fantasy – The Western Howl

March 12, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

For those who’ve wanted to step into a land of splendor and mystery, Renaissance faires offer an enchanting escape. These lively gatherings transport those who enter to a land of history, fantasy and fun. Whether thou art drawn to the melodious strains of medieval music, the spectacle of knights jousting or the allure of fine attire, Renaissance faires deliver an experience like no other.

At the core of a Renaissance faire, tis’ a grand celebration of the culture, customs and way of life from the Renaissance period — 14-17th centuries. Each event seeks to recreate the very sights, sounds and spirit of that age, though they mix in a dose of fantastical elements — mythical beasts, modern pop culture and fair folk. Imagine a small, bustling village straight out of the Renaissance, with merchants peddling their wares, entertainers performing for passersby and knights competing in grand tournaments. All come dressed in elaborate costumes, contributing to the immersive experience. It isn’t simply just a day out, but rather about stepping into a world where time feels suspended.

Some things one should expect at a Renaissance faire:

Costumes and Immersion — The first to strike one’s eye is the garb — clothing. Period costumes are extremely popular, from elaborate gowns and corsets to tunics and breeches. Some hard-core ren fairers go all out with full Renaissance-style attire, complete with accessories — hats, jewelry and swords. For those who want to participate but don’t have a costume, many faires offer costume rentals.

Jousting and Games — At the hearts of many is the ultimate spectacle of jousting. Knights in shining armor, mounted upon their steeds, charging at each other with lances, vying for victory and the audience cheers as the riders compete for eternal glory. There is also ground fighting — where fighters engage in close-quarters combat. The competitions can make one feel as if they’ve fallen into the movie “A Knight’s Tale” or “Shrek.” Many faires feature games and contests like archery and axe throwing. These activities offer one some Renaissance-era skills with friendly competition and lots of laughs.

Live Performances and Merriment — Entertainment is the very soul of the Renaissance experience. One could watch a live performance of Shakespearean plays, enjoy a musical performance by a lute, harp or fiddle player or witness a merry jest from a troupe of clowns in the town square.

Food and Drink — No faire would be complete without its food. Many serve classic Renaissance-inspired dishes — turkey legs, roasted meats and hearty stews are found in abundance. Vendors sell pastries, pies, sweets and drinks to tempt any who may pass by.

Artisan and Craft Markets — Anyone who enjoys browsing unique, handmade goods will find pleasure at the faire’s market. From jewelry and pottery to leather goods and hand-carved wooden items, one can find exactly what they will need to add to their collection. Many vendors specialize in creating products that are historically inspired, and they often take the time to explain the techniques and craftsmanship behind their work. Keep in mind that handmade, intricate products last long and thus will be more on the expensive side.

There are many Renaissance faires from which one may choose. Herein lies a list of the various locations, with their respective details.

Oregon Ren Faire — In Canby, Oregon at the fairgrounds. Every Sabbath in the month of June; with a new theme each week. Tickets must be obtained only through the internet and are priced at 20-30 shillings per soul.

Canterbury Renaissance Faire — In Silverton, Oregon. On the days of the 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th of July. Tickets may be obtained both on-site and through the internet; priced at 27 shillings per soul and an extra 10 shillings to park on the grounds.

Portland Celtic Faire — In Hillsboro, Oregon. In the month of August (date to be determined). Entry is free to all.

Oregon Celtic Festival — In Canby, Oregon at the fairgrounds. 13-15th day of September. Tickets must be obtained only through the internet and are priced at 45-65 shillings per soul.

Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire — In Kings Valley, Oregon. 14th day unto the 15th day of September. Tickets can be obtained both in person and online; priced at 22 shillings per soul.

With the locations aforementioned, I would most heartily recommend the Canterbury Ren Faire and the Shrewsbury Ren Faire for those first-time visitors. I had an absolute blast at these noble gatherings. They’re both reasonably priced, especially when each vendor and food stall requires money. I found the ground fights and jousting quite joyous. Everything is professionally choreographed so thou dost not need to fret. Yet, it did appear that at the Shrewsbury Ren Faire, they don’t hold back on their jousting matches. Aside from the performances, the intricate, handmade products were most captivating. There be garb, cups, weapons, adornments, works of art, instruments and jewels aplenty. Nearly all that one’s heart might desire may be found at a ren faire market. I advise thee to be methodical, I found several accessories by going through, and taking my time at the stalls. Of the two I’ve listed, Canterbury offers the finest selection and most diverse variety of vendors. As for sustenance, one may choose among many classics, turkey legs, stews, pickles, meat pies and scotch eggs. I shall always advocate for a meat pie, scotch egg and the famous pickle. Anyone who has ventured to a Ren faire knows full well to acquire a pickle. Under the burning sun, a cold, refreshing pickle doth truly satisfies thy spirit. Running out of energy, halfway through the vendors? Get a pickle, it’s as if it has some weird energizing power.

Lastly, I shall impart a humbler piece of advice to all who venture to a Renaissance faire: please dress up. Dressing up is a game changer and it makes the experience feel that much more “real.” I went in full garb that I sewed with my grandmother and fell in love with the immersive experience. Keep in mind, these gatherings often occur during the hottest of seasons, and a heaving costume is not for the faint of heart. There are several ways to create a ren faire cosplay. Look at antique and junk stores for unique, budget-friendly accessories. Thrift to find “olden” style clothing or any kind that fits one’s ren faire aesthetic. Or, one could simply wait until arriving at the faire to buy an outfit. Keep in mind that this is a very expensive option. Always look for natural fabrics like cotton, linen and silk.

In an age of digital distractions, constant news updates, and the hustle and bustle of daily life, stepping back in time provides a welcome break for one to enjoy the magic of a simpler, albeit fictional, time. A wondrous escape where the spirit of merriment, craft and history intertwine. Gather thy companions and partake in joyous occasions, where the echoes of a bygone era live on in celebration and camaraderie — huzzah.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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Into the Maasverse

February 26, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: This article contains spoilers for “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” “Crescent City” and “Throne of Glass”

Spanning 16 books across three different series, Sarah J. Maas’ works have been translated into 38 languages and have sold over 12 million copies across the globe. All three of the series fit into different niches of their genre — romantasy, urban fantasy and high fantasy — but when diving into Maas’ works for the first time, most readers don’t realize that they are connected in one universe. After all, I didn’t and I’m 12 books deep.

Unless one has read all three series, this isn’t as obvious. Most of the connections between the three only become clear in “House of Sky and Breath” and “House of Flame and Shadow,” the second and third books of the series “Crescent City.”

The most glaring is when Bryce Quinlan, the series’ main heroine, discovers that the Asteri — the godlike beings that rule their world — have been feeding off the people to fuel their immortality. Across centuries and millennia, the Asteri have traveled across worlds inter-dimensionally to feed off the people that live there.

When Rigelus, the Asteri’s leader, begins to pursue her, Bryce uses her abilities to open a portal and cross into Prythian, the continent where “A Court of Thorns and Roses” takes place. There, under the watchful eye of Nesta and Azriel, Bryce discovers that her ancestor, Theia, was originally from Prythian. This information suggests that Theia is the ancestor of Rhysand, as one of her daughters returned to Prythian from Lunation, and it is currently the most popular fan theory.

The connection between these two series and “Throne of Glass,” however, is not as obvious. It isn’t until “Kingdom of Ash” that we even see glimpses of Prythian or Lunathion.

When Aelin burns out and uses an immense amount of her powers, she begins to fall between worlds. During this fall, she observes what fans believe to be Lunathion and she is eventually slowed by none other than Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court.

These examples alone show how interconnected Maas’ series are. Whether she began writing her series to connect them or not, having them exist in the same multiverse opens up an entirely new door of possibilities.

For example, in the bonus chapter of “House of Flame and Shadow,” Bryce returns to Prythian and brings her mother, Ember, with her. There, Ember and Bryce interact with all of the Inner Circle, Rhysand’s group of friends and advisors in “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” and suggests that Bryce’s ability to cross over the worlds can be used for a much larger purpose — perhaps even bringing an army to Lunation or Prythian to help defeat the next world-ending threat.

However, fans have noticed other commonalities between the three series long before Maas connected them explicitly. Most connect “Crescent City” to “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” rather than vice versa. What this means isn’t certain, though it likely sets up a “past, present and future” scenario between the three: “A Court of Thorns and Roses” as the past, “Throne of Glass” as the present and “Crescent City” as the future.

This “past, present and future” theory arises from the fact that out of the three series, only one has gods that have remained in their world: “Crescent City.” In “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” the gods have been long gone, now nameless and forgotten, while in “Throne of Glass,” both the gods and magic have been gone for eight years. This also supports the theory that the Asteri also once were in Prythian and Erilea — where “Throne of Glass” takes place — but were forced to leave at some point.

Out of all of the connections across the books, my favorite is the connection between Aelin Galathynius, the protagonist of “Throne of Glass,” and Lidia Cervos, a minor, antihero-type character in “Crescent City.”

The similarities between these women are glaring and go much deeper than just their appearances. Of course, both are described to look very similar — golden blonde hair, pale skin and eyes that are somehow both gold and blue — but even Lidia and Aelin’s ability to wield fire is nearly identical. Stags are the symbol of Aelin’s kingdom, Terrasen, and Lidia is one of the most powerful Stag shifters of her long lineage. Even one of Lidia’s sons is named Brannon, who was the first fire-wielding king of Terrasen and Aelin’s ancestor.

The Autumn Kings of “Crescent City” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” are also theorized to be related to the line of Terrasen or even just plain connected to one another.

Yes, that’s right. Two separate kings who rule over two separate courts in two separate series with the same name? It might just seem like a coincidence, but it’s in more than just their names.

While Einar rules over the Valbaran Fae in Lunathion and Beron rules over the Autumn Court, they both have wine-red hair and tanned skin and are described as power-hungry, cold Fae men.

Not convinced yet? Well, their strange gold and blue eyes and fire powers are what wrap this package up with a neat little bow. It’s also these attributes that lead fans to theorize the connection between the Autumn Kings and the line of Terrasen.

Another important minor detail is the style of tattoos throughout the three series, especially between those of Feyre Archeron and Rowan Whitethorn, and Bryce Quinlan and Nesta Archeron.

Between Feyre and Rowan, there is no shortage of swirling black lines, most notably on their arms — Rowan’s tattoo travels up from his arm onto his neck and face — while Bryce and Nesta both have an eight-pointed star, Bryce’s in the middle of her chest and Nesta’s in the middle of her back.

Though it’s not exactly clear why these characters have such similar tattoos — the only tattoo we have explanations for is Bryce’s — it shows a deeper connection between the three fae cultures across three different continents and even series.

Of course, I might just be reading into all of these similarities too much. After all, it is common for authors to use recurring themes in their series, but with Maas connecting her stories in very explicit ways, it appears to be more than just coincidence.

Maas has yet to announce when the next books in “Crescent City” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” will be released, but with 16 books worth of information, there is plenty to devour and theorize on what exactly the author will be up to next.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Fantasy heroine training

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“Trouble” — Valeroie Broussard

“To Ashes and Blood” — Woodkid

“Le Monde” — Richard Carter

“Little Girl Gone” — CHINCHILLA

“Mermaids” — Florence + the Machine

“LABOUR (the cacophony)” — Paris Paloma

“Me and the Devil” — Soap&Skin

“It Will Come Back” — Hozier

“Power” — Kayne West

“Black Sheep” — Metric feat. Brie Larson

“the fruits” — Paris Paloma

“Venom” — Eminem

“ZITTI E BUONI” — Måneskin

“SHUM” — Go_A

“Supermassive Black Hole” — Muse

“Control” — Halsey

“bury a friend” — Billie Eilish

“Blood // Water” — grandson

“Play with Fire” — Sam Tinnesz feat. Yacht Money

“All for Us” — Labrinth & Zendaya

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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TILOAL review

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Adeline LaRue’s story begins in France in the 1700s, when she’s born as the only child to a woodworker and his crass wife. Growing up, she was often scolded for her imagination and curiosity, expected to fit into her role as a woman and housewife with time.

The story itself, however, starts at the brink of dusk — a girl is running for her life through the woods as the sun dips below the horizon. The sound of church bells echo ominously around her as voices shout her name: “Adeline? Adeline?” Her white wedding dress, awfully unfitting, catches on roots as she sprints, out of breath, out of options, through the forest.

But the voices eventually fade. Nobody calls her name.

Addie LaRue, unaware of her fatal — or not-so-fatal — mistake, has condemned herself to a life of solitude and misery. The night of her wedding, after years of protesting marriage to a village man, Addie ran out of options — so she sank to her knees in the dirt and sacrificed her most loved possessions, her artbook and charcoal, to the Earth.

It was a lesson she learned from the oldest woman in the village, Estelle. And, despite Estelle’s warnings — “Do not pray to gods who answer after dark” — Addie did not pay heed to the sun dipping below the horizon when she made her plea.

In the woods, Addie summoned a demon named Luc, a shadow to follow her for years. Addie promised him he could have her life when she was done with it — only as long as he sets her free, all she’s ever wanted, and all she could ever hope to have.

Quickly, Addie comes face to face with the bone-chilling realization that she is no longer remembered by anyone in her life. Her parents claim to have no child when she returns to apologize for running — Estelle only laughs in her face — and Addie must flee, somewhere where the pain is not nearly as sharp and the people she loves do not glimpse at her with nothing in their eyes. So, as she once dreamed of doing, she fled to the heart of France: Paris.

Addie soon learns that she cannot die. She can starve, but it will not kill her, and she can be cut, but they will heal. She leaves no trace behind, as everything she impacts is undone, all because of Luc, whom she knows is listening and watching as the years pass, waiting for her surrender.

But Addie promises with defiance that she will not give in to Luc’s baiting whispers.

In New York City, 2013, Addie sweeps through the doorway of a local bookshop, stolen novel in hand, unaware that the young man at the counter witnessed it — and remembered it. He corners her outside, with Addie’s heart lurching through her chest as she realizes that, after 300 years of isolation, one person remembered her after she left the room.

Henry Strauss has a curse of his own. The entire world bends to his whim and sees him as someone they want, admire or love, rather than the walking mistake he thinks himself to be. But he doesn’t see the milky wash over Addie’s eyes when he corners her outside the bookshop for her thievery, so he lets her go with the book, a copy of “The Odyssey” in Greek, only for her to return.

It is the first time Addie can say her name out loud to a stranger. They gradually get to know one another, contemplate their differences and speak the unspoken — their mutual curses — as they fall in love.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” is a poetic story about love in difficult times, twisting fantasy and romance and explaining the point of being alive — why all should model Addie LaRue’s thirst for life and freedom, and understand the expense, as well as power, in solitude.

Addie LaRue and Henry Strauss are examples of how two people can defy fate, defining what sacrifice truly is and what love might cost you.

Author V.E. Schwab also explores themes such as identity in “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” as Addie searches for herself in a sea of forgetting faces. She learns what it means to be somebody without being known and faces temptation in the form of Luc, the only person who knows her, at least until Henry comes along, only to be revealed as a pawn in Luc’s game.

Luc ties Henry and Addie together, forcing her into a place to surrender when she learns of Henry’s ticking time bomb — as every wish is also a curse. Henry sold his hours, his years, to be liked, and he has run out. Addie makes a difficult decision — a sacrifice — in honor of love to save the one person who has ever seen her for who she is.

One important note about “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” is its slower pace and time skips, as Addie experiences life through different centuries and countries, experiencing war, famine and revolution. Schwab did her history homework.

Secondly, despite Addie’s story being a romantic one, it is also largely a feminist piece of media about a girl thrown into a whirlwind life, discovering new aspects of humanity and herself as she travels through the years.

Schwab’s master writing and craftwork perfectly encapsulates the feeling of finding a buoy in the ocean; she unites two characters with poise and brandishes them with relatability, flaws, human emotions and their pain in a world built to break them.

10/10.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

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Here there be. . . dragons?

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

This year saw a resurgence of dragon-based media. Author Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series — following Violet Sorrengail at Basgiath War College as she and her friends become dragon riders — has sold five million copies globally.

Season two of Max’s “House of the Dragon” — based on author George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood” — premiered this summer, drawing nearly eight million viewers per episode. Other books that featured dragons, such as “When the Moon Hatched” by Sarah A. Parker and “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon, also sold extremely well this year with the latter selling more than one million copies in English worldwide.

What sets all these stories apart is their depiction and definition of dragons. So, time to answer the question: what defines a dragon?

Traditionally, dragons are flying lizards with at least 11 different subspecies, with the most common being wyverns, basilisks and hydras. Most have the ability to breathe fire or water, two elemental abilities that set apart Western and Eastern dragons.

However, what defines each subspecies of a dragon is not its abilities but its number of limbs. Commonly, dragons have four legs and two wings, meaning any other number of legs and wings would classify the creature as something other than a dragon. For example, the dragons in “House of the Dragon” have two legs and two wings, which would technically classify them as wyverns instead of dragons, although the show never mentions this.

In interviews, when questioned about his choice to only give his dragons two legs, author George R.R. Martin was quick to defend his creative liberty. “No known species in the natural world has four legs and two wings,” Martin said. In doing this, Martin believes he has brought a more realistic feel to his fantasy world.

The Empyrean series has a more traditional definition of dragons and wyverns, dragons with four legs and wyverns with two, as well as having the wyverns occupy a traditionally evil role. The series even goes so far as to classify the dragons by color and tail types.

With how popular dragon media is, one can’t help but wonder why they have remained so steadfast in pop culture.

Professor Emily Zarka at Arizona State University has a few ideas as to why this is. “One enduring reason dragons continue to appear in our world could be because they represent the power of nature,” Zarka said, before adding, “More importantly, I believe, the beauty, terror and power of the dragon evokes mystery and suggests that not all phenomena are easily explained or understood.”

Whether fans agree or disagree on the definition of a dragon, one thing is evident: dragons will always be an important part of Eastern and Western media. The creatures are practically ingrained in the cultures and don’t seem to be leaving anytime soon, especially from the reading community.

The third book in the Empyrean series, “Onyx Storm,” is set to release in Jan. 2025, with copies available for preorder now. “House of the Dragon” has been renewed for another two seasons, with filming for season three starting in early 2025.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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The lives of book readers

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

Avid readers have many nicknames: bookworm, book rat and ink drinker being commonplace titles. Whether one is a casual or consistent reader, there is a consensus that books are a lifestyle for many.

Countless online book communities have risen in popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and the anonymous message board app, YikYak. These apps have become places where readers of all ages and genres can come together and discuss what they have read.

The most famous of these, coined “BookTok,” is a hashtag on TikTok where readers can post book reviews and content, show off their bookshelves and promote merchandise they have purchased or made. It is also common for BookTok to be used as a platform where authors can promote their works.

A reader’s favorite part about the lifestyle is, well, reading the books. In an anonymous online poll with 95 participants, 81 percent said their favorite part was reading books. Very few participants’ favorite was discussing or collecting books — only a combined 16 percent of respondents chose either of these options.

“I love opening a book and being immersed into a story,” said sophomore Hailey Cook. “I tend to feel strongly about each book I love and I think it makes me enjoy books even more.”

However, there can be issues within these communities.

One of the most prominent is the discourse surrounding the author Colleen Hoover, smut in books and what exactly qualifies as a “good book”; often, all three topics are discussed hand in hand.

Other authors who have come under fire in these discussions include Sarah J. Mass, author of the “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” “Crescent City” and “Throne of Glass” series, and Rebbeca Yarros, author of the “Fourth Wing” series.

Maas, Yarros and Hoover have all been accused of “mediocre writing” that glamorizes harmful stereotypes, tropes and relationships.

However, fans often come to their defenses, stating these books are more like beach reads in the fantasy genre. They believe that the truly harmful books are those that are labeled “Dark Romance,” which often have explicit scenes of violence, assault and abuse, such as “Haunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton.

But, regardless of this discourse, many sections of book communities remain positive.

“(I’ve had) positive experiences,” Cook said. “I love when I can have a genuine conversation about a book with other readers and understand why they may think a different way than me.”

Despite the discourse, book readers connect, creating and turning a hobby into a lifestyle that all can enjoy.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

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Most anticipated reads of 2024

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

If you’re a reader who’s looking for new books to add to an already-long reading list, here’s a few more to add that are being released throughout the year.

“Dungeons and Drama” by Kristy Boyce — Musical lover Riley has aspirations to become a director on Broadway, and Nathan is a nerdy employee at Riley’s dad’s game store. When Riley is grounded and has to work at her dad’s store, she doesn’t realize it meant joining Nathan’s D&D game… or flirting with him. Look for this new release on Jan. 9.

“The Color of a Lie” by Kim Johnson — In the 1950s, a Black family passes as white and moves to a “Whites Only” town. Caught between two worlds, teenager Calvin puts his family at risk as he uncovers the racist secrets of the suburbs. Look for this new release on June 11.

“These Deadly Prophecies” by Andrea Tang — Tabatha Zeng, a sorcerer’s apprentice, finds herself caught up in the sorcerer’s death — that he predicted. In order to prove her innocence, she must solve her boss’s murder. Look for this new release on Jan. 30.

“Tehrangeles” by Porochista Khakpour — The four daughters of wealthy reality-TV stars are on the verge of landing their own TV show — until they realize their deepest secrets are about to be revealed to the public before the cameras even roll. Look for this new release on June 11.

“Just Another Epic Love Poem” by Parisa Akhbari — Mitra’s two best friends are Bea and the journal they share, containing an epic, never-ending poem. Nothing is too messy or complicated for “The Book” — except for the fact that Mitra is hopelessly in love with Bea. Look for this new release on March 12.

“James” by Percival Everett — In an action packed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” told from the perspective of Jim, Jim is hiding on Jackson Island while Huck Finn is faking his own death to escape his father. Look for this new release on March 19.

“Not in Love” by Ali Hazelwood — Rue has a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, and Eli and his business partners want to take over Kline — no questions asked. The one thing that is getting in Eli’s way is Rue — the woman he’s not supposed to want. Look for this new release on June 11.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Renaissance faires

Into the Maasverse

Fantasy heroine training

TILOAL review

Here there be. . . dragons?

The lives of book readers

Most anticipated reads of 2024

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