Warhost of Vastmark [Apr 15, 2018]

[Daniel]

Choko wrote: "Twenty % in... I HATE Lysear! I rarely hate a book character so much, but the way he spins everything and makes his brother look like a monster even when he is being nice, honorable and ernest, mak..."

I guess it would be easiet to say the author is very good at making conflict and balance at the same time :D. Enjoy it keeps getting better!

[Choko]

Daniel wrote: "Choko wrote: "Twenty % in... I HATE Lysear! I rarely hate a book character so much, but the way he spins everything and makes his brother look like a monster even when he is being nice, honorable a..."

I am loving it, her style of storytelling is exactly what tickles my fancy, but I just want that asshole to get his own! I guess he reminds me of a real good crooked politician, the type who win your loyalty and then screw you and expect you to like it... In those situations I feel hopeless and helpless as well...

[Choko]

Laura wrote: "I love Asandir also. :) But Sethvir is by far my favourite.

The magic is great! I don't think I've ever read anything else with such a complex and intricate magic system.
Mage powers combined wit..."

OMG!!! I totally feel the same!!!! It broke my heart!!!

[Choko]

Olivia wrote: "Thanks to my visitor, I did fall behind. But ready to rock now!

Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]

Chapter 2: [spoilers removed]

So far this book is wonderful :)"

I agree with everything! And really, his handling of Tharrick was amazing! Also, what the heck are those naughty twins thinking??? They will destroy their mother!

[Daniel]

@Choko great analogy except in this case Lysaer might be a world class crooked politician but he doesn’t have limitless power....thank goodness!

[Choko]

Daniel wrote: "@Choko great analogy except in this case Lysaer might be a world class crooked politician but he doesn’t have limitless power....thank goodness!"

Amen to that!!! Which brings me to my anger with the "merchants"... Aren't they so proud of taking the "royal regime" out all those years ago, and now they are practically putting Lysear on a throne over a much larger "kingdom" than his ancestors ruled, and he doesn't even have to try very hard... I really resent that...

[Daniel]

Hmmm well Lysaer has convinced most people Arithon is wicked and only Lysaer himself can save everyone. Wurts does a really good job creating conflict with readers...yay for us lol.

[Sandra]

Daniel wrote: "@Laura spoiler for chapter 8
[spoilers removed]"

Doesn’t Arithon say to Dakar that he himself doesn’t know what motivates him?

And I didn’t comment on any of the amazing events at the end because I’m sure to spoil something and mess up those #$&@ spoiler tags!

[Sandra]

Choko wrote: "Twenty % in... I HATE Lysear! I rarely hate a book character so much, but the way he spins everything and makes his brother look like a monster even when he is being nice, honorable and ernest, mak..."

He does have nightmares that get worse as time goes on! And he manages to surround himself with people who do his dirty work for him.

[Daniel]

@ Sandra, I don’t remember Arithon saying that to Dakar, but it certainly sounds like something he would say.....although between sarcasm and self deprecation it is really difficult to take anything he says to Dakar seriously...:D

[Laura]

Choko wrote: "Twenty % in... I HATE Lysear! I rarely hate a book character so much, but the way he spins everything and makes his brother look like a monster even when he is being nice, honorable and ernest, mak..."

I do blame the people also in this case. Why the heck do they simply believe him like that?! When they have had Arithon staying with them for auch a long time. Just because Lysaer looks great and is shiny and golden? They simply jump on his side without second thought. Lysaer wouldn't have this power unless people actually gave it to him. And I'm not talking about power over light here. I'm talking about the power over people's lives.

[Daniel]

@Laura so very very true

[Choko]

Laura wrote: "Choko wrote: "Twenty % in... I HATE Lysear! I rarely hate a book character so much, but the way he spins everything and makes his brother look like a monster even when he is being nice, honorable a..."

I know!!!!! Exactly!!! It gets me sooooo upset!

[Choko]

Daniel wrote: "@Laura so very very true"

I can't put it down! This book is sooo good!

Ch. 3... My heart is broken for those (view spoiler)[ kids! (hide spoiler)]

[Daniel]

‘‘Twas my favorite out of the first three!

[Laura]

same for me. :)

[Olivia]

OH MY GOD I AM LAUGHING.

Chapter 5

(view spoiler)[Princess Talith weathered her forced passage to the Cascains with all the ill grace of a brooding goose in a pullet’s crate. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Olivia wrote: "OH MY GOD I AM LAUGHING.

Chapter 5

[spoilers removed]"

That was really great! :D

[Olivia]

Chapter 5 done (view spoiler)[Jinesse is really disappointing me. She just forgets about every experience with Arithon. I get she’s worried about her children. But come on. Also Tharrick just follows her blindly now? Also is Talith okay? She’s so.....removed from reality. Doesn’t care at all for anyone but her. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Olivia wrote: "Chapter 5 done [spoilers removed]"

Exactly the same thing I thought only I wasn't so gentle in writing it down! :)

[Alissa]

Poor Lysaer, so misguided (?). Nope, he's cold-headed.

[Olivia]

Chapter 6

Ok so (view spoiler)[ I really liked how Talith made up her own mind and tried to get through to Lysaer. But that man isn’t listening to anything is he? Then the news about the poor captain? The words don’t befriend anymore innocents really made me angry. Also I can’t believe Arithon let her “escape” lol (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Janny has a few questions for us on the Q&A thread. Would you guys please head over there a bit also?

[Daniel]

I went and read her questions. Not sure I should answer any being such a newbie lol

[Laura]

You can provide feedback on what you'd like to have on that thread Daniel. If you want some extra info or other stuff like that.

[Choko]

I think she is awesome to give us her time and attention like that! I love when an author I admire as a writer turns out to be a cool human being as well!!!

[Daniel]

Completely agree with you!

[Daniel]

@ Choko, Laura
Major props to both of you for having the courage to ask Janny for as much as she is willing to give!!

[Laura]

I'm actually scared now that she may not want to stick with us anymore.
It's so absolutely mindblowing that she would find the time to check our thread and see our talks that I'm affraid to make a wrong move or say a wrong thing and upset her or drive her away with small questions.

I've previously arranged a Q&A with another younger author and he left the thread very early withouth answering more than a few questions. Having someone so great like Janny being here for us this way is unbelievable!
I hope she won't think that I had asked too much.

[Olivia]

I just got up and you guys already answered all questions. So it feels weird for me to butt in. I’m off to read the next chapter with my morning coffee.

[Laura]

😁😁Please butt in Olivia. From your point of view.

And I forgot to ask you your oppinion of Talith. (view spoiler)[I resented her in the beginning but after the talk with Lysaer and his reaction I find her not that bad and really feel sorry for her. Is it the same with you? (hide spoiler)]

[Olivia]

Yes, I fully agree with you, Laura. (Chapter 6 spoilers) (view spoiler)[I thought she was very mature in the way she made up her own mind and got to the conclusion that Arithon isn't just evil. I also felt really angry at Lysaer for just dismissing her as having been hexed and manipulated, she's a grown woman she can make up her own mind, thank you very much lol (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

We think the same. :D

I am waiting for you to read chapter 7. That one put me on my knees. It was like a sucker punch that left me horrified and numb.

[Olivia]

WHAT NOW, LYSAER?? *reads*

[Olivia]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)["When at the last the white signal flew to end the bow-fire, Caolle was unashamedly weeping." (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, I didn't plan on being happy today, anyway.

[Laura]

Yes. I felt like doing the same as Caolle. :(

On the bright side, you'll probably laugh yourself silly in chapter 8 also.

[Olivia]

Again Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[Alone under stars, Dakar bent his tangled head to Arithon's shoulder and mourned. He could scarcely cry for the wasted lives.... He knew as no other that the day's burden of horror could never in life be lifted from the spirit of the man who slept enspelled in his arms...." (hide spoiler)]

Maybe I'm planning never to be happy again.

Also end of chapter 7.... (view spoiler)[DID THEY JUST KILL THE TWENTY-FIVE SO THEY COULD NOT SPEAK? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Olivia wrote: "Again Chapter 7 [spoilers removed]

Maybe I'm planning never to be happy again.

Also end of chapter 7.... [spoilers removed]"

Regarding the first part - That's what I loved in this chapter. Dakar's (view spoiler)[understanding and gentle care, while that suffering all around broke my heart. I had almost reached the point of not being able to stand Dakar and now he is again among my favourites. And poor Arithon! The sorrow, regret and guilt weighing him down are so masterfully decribed that ... it becomes unbearable. (hide spoiler)]

And as for the second: EXACTLY!!! (view spoiler)[and what for?! The honour of a beloved sister?! I wanted to rip that guy's head off! 😡😡😡 (hide spoiler)]

[Daniel]

Laura wrote: "I'm actually scared now that she may not want to stick with us anymore.
It's so absolutely mindblowing that she would find the time to check our thread and see our talks that I'm affraid to make a..."

You were so polite I sincerely doubt Janny will be anything other than glad to help. Also, she seems to enjoy expounding upon her universe!

[Olivia]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[Yeah, those bits were funny and the 20K men left me a bit cold, I found the 500 previous ones very much worse and I just feel like for Arithon it's very much "least amount of suffering" justifies the means. Which obviously could open up a big ethics discussion. (hide spoiler)]

Last 40 pages now!

[Choko]

Olivia wrote: "I just got up and you guys already answered all questions. So it feels weird for me to butt in. I’m off to read the next chapter with my morning coffee."

Me too! I walk up eager knowing I have a good book to finish:)

[Olivia]

Chapter 9, like 20 pages before ending: (view spoiler)[NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Edit: *takes deep breath* I'm ok, it's all good. (hide spoiler)]

[Olivia]

Ok done. And I'm a bit in love with this series. Just a bit.

[Laura]

Olivia wrote: "Chapter 9, like 20 pages before ending: [spoilers removed]"

😁😁😁😁 I love your reaction! Mine was the same. :D

And about the love part, I think I'm already head over heels!

[Laura]

Daniel wrote: "Laura wrote: "I'm actually scared now that she may not want to stick with us anymore.
It's so absolutely mindblowing that she would find the tim..."

Thank you Daniel. :)

[Daniel]

Janny is actively commenting and asking us to have certain discussions. She is totally into this. Appears the more feedback she gets, the more she will participate.

[Olivia]

About ethics and our two princes:

I wonder, though, is there, at all, anyone here who sees things even somewhat from Lysaer's side? I'm assuming not? Especially since he's been corrupted by the curse and now seems to have an excuse for anything and everything like, spoilers for this book, chapter 6 (view spoiler)[Talith can't possibly be right or someone one should listen to, she must have been corrupted by Arithon. (hide spoiler)] Lysaer refuses to see anything in a way that would make him look bad. If he admitted Arithon might not be the devil, it would make his own actions wrong and Lysaer can't be wrong, nope.

And is there anyone here who maybe judges Arithon for his actions? Or would say he did wrong? (Because while I wouldn't agree, [I love that man!] I could understand that point of view and it would be interesting to hear more.)

[Olivia]

Daniel wrote: "Janny is actively commenting and asking us to have certain discussions. She is totally into this. Appears the more feedback she gets, the more she will participate."

Janny Wurts is so lovely, I'm actively trying to find a place in this house where I could house 11 books in physical form!

[Daniel]

@Olivia- not necessarily seeing things from Lysaer’s side(impossible), rather it seems Lysaer has completely surrendered to the curse and therefore anything he does is okay, while at the same time Arithon is actively resisting the curse and constantly trying to same the greatest number of people regardless of how he does it.
Everyone is upset at Arithon for (view spoiler)[wasting five hundred and forty people at Haven (hide spoiler)], and yet nobody seems to care that Lysaer raised an army of forty thousand for the express purpose of killing one person! So who is to blame ?

[Olivia]

Daniel wrote: "@Olivia- not necessarily seeing things from Lysaer’s side(impossible), rather it seems Lysaer has completely surrendered to the curse and therefore anything he does is okay, while at the same time ..."

Agreed, Daniel, that's like (spoilers for book 1, just in case, one can never be too careful) (view spoiler)[everyone was upset with Arithon over the children, but Lysaer just annihilated everyone in one swift swoop and somehow that was ok. (hide spoiler)]