crantz: (almond blossom)
Hamster doin' his best in this big world ([personal profile] crantz) wrote in [community profile] yuletide2023-09-16 06:21 pm

Fandom Promo 2023!



Welcome to the Fandom Promo post, everyone!

Here's where you get those eyes on your fandoms for sign-ups!

Share what makes your Yuletide fandoms the shiniest and why you love them. A big part of Yuletide is how small our fandoms can be, and this is a good way to make sure other people know what gems there are out there!

EDIT: WE HAVE A SPREADSHEET! Thanks to Jaclynhyde we now have a spreadsheet you can access HERE.




Here are some areas you can cover:

<b>Title</b>:
Please put your fandom's title in the subject of your comment, too. This helps people find your promo again.

<b>Media</b>:

<b>Approx length</b>:

<b>Where to find it</b>:
(If giving links, please only link to legal sources. You may want to encourage people to contact you directly if they are having trouble finding a canon and you can give them tips)

<b>What is it, in summary?</b>:

<b>What do you love about it?</b>:

<b>What sort of things are you likely to request for it?</b>:

<b>Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?</b>:

<b>Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence)</b>:
This is at your discretion and is not expected to be comprehensive




(Bonus options: What are you thinking of requesting for this? If you're thinking of nominating worldbuilding, what sort of worldbuilding topics might people explore?)


Useful tip (Not required, but helps people if they want to engage with your fandom!):


- It's best to make each fandom its own entry with its own title in the subject line! That makes it easier for people to find/see what you're promoting! Don't worry about 'spam', that is the entire point of this entry and you're using it exactly as intended.



Previous fandom promo posts can be found at this tag!
pinkygrocket: (Default)

ENA - Joel G (Web Series)

[personal profile] pinkygrocket 2023-09-19 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)


Title: ENA - Joel G (Web Series)

Media: Web animation

Approx length: About half an hour

Where to find it: The core of ENA consists of three videos posted on Youtube. I recommend watching them in order.

There is also an upcoming ENA adventure game entitled Dream BBQ, but it is unreleased as of writing.

What is it, in summary?: ENA is a web animation about the life of the titular character, a blue and yellow girl with two different personalities. She lives in a surreal, dreamlike world reminiscent of early 3D PC and PSX/PS1 video games, and the second and third videos are presented as "gameplay" from ENA's perspective. The events of each video are similarly dreamlike; there’s a plot thread running through each of them, but often scenes just happen and characters show up without much rhyme or reason.

What do you love about it?: There are lots of little weird details to pick up on that leave room for interpretation of the nature of ENA herself, different characters, and the world around her. It lets you figure things out for yourself, which I love to chew on. ENA herself and all the different characters are also a delight with how strange they all are.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: Worldbuilding, character exploration, and I’d like to see how writers tackle the surreal nature of ENA’s world in a written form. ENA/Moony is also a common ship in the fandom, and it's a cute femslash pairing!

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfill your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: Each of the videos can be consumed by themselves.

Content warnings: Mental breakdowns, vomiting.
Edited (add banner) 2023-09-24 18:07 (UTC)
natsinator: a scribbly and distressed black and white self portrait (Default)

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu | Legend of the Galactic Heroes

[personal profile] natsinator 2023-09-19 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Media: Primarily known for an 80s/90s anime adaptation, but there's a currently-airing modern anime adaption of the same original novel series, two manga adaptations, and stageplays

Approx length: Ok the 90s OVA anime is 55 hrs long (110 episodes) but I promise it flies by.

Where to find it: Legally, the 90s OVA is on Hidive, and the modern remake is on Crunchyroll. All the original novels are available on Amazon.

What is it, in summary? Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a military SF anime, which takes place at the tail end of the war between two galactic superpowers, the Free Planets Alliance and the Galactic Empire. Both sides have their own protagonists and casts and internal struggles as they battle against each other. It's a serious drama about what it means to be someone's master or servant versus their friend and equal, explored through both the characters' personal struggles and the overall plot of autocracy vs democracy. It's quite possibly the best anime ever made.

What do you love about it? I'm not lying when I say this is the most textually gay mainstream anime you can get from 1980/90. One of the protagonist pairs is based on Alexander the Great &
Hephaestion/Achilles & Patroclus and the show does not shy away from the gay aspects at all. But I love everything about this show-- the story is incredibly cohesive and feels sooo satisfying to dig my teeth into, and all of the characters (in a huge cast!) are incredibly well realized. If you like stories where the wheel of history slowly turns towards inevitable tragedy, you'll love this one lmao.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it? I usually request character-study style fics about secondary characters (this show has a huge cast) but I also usually get in a worldbuilding request that's more open-ended to allow my creator to do as their heart desires. The fandom for this show is pretty small and so I'm always thrilled to see someone explore their own favorite aspect of the show.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships? If you think you might like to give LOGH a shot, I suggest watching the 90 minute movie Overture to a New War to get a sense of what the tone of the show is-- that movie, you can watch without any introduction (it tells the same story as the first two episodes of the show, but gives the events a little more breathing room).

Content notes (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence) It's a military anime so lots of violent death. There is offscreen sexual violence. A cult plotline contains antisemitic conspiracy theory style tropes but is about a made up religion. This isn't a comprehensive list of warnings but those are probably the top 3 I'd give.

[if you're getting deja vu-- I'm copying this from the FFFX fandom promo post 😅]

Re: Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu | Legend of the Galactic Heroes

[personal profile] mongoosegraham 2023-09-24 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Who are the ships to watch out for in here? I've been wanting to watch this anime ever since it was #1 on myanimelist rankings
lurking_latinist: the Seventh Doctor in Battlefield looking thoughtful on a blue-tinted background (thoughtful seven)

Barron's E-Z Math Textbook Series - Douglas Downing

[personal profile] lurking_latinist 2023-09-19 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"Who is the gremlin?" I asked.

"He is our arch-enemy," the king told me. "It is his sole purpose to disrupt our entire learning process and take over the kingdom of Carmorra. We have already defeated him several times concerning matters of algebra."
-Barron's E-Z Calculus


Title: Barron's E-Z Math Textbook Series - Douglas Downing

Media: Books

Approx length: 3 books, each about 300pp (Algebra the Easy Way, Trigonometry the Easy Way, Calculus the Easy Way - may also be sold as Barron's E-Z Calculus, etc.)

Where to find it: Booksellers, libraries, or the Open Library (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus).

What is it, in summary?: A series of books that teaches math through the adventures of fantasy characters who have to discover and apply math concepts in their (occasionally slightly contrived) adventures.

What do you love about it?: We had these books in my house growing up, and I was the kind of weird little probably-autistic kid who became obsessed with them--long before I actually properly understood the math, which is why I can say for sure that you really do not have to understand the math to enjoy these stories! I love how the different characters have different problem-solving strategies and attitudes to math, from the rule-loving, detail-oriented Recordis the scribe to the hands-on Builder and the exploratory Professor. I like stories where a varied team learns to work together and appreciate each other's strengths, and these books push that button for me.

I like that, while their math adventures are sometimes driven by the contrived schemes of the evil Gremlin, they're also sometimes attempts to solve practical problems for the kingdom--you can tell that the author really cares about his subject and wants to show why it might actually be worth learning. I also do enjoy getting a little more understanding of math--it's fun to learn things alongside the characters in a no-pressure environment!

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I would love to see the Royal Court of Carmorra discover something that my writer enjoys--be that another math concept, or a concept from something like art, cookery, or fandom itself! (Just imagine Recordis with a set of exchange rules...) Worldbuilding elements would also be fun--the narrator's identity and backstory (and sometimes existence) are deliberately left vague, and it could be fun to expand on that, or on the motivations of the evil Gremlin who keeps setting them math challenges. I'd also be interested in something based on the characters' desire to improve the kingdom's resources and amenities--maybe futurefic where their incredible knowledge of math has taken them into the space age?

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: Just Algebra the Easy Way, or in fact any one of the books, would give you a good grasp of the characters and style. I'll either nominate it without characters or nominate characters who appear in all three books. And you can definitely skip or skim the actual math content and just focus on the more narrative sections.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Nothing particular that I remember.
Edited (adding OpenLibrary links) 2023-09-19 18:52 (UTC)
kittyeden: (Default)

Re: Barron's E-Z Math Textbook Series - Douglas Downing

[personal profile] kittyeden 2023-09-23 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Just from reading this, it reminds me a lot of Murderous Maths, which has similarly contrived narrative segments played out by a whole host of bizarre characters, interspersed with enthusiastic mathematics rambling. I might have to check this one out too. I loved Murderous Maths as a kid.
nerakrose: drawing of balfour from havemercy (Default)

Afdeling Q | Department Q (Movies)

[personal profile] nerakrose 2023-09-19 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: Afdeling Q | Department Q (Movies)
Media: 4 Danish crime movies based on books but also uh take some liberties not found in the books, individually these are: Kvinden i Buret (2013), Fasandræberne (2014), Flaskepost fra P (2016), Journal 64 (2018). the titles of the films in English are: The Keeper of Lost Causes (2013), The Absent One (2014), A Conspiracy of Faith (2016) and The Purity of Vengeance (2018).
(there is technically a fifth movie, but the leads were recast and some other baffling changes were made, the movie fandom generally ignores this movie)

Approx length: each film is about 1 and a half hour

Where to find it:
in Denmark these films can be accessed on blockbuster.dk (scandinavian and Finnish subtitles only, no english subs on this site) for renting/buying, which is what I use with a VPN. I don't know about legal sources outside Denmark. Here in the UK I haven't been able to find them on any streaming service though I may have missed some, I don't know.

What is it, in summary?: A traumatised and grumpy homicide detective (Carl Mørck) is demoted to a newly opened cold case department after a traumatic incident which left his best friend dead and his partner paralysed. he gets a sunshiney new partner (Assad) for whom this is a promotion (he was previously 'sat in a warehouse for two years with a stamp'), and (starting with film 2) their plucky assistant (Rose Knudsen). They solve weirdly dramatic cold cases.

What do you love about it?: Carl and Assad are instantly ride and die for each other. Carl experiences Emotions and his way of dealing with them are (in no particular order): running away, ignoring them, lying, and pushing people away. Assad, also traumatised but a remarkably well adjusted and emotionally intelligent person is one of few people who puts up with (and loves) Carl. two different movies have two different 'one of the two winds up in the hospital and the other holds bedside vigil until the other one wakes up' scenes. there are multiple scenes where one comes rushing (sometimes violently) to the aid of the other. Carl has some kind of autism/ADHD combo that makes him very abrasive, smart, and often unable to pick up on social cues. He is divorced but doesn't seem to care about dating anybody and when he does he makes half-assed attempts at it. Assad never ever mentions dating anybody ever. they are deeply codependent. in film 4 they are going through a break up from each other due to Assad wanting to progress his career in another department and everybody around them treats it like a romantic break up. (spoiler, they get back together, tearfully.) Rose and Assad are like best buddies, I don't know if the filmmakers intended for a romance between them but it doesn't read that way - they are such good friends. Carl hates everyone and everything except Assad, but even he likes Rose.

listen, I am OBSESSED. these men are unwell about each other. Carl is a fucking mess. Assad totally deserves better but unfortunately for him he's in love with a trashfire. The trashfire loves him back but is unable to acknowledge his emotions about it. Assad gives Carl puppy eyes a lot. They emotionally manipulate each other at times. Assad risks his shiny new job for Carl (and for doing the right thing and saving the victim) right off the bat. Assad is an optimist at heart. Carl is a pessimist. how do they stand each other?? they are the only one the other one has. (although it's implied Assad, like, knows other people and likes socialising with them, because he's a relatively well adjusted human person who doesn't hate the universe.)

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: bromance, pre-slash, slash, platonic - listen I don't care what shape their relationship takes in fic so long as the core of it is still there: their codependency, the way they know how each other think, how smart they are, how they fight (and hurt each other), how they make up every time anyway, how they would kill for each other if necessary. I love the running gag about coffee (Assad makes strong coffee and Carl doesn't like it, will only drink coffee Rose made, will comment on how other people's coffee is still worse than the coffee Assad made, etc etc this man cannot communicate in a normal way). I want fluff i want trauma i want smut i want case fic i want it all

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?:
unfortunately no, but one can watch the movies and fast forward through the bits that have to do with the case and just watch the characters interact with each other.
however!! there are some fake bloopers created as promo for these movies that are very fun - these are clearly the actors goofing rather than the characters doing stuff, but they have served as fandom inspiration nonetheless! and the one for Journal 64 in particular leans into the romantic subtext of the film: https://youtu.be/h_wUKxnvD2Q?si=TxIzkJoYtAtehHkw
here's one for Flaskepost fra P: https://youtu.be/w75rfyrVXEs?si=DFtz4_sobK2h-Bl-
I can't find the video this gif is from, but:

ETA: this fanvideo sums up Carl's character pretty well. I'm clawing my face at how the words 'somebody better than me' line up with the shot of Assad praying (and Carl watching him do so)

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence):
these are CRIME films, there is on-screen violence and blood related to the cases they're solving. they do both get hurt multiple times. In Fasandræberne a character sets another character on fire (alive) and then walks into the fire themselves to die (this is super traumatic and it's heavily implied that this is the reason Carl is on sick leave at the beginning of the next film). in Journal 64 there is sexual assault of a female victim, three times, shown in flashbacks. there is some racism, Assad's character is muslim and it's lampshaded a few times. in Flaskepost fra P he faces some and Carl makes a mean comment to him about pork while they're arguing about religion. (this is uncharacteristic for Carl and you can see he regrets making the comment immediately.) Carl seems to self medicate a fair bit with alcohol.
Edited 2023-09-19 22:50 (UTC)
kitsunerei88: (Default)

Re: Afdeling Q | Department Q (Movies)

[personal profile] kitsunerei88 2023-09-22 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
OK this completely looks like my jam, I love crime dramas and trauma.

In Canada at least, it looks like they're on Amazon Prime through one of their subscriber channels (IFC+ Unlimited or AMC+, of which there are free 30-day trials).
kitsunerei88: (Default)

Strange Angels - Lili St. Crow

[personal profile] kitsunerei88 2023-09-19 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: Strange Angels, by Lili St. Crow

Media: A series of 5 books.

Approx length: Each book is on the order of 300 pages or so.

Where to find it: Amazon or any place you get books or ebooks.

What is it, in summary?:

I'll start off by putting the author's own blurb about the first book here. I figure, someone was basically paid to put this together to sell it so they can probably do it better than me.

I didn’t tell Dad about Granmama’s white owl. I know I should have…

Traveling from town to town with her father, Dru Anderson has never been “normal.” She’s got “the touch”, and her dad relies on her to zero the weird so that they can clear it, fighting the weird and the deadly so the regular nine-to-fivers can remain oblivious. Still, it’s all she knows, and it’s a good life…until her dad goes hunting family secrets and ends up dead but still walking.

Now Dru is alone, stranded in an ice-locked town, and the things that go bump in the night have decided to hunt her. They know her name, they know she’s survived–and now Dru needs every ounce of her strength, smarts, and skill to unravel her family’s secrets, plumb the depths of her own memory, and oh yeah, deal with that American History teacher. If she’s strong enough and fast enough, she might just stand a chance.

And if she’s really lucky, she just might live past midnight…


What do you love about it?:

So this five book series is remarkable for how different each of the five books are in terms of setting! There's a thread of survivalism throughout all of it, but the first book is survival in an isolated town/wilderness, then Dru's at a boarding school, and then there's a war. Each book really feels fresh when I read, which I really like.

Contextually, Strange Angels was written in the mass of post-Twilight teen vampire fiction, and it shows it in the best way. For example, do you have a centuries-old vampire being in love with main character? Yeah. Do you have main character pointing out how really fucking weird that is? Absolutely. There's also werewolves, and if you were Team Jacob.... well I won't say Team Jacob wins, because it doesn't, but it sure as hell comes a lot closer. (That said, no one "wins" in this sense, which I find an awesome resolution because guys, they just fought a war, there is trauma up the wazoo).

Overall, I just found this series a really fun YA read, hitting lots of tropes! Huddling for Warmth! Boarding School Shenanigans! Mean Girls! Discovering you're actually maybe kinda sorta a princess? Vampires! Werewolves! Oh my!

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: Dru and August and their relationship. August was a friend of her dad's, and probably the only one for SO MANY YEARS both to know what Dru survived, that she was on the run, and everything. How does he balance what he knows of the one remaining svetocha with his own responsibilities to the Council? What is their relationship like? There's also that comment that because he looks 25, he was a late-bloomer, so what is that like?

Content warnings: One of the main characters, Graves, is hafu (half-Asian) and some descriptions of him are racist. That said, as an Asian person, I didn't notice at all the first time I read it, and maybe it because I was honestly too happy to have an Asian character as a main character, even a love interest, that wasn't a gd stereotype.
Edited 2023-09-23 03:14 (UTC)
commanderbayban: (5)

Cousin Bette - Honoré de Balzac

[personal profile] commanderbayban 2023-09-19 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: Cousin Bette by Honoré de Balzac

Media: Book (but also a fantastic BBC TV adaptation from 1972)

Approx length: The book is approximately 500 pages while the TV series spans 5 episodes.

Where to find it:
The book can be found on Project Gutenberg, the Open Library, and through the local library. The 1972 show can be watched online from this channel (despite what the video purports, the episodes are around 45 minutes in length. Each video plays the episode twice for some reason).

What is it, in summary?: To rip a line from its Wikipedia entry, it’s a story “[s]et in mid-19th-century Paris [that] tells the story of Bette, an unmarried middle-aged woman who plots the destruction of her extended family.” She (played by Margaret Tyzack) employs the help of her friend Valérie (Helen Mirren), who is a woman unhappily married to an older man, who, too, tries to cash in on the spoils by seducing numerous men.

What do you love about it?: THE DRAMA. If you love soap operas or any type of show/book (especially historicals) that involves human-versus-human conflict, you might love this. I love seeing Bette and Valérie scheme, and their schemes are less of what they do, and more of how easy their prey fall into their traps. Philanderers gonna philander and cheaters gonna cheat is basically the name of this story’s game. But neither Bette and Valérie are innocent in their own rights. This is one of those stories where you come away disliking almost everyone but in an “affectionate” way.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: My favorite character in the series is Wenceslas (played by Colin Baker), a young man who rents an apartment from Bette. He’s a down-on-his-luck sculptor from Paris who wants to make a name for himself. Bette adores him, but when he doesn’t accept her advances, she goes out of her way to make life difficult for him. I’d love any story involving him, from expounding on canon events to providing back story or post-canon updates.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: The whole book has to be read, but the show is much easier to manage compared to reading 500 pages. It does an excellent job at paring down the story into five episodes.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): The first episode begins with an
attempted suicideclick for detail.
Other than that, no trigger warnings that I can think of.
Edited 2023-09-19 21:41 (UTC)
nonesensed: My cat is a happy cat (Default)

Much Ado About Nothing (2011)

[personal profile] nonesensed 2023-09-19 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Benedick & Beatrice

Title: Much Ado About Nothing (2011) – Link to trailer

Media: Theater

Approx length: 2 hours 40 minutes

Where to find it: You can rent it at Digital Theatre - if you're having problems with that, send me a message and I'll help out.

What is it, in summary?: It's Shakespeare's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" with David Tennant as Benedick and Catherine Tate as Beatrice. All the lines spoken are from the 'original' play, while sets, costumes and the stage directions are of a more modern take, which add a lot of extra fun!

What do you love about it?:
I think I'll start with linking to this Tumbler post which is what got me into this version of Much Ado About Nothing. The fact that this version of Beatrice and Benedick so easily can be read as two disaster!bis warms my bisexual heart <3

But there are a million adaptations of Shakespeare's plays out there, so why should you watch this one? Other than for the same-sex leaning disaster bisexuals meta? Here are my three reasons:

1) The physical comedy and modern setting. Would you like to see Benedick dressed as Miss Piggy and Beatrice as one of the Blues Brothers, bickering at a fancy dress party? A hungover Benedick in a Superman shirt and jorts, accidentally covering himself in paint? A nosy Beatrice getting hoisted to the ceiling while inexpertly trying to hide under a sheet? A stag and hen party, complete with sexy dancers? Adorable night watchmen? Prop comedy? This play has got it all! Also, many of the most stupid decisions the characters make are here shown to be the result of irresponsible drinking, which makes shitty decisions no less shitty but still slightly more understandable.

2) The way they've chosen to interpret & perform the dialogue. Shakespeare might be "complicated" theatre nowadays, but that was hardly always the case. I've seen many versions of many Shakespeare plays where I've felt the dialogue's been a bit...not stilted, necessarily, but it's felt like the actors have been worried about "ruining" the script. This version of Much Ado About Nothing makes all the dialogue in the play feel natural. You can tell the actors get the lines, the innuendo and the puns, and they're having fun with it. During both "let's trick Beatrice/Benedick"-scenes the actors really ham it up and hesitate in ways that makes the scenes flow excellently. Though I think my favorite part is how they change Benedick's "And her hair shall be whatever color it please God" into "And her hair shall be re- WHATEVER COLOR IT PLEASE GOD!!!" when he's talking about his Dream Woman XD In addition, the accusations Claudio hurl at Hero when he thinks she's cheated on him are taken as seriously as they should be – yes, it's still a comedy over all, but I love that the play makes sure to underline that Claudio is being awful here and that Hero is being mistreated. I've seen that part of the play portrayed as "Ooops, that's unfortunate, oh well~" a few times, and I prefer this serious take on what's basically an old-timey version of "someone sent me (faked) porn of my girlfriend so now I hate her!!!"

3) The pining. As fun as I usually find Beatrice and Benedick, few versions of this play have sold me on the romance between them. This version? This version does. There are many subtle changes and non-verbal hints (as well as verbal ones, see fave quote from point nr 2) that show how Benedick and Beatrice clearly are into each other, but both are refusing to take the first step. Based on this it makes sense that they both jump at the chance to believe that the other is in love with them, when the rest of the cast start with their ruse. Beatrice's conversation with the prince during the fancy dress ball is another favorite thing about the B&B relationship in this version. When the prince says Beatrice "has done Benedick ill", she replies with, pretty much, "He hurt me first". Whether they almost had a fling or were together and then broke up pre-canon is of course left up to the audience, as always, but I love the way it was presented in this version.

In short, this is a really funny and sweet take on the play, with excellent physical comedy, top-notch acting and moments of seriousness that contrast well with the humor. Here's a link to more silly gifs, clips & meta from the play over on my Tumblr.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I love this take on Benedick and Beatrice and will be hoping for a story that focuses on them, either pre- or post-canon, or set during the play itself.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfill your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: I think the Tumblr posts I've linked above might give you a good overview and Digital Theatre has put a few clips of the play up on Youtube (as have others) if you just want to watch snippets of it here and there.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Character contemplating and almost going through with suicide, Shakespeare-time-thoughts on how gender supposedly works and 'rules' about sexuality (especially the idea that women need to be "virgins before marriage at all costs"), an old fashioned version of revenge porn.

Useful tip: Here's an AO3 link that'll lead you to fics specifically about this version of Much Ado About Nothing.

Re: Much Ado About Nothing (2011)

(Anonymous) 2023-09-20 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
MAAN is my favourite play, so of course I had to watch this. Thank you so much for the promo, otherwise I'd have never known about this gloriously fun version. Will definitely request 💜
(And yes, disaster bis ftw!!!)
- KitKaos (lost her password somewhere, so not logged in)

Re: Much Ado About Nothing (2011)

(Anonymous) - 2023-09-22 10:32 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Much Ado About Nothing (2011)

(Anonymous) - 2023-09-24 10:55 (UTC) - Expand
nonesensed: My cat is a happy cat (Default)

Rook & Rose – M. A. Carrick

[personal profile] nonesensed 2023-09-19 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Rook & Rose trilogy covers

Title: Rook & Rose – M. A. Carrick

Media: Book trilogy (now complete!)

Approx length:Book 1 The Mask of Mirrors is 630 pages, book 2 The Liar's Knot 629 pages & book 3 Labyrinth's Heart 639 pages.

Where to find it: Here's a GoodReads link so you'll know what to browse for in your bookstore or online for ebooks.

What is it, in summary?: A second world fantasy story about a former street urchin turned con artist who just wants to live a comfortable, safe life; a noble family down on their luck struggling to hold together; a city guard who's struggling against a corrupt system; a crime lord aiming for respect and recognition by the town's elite. They all tangle together in a story of political and magical intrigue.

What do you love about it?: Argh, it's so hard to explain exactly why I love this series without spoiling far too many plot twists, so I'll have to resort to being enthusiastic but vague. I love well-planned second world fantasy settings and I adore so many tropes that show up in this story! We've got Found Family, Secret Identities, Identity Confusion, Competence Porn, Hidden Motives, Political Conspiracies, and on the list goes! I think what I love the most, though, is how you gradually get to know the characters across the story. It's not that all the characters are pretending to be something they're not - it's more that this book series has very human, complex characters that you need several chapters to truly get under the skin of. The foreshadowing in the series is also great! There are several things that happened in book 1 than I now look back on and go "Oooooh! So that's what that was/meant!" Also, there's a local hero who fights the nobles' corruption, "The Rook" (think Zorro but with magic), and guessing at which character hides behind the Rook's hood is a delightful side-mystery that runs parallel with the main plots of the story. Plus, it's a queernorm world, which always is a bonus to me.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I am adoring the final book in the series, so I'll likely request some sort of "post-canon" story, but I'd also be happy reading something written set pre-canon or during one of the books. The character Derossi Vargo is still a favorite and will almost definitely be the focus of any prompts/request I come up with.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfill your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: Reading the first book alone will get you a good idea of who most main characters in the series are as people. The books have an overarching plot that continues through all three of them, but each book also has a clear "ending" (and I'll try to keep my prompts/requests as spoiler free as possible).

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): The setting is a second world fantasy city that's got very strict hierarchies and plenty of colonialism soaking through its laws and attitudes, so basically all negative things such things lead to are addressed in the story (for example: corruption, police brutality, abuse that ranges from sexual to mental to physical, racism, poverty). There are some semi-graphic scenes of violence and torture and implied sexual abuse, plus explicit mind control, and plenty of murder. Also, sleep-deprivation and nightmares are a big theme across the books. Plus, loss of identity and questioning one's own identity.

Useful tip: Here's an AO3 link to this fandom's fics.
kitsunerei88: (Default)

Cyclone Series - Courtney Milan

[personal profile] kitsunerei88 2023-09-19 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: Cyclone Series - Courtney Milan

Media: 2 books, being Trade Me and Hold Me, and 1 novella, Year of the Crocodile.

Approx length: Each book is about 300 pages, the novella is about 50 pages.

Where to find it: Amazon or anywhere you get books or ebooks.

What is it, in summary?: A series of contemporary romance novels by mostly-historical romance author Courtney Milan! I'm just going to throw the Amazon blurbs, as per usual for me.

Trade Me

Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent again. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Systems. But when he makes an offhand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life.

To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. No expectations; no future obligations.

But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart...but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life.

Hold Me

Jay na Thalang is a demanding, driven genius. He doesn’t know how to stop or even slow down. The instant he lays eyes on Maria Lopez, he knows that she is a sexy distraction he can’t afford. He’s done his best to keep her at arm’s length, and he’s succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.

Maria has always been cautious. Now that her once-tiny, apocalypse-centered blog is hitting the mainstream, she’s even more careful about preserving her online anonymity. She hasn’t sent so much as a picture to the commenter she’s interacted with for eighteen months—not even after emails, hour-long chats, and a friendship that is slowly turning into more. Maybe one day, they’ll meet and see what happens.

But unbeknownst to them both, Jay is Maria’s commenter. They’ve already met. They already hate each other. And two determined enemies are about to discover that they’ve been secretly falling in love…

What do you love about it?: DIVERSITY. Trade Me was actually the first romance book I ever read and LOVED, because in Tina I saw me. Courtney Milan is Asian, and her writing an Asian heroine in a mainstream romance novel meant so much to me. Tina speaks to my experience in a very real way, and I love that. The first book also has elements of a fake relationship and OH NO THEY CATCH FEELINGS which is also great.

Hold Me has a trans main character, and it deals with such great themes around femininity and acceptance. Jay na Thalang is a third-culture kid, and even having that be in a mainstream novel is so amazing. Toss that in with the plot of falling in love with someone you met online and unknowingly hating them in real life? CATNIP.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: More of Tina and Blake! More of Maria and Jay! Fluff! Romance! Smut! Maria and Tina being best friends! Blake and Jay being Cyclone nightcare kids!

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: Each book can be read independently; the novella is not standalone but isn't necessary, and can be read with Trade Me only.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Trade Me features eating disorders, discussions of oppression of Falun Dafa/Falun Gong and being a refugee; Hold Me features transphobia (Maria was disowned by her family and there's some pretty detailed discussion around that).
jaclynhyde: (nice going shade)

Starman (1994) - DC Comics

[personal profile] jaclynhyde 2023-09-19 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: Starman (1994)

Media: Comic

Approx length: 81 regular issues, plus some optional special issues. The two Shade miniseries (4 issues and 12 issues) are also optional but fun.

What is it, in summary?:

Starman is a comic about a man becoming a superhero, intertwined with the history of superheroes, his family, and his city. The entire run is written by a single author and builds towards a satisfying ending.

What do you love about it?:

Starman is a story about legacy. It's about loving the past, and it's about using the things you love about it to shape the present and the future. It's about telling stories, and family both biological and found, and confronting the parts of yourself you pretended you left behind. It's about the absurdity of superheroes and the joy of flying and how to find inspiration in the past even if you're not taking up all their fashion choices. It's about remembering the forgotten and what really matters about those grand good vs. evil battles.

It's a story about Starmen.

Starman is about Jack Knight, the son of Ted Knight, the Golden Age Starman. (The comic itself explains the older generation of heroes, but in sum: Ted Knight was a member of the Justice Society of America, the original superhero team in the DC Universe. They were active around the 40, but their aging was slowed so they're still relatively spry in the 90s when the series takes place.) He's a hipster antiques dealer who dresses like he stepped out of the 1950s and has absolutely no interest in superheroics. When the story begins, Jack's brother David has just taken up the mantle of Starman, the protector of Opal City, a few weeks ago. The story begins when David is shot and killed while out on patrol; Jack soon discovers that the killer was the son of the Mist, his father's old nemesis. Jack, thrown into the middle of this fight, finds himself reluctantly taking up the mantle of Starman with the help of his father. When Jack kills David's killer in return, he sets a chain of events into motion that will change the course of his superhero career and his beloved Opal.

Starman is interested in more legacies than that of the Knights, however, and no one exemplifies this more than the deuteragonist of the series, the Shade. The Shade, a mysterious shadowy gentleman dressed incongruously in all-black Victorian-era clothing, is a former villain who menaced the Golden Age Flash but retired to Opal City. (If you're a Stargirl fan, Stargirl Shade was a fantastic adaptation from this one.) He introduces himself to Jack by teleporting uninvited into his apartment, handing him his two-hundred-year-old diary, and badgering him to read his memoirs to become the hero Opal deserves. These memoirs lead to one of the features that makes Starman stand out: the Times Past issues. About a quarter of Starman's 80 issues are entries from the Shade's journals, telling single-issue stories of the past of the Justice Society, Opal City, and the supporting cast of Starman. It's a fantastic introduction to a long-standing universe (well, if you don't mind a few retcons), and really lets you feel the weight of these legacies even if you've never picked up another DC comic.

Speaking of legacies, there sure were a lot of superheroes named Starman in the DC universe! And by god, this Starman series is tying all of them together. Jack will meet every single superhero named Starman through the course of this series, and not just as detours to the Knight family as the real Starman. Everyone who took up the name, no matter how briefly, was Starman, and so many of them end up saving each other. Mikaal Tomas, the disco alien Starman from the 70s who only appeared in one issue? Jack saves him from captivity and they become as close as brothers, taking a rocketship to space together. That trip to space is to save the 80s Starman, Will Payton, whose sister refused to believe he really died back in that major event. (A note to anyone who's already a fan of Starman v2: read Starman v1, because this series really did the Paytons dirty). There's also the other alien Starman, and the future Starman, and the future future Starman, and the Starman of '51 invented for this series, and Stargirl, and the point is that all their stories deserve to be told, even if it's only when they briefly intersect. Even David, dead in the first issue, gets his story told: every year on Jack's birthday, he's visited by David in his dreams for a Talking With David issue. It's a lovely way to see both Jack and David grow, and to let Jack mend his relationship with his brother and his father.

Do I recommend this even outside of a fannish context? Absolutely. It's a story that really cares about the emotions inherent to the superhero genre, and for a series that starts with Jack decrying Dad's old spandex costume as ridiculous, it's absolutely bursting with love for the genre as a whole. It takes the stories it tells seriously, even the parts it's poking fun at; all these heroes may have superpowers and flashy costumes and brawls with their nemeses, but the important part is how they feel and grow and love. My favorite example is the first annual issue. It features the Shade, still alive millions of years in the future, on the planet he's named in honor of Opal City. He's telling the story of two of the Starmen to a gaggle of children, and it's clear that he constantly tells the stories of Jack and Opal and all the people he knew and loved. Starman is considered one of DC's classic runs for a reason. James Robinson wrote the entire run, meaning that characterization stays consistent throughout and the story arcs build up to a satisfying ending. The two major artists (Tony Harris for the first half and Peter Snejbjerg for the second) are both great; the Times Past issues all have different artists, most of them fantastic.

I wrote a lot more, including relevant comic panels, on the characters I nominated (Shade, Jack, Mikaal Tomas, and Nash) and my tiny OTP (Jack/Shade) on my Dreamwidth!

Where to find it:
Starman consists of 81 original issues, two miniseries about the Shade, and various special issues with side stories; this reading order collects all of them (and some extra JSA stuff including Jack). If you only want the main story, Starman #0-80 (plus the two Power of Shazam issues) will cover everything. The 80-page Giant, Annuals, 1 Million, The Mist, and Secret Files are recommended but optional side content, as are the two Shade series (4 issues and 12 issues respectively). The rest on the reading list is cool but not necessary. There's a number of ways to read it:

  • DC Universe Infinite: $8/month or $75 a year for digital access to bucketloads of DC comics. Includes a 7-day free trial if you read extremely fast. Does not include the first Shade miniseries for some reason.

  • Starman Compendiums: Two extremely massive paperbacks (~1500 pages each) collecting the series and both Shade miniseries.

  • Starman Omnibi: 6 hardcovers covering the series and the first Shade mini. These are the only collections including the Shade's Journal, which are excellent text pieces with a lot of characterization. I'd recommend these if you're going for physical books. (If you really love it, go for the Compendiums, but they're less convenient to read and probably less likely to be in libraries.)

  • Starman TPBs: 10 paperbacks for the main series and one for the second Shade series.

  • Single issues: Make sure you're reading Starman volume 2, starting in 1994; Starman v1 (starting in 1988) is delightful but a different 45-issue series.

  • The Shade's Journal: A lovely Tumblr user transcribed the Shade's Journal text pieces, which are reblogged on my the shade's journal tag.


What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I am all aboard the Jack/Shade train. Post-canon get-together fic, shippy vignettes, casefic with banter, anything with them! I'd also love to write anything from this canon if anyone else requests it!

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?:
Not exactly--there are standalone plotlines, but the context of the whole story is really what makes Starman special. The first six issues (#0-5) will give you a good idea of whether you'll want to read the whole thing, as would any of the Times Past standalone issues.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Rape is the biggest one; Nash's drugging and raping of Jack is a major plot point, and rape is also briefly mentioned in Mikaal's backstory. There's a good deal of violence and death, but not overly gory. There's a smattering of 90s-typical misogyny and ableism, and a bit of casual homophobia but much less than usual considering the major queer character.
Edited (Fixed link) 2023-09-20 03:43 (UTC)

The Worldwide Dessert Contest

[personal profile] ysavvryl 2023-09-20 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
Title: The Worldwide Dessert Contest by Dan Elish

Media: a children's book

Approx length: My copy has 182 pages.

Where to find it: It looks to be still in print, available from major bookstores.

What is it, in summary?: John Applefeller has entered the famed Worldwide Dessert Contest for eleven years with original apple desserts, with disastrous results every single time. Determined to win over the evil chef Sylvester Sweet, John and his friends set out to find the master magical chef Captain B. Rollie Ragoon to find his recipe for success.

What do you love about it?: The cover picture is of a pair of roller-skating pies with red bowties. That tells you the kind of whimsy and fun that you'll find in this story. The descriptions are mouthwatering, the dialogue gets really creative, and the contests themselves take multiple chapters full of humor and wit. Plus, there's a whole group of people who only understand rhymes! And then you get the person who gives baking instructions purely in rhyme! It's a wonderful story that I happily keep alongside my other children's classics because I love it that much.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I nominated worldbuilding, two of the contest judges, and the villain Sylvester Sweet; I'll probably request any on them all. Oh, did I forget to mention that Sweet is basically Snidely Whiplash as a chef with a hot girlfriend and a loyal pet elephant? Because he's basically that.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: No, it's just the one book so it should be read fully.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Many of the side characters are caricatures, which may come off as stereotypical and racist. This also counts for the few female characters, who are very stereotypical and shallow.

Calf Cleaving in the Benthic Black — Isabel J. Kim (Short Story)

(Anonymous) 2023-09-20 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
Title:
Calf Cleaving in the Benthic Black – Isabel J. Kim

Media: Short story

Approx length: ~6,000 words. Maybe a 20 minute read.

Where to find it:
On Clarkesworld’s website: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/kim_11_22/

What is it, in summary?:
Centuries after humanity left Earth, two scavengers break into a failed generation ship, wrestle with the moral dilemma they find there, and come up with a hairbrained plan to steal millions of dollars (and maybe also a teenager).

What do you love about it?: Some really freaking good writing. A space-opera universe that feels richly layered and lived-in despite how few words the story has to develop it. The complex, compelling relationship between the two main characters, with potential for hilarious fucked up post-canon found-family. Identity shenanigans.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?:
This feels like a prequel to a book I really want to read — would love a continuation of the story after Mica wakes up. Or an exploration of Mica and Seam’s time on Saint-Seb, or perhaps some general worldbuilding fleshing out the fascinating details of this universe. Or anything, really!

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Not much. Lots of talk of murder?
cmdonovann: self portrait (Default)

Quantum Break

[personal profile] cmdonovann 2023-09-20 03:04 am (UTC)(link)


Title:
Quantum Break

Media: Video Game

Approx length: Approximately 8 hours for a full playthrough on average, in my experience; it's shorter (about 5 hours) if you look up a story-only or story-focused Let's Play on YouTube. I have some recommendations for good ones in a post on my journal, here, as well as a more in-depth pitch for how good this game is, lol.

Where to find it:
You can buy the game for Xbox One via Microsoft, or anywhere else you can order games online (Amazon, Best Buy, etc). It's also available for PC on Steam and a couple of other platforms. If you want links to Let's Plays or walkthroughs, I mentioned those above.

What is it, in summary?:
Quantum Break is a video game about time travel, and by extension, about tragedy and futility and choice and love. I have been obsessed with it since it came out in 2016, and it pretty much rewrote my DNA. The actual elevator pitch for it is that it's a story-driven single-player third-person shooter in which you have cool time powers and you can (to a degree) change how the story plays out by making different choices. But that doesn't really explain what's good about it, I think.

What do you love about it?:
The characters are all terrible people. I mean, not really- I think all of them are genuinely doing their best and think they're doing what's right- but they all make shitty choices (sometimes shittier than others, depending on how you play) and none of them can escape the mess they're in. The fact that Quantum Break's time travel operates on closed loop logic, where everything that happens will always happen and has always happened, even if you go back in time to try to change things, means that once you've seen how bad things get, there's no changing it. The end will come, no matter what you do or where in time you travel to, because it was always going to end. The drama of it all! It's so tasty. Also, the main characters are all hot. Living the bisexual dream with this game XD

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?:
Pretty much anything featuring the protagonist, Jack Joyce, and his childhood-friend-turned-antagonist, Paul Serene. They are my OTP to end all OTPs! Well, not really, I'm a multishipper at heart, but I adore them and I'm always interested to see other people's takes on their relationship. I've been endlessly iterating on my own headcanons for them in solitude for so long that I think I've become a bit detached from canon in some places, haha.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: You can definitely just watch the shorter, "movie" style YouTube playthroughs of the game that only show the plot and cut out the gameplay stuff. The ones I linked (in the post I mention above) are around 5 hours long. If that's too much of a time investment, I can try to find you shorter ones, just shoot me a message or leave a comment or reply!

Content warnings:
Gun violence. That's the main one. It's a shooter game, so it's unavoidable. Even if you skip the gameplay sections and just watch the story stuff, there's still a scene where someone gets shot in the head. So if that stuff bothers you, this isn't the game for you.

Bonus: what are you thinking of requesting for this?:
The characters I've nominated are Jack Joyce (the protagonist), Paul Serene (the antagonist), Beth Wilder (an important character who helps Jack), and Martin Hatch (a somewhat mysterious man who works for Paul). I honestly ship all four of them with each other in any configuration, though Jack/Paul is the Classic Flavor™ to me. I'm also interested in seeing Paul/Martin (with Hatch pining after Paul, mostly, because Paul is too stressed to realize when people are flirting with him) and Paul/Beth (Homestuck Kismesis Flavor: They Kick Each Others' Asses). I'd be very open to character studies of individual characters as well, because again, I like seeing different takes on characterization than my own.

Another bonus: A link to the AO3 tag for Quantum Break, a link to my Quantum Break tag on my art tumblr, and a link to my Quantum Break tag on my personal/reblog tumblr.
Edited (Edited to add links to AO3 and tumblr tags. Also edited to add image.) 2023-09-20 04:42 (UTC)
quicktimeeventfull: (Default)

Re: Quantum Break

[personal profile] quicktimeeventfull 2023-09-28 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I've been meaning to play this for absolutely ages!! This will be my push to actually so. It sounds fantastic! It's on Game Pass right now for anyone who happens to have that.

Re: Quantum Break

[personal profile] cmdonovann - 2023-09-28 18:40 (UTC) - Expand

(Anonymous) 2023-09-20 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Title: Mouth to Mouth – Antoine Wilson

Media: Book

Approx length: 179 pages. The audiobook, which is how I first ‘read’ it, is under 5 hours and pretty good.

Where to find it:
On Amazon, or wherever you get your books (was a 2022 NYT bestseller so you’ll be able to find it at Barnes and Noble and the like). Audiobook is on Audible.

What is it, in summary?:
Jeff, lost and adrift in his early twenties, comes across a drowning man on the beach one morning and resuscitates him, saving his life. The man – Francis – turns out to be a powerful art dealer with plenty of skeletons in his closet. At first seeking closure, Jeff becomes obsessed with Francis and inserts himself into his life, taking a job at his gallery and getting to know his family. Francis, who has no recollection of the man who saved his life, takes Jeff under his wing, spurring Jeff’s meteoric rise through the art world. But as their lives become more and more enmeshed, it’s increasingly unclear who’s corrupting who.

What do you love about it?:
It’s a nested narrative – Jeff is telling his story to the narrator at the airport on a long layover – and as the story proceeds, it becomes clear that both Jeff and the narrator are unreliable narrators, which I can never get enough of. Jeff and Francis are fascinating characters and the dynamic between them is deliciously complex.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: Jeff/Francis; love me a toxic age-gap. Maybe an AU where That Thing That Happens At The End doesn’t go as planned and they’re forced to live with the consequences.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: Not really, but it’s a relatively short book.
marquisguyun: screenshot of episode one of scumbag system, featuring the original shen qingqiu holding a fan and looking angry (Default)

"A Civil War Ghost"

[personal profile] marquisguyun 2023-09-20 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
Title:
"A Civil War Ghost" - Brennan Lee Mulligan | CharactersWelcome (Comedy Sketch)

Media: Filmed live comedy sketch

Approx length: 6 minutes

Where to find it:
Here on YouTube

What is it, in summary?: Oliver Buford Brock, the ghost of a Confederate soldier who was a bounty hunter before the war, explains how he was wrong about slavery. He also denies the idea that his views were "okay at the time" and details his journey of attempting to eradicate racism from the United States with limited success. Manages to both explain structural racism clearly and also be funny at the same time.

What do you love about it?: Brennan is both articulate and has great comedic delivery. He handles an important topic very well and manages to make it both real and funny. I also really enjoy the switching between dramatic Southern ghost and "Let me explain to you how racism infects our whole society." This is definitely the kind of canon that doesn't need more to feel complete, but also has room for it if you want.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I'd enjoy seeing more of Buford in modern times, trying to figure out the best way to fight racism. How did he decide stand up comedy was the answer? Where does he go from here? Alternatively, maybe he pays a visit to his Quaker cousin's grave after his enlightenment about the evils of racism to give a version of the "I was wrong" speech that would eventually become his stand up comedy routine. Not interested in him when he was still a racist.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: No, the whole skit is 6 minutes long

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence):
I mean the whole theme of the skit is recovering from being a racist and also the realities of systemic racism. I will note that no racial slurs are used (unless you want to count "cracker" referring to white people)
daisyninjagirl: (Default)

Love's Labour's Lost - RSC 2014

[personal profile] daisyninjagirl 2023-09-20 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
Title:
Love's Labour's Lost - RSC 2014

Media: Stage production

Approx length: 2 hours

Where to find it: I can watch it on a streaming service called Marquee, I think another one run by Bloomsbury should have it, there are probably other streamers as well, plus DVD.

What is it, in summary?: The production of Love's Labour's Lost where they decided it should be produced in conjunction with Much Ado About Nothing (retitled Love's Labour's Won) to book end WWI and thought really hard about how best to turn it into an operetta. It has beautiful music, a teddy bear that almost comes to grief, gorgeous Edwardian frocks, and a group of demented dancing cossacks.

What do you love about it?: Did I mention that there are demented dancing cossacks?

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: More about what happened after the end of the play. Internal thoughts of the characters about the ridiculous going on around them. So more action for the teddy bear.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: No

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): None apply
Edited 2023-09-20 23:57 (UTC)
a_belladonna: (Default)

Er der nogen?/Anyone there?

[personal profile] a_belladonna 2023-09-20 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: "Er der nogen?" ("Anyone there?" - it's their own translation, so I guess it counts as the official English title)

Media: TV show

Approx length: Nine seasons, of 6-12 episodes each. Each season is of varying length:
S1: Ca. 5h 42mins (including a Halloween and Christmas special)
S2: Ca. 7h
S3: Ca. 5h
S4: Ca. 3h
S5: Ca. 3h
S6: Ca. 3h
S7: Ca. 7h plus 2 hours unedited livestream
S8: Ca. 3h
S9: Ca. 3,5h plus 4 hours unedited livestream from two locations

Where to find it:
All the seasons (as well as their podcasts/vlogs) are available on YouTube. I don't know if closed captions are available, though.
Seasons 1-5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Season 9
The
podcast (also available on Spotify if that's more your thing)

All the seasons are also available on TV2 Nord's homepage (at least if you're in Denmark, I don't know if the videos are geo-blocked.)

What is it, in summary?: A ghost hunting/paranormal investigation show. Set in (mostly) Northern Jutland, featuring many famous, haunted locations. Made by a couple of 30-something boys who've known each other since their childhood and who've been raised by equal parts horror movies and Jackass.

What do you love about it?: That it takes place in the part of Denmark that it does - we're a small country, yet Northern Jutland (and other rural areas) are often overlooked in favour of the capital region. Which is unfair, as Northern Jutland also has a rich (and blood-soaked) history.
That the hosts, underneath their banter and pranks, take the job seriously. They do want to see if all the old ghost stories are true. If anyone really is there. (The title is what they always call out when they enter a room.)
The two main hosts, Mikkel and Nicolai, are actually recreation centre teachers and social education workers, meaning that they discreetly infuse the show with some children-level historical knowledge.
That the show is much less high-strung than their American counterparts. The hosts don't get scratches from unseen entities or any of the like. There are weird, unexplained noises, fog in places fog shouldn't be, and impenetrable shadows. Spooky in a weirdly cosy way, perfect for curling up in the sofa with a quilt and hot chocolate.
The humour, and that these tattooed and caps-wearing younger men aren't afraid to show when they get scared and have to give up. (In one memorable scene Mikkel gets so scared that he hides in a hotel kitchen crying and tries to buy himself some time by drinking a glass of water)

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: Fic, mostly. If someone feels inspired by all those old manors, bunkers, burial mounds and churches and want to draw something, I wouldn't mind that either.
Explorations of friendship and companionship, of the thoughts one might get when fumbling one's way across a pitch-black attic with only a tiny night vision camera as guide.
What might happen when you perform a ritual to trap a spirit inside a bottle and bring that bottle home? What if something attaches itself to you or your camper-van? (They do claim their camper-van got an extra occupant at one point.)
Facing your fears, and doing so on camera. How it feels when your lifelong friend locks the door behind you with a cackle, leaving you alone in a dungeon that's rumoured to contain a dreadful beast?
How it's one thing to hype yourself and others during the day, and how everything changes once it gets dark.
Sceptics having to realise that it's one thing being a sceptic at home, with the lights on, and another when you're inside a 400 year old manor at 2am, and the lights are off.
Or perhaps what it looks like from the other side, if we go with the idea of ghosts existing (and being somewhat sentient). What do these people from the future (the ghost's future) look like? Do the ghosts even understand what they're saying? (16th-17th century spoken Danish differs quite a bit from modern Danish.)

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?:

Most definitely! Not all seasons are equally interesting. Seasons 1-3 and 9 are the best, IMO. Sadly Nicolai had to leave the show due to personal issues before Season 9, but the two new co-hosts Trine and Kasper (a married couple, both actors and hosts of another ghost-story podcast) infuse the show with some new energy. The shift in dynamics from the hosts being two childhood friends with the same background to "the old timer" vs. the two rookies is also interesting.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence):
Their language isn't the most safe for work, especially not for English-speaking people. They're prone to liberally sprinkle "fuck!" into much of what they say or exclaim, haha.
("Fuuuuck! Fuckfuckfuck!" is not uncommon for them to shout when things get a bit too intense)
So I guess I'd recommend watching the episodes with headphones on if around others.
They do pull pranks on each other from time to time, mostly of the "get the other trapped in a dungeon/drawer in a morgue/chained to a wall/buried alive*"-variety, so if you suffer from claustrophobia, I could imagine those scenes would have to be skipped.
Other than that it's a quite laid-back show (yes, they have a big fanbase with the tweens here. Yes, despite their language.)
In S3E12 they visit the old Viking ring castle Fyrkat on a mission to encounter their Viking ancestors. A local warlock sacrifices a rooster and offers them a dodgy brew, so I guess that episode contains a bit of gore and implied drug use. (I know the man, it's definitely not just chamomile tea he fed them.)

*In S2E1 Mikkel was buried alive in a coffin out in a dune. Yes, covered by sand and all. The others hadn't thought of researching how long oxygen lasts inside a coffin. By pure chance they google it while he's out there and realise they have to get him out, like, now. Nothing happened to him, but they learned to do their research beforehand.
But there's a reason the show comes with a "don't try this at home"-disclaimer
nerakrose: drawing of balfour from havemercy (Default)

Re: Er der nogen?/Anyone there?

[personal profile] nerakrose 2023-09-22 01:11 pm (UTC)(link)
ej hvorfor har jeg aldrig hørt om det her show før?? tak for anbefaling, jeg tror jeg vil sætte mig ned med det her de næste aftener.

har du allerede nomineret? jeg kunne ikke ummiddelbart finde det i excelarket
thisbluespirit: (dw - daleks)

Welcome to Our Village Please Invade Carefully (Radio)

[personal profile] thisbluespirit 2023-09-20 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Title: Welcome to Our Village Please Invade Carefully



Media: BBC Radio

Approx length: 11 x 30 min episodes in 2 series.

Where to find it: BBC repeat it every so often, there's a audiobook release, so if you have Audible or similar you should be able to get it on there, or find a CD second hand and there are also people's personal radio recordings uploaded around the place (these are legal, OP of Post) - s1 here and the whole thing here. (I put the s1-only link in because some of the s1 files in the latter are weirdly small and don't play right on some devices.)

What is it, in summary?: It's a BBC Radio sitcom by Big Finish author Eddie Robson that ran from 2012-2014, with only 11x 30 mins eps in total. It stars Hattie Morahan, Peter Davison, Jan Francis, Hannah Murray (Gilly from GoT) & Julian Rhind Tutt (S1)/Charles Edwards (S2).



What do you love about it?: One tiny English village, Cresdon Green, gets invaded by aliens as part of a spearhead to an invasion that is eternally delayed thanks to budget cuts, while the spearhead's commander, Uljabaan (Julian Rhind-Tutt/Charles Edwards), runs a human research program to prepare with the aid of his advanced Computer/AI and a bunch of minions. Katrina Lyons (Hattie Morahan), who was only popping back for the weekend to visit her parents Richard & Margaret (Peter Davison & Jan Francis), is the only one in the village determined to try and fight off the invasion and save the planet, with the aid of bored (sometimes stoned) teen, Lucy (Hannah Murray). It's good-natured but sharp satire (even if the Computer says satire doesn't work) & was cancelled much too soon, so it's crying out for fic. Highlights include (imo) the Computer generally, Uljabaan generally, Lucy's filking, Katrina's attempt to save Shakespeare, Margaret's ability to conquer through cake, any time the Minions get rebellious, the fete pun, the printer, and the funniest pub quiz ever.

If you want a quick taster, I've got a few quotes and things I've collected at my tumblr.

Wiki link here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_to_Our_Village,_Please_Invade_Carefully

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: Probably missing scenes/episodes, post-canon.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: It's a pretty short canon, so it doesn't take long to get through - there's not enough of it! - but you could get the gist for a typical incident set earlier within only a couple of episodes if you wanted.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Nothing that I can think of, but it's been a little while since my last relisten.
donutsweeper: (Default)

吸血鬼鬼盲盒 | The Vampires (TV)

[personal profile] donutsweeper 2023-09-20 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Title:吸血鬼鬼盲盒 | The Vampires (TV)



Media: 8 episode Chinese webdrama

Approx length: 40 minutes

Where to find it: Official bilibili channel or with English subs here (this version combines all eight episodes including the 'previously on' bits and has been slightly censored, the uncensored episodes with English subs can be watched here.)

What is it, in summary?: Jiang Tianyue's sleepwalking kept bringing her to an abandoned ship. She and her friend, Xiaoling, a Mount Wuling Sect disciple, decide to check it out but end up triggering a failsafe ward which traps them there overnight. They soon discover the ship isn't as abandoned as it first seemed and that they might not be prepared for what they find. (It's vampires, the title gives it away, they find vampires. Sexy, lesbian vampires.)

What do you love about it?: This takes place in a modern world with food delivery and smart phones whatnot but also not, since vampire-ish foods like lemon ginger blood tea and blood layer cake can be delivered. There's just a ton of worldbuilding hinted to with the various bits we see of both Xiaoling's skills and the vampires' stories. It's fascinating.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: General worldbuilding, more about Xiaoling and being a cultivator in this world, the life of the vampires, an explanation of the ending/continuation of the story, etc.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: Not really, but the whole thing is only 40ish minutes long.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): The ship is haunted and there are some jumpscares with the ghosts and also some illusions of violence. The deaths that led to the women becoming vampires are referenced and have slight flashbacks to/remembrances of them.
dreemyweird: (Default)

Sherlock Holmes (1954 US TV)

[personal profile] dreemyweird 2023-09-20 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)


Title:
Sherlock Holmes (US TV 1954)

Media: live action TV series

Approx length: 39 half-hour episodes in total

Where to find it: it's in public domain and up on Youtube! Here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmHgXUJMN1TVtqyVXJ4D3ozPxgwpV-UpQ

What is it, in summary?: it's a comedy canon (although with some considerable emotional depth in the best episodes, and occasionally quite unexpectedly dark) about a young, earnest, failboat-y version of Holmes. He can't play the violin! He can't fight! Watson has to teach him how to punch! He locks himself in a chest at one point! He's adorable. His Watson, played by H. Marion Crawford, is a smart temperamental BAMF. Their relationship is super domestic and they regularly save each other from danger. I love them unreservedly.

What do you love about it?: The H&W friendship is my favourite thing about the series. Apart from this, it's one of my top favourite Holmes adaptations because Holmes is young, cheerful, and constantly does some dumb shit because he hasn't yet matured into the put-together genius that is the popular Sherlock Holmes archetype. I feel like in some ways this characterisation is truer to the canon than a lot of other adaptations. Also, it's incredibly fun. It's such a cosy, feel-good production.

I also love the subtle angst the series has in places. Holmes trying to talk Watson into leaving him so as not to put him into danger. Oh, my heart.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: angsty, fluffy, intense, hurt-comfort-y friendship <3 The canon is generally quite light-hearted but I'd love the more dramatic parts elaborated upon!

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: yes. Basically just watch The Night Train Riddle, The Christmas Pudding, The Baker Street Nursemaids, and The Pennsylvania Gun, and you'll have grasped the essence of the series :D I would also recommend The Lady Beryl and Harry Crocker just because they're great. I'm not requesting anything related to a specific episode, so you don't have to watch the entire series to write for me.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): the series was co-produced by a woman and is fairly good about women's issues (for the most part - we don't talk about The Careless Sufragette), but other minorities are occasionally treated poorly. There are a number of fairly racist episodes, notably one featuring a Native American character and one featuring some Indian characters. They don't comprise the bulk of the series and not necessary to watch in order to fulfil my requests (I actually explicitly DNW references to them), but they're there.
dreemyweird: (Default)

Murder Rooms (2001 BBC TV miniseries)

[personal profile] dreemyweird 2023-09-20 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)


Title: Murder Rooms: The Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes

Media: live-action TV miniseries

Approx length: four 90-minute long episodes + the pilot

Where to find it: this can be slightly complicated since it was cancelled in 2001 and has been out of print, as it were, ever since. Please do reach out to me if unable to find a copy. Generally in the UK you can acquire it via ILL from public libraries. You can also buy DVDs off sites along the lines of Amazon, such as here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Rooms-Mysteries-Photographers-Richardson/dp/B006GR2PMM

What is it, in summary?: it's a period drama miniseries about Arthur Conan Doyle and his professor & the prototype of Sherlock Holmes, Dr Joseph Bell, solving crimes together. They end up sort of adopting each other in a repressed Victorian way and I've been going wild about their friendship for a very long time now :D

What do you love about it?: what don't I love about it?? Charles Edwards (and before him, Robin Laing) and Ian Richardson are an absolute joy to watch - the acting is top notch. Especially when what's being acted is an angsty quasi-familial mentor & mentee relationship 😍

The Gothic atmosphere is gorgeous, the historical background is fun, and in general, it's one of the most underrated miniseries this side of the Atlantic.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: intense, cathartic hurt/comfort.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: I would say you don't strictly have to watch the pilot episode, especially since it's unavailable on a lot of DVD sets. Other than this, it's an episodic series, so technically any episode is watchable on its own. If you only watch one, I recommend that it be The White Knight Stratagem :D

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence):
gore, suicide, terminal illness, psychiatric illness, alcoholism, euthanasia, grief, war trauma, I think that's most of them covered? It's a fairly heavy canon.
Edited 2023-09-20 22:55 (UTC)
dreemyweird: (Default)

Arthur Conan Doyle and Joseph Bell series - David Pirie

[personal profile] dreemyweird 2023-09-20 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)


Title: Arthur Conan Doyle and Joseph Bell series by David Pirie (the individual novels are called The Patient's Eyes, The Night Calls, and The Dark Water)

Media: books

Approx length: it's a novel trilogy, the novels are fairly standard length

Where to find it: available cheaply on Amazon and I expect in other online bookshops too

What is it, in summary?: it's a mega Gothic Victorian pastiche about Joseph Bell, the historical prototype of Sherlock Holmes, and Arthur Conan Doyle. They're in a kind of Holmes and Watson relationship and solve crimes together (they're heavily fictionalized - they're really fictional characters rather than real people here). They're very angsty and their relationship is super intense and messed up. There's a Reichenbach and Doyle gets straight up suicidal over Bell's supposed death. I have been yelling about these books for years. Help

Technically the books are a novelisation of a TV series but no knowledge of the TV series is required to read them. The characterisation in them & the plots of the final instalments are very different.

What do you love about it?: the relationship between Bell and Doyle is the heart of it. But I also love how much historical research and love for the minutiae has gone into these books, and how wildly, unapologetically Gothic and old-timey horror-flavoured they are. If you enjoy protagonists haunted by tragedy, nature reflecting the mood of the hero, nightmarish dream sequences, and the like, you will like these :D

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: angsty intense hurt/comfort-y friendship! I thought you were dead feelings! Riffs on the Sherlock Holmes canon! Cathartic breakdowns!

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: no, you kinda have to read the whole thing

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): uhhh let's see. References to CSA, references to rape, gore, violence, instutionalized sexism, suicide, war trauma. I think this is it?
azhdarchidaen: (Default)

Pentiment

[personal profile] azhdarchidaen 2023-09-21 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
Title: Pentiment

Media: Video game

Approx length: Three acts, amounting to 14-17 hours of gameplay.

Where to find it: It's available on Steam here and there are also a number of playthroughs up on YouTube and Twitch by various streamers.

What is it, in summary?: A meticulously historically researched game set in 16th-century Germany, where you play as an artist investigating mysteries and uncovering a conspiracy in a small Bavarian town. Sort of a visual novel, but with some more RPG-ish elements, where your choices can have a significant impact on the story.

What do you love about it?: I was lured in by the promise of well-done history (the art is even stylized to look like medieval manuscripts, and there's a bibliography of their sources at the end of the game!) and was then blown away by the depth of the story and characters. Pentiment has so much to say about art, history, love and relationships, mental health, humans and why we create, and how our stories are remembered after we're gone. I'm pretty sure it made me feel every human emotion by the end.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I'm a big hurt/comfort guy and Pentiment has ample opportunities for it, especially for the main character, Andreas.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfill your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: That depends. There are definitely playthroughs of the game that could give you something of a sense of the characters if you just watched parts, but there are also some details that change with different choices you can make, and I'm considering requesting a post-canon prompt, which would be a lot more difficult that way.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Violence, child death, references to suicide, references to sexual assault.
azhdarchidaen: (Default)

The Glass Scientists

[personal profile] azhdarchidaen 2023-09-21 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
Title: The Glass Scientists

Media: Webcomic

Approx length: Ongoing, but about 430 pages so far, spread out over 14 chapters.

Where to find it: It's available to read here

What is it, in summary?: A gaslamp fantasy Jekyll & Hyde re-telling with a great deal of original plot and characters, revolving around a version of Dr. Jekyll who has founded an society for other "rogue" scientists (his polite term for mad science) and the various predicaments he gets into as a result of his hidden double life.

What do you love about it?: I love gothic literature (and modern media in the same niche) and it's a really interesting, complex re-imagining of the classic novel -- that also features roles for a few other iconic gothic characters, like a very unique version of Dr. Frankenstein -- while also standing on its own as a good work of fiction in a slightly different genre than the original. In some ways I think it has interesting things to say about the central metaphor of Jekyll & Hyde that even the original fails to explore. I also adore the author's original characters, as well as the fact that the comic has a lot of great queer rep. And the art style is lovely!

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I would love to see something focused on the character of Jasper Kaylock.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfill your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: I'm not sure, but despite how long the comic has been running for, it's actually still a pretty quick read.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Some stylized gore and body horror in the form of nightmare visions, internalized queerphobia
penguinzero: (Default)

Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine

[personal profile] penguinzero 2023-09-21 01:47 am (UTC)(link)


Title: Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine

Media: Tabletop RPG (with a supplemental novel)

Approx length: Core book is 554 pages (plus index); the main campaign, The Glass-Maker's Dragon, is 551. Other supplements are shorter, but this is definitely a hefty game.

Where to find it: The game and all supplements are available at DriveThruRPG. All of them are linked to from the official wiki.

What is it, in summary?: Once upon a time, the world ended.

It happened quite quickly. The sun was killed -- murdered by her lover, the Headmaster of the Bleak Academy, a place beyond creation dedicated to tearing down all of existence. As the sun died, the world was engulfed in the Outside, a haze of meaninglessness that meant nothing made sense any more, causality was forgotten, and people were lost in confusion forever.

One place survived, though. It's called Town, and it lies on the shores of Big Lake. It's a peaceful, pastoral place, for the most part. People live quiet lives, fishing or attending School. Sailors chart courses into the Outside, trying to understand it and bring meaning and sense back to the world. The families that run the local shrines perform rituals to purify Outside dust and turn it into useful things. Very dramatic, swashbuckling, talking rats live on the rooftops and battle the Mysteries, terrible monsters that are mostly metaphors but still also very real.

And in Town you'll also find a group of curious friends, centered around a perfectly ordinary boy named Chuubo. He built a machine that grants wishes, which is a perfectly ordinary thing to do, and every week gets up to new shenanigans with a new wish -- or deal with the consequences of wishing with the help of his friends. (It turns out wishing for ice cream can cause a surprising amount of trouble, for instance.)

There's his best friend, Seizhi Schwann (who's recently become aware he didn't exist until Chuubo wished for a best friend, and he's very anxious someone might find out). There's his arch-rival, Leonardo de Montreal, master of Nightmare Science, who tore out his heart to rekindle the sun, and who is obviously a far greater person than Chuubo, who he is absolutely not friends with. There's Jasper Irinka, daughter of the sun, who fell to earth when her mother died and is still trying to understand the human world and its mysterious things like 'money' and 'love' and 'sneezing.' There's Natalia, product of a super-soldier program in Russia who must deal with the trauma it caused her (and also a golden serpent that may actually be her heart terrorizing the city), and Miramie (who was once a monster who tried to destroy the world but now just wants to run a small art shop and cafe), and Rinley, a troublemaking kid who's got the powers of a hero from a tall tale, and several others.

And together, they might fight giant glass serpents or undertake heroic quests or go explore the edges of reality. They might face off against the Bleak Academy, which still lies beyond creation hoping to finish destroying everything. But they might also just spend time together, being friends and having arguments and coming to terms with their traumas. And that might actually do more for the world than all the heroic quests ever could.

Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine is a very unusual TRPG by Jenna Moran. The mechanics are heavily focused on the storylines the characters are expected to undertake -- you don't get XP for fighting monsters or finding treasure (usually), but for doing things like sitting on a rooftop watching the sunset with your best friend, trying to avoid talking about what's really bothering you. Or for fixing up that old house on the corner that no one's taken care of in too long. Or for blackmailing your dog into learning martial arts.

While you can create your own characters, it also comes with a very charismatic set of pregenerated characters that fans have latched on to, and whose stories are tied deeply in to the mysteries and wonders of the setting.

What do you love about it?: I've been a huge fan of Jenna Moran's writing for many years now, and Chuubo's is possibly one of her best works. It's mechanically innovative in ways that few RPGs have equaled, but it also has a built-in setting and style that is just immensely emotionally evocative.

The characters are all amazing, and I love each and every one of them. The arcs of their stories, especially in The Glass-Maker's Dragon, lead them through struggles with their identity, struggles to connect with each other, and often trauma and loss, but then likely take them through the other side and show that trauma isn't the end. Even if they end up at the Bleak Academy, drawn into despair, they can still get better.

And there's a surprising amount of customizability to the characters, giving a lot of options to make them your own while still keeping their core nature. From the books, for instance, Natalia might be a boy named Antony, or instead of a Russian super soldier she might be a French vampire, or a Spanish masked adventurer, or the exiled princess of a highly-advanced African kingdom. But whatever her origins, the core of her story will still be exploring the way her troubled past has distanced her from her emotions and the people around her, and how she heals from that.

Also, the main campaign is explicitly a retelling of the Enuma Elish (the Mesopotamian creation myth), but with teenagers instead of almighty gods. Which I can't help but be impressed by.

What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I'm likely going to be asking for explorations of the relationship between Jasper and Natalia, two very different characters who are likely to clash, and yet have character arcs that can bring them together.

Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: It'd be tough. You could get most of the information you need just by reading The Glass-Maker's Dragon, but that's still a pretty hefty commitment. The novel, Fable of the Swan is shorter and gives a great feel for the setting, but doesn't focus much on the characters I'm nominating. Browsing the wiki might be the best way to get a feel for the game and see if you want to commit to reading it.

Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Not a whole lot, but there's underlying trauma in some of the characters -- Jasper's mother was murdered by her father, Natalia had a strict and cold childhood that turned her heart to ice, Seizhi has existential anxiety because he knows he shouldn't really exist, and so on. Nothing worse than you might find in, say, a Studio Ghibli movie, but still worth noting.
Edited 2023-09-21 06:33 (UTC)

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