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

[Choko]

Join us, Emily!:)))

[Laura]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "ooOOOooo I hope I can jump on this a bit later (maybe sooner than later!)"

Do join us Emily! :)

[Laura]

@Nirkatze - I am glad to hear I'm getting at least some of them right. :D

I'll keep making them and we can laugh together at my blunders in the end. :) I'll do a happy dance if I guessed most of them though.

[Carol]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "ooOOOooo I hope I can jump on this a bit later (maybe sooner than later!)"

Hi there!
I think we will be around for a good while yet! I am just back from a busy weekend and reentry - trying to catch up!

[Laura]

Up to Chapter 15 but I'll take them one by one. :)

And before I start with my spoilers I just have to say I love love LOVE how layered the characters are.

I adore Paulo too. He is one of those characters who will stick with you years after reading the book.
As for Graeme, I disliked him at first because (view spoiler)[ of the way in which he seemed to regard Seri. He would have seen her as a sorcerer's wife in a time when sorcery was seen as evil incarnate and he would have seen her as a spoiled noblewoman who pissed off the wrong people. Not knowing if she would care for the safety of the people who gave her shelter, people whom Graeme knew, not knowing anything about her, I would have also been slow to trust in his place. But still I disliked him for his seemingly cold manner. (hide spoiler)]

And then the scene in Chapter 9 came and (view spoiler)[ Graeme allowed Seri to use a different route, then he witnessed that humiliation and I started to like him because, he's not so bad after all.
Speaking of that humiliation - I found Evard utterly despicable. So much hatred and resentment he had for Seri that it was unbelievable.
And did you all notice how angry Thomas was at the way Seri was treated? He said nothing but he was livid. Was it bothering him that his sister was humiliated or that his house and name were muddied through her? I do wonder.

And then the end of Chapter 9, what Seri would have seen - heartbreaking! (hide spoiler)]


Chapters 10 & 11

Baglos intrigues me and those dead eyed priests give me the creeps. As for Aeren (view spoiler)[ no surprise there that he's a prince but I do wonder what kind of a person he would have been at home.
And I am a bit confused as far as the places are concerned. Where is D'Arnath? In Avonar?

The symbol on the knife is the mark of Karon's father and the name fits too - J'Ettanne. So Karon's father was the leader of the exiles?
Aeren is Dar'Nethi, as Karon was, and Baglos is Dulce.

I am just as confused as Seri about the bridge and wondering if the Zhid are connected to that moment in the clearing when darkness and that bad feeling made Aeren grab Seri and Jacopo and run. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to chapter 15

I am intrigued by the information in (view spoiler)[ the healer's journal and wondering if that book won't be Karon's downfall. Either that or the key to future events involving Aeren. The name kind of stuck despite knowing his real name now.

That debate regarding the child and the healer - that is something I really wouldn't want to take a side in. When to heal and who deserves to live or die, no one should have to make that choice.

And then comes Karon's grief because the man he brought back from the dead killed his good friend, the surgeon. Oh! The irony and heartbreak of that!! (hide spoiler)]

The part with Nettie and the joggler (view spoiler)[ was horrible. And for a while I was thinking yet again that this here is what will lead to Karon's downfall.
For some reason I keep thinking about that at every turn of the page. What did he do to get caught when he was so careful? Why? (hide spoiler)]

I love how Seri seems to grow and mature as the chapters flow and I'm waiting for that dreaded axe to fall and see what led to (view spoiler)[ Karon's fate (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Re Thomas in Ch. 9-10... I think both. He was angry for her and because of her. But I definitely think he has regrets and it's obvious...

I think the healing magic works until it's exhausted and it doesn't... I don't believe the healers can control or ration it out, and as far as choosing whom to help, I understand it as an imperative to do so whenever someone needs them, no matter who... The example with Karon's friend surgeon was very upsetting...

[Laura]

Choko wrote: "Re Thomas in Ch. 9-10... I think both. He was angry for her and because of her. But I definitely think he has regrets and it's obvious...

I think the healing magic works until it's exhausted and i..."

I am with Seri in that regard. Because, to me, the example with Netti clearly showed that healers can (view spoiler)[ choose if they want to heal or not. Karon didn't want to heal the man at first because Seri was with him and it was too dangerous. He didn't want to put Seri in harm's way and he wanted to walk away. He would have walked away with Seri despite the call of the magic in his blood, because Seri's safety mattered more to him than the need to heal.

And then later, while he was healing those people with his surgeon friend, I keep thinking of the situation.
There were so many wounded and dying there, so many needing Karon's healing. He could literally pick whom he wanted to heal next, out of so many. Because there were SO many.
But then how do you decide? Knowing your healing would bring life to only some because you cannot heal them all? How do you pick who lives or dies?
In his place, I would avoid thinking and just heal whoever is brought in front of me, or whoever I reach first, just so I don't have to make that choice. Because what if I choose wrong? What if I heal someone who ends up being a killer or I waste all my magic and don't get to heal one of the people most important in my life.
I think healing that way was a sort of defence or coping mechanism for those healers, so that they do not have to make the choice. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Carol, I wanted to ask you, since we were speaking about reveals and Nirkatze's reactions to my assumptions.

How does it feel for you? Seeing readers like us read your book and try to piece stuff together, and get it sometimes right and most of the times wrong, then seeing their reactions when they realise their own assumptions ended up slapping them in the face?

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "Up to Chapter 15 but I'll take them one by one. :)

And before I start with my spoilers I just have to say I love love LOVE how layered the characters are.

I adore Paulo too. He is one of those ch..."

In answer to your question about D'Arnath: In Chapter 11 Baglos says. (view spoiler)[“D’Natheil is not just any Dar’Nethi, he is the Heir of the royal line of D’Arnath who was the greatest of Gondai’s kings. He built the Bridge. (hide spoiler)].

So sorry if the names are confusing. After these books I tried to be more careful about naming:

D'Natheil is the stranger's real name
The Dar'Nethi are his people
D'Arnath is his ancestor...and who and what I have said in the spoiler.

[Carol]

Laura wrote:
And before I start with my spoilers I just have to say I love love LOVE how layered the characters are.

I adore Paulo too. He is one of those ch..."

Can I stick in fifty hearts here?

And as to your surmise about Karon's father (view spoiler)[ the mark on his knife is the mark of J'Ettanne - he, and therefore Karon, were direct descendant of J'Ettanne, the leader of the Exiles. The descendants of J'Ettanne and all the other Exiles over the years adopted J'Ettanne's name for themselves. Yes, that could all have been clearer.... (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "Carol, I wanted to ask you, since we were speaking about reveals and Nirkatze's reactions to my assumptions.

How does it feel for you? Seeing readers like us read your book and try to piece stuff ..."

I absolutely love it, Laura. Honestly. In a mystery, you never want people to figure out everything before you get to it. Some readers will always piece together things earlier, some later. I only feel bad if the clues I've given are too obscure or poorly explained!

I love it that you all seem to care for these people and find their circumstances intriguing enough to puzzle over them. That's the best ANY writer can hope for!

[Carol]

Knowing your healing would bring life to only some because you cannot heal them all? How do you pick who lives or dies?

You are exactly right. When Karon heals, such as after the earthquake, he takes all comers, even knowing there is a risk that he might not have strength enough to heal a friend or family later. Once he is spent, he has to recover before he can heal again. He sees that as an impossible dilemma, and part of the burden of the gift.

[Laura]

@Carol - It had absolutely nothing to do with that part needing to be clearer and everything to do with me being a klutz as far as names and dates are concerned. I always had a problem remembering them and that is also one of the reasons I'm taking notes of names and dates when I read a series.

I still prefer Aeren to D'Natheil but the name is not a big problem either.

And I completely missed the reference of hundreds of years in between.

[Laura]

Chapter 15

I wanted to box D'Natheil's ears when he (view spoiler)[beat up Baglos. That was not right. And I completely agree with Seri.
'Many people have terrible childhoods and impossible duties, but they live their lives with grace.'

And the first thing that came to mind that time was: What an arse D'Natheil is!! The fact that he's has a hard life is no excuse. And yes! I too found him despicable. Just like Seri.

But then he was scrubbing his hands in the water with that frenzy that clearly showed his profound despair and misery and I just have to wonder - WHY? Why trash the guy and then regret it? Is something else behind that horrid behaviour of his? (hide spoiler)]

And honest to goodness, I went and grabbed myself a snack after reading about the small feast Baglos set together. :D

As for the end of that chapter, I had the distinct feeling something was fishy with (view spoiler)[ Jaco. Why did he want to know exactly where Seri wanted to take D'Natheil? And when Seri went ahead and blurted everything out I was like: WHY?! Get the hell out of dodge woman and keep your mouth shut!!
And I may have breathed a sigh of relief when she managed to get the horses and leave sooner because I was convinced if she didn't disaster would follow. (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 15

I wanted to box D'Natheil's ears when he beat up Baglos. That was not right. And I completely agree with Seri.
'Many people have terrible childhoods and impossible duties, but they liv..."

I'm thinking I was hungry when I wrote this chapter. I think Baglos's feast sounded pretty good as well. I decided that we needed a peaceful moment in the midst of all the tension and worry. A pause before we took off in a new direction. But I couldn't let it drag on forever, of course ... Matters are coming to a head.

[Tammie]

I'm currently in chapter 16 and still enjoying the book. I agree with you Laura about your spoiler. I'm also wondering if something else was behind his behavior.

[Carol]

Tammie wrote: "I'm currently in chapter 16 and still enjoying the book. I agree with you Laura about your spoiler. I'm also wondering if something else was behind his behavior."

[smiling happily]

[Nirkatze]

Oh yay, @Emily--I hope you can join us!

OoO! @Laura & Choko, Tammie really love reading your comments as you read through! And so wonderful seeing @Carol's responses too... I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately--this is a busy time of year for me... just trying to make it through the end of the month. Hoping to be more present when we hit book two!

re: the Healer's dilemma--(view spoiler)[That story about the child and the Healer was such a gut-wrencher. And I agree--how could anyone make such decisions? It almost feels like you'd need a proper nursing staff to make the decisions for you, and do the triage before-hand... maybe only bringing to you the people most needful... but then it makes me think of the Penric’s Demon books--if the healers were only ever brought the most serious cases.... wouldn't that mean they'd have a higher risk of failure too? And pay a higher price for it? (hide spoiler)]

re: Laura's "Chapter 15" (view spoiler)[I love the quote you pulled out of Seri's, on 'Many people have terrible childhoods and impossible duties, but they live their lives with grace.'--such a good standard to live by, period--and I do have to wonder why it seems that the stereotype of the most privileged are often that they are also the most arrogant and lacking in grace? I wonder if it has to do with a lack of resilience and flexibility from leading a life low on challenges? But really, bottom line--there's no excuse for rudeness. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 16

There is definitely something fishy with (view spoiler)[D'Natheil's temper.
When he is pulled off from that beggar 'the mad fire in his eyes faded instantly into bewilderment.'
He didn't realise what he was doing? Is this some sort of beserker behaviour? Or something else?

I loved the scolding Seri gave him. So well deserved! And to think Baglos is trying to excuse his master's behaviour because he'd been apparently trained as a warrior since he could walk?! I was like 'Are you shitting me!!' That's NO excuse.
And did D'Natheil kill his swordmaster just because he was not good enough for him anymore?! When he was 11?!
Makes me shudder thinking - if that rumour is true, the man is a real piece of work.

And I just knew it that there was something wrong with Jaco. Now Graeme is also on their heels and the Zhid!!

Tennice being there was a great surprise I didn't see coming and I just LOVE the way Seri stars digging up clues and names with his help.
I loved the fact that they ended up in the cabin where Karon healed that family was seen by Martin.

And the mystery of D'Natheil always watching Seri as if he knows her or she means something important is driving me nuts. I want to know why. (hide spoiler)]

This story is becoming unputdownable.

[Laura]

Chapter 17 was absolutely heartbreaking.

I can't believe it is (view spoiler)[ Darzid who got Karon and Seri. He says Darzid and Thomas had been notified of his suspicions.

And it's Darzid who orders Seri to be cut, with an apparently deadly blow, to test his theory. I thought the man loved Seri! Is he so angry that she refused him that time when he came to her to talk about sorcery? Angry she chose Karon?
I just can't believe he did that!

And then the end of the chapter had me almost in tears. IF ONLY Seri wouldn't have told her brother about the child!! If only she had kept silent?! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 18

I resent Kellea's snappiness but admire her protectiveness towards (view spoiler)[her grandmother.

I am very intrigued about what Celine is supposed to do. Read D'Natheil? And I do wonder whose side Graeme really is on. (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 18

I resent Kellea's snappiness but admire her protectiveness towards her grandmother.

I am very intrigued about what Celine is supposed to do. Read D'Natheil? And I do wonder whose side ..."

Such fun to feel the mystery shifting like clouds and shadows through your eyes. With the distance of time, I think of these chapters, approaching what everyone knows is a terrible climax as a crossbow being wound tighter and tighter. When I was writing them, I had only instinct to tell me that I needed to keep the tension in the story of the present tightening too. [Your questions are all quite relevant, BTW]

[Tammie]

I stopped at chapter 17 and have put off reading it until I'm in the right mood, because I just know bad things are about to happen. I'll get back to it tonight though.

[Carol]

Tammie wrote: "I stopped at chapter 17 and have put off reading it until I'm in the right mood, because I just know bad things are about to happen. I'll get back to it tonight though."

But good things happen, too... I try not to leave readers in the deep darks for too long...

[Tammie]

Carol wrote: "But good things happen, too... I try not to leave readers in the deep darks for too long..."

I appreciate that!

[Nirkatze]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 16..."

Baglos's behavior makes me wonder (view spoiler)[if the attitude--sort of part subservience, part arrogance--is typical in people of his race and station? Or if it's pure Baglos.... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 17..."

Oh, that was a gut punch.... (view spoiler)[but at the same time you could feel it coming, right? What could possibly force Karon to show his powers? Only a deathly threat to someone he loves... though would he have been able to withhold his skill if it wasn't Seri, if it was some one else?

As for Darzid... somehow he knew. And I'm not sure that he loves Seri--but I think he senses something about her, or thinks she is an answer to something... maybe similar to what Karon sees in her? I can't see him caring for anyone but himself though--so if he has an attachment to Seri, it must only be because she can give him something he needs.... (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@Nirkatze - re: healer's dilemma -if the healers were only ever brought the most serious cases.... wouldn't that mean they'd have a higher risk of failure too? And pay a higher price for it?

I think in Karon's case he would pay a higher price since, as far as I understood, the worse the wound the more energy he expands healing. But I don't think the failure risk applies to him that way because he seems to heal whatever wound he gets his hands on so to speak. Unless he stumbles over cases like that juggler. Then failure would also apply.
not sure if this reasoning is correct though.

And now I am intrigued about the Penric books. Are they just as good as Chalion? Because if yes, I'm going to set them at the top of my TBR.

[Laura]

@ Nirkatze - regarding this: I wonder if it has to do with a lack of resilience and flexibility from leading a life low on challenges?

From personal experience with 'rich' people here, or people in high posts, I can say hands down that it has everything to do with always being given what you want regardless of cost and consequences.
Lack of resilience and flexibility are also there in such cases as far as I have noticed, since people who were brought up rich and given everything seem to find it extremely hard to accommodate to an existence in which they have to work for what they need. But that has nothing to do with being rude and everything to do with not knowing how to handle things yourself.

My husband's niece for example, was brought up like a princess. She literally rang a bell for a servant to come and lift the blanket she had dropped from the bed, or clean the mess from a water glass she tilted. She got married and went off with her husband to Australia where she had no servants or cook or anything of the sort and she literally cried when she had to clean her own toilet for the first time. Adjustment was very hard for her. But she is not a bad or rude person. Something that I cannot really say about other people I have met.

[Laura]

Tammie wrote: "I stopped at chapter 17 and have put off reading it until I'm in the right mood, because I just know bad things are about to happen. I'll get back to it tonight though."

I'll keep leaving comments chapter by chapter Tammie. The book has become downright addictive for me so I might speed ahead. But I WILL be here to chat with you and will set everything in spoilers. :p

[Laura]

Carol wrote:

Such fun to feel the mystery shifting like clouds and shadows through your eyes. With the distance of time, I think of these chapters, approaching what everyone knows is a terrible climax as a crossbow being wound tighter and tighter. When I was writing them, I had only instinct to tell me that I needed to keep the tension in the story of the present tightening too.."

Honestly, the mystery of D'Natheil's behaviour especially towards Seri is driving me nuts in the best way possible. I just NEED to know why. :)

And as a side note, by this point, the hopeless romantic in me, who has fallen in love a bit with Karon, sometimes wonders; 'What if Karon was still alive?!" How wonderful that would be. *sigh*
If not, then maybe Seri will get a happy ever after with someone else who is even more worthy than Karon was.
Yep. My mind keeps racing ahead and hoping for all sorts of scenarios while I keep turning pages keeping my fingers crossed Seri will get a HEA because by now I am totally rooting for her.

[Laura]

Nirkatze wrote: "Laura wrote: "Chapter 16..."

Baglos's behavior makes me wonder [spoilers removed]"

I am also wondering about that too.

[Laura]

Nirkatze wrote: "Laura wrote: "Chapter 17..."

Oh, that was a gut punch.... but at the same time you could feel it coming, right? ..."

That was really the best way to make sure (view spoiler)[ Karon reveals himself but I honestly didn't see the apparent ruthlessness coming from Darzid. It was like he LOVED outing Karon. He loved to be right and see him brought down and he wanted to make sure Seri KNEW it was all happening because of HIS suspicions and she should have spoken more with him that time when he came to her to talk about sorcery.

I had the feeling at that time that he felt more for Seri and his behaviour here made me see Darzid acting like a spurned lover. If I can't have you and be happy, you shouldn't be happy either. Which isn't really love but the behaviour of a spoiler brat who got pissed at not getting the thing he wanted. (hide spoiler)]

So I'm shelving this as question to debate on at the end of this book or series, and ask Carol for clarification.

Darzid is very intriguing as characters go. Despicable but absolutely intriguing. A very good mystery to unravel.

[Tammie]

I read chapters 17 through 21 last night, and I'm currently in the middle of chapter 24. I was up until 2am I couldn't put it down. These chapters were hard to for me to read at times, but I was still so glued to them! (view spoiler)[I was really glad that I didn't have to read them from the perspective of Karon and the friends who were tortured and killed. That would have been unbearable!

I couldn't believe Seri let it slip that she was pregnant. I figured they found out later when it was obvious. I'm also surprised that she thinks they will let her keep her son, the son of a sorcerer.

As for the present day chapters, I'm wondering how Rowan and the sheriff keep finding them? I do think Jaco told them when they went to the first place, but they keep showing up in every place Seri goes. Do they have some connection to the Djid? Does Darzid? I really want to know how they found out about Karon too. I think Darzid is the one calling all the shots. He's got some power over them.

I was very sad about Celine dying, but at least she lived a very long life and died happy. I'm worried for her granddaughter. I don't think they should have left her there. I'm afraid she was captured if she wasn't burned. I hope she decided to leave and got away. She had a very prickly personality, but I understood where she was coming from.

I'm also dying to know more about what Karon did with the magic word. I don't think it was only to open the bridge, but more ended up happening. Does he live on somehow in someone else, like the prince? And why does the prince seem to be aging? It has to have something to do with the magic. (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

Laura wrote: "Tammie wrote: "I stopped at chapter 17 and have put off reading it until I'm in the right mood, because I just know bad things are about to happen. I'll get back to it tonight though."

I'll keep l..."

That's ok Laura. Now that I've picked it back up I'm reading faster too.

[Tammie]

Choko wrote: "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 an..."

Choko, I liked your comments, especially about Karon (view spoiler)[ I got really upset with him for just letting it all happen. (hide spoiler)] and I agree with you about Darzid. (view spoiler)[I also think Darzid and maybe the sheriff have some sort of power over Evard and Tomas, and others. (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Oooh, you guys are great at homing in on the essential questions. All will become clear in time. A few will carry over into Guardians, but by the end of this one enough is unwound to be satisfying.

About Baglos's strange mixture of arrogance and humility... His personality is, of course his alone, and he has been co-opted into his role, as he says, by an unfortunate circumstance of a colleague. His choices are his own responsibility, of course. But the particular talents of the Dulce and their somewhat symbiotic relationship with the Dar' Nethi create quite a unique situation that contributes to a certain duality of status for many of the Dulce.

[Nirkatze]

"homing in on essential questions"--I love how you put that Carol... I was trying to think of how to comment on y'all's guesses without saying anything spoilery...

All y'all's questions are making me very excited for when y'all read and get those answers... and I really love seeing the insights y'all are teasing out of the story... can't wait to start that conversation when y'all get there too...

Ending thoughts on some questions--(view spoiler)[Knowing that Karon's soul is embedded in D'Nathiel's body--it really makes you wonder how much each has influenced the other, and look back on all of the actions over the course of the book as two diametrically opposed life philosophies finding their compromise... or fighting and losing battles... I have to wonder how the "new" Karon would have reacted in the old situation? Will Seri still find fault with his passivity? Or miss it? (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

Chapter 34 (view spoiler)[I did not suspect Baglos! What a surprise! Now I'm trying to figure out how Darzid fits into everything since he isn't there. (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Nirkatze wrote: ""homing in on essential questions"--I love how you put that Carol... I was trying to think of how to comment on y'all's guesses without saying anything spoilery...

All y'all's questions are makin..."

And this is (view spoiler)[I believe the duality was physically as well as psychologically painful. The conflicting urges and instincts. The flood of emotions that made no sense. All happening so fast, with no time for proper preparation. A sense of going mad." (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Tammie wrote: "Chapter 34 [spoilers removed]"

And that is certainly an essential question.

[Tammie]

I finished the book and I loved it! (view spoiler)[I just knew that Karon and D'Natheil had to be the same person somehow. I find it interesting that D'Natheil, the prince was very much the opposite of Karon in every way, even down to hair and eye color.

I now think that Darzid might be one of the three evil sorcerers that were talked about. Sorry I cant remember what they were called now.

I was extremely happy that Graeme, Paulo, and Celine's daughter (sorry, I can't remember how to spell her name) were all ok.

I'm excited to read book two now, and find out what happens next! I hope it doesn't take very long for Karon to adjust. (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Tammie wrote: "I finished the book and I loved it! I just knew that Karon and D'Natheil had to be the same person somehow. I find it interesting that D'Natheil, the prince was very much the opposite of Karon in e..."

You have made my day, Tammie. Guardians begins exactly at the ending point of Son. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next either!!

[Tammie]

Oh good, I'm glad there is no time gap between books.

[Laura]

I finished it yesterday too but wasn't able to get here to chat about it.

I LOVED this book and am really happy you all ended up loving it too!! :)

That being said?

When should we read the next in series?
I'd love to jump into it straight away but I can wait if you ladies would like to wait for a while.

[Laura]

Tammie wrote: "Chapter 34 [spoilers removed]"

I was thinking exactly the same by that chapter. :)

[Laura]

Tammie wrote: "I read chapters 17 through 21 last night, and I'm currently in the middle of chapter 24. I was up until 2am I couldn't put it down. These chapters were hard to for me to read at times, but I was st..."

By this chapter the book had become practically unputdownable for me too.

[Laura]

I will try and put all my thoughts and answers in one place so I don't kill the thread with so many comments.

But first of all ..
@Carol - I am doing a happy dance because Seri (view spoiler)[got her Karon back. Well, not quite HER Karon because a part of the prince is also in him now, but... (hide spoiler)] Damn!



This was me at the end of this book, especially since, (view spoiler)[after the death of Thomas, I am almost convinced his son is in fact Seri's son. (hide spoiler)]

And I'm itching to start book 2 and see what happens next.

Regarding Karon not using (view spoiler)[ sorcery to save himself and his friends, I was angry at him too. Angry for not doing something to escape because he could have done it without harming anyone if he had acted fast. But then I understood why he hadn't. Doing so would have gone against everything he believed in. He wouldn't have been Karon anymore if he had done that.
And Seri knew what she had gotten herself into when agreeing to marry him.
I mean, how can you ask a man you love to change the whole make up of his whole being and go against everything that he is?

And finding out that he had died while hearing Seri's angry thoughts broke my heart. (hide spoiler)]

I also wonder just like you Nirkatze if (view spoiler)[ Seri will miss Karon's passivity. The prince's influence has certainly made a huge difference in Karon as a whole and I do wonder how Seri will find him now. (hide spoiler)]

Reg. Darzid - (view spoiler)[ I figured out there was something way more to him at the trial because of his smug and amused expression and then it hit me that he is a sorcerer when Seri spoke to her brother for the first time while Darzid was not around. But I was still confused about his role as far as the king was concerned. I thought Darzid might be working under his orders. (hide spoiler)]

Reg. Karon (view spoiler)[ When Seri held his hand and stood by his side during that long night and remembered his end moments, regretting her outburst and asking for forgives while also forgiving, (that chapter BROKE MY HEART and made me cry). The time when she heard her name called, I was like -It's Karon!! But how?! (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

Laura wrote: "I will try and put all my thoughts and answers in one place so I don't kill the thread with so many comments.

But first of all ..
@Carol - I am doing a happy dance because Seri [spoilers removed] ..."

I also think that (view spoiler)[Tomas's son is probably Seri's. (hide spoiler)]