Last comment, but this one is purely podcast discussion related, and directed at Chris (hmm, how do I tag you on substack comments?).
Explain to me the goodness of Star Wars. Because I don't get it. The storytelling and world building in the originals is terrible! I mean I can't get over, or into, a universe that has the technology to save a man who falls in fucking lava but just shrugs and lets a woman die in childbirth because its just too hard and she doesn't have the will... Bullshit! Anything else about the world building and universe just falls apart for me after that. The whole progression of anything in the story just feels like it has the ultimate plot armor - it doesn't feel authentic as much as it just feels like smashing pieces together to make sure the desired plot points got hit, regardless of anything else.
People obviously love it though, and you seem very passionately opnionated on this, so maybe you can help me see what I'm missing, lol. 😆
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The thing is, I love the OG trilogy, but I cannot refute any point you made. I think for me it’s a matter of nostalgia. It’s also the combination of genres (light—VERY light—sci-fi mixed with fantasy elements and set to the tune of a western/opera). As a kid, it was the lightsabers and the force. As an adult…it’s the lightsabers and the force.
Imho, the Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor (the latter of which I haven’t played yet) video games are much better than any of the movies story-wise.
But yeah, they did Padme dirty. Movies 1-3 are awful. As are 7-9. Of the nine, I think 5 is the only excellent one. It’s Shakespeare-light. 🙃
The extended universe of games and tv shows definitely offer much better storytelling and universe building. Some of them anyway.
As far as space opera /fantasy /sci-fi - I highly recommend JS Morin's Black Ocean universe. The storytelling, character development, world builind... just everything all around... is so good.
The audiobooks are narrated by Mikael Naramore and he brings everything to life in such a remarkable way.
Morin and the Black Ocean are the only other author/series that I like anywhere remotely close to how much I enjoy Megan's work.
I'm putting this as a separate comment so its easier to find.
SWAG!
My favorite type of swag is something that makes me feel like I'm in the universe. A Laureldale High t-shirt would definitely be cool. The maps of the area and town specifically are great ideas too (and I know you love maps Megan).
The tricky thing with thinking of good universe swag is, well, we've only been in Laureldale a week- and don't have the rest of the story to work off yet- so I don't have all that much to pull from yet. Maybe a sticker with The Argo logo, or branded glasses from Violet's familiy's bar? A Laureldale ram plushie?
I think a framavle print of Ella's beautiful body-drop location scene could be a cool option. And I'd love something with the Gael Pack crest- a sticker maybe? Temporary tattoos (😆)? A keychain?
Mostly though, I'm just here to support you, so a pretty book with pretty pages, or a special bookmark, or character cards - whatever it may be it will end up proudly displayed on my bookshelf. ❤️
Theres so much in this chapter to unpack gor her... Violet blatantly looking out for her (shes part of the pack now, aw). The clash of friend groups- though she's only been in school a week. The attempts to stop the flooding of visions now that she willingly took a sledgehammer to the wall in her mind and repeated physically torturing herself to have something to ground her in reality. The comfort and relief she finds on Caleb -a safe touch she hasn't had since becoming an orphan- and Caleb's willingness to give it to her, breaking his own guidelines for safety.
My heart. I just want to scoop Ella up and hold her; but knowing I could cause her more visions and pain I just want to sweep her into Caleb's arms and have him hold her- for as long as she needs.
Which puts me in a kind of odd shipping place, because trauma bonding is such a powerful way to connect to someone; and the attraction (broadly speaking) Caleb has for Ella is evident before the trauma bonding... But also, they both deserve love for love- not just obligation or it being the one place Ella's been able to find solace. I guess I just want her to like Caleb for Caleb and have the fullness of love- not just a reprieve from misery. (Have I grown since first shipping Katniss and Peeta or what, lol).
Looking forward to next week's attempt to hold all the things together and bridge the aitherion and human parts of Laureldale vying for Ella's attention.
Last comment, but this one is purely podcast discussion related, and directed at Chris (hmm, how do I tag you on substack comments?).
Explain to me the goodness of Star Wars. Because I don't get it. The storytelling and world building in the originals is terrible! I mean I can't get over, or into, a universe that has the technology to save a man who falls in fucking lava but just shrugs and lets a woman die in childbirth because its just too hard and she doesn't have the will... Bullshit! Anything else about the world building and universe just falls apart for me after that. The whole progression of anything in the story just feels like it has the ultimate plot armor - it doesn't feel authentic as much as it just feels like smashing pieces together to make sure the desired plot points got hit, regardless of anything else.
People obviously love it though, and you seem very passionately opnionated on this, so maybe you can help me see what I'm missing, lol. 😆
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The thing is, I love the OG trilogy, but I cannot refute any point you made. I think for me it’s a matter of nostalgia. It’s also the combination of genres (light—VERY light—sci-fi mixed with fantasy elements and set to the tune of a western/opera). As a kid, it was the lightsabers and the force. As an adult…it’s the lightsabers and the force.
Imho, the Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor (the latter of which I haven’t played yet) video games are much better than any of the movies story-wise.
But yeah, they did Padme dirty. Movies 1-3 are awful. As are 7-9. Of the nine, I think 5 is the only excellent one. It’s Shakespeare-light. 🙃
The extended universe of games and tv shows definitely offer much better storytelling and universe building. Some of them anyway.
As far as space opera /fantasy /sci-fi - I highly recommend JS Morin's Black Ocean universe. The storytelling, character development, world builind... just everything all around... is so good.
The audiobooks are narrated by Mikael Naramore and he brings everything to life in such a remarkable way.
Morin and the Black Ocean are the only other author/series that I like anywhere remotely close to how much I enjoy Megan's work.
I'm putting this as a separate comment so its easier to find.
SWAG!
My favorite type of swag is something that makes me feel like I'm in the universe. A Laureldale High t-shirt would definitely be cool. The maps of the area and town specifically are great ideas too (and I know you love maps Megan).
The tricky thing with thinking of good universe swag is, well, we've only been in Laureldale a week- and don't have the rest of the story to work off yet- so I don't have all that much to pull from yet. Maybe a sticker with The Argo logo, or branded glasses from Violet's familiy's bar? A Laureldale ram plushie?
I think a framavle print of Ella's beautiful body-drop location scene could be a cool option. And I'd love something with the Gael Pack crest- a sticker maybe? Temporary tattoos (😆)? A keychain?
Mostly though, I'm just here to support you, so a pretty book with pretty pages, or a special bookmark, or character cards - whatever it may be it will end up proudly displayed on my bookshelf. ❤️
Oh Ella 💔
Theres so much in this chapter to unpack gor her... Violet blatantly looking out for her (shes part of the pack now, aw). The clash of friend groups- though she's only been in school a week. The attempts to stop the flooding of visions now that she willingly took a sledgehammer to the wall in her mind and repeated physically torturing herself to have something to ground her in reality. The comfort and relief she finds on Caleb -a safe touch she hasn't had since becoming an orphan- and Caleb's willingness to give it to her, breaking his own guidelines for safety.
My heart. I just want to scoop Ella up and hold her; but knowing I could cause her more visions and pain I just want to sweep her into Caleb's arms and have him hold her- for as long as she needs.
Which puts me in a kind of odd shipping place, because trauma bonding is such a powerful way to connect to someone; and the attraction (broadly speaking) Caleb has for Ella is evident before the trauma bonding... But also, they both deserve love for love- not just obligation or it being the one place Ella's been able to find solace. I guess I just want her to like Caleb for Caleb and have the fullness of love- not just a reprieve from misery. (Have I grown since first shipping Katniss and Peeta or what, lol).
Looking forward to next week's attempt to hold all the things together and bridge the aitherion and human parts of Laureldale vying for Ella's attention.