The Not a Book Club Club discussion
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Half the World
Joe Abercrombie
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HtW: Part III First of Cities
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This section started out a bit slow. There was a noticeable drop in action as they arrived in the First of Cities, and the politicking wasn't super interesting. It definitely picked up in the last few chapters as Thorn fought off 7 men (with a little help from brand) trying to assassinate the Empress.There are no love triangles in this book, thank god, but I am just as little a fan of two people in love with each other and all the hemming and hawing and neither realizing the other shares the same feelings. But it is YA, kids probably eat that stuff up :)
It will be interesting to see what happens with Mother Scaer now that she's joined Team Yarvi.
I am sure the elf relic Thorn now possesses has some power other than looking pretty, but I can't gleam its function or modern counterpart, other than it reflects the mood of the wearer (and can't be removed, it seems).
This is the first book i've read in hard copy for a while. I love my kindle, but I do oh so miss the feel of a book in my hands, legible maps, and the ability to flip through pages. Amazon better get on my scroll-wheel page flipping kindle I've been dreaming of!
The romance in every fantasy novel really gets to me. I would much rather see Brand and Thorn have each others back because of what they have been through then because of an awkward crush on each other. There are definitely case where romance works and is needed for the story but don't see why it has to be forced into every story.
Hehe....I was going to comment earlier, Bill I think you complain about the romance in every book we read ;) I don't necessarily mind the romance, its all the beating around the bush that bothers me :)
Haha most likely but only because it is always so poorly done.
Bill wrote: "Haha most likely but only because it is always so poorly done."Agree with that!
I feel like Abercrombie's including the romance specifically because this is aimed at the young adult market. The romances in his adult books have never ended well for the characters involved so I feel like he's making it a little nicer/happier for the younger crowd. As an Abercrombie book I find it a little odd but doesn't bother me, taken as a YA book it is insanely refreshing because there's no insta-love and no love triangle. Not having those two things makes it a win for me to be honest.
Abercrombie had a fairly traditional romance in Red Country as well, although it didn't go quite like this.Even if I didn't like the romance (which I did), it was still worth it for one particular scene:
*Tosses coin to merchant*
"What's this for?"
"Damages."
I am sure the elf relic Thorn now possesses has some power other than looking pretty, but I can't gleam its function or modern counterpart, other than it reflects the mood of the wearer (and can't be removed, it seems). I don't think it actually reflects the mood of the wearer, I think they just say that because it changes colors... If we're going with the theory that this is some kind of post apocalyptic society (and it definitely seems that way) then it could be something like a wristwatch. Not sure why it can't be removed... :S
Alexa wrote: "I am sure the elf relic Thorn now possesses has some power other than looking pretty, but I can't gleam its function or modern counterpart, other than it reflects the mood of the wearer (and can't ..."Hahaha...That would be very funny if it is true :) Maybe its the new Apple smart watch!
I don't think we'll ever know, but it definitely sounded like a watch to me! The "round window glowing brighter" and the "circles withing circles slowly shifting beneath the glass" maybe a clear one that lets you see the gears?
ahhh...i was wondering about the circles, but it definitely sounds like a watch (I just got a cool one like that for valentines day! :)), but it doesnt glow...hehe...OK, I am with you, its definitely a watch!
Congrats on the watch! I am not sure about the glowing part... I know that some g-shock glow depending on the light (like they'll glow brighter if there's less light) but this seems to have different colors and stuff. I really hope there's an explanation, or I see myself asking this question if I ever meet Abercrombie at a signing.
:) I'll ask him too...I was travelling when he was in the bay area last month and missed him.
I enjoyed this section. Nice to see an old face turn up as well.The big fight was fantastic. Really enjoyed how Thorn was stabbed through the cheeks - bit down on the blade - then wrested it from the uncles grip.
The romance part is still not bothering me, and not distracting away from the pace of the story - which normally happens in my opinion.
I have no idea what the bangle is. Hopefully we will see it explained further in the last part of the book.
Alexa wrote: "I am sure the elf relic Thorn now possesses has some power other than looking pretty, but I can't gleam its function or modern counterpart, other than it reflects the mood of the wearer (and can't ..."Alexa wrote: "I am sure the elf relic Thorn now possesses has some power other than looking pretty, but I can't gleam its function or modern counterpart, other than it reflects the mood of the wearer (and can't ..."
Sky wrote: "Hehe....I was going to comment earlier, Bill I think you complain about the romance in every book we read ;) I don't necessarily mind the romance, its all the beating around the bush that bothers ..."
I'm not sure about that. Whenever the bracelet changes, it's usually because Thorn's mood is changing or because of something she is feeling. Some examples: p.322 "Steel is the answer!" barked Thorn, the elf-bangle flaring hot red (it always does this when she's gearing herself up for battle) p. 241 She grimaced as she stretched her leg out, the elf-bangle flaring angry purple with her pain. p. 256 She'd force herself out into the bitter chill, teeth clenched against the aching in her leg as she ran across a white desert, the elf-bangle glowing chill white at her wrist....
It almost seemed like a type of mood ring to me, except I'm sure it will have some other powers, too.
Mood rings are so 1970's...Its a mood watch!
A mood watch that can predict the future and bring the elves back. Yes, please!
I'm still enjoying this except for the romance. Ha just as you all have said - I could do with out the "oh does he like me?" "She's too good for me" angst. Bleh. I swear, I read "Does he like LIKE me" in one of the sentences - it wasn't exactly that, but I was getting such a strong teenage vibe at that point, my brain just automatically assumed that was what it said. I DO like the mood watch :) I want one.
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I'm kind of glad they didn't hook up. Not because I'm against it, but because it was so uncomfortable to read.
I didn't think about what her elf braclet could be. If it's a watch, I don'tget how it couldn't be taken off..
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