Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion
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Death Masks
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Death Masks (The Dresden Files #5), by Jim Butcher; Start Date: July 19, 2013
Reserved.
I like the first one on left. The one below it and the ones on the right are a bit scary. Well except two, all the others are scary
I'm kind of interested in the meaning of the very last one posted. Makes me wonder about the story.
LMBO so true!
LOL! Cute, Gisela!
Love those pics! Harry in traction is so true!
BTW, I'm in for this month too.
Ready for Friday!
Me, too. I have it at my bedside.
I hope to be ready for it by Friday. I have 3 1/2 hours left on
Great, Lauren!
I'm going to start today. I'll do the first set of Qs. Are we reading it in 4 days?
I'm staying at home with a stiff neck, but I think I should be fine to type the qs by tomorrow
4 days is fine with me.
Chapter breakdownDay 1 :Chapters 1-8
Day 2 :Chapters 9-18
Day 3 :Chapters 19-27
Day 4 :Chapters 28-33
Good?
Fine with me, ShoSho. I can do Day 2's DQs, if you like.
I'm listening to it so it may take me slightly longer than 4 days but I will give it my best shot :0)
ShoSho’s Question for Chapters 1-81.Were you surprised that Harry had been on the television show before?
2.Do you remember Morty? He is the guy who left the city when thing started to go scary in book 3 (I think) He doesn’t want to be seen with Harry on the street so they decided to meet on a set of a TV show ! Add to that the other 2 guys the priest and the vampire had the same idea . Does this make sense ?was it logical?
3.Morty said someone blocked him from finding Susan’s exact location , any idea who?
4.Did he do the right thing by accepting Ortega’s duel? Will they go through with it?If Harry kills Ortega will the war end?
5.Aaaawwww the kiss ! I feel really sorry for Harry , but I think he should move on! Do you agree? Do you think Susan is really with this guy? Why is she quitting her job? What is the new job she’s got?
6.That was a gruesome scene in the morgue .Did Ursiel or one of the other fallen kill the headless man in the morgue? Was he the Egyptian Ursiel mentioned? Why was he tortured , did have some information? Was he one of the knight?
7.Do you think “Ursiel !Let him go! You have no power here!” means anything significant? They kept repeating it over and over .
8.Why did Ursiel call Sanya a “traitor”? What do you think about him and his beliefs ?Thoughts on Sanya’s character?
9.Why was Ursiel telling Shiro about getting old? Was he tempting him with immortality ?Thoughts on Shiro’s character?
10.So there is an order called Denarians who temp the mortals with the silver coins(that have fallen angels inside them) and they want both Harry and the Shroud .Even Bob is scared of them.Will they get to Harry to tempt him? What about that cliff face?what is that?
11. Summoning the oracle in a cabbage patch doll was funny , I kept imagining the doll drinking the whisky and chewing the tobacco . I thought he got the whereabouts of the thieves and the Shroud too easily !what about you?
12.Who do you think has stolen the Shroud? What does it have to with Gentleman Johnny Marcone?
13.”Should you seek the Shroud , Harry Dresden , you will most assuredly perish.””If you do not , they all die. And this city with them.” this is the complete prophecy . comments?
I started this morning - will answer ShoSho's questions once I get to chapter 8.
Sorry, I've been dealing with a migraine off and on since last night. I'm behind. I'm not sure what chapter I'm on. I took a pill, but it didn't work. I'll probably take a shot and go back to bed. Sorry.
Sorry about your migraine, Lisa Kay. Hope it passes soon. Don't worry I'm also behind - I'm in the middle of chapter 5.
I think I'm somewhere around there, too, Lauren.
Signing off! **waves bye**
Feel better soon :0)
Feel better soon, LK:x
I'm up! I don't know how functional I am, but I'm up.
How's your head?:)I'm listening to chapter 17 but I have to stop now and get to a team challenge book.
My pain is gone, but I'm a little groggy. Sort of feel "fuzzy."
ah, I would say a cup of coffee would clear the world! but I don't know if you drink coffee
Nope. Don't drink it. ☺
Gisela's Answers for Ch.1-81.Were you surprised that Harry had been on the television show before? Yes!
2.Do you remember Morty? He is the guy who left the city when thing started to go scary in book 3 (I think) He doesn’t want to be seen with Harry on the street so they decided to meet on a set of a TV show ! Add to that the other 2 guys the priest and the vampire had the same idea . Does this make sense? Was it logical? Didn't make sense to me, but I thought it was funny!
3.Morty said someone blocked him from finding Susan’s exact location, any idea who? I have my suspicions, but I'm not sure.
4.Did he do the right thing by accepting Ortega’s duel? Will they go through with it? If Harry kills Ortega will the war end? Harry always tries to do the right thing and protect his friends, so it's totally within character for him to accept the duel.
5.Aaaawwww the kiss! I feel really sorry for Harry , but I think he should move on! Do you agree? Do you think Susan is really with this guy? Why is she quitting her job? What is the new job she’s got?
I felt sorry for him and I agree he should move on.
6.That was a gruesome scene in the morgue. Did Ursiel or one of the other fallen kill the headless man in the morgue? Was he the Egyptian Ursiel mentioned? Why was he tortured, did have some information? Was he one of the knight? It's amazing how much of these books I've forgotten! I'm guessing yes, the Fallen had something to do with the body in the morgue.
7.Do you think “Ursiel! Let him go! You have no power here!” means anything significant? They kept repeating it over and over. If Ursiel has taken possession of the man Harry saw in the soulgaze then it makes sense to demand his release. That's why Shiro became sad, to defeat Ursiel they would have to kill his "host".
8.Why did Ursiel call Sanya a “traitor”? What do you think about him and his beliefs? Thoughts on Sanya’s character? I think Sanya has an interesting past and I know we'll learn about it later.
9.Why was Ursiel telling Shiro about getting old? Was he tempting him with immortality? Thoughts on Shiro’s character? I like Shiro.
10.So there is an order called Denarians who temp the mortals with the silver coins(that have fallen angels inside them) and they want both Harry and the Shroud. Even Bob is scared of them. Will they get to Harry to tempt him? What about that cliff face? what is that? I'm sure they'll try to tempt Harry, about the cliff, I think it represents the fallen Ursiel and how he imprisoned his host inside his own mind.
11. Summoning the oracle in a cabbage patch doll was funny, I kept imagining the doll drinking the whisky and chewing the tobacco. I thought he got the whereabouts of the thieves and the Shroud too easily what about you? Knowing where it is isn't the same as being able to get it. So it'll probably be almost impossible to get.
12.Who do you think has stolen the Shroud? What does it have to with Gentleman Johnny Marcone? This one I know and why, so mum's the word!
13.”Should you seek the Shroud, Harry Dresden, you will most assuredly perish...If you do not, they all die. And this city with them.” this is the complete prophecy. Comments? No pressure Harry!
So glad you're feeling better Lisa Kay. I'm not a coffee drinker either - how about a nice cup of tea instead? :0)
On chapter 7 - I just have to say right now that I love Sanya and his reasons for helping people. (view spoiler)
Lauren's answers for chapters 1-8:1.Were you surprised that Harry had been on the television show before?
I'm not sure I gave this much thought. In retrospect, not really. Harry does advertise after all.
2.Do you remember Morty? He is the guy who left the city when thing started to go scary in book 3 (I think) He doesn’t want to be seen with Harry on the street so they decided to meet on a set of a TV show ! Add to that the other 2 guys the priest and the vampire had the same idea . Does this make sense ?was it logical?
Now that you mention it, I do remember Morty but not while listening. The TV set seems a logical place actually. It is neutral ground and in front of dozens of human witnesses. No one would try anything there.
3.Morty said someone blocked him from finding Susan’s exact location, any idea who?
Maybe the Red Court. They probably have some influence over her as a result of the vampire venom.
4.Did he do the right thing by accepting Ortega’s duel? Will they go through with it?If Harry kills Ortega will the war end?
Harry had no choice but to accept. Ortega would go after those Harry cares about and Harry would never be able to life with himself if that happened. Yes, they will go through with it but I don't think that the war will end - the vampires are untrustworthy and many of them want to war to continue.
5.Aaaawwww the kiss ! I feel really sorry for Harry , but I think he should move on! Do you agree? Do you think Susan is really with this guy? Why is she quitting her job? What is the new job she’s got?
Harry should definitely move on. I've never been a Susan fan - she is very manipulative always putting getting the story above Harry and common sense. I'm not sure if she is with him romantically but there is definitely a reason for her being with him - perhaps he has something on her. No idea why she is quitting her job - maybe the guy wants her to.
6.That was a gruesome scene in the morgue .Did Ursiel or one of the other fallen kill the headless man in the morgue? Was he the Egyptian Ursiel mentioned? Why was he tortured , did have some information? Was he one of the knight?
It is interesting that he died from multiple plagues/diseases. That seems very biblical. Perhaps he was one of the people involved in the theft of the Shroud and became infected when he touched it. The his buddies decapitated him so that he couldn't be identified and be traced back to them.
The Eye of Thoth tattoo does seem to indicated that he is the Egyptian but I have no idea what that means.
7.Do you think “Ursiel !Let him go! You have no power here!” means anything significant? They kept repeating it over and over .
The Fallen can only influence people when they touch the silver coin - Harry didn't touch a coin so Ursiel has no power over him.
8.Why did Ursiel call Sanya a “traitor”? What do you think about him and his beliefs ?Thoughts on Sanya’s character?
Perhaps Sanya touched a coin but rejected the Fallen and succeeded in escaping its influence so Ursiel calls him a traitor. I already mentioned that I like Sanya and his reasons from helping people.
9.Why was Ursiel telling Shiro about getting old? Was he tempting him with immortality ?Thoughts on Shiro’s character?
Ursiel is one of the Fallen and tempting is their way of controlling people so it seems logical that he would try it on Shiro. Don't know enough about Shiro yet to form an opinion of his character.
10.So there is an order called Denarians who temp the mortals with the silver coins(that have fallen angels inside them) and they want both Harry and the Shroud .Even Bob is scared of them.Will they get to Harry to tempt him? What about that cliff face?what is that?
I'm sure they will try to tempt Harry but it probably won't work or if it does, he will shake their influence off. Harry doesn't like being controlled by others.
No idea about the cliff face.
11. Summoning the oracle in a cabbage patch doll was funny , I kept imagining the doll drinking the whisky and chewing the tobacco . I thought he got the whereabouts of the thieves and the Shroud too easily !what about you?
Lol! I still have my Cabbage Patch doll. The whole scene reminded me of Chucky - spooky.
Not sure if the Oracle can be trusted they don't have a very good history when it comes to prophecies.
12.Who do you think has stolen the Shroud? What does it have to with Gentleman Johnny Marcone?
No clue at this point. Need more information.
13.”Should you seek the Shroud , Harry Dresden , you will most assuredly perish.””If you do not , they all die. And this city with them.” this is the complete prophecy . comments?
Harry is screwed as per usual.
Thanks for the tea, Lauren. Y.U.M.I awoke about 10 to 5 with another migraine. Sometimes they come in "clusters" like this. I haven't made it very far in the book. If someone else wants to do the second set of DQs, I'm fine with that - and will try and catch up, so I can do the third or forth.
I took a break from Harry today to read my team challenge book but I'll be back with him tomorrow and can do the 2nd batch of questions if everyone is ok with the delay.
I'm fine with that, Lauren. I don't know about ShoSho, though. I'm trying to catch up. Thanks!
I couldn't let the Canaries win so I read my team challenge book too.That's good,do the qs whenever you're ready, Lauren.
@ Gisela 10. Good point about imprisoned in his own mind!
@ Lauren 6. Biblical? Good point!
8. I like to know about him he's interesting
11. I thought of chucky too
Hey Shosho - as a canary I take offense at that! Don't tell me you are one if those Green Monsters? Lol!I have to go pick up exam papers today - it will give me a large chunk of listening time so Qs should be up later today.
Lauren wrote: "Hey Shosho - as a canary I take offense at that! Don't tell me you are one if those Green Monsters? Lol!I have to go pick up exam papers today - it will give me a large chunk of listening time s..."
I think the Canaries won the game, so I really don't have anything to say! **Hangs heads in shame ***
signed: one of the green monsters!
Nah! We don't have enough points. I think the Monsters are still in the running so you can pick your head up again :0)
Lauren wrote: "Nah! We don't have enough points. I think the Monsters are still in the running so you can pick your head up again :0)"
Really?
**Scurries off to check ***
Lauren's questions for chapters 9-18:14. What did you think of the concept of prophecy - time is experienced differently by humans and spirits, which makes prophecy both possible but also fluid?
15. The White Council uses wards to defend itself rather than going on the offensive. Is this an effective method of fighting the Red Court?
16. Hmmm…Bob can be killed. That's something new. Thoughts.
17. Was the Archive what you expected?
18. Ivy's mother is in a vegetative state. Do you think she knew that would happen when she decided to have a child?
19. Harry gives Mister coke. Is that good for cats? Have you ever given your pet anything unusual?
20. Charity really rubs me the wrong way! She obviously thinks her husband is incapable of making his own choices and Harry is responsible for everything bad that happens to Michael.
21. The Shroud is hidden in the laundry. Was that a good hiding place?
22. What did you think of Anna's claim about the Churchmice's work ethic and the fact that she saves Harry?
23. The headless corpse's injuries may have been inflicted with a sword. Is it possible that one of the Knights is responsible? Or perhaps a Denarian with razorblade tendrils?
24. Susan is going to Peru to help the locals with the Red Court. What do you think about her decision and her request that Harry join her? Was Harry's choice the right one? What do you think of the Red Court now that this info is out?
25. Molly Carpenter's secret dressing ritual - does it bring back memories? What do you think of her character? Why is she suddenly in the story?
26. While I can't stand Charity, I can't help but admire her sticking to her principles. She dislikes Harry and blames him for the risks her husband takes but is willing to take care of him because its what Michael would want. Opinions?
27. Ah, I thought so. The Denarian with the wicked hair cut up the headless guy but did she also give him the magic germs?
28. Hmm...Murphy's off the case. Do I smell a conspiracy?
29. Is McAnally's a good location for neutral ground?
30. What do you think of Ortega's choice of second?
31. Ortega's compromise is that Harry replace Bianca by becoming a vampire. He also offers to extend his protection to Susan. Do you think he has an ulterior motive?
32. Harry rejects Ortega's offer even though it would mean his survival. I guess there are some things that are worse than death.
33. Thomas warns Harry about Ortega. I wonder what his real reasons are for doing so?
34. Shiro certainly has Harry pegged, doesn't he?
35. According to Shiro, the Red Court was always going to attack the White Council. Harry's actions actually ruined their element of surprise. Ortega doesn't want peace, he merely wants to bide his time. Is Shiro right?
Lauren's questions for chapters 9-18:14. What did you think of the concept of prophecy - time is experienced differently by humans and spirits, which makes prophecy both possible but also fluid?
In stories when there is a prophecy , there are always alternate or ways to change it.They are never accurate and always depend on how you interpret them . so it makes sense for the oracles and people who make the prophecies to see them this way!
15. The White Council uses wards to defend itself rather than going on the offensive. Is this an effective method of fighting the Red Court?
Not really , but they are not aggressive and maybe they hope if they just keep defending the red court would go away!eventually!
16. Hmmm…Bob can be killed. That's something new. Thoughts.
I didn't think of that , I thought he was immortal , now this is an interesting twist, I hope he doesn't get killed
17. Was the Archive what you expected?
Not in a million years I could have predicted that! unexpected and interesting
18. Ivy's mother is in a vegetative state. Do you think she knew that would happen when she decided to have a child?
of course , she knew .the archive knows everything! I was thinking why she did it and if Ivy would have child when she grows up to pass the knowledge. I like to know more about the archive
19. Harry gives Mister coke. Is that good for cats? Have you ever given your pet anything unusual?
I don't have a pet and I'm totally against feeding animal thing they are not supposed to eat in nature
20. Charity really rubs me the wrong way! She obviously thinks her husband is incapable of making his own choices and Harry is responsible for everything bad that happens to Michael.
I don't like at all , she is too strict and believe to much in her beliefs, a fanatic ? I'm not sure if that's the right word her!but she is just too much of something (it's late , I can't think of the right word) !
21. The Shroud is hidden in the laundry. Was that a good hiding place?
yep hiding it out in the open , clever
22. What did you think of Anna's claim about the Churchmice's work ethic and the fact that she saves Harry?
she stole his duster!!!that's just unacceptable .
23. The headless corpse's injuries may have been inflicted with a sword. Is it possible that one of the Knights is responsible? Or perhaps a Denarian with razorblade tendrils?
The danarian who killed that woman on the boat is the killer
24. Susan is going to Peru to help the locals with the Red Court. What do you think about her decision and her request that Harry join her? Was Harry's choice the right one? What do you think of the Red Court now that this info is out?
Something about what she is going to do didn't sound right to me , the part she reports to a BOSS! She knew he wouldn't accept but she's hoped that he would. yes he couldn't have lived there . and my opinion of the red court didn't change , this sort of thing is exactly what I expect from them.
25. Molly Carpenter's secret dressing ritual - does it bring back memories? What do you think of her character? Why is she suddenly in the story?
no I was always the geek and the good girl:D I liked her , it shows that Charity cannot control and dictate her beliefs to her own children . I think we'll see more of her
26. While I can't stand Charity, I can't help but admire her sticking to her principles. She dislikes Harry and blames him for the risks her husband takes but is willing to take care of him because its what Michael would want. Opinions?
ughhh she is on my nerves
27. Ah, I thought so. The Denarian with the wicked hair cut up the headless guy but did she also give him the magic germs?
hmmmm I didn't think of that but Ii guess so, yes
28. Hmm...Murphy's off the case. Do I smell a conspiracy?
I didn't get this part very well I have to listen to it again
29. Is McAnally's a good location for neutral ground?
it seems that it is , never had any violence in there and a lot of important meetings had happened there so far in the series
30. What do you think of Ortega's choice of second?
weird ,why didn't he chose someone from the red court?!
31. Ortega's compromise is that Harry replace Bianca by becoming a vampire. He also offers to extend his protection to Susan. Do you think he has an ulterior motive?
he probably thinks can use harry against the white council once he is turned , Harry knows a lot
32. Harry rejects Ortega's offer even though it would mean his survival. I guess there are some things that are worse than death.
yep and they are even good looking vampires ! I never expected him to accept it
33. Thomas warns Harry about Ortega. I wonder what his real reasons are for doing so?
he doesn't seem to like Ortega and Ortega doesn't like him either , maybe he hopes if Harry lives until the duel , Harry would get rid of Ortega for him
34. Shiro certainly has Harry pegged, doesn't he?
I can't remember which part you're referring to.it's exactly midnight :P
35. According to Shiro, the Red Court was always going to attack the White Council. Harry's actions actually ruined their element of surprise. Ortega doesn't want peace, he merely wants to bide his time. Is Shiro right?
it makes sense , Ortega doesn't seem to be a peace maker . he has his own reason to stop the war at this point
Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired
Books mentioned in this topic
Changes (other topics)It's in His Kiss (other topics)
Web of Lies (other topics)
Death Masks (other topics)
Death Masks, by Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only practicing professional wizard, should be happy that business is pretty good for a change. But now he’s getting more than he bargained for.
A duel with the Red Court of Vampires’ champion, who must kill Harry to end the war between vampires and wizards…
Professional hit men using Harry for target practice…
The missing Shroud of Turin…
A handless and headless corpse the Chicago police need identified…
Not to mention the return of Harry’s ex-girlfriend Susan, who’s still struggling with her semivampiric nature. And who seems to have a new man in her life.
Some days, it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. No matter how much you’re charging.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
In July we are continuing on with The Dresden Files. Please join us, or just stop in and say, "Hi!" or tell us which cover you prefer. But...
Expect Spoilers!
Participants
ShoSho
Lisa Kay
Gisela
Lauren
Chapter Breakdown