Forest Mage > Part 4: Chapter 16 to 20

[David Sven]

Ch 16 - So there's weird stuff going on at the end of the road. The Speck magic strikes terror into anyone approaching the forest - Everyone there is aware of it - but the wider world and the king seem ignorant. And it looks like the Speck dance the whole regiment into a state of apathy.

And they all seem to think there's something weird at the cemetery where Nevare is suppossed to live and work. Something's digging up graves.

[David Sven]

Ch 17 - be careful what you wish for Nevare. Looks like the magic responds to heartfelt wishes and desires. And those guys he cursed remember him now that they can't get their own supplies.

[David Sven]

To Ch 20 - Spink and Epiny are in town! And Nevare doesn't want Spink to tell Epiny he's there. Spink says that's the magic talking. And Carsina shows up for a visit.
I'm disgusted with how Nevare's father treated Duril - he's just become a bitter spiteful old man.

Nevare uses magic to give a whore a good time - so much so she's ruined for whoring.

And the Specks are responsible for stealing bodies - they're grafting them to trees! So are all those old oak like trees grown from humans too?

[Hanne]

Alex wrote: " Also, missing Hanne around these parts... :( )"
Yeah... i haven't been a good buddy reader these last two weeks. i think partially because no matter how intrigued i am, this trilogy still isn't hitting me on an emotional level like the others, so it's easier to park them. and then there is the fact that i've been sleeping for 18 hours a day :)

but! now i'm back to having an attention span slightly larger than a gold fish, so i read 5 chapters in a row!

[Hanne]

David Sven wrote: "Ch 16 - So there's weird stuff going on at the end of the road. The Speck magic strikes terror into anyone approaching the forest - Everyone there is aware of it - but the wider world and the king ..."

This was so interesting! The terror at the end of the road, but also the stealing bodies. Especially with Hitch's remark that the Speck would never disturb the dead that way

[Hanne]

I loved finding out that Spink and Epiny were there. Even though i had seen that Bitter Springs wasn't too far away. I like that they are both there. And though i understand why he wants to keep Epiny away, she's probably going to be key to the solution so i hope she finds out soon.

Having the silly Carsina there as well was a bit less satisfying. What a stupid silly girl.

Then there was the paper he bought, when he mentioned the side column about brothers skipping their ranks, i was convinced that Nevara would find out his priest brother just became the heir. But i was wrong :(
Still wonder why it was mentioned though?

By the end of chapter 20 we find out about the dead bodies, and i actually liked the idea behind it. So their own men would keep them away, i guess that is what the terror at the end of the road is. Gernians trying to keep fellow Gernians from cutting them down and extending the road. Nice work.
Also explains why he was put in charge of the cemetery, I guess the Specks want him there so they can 'undisturbedly' steal bodies away

[Hanne]

it's very weird, and i can't exactly say what it is. nevara is not as unactive anymore as he was at the start, so that's not it, i just feel no attachment to this trilogy. so despite it still being good from a story point of view, i can see why this trilogy isn't all that loved (especially compared to her other books). and it's weird because her writing toolkit has obviously stayed the same.

[Hanne]

yes, another big disappointment. as long as he tries to do what he wants it'll probably continue this way

[Ctgt]

David Sven wrote: "The Speck magic strikes terror into anyone approaching the forest - Everyone there is aware of it - but the wider world and the king seem ignorant."

That's a pretty common complaint especially among the military......upper echelon not having a clue about what's really happening on the ground. I keep wondering if the king is ever going to make an appearance in this series. I get the feeling he knows much more and may just be sitting back and watching things play out. Building the road never made much sense to me.

[Ctgt]

Hanne wrote: "Having the silly Carsina there as well was a bit less satisfying. What a stupid silly girl."

I agree, wouldn't have missed her if she had never come back but since Hobb seems to enjoy pounding Nevare repeatedly, I guess it was to be expected.

[Ctgt]

It is very interesting to think about my enjoyment of this series so far without really connecting to the main character. Like the rest of you I'm not really attached to Nevare, who continues to be one of the most wishy-washy characters I have read in some time. I understand he is fighting the two sides right now but he certainly doesn't seem to be able to rise above anything. Just when you think he's making a breakthrough he falls back into the same push/pull battle.

[Hanne]

Ctgt wrote: "It is very interesting to think about my enjoyment of this series so far without really connecting to the main character. Like the rest of you I'm not really attached to Nevare, who continues to be..."

Definitely.

Ctgt wrote: "That's a pretty common complaint especially among the military......upper echelon not having a clue about what's really happening on the ground. I keep wondering if the king is ever going to make an appearance in this series. I get the feeling he knows much more and may just be sitting back and watching things play out. Building the road never made much sense to me.

That's not just military i think, but most work environments would have the same issue. I know i frequently wonder whether they actually know what's going on :)

[Ctgt]

Hanne wrote: "That's not just military i think, but most work environments would have the same issue. I know i frequently wonder whether they actually know what's going on :) "

So true!