TLMB: Part 1: Chapters 1-9

[Sky]

Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of chapters 1-9

No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling this for your friends.

Please do not discuss events from later chapters/books.

[Sky]

Started it yesterday, I've been enjoying it, and I think I almost remember half the things that I once knew about what was going on!

[Tammy]

I just started it myself, quite a bit of Adare and Kaden but I am especially interested in what happened to the Wing. The timeline seems about a year after the last book. So far some funny commentary from Nira, she is one crotchety old bird. Lol when she talked about getting her buttocks oiled!

I am also trying to recall the previous events but Stavely doing a good job tying things back to the previous book. Poor Triste though.

[Tammy]

This is now getting interesting as Gwenna, Talal and Annick go back to the island, Who is on the Kettral bombing the ships? I am glad Adare went back to Annur, she and Kaden should be on the same side, she just lost her shit on the council and burning the crazy map.

I am not sure what to make of these Cestriums, both Kiel and il Torjna, not sure what their angles are. I also want to find out where Valyn is...is he on the island? Time to read more.

[Suzanne]

It's Spring break and I don't get to listen as much. but I think the author did a good job with the transition and reminding about past events.

[Slick]

Adare has literally no self control. Like come on girl.
You can tell this isn't the first time Nira has considered a vacation.
Btw would somebody please help Triste?

[Suzanne]

The Gwenna parts are my favorite so far. (Just like last book.)

I agree about Adare - she drove me crazy last book with her stupid decisions, and she doesn't seem to have improved a ton.

Ugh, and poor Triste. I loved the description of her jail - it was scary and I could really picture it. The map also sounded awesome...before it got burned.

[Suzanne]

Grrr...I was listening to this today on my 4 hour drive home - had some (I thought at the time) really profound thoughts - and now that I got home, did my stuff and napped, I totally don't remember any of them! Sigh....I do not do 4:30 a.m. well.

[Tammy]

The profound thoughts might come back in the next chapters.

[Suzanne]

I hope so! I'm glad at least I can read other people's great thoughts and go "oh yeah!"

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Man I was so lost when I started this. I couldn't remember any of what happened. Mostly my vague memory was of disliking all 3 of the Emperor's children in the last book, and really like the Wing, so disappointed they took so long to show up. Their part is definitely still the best so far.

I don't really remember Triste at all still.

I agree about Adare, she doesn't seem to have improved. Jury is still out on Kaden. Apparently Valen is presumed (dead). Somehow I forgot that too.

[Sky]

Well, almost a month late but I am finally getting into the book.

I am pretty lost too. All that time I spent coming up with theories in the last two books - and I can't seem to remember most of the major events that took place in the last book. At least I remember who Triste is :) But I dont recall any of the major battles they are referencing.

I think going forward, if I start a series before it is completed, I'll start writing chapter summaries. I know some books have wikis with that information, but it seems most don't. Maybe it can be the blog i always wanted to start, since I am no good with writing reviews....Detailed book/chapter summaries seem like they would be useful beyond myself. Or maybe they already exist and my google-fu is weak.

Anywhoo - Like most here Gwenna was one of my favorites in the previous books, and still my favorite now. I did really like Kaden in the previous books, but I am having trouble warming up to him so far. I know he is a zen warrior monk, trained in vaniete or empty mind or whatever, but so far in this book he is coming off as too dispassionate, too clinical, too academic.

I was never a big fan of Adare - in fact i really disliked her in the first two books - but i did find myself cheering her on in Chapter 9 as she lit the great map on fire. At least someone is showing some emotion.

I wonder what Valyn is up to as well. Last I remember, he was blinded when Adare tried to kill him?

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Yeah. I still don't remember anything of Triste that hasn't been recapped to me, but I stopped feeling so lost at least.

[Tammy]

I have been more of a fan of Adare than other people as well, I think her motivations are more to save the people of the empire and she made some bad decisions but for the right reasons. Kaden is cold and clinical to me as well so not my favorite this book, and Valyn, well these are early chapters so I will refrain from comment.