#AstarionBookSpoilers This line and his in-game dialogue about giving up because there was no way out, which I dissected a while ago… Speak to me deeply, and it’s also why I keep coming back to talk about it, even though I’m not sure anybody listens anymore.

www.tumblr.com/adrielmancy/...

#AstarionBookSpoilers scroll away if you don't wish to see snippets

I want to talk about the scene where Astarion says he wants to keep on living. It's part of what puzzles me when people say he's entirely mischaracterized — as if there wasn't a song called I Want to Live. But not my main point

Ah, yes, only the scene I have highlighted and cried to the point of thinking I’m going to throw up.

Extremely relatable to me and I believe perfect portrayal of his character. “I want to live, no matter how inconvenient it may be.”
#AstarionBookSpoilers

#astarionbookspoilers

I think I read a different book than everyone else because "Do you think I haven't tried!?" makes me cry for at least 10 minutes each time I read it.

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TLDR, Bo is a sap who will gladly do what it takes to make Vampire Man happy, even if it means breaking the rules. Their futures were stolen from them, so why not steal them right back?

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And Bo commissions the painting of these portraits along with their clothing. They have a few statement pieces, but not a ton. Knowing what they know about Astarion, they want to give him the world, including fancy suits and a portrait where he can see himself.

#astarionbookspoilers

However, when Bo invites Astarion to move to Waterdeep, they take his zest for life into account. Bo tells him to decorate the townhouse however he pleases. Astarion puts up curtains and furniture in all sorts of colors and fabrics Bo has never seen (what is vermillion?)

#astarionbookspoilers

But while Astarion seems to despise his roots, and even if Bo distances himself from his, he's happy for them. His home village keeps them somewhat humble. Fancy things are nice to have, but food, shelter, and good company are enough to satisfy the detective.

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But Bo sees the same hunger in Astarion, although they deal with it in different ways. Waterdeep is to Bo what Silverymoon was to Astarion: a place to become more than they thought they were before. Bo's family name isn't Hawke, but the city was a place to be someone else.

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Bo's family made their living off raising and selling the fish from the village's river, but the village is remote and doesn't have much. They know that people who grew up with plenty don't savor things the way he does. They don't hunger because life was their buffet.

#astarionbookspoilers (and small Bo lore)

My HC changed a bit for these portraits after reading the book. While Bo hates photos of themselves and a fuss in general, they know what it's like to go without. Astarion never directly tells Bo where he's from, but they deduce enough through conversation.

In my "Astarion by T. Kingfisher - A Spoiler - Free Review" I list the pros and cons and also explain why it's better not to waste money on this book.

Full text on my Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/patriciaancu...

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Remember to put your vampire lord peepaw to bed, he needs his 8 to 10 hours beauty sleep 🤡: #astarion #bg3 #astarionbook #astarionnovel #astarionbookspoilers