ladypepperoni's Book Journey

this made me miss every single close female friend i've ever had. i love them so much and i love how those bonds were the highlight of the story. there's romance, certainly, but it's not the star of the show nor did i want it to be.

both our characters have their own lovely arcs, but astrid's had me in a chokehold. to have been raised knowing you were almost certainly going to die in a duel for resources your country desperately needs? to see the tenderness and care she embodies anyway? i swoon. it's right there in my profile - trying to love being soft in a hard world and astrid was a window to my soul. she could have been so bitter, resentful, and closed off but she opens herself anyway and cares fully.

that's all i've got in me after this: the surety of the love i have for my friends and the tenderness and vulnerability that it takes to get those soul deep friendships 🥹