RETIRED: The Bridge of D'Arnath Series by Carol Berg - buddy read (#4 Daughter of Ancients), June 2023)

[Laura]

Carol wrote: "Hi all! So awesome to see such a nice group!"

It's truly SO great to have you here!! Thank you for this.

[Laura]

Jennifer wrote: "Oh how exciting! I bought the series on Kindle as a Christmas present to myself, to complement my rather battered paperbacks. Looking forward to a reread!"

Welcome Jennifer! :)

[Laura]

Chapter 3 made me want to cry.

Just as you all said, Seri's backstory is so incredibly heartbreaking!!

I despise Darzid. The way he (view spoiler)[ seemed to look at Seri, simply observing 'unruffled' when the constable poked her with his stick. He got angry when he lost her I think, because of that mention of a curse and whip, but my bet would be that anger was because he had been ordered to keep an eye on her and he lost her. Nothing else. I do believe Darzid wouldn't have given a damn if Seri had fallen dead at his horse's feet.
he could have cracked the whip at the prodding constable. His rank would have allowed it. But he didn't.
And for that, I despise him. (hide spoiler)]

And my first thought at the mention of the (view spoiler)[ clean washed babe was that it wasn't the same child. Seri's child must be alive. Maybe kept as a tool in case that child also has a sorcerer's powers? But then why deceive Seri that way? And I cannot help but wonder if the brother is the only one behind it all? Or maybe he was acting at the King's orders?
This mystery is irresistible. (hide spoiler)]

One more thing I wonder about Seri's relationship with her (view spoiler)[husband. They were able to talk into each other's minds right? Were they bonded?
It must have been so hard for Seri to keep her sanity and that will to live! The desire for vengeance and justice can only go so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 4

I will just say that I deeply admire Seri's strength to NOT drop an iron kettle on Aeren's head. I wouldn't have been able to be as composed as her.

From the mention of (view spoiler)[ the wound being almost healed by the next morning after Seri says the magic requiring healing word I suspected that Aeren might be a sorcerer.
That may somewhat explain even his prissy prick behaviour, if he was one of those arrogant 'I'm the best sorcerer that ever lived' type of guy. If he was the kind of man convinced he was entitled to everything due to his rank and power, he might have been an even bigger ass before loosing his memory. (hide spoiler)]

And why is he (view spoiler)[ staring at Seri like that? Does he know her from somewhere? He obviously can't remember but I can't help wondering if her face is to him like that device he drew and we later saw engraved on the knife hilt. He knows it but can't really remember from where. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I was wondering, am I right to assume (view spoiler)[ Seri's child would have been now 10 years old? If he were alive that is. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Tammie wrote: "I read up to chapter 7, and had a hard time putting it down, especially since I'm getting more of Seri's backstory. I'm loving it, but also dreading what we all know is going to happen."

I am reading chapters 5 and 6 now and will be back with some comments. But I'm with you on having a hard time putting this down. :)

[Laura]

Carol, I hated Aleksander at the beginning of Transformation but Aeren.... Aeren seems a different kind of SOB. The spoiled entitled bratty kind and my feelings for him are quite hard to describe. I pity him for his predicament but I despise him for his attitude. He's the kind of guy I'd slam a door in the face with a muttered go to hell and never give him a second thought.
Are you going to make me love Aeren too just as much as I ended up loving Aleksander?

[Choko]

I want to grab Aeren and spank him! He is such a spoiled brat!!!

[Tammie]

Laura wrote: "I was wondering, am I right to assume [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I think that's right.

[Carol]

Tammie wrote: "Laura wrote: "I was wondering, am I right to assume [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I think that's right."
It has been ten years since Seri walked away from her former life and ended up at Dunfarrie.

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "Carol, I hated Aleksander at the beginning of Transformation but Aeren.... Aeren seems a different kind of SOB. The spoiled entitled bratty kind and my feelings for him are quite hard to describe. ..."

We shall see. They are very different men.

[Carol]

My thoughts for today. I am interested to hear your reactions to the "starting in the middle and going back and forth". It was the way the story fell out for me, but I knew there were going to be people who hated it. (And I heard from many.) Here is my reasoning:

This story truly begins with Seri meeting Aeren and the adventures that follow all the way through the this and the next three books. But, of course, Seri is who she is because of her time with Martin and their circle of friends and the events that transpired in the years of their friendship. I felt as if the magnitude of those events needed more than just flashbacks. I wanted the reader to live those wonderful, tense, and dangerous times with her. I considered a prequel book, but that would have been (view spoiler)[ a real downer (hide spoiler)]. Then I considered just a straight ahead telling, beginning with her meeting Martin, but that would have been an even slower beginning than this one to an adventure story. (Believe me, I tried.) But after many iterations, I went back to this. Fortunately my editor supported me. I did love the backstory, of course - probably the most romantic times any of my beloved characters ever get!!
Let's just say that I hope the back and forth doesn't grow burdensome for any of you! I promise the other three books are straight ahead! And, oh, the flip flopping ends well before the end of the book. And there WILL be surprises along the way.

[Tammie]

Carol wrote: "My thoughts for today. I am interested to hear your reactions to the "starting in the middle and going back and forth". It was the way the story fell out for me, but I knew there were going to be p..."

It pulled me right into the story, so I think you were right to start there. It doesn't bother me at all, but I've read a few other books that go back and forth in time like that.

[Nirkatze]

Carol wrote: "My thoughts for today. I am interested to hear your reactions to the "starting in the middle and going back and forth". It was the way the story fell out for me, but I knew there were going to be p..."

I really love that most of your stories seem to have this pattern--and the way you described your writing process, of putting them in a situation out of their element, and asking "why are they here?"--it's just so cool to get a glimpse behind the curtain! And it makes so much sense! Figuring out those questions of "why are they here" is as much of a fun mystery to explore as what is going to happen next...

[Nirkatze]

I am into Chapter 19... I have notes but not the energy nor time to type up properly yet... waiting for the weekend. Just taking a minute to type this one bit up. (view spoiler)[I really love the way that the past scenes play out in parallel to the present. The present helps soften the blows of the past--almost like a reread does, when you know the worst that will happen and the relieving parts too. We know that Tenis survives. We also know that Karon does not... so in the past, when Seri holds on to hope and plans, we already know it will not work... and hope, which can be an anchor, does not drag us down with it... it's still painful though of course. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I actually have a question, which might not be very relevant, because I am guessing that the new Kindle releases have been edited? I tend to read the Kindle books while still listening to the Audiobooks... So I was pretty much zooming along, until Ch. 5, where things went two different ways... I am guessing there was some restructuring of when and how you went about the past/present scenes?

[Choko]

Just finished Ch. 10, and although some of the sections are moved around a bit, the book and the audio are very closely matched. I see some editing has happened, but not too different...

(view spoiler)[ I very strongly dislike the King and Thomas! Really liked Martin and his crew though... I hope they are still alive and well, but I have doubts, since Evard is a complete asshole who obviously can't let a perceived slight get unpunished, and he sees Martin as his rival for the throne...

The way those three "priests" took care of the outlaws and after her conversation with them in the tavern, they must be the ones looking for Aeron and I don't think they mean him anything good... They straight up scare me!

I like the sheriff of the village, who takes her every year for her "parole meeting" with the court. That experience of the first questioning, horrible!!! I don't know if I would have taken it as patiently and graciously as she did, but she did earn the sheriff's respect...

I did note that she spend her time with Martin and his crowd between the ages of 17 and 20, so she wasn't that much younger than Karon... The roses are a nice touch:)))

I love, Love, Paolo!!! I really hope he survives, because those innocent characters don't always live to see another day...:((( (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Sorry I am late with joining in today. First I drove two hours south of home. Then I spent a few hours visiting with my sister. Then I proceeded a little farther south tot he Pikes Peak Writers Conferenece. I ran into some people I hadn't seen in a while, and as happens at writers conferences or conventions, we sat an talked for about four hours. Whew. So a few minutes to answer new questions and comments.

I did very little editing on the new edition, though I will confess to removing some excess words here and there. I have learned a lot about cleaning out verbiage in the years since I wrote the D'Arnath books. I did not change plot/characters/settings or anything else, I promise! It is unfortunate the audio book doesn't track the new editions since they were based on the original release.

[Carol]

Choko wrote: "Just finished Ch. 10, and although some of the sections are moved around a bit, the book and the audio are very closely matched. I see some editing has happened, but not too different...

I very ..."

I am glad you liked Graeme Rowan. It was tempting to make him a nastier character...but I found that too cliche. I liked the thought that he was doing a very unpleasant part of his job and he had no reason to think that Seri was anything but a spoiled aristo.

[Carol]

Oh, and Paulo!!!!! One of my favorite and most surprising characters EVER. I just needed him to find the knife. And then he just kept showing up. It is hard to keep from spoilers here.

I just love that you love him.

[Carol]

Nirkatze wrote: "I am into Chapter 19... I have notes but not the energy nor time to type up properly yet... waiting for the weekend. Just taking a minute to type this one bit up. [spoilers removed]"

That is very good to hear. That is exactly what I was trying to do - have the events of the present evoke the particular scenes from the past, and make the hard parts a little easier to bear. And to show how the Seri that we meet on page had reasons for her anger. It is so satisfying to create characters that have many layers, so they are not always predictable and yet their actions make sense once you know the whole story. Thanks for the affirmation!

[Carol]

I will check in again tomorrow evening! (I love this, Laura! Thanks again for the opportunity!)

[Choko]

I really don't mind the differences. As you said, they don't change the story at all. I actually read a new edition of an author, who apparently had completely changed the story from the first publication, of which I had the audio. I ended up having to read them separately, because they were two completely different works... I honestly liked the original version better... In his case, I think he should have named the second publication "variation on the theme", kind of like composers and artists do - but I don't know how publishing looks upon this idea. I know Sanderson did this with one of his first books and I promptly purchased both. I find it gives us, the readers an even better feel for the world the author creates:)

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "I really don't mind the differences. As you said, they don't change the story at all. I actually read a new edition of an author, who apparently had completely changed the story from the first publ..."

I recently followed some news (via Daniel Greene) about publishers releasing new editions of classic works (like Roald Dahl) with language edited to be more modern, or more PC, or more kid-friendly.... I wasn't sure how I felt about that, especially if done without author's consent--or when author isn't around to give consent anymore... but it does make me think, as a reader, that I'd like at least something on the cover saying "new and updated version!" with a forward explaining the changes, so that readers can choose for themselves which version to delve into...

[Nirkatze]

Carol wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I am into Chapter 19... I have notes but not the energy nor time to type up properly yet..."

That is very good to hear. That is exactly what I was trying to do..."

I have to admit I'm fangirling more than a little bit here... thank you so much, Carol, for joining us! It is really special to be able to read and discuss your works with you here!

On the point of actions making sense when you know the whole story--I think I might be the only person here right now for whom this is a reread--and I'm really enjoying how my future (albeit somewhat fuzzy) knowledge is coloring the early interactions. I'm definitely seeing a lot more than I did the first time, and it's so much fun to see the scaffolding in place for the later scenes I know are coming...

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Just finished Ch. 10, and although some of the sections are moved around a bit, the book and the audio are very closely matched. I see some editing has happened, but not too different...

I very ..."

Much the same thoughts Choko! Two of my notes were (view spoiler)[when Paolo came on the scene, I was like Paolo! I love Paolo! I honestly didn't remember when he showed up in the books, but he stuck very strongly in my memory.

And Graeme! I love him too. It's so fun to see Seri fencing with him (or Seri fencing in general, for that matter)--seeing two people, with strong senses of honor, put in positions opposing each other... Seri is so blinded by her own experiences with people dedicated to hunting sorcerers that she doesn't even try to see Graeme as a person... and further, since we're seeing everything from Seri's POV, we kind of have an unreliable narrator situation--that Graeme comes across in a way that endears him to us despite her prejudices speaks to his strength of character.

I was so thankful when Graeme didn't force Seri through the square... and horrified at her revelation of what would have been waiting there for her. That was a good sucker-punch of a chapter ending.

The questioning was brutal... but again, I really love watching Seri word-play. I feel like she did a really good job of striking a balance of defiance without going too far... though I think the "now" scenes versus the "then" scenes also show how much she's grown, in patience, humility, and wisdom...

Thomas & Evard really come across as horrible in these scenes... though I have to wonder how much is Darzid's influence? I blame Thomas more than Evard too... he is her brother, her only family. The closest bond, a deep cut. I want to scream for Seri's sake--How could you? Should your familial ties not mean more than this? But I also have to wonder... what could he have done? Was he already straining what influence he had with the king just to keep her alive?

Oh, as for the ages--Karon is late 20s when he meets Seri, yes? When I was 17, 27 seemed ancient. ^^ Now, not so much. Though 17 seems like a baby, now... (hide spoiler)]

Also, I've been meaning to respond to the question from way back Chapter 2--who has a visceral reaction to the food scene and who doesn't. I'm one who didn't--not a visceral, just a regular "how rude! Asshat!" reaction... I have led a pampered life... though, (view spoiler)[I did feel a bit of Seri's despair as she looked down on the food and thought about the work it would take to replace it... (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I missed getting on line yesterday. Sorry about that! After weeks of being baked at 40+ degrees we had a solid storm and some rain. The good part - it's not so hot anymore.
the bad part - the electricity and wifi cables were cut because of fallen trees. And cell reception was crappy too.

But I'll be back in a few hours with some questions and comments. :)

also - I'm so happy everyone is loving this series just as much as I do!!
And I LOVE our little buddy read!! :)

[Nirkatze]

I also wanted to thank you, Laura, for setting this all up!! So happy to be reading with y'all!

[Tammie]

I'm up to chapter 12. (view spoiler)[Finally getting some answers about who Aeren is, and the bridge of D'Arnath. I enjoyed the parts with Graeme Rowan and Paulo as well. (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for setting this up Laura. This is the best buddy read I've been in in a while. Some of that has to do with Carol stopping by, but I'm enjoying the slower pace. I like that reading just a chapter or two a day is ok and I don't feel like I'm falling behind everyone else. I've been feeling like I needed to slow down and savor the books I'm reading instead of rushing through them so much, and this is the perfect book for that.

[Choko]

Yeah, the food thing is very big in my life... We had plenty of moments growing up, when we didn't know if we would have something to eat tomorrow... My dad used to say, as long as we have bread and salt, we can survive well. Regular meal was two slices of bread with some oil, paprika and salt, with water and an apple for dessert. During the summer we had tomatoes too... No wonder when we moved to the states we gained weight like crazy!!! We went insane with the choices of food, but still ate to bursting, because we weren't sure we would get food tomorrow... I wish I could get over that. At this point it's not a survival mechanism, it's just killing me...

Anyway...

I am up to Ch. 26 and I am all in! The time shifts don't bother me at all. I think they are well done and keep the story interesting.

Seri is a wonderful MC! (view spoiler)[I loved her happy time with Karon, and I really wish they could have moved somewhere out of Evard's lands and lived happily ever after... However, it is hard to embark on such a change until the knife is at your throat and you feel like you have no other options. At the time they didn't feel that way, so they had that false sense of security that comes with familiar surroundings... Karon's internal drive to "walk about" and use his gift really put them in danger, and they both knew it, just neither was ready to do something drastic to insure their safety - he didn't want to inconvenience her, she didn't want to take away the core of who he was. That mutual love and respect kind of doomed them both...

The capture, torture and murders - those were some really tough moments to read, making me feel very disheartened and impotent because of Karon's beliefs and convictions. I respect them, but darn it, I was with Seri here - save yourself so you can save me and your friends and your unborn child!!! Then if you feel like you have betrayed yourself, after we are all safe, keep putting yourself in danger by "being you" and get yourself killed! I was so frustrated and I was glad Seri was as frustrated as I was. I am one of those people who has gone through horrible things, and I know that my core is that of a survivor. I will fight to survive and I will fight for those I perceive as "wronged". The "go peacefully into the night" is not me and I am perplexed every time when people commit suicide or let themselves wither and die. I don't judge them - everyone knows what works for them and no one can be in someone's mind, but I don't understand! My brother has tried to kill himself 3 times, and I get so angry, because I don't see the reasoning behind it. Karon's actions, to me, are a form of torturous suicide, but in his case, others, those closest to him, are pulled into it too. Shouldn't he, having that core imperative to "Heal!", take care of them first, then continue with his non-resistance, when only his life is in danger??? As I said, I am very touchy on this subject, but it does make for an emotional read!

I did like how they stayed in thought communication through it all, and how he tried to soothe his friends as well. I knew the King would find a way to kill Martin and his lady, and I am glad that Tannis is still alive, although it made me sad that his twin brother didn't survive...

Darzid and that sheriff M, who stabbed Seri, are obviously the main culprits in all the darkness that has taken over Thomas & Evard. The small clarity of thought that came to Thomas when he was away from Darzid is a big clue, but what could they do about it??? I did catch that Thomas has a son who is 10 years old... Hmmmmm....

I wish Seri wouldn't trust Jaco! It's not that I think he is a bad man, but he is most probably tainted by the Djiit, because there was no other way for them to know that Seri's gang was going to the professor's house - he was the only one whom she told... I felt horrible for his death and what was done to his servants! Those people need to pay for everything they have inflicted!!!!!!!

I love the little guy, Baglos!!! I wanted to beat the heck out of D'Natheil when he was hurting him! I understand the dude is confused, I understand he is full to bursting with all types of energy, but he needs to learn to stop abusing people!!! He is like a wild, vicious, temperamental child!!! Someone needs to teach him how to do Human! I hope Seri is up to the challenge and has more patience than I do... His volatility is dangerous and it's unpredictable nature could really hurt them all...

The other thing I have been wandering... When D'Natheil is wondering where to start from, where the gates are, and all together what to do next, I once again am yelling at both of them - why aren't you ordering Baglos to show you the way?????? Are only we, the readers understanding that Baglos' magic works that way? He doesn't have to actually know, but if D'Natheil orders him, he will know! Just order the dude already!!!

OK, that's my rant for the morning:))) I am going to work now:))) (hide spoiler)]

Really invested in the story so I need to know what happens!!!

[Choko]

Just a quick note, I forgot to mention... Up to Ch. 26... (view spoiler)[Tannis, when he walk up from his fever, kept referring to D'Natheil as Karon. I am guessing that something in D'Natheil, when he held him safe, reminded him of Karon, as he was with him while being captured and almost killed... That might be a good sign, that D'Natheil has something of the light and goodness of Karon within him... Just a thought... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Tammie, don't ever feel like you are falling behind!!! Take your time and savor! Some of us can't help but go fast, and it has nothing to do with anyone else... My thing is, once I start a book, if it catches my fancy, I have the need to find out what happens!!! I go kind of nuts if I have to wait to find out, so I race to the finish. Then the anxiety of not knowing goes away and I tend to re-read, so I can actually savor the book for real. It really is not efficient at all, since it takes double the time, really... But once I am satisfied that the ending won't kill me, I can go back and read for the pleasure of the story itself...

[Tammie]

Choko wrote: "Tammie, don't ever feel like you are falling behind!!! Take your time and savor! Some of us can't help but go fast, and it has nothing to do with anyone else... My thing is, once I start a book, if..."

Oh, I know it doesn't have anything to do with anyone else, and I know the feeling like I'm falling behind thing is just me feeling that way. I'm trying not to feel that way. Occasionally I'll come across a book that I have to marathon read because I can't put it down, so I know how that can be. I hope I didn't sound like I was complaining about other people.

Part of the problem is also that I commit myself to too many books and then I have to read at a faster pace to get to all of them. Also the team reading competition brings out the competitiveness in me and I really try to help my team out as much as I can.

Anyway, all those things add to me not slowing down to think about and savor the books I'm reading as much as I would like to. I also don't seem to retain them as well when I listen to them, and I've been listening to a lot of audio books this year. So the slower pace of this buddy read is helping me with all of that and I'm really enjoying it.

[Choko]

You are not complaining, I know that. I guess I feel bad sometimes, because I tend to eat and inhale books, but as you said, then retention suffers... Which is kind of funny, because if a long time has gone between my re-reads, it almost feels like I am reading the book for the first time:))) Iain, Soo and I had talked about this years ago, that we are afraid we might alienate people in our BR groups, because of the furious pace... And we really, really don't want to do that!!! We love reading with people, this is why we are here. Sharing the joy of a book makes the book that much better!!! If anything, I tend to apologize for my reading habits because of it. Several times I have seen Iain say about some of our members, that he is afraid he ran them off with his reading pace, and I really hope he is wrong and that they just left for their own reasons... I think this is why we try to hang around all the threads and participate way after we are done - it's about the shared experience.... Does any of this make sense???

[Tammie]

Choko wrote: "You are not complaining, I know that. I guess I feel bad sometimes, because I tend to eat and inhale books, but as you said, then retention suffers... Which is kind of funny, because if a long time..."

Yes, it makes perfect sense, and I appreciate that you all stick around and discuss after you've finished the book. Hopefully no one has left because of that. I know that wouldn't cause me to leave.

[Laura]

Carol wrote: "My thoughts for today. I am interested to hear your reactions to the "starting in the middle and going back and forth". It was the way the story fell out for me, but I knew there were going to be p..."

I love the start in the middle too. It made me actually quite curious to guess the how and why. Perhaps even more curious than a straight story development would have been.

[Laura]

Carol wrote: "I will check in again tomorrow evening! (I love this, Laura! Thanks again for the opportunity!)"

I am so happy you are having a nice time here Carol! And thank YOU for taking a leap and joining us here. This buddy read is fantastic with you here.

[Choko]

I do have a technical question - are the Dulce, the Mundanes and the Dar'Nethi the same species? And if not, we know that Mundanes/muggles and the Dar'Nethi can procreate, is that true with the rest as well???

[Laura]

Up to Chapter 8

Because I am also taking this slow. Just a few chapters a day to savour the book and chat about it to the heart's content. :)

I loved (view spoiler)[ the healing scene and the more I get to know Karon the more heartbreaking his fate feels. (hide spoiler)]

Then there were a couple of perfect 'oh shit' moments for me in these chapters.

(view spoiler)[ First, that Evard has killed everyone in Avonar including Karon's father because sorcerers lived there. By the King's order, true but still....

Evard is despicable.
And Thomas could do with a good trashing. I wonder if he even cares about his sister at all. Apart from her value as a marriage asset.

Then... Well, I'll be! Darzid is in love with Seri!!!
I was suspecting some feeling for her after what he did for the old warriors at Seri's request to help but... Love?! I did not see that coming.
And I am very very intrigued about his behaviour when we first met him. Trailing Seri on the road and having that calculating expression. Why? When there was love involved.

But the real bang in that chapter was the fact that Darzid doesn't remember the events in Valleor anymore. He can't remember stories of his family and career and sees fantastical seeming images in his mind, that have the truth of memory. Clear sorcery if you ask me.
And I have to wonder - is Evard using sorcerers? Or Thomas? Because Darzid is Thomas' man.

And then comes Evard marrying the daughter of the last Vallorean king. A 16 year old girl whose whole family was beheaded in front of her maybe by Evard? Since he was the one fulfilling the king's orders in Valleor.
And I'm like - despicable is a too gentle description for Evard. (hide spoiler)]

I love how layered the characters seemed to be, and the more I hear of Seri's background, the more the hopeless romantic in me gets riled up hoping she'll get (view spoiler)[ a second chance at happiness with someone even more better than Karon. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Tammie - I am taking it just as slow as you.
I haven't done a buddy read in a long time and I really want to enjoy this one, taking my time and reading slow, while chatting about almost everything I find great in the book.

Burnout is something that I struggled with in the past because of over commitment to reading/reviewing and I don't want to go there again. With this series and this BR I want to take my time and enjoy a deep dive into the series with you all.

@Choko and Nirkatze - I know you're gonna leave me in the dust but I'm banking on you both being here to chat even after you finished.❤️😘

[Laura]

Carol - I have a question

Can you tell me more about the deities in this world?
Or should I just keep reading because they will be expanded on as we go?

[Laura]

@Nirkatze - It's really great to be reading with you.❤️😘

And once we're done with the book I'd love it if you told us about your thoughts at my assumptions. I have a talent of making lots of them, which end up slapping me in the face later.😂

[Tammie]

Laura wrote: "Up to Chapter 8

Because I am also taking this slow. Just a few chapters a day to savour the book and chat about it to the heart's content. :)

I loved [spoilers removed]

Then there were a couple..."

I think Darzid (view spoiler)[loves Seri as far as he knows what love is, which in my opinion is a selfish thing. And I can't believe I missed that second nugget about Darzid! I had turned it on text to speech while I was working on something for a few minutes and missed that there was apparent sorcery going on there. I'm not going to turn on text to speech again. I miss too many things! (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Choko wrote: "I do have a technical question - are the Dulce, the Mundanes and the Dar'Nethi the same species? And if not, we know that Mundanes/muggles and the Dar'Nethi can procreate, is that true with the res..."

Mundanes and Dar'Nethi are the same species. The Dar'Nethi likely have a genetic component, fed by their environment's genetic makeup that gifts them with sorcery. Dulce are humanoid, yes, but a slightly different genetic strain. The differences show up in "mind and memory" as Baglos says. All can procreate.

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "Carol - I have a question

Can you tell me more about the deities in this world?
Or should I just keep reading because they will be expanded on as we go?"

Unlike some of my other series, this is not a world where we will meet the deities, or those who might have been mistaken for deities. I wanted to give each society divine tales and legends that helped shaped their culture. Arot and Mana, and the Holy Twins--the Swordsman and the Navigator--reflect or are reflected by Leiran culture - family, strength, mastery over the land and seas, and the glorious warrior. The Dar'Nethi Vasrin is more abstract, reflecting the duality of creation and good use. They do not grow in importance as in the Rai-kirah or Collegia Magica books.

[Carol]

Tammie wrote: "Laura wrote: "Up to Chapter 8

Because I am also taking this slow. Just a few chapters a day to savour the book and chat about it to the heart's content. :)

I loved [spoilers removed]

Then there..."

It pays to listen to Darzid.

[Carol]

Back to my conference. A workshop and Read and Critique are done. What's left today is a faculty get together and dinner. All good. Tomorrow gets busy again.

Thanks for the good words.

[Nirkatze]

Laura wrote: "Tammie - I am taking it just as slow as you.
I haven't done a buddy read in a long time and I really want to enjoy this one, taking my time and reading slow, while chatting about almost everything ..."

I finished yesterday! But I am so glad, Laura, that you & Tammie are going slow--I've been burning through books lately, clinging to them like security blankets to get through the craziness of the end of the school year--but haven't had the brain cells or energy to properly comment (or even form thoughts) while going through. Following you & Tammie at your slower pace lets me relive those awesome bits again, and gives me time to actually have thoughts about things! Will definitely be here for the distance.

[Nirkatze]

Laura wrote: "@Nirkatze - It's really great to be reading with you.❤️😘

And once we're done with the book I'd love it if you told us about your thoughts at my assumptions. I have a talent of making lots of them,..."

I have already clapped excitedly for several of your assumptions! But I've been trying not to say anything because spoilers! I think you caught on to several things earlier than I did on my first reads...

[Tonari no Emily]

ooOOOooo I hope I can jump on this a bit later (maybe sooner than later!)