Marked: Chapter 23
Mar. 3rd, 2011 11:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zelda_queenZeldaQueen: In which those airbending jokes will be biting us in the ass
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
Chapter 23
ZeldaQueen: Zoey and Stevie Rae are under the oak tree, and it's clear that the Cast ladies are trying to convince us that this is a Dramatic And Tense Moment. This does not come across because as I pointed out before, this entire venture is pointless. It will not make or break if Aphrodite can rise to power or whatever. We're not on the eve of some terrible event. I don't even get the sense that they could be spied on and caught, which is honestly the only source of potential conflict that could go on.
We get a random flashback to dinner and how Erik had only said "Hi, Zoey" to her, and how sad she got after this. I think the implication is that he's all hurt and distant after she turned him down for a date. Given that this is literally the third direct interaction they've had (no, I'm not counting the blow job scene or the monologue bit, they didn't talk or interact at all), I think "hi!" is a pretty standard place to be, conversation-wise. Just because someone has a crush on you doesn't mean that they're going to declare their love for you every time you meet. Yes, I remember Twilight. Please don't remind me.
End flashback and Stevie Rae says "You just hurt his ego. Be nice to him and he'll ask you out again". I...what? Three interactions, folks! Did I lose my mind or something? Augh! Zoey asks how she knew she was thinking about Erik, and Stevie Rae says "'Cause that's what I'd be thinking about". I swear, all these people think about is sex. This is like some PG version of Hogwarts Exposed.
Zoey says that she's actually busy thinking about the circle and the ritual and everything, and while that's a lie it does make a good point - that there's allegedly more important things going on than boyfriends. Stevie Rae responds by going on about how "fiiine" Erik is, and Zoey laughs because isn't going after someone only for looks just hilarious? It's totally not what Aphrodite and the other Dark Daughters have been doing, nope!
Damien, Erin, and Shaunee show up and promptly start going on about what a good couple Erik and Zoey make. MAKE IT STOP! Damien insists that Erik will totally ask Zoey out again and Erin agrees because "[Damien] is our group expert on All Things Penile".
Thank the lord, Zoey puts an end to this conversation by asking if they got the candles and herbs needed for the ritual. Damien pulls out the dried sage and lavender, which he already tied into a bundle with cross-stitching. We get a bit of wangst because oh, his father was ashamed of his gay son, with his love of cross-stitching, and Zoey cheers him up by asking him to teach her how to cross-stitch some time.
Erin and Shaunee then pull out the candles, and everyone had best have their helmets on, because this gets stupid. Really, really stupid. Ready? Let's go!
So Zoey has everything and is trying to figure out how to set things up, when she suddenly knows what to do. There's absolutely no logic, no reasoning, the answers are literally just popping into her head as she needs them. This is lazy writing, this is. She declares that each of them will represent one of the five elements, and starts with herself being Spirit. Alright, makes sense, she's theMary Sue High Priestess-thing. She stands in the middle of the circle and tells everyone to gather around her, as is proper.
Shaunee is given the position of Fire. She takes her place and cracks a joke about how "hot" she is. Har, har.
Stevie Rae is given the position of Earth, and I would like to call time because when the fuck has she shown the slightest hint of being earth-like? All she does is act like a puppy and squeal over hot boys and hide from Aphrodite and so on and so forth! Literally the only connection we get is Stevie Rae saying that green is her favorite color!
Bah. Erin gets water, and again I have no idea why that is. The justification is that Erin likes to swim to cool off. Um... I have no clue. None. Not a one. So let's just have a picture of Korean rock band, DBSK
ZeldaQueen: That's the ticket!
And this leaves Damien with wind. Because he...farts a lot, I guess. No, the best connection we get is that he opens the circle, just like he wishes he could open people's minds so that they would be more tolerant, because he's homosexual, you see.
I'm very angry now, so let's have a picture of Lauren Bacall
ZeldaQueen: There's something to be said for classic beauty.
Zoey pulls out the smudge stick to purify them, and there's a very long explanation which I suspect the Cast ladies got via Google-fu. Basically, they set the stick on fire so it smoldersjust like Erik and let the smoke go around them for purification.
As everyone is smudged up, there's a random discussion about what the different herbs do. It's brought up that lavender summons positive spirits, and Stevie Rae starts asking about that because SURELY IT WON'T BE IMPORTANT LATER ON!!! They have a laugh, because surely Cherokee spirits won't pay attention to vampires potentially summoning them, and there's a random discussion on how it's what's inside that counts, and whether or not Erik is really a nice guy and whether or not members of the Dark Daughters were bullied into joining. If that all sounds disjointed and stupid, rest assured it was.
Zoey starts soapboxing about how it's negative intent that they have to be worried about and how they have nothing to worry about because they're praying for guidance and not revenge against Aphrodite, even though Aphrodite deserves some revenge, and I hate them all. Of course they're different. That's why they've decided that they're better at being the head of the group than her and are planning for a hostile takeover.
Everyone promptly starts kissing Zoey's ass and going on about how nice things will be when she's the leader of the Dark Daughters, and I must repeat this - they met her three days ago!!! They already are licking her boots this much? I don't care! End this chapter!
Now it's time for the ceremony itself to start, and we're beaten over the head with how Zoey keeps thinking how she's not graceful or elegant or cool, and in a better story, this could be good coming-of-age stuff. As it is...keep it in mind for a bit.
Zoey first summons Air to the circle, and OH-EM-GEE, THERE'S A BREEZE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW? WHO WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THAT? NOT ME! Everyone is appropriately awed by this, and Zoey moves on to Fire. She gives some overly-long speech about how fire reminds her of fireplaces on a winter's night and OH MY LORD, THEY FEEL WARMTH AND SMELL CHESTNUTS ROASTING, WHAT A SURPRISE THIS IS!!! On to Water we go, and Zoey goes on about the ocean and rain and whatnot and NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY SMELL THE SEA AIR! ISN'T THIS AMAZING? Finally, we're at Earth. Stevie Rae says that she's not scared, and I have no idea why she would have been in the first place. This isn't tense or frightening in the least. Zoey starts to summon Earth and WOW, THEY ALL SMELL FRESHLY-CUT GRASS! HOW WEIRD IS THAT??? Oh, and the oak tree above them is "literally bowing its branches". I hate this story.
Finally, we move on to Spirit. Zoey summons that and feels all Mystic and At One With The Universe. Damien tells her to look at the circle, and we see that it's glowing.
Wait for the end, people. Wait for the end.
Zoey starts facing the four directions and giving the Cherokee prayer, only it's modified to be addressed to Nyx. I have to ask - didn't Nyx say she was the Mother Goddess figure in all religions or something? Why not use her Cherokee equivalent or whatever for this?
More importantly, why am I still expecting logic?
FINALLY, we finish up with Zoey saying to Nyx that she has no idea why she was given the speshul Mark and the affinity for the five elements, but she'll try to do her proud. Did this idiot forget about Nyx wanting her to be her eyes and ears? Was that just dropped? Ah well, it's over. And now, let us reflect.
WHAT THE EVER-LOVING FUCK WAS THAT????
No, honestly, what was that? That was SHIT! That was worse than anything Stephenie Meyer ever crapped out! Yes, I went there! Not even Stephenie Meyer had her Sue master her power right away! THESE ASSHOLES DID!!!!! I'M SO ANGRY, I AM YELLING ENTIRELY IN CAPITAL LETTERS!
Seriously! This is the only time we see Zoey practicing her powers. THE ONLY TIME!!! There's no struggling! There's no mess-ups! SHE GETS IT ALL RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! Hell, Lady in the Water had a better conflict regarding rituals! At least they couldn't figure out who got what part until the end!
And it wasn't even an interesting first attempt! It just went through like it was rehearsed! I know the recap here sounded boring, but honestly it was too dry to care! It was a bunch of dry speeches and pointless tension because nothing happened that we weren't expecting! Was there honestly someone who didn't think Zoey was going to succeed in the prayer? What was the point of this chapter, even? We found out that she could control the elements and that's it! She doesn't gain any insight, she doesn't figure out a plan, NOTHING HAPPENS!
And that's it. That's Zoey's Sue power. She officially knows she has an affinity for the five elements. There is no more doubt. There is no reason she can't take over. There's no reason she can't go to Neferet and say "Lookit what I can do!" and be the new favorite. And yet there are still six chapters to go. Six chapters of fuck-knows-what.
I'm not going to make it. I hate this book!
Onward to: Chapter 24
Back to: Chapter 22
Back to: Table of Contents
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
Chapter 23
ZeldaQueen: Zoey and Stevie Rae are under the oak tree, and it's clear that the Cast ladies are trying to convince us that this is a Dramatic And Tense Moment. This does not come across because as I pointed out before, this entire venture is pointless. It will not make or break if Aphrodite can rise to power or whatever. We're not on the eve of some terrible event. I don't even get the sense that they could be spied on and caught, which is honestly the only source of potential conflict that could go on.
We get a random flashback to dinner and how Erik had only said "Hi, Zoey" to her, and how sad she got after this. I think the implication is that he's all hurt and distant after she turned him down for a date. Given that this is literally the third direct interaction they've had (no, I'm not counting the blow job scene or the monologue bit, they didn't talk or interact at all), I think "hi!" is a pretty standard place to be, conversation-wise. Just because someone has a crush on you doesn't mean that they're going to declare their love for you every time you meet. Yes, I remember Twilight. Please don't remind me.
End flashback and Stevie Rae says "You just hurt his ego. Be nice to him and he'll ask you out again". I...what? Three interactions, folks! Did I lose my mind or something? Augh! Zoey asks how she knew she was thinking about Erik, and Stevie Rae says "'Cause that's what I'd be thinking about". I swear, all these people think about is sex. This is like some PG version of Hogwarts Exposed.
Zoey says that she's actually busy thinking about the circle and the ritual and everything, and while that's a lie it does make a good point - that there's allegedly more important things going on than boyfriends. Stevie Rae responds by going on about how "fiiine" Erik is, and Zoey laughs because isn't going after someone only for looks just hilarious? It's totally not what Aphrodite and the other Dark Daughters have been doing, nope!
Damien, Erin, and Shaunee show up and promptly start going on about what a good couple Erik and Zoey make. MAKE IT STOP! Damien insists that Erik will totally ask Zoey out again and Erin agrees because "[Damien] is our group expert on All Things Penile".
Thank the lord, Zoey puts an end to this conversation by asking if they got the candles and herbs needed for the ritual. Damien pulls out the dried sage and lavender, which he already tied into a bundle with cross-stitching. We get a bit of wangst because oh, his father was ashamed of his gay son, with his love of cross-stitching, and Zoey cheers him up by asking him to teach her how to cross-stitch some time.
Erin and Shaunee then pull out the candles, and everyone had best have their helmets on, because this gets stupid. Really, really stupid. Ready? Let's go!
So Zoey has everything and is trying to figure out how to set things up, when she suddenly knows what to do. There's absolutely no logic, no reasoning, the answers are literally just popping into her head as she needs them. This is lazy writing, this is. She declares that each of them will represent one of the five elements, and starts with herself being Spirit. Alright, makes sense, she's the
Shaunee is given the position of Fire. She takes her place and cracks a joke about how "hot" she is. Har, har.
Stevie Rae is given the position of Earth, and I would like to call time because when the fuck has she shown the slightest hint of being earth-like? All she does is act like a puppy and squeal over hot boys and hide from Aphrodite and so on and so forth! Literally the only connection we get is Stevie Rae saying that green is her favorite color!
Bah. Erin gets water, and again I have no idea why that is. The justification is that Erin likes to swim to cool off. Um... I have no clue. None. Not a one. So let's just have a picture of Korean rock band, DBSK
ZeldaQueen: That's the ticket!
And this leaves Damien with wind. Because he...farts a lot, I guess. No, the best connection we get is that he opens the circle, just like he wishes he could open people's minds so that they would be more tolerant, because he's homosexual, you see.
I'm very angry now, so let's have a picture of Lauren Bacall
ZeldaQueen: There's something to be said for classic beauty.
Zoey pulls out the smudge stick to purify them, and there's a very long explanation which I suspect the Cast ladies got via Google-fu. Basically, they set the stick on fire so it smolders
As everyone is smudged up, there's a random discussion about what the different herbs do. It's brought up that lavender summons positive spirits, and Stevie Rae starts asking about that because SURELY IT WON'T BE IMPORTANT LATER ON!!! They have a laugh, because surely Cherokee spirits won't pay attention to vampires potentially summoning them, and there's a random discussion on how it's what's inside that counts, and whether or not Erik is really a nice guy and whether or not members of the Dark Daughters were bullied into joining. If that all sounds disjointed and stupid, rest assured it was.
Zoey starts soapboxing about how it's negative intent that they have to be worried about and how they have nothing to worry about because they're praying for guidance and not revenge against Aphrodite, even though Aphrodite deserves some revenge, and I hate them all. Of course they're different. That's why they've decided that they're better at being the head of the group than her and are planning for a hostile takeover.
Everyone promptly starts kissing Zoey's ass and going on about how nice things will be when she's the leader of the Dark Daughters, and I must repeat this - they met her three days ago!!! They already are licking her boots this much? I don't care! End this chapter!
Now it's time for the ceremony itself to start, and we're beaten over the head with how Zoey keeps thinking how she's not graceful or elegant or cool, and in a better story, this could be good coming-of-age stuff. As it is...keep it in mind for a bit.
Zoey first summons Air to the circle, and OH-EM-GEE, THERE'S A BREEZE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW? WHO WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THAT? NOT ME! Everyone is appropriately awed by this, and Zoey moves on to Fire. She gives some overly-long speech about how fire reminds her of fireplaces on a winter's night and OH MY LORD, THEY FEEL WARMTH AND SMELL CHESTNUTS ROASTING, WHAT A SURPRISE THIS IS!!! On to Water we go, and Zoey goes on about the ocean and rain and whatnot and NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY SMELL THE SEA AIR! ISN'T THIS AMAZING? Finally, we're at Earth. Stevie Rae says that she's not scared, and I have no idea why she would have been in the first place. This isn't tense or frightening in the least. Zoey starts to summon Earth and WOW, THEY ALL SMELL FRESHLY-CUT GRASS! HOW WEIRD IS THAT??? Oh, and the oak tree above them is "literally bowing its branches". I hate this story.
Finally, we move on to Spirit. Zoey summons that and feels all Mystic and At One With The Universe. Damien tells her to look at the circle, and we see that it's glowing.
Wait for the end, people. Wait for the end.
Zoey starts facing the four directions and giving the Cherokee prayer, only it's modified to be addressed to Nyx. I have to ask - didn't Nyx say she was the Mother Goddess figure in all religions or something? Why not use her Cherokee equivalent or whatever for this?
More importantly, why am I still expecting logic?
FINALLY, we finish up with Zoey saying to Nyx that she has no idea why she was given the speshul Mark and the affinity for the five elements, but she'll try to do her proud. Did this idiot forget about Nyx wanting her to be her eyes and ears? Was that just dropped? Ah well, it's over. And now, let us reflect.
WHAT THE EVER-LOVING FUCK WAS THAT????
No, honestly, what was that? That was SHIT! That was worse than anything Stephenie Meyer ever crapped out! Yes, I went there! Not even Stephenie Meyer had her Sue master her power right away! THESE ASSHOLES DID!!!!! I'M SO ANGRY, I AM YELLING ENTIRELY IN CAPITAL LETTERS!
Seriously! This is the only time we see Zoey practicing her powers. THE ONLY TIME!!! There's no struggling! There's no mess-ups! SHE GETS IT ALL RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! Hell, Lady in the Water had a better conflict regarding rituals! At least they couldn't figure out who got what part until the end!
And it wasn't even an interesting first attempt! It just went through like it was rehearsed! I know the recap here sounded boring, but honestly it was too dry to care! It was a bunch of dry speeches and pointless tension because nothing happened that we weren't expecting! Was there honestly someone who didn't think Zoey was going to succeed in the prayer? What was the point of this chapter, even? We found out that she could control the elements and that's it! She doesn't gain any insight, she doesn't figure out a plan, NOTHING HAPPENS!
And that's it. That's Zoey's Sue power. She officially knows she has an affinity for the five elements. There is no more doubt. There is no reason she can't take over. There's no reason she can't go to Neferet and say "Lookit what I can do!" and be the new favorite. And yet there are still six chapters to go. Six chapters of fuck-knows-what.
I'm not going to make it. I hate this book!
Onward to: Chapter 24
Back to: Chapter 22
Back to: Table of Contents
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 05:04 am (UTC)I actually like Lady in the Water. Now I'm imaging the monster dog eating the stupid vampires.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 05:15 am (UTC)And yes, the viney dogs coming in and eating them all would be splendid!
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 05:27 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 05:29 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 11:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 11:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 05:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 05:40 am (UTC)Oh no, this ritual doesn't do anything to Aphrodite. The ritual is supposed to give them insight or...something. Near as I can tell, it's like praying to God for guidance. They don't ask for anything to happen to Aphrodite. That's why I'm so confused as to why they treat it like it's such a pivotal idea. It's POINTLESS!
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 05:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 07:22 am (UTC)- "Hey, Damien! I found the old copy of... WHAT IS THIS!"
- *Quickly hiding needle and thread* "Uh, I was just... Um... Wanking?"
- "Is this a homemade embroidery with the image of a kitten?!"
- *Nods sheepily*
- "I. Have. No. Son."
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 09:45 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 01:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 01:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-05 06:40 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 09:43 am (UTC)This sounds like that scene from Girl With a Pearl Earring where Griet's mother is asking her to be nice to Pieter the Son so they can marry and he can provide for the family. Just saying... :P
That 'ritual' was so boring, I'm not even gonna bother.
Wait, I thought Bella DID master her vampness instantly as a newborn in BD and everyone mooned over it and how she had no bloodlust, blah blah blah?
Damien REALLY needs better friends. Real friends, although they may playfully joke about it and make witty remarks from time to time, would totally support their friend and his homosexuality and be smart enough to realise the steretypes are bullshit and not go one about how gay he is and basically shove him into that designated role.
But cross-stitching is a gay activity? 'Mum, dad... I love cross-stitching!' SHUNNED! :O
Imagine what Heifer would make of that piece of blasphemy... :P
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 01:14 pm (UTC)It honestly and truly was. Why is everything in this story so freaking dull?
Oh, I was referring to her mind shield powers. ^^;; Even Meyer knew that Bella couldn't shield everyone to try to get tension at the end, when she *does* manage. It didn't work there, but what we get here works even less.
"Imagine what Heifer would make of that piece of blasphemy... :P"
AND HE SHALL BURN WITH THE DEVIL AND HIS EMBROIDERY! KNITTING BE DARNED - DAMNED - WHATEVER!
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 10:29 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 11:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-05 04:10 am (UTC)It's almost like they're a super-powered version of the gang in the Trixie Belden books. XD
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-05 04:47 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-05 05:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-06 02:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 12:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-04 01:14 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-05 06:56 am (UTC)I just know I'll be dissapointed though.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-05 02:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-06 03:59 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-06 09:04 am (UTC)I've never heard of the band, but I have some knowledge of other Korean bands, and most of them tend to be made up of pretty Korean boys, so it's all good. ^^
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-07 05:31 am (UTC)And yes, they are all quite hot. ^_^
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-08 05:53 am (UTC)Hell I do it; by the way have I mentioned I'm bi today, because it's been awhile since I last did - like a whole day! PS: thank you for the pretty boys, even though I'm not all that into pretty boys they where still quite visually appealing and so close to Lauren Bacall to - is that legal for you to do?
Either way - thank you; it was a very kind diversion from this horror-able book. (Although; as per anyone I see, they could all use glasses)
Anyway back to my point - it's like that is all his existence is about. How would he ask someone out on a date?
"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Mikey."
"I'm Damien and I'm gay!"
"Um, okay? Are you asking me out or something." I guess he's never asked another guy out before and is nervous; understandable. "Wanna see a movie or something?"
"I'm gay."
"Okay~"
"But I am totally not stereotypical, but I do love cross-stitching."
"Okay~ I was not aware that was a gay stereotype, but it's good to have a hobby."
"My daddy hates his gay son."
"Um, that sucks."
"So you're gay too, because I'm gay you know."
"Well I'm bi, but I-" Being a badly written written stereotype in an even more badly written fanfic - I mean novel; he is unable to compute fluidity of sexuality and has a break down.
"Gay- I gay - cross gay - guy gay - dad gay hate gay cross gay!"
His brain explodes and I tip-toe away hoping nobody noticed; probably well whistling nervously because that's just how it's done in these situations.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-08 11:18 pm (UTC)I think that showing fluidity of anything would cause any of these characters to break down. Especially the fluidity of water, as they're all cardboard cut-outs. :P
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-09 02:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-09 02:07 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-02-18 04:06 pm (UTC)Anna, the Mean Girl, was Air, as she made a lot of noise but her threats were mostly empty. Also she was an extreme airhead. Nathan was Earth because he was very dependable and stable, as well as being very strong physically. Kristina, the protagonist, was Fire. She was angry, impulsive, hot-headed, emotionally stunted, and full of life. Mike, the Designated Love Interest, was Water, because he was very much a calming presence in the story, emotional (in Wicca, water is often seen as a force of emotion, dried up by fire) and loved the water.
Also, the ritual required four orbs held by three different monsters (and an active volcano). The Water monster attacked Mike during a swim meet, the Earth monster attacked Nathan at his old summer camp, and the Air monster attacked Anna during her winter guard competition. I actually did a pretty fair amount of research involving the Wiccan religion (including talking with the head of the Pagan Student Union at my university) in preparation for it.
Tl;dr again? Fuck you
Ariana BlackZoey, and the fact that you think you know everything!Mirotic
Date: 2012-04-20 10:25 pm (UTC)Re: Mirotic
Date: 2012-05-06 03:24 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-03 10:24 am (UTC)I don't know if you skipped over it, maybe, but I got no sense this was actually a ritual she'd been around since childhood. If I were describing one of my family traditions, let alone one with huge cultural and religious significance, it'd get anchored by my experiences and emotions. And there's a huge log of other stuff here, from her (supposedly) close relationship with the more Native side of her family to times when Native languages and religious expressions were forbidden. There's also the oldest tradition mixed with family tradition mixed with whatever she's doing now. For hell's sake, doesn't she worry she's doing something wrong or offensive or BLASPHEMOUS?
For example, lavender isn't native to the Americas, so there's no chance of it being strictly traditional. Native beliefs aren't static, so I can understand that they might have included new plants and materials as they became available, but some things just aren't substitutable, particularly when it comes to burning a strongly-scented herb. (I'm not sure many Christians would be open to replacing Frankincense and Myrrh incense with Patchouli and Lime, for example) Likewise, I kind of doubt having her gay friend cross-stitch (???) the smudging bundles is a family tradition—but I also doubt she contrasts the premade bundle with carefully stitching out her bundle next to her grandmother.
I'm also not sure if this sounds Cherokee per se so much as generic-Plains. I'm no expert on Cherokee culture or religion, though, so I could be wrong. Also, did they use an eagle-feather to waft the smoke? I know it's traditional for some tribes, but unless Mary Sue is a card-carrying tribal member, she can't legally own one.
I guess I'm getting the sense of Native Americans as a single, homogenous, naturally spiritual, ancient, noble savage group that don't have any definition either from each other, from other traditions (Celtic Druids, for example) or from modern practices like Wicca.
And that's the exact opposite of honoring Cherokee heritage.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-03 09:31 pm (UTC)I could understand if Zoey's grandma exposed her to a lot of different religions because, say, she used to research those things professionally. Like she was a professor of Native American folk tales and customs and made sure Zoey knew about a lot of different ones. But she isn't. She...grows lavender for a living. No clue what she used to do with her life.
And that's not going to end. The way the Cast ladies treat religion through this series, you either are:
1.) Monotheistic, which boils down to being a Bible-thumping, cross-burning religious extremist who demeans all women and acts like the Westboro Baptist Church on steroids (or worse actually, because at least the WBC treated their own members kindly)
Or
2.) Polytheistic, which is some bizarre blend of Greek mythology, Wiccan beliefs, various Native American beliefs, and a smattering of other pagan beliefs. In other words, in this universe, all polytheistic beliefs are the same. All of them. They all worship one Almighty Mother Goddess, who is some version of Nyx, and they are all aware that Nyx is who they really are worshipping. These are also the people who treat vampires like royalty, because they know the vampire goddess Nyx is their One True Goddess and do everything she says.
Except not always, because the later books reveal that there are "good" Catholic nuns who like the vampires...because it turns out that the Virgin Mary is just another form of Nyx. And a fallen angel tried to woo Nyx but couldn't, because she already had a lover, so he went and started raping Cherokee women in their sleep so they gave birth to Nephilim (which they called Raven Mockers, which really are Native American folklore creatures and NOTHING LIKE NEPHILIM) and the Cherokee women magically made a tar woman to lure the fallen angel to the center of the Earth. Because all Cherokee women are magical, don't you know?
So as the series goes on, it turns out that ALL religions are the same, monotheistic and polytheistic alike, and they actually are rooted in Greek mythology. Anyone who says otherwise is deluded and blind and probably a misogynist who is violent and drinks a lot.
I understand that many religions really DO share elements and borrow from each other, especially ones in similar parts of the world. But the way that works is absolutely nothing like what happens here.
I suspect the Cast ladies wanted to make this some unifying thing, like "Look! All the world's mytholgies and religions are from one shared backstory, so you don't have to fight about it anymore!" Instead they managed to just be insulting to every culture they pulled into it. Which, as you pointed out, is the exact opposite of honoring those beliefs.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-01-11 02:29 pm (UTC)The fanbase that apparently never read a book in their lives?