#nightrunner series

[elissiya]

Ive come to the conclusion that if a book or series doesnt include a cast of morally dubious and messy gay people serving cunt then chances are im probably not going to like it. This spans across genres btw

[practicefortheheart]

Alec gingerly touched his hair, shoulders, and arms, his expression almost feral in its intensity and distrust. After a moment, however, the look disappeared, replaced by the most wondrous look of relief Seregil had ever seen.

"O Illior, it is you. You're alive," Alec gasped, tears welling in his eyes. "That bastard! I should have guessed, but the blood, your voice, everything. But you're alive!"

Shuddering, he grabbed Seregil in a fierce embrace.

"Last time I looked," Seregil rasped, his throat tight with emotion as he hugged Alec to him.

Stalking Darkness - Lynn Flewelling

I am so normal about them

[ace-artemis-fanartist]

Nightrunners!

[icountcards]

anyway I really cannot recommend more highly the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling. truly has everything you (read: I) could possibly want in a fantasy series. both an incredibly compelling overarching save-the-world story arc and a slow burn romance subplot that manages to not overshadow the main plot while also hitting almost every note to make me specifically go insane.

we got divine right of QUEENS specifically. women are allowed to be warriors and unlike sooo many fantasy settings there is actually an appreciable number of women in combat roles and not just a few outliers. there’s political intrigue and conspiracy. there’s a queer awakening. there’s prophecy. trauma. one of the leads has convinced himself that the other could never possibly want to be with him and meanwhile the other guy is in the next room having a crisis of sexuality. they are sharing one (1) tender moment and then getting dragged back into the main plot before they can process it. they are being mistaken for a couple before they actually get together. there are ancient artifacts that are trying to kill everyone who touches them. they are calling each other pet names by ACCIDENT. there is an EVIL NECROMANCER. and there is ONLY ONE BED.

[r1bit]

guess who just finished stalking darkness !

[fwishbone]

hit the 69% mark in Traitor's Moon today, here's Thero, Seregil, and Alec.

[spending-life-pretending]

Robin Hobb once again found at the scene of the crime (emotionally devastating queer high fantasy novels from the 90s)

[jinsai-ish]

Listening to audiobook of Stalking Darkness (I've read the books twice and wanted to hear them too). Because I'm a terrible person and a fan (but are they not the same?) I would love to read a bit about Alec later struggling with his sexual abuse at the hands of Ylinestra and then later Mardus and his men. Yes, I know so far as the canon Mardus didn't touch him but a) we know at least one soldier and the Dyrmagnos forcibly kissed him and multiple soldiers definitely groped and taunted him. And b) outside of canon one can play however they want.

So, you know. Alec having flashbacks and then trouble being with Seregil because of it, and they have to work to overcome his trauma.

You know.

Maybe work in the threesome mural at the Street of Lights just for funsies. 😘