Esrahaddon

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo and I will finish the trilogy in May. Anyone is welcome to join in.

[Margo]

Will we go for the 2nd week again Janice?

[Janice, Moderator]

Let's aim for that. Shall we say the 10th?

[Margo]

Sorry Janice, I really thought I'd replied to you - 10th is fine with me.

[Janice, Moderator]

Super!

[Margo]

I'll be ready to start tonight. How are you fixed Janice?

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm starting this afternoon. I finished an audiobook yesterday - perfect timing.

[Margo]

I finished mine this morning. I have my IRL book club tomorrow, I'm cutting it fine!

[Janice, Moderator]

I just started listening to Esraadden when my son arrived. He just left, so no reading today.

[Margo]

That's good news for me - I listened to the foreword last night then fell asleep LOL It was a good foreword though.

It's so nice to get an unexpected visit.

[Janice, Moderator]

I hope to make a better effort today. I doing a two day quilt retreat starting tomorrow. I'll try to listen in the evenings to not get too far behind.

[Margo]

Don't worry about it Janice, I can pick up a second book and keep pace with you. I hope you enjoy the retreat, sounds like fun. I'd love to try it out, but I'm not good with most textile art forms - I have two left hands lol

[Margo]

I'm somewhere in chapter 3

Chapter 1 and 2

(view spoiler)[ We have another MC with daddy issues, well deserved in this case. Esrahs father is horrible! Esrah is in same boat as the girl Farrilane met in the forest in the last book - I think she was called Ruby. He obviously has magic and no way to control it.

It sounds like Elan has lifted the ban on reading, but what about magic? Either way, in this remote village they're having none of it.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[
I'm not very far in, but I like those dwarves - seems there's another type that are not so friendly tho! Those others sound more like the ones Nolyn met. Very curious as to who sent these three.
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I read to the end of Chapter 4.

(view spoiler)[I was disturbed by the ignorance of Esra's father and the village. They're so steeped in fear of their superstitions that they would leave a 7 year old in the forest to die. Unfortunately, there are enough examples throughout history that this isn't far off the mark.

I was rather entertained by the goblins. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "I'm somewhere in chapter 3..."

Oops - (view spoiler)[ I guess "goblin" isn't a well received name. They are Bahran? I'm not sure of the spelling since I'm listening to the audiobook. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Well you're braver than me - I wouldn't even attenpt to spell it 😂

Oh, I was referring to (view spoiler)[ the goblins in my last post. I called them dwarves which is probably even more of an insult! I must have been thinking about Snow White, we were chatting about the TV show "Once" shortly before lol
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

You weren't all that off, because somewhere (view spoiler)[if mentioned that they were also known as dwarves. But I think the proper terminology is Behran. (hide spoiler)]

I should take my ear buds and iPad to the quilt retreat and listen while I sew.

ETA - ipad and ear buds packed.

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "You weren't all that off, because somewhere [spoilers removed]

I should take my ear buds and iPad to the quilt retreat and listen while I sew.

ETA - ipad and ear buds packed."

Wouldn't you be missing out on all the quilting tips that will surely be flying around? I can just picture you there, oblivious to all the chat, lost in Elan ;-p

[Margo]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[ Yikes, I thought Hecaba was finished there! He left it till the last minute (for dramatic effect!), but Esra saved her. I'm not sure I would have bothered after such a lousy birthday present! That can't have been the package she was keeping for him surely?

I was just thinking what a great relationship had developed between them and then this happens. I can understand why she did it, but can their relationship ever be as easy again?
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

There are only 6 of us there, and most people had their heads down with little chat. I tried to listen, but I couldn't concentrate and will have to start Chapter 5 again. (view spoiler)[ Mondolay (sp?) is back. We just can't get rid of him! (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "There are only 6 of us there, and most people had their heads down with little chat. I tried to listen, but I couldn't concentrate and will have to start Chapter 5 again. [spoilers removed]"

That's a shame, I guess that's why it's called a retreat. Hope you're enjoying the quilting. I didn't get any listening done today either.

(view spoiler)[ Yes, turned up again like a bad penny.
(hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Another thought on chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ Why is Mondalay promoting the idea that Novron is a god? He's calling himself a bishop, is that in the church of Novron?
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I have timesheets to enter this morning and then I'm going to reread chapter 5.

[Janice, Moderator]

I read to the end of Chapter 5 and on into chapter 6, but I'll just comment on Chapter 5.

(view spoiler)[We sort of knew that Mondalay would turn up. He reminds me of another evil power hungry bad penny that keeps turning up. Why those bad pennies don't find a hole in the pocket and fall out. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Another thought on chapter 5"

(view spoiler)[It's all part of his plan to take power. Influence the people on a false premise and eventually control them. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I've read to the end of Chapter 8.

It feels like we're still in the set up to the story. (view spoiler)[ Mondalay has just arrived in Percepliquis and is setting up his influence there. Esrahadden is now 19 and his surrogate mother Hekkabah has died. There is much talk about the gift she was to give him but couldn't because it wasn't "for a child". (hide spoiler)]

Other than that, there doesn't seem to be much to discuss.

[Margo]

snap - I'm at the end of chapter 8 too. I agree that there's not much to discuss so far, which is good as I'm on the app! I didn't get to read any of this yesterday as I was travelling, and my hubby doesn't care for fantasy.

[Janice, Moderator]

Re: Your chapter 6 spoiler.

(view spoiler)[I think she instigated the attacks to demonstrate that he has the gift and that it was he how killed all the lions that attacked the village when he was 7. He sort of "came to" and saw all the dead carcasses but didn't know how they got there. Now he knows. (hide spoiler)]

And that ties in with Chapter 10 - (view spoiler)[ We now know that "the gift" was a blue and yellow robe in the same colours as the bird he keeps seeing. I wondered if the robe gave him powers when he wore it, but we know from that seen in Chapter 6 that he doesn't need the robe to be powerful. I wonder how the significance of the gift will play out. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm at the end of Chapter 14.

(view spoiler)[If Esra is as powerful as he is without training, how powerful will he be with training. I think he has a crush on Rapaport. He's really an innocent for all the mayhem he just caused. But then, he's only 19 at this point. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Sorry Janice, I've been battling a bad headache. Thankfully I'm having the cararact removed on Wednesday. I won't get much listening done that day.

Chapter 10 - 11
(view spoiler)[ That does that robe do? Everyone wants it, it can't just be the colours!
We meet Rappaport and Wordely. I like them, they remind me of the relationship between Farralane and her first mentor. They don't know what to make of Esra. He manages to kill the warlord and some of the troops involved in his adoptive mothers death so hopefully that will satisfy his need for revenge, but then he meets someone with even more power than himself! Isn't that what always happens when a hero thinks he can't hurt by anyone? ;-p

So, by the end of the scene the robe has melted the goblin, Esra has taken it back, but now he's afraid of it. Oh, and the city is in ruins.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ Ruby is mentioned again. I get the feeling she will be a big player in this story. Esra fancies Rappaport - mind you, she is the first decent human female he's met in his life!
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[ It seems that the Frey have become second class citizens, or at least thats the way they see it. Morderlays new religion is serving its purpose in driving a wedge between humans and Frey. The Emporor doesn't seem to be be improving the situation.
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I like Rappaport & Wordley too. I will likely have to have cataract surgery down the road. There is a small one forming in my left eye. So far, it hasn't been problematic.

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "I like Rappaport & Wordley too. I will likely have to have cataract surgery down the road. There is a small one forming in my left eye. So far, it hasn't been problematic."

Well stay away from oral steroids if poss. Mine was small 8 months ago, surgeon said it's likely the steroids accelerated the growth. The op takes 15 minutes, the recovery 1 to 4 weeks. After 6 weeks I get an eye test and a script for new glasses. I really hope I won't be off the road till I get the new glasses. I'm very limited with my driving at the mo.

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "I'm at the end of Chapter 14.

[spoilers removed]"

LOL In my last spoiler I said (view spoiler)[ I thought Esra fancied Rappaport
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I seem to be reading about an hour a day. At this rate, it's going to take a while to finish. Ack!

I finished to the end of chapter 16, and I think it is the end of part 4.

(view spoiler)[ We do meet Ruby again. I disliked the whole bit about the missing girls and that scum's fate wasn't bad enough. He should have lost more than just his hands. Ruby finished him off too quickly and without much suffering. His daughter is now going to be under Esra's care. I wonder what significance she will bring to the story. As we all know, nothing is happenstance in Sullivan's books. There is always a thread to be woven into the tapestry. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "I seem to be reading about an hour a day. At this rate, it's going to take a while to finish. Ack!

I finished to the end of chapter 16, and I think it is the end of part 4.

[spoilers removed]"

I finished chapter 16 last night.
(view spoiler)[ I agree with all your comments. It felt like the story main was going nowhere while the village scenes were playing out. I thought at first it was just to show how Esra thought outside the box and that his seniors were very rigid in there approach. When he committed to the care of the surviving girl it all made sense.

I'm glad Ruby decided against killing Esra! I wonder if the meeting in 7 years time will happen in the book or if it was just making the point that there's always a price? Ruby is quite scary.
(hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Chapter 18 - 20
(view spoiler)[ I'm not taking to the current emperor at all. He seems very humourless . His son, on the other hand, is a too full of tricks, but I like him. It must be a very unnatural life for a 9 year old (very nearly cut short by the slaver!)

It was lucky for Elinya that Nevrik did sneak out of the palace that night or she'd be a slave now. I wonder if Esra would even have noticed she was gone as he was so consumed with heartbreak over Rappaport. The potential is there for a future romance between Esra and Elinya.

Jerish has come back into story. I can't imagine how he and Esra will get on as co-tutors to the prince, they are polar opposites when it come to behaviour, but I thing they will end up friends. I'm sure we'll find out more about what happened at the Teshlor academy.


(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Chapter 18 - 21

(view spoiler)[ Talk about living in a fish bowl - the royal family cannot leave the palace for fear of their lives even with protection of the Teshlor knights.. (sp?)

The prince is lucky he didn't end up in the river as fish food. I thought it strange that Elinya had been captured and was being carted away presumably to be sold as a slave.

I did suspect that Esra really cared about Rappaport, but he was devastated when he learned that she was getting married. I wonder if he will develop feelings for Elinya.

The prince is a precocious brat. He's whip smart, but still a brat none the less. The way he played Jerish was kind of funny. I like the way Esra doesn't fawn all over him but treats him sardonically. "Oh, so now I have to babysit." Jerish, on the other hand does kind of fawn.

Yikes, there is talk of killing the prince. I think things are going to start to get ugly. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Well, I'm careract fre! Op was very simple and pain fre3. I was in the clicc for 2 hours total. Vision in bad eye is really clear and sparp now but pupil v dilated so I have wear sun glasses. I think it'll take a bit of an adjustment period before I can drive. Not a terrible experience though, I'd put it of a par with a visit to the dentist 😬

V8sion and concentration not the best so I won't do any spoilers yet but I'm just starting chapter 27.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm glad to hear your surgery went well and vision is back to being clear and sharp. Heal well, Margo.

I'm in the middle of Chapter 24. I started listening yesterday and couldn't stay awake. I finally gave up and had a nap. I'll try to make better headway tomorrow..

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm in the middle of Chapter 27, so will only do spoilers to the end of Chapter28.

(view spoiler)[ Oops. Esra had no intention to go back to Ruby after the 10 years, and now he's learned it was a demand that he returned, not a whim. He's in big kaka with her. How is he going to fix this? (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Sorry I haven't managed to update for a few days, my grandfathers sister died unexpectly. Well, I say unexpectly, she was 95. Chest infection with complications saw her off. She and her brother lived together their entire life. No children, so family that lived locally rallied around.

I'm actually just finished chap 35. The action is hotting up! I've been making voice notes as I read. I'll transcribe some today for as long as my eyes hold out, and then get date when I can after the funeral tomorrow.

Ch 28 - 30
(view spoiler)[ I must have missed (or forgotten!) the purpose and destination of the Frey mission, but I'm wondering if they will meet up with the humans and defeat Milava together.

I thought at first that Ruby was going to throw a tantrum about all the people Esra brought along on the quest but she seems to have accepted them. What is the significance of all his bad dreams? What's with the flies?

The Sensor master (Sounds like Yulrick - what is it with Sullivan and complicated names???) is 13, 000 years old. At least his soul is, he seems to have gone through a few bodies in that time! He's looking for his brother (Ouberlin spl?).

Love the transformation Ruby did the wagon. It's even pulled by unicorns now! I was wondering why she did it, but them why not if you can lol
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather's sister. 95 is a great age. My father died of a lung infection with complications at 94. He was one week shy of his 95th birthday.

I've finished to the end of chapter 32.

(view spoiler)[They are on the journey to fulfil Esra's commitment to Ruby. The cloak is causing him to dream Turin's experiences. He also realizes that he loves Elinya.

I can't decide if Yolric is a good player or not. Since Sullivan is obsessed with characters having different aliases, I don't know if he has another name. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Sorry I haven't managed to update for a few days, my grandfathers sister died unexpectly. Well, I say unexpectly, she was 95. Chest infection with complications saw her off. She and her brother liv..."

Re the cloak: (view spoiler)[It used to belong to Turin so carries his memories. They come to Esra as dreams.

I love that there are unicorns too.

I also am weary of the constant convoluted naming system. I remember when Sullivan had originally named the books in the Legends of the First Empire as Rhune, Dherg, Rhist, Phyre, and Fhrey. Del Rey Publishers made him change them to their current names so they were more palatable to the readers. Rightfully so. He has since gone back to self publishing so he can have more control over what he does with his books.

I'm also weary of this series. Sometimes I think authors would be well advised to stop at a good thing instead of caving in to fan's demands. Leave them wanting more. I think the Ryiria Revalations & Chronicles was succinct in itself. The subsequent spin off series in the world doesn't have the same appeal as Royce & Haddrian's adventures. While I enjoyed The Legends of the First Empire, I am getting weary of the storyline. Sullivan is now writing another series that falls in line between this series and the Ryiria series. It's being written with a co-author so who knows how that will change the dynamic. I'm not going to be reading it. I have Drumindor to read, but its one of the Ryiria chronicles.

I have 6-1/2 hours left in Esrahaddon and I find myself thinking, "Can we just be done?" This is dragging on way too long. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

I've finished to the end of chapter 38.

(view spoiler)[So Yoikic is Trilos (sigh). The quest to kill Mileva was successful, but Ruby died.

I think Niblick is my favourite character and the parting scene with Esrahaddon was quite emotional. (hide spoiler)]

Oh yeah, (view spoiler)[ Jerish is believing the misinformation he's being fed about the sensors and thinks Esrahaddon cares only for himself. He was a little nonplussed when Esra saved him. Hopefully, he'll wake up. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "Margo wrote: "Sorry I haven't managed to update for a few days, my grandfathers sister died unexpectly. Well, I say unexpectly, she was 95. Chest infection with complications saw her off. She and h..."

(view spoiler)[ I was finding it a bit slow but from chapter 30 onwards I can hardly bear to put it down! But then, I haven't read all previous books that you have. I'm really enjoying the writing style.
(hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Re: your spoiler. (view spoiler)[ I also enjoy Sullivan's writing style and how he meshes humour into his character's discourse. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

chapters 31
(view spoiler)[
Oh, the imperial soldiers in this town have gone rogue!

Darius father is govern of this town. Darius himself is apparently a reformed character - hmm! I don't like fact that he's still involved with the Bishop, nor that he has his own band of soldiers.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32 - 34
(view spoiler)[ The soldiers are cooking and eating humans, gross! They are in thrall to Mileva. Our heros discover that Esra
There is a huge info dump of names and incarnation which won't even try to remember! We find out that that Yulrics brother was the owner of the robe. He was Turin who became Uberlin, the one that created the Reavas (spl?). These beings sound very much like vampires to be. They have to eat one human per week, face first, and this one drinks blood like it was wine. Oh, and she's wearing a shroud of flies. Even Ruby is put off by this lol
(hide spoiler)]

Chap 35
(view spoiler)[ Esra has rescued his uncles from Milevas prison and they just happen to know where she stores her bone - amazing lol
There just happens to be a crewed ship in the harbour (!) so they set sail and find the reef of bones, but Esras powers won't destroy it.
I wonder is it at this point that we will need the the cooperarion of all the factions/races. I think it's only Frey that aren't here yet.
(hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "Re: your spoiler. [spoilers removed]"

Jerish is very funny, even when it's unintentional!

[Janice, Moderator]

To the end of chapter 44.

(view spoiler)[The trip to Avenparta was intense with the Galabrian. I'd forgotten how they were created. Horrifying. And it ended with

So the prince has the art. Interesting. I was sad that Ulin died. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "I've finished to the end of chapter 38.

..."

I'm up to chap 40
(view spoiler)[ I agree, the farwell scene between Esra and his uncles was a real tear jerker.

I was a bit shocked that Ruby died, I thought she'd be an asset in the final showdown. I was happy that it was Elinya that delt the death blow to the Riva and that she and Esra are finally getting together.

And we're off to the land of the Elven. I think the Elves will be a little miffed that noone told them Nivron is long dead. I'm not sure that the current Emporer coming to give them back their horn will really fix the situation!

It's interesting that the royal family know that the tensions between the Sensors and the Teshla knights is based of lies. Why haven't they done anything to calm the fears? I do enjoy political tension - in the fantasy world that is ;-p
(hide spoiler)]