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Written in Red / "The Others" Series Discussion SPOILERS
I'm only on chapter 4, but I am reminded how much I love the Courtyard crew, and I am feeling really excited about seeing what all is to come. I know they are going to have to face some hard times at various points in the series, but I hope none of the core group does anything to make us despise them. That's how strongly I feel about these characters right now.
I want it to be them against the world and I want them to succeed!
I don't see them doing anything truly evil or unforgivable. At least, none of our favorites in the Courtyard Crew. But I have a few areas of concern that I think might be a problem later. Two things that come to mind are a possible dust-up between Elliot and Simon, and something involving Tess. Right now, Elliot is happy to be the "face" while Simon actually runs the place, but I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of power struggle happens at some point.
As for Tess, I won't go into 2nd book events yet, but we saw at the end of book 1 that she doesn't ask for permission or a vote if she thinks a message needs to be sent. (Well, I guess she's not the only one but the Elementals are literally weather and elements so they'll get a pass on anything. And no one expects them to interact on the same level as the Courtyard core group.) I suspect at some point, Tess will do something that puts all of them in a bad position. I would actually love it if one of the books focused on her, what she is and such, as long as everyone is intact at the end.
I think (and hope) if there's ever an actual internal betrayal, it'll be a new character introduced for that purpose, or a lesser player rather than one of the Courtyard crew.
I agree with everything you said, and your insights on post #49 were fantastic! As for Erebus being most Vampirey Vampire to have ever Vampired...
I got that feeling by the end of book one myself. He seems much bigger than the Courtyard, at the very least.
Namid help anyone who gets on the wrong side of his smoke!
Yeah, I would not want to piss off Erebus. One thing that really stands out in book 2 is that the terra indigene have tragic weaknesses. And by that, I mean that the ways to weaken them are usually horrible in how they work. I won't go into that until everyone has caught up, but it's pretty heavy stuff when you think about it.
And I can't wait till we can talk about Skippy.
OMG. I loved Skippy.I might take one more book break and then I'm thinking of diving into book 3.
O_O
Also, I like Steve Ferryman's people.
Ah, yes. I do hope we have more time with the people on the island at some point.I'm at 82%. Man, I'm just constantly amazed by the details and layers in these books!
Bit of a book 2 spoiler:
(view spoiler)
YES! And then sit around wondering why they can't do what they want. As if they have the right to everything no matter their behavior. I had a hard time understanding this mindset. They behave as if the Others are new and this situation is new. And it is far, far from new.
Finished book 2 last night. Wow. And YES to what you said about the human mindset. They really don't get it. Apparently, getting too big for our britches is just a human trait. It's refreshing to see us put in our place, but also embarrassing in an "No, I'm not with those guys, please don't judge me for their stupidity" kind of way.
I'm taking a book break before 3. And I think someone is trolling me because just when I go to check out the next book in the series from the library, someone grabs it up right before I do. LOL Though it's kind of a neat feeling that someone else in Nashville is reading the series at the same time. :)
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MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Resident Book Pusher
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Christa wrote: "Finished book 2 last night. Wow. And YES to what you said about the human mindset. They really don't get it. Apparently, getting too big for our britches is just a human trait. It's refreshing to..."
IKR??! I have to say that I love the idea of Burke's Justice. It seems that Burke and his hand chosen men understand the situation and have plans to survive.
You know who I'm worried about? Lizzy. And I know the Others won't harm her...but the HFL movement - they would.
Yup, especially with (view spoiler) I think some idiot is going to make the mistake of trying to use Lizzy to manipulate Monty due to his relationship with and access to the terra indigene. And the idiot that does that is going to regret it soooo much.Burke is awesome. I mentioned early in the thread that I love that the author didn't fall into the "stupid, ignorant boss for the hero to overcome" trope, and I continue to be impressed by his character.
It's really awesome that she's been able to introduce so many unique secondary characters that all have important roles in the story without it being overwhelming. It's another of the many things that stand out to me in this series.
I mean, shit - Kowalski and Ruth are great examples. Kowalski is so much more than just "main cop's partner used for him to bounce ideas off of" like we find in so many stories, and Ruthie became part of the Human Pack. NONE of the characters are treated as throwaways and I just love that.
Yes! And I think that spoiler is right on point! Exploding puffballs, lol.
MrsJoseph wrote: "Yes! And I think that spoiler is right on point! Exploding puffballs, lol."
ROFL In any other context this would all be so incredibly sexist, and actually it is, but it's okay because they're all willing to adjust their thinking and admit when they're wrong about human women.
And Meg "going into season"... OMG I laughed so hard I choked when I read that discussion. "There's more than one kind of blood?"
I really hope we see more of Charlie, and also Alan Wolfgard. I'm interested to see how his writing changes since he's witnessed exploding puffballs.
I'm trying not to read too much of your conversation, but I feel like I've already read more than I should have (even with skipping the spoiler). I'm currently reading chapter 11, and all I have to say is nothing better happen to Lizzy because of Elayne's stupidity!!!
YES!
Yeah, I probably should have spoilered a few more things, but honestly, Nyssa, those small bits won't take away from the joy of reading the parts I referenced.I think I have a fiction crush on Charlie. LOL I need more Charlie!
I'm almost half way through the book (somewhere in Chapter 16 - Burke just met with most of his department in a parking lot), but I have to pause for a little bit. Anway, I just purchased book 3 and noticed that book 5 is $13.99!!! There is no way I'm going to pay that much for the Kindle edition of anything unless it's an omnibus of some significance (like The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which is also $13.99 now, but was $11.99 when I bought it years ago).
My library has them, and the more recent books (4 & 5) there are a few copies of each available. In fact, I went ahead and checked out book 4 from the library as I was starting book 3 last night. I've learned my lesson about waiting till the last minute. I totally didn't mind buying the first 3 so that I wouldn't have to wait to read them, but I've hit my buy limit for a while.Usually I won't pay more than $10 for a book unless it's a non-fiction work that I'm really interested in. Those tend to have far fewer customers and a higher cost of production due to research and specialty editors so the cost is more understandable.
I'll have to cross my fingers that my library system will have it when I'm ready for it.Hopefully, the fact that I'm reading a Rivers of London book in between each Others book might allow enough time for a price drop, or the library to acquire enough copies.
Books 3 and 4 are listed at $8.99 each, which is perfectly fine with me. $9.99 is my limit, and it has to be something that I really want to read right then and there.
I think Jim Butcher is the only one who was able to get $14.99 out of me for an ebook, and as much as I love that series, I don't see myself ever doing that again.
I've been waiting for the next Dresden Files for so long, I no longer feel any sense of urgency, so I'll probably wait for a library copy to come available for it.I chose both well and badly for my in-between book yesterday. It was excellent but it was also a novella so I devoured it and ended up going into book 3 with not even 24 hours since finishing book 2. :D I'm about to go post a bit about that in-between book on my challenge thread, which is desperately in need of an update. :D
Oh! Forgot to comment on something - book 3 has maps in the front! Yay! :D Of course, I've been visualizing the Market Square part of the Courtyard backwards, but it was literally mirror-backwards so I don't feel to bad. I just had it flipped in my head. But other than that, I was picturing it pretty accurately.And how convenient that the Police Station on Chesnut St is only two blocks away. No coincidence, I'm sure, but it works out nicely now that they're trying to work together and all that.
And...
I think I set my progress on here at 10% by mistake but I actually am at 20%. The first part of book 3 is positively heart-wrenching.
OMG, you are reading so fast!!I just got back to reading book 2 (Chapter 17, around pg 198).
Did anyone else immediately think of Lizzy and what's his name when Meg prophesied about (view spoiler)?
Yes, that came to mind for me as well. And, well, I *am* on vacation so I'm doing a lot of reading. :D
Christa wrote: "Burke is awesome. I mentioned early in the thread that I love that the author didn't fall into the "stupid, ignorant boss for the hero to overcome" trope, and I continue to be impressed by his character."Yes!! Burke is awesome!
Plus, there are intelligent police officers doing intelligent police work, and not being assholes for the sake of being assholes!
Christa wrote: "And Meg "going into season"... OMG I laughed so hard I choked when I read that discussion. "There's more than one kind of blood?" "
Also yes!! I kept thinking "poor, poor Simon". The fact that Vlad seemed confused too made it even funnier to me. I also liked that Meg was female crazy without actually being crazy. I think her mood was well written.
I haven't met Charlie or Alan Wolfgard (I think), yet, nor have there been any exploding puffballs, but I just met Skippy! :)
I'm happy to hear that Ruth will be fully welcomed into the Human pack, and I adore that they are referred to as such.
*sigh* SO MUCH CRAZINESS in book 3 and I can't talk about it till y'all catch up...
Then stop reading so fast!! LOL You are making me nervous about book 3, and I still haven't finished 2 yet, although I'm working on it. I have 3 chapters left.
Nyssa wrote: "Then stop reading so fast!! LOL "Hee hee. Fair point. :D
I actually made myself wait till bedtime to do any reading last night, but then I ended up losing track of time so I read till it was 1am so that didn't help me slow down much.
You're guessing correctly in the first paragraph of the spoiler. I won't say anything else except that Book 3 is intense so far. I stopped at 48% last night and I'm dying to get back to it but I'm trying to slow down. Doodles was out of town for a few days and I don't know if she got any reading done. I just asked her on Discord so I should find out soon enough.
Nyssa wrote: "Question: Do we happen to see or hear about [spoilers removed] in book 3?"Not yet as of the halfway point. I'll update you if she shows back up.
Christa wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Question: Do we happen to see or hear about [spoilers removed] in book 3?"Not yet as of the halfway point. I'll update you if she shows back up."
Thanks, just curious. Thought she might become part of the problem (although not necessarily voluntarily) if you know what I mean.
Yes, I know what you mean. That's why I wouldn't be surprised if she does show up.
OMG!! YOU STARTED BOOK 3???@?@?@?@?@?@?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm starting tonight when I get home!
MrsJoseph wrote: "OMG!! YOU STARTED BOOK 3???@?@?@?@?@?@?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"LOL Yes. Yes, I did. :D I'm about 65% through it, I think.
ACCCK
I just got back to Nashville. I actually expected to finish book 3 by now but I didn't because I never got to take my nap yesterday and I've now been up for 26 hours. When I tried to read in the wee hours, I was so tired the words just sort of wiggled around on the page. So I watched TV and stuff instead. But I think I did get to about 80% on it.
Christa wrote: "I just got back to Nashville. I actually expected to finish book 3 by now but I didn't because I never got to take my nap yesterday and I've now been up for 26 hours. When I tried to read in the we..."Pfffft!
I hope you got some good sleep.
My day went to shit by the end of the workday. Ended up staying 2 hours late. Then I had to cook when I got home.
By that time I had no brain power for new things. :-(
I think I've mostly caught up on sleep. As much as one can, anyway. Finished book 3 last night. It's interesting. Doesn't feel quite the same as the first 2. Not in a bad way, I really enjoyed it, it just has a lot of bridging toward upcoming events in addition to the separate story arc. There's no cliff hanger, if you're worried - rather, it's stops at a "resting point" in the overall story arc.
Meg isn't really the main character in this one. She's definitely there, and involved, but other people get more of a chance to shine.
A few new people are introduced, including one near the end that surprised me.
Honestly, it felt a little like a deus ex machina there for a bit, but I'll allow that sometimes the right thing can happen at just the right time seemingly out of nowhere so I'm not too bothered by that. LOL
And that's all I can say without spoilers.
I love Simon's occasionally clueless wolfy self! "This walking. It's like a female in a story saying she's going to powder her nose when she's really going to pee?"
Haha yes, I love the way his mind works. :D
I just read about the "puppies"!! 😭😡
Nyssa wrote: "I just read about the "puppies"!! 😭😡"Yeah. I kinda lost it for a while reading that part. :(
And then there was the train.... Thank goodness for Nathan! I'm so overwhelmed right now!!
I am currently reading Chapter 23. I find myself distrusting and disliking Dominic Lorenzo more and more as the series goes on. This task force thing certainly isn't helping.
I don't not trust Lorenzo, exactly. It's more that his professional interest and overall fascination with the cassandra sangue seem to overrule his compassion and good sense sometimes. I also wonder if there was some stuff edited out that might explain some things. Like we know he's under pressure from the hospital, etc. but we don't see any of the stuff he's doing when he's not with the crew, you know? His character just isn't fleshed out enough.
Realization:"A thousand cuts" has been mentioned numerous times throughout the series, and I've always just taken it as "one too many cuts leads to death or insanity". It wasn't until the end of Vision in Silver that it hit me, "Oh! Damn! They literally mean 1,000 cuts!", after rereading the reaction to the scars on Meg's back.
Now, I feel kind of sad because it feels like Anne Bishop might be limiting the potential of the series. Unless she already knows how it will end, and the 1,000 cuts are significant to the finale.
**********
I'll be starting Marked in Flesh in just a bit.
I just finished book 3. Have been staying away while I've been reading as I was scared of spoilers :PI've just read back to what you've all been saying though :)
I guess Nyssa will be starting/has started the next book in the series, is everybody else taking a break, or? I haven't made my mind up yet whether to carry on or not straight away.
Nyssa wrote: "Realization:"A thousand cuts" has been mentioned numerous times throughout the series, and I've always just taken it as "one too many cuts leads to death or insanity". It wasn't until the end of ..."
Well, there is the doctor, though. It's possible he may provide a solution or a way to reduce the effects of the cuts long-term?
DoodlePanda wrote: "I guess Nyssa will be starting/has started the next book in the series, is everybody else taking a break, or? I haven't made my mind up yet whether to carry on or not straight away. "
I'm on a gaming break, and I still have to finish The Ceiling Man (assuming I do finish it). I have the next book lined up to go but I don't know when I'll be starting it. This coming week sometime, I guess.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Vision in Silver (other topics)Marked in Flesh (other topics)
The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (other topics)
Murder of Crows (other topics)
Off Limits: Tales of Alien Sex (other topics)
I'm at 58% on book 2. Wow. Pretty intense.