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Killing Rocks
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Killing Rocks (The Bloodhound Files #3) by D.D. Barant
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Start this one on Saturday?
Thoughts on Chapters 1 - 4Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
"The one thing - the only thing - us lems really need from the other races is to be made in the first place. After that, we can do just fine on our own. That's the one basic right we demand - and it's the one you'll never give us." - Golems are worse off than humans in that aspect.
"By the seven breasts of the Goddess of Wet-Nursing..." - I've never heard of a goddess that specialized in wet-nursing - childbirth, yes, wet-nursing, no. Maybe it's specific to thropes since she's referred to as "seven breasts".
If I tried Charlie's trick with the gun and the magic ropes I would've killed myself.
Azura is an astonishing, stripping magician!
"That was a calculated risk -"
"So I'm guessing math wasn't one of your stronger subjects?" - Azura has a point. Charlie will also have some strong words for Jace when he catches up with her.
"From what I've seen so far, you're manipulative, flamboyant, overly cheerful, and cute as a kitten. No, I don't like you." - We know it's the "perky kitty" aspects Jace likes the least.
"You're not fooling me. You're Satan, with...with perky breasts." - Caffeine addiction will be Jace's downfall.
The underdead turn to stone in the sunlight? Gargoyles are the only creature that I know of that turns to stone in the sunlight.
I wonder what Lyrastoi are? Possibly Nightshade's version of vampires?
The underdead bear some resemblance to the golems - both races are used as a labor force.
We're dealing with multiple universes. I should be okay as long as time travel isn't involved. I can balance multiple realities but time travel makes my head hurt. A lot.
Thoughts on Chapter 5 - 9Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
The golems have slipped their leash. Did the golems voluntarily join the rebellion or did Asher mess with them using a spell? Where's Charlie?
"Yeah, that's it, Einstein. They've locked us up because they fear our spooky human powers of super-complaining and invincible stupidity." - Let's be honest, we all dread having to deal with a super-whiner.
"Good job protecting me, pal."
"You were the one who got herself captured. Twice, apparently." - Honestly, I'm amazed Charlie hasn't put a leash on Jace.
"No, but you are safe. Well, safer." Actually, I'd prefer to lock you up in Fort Knox with a tank battalion around the perimeter and a death ray satellite orbiting overhead, but you'd just get into trouble on the Internet." - True! I love protective Charlie.
Is Silverardo implying that Charlie's t-rex origins will allow him to resist the spell?
The alternate world's history is interesting but I'm assuming it will have relevance to the main story. I'd like to have a mobile plant castle.
"If I were on the other side of the wall, I think right about now I'd be seriously reconsidering my invasion plans." - I'd be seriously considering wetting my pants.
It's not a good ideal for Tair to receive all the wolf mojo. He's enough trouble as it is.
"I don't want to talk about what I see next. Not unless you're a licensed therapist." - Was it something that happened to Jace or just a truly horrible case?
"Scenes from the very worst of your past, vivid as the first time you experienced them. They'll occur at random, without warning and without respite. Is that how you want to live the rest of your life?" - Ahaseurus is a real bastard.
Thoughts on Chapters 10 - 15Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
Weres are extinct in Azura's world. The Lyrastoi are altered vampires. The underdead may or may not be a golem/gargoyle combination. Do humans exist in her world?
"I think you'll find being angry at the nature of reality tends to be counterproductive." - True but that's never stopped anyone.
Is Ahaseurus a refugee from the Nightshade? If he created the underdead it would explain how his version of golems were more successful than any previous attempts in Cassius's world.
If I understood the myth correctly Ahaseurus was a native of Cassius's world who teleported over to the Nightshade, created the golem/underdead spell and then returned to his native world.
"My kind needs a steady supply of fresh corpses to thrive..." - Tair calls Brunt a zombie but he could also be a revenant or a ghoul. Brunt is very articulate for a non-vampire undead creature.
I wonder what caused the rest of the Underdead to become extinct. Did the other races band together to eliminate the Underdead due to their corpse-munching habits? Would that be considered worse than the Lyrastoi's blood drinking and the weres' meat consumption? If the races did exterminate the Underdead why was Brunt chained in captivity?
How did Ahaseurus alter the spell so it can continue to make golems? When a golem "dies" do they re-use the Underdead piece to create a new golem? Is that why golem reproduction is limited? On the other hand, 19% of the world's population consists of golems. Jace estimates humanity's 1% of the population = slightly less than a million humans. 19% would equal millions of golems.
Naughty Tair - I come up with all these thoughts and then it's revealed he didn't state the entire truth.
"The love and trust in here is making me choke up a little. Really." - I miss Dr. Pete but Tair is fun too.
"You've noticed the lems are treating human beings differently from pires or thropes." - The golems are probably treating the humans well because they feel both races are oppressed.
Ahaseurus is human, correct? Why the sudden urge to re-start the planet in the humans' favor? He's been around for hundreds of years.
I hope Charlie isn't dead! He's my favorite character in the entire series.
Azura is either a lot older than she appears or Tair was completely making up Brunt's role in the creation of golems.
"I need a hug." - This made me giggle after the ominous build-up.
The hugging session was very sweet.
We have confirmation that there is a Jace Valchek in the supernatural world and that's why normal Jace was transferred over.
Jace has created a name for the supernatural world - thropepirelem.
Were-zebras!
Thoughts on Chapters 16 - EndWarning, Spoilers Ahead...
I'm glad Jace beat the crap out of Gibby - even a subconscious version of him. The man was a sick freak.
I wondered about the use of Lethe water. Lethe was a river that caused forgetfulness in Greek mythology.
"I could find myself speaking were-boar every time I got drunk." - The snark that would come from Charlie would be hilarious.
I feel bad for the underdead in Azura's world. Corpses kept around as lasbor force with no independent thoughts or desires.
"...and they'll go all Romero on me." - Really, could you blame them?
Are the underdead former trues? If so, do the trues have the option of saying "No, I want to be cremated. I do not want my corpse to be used as cheap labor."
"Look on the bright side, Tink - if this doesn't work, the giant mystic hurricane we're trying to create will probably kill us."
"Thanks for putting it all in perspective."
"Hey, it's what I do." - Jace is all about the "glass half full" philosophy.
"She's also bound, but they've let her keep her clothes on. Figures." - Bias and discrimination!
Azura is very tricksy!
Charlie's okay!
"Go ahead, take them. I don't know why I grabbed the damn things anyway." - Because you miss your partner!
I laughed at the "movie trailer myth": "When there's no more room in Nightshadow...no more Mr. Nice Zombie." It didn't have the profound feel of the earlier trailers. It would have been fun to see the final wolf stand as a movie trailer: "Tonight we dine in hell! This is Nightshadow!"
Were zombies with decay powers would be very scary.
Can a Lyrastoi (vampire) be turned into a zombie? Aren't they already dead?
Does the death of the Nightshade world cause the creation of the thropepirelem world in some funky time travel way? Or does it cause the creation of supernatural elements in Jace's world?
If this was a DC comic. Jace's world would be labeled Earth-J, Cassius's world would be Earth-TPL, and Azura's world would either be Earth-N or Nightshadow.
I may use those nicknames anyway because it's faster than typing Jace's world/normal world or Cassius's world/the supernatural world.
"I hate time travel as much as magic; it confuses everything." - No, time travel is much worse not to mention headache inducing.
"I'm the pessimistic, cynical half of this team, okay? You're the one in charge of goodness, lollipops, and flashing your sugarplums." - Everyone has their assigned role.
I can't believe Azura was killed. I thought she'd be a nice addition to the supporting cast. Unless it's another illusion?
Ahaseurus travelling with a zombie Jace is rather creepy.
I'm glad that Chassinda was killed. That was a fate worse than death/and now I must scream combo.
I vote for destroying the Midnight Sword. No more time travel.
"Yeah, I'm sure we can trust the world of a psychopath, serial-killing terrorist. Good call." - Desperate times call for desperate measures? Is Tair showing signs of rehabilitation?
"What, you replaced me already? I know you have the patience of a chimpanzee that's been guzzling espresso, but it's only been two days - " - Charlie should know he's irreplaceable to Jace. I did love his under-reaction to Jace's apology for shooting him: "Oh, that. I've taken worse."
Another excellent installment. I am campaigning for the destruction of the Midnight Sword. "No more time travel" will be my slogan.
I think this one is one of my favorites of the series
Charlie was awesome throughout - fierce, loyal, and protective. A good example of why you don't mess with a man powered by the spirit of a t-rex.
Yeah, Charlie is my favorite character...when reading I would actually forget he was a lem until it was mentioned...
I'm slowly making my way through this one, but I keep falling asleep. Not because its boring, but I tend to pick it up to read when I'm really really tired. I'll comment on a portion of this one tonight.
Thoughts and comments for Chapters 1 - 7“Being human doesn’t have to be a life sentence,” I laughed at this. Is someone trying to persuade her to become a supernatural being? What's with the crazy dream?
"Memories are just postcards from a place you visited once." I like that.
"You can’t undo bad decisions or relive past glories; spending your time dwelling on either one will only lead to depression." Very true.
"There’s a reason they call me the Bloodhound, boys and girls, and it’s not because I like to pee on fenceposts. I get who I’m after—no exceptions, no excuses. You work for me now, and I don’t give a good goddamn what you think of me—I care about bringing down the target, and by that I mean bringing him down alive.” I liked this statement.
“An Astonisher is many things. We specialize in making the impossible possible, in dazzling the senses, in making things vanish and making things appear. We cannot be imprisoned, we cannot be predicted, we cannot be seen if we wish to remain hidden. We are master tricksters and cunning thieves, well versed in the arts of disguise and subterfuge." My question is why would someone with those mad skills need to work as a stripper? I wouldn't trust Azure.
"Ahaseurus is from your world?”
“That he is. From a land called Nightshadow, which is also my home.” She shakes her head. “I’ve been here for a while, Jace, doing some investigating. I knew you were my best chance at getting close to Ahaseurus, and I blew it. But we still have one advantage; he doesn’t know I’m here. He’ll blame the attack on you.”
So why is Azure looking for him exactly?
"I wonder if she comes by her talent naturally, or if she’s using some kind of magic—channeling the spirit of a spider monkey, or maybe a boa constrictor. All the yoga classes in the world wouldn’t give me the flexibility to wrap around a pole like that." Spider monkey references always get a laugh out of me.
“Yeah, that’s it, Einstein. They’ve locked us up because they fear our spooky human powers of super-complaining and invincible stupidity.” I love Jace's snarky attitude. Interesting that she learned it as a means of protecting herself from classmates. I wonder if that's why she does all those stomach crunches she talked about in one of the books.
So the Lems are revolting. I could see that. They're the lowest supernatural on the totem pole. Even below humans. They're disposed of at the drop of a hat.
Is Cassius going to fall for Azure?
Sara, I'm wondering what the Lyrastoi are too. The term was just dropped in there with no explanation.
The whole creation myth was interesting. It makes being a vamp sound less than desirable. I had to really concentrate to follow this one.
What was Silverado trying to tell Jace with his story? Oh, just saw your thoughts Sara. I was wondering if there was a T-Rex/dinosaur connection too, but didn't think Charlie would be immune.
I wondered about Azura's stripper occupation too. It wasn't like the place she stripped at was a high-roller club and she could say she was spying on potential targets. Maybe she's an exhibitionist?
Thoughts and comments on Chapter 8 - endI love Charlie.
Sara said, "Is Ahaseurus a refugee from the Nightshade? If he created the underdead it would explain how his version of golems were more successful than any previous attempts in Cassius's world.
Good call on that one and that he'd be the same guy who transported Jace into the multiverse. I did not see his wanting to kill her over and over again as being the mysterious reason she was selected to be the vamp/werewolf world's profiler. Did we even know he was a serial killer in the last book?
Sarah said, ""I need a hug." - This made me giggle after the ominous build-up."
I kept thinking that was such a bad idea. I wouldn't have hugged him. Kind of made me like Cassius more. It was cute.
Sarah said, "Ahaseurus travelling with a zombie Jace is rather creepy. I'm glad that Chassinda was killed. That was a fate worse than death/and now I must scream combo."
I totally agree with you.
So it would appear serial killers did exist they just weren't known or aware of them.
Charlie is the devourer of souls? Interesting and a little disturbing.
Sara said, I vote for destroying the Midnight Sword. No more time travel.
That would be a good idea, but I think they said there are other ways.
Sara said, "I can't believe Azura was killed. I thought she'd be a nice addition to the supporting cast. Unless it's another illusion?"
I think she's still alive because of this:
'Chassinda’s body never makes it to Eisfanger’s lab. Somewhere on the road between Vegas and Seattle, it disappears; when the NSA agents who were transporting it open the back of the truck, all that’s there is a full bottle of tequila and a note that reads: You still owe me a drink. Thought I’d hold on to this in the meantime. Well, I’d rather she had the Balancer than Ahaseurus.'
I think the SHE is Azura because of this conversation:
“Stiff magic?” I say. “If I thought you had any idea what Viagra was, I could make about eleven different jokes right now.”
“I know what Viagra is. It’s what men take when they can’t get tickets to see me.”
“Tickets? Last I saw you were giving it away for onion rings and dollar tips.”
“Don’t forget the tequila.” She grins.
I can’t help but grin back. “Right. Guess I owe you a drink.”
When should we read the sequel? I'd like to take a breather and then start up again.
Lisarenee wrote: "Did we even know he was a serial killer in the last book?" The only thing we knew previously was that he was the man who created the modern version of golems and he brought Jace over to Earth-TLP.
Lisarenee wrote: "So it would appear serial killers did exist they just weren't known or aware of them."
It would make sense that there was - their world is as old as ours. Humanity wasn't always the minority. I'm sure they had their share of crazies and serial killers. Maybe the supernaturals weren't aware of it because they considered humans beneath them.
I hope Azura makes a return appearance. If nothing else, I would think Jace would want to call in all of her allies when she confronts Ahaseurus again.
Does mid-February work for you? We could read Up From The Grave and Dirty Magic before we start the next book in the series.
This topic is open for discussion of Killing Rocks by D.D. Barant. Be prepared for SPOILERS.
Synopsis:
FBI profiler Jace Valchek’s ticket home from the twisted parallel universe where she’s been called to duty hinges on the capture of serial killer Aristotle Stoker—and an alliance with a sorcerer known as Asher. The problem: Asher has joined forces with some of the most dangerous creatures Jace has ever encountered. The solution: There is none, without Asher’s help…
Jace’s goal seems simple enough—to get her man, like always. But just hours after she arrives in Vegas, she’s abducted…and she isn’t even sure who the real enemy is. Now Jace has to wonder if she’s the predator or the prey in a very dangerous game that could change not only her fate, but the world’s…Meanwhile, a serial killer is still on the loose. And time has already run out…