ildiko and Brishen don’t have insta-love, they have insta-friendship and I don’t know about you, but for me this was a great approach. They respect each other and their cultures and they try their best to learn what it means to be human or Kai. Still, I’ve to admit that Ildiko has all my respect for putting up with the tradition of eating scarpatine. *shudders* I probably would have screamed and jumped on a chair. *LOL* Also I’m sure I couldn’t have eaten it ... not even if my life would have depended on it. XD
”Loneliness is an empty void. We look for that friend in the light.”
Aaaanyway enough of disgusting Kai dishes, let’s get to the main plot. Truth be told, there isn’t a lot of plot happening but I guess that’s mostly due to the fact that this is supposed to be a love story. At least the first book seems to be. After the ending I’m pretty sure that we’ll get a lot more action in “Eidolon”. ;-) With the first book Grace Draven prepared us for the world Ildiko and Brishen live in and I’m convinced that everything we learned in “Radiance” will be important once we start with book two.
”I will not shame you with my fear, Brishen,” she whispered against his neck. He sighed into her hair. “But I might shame you with mine, wife.”
Kai politics seem to be pretty brutal and I don’t even want to know about the consequences the ending will have... Also I’m convinced that there was a lot more to what happened in the last third of the book. (view spoiler)[I can’t help it, but it feels really odd that Brishen was abducted and tortured. I mean why? Did Secmis do this? Were it really the humans? Also the brutality of how they tortured him. I mean they took his eye and sent it to his mother?! They pulled out his claws? Ouch! >_< This was so at odds with the slow love story that built up in this book and I felt like I was reading a totally different book. I don’t know if Draven did this on purpose (I hope there was some purpose) but I’m almost convinced that the brutality of this attack will be important in the sequel. (hide spoiler)] At the moment I can only speculate but I hope that I’ll get answers when I read “Eidolon”. Plus I want more of Anhuset and Serovek! *lol* I really liked those two and they were great side characters I definitely want to know more about! ;-)
”My beautiful husband,” she said. “I see radiance.”
All told “Radiance” was a nice change to all the serious books I usually tend to read. XD The books approach was something refreshing and new and I found myself enjoying the slow-burn love story between our two protagonists Ildiko and Brishen. The concept of insta-friendship is the kind of trope I’d love to see more in books and now that their relationship is solid I’m ready to go for the plot! Let’s see what “Eidolon” will throw our way. ;-P
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Okay, but WTH was this ending?!! O_o
“Radiance” was a really nice and sweet romance and even though the fantasy aspect was rather in the background I still enjoyed this A LOT!
I don’t understand anything that happened at the end though and urgh I guess I might just have to read the second book?! *lol* Well done, Grace Draven! ;-P
Full RTC soon-ish! Stay tuned! =) _________________________________
We all know those kinds of stories:
- A girl from a royal family. - A prince and the spare heir to a throne. - Two strangers. - An arranged marriage.
- And they both think the other is ugly af? *lol*
Wait, WHAT?! Yes, you read right!
Their beauty ideals couldn’t be more different, but apparently they still fall in love. Sounds like a great love story and I’m here for it! ;-P
P.S: This was recommended to me about a thousand times, let’s hope it’s as good as everybody says it is. XD...more
”The last night of the year,” Constanze said. “Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride.”
I don’t know ab”The last night of the year,” Constanze said. “Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride.”
I don’t know about you, but I was so intrigued by this sentence, that I had to continue to read the entire book and I’m very glad to say that I wasn’t disappointed. “Wintersong” truly gave me everything I expected to read … and then some. XD It was obvious that Jae-Jones did her research and even though there were a few things that bugged me, she still did a great job at including the German myth of the “Erlkönig”.
As someone who grew up in Austria it was impossible to avoid Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s work, but since he’s one of my favourite poets “Der Erlkönig” always held a special place in my heart. I mean it’s a poem about a faerie king who tries to seduce a father’s son. And it’s a very haunting and suspenseful piece of work as well. <3 So if you haven’t read it yet, I totally recommend you to read it before you start with this book. It will give you an idea about the Erlkönig’s true nature and I think Jae-Jones nailed this side of the faerie king more than just well. *lol*
Speaking of which, this book was so dark, twisted and artful I just couldn’t get enough of it. The Underground, the atmosphere, the goblins, the revels, the changelings, the myth of the Lorelei, just everything!!! It was such a pleasure to read this and the writing style was so beautiful that I could have cried. <3 I loved that the author created such a unique world and that you couldn’t help but sympathize with Liesl and the Goblin King. They both had their roles to play and they did it as best as they could. XD
If there was anything I didn’t like then it were the German spelling mistakes or the frequent use of the phrase “the austere young man”. I know why Jae-Jones used this kind of wording to describe the human side of the Goblin King, but after reading it for the 100th time I got as tired of it as of Sarah J. Maas use of the word “mate” or the phrase “my inner goddess” in 50 Shades of Grey. *lol* There are a lot of other words that could have been used instead of “austere” and giving it a little bit of thought I already come up with “grave, serious, demure, solemn, severe, stern” the list could probably go on and on… I really loved this book but the constant repetition of “austere” took away a little bit of my enjoyment.
Plus: Can we agree that it’s “Gugelhupf” and not “Gugelhopf”? *lol* I know I’m a bean counter now, but as a person that loves to eat “Gugelhupf” I really couldn’t read it spelled like that. XD Still, as far as I could find out Jae-Jones has no German background so she actually did a great job at including the language and its legends. XD
I’m really looking forward to read “Shadowsong” soon, because it just can’t end like this! There’s got to be a solution and I’m so ready to be swept away by it. *lol*
The characters:
You are entering the realm of the Goblin King and if you don’t want to be spoiled you better leave his domain. ;-) The Underground is dangerous and our changelings love to confuse mortal estrays. Oh, and they bite. ;-P *lol*
Liesl aka Elisabeth:
“After all, I was not a child of beauty; I was a child of the queer, the strange, and the wild.“
Now Liesl was a character I could totally relate to. She loved music and composed her own pieces and she found a lot of enjoyment in listening to other people play. I’m pretty much the same, I love to write lyrics and to compose a melody to them, but I also appreciate it when I can close my eyes and someone else plays or sings for me. If they are really good I might even be moved to tears. (Yes, this actually happens!!) So imagine me starting to read this book and finding our MC Liesl! It was amazing! Not only because of the musical aspect but also because we both seemed to be pretty alike when it comes to being in the background. *lol* It’s not that Elisabeth was a shy or quiet character, quite the contrary, she’s outspoken, passionate, outgoing, headstrong, brave, pretty stubborn and compassionate but because of her family and the expectations they had she never even got a proper chance to fulfil her potential. In her father’s eyes Josef was the better musician and because of that he neglected Liesl. And in all honesty this was one of the main reasons my heart bled for her. T_T During her time in the Underground she eventually found her own voice though and even though it hurt to see her waste away, it was still good to know that she was finally doing something for herself! XD Her escape at the end didn’t come as a surprise but I really want to know what happened to the poor Goblin King!!! >_<
”I had watched him study me, and knew now how he had become the most sublime interpreter of my art. He was as familiar to me as the sound of my own voice.”
”I wanted to bend the entire world – both above and below – to what I needed. For once. Just once. Light my flame, mein Herr, I thought. Light my fire, and watch me burn.”
”I got up from the bed. With each step forward, the Goblin King retreated, but when I had his back pressed against the wall, he could run no farther from me. I placed my hands on his chest, a light touch, and rose up onto my toes to whisper in his ear. “I came back,” I murmured. “Of my own free will.”
The Goblin King aka Der Erlkönig:
“You are clever. I do not offer this gift to you out of the goodness of my heart, but out of a selfish need to see what you might do with it.”
I absolutely loved and adored the Goblin King!!! Seriously, this character was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! <333 Jae-Jones did such a great job at turning him into a complex and morally grey character and even though I didn’t agree with many of the things he did, I still couldn’t help but like him. I mean the Erlkönig is super manipulative, he does what needs to be done, he doesn’t even shy away from using Käthe as leverage to get what he wants, yet at the same time he feels conflicted about his actions. It was obvious that he loved Liesl and that he didn’t want to hurt her, but if he needed to do it in order to save his people he still went for it regardless of his own feelings for her. I mean woah!!! If that isn’t the embodiment of a tortured character then I really don’t know. *lol* The Goblin King just couldn’t change the way he was, because his humanity was at least as much a part of him as the role of being the Lord of the Underground. Both were facets of his character but ultimately his body and soul were bound to his duty as the Goblin King. Talk about feeling torn! >_< It made me sad that he was forced to let Liesl go, but I could understand why he did it. In the end his heart won and he could no longer bear to watch her die. =(( My poor Erlkönig is all alone now though. *sniff*
”There was a grace to every line of his body; elegance was not only in his air, but in the way he moved. Even when he was awkward. Even when he was unsure.”
”Coerced is such a strong word,” he said. “I like to think I am persuasive on my own merits.” “She thinks you are a Hungarian count.” He waved his hand. “We all have our flaws.”
”I would take my violin and play.” The words were spoken almost before his lips could catch up to what he was saying. “I would walk the world and play, until someone called me by name and called me home.”
”What will happen to you if I win?” I whispered. A smile crossed his lips, but the corners were downturned, more sad than satisfied. “You know,” he said. “You’re the only one who’s ever asked.”
Käthe:
”Then it became clear just what Käthe’s greatest dream had been: to marry rich. Not for fancy gowns or expensive jewels, but to provide for her family.”
Mhmm Käthe. I liked her because she wasn’t the doll everyone expected her to be. There was a lot of depth to her character once you actually bothered to take a closer look. XD It was obvious that she loved Liesl and even though it took Liesl quite some time to realize this, she eventually did it in the end. I think in some way Käthe reminded me of my own sister, because she was also one of those girls (still is) that draws the stares of people. Just like Käthe my sister never seems to realise that people are looking her way and I could totally relate to Liesl in that regard. It’s not easy to be in the shadow of your sister and Elisabeth’s frustration was more than just palpable for me. Still, Liesl and I love our sisters dearly and we both would go to hell and back (or in this particular case rather the Underground) in order to save them from the Goblin King. *lol* ;-)
“The fluttered and flirted outrageously, carefully oblivious to the stares she drew like moths to the flame. Both men and women traced the lines of her body, the curve of her cheek, the pout of her lip.”
”That one,” the merchant said, pointing to Käthe, whose head lolled against my shoulder, “burns like kindling. All flash, and no real heat. But you,” he said. “You smolder, mistress. There is a fire burning within you, but it is a slow burn. It shimmers with heat, waiting only for a breath to fan it to life.”
The relationships & ships:
Liesl & The Goblin King:
”Oh, Elisabeth,” he said. “You foolish, foolish girl. How easily you give me your trust.” “I play the hand I am dealt.” “Yes, and by my rules.” The tips of his teeth glinted. “Beware, Elisabeth. You may prefer the pretty lie to the ugly truth.”
Now those two were a really intriguing couple! *lol* I loved their dynamic and it was refreshing to see that Elisabeth could unnerve the Goblin King at least as much as he was able to unnerve her. XD That scene when she surprised him in his bedchamber and teased him about their supposedly spent night?! XD Just awesome! It showed how human and shy the Erlkönig could be and since this was in stark contrast to his usual swagger I couldn’t help but grin while I read it. *lol* Still, what I probably loved the most about them was their profound recognition of each other’s soul. They knew exactly who the other was and yes, Liesl never got to know the Goblin King’s true name, but that didn’t stop her from seeing his true self. It was beautiful to watch them grow together, to see how their mutual love for music was able to connect them in ways that trumped every physical and carnal experience. They were so perfect for each other and yet they still couldn’t be. Because Liesl would have died a slow death if she would have stayed with the Erlkönig and because he loved her so much he couldn’t bear to watch it happen. Their love is truly tragic and the ending broke my heart. T_T I knew it was bound to end like that but it was still so sad! I really need to read “Shadowsong” asap, because those two deserve a HEA and I hope Jae-Jones will give it to them! (And me, of course!! *lol*)
”My soul thrilled with recognition at the sight of his face, but the reality of him frightened me. He was an old friend in myth and legend; he was a stranger in breath and body.”
”Why did you marry me, if not for this?” This time it was the Goblin King who stumbled back, as though I had slapped him. “If you thought that I wanted –“
”You were angry when you wrote this, weren’t you? I can see the rage, the impotence, in your notes.” Then he looked up. “Oh, Elisabeth,” he breathed. “You wrote this on your – on our wedding night, didn’t you?”
”I am,” he whispers, “the monster I warned you against.” “You are,” I say hoarsely, “the monster I claim.”
Liesl & Sepperl:
“Think you that our music comes from God? No, it comes from below. From him. The Ruler Underground.”
Sepperl was a really sweet boy and I wish I would have had a chance to get to know him better. Unfortunately he was only a short part of the book and most of the things we read about him were from Liesl’s memory or from the short glimpses we got to see while he was away from her. Still, I loved that he and Elisabeth had such a strong connection and I hope that we’ll get to see more of him in the second book. Since he’s one of the Goblin King’s Changelings, I’m pretty certain that he’ll have an important part in “Shadowsong” though. XD
”Your soul rests within you, Sepperl.” I lightly touched my hand to his breast. “Here. That’s where your music comes from. Not from the land. Not from the woods outside.” “I don’t know.” Josef buried his face in his hands. “But I am afraid. I am afraid of the bargain I struck with the stranger in my dreams. But now you understand why I’m too terrified to leave.”
Conclusion:
“Wintersong” was everything I wanted to read and even more! This book had the makings of a dark faerie tale and occasionally even managed to give me some serious “The Phantom of the Opera” vibes. If you like dark and mysterious books, if you’re a big fan of music and faeries and if you enjoy a lush and vivid writing style… Well, then “Wintersong” most certainly will be the right choice for you. ;-)
So I guess it’s safe to say that fate really wants me to read it. *lol*
And honestly I’ve been dying to do just that! I mean there are plenty of reasons why I know that I’ll love this:
1.) Faeries!!! 2.) An MC who’s a musician! 3.) The mysterious Goblin King 4.) My parabatai loved it when she read it! XD 5.) An amazing writing style. (Well, at least people claim it’s written beautifully.)
With all this in mind I’m sure I’ll enjoy “Wintersong” immensely and I can’t wait to dig my faerie claws into it. ;-P...more
”Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears fr”Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts. There are seven words that will make a person love you. There are ten words that will break a strong man's will. But a word is nothing but a painting of a fire. A name is the fire itself.”
Okay, there are books and then there are BOOKS!!!
I guess this said it actually doesn’t take a lot to figure that “The Name of the Wind” definitely was one of those books that falls into the latter category. ;-) This was such a wonderful and perfect read!!! So compelling and lovely!!! It captivated me from the very first page and with each and every single line it grew even more on me. I fell in love with this masterpiece and I swear I love it so much now that I didn’t even want to return it to the library. Every fibre of my being ached at the mere thought of giving it back and the reluctance I felt when I handed it back to the librarian was almost overwhelming. >_<
Needless to say, I had to give it back though. =(( Also needless to say, I immediately went to amazon and bought myself my own copy! *LOL*
So yeah, I finally broke my book buying ban but seriously, I need to possess this book! I guess I’ll just pass it off as a birthday present to myself! ;-P Really, I had no other choice than to buy it, my life definitely wouldn’t be complete without this book in my shelf. XD
Yes, it’s that dramatic!!! If you ever read it you’ll hopefully understand what I mean! *lol*
I’m sure by now you all wonder what made this book so special for me and I decided to break my usual review routine to give you the answers you’re searching for. Yes, you read right. Plural! Answers! Because there are so many damn good reasons to read this book I just can’t name only one. XD
So here we go! Let’s find out how many reasons I’m able to come up with! *lol* I’m pretty curious myself. ;-)
1.) The marvellous and brilliant execution of the narration! We have two different time and story lines and the way they are interwoven with each other is just amazing!!! One plotline deals with Kvothe’s youth and his time at the University while the other one describes his current life. Patrick you get kudos for pulling this off so nicely!!! ;-P
2.) The endless wisdom of this book. Everyone who knows me knows I’m a sucker for quotes and oh boy did this book deliver!!! <333 I. AM. COMPLETELY. AND. UTTERLY. IN. LOVE. with Patrick’s wisdom and his unique way with words!!! I’m so besotted with it, it’s almost scary!
”Etiquette is a set of rules people use so they can be rude to each other in public."
”Nothing but the truth could break me. What is harder than the truth?”
”You’re clever. We both know that. But you can be thoughtless. A clever, thoughtless person is one of the most terrifying things there is.”
”We understand how dangerous a mask can be. We all become what we pretend to be.”
3.) The magic system! I loved the idea and how it was described. You need a lot of basic and deeper knowledge to be able to do “magic” in this book and I think it’s fascinating how everything is connected somehow. Alone the use of Sympathy was already so complex it was almost a whole science of its own and I really have no idea how they were even able to do something like that. I might have gotten accepted into Hogwarts, but I’m fairly certain I’d have never made it into the University! *LOL*
4.) The way music and stories are such an integral part of “The Name of the Wind”. Is Patrick a musician himself? I can’t help but wonder, because he sooo nailed our representation!!! I swear I never felt so understood! It’s like he knows what moves us and what makes us tick! Just wonderful!!! <333 (view spoiler)[I always died a slow death whenever someone broke Kvothe’s lute. T_T At first the one from his father and then the one he bought in the shop. Gosh, it was always so painful when he was robbed of his music! My heart bled so much for him and it quite literally hurt my artistic soul!! Urgh! Pat can we keep from crushing music instruments in the next book? Please!? *making huge puppy eyes* (hide spoiler)]
”You have to be a bit of a liar to tell a story the right way. Too much truth confuses the facts. Too much honesty makes you sound insincere."
”Asking to hold a musician's instrument is roughly similar to asking to kiss a man's wife. Nonmusicians don't understand. An instrument is like a companion and a lover."
”I headed back to the University with money in my purse and the comforting weight of the lute strap hanging from my shoulder. It was secondhand, ugly, and had cost me dearly in money, blood, and peace of mind. I loved it like a child, like breathing, like my own right hand.”
5.) I’m all about interesting side characters and to say there were plenty of them would most definitely be an understatement! From Trapis to Auri and Sim & Wilem to the staff of the Eolian or Devi! They were all so damn intriguing!!! I want to see more of them and I want to know their backstories and how they ended up doing what they do!!! XD
6.) Kvothe’s unwavering dedication to knowledge and books! And his so very very relatable curiosity!! *lol* I swear there was more than one moment I was like: DAMN THIS IS SO ME!! XD PLUS the ARCANUM!!! Who wouldn’t be in love with such a place?!! *sighs dreamily*
"It probably shows a perverse element of my personality that even though I was finally inside the Archives, surrounded by endless secrets, that I was drawn to the one locked door I had found. Perhaps it is human nature to seek out hidden things. Perhaps it is simply my nature."
7.) The captivating world building and engrossing depiction. Everything felt so realistic and plausible and even though the book had no epic fight scenes and no heavy drama it was still so very suspenseful and moving. Patrick Rothfuss is such a talented storyteller and there was never a dull moment throughout the entire book! It was such a delight to read his words and I respect the hell out of this man!!! <3
8.) Last but not least: The main characters!
This is the moment I warn you about the spoilers in my review! There will be plenty of them and if you don’t want to read them you better leave this page without scrolling down. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! XD
To make a point I’m even giving you the chance to leave…
NOW!!!! ;-P
Kvothe:
“I am a myth,” Kote said easily, making an extravagant gesture. “A very special kind of myth that creates itself. The best lies about me are the ones I told.”
Kvothe, Kvothe, oh Kvothe!!! Why did no one warn me about this wonderful and broken boy? There are so many things that make him my kryptonite; it’s not even funny anymore. *lol* He has red hair and green eyes! Oh my, I’m such a sucker for red-heads! Haha! And the sass!!! Oh boy, I love his sass and his mouth and everything he says and does!!! If he’d been a real man I’d be swooning whenever I see him. I swear! XD He’s the right mixture of everything! Funny, sassy af!!! (scratch that he’s the King of Sass!), intelligent, not black nor white if anything he’s completely grey!, calculating, stubborn, arrogant and so very very broken on the inside. In short: I was a goner the moment he was mentioned! *lol* I can’t help but love this boy, I mean he learned a language in a day and a half, he held a lecture in front of his class because Master Hemme dared him to!!! and he succeeded which unfortunately only gained him a whipping! (Damn Master Hemme, I hate him!!) Jeez! Kvothe always acted so strong but deep down within him he was such a broken thing. It broke my heart when his parents died and the years he lived at the streets of Tarbean only shattered it even more. I hate it that everyone only seems to want to hurt him and whenever something good happened, something bad immediately followed on its feet. URGH!!! My poor Kvothe, his struggle with his poverty was so heart-breaking and I hate Ambrose for everything he did! I hate him with a fierce passion; I genuinely hope he goes to hell!!! I really don’t know if I’m ready to see Kvothe suffer even more but considering his current condition, it’s clear that something bad must have happened to cause him to lead an inn. *sigh* I’m almost afraid to read the next book. *lol* Pat can you please not hurt him?! No? Okay, I’ll read your book anyway. Haha!
"I jerked away from her, almost falling. "No!" I meant to shout but it came out as a weak croak, "Don't touch me." My voice was shaking, though I couldn't tell if I was angry or afraid. I staggered away against the wall. My voice was blurry in my ears. “I’ll be fine.”
I gave him a hard look. “If I pass out you may do whatever you wish.” I said firmly. “Until then, I will not be tied.”
“People probably are distracted by your hair. It’s so bright. It’s pretty. … Pretty distracting. And your face is really expressive. You’re always in control of it, even the way your eyes behave. But not the color.” She gave a faint smile. “They’re pale now. Like green frost. You must be terribly afraid.”
"I needed to let them know they couldn't hurt me. I've learned that the best way to stay safe is to make your enemies think you can't be hurt." It sounded ugly to say it so starkly, but it was the truth. I looked at him defiantly.
”Kote looked up, and for a second Chronicler saw past the anger that lay glittering on the surface of his eyes. For a moment he saw the pain underneath, raw and bloody, like a wound too deep for healing.”
Denna:
”No matter where she stood, she was in the center of the room.” Kvothe frowned. “Do not misunderstand. She was not loud, or vain. We stare at a fire because it flickers, because it glows. The light is what catches our eyes, but what makes a man lean close to a fire has nothing to do with its bright shape. What draws you to a fire is the warmth you feel when you come near. The same was true of Denna.”
To be entirely honest, I still don’t know how I feel about her. At first I was afraid she might only play with Kvothe and I guess to some extent she did, but the more I got to know her, the more I realised that she can’t really help it. She obviously likes him a lot but there are so many things that make it impossible to have a relationship with him and she constantly seems to be drawn to other men. Men that have more money than him, men that can provide for her. It would be too easy to say that she could stop it to be with him, because let’s be realistic and face it, they both would end up living on the streets. My initial distrust for Denna definitely turned into pity the longer the story continued and I really hope she’ll find a rich sponsor soon. Her life seems to be tough and I really want to know what happened to hurt her so much. I hope the next book will answer this question.
”There were tears once or twice. But they were not for the men she had lost or the men she had left. They were quiet tears for herself, because there was something inside her that was badly hurt. I couldn’t tell what it was and didn’t dare to ask. Instead I simply said what I could to take the pain away and helped her shut her eyes against the world.
Bast:
”And I swear by the night sky and the ever-moving moon: if you lead my master to despair, I will slit you open and splash around like a child in a muddy puddle. I’ll string a fiddle with your guts and make you play it while I dance.”
Haha! Yeah, Bast definitely is Kvothe’s student. *lol* I love that guy! He’s not an all too huge part of the book and only appears in the time line when Kvothe tells Chronicler about his past but it’s obvious that he cares about his master deeply. There seems to be a dark side to Bast but everyone who knows me, also knows that this only makes him even more appealing to me. ;-P I want to find out how they both got to know each other and how it is possible that Kvothe who’s so much younger than Bast ended up being his master. *lol* Bast has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to find out more about what truly “moves him”. ;-P
”You are not wise enough to fear me as I should be feared. You do not know the first note of the music that moves me.”
The question seemed to catch Bast unprepared. He stood still and awkward for a moment, all his fluid grace gone. For a moment it looked as if he might burst into tears. “What do I want? I just want my Reshi back.” His voice was quiet and lost. “I want him back the way he was.”
Soo that were eight reasons. Are you already convinced or do you still need another one?!
9.) There aren’t many books I’d take and throw at a person with the words “READ IT!! READ IT NOW!!!!” but “The Name of the Wind” definitely is one of those rare books! It’s one of those BOOKS!!! So read it!! Read it now!! *lol*
My conclusion:
“The Name of the Wind” is a masterpiece and Patrick Rothfuss is a freaking genius! Don’t let the 722 pages keep you from reading this awesome book because if you like amazing tales with a lot of details and intriguing characters this definitely will give you everything you’ve been craving for! XD I highly recommend you to read this book and once you’ve actually managed to open it, the pages turn so fast someone might even consider it to be…. Well, dare I say it?
”Oh, quit complaining. You got naked with a ghost –“
Well, if this sentence didn’t capture your immediate attention then I really don’t know! ;-P It’s o”Oh, quit complaining. You got naked with a ghost –“
Well, if this sentence didn’t capture your immediate attention then I really don’t know! ;-P It’s one of the many good examples of the amazing humour in this book and I have to admit that this was one of the first things that got me hooked on “Lockwood & Co.”.
The second thing that got me more than just a little curious was the amazing world building though. I just loved the idea of a world that is haunted by ghosts and is in dire need of professional agencies that get rid of those “Visitors”. I think that’s quite a unique way to introduce a story and the fact that those mentioned professional agents are actually children certainly made everything even more interesting. In this world children are the only ones who are sensitive enough to see, hear or feel a ghosts presence and so the exceptionally gifted are hired as soon as their abilities show.
”George can do a bit of that,” the boy said. “Not me. I’m tone-deaf when it comes to Visitors. Sight’s my thing. Death-glows and trails, and all the ghoulish residues of death …” He grinned. “Cheerful subject, isn’t it?”
Of course Lockwood, Lucy and George are three of those children, even though they already seem to be around 15 or 16 when the book begins. As it seems they started at a young age and will be able to do their job as long as they are no adults. The details are kind of vague here but I hope this will be explained a little more in the following books. XD (Don’t disappoint me, Stroud! *lol*)
And if we’re already speaking of the characters: I loved them all!!! Lucy is such an awesome protagonist and you just can’t help but got to love her for her almost reckless badassery! Haha! Yeah, I think that describes her pretty well. XD As for Lockwood? He kind of reminded me of a younger and more cheerful version of Kaz Brekker! *lol* Which is pretty awesome because I love characters that have a brilliant mind! =)) But oh boy, George was so much fun as well!!!
”Take his appearance. There was something about it that acted as a trigger to one’s worst instincts. His face was uniquely slappable – a nun would have ached to punch him – while his backside cried out to heaven for a well-placed kick.”
I really enjoyed Lucy’s and his interactions and gosh, they were so funny! I definitely want to see more of those two! They are really entertaining and what makes it even better is that George isn’t taking Lucy’s accusations and shit! *LOL* He talks back, his comments are scathing and I just live for it! <3
But enough of that, let’s get to their interesting mission! Combe Carey Hall! The haunted house!!
”Architecturally it is a peculiar mishmash of a place - passages leading nowhere or doubling back upon themselves, odd changes of level... But more to the point, it has always had a sinister reputation. Stories of Visitors here go back centuries."
And Fairfax the owner of the aforementioned house!
”I must admit, though, I didn’t think he’d have the cheek to rifle through our bags while we weren’t looking. But there you go, that’s a measure of the man he is.” “Why what kind of man is he?” George said, staring at his canister. “A dreadful one. Isn’t it obvious?”
Sounds intriguing and creepy? You can bet your life on it! It definitely was! (Pun totally intended!! ;-P) Which actually brings me to the last bit of this short review! The intense creepiness of the book! *lol* I mean I admit that I’m a scaredy cat when it comes to horror movies and scary books, but for a supposedly middle grade book this was actually pretty erm… spooky. XD I’m sure I would have loved this book as a kid, but I guess since I’m still a child in my mind my grown up-self had no troubles to enjoy it as well. ;-)
All told I really liked “The Screaming Staircase” and I can’t wait to read the next book! Thanks for the attention and now excuse me while I go on an extended shopping trip to buy lavender, salt, iron chains and a few teeny-weeny magnesium flares.
”I’d like nothing better than another opportunity to talk,” said Nikolai. “But I’m afraid I have more bad news.” Genya slumped in her chair. “There’s m”I’d like nothing better than another opportunity to talk,” said Nikolai. “But I’m afraid I have more bad news.” Genya slumped in her chair. “There’s more?” “This is Ravka,” said Zoya. “There’s always more.”
I swear this quote is SUCH. A. MOOD!!! *lol* The entire book is nothing but bad news and well, yeah this is Ravka. There’s always more bad news to come. XD Leigh didn’t just nail it with those words; she also set the pace for this doulogy! To be honest I had no idea this was going to be a doulogy and after finishing “King of Scars” I have absolutely no clue how she wants to wrap this all up. There are so many things that need to be addressed and the mere idea of facing them all in the next book is already making me look like a copy of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”. (Which is one of my favourite paintings btw ;-P)
Still, I trust Leigh and I know she’ll write a phenomenal sequel. She did with “Crooked Kingdom” and I have no doubt that she’ll do it with “Rule of Wolves” as well. This said, the pacing of this book was kind of surprising. I mean I certainly didn’t expect it to be so slow at the beginning. There was a lot of information we needed to get in order to understand the current situation of Ravka and to say it’s precarious wouldn’t even get close to the truth. I guess if you’d just say that they are screwed you’d strike home. *lol*
So yes, there’s a lot of build-up and all the new players are introduced and evenly spread on the chessboard. I think in a lot of ways this was a very serious book and even though Zoya’s and Nikolai’s banter was one of the highlights in “King of Scars” there were a lot of severe moments that ultimately forced our beloved characters to grow. Which is always a good thing in my book! You know I’m a sucker for character arcs and to see Nina, Zoya and Nikolai work things out was more than just amazing. Before I spoil anything I better just head over to my character section and write it all off my chest! ;-)
The characters:
Welcome to Ravka where bad news are the standard and scary winged creatures turn into kings during the day! *lol* The good news is: There’s a lot to talk about! The bad news is that you’ll be spoiled like crazy if you continue to read. So whatever you do, keep in mind that it was your own choice! ;-)
Nikolai:
”I’ll find a way. All his life, Nikolai had believed that. His will had been enough to shape not only his fate but his own identity. He had chosen what he wanted people to see – the obedient son, the feckless rogue, the able soldier, the confident politician. The monster threatened all of that.”
I know a lot of people said that Nikolai isn’t the charming Nikolai from the Grisha trilogy anymore and that they didn’t like this. In my opinion this was only realistic though. I mean how is he supposed to be his charming and carefree self if there is a monster living inside of him? He’s trying to save Ravka from hostile countries, he’s dealing with a lot of problems in his own country and he’s working really hard on uniting his people. And all this even though he turns into a monster at night. I can’t even imagine how exhausted he truly is. Yet he still keeps up appearances and gives Ravka his all. I love that about Nikolai. He’s a man of his people, his country always comes first and he’d do everything to protect his land and the people within it. So yes, Nikolai might not be as easy-going as he used to be but he has thousands of reasons to be the way he is. My poor boy deserves a break and whenever I read about how much he loves Ravka and how tired he is my heart broke for him. T_T Can we get a happy Nikolai in the next book, please?! <333
”Nikolai looked again at the old map of Ravka – violent, hopeless, unappeasable in its constant need. Ravka was his first love, an infatuation that had begun in his lonely boyhood and that had only deepened with age. Whatever it demanded, he knew he would give. He’d been reckless with this country he claimed to love, and he could no longer let his fear dictate Ravka’s future.”
”I think I can fix it,” he said at last. “I’ve always known Ravka is broken, and I’ve seen the way it breaks people in return. The wars never cease. The trouble never stops. But I can’t help believing that somehow, I’ll find a way to outsmart all of the kings who came before and set this country right.” He shook his head and laughed. “It is the height of arrogance.”
”Nikolai had always understood that he and Ravka were the same. He just hadn’t understood how: He was not the crying child or even the drowning man. He was the forever soldier, eternally at war, unable to ever lay down his arms and heal.
Zoya:
”She intended to find a way to protect Grisha throughout the world so no one would ever have to live in fear or hide their gifts again – a governing body with representatives from every nation to hold their countries accountable, a guarantee of rights and of punishment for anyone who tried to imprison or harm her kind.
I already said it in one of my updates and I’ll say it again: Zoya is like a good wine that gets better with time. She’s an acquired taste and I love her for it! *lol* I kinda lived and breathed for the little snippets we got about her life and her background story was truly heart-breaking. Liliyana sounded like such a great person and it’s so sad that she died when the Darkling expanded the Fold. Also I can’t believe her parents wanted to marry off Zoya at the tender age of 9!!! Like WTH is wrong with you people?! *GRRR* I’m really glad she managed to escape that marriage and became a Grisha instead. I never thought I’d grow so fond of her insulting tongue but haha she really grew on me in this one. Also OMG! Now that she has Juris’s power will she be able to turn into a dragon too?! Because damn it, I’d be so down for a Zoya dragon in the next book! XD That way she couldn’t just spit fire with her sharp tongue but actually well, you know, SPIT FIRE!!! *lol* I’m ready for it Leigh! Just bring it on! ;-)
”What will I do with this? Look at my old face?” said Liliyana. “Send it to your mother as a peace offering.” “It’s a gift for you,” Zoya replied. “So you can look into it each morning and see the most beautiful person I’ve ever known.”
”But the Darkling saw me clearly even then. ‘Is that really what you wish to say?” he asked.” Zoya pushed a dark strand of her hair behind her ear. “So I told him the truth. I put my chin up and said, ‘They can all hang. It was my blood in the snow.”
Nina:
”Saints, she missed him. The ache of his absence felt like a hook lodged inside her heart. The hurt was always there, but in moments like these, it was as if someone had seized hold of the line and pulled.”
Ahhhhh!!! Nina was so savage in this! And I kinda liked it? XD What’s wrong with me? *lol* On the one hand Nina’s POV repeatedly ripped out my heart because the way her thoughts revolved around Matthias was just painful but on the other hand to see how strong she became also made me kind of proud? I mean Nina was always a very strong-willed character and did things her own way, but the Nina of “King of Scars” was on an entirely new level! I mean WOAH! The way she dealt with the Wellmother and basically everyone else who got in her way. Boy, that girl means business! Yet she’s still compassionate, gentle and kind. I think her experiences just made her a little more... I dunno ruthless? She knows none of the Fjerdans would show her mercy so she pays them back in kind. I’m very curious how she’ll develop and which kind of person she’ll be at the end of this duology. No matter what happens I’ll always love my Waffle Queen and that will never change! <3 (Also to everyone who watched “Shadow and Bone”: I loved Nina in there! I’m totally besotted with Netflix Nina. *lol*)
”Nina tucked two tiny quail eggs into her skirts in case Trassel had a taste for the finer things, and found herself wondering if they might finish with sugared almond cookies. One could plot violent espionage and still hope for dessert.”
”I told you I would pray for you,” said Nina as she closed the door and issued her final command to her soldiers: Give her the mercy she deserves. Nina turned her back on the Wellmother’s screams.”
The Saints, Yuri and The Darkling:
”Most of us can hide our greatest hurts and longings. It’s how we survive each day. We pretend the pain isn’t there, that we are mad of scars instead of wounds. The hive does not grant me the luxury of that lie. I cannot go on this way. None of us can.”
Okay, I admit it: I never saw that plot line coming! Not even in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that Leigh would introduce us to living saints and that we’d actually get to know some of them more closely. So that caught me totally off guard. I didn’t like Yuri right from the beginning because he was your typical religious fanatic and well as it turned out to have him around was a big mistake. I knew something was up with Elizaveta but I would have never expected her to go that far! Like OMG! Why??!! Juris’s and Zoya’s friendship was great and Grigori kind of grew on me too. It’s a shame both of them had to die because Elizaveta wanted to resurrect the Darkling and I can’t believe... I CAN’T BELIEVE she actually succeeded! I swear: The Darkling in Yuri’s body at the ending was... THE. DEATH. OF. ME!!! I can’t even!!! No, no I can’t! I mean I love the Darkling but OH GOSH!!! I think I might need a little time to digest this. *lol*
”Stop punishing yourself for being someone with a heart. You cannot protect yourself from suffering. To live is to grieve.”
The relationships & ships:
Zoya & Nikolai:
Zoya batted Nikolai’s quaking hands away from his buttons and took up the work herself. Through the thin cotton, she could feel the chill the night had left on his skin. “What an excellent valet you make,” he murmured. But she knew he hated submitting to these small attentions, hated that he was weak enough to require them.
I SHIP IT! Badly! I never thought I’d say this but Zoya and Nikolai are made for each other. They both know how to deal with court problems, they are strong and independent and they obviously have a soft spot for each other! <3 I loved the level of trust that is between them and they had so many little moments together. Their love is something that grows slowly like a delicate flower and I can’t wait for them to realize how much they mean to each other. Nikolai comparing her to a strong drink was everything! *lol* We all know Nikolai could handle her and I want them to kiss and confess their love for each other! Also their banter!!! It’s superior! I think Zoya might be exactly what Ravka needs and who knows, now that she’ll be some sort of saint people will probably accept her at his side? I really hope those two will have a HEA because they both deserve it! Nikolai needs a woman like Zoya and I’m convinced Zoya needs a man like Nikolai. So can they already kiss, please?! *lol*
”Zoya, say something spiteful.” “Why?” she asked faintly. “Because I’m fairly certain I’m hallucinating, and in my dreams you’re much nicer.” “You’re an idiot, Nikolai.” “Not your best work.”
”In that moment, he wished things might have been different. That he might not die tomorrow. That he could be led by his heart instead of duty. Because Zoya was not kind and she was not easy. But she was already a queen.”
”Of course I’ll come back,” he said. “I don’t trust anyone else to deliver my eulogy.” A smile curled her lips. “You’ve written it already?” “It’s very good. You’d be surprised how many synonyms there are for handsome.” Zoya closed her eyes. She turned her face, letting her cheek rest against this palm. “Nikolai –“
Nina & Hanne:
”Nina studied her. There was something relentless in her features – the cheekbones sharp, the nose rigorously straight. Only the full thrust of her lips gave any hint of softness. It was a challenging face, stubborn in its lines. Beautiful.”
Mhmm... To be frank I don’t know how I feel about this new ship. I mean we all know I love a good f/f rep in my books and Nina deserves someone who will lover her the way she is. I’m just not sure that person is Hanne. I wasn’t convinced by their chemistry and it came out of nowhere. Like suddenly there is Hanne and Nina thinks she’s beautiful but she’s still grieving for Matthias so idk. *shrugs* And then she’s Jarl Brum’s child?! I mean I’m currently very fond of K-Dramas but Nina having a relationship with Brum’s child? I’ve a tough time imagining it. Guess only time will tell if I’ll be persuaded by this ship or not.
”If I had just been a boy. If I had been the son my father wanted ...” Nina gripped Hanne’s shouders. “You are perfect, Hanne. That your father can’t value your strength speaks only to his weakness.”
Ehri & Isaak:
”A reasonable gambit, but not one I was prepared to make.” He studied her. “Not when you could simply wait for a pensive king to amble by and find you looking like a painting in green silk with flower in your hair?” Her golden eyes shifted away guiltily. “How long were you waiting, hoping I might stroll by?” She bit her lip. “Two hours and twelve minutes. Give or take.”
This was straight out of a Greek tragedy and I was really shook by this turn of events! Isaak grew on me and I really liked that boy and then BAM! Leigh killed him through Princess Ehri who wasn’t even Princess Ehri to begin with. They were both posing as someone they were not and actually fell in love. This love story was nothing but tragic and I’m still sad about it. They both deserved better and at another place and at another time they might have even been able to become lovers. T_T It’s so heart-breaking. It’s on the same level as Romeo and Juliet and ahhh my heart is still bleeding for those two. RIP Isaak! You did well, you were a great king and you could have been so much more! <333
She pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “My only comfort is that you never could have been mine. But know that I would have gladly been yours.” “Ehri,” he moaned as the world began to go dark. “Not Ehri.”
Conclusion:
“King of Scars” started out way more slowly than I thought it would, but the last couple of chapters totally made up for the slow beginning! My mind is still reeling from all those revelations and it might take a couple of days until I digested this ending. All told, I enjoyed this immensely and I can’t wait to dive into the next book. Now that the stage is set I expect an epic finale in “Rule of Wolves” and tell you what? I’m ready! ;-)...more
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I can’t thank Danielle Lori enough for giving me the opportunity to read her se** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I can’t thank Danielle Lori enough for giving me the opportunity to read her second book as well! XD **
Danielle you are awesome, I hope you know that!!! =)))
This said we can go right to the actual review! There is so much to say that I don’t even know where to begin, as always I’ll try my very best to write a coherent review though. ;-)
"There's something you should know, Grandmother. A lesson to put away in your books." The girl smiled white teeth and blue lips. "Not everyone gets a happily ever after."
The prologue to “A Girl in Black and White” was probably the creepiest prologue I’ve ever read and believe me I’ve read many! *lol* The atmosphere was just amazing and I’m so glad I can say that it stayed that way throughout the entire book! Whilst the first book showed us the multifaceted world of Calamity the second book concentrated on the characters and their interactions. And…
I freaking LOVED it!!!
Seriously, there was so much tension between those different characters and I don’t know how Danielle did it but this book was everything I wanted to read!!! I didn’t even know what I wanted to read but oh boy, did Mrs. Lori hit the mark! *lol*
I loved every single person that was mentioned in the book, from the main characters like Calamity and Weston to the side characters like Henry and Talon. There was so much detail put into them and to read about Calamity’s life in Symbia was more than just intriguing. The idea of the sisterhood provided a good framework for the entire story and even though I was a little confused at the beginning I easily overcame my initial difficulties while I continued to read the book.
The plot:
The second book begins about a year after the massive cliffhanger of “A Girl named Calamity”. During this year Calamity became a part of the sisterhood (some kind of coven) and started her new life in the city of Symbia. As a potential witch she’s supposed to find a suitable match within the next month but with a disgruntled Untouchable Prince on the throne and a rather jealous Titan Prince on the loose this actually turns out to be more than just a little challenge…
The characters:
Spoiler warning!!! If you don’t want to be spoiled you better skip the rest of this review! I warned you! I really did! *lol*
Calamity:
”She was like seeing color for the very first time: her silky hair, the shape of her body, the delicate way she held a butterfly on the end of her fingertips.”
I absolutely loved the new Calamity! After her death she finally began to grow into her magical powers and during this book she was no longer the damsel in distress. I loved that she finally managed to handle the dangerous situations she got herself into and the idea of her being a Shadow was more than just intriguing. I was so happy that she became such a strong character and I was more than just glad that for once she was the one who fooled the men around her! *lol* Considering the ending of the second book I’m pretty certain that her character is going to change even more and I really can’t wait to find out what Danielle Lori has in store for us!!! XD
”I couldn’t blame what I saw on the dark night because I already knew that wasn’t the case: the butterfly on my finger lacked any color. It was black and white – duller somehow than all its surroundings.”
”The breeze blew my hair, tickling the back of my bare shoulder blades – and every inch of my skin felt alive as if one touch would singe me. “He promised not to tell you,” I said quietly.
Weston:
”He looked like a bloody prince if I ever saw one. How had I never noticed the arrogance about him that only a royal could have? Even the way he stood, with his legs slightly spread like he owned the floor I was walking on, screamed prince.”
I still can’t believe that we actually got to read Weston’s POV!!! Now that I know about his internal struggle I was finally able to understand his contradictory actions of the first book! XD It’s clear that he loves Calamity; I mean he even put her body on a pier and set it on fire!!!! Yet he still tries his best to get her out of his way. Considering his “jealous streak” I can see why he doesn’t want her to be in his vicinity once his madness hits, if I’d be Weston I’d be more worried about Calamity’s madness though. *lol* I mean after he freed her of the sisterhood there is nothing that’s going to stop her darkness and I bet she’s going to be even more dangerous than Weston! XD
He flicked a gaze to me: lazy, dark, unsympathetic, inhumane. “Run.”
”She had asked me if she amused me. The truth was, she was the biggest distraction I’d ever come across. She didn’t amuse me – she captivated me as if I’d never seen a woman before.”
Maxim:
One side of the Untouchable’s mouth quirked up. “Calamity.” “How you been?” “Just a little treason here, a little kidnapping there.” “Sounds busy. I don’t know how you have time to satisfy all the women in your harem.” He let out an amused breath. “Oh , I promise they’re all taken care of.”
The conversations between Maxim and Calamity are so much fun! *lol* They have some sort of strange camaraderie and I really enjoyed to read about their coincidental encounters. As it seems Calamity is still not over the idea of Maxim’s harem and I loved to read about this running gag! Haha! The intensity of their conversations is amazing and I really hope Maxim is going to be a part of the last book as well! =)
Talon:
The Mad Prince’s voice filled the dark. “What time is it?”
I really thought Talon would be nothing more than a side character but oh boy, was I wrong! XD Turns out he’s more than just important for the future story line! *lol* I know he’s one of the bad guys, but hell I still like him! XD I blame it on my illogical love for interesting villains! ;-P
”I turned around to see Talon, dressed not in the commoner rags he’d worn, but in a costly black jerkin and pants. His long hair was pulled half up, the light in his eyes, mad.”
All told, the cliffhanger at the end of the book killed me and I really can’t wait to read the last instalment!!! Danielle if you read this: PLEASE HURRY UP!!! *LOL* I want to know how it all ends!!! XD
This book gets four well deserved stars and who knows; maybe the last book will even get five! ;-P...more
Virginia Ronan
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