GENTLE REMINDER That Though All The Other Characters Are Amazing, ALINA STARKOV IS THE PROTAGONIST LET'S

“And yet my heart is buried with you in the strange soil of the mortal world, as it was drowned with you in the cold waters of the undersea.  It was yours before I could ever admit it, and yours it shall ever remain.” 

~ Cardan's letters to Jude

Okay apparently Tessa didn't lose her powers but I was super pissed while writing this so we're going with it<3

Things I wanna see less in fantasy~

Female protagonists having the best character arcs and personal growth only to lose their powers for the "greater good". Like? Let them be happy WITH POWERS?? ALINA'S LIGHT??? AELIN'S FIRE???? NESTA'S DEATH MAGIC??? TESSA'S SHAPE-SHIFTING??

Darklina as Taylor swift songs ~

•Exile

"And it took you five whole minutes, to pack us up and leave me with it."

"You were my crown, Now I'm in exile seein' you out."

"Second, third, and hundredth chances, balancin' on breaking branches. Those eyes add insult to injury."

"You're not my homeland anymore, so what am I defendin' now?".

"All this time, we always walked a very thin line."

•Hoax

"My eclipsed sun."

"My twisted knife, my sleepless night, my win-less fight."

"Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in."

"You knew you won, so what's the point of keeping score?"

"My kingdom come undone, you have beaten my heart."

•My tears ricochet

"Weepin' in a sunlit room, and if I'm on fire, you'll be made of ashes too."

"Did I deserve, babe? All the hell you gave me? 'Cause I loved you, I swear I loved you, till my dying day."

"You had to kill me but it killed you just the same."

"I didn't have it in myself to go with grace, 'cause when I'd fight, you used to tell me I was brave."

"And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?"

"And you can aim for me heart, go for blood, But you would still miss me in your bones."

•The 1

"And if you wanted me, you really should've showed."

"But we were something, don't you think so?"

"And if my wishes came true, it would've been you."

"You know the greatest loves of all time are over now?"

"If one thing had been different, would everything be different?"

•Haunted

"You and I walk a fragile line, I have known it all this time. But I never thought I'd live to see it break."

"He will try too take away my pain, and he just might make me smile. But the whole time I'm wishing he was you instead."

"But I still mean every word I said to you."

"I thought I had you figured out. Can't turn back now, I'm haunted."

This book just got real painful real fast- what have I gotten myself into *sobs*

“Never had a gift for pining,” Nikolai said. “Though I do like to show off my profile by staring mournfully out of windows.”

~Nikolai Lantsov, King of Scars

I stare at her. “And you’re giving me this warning out of the kindness of your heart?”

She smiles. “I am giving you this warning because it doesn’t matter. You’re already doomed, Queen of Elfhame. You already love him. You already loved him when you questioned me about him instead of your own mother. And you will still love him, mortal girl, long after his feelings evaporate like morning dew.”

~ The Queen of Nothing, Holly Black.

NOTHING TRUER WAS SAID

Darklina is such a beautiful relationship, such an arresting one. The chemistry, the spiritual connection, the love and passion and power and understanding. The darkness to the light. The king to the queen. An eclipse representative of self actualization and equal and opposite principles, two people made powerless by the world coming into their own. Two lonely souls finding strength and a home in each other. A bond of mind and soul and heart, a breathtaking union.

It’s a compelling relationship and a stunning one. When I think of Darklina I think of a starry night sky. A boy afraid of the dark discovering sunlight. A girl ostracized by the world discovering acceptance. I think of the yin and yang. The concept yǒu yuán wú fèn. Soulmates destined for each other in every universe and every world, and yet tragically unable to connect in this one because they met too late. I think of harmony and I think of the chance for true understanding. I think of finding safety in the only other person in the world who will truly know you, an eternity with the one you love. I think of something transcendental and always.

I think Darklina is an amazing ship, and I think it’s worth examining and engaging with and loving, because it means so much more than people give it credit, and it’s fans love it for so many complex and inspiring reasons.

Malina is such a soft relationship, such a charming one. The history, the longing, the care and consideration and dedication and loyalty and love and sacrifice. The foundation of friendship and tenderness, of reaching for each other, meeting in the middle. Always holding hands, cradling pieces of each other’s souls, each other’s memories. Always inviting, never taking. Always searching, never hunting. The pining and adoration and want.

It’s a captivating relationship and a kind one. When I think of Malina I don’t think of a meadow, I don’t think of their scars. I think of the stag - Alina’s stag - who’s song Mal could hear. I think of how quickly he volunteered to go find it, how easily he recognized her drawing and knew the story behind her dreams. I think of them running together, side by side. I think of the warmth in their smiles, their joy at first seeing each other after time apart. I think of the sacrifices they’ve made to keep each other alive, always willing to give everything. I think of summer and a cool breeze. Of two children shunned by society finding solace and safety in each other. I think of something solid and supportive.

I think Malina is an amazing ship, and I think it’s worth exploring and finding comfort in and loving, because it has so many beautiful meanings and it’s fans love it for such dynamic and moving reasons.

OH MY GOD HEAR THAT,, THAT'S THE SOUND OF MY HEART SHATTERING.

You’ve heard of kanej death trope but what about WESPER DEATH TROPE- Wylan dies BEFORE JESPER because he’s not grisha,, but that would still be a peaceful death-

But what if he dies in a heist that he didn’t wanna go on, but he went for Jesper, and got shot. There’s blood everywhere and even Kaz is beginning to panic. Jesper keeps trying to use his powers to get the bullet out but he’s not skilled enough to. So Wylan dies in his arms, Inej cries and prays and wishes Nina were there to save him, Kaz blinks back tears and thinks “I never thought I’d have to bury one of my own”. Jesper blames himself forever and distances himself from kaz. The crows fall apart.

Many years later Kanej have a kid and name him wylan.

SOMEONE PUT THIS INTO BETTER WORDS-

Why is the worst trope characters that live longer than their ships? JUDE AND CARDAN???? MAGNUS AND ALEC??? JESPER AND WYLAN?!?? ZOYA AND NIKOLAI?!???

these are fantasies????? JUST MAKE THEM IMMORTAL.

If I had a penny for every time a complex female character stabbed her own hand just to prove a point, I'd have two pennies which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.