Stormed Fortress [Sept 23, 2018]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Later

[Laura]

When are we staring this?

[Olivia]

I'm still here guys, not giving up....

WE FOUND A HOUSE! Now all the background checks have to go through, and then we can hopefully move on the 3rd of November... I might not be as active as I live amid cardboard boxes weeping because I've just got TOO MUCH STUFF! But, I'm reading whenever I can.

I'm about halfway through Traitor's Knot and halfway through Hell's Chasm. I hope to finish both of those at some point by next Sunday. That gives me 7 days!

Feel free to start this, I should catch up now that I'm no longer flailing about.

[Laura]

That's great Olivia!

But neither Daniel nor Choko seem to want to start sooner so I'll wait for you. We can all read it together. One more week shouldn't make that much of a difference. :)

[Laura]

Edit to my last comment:

Daniel and I will be starting this on Friday. But we'll stay on the thread for any who start later.

[Choko]

I am so sorry I have been dragging behind... I just can't manage my time at all these days...

[Sandra]

Well it’s exciting. There haven’t been any new comments in the Hells Chasm thread for several days.

[Laura]

@Sandra - Yes. I agree. Olivia and Daniel are still reading and I feel a bit stupid highjacking that thread 😎 💣💥to smother everyone with long comments so I'm bottling it up and working on a review to show why that's THE BOOK 💕💖 for me. :D
Are you starting Stormed Fortress with Daniel and I tomorrow also?

@Choko - take your time lovely, I'll still keep a watch on the thread even after I'm done and will be ready to rant or gush with you as you read. :)

[Sandra]

@Laura - yes I’ll be with you!

[Laura]

Sandra wrote: "@Laura - yes I’ll be with you!"

Thank you! 😘

[Laura]

Chapter 1 - I don't think I would have been able to do that in his place.

(view spoiler)[Arithon had Sulfin Evend at his feet. And after what the SOB did to Jieret, Arithon isn't even angry with him. I get why. I mean I think I do. Because Arithon himself has just gone through a horrible ordeal and because he is tired and weary of suffering and other bad stuff. And because of the compassion!

Because vengeance or blame doesn't ease the sorrow or heart-ache. And because we all make mistakes and life can't be lived without harm to others.
All very true and Arithon is right... but still I would have given the guy at least a nice trashing. Or perhaps used some magic and made him feel what Jieret did. Tit for tat before sending him on his way. (hide spoiler)]

It was pretty great of the man to do what he did. And I'm a little ashamed to say that I would have barred my fangs and brought out my claws in his place. 😾👿 (shhh - don't tell anyone cause I won't admit to it! 🤫🤫🤫)

[Laura]

I forgot Sulfin Evend - Is he right?
(view spoiler)[He is convinced that Lysaer is a great man but the Curse and only the curse is misleading him and turning his cause and his actions to an obsession. Is he right? Is only the Curse at fault or even Lysaer?

And if only the Curse is acting, then can I blame Lysaer? How much of the blame for all the wrong does Lysaer the man shoulder? Where is the guilt? With him, with the curse or with both?

No matter what I cannot find him blameless. Right now, at this point, it's difficult to feel for him and not to assign him at least a bit of fault.

But what if Sulfin Even is right? What if it's 90% curse and only 10% Lysaer? I very much doubt it but what if? (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

10% is still 10%. Lysaer made a decision to lie back at the beginning. He doesn’t fight it. He doesn’t even whole heartedly believe it’s a curse. Think of what Arithon went thru in the maze. He’s still got some groveling to do.

[Laura]

Yes. Very true. But still after (view spoiler)[Arithon asks Sulfin to take care of him and after Sulfin's loyalty ... I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty that I'm blaming and hating him so much. Arithon makes me reconsider my "hating" and "blaming".
And damn. That paragraph with the mention about hate and wrong and past - that really makes you reconsider your own thoughts and attitude.

If someone would take Arithon out of the pages of this book and bring him to our world and make him rule I too would follow him blindly. I'd be devoted to the guy. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I also forgot to mention about Arithon. I loved the way (view spoiler)[Janny made him recover over here. I loved it that he didn't go through that horrible ordeal and emerge unscathed. I loved it that he needed time to heal and I loved it that music brought that healing.
His reactions to his caretakers were so real and the way he clutched the lyrante like a lifeline - so very touching. I loved that part.
He would have been too perfect otherwise. To go through all that ugly horrid stuff and come out as if nothing happened. That would have made him too... untouchable. I'm happy he wasn't written that way. (hide spoiler)]

I've read up to chapter 4 but didn't have time to make my update or post the comments. I'll do that this evening.

[Laura]

Chapter 2

Donkey, donkey!! Where are you?!
I'll give you a big carot if you kick those 2!

And please make it a big nice kick, for them to really feel it.

(view spoiler)[Jeynsa and Fionn Areth - that's who I want the donkey to kick. They really piss me off.

Her mother and the council have been duped by Rathain's corrupt prince?! Duh?! Get your head out of the bucket girl and start using your brains!!

And then she meets up with idiot no.2 and they both curse the "murdering bastard". Enough to make you want to bash their heads together.
At least I aree with Fionn Areth in saying that Jeynsa is worse than 'flat witless'.

And then same 2 smart arses condemn same murdering bastard for not coming to murder more people to save the allies.

Now do they want to kill him or to use him? Or perhaps both? And I want to shout at them: Will you 2 idiots decide already?! (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

@ Laura - yes, Arithon does make you think about what is right, darn it lol! And amen about Jeynsa and Fionn Areth!

[Laura]

Sandra wrote: "@ Laura - yes, Arithon does make you think about what is right, darn it lol! And amen about Jeynsa and Fionn Areth!"

Good to know I'm not the only one feeling that way about those 2. :)

[Laura]

Chapter 3 - SAY WHAT?!?! 😖😡🤬

(view spoiler)[She knows now - Jeynsa KNOWS that her vision must have been something other than what she thought, because she was told Arithon was summoned to end the cult. She knows and what does she do?! She goes ahead and stoops to blackmail because ... Arithon owes her for Jieret's life?!
Oh come on! Grow up you insolent chit!

And I find it so damn sad and ironic that the duke blames Arithon for deserting them for a principle but they themselves are dead set to blackmail him into action because of ... wait for it ... same condemned principle!
Their ancestors lived there and their kind never turn tail and run. So the brothers must also stay and fight despite being warned not once but 4 times that their course is doomed to failure. Now if that's not acting on a principle I'll bite myself!

So you are condemned if you act on your principles if they are contrary to mine. At least that's the vibe I'm getting. And I'm so very dissapointed in the brothers for stooping to that.
(hide spoiler)]
That being said, I have a very strong feeling shit's just about to royally hit the fan.

[Laura]

Chapter 4 😱😨

But... but... you just said... GOOD GRIEF!! ... BUT YOU JUST SAID (view spoiler)[that only the sentries who shot down the messenger were guilty and that the innocent shouldn't be allowed to suffer for it!!! And then you go and burn everything and everyone down!!! Women and children and so many innocents... all burned to crisp or maimed or blinded!!! To send a message?!

To think that I was wondering if he may not be guilty?
I wish him a prime place in Sithaer's pits being roasted on a spit for all eternity.

And the poor baby is tormented in his sleep by the ghosts of those who have been killed. Am I supposed to feel sorry for him because of that? Sorry but no can do! Hope his torment increases exponentially ... ruthless monster! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 5 - Holy Shit! I did NOT see that coming!

(view spoiler)[Arithon got free of the curse! The Sunchildren freed him! Wow! I didn't see that coming.
And now I have to wonder also if Sethvir had known about it. Was that the reason Jeynsa was appointed? To force Arithon's hand and make this come true?

That being said, Bransian is starting to get on my nerves lashing out at everyone like that. I get it that he's grieving but still..
Hat's off to his wife who manages to curbe him. That is one hell of a lady! (hide spoiler)]

[Olivia]

Thanks for the patience and sorry for lagging behind!

[Laura]

That's ok Olivia. Daniel was supposed to start this with me but he didn't either.
I am reading it with Sandra and keep on going with 2 or 3 chapters a day. But, as I said, I'll stay on the thread even later. And I think Sandra will too.

You're gonna love this one. It's fantastic. Break-neck pace and so many reveals and unexpected stuff. I'm waiting to hear your thoughts on it.

[Sandra]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 4 😱😨

But... but... you just said... GOOD GRIEF!! ... BUT YOU JUST SAID that only the sentries who shot down the messenger were guilty and that the innocent shouldn't be allowed to suffer f..."

Oh, I know! 😢😭😱

[Sandra]

Yes, this book is something else! One heartbreaker after another with the occasional breath of relief and/or joy.

[Laura]

Sandra wrote: "Yes, this book is something else! One heartbreaker after another with the occasional breath of relief and/or joy."

Very true!

I also wanted to ask because I am not sure I got the hint in the right way. There was a mention at one time that (view spoiler)[Arithon completely destroyed one of the 3 cults of necromancers. But then it was also said that long before coming to Athera the practices of the Koriathain started to become corrupt, as well as the bond set on the crystals and the innitiates. Has the Koriathain been infiltrated by necromancy? Because that's the vibe I got. And after Morriel did what she did it doesn't even surprise me. (hide spoiler)]
Did you also understand the same?

[Sandra]

Laura wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Yes, this book is something else! One heartbreaker after another with the occasional breath of relief and/or joy."

Very true!

I also wanted to ask because I am not sure I got the h..."

(view spoiler)[ Yes! And what Morriel did WAS necromancy! A way of stealing souls. Totally evil. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Olivia]

Thank you, Laura, I appreciate it so much... feel a bit like letting you down, but it's a really stressful month and I'm terrible at focusing on books when stressed and tend to turn to Netflix. I was 9 books ahead at the beginning of September for my GR goal... all gone lol

I can't wait to get to this and share my thoughts!

[Sandra]

👍🏻

[Laura]

@Olivia - it's ok. Really. You take care and sort stuff out. This one is great! I think you're gonna love it. 😊

@Sandra - I had actually not been aware that (view spoiler)[what Morriel did was necromancy until you explained. I sort of had it wrongly categorised as possesion. But after that became clear and the comment about dark practices corrupting the Koriathain - bingo! Necromancy inside the order was the first bell that striked. I am still intrigued by why the Prime wants Arithon so badly? To break the compact I get. But I have a feeling there is something way more behind that. The crazy female seems obsessed about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapters 6 and 7 - My Oh My
(view spoiler)[Lysaer is cooly stepping on the Prime's twitching tail. And she doesn't take offense?! She'll use him ruthlessly like a game piece and I wonder if he'll eventually turn on her.

Fionn Areth actually doubts himself and is looking for faults in Arithon so that he doesn't have to look inside himself? I still think he's an idiot despite all that.

I find it so despicable the way that the Blessed Breeches shouts at his men calling then whipped dogs that mop at his heels because of a so called little defeat. Gah! He has no use for men who fall victim to hardship it seems. Fall victim to sheer arrogant stupidity if you ask me but unfortunately no one there dares to say it out loud.

And Bransian - did he just become mad because of his grief at loosing his brother? He's charging Arithon like a bull when faced with nothing but plain truth. I love the man but come on... (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 8 'Serves the damned idiot right!
Because the numb nuts doesn't know how to stay still or keep quiet. He seriously needs a filter magically installed between his brain and mouth. Though he seems to be lacking in that department also.

I was laughing so hard at the beginning of the chapter because of the bleating billy-goat's misfortunes! 😂🤣😃(view spoiler)[Doesn't he think at all? Really?! If the pent up energy of a people under siege is not directed into a coordinated activity, it may lead to all hell breaking loose. I loved the way Fionn was put to rights. (hide spoiler)]

But the next minute my heart was between my teeth because WTF?!! 😢😰😱 (view spoiler)[Bransian has gone mad... to stoop to that... and poor Sidir!!!

Then Arithon and Elaira started that healing in a fight against death and the scene was heartstopping!

And the Prime Bitch had to interfere to CUT THE BOND BETWEEN ELAIRA AND ARITHON??!
Why is she after that for crying out loud? What's her purpose in it?!

And I let my breath out only after Alithiel and the fortress rose to the defence. That was so unexpected and far out!! Brilliant! I loved it!
And I may have done a happy dance when the old hag was thrown back and slamed into the carvings. Not sorry about that. :D

On a side note, Lirenda's feelings are so complex and strong. I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up biting back for all the abuse she's being subjected to by the hag.

And Alithiel is intriguing. So complex in nature! I wonder what her full purpose is. And where the other swords of her kind are. (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

Laura wrote: "@Olivia - it's ok. Really. You take care and sort stuff out. This one is great! I think you're gonna love it. 😊

@Sandra - I had actually not been aware that [spoilers removed]"

It’s because of his mage skills.

[Sandra]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 8 'Serves the damned idiot right!
Because the numb nuts doesn't know how to stay still or keep quiet. He seriously needs a filter magically installed between his brain and mouth. Though he ..."

Oh I know! 😭

[Laura]

Sandra wrote: "Laura wrote: "@Olivia - it's ok. Really. You take care and sort stuff out. This one is great! I think you're gonna love it. 😊

@Sandra - I had actually not been aware that [spoilers removed]"

It’s..."

Ah! That makes sense now. Thank you. I hadn't thought of that. Kept digging far under and missing what was right in front of me.

[Laura]

Chapter 9 left me ... shell-shocked?! Speechless?! Openmouthed?! Horrified?!
That...that...(view spoiler)[that man I adored, together with the wife I admired .... they had Jeynsa clouted with a mailed fist and were just about to cut her hand off at the wrist!!! And no doubt they would have done it. And for what? For something that Arithon had already promised to give!!

I was so very dissapointed in them both. Especially since, even after Arithon chose not to take revenge, Bransian still kept goading him and calling him all sorts of names in disdain. I guess this really proves how people can change from good to bad at any moment. You grow to love them and then they kick you in the balls so bad that you'll remember it for the rest of your life. (hide spoiler)]😔😔😭

[Laura]

The end part of Chapter 9 almost broke my heart because (view spoiler)[Sethvir is my favourite! And he cannot die!!!!😭😭😭 And that was so close! (hide spoiler)]

And then Chapter 10 - the way (view spoiler)[Arithon sang! Oh my God! Straight to the heart!!! (hide spoiler)] That was so amazingly beautiful!
And then the old hag has to stick her claws in it and (view spoiler)[make everything go bad again. Now instead of understanding that Arithon sang for peace, everyone will believe his song was a ruse so that the brothers massacre the defenseless Alliance troups at will. I HATE that bitch with a passion!!! (hide spoiler)]

And then the end of the chapter came and
HOLY FRIGGING SHIRT!!!
(view spoiler)[Davien plegged his body to a great drake!! The great drake is now alive with Davien's help!!? Is that how he got his body back? The drake helped him for this reason in particular? (hide spoiler)]
I sure as hell didn't see THAT coming!!
And now I think he'll (view spoiler)[fly over and help Asandir also. (hide spoiler)] I need to keep reading to find out.

[Sandra]

I told you so! Ha! Great book! (view spoiler)[ I’m not sure about Davien’s relationship with the great drake. There’s more puzzling information to come. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Yes you did!! :) And it is awesome!
I am also not sure about that, but perhaps between the two of us we'll get to the bottom of it.

Do you know the difference between (view spoiler)[the s'Ahelas far-sight and the forevision of s'Dieneval? It was mentioned that Arithon has both but I can't tell the difference. Did I miss it? Or will it be revealed later? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 11





You Old Hag


(view spoiler)[THE PRIME gave the skulls to Raiett!!!! The Prime wanted the great drake to take revenge or a new grimward to appear. The old hag wanted the destruction!!! She was counting on it!!

BUT WHY?! Why would you destroy so much and kill so many innocents?! What the heck is wrong with her?! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

End of chapter 11

I am really worried now for (view spoiler)[Arithon because he has been in that trance for such a long time! For how long can he go on without draining himself to shreds? And the hag is waiting exactly for that to happen to spring her trap?! She must be planning something horrible again.
At least Elaira didn't cross the line and went against her order. But that was a real fine line there teaching Dakar how to make the talisman instead of making it herself. Wouldn't it go against the order even to give away that knowledge? (hide spoiler)]

I could do a happy dance here because (view spoiler)[Sulfin Evend send the hag packing. One big cheer for the Lord Commander!

And I loved the way the valet showed Lysaer that he holds Sulfin Evend in high esteem. Perhaps the idiot will stop and think a bit about the value of his friend this way. As his valet doesn't give that kind of treatment to anyone else.

Now the hag wants Sulfin dead and I hope her plan to kill him will backfire and bite her in the arse through Lysaer's fire. (hide spoiler)]

I am also intrigued about (view spoiler)[the drake. Her presence seems so GREAT! She makes you feel like a little insignificant ant. And her connection with Davien seems so simple and complicated at the same time.
She behaves towards him like a big mama bear protecting or chiding her cubs. He is HER OWN so she cares for him, but doesn't give a rat's arse for the other innocent humans killed in her fire. Because those are not her own so they don't matter - typical attitude for someone who sees himself above everything else. Not that she isn't way above the humans in every single way - so it makes perfect sense. I am curious to see how her relationship with Davien will develop and to get to the bottom of Davien's reasons for acting the way he did and being branded a traitor.

I think Ciladis is with the Paravians and wonder if the drake will call for them now. But first of all Asandir and Sethvir. Will they get help? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 12

You have got to be kidding me!!!
(view spoiler)[Lysaer is free of the curse during Alithiel's song and what does he feel remorse for? For enslaving criminals and breaking their spirits in chains on his galleys because... hold it... a just prince serves a sentence that preserves a man's dignity!!???

No sorry for punishing people unjustly! No admitting that those were innocent he killed! Only that the punishment lacked decency. So the clanmen are real criminals in his view. Even without the curse he still believes he is doing right. Even without the curse he sees himself only as a victim!!
He blames his supposedly childish urge to punish his FAITHLESS MOTHER'S PRIZED BASTARD for setting the foothold for the curse to act!

Well hello real Lysaer. You are a real SOB even without the curse and I hope your exalted highness rots in the deepest pits of hell!! (I am not gonna spell out here what other wishes I've got for him because they're not fit for polite company.) (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Same chapter 12

I could do a happy dance because (view spoiler)[Sethvir is allright again! Yeay!! (hide spoiler)]

I am intrigued about the (view spoiler)[deal between Davien and Seshkrozchiel. It looks like the drake remade Davien's body and in exchange for that Davien must now share the body with her. (hide spoiler)]

And there close to the end 🤩🤩🤩
(view spoiler)['I don't care horse apples what might go wrong when we've got a dragon at large, flying down the throat of disaster! I am gone', he declared, 'to reap the tame whirlwind, flip skirts, and prod insolent Koriathain.' (hide spoiler)]
Kharadmon, you rock! 😘😘

But then the last sentence came and I couldn't stop reading. I normally give a break between chapters but this time it was impossible. Because my heart did a double take and I simply needed to know (view spoiler)[what damage the lightbolt did. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Beginning of chapter 13 - I am crying!

(view spoiler)[They are both dead!! Teive and Feylind!!
Damn you Lysaer!! He'd rather destroy the brig with everyone on it then allow the food to reach the besieged!! Teive and Feylind's end was so heartbreaking!! (hide spoiler)]
😭😭😭😭😭😭

[Sandra]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 11

You Old Hag
THE PRIME gave the skulls to Raiett!!!! The Prime wanted the great drake to take revenge or a new grimward to appear. The old hag wanted the destruction!!! She was counting ..."

(view spoiler)[ she wants the restoration of the old civilization with spacefaring and tech, etc. Clearly had no interest in the spiritual or moral or the real evolution of humanity which is the aim of the compact. I’m not sure how she thought breaking the compact would help, or if she realized it would mean the end of humanity. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 12

You have got to be kidding me!!

😂😂😂

[Sandra]

Laura wrote: "Beginning of chapter 13 - I am crying!


Oh yes, that was tragic and had me crying also!

[Laura]

Regarding Morriel (view spoiler)[perhaps she doesn't actually realise that the survival of humanity is at stake if the compact is broken? It just doesn't make sense otherwise. Except if we consider her completely and irredeemably batshit-crazy that is.
I suspect she also want to rule unconditionaly over the evolved humanity. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to the end of Chapter 13

Sulfin Evend - (view spoiler)[he curses Arithon for using shadow and blames him for Lysaer succumbing to the curse! What a hypocrite!
It's perfectly all right that Lysaer used his fire to destroy the brig and kill all those people, because the food shouldn't fall into enemy hands right?! So we're cool with that.
But when Arithon uses shadow to protect - we need to curse and blame him right?! Because everything is his fault! (hide spoiler)]
Oh buzz off buster!! Your sense of justice sucks!

I hate the way everything is twisted for convenience in a war. Our side is good and the other bad. Whatever we do is good and just and however they retaliate is bad. Justice is mangled to serve the purpose and everyone cheers for it.

[Laura]

Chaper 14 - Oh boy!! The kicks just keep coming! And everything seems to be on the straight way to hell!

(view spoiler)[First Fionn Areth - though I admit I never really cared much about him, it was really sad that he ended up dying without finding himself out. No one should be so confused about his own life and purpose. And Vhandon with him?! :( :( :(

Then the crippling blow because... Kyrialt!!! 😭😭🤧 He was so young and so full of life! So great!

And then the story kept me on my toes because: from the frying pan into the fire! Hiding the wounded Arithon smack in the middle of the Alliance troups?! WOW! Talk about crazy improvisation especially with Sulfin Evend coming for a check.
And I am convinced he would have killed Arithon if Parrien wouldn't have attacked him. That shade of grey of Sulfin's characters still seems to lean towards black. :(

And now 'the second death' with Elaira as Arithon's only hope. Oh man! 😔😞😥 (hide spoiler)]