JC - Character Moments

[Ruth]

Just finished reading this book and I have to say that, although there were some pacing issues at times, overall I LOVED it.
I think what made it - for me - such a compelling read was the rich and varied cast of characters, and the great little moments nearly all of them had illustrating their strengths and weaknesses.

A few examples:
Wen: (view spoiler)[ showing that she is much stronger and more devious than previously thought by asking Shae to make her a White Rat behind Hilo's back (hide spoiler)]
Hilo: (view spoiler)[ showing that he can be compassionate and considered as well as loyal, compulsive, and ruthless when dealing with his unfortunate subordinate Eiten (the one whose arms are chopped off by the Mountain clan and is returned with a message for Hilo). Eiten begs for a clean death but Hilo refuses, saying he should be see his child born, try to adapt to his new life - and if, a year down the life, he still wants to die, Hilo will do the deed himself (hide spoiler)]
Kaul Sen: (view spoiler)[ showing he's an incorrigible old bastard by giving the disgraced Doru some of his own jade so he can escape (hide spoiler)]

Anyone got other character moments that stood out for them?
(and there are no dogs in this book)

[Tassie Dave, S&L Historian]

Ruth wrote: "(and there are no dogs in this book) "

There are no dogs "on screen", but there are dogs.

One of Shae's neighbours has "a tiny dog with the size and charm of an overfed rat".

Dogs are mentioned in other parts as well.

[Nathan]

Shae: (view spoiler)[Refusing the offer from the Pillar of the Mountian to take over from her brother because she "did not want to become that type of greenbone."

In a book that talked so much about crossing lines and overthrowing tradition to gain an advantage, Shae seems more defined by the line that she will not cross, because values mean something.

Shae, as a tough-nosed, yet moral businesswoman, is something we do not see in speculative fiction too much IMHO. (hide spoiler)]

As a slightly off-topic side note, Lan's name made me laugh. In Chinese, it means blue, and the guy seemed to be blue in the book. The particle "se", used as "familial endearment" according to the book, makes this even more explicit. Lanse in Chinese refers directly to the color blue.

[Sheila Jean]

I thought this quote in the same scene as Ruth pointed out was pretty powerful:


Wen: (view spoiler)["Expectations are a funny thing," Wen said. "When you're born with them you resent them, fight against them. When you've never been given any, you feel the lack of them your whole life." (hide spoiler)]