A Branch of Silver, A Branch of Gold

[H.S.J.]

For those who have read the book, here is our demesne for discussion....

For the rest, this is the last day to go buy the kindle advance copy for $.99, so go do that and read it and then come back here. ;)

[Rebecca]

Oh, I didn't realize this was $0.99! *scurries off to buy it*

[Grace]

*tears* I don't have a Kindle... So I have to wait until May to get it. But I guess I'll be okay, since I do like real books better. Happy Reading to everyone else!

[E.F.]

@Grace: I don't have a Kindle either, :( and even if I used the Kindle app on my laptop or phone to get the book, I can't make myself read something that long on a screen. Too much eyestrain. But I like real books better too, so to paraphrase one of my favorite Hobbit characters: Two months is but a blink in the life of an Imp! I am patient. I can wait! :D

[Jemma]

The characters in this book were amazing!
I normally don't like characters like Heloise, but it was impossible not to like her. :)

[Bryn]

Grace wrote: "*tears* I don't have a Kindle... So I have to wait until May to get it. But I guess I'll be okay, since I do like real books better. Happy Reading to everyone else!"

You don't have to have a Kindle ... just download Kindle reader to your laptop or computer :)

[Hannah]

Agh!! I am on fiction fast until Easter. It's killing me not too read it!

[Rebecca]

Hannah wrote: "Agh!! I am on fiction fast until Easter. It's killing me not too read it!"

One more week! You can do it!!

[J.M.]

I'm curious to hear what you all think of the Prince of Night. :-)

[H.S.J.]

OH. Well. I adore him. I mean. He's super intimidating and dangerous and all, but well....if he becomes who I think he does, then GAAAAAAAAAAAH! Yeah, about the time the Princess told Heloise not to sigh over him, I was like "Too late, I'm a goner." XD

Yeah.....super intrigued for his development. (And I must draw him. I must.)

[Allison]

Hahaha, pretty much what Hannah said. In real life would not give him time of day. In fictional life think he's dreeeeaaamy.

[Allison]

Or should I say nightmarish? ; )

[H.S.J.]

Hey, Allison, if he showed up in real life, I hope you would at least give him the time of day enough to be scared out of your mind. ;) You: "I KNEW I was reading fantasy too much!!!" *snicker, snicker*

[H.S.J.]

OH, did anyone else think the faerie version of the Le Sacre was sung well to "Phantom of the Opera?" Or that I can only picture the Lion Prince singing "The Music of the Night?" (The Peter Hollens medley version is the best version).

[Allison]

Haha, probably quite true. ; D

I was thinking of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1OQ.... It's an excerpt from "The Rite of Spring," a particularly freaky ballet about an ancient ritual wherein a girl dances herself to death in order to bring spring (this is a surprisingly common theme in ballet). In French, it's called Le Sacre du primtempts". It's notable for both the unusual music and the choreography and based on some pretty ancient, pretty messed up stuff.

[E.F.]

Allison wrote: "I was thinking of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1OQ.... It's an excerpt from "The Rite of Spring," a particularly freaky ballet about an ancient ritual ..."
*watches video* *head tilts far to one side* Well, they're certainly...bouncy.

Wait. What am I doing in this thread? I'm going to get spoiled! *whimpers about not having book yet* *exits thread*

[J.M.]

Allison said: I was thinking of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1OQ.... It's an excerpt from "The Rite of Spring," a particularly freaky ballet about an ancient ritual ..."

I can't help but hear Stravinsky when I read about "Le Sacre." Trying to sing to "The Rite of Spring" would be . . . challenging. Okay, impossible. At least for me and Heloise. :-)

And "Le Sacre du primtempts" is clearly the inspiration for this theme in the book--definitely "messed-up stuff."

[mrs. b]

Yay, Allison! You know your ballets! That's impressive.
Of course, I should add that it is impressive that Mrs. Jill and Mrs. Anne Elisabeth knew about this ballet also!

[J.M.]

Becky says: Of course, I should add that it is impressive that Mrs. Jill and Mrs. Anne Elisabeth knew about this ballet also!"

Confession: I know Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring," but I only know about the ballet and the ancient rituals through Anne Elisabeth. :-)

Now you all have a soundtrack to listen to while you read! ;-)

[J.M.]

Hannah's idea for the music is definitely prettier! And more sing-along-able, for certain.

[H.S.J.]

Oooooooooo, of COURSE Anne Elisabeth has some hidden gem of history/culture upon which she based the Le Sacre!!! Impressive for knowing it, Allison! :D

[H.S.J.]

Yes, I've been thinking more about how terrifying it would be to meet the Prince of Night in "real life."

Me: "ACK! But wait! By giving your name to Heloise, you simultaneously gave it to all the readers! I know your name, I have power and no fear, bwahahahaaha!"

Him: "And what is your name, fair mortal maid?"

Me: "HUH?" *completely loses it over being called fair* "Oh." *inane giggle* "Oh, Hannah, Hannah Wi---WAIT A SECOND!"

Yeah, I wouldn't last long with faerie folk.

[Allison]

Hannah wrote: "Oooooooooo, of COURSE Anne Elisabeth has some hidden gem of history/culture upon which she based the Le Sacre!!! Impressive for knowing it, Allison! :D"

Haha, I love it when ballet is applicable to real life. ; D

And Hannah, that is soooo true. We'd be toast.

[H.S.J.]

Tis why we need a golden haired, golden voiced kitty knight to protect us out there in the Wood.

[J.M.]

Or maybe we need some fae blood in our family tree? (Hurries to check ancestry.com) Nope. If I ever find myself in the Wood, I'd better hope Eanrin comes along!

Hannah--please do draw the Prince of Night! I would love to see him in fan art.

[Jemma]

Jill wrote: " Hannah--please do draw the Prince o..."

Oh yes! please do!

[H.S.J.]

Well, I may not be able to get to it soon, but he is on my list (when bowing) as is a Family Photo... ;)

[E.F.]

Quick question for those who have read the book: Could someone who hasn't read the regular Goldstone Wood series read this book without confusion?

I'm kind of assuming they could, since it's a spin off series, but since I haven't gotten to read it myself yet, I thought I'd ask before I go trying to harass people I know to read it. ;)

[Jemma]

E.F.B. wrote: "Quick question for those who have read the book: Could someone who hasn't read the regular Goldstone Wood series read this book without confusion?

I'm kind of assuming they could, since it's a sp..."

I think they probably could

[H.S.J.]

Yes, definitely!

[E.F.]

Thanks everyone. :)

Gaaaa, I wanna read it so bad! *marks release date on calendar* *stares intensely at calendar to magically make the release date today* *fails* *sighs* *exits thread*

[E.F.]

Hannah wrote: "OH. Well. I adore him. I mean. He's super intimidating and dangerous and all, but well....if he becomes who I think he does, then GAAAAAAAAAAAH! Yeah, about the time the Princess told Heloise not t..."

Hannah, Hannah, Hannah! I think I just figured out who he might become too!!! EEEEEEEEP!!! *flails excitedly*

And yes, you should totally draw him! Dooooo eeeeet! ;D

[H.S.J.]

So this book is up on Barnes & Noble, oh faithful book reviewers! :)

[☆ serethiel ☆]

Question: Do you think the Queen of Night from A Branch of Silver, a Branch of Gold claims any relation to the Queen of the Night from Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute?

[J.M.]

Hannah wrote: "Yes, I've been thinking more about how terrifying it would be to meet the Prince of Night in "real life."

Me: "ACK! But wait! By giving your name to Heloise, you simultaneously gave it to all the..."

Oh Hannah! I just read the above and cracked up all over again! :-D

And Liv, I wouldn't be surprised if the two Queens of Night
did have some connection. Anne Elisabeth is very much into opera!