Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
This topic is about
Traitor's Blade
Previous BOMs - Authors; A - D
>
Traitor's Blade, by Sebastien de Castell (Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy BOM) Starts July 12th, 2017
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
The one I find the most appealing is probably Kest. I feel like there's so much mystery behind him still, and I want to know more from him versus anyone else at this point. I feel like all three of the Greatcoats have such different personalities, but the banter between them makes me laugh out loud at moments. I can't see myself comparable to any of those three, but I also can't compare myself much to the side characters at this point either.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. I think the Dukes took him not laughing as a sign of weakness or regretting what he had done.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
I think it's natural for people to have different views on what to do. They all want different things out of life, and I wonder if Brasti or Kest have geas from the Paelis that conflict with what Falcio wants to do but just can't say why.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I have a feeling she'll turn out to be on the Greatcoats side or at least lean towards that side. She seems to understand what's happening around her and didn't seem comfortable with it.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I absolutely love the dry humor and the wit. It's not often that I actually chuckle while reading, but I've caught myself doing it multiple times already! I love it because it's not like it's a comedic story - but even the parts where Falcio talks about beheading people have a lightness to them that I really like. I'm glad it's not over-the-top cheesy banter. I like the flashbacks for the most part. I was confused at first with the whole different Kings at different points, but now I'm understanding the timeline.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
I want to know details about King Paelis and what he did for the Greatcoats to stand by as he died. I also want to know a lot more about Kest.
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I like Kest as a character, he seems to have many layers to him, which makes him very believable. All wrapped up in a shroud of mystery. I don't think I'm anything at all like him, but i'd like to be!
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
Many times you see people who are on the wrong side have a change of heart and I believe this is what happened with Feltock( also i keep calling him Fetlock!) I don't think he planned on being disloyal at the outset, but once he saw what happened to the King I don't think he wanted to align himself with the Knights any longer.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
Falcio seems to have had the closest relationship with the King above all the other Greatcoats. So perhaps his need to fulfill his quest is a bit more urgent. They are all quite different from each other and each has a strong personality, so I'm not surprised that they all have differing opinions on what's pertinent.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I have no idea about this woman. But she definitely is an intriguing character and I would like to see if she really is who Kest suspects her to be.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I like the story telling so far. If you love action scenes then this is the book to read.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
What the hell is this berserker business. I read and all that I could think of was Teen Wolf!
Jodie wrote: "Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoa..."
I'm glad I'm not the only one that keeps reading it as "Fetlock"!! I can't stop even after I realized it.
Mod
Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I quite like all of the characters at the moment because they are all interesting in their own ways. Feltock is possibly my favourite right now. I don't thik I'm at all like any of them!
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
He is certainly someone that just follows orders so I don't think he had any joy in what happened
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
I guess it comes down to what the King had said to them. It does feel like a bit of a fools errand too
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I'm not really sure. There is much more to her than we know right now and I think she has a plot of her own that involves using the Greatcoats
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I agree. In many ways it reminds me of Dresden because there is tons of violence, but also descriptions of how he is fighting and why... oh and very similar humour to Dresden
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
Lots of things! Mostly I'd like to know more about Valiana
Mod
Chapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I actually don't think it is that strange. I'm not sure 'making love' sounds the same . . .but a good hard banging? I can see it. I'm not really surprised they didn't figure it out sooner. They say women make the best assassins for this very reason, they are easily dismissed as a potential threat especially if posing as a hooker. Boys are dumb when something involves a penis (sorry guys).
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
For some reason I was thinking she was up to something she didn't want him to know about. Like how she was earning a living after his dad split. Maybe it's shared to show he comes from people who will do whatever they need to in order to feed their family and survive? At the very least I think someone was coming to the house, whether for honorable reasons or not will be revealed later I hope.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
Instill hope? Give a fatherless boy something great to aspire to? I hope we see Bal again, I'd like to know if their relationship continued.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the kind was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
Even though the king was a tyrant, they were honor bound to protect him and they didn't, so they have no honor. It makes a bizarre sort of sense. I'm guessing there is more to this part of the story and they didn't protect the King for a very specific reason and the king knew what was going on. It's the why's I'm not sure about. I'm interested to see how the larger game plays out though.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
He was ready I guess. I'd like more of his back story though to see if we ever find out the real answer.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
I'd say it was less of a good call and more of the only call they could really make. She had a good test for both the greatcoats and to the men she'd already hired.
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
Simple, it allowed her to comply with the requests of the Knights while giving permission to her other men to support them if they chose. I think the song was a signal to them that it is really the caravan versus not caravan and there would be nothing to stop the knights from attacking everyone else after the greatcoats were killed.
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?So far I'm watching it like a movie -- I don't ask the characters to be realistic or put myself in the story. They can all be super dramatic and swagger about for my amusement.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
Yes, he didn't play the game right. This book makes the Dukes out to be extra diligent about their villainy, so anyone not enthusiasticly dancing on the line gets the ax.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
I don't take it seriously. They are all still following Falcio, so they are just venting.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I still like the idea that she was the assassin. I'm hoping she's super clever and working a million lines at once.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
It's an easy read so far. Reminds me of a less ambitious Brust. I wish there were more female characters, which is why I'm hoping Valiana is more than our heroes (and the Dukes) seem to expect.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
Are the gods real? Is Valiana being hugely underestimated? Has Falcio slept with anyone else since his wife died?
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?At this point in the story, Valiana represents the greatest mystery to me. I'm wondering which way she'll fall. She comes off initially as entitled, spoiled, and arrogant. Then as the section unfolds it's clear that she's an intended pawn in the Dukes' power play. And then she confronts her father for the good of the Tiarren family, which was a brave and defiant act. I'm really interested to see how her role in the story—which seems to be growing more central—plays out.
As for association, I'm feeling the most connected to Falcio, but that might shift to Kest if we learn more of his backstory.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
This far into the story, the restoration of good in a time of abundant evil seems a central theme. With something like this, I'd expect to see a number of characters turn away from evil to good, and Feltock strikes me as one of these. His reluctance to laugh shows his suppressed goodness, and I'm guessing he'll end up playing a supporting role in the resurgence of the Greatcoats.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
I'm enjoying the banter between the three. When things get really rough, though, Falcio is the one that works them through things, and I think that both Kest and Brasti know this and greatly respect Falcio for his leadership.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
If Trin didn't exist, I'd think that Valiana was destined to be a central good figure in the story, but Trin's growing closeness to Falcio complicates this. I really don't know.
Also, there is the lingering question of who murdered Tremondi. There are only two possibilities so far. I'm finding it interesting that people here think it's Trin who did it. She seems so unlikely, but now that others have mentioned it, it makes me wonder if perhaps her attempt to seduce Falcio was actually a plan to kill him? So many possibilities! I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops!
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
Sometimes the dry humor seems to be a bit too lighthearted given the life and death nature of some of the fights, but the author's been consistent with it so I'm okay with it.
I like the way the author is building the backstory of the characters with flashbacks. They aren't overly long, and directly connect to helping the reader understand the motivations of the characters when the story comes back. Good stuff.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
My biggest question at this point is simply wondering which way the story is going to go. We've got a murder element with the whole Tremondi question. We've got the search for the Charoites. We've got Valiana and the struggle for political control of the world. This far in, I'm still not sure which of these will end up being the main story, and how big the scope and scale will be.
This isn't a complaint, however. I'm greatly enjoying things so far, and I look forward to seeing what direction the author will go with things.
12 July Discussion QuestionsChapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I think partly they were just hearing what they expected to hear, and they were probably assuming wild sex, which could theoretically involve a lot of screaming. Also, since magic was involved, maybe the sounds were changed a bit.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
At the time I read it, I kind of thought maybe she was a prostitute, or involved in some kind of other money making that she didn't want him to see.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again? I had the impression Bal was trying to instill some good morals/hope.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the kind was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king? I think some of the "tatter" part comes because they look a bit seedy now. I'm not sure why they wouldn't help the king.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way? It almost felt like he had some kind of dream or premonition. I really liked this part just because he was so magical at it.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
Yeah kind of strange as far as the fight, although I loved the fight scene! There is something that I totally love about someone who is incredible with a sword. Blame Princess Bride!
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them? I dont' know why she had them drop their weapons - that confused me. But I loved the song - I think it just is part of the whole Greatcoat "legend" and was inspiring to the men.
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I love Falcio and his blend of ideals and humor - so he is probably my favorite character. But I also really like the other greatcoats - I love how they interact and their personalities.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
I think it just shows how evil the Dukes are - laughing at that situation is just wrong. That conversation made me like Feltock more.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important? It's hard to search for something when you dont' really know what it is. I'm not sure about their different viewpoints, but I really like their personalities.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning. She seems fairly kind but also pretty weak.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter? I LOVE the writing and humor.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section? My biggest questions were what happened to the king exactly - why didnt' the Greatcoats fight? And what in the world is it they are searching for.
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I wasn't expecting us to see Bal again and it made my heart ache to hear what happened to him. I would quite like to know more about Trin and Kest though.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
I don't think what the Duke's did to the king ever sat right with Feltock who seems to be an honorable guy. They might have thought he was likely to cause trouble in the future and so got rid of him.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
The quest to find the charoites is obviously Falcio's personal quest and it's anywhere near as important to Brasti and Kest who are only really following him because they are friends and he is the leader. I can definitely see why they end up arguing quite a bit!
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
So far, I don't like her at all and it seems like the dukes are planning to use her a puppet in their games. She seems very immature. Knowing how these stories pretty much always go, I would expect her to end up on the Greatcoat's side.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I do like the dry humour, that's probably my favourite part of the writing so far. I'm finding the flashbacks more entertaining than the main story though. Overall so far I feel like the story is fine...Nothing super special though.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
Basically everything to with Kest! I also want to know more about what happened during the uprising of the dukes.
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
I can't say I totally agree with him, but I get what he means. It's one thing to be evil and do terrible things and enjoy it, but it's another thing to know you've done something wrong (or in this case trusted someone you knew you shouldn't) and not try to fix it.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
I'm not sure. Right now it seems like just a coincidence.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
I'm hoping we find out a little bit more about his reasoning. That's been one of my biggest questions so far.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
Hmm, I bet they'll come up again later. Falcio had hesitations about them and felt like something was off. I think his intuition was more than just them being terrible Greatcoats.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
I can't imagine being in Falcio's shoes but I think if I was in his position watching people tarnish the whole meaning behind being a Greatcoat, I would probably want to put them in their place, too.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
I'm hoping Falcio makes it through the Blood Week and ends up back with Kest and Brasti. I miss those two. I'm not sure what will happen after, but I also hope Valiana steps up and defends the Greatcoats.
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
I agree, it's like the saying evil can only triumph when good people do nothing. If good people stand up to evil forces, they can stop it. But too many people. like the princess, would rather just stay comfortable.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
I think in the larger cosmic sense it was probably fate. Maybe he was meant to meet her because she has some information about his quest
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
He was looking to the bigger picture, and didn't want to be seen as a tyrant, maybe? I don't really understand his motivation cause it seems like things have become much worse since he died.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
No, I think Falcio made a new enemy that he'll have to fight again later
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
No, it really seems like he put his honor ahead of protecting Aline. It hurt his pride to see posers acting like Greatcoats and he lashed out, but now they are more in danger.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
It seems like there's still so much to cover- I just checked and there are already 4 books in the series. I think I'm going to have to request them all from the library
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I really like Kest, though I don't see myself reflected in him. I also really like Falcio and I can see myself in him a little better. Minus the insane anger management issues... But he seems like the one that takes care of business and tries to uphold what he believes in (even when it would be easy to give in and become the scoundrel that everyone believes the Greatcoats to be) and I can definitely relate to that.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
I think he didn't get any enjoyment out of killing the King or being part of the coupe. Maybe he didn't really believe in the Dukes' cause, but he knew that the King was fighting a losing battle? Or he sees nothing funny about killing, no matter what side he is on. I'm sure the Dukes would have interpreted it as disloyalty. They are a strange bunch.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
I think they have different viewpoints because they have different backgrounds. I think Kest and Brasti consider Falcio's quest to be foolhardy, at best, and they don't believe in it nearly as much as he does. Falcio was a lot closer to the King, however, so I can understand why he feels like he has to finish this last mission.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I honestly don't know. I'm still feeling Valiana out. She wants power, but it's yet to be seen whether she wants it just because she wants to be powerful or because she wants to actually do some good in the world. I'm hoping it's the latter... she's had moments where I didn't want to shove her off a bridge. I also have this funny feeling that she sometimes switches places with her handmaiden... mostly because the fact that they look eerily similar has been mentioned way too many times. I feel like it has to be important at some point.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I'm enjoying this author's writing style and the fact that we're getting flashbacks intermixed with current events. I feel like the story has a good pace and I'm definitely invested in what may happen next. And I'm always a fan of dry humor and witty banter :D
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
Ugh, all the things. Mainly, though, I want to know why the Greatcoats didn't protect the King if they loved him so much? Whhhhyyyy?!?
14. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?While I get Falcio's point, I think he's letting his emotions get the better of him here. Valiana is inexperienced in politics and she tried to do the right thing: she stood up and asked her father to protect the family. That it didn't work out that way doesn't take away from her effort.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
Interesting connection. Falcio couldn't protect his wife and now is called into a situation where he has to fight against incredible odds to protect another person with the same name. I could see symbolically how this would compel Falcio to act irrationally.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
I think this must be connected to the Greatcoats individual geas. I think it's some sort of master plan to right the world after the King's death. But as others have mentioned, yeah, it sure doesn't seem to be working out very well. :)
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
No, but there are so many branches to this story now that I'm thinking it's not going to end conclusively. Not that I'm complaining, but I can't imagine all these subplots getting wrapped up by the end of Volume 1.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
Falcio more and more strikes me as a flawed character, which is refreshing in a fantasy novel. His emotion tends to get the better of him. Here, for someone who says "fight last," he sure was quick and insistent in dueling Lorenzo, despite the added danger it brought to Aline. I can see Falcio's point, though, and can only imagine how hard it would be to see a group he takes so much pride in be misrepresented so badly.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
Ha! Who knows?!? I thought this section would deepen the whole Valiana story, but instead Valiana and the others leave, and Aline and Lorenzo pop up as new characters in an entirely new subplot. The story is branching out the more it continues. I'm really enjoying it so far though. I just put a hold on the second book from the library.
Chapters 12-14 (Luke Skywalker TT member)14. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
I think Falcio is starting to become a little too self-righteous for my tastes. He knows Valiana wasn't the mastermind, but he wants someone to blame so he assigns fault by failure to act. But she did act! What more could he expect from a lady claiming power and asserting it within her first party. Complete compliance?? That's a little too idealistic even for Falcio in my opinion.
As to his point about being "evil" and "much worse" - I suppose he is implying choice is what determines how much Falcio will blame you. Are you simply a bad character doing bad things to good people? You're evil. Or Did you choose your circumstances despite your character and these bad things happen because of you? You're much worse. Honestly, I thought he was being a little too overdramatic here.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
He notes that it's an uncommon name. I think Falcio looks for meaning where he can find it. But i also think the author is laying foundation for some cool tie-in.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
For the good of the land! Just kidding... I wasn't surprised. This storyline seemed predictable but the why is still bothering me. The king's character seems strategic and long-planning to me. He also must have some sort of prophesizing means if he's handing out geas left and right. So he must have seen that it was destined. Why? Only time will tell...
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
No I don't. What I want to know is how the Old Greatcoats (just typed Greycoats...whoops) grew in membership. Because Falcio was really upset from the get-go about a new group. But that's ancillary. Lorenzo is a prick. I would be surprised if the author does not bring him back as either a knight or a redeemed Greatcoat.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
I would've made an example of the little punk.
But, no, Falcio didn't really have the cause, time or energy resources to be expending on making an example. But ...he's Falcio. He's got to protect his Order and law.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
You know, I'm not sure. Here's some thoughts:
•I like Aline. She's very self-assured and mature. I want to see more of her.
•Why is noone interested in this son of the head Duke guy? He seems kind of important.
•I'll tell you what I'm not interested in: Falcio's geas quest thing. We haven't been given enough tidbits to create curiosity. So I have a feeling when the story works its way around to it, I'm going to think meh.
•I remain thoroughly entertained by these fight scenes! I need more books like this!
12 July Discussion QuestionsChapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I don't think it's strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on, because it sounded like Tremondi had been making love regularly so they just grew accustomed to his noises and don't expect anything else. It's just ironic that they said torture and making love sounds the same.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
I think she sent him on the strange errands just so she could be alone with her grief because it sounds like she was really affected by her husband's leaving. I think he shared this memory because without a father's influence it somehow shaped him into the man he is now. But we're learning more and more about his childhood too, so there will probably be more that built his character.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
Bal's stories really seemed to inspire Falcio and he knew he had an influence over him with them. I think he had heard of the Greatcoats building up against the Dukes and saw that Falcio would make a good addition one day and by telling him of the Greatcoats Falcio would want to join, become part of that story.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the kind was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
In this time period and amongst soldiers, honour is huge, so it does make sense that people would think badly of them for practically abandoning their king who they swore to protect. But the Greatcoats do sound like noble men with just values, so they did not help their king because they saw that he was a tyrant and didn't believe he should be in power.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
I'm really not sure why. I'm thinking maybe it had something to do with his own values and he wanted to fight to bring down the Dukes because he heard all about their injustices and wanted to do something about it. I really hope we learn why and I feel like he'll reveal it sometime somehow.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
It was a good idea as a way to get out of the city, sure, but now they'll be stuck with them until they reach their destination so they can't go on their own mission for a while. She might've wanted to see the fight though because maybe she is looking for some fighters, possibly rally up against the Dukes.
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
Perhaps because she is trying to be compliant with the authority of the Knights so she doesn't have to be accused to having a side. But after their displays of skill with the bandits she knows that they'll still be able to beat the Knights. With the song, the words make the Greatcoats seem more relatable, I guess, as they're now aligned in the common cause of protecting the caravan. It also just seems like a it would be a well-known song that helped unite them a bit.
12 July Discussion QuestionsChapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I don't think it would sound the same but what do I know?! I didn't find it strange since they did say it sounds the same and why would they think someone else was going on when he entered the room with that in mind.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
I got the feeling that she didn't want him around, maybe because there were men visiting her and she didn't want him to see that.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
I think Bal was telling the story to entertain Falcio, maybe for hope of the future.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the king was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
I'm a little sad by this because I really like Falcio, Kest & Brasti. But with the pride that they have in being Greatcoats (at least by Falcio) it's hard to think it was out of cowardice or dishonor. There had to be a good reason.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
I think it had to do with watching Falcio. I know I've watched things I had no interest in for a time but then eventually gave in because it looked like fun or something I would enjoy or be good at.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
It was a good call since there weren't many options for them and they needed to escape the city. I couldn't quite tell if she was making him prove himself or if she wanted him to fail.
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
She is really a mystery. In a way I think it was so that she wouldn't be in the wrong (she told them to yield) but in a way it was almost like another test/way to seem them fail. I think the song was a way to rally the troops, get them into the mood (to join in), make them see them as just another one of the guys.
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I feel like I know Falcio the best since it's in his POV so I'd say I like him the most, but I love the camaraderie between the 3. Kest seems the most level-headed though.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
It definitely made me respect and like him more. He may have been on the wrong side once upon a time and I don't he played the game as others did. Hence the demotion. Politics...
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
Because it's Falcio's quest and not the others'. It's just not that important to them. Especially at this time when the king is dead and everyone hates them because of what they were.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I don't think we know enough about her to make any assumptions yet. Hoping she's on the side of the Greatcoats though she doesn't seem to have any power to do anything of significance at this point.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
It is a little slow on the world building but am loving the writing! Love that it's dark yet is kept somewhat light-hearted by the humor. And it has managed to keep my attention from the start without any dull moments so far.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
The magic in this world, more about the king and why the Dukes killed him, relevance of the quests.
I'm catching up today! So far I'm really enjoying the book. I should be at least back on schedule, if not ahead of it by tomorrow.
Mod
Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
Kest maybe? He seems driven and self-contained. And there is more of an air of mystery around him than the other two.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
I think he meant exactly what he said. He didn't find putting the king's head on a pike funny so he was demoted. Probably seemed as a act questioning his loyalty or at least complete devotion to the dukes' cause. Demotion also served as a warning to others. I don't know if it shows disloyalty (not like he did anything to stop what was happening), I think it shows he's a person with some compassion.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
Part of it the King is dead, they are struggling to survive. And I think Kest and Brasti know Falcio isn't telling them everything and they want to know. So they keep poking him to get the full story.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I'm not sure even she knows. I think she wants to help and heal her country. But has no idea how to do that. But I honestly don't know what her game is.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I am really enjoying this book and am really glad I decided to read it.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
What really happened the day the king died and more background on Kest and Bratsi.
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I like Kest a lot, characters like him - kind of secretive and mysterious - always appeal to me. And Brasti is pretty fun, you always have to have a character like him in these books. But I think all of the characters are believable, well rounded.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
I think he might have just been so appalled by the gruesome actions of the Captain who jabbed the King's head on the stick and he feels more noble than those who enjoyed seeing that. Not that he's showing disloyalty to the Dukes. But the Dukes, at least the one we've met, seems to like a show and hearing people's applause, so they probably thought he was being slightly rebellious by not laughing with the others.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
Because the King is gone now, I think Brasti especially feels they should focus more on simply living, that's why he kind of scorns Falcio's unwavering loyalty to the King's quest. Because the King is gone, he has lost faith in the King's beliefs and goals, whereas Falcio has not, especially since he seemed to be closest to the King. As for Kest, he still seems to belief in the King, but he's more focused on revenge, perhaps, that's why he wants to kill the Princess and Duke more so than the others.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
Well, in the first section that we read, I thought maybe she could be trying to build a resistance against the Dukes and that's why she seemed to be testing the three Greatcoats so much, in terms of their fighting. So I feel like she might end up being on the Greatcoats' side, although this section I'm a little more unsure about that after Kest accused her of being the woman who killed Tremondi. But guess we'll find out!
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I'm really enjoying this book for all that was listed - the writing, humor, story, characters and world building. It's definitely organized well with the flashbacks and helps build the story and characters. And like I said before, this kind of book needs a character like Brasti for the comedy, especially when breaking up a serious situation. It's reminding me a lot of another series, The Riyria Revelations.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
Lots still, from the first section too, whose side is Valiana really on, why Kest picked up the sword, more about the quests and what it means to each of the three Greatcoats.
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
My first thoughts when he said that was 'aaw snap!'
He was clearly frustrated at Valiana's immaturity and naivety as those who watch and allow evil things to be done are just as bad, if not worse, than those who are the ones to do them. I'm no big fan of Valiana but maybe he was being a little bit harsh in this case as she did try to save them, even if it was done badly.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
Apparently it is a very unusual name so it does seem a bit too unlikely to just be a coincidence. But, I can't think how they could be connected somehow that would make sense.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
King Paelis probably knew that, as talented as the Greatcoats are, they would all be killed if they fought for the king. Whereas by ordering them to stand down he could ensure that they would live and could perhaps one day rise again and stop the dukes completely destroying everything.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
I definitely don't think we've seen the last of the 'New Greatcoats'. I think Lorenzo and his girlfriend at least will want to get revenge.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
Falcio is clearly something of a hothead and the right thing to do would really have been to walk away and take the high road. I think I would also have been tempted to teach him a lesson though!
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
I think we will follow Falcio and Aline as they try to survive the week but I'm sure not very much will get wrapped up in this book.
Mod
14. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
Yes, I do. Standing by and letting evil happen, knowing it is evil, it worse. Evil actions are often done to achieve some goal be it money, power, sex, whatever and the ends justify the means. But being passive about it always strikes me as worse. It's like you are participating in the evil for no benefit.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
I think it is more of a coincidence. But I'm wondering if her parents, or at least father, isn't who we think it is. They were hinting that Lady T had an affair, so Aline could be a result of said affair and explain why she was treated differently by Lord T. Or I'm just paranoid and reading too much into insults being tossed around before a fight.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
I wasn't surprised. I knew Falcio had given an order to stand aside and based on his feelings and friendship with the King, I figured he'd only do that on his orders. I think there is some larger political machinations at work and Paelis had a plan that involved these mysterious quests knowing no matter what the Greatcoats did, he was going to die.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
No, we'll see those idiots again, I'm pretty sure.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
I do, I totally get why he did it and I probably would of done the same thing. If Lorenzo had taken the training, etc seriously I think it would of been a totally differently situation. Greatcoats have enough issues without monsters in the making like Lorenzo and his girlfriend muddying the waters.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
I think Aline will turn out to be important in some way. Just not sure how. And maybe learn some more about the King's greater plan. But since this is the first book in a series, I'm guessing we'll still have more questions than answers at the end of the book.
12 July Discussion QuestionsChapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I was curious why they didn't catch on sooner, it's where my mind first went. It made me feel as though they weren't very good at being bodyguards.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
I think he shares it with us because it leads directly into his visits to the bars and learning about the Greatcoats, this is where his passion for what they stood for started.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
I think as a storyteller, he knew more that he was saying, he had to have heard things through his travels. Falcio didn't seem to have many men in his life, so I think he might show up in later memories.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the kind was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
There must have been some sort of oath sworn to the King for some type of greater good at the end.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
This is one of the more curious things for me in this story, I really want to know why. He had to have seen something horrible that led him to want to be able defend/protect and make him lose humor.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
It was the only call they could make, I think she's the one that killed the Lord.
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
She was giving them some sort of fighting chance that would still make sense to the Knights. The song being about the autonomy of the caravan brought some sense of who they were out on the road, and made them feel that they were in it together.
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
I don't know really, because I mean she basically did hold up her end of the bargain by asking the Duke to protect them. But maybe he thought she could have done more, took a more active role in ensuring their protection. I still don't know where she stands, so I don't disagree or agree.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
I think it's a coincidence, she wouldn't specifically have been named Aline because she'll someday meet Falcio (although maybe there's some magic that allows them to see in the future, I could be wrong. But, on the author's part, it's obviously not a coincidence, the name has a lot of influence over him so it will affect how he treats her.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
As the King said, the fight could be fought, but could not be won. The King was willing to sacrifice himself for the Greatcoats; he must've hoped that they would continue on with their quests given by him, and would continue to fight to protect his values.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
I think it's a possibility; after making them all burn their Greatcoats they might want to get revenge on Falcio because he didn't accept them. But if we don't see Lorenzo again, I think we'll definitely see Cairn at least, he seemed to be the only true hopeful Greatcoat.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
I would've done the same. I completely understand Falcio's anger, because they're practically making a mockery of the Greatcoat's skills by fighting as they 'fought.' I'm glad Falcio put Lorenzo in his place, they didn't deserve to be Greatcoats with how things were being run. However, it could definitely bring along more problems for Falcio.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
We'll reunite with Valiana and her caravan and we'll find out her secrets, whose side she is on, whether or not she was the woman who murdered Tremondi. We'll also find out more about the Charoites, whatever that is, and Falcio could possibly accomplish this quest. But this book really does have great twists and I can't predict anything with any certainty.
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I'm not sure who is believable at this point in time, but I'm most curious about Kest right now...I just want to know why he picked up the sword and what his current plan is. He also indicated that he wouldn't kill Valiana while Falcio was alive or the leader, so I'm concerned he's going to try to kill his friend!
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
I think it showed he wasn't a supporter of the King's death and was punished for that.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
I'm not sure what to make of these, but they do concern me because I really want this story to end with their continued friendship.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I'm still thinking she's not on the side of good. I think she only helped the Tiarren's so that Falcio would have to stay with her as they agreed upon and she's playing all of them.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I like the flashbacks just to give a little history and a sense of who these men are.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
So much!
Mod
14. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
This is an example of what I like about the book - Falcio just thinks differently to most.I'm not sure she is to blame for what happened there, but I also think she probably should have known that the Duke wouldn't help
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
He says it is an unusual name and it seems a bit of a freaky coincidence. And why are they after her so badly?! I think there is more going on here
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
He must have known he would die anyhow and didn't want all of the Greatcoats to die in vain
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
That was all a bit awkward! No, I suspect Lorenzo will be back for revenge
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
He is so caught up in the dignity of the Greatcoats whereas he should've just moved on - he had more important things to worry about at that point!
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
I'm not 100% sure, but I guess we will uncover some kind of political plot by the end that he has to try and make right in book 2
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio
I felt like he said that because she is ignorant of the damage she can inflict by "playing" princess. I don't think he gives her enough credit, honestly. She's kind of awful at times, but I don't think she genuinely means to hurt people. Still... I can see why Falcio thinks the way he does.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
I can't see how it could be anything else but a coincidence at this point. It's not like Aline lived long enough to produce a kid.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
I think he did it for the reasons that he stated: there was no way any of them were getting out of there alive if the Greatcoats tried to fight for their king. I think King Paelis felt like his ideals would at least live on if he made them stand down even though he himself was going to die.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
Oh, definitely not. Lorenzo doesn't seem the type to take being humiliated very well. Teaching him a lesson is going to come back and bite Falcio in some way or another.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
Yes, I think he was right in fighting Lorenzo. Lorenzo was being a show off and unnecessarily cruel, but still styling himself as a leader of an offshoot of a group Falcio cherishes. He wasn't holding up the Greatcoat ideals at all... he just wanted to play at swords. If I were in Falcio's shoes (and as skilled as he is, haha) I would have definitely done the same thing.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
I'm always bad at these questions. I'm really hoping that Falcio makes some progress on his quest, though this is the first book in a series, so who knows if anything will actually be resolved. And I'm really hoping both he and Aline make it through the coming week!
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
It was like she was carrying that self-superiority without anything to back it up. She really has no power but I think in the end he let his emotions get the better of him.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
Don't think it's a coincidence but a sign from his Gods, it was meant to be. Not sure why she is so important but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
He wanted to save them - he cared for them and they would've been defeated anyways so no point in everyone dying.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
Don't think so, especially with how it ended. They were spoiled rich kids and their pride was hurt so of course they'll come back for revenge.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
Falcio has a lot of pride in being a Greatcoat and it was like a farce. I understand why he did it. Don't think it was the smartest thing though since they needed their protection, at least for a little while.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
Have no idea because it's been anything but predictable so far!
Mod
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I think they probably should have realised sooner than they did that something unusual was going on, especially given the amount of training that they’ve had.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
As other people have suggested I suspect she was doing things for money that she didn’t want him to know about. Not sure why this memory was chosen for inclusion unless it’s to make his history seem difficult.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
I think Bal will reappear in one form or another. It’s important that children have dreams and heroes make good stories as a bonus.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the kind was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
Having finished the book I’m not going to answer this one!
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
I hope this is something that is explained more later on. There seem to be a lot of things the author has mentioned, without actually following up on it.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
It’s one way to check the leader can actually fight!
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
The use of songs makes things easier to remember and is a quick way to make a bond between people.
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
They all have their strengths and flaws which is good. Not sure who I’d say I was most like.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
I think it shows how difficult the politics of the time were for those in positions of intermediate power (i.e. not the Dukes or the King). It certainly shows that Feltock is conflicted about his role in the King’s death.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
Passing on this.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
Having finished the book, really can’t answer this!
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I’ve remained a bit ambivalent about his style. Found it easy to read, but nothing particularly grabbed my attention.
14. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
This to me harks back to the idea that evil leaders can only get away with their actions if the general population let them. I’m not sure about her being worse, but initially she is certainly acting out of self interest above anything else.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
The geas he gave them all certainly spring to mind!
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
Not convinced that fighting was his best move, but it shows his human side that Lorenzo made him lose his temper!
12 July Discussion Questions
Chapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I understand what they meant by those sounds sounding the same, so it's understandable that they didn't realize what was happening at first. They were probably trying not to listen too hard to what was going on in the room, more on the alert for screams and yells than moans and grunting.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
My first thought was that Falcio's mother was a prostitute, and she sent him away when she was expecting clients. This memory told us why Falcio is so passionate about being a Greatcoat, about how he first heard about them and decided that he wanted to be one. It did a nice job of explaining his character.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
I think Bal was just trying to entertain Falcio with a mysterious story. I don't think we'll see him again unless it's in one of Falcio's flashbacks.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the king was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
That part reminds me of Game of Thrones and Jamie the Kingslayer. Should you support and defend a king who is clearly being cruel to his subjects? The Greatcoats didn't stand a chance of saving the king against all the Dukes' men, so they might as well have saved their own lives by capitulating. But the story about the girl who was being chased by the Knight whose mother was blaming Falcio just shows that both the leaders and the people in this land are all twisted and messed up, supporting bad guys.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
I don't know the reason, but I'm sure we'll learn it in one of the books in this series.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
Joining the caravan was a good way to try to get out of town inconspicuously. The lady knew that if Falcio won, then these men were good fighters and would be an asset in protecting her.
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
The lady was caught in a tough spot, not wanting to go against the Duke, but not wanting to loose her newly found protectors either. So she gave them the opportunity to fight their way out while not seeming like a traitor to the Duke herself. The song roused the caravan men (well, at least Blondie) to be loyal to the men who were on their side protecting their caravan. It reminded them that they would all be working together to protect the caravan from brigands, and they needed to protect each other.
Chapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I understand what they meant by those sounds sounding the same, so it's understandable that they didn't realize what was happening at first. They were probably trying not to listen too hard to what was going on in the room, more on the alert for screams and yells than moans and grunting.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
My first thought was that Falcio's mother was a prostitute, and she sent him away when she was expecting clients. This memory told us why Falcio is so passionate about being a Greatcoat, about how he first heard about them and decided that he wanted to be one. It did a nice job of explaining his character.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
I think Bal was just trying to entertain Falcio with a mysterious story. I don't think we'll see him again unless it's in one of Falcio's flashbacks.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the king was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
That part reminds me of Game of Thrones and Jamie the Kingslayer. Should you support and defend a king who is clearly being cruel to his subjects? The Greatcoats didn't stand a chance of saving the king against all the Dukes' men, so they might as well have saved their own lives by capitulating. But the story about the girl who was being chased by the Knight whose mother was blaming Falcio just shows that both the leaders and the people in this land are all twisted and messed up, supporting bad guys.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
I don't know the reason, but I'm sure we'll learn it in one of the books in this series.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
Joining the caravan was a good way to try to get out of town inconspicuously. The lady knew that if Falcio won, then these men were good fighters and would be an asset in protecting her.
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
The lady was caught in a tough spot, not wanting to go against the Duke, but not wanting to loose her newly found protectors either. So she gave them the opportunity to fight their way out while not seeming like a traitor to the Duke herself. The song roused the caravan men (well, at least Blondie) to be loyal to the men who were on their side protecting their caravan. It reminded them that they would all be working together to protect the caravan from brigands, and they needed to protect each other.
Lusie wrote: "12 July Discussion Questions
Chapters 1-6
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
I think Bal admires the idea of a Greatcoats and hopes by telling as many children as possible it will become a reality again. I don't think we will see him again. He fulfilled his role."
That's a good point! Bal might be trying to inspire the next generation to fulfill the prophecy and become the next set of Greatcoats. If that was his intention, it looks like it worked! Well, at least on Falcio.
Chapters 1-6
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
I think Bal admires the idea of a Greatcoats and hopes by telling as many children as possible it will become a reality again. I don't think we will see him again. He fulfilled his role."
That's a good point! Bal might be trying to inspire the next generation to fulfill the prophecy and become the next set of Greatcoats. If that was his intention, it looks like it worked! Well, at least on Falcio.
SET 4 - July 16Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you belive this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is phychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
SET 4 - July 16Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you believe this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
That's a tough question. In my every day life, I don't face possible torture, murder, etc. If I were living in this world where I was being chased just to be tortured and killed, I would probably want the opportunity like Aline to take the soft candy and go out on my own terms. I'm not sure I'd be able to actually do it, but the thought of torture makes me queasy just thinking about. I do always like to believe there's hope, though, I just can't say I would think that in their situation. Great question I wish I could answer better!
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
His obstacles are all the people that know justice wouldn't favor them. I think his ideas of delivering justice are coming from the right place, and as we can see with Falcio, it can really change other's minds on their own decisions (like Ugh choosing to help Falcio and humming along with his song).
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is psychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
I definitely thought there has to be something more to her. I'm going to guess right now that it has something to do with magic, but I hope we learn more about her soon.
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
I always enjoy talk of magic, and kind of forget about it in this story since it doesn't come up often. I wouldn't mind if more happened, especially if the Tailor turns out to have some kind of magical capabilities, but it doesn't seem necessary.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
This was another moment where I loved Falcio. I thought it was a clever trick that I thought was believable enough. Usually action scenes bore me to death, but Falcio comes up with something to say almost every time that makes me laugh.
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
Ugh, I totally agree with you. This was the hardest part of the book to read, and I honestly would have stopped reading altogether if I didn't want to find out how this ends so badly, it was so hard to stomach. I don't know how the Duchess came to be so malicious, but she is utterly disgusting. That's all I can even think on this subject since I just want to forget this part as long as I can!
SET 4 - July 16Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you believe this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
Yes there should always be hope. But for me, I couldn't deal with torture or being raped or anything to do with pain so I probably would give up in that case.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
Are the knights really "lawful"? I got the feeling that before the Greatcoats, it was just as lawless as it is currently (ex: Falcio's wife Aline and what the Duke/King/Men did to her). The Dukes themselves want to feel their power and want to rule as they see fit rather than going by a set of actual universal laws so that is obviously the greatest obstacle.
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is phychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
Aline has to be important if the Tailor is showing up like this. There's something special about her (Tailor) too though. Not sure if it's magic or she is moving pieces in this game but she'll come up again and we'll learn more.
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
Because magic is part of this world I assume so. There is enough of the fantasy aspect that the magic is not needed in my opinion. But I guess that just adds another element.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
I'm skeptical too but that's what makes the fight scenes more fun.
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter. Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
Can't say why she is like that - not enough information on her past. I think she only cares about power and has for a long time - the scheme with Trina took YEARS so she has been thinking of the long game for years now.
Mod
Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you belive this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
I think in certain situations I would take the soft candy. Just like I understand under certain, very specific cases of people choosing doctor assisted suicide.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
Well when laws are unjust that can create some serious issues. And it sounds like it was not uncommon for the Dukes' laws to be quite skewed.
But as for a big obstacle? The fact that it is a serious change and departure from what people are used to. It can be hard to understand and believe in. And it's not like the King can communicate easily en-mass with the country. Who knows what rumors the Dukes were spreading to fight the change and their loss of power.
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is phychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
I always though Aline was important and I think this confirms it, but not sure what piece of the puzzle she is yet. Not sure but I think she is at least a bit magical. Maybe she is part Fey?
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
I like how it is subtle instead of overt like it is in so many other stories. It maybe more important as we go forward, but I hope it remains in the backseat and doesn't take center stage.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
Hey, his ploy was worth a shot. All he really needed was a few seconds of hesitation and that's what he got. If they didn't fully trust who their partner actually was, then yes it could of worked. A bit of a stretch, I'll admit to that. But plausible. sort of :)
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
I wanted to cry this was so awful. Consumed with a need to gain power at any cost, that's how she became the way she is. My guess is she was raised by people sort of like her so going further just seemed like the normal thing to do. She's a crazy sociopath who doesn't even see her actions are wrong. You can't reason with that type of crazy.
20. Where there is life, there is hope. Do you believe this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
I've always believed that there are three levels to a person. The first is who you are when things are fine. The second is who you are when things are stressful and you're tired or hungry or not feeling well. The third is who you are in extreme stress and life and death situations. I've also believed that it's very hard to know how you will act in each level until you find yourself in that situation.
I'd like to think that I'd hold to life no matter what, but I wonder. I've only had glimpsing brushes with the third level, and sometimes I've acted poorly and sometimes I've done well.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
I don't think I'd characterize the Greatcoats as chaotic good and the knights as lawful good.
A couple months ago I read a short history of England, and one of the most interesting themes from the book was the evolution of laws for the people vs. the absolute authority of the king. It was a concept that England struggled with for hundreds of years. I think the book here does a good job of portraying a similar struggle. King Paelis wanted a land of laws that would give the people rights, but this threatens those who would rule from power. I think this new concept of "people's laws" is the greatest obstacle he faces.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
I liked this fight better than the bare-handed fight against the knights. I thought that fight was the most contrived. I enjoyed this one. Falcio is good at getting inside people's heads as a manner of tactics, and the hesitation he created in his opponents felt natural to me.
(I've skipped a few questions because I read to the end and know how things turn out.)
Mod
Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you belive this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
I like to think thre is always hope, but to be honest, in that city with what they do to people? It would be difficult to not give up and take the soft candy
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
Well he died so I guess his vision didn't work! :o I don't think I'm fully across the world and it's rules (or lack of them) at this point, but there seems to be a campaign to make people not believe in the Greatcoats
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is phychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
She is possibly all of those things. There is certainly more to Aline
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
I don't think it needs to. It is a small part of the fantasy story and that is ok - not every fantasy book needs to be filled with magic (look at GoT!)
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
I agree with Amy - it keeps the action scenes interesting ;)
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
I hear you - I found this chapter REALLY difficult and I can't think of many other villans quite as vile as her. It was a very difficult passage to read
So...I tweeted to the author that we were doing at book group discussion here about his book.
He kindly tweeted back and offered to do a Q&A with the group.
Any interest? Have you done this sort of thing before?
SET 4 - July 16Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you believe this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
I don't think I would consume the soft candy. I would always want to try finding another way, always try looking for hope. But, under torture, it might be different because I just wouldn't have the drive to escape so much. Although, being imprisoned, they would probably take all your belongings anyways.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
From what we've seen of the knights they don't seem to be lawfully good, although serving under the Dukes probably skew their sense of 'good.' It doesn't seem like they're binded by any laws really, they do what they want in the name of the Dukes. And I also don't see the Greatcoats as a chaotic good - they definitely seem good, with their nobility and sense of justice - but they're definitely binded by a code too, a form of laws from the King, which is just his beliefs I think, of justice and righteousness.
But, I guess the obstacles I think he would face while trying to exert the power of the Greatcoats in opposition to the knights includes trying to spread his own influence through them, if people don't think they do follow laws maybe. It depends on who the people are more loyal too, the Dukes or the King. I feel like though, the main reason the King was taken down was because the Dukes wanted more power.
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is psychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
Yeah, in the previous section's questions I thought the girl's name was just coincidentally the same as his old wife's. But now that I know she's the nanny I definitely think she has some magic; she somehow knew Falcio would be in Rijou during blood week and would be around to try to save Aline. But he wouldn't have done it if she weren't named Aline, the name adds affection towards her. And so Aline must be more important, didn't at one point she say that she knew something too, that people would want to know? Something along those lines I feel like.
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
I think it will gain more attention as the book goes on, or in the series. But in this book, we're already more than half way with, like you said, a very subtle presence of magic. So I don't think it needs to be built upon a whole lot more at all right now. I think the way the author is introducing it in is good.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
I thought it was pretty clever, was pretty funny too. I might be a little skeptical of it too, it sounds like the Dashini are paired with the same person so wouldn't they be able to recognize their partner even just through their body movements and fighting? But concentrating during a fight might take your attention off stuff like that and maybe you'd be more open to doubt. But yeah, I found myself smiling when I realized what he was doing.
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
When the Fey Horse came into the narrative, I was so hoping Falcio would somehow miraculously get through to the horse (I mean, he kind of did), but I was hoping he would then somehow break it out and they would all escape and he would have his Greathorse like he and the King always dreamed of. But when the chapter ended with the Duchess repeating his phrase to get through to the horse, I was so angry. She's not allowed to be able to control the horse because she is not part of its herd!!
But she definitely got into power through this maliciousness, stepping on anyone who got in her way. So I think she cares about her power, and that's why she's trying to make the horse this way, so she can use it against her enemies to protect her power and also show it off. As to how someone becomes someone so obviously disturbed like the Duchess, I am not sure. Bad childhood memories, ahaha. But really, her history must have a big story. Because this Duchess is the one who lead the thing against the King, I think she could be the big baddie for the trilogy, seems like she'd be the one to fight most against the Greatcoats fighting in the King's memory.
SET 4 - July 16Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you belive this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
I wouldn't be able to do it. I have to much hope in me to just give up. I believe in that statemenr wholeheartedly. Still, I can understand where Aline is coming from... she's young and she's terrified of what they will do to her once they find her.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
His biggest obstacle are the dukes and their unwillingness to embrace change. They have power and they want to hold on to every last bit of it. And if the other dukes are anything like that piece of work Duchess we get introduced to later, they think of the subjects as objects to be owned. They'll never understand the need for justice as long as that is their way of thinking. The chances, right now, are looking rather grim, but I have hope!
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is phychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
I am starting to wonder if Aline is far more important than we have been led to believe. I want to be as awesome as the Tailor when I'm her age! I could see her being somewhat magical, yes.
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
I feel like magic is more as a background force as opposed to something that will play a huge role in the story. I'm sure it will continue to be used throughout the book, but I feel like it will remain subtle or in the background. I don't really think it needs to play more of a part, no. The story is moving along just fine without it.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
Super skeptical!! These assassins are trained literally from birth and they fell for that?!? I don't buy it. Still, I did enjoy that fight scene. This author has a way of making me enjoy super unbelievable circumstances.
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
UGH, THE DUCHESS. I haven't hated a character this much since Umbridge!! (Umbridge still wins in the hate category, but she is trying her hardest to take the crown). Anyways, I don't know why she's such a miserable... witch, but I definitely see her becoming our big bad guy for this series. She's one of those characters that is so awful that you yearn to see them get their comeuppance, but the author withholds it for forever!!! Good example: Joffrey. I keep wishing for Falcio's rapiers to magically appear so he can stab her in her stupid face! As for whether or not she cares about anything, she certainly cares about power. I think that's about as far as her caring extends, though. Did I mention I hate her? Ugh...
SET 4 - July 16Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you believe this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
I suppose that there is always that tiny little bit of hope inside us that would prevent us from eating the soft candy. Though perhaps if there was a situation where your death could save others then maybe you could argue for using it.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
The greatest obstacle has got to be the dukes and their knights. The greatcoats undermine the ruling of the dukes which is something they would not easily accept! It seems like an impossible dream with the dukes being the way that they are. The attitude of the general public towards the king and the greatcoats would also be a major obstacle.
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is psychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
I'm glad we got to meet Tailor again. She knows Falcio's story so perhaps she had a hand in choosing a name for Aline? I think she is a very clever woman with a strong affinity and knowledge of magic.
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
Falcio has said that he hates magic and so it makes sense that we haven't come across it too much yet as we are following his story. I think that we will learn more about it and it will become a bit more prominent as the story goes forward.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
Hmm, the fact that the pair of Dashini let their guards down so easily after training their entire lives is a little far fetched to me. Falcio was incredibly lucky that his little trick worked. Though perhaps the pair were fairly new to the job or to each other?
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
Okay, so this chapter made me feel sick and angry. Both at the character of the Duchess and at the author. If there is one thing I literally cannot abide in a book it's animal cruelty/torture. I literally just cannot deal with it. If I was not reading this book for reading challenges/BOM I would honestly put it down right now.
I think the duchess is definitely going to be the big baddie, she is beyond evil.
Chapter 15-19(TT Luke Skywalker )
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you belive this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
Of course I believe this statement! It's the SC state motto: dum spiro spero. This question is so introspective!! But no. I don't think I'd willingly eat the soft candy.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
You are very philosophical, OH DQer. The ole carrot or the stick argument. Should we encourage good behavior by reward or deter bad behavior by punishment...or both?! Meh, I don't know. If y'all know, spread the word. The whole world could use some elucidation.
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is phychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
It definitely makes me more "sure" that Aline is important. Why else would the Tailor be hanging out there especially in such a loving relationship with the child. I like the theory above that Aline is Fey.
I think the Tailor is Old School Magic. I just coined that. She's Original Gangsta, yeah you know. Ain't no skewl without da ol skewl.
23. Speaking of magic, its touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
If it does, I won't be happy, which surprises me. I like how subtle it has been, and the author has done a fine job building a world with set rules. I wouldn't want some easy-peezy magical "out" that solves everything at the end. BUT then again, we do have those geas hanging around, which could potentially be the easy magic outs. We'll see.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
Those guys were weird. They reminded me of the
Nazgul, maybe Dementors. But not so much that I felt the author was borrowing them. I think the author does a good enough job at the beginning to make us believe Falcio is mad-skilled at swordfighting/fighting tactics. But pulling a mind trick against these two does seem campy. BUT I've started to read this book as a Guy Richie film, and in that view, the scene makes more sense.
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
I don't have a frame for the Duchess. Have we seen her? I feel like she came out of the blue and she's busy thrashing around throwing her toys all over the place for no goddamn reason. I mean, she's desperate, we can see that. And she doesn't care about Aline because she was going to feed Aline to the Fey horse. So who knows what she wants, or why, or who is pressuring her (I think she's being threatened).
I like that Fey horse. What seemed more crazy evil to me was the whole rub ointment on you so that you can rape old ladies thing.
Say what?
Hello! I'm doing the DQs for chapters 20-25 today. I wanna catch up with the previous questions and will be posting mine after that.
12 July Discussion QuestionsChapters 1-6
1. The 3 Greatcoats were hired as bodyguards. It sounds strange they say torture and making love sounds the same, what do you think? Is it strange they didn't realize earlier what was going on?
I think it was an attempt at a joke to say the two elicit the same sounds. I think it was good for them to realize that something else was going on, I'm not sure many people would pick up on that.
2. What do you make of the strange errands Falcio had to do for his mother when he was a boy? What do you think is the reason she send him away from the house? Why do you think this is one the childhood memories that is shared with us?
I think she maybe was doing something illegal or something she didn't want him to see (maybe prostitution) so she would send him away. We'll probably learn more about this in the future.
3. Why do you think Bal told Falcio that legend said the Greatcoats wold be back again soon? Was he just trying to entertain a child or did he had other motives? Bal was important to Falcio as a child. Do you think we will see him again?
Falco seemed like a child that needed stories and needed something bigger than him to believe in. And Bal probably liked having a very attentive audience. Yes, we will be seeing him again.
4. The Greatcoats are called tatter-cloaks because they didn't stand by their king. Even though the kind was said to be a tyrant, people think badly of the Greatcoats. What do you make of this? Why would the Greatcoats not help their king?
I'm not sure. They don't seem like people that would be swayed by money or status so there must be another reason that we don't know about which caused them to betray their king.
5. What do you think made Kest pick up the sword when he was twelve years old? Do you think we will learn the reason along the way?
I think that he knew all along that he would be better than Falco and he wanted to let Falco learn how to use the sword and grow to love it before taking it up himself and showing him how much better he really was. I think Falco would have grown discouraged if Kest was so much better than him right from the beginning.
6. Do you think joining the caravan was a good call? Why would the lady offer to hire them if their leader wins in a 1 to 5 fight?
Yes, it was their only option to get out of the city. The lady wanted to make sure that they were good fighters before she took them on.
7. Why does the lady demand them to drop their weapons when the knight and his men want to "prosecute" the Greatcoats? And why do you think sing the song convinced the caravan men to help them?
I'm not sure why she wanted them to drop their weapons. Maybe to see how good they are or to get them killed?? The song made them seem mythical to the caravan men who wanted to emulate them I think and so they ended up helping them.
Day 2 Questions - July 13Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I find Falco and his companions the most believable. The lady Valiana is still very mysterious. I don't necessarily see myself as any of them. It is a world that's very much different than mine.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
Feltock saw that what they did to the king wasn't right and couldn't hide that from his face. Other people might have thought the same thing but they were willing to go along with what was happening and laugh. It did show that Feltock couldn't be trusted to go along with everything that he was ordered to do.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
I think it depends on the quests Brasti and Kest were given by the king and how close they were to him. Falco was very close to the king and sees his quest as very important. The others weren't that close to the king and maybe the quests that they were given weren't very important.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
I think she will look out for herself first and side with whoever gives her the most security and power. That would be the Dukes' side.
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I like the flashbacks, it fleshes out the story more. The dry humour is great - it's very unexpected which is best in a story that is suspenseful, often brutal and kinda sad.
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
Well, I've read ahead already so I can't really answer this question.
Discussion Questions Day 3: Chapters 12-1414. After seeing the house of the Tiarren family was burned down despite assurances that the family would be protected, Falcio said that he didn't think Princess Valiana was evil, but " much worse". What are your thoughts on that? Do you agree with Falcio?
I'm not sure that I agree with him. Valiana doesn't really have much power herself aside from what is given to her by her parents so there's not much she could have done. She is clearly a pawn in all this.
15. The little girl who survived the Tiarren fire is named Aline like Falcio's dead wife. Do you think that is more than a coincidence? Why or why not?
I don't think it's a coincidence since she totally changed the direction of where this was going for Falcio. I wonder who named this girl. I think she will play a significant role in the story.
16. I was surprised to learn that the order not to fight when the Dukes came for King Paelis came from the King himself. Why do you think the King made Falcio do that knowing it would likely mean his death?
It had something to do with the quest he gave Falcio. I think the king was sick and was going to die without an heir or he knew the Dukes would rise up against him. I think him dying like that and giving everybody a quest was a way to play the long game in actually bringing a just and stable rule to the land. There's a lot more of this story to come.
17. When Falcio meets the "New Greatcoats", it didn't go so well. Do you think we've seen the last of Lorenzo and his troop?
No, they will be back. He embarrassed them too much.
18. Do you think Falcio was right in fighting Lorenzo? What do you think you would have done in Falcio's shoes?
Yes, I would have done the same if I had his skill. Lorenzo was making a mockery of the Greatcoates and needed to be taught a lesson.
19. By the end Chapter 14 we are halfway through this novel and the story has had a lot twists, turns, and revelations. Where do think the story is going to go from here?
It's suspenseful all right! I've read ahead so I know it's nowhere good for a while.
SET 4 - July 16Discussion Questions Day 4: Chapters 15 - 19
20. Where there is life, there is hope.
Do you belive this statement or do you think there is ever a situation where you would actually consume the soft candy?
I think in general one should always have hope that things will turn out better. I do believe that statement. But there are definitely times when one may lose hope and would be tempted to "eat the soft candy." I don't want to let my mind wonder when I would ever consider something like that. There would have to be a major, major shake up of my life and the people in it.
21. The King is a man with a vision - a vision of a land ruled by justice, with the Greatcoats serving as his agents of delivery. There seems to be a big disconnect between delivering Justice and obeying the Law - serving one doesn't always (often?) serve the other. The King is trying to deliver justice via the Greatcoats (rendering judgement as a solution vs a punishishment) to achieve the change he envisions - using a chaotic good force (the Greatcoats) instead of a lawful good (knights) one - what do you see as his obstacles and chances?
I don't think the king intended to change the land and how laws were followed and justice was carried out in his lifetime. I think he was sowing the seeds of change and knew that his time was limited. I don't think the Greatcoates were "chaotic" and the knights were "lawful." The knights seem to hide behind their honour which was more hubris in my mind while the Greatcoates cared about the peasants (all people) and justice. The knights would never deliver true justice, they served the rulers/nobility, not the people. But although the Greatcoates served the king, the king seemed to serve his people (not the nobility) so they in turn served the people as well.
22. We meet Tailor again - (her role reminds me of the Weaver in The Fionavar Tapestry.) Now learning that she is Aline's nanny, are you starting to think again about Aline's role in the story? Do you think the Tailor is phychic, more than human, or just imbued with magic?
Yes, I think there is a reason the Tailor was Aline's nanny and that she was named the way she was. It all has something to do with Falcio but I'm not sure what that is. I think the Tailor has something to do with magic since she made the actual greatcoates and they are clearly infused with magic as well.
23. Speaking of magic, it's touch has been very subtle in the book so far, like simple tracking spells. Do you think magic will become more important as the narrative proceeds? Do you think it needs to?
Yes, I hope it does. I like how the people in the story are not just relying on magic but I do think it will play a bigger role in the future narrative.
24. The fight with the Dashini seems to be another example of words besting the might of life-long fighting skills - do you think the tactic Falcio took with the pair of Dashini would really have worked, or worked enough? (I'll admit, I am still a tad skeptical about this ;) )
Falcio does have a way with words but that was a bit far fetched. I don't know how he got to stab both of them several times at the same time.
25. Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't get this chapter for the DQs - I found it absolutely brutal. Anytime I am presented with the last of of a creature, its existence is already shaded with melancholy. What the Duchess did to the Fey horse was so over the top abominable, and the fact that she destroyed the rest of the herd as well? She has topped Ramsay Bolton within one chapter.
Ok, the question: The Duchess tried to make the fey horse utterly destructive and malicious, and failed. How does someone get to be like the Duchess? Do you think she cares about anything? Do you think she will be the big baddie for the trilogy? (You can answer these questions or use this space to vent on the Duchess if you'd rather.)
That was a brutal chapter. I have to say I skipped some lines when they described how that horse was brutalized. The Duchess is clearly psychotic and a sadist. I don't know how she got that way but we will probably find out.
Chapters 7 - 11
8. In this section, the characters are given more substance. We find out more about Valiana and Feltock, we see Bal again, and we get to know the Greatcoats a little more. Which character is most appealing or believable to you? Which character do you see yourself most like?
I don't know if I see myself in any of the characters. Maybe Feltock, since it seems like he's not totally happy with his position, but isn't actually doing anything to change it. I like Falcio best, but he reminds me of Ned Stark from Games of Thrones- maybe too loyal and honest for his own good.
9. In chapter 7, Feltock and Falcio have a conversation about what happened the day the King was murdered. Feltock said he was demoted because he "forgot to laugh." What are your thoughts on this? What do you think he meant? Do you think it showed disloyalty to the Dukes?
It reminds me of those stories you hear about dictatorships where everyone makes sure to cheer for the dictator as loud as possible, because you get in trouble if you don't seem happy enough. So he wasn't loud enough with his support and was punished for it.
10. What are your thoughts on the continued arguments Brasti, Kest, and Falcio have concerning fulfilling his quest to find the charoites? Why do you think they have different viewpoints on what is most important?
It's really the difference between holding onto a dream, and giving in to what seems like the harsh realities of the world. Falcio still holds onto the hope they can change things for the better.
11. Valiana is the daughter of two powerful Dukes, one of whom helped kill King Paelis. However, it is still unclear who's side she's on, given Kest's opinion and what she does later concerning the Tiarren family. Will she turn out to be on the Dukes' side or the Greatcoats' side? Explain your reasoning.
She's young so she's could probably be influenced to be a good person. And it seemed like she was concerned for that family when Falcio was yelling at her in the street
12. I have been really intrigued by and appreciative of the author's writing style, dry humor, and story building. What are your thoughts on how the story has been built, flashbacks intertwined and all? How about the dry humor and witty banter?
I've really liked it so far. The flashback keep me wanting to read more, so I can figure out what's going on- though I do find myself also getting impatient becase I just want to know whats going on!
13. What is something you still have unanswered questions about after having read this section?
Well now I just want to know how long the plan to make Valiana princess has been going on. Falcio says they had to plan it before the good king was even a threat to the Dukes, so I'm curious about that. I think I know who the assassin was from the first chapter, but I'm wrong a lot so we'll see about that