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Kindle Notes & Highlights
My skin had begun to wrinkle.
First line
The butterflies in my stomach became small battering rams and slammed into my ribs in their efforts to escape.
Haha. Brilliant!
Mother was ill and, from what I’d overheard, her days grew short. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure she’d wanted me to know yet, but I did, and I decided to take matters into my own hands. I wanted to give her time—time to do anything she might not have done or to visit places she might not have seen.
He couldn’t protect me from the kingdom’s politics, or the doubts of my people—much less the doubts of my own mind.
If the people decided to revolt, I suppose I could ask her to turn them all into frogs––at the very least. Now, that would make for an interesting story. Natylia of Thrais, Queen of the Frog Kingdom.
The man started to lift his head from the floor and Jyn shoved him back down, motioning to one of the guards nearby. “Shackles. I want him in the dungeons. And I want names.”
What became of the man and the investigation? This was only partially resolved later but is still a mystery. Who is behind the plot? What was his motivation?
The garden was lovely this time of night—the sky had gone dark only recently, so the flashing light-bugs were out. Their tiny butts flashed above the roses, and the scent of the flowering trees chased across the wind.
“But she’s alone, and it’s hard ruling alone. It’s cold and lonely, and even when you think you’re doing right by everyone there will still be unrest. Who will she turn to? Someone actually tried to harm her . . . What am I leaving to her?”
These thoughts from Natylia's mom in reflecting on her own illness and death.
“Perfect. That will do to be going on with.
This sentence makes no sense to me
“Whatever happened to that man from the ball?” I asked Jyn, interrupting Lucian’s stream of speech. “Sorry.” “Devlyn dealt with him. I don’t remember what was done. I know they tried to interrogate him, and the penalty for an attempt on your life is death.
So we find out about the assassin, but not much. I don't know why this was downplayed.
Reining in my horse, I waited for him to jog over, enjoying the soft crunch of his boots on the gravel path.
Who would enjoy the sound of crunching gravel? Me! That's who :)
There was safety in books, warmth and predictability in the character’s lives and worlds. I couldn’t find that tonight.
I can never find that, other than safety and warmth, perhaps. Exploring new worlds and ideas safely...yes. Predictability would be a bad thing, wouldn't it?
Crickets chirped loudly as we passed, and the tiny flashing-light bugs were out tonight.
Crickets would actually stop chirping as someone neared them, marking their passing with silence. It's eerie how crickets can detect someone, even when that someone is trying to be stealthy.
He cast a puzzled look at the chaos before he laid out a rolled cloth he’d had tucked into his belt. Three swords, several daggers, an unstrung bow, and a quiver of arrows tumbled out.
Tucked in his belt?? Three swords, several daggers, a bow and quiver. I can't imagine.
Was I to re-live Mother’s death every day for the rest of my life? My own personal form of punishment for being a terrible daughter?
We are all terrible as children and spend the rest of our lives making it up to our parents, perhaps. Unless they are terrible parents, and then we spend the rest of our lives in therapy.
I stood and picked up my bow, loosely knocking an arrow
Nocking an arrow, maybe?
Even the wind seemed to pause its gentle tease through the leaves.
Nice imagery
“Why do you let people think you simply took her throne? You did something commendable, if you told your people what was going on maybe they would leave you to your crown without another word.” “Mother didn’t want people knowing she was ill.
This premise...hmm. She is a mother but she is also a queen with responsibilities. And what mother would let her subjects think her daughter stole her throne and suffer their enmity? But I like how Natylia respects and wants to protect her mother.
Jyn shook his head. “When my parents decided to leave, we lost all of our abilities and our immortality. I can reclaim all of my gifts once, but if I do, I’m stuck in Eythera forever.”
Interesting
Meryn was the first to drop into the water, clothes and all, followed by the men. Jyn offered me a hand so I could lower myself in gently. The water was icy cold even through my leathers and came only to my waist, but I was so grateful for the chance to wash I didn’t care. I splashed my face.
I know this is YA but bathing fully clothed? In leather? How about not bathing at all? Nobody is brushing their teeth. Soo... Couldn't they bathe and others just respect their privacy by focusing their attention somewhere else. That would be a nice lesson to learn...respect.
When had this started to happen? When did I start to notice that he only ever half smiled, or that I loved watching his eyes sparkle in the light? Or that he did everything with meticulous care? That he was unfailingly loyal to me, even though I’d never done anything to be worthy of such?
I was wondering where her romantic interest would lie and when/how they would be revealed. I think wondering can be a nice tool in an author's tool box.
“I’m going to win you back.” “There’s no winning me back, Lucian. I was never yours.” “I have to try.” “I’m not a prize to be won.”
This is such a great exchange. Love how Natylia embraces her feminine power and independence.
