It's been a hot minute since I wrote a blog post that wasn't a book review or blog tour. There's nothing wrong with those posts, don't get me wrong, but for some reason they don't feel the same? *shrugs* I don't know. 

It's been an interesting few months - super busy and stressful, but also with joyful moments. A lot has happened, and every time I try to write a post summarizing it, I feel tired. I've been tired a lot lately. XD

But here goes nothing. 

I finished up my second semester of college in May! It was full of late-night McDonalds trips, five a.m. mornings struggling to plow through homework, and FaceTime/Discord calls with friends and family. I read Unlocked in one day, watched way too much anime, and discovered the amazing online planning system known as Notion. 

Then there were the days where I stared at my laptop screen for hours at a time, begging my brain to work so I could write my paper. The days where I missed home with a desperate longing. The days my mental health decided to drop off the deep end.

But I survived finals mostly intact. I made some incredible memories. And honestly, I don't regret anything that happened. This was a pretty great semester. Here's to sophomore year! oh no now I'm thinking about school again, help

I started working two jobs when school ended, which has been incredibly stressful. The remnants of motivation to write, blog, and read almost disappeared completely. (They had already been low from college. XD) My mental health reached a questionable place, and some days all I could do was struggle out of bed.

But then, this summer has had its highs too - in the small moments. In the car drive with my best friend when I wanted to escape my house for a little while. In chaotic Discord conversations. In the FMA album that AmaLee released a month ago that has literally gotten me through the rough days. 

I started editing the Inhumans and first-drafting a brand-new idea. I started watching literally six new anime not counting the few I was already watching and I have finished none of them. To get myself out of my book slump, I thought it would be a fantastic idea to read a 1000 page book. Spoiler alert: it doesn't really work. XD

Last weekend, I attended Realm Makers, which was, hands-down, the best weekend of my life. It was truly a Godsend, a bright spot in an otherwise pretty depressing week. To everyone I met there - you are all beautiful, creative people. I miss you all dearly <3 

(And to everyone I wasn't able to meet: I miss you all dearly as well. I cannot WAIT for the day when we can meet in-person <3)

I'm hoping to get a RM recap post up here soon - it's going to be huge, so brace yourself XD.

And now we're to the present day, as I'm recovering from my second wisdom teeth surgery. 

Coming back to blogging feels . . . weird, honestly? 

A part of me doesn't feel like the same person who used to blog here. That girl feels so different. She read books voraciously; I can barely get through a book. She would never have touched a horror/thriller story; one of my favorite reads of this year is technically classified as "horror" although I will fight against that classification because I wasn't scared at all. She had great hope that her mental health would never decline like it did a few years ago; now here I am, probably in a worse place than she was that first time.

A part of me wants to move to Wordpress because I've been liking their design more and more, and I feel like I need a fresh start. But also, I'm not quite ready to give up this space, and honestly, I'm still figuring out branding stuff™.

A part of me is scared to come back to blogging, because I started this blog as a book and faith blog. And while I have no intention to stop writing about my faith, I've barely read anything all year. And the things I have read aren't necessarily things I would recommend. *sigh*

So here we are. I have no idea what I'm doing, where I'm going with what I post. I promise, it won't all be anime, despite my current love of the medium. I don't know if I'll post consistently, because college drains all my creative energy. I don't know if I'll ever get around to making that fandom video - although if it doesn't happen this year, it will happen at some point.

The long and short of it is: I have no idea what's going to happen in the coming months. Most likely this blog will just be chaotic, in nearly every sense of the word.

But Legend of a Writer is not shutting down for good. Not yet. And hopefully not ever. Because although it may feel weird to be blogging again, I've missed this so much.

And if you're here, reading this, despite my sporadic posting over the past year . . . thank you. Seriously. You all are why I started blogging, and even if you drift away and don't read anymore, you're still the reason I continue. <3

So, maybe, I'll see you next week. *shrugs* I guess we'll find out.

-Nicole <3

Today I come to you with the most fangirl-y book review you've read in a while. look, I'd like to say that I got more "professional" over my now very extended hiatus, but in fact my mind has just descended more deeply into the depths of incoherent fangirling XD

Ignite, the incredible debut novel by Jenna Terese, released on July 2nd. I was lucky enough to both beta-read and ARC-read this novel, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint.

This is one of the easiest five stars I've ever given a book. I absolutely loved every minute of it.

The best way I can describe this book's plot (and general vibe) is like a cross between My Hero Academia and A Time to Die. And as someone who loves both of those stories, I felt like this book was 110% up my alley.

I mean, superpowered beings - but they're the bad guys? Um, AMEN TO THAT. Most of the book taking place in a dystopian version of Rapid City? YES PLEASE. And Christian themes attached to all of this? PERFECTION.

The story was fast-paced and emotional, and I never once got bored. (Considering my current attention span, that is a huge compliment. XD) Also, the fact that there isn't really any romance in this entire book was just so nice *sighs happily*.

My absolute favorite part of Ignite, though, had to be . . .

So let's just get into the characters.

Scarlett, our main character, had a beautiful character arc. I loved reading about her struggle of doing the right thing, being forced into a position of leadership, and looking down on her God-given abilities. While I won't spoil anything about the way her arc resolves, it is just *chef's kiss*.

Seth . . . I just hurt for Seth and that's all I have to say about that. *sobs*

There's Nadia, my precious earthquake girl who does not deserve anything that's happened in her life. She needs hugs desperately.

*deep breath*

And then we have ARES, AKA THE MOST SUPERIOR CHARACTER IN THIS ENTIRE STORY. I AM OFFICIALLY ADOPTING THIS ICE CHILD. HE DESERVES BETTER. *SCREAMS ETERNALLY*

Can we just talk about his backstory and how he just keeps everything bottled up inside? About the manipulation he has to put up with in this story? About his quiet, logical sad personality? And about his absolutely PATHETIC social skills? (I have never related harder XD.) 

This boy left me WRECKED the entire book. The amount of times I grinned or gasped while reading about him was probably concerning to my parents, who were in the same room with me as I read the book. XD

Ahem. I should probably stop talking about Ares now. there are apparently other characters besides him??? I know, I was surprised too

A character I didn't expect to love as much as I did was Ian! I really don't know where this love came from, but now I am super excited to learn what happens to him next. (Because Ignite is the first book in a duology.)

In short . . . I love all these characters especially Ares, and I thought that they were definitely the highlight of the book. <3

So what did I leave this book feeling?

Hm. That's hard to say. because I closed this book with a tear rolling down my face from a Certain Thing in the Ending

I guess . . . I left this book with a feeling of hope. 

One of the biggest themes of Ignite is that of coming to terms with who you're created to be. And the way it was executed encouraged me greatly. <3

Now, it does get dark in some places. I've seen a few reviewers comment that Ignite feels more like a dystopian than a superhero story, and to an extent I definitely agree with them. It doesn't shy away from darkness or heartache.

I'd say you would enjoy this book if you like: 

- My Hero Academia

- A Time to Die

- superheros/Marvel

- dystopian vibes

- realistic characters who will make you sympathize with them

- icy boys who will BREAK YOUR HEART when they cry (okay FINE, I'll actually stop talking about Ares)

- themes of hope, identity, and family

you would enjoy this book. 

And I, for one, cannot WAIT for book two.

-Nicole <3