October 2017 - The Painted Man

[Peggy, Moderator]

One of the group reads for October is The Painted Man (aka The Warded Man). Please discuss the book in this thread.

Margo will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have completed the book before or during October 2017.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions.
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

[Peggy, Moderator]

I wasn't sure about joining the group read this month, but when I saw so many people voted for this book, and I've had it on my wishlsi for a while, I couldn't resist buying a copy. It's a second-hand copy from the US though, and it said delivery time is 7-26 business days. Usually these books arrive pretty fast (within 2 weeks), but it said in the confirmation mail that the estimated delivery date is November 9 :/

So I hope I can join, but if I do, I probably can't start very soon..

[Saar The Book owl]

I'll join. I wasn't sure if I would do a group read this month. My reading - mojo was gone and still need to finish a book, but I can't miss this. It's a promising book.

[Sarah, Moderator]

This is going to be great. I hope you can join in Peggy. I think you would enjoy it.

[Travis]

The estimated delivery days are often much faster than they first say. Hopefully it gets sped up Peggy. I got one saying my book would arrive in 4-6 weeks and it showed up 2 days later. (Not this book I already owned it)

I plan to read this just not sure when. I plan to go straight through the whole series so I may wait until after toppler. Depends, I'm debating if I want to go book to book or maybe give a couple weeks in between each book so I don't get sick of the series on my reread.

[Jake]

Just got it today! Really excited to start!

[Margo]

Jake and Saar I am so glad you are joining the read:-) Peggy I really hope you won't have to wait til Nov for your copy but a good read is worth the wait!!

Sarah and Travis have got me very excited about this book. I started it a few days ago just meaning to get a flavour of it but I was sucked right in! I'd finished chapter 3 before I knew it.

The first two chapters are long which usually puts me off but in this case I couldn't tear myself away. The characters are entirely believable and the plot is intriguing. I can't think why I left this book on my shelf for so long.

I'm on my kindle at the moment which always gives me problems with spoiler tags ( and with other things) so I'll give more detail on my first impressions tomorrow.

[Lisa]

I will be joining in with this read, but I might not start it until after the toppler.

[Eliestal]

I will be joining as well starting tomorrow! This book seems very interesting so I can't wait to start it!

[Cherie]

Margo- I just finished the first two chapters. I totally agree about the characters. The story line sucks one right in and makes it hard to put down. (view spoiler)[Magic realism is hit and miss for me but the information given so far, with the "history lesson" given by the Jongleur, Keerin, in chapter 2, was enough to set the stage and make me want to go on. So much death! The demons are like wild animals that come in the dark. Oh, I felt so bad for Arlen, under that pig trough all night with his mother. So much has happened in two chapters! (hide spoiler)]

[Jake]

Just starting it tonight! I’ve got a nice fall smelling candle and some nice lights in my room cuddled up with a blanket!

[Cherie]

I tried to convince myself to stop and read my challenge book but my finger didn't want to press the button for the other book. I just blew through chapter 3. (view spoiler)[ I think we might have gleaned something here, but it has not jelled in my mind yet. Something about the wards. (hide spoiler)]

[Ben]

Going to start reading this after I’ve finished my current book. Can’t wait to start it.

[Margo]

Clement and Ben, glad to have you aboard ;-)

[Margo]

Cherie I was exactly the same! Last night I had to force myself back to finish the book I was reading for the annual challenge. Are you reading this one or listening?

Re cht 2 and 3 (view spoiler)[ yes, the "history lesson" answered many of my questions. It was a great way of informing readers. I love the idea of the Jongleur traveling from town to town and teaching children. There is indeed a lot of death and the children seem to have become immune to it.

Arlen is a very likable character. I was a bit sceptical that a book where the main characters were children would engage me (Harry Potter Aside!) but Arlen seems a lot more mature than the 11 yr olds I know! I guess constant exposure to the Corlings means that kids grow up fast.

What did you think of Arlens father? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah, Moderator]

If you're interested, the grim gathering author q&a's (including Peter V Brett) were recorded by someone and you can listen to them online at https://www.facebook.com/mitriel/vide...

[Sarah, Moderator]

I will join you guys after the toppler.

[Margo]

Ooh, I'll listen to that later! Glad you'll be joining in later Sarah, I know you love this series and I think sometimes a reread brings new insight.

[Sarah, Moderator]

Rereads are not something I normally do but as it's my favourite series and I've forgotten lots of details from the book (which became apparent whilst reading book 4 in the series just a couple weeks back), I thought I'd give it a go. Like Travis, I'm planning on working my way through the whole series again although it may not be back to back.

[Cherie]

Before I quit last night I was at Part II.

[Margo]

Cherie wrote: "Before I quit last night I was at Part II."

Wow, you are flying through it :-)

[Cherie]

Margo wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Before I quit last night I was at Part II."

Wow, you are flying through it :-)"

It really is hard to put down.

Re ch 2 and 3 spoiler and Arlen's father. (view spoiler)[ I do not think the children are immune to the deaths, it is just a fact of life to them. Is that immune? I think the community life means that they have more than just a mother and a father because they all have to pull together and help each other - more like an extended family. I think the children definitely grow up fast!

Funny about the comment of an 11 yo as the main character. It seems like the last three books I looked at yesterday, when I was gophering for toppler books all had 11 yo children in them.

I was disappointed in Arlen's father, for the same reasons that Arlen was. He knew he had failed, and instead of trying to make a failing situation better, he went the opposite way. I think this was needed to set us up for where Arlen is going and what is to happen later in the story. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 4 (view spoiler)[Another pre-teen MC, a girl this time. Whew, her mother is something else! Another small town. Oh, I was so hoping not to have the "Creator/God" overtones. Why do all humans seem to have to have the whole guilt/sin thing on top of all of the other hardships that they face? Now we have a bible thumping clergy waiting for the Deliverer to come and save them from the Plague of their sins. I liked the old healer woman, Bruna. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Cherie - Arlens father (view spoiler)[Yes, he was very disappointing. I would hope to have a bit more fight in me but I wonder how paralysing the fear would be, especially if you had been told your entire life that there was no point fighting, you could only lose. I would hope that if my family were under attack I would at least try to protect them
(hide spoiler)]

Cht 4 and 5 (view spoiler)[ I like the little word plays "You'll have night to pay" and earlier I think it was "son of a corling".
Like Cherie I thought Leesha's mother (phonetic spelling!)
is an over-sexed hypocrite and an abusive parent. I love Brunas character. I want Leesha to become her apprentice. I was so upset when the girl got her period! Now she has run out into the night :0 (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

RE Arlen's father (view spoiler)[ It seems that the people in the villiages have become to rely so heavily on the wards to keep them safe that they do not even question any kind of ability to fight back to save themselves or their loved ones. He told Arlen "You can't fight demons, Arlen. No one can." I can understand their failing to try, but after the speech that Jeph had made about "if it was you out there with the corelings, " he said, "or your mam, I swear I would fight like mad before I let them get near you." (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ was heartbreaking. Elona and Steave are awful and I cannot believe Gared could be such a braggart. I guess he was too dumb to understand how badly his talking could hurt Leesha. (hide spoiler)]

[Jake]

Started reading last night, I absolutely couldn’t put it down, I just got soo tired I fell asleep with it on top of me

[Jenn]

Wow, what a page turner :) Just starting chapter 9. It has already touched on some big topics (view spoiler)[ fight vs. flight, fear, survivors guilt (not a survivor until you pass the year and a day), the strength of community, and the strength of the mob. I'm really liking Arlen and Leesha, just not sure if Rojer is old enough to really be an MC? (hide spoiler)] And, now back to the book :)

[Cherie]

My main database and work tool was down at work today and allowed me to get in a little more reading time than usual. I just got to Section III, Chapter 17.

So much has happened. I love it!

I'm going to do some gophering for the toppler tomorrow.

[Eliestal]

I started reading yesterday but haven't got much time to read much because of work. I am currently in chapter two when (view spoiler)[Arlen needs to find someone to heal the demon fever. I like the behaviour of Arlen who is willing to act where everyone else just want to hide behind the wards and wait out the storm. This was a good introduction to the village day to day life and the history of the world and since Arlen needs to go outside the village it will only get better. (hide spoiler)]
I will read more of it soon!

[Margo]

Jake wrote: "Started reading last night, I absolutely couldn’t put it down, I just got soo tired I fell asleep with it on top of me"

That's a real sign of a good book Jake lol

[Sarah, Moderator]

I haven't read any spoilers yet but I'm so pleased to hear that everyone is enjoying the book and struggling to pit it down.

[Margo]

Jenn wrote: "Wow, what a page turner :) Just starting chapter 9. It has already touched on some big topics [spoilers removed] And, now back to the book :)"

I'm on chapter 8 Jenn - not far behind you ;-) As you say, it is a real page turner and quite hard to put down.

I'll have to get my skates on and do some serious listening done!

[Margo]

Clément wrote: "I started reading yesterday but haven't got much time to read much because of work. I am currently in chapter two

Cpt 2 (view spoiler)[ Arlenes behavior certainly wasn't learned from his father! His mother was pretty brave when it when it was needed though. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy, Moderator]

I'm glad you're all enjoying it so much. I want my copy! Now!

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "I'm glad you're all enjoying it so much. I want my copy! Now!"

You're having a bad time with monthly reads Peggy :(

[Jake]

It sure is, the story is very complex and interesting

[Travis]

I'm tempted to peak at spoiler but it's been so long since I read this I don't want to spoil my reread so no spoiler peaking yet anyway

[Sarah, Moderator]

Travis sivarT wrote: "I'm tempted to peak at spoiler but it's been so long since I read this I don't want to spoil my reread so no spoiler peaking yet anyway"

I was toying with it too but I don't want to ruin the reread.

[Ben]

Wow, you're all ploughing your way through it so fast. Only 100 pages left of my current book and then I start.

[Cherie]

Ben wrote: "Wow, you're all ploughing your way through it so fast. Only 100 pages left of my current book and then I start."

No rush, Ben. We have the whole month and someone will always be just starting or just finishing. Most folks come back and check the comments throughout the month and read spoilers when they are ready. Just be sure say where you are and mark your comments with spoilers, if your comments will give anything in the story away.

[Jake]

Again tonight I could not put it down but it’s getting late and I must go to bed!

[Janice, Moderator]

Wow! It sounds like a winner.

[Cherie]

There are times, reading a story like this, with multiple main characters, when one wants to SCREAM! Turn the page - and it is someone else's turn. (If you read any of The Game of Thrones books, you know what I mean.)

[Margo]

Glad everyone seems to be enjoying it. It seems I'm really lagging behind. I got caught up in Toppler preparations yesterday and got very little actual reading in! I've just got to the end of section 1. I'm waiting for Ben I think ;-)

Cherie I know that feeling so well :-D It means the writer has done their job well lol

[Eliestal]

Margo wrote: "Glad everyone seems to be enjoying it. It seems I'm really lagging behind. I got caught up in Toppler preparations yesterday and got very little actual reading in! I've just got to the end of secti..."

I am also lagging behind (even more than you are) because of work :(. But the little I can read I enjoy. I should have more time starting thursday so I will catch up little by little.
I am quite new here (it is my first group read), but like Cherie said, it seems like there will always be someone here to talk with about the book.

[Ben]

Margo wrote: "Glad everyone seems to be enjoying it. It seems I'm really lagging behind. I got caught up in Toppler preparations yesterday and got very little actual reading in! I've just got to the end of secti..."

Cheers Margo, I'm about 100 pages off finishing my current read so I'll hopefully be able to finish it this evening.

[Jake]

How do you guys use the spoiler tag. I would like to write something but am unsure of how to use it. Any help welcome, thanks.

[Cherie]

Jake wrote: "How do you guys use the spoiler tag. I would like to write something but am unsure of how to use it. Any help welcome, thanks."

Jake - if you are in the online tool vs a mobile app - there is a link in the upper right of the the comment box (some html is ok). If you press it, it shows you how to do it. If you are using a mobile app you cannot see it, but you can still write spoilers, but it is hard to show how. The unfortunate part is that you cannot read the spoilers in a mobile app though. If you write a comment using the < and > with the word spoiler in the middle and then put /spoiler inside the < and > at the end, it hides the comment.

[Danisha]

I was just wondering if anyone else is reading the edition titled



- The Warded Man instead of the - The Painted Man?

[Jake]

Alright thanks Cherie! I’ll go on my laptop and write it