Sword-Maker [Nov 2017]

[Emily]

Laura wrote: "Just finished chapter 11 and I like it.
Can't really say Del makes me angry. By now I believe she has given up so much to that sword of hers that there is no clear line in between Del and sword. I..."

I totally see where you're coming from Laura and I don't disagree on any of your points. (view spoiler)[ I just think when Tiger told her what she did to him, ie. forcing him back into slavery, that was pretty cruel and wrong and I think she needs to see that, aside from her own grief she needs to see that. I can see that she is trying to justify herself to Tiger and explain to him why family is so important to her, etc but what she did was still wrong and I would like to see her stop making excuses and just admit that. After that I will totally grieve with her for everything she lost, but she is just being stubborn. I also think that her trying to justify it means that deep inside she already knows it was wrong, I'd just like to see her character grow a bit and be able to admit it. I still love Del and I love her with Tiger, Just hoping she can grow and change (for the better) like Tiger is doing.

You have a pretty solid point about the Del/sword combo though.
It's possible there isn't all that much Delilah left at the moment until her mission is complete. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Up to Ch 6 and yeah, she is so broken, she has lost her ability to "see" what she is doing and what she should be doing... I am not angry with her, but just as Tiger, I feel like shaking her back to sanity. She is going to have to deal with a lot of pain and loss until getting her equilibrium back, I think...

[Emily]

Yea I hear you Choko. I think my wanting to shake her is what I mean by angry. Sad and frustrated more than angry I guess.

[Choko]

Exactly, Em. I think she has been unraveling in front of our eyes ever since she found and had to leave her brother... Talk about a blade without a name...

[Emily]

Choko wrote: "Exactly, Em. I think she has been unraveling in front of our eyes ever since she found and had to leave her brother... Talk about a blade without a name..."

Indeed. It's also hard to read because I can see that she is trying to let Tiger in by explaining how the North works and why these things mean so much but its just not working. Tiger doesn't get it. I know some people were frustrated last book because Del kept saying 'you don't understand' but the truth of it is that he doesn't understand. Hopefully he will one day. Hopefully they'll get their groove back. ;)

[Mayim]

Choko wrote: "Up to Ch 6 and yeah, she is so broken, she has lost her ability to "see" what she is doing and what she should be doing... I am not angry with her, but just as Tiger, I feel like shaking her back t..."

It is his understanding that speaks volumes about how much he cares about her and loves her, even if he does not use these words.

[Choko]

It does speak of his love for her that despite everything he is sticking around. But even he has to work on forgiving her for not understanding how completely unacceptable it is to bargain with the freedom of an ex slave... He doesn't understand her and she doesn't understand him either... I think this is the magnetic quality of this book, their efforts to be close and not really knowing what and how to do it!

[Shaitarn]

I totally agree with you, Emily: (view spoiler)[all she has to do is admit she was wrong, and her inability to do that (and she must know how wrong it was) makes me want to shake her! I'm actually wondering if all northerners are stupidly stubborn and difficult, though - I mean how many times did Tiger say he didn't want a jivatma sword?! (hide spoiler)]

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

The horse is also my favorite. Lol

You all are having such great dialogue about this series. I'm excited to join in when you hit the final book. :)

[Emily]

Shaitarn wrote: "I totally agree with you, Emily: [spoilers removed]"

Hahaha, so true! Darn stubborn Northerners!

[Emily]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "The horse is also my favorite. Lol

You all are having such great dialogue about this series. I'm excited to join in when you hit the final book. :)"

Looking forward to it Niki. :)

[Choko]

Somewhere around Ch. 20... Well, (view spoiler)[ at least her apology was very sincere, but she still found a way to piss him off later😀. They are getting back on track. I am happy about that. I think they are very good for each other. However, I am nervous about both of theirs shape and stamina. Work out, guys! (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I am worried about that blade now. He is right to be scared of it.. And is it me, or is this gathering look like a trap?

[Emily]

Just finished part 1 (view spoiler)[ Thank you Del!!! Now I can grieve with you. heart breaking but necessary. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Choko wrote: "It does speak of his love for her that despite everything he is sticking around. But even he has to work on forgiving her for not understanding how completely unacceptable it is to bargain with the..."

I totally agree with that. And this is the main reason for which I like this 3rd book better than the previous 2.
Just finished Part 1 last night and will get right to part 2.

[Laura]

Emily wrote: "Laura wrote: .
..."

You are right about that Emily. And I think she (view spoiler)[does know it: that she did wrong with both Tiger and her daughter. She just didn't want to admit it. Because if she did, she would have had to take a look deep inside herself and see the darkness and emptiness inside. I think she may be more afraid of that then anything else. And I wonder what will become of her after her Anjani is dead. Only Tiger seems to be wondering and worrying about that. The poor fellow loves her and I don't even know if she really sees it. (hide spoiler)]

[Solseit]

I finished the book last night.
I stick with my initial assessment - for me parts I and II are a lot weaker than book 2. Part III finally delivers at the highest level!

[Mayim]

Choko wrote: "Somewhere around Ch. 20... Well, [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Sincere but out of blue. I couldn't find any logical explanation for it besides the author's desire to wrap up. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Laura wrote: "Emily wrote: "Laura wrote: .
..."

You are right about that Emily. And I think she [spoilers removed]"

I think she realizes it on some level, but because she doesn't believe she would live past the accomplishment of her goal, she is not allowing herself to let go and feel... I am hurting for both of them...

[Choko]

Mayim wrote: "Choko wrote: "Somewhere around Ch. 20... Well, [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I understand... I think the fact that they are stuck together for a while and this tension was going to break eventually, this was the best way to go:)

[Laura]

I finished it but can't see your spoilers or post with spoilers either. My wifi is not working: server down. :(
For me this one was better than the previous 2 books. I really liked it.

[Laura]

Choko wrote: "Somewhere around Ch. 20... Well, [spoilers removed]"


Felt quite the same and just as Emily said (view spoiler)[now I can grieve with her. And feel sorry for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Shaitarn]

Finished! I really enjoyed it at the end. I think I agree with most of you; here are my thoughts, jumbled up and in no real order.
(view spoiler)[It took a while, but Del finally admitted she was wrong to try selling Tiger's freedom for a year. As Mayim said, it was a bit out of the blue, but I'm going to assume after he reminded her of his early life as a slave she did some hard thinking. And the whole thing about Del having no family to sing songs which is so important to her whole culture - so sad! I suppose that's another reason why she's so driven and obsessed.
The jhihadi - did anyone not think it was going to be Ajani in the end? I felt it was kind of signposted a little too much. But I'm glad Del got her revenge so spectacularly.
And that bit at the end, with Tiger claiming that Jamail pointed at him made me laugh out loud - the arrogance of the man! Oh, Tiger, don't ever change! (hide spoiler)]
Overall I really loved it and am hopefully that we'll see more growth in them both in the next book, particularly Del. I hope there'll be some healing for her in the future.

[Choko]

Shaitarn wrote: "Finished! I really enjoyed it at the end. I think I agree with most of you; here are my thoughts, jumbled up and in no real order.
It took a while, but Del finally admitted she was wrong to try se..."

Completely agree!!! I love Tiger and his mix of insecurities and boasting! But I wonder if he isn't right as to whom the Oracle pointed a finger toward... He was my choice for that, not Ajani...

Loved the book and am starting to really love the series! So glad we are reading them all. I actually got all of them in real book form to own, and nowadays I do that very rarely...

[Emily]

I'm hoping to finish this one soon! I'm glad you're all enjoying them, they made it onto my favorites list the first time I read them, it's really fun re-reading and discussing with you all. I see things a little differently this time around too which I find cool. New insights and changing opinions over the years. :)

[Mayim]

Shaitarn wrote: "Finished! I really enjoyed it at the end. I think I agree with most of you; here are my thoughts, jumbled up and in no real order.
It took a while, but Del finally admitted she was wrong to try se..."

Shaitarn, you are completely right. I think *signposted* is a euphemism in this case (view spoiler)[as the "man of many parts" phrase was repeated so often that only "hoolies!" was inserted more often (hide spoiler)].

[Choko]

Mayim wrote: "Shaitarn wrote: "Finished! I really enjoyed it at the end. I think I agree with most of you; here are my thoughts, jumbled up and in no real order.
It took a while, but Del finally admitted she wa..."

Hahaha! Tooo true!:)