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The Curse of the Mistwraith
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Wars of Light & Shadow--*SPOILER*Curse of the Mistwraith, complete story *SPOILER!*
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SPOILERI finished last night and I'm still reeling. I initially read this book over a decade ago (my book has copyright year of 1994) and...well, let't just say that the person I was then isn't the person I am now and what I react to and how I react is very different.
Janny - I have a question about the rape and murder of the women and children. I found that section...very difficult to read. The same with the slaughter of the boys. I do have a question though. In my copy of the book (Chapter XVII, Page 710) it is mentioned that Gnudsog's brother and young son were killed by the clans when part of a merchant train. And that got me to thinking about the fighting tactics of the clans in terms of women and children. How did they react when faced with women and children in the merchant trains?
Also, I noted that Lysaer seemed incredibly detached at the slaughter of the boys, women & children. He balked at the rape...because IIRC he said he expected a 'clean death'. (At that point I was yelling at the book.) And then he (Lysaer) promptly tried to avoid noticing if any of the dead women were pregnant. I can't find the reference (I'll look tonight), but IIRC he justifies his actions (and those of the headhunters) as not allowing the use of the boys, women & children by Arithon. Is this the Curse talking or Lysaer himself?
I finished last night and will try to add some coherent comments (probably to the three chapters thread when it is opened rather than this one) later.One small (or maybe not small, who knows?) thing that struck me was how quickly the world seemed to adjust to getting the sunlight back. Yes, there were scenes of panic as first the stars and then the sun were revealed (and I loved those) but after that it seemed to drop away.
Suddenly it is spring and things are growing happily in the sun. But would those plants (where was mention of some spring flowers I think) have survived 500 years of mist and damp. Were whole species lost? How is the ecosystem coping with the change? It must have suffered greatly when the MW first blanketed the world and I can't see it recovering so fast.
And all the people seem to have adjusted pretty quickly too. By the time everyone is in Etarra, there's no mention of it all. After lots of atmospheric description while the mist was there - all that grey and dripping and mould, now suddenly it's like it never was.
Maybe I missed something. Maybe there just wasn't enough space (after all, a heck of a lot happened in the book), but it seemed to me like there should have been more.
So while it's not a major point (or is it?) if I was picking a topic for a short story, it would be for one about the world adjusting to getting the sun back.
Kerry wrote: "...One small (or maybe not small, who knows?) thing that struck me was how quickly the world seemed to adjust to getting the sunlight back..."That bothered me a bit, too.
orannia wrote: "SPOILERSPOILER!
I finished last night and I'm still reeling. I initially read this book over a decade ago (my book has copyright year of 1994) and...well, let't just say that the person I was then i..."
You are dead set to rights, this is, hands down, the ugliest of scenes, possibly even, for the entire series.
You are actually asking 3 questions, if I look at what you wrote (correct me if I misinterpreted or left anything out.)
1) How do the clans regard women and children in the baggage trains. This will be explicitly shown from Caolle's point of view, and Jieret will add to it - see a subsequent volume.
This said: Stuff Happens; and an individual clansman in the past, under who knows what circumstance, may have called his own shots. More: WAS the murder of Gnudsog's relations done by clans? Or was it common theivery and murder made to LOOK like clan work...the book does not state this - only shows what Gnudsog believed to be true.
Next (point 2) the motivations: Gnudsog's bad call came due, and Pesquil had to deal with a situation he knew extremely well was stacked against the clans. His priority: get his men out alive, and two, handle the assignment. WHO SUGGESTED THE DIRTY TACTICS?
Point 3: Lysaer's motivation. Was the curse thinking for him, or was he thinking for himself? It's been stated: the curse is an INEXTRICABLE PART OF HIM. Therefore, both aspects are in play - the curse would be driving his paranoia, his fear, his aggression, AND using his gift royal gift to 'justify' the decisive choices motivated by those faults.
Look at the scene again and tell me what you think drove his choices - which flaws AND which (believe this or not) - which strengths?
You used a key word here 'Lysaer seemed' - can you look past the horror of the actions and begin to guess? WAS he 'detached' ?
Of course I could pick this scene apart and reveal everything in it - but that would 'tell' you what to think - and the books will demonstrate every single point - and turn every single point upside down.
Can you find the ONE LINE/the one moment where Lysaer's last bit of faith in Arithon's character was destroyed (twisted thinking or not, it is what he believed).
And how a person with weapon in hand reacts to a child's involvement with war - there are modern day (here) equivalents. Have you ever heard a 'nam vet describe the little kids asking for chocolate bars who lured friends over a mine or into a trap? These 'atrocities' are not unique to fiction. Most sadly.
Do you think that Lysaer's refusal to see if any of the women were pregnant was - insensitivity? Or - he could not BEAR to know because it mattered so much?
I do realize that 'precedent' in 'fiction' is so strongly entrenched - the guy who beats on the helpless is the 'baddie' with no humanity....that is too simplistic a take for this series. Fair warning.
Did the man who dropped the nuke in WWII think about the women and children, when he flew the mission given by his superiors - and what were his superiors thinking, when they commanded such a tactic?
What WAS Lysaer's motivation, here, and (Cursed or not) did he follow through and stay true to it, and what forces and ideals and beliefs played front and center for him, in this moment? If you can see the underlying template of his thinking (not just want seems) - if you can grasp that - THEN you might be able to hazard what traits the curse twisted - or amplified.
Kerry wrote: "I finished last night and will try to add some coherent comments (probably to the three chapters thread when it is opened rather than this one) later.One small (or maybe not small, who knows?) ..."
There were not whole species lost.
The mist increased certain molds and blights - such things do die out in full sunlight.
NOTE: Koriathain in the earlier part of the book were shown to be creating talismans AGAINST mold, rot, damp, disease in livestock.
Athera is not earth - this will become plain, later on.
YES, there would have been a lot of reaction and adjustment on the part of the populace in the towns, particularly. YES I might have dwelled on it for pages and pages - but - while the towns' turmoil may have been ACCURATE - it would have had very little dramatic impact on characters who KNEW the mist was coming down. Most of the players in the story you are following WERE aware - in the cases where those players were in company of ignorant people you DID see such turmoil. (Etarra, the Fen folk)...
I trusted (for dramatic tension) the reader to extrapolate these scenes and 'get' that the shift happened.
People DO adjust - would they still panic after 3 months - and nothing happened? The story timing for the conquest of the mist took roughly 6 months. Outlying areas cleared first - sort of like draining the bathtub. So the areas over Daon Ramon would have cleared LAST. Look at the map - populated areas (most of Athera) would have cleared before the final weeks of the clearances.
IF each town was completely isolate - but they weren't. Presumably (behind the scenes) word would have traveled town to town - so the earliest to the latest - some semblance of communication would have occurred.
Though the winter weather would have slowed things, a little.
So - YES, I might have dwelled on the upheaval in a lot more depth - would you have 'cared' about what you were reading or just rushed to see what the characters that mattered were doing next...I chose, for suspense reasons, not to sprawl here and dissipate the storyline.
There will be (look for it) 'key hole' views in later volumes referring to this period - a character you have not met, yet, will detail some of his experiences in hindsight.
Mawgojzeta wrote: "Kerry wrote: "...One small (or maybe not small, who knows?) thing that struck me was how quickly the world seemed to adjust to getting the sunlight back..."That bothered me a bit, too."
See above - would you have rather had a blow by blow, after all that setup of the story's arc? Do feel free to express your opinion.
Janny: love how committed you are to all this. You respond to everyone!Bothering me a bit doesn't really mean squat. Everyone has their preferences. I would have loved a more on the topic of changes with the sunlight, but this book has been written and published. I do not recall having a say in the content (inserting my big smile here). And a blow by blow would not have been necessary.
Janny, yes I understand what you're saying and I agree the book would have bogged down with lots of description.I hadn't realised it took six months to peel back the mists. I'd thought it was more like 4 to 6 weeks, so I agree that over that length of time the adjustment would happen more gradually.
Thanks for the clarification.
It wasn't really a complaint, just a comment. I loved the book and have the next one waiting on the shelf to start at the weekend.
Thank you so much Janny for answering my questions :) There were a few - sorry. Rather than say anything, I'm going to re-read the section tonight (and work myself up to reading it today) and then come back to your comment (if that is OK?). See if I can look past the initial horror to the motivation behind it.Oh, and I do honestly believe that Lysaer couldn't look to see if the murdered women were pregnant because he couldn't bear to...
Wow! Just popping in to say I feel gypped! Didn't get any email notice of these great comments. :(
Mawgojzeta wrote: "Janny: love how committed you are to all this. You respond to everyone!Bothering me a bit doesn't really mean squat. Everyone has their preferences. I would have loved a more on the topic of c..."
This is directed to Kerry too - don't worry! I expect readers to have little beefs.
I answered these points because, as an author led discussion - part of the opportunity IS to see into the head of the person who spun the tale, and understand why certain choices were made. To illuminate the process of authorship.
Obviously how I chose to slice the melon won't be exactly like anyone else's way...we are all gloriously individual.
But if you can understand why certain choices were made, it could illustrate WHY authors do what they do, and even, WHY sometimes tension and suspense in a book might sag, or even fail. You are all raters and reviewers on this board - or most of you - so when you read ANY book - I believe good dialgue between readers and authors means to have understanding on both sides, since we cannot do without each other's support, literally.
So feel quite free to take this opportunity and ask why a passage was written one way or another, or a scene was shot into tight focus, or glossed over. I'm pleased to let you in on the other side of the process. And truly, I learn from you, too!
orannia wrote: "Thank you so much Janny for answering my questions :) There were a few - sorry. Rather than say anything, I'm going to re-read the section tonight (and work myself up to reading it today) and then ..."Orannia, you are most welcome.
The difficult bits: THIS I promise. They were done for a purpose far beyond 'drama' - nothing was put there for gratuitous shock value, or 'entertainment' - the power of story is to translate in graphic emotion the mythscape created by our BELIEFS.
The messy parts of this epic story are designed to illuminate - and are not gratuitously thrown in for effect. First and foremost, the story has to thread through and catch your heart. Your caring for the characters and the travelogue of the tale is STORY, not message.
How the characters live their lives, make their choices - what you think of what occurred - the experience the story people had that you don't really want to live - but to experience for the purpose of making you think.
I can state unequivocally that the events in this volume (and their sequels) were aligned to examine changes in perspective.
What changes, what message: that is yours, as reader.
Don't expect war and its aftermath to be glorified. Fair warning. AND - don't expect a story of futility, or dystopia - hope is everything.
If we let go of hope we lose our humanity. Don't read my works if you are a dyed in the wool cynic, I won't hammer a reader's emotions for no purpose but to pull them down. The ending will not strand you in ugliness.
That is not my kind of book, and never has been.
Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Wow! Just popping in to say I feel gypped! Didn't get any email notice of these great comments. :("Well, here's your invitation, Sandra - jump in late! :)
Janny wrote: "orannia wrote: "Thank you so much Janny for answering my questions :) There were a few - sorry. Rather than say anything, I'm going to re-read the section tonight (and work myself up to reading it ..."Janny, you're succeeding with me. My mind reels with the events in this book and then it leaps to current events. Then I question myself and relook at things.
I also want to add, that from where I've read, that Lysaer is a very strong person. You asked earlier what strength Lysaer might have that caused him to do what he did to the women and children. I would say that he didn't want to see them suffer any more. He believed they should die. This belief was connected to his sense of justice. Even though he believed they should die, he didn't approve of the rape and torture the headhunter were engaging in, so he killed them quickly and cleanly.
Amelia wrote: "Janny wrote: "orannia wrote: "Thank you so much Janny for answering my questions :) There were a few - sorry. Rather than say anything, I'm going to re-read the section tonight (and work myself up ..."I've always felt - in an odd way - that readers of this work were good listeners - or had the potential to become that. Amelia (and the rest of you) - you have my applause.
And it might help, at this stage to know: Ships of Merior will very likely give you a few solid belly laughs. It won't all be hard stuff, or hard thinking, there will be room for fun.
So parts, yes, will be sheer entertainment.
Your take on Lysaer's perspective is very apt.
Well, I've finally finished CotMW and am not sure what to say; the story is indeed complex. The writing was difficult to follow and for at least the first half of the book, I felt like I was wandering lost in a fog shrouded wilderness, not knowing where I was going or even where I'd been. Once I got to Etarra, I felt like the fog had finally cleared and there were signs so I knew where I was (and perhaps where I was going). I'm not sure I will continue despite my desire to continue with these characters; I feel as if I've already missed half the story due to incomprehension of words/sentences/paragraphs. I found myself rereading many paragraphs and still not understanding what I've read (very similiar to trying to read when you're very sleepy or maybe a bit drunk)
Christine wrote: "Well, I've finally finished CotMW and am not sure what to say; the story is indeed complex. The writing was difficult to follow and for at least the first half of the book, I felt like I was wande..."I had a similar feeling when reading it, but decided to keep going because I really wanted to get into it (based on all of the rave reviews). I'm happy to say it does get easier! I finished the two books after this one, and am excited to start the next one. It's not an easy read by any means, but you really do get used to it. I'd say stick with it.. It really is worth it. I got used to the writing style in the next book, and it all started to flow a lot easier. In the end the decision to continue or not is obviously up to you.. But coming from someone who was exactly where you are, it really is worth it to at least give the next book a shot. Just saying :)
Christine wrote: "Well, I've finally finished CotMW and am not sure what to say; the story is indeed complex. The writing was difficult to follow and for at least the first half of the book, I felt like I was wande..."PS: I lol-ed at the sleepy/drunk part. I tried a couple times to read it late at night before bed when I was sleepy and/or after a glass or two of wine... I quickly realized that just wasn't going to work.
I finished it and I already have Ships so I will read that but I am not sure if I will continue beyond that.
Marty wrote: "I finished it and I already have Ships so I will read that but I am not sure if I will continue beyond that."Well if you read Ships, you have to read Vastmark as they were originally one book.
Christine wrote: "Well, I've finally finished CotMW and am not sure what to say; the story is indeed complex. The writing was difficult to follow and for at least the first half of the book, I felt like I was wande..."Good for you for sticking it out.
The convergency starts to run exactly at that scene in Etarra - this will be typical, in that, there will be a tipping point at the midpoint, and then the pace hikes it and moves. The first volume is hardest to get there - as there was quite a large stage to 'set' - so the pattern will stay, but the pace will quicken sooner. Many readers have to 'get used to' the style - it does flow once you do - the reason is that you are taking in a LOT more input (sensory) - there is a purpose to it, but it is not for everyone.
Your own choice to move forward or not - Ships will take a lot of what's laid down and up the fun factor.
Thanks for posting your feelings.
Dawn wrote: "Christine wrote: "Well, I've finally finished CotMW and am not sure what to say; the story is indeed complex. The writing was difficult to follow and for at least the first half of the book, I fel..."I can't write while sleepy or beered up, either - :)
Marty wrote: "I finished it and I already have Ships so I will read that but I am not sure if I will continue beyond that."The story will win you, or it won't. Hard to read behind your cryptic statement to know how you felt. Individuality is the treasure that makes life interesting, so don't fear to put in your two cents.
Okay, so I find myself thinking about Athera and the characters even though I've moved on and am reading Deliver Us From Evil. Today I bought PB copies of the next two books (I understand they are really one book split in two). As I'm reading the Author's Note, I find the following:"I can add that the concept and plotting for the WoLaS have been worked through in five volumes, an intense and ongoing labor that has spanned a twenty-year period. The story told here, and in subsequent books, will follow the course originally conceived from a fixed start, to a finale that will bring every thread to its finish. I have no intent, now or at any time, to produce an unending parade of sequels."
It is my understanding that the WoLaS is longer than six volumes (books #2 & #3 being one volume)...
Christine wrote: "Okay, so I find myself thinking about Athera and the characters even though I've moved on and am reading Deliver Us From Evil. Today I bought PB copies of the next two books (I unde..."Haunted you a bit, did it? Nice to see you'll give the next two a shot.
The original story as outlined has not deviated.
It is told in 5 arcs. (volumes).
Mistwraith comprised the first arc (the setting of the stage)
Ships/Warhost is arc II, and will come to a tense finale at the finish, where upon the thrust shifts course, and some of the markers move. It WAS originally published in USA hardbound as one volume - the paperback and the British versions were split due to its size, but even in its uncut version, it's shorter than SEVERAL other epic fantasy writers' volume 1, or even some of the sequels.
Arc III is the longest - it takes the story to world view, still centering on the same characters. A few secondary characters will develop strongly, but the central characters stay the central focus.
Arc IV is two books, and Arc V is one book. I have completed the draft for the first book of arc IV, and its ending is bang on schedule. Given what's left to denoue, the pace is already sharp into series convergency - in short, the payoff bits are here.
I expect the series will wind up in its projected two more books.
Arc III required more space than I thought - if any advance readers care to make non spoiling comments on the finish of Stormed Fortress (NOT GIVING ANYTHING AWAY) they are free to give an impression of their experience - as to how they felt Arc III played and finished out in its entirety.
Looking in hindsight from when that statement was made (over ten years ago) I can still say the story is bang on track. Nothing has exploded, no new characters have 'appeared' - that were not already part of the story's conceived track at that hour.
The original concept has not drifted an inch; the denouements and unveilings are exactly on schedule.
By all means, I invite the readers to give their opinion on this theme as the reads progress.
I am pleased, Christine, that you will be continuing for Ships/Warhost because books Arc I and II (through Warhost) does deliver a rounded experience.
Janny wrote: "Morriel states EXACTLY why she drew her conclusion with regard to the two brother's legacies. We will get there, in depth, as the read progresses...I hope this point comes up again, then, because it is signal. You can find it - look up the subchapter Attraction (in set XV) - because pages won't correlate, read the sixth paragraph from the set chapter's end, before the one liners. "@Janny: I think you meant the Deduction subchapter. I just looked it up. :) Attraction is the subchapter immediately before, set in Etarra with Lysaer, Talith and Diegan.
Jon wrote: "Janny wrote: "Morriel states EXACTLY why she drew her conclusion with regard to the two brother's legacies. We will get there, in depth, as the read progresses...I hope this point comes up again, t..."I stand humbly corrected. Thanks, Jon.
I had made a promise (somewhere) to go back into the symbolism on the US cover for Curse of the Mistwraith - and hadn't, because it would cause too many spoilers.So here it is, after you've read the full volume.
The snake (in the knot-worked pattern) denotes healing and change.
The tri-axial spirals - listed earlier.
The briar growing up around Arithon's and Lysaer's feet - that their steps through this stage of their journey will not be easy ones - the thicket of thorn.
The Sword and the Lyranthe - are shown crossed (in an X pattern) - showing both the conflict and curse that will oppose the characters, and ALSO, the conflict Arithon must face - the sword vs the music as not reconciled.
Lysaer's fist is shown closed, and his hand is shown reaching for the sword - the closed fist - (rage) and the hand going for the sword - that his justice will be served (in this vol.) by the sword.
Note that Lysaer's back is shown "to" the viewer - he is not direct, in this volume. Note that the Mist haloes his head, and that his head is 'in darkness' - the color around his head is definitely shadowed, and if you look into the mist where is EYES are focused, you will see an interaction in the swirls. He is wearing the royal colors of Tysan but the purple doublet has a pattern on it - both colors foreshadowing other stuff to come. He is shown standing up - assertive.
Arithon is shown defensively holding his instrument. His hands are open. The laces of his sleeves are 'undone' representing that he is not in a state of self-command - He is shown facing the viewer - and not turned away. Honesty (and seated) humility.
The facing gargoyles are Seardluin - you'll know what they are later.
The broken archway in the back - compassion and justice work best together - but the splitting of those virtues makes a broken buttress.
I'm soooo glad I bought the large print of this cover in Des Moines! Only thing it's missing is the graphic for the recent reissue. Thanks for sharing your translation and symbolism.
Jon
Janny, are you talking about the dust jacket for the hard cover book? Is there a picture of it somewhere on the web?
Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Janny, are you talking about the dust jacket for the hard cover book? Is there a picture of it somewhere on the web?"Yes, that would be the hardback US cover, and there is a picture of it in the Gallery section of my website:
http://www.paravia.com/JannyWurts
The request has been placed for the symbolism in the graphic cover for Curse of the Mistwraith - and I can go into some of it.The backdrop is the broken arch and the Seardluin statue, same as above. The knotwork snake (open ended) is also partially shown in the carving on the stone pedestals.
The image in the round is Rockfell Peak - being sealed under wards by the Fellowship, at the time of Desh-thiere's incarceration.
The sword is Alithiel, though the runes are obscured - LATER IN THE STORY - you will encounter WHAT has been obscured (re, the sword) and it is huge. The rose twined through the guard stands for healing - and also something else...
rose: if you have ever studied essential oils, rose signals HEALING - it will stimulate that quality, aware or unaware, and cut straight through mental, emotional and physical - it crosses all frequencies.
The separate images for this graphic design (the paintings were done separately) are shown in full on the website link above in the gallery section - the small images that come up in the menu can be enlarged. There is also a section on Cover Art In Progress - and shows the separate works in the graphic combinations.
Janny: I make my own oil perfumes, lotions, etc. using essential oils. Rose is such a lovely oil to use. I have a strong guess on the other meaning for the rose. Can I guess, or will that give something away if I am right?
Mawgojzeta wrote: "Janny: I make my own oil perfumes, lotions, etc. using essential oils. Rose is such a lovely oil to use. I have a strong guess on the other meaning for the rose. Can I guess, or will that giv..."
If you have not read on in the series, then, of course guesses are fair game! Go for it...
Guess on the additional meaning to the rose on the cover:Balance
Here is why: I collect tarot decks. Many of the decks I own include roses on the same cards (Death, Magician, Fool, and others). I remember when I was learning the cards being told the rose often appears in cards where balance is key. It is a whole petals/thorns thing.
So, maybe not really a strong guess, but a good one, eh?
Sure sounds good to me, Mawgojzeta. A very good guess, indeed, I'd say.
Mawgojzeta wrote: "Guess on the additional meaning to the rose on the cover:Balance
Here is why: I collect tarot decks. Many of the decks I own include roses on the same cards (Death, Magician, Fool, and others)..."
That is a very nice symbolic interpretation. As you progress through the series there will be a direct one, coming, too.
Mod
As I commented in the "map" thread, I so wish I had printed the Interactive map by kingdoms early in the book, rather than at the end. I am frustrated when I can't visualize where things are in relation to each other. But that frustration will be absent for the other books at least.
This was my first encounter with Janny's writing. No question that I read more slowly than I normally do, partly to savor the writing and partly in fear of missing something, which no doubt I did anyway.
I read each discussion thread after finishing the chapter sets, and didn't post much because I am so far off the group read target dates for the book (in terms of pacing), and because my comments frequently would have echoed those already made by others.
So, a few random thoughts:
I will say that one of the things I like about the book is that all the characters are flawed and, therefore, more real. Some may live for centuries, have magical or mystical powers, or be possessed, but each of them has likable characteristics and less likable traits as well. Having said that, I will add that, so far, I am finding Dakar to be a bit tiresome and Lysaer to be more than a bit insufferable. He was somewhat insufferable before he was cursed, but post-curse, his righteous view of the world is so starkly black & white (yeah, I know, shadow and light). That is not to say that there weren't scenes when I really liked each of them, because there were.
Janny's depiction of battle is about how I think of it--gory, sweaty, confused and chaotic, with atrocities and acts of heroism on both sides. A waste of time, money, and most importantly, lives. And for what? So a future battle may be planned, funded, and waged. And while battle or war may be cloaked in grand purpose, at the core is usually personal fear of the "other", hatred, and revenge.
Nearly all of the passages related to music were achingly bittersweet. I was shocked and grieved when Arithon's lyranthe was smashed by Lysaer.
My premonition about the future of the vessel containing the Mistwraith after it was confined on Rockfell Peak was not that Arithon might someday free it but that Lysaer might. The part about Rathain's prince being least likely to meddle made me think that perhaps another prince may be more likely to meddle, especially if he gets some training.
I am hugely looking forward to the next book.
I will stop here. As I said, many of my thoughts and feelings have been ably expressed by others. Thank you all for sharing. This discussion in enriching my reading experience.
Kathi, you finished! I like your thoughts and agree, although that hadn't occurred to me about another prince meddling with the mistwraith. Hmmm. Good point.
Kathi wrote: "I finished the book on the airplane last night. Not the best book to read on an airplane--too many distractions and interruptions although I tuned them out pretty well, and awfully intense to be r..."Wow, you finished on an airplane! That took concentration and guts.
Thank you for posting your delightful response - it is never too late to revisit a discussion - though other readers may have gone before, I would hope any newcomers would feel completely welcome to come in at any time.
I finished last week, falling a little behind towards the end. Work means that I tend to read on an aeroplane with all the attendant distractions etc, and takes me away from t'internet for days on end. This was my first work of Janny's and as I think I've mentioned before I'm a knuckle dragging fan of Hard SciFi, that has too often denigrated Fantasy, but I enjoyed the read and instantly ordered the next two books.
I won't post too much as previous posters have echoed most of my sentiments far more eloquently than I ever could, but I will jot down a few thoughts just to let you all know I'm still here waddling as fast as I can to keep in sight of everyone.
My overriding impression is of Janny's intelligence, crafting a marvellously complex and ambiguous world and story, constantly calling into question your suppositions and prejudices. The language of Fantasy and its tropes still sometimes grates with me but Janny's prose and obvious love and care with words overcomes my failing there, but MY they are large books aren't they.
My final thoughts are pretty much that things even now are not what they seem. The Curse on the brothers is immensely sad, my sympathy instantly bends towards Arithon as the wronged brother who just wants to be left alone to play his music and nourish his soul, but on further thought I find that the betrayal of Lysaer's noble and good character by the curse and possession of Desh-Thiere to be almost unbearably tragic.
Desh-Thiere itself also raises questions. It is sentient, IIRC it contains human spirits, can we therefore just assume that in this tale of overturned preconceptions that the Mistwraith is just a good old fashioned evil monster to be feared and overcome Hurrah, or is there more to it than meets the eye. Could there be a point in the unfolding story where we would actively want someone to free it. Like I said I've already ordered the next two books, Janny's hooks have bitten deep.
I also look forward to the unravelling of the story behind the living Unicorn attending the sleeping Sorcerer (Ciladis maybe?), does this World have more than one Continent, why not, mine does.
And poor old Dakar, much maligned oaf, Spellbinder and reluctant prophet, I'm not going to judge you just yet. I don't think Asandir would keep him around for centuries just because he likes his company, maybe there's more than meets the eye there too, a deeper pain covered by his erratic behaviour, or he's just a pain in the ass, I don't know.
Well I lied. I did post too much, but it's Janny's fault for writing such an interesting book, so off I go to board The Ships of Merior.
Wow, Richard, that's pretty amazing for a hard scifi guy to be impressed with Janny's world. And yes, they are large books. Actually, I love that, since I know when I settle down to read, I'm going to have this world around me for more than a few hours. I believe Karadmon is looking for the source or name of the mistwraith so that it can be freed. And I'm sure there are more layers to it.
And I'm also sure you're right about Dakar. And I too love Janny's prose.
I'm currently reading Sanderson's much trumpeted The Way of Kings and finding it pale in comparison, not only in writing style, but in the shallowness of characters, plot, etc. It's my first Sanderson and I don't think there will be another.
Richard wrote: "I finished last week, falling a little behind towards the end. Work means that I tend to read on an aeroplane with all the attendant distractions etc, and takes me away from t'internet for days on ..."Hi Richard - delightful to hear from you, and I am SO pleased to see you enjoyed the story/relieved you found (grin) I'd done my homework in the logic department, as it were - boy, you have some fun ahead, if you like looking at the underpinnings.
A note on waddling - (I got a laugh, there) - you waddle at lightspeed, compared to the time it takes to write one of these! So no worries, I'll be there, whenever you choose to post.
There are lots of things ahead for the unraveling.
Mod
Just glad to know someone is about as far behind in this "group read" as I am. I am off to read the thread about the first chapter set in The Ships of Merior, since I finished them this evening.
Kathi wrote: "Richard wrote: "but I will jot down a few thoughts just to let you all know I'm still here waddling as fast as I can to keep in sight of everyone."Just glad to know someone is about as far behind..."
Kathi - grin - there is no 'far behind' - the in-depth pace is to hold the focus on each triplet of chapter sets so that the nuances can be examined without belting ahead. (Some have anyway, and that's fine, too. The discussion will catch up in due time)
All past threads are open to discussion, and readers may begin any time; it's the rushing AHEAD that's blacked out, not the trailing topics. The full series discussion will be ongoing, and readers are free to begin at any time. This series does not fare well with skimming, so, take your time at the pace that's best for you.
Delighted to have you still aboard.
I loved loved this book. The prologue sets the pace, and I actually gathered from it three facts, that the brothers were going to hate each other furiously, that Lysaer cause would have emerged as the rightful one, and that it was much later revealed (is the seventh age far removed from the third age?) things were not as straight as they seemed. I thought it a very strong and double-edged prologue, because it foretold of things to come, yet I was very surprised to discover how they played, it was mainly unpredictable. It's quite amazing for a world riddled with prophecies and auguries to see that at the crux the free will of men -and sorcerers- may change the foreordained course of events. I found also very fascinating the part about the threads of probability and the whole magic system who relies on Names and balance. Since the mistwraith has not been recognized (just that the wraiths were human?), could it be that the black rose prophecy, and the auguries made by the Fellowship don't take its essence into account?I was wondering, there are five high kings, yet only four royal lines are mentioned in the book, did I miss some reference or is it something for later?
And about Arithon s'Ahelas inheritance, it looks like in a way it's his undoing, but I wonder, why doesn't the streak show in Lysaer, too? He surely doesn't seem to possess either prescience or doubt, I'd say justice and farsight could be a little at odds, too.
Will we see more about Verrain and the meth-snakes? He was introduced but little more.
I was also thinking, at least twice it's mentioned that the Mistwraith geas exploited Lysaer's hatred for Arithon, otherwise it would have not gained foothold, yet Arithon is compelled to hate his half-brother too, only that he's aware of the manipulation. Did the geas work two ways, or Lysaer's opening was just what was needed? I don't think Arithon ever hated his half-brother, and I never got the impression that the hate fostered in Amroth for Kathan was mirrored.
Mod
Thank you Stefan, I think I've read a post of yours at tor.com about Janny's works which I've liked a lot, and expresses my thoughts exactly. I discovered this amazing author by chance and I count myself lucky now. She's also not afraid to mishandle her characters if need be, I'm currently with The Ships of Merior and I'm still marveling at the incredible imagination and craft behind this story.
Beyond Reality
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