GOTM - Chapter Twenty-four - NO SPOILERS

[Hanne]

Spoilers up to chapter Twenty-Four are ok.
Please mark any other spoilers using the spoiler tags. (when in doubt, use them).

[Hanne]

one of the really nice moments for me was the Azath house. its growing and allowing Rallick to get in there.

but even more so the discussion between Korlat and Horult about the precedent: "There is precedence. The Azath choose their own. It was so with the Deadhouse. Two men were chosen: one who would be Emperor, the other who would accompany him. Kellanved and Dancer."

first of all, super-curious about the next one. but given that book 2 is called 'deadhouse gates', i assume we might learn more soon.
secondly, the previous two guys ended up being very important for the empire. so why has this one chosen Rallick and Vorcan?

[Linette]

I was thinking the same thing as I was reading that scene with the Deadhouse - maybe that means in the next book we might go into the deadhouse ourselves?
Pretty creepy now that I think about it.

[Maggie]

and what was Rallick's affinity for the Azath-just because of the Otararal or was it something more?

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

You have to laugh at all that happens around Crokus. A city of three hindered thousand is quite a big city, yet The Galayn dragon lands not twenty feet from him after being pummeled by Rake.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

LMAO you can be the greatest sorcerer in the world, but a brick in the head will still knock you on your ass.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

series spoiler to follow (view spoiler)[He drew a deep breath, feeling a twinge from his leg—Mallet had done what he could, and that'd been a lot, but some damage remained, and it made him feel fragile.

Wow, Erikson had this injury planned even this far back (hide spoiler)]

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Orfantal scowled. 'Thus did Light survive, and so was Darkness destroyed, the purity vanquished—and now you would have us flawed as our Queen was flawed. Light became corrupted and destroyed our world, Korlat, or have you forgotten?'

This is the second reference to light being corrupt in this chapter. With a bit of history showing regarding the Andii. So it's apparent that their world was destroyed by Light.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Orfantal scowled. '....
Korlat's smile was a sad one. 'Cherish such flaws, dear sister, for our Queen's was hope, and so is mine. Now we must leave.'

OMG an error?!

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I'd love to watch the video of Adjunct Lorn be schooled by a mere Corporal. Just watching the disbelief on her face when realisation kicked in.

Those Crimson Guard, da be badass!

[Maggie]

and then to be so wiped out as to get taken out by a mere cutthroat named Meese? lolol

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Maggie wrote: "and what was Rallick's affinity for the Azath-just because of the Otararal or was it something more?"

I imagine that it was the fact that he sat with/on the house as it was growing. Perhaps his presence helped suppress the Finnest power that was trying to kill the house? So perhaps we could say he "nursed" the Azath?

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Loved how this ended.

I liked the final encounter between Rake and the Galayn Lord.
Also something to keep in mind - The demon Lord refers to Tiama when he addresses Rake

I smell the reek of Tiama in you, Lord. There is more of her in you than Tiste Andii blood.'
He says it as an accusation.

Remeber that Raest refers to Silana earlier as Elder-born and true-blooded Tiam

It's probably not going to mean much yet to first time readers - but it's a bit of foreshadowing of revelations to come.


I like how Vorcan gets taken out by a couple of bricks from Crokus. Seems Oponn is still working out for him at this stage

'I thank you, Crokus, for your skill at throwing bricks.'
The boy went to the door. He paused, then tossed a coin into the air. He caught it, and grinned tightly. 'Just lucky, I suppose.'

I also like at the end how he tosses the coin away into the sea. He never believed in luck.

Do you believe in luck, Kalam?'
'No,' the assassin growled.
Crokus grinned happily. 'Me neither.' He flipped the coin into the air.
They watched it plummet into the sea, flash once, then vanish beneath the waves.


I also like the complexity in the relationships. Rallick is definitely pro Darujhistan, but that does not mean he sides with the Cabal against Vorcan. His last act in the book is to take her with him into the Azath house.

We also learn through Korlat of a couple other such houses. One of them called "The Deadhouse" in Malaz City

The woman shook her head. 'I know of such creations from old,' she said. 'The Deadhouse of Malaz City, the Odhanhouse of Seven Cities


We also learn through Korlat that the Emperor and his second entered The Deadhouse - prior to their rise to power

The Azath choose their own. It was so with the Deadhouse. Two men were chosen: one who would be Emperor, the other who would accompany him. Kellanved and Dancer.'


And Dujek's been officially outlawed. Tayshrenn was supposed to kill him except he entered a coma when his demon lord got his soul enslaved in Rake's sword.
The Empress made the mistake of delivering the message by Claw. Dujek's soldiers aren't letting any Claw near their commander.
The plan is to try and make some arrangement with Caladan Brood.

The Bridgeburners bug out. Fiddler and Kalam are leaving temporarily to escort Apsalar back home.
But Quick Ben has a something up his sleeve which he's not telling Whiskeyjack about - so perhaps we should view Fiddler's and Kalam's "mercy mission" with some scepticism.

The scheme was hatched.
'Whiskeyjack's going to howl when he hears this one,' he whispered to himself.


I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

David Sven wrote: "I also like the complexity in the relationships. Rallick is definitely pro Darujhistan, but that does not mean he sides with the Cabal against Vorcan. His last act in the book is to take her with him into the Azath house."

That whole sequence struck me as interesting. He does what she says with regards to the Finnest (because it protects the city) but he sends Crokus to warn the Cabal. Then turns around and saves Vorcan.

Definitely not black and white.

[seak]

Lee wrote: "You have to laugh at all that happens around Crokus. A city of three hindered thousand is quite a big city, yet The Galayn dragon lands not twenty feet from him after being pummeled by Rake."

Haha I thought this exact thing. Some people have all the luck I guess. And that's all I need as a reader - Erikson's made this believable because of the luck thing. Just like the convergences where power draws power. Why all at the fete? Power, that's why.

I really love the concept of plans within plans. Good ol Quick Ben's good for that.

I'm also amazed at the level of foreshadowing for the next two books. Sadly by the third I'd already forgotten most (view spoiler)[ like Silverfox took me a while to realize where she was from and how she got where she did. (hide spoiler)]

[Renny]

I'm curious as to why Rallick picks VOrcan and runs into the Azath house. What was his intent? Did he understand the purpose of the Azath and thus trap Vorcan in there? He could have just tossed her into it.

[Chaz]

It's a bit of a mystery. One we will have to live with for a while.

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Renny wrote: "I'm curious as to why Rallick picks VOrcan and runs into the Azath house. What was his intent? Did he understand the purpose of the Azath and thus trap Vorcan in there? He could have just tossed he..."

Rallick decided to save his guild leader. I don't think he understood everything about the Azath but he understood enough to know both he and Vorcan would be safe inside. He was in as much danger, as far as he knew, from the Tiste assassins for helping Vorcan.
I don't think he understood any consequences for his actions much beyond that.

[seak]

I read it as he was trying to save Vorcan by running into the house with her. I think he's still on her side.

EDIT: David's post was not there when I responded! :)

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Ha Ha I'm faster on the mouse.

"I do not click with my finger, he who clicks with his finger has forgotten the face of his father. I click with my mind."

Can you tell I've started The Waste Lands?

[Lindsey]

Dark Tower, Doctor Who, and The Fifth Element references? Awesome!

[seak]

David Sven wrote: "Ha Ha I'm faster on the mouse.

"I do not click with my finger, he who clicks with his finger has forgotten the face of his father. I click with my mind."

Can you tell I've started The Waste Lands?"

Great book. I'm at Wolves of the Calla, but I've been on a break for too long. :)

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Oh this is a Dark Tower thread now? ^_^

I'm listening to Wizard and Glass!

[seak]

Rob wrote: "Oh this is a Dark Tower thread now? ^_^

I'm listening to Wizard and Glass!"

Wizard and Glass was my favorite of the first 4. That flashback just worked for me so well.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

It's my favorite of the series, and one my all time favorite books.

[Paul]

Finished!!! Did a lot of reading over the weekend and then finished it in my lunch break today! Loved this book. Still a lot of mysteries but feel I have had a better understanding of my first time through as have had these topics to assist! Onto the next book!

[Rob, Quick Ben]

cool. If you want to discuss the book as a whole, we have a thread for that.

[Lori]

Yes indeed!

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Great work Paul, at this rate you'll be up with us pretty quickly. I am glad you enjoyed the book, to be honest the series just gets better and better, so if you are already a fan, you are going to love this journey.

[Conor]

So what was up with Circle breaker at the very end? Did he just choose not to retire or is there something else going on?

[Bas]

Conor wrote: "So what was up with Circle breaker at the very end? Did he just choose not to retire or is there something else going on?"

I'm not sure that he chose not to retire. It could just be that he's thinking the Eel would be pleased. He is an interesting character though and will probably return someday.

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Conor wrote: "So what was up with Circle breaker at the very end? Did he just choose not to retire or is there something else going on?"

Circle Breaker is rewarded by Kruppe for services rendered with a new life out of town. He's on the same boat as Fiddler and crew heading out at the end. I believe his story is self contained within Gotm - we never see him again (as far as I know)

[DangerBin]

Lee wrote: "series spoiler to follow...

Wow, Er..."

Yeah, I noticed that too on the reread. Pretty cool

[DangerBin]

David Sven wrote: "Conor wrote: "So what was up with Circle breaker at the very end? Did he just choose not to retire or is there something else going on?"

Circle Breaker is rewarded by Kruppe for services rendered ..."

I was going to ask that too... SE is never done with a character until he is... he he... "dead". He's got to come back sometime!