Cassandra’s Comments (group member since Mar 20, 2014)

Cassandra’s comments from the The Assassin's Curse Re-Read group.

Monicha wrote: "Have you every thought about doing any short stories of Naja's point of view in both books? Like what was his thoughts of being on Isle of the Sky, Ananna kissing him, when Ananna got shot, during ..."

I like that idea, actually! I really enjoyed writing in his POV for the Witch's Betrayal, but it would be fun to actually get inside head when he's around Ananna...

I'll have to think about it!

Perla wrote: "Re-re-re-reading Pirate's Wish this time around I wonder if one of the impossible tasks HADN'T been true love's kiss, would Naji ever have realized he'd fallen for Annana? Every other task was acco..."

This is one of those things where I didn't go into it to with that intention, but as I was writing the story, I started to see how love itself was really the way to break the curse. Because it's true--if Ananna hadn't kissed Naji in an attempt to help him, I'm not sure he would have ever figured it out. Naji had such a hard time believing that someone could love him, poor baby. He needed that extra push.

Wow, so many awesome questions!

Mathilda wrote: "What inspired you to write the Assassin's Curse and the Pirate's Wish? Was the creation triggered by an image, an idea, another story?

I originally wrote it because I wanted to try my hand at writing an adventure fantasy novel, as I'd never done that before! A lot of my inspiration for the story itself actually came from movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Prince of Persia. I always tend to get ideas for own stories from other stories :)

Did the characters' names come to you, or did you have to go hunting for them?"

I definitely went hunting for them. That's always the first thing I do when I write a story, actually: figure out the characters' names. Until I have names I like, I feel like I can't write the characters. I always spend awhile looking over baby name websites until I find ones I like--my favorite is nameberry.com because they have a good blend of unusual names.

How did you meet the Manticore?

I've always thought manticores were cool! I thought it would be fun to write into the story. The funny thing is I didn't expect her to have the personality that she did--that definitely developed as I was writing. So I guess I could say I "met" her the same way Ananna did :)

Did you know how the story would end when you started writing it, or did you let your story surprise you during the writing?

It was a little bit of both, really. I had a general idea--I knew that they would cure Naji's curse, and that it wouldn't exactly be a get-married-and-live-happily-ever-after ending for them (well, they do live happily ever after, it's just not in the traditional way!) But I didn't have the path for how they would get to that point figured out at all. That was something I was exploring right along with the characters.

Thanks for being here all along this re-read!

You're most welcome, and thank you for all your in depth analysis! :)

Monicha wrote: "So, just going to ask now before I forget. What is the age frame you had in mind for Ananna?"

I believe I already answered, but just in case you missed it--I'm imagining her at about 17, and Naji in his early 20s.

Now that we're only one day away from the release of The Wizard's Promise, I'm going to go ahead and open this up. Ask away!

Well! We’ve come to the end of The Pirate’s Wish. I just want to give a big huge thank you hug to everyone who participated in the read-along. All of you are wonderful!!!

A brief recap of the last three chapters:

Chapter 16: The Nadir reaches its destination in the middle of the ocean, where Naji and Ananna learn that the magic used during their battle with the Hariris has created an entire civilization under the ocean—which means the curse is now broken!

Chapter 17: Unfortunately, there’s one threat left—the man from the Mists out to exact revenge on Naji. He attacks the ship on the water, and Ananna is forced to find the magic inside herself to defeat him and save Naji.

Chapter 18: Ananna learns that Naji will have to go back to the Jadorr’a now that his curse is broken. She’s upset, but Marjani hands the Nadir over to her and names her captain, and Naji reminds her that they will always be able to find each other in the future.

So that’s the end of the Assassin’s Curse duology! I hope you enjoyed rereading both books, and I also hope you’re suitably excited for the release of The Wizard’s Promise, which will be out tomorrow in the UK! (And May 6 in North America.) Feel free to discuss the ending of the duology here, as well as speculate about The Wizard’s Promise, if you so desire. I’ll also be answering question in the Q&A discussion, so if you’ve got any, be sure to ask there!

We’re fast approaching the end of The Pirate’s Wish, and, by extension, the end of the first duology! But that’s okay, because The Wizard’s Promise is coming out this week in the UK :)

Your recap:

Chapter 12: Ananna and the rest of the crew find themselves idling away their time in Jokja. Marjani doesn’t want to leave, and they are at an impasse with the starstones. But then, while visiting the coast, Jokja is attacked by pirates…

Chapter 13: Who turn out to be Ananna’s parents. It also turns out that they were the ones who stole the starstones in the first place. Naji attempts to hold the stones, skin against stone as the cure says, and falls into a deep, magic-induced coma.

Chapter 14: Ananna cares for Naji in his comatose state, which mostly entails fending off Jeric yi Niru, who wants to study him. A trio of Jadorr’a finally appear to help bring Naji back—with some help from Ananna.

Chapter 15: After the experience with coma, it’s clear that Naji does genuinely reciprocate Ananna’s feelings, and they stay in the palace as he recuperates. One day a bird drops off a mysterious note which says that Naji is the debt of the King of Salt and Foam. After dome debate, they re-assemble the crew to investigate.

As always, feel free to discuss these chapters as much as you’d like!

Monicha wrote: "OH MY WORD!! When Manjani shows up, I was pretty much jumping in my sit. I could not have been more happy about that!

Ananna is back on a boat and has more power now that she is the one "controll..."

Haha that description of Jeric (annoying yet likable) is exactly how I feel about him. So glad you liked this chapter!

No worries, everybody! I know how life is. I've been busy myself (I went to a convention this weekend and am only just now catching up on work).

And we’re clipping right along in The Pirate’s Wish reread! This post will be discussing Chapters 8-11:

Chapter 8: Ananna wakes up in a bed on the Island of the Sun. She made it to the manticore’s home island alive, thanks to Naji healing her. The manticore’s family rewards her for returning their daughter with a dinner and a boon.

Chapter 9: Ananna learns that the boon was a love spell to make Naji desire her. She refuses to be with him under those circumstances and is deeply hurt by what happens. Marjani comforts her, saying that love spells can only work if there’s an attraction to start with.

Chapter 10: The Nadir leaves the Island of the Sun and arrives in Jokja, Marjani’s home country. Ostensibly this is to learn more about the starstones, but it’s also a way for Marjani to return to the love of her life, the queen of Jokja—Saida.

Chapter 11: Echo shows back up, hoping to once again exploit Ananna’s weakened state. Ananna doesn’t immediately refuse, and Naji bursts into her room to stop her. They fight over what’s happen. Later, during dinner with Queen Saida, they learn that the palace starstones had been stolen by pirates.

As always, discuss these chapters to your heart’s content! A lot happens in terms of Naji and Ananna’s relationship—what do you think about the development of it? Is there any chance of the two of them getting together? And how is Naji going to deal with those starstones?

Well, I’m back from my convention this weekend and excited to read your thoughts about the next section of The Wizard’s Promise! We’ll be discussing Chapters 4-7 today:

Chapter 4: Ananna is still broken hearted over the events of the last chapter, but at least Marjani has arrived at the Isles of the Sky with a new ship and crew. Ananna, Naji, and the manticore are given passage back to civilization. While onboard the ship, Ananna flirts with a northern boy to try and make herself forget Naji.

Chapter 5: The new crew help Ananna and Marjani take an Empire ship for their own purposes—namely, to help Naji cure his curse. Once the ship has been secured, they make sail for Bone Island so they can get a full crew for her, using Naji as a decoy captain, the dreaded pirated Namir yi Nadir.

Chapter 6: Armed with a new crew, the Nadir sets out for the Island of the Sun in order to drop off the manticore at her home. Ananna finds out some disturbing facts about the starstones from an Empire sailor who defected.

Chapter 7: The Hariris attack the Nadir. Tarrin’s parents are looking to avenge his death. They almost succeed, too—Ananna gets shot in the belly, just as Naji kills the Tarrin’s parents.

A lot happens in these chapters! As always, feel free to share your thoughts on chapters’ events, but be mindful of spoilers for anything that happens after Chapter 7—don’t forget the TPW spoiler page!

It’s time to begin discussing The Pirate’s Wish! As always, feel free to continue your discussion of The Assassin’s Curse. TAC spoilers are welcome in these threads, but do post any spoilers to The Pirate’s Wish in the TPW spoiler thread.

Your recap:

Chapter 1: Naji and Ananna are still trapped on the Isles of the Sky. When Ananna visits the Wizard Eirnin to see about acquiring some supplies, she finds only his ghost. A few days later, the mystery of Erinin’s death is revealed with Ananna meets a manticore in the woods.

Chapter 2: The manticore is now living alongside Ananna, as Ananna has made a deal with her to help her off the island. Naji is not happy about this development, as the only thing keeping the manticore from eating him is the fact that he’s cursed.

Chapter 3: Ananna works up the nerve to kiss Naji, and although he attacks her for it (thinking he himself was under attack), it does work, thus proving to Naji that the tasks are not wholly impossible. Naji doesn’t react to the revelation that Ananna loves him very well, unfortunately. Echo tries to take advantage of Ananna’s heartbroken state, but it doesn’t work.

As always, discussion is open for these chapters. What were your favorite parts? Least favorite parts? What do you think of the manticore? How about Echo—it looks like she’s back for good. Do you think Naji is ever going to accept that someone can love him?

Monicha wrote: "I really enjoyed these chapters, lots happening. Learning new things, see Ananna in her element and seeing Naji a little uncomfortable. Also get to meet Marjani, she is an awesome character!!

Lov..."

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Monicha. I love how in-depth you go!

We’ve reached the end of The Assassin’s Curse! Feel free to discuss Chapters 16-18 as well as everything that came before them—but save The Pirate’s Wish spoilers for the next part of the reread :)

The recap:

Chapter 16: Naji and Ananna continue to adjust to life on the island. On one hand, the island’s magic has some strange effects, but on the other, they’re able to find a shack where they can keep warm and dry.

Chapter 17: Ananna learns some of the history of the Jadorr’a, and finds out that they aren’t all that they seem. The next day, she’s approached by a woman of the Mists, Echo, who tries to tempt Ananna to give up Naji with promises of power. Ananna refuses.

Chapter 18: Naji announces that he’s found the location of the Wizard Eirnin. He and Ananna visit him and learn that Eirnin can not cure Naji, and instead, Naji must complete three impossible tasks. He feels like all is hopeless, but Ananna has a secret: she knows at least one of the tasks isn’t impossible.

Now that we’re at the end of The Assassin’s Curse, here’s your chance to think about the book as a whole. How do you feel about the ending? Do you think Naji’s ever going to accept that the tasks might not be impossible? Are Ananna and Naji ever getting off the island?

In three days, we’ll be starting up The Pirate’s Wish reread, so the story will continue soon!

So I'm definitely going to have to watch Avatar, but I saw Captain America: Winter Soldier, and I kept thinking that the Winter Soldier looked (and sort of acted) like a futuristic Naji:



Anyone else? Or am I just crazy?

Yeah, I love the covers for all three of the books, but I think Sarah Coleman (the cover artist) really outdid herself for The Wizard's Promise. I mean, I love it just as a work of art, not because it's related to my book in any way!

Paul wrote: "Got waylaid finishing one book and reading four others this week. Will be back reading tomorrow."

No worries! Join back in any time :)

We’re drawing closer and closer to the end of the first book! As always, even though I’m opening up the boards for Chapters 12-15 today, feel free to comment on other discussions currently going on.

Your recap:

Chapter 12: Ananna and Naji settle into life aboard the Ayel’s Revenge. Naji is not exactly a fan of the high seas, but Ananna’s happy to be back in her element. She befriends Marjani and starts learning about navigation.

Chapter 13: The sea journey continues. Naji starts to come up from down below more often, but he has to deal with bullying from some of the crew. He attacks them, but Marjani’s able to dispel any rumors that he’s an assassin.

Chapter 14: The Ayel’s Revenge is beset by a strange storm—Naji, casting a spell to direct the boat the Isles of the Sky. He’s successful, but his spellcasting has revealed him to be an assassin, which gets him and Ananna kicked off the kick with nothing but a single shot pistol, a net, and a rowboat.

Chapter 15: Naji and Ananna make it onto the Isles of the Sky, despite encountering a couple of obstacles. They realize they’re stranded, and Ananna goes into the woods to find fresh water. Naji suffers from the deleterious effects of too much magic.

A lot happens in these chapters! What do you think about Naji’s decision to send the Ayel’s Revenge straight to the Isles of the Sky? Do you think Ananna’s survivalist skills are going to see them through? Will they ever find the Wizard Eirnin? Feel free to discuss all your favorite and least favorite moments from this chapter, but don’t forget that any spoilers for the last three chapters of the book should go on the spoiler thread

Mathilda wrote: "I think these chapters are full of action... perhaps not as much as in the rest of the book, but there's still a lot going on in here. It's not like they're having tea and biscuits in a parlor, whi..."

I LOVE the way you describe Ananna killing Tarrin. So insightful!

Mathilda wrote: "Rivers and Roads are elements I love in stories; to me they represent movement,motivation,chance encounters,and adventure."

Ohh, I love this! I'll hold off on answering the question about Diana Wynne Jones for the Q & A, but I really liked this comment about rivers and roads and wanted to let you know.

Mathilda wrote: "I have to admit Leila is the epitome of the irritating Witch-Vamp.I tried, actually really tried appreciating her..."

Reading everyone's comments about Leila is starting to make me feel sorry for her, lol!