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

[Nirkatze]

True thing... makes me think back to book one, with the focus on martial training that eventually led to a defunct heir--and how Karon's healing magic was almost unheard of...

Finished today! Love the ending--and love getting that little epilogue, seeing where everyone is--(view spoiler)[Paolo & Aimee becoming parents and making Seri a grandmother! Jenn & Gerick seeing the wonder in each other and each confiding in Seri, just a perfect way to end. And the rose! That made me tear up, even though I knew it was coming...

And thank goodness the gardener & Jenn's dad were healed!! And before that, with the testimonials of all the people Gerick helped as he fixed the realms... finally, getting some recognition for everything. I also love how the Bounded recognizes the worth of each of them--if anything I wish we'd've gotten some more Bounded scenes...

And poor D'Sanya... seriously, how no-one even thought that she might need serious counseling and be mega-broken? D'Arnethi need to work on their therapy skills. Kind of want Jenn to give them another scolding. (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

I'm currently in chapter 27. (view spoiler)[Well, I guess D'Sanya is a bit unhinged. There were hints that she could be for sure. She turned on Gerick very quickly, and got darker than I thought she would. I feel bad for Gerick.

I love Jen so much. I really enjoyed the parts with her and Paulo. The whole rescue of Gerick and the aftermath was great. I've enjoyed Seri's parts too and I'm glad we finally got back to her. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

End of chapter 25.

I will open your spoilers a bit later and add some comments too because right now I just can't stop reading. But I just had to come over here to blow some steam.

Am I bad person for wanting to slap the shit out of
(view spoiler)[the Lady?! Because... WTF are you doing woman?! Are you batshit crazy or darker than those Lords themselves?!
How could she?! Priding herself on wanting to do only good and wanting to heal and be this revered savior?!
What she did to Gerick is unforgivable. Tit for tat?! Like come on!!

And why do I have the feeling she is behind the attacks of the Djiid too?!

She made the slave collars and had to listen to the people's screams as they were collared for thousand years. No one will be left unmarked by that. Plus she made all that other stuff for the Lords with the intention to hurt anyone else BUT her. Lesser evil my arse. She chose her survival if you ask me. And yes. I am sorry for what she went through but I can't stand what she's become.
(hide spoiler)]
Someone needs to dunk her sorry holly saving pompous arse in an ice cold lake. Maybe that will wake her up and make her come to her senses!

Honestly, I don't really believe (view spoiler)[ she can be redeemed by now, but then I thought the same of a certain prince from Carol's Rai-Kirah series and ended up loving him in the end. So I am expecting Carol to make me choke on my assumption by the end of this book. (hide spoiler)]

There. That being said, I'll get back to reading and return with some comments a bit later.

[Choko]

Nirkatze, amen! I wish we had equally good mental health care in America too... St. Louis is OK, but further south you go, it is almost none existent. My family is in South Carolina and the only time they deal with the mentality Ill is when they act out, because they are not medicated, and are usually put in jail... We as people can't keep ignoring it...

Tammie, Jen is The Best!!! Love her to pieces!

Laura, I had a lot of the same feelings, but I trusted the author to make us understand... I think we needed all those emotions...

[Carol]

"Carol, it was a pleasure! You will be joining us for the next series, right?:)"

Of course!

[Carol]

I have actually been reading Daughter right along with you. It had been a while since I read it for anything but proofing and such. You are right about the Dar'Nethi having lost their way through the centuries. War and fear took their toll. And, of course, they were always "human" with varying personalities. People like V'Rendal the Archivist and other bit players were helpful but quirky. Some, like the bookstore guy, were scarred by their experiences. But one can look at Ven'Dar and Aimee to see the ideal. People who would be kind and generous and stalwart in any society. And Garve, the Arcanist would have been weird in any era. It is the nature of his immense and unusual talent. Je'Reint (view spoiler)[not sure if this is necessary any more - is a good man, a good soldier, but not overfilled with trust - it IS a harsh world - and, yes, he is a bit of a snob. (hide spoiler)].

[Tammie]

Currently on chapter 34. I had to put it down for a while, but I didn't want to. (view spoiler)[ Choko, I agree Gerick and Jen would be great as a couple! I love the way they are working together. (hide spoiler)]

Laura, you are not a bad person for wanting to slap you know who. So do I!

You all have so many good comments and all I can do is nod along and agree, LOL.

[Choko]

Carol, I loved V'Rendal and Garve!!! Do we ever get some follow up on them anywhere? Such marvelous characters!!!

[Choko]

Tammie, hahaha! I know what you mean. I love it when I get to a BR a bit late and people have already pretty much commented on everything I was thinking, and all I have to say is yep, I agree:)))

[Tammie]

Finished! The ending had me in tears, it was so good. I will truly miss reading this wonderful series. (view spoiler)[I love how everything worked out in the end. Paulo and Aimee, Gerick and Jen, just how I was hoping it would be. And Seri taking up Karon's work. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

And, you forgot to mention, the mysterious healings! (view spoiler)[ I am glad D'Sanya is feeling good enough to be doing good, but without the evil side effects! :))) (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

What Tammie said about everyone's comments. I'm nodding along and agreeing.

The end had me also in tears. I absolutely ADORED this book. Well, this series as a whole but this book was special.

I was rooting for (view spoiler)[Jen and Gerick from the very first time they met and I am so happy to see them together in the end.

The Lady is one of the most memorable characters ever I think. Because she had me going through the whole range of emotions. I even downright hated her at one time, only to have my heart break for her in the end. She had been through so much and had no Seri with her unwavering steadfast love by her side. She had no Paulo either in her corner, to smack her on the head when she did something stupid or anyone else really who even remotely believed in her. Her broken spirit in the end moved me to tears.

Just as Gerick's determination to love and save and keep safe. So much feeling, courage and self sacrifice and so much unconditional love! Just... memorable!!

Karon's death felt right and I loved it that Sefaro made it in the end thanks to Gerick. I LOVED the way Seri referred to Paulo's soon to come baby as her grandchild and that small exchange between Gerick and Jen moved me to tears again. (hide spoiler)]

To say I loved this book to pieces wouldn't do it justice I think.

Carol - your characters stole a piece of my heart. THANK YOU for writing their story!! It is one that will stay with me for a very long time.

[Tammie]

Yes, the healings were also a great part.

Laura, I agree about D'Sanya.

[Choko]

Yay! We are all on the same page about this book! You guys know how good it feels when you love a book and you get to share that experience with others! :)))

[Carol]

Choko wrote: "Carol, I loved V'Rendal and Garve!!! Do we ever get some follow up on them anywhere? Such marvelous characters!!!"

No, not currently, though they might be fun to host a short story of their own...Must put this on a list. I have short pieces that go with all of my series except for this one. We know SOO much about the main characters, since the story includes their personal histories. But some of these side folk...hmmm.

[Carol]

Choko wrote: "And, you forgot to mention, the mysterious healings! [spoilers removed]"

Must clarify, if you are talking about Jen's father and others from the hospice: (view spoiler)[ "Did you hear, my lady, that some mysterious person came to Gondai behind my back and provided my father strength enough that he was able to endure a healing for his back, and then left again before we could even thank the mysterious fellow? That same person has aided every survivor of the hospice in like manner..."

This is Gerick soul-weaving. (hide spoiler)]

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "...your characters stole a piece of my heart. THANK YOU for writing their story!! It is one that will stay with me for a very long time."

Now you have me in tears. I could ask no better response. I love these characters so much. (view spoiler)[Yes, Gerick and Jen and Paulo and Aimee. Seri surviving and Karon finally getting peace.

I think I mentioned to you all that originally I had the first three and piece of Daughter. But I really didn't understand what Daughter was. A related standalone? The fourth of four?

I knew how it had to be when I realized two things - this was the story where #1: Gerick learned how to love. (He SAW in the Soul Weaver, but didn't understand it until this one.) And #2: that the resolution to the wholse story was that Gerick had to destroy the Bridge. I honestly did not know these two things until I was driving out on an errand one day, still befuddled as to whether I should even tell my agent about Daughter. It was as if someone dropped the truth out of an airplane and it landed on me (I WAS driving my rusty little Miata with the top down after all. ) (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

So, you see, this book was meant to be! I was also wondering where would you possibly go after book 3, but you sure found a way to complete the story in the best way possible!

I did miss the fact that (view spoiler)[ the healing was because Gerick did the Soul Weaving thing, not that D'Sanya somehow found her center and was well enough to help... That makes me kind of sad... I was really hoping good outcomes for her, because she really wants to help her people, to make up, in her mind, for the things she had to do to stay alive while with The Lords ... She is such a tragic character, she kind of breaks my heart...

Short story!!! Yes!!! We need it! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Loving all of your comments--especially Carol's story behind the story, and Laura's ranting & love. And Choko pointing out the real world connections... (view spoiler)[I look at D'Sanya and think about what Laura said, about her not having a Seri or Paulo to help him find his way... and Gerick had been looking at D'Sanya as someone who stayed whole where he broke, but it was the other way around... or rather, Gerick might have broken, but he had people to help him put himself back together... and I really like how Tammie pointed out just how quickly she turned on Gerick... (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Carol - I LOVE that story behind the story!!
Thank you again for reading with us. It has been a real pleasure having you here and hearing all these little extra insights.

And I am looking forward to reading the next series with you too. We all are. :)

[Laura]

The threads for Collegia Magica are up lovelies.

I'm leaving the links here so you can hop in and grab a spot. :D

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Nirkatze]

I have the posts saved and on my schedule!! So excited. I think this is the one series I just haven't gotten around to rereading yet. And I remember almost nothing. Like, only ONE major reveal, and I think for book one.

[Carol]

I will see you all with The Spirit Lens!