Marked: Chapter Seven

[zelda_queen]

ZeldaQueen: Howdy-do, ladies and germs! In this chapter, either the Casts or I fail Sex Ed forever.

Warnings for this chapter! A girl tries to force a blowjob on a guy while he makes it clear he doesn't consent, and the protagonist gives it no thought! Please proceed with caution!

Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...

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Chapter Seven

ZeldaQueen: Alrighty, so Grandma Redbird is gone and Neferet is leading Zoey to meet her new roommate. To the book's credit, we do get a nice description of the hallway, and how dark it is, with gentle lighting from black iron sconces. Although, as was the case with Bree Tanner, I find it hard to believe that someone like Zoey would casually drop the word "sconces".

Anyway, she asks Neferet what time it is, and Neferet says that it's four o'clock. She further explains that for vampires, classes start at eight at night and go until three in the morning. Teachers are available for extra help until three-thirty and most everything else is open until dawn, which fully mature vampires apparently will automatically sense. There's also a temple devoted to Nyx, where they have rituals twice a week. *rolls eyes* Okay, I haven't read ahead to any of the services, but by the sound of this all, they'll include lighting candles, drawing pictures on the floor, and perhaps sacrificing a baby goat.

That aside, I do have to admit that at least there is a reason for the vampires to be nocternal besides "it's traditional and cool". As we saw before, vampires really are irritated by sunlight. That does not, however, explain why they got a campus with a lot of open space instead of getting something self contained, or building something to suit their needs.

This is all interrupted as a huge, fluffy, orange cat comes running up and hurtles itself into Neferet's arms. The cat's name is Crookshanks Skylar, and from what I can tell, there is no mythological or super-speshul naming scheme there. That's actually kind of refreshing. Anyway, Skylar is Neferet's pet and immediately takes a shine to Zoey, even though he usually hates other people, because she's just so Mary Sue likable. Zoey tells how she used to have a cat but her stepfather forced her to put it up for adoption. I have to again scratch my head and wonder why he was perfectly willing to let his other stepchildren act like apparent hooligans, but keeping a cat was just out of the question.

So yeah, Neferet says that cats and vampires are closely allied, and Zoey remembers learning in World History about how cats were often killed because it was believed that they could turn people into vampires. Okay, there actually was a belief about that (if I recall, it was that if a cat jumped over your newly-dead body, you turned into a vampire), but isn't it usually witch-hunts that cat-slaughters are associated with? In any case, Zoey sees this as "More evidence of the stupidity of humans" and excuse me for a moment please, ladies and gentlemen.

YOU STUPID BINT, WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU? WHY ARE VAMPIRES IN THESE STUPID STORIES UNABLE TO REMEMBER THAT THEY THEMSELVES USED TO BE HUMAN? SHE'S BEEN A VAMPIRE FOR ONE DAY AND SHE ALREADY THINKS OF HUMANS LIKE THIS???

Oh, and she spares half a moment to consider how odd it is that she's thinking of humans like that. And she immediately forgets it. You know, if I was changed into a vampire, I'd like to think that I would show more concern that I was randomly developing fantastic racism.

Instead, Zoey wonders if she'll have a cat of her own. Neferet says that she might, if one chooses her. We also find out that High Priestesses get "affinities" from Nyx, which is basically a fancy way of saying "they get extra X-men powers".  Neferet has two affinities, one that gives her a close bond to cats, and another that gives her healing powers. Great, I guess.

Neferet tells Zoey that dinner will be in one hour, because vampires always know what time it is...for some reason. Zoey says "Oh God" and then starts to have a bit of a crisis over whether or not it would be offensive to say "God" or "hell" while at the House of Night, given the whole worshiping of Nyx thing. Now, normally this would be pretty interesting, given the whole change in lifestyle and all. Instead, it's just annoying because for no reason at all, she goes off on what narrow-minded bigots the people of her stepfather's church all are, and how "vampyres worshiped a false goddess and that they were mostly selfish, dark creatures who cared about nothing except money and luxury and drinking blood". Really, all it comes across as is prodding readers with a stick, to make sure it's hammered into our heads that this group is evvvvillll and intolerant, like how the wolves in New Moon and Eclipse are considered ignorant and horrible for daring to dislike the vampires.

Let's just move on from that, shall we? Neferet gets a call on her cell phone about how a fledgling vampire has a broken leg. She tells Zoey that she has to go check in on that, and tells her to just go down the hall to a door that's "large and made of very old wood". How descriptive.

Zoey heads off on her own, and goes down the hall until she comes to a bend in the corridor. She hears two people up ahead and hides in the shadows so she can't be seen. There's a boy and a girl and...she's blowing him. Really. He's standing in an alcove, breathing hard, and she's on her knees in front of him, rubbing his thighs. Zoey is freaked out, and I'll admit that that's a rather awkward thing to walk in on. She turns to leave but hears the guy yelling out for someone to "Stop!"

Turns out that he's talking to the girl who's blowing him, and she immediately starts acting like a stereotypical seductive teenage slut, going on about how he knows he likes it and how he knows he still wants her, and to top it all off, we're told that there's a hint of whining in her "sexy" voice.

She pulls her fingers down his thigh and cuts his legs so that they start to bleed. Yeah, I bet that'll convince him to stick around. Zoey notices the blood and begins to freak out even more, because the sight of the stuff is literally making her mouth water. Because she's so distracted by the blood, she forgets to run away. Meanwhile, the guy starts snapping about how no, he does not want this, and tries to push her away. She says of course he does, and starts to undo his pants.

Okay, hold on a minute. A few things.

First of all, it's pretty clear that she's trying to seduce him to stay with her. So why go immediately for a blow job? Why not try, you know, kissing? It's pretty easy seeing as how the lips are right there and don't require two people to get into various positions, and it would make you come across as slightly less of a slut.

Second of all, if he's so adamant that they not go through with this, how did they get as far as they were at? I'm going to confess that I'm not the most....wordly of people when it comes to stuff like this, but it seems to me that such an act would require a certain amount of, erm, cooperation. I mean, it was pretty clear that they were in the process of doing something when Zoey walked in, yet he starts acting like he won't let her near him with a pole and decided it long before.

Third of all, she hadn't taken his pants off yet? Really? What, exactly, where they doing when Zoey walked in? The text specifically says that he was breathing hard, with his head tilted back, which I would assume meant he was all excited. Am I missing something here? Is there some sort of blowjob foreplay that I'm unaware of? Or are some people just so sensitive that just having a girl get on her knees in front of them gets them hot and sweaty?

*shakes head* So the guy finally notices Zoey and starts to shout "No", this time at her. Zoey finally decides to get the fuck out of there and runs to the old wooden door.

We are then treated to the Suethors getting on a soapbox and ranting about how it's wrong and not "cool" for girls to constantly give guys head. This is all well and good, except for two things. First of all, you expect me to honestly buy that Zoey, a girl who has all but been a total stereotype of an airheaded teenager, would deliver a rant about how annoying it is that the adult public think that girls blow guys like there's no tomorrow? Second of all, why is Zoey bitching about Aphrodite's choice of sex and not the fact that she was forcing it onto someone clearly unwilling and thus was, you know, ATTEMPTING RAPE?!?

We also get a brief mention of how she's freaked out that the blood looked desirable. I guess it's more concern than Bella Swan ever showed.

Neferet shows up again at this point, and takes Zoey out to the courtyard, where a whole bunch of other students are wandering around. We get another description of the area, which is also pretty nice. Towers, moat, creepy atmosphere. Basically, picture it as a gothic version of Hogwarts.

Wait a minute...



ZeldaQueen: Aaaaand this sporking just got a lot more amusing.

It's explained that the school was originally built with stones from Europe, and was a prep school for rich kids. The vampires bought it five years ago, and there's the implication that they threatened the previous owners into agreeing to sell it to them. How very nice.

Zoey turns her attention from that to the fact that all of the kids are incredibly attractive. We're told that apparently most actors, actresses, musicians, dancers, authors, and singers are vampires, because of this, which is also why the vampire community is apparently very wealthy. I have to ask, how does good looks help one be a successful author, musician, or singer? I could understand acting, and if vampires are super-strong or something then dancing I could also see, but the others? The only way I could buy it is if it's supposed to be that their super-attractiveness gets them good publicity. Even then though, that wouldn't affect their ability to write good music or literature or sing well. And yes, I know that a lot of musicians and singers get other people to do their music, but how does that explain authors?

Oh, and we get more bashing off that People of Faith Church, about how they're hypocrites who buy the art of vampires, but condemn them. Zoey also randomly comes to the conclusion that the church members are jealous of how hot the vampires are. Because every single person in that group is ugly, y'know? And if it seems like this bit came right the fuck out of nowhere, it did.

Back to the hot vampires, everyone is staring at Zoey's filled-in Mark and she bemoans how she's such a freak, whatever shall she do? Dear lord, is she annoying.


Onward to: Chapter 8

Back to: Chapter 6

Back to: Table of Contents

Comments

[das-mervin.livejournal.com]

You know, I am sitting here having to constantly remind myself that this is not fanfic.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

I know. I'm just thanking the stars that I didn't waste money on this garbage.

[yemi-hikari.livejournal.com]

I am having to remind myself that some person in publishing marked this all right for young adults. This is not young-adult...

[greenerygripes.livejournal.com]

I have to again scratch my head and wonder why he was perfectly willing to let his other stepchildren act like apparent hooligans, but keeping a cat was just out of the question.
Because he's RELIGIOUS OMGOHNOES and all religious people think cats are the devil's favored animal! Duuuuh~

Instead, Zoey wonders if she'll have a cat of her own. Neferet says that she might, if one chooses her.
Oh, just like how it is in real life?
Also, I think it would suck if I asked if I could have a pet, and was told "Only if the animal wants you to," or if "Yeah, but only if you turn out to have an affinity for a type of animal." I mean, I'd be pissed.

And...the part with the blow-job...a mother and her teenage daughter wrote this, right? Uhm...I dunno, I'd be really uncomfortable putting a girl giving a guy a BJ in the book my mother and I were writing. Or if she put it in.

[yemi-hikari.livejournal.com]

I agree very much with your last sentence.

[parrinoyed.livejournal.com]

And the step dad is just so evil, he made her give the cat up for *adoption*? Considering Zoey's supposed to be right in her judgement of him, it might have been more effective (in characterization) to just have him dump the cat in the highway or something. I mean, he's a bad character! It's not like he's supposed to have redeeming qualities, which you practically just gave him there: he was probably allergic and Zoey was being a brat).

Also, I think it would suck if I asked if I could have a pet, and was told "Only if the animal wants you to..."
I like to imagine cats refusing Zoey and stalking all the people who think cats are bad pets. "Guess what," they'd project, staring down their victim. "I choose you." And then they'd sit there and start cleaning their nether regions, because cats are like that.

And that last part. Yes. That's all I have to say. Ew.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Actually, all that we're told is that he doesn't like them. So for all we know, he just doesn't like the fur getting on the furniture.

Given how it was written, I'm wondering if they used some teen movie for inspiration. O_o Yeah.

[lurkythespork.livejournal.com]

So the authors say that Zoey's family's church believes that "vampyres worshiped a false goddess and that they were mostly selfish, dark creatures who cared about nothing except money and luxury and drinking blood"? I'm going to guess that all but the first will be proven true via direct demonstration, actually.

And as to the first, if Nyx goes around picking the most self-righteous, shallow, self-centered twits who think that they're just naturally more meritorious than others (and, I'm guessing, assume this gives them a license to treat others badly)? I sincerely doubt people are going to view her as a GOOD goddess.

[yemi-hikari.livejournal.com]

I am going to guess that will be apparent to us readers, but no the characters in the book.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Given the bit about how vampires apparently have endless money and are all movie stars and the like, yes it does sound like that's the case.

From what I understand, Nyx herself can be rather bitchy at times as well. Still, she apparently figured that Zoey was her best bet to keep track of the mortal world, so one does have to question her better judgment at the very least.

[yemi-hikari.livejournal.com]

On the comment about cats being killed, it was mostly for the witch trials that people tried hunting them down. I've heard of a few stories about cats being killed due to vampires thought to be around, but they are so very, very few.

And again... this is young adult? Seriously... umm... if the school is like that as soon as she gets in there, I think parents should be greatly concerned.

[mogseltof.livejournal.com]

Blergh, I forgot about the stupid blowjob scene. :S A kiss would make sense *shakes head*, but sense is a secondary consideration here. Who needs sense when you've got oversexed teenage vampires?

Blergh.

[pastiche-cain.livejournal.com]

But didn't you know? The girl on her knees is a slut and must act accordingly. No kissing, only blowing. (...Great, now I feel dirty.)

[aura-boreal.livejournal.com]

We are then treated to the Suethors getting on a soapbox and ranting about how it's wrong and not "cool" for girls to constantly give guys head.

Soapboxing. Ah, I remember Zoey exploding every couple chapters or so saying it's not "cool" to drink/smoke/do drugs/ have sex/insert other activity here.

I actually thought House of Night was like My Immortal, only with better grammar. Slightly better grammar. Think about it: Annoying female protaganist, thorough descriptions of clothes, very attractive people, one dimensional characters, soapboxing, etc. I could go on.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

The only difference is that there's the slim possibility that Ebony Darkness D'mentia Raven Way is a Parody Sue. With this...not so much.

[witty-screename.livejournal.com]

So, what is the point of the blowjob scene? Just to give Zoey an excuse to get on her soapbox? Does it have any bearing on the plot or character development at all? And what did fundamental Christians ever do to the Casts?

If you're going to have your protagonist rag on an entire group of people, don't make what she rags on so vain and shallow, and especially don't make your own protagonist exhibit some of these same features. Jesus.

Zoey sees this as "More evidence of the stupidity of humans"

I think we can add " grade A hypocrite" to Zoey's growing list of negative qualities.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Well apparently the dude shows up later as one of Zoey's paramours and the girl shows up as an ally/Scary Sue, so they do play more into the story.

Yes, my desire to smack Zoey really is growing by the chapter. Unless there is one HELL of a lot of character development, this is going south.

Actually, next chapter sort of does go South. Um, yeah.

[pastiche-cain.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhh, so there's another reason Zoey is compared to Enoby on TV Tropes.

God, this book's pathetic.

[carmyn]

Ahem, I would like to say something in regards to the blow-job scene.

First of all, Disclaimer: I am a woman, slightly out of my teens, but nonetheless, a woman. I do have a boyfriend and I have consulted him on curiousities related to this, but it was before I even heard of this stupid book. Otherwise, I learned all of what I am about to say from college Psychology. Stay in school kids, you don't have to learn about Sex Ed in...Sex Ed! Oh, and I am going into NSFW territory. I'm not holding back. If your are a young child, don't fucking bitch at me, why the hell are you reading these sporkings anyways?!

First of all: Yes, it is at all possible for a man to gain an erection without actual sexual thoughts. An erection can happen as an involuntary reflex that can happen, lets say, when someone lightly brushes them. Since he said 'No' despite the erection, this girl is goin above and beyond being a simple slut. This is actually something I don't think is well known, but nonetheless -- NO MEANS FUCKING NO, EVEN IF YOUR A GUY.

Second: How did the girl cut his thigh (I am presuming it's his thigh) if his pants were on. It is possible to give a blow job through a pair of pants if there is a zipper, which I assumed before she cut him. But, she cut him to bleed before she apparently took his pants off. What the fuck? Continuity error?

Third: This is a matter of personal opinon but I am so god damn sick that women, even older teenage girls (wait...how old are the girl and boy?! They could be in their twenties for all we know! Vampires typically don't age!) who made the decision to be promiscuous are considered sluts! Men can go fuck with whoever they want and they are considered 'normal' yet when a woman does it, she's a whore or a slut. We aren't in the fucking 50's anymore, assholes. Personally, I think sluts are women who KNOWINGLY steal another woman's man. Period.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

"How did the girl cut his thigh (I am presuming it's his thigh) if his pants were on."

I think she's supposed to have really sharp nails or something. She cuts through the fabric.

"Personally, I think sluts are women who KNOWINGLY steal another woman's man. Period."

Yeah, I think that girl's the Scary Sue, so she doesn't get much of a chance. Poor girl.

[winki-pop.livejournal.com]

I, too, have to remind myself that this is indeed NOT fanfic, as Das Mervin said first. People PAID for this crap?!

Seriously, who the hell would want to write a blow job scene with their mum?!

Kristin: (perky, just like Zoey) 'So, Mum, if you really wanna get all the cool kids and Twihards to buy our book, you'll have to do something edgy like put a scene in of a vampire girl giving a guy head.'

PC: (blanches) '…'

Kristin: (whining) 'C'mon, all the cool kids are doing it and Paris Hilton are doing it, and you wanna be cool, don't you, Mum?'

PC: (reluctantly) 'Well, alright, if it means we'll be cool…'


And how Zoey gets all on her soapbox about it:

(Zoey appears wearing a perfectly visible thong poking out from her low-rise jeans, a 'goffic' crucifix, heavy eyeliner and a singlet top with Pocahontas on the front):

Zoey: (in all seriousness): 'Okay, y'all, this is, like, a serious community service announcement: girls, it's, like, soooo, wrong to go around town all the time giving guys head. I mean, it's making ME look bad and I'm supposed to be the heroine of this story, dammit! And you wouldn't see any of my proud and majestic Native American ancestors doing stuff like that!

So, in conclusion: don't blow guys. It's wrong. And icky. And you might just choke yourself. Seriously, save it for the parking lot or something.'

At least, that's how I imagine Zoey to get up on her soap box and do it :D I'm sure it'll be made out to be all sunshine and roses and not slutty and all when she starts ploughing through guys at Vampwarts :D Seriously, who writes a blow job scene with their mum?!

Oh, the My Immortal comic cover was hilarious! :D I'm just waiting for Enoby to make a cameo in this story, it'd be icing on the horribly sugary and mediocre cake.

And how about that crap about only the famous being vamps or whatever? How shallow. Eww, we don't want average Joes and Janes biting people all over town, how gross! That's not sexy! :D Reminds me of Twilight, only the most beautiful can be vamped, of course.

Also, I like to think that Heifer didn't really adopt out the cat, but instead used it in some weird People of Faith ritual where all the evil congregation chopped it up into little pieces and ate poor kitty, you know, for the evils 'cos they're all so evil, don't you know? :P That, or he beat it to death with his Bible...

Seriously, The Fellowship of the Sun were a better evil cult.

Actually, it just occurred to me: isn't there already a book series about a vampire boarding school, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead?

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Is it weird that I got the impression that it was the *mother's* idea for that scene? All over the FAQ and in all of these interviews, she just talks about how she and Kristen are BFFs, how they watch all of these silly movies together, how they go on so many road trips, and she just comes across as one of those moms that tries to seem "cool" to her teenage daughter.

"And how about that crap about only the famous being vamps or whatever? How shallow. Eww, we don't want average Joes and Janes biting people all over town, how gross! That's not sexy! :D Reminds me of Twilight, only the most beautiful can be vamped, of course."

That's something that confused me, how many people are turned into vampires. Because we get a ton of famous names dropped, but presumably there are also non-famous vampires plus a good chunk who just drop over dead. I have no idea.

"Actually, it just occurred to me: isn't there already a book series about a vampire boarding school, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead?"

Probably. I'm sure this is hardly the first book to come up with the idea. I already read "Vampire High", which is very similar. It's about a kid who has to attend a high school in Massachusetts, and almost all of the kids are vampires. A few are humans, because vampires die if they are submerged in water, and they need some humans to make up their water polo team (the state is looking for an excuse to get rid of the school, so they tend to focus on water polo as that excuse). Except that Cody is actually a nice guy who snarks a lot and most of the vampires are *supposed* to be shallow and nasty.

[winki-pop.livejournal.com]

God, I hate those kind of mothers that tried to be hip with their daughters, it's sad.

I haven't heard of Vampire High, but I did see another series once called Vampire Beach. No, really :D And the aunt in the story has my name :O

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Vampire Beach? Ohh, is that any good? :D

[daaante.livejournal.com]

So one chapter tells us that being a vampire has the humans all freak out and treat you like a diseased pariah....but in this chapter we're also supposed to believe that most rich and successful celebrities are also vampires?!

This world makes no sense! Do people routinely sniff glue, is that why everyone is stupid?

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

"This world makes no sense! Do people routinely sniff glue, is that why everyone is stupid?"

That would make a lot of sense, and I would include both Cast ladies in that theory.

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

It’s also nice how the whole fact that the other girl is attempting to rape some guy isn’t brought up…

Although how she’s raping him doesn’t make any sense; was he for it at first then had a change of heart or does this girl just crawl around on all fours everywhere and he didn’t notice her until she was rubbing his; apparently quite sensitive, thigh.

Also why doesn’t he just run? Unless she’s a stronger vampire than him it doesn’t say he’s tied down or anything…
I guess shock?

You know what, I just don’t care anymore. I’m going to imagine kittens - they are cute, fluff, and kind look like rodents when they are really tiny - and thus they do not give me a headache…

KITTENS!

Although why does she spend so much time hating- well everyone. It’s already the seventh chapter and she hasn’t liked ANYBODY she's actually met except maybe the cat (understandable) and her grandmother.

What a hateful little prat she is…

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

"It’s also nice how the whole fact that the other girl is attempting to rape some guy isn’t brought up…"

I hate that. The double standards are disgusting

"Although how she’s raping him doesn’t make any sense; was he for it at first then had a change of heart or does this girl just crawl around on all fours everywhere and he didn’t notice her until she was rubbing his; apparently quite sensitive, thigh.

Also why doesn’t he just run? Unless she’s a stronger vampire than him it doesn’t say he’s tied down or anything…

I guess shock?"

All vampires have super-strength, but we keep being told how the girl is such a petite twig of a thing. I fail to see how the same point couldn't have been made and with more sense if she was kissing him. I guess she coerced him into sitting down and letting her...blow into his pants crotch before he was able to tell her to leave him alone. It is implied later that she used him for sex a lot, which makes the whole "guy's rape is glossed over" thing even worse.

KITTENS! :D

Zoey isn't quite as bad as Bella in the hating things department. Still, her hypocrisy is staggering.

[amadris.livejournal.com]

"Actually, she was what all vampyres are, more than human —stronger, smarter, more talented."
"More evidence of the stupidity of humans"

Dear Ms Redbird, these fine gentlemen would like to have a word with you.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Woot! :D

[melissatreglia]

I read the blowjob scene as the guy being totally into it, then freaking out that Zoey was spying on their little tryst.

...mostly because the alternative is far too alarming, and breaks my brain.

[bluekevlar16.livejournal.com]

I think the why most celebrities, musicians, etc. are vampires is just because they're just THAT much Better Than You. Didn't they at some point say that almost every masterpiece ever written/created was made by a vampire, or it was about a vampire?

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Pretty much, yeah.

[(Anonymous)]

The "false goddess" thing bothers me. I suppose we're to believe that in this universe, the Abrahamic god doesn't actually exist, and Nyx is the only divine being out there. She also seems to have no hesitation demonstrating her powers and existence.

As an atheist, from my perspective the fact that there are so many different religions and supernatural beliefs is testament to none of them being correct, especially since so many more are constantly springing up. That's the opposite of how it works in science, when many different ideas are altered, pruned down, and reduced to whichever has the best supporting evidence.

You'd figure if there was actually empirical evidence supporting the claims of a specific religion, that religion would be the default one and 99% or more of people would believe it, or at least acknowledge that its god(dess) existed. When your patron deity can actually perform observable, testable miracles on demand and no one else's can, it's hard to understand how any competing belief could gain a foothold.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

What makes it even dumber is that, as we'll find out during the sporking of the Fledgling Handbook 101, this is supposed to be a world where All the Myths Are True. Freya wasn't just a Norse goddess, she was a real vampire who started a vampire school in the Nordic regions and had two pet mountain lions. Even the non-vampires knew her very well. Cleopatra was a vampire who surrounded Egypt with a wall of flames so the Romans couldn't invade. Circe was a real person (well, vampire) and Odysseus was her "consort". Boudicca's daughters were vampires and could fly via controlling the wind. All of this is written down as fact in their primary textbook. There are artifacts of these people and places and events in various vampire museums.

And yet, somehow, people still insist that Nyx is totally made up. I could understand them figuring Nyx was just a hallucination or something, but there's the magical shit going on. Apparently vampires JUST NATURALLY got the power to control the elements and such things. I know those powers are SUPPOSED to be rare, but there are also vampires who can see the future and erase minds and whatnot, and people STILL don't wonder.

(It gets even worse later, when apparently Catholic nuns not only believe in Nyx, but believe she's another version of the Virgin Mary. -__- Really.)

So either these people are in serious denial, or the vampires are selfish people who insist that Nyx is, like, totes real without actually showing any proof of it.

Or the Suethors have no idea how a proper AU with magic and living deities works. Probably this one

[charlie2cute.livejournal.com]

I have to again scratch my head and wonder why he was perfectly willing to let his other stepchildren act like apparent hooligans, but keeping a cat was just out of the question.

xD xD Don't you know, it's because the MS always has to either suffer way more than anyone else or get things way easier than anyone else. I used to write like that, because I was under the impression that what a good characterisation makes. You know... between the ages of 10-14. xD

I also, wanted to say this in chapter 3, but I forgot: All of these new, inexperienced writers, seem to have the same problem I do with writing minority characters. It feels like you can either make them stereotypical (put name of race, ethnical nationality here, any other minority here) or go the other way and make them cat like everyone else, except in this case it just feels like I am white-washing their culture by almost not acknowledging it at all. I usually try to go by the rule "Write them as people first, color, nationality, sexuality etc." later, but sometimes it just feels like I am either slipping into stereotypes or writing them "diverse," just because why not? Do you maybe have any advice for that?

This blowing scene was utterly uncomfortable for me the first time I read it and it gets even more so, every time I do.

Please, put up some trigger warnings in this chapter, because this is rape. People keep talking about how awful women being raped is and of course it is, but men being raped by women is a thing too. This scene is really makes me feel icky, mostly because it's not given the importance it deserves. Rape should not be handled lightly. Except this is here, just to show how much of a slut Aphrodite is, not to put connotations on Rape is Not Okay. And it is rape. He keeps saying "no", and she keeps pressuring him. Think how you'd feel, if the roles were reversed.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

"All of these new, inexperienced writers, seem to have the same problem I do with writing minority characters."

Actually, while I'm pretty sure this is the first big project Kristin Cast did, her mom, PC Cast, is a seasoned author who has published two or so full book series already. And she still writes stuff like this.

And writing in a diverse cast is tricky. I'd say the best thing to do is bring it up as it's relevant. For example, Rowling always described Lee Jordan as, "A black boy with dreadlocks" and then didn't constantly hammer in how he was black. Otherwise, she let the ethnicity of a character be inferred by their names (Cho Chang and the Patil twins, for example). With sexuality, just try to write it the same as you would a heterosexual couple. Don't act like a homosexual/bixsexual/any-sexual person acts in a particular way. Just write them as people with their own likes and dislikes. If they're the sort who'd rib about things like that (like how Wallace Wells, from Scot Pilgrim, makes jokes about being gay), alright. But them being gay shouldn't be their only trait.

I'm sorry about that. ^^; Trigger warnings have been added.