The Not a Book Club Club discussion
Worldbreaker Saga
>
ME: Part 1: Prologue - Chapter 11
date
newest »
newest »
I just read the prologue last night before bed. My first thought is "Wow - this is REALLY a different world." We seem to be thrown right in too!
Well the glossary is printed in the back pages of the book.
I've made a habit of scanning the last pages for a glossary or some type of extra. I blame Brandon Sanderson, his ars arcanums are essential.
Oh thanks - I'm glad to know about the glossary. That didn't even cross my mind and.... I need it! I still haven't gotten super far, but I'm a bit afraid to go water my plants now =)
Certainly a lot going on in that prologue. I haven't read Malazan (soon, once I finish Wheel of Time), but I haven't read a prologue that had so much depth of world building since Way of Kings (which starts with Heralds long before the main story).
I'm really liking the book so far. -very cool that magic powers are governed by the moons of the world. I'm interested to find out why very few people knew that Oma would be in ascendancy so soon
-so far, all the characters are interesting
-what is up with the marriage of Zezili? The husband seems very subserviant to her. I wonder how that works in their culture.
-also, dhai culture has 5 different gender divisions which, I think, are interchangeable no matter who you are
-as far as plot, its all good! Who's invading Saiduan and how are the dhai going to help save them? Who/why of Kirana's death? Why was Zezili called back to join a foreigner in killing the slaves? Very good questions for the rest of the book.
So far this is very Malazan-like for me. Hurley throws you right into the deep end and says "swim". I didn't expect it to be so grimdark. I love the gender reversal so much. Zezili's husband at home and totally subservient to her is a nice change of pace. And so many female characters! It's fantastic. The magic is interesting as well. Portals and satellites that grant power and infused wooden swords. Yes please. I'm a bit confused but I'm just gonna keep reading and hope it all starts making sense.
Dara wrote: "I'm a bit confused but I'm just gonna keep reading and hope it all starts making sense. "Agreed, thats probably the best way to get through it. And some of the answers are very interesting.
Good to hear! I'm still thinking "huh?" but I have faith that at some point I'll understand more.
Mod
I'm intrigued at how magic changes with the moons. It seems blood witch is a name for someone who can channel OMA.
Do I have it right that Lilia's mother was leading a rebellion against the very people sheltering her? The Kai is the head of the temple where she lived, right?
Rob wrote: "instead I mostly see other people who found this a tough start"Its not so much a tough start, its just very different. In my case, I've been so in to the Wheel of Time, its a bit jarring to go something with moon magic, plant weapons, bear riding and menacing trees. Its crazy.
I have read part 1 now and here are some thoughts I had:- I agree about the satellite magic, very intriguing. It seems Oma only comes around every 2000 years and it causes the world to change. Perhaps because the people able to 'channel' Oma are so powerful that war is inevitable. According to the the glossary an Omajista is also called a worldbreaker. Interesting...
- So far I can make out three 'main' characters. We have Lilia, Zezili and Ahkio. And each one has very interesting things going on.
Is Lilia an Omajista? It appears her powers are subdued by the ward her mother gave her. I wonder if she made the right choice to run from Kalinda. She could have provided some answers.
Zezili's marriage is unlike anything I have read before. The end of her chapter is something to think about. Is Anavha (her husband) an Omajista? There's blood involved and he says "I opened a door." And opening doors (gates) is something an Omajista does right?
Ahkio's story seems to be one of political struggle and intrigue. I don't yet fully understand the political workings of the Dhai people but I guess that's the way Hurley wants it. What's a clan? Is it a family or more than that? How can you have multiple mothers or fathers? Is there only one Kai? Why is a female Kai preferred?
And who was the Kai from the prologue? Lilia thought it was the Kai she met later on at the temple (Ahkio's sister right?) but since previous Kai's were her ancestors, it could have been someone who looked like the current Kai.
I'm hooked! I'll continue reading and sharing my thoughts. I look forward to what you all have to say.
Mod
I forgot to bring that up. Pretty crazy scene. I like your theory that he's an Omajista.
Oh I like that Omajista theory too. That hadn't crossed my mind!
I think he is one. This world is so different than anything that I've read before. I am having trouble connecting to the characters, though. I hope that improves.
Nobody mentioned the funeral in Chapter 11. Um...wow. I just got to that part...coincidentally as I was sitting down to eat lunch.
Mod
Yeah I totally didn't see that coming! I should have - I remember someone calling the group "those filthy cannibals". But I didn't think they meant it literally!
I was just telling my friend about this book and said something along the lines of "at least during this coming cataclysm they aren't going to starve!" So I guess we were thinking along the same lines. Kind of gives the sergeants looking at the new recruits and saying "Fresh meat" a whole new meaning!
Haha nice topic. I think cannibalism has always been seen as a last resort. When you find yourself without food in a war zone you might look to dogs and rats. But what if that's gone? And that's not even the case with recent wars because you got food droppings so the need to eat people doesn't exist.
Case and point, this passage I found: "Many instances of cannibalism by necessity were recorded during World War II. For example, during the 872-day Siege of Leningrad, reports of cannibalism began to appear in the winter of 1941–1942, after all birds, rats and pets were eaten by survivors. Leningrad police even formed a special division to combat cannibalism."
And there have been rumours of cannibalism in North Korea, check this
Very interesting Bas. So, perhaps (and I'm only through chapter 11 so I don't know for sure) our book people are more "civilized" since they aren't killing people specifically to eat them, they are just eating (and honoring I believe) the people who died. However, our book characters aren't really hungry yet.Speaking of which...time for dinner.
Other than Ahkio eating his dead sisters heart, has there been other confirmed acts of cannibalism? I see Ahkio's act as a ritualistic meal, which I have to believe has happened in some past cultures. I'm thinking African tribes, druids or other pagan cultures.Other cultures may just be calling dhai cannibals because they see them as a lower class and a bit savage, that doesn't necessarily mean a whole culture of cannibals.
I like how the confusion was handled in it. Wasn't frustrating, but it did leave me wondering what was going on, and wanting answers, that she does slowly but steadily reveal over the course of the book.
Geoff wrote: "Other than Ahkio eating his dead sisters heart, has there been other confirmed acts of cannibalism? I see Ahkio's act as a ritualistic meal, which I have to believe has happened in some past cultur..."
There are some a little further in the book.
There are some a little further in the book.
Mod
As to why? I couldn't tell you. Maybe the ick factor is enough.
The hardest part for me so far is keeping track of who belongs to what faction/country. The names are uncommon which also had me confusing some of them. Also we don't yet know who the attacking army is correct? From what I understand the Saiduan are being attacked and went to the Dhai to request help/warn them to prepare so they are both out. The Dorinah have an all female army and the invading army was all male so they are out. Did I miss somebody?
I watched a documentary a few years back on cannibals in India and Australia so think there are still some practicing groups around the world. Think mostly it is done by relatives or clansmen to consume the deceased persons power or energy if I remember correctly(not guaranteed).
Cant say much more than whats already been posted, but I am enjoying it.can say I am abit cagey about wandering in to the bamboo labyrinth at work now. ;)
reminded of the amber chronicles by Roger Zelazny .
I agree with you Bill! Most of the time I know what factions the main characters belong to but the secundary characters are more difficult. The oras for example, I have a hard time remembering if they are a novice, what gender they are and what clan relation they have with some of the main characters. we have a lot of names thrown at us.
Mod
These names don't really seem that much worse to me than most fantasy books.
Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Prologue, Chapter 1-11.
No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling this for your good read friends.
Please do not discuss events from later chapters/books.