Hey there, Valkyries ♥ How’s November going? We’d love to welcome you to The Weekly Raven, previously known as our Valkyrie Scoop. Each week, we’re inviting you into the Halls of Valhalla for a taste of what we’re watching, listening to, and reading. Pretty much passing on whatever stories are haunting us, no matter the medium.
Grab a piping hot mug of dark chocolate cocoa spiked with whiskey and pull up a chair. Don’t be shy and tell us all about the stories that have lingered with you this week. In fact, we’re dying to hear from you ♥ Because this community would be nothing without all of you.
This week was spectacular. You heard the sarcasm, right? My darling love gave me his cold, so my days began and ended in bed with a nasty cough. The urge to read was there, but I was so far gone after all the cold medicine that I never got around to actually reading.
Still, I found the strength to buy a couple books <(˶ᵔᵕᵔ˶)>
Red Winter by Annette Marie had been on my TBR since forever. I actually thought I’d bought it in 2021, but turns out…I didn’t 😂
Set in a Japanese-inspired modern world filled with kami and yokai, I couldn’t resist picking this up. The premise is said to be in the vein of Kamisama Kiss, one of my favorite anime shows. I’m a little hesitant, though. It’s labeled as a YA, which I’ve had a hell of a time relating to on any level these days, but I’m hoping the leaning into Japanese lore (which I live for) resonates with me enough to overcome this.
I also snagged a deal on Frost by C.N. Crawford, which was totally influenced by Instagram. Look, I’m a sucker for good marketing, and dude, this author is creative at marketing her book to readers. When you label a book “Bachelor, but make it Fae”, you know exactly what you’re doing. Just saying. This paranormal romance promises spice, laughs, drama, and lots of unforeseen twists/turns to keep me on my toes.
I previously read City of Thorns, which I had mixed feelings about. So, I’m hoping this one delivers more than her previous books.
![Alchemy of Souls Season 1 Episode 1-20 [Korean Drama] Completed Movie Download Mp4 - VistaNaij](https://i0.wp.com/www.vistanaij.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/alchemy-of-souls-korean-drama.jpg?fit=600%2C900&ssl=1)
![tvN 'Love in Contract' Teaser Poster 2 [Park Min Young, Go Kyung Pyo, Kim Jae Young; Premieres September 21] : r/KDRAMA](https://i0.wp.com/i.redd.it/9zftjuncurk91.jpg?w=1216&ssl=1)
Because I was sick and couldn’t get much reading done, I watched a ton of Asian dramas. Between Netflix and Viki, I was a total glutton. I’m not even sharing images for all the dramas I watched *hangs head in shame* but these were a handful of the ones that brought me a sparkle of joy during my sickly doom. From left to right: Love Between Fairy and Devil, Alchemy of Souls, Love Contract, Romance of the Little Forest.
Out of all these, I think Love Between Fairy and Devil and Alchemy of Souls are my absolute favorites. Both are set in fantasy worlds with complex lore, magic systems, and characters who make me laugh and weep all at once. I also love how deep the villains are, with their own arcs and backstories that make it hard to be totally against their causes. You just…connect….with them in ways that you know is wrong, but emphatically feel for them.
This isn’t even the whole list of dramas I devoured this week. But to keep myself from looking like a total Asian drama hoe, I’ll stop here. Gotta keep my image 😀
Reading and TV aside, I spent my free time listening to music and sleeping. This week’s playlist:
I managed to attend my online Japanese classes, where I got to use new phrases like へとへとだ (“I am dead tired”) and practiced reading kanji aloud without coughing to death. No Taekwondo, though, as that would have destroyed me. Before this cold descended, I went to the Greek Fest with Alexi, which was so much fun! It was so good to see her ♥ and we got to take in the crisp autumn atmosphere.
Despite being ill, it was actually a lovely week.
You can find older editions of of The Weekly Raven here.
