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Catherine, Called Birdy

Catherine, Called Birdy is a medieval coming-of-age novel following the spirited young Catherine as she navigates societal expectations, marriage pressures, and her own rebellious nature through witty diary entries.

Catherine

Catherine is the daughter of a renowned ballerina and she's also a prodigy in ballet but she stopped dancing ever since her adopted brother went missing. While she was on search on her brother, she met Lyra a beautiful ballerina whom she immediately had a crush on. And the more their relationship gets deeper, the more it gets complicated. Lyra is connected to her missing adopted brother.

23 Chapters

Called by Fire

It was a small pull, that had her confused at first, but kept bothering her like a strand of hair attached to your arm that you can't find and remove. When she focused on it, the pull drove her to touch his chest lightly. She cleared her mind to make sense of the foreign sensation that spoke to her and when she did, it was strange and dark. He was calling for fire. ---- Brianna is a witch that tends to the needs of nature by controlling the four elements. Nathaniel is a phoenix assigned to her village by a mysterious and suspicious organization, the Council. He is a master of fire, unwaveringly dedicated to his life's work. She is an untamable force of nature. Can their unexpected encounter alter the path of fate?

9.9

40 Chapters

Moon Called Posession

For centuries, hundreds of wars raged between wolves and Lycans. Wolves fought, and became the dominant species. As a result, the Lycans had to retaliate to survive and needed mates to save their kind. THEY NEED SHE-WOLVES TO BECOME THEIR BREEDER. And here my kind comes who were destined to live in this discipline until they died in return for food and protection. The worst thing was my people were never treated as pack members nor counted as rogues. WE WERE CALLED AS PARAMOURS- THE PLEASURE PROVIDER. But everything was an illusion for me because I didn't know I was a wolf or more until I MET HIM. Mystery beneath his skin, and the havoc he carried in his eyes, reading me like he came from the darkness to get me only. I am Savannah, and I never knew I was his MOON- CALLED- POSSESSION.

56 Chapters

So-Called Happiness

I was married to Gideon Strathmore for eight years, but he was unfaithful, bringing home different women. The 100th, Vesper Quinn, smirked at me and turned to him, saying, "This is your useless wife, huh?" Gideon leaned back in his chair and lazily nodded. Emboldened by his attitude, she strutted over and patted my cheek. "Listen closely to what a real woman sounds like." That night, moans filled the living room. I couldn't escape them. The next morning, Gideon ordered me to breakfast as usual. I refused, unwilling to be his puppet any longer. He forgot our marriage was based on a contract, and it was due in three days.

9 Chapters

Called by the Dragon

The Empire rules on the wings of dragons. Riders are hand-selected for training from childhood, and Anzi is one of the rare few who wait to hatch theirs this year. Until she discovers the terrible truth that the dragon riders are not partners with their dragons: they're slavers. The dragons are bred in captivity and enslaved from within the egg, and they are nothing but mindless shadows of what their once-noble species used to be. After two hundred years, the surviving dragons in the wild are coming back to rescue their brethren. How they survived the Purge, no one knows, but they are angry and they are coming, in fire and in storm. And as she struggles to come to terms with the realization that the nation she loves so much that she would give her life for it may be nothing more than propaganda and illusion, she discovers something else: The dragons who survived the Purge are shifters, able to hide in human form. And Anzi has met one of them already. Her mate.

9.7

103 Chapters

An Enemy Called Mate

Meet Ziva, a young Alpha's daughter who once had it all: a loving family, a respected position in her pack, and a promising future. However, on her eighteenth birthday, her world shattered. Her boyfriend betrayed her, and she found herself in an unexpected arranged marriage with her Alpha father's sworn enemy. To complicate matters further, her new husband has an identical twin, both claiming to be her true mate. Caught between her sense of duty and the fiery passion that threatens to devour her, will Ziva surrender to the irresistible allure that draws her closer to her dangerous enemies?

153 Chapters

How Did Catherine De Medici Shape French Politics?

5 Answers2025-10-17 05:12:26

Catherine de' Medici fascinates me because she wasn’t just a queen who wore pretty dresses — she was a relentless political operator who reshaped French politics through sheer maneuvering, marriages, and a stubborn will to keep the Valois line on the throne. Born an Italian outsider, she learned quickly that power in 16th-century France wasn’t handed out; it had to be negotiated, bought, and sometimes grabbed in the shadows. When Henry II died, Catherine’s role shifted from queen consort to the key power behind a string of weak heirs, and that set the tone for how she shaped everything from religion to court culture and foreign policy.

Her most visible imprint was the way she tried to hold France together during the Wars of Religion. As mother to Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III she acted as regent and chief counselor in an era when the crown’s authority was fragile and the great noble houses (the Guises, the Bourbons, the Montmorencys) were practically mini-monarchies. Catherine often played the factions off each other to prevent any single family from becoming dominant — a cold, calculating balancing act that sometimes bought peace and other times bred deeper resentment. Early on she backed realpolitik measures of limited religious toleration, supporting the Edict of Saint-Germain and later the Edict of Amboise; those moves showed she understood the dangers of intransigent persecution but also that compromise was politically risky and easily undermined by extremists on both sides.

Then there’s the darker, more controversial side: the St. Bartholomew’s Day events in 1572. Her role there is still debated by historians — whether she orchestrated the massacre, greenlit it under pressure, or was swept along by her son Charles IX’s impulses — but it definitely marks a turning point where fear and revenge became part of the royal toolkit. Alongside that, Catherine’s use of marriage as a political instrument was brilliant and brutal at once. She negotiated matches across Europe and within France to secure alliances: the marriage of her daughter Marguerite to Henry of Navarre is a famous example intended to fuse Catholic and Protestant interests, even if the aftermath didn’t go as planned.

Catherine also shaped the look and feel of French court politics. She was a great patron of the arts and spectacle, using festivals, ballets, and lavish entertainments to create court culture as soft power — a way to remind nobles who held royal favor and to showcase royal magnificence. She expanded bureaucratic reach, cultivated networks of spies and informants, and used favorites and councils to exert influence when her sons proved indecisive. All of this helped centralize certain functions of monarchy even while her methods sometimes accelerated the decay of royal authority by encouraging factional dependence on court favor rather than institutional rule.

In the long view, Catherine’s legacy is messy and oddly modern: she kept France from cracking apart immediately, but her tactics also entrenched factionalism and made the crown look like it ruled by intrigue more than law. She didn’t create a stable solution to religious division, yet she forced the state to reckon with religious pluralism and the limits of repression. For me, she’s endlessly compelling — a master strategist with a tragic outcome, the kind of ruler you love to analyze because her successes and failures both feel so human and so consequential.

How Did Catherine De Medici Influence Renaissance Court Culture?

1 Answers2025-10-17 04:43:21

Catherine de' Medici fascinates me because she treated the royal court like a stage, and everything — the food, fashion, art, and even the violence — was part of a carefully choreographed spectacle. Born into the Florentine Medici world and transplanted into the fractured politics of 16th-century France, she didn’t just survive; she reshaped court culture so thoroughly that you can still see its fingerprints in how we imagine Renaissance court life today. I love picturing her commissioning pageants, banquets, and ballets not just for pleasure but as tools — dazzling diversions that pulled nobles into rituals of loyalty and made political negotiation look like elegant performance.

What really grabs me is how many different levers she pulled. Catherine nurtured painters, sculptors, and designers, continuing and extending the Italianate influences that defined the School of Fontainebleau; those elongated forms and ornate decorations made court spaces feel exotic and cultured. She staged enormous fêtes and spectacles — one of the most famous being the 'Ballet Comique de la Reine' — which blended music, dance, poetry, and myth to create immersive political theater. Beyond the arts, she brought Italian cooks, new recipes, and a taste for refined dining that helped transform royal banquets into theatrical events where seating, service, and even table decorations were part of status-making. And she didn’t shy away from more esoteric patronage either: astrologers, physicians, writers, and craftsmen all found a place in her orbit, which made the court a buzzing hub of both high art and practical intrigue.

The smart, sometimes ruthless part of her influence was how she weaponized culture to stabilize (or manipulate) power. After years of religious wars and factional violence, a court that prioritized spectacle and ritual imposed a kind of social grammar: if you were present at the right ceremonies, wearing the right clothes, playing the right role in a masque, you were morally and politically visible. At the same time, these cultural productions softened Catherine’s image in many circles — even as events like the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre haunted her reputation — and they helped centralize royal authority by turning nobles into participants in a shared narrative. For me, that mix of art-as-soft-power and art-as-image-management feels almost modern: she was staging viral moments in an era of tapestries and torchlight.

I love connecting all of this back to how we consume history now — the idea that rulers used spectacle the same way fandom uses conventions and cosplay to build identity makes Catherine feel oddly relatable. She was a patron, a strategist, and a culture-maker who turned every banquet, masque, and painted panel into a political statement, and that blend of glamour and calculation is what keeps me reading about her late into the night.

What Is The Big Sean Song About Ariana Grande Called?

5 Answers2025-09-27 20:44:22

The song you're asking about is 'Research' by Big Sean, which is known for its contemplative lyrics reflecting on a relationship with Ariana Grande. It wasn’t just a random collaboration; they both had a profound connection that inspired the song. Listening to it brings back memories of their whirlwind romance, filled with passion and bittersweet moments. The lyrics dive into vulnerability, touching on themes of love, trust, and the complexities of being in the spotlight together.

What I find fascinating is how Big Sean manages to balance introspection with a catchy beat, making it relatable yet profound. It’s like he’s sharing a piece of his heart, which makes it feel more intimate when I listen to it. Plus, the way he paints a picture with his words is admirable; you can almost visualize the emotional backdrop of their relationship. I love how music can capture these fleeting moments so effectively!

Are There Real Herbs Called Dragon'S Bane In Folklore?

5 Answers2025-08-24 20:01:13

I've seen the label 'dragon's bane' at a few renaissance fairs and in the back of dusty herbalist books, and it always made me grin — but the truth is messier and more interesting than a single plant. In European folklore there isn't one universal herb everyone agreed on as 'dragon's bane.' Instead, people used the suffix 'bane' (like 'wolf's-bane' or 'henbane') to mean a plant deadly to or protective against a particular creature, and sometimes storytellers or local traditions slapped 'dragon' onto that naming pattern.

The strongest historical candidate is aconite (Aconitum), known as monkshood or wolf's-bane; it's incredibly poisonous and crops up in many legends as a lethal herb against beasts and enemies. Other plants with fearsome reputations — various toxic members of the nightshade family, or dramatic-looking species like Dracunculus — got folded into dragon lore, too. There's also potential confusion with 'dragon's blood,' a red resin from species like Dracaena and Daemonorops, which was used ritually and medicinally and is often mistaken in people's minds for something that kills dragons.

So no single, reliable 'dragon's bane' exists in the way fantasy novels present it; folklore gave us a whole family of dangerous plants that could play that role, and later writers simplified and amplified the idea. If you stumble on a shop selling 'dragon's bane,' treat it like a colorful folk-name — and read the toxicity label.

What Is A Male Side Piece Called

5 Answers2025-03-20 07:56:28

In the realm of relationships, a male side piece is often referred to as a 'bunny' or 'bit on the side.' It’s fascinating how language evolves with our social structures, isn’t it? This term suggests secrecy and something more casual or playful. It’s intriguing to see how different cultures frame such dynamics. My friends and I often chat about the complexities of relationships, and this topic always leads to lively discussions about love and loyalty. Just imagine all the stories that could unfold from this setup! It's a reflection of modern dating, that's for sure. Understanding these roles can sometimes help us navigate our own lives better.

What Is A Group Of Bowtruckles Called

1 Answers2025-03-24 15:45:17

A group of bowtruckles is called a 'brace.' Bowtruckles are these tiny, twig-like creatures from the 'Harry Potter' universe, specifically from the magical series created by J.K. Rowling. They’re known for being guardians of wand trees and have a really cute, quirky appearance with their green color and stick-like bodies.

These little creatures are quite picky and meticulous about their surroundings, which makes them delightful yet challenging companions in the magical world. They mainly communicate through gestures and are very protective of their homes. The term 'brace' perfectly captures their nature, as it reflects the bond they share in groups.

Bowtruckles are not just known for their unique classification but also for their personality traits. They’re gentle and can get quite anxious if they feel threatened or if their habitat is disturbed. Their fascination with nature extends to how they interact with their environment. For instance, they often seek out individuals who respect their natural surroundings, and they’re known to assist wizards or witches who treat them kindly. This adds depth to their character and showcases their integration into the magical ecosystem.

The concept of naming groups of magical creatures is fascinating. It reflects their characteristics and how they are perceived within their lore. Different creatures in 'Fantastic Beasts' and 'Harry Potter' have their own unique terms to describe their groups, lending an extra layer of charm and intrigue to the world.

If you get a chance, dive into the 'Fantastic Beasts' series where bowtruckles make an appearance. Their cute behavior and antics, especially in the company of wizards like Newt Scamander, really highlight their endearing nature. It’s always fun to learn about these small details, especially when it comes to understanding the magical creatures that enrich the ACGN landscape. Seeing them on the screen gives a whole new appreciation for their role in the wizarding world. Plus, knowing they’re part of a 'brace' certainly gives them an added level of endearment!

What Are Tanjiro'S Earrings Called

2 Answers2025-03-26 16:34:19

Tanjiro's earrings are called 'Hanafuda earrings.' They have a beautiful floral design and represent his family's connection to the sun and their history. It's cool how something so simple holds so much meaning in 'Demon Slayer.'

What Are The Key Life Lessons In Novel A Man Called Ove?

3 Answers2025-05-06 16:52:16

In 'A Man Called Ove', one of the most striking lessons is the power of community and human connection. Ove starts as a grumpy, isolated man who seems to have given up on life after losing his wife. But as his neighbors persistently reach out, he slowly learns to open up. It’s a reminder that even when we feel alone, there are people who care, even if they’re not who we expect. The novel also teaches resilience—Ove’s life is full of hardships, but he keeps going, showing that strength isn’t about avoiding pain but enduring it. Lastly, it highlights the importance of small acts of kindness. Ove’s gruff exterior hides a deeply compassionate heart, and his actions, though often unnoticed, make a huge difference in others’ lives.

What Makes Novel A Man Called Ove A Bestseller Worldwide?

4 Answers2025-05-06 10:13:06

The global success of 'A Man Called Ove' lies in its universal themes of love, loss, and redemption, wrapped in a deceptively simple story. Ove, a grumpy old man, is someone we all recognize—a person hardened by life’s disappointments yet secretly yearning for connection. His journey from isolation to community resonates deeply because it mirrors our own fears of loneliness and our hope for belonging. The humor, often dark and dry, balances the emotional weight, making it accessible yet profound.

What sets it apart is how it tackles grief and aging without sentimentality. Ove’s grief over his wife’s death isn’t romanticized; it’s raw and real. His interactions with his neighbors, especially the pregnant Parvaneh, force him to confront his prejudices and rediscover his purpose. The novel’s structure, alternating between past and present, reveals how Ove’s past shaped his present, adding layers to his character.

It’s also a story about the power of small acts of kindness. Ove’s transformation isn’t dramatic; it’s gradual, built through everyday moments—fixing a bike, teaching someone to drive, or saving a cat. These moments remind us that even the most hardened hearts can soften. The book’s simplicity, combined with its emotional depth, makes it a story that transcends cultures and languages, touching readers worldwide.

How Did The Actor Respond To Being Called Tasteless Online?

3 Answers2025-08-25 18:12:04

I was scrolling through the thread with my tea cooling beside me, and the way the actor handled being called tasteless actually felt surprisingly human. They posted a short video — not a PR-crafted wall of text — where they admitted they’d missed the mark. In the clip they explained the intention behind the comment or bit, said that humor didn’t land the way they thought it would, and apologized directly to anyone who was hurt. They didn’t try to gaslight people or make excuses; instead, they acknowledged the specific parts that were insensitive and said they were going to learn from it.

After that initial apology they did two things that mattered to me as a viewer: they took a real social media break and then came back with actions, not just words. They donated to a cause related to the harm they caused, and they participated in a small Q&A with critics to listen — which, to me, felt more meaningful than a statement. Watching someone admit a mistake and then show up to do the work is oddly reassuring, even if I still wince at what was said.

I felt mixed watching it unfold — relieved that there wasn’t immediate defensiveness, but also aware that apologies can be performative. Still, the follow-up actions made the response feel less performative and more accountable, and that’s the kind of response I respect, even when I disagree with the original joke or choice.