To Ride Hell's Chasm [Sept 17, 2018]

[Laura]

New Year is at the door so HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Hope you have a lovely time!

For the next year, as bookish challenges go, I've made a list of series I want to knock down from my shelves. The problem is there are too many series and I don't know which to read. So I wrote them down (all the first in series that is) and would like my GR buddies to pick them out for me.

Would each of you pick one title of that list also for me please?
I turned it all into a sort of interactive bingo challenge and here's the link:

My BINGO

[Olivia]

I chose one :D

[Daniel]

Yes I definitely agree the book had to distinct halves and the first was superior to the second. The ending was different but in its own way satisfying. Janny seemed to tie up any and all loose ends.

[Brent]

I realize I'm a bit late to this, but I just started To Ride Hell's Chasm midday yesterday, and according to my Kindle I am now 35% through the book and find myself utterly engrossed by the story that Janny is telling.

Oddly enough, it is with the whole world going crazy right now that I'm able to return to a sense of normalcy and able to relax enough to lose myself in the prose of a wonderful story once again for the first time in years.

Mykkael is an utterly fascinating character, and I absolutely love every time we find out more about the events and circumstances that shaped him into the man he is.

Overall a fantastic read so far.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Brent wrote: "I realize I'm a bit late to this, but I just started To Ride Hell's Chasm midday yesterday, and according to my Kindle I am now 35% through the book and find myself utterly engrossed by the story t..."

You're only 583 days late... I wish Janny's books were all available as audiobooks (she knows this... or at least I mentioned it in one of the Q&As she did for War of Light and Shadow)

[Brent]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Brent wrote: "I realize I'm a bit late to this, but I just started To Ride Hell's Chasm midday yesterday, and according to my Kindle I am now 35% through the book and find myself utterly engrossed ..."

Oddly enough, I vastly prefer reading to audiobooks. I often like to go back and reread lines and passages just to bask in the sheer beauty of them, not to mention highlight, bookmark, and flip back and forth to reference prior events and passages as the need calls for it, and I'm kind of not able to do that as easily when I'm listening to an audiobook. Plus, well, I'm able to immerse myself a lot more if I'm the one doing the reading, compared to listening to someone else doing so.

Regardless of my thoughts on the matter though, it really is a shame that more of Janny's books aren't available in audiobook form.

[Laura]

I agree. It is a shame more of her books aren't on audio.

And I will be here chatting with you guys if you're reading this. This book is THE book on all my lists.

Mykkael is a fascinating character.

[Brent]

I'm debating whether to get ready for bed now as is my wont at this time, or to stay up for just one more chapter as the one I just finished ended on one hell of a cliffhanger:

(view spoiler)[‘Stand fast, soldier!’

No response; Captain Mykkael advanced. Deaf and blind to persuasion, he rejected just hearing under King Isendon’s ear, and the ties of his oath to crown law.

Taskin closed his hand on his sword hilt and cleared the blade with a warning ring from the scabbard. The next word he uttered must summon his lancers in command to ride down a fugitive.

Except Mykkael stopped. Faced about, he held his bared sword in hand, though no sound had attended its drawing. He did not speak. In the waxing light, through the dense mist, his features were expressionless stone. Eyes locked to the form of the crown’s first commander, he took a deliberate step back, then another.

Three more, and Mykkael would reach his saddled gelding. A single, swift stroke would sever the hobbles. His vault astride would happen before any mounted troop could cross the tourney field, far less react in armed strength to prevent him.

Pressed beyond options, Taskin shouted, and sprang.

His steel met the captain’s experienced parry with a virulent clangour. The sound would spur the lancers to charge. Crack men, each one devoted to Taskin, they would converge at a gallop to attack and cut down a traitor. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

the best part is coming!! :)

I love the first part of the book more than the second, even though the second is a lot more fast paced. And the end!!! OMG!! The goosbumps kind of end.

How do you like Taskin so far?

And I am starting the book today - to reread with you.

[Laura]

And we also have a BR starting for Fugitive Prince if you'd like to join. I'm heading to that thread too right now.

[Brent]

Laura wrote: "the best part is coming!! :)

I love the first part of the book more than the second, even though the second is a lot more fast paced. And the end!!! OMG!! The goosbumps kind of end.

How do you li..."

I absolutely love Taskin so far. Janny is always able to get me to understand and empathize with so many of her characters, even if I feel like I want to shake some sense into them at times lol. I'm now 55% through the book and still not slowing down.

I would love to join in on the Fugitive Prince buddy read, but first I've got a long overdue reread of CotM to get through, not to mention finish my long-interrupted first read of Ships of Merior and read Warhost of Vastmark for the first time. The past few years have been unsteady and full of stress for me, and unfortunately I haven't had the ability or the energy to just sit down and lose myself in a good book in what seems like forever, until now that is.

[Laura]

You are getting through it really fast. And I'm happy you love it too. :)

The two scenes that stood out for me in between Mykkael and Taskin was their confrontation in the dungeon and then on the roof.
What did you think about those?

I personally love both of them. Both honorable and strong. Both trying to do their duty but not quite trusting the other to accept their ways.

[Brent]

I have to quote this passage because this just made me exclaim "holy shit" out loud.

Chapter XXVII: Trap (view spoiler)[This contender outmatched the rest for ambition; sought a spell line that would circle the earth, then expand until every soul born to woman became fodder to feed its ambition. Worse, the lines’ origin did not begin here. Before this fair world, this demon’s shape-changing pawns had taken another; and after this conquest, would reach between stars, seeking the next target to set under attack. (hide spoiler)]

In regards to Taskin and Mykkael, it's clear that no matter what else, be it ingrained prejudices or uncertainty of trust, that both have such a deep respect for one another.

I can only remember four scenes where they were both together so far. In the palace, at the very beginning of the novel. Shortly after that, when they both come across the maid's supply closet with Anja's clothes in it and Taskin tests Mykkael for "witch thoughts". I loved their interactions in this scene, as like I said you can clearly see the respect that each of them has for the other in how they address and regard each other.

Next came the scene in the bell tower, where Taskin learns about Mykkael's role in the siege conducted by Rathtet on Efandi, and when pent-up tension seems sprung to the very point of breaking and all hell seems like it's about to break loose Taskin finally calls Mykkael by Mykkael, not Myshkael - I had to reread that line several times, as I couldn't believe what I'd read at first.

Though the lashing Mykkael received had to be done for the sake of propriety, we still see the respect Taskin has for him, regardless, by only giving him three.

And then finally, the encounter on the Tourney Field, which seems to me to be the start of the novel's climactic second half. If only Jussoud had been able to relay his verdict of Mykkael's character to Taskin before he departed, how differently things would have played out.

I'm currently 67% through the book, and I'm hoping to finish it by tomorrow. I have no intention of slowing down, especially as the pace keeps picking up.

[Laura]

I agree with that passage and had the same reaction.

regarding Mykkael and Taskin
In regards to Taskin and Mykkael, it's clear that no matter what else, be it ingrained prejudices or uncertainty of trust, that both have such a deep respect for one another.
- Absolutely

I can only remember four scenes where they were both together so far. In the palace, at the very beginning of the novel.
- Here I loved the mistrust on both sides and the way they both sized the other up. Janny has a way of making you practically see the scene.

Shortly after that, when they both come across the maid's supply closet with Anja's clothes in it and Taskin tests Mykkael for "witch thoughts". I loved their interactions in this scene, as like I said you can clearly see the respect that each of them has for the other in how they address and regard each other.
- Here I loved the way Taskin both showed his men that Mykkael is just a normal human being and not some creature they need to fear as well as ascertained his authority in a way that managed to also show his respect for Mykkael.


Next came the scene in the bell tower, where Taskin learns about Mykkael's role in the siege conducted by Rathtet on Efandi, and when pent-up tension seems sprung to the very point of breaking and all hell seems like it's about to break loose Taskin finally calls Mykkael by Mykkael, not Myshkael - I had to reread that line several times, as I couldn't believe what I'd read at first.
- Me too. :D I though at first it's a typo but Janny doesn't do those. And then it was repeated so wow! He said it correctly!
And that scene made me burst out laughing at Taskin's admonishment; Are you quite done? Not unlike a schoolmaster talking to an errant student.


Though the lashing Mykkael received had to be done for the sake of propriety, we still see the respect Taskin has for him, regardless, by only giving him three.
- Exactly. The punishment could have been a lot more. Or should have? And Mykkael stood and took it despite his past. So much of trust went into that! After his past.

And then finally, the encounter on the Tourney Field, which seems to me to be the start of the novel's climactic second half. If only Jussoud had been able to relay his verdict of Mykkael's character to Taskin before he departed, how differently things would have played out.
- Yes! the what if! I was hoping that Taskin will make a different choice at that time but that wouldn't have been quite in his character. The letter of the law vs the spirit of the law!

I LOVE the dynamic between these two. They are my favorite characters ever.

[Brent]

Finished the novel today. Absolutely loved it. Just like with Sorcerer's Legacy, I'm amazed by Janny's ability to deftly denoue everything and wrap up every loose end almost under my nose all the way until the very last page. All the characters were fantastic and well fleshed out, even the horses! ESPECIALLY the horses!

My only complaints about the novel would be how we barely see any of the characters in the Citadel during the second half of the novel, and that the novel ends too soon! I loved the world and the characters that Janny created and I just wasn't ready to leave yet when I did.

All in all, it was a fantastic book and I'm eager to read it again soon.