Farnese-The Lily Blooms

Farnese-The Lily Blooms

It's not a coincidence that both Guts and Roderick look similar and have comparable talents. Both men are also important to Farnese: Farnese nearly worships Guts and Roderick is clearly attracted to her, but Farnese doesn't reciprocate his feelings. This dynamic mirrors the Golden Age love triangle between Guts, Casca, and Griffith. Just like Casca, Farnese has to choose not just between self-acceptance and self-rejection.

Farnese's journey is one of becoming more courageous through service. She was a fearful girl who armored herself with aloofness and acts of terror. She wanted people to be more scared of her than she was of the things that frightened her. Farnese's encounter with Guts during the Conviction Arc demonstrates a new way of confronting horrors- head-on rather than running away. Her inability to care for Casca forces her to confront her vulnerabilities and overcome them for someone else's sake. Farnese even learns magic so she can become more self-reliant and defend Casca herself.

Guts is the catalyst for Farnese's aforementioned development. Farnese worships Guts as the embodiment of the resilience she desperately desires. This is reminiscent of how Casca idolized Griffith. By giving Casca a sword, Griffith gave Casca a means of asserting and defending herself in a world that would otherwise oppress her. She, like Farnese, idolized a man who gave her greater autonomy.

Ironically, Casca's self-image became dependent on how Griffith could use her. She even disdained her womanhood, seeing it as an obstacle to serving Griffith. Farnese self-esteem isn't nearly as low, but she is clearly crushed whenever she doesn't get Guts' attention.

Her improvement finally grants her a chance to get more of it. It isn't until she meets Roderick, however, that she finally has a chance to be loved. Roderick is curious about Farnese, saying he always wanted to see the Vandimion devil child. The worst parts of Farnese's history don't scare Roderick away but only intrigue him. Likewise, Guts saw the worst of Casca: her abrasiveness, jealousy, and insecurity, all derived from her unrequited crush on Griffith. However, this only endears Casca to Guts further. Roderick is similarly patient towards Farnese: he understands she has feelings for the Black Swordsman, but isn't jealous.

Both Guts and Roderick respect their love interests' prowess as well. When Farnese protects the ship using magic, Roderick calls Farnese a goddess among angels. For a man from a society that prohibits witchcraft and limits women, this response is remarkably accepting. Farnese and Roderick's relationship will mirror the total acceptance found in Casca and Guts'.

Farnese's romantic relationships mirror Casca's almost 1-to-1. The protective admirer (Serpico), the unrequited love (Guts), and now her possible soulmate (Roderick). As of now, I see Roderick and Farnese getting together. Farnese's gentle and compassionate nature would make her a great partner, and I can see her joining Roderick on his journeys. I'll keep in mind what Lady Vandimion said about Farnese's unpredictability. Farnese may surprise not only her brother but us as well.

Tenma and Lunge are the same character but with a slight twist. They're both workaholics who let their passion destroy their personal lives. However, Tenma's position as Chief of Surgery strengthens his relationships with others, while Lunge's obsession with detective work only further isolates him. Tenma's rapport with former patients is so strong that when he is jailed for murder, they form an advocacy group and pay for the best defense lawyer they can find. Lunge's relationship with his clients is nonexistent in contrast. He doesn't view his clients as people but as puzzle pieces that must be fitted together.

Growing up is realizing that

Calvin and his dad were pretty much the same person.

Both Calvin and his father enjoy nature. Calvin relishes death-defying wagon rides and contemplating philosophy outdoors. His father, however, enjoys biking early in the morning and drags his family to go on camping trips.

They also enjoy teasing their loved ones. Calvin constantly freaks out and pranks Susie Derkins, his crush. Calvin's dad is no better. Whenever Calvin asks his dad about a topic, like time zones, his father will tease him by lying about the actual answer. Calvin then compares his mother's answer to his father's, most likely forcing his mother to clear up the misconception.

Petyr the Disillusioned Hero

Petyr Baelish's story could be ripped out of a fairytale: the wimpy heir to a poor, unremarkable noble house fights for the affections of his beloved. I wouldn't be surprised if Petyr's bravery (one might say foolhardiness) was inspired by songs. Much to his disappointment, however, life did not reward his bravery. It's no wonder, then, that he frequently warns Sansa that life is not a song: he fell into that trap and paid dearly for it. Life taught Petyr no lessons, it only gave him more grudges to hold.

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England- Book Review

SPOILER WARNING

Brandon Sanderson's work rewards people who embrace their oddities and worst flaw, and The Frugal Wizard's Handbook is no different. Amnesiac John West finds himself in an alternate dimension that resembles Medieval England, but has no idea how he arrived or who he is. As memories slowly come back to him, he recognizes that he might not want to remember that last part. His relationships with Sefawynn, a storyteller, and Ealstan, a local lord, help him accept his identity.

John West's character arc from wannabe wizard to actual hero was enjoyable to read. Seeing him grow in confidence through his relationship with Sefawynn was touching. Sefawynn herself has a pretty great arc, though I think the romantic tension between her and John wasn't well developed. I understand that they accept each others' flaws, but we don't see a lot of flirting or signs of attraction. Most of the characters in this book aren't given much depth. Thokk, Ealstan, and Jen suffer the most from this. Thokk fills the kooky old lady archetype, but has very little characterization outside of that. Her status as a goddess isn't really questioned by John, but neither were a lot of things near the end of the story

Jen's characterization are especially shallow. Even though John couldn't remember much about Jen, there could've been ways to characterize her (e.g Ryan and John commiserate over what she was like, John has some sort of charm or memorabilia that reminds him of her). Instead, we don't learn about her until we learn she betrays John. Jen cheating on John only serves to server his ties to his home dimension so he can stay in Medieval England. It isn't given the time to fully flesh out John's feelings. This book would've benefitted from at least two more chapters describing the emotional fallout from what happened

3.5/5 stars - enjoyed the overall message of the story; certainly could've used more time to develop character relationships

Ursalina Duvianos: Reina's Dark Reflection

A good villian should aways mirror the hero, showing that it's easy to go wrong. Dona Ursalina Duvianos shares Reina's same insecurities and suffered for it. As a young woman, she was obsessed with Feleva Aguila, the ambitious valco leader. Superficially, Ursalina's relationship with Feleva mirrors Reina's relationship with Celeste. Reina and Ursalina both were infatuated with valcos whom they served. There is another interesting facet, however, that I think may have lead to Ursalina becoming the vengeful sorceress we see in the books. Both Reina and Ursalina felt inferior because of their species in the presence of their love interest.

At the beginning of The Sun and the Void, Laurel dismisses rumors about Feleva raging her way to an early death because of Laurel's marriage to Enrique. Even if Feleva's discontent wasn't that intense, it still must have been there for the rumor to exist. What would that have done to Ursalina? Seeing someone whom you love degrade their daughter-in-law because they are the same species as you must have destroyed her. By this point, however, Ursalina grew to accept the disrespect. She had already let Feleva take all the credit for discovering iridio. Ursalina's son, Juan Vicente, was raised to serve Don Enrique even though they were both heirs.

However, Ursalina's attitude towards Reina's mother is hypocritical. Juan Vicente left Dona Ursalina to marry Beatrice Torondoy, a nozariel. Ursalina's disdain for Vicente's wife mirrors Feleva's scorn for Laurel. Even though Ursalina resented Feleva for her speciesm towards humans, she never recognized her own prejudices.