The Core (Demon Cycle #5)

[Peggy]

I agree Sarah, it's not like there should be no violence or sex in fantasy books. But like you say, I think it's very personal to what level you enjoy it and to what level it becomes too much or unneccessary. And I have a notoriously low treshold, especially for violence (view spoiler)[ the demon gore is not so bad, but the Hasik-Abban stuff - and especially the breaking bones - almost made me skip some pages. I just can't do torture. I don't think it should have been excluded, it's me who can't handle it. That he cut off Abban's penis and ate it, which was told after the fact and didn't have that much detail, was just gross. I told Rob about it 'You know what happened in my book?' because somehow it was related to something and it popped into my mind and he was like 'Uhh.. what kind of books do you read?!' Haha!

The sex scenes in some of the books though were just really really bad and sometimes didn't add anything. Great that two people have sex, but I don't need to know the detail of how the guy's seed is dripping down the girl's leg (I think this was in book 4 but thankfully have forgotten the details). (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Sarah wrote: "I've read some more. I'm in chapter 16 "

(view spoiler)[ Yes, it's a whole new Renna! Well, she's still very stubborn, but also much more mature and thinks a bit more before she acts. I think she handled the Children very well.

The dice aren't too promising about the future. A lot of possibilities for one of the MC's to die. I'm glad Jardir went back and hopefully he did manage to get through to people. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Love Rob's reaction to the content of your books Peggy! My Rob has the same reaction too. haha. Sometimes I bring up a subject without starting with "In my book..." and he looks at me weirdly like I'm some oddball. Then I explain that I didn't just randomly come out with that question or topic for discussion, but it was in fact as a result of a book I'm reading. I asked Rob (view spoiler)[it the clitoris the equivalent of the penis (in relation to foetal development) whilst we were eating dinner. Should have seen his face! (hide spoiler)] And yes, that sex scene you described is TMI!

[Sarah]

re chapter 16 spoiler(view spoiler)[I know. Those damn dice! I think they are great as they help to bring in some foreshadowing without the author having to do it in other ways. I'm pretty sure we've had some stuff not go as the dice suggested which gives us hope too. But yes, there are many possible outcomes, and some don't look good for some of our beloved characters. (hide spoiler)]

Everyone enjoying the book? I'm finding it hard to put down.

[Peggy]

Sarah wrote: "Love Rob's reaction to the content of your books Peggy! My Rob has the same reaction too. haha. Sometimes I bring up a subject without starting with "In my book..." and he looks at me weirdly like ..."

Hahaha! Poor guys ;-)

[Peggy]

Sarah wrote: "re chapter 16 spoiler[spoilers removed]

Everyone enjoying the book? I'm finding it hard to put down."

Nope, doesn't look good at all. Especially because (view spoiler)[ Rojer was killed in the last book, so I don't think he would shy back from killing Renna, Arlen or Jardir. Often the good guy MC's don't die in books, but with this you don't know what to expect.. it can go so many ways! They could all live but they could just as well all die.. Although some must live as Renna will give birth and even is she would die, someone has to take the child back to the normal world. Or was it just my interpretation that the child will be born while down in the core? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Hmm, not sure Peggy (view spoiler)[I too suspected that it would be born in the core but surely that is too soon? That said, Leesha gave birth 2 or 3 months early because of her use of magic and Renna uses far more than her. And being in the core could accelerate that even more. So I guess it's possible. But yes, it's very possible that she dies, either giving birth or in a fight, and only the baby survives, or her and the baby live. I also was wondering whether the baby would not survive, after all, if Olive was intersex, what is their creation going to be like? Having Renna miscarry would head all this off but it would be sad if that was the case. I want Arlen to have some happiness after (if he they survive) as he's done so much for everyone else. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

You're right, (view spoiler)[ that would be way too soon, even if because of the magic she would give birth sooner. Unless the core really accelerates it big time. Or unless they have to spend months in the core for some reason.

Inevera's dice weren't too positive about the baby. Something with limitless potential but also despair and carrying darkness within as it was born in darkness. Yikes. I do hope they get a happy healthy baby though! (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Sarah wrote: "re gore etc in fantasyIt's .." Sarah your point is well made. For me though, it goes too far. I'm a wimp ;-)

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "I agree Sarah, it's not like there should be no violence or sex in fantasy books.

Re sex (view spoiler)[ I really don't a problem with the level sex of the sex in this series. In some cases it was hilariously badly writen and gave the group some good laughs :-D I rarely have a problem with bad lauguage except when it becomes racist of overly abusive. Sometimes only certain words or phrases will do justice to a situation, portray a feeling or underline a character trait. But like Peggy, I can't do torture! This has also become a problem for me in my other favorite genre, psycological thrillers. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Sarah wrote: "Love Rob's reaction to the content of your books Peggy!..."

ROFL!! Those poor Robs haha

[Peggy]

To be fair, right after the wtf moment, his next question was: (view spoiler)[ 'wait.. was it baked?' (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Loads of listening time today so I got to chapter 20. Re Peggys chapter 16 spoiler (view spoiler)[ I agree that Rennas use of magic will accelerate her pregnany and judging by how much magic she used to impress the Children, I can believe that it will a very short one! And lord knows what eating all that demon meat was done to her.
As for the ending - my money is on the one where all only except for the girl whose name I cant spell! I think the baby will be born in the core and that that girl will bring it up to the surface. But my predictions are almost always wrong :-)
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I hope your predictions are wrong Margo, but they might be right.

What a question Peggy!

[Peggy]

That's what I said! What difference would that make?

@Margo: I so hope you're wrong!

[Margo]

Sarah wrote: "I hope your predictions are wrong Margo, but they might be right.

What a question Peggy!"

Very relevant though. Germs!!!

[Cherie]

I thought I was done for the night after I posted in message 96, but I opened the book again after I got into bed and finished up at the beginning of chapter 25.

Ch 19,21,22 (view spoiler)[ It is really hard to figure the time passing, but it seems that all of these chapters overlap during the same month or two weeks. It seems the mind demons are definitely out trying to stop our "heros" - the people we feel are the main characters or the ones we care the most about. The run back to Miln for Elissa and Ragan was nerve wracking, but the court scenes and examinations was just as bad. Re - Derek. I did not read the Novella. I did not realize that The Mothers were lawyers/judges. I was glad that Elissa was able to reconnect with her mother and did she heal her? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22-24 (view spoiler)[ Once the story went back to Briar and Ashia, I could not stop. (hide spoiler)]

Going back and reading spoilers when all of us are all over the place is somewhat and confusing, but good too.

Re Sara's spoiler under chapter 22 in message 98 - a little bit all over the place, but yes, I agree with all you said. (view spoiler)[ with everyone going back home to family and saying good by and trying to smooth things out, it has been an enlightening chance to see how people have grown and changed. I was glad Jardir went to see Olive and Leesha too. I think he did the right thing healing Asukaji. The scenes in Tibbits Brook were interesting too. I never liked Arlen's father, but even he has changed. Personally - I always thought Selia was lesbian. It is the ONLY thing that has really never been broached, but we had to know that it was there. I did not quite get all of the Bogg nor Fisher business. He talked about too many characters that were only a few chapters in one of the books. (hide spoiler)]

Re Hasik and Abban - I agree with your view of them and what is going on.

Re gore (view spoiler)[ Most of the time it does not bother me either. I does make the story more "believable", the demon ichor and et all - how evil we feel they are. The brutality does get to me, more than some of the other things, like the sex talking or sex scenes. But, again, if it were not there, it would be so blah, blah, blah. I think that is what I have disliked in the Long Earth books. Some of the characters are really interesting, but it is just so much talk all of the time. It is too cerebrial. (hide spoiler)]

The end of ch 24 (view spoiler)[ The wind demons carrying flame demons to attach the ships on the lake was a huge surprise, wasn't it? (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

I am going to take tonight off from The Core to catch up with my monthly challenge book.

[Margo]

Just finished chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ and the penny drops! "You wilk know him by his scent". Who else could it be but Briar?

Brett is doing a great job of pulling all of his story threads together. He has such a huge cast that it is a struggle to place many of them!

I do like the spear sisters. There is something very noble about tiny Ashia setting of to drag a "fat cripple" back with her :-) (hide spoiler)]

[Jannene]

Sarah wrote: "re gore etc in fantasyIt's not that I don't notice it, but it doesn't affect me all that much. I agree with you guys that it isn't always needed and including it just for the sake of it is pointles..."

Sarah, I agree with your comments about Hasik and Abban. I totally can see why that part of the story fits and is needed.

[Jannene]

Chapters 7-10

(view spoiler)[Well, there was a lot in these few chapters. Abban and his gruesome torment. I really do not care for Abban but what he went through was not cool.

I didn’t realize that Inerva has everyone’s blood stored to use at her bidding. That was crazy! Apparently the blood doesn’t go bad.

Asome has some serious issues! He kidnaps his grandparents and holds them ransom? His lover is still alive? I thought Askari was dead. The idea of him having sex with a paralyzed person is sad.

Apparently it wasn’t Asome’s idea to try and kill his wife. The brother was too jealous of his sister and apparently Asome actually wanted to bed his wife. That was an interesting twist. (hide spoiler)]

[Jannene]

Cripes...I’m 200 pages in and I’m not complaining about Renna. What is the world coming to?

[Jannene]

Peggy wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Oh my! "."
(view spoiler)[I thought the same thing that Briar is Ashia’s cousin because of the smell comment. (hide spoiler)]

[Jannene]

Chapters 12-14

(view spoiler)[Renna teaching those snotty kids a lesson made me like her a bit (don’t go cheering, I said a “bit”) more than I had in the past. I’m totally not okay with her being pregnant. Apparently their is something in the air since everyone is expecting!
I wonder if Stella will become pregnant!

The reunion was heartwarming. I was glad they all got together to say “goodbye”. I always liked Ragen and Elisa. I missed them in the previous books! Who is Derek? I can’t remember him. I’m still heartbroken over Rojer. :( (Found an emoji for that comment.)

Wonder what that letter said from Leesha to Jardir. Does she tell him she loves him? Does she mention the sex (or both sex) and name of the baby? (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Jannene wrote: "Chapters 7-10 ..."

LOL I thought the same thing about the blood!

ROFL @ Renna!

[Sarah]

Read your spoilers Cherie, apart from the ones for chapter 24. I'll come back to those. I'm not keeping notes while I read so my comments aren't necessarily in order of what happened.

Re the blood(view spoiler)[maybe she gets them to donate regularly so it's fresh? Does it need to be wet or can it be dry? Blood still contains dna even if it's dry and old so might still work?! No idea. (hide spoiler)]

Re Asome/Ashia/Asukaji (view spoiler)[Asome and Ashia consummated their marriage and she got pregnant. In theory, that was all that was needed and agreed upon. However, when Asome and Ashia were fighting demons, their blood was up and they ended up having sex. That is what Asukaji is not happy about. I don't think generally Asome wants to have sex with Ashia but like with the painted children, they all seem to get a bit horny when demon killing is involved. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I too like the spear sisters Margo.

[Margo]

Jannene wrote: "Cripes...I’m 200 pages in and I’m not complaining about Renna. What is the world coming to?"

LOL! And we haven't heard "I love you Arlen Bales", not even once ....

[Margo]

Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[Hallaluja, another person who can't stomach torture! Seem Briar is a little squeamish =-O
I wonder if there might be a future romantic relationship between Briar and Ashia? Poor chap needs some TLC after what Star did to him. (hide spoiler)]

Will soon be able to read all Cheries posts!

[Margo]

Jannene wrote: "Chapters 7-10

Well, there was a lot in these few chapters. Abban and his gruesome torment. I really do not care for Abban but what he went through was not cool.

I didn’t realize that Inerva has ..."

I agree Jannene (view spoiler)[ the idea of having sex with a person who is paralized is awful - even if it is at their request. Most men, I think, would not be able to do it.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Chapter 24(view spoiler)[I agree Cherie. I'm really enjoying Ashia and Briar's mission. Sharak Ka has arrived. That was crazy - wind demons working with fire demons and water demons to take down the laktonian ships. That steps things up a bit. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

The blood: (view spoiler)[ she has them in vials so it's fluid. I guess if you store it properly it can stay in there for ages. Apparently it is still useable after years for the dice, or maybe she uses magic. And I guess it's easy for her to demand blood of Krasians, and if she has other peoples blood she'll be careful with it. I think you need only a very small amount for the dice. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

I finished chapter 20. I also finished my other book so I can now fully focus on this.

I'm enjoying this one a lot. It's my favourite in the series so far, except for (or together with) the second book.

[Margo]

Book 2 was my favorite but I think I might end up preferring this one.

I've had to start another one today as it's for my book club next monday but, so far, it is suffering in the comparison.

[Margo]

Finished chapter 26. The writing was powerful! (view spoiler)[ since the group began their decent I have been captivated, I feel at times that I am there with them breathing dank air, seeing those incredible sights, holding my breath for Arlens underwater swim - he was on his own eating the raw tube fish though *yuck*!! It is really strong, atmospheric writing and I'm loving it 😁 (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

I finished chapter 23, don't have much to add to what's been said: (view spoiler)[ The Miln / Euchor politics keep on confusing me. I'm just reading it and hope it's not too important in the end ;-)

I'm glad Ashia and Briar met. I like that he took her side. I really like Briar, he's sweet and honest and just does what he believes is right, whether that means being on Krasian of Thesan side. He's more about people than about tribes or ethnicities. I have totally forgotten how he came to be into the story though. He's very close to both Captain Dehlia and Ragen and Elissa, but I can't remember the details. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

I think he came in in one of the novellas Peggy. I think I might have to read them! I agree with all you say about him.

[Sarah]

Margo is right. Briar was introduced in the novella Messenger’s Legacy.

I'm I chapter 26 so I can't read your spoiler just yet Margo (view spoiler)[I have loved seeing Briar and Ashia develop a friendship as they make their way to the Eunoch stronghold. It has also been nice that he has started to learn more about his father's people. The songs have clearly had an impact on him. Ashia sees him as a honourable person even though he is part Greenlander and even lets him off the fact he has had his hands tattooed. Everyone is easing off now Sharak Ka has come.

I have found the chapters where Jardir and co are heading to the core a little slow for some reason. I'm actually enjoying the other sections more so at the moment. I'm guessing that will change, especially as Margo has commented that the writing is powerful in chapter 26. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

I should really get to those novellas!

Is it common in fantasy that the novellas are actually needed to fully understand everything? I haven't read that many, but with some other series where I did, it was more like they were an addition to the story, but the regular books did not have references that are confusing unless you read the novellas.

[Sarah]

I think it varies. Generally the novellas and short stories are just back stories or little adventures. But yes, some cover events and characters that play an important part in the overall story arc. I have to say , i don't tend to read all the novellas for series unless i love the series.

[Jannene]

Chapters 15-19
(view spoiler)[Do we really think Jardir scared his son? Why fix Asome’s lover? I can’t believe they all agreed to play nice.

Surprised Leesha let Jardir hold Olive.

Arlen goes back to see his dad. I still don’t care for his dad especially after he took that girl as his wife so soon after his died.

I find it ironic that Ragen and Ellisa have a stylus. I keep picturing one for my iPad. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Jannene wrote: "Chapters 15-19."

(view spoiler)[i wasn't so bothered by Jeph taking another wife, more that he failed to defend his other. I'm not sure he was expecting to love Ilain when he spirited her away. I think he did it to save her from her father. He could see what was happening and that she was the one getting all the attention. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

up to chapter 27(view spoiler)[Margo was right and the chapter with Jardir and Arlen heading for the core stepped up. I love all the extra creatures and plants on the way to the core which are dangerous but different to the demons we've generally seen. The bit when Arlen was swimming under the cave in with all the worms was nerve wracking. Very interesting that there are buildings and wards in place down there.

Loved going back to the chapters with Leesha with the Krasian entourage arriving. The politics were interesting and how everyone interacted. I was really shocked when Quiet Jonn turned up, the guy that raped Leesha. I was not expecting that. I think Leesha did right sparing his life and hopefully it all turns out ok. Seems like he was manipulated by those other men. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Sarah wrote: "Jannene wrote: "Chapters 15-19."

[spoilers removed]"

Same. (view spoiler)[ I didn't like him much in the beginning of the series, but he has really changed. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Sarah wrote: "Margo is right. Briar was introduced in the novella Messenger’s Legacy.

I'm I chapter 26 so I can't read your spoiler just yet Margo "

I finished chapter 25. (view spoiler)[ I found this one a bit confusing sometimes, and am not sure how that demon at the mouth of the abyss got killed. Like you Sarah I'm enjoying all the storylines more. Oh, and I can't believe Renna ate that demon's brain! I'm sure she'll notice some consequences of that forever, either good or bad. Both, probably.

I was afraid that a huge part of this book would be set in the core with loads of demon fighting which I wasn't too excited about (as I said, liking the other story lines better) and for 500 pages that didn't happen. Now they're ready to enter though. I hope there will still be a lot of focus on the other stories too, with just a core chapter every now and then. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Peggy, after chapter 26, we are taken to the other storylines Peggy although I'm guessing we'll go back there at some point. There are so many characters now, all f which play an important role so I'm guessing time will be shared equally between them all.

I'm in chapter 32 now (view spoiler)[The humans are being decimated. Lakton. Everam's Reservoir, Angiers, and now Miln. I couldn't believe what happened in Angiers with the minds turning people against each other. Hardly anyone survived.

I can't stand Euchor. They have absolutely no idea about the danger they face. They need to spend less time in their fancy clothes and ore time on the walls of their cities. Even now, with mind demons and more upon them they are still concerned with politics, wealth and class. Ragan and Elissa are setting a good example taking in those from nearby parts. I am concerned about the bridge collapsing at Brayan's stronghold. At first I thought Brayan had done it but it appears it was the demons. With the demons still inside, what will the next night hold for them all? It's getting tense.

Inevera going to Everam's Reservoir is both brave and foolish. I'm worried what Asome will do back home. Has he been curtailed? I hope Inevera isn't killed out there. She's kind of on the front line. Interesting that the Laktons have surrendered. Could be a ruse but then again, they're town has been destroyed and numbers reduced massively. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Sarah wrote: "Peggy, after chapter 26, we are taken to the other storylines Peggy .."

With that ending I wish there was another chapter right away! I quite enjoyed the chapter actually, (view spoiler)[ with all these new dangers that live underground. And to have a czar there! Imagine how big it must be under the ground if there just randomly are whole cities fitted in. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I felt the same Peggy. It was a good chapter that.

[Margo]

Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ another good chapter! I enjoyed Leeshas performance. Like Sarah, I was not expecting the rapist to turn up :O I'd almost forgotten that storyline. Yeah, she was right not to revenge but boy, that must have been hard! (hide spoiler)].

I'm currently in the middle of chaoter 32 and not sure what chapter some of these took place in so I will spit them all out here LOL I have just rememered book club Monday so I have to switch to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine for the weekend. It is good, but I will tearing myself away from The Core :-(

(view spoiler)[ I think it was at the end of 27 that the pregnant maid was called in by Leesha and given to the Duchess. What was the significance of that? Was she pregnant with the Duchess heir?

Ragans storyline: I usually enjoy court politics but I am finding this hard to follow. Love the fact that Rojers old nemesis, what's his name, is telling everyone who will listen how wrong he was! Also love that he is standing beside Ragan :-)

(hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

I agree with Sarah and Margo on ch 27: (view spoiler)[ I love how firm Leesha was with the Krasians! I also didn't expect to see the rapist again, but I'm glad she let him live. It wouldn't suit her to just kill him. (hide spoiler)]