Seems like the end came and went.
Jan. 9th, 2013 06:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarnathSo the holidays are finally over, and I have time for fandom again! Well, not that I could stay away completely, but it's mostly been constrained to checking the meme and Fandom Secrets.
Not that I can complain, though, since I've been able to drag friends to the cinema to see Skyfall a couple of times, in between working and celebrating (and managing to forget how affected I am by champagne).
I've also read A Memory of Light, and I loved it. I mean, not that it didn't have its problems (though Sanderson has improved the female characters a lot), but I actually thought it was really good. Including the ending. Also, despite hearing that Sanderson is supposed to be homophobic (I haven't read anything else by him, so I wouldn't know), he managed to do better than most fantasy writers by having an offhand mentioned about two different (sympathetic, respected, and in trusted positions) male characters preferring men.
Considering that Jordan only managed the slightly iffy "pillow friends" (which to me left the impression that it was more an effect of lack of men than actually falling in love with another woman) with the female Aes Sedai, I was pleased. Sure, it's only a minor thing, but a clear improvement from the fantasy worlds where homo- and bisexuality seems completely non-existent.
Seriously, the ending made me really happy. Not only Rand's part - which was great, and reminded me strongly of Simon from Gurren Lagann - but all the other characters that all had so much to do now, but in a good way. It really did seem like the start of a new Age!
Speaking of which, isn't it funny how it was released now that the supposed Fifth Age (according to the Mayans) ended? Which means we're now in the Sixth age (or is it the first, if it's supposed to be circular?) I suppose. XD
I really wish there was a fandom, now, because the ending was extremely fanfic friendly. Basically the whole world needs to rebuild and reforge, and there's Rand's treaty that prevents them all from descending into war again.
There are the Sharans who seem to have been duped by Demandred but still ordinary people and not Darkfriends. There are the Seanchan and the Damane conflict. The countries that have been all but destroyed by the Shadow's forces. There's just so much rebuilding to do, and I love that! Actually, I could probably read a whole series just about creating stuff, haha.
Also, the relationships were so much more... I don't know, natural? Easy? ...Gentle? I really loved the way Rand just left it to the women he loved who wanted to come after him. They all had their own lives, and very important things to do, and I could so easily imagine him just popping in on them when they need or want him while on his travels. And oh, how I'd love reading about his travels!
Also, what has he become, now? He uses a different power, and the mark in his eye...
I think I'm going to reread the series and just imagine Rand revisiting all those places.
Well, it's nice when an ending really works.
I've also watched the Doctor Who Christmas special, which was awesome (and not just because a same-sex AU canon Holmes/Watson pairing), and a bunch of old Bond films (which I've all seen before, but it was a long time ago, so I've forgotten much of what happens in them), which has been... an experience. Thinking about trying my hand at a Craig era Bond/Q ship manifesto, but... it's just so much work. *is lazy*
Not that I can complain, though, since I've been able to drag friends to the cinema to see Skyfall a couple of times, in between working and celebrating (and managing to forget how affected I am by champagne).
I've also read A Memory of Light, and I loved it. I mean, not that it didn't have its problems (though Sanderson has improved the female characters a lot), but I actually thought it was really good. Including the ending. Also, despite hearing that Sanderson is supposed to be homophobic (I haven't read anything else by him, so I wouldn't know), he managed to do better than most fantasy writers by having an offhand mentioned about two different (sympathetic, respected, and in trusted positions) male characters preferring men.
Considering that Jordan only managed the slightly iffy "pillow friends" (which to me left the impression that it was more an effect of lack of men than actually falling in love with another woman) with the female Aes Sedai, I was pleased. Sure, it's only a minor thing, but a clear improvement from the fantasy worlds where homo- and bisexuality seems completely non-existent.
Seriously, the ending made me really happy. Not only Rand's part - which was great, and reminded me strongly of Simon from Gurren Lagann - but all the other characters that all had so much to do now, but in a good way. It really did seem like the start of a new Age!
Speaking of which, isn't it funny how it was released now that the supposed Fifth Age (according to the Mayans) ended? Which means we're now in the Sixth age (or is it the first, if it's supposed to be circular?) I suppose. XD
I really wish there was a fandom, now, because the ending was extremely fanfic friendly. Basically the whole world needs to rebuild and reforge, and there's Rand's treaty that prevents them all from descending into war again.
There are the Sharans who seem to have been duped by Demandred but still ordinary people and not Darkfriends. There are the Seanchan and the Damane conflict. The countries that have been all but destroyed by the Shadow's forces. There's just so much rebuilding to do, and I love that! Actually, I could probably read a whole series just about creating stuff, haha.
Also, the relationships were so much more... I don't know, natural? Easy? ...Gentle? I really loved the way Rand just left it to the women he loved who wanted to come after him. They all had their own lives, and very important things to do, and I could so easily imagine him just popping in on them when they need or want him while on his travels. And oh, how I'd love reading about his travels!
Also, what has he become, now? He uses a different power, and the mark in his eye...
I think I'm going to reread the series and just imagine Rand revisiting all those places.
Well, it's nice when an ending really works.
I've also watched the Doctor Who Christmas special, which was awesome (and not just because a same-sex AU canon Holmes/Watson pairing), and a bunch of old Bond films (which I've all seen before, but it was a long time ago, so I've forgotten much of what happens in them), which has been... an experience. Thinking about trying my hand at a Craig era Bond/Q ship manifesto, but... it's just so much work. *is lazy*
