Fantasy...Because Everyone Needs An Escape From Real Life Sometimes...

Tell The Truth About The World Through Fiction and Fantasy

I never used to be a fan of fantasy novels. Lord of the Rings was my first epic tale and although there were handsome nights and beautiful maidens I could never stick with the plot for that long. Call me shallow, but the gruesome orcs and gnarly knuckled hobbits were a huge turn off for a person who is a lover of fine esthetics. Wink, Wink. Fast forward to 2019, right before COVID-19, I picked up the hobby of reading again and oh what a joy that was! I couldn't believe that I had missed out on the fantastic world of fiction whether it was Contemporary Romance or African Lore.

A Co Worker of mine suggested that we start a book and club and recommended the ACOTAR Series by Sarah J Maas. I was in the middle of the first book I was thinking, Why do people love this series? I mean the whole Beauty and the Beast retelling was cute, but I just wasn't feeling Tamlin like that. I had the idea to give my co worker another book suggestion until I entered the last thirty pages of A Court of Thorns and Roses and I was hooked!

I loved the character development with Feyre who started out as the youngest of three sisters who looked out for her family and ended up being taken to a world of Fairies . The political drama that wove through the series as it followed her and her sisters through major transitions held me captive. When her love interested first waltzed into her world as a mere strangers, Sarah J Maas almost had me twisting my neck to look at this suave passer by. I was internally screaming," Who is that?" as he disappeared into the crowd. That was a superb character introduction, Sarah!

I particularly love the part of the of the series when ( SPOIL ALERT!) Feyre is faced with the choice to save her loved ones by looking into an enchanted mirror that sends each viewer into madness or to simply remain in her comfort zone; leading to certain destruction. In order to access the keys to victory she had to face the thing she was most afraid of... her true self. In order for her to keep her sanity while looking into the mirror, she had to accept all that it reflected back at her. She had hold space for her goodness, her bravery and benevolence. She also had to accept her conniving spirit, her violent obsession and inherent treachery. She could not turn away from the beast within.

The mirror scene infiltrated my thoughts and tore open my soul. As I read this scene, I realized that if I wanted to improve my life I had to be willing to sit with, acknowledge and accept all parts of myself. I had to stop hiding from the good , the bad and shameful bits that made up my shadow.

As I courageously to peer into my own mirror, I feel lighter as I accept and release the darkness that would otherwise consume me. I forgive myself for bad decisions that I made in the past. I choose to hold compassion for the woman who didn't know the things that I know now. I am proud of who I am becoming and I am excited to see my future self in full expression.

To My Dear Reader,

If you are in a strange place that feels somewhat like purgatory, I can only offer you something that worked for me...something that continuously works for me. When you are stuck in a room with no doors be brave enough to look into the mirror. Stand tall as it reveals your reflections. Be brave enough to gaze into the darkness of your soul. Make peace with the demons of your past. Accept the guilt that haunts you.

Face it. Forgive it. Release it.

Let the foggy gloom disseminate. Let the imposing mirror transform in to infinite doorways.

Always,

Ann Elise