Book Recommendations book review Folk Horror‚ Romance‚ and Suspense: Tori Bovalino’s My Throat an Open Grave A review of Tori Bovalino’s new YA horror novel. By Mahvesh Murad | Published on March 4‚ 2024 icon-comment 0 Share New Share Twitter Facebook Pinterest RSS Feed Leah has been raised in Winston‚ a small Pennsylvania town where young girls are brought up to believe that they are always just a step away from unforgivable sin‚ and that any wayward girl will be taken away by the Lord of the Woods‚ a shadowy being who lurks at the edge of the forest‚ stealing away young women and babies. Leah is trying to remain on the straight and narrow‚ finishing off school‚ working at her dead end job and helping care for her baby brother. So one night the baby won’t stop crying‚ Leah frustrated and exhausted‚ wishes him away. Owen vanishes‚ a bundle of twigs left behind in his stead‚ and Leah is forced to follow the town’s dictum and go strike a bargain with the Lord of the Woods to get the baby back.  Historically‚ no girl has ever come back from such a journey‚ nor has any baby been returned‚ but Leah has no choice but to leave. This is how things are done in Winston‚ where “all the girls like [Leah] end up with their choices taken away”.   Tori Bovalino’s third novel‚ My Throat an Open Grave‚ is pitched as YA horror inspired by the 1986 fantasy movie Labyrinth. The Labyrinth reference is clear from the premise itself‚ of course. But that’s pretty much where it ends—once Leah enters the forest and meets the Lord of the Woods‚ the novel becomes more of a YA romance with a touch of folk horror. Tristan‚ the Lord of the Woods‚ is not the evil‚ cruel god Leah had been raised to fear. Instead‚ (no spoilers) Leah finds herself in the company of decent people‚ a kind and welcoming community‚ and a potential love interest. Even the ghosts she meets have more depth to them than she initially believes.  Of course‚ this new knowledge doesn’t just start to change Leah herself‚ but also all that she thinks she knew and understood about her hometown and its people. What happened to all the girls who came to the woods before her‚ the girls whose ghosts and memories haunt Leah in the woods‚ begging for retribution‚ justice‚ peace? The stories Leah has been told and the stories she hears in the woods from Tristan and his community do not add up‚ so Leah must face her fears in the woods to understand what the future holds for her—or if she has a future at all.  Buy the Book My Throat an Open Grave Tori Bovalino Buy Book icon-close My Throat an Open Grave Tori Bovalino Buy this book from: AmazonBarnes and NobleiBooksIndieBoundTarget This is as much a bildungsroman as it is a story of rebellion against the patriarchy‚ against the weaponisation of religion‚ against limitations imposed on young women in order to control them. Winston is an oppressive place; the small town’s church attempts to control its female population by fear‚ policing their bodies and their actions. The tenets of the town—and more specifically‚ its church—lean heavily to sexist bigotry‚ as they remove responsibility from the young men and instead lay all blame on young women‚ never giving them the chance to achieve their potential. The vicious cycles continue from mother to daughter‚ with Leah having a fraught relationship with her mother‚ yet being unable to stand up for herself‚ caught in a sort of emotional Stockholm syndrome where she wishes she could hate her mother and didn’t so desperately want her love and acceptance.  Bovalino makes it clear that all the indoctrination Leah has been through has left her more than just a little conflicted. She is a confused‚ traumatised young woman filled with doubt about her every thought and action‚ in the most negative of ways. Leah finds it impossible to believe that she is not evil‚ simply because she cannot reconcile natural human desire with what she has been taught: “I am a mangled thing. I am soiled black with sin. I have broken the rules that were set out for me‚ trampled over the holiness of my body.” This sort of narrative does repeat a bit‚ and can feel a little overwrought at times as we see Leah think this way and immerse herself in water consistently to wash away her “sins‚” so it is a relief to see her grow especially at the denouement of the novel.  My Throat an Open Grave is very readable. It doesn’t maintain the initial folk horror atmosphere it begins with‚ but it still manages to maintain a level of suspense‚ as it continues to build on a serious thematic background. At times it feels like it is keeping the reader at arms length‚ particularly when it comes to connecting with the characters. Without spoiling major plot points‚ Leah’s secrets make her tough to get to know well‚ as do Tristan’s. Most of the characters‚ in fact‚ are holding back‚ which may add to the suspense of the story but does not make them easy to fully align with. Regardless‚ the story makes pertinent points‚ raises a decent amount of hair‚ and questions who the monsters really are. [end-mark] My Throat an Open Grave is published by Page Street. The post Folk Horror‚ Romance‚ and Suspense: Tori Bovalino’s <;i>;My Throat an Open Grave<;/i>; appeared first on Reactor.

At the end of Chapter 6 of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth‚ Yuffie will approach Cloud and the party and ask to come along. In typical Yuffie fashion‚ though‚ she acts like she’s not that interested. She offers to duel Cloud to see if she’ll grace the party with her presence‚ and then the game lets you choose to respond with either “bring it” or “beat it.” Yuffie was an optional party member in the original Final Fantasy 7‚ so many players are worried that they’ll say the wrong thing during this section and lose access to Yuffie forever. Does this dialogue sequence matter‚ though? What Should You Say to Yuffie in FF7 Rebirth? Screenshot: PC Invasion In short‚ nothing you say to Yuffie in this section matters. Whether you play along with her or refuse her offers‚ she’ll still end up joining the party. Whether you choose “beat it” or “bring it‚” nothing changes in the main story. The scene will play out slightly ...

Red XIII is known for his quick speed and ability to fill up the ATB gauge in seconds. We have compiled a list of the best Folio upgrades for Red XIII in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth so you can maximize his potential. Best Folio upgrades for Red XIII in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7) If you want to maximize Red XIII’s skills‚ unlock the Folio upgrades mentioned in this guide. The upgrades chosen below aim to increase Red’s damage output‚ the speed at which the Limit Break gauge fills up‚ and the length of Vengeance Mode. Savage Assault Screenshot: PC Invasion Savage Assault is a deadly Synergy Skill that allows Red XIII and Cloud to team up and deal a high amount of damage. The amount of damage is great‚ but the side effect is really what makes this one a winner. After using Savage Assault‚ Red’s rate at which the Limit Break gauge fills up will increase. Considering Red XIII can unleash combos easily due to his speed‚ he already fills the Limit Break quic...

Start Quiz The 20th century was an eventful 100 years for the world. We experienced two world wars‚ social and economic change on a global scale‚ and watched in awe as technology began to develop to heights that many of us could have never dreamed of. With all of the political and social change and struggles the world faced during that time‚ some individuals stood out and left their mark on the... Source

Start Quiz CBS/Moviestillsdb CBS/Moviestillsdb No decade had more relevant moments take place during it than the 1950s. This was when some of the best shows‚ movies‚ songs‚ and products were introduced. Anyone who has an ounce of appreciation for the 50s will recognize names like Ward Cleaver‚ Ralph Kramden‚ and Perry Mason. Many iconic actors‚ political figures‚ and athletes impacted that period. Source

Liberals on Monday bemoaned the Supreme Court overturning a state supreme court’s ruling tossing former President Donald Trump off the state’s ballot. The U.S. Supreme Court said that Congress alone had the power to enforce the “insurrection clause” of the 14th Amendment in a 9-0 ruling that was unsigned. The Colorado Supreme Court had decided that Trump was disqualified under the provisions of the 14th Amendment in a 4-3 ruling Dec. 19. “The Supreme Court has betrayed democracy‚” former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann posted on X. “Its members including [Ketanji Brown] Jackson‚ [Elena] Kagan‚ and [Sonia] Sotomayor have proved themselves inept at reading comprehension. And collectively the ‘court’ has shown itself to be corrupt and illegitimate. It must be dissolved.” The Supreme Court has betrayed democracy. Its members including Jackson‚ Kagan and Sotomayor have proved themselves inept at reading comprehension. And collectively the "court" has shown itself to be corrupt and illegitimate.It must be dissolved.— Keith Olbermann?? (@KeithOlbermann) March 4‚ 2024 “Supreme Court rules that an adjudicated insurrection can still be president‚ unless Congress acts‚” MSNBC legal analyst Glenn Kirschner posted. “Not unexpected‚ but more proof that our institutions of government are not up to the task of saving American democracy. Once again‚ it’s up to We The People. #VoteLikeHell” Supreme Court rules that an adjudicated insurrection can still be president‚ unless Congress acts. Not unexpected‚ but more proof that our institutions of government are not up to the task of saving American democracy. Once again‚ it’s up to We The People. #VoteLikeHell pic.twitter.com/mK8kAe3TPE— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) March 4‚ 2024 MSNBC contributor Anand Giridharadas called the decision “another corrupt Supreme Court ruling” while linking to an article offering what he put forth as a course of action to counteract what he called “another round of despair bait.” Another day‚ another corrupt Supreme Court ruling‚ another round of despair bait in the news.The Ink is trying to do something different: offering tangible actions you can take today to help save and more fully realize democracy.Are you interested?https://t.co/mRj1Ki9Adv— The.Ink‚ from Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) March 4‚ 2024 Other liberals said the ruling would not prevent Trump’s defeat at the ballot box. “The Supreme Court will not prevent Donald Trump from becoming President again‚ but Gen Z will‚” left-wing YouTube host Luke Beasley posted on X. The Supreme Court will not prevent Donald Trump from becoming President again‚ but Gen Z will.— Luke Beasley (@lukepbeasley) March 4‚ 2024 “The Supreme Court has decided to keep Donald Trump on the Presidential ballot. We knew this was coming‚” Democratic congressional candidate Eugene Vindman posted. “Today’s Supreme Court decision won’t impact what will happen in November. We are going to defeat Donald Trump and take back the House from MAGA extremists.” The Supreme Court has decided to keep Donald Trump on the Presidential ballot. We knew this was coming. Today's Supreme Court decision won't impact what will happen in November. We are going to defeat Donald Trump and take back the House from MAGA extremists.— Eugene Vindman (@YVindman) March 4‚ 2024 Also on MSNBC‚ former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal tried to spin the ruling. “What it doesn’t put aside is the 14th Amendment‚ Section 3‚ is not just about courts‚ it’s not just about—you know‚ about ballot—you election officials disqualifying someone. It’s also a rule of thumb for you and me‚” Katyal told MSNBC host Ana Cabrera. “I mean‚ one of the most important moments in our history after the Civil War‚ our nation came together and said‚ ‘Look‚ insurrectionists should not be on the ballot.’ The court today is not saying that Donald Trump is free of the charges of being an insurrectionist.” “It may be that Congress hasn’t implemented legislation to enforce it‚ but you and I enforce the 14th Amendment‚ too‚ by what we do at the ballot box‚” Katyal added. Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold of Colorado expressed disappointment in the ruling on X. “I am disappointed in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision stripping states of the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for federal candidates‚” Griswold posted. “Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrectionists from our ballot.” I am disappointed in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision stripping states of the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for federal candidates. Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrections from our ballot.— Jena Griswold (@JenaGriswold) March 4‚ 2024 Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post ‘The Supreme Court Has Betrayed Democracy’: Liberals Melt Down After Justices Rule Trump Can Remain on Ballot appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Hollywood Man Caught Drawing Swastika on Jewish Mother's Packages

Building a Narrative‚ Measles Edition

The liberal media were beside themselves on Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued a unanimous‚ 9-0 ruling that former President Trump was to remain on the Colorado ballot‚ and in other states that were looking to remove him. The ruling also had the low-IQ brains of ABC’s The View short-circuiting as moderator Whoopi Goldberg flipped out and proclaimed Trump had “been given a rubber to put on and walk through the poo” and compared it to pro-segregationist courts of the past. Goldberg’s profound ignorance of federal supremacy over federal elected positions was on full display from the get-go as she opened the show by comparing their ballot ruling to overturning Roe v. Wade and state laws on abortion: The Supreme Court has just ruled unanimously that Colorado courts cannot keep you-know-who off the state's ballot for engaging in insurrection finding that a state cannot make a call that could have a national impact on a federal election. Of course‚ unless it's about a woman's right to choose‚ but let's not get into that. Staunchly racist and anti-Semitic co-host Sunny Hostin (the descendant of slave owners) admitted that the justices made “the right decision” because “we’d have this chaotic sort of process where you’d have 50 states and some are choosing to put him on the ballot and some are choosing not to put him on the ballot.” But she went on to whine‚ without evidence‚ that SCOTUS went too far and “overstep[ed] in favor of Donald Trump‚” and asserted the justices “behaved in a partisan manner.”     In their second segment talking about the ruling‚ Goldberg attempted to delegitimize the court and teardown American institutions and continued with a mind-numbing analogy that dabbled in long-debunked election denialism and talk of condoms and poo (Click “expand”): GOLDBERG: No. No. Oh my goodness. It doesn't even matter‚ but it doesn't matter because for a second we all said‚ “Well‚ why are they all voting and making it okay for Bush to become president?” We got very annoyed with that. HOSTIN: The Bush v. Gore. This is the first time the Supreme Court really dabbled in politics like that. GOLDBERG: Like that‚ yeah. And so this -- this thing where he is now once again been given a rubber to put on and walk through the poo -- Yes. Yes. You heard me. Having been born in 1955‚ Goldberg ridiculously insisted that this court (comprised of four women‚ two black people‚ and a Latino woman) looked “more like” the pro-segregationist “Supreme Court I grew up with.” Faux conservative co-host Ana Navarro lamented that justices used to be confirmed with “90-something votes” in the Senate. But Goldberg chalked it up to “when it was all men voting for all men‚ we ended up with the grand wizard‚ you know‚ we ended up with all kinds of people on the bench.” In reality‚ the first female justice‚ Sandra Day O’Connor was confirmed 99-0; Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 96-3. The slide toward party-line confirmations had nothing to do with the gender of anyone and had more to do with Democrats making confirmations political‚ starting with Robert Bork. Prior to the commercial break‚ Navarro showed off her lack of ability to understand nuance and law by whining about Justice Clarence Thomas refusing to recuse himself from any election-related cases. She tried to claim that Thomas sleeping with his wife Ginni was somehow a “conflict of interest” on par with Georgia D.A. Fani Willis having an “affair” with the prosecutor she assigned to go after Trump; despite Mrs. Thomas not being a party or defendant in any election-related case (Click “expand”): Something that's really troubling me though. Look‚ we have spent days and the last few weeks watching Fani Willis be on a witness stand and going through the fact that she was having an affair with a guy she hired to prosecute this case. It's a conflict of interest case. It bothers me tremendously that we have now had this case where Clarence Thomas has sat there and we have another case‚ the immunity case where Clarence Thomas apparently plans to sit there. Despite the fact that‚ in my view‚ and I think in a lot of Americans' view‚ he has a conflict of interest. Because if Fani Willis sleeping with that guy you think was a conflict of interest‚ what do you think of Clarence Thomas being married to a woman who was actually trying to overturn the elections? And that is something that continues to be unaddressed and I must say this: both Clarence and Ginni Thomas have denied any wrongdoing. [Makes a mocking face] Navarro’s fellow faux-conservative‚ Alyssa Farah Griffin said the ruling might have been “the right decision” but was “not a welcomed one.” She argued that “the takeaway from today is this: the only place to beat Donald Trump is at the ballot box.”

CNN host Michael Smerconish educated his own audience on Saturday after they overwhelmingly approved the Justice Department taking Donald Trump to trial before the 2024 election. Last week‚ the Supreme Court agreed to hear Trump's appeal that presidential immunity protects him from criminal prosecution in special counsel Jack Smith's election interference case. The decision triggered weeping and gnashing of teeth among liberals because the court set oral arguments for the week of April 22. That means the justices will likely not issue a decision until the end of June. And with court proceedings halted until their decision‚ Trump's trial will not begin until late summer — at the earliest. That timeline presents a major problem: DOJ policy specifically prohibits interfering in elections and being swayed by political winds‚ and rushing Trump's trial could run afoul of that long-standing policy. But apparently CNN viewers don't care about the fairness — indeed‚ the attention to justice — the policy is meant to uphold. On Saturday‚ Smerconish polled his audience on the following question: "Is it appropriate for DOJ to try Trump in the fall of 2024?" With nearly 40‚000 votes‚ 88% of his audience said "yes" it is appropriate for the DOJ to break long-standing policy to prosecute Trump. The results clearly left Smerconish shocked. "Oh‚ come on — come on‚ guys! Ladies!" Smerconish exclaimed. "My disappointment is — put that camera on me for a second — it's not that lopsided a question. It is not a 90-percenter. Like‚ you're making me think that if instead the poll question today was‚ 'Why don't we just dispense with the trial and move right to the sentencing phase?' That would probably beget 82% of the audience today‚" he chided. "No. That's the wrong answer — at least by that margin‚" he scolded. ‘Wrong Answer!’ Trump DERANGED Michael Smerconish has a MELTDOWN after an audience poll reveals support for a fall Trump trial date 'OK‚ there it is‚ the results so... oh‚ come on guys! Ladies! ---- Nearly 40‚000 have voted so far and 88% are saying‚ 'Yes?' My‚ my disappointment… pic.twitter.com/ZcAQLqKZLo — Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) March 2‚ 2024 Earlier in the show‚ Smerconish spoke with legal expert Elie Honig‚ who explained why he is troubled by Smith's rush to bring Trump to trial. He said: If you look at the actual Justice Manual — now‚ this is essentially the internal Bible for DOJ; we all have them printed out on our desks — there's a provision in there that says‚ "Prosecutors should never select the timing of any action — let me say that again‚ any action — with the election in mind‚ with the timing of the election in mind." And it's hard for me to square that with Jack Smith making decisions‚ asking for trial‚ asking for everything to be mega-expedited‚ because even though we won't say it‚ I don't think anyone would disagree that what's motivating him is the Election Day. So I do think that that violates DOJ's own internal manual. Educating his audience‚ Smerconish then used Honig's explanation for why bringing Trump to trial this fall is questionable. "Elie Honig made an excellent point. If we're up against the clock in concluding the federal prosecutions of Donald Trump‚ it's not Trump and his lawyers or SCOTUS' fault. It's Merrick Garland's fault because he lollygagged‚" Smerconish recounted. "So Trump is doing what any defendant would do in that case‚ but he'd run out of time if Garland had gotten off the dime. That's the bottom line‚" he explained. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!