Magician Apprentice:: Halfway Check In (Marked Spoilers Allowed)

[Dawn]

For the purpose of consistancy, we'll call the halfway point everything up to (and including) chapter nine.

As of the halfway point, how are you now feeling about the story? If it was grabbing you from page one, is it still holding your attention? If you weren’t impressed with the beginning, have you started coming around to being interested?

Remember to mark all spoilers per the directions below!



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To mark spoilers: Goodreads has a new option that I'm hoping we can all be diligent in using, the spoiler tag! It's an html code that will hide the spoiler so that people can browse the thread without fear and click to open the spoiler only if they are ready.

To do the tag, just surround the text that you want to hide as a spoiler with [spoiler] in front, and [/spoiler] at the end (with [] replaced with <> to make it work). (view spoiler)[Then you get a link like the one you just clicked on that the spoiler hides behind! (hide spoiler)].

If you have any questions, or if you're confused by my instructions, feel free to ask!

[Amelia]

I'm almost there. I'm in the middle of chapter nine. I'm glad that you said where the middle was. I wasn't sure if I was far enough to look in on this thread. Glad I did. If the event has happened before or in this chapter, would we need to mark it as a spoiler? Or would it be okay to do it without one since I would assume if one were looking in this thread they would have read that far?

[Dawn]

I would say still mark it as a spoiler. That way if it shows up in your updates feed, it won't ruin it for anyone. I'm of the opinion that spoilers should be marked, even if it's a spoiler thread, just in case. Better safe than sorry!

[Amelia]

Okay sounds good. From chapter nine: (view spoiler)[ I was really suprised in a way that the journey has now gone into the caves under the mountain. To me it felt like: wham! Lord of the Rings. I haven't quite finished the chapter, so I don't know if they'll be attacked or not, but it really stuck out as a very similar plot element. Again, I wouldn't stop reading just because it does the same thing in this book as its predecessor. I like the Eragon books even those have been accused of blatant repetetion from many different stories. Who can say nothing else has influeced their own writing and stories? (hide spoiler)]

[Dawn]

Amelia,

(view spoiler)[I thought the exact same thing. I didn't notice it the first time I read it, since I was a fantasy noob then, but this time around it was blatantly obvious. But I didn't mind either. Like you, I think as long as the story is well written and engaging, it doesn't matter if it has similarities to other stories.

A lot of the times, the first book in any traditional fantasy series will have a lot of similarities to it's predecessors. But in most cases, once you get beyond the first book, it branches out more into a story all of it's own. (hide spoiler)]

[Amelia]

Dawn,

(view spoiler)[ I have noticed that too. Wheel of Time really comes to mind. I had an English class where we studied Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and one of the guys in the class did a paper on the similarities between The Eye of the World and The Lord of the Rings. I didn't realize how many elements resemble each other in those series. But in the subsequent volumes of the Wheel of Time, things diverged drastically. My problem really isn't that I criticize the books that look like the same thing. Rather that I think everything looks good, so I get overwhelmed with the volume of books I want to read (as apparent by the number of books I have on Goodreads). The Riftwar series have caught my attention and have been on my to-read pile for a while. Now I have a reason to bump them up on my list and actually read them. (hide spoiler)]

[Dawn]

I don't notice similarities usually either, until they are pointed out to me. I guess when I'm enjoying something, I just get swept away and don't care if it's been done before! Nothing wrong with that, I actually prefer it that way!

[Amelia]

I thought of something else. It's spoilerish so: (view spoiler)[ After Pugs rescues Carline from the trolls and her father promises him a reward, I didn't expect him to be rewarded with lands and a title. I thought that maybe he would be rewarded with his own horse or something like that. Now I think this will actually make a very interesting character: landed noble of unknown origins and orphan and magician. I'm interested where Pug will end up. (hide spoiler)]

[Amelia]

Boy I'm on a roll today. (view spoiler)[ I'm also am interested in the different races that have been interested so far - the elves and the dwarves. The conversation between Pug and the elf prince was really interesting. Now I just wonder if somehow when Pug finally has complete access to his powers if he'll somehow be able to integrate elvish magic with human magic. I also wonder why they don't see if they can recruit the dark elves and the goblins to fight with them against this new threat. That would be interesting to see if it happened. It would boost their numbers a lot and give them some strong warriors as well.

I also like how in the flight/attack scenes in the forest that the horses are portrayed realistically. Horses really wouldn't have done well in their forced, fast retreat and escape. Eating them though, I never like that idea, but you have to do what you have to do in order to survive. (hide spoiler)]

[Julie]

Amelia,

A couple of things, thanks for the noob perspective, I don't think I could match it since I've read all the books. It's hard to go back and see if from a first time perspective again so it nice to see it through your eyes.

Secondly, did you know that in the South of Japan in Kyushu horse is considered a delicacy?

[Amelia]

I didn't know that. Is that a specific breed of horse? I haven't heard of that. I know that horse is a common meat used in different parts of the world, but it still makes me sad to think of them being eaten. I'd much rather think of riding them.

Well, I'll try to keep my insights coming. It's fun to learn about a new world and adventure. I can't get enough of them. Sometimes I wonder how I miss series like this. Goodreads really has expanded my horizons of reading for both the classics and the new stuff.

[Amelia]

Now I've finished the chapter (and read on). I didn't even know what I was missing by not having finished the chapter. (view spoiler)[ It is different from the way Lord of the Rings went by also similar. I didn't expect that Thomas would be seperated from the main party. Here there's a young boy who wasn't really prepared to be on his own. In LOTR it was the most experience member who was lost in the caves. (hide spoiler)] I really like the story so far.

[Dawn]

I'm finished with the book now, but as of halfway this is how I was feeling.

Chapter two spoilers: (view spoiler)[I'm not sure why, but one of the things that hooked my one my first read and on this reread is the choosing ceremony. It really builds a connection for me with Pug. Feeling his fear that he won't be chosen, then tripping over his own feet when he is.. It's very endearing (hide spoiler)]

Chapter nine spoilers: (view spoiler)[The book did start to lose me a little during all of the travel / flight from danger section. It was just getting kind of old.. But then they got into the caves (hello LoTR) and I was right back to intrigued again, especially when Thomas was separated from the group. Him being separated really bonded me to him, like the choosing bonded me to Pug. (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

I'm only up to Chapter 7 but I'm having a whole lot of fun. It's reminding me a little bit of Assassin's Apprentice, only in that both heroes are apprenticed and it's a coming of age story. Of course this one was written first.

I'm a sucker for coming of age stories, but the protag has to be someone I like. I just finished The Eye of the World and didn't enjoy it half as much because the main characters were dumb as a box of rocks. Pug is filling the bill so far.

[Dawn]

I'm really glad you're enjoying it! I'm a sucker for coming of age stories as well.

[Jon]

The story is still intriguing me, although I'm not a fan of young adult nor coming of age stories, except when I want to feel nostalgic about my adolescence (which isn't often).

I like that this novel is an adventure, but not the traditional quest "Chosen One" orphan fantasy tale. Pug (and Tomas) seem to be along for the ride, on the fringes of events, but still willing and able to make a contribution.

Chapter Nine: (view spoiler)[Yes, I groaned when we went under the mountain. I too had visions of Moria and Balrogs. I'm worried about Tomas and can't wait to read what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Eight: (view spoiler)[I loved this chapter. The danger to all, including Pug and Tomas, lurked and herded the company onward, steering them away from their goal. Not your everyday stroll through the woods. (hide spoiler)]

Magician: Apprentice
Raymond E. Feist

[Kara]

Woot! Half-way & checking in! (well - I'm actually on Chapter 11 now, couldn't put the book down last night! Esp. after (view spoiler)[they left Tomas!!! (hide spoiler)]

So, I've never read this series before. Yes, there ARE a lot of similarities between this and other fantasy, but that's ok.

I thought the book started slow. I started getting firmly interested after (view spoiler)[the shipwreck and then the scene where Pug get's the guards to break down the door only to find arms reaching out to take away Kulgan through a void/rift... (hide spoiler)](oOOOoooo - I liked that).

I also like the characters. These days it seems like a lot of fantasy HAS to have mean and evil characters... even on the GOOD side. I think because of this, I keep expecting that the Duke, or one of his sons, or the sword master or SOMEONE, will do something cruel, and without honor. I have been wonderfully impressed by the good, upstanding, honorable and moral nature/actions of the men of Crydee. It is (sadly) refreshing to me.

An example is (view spoiler)[how Fiest handled the fight between Roland and Pug. Both boys end up laughing like idiots, and Pug even sincerely apologizes to Roland and explains his lack of control with magic. (hide spoiler)] This is how I would want my boys to behave.

Pug and Princess:(view spoiler)[
I have a feeling things won't work out for Pug and the Princess. But that's just my hypothesis... (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I loved Tomas's cool and calm evasion of the wraith. (hide spoiler)] Go Tomas!

In summary, wasn't to impressed at beginning... was thinking,
"God, and how many books before this group starts something else...",
but I am thoroughly enjoying it now.

Is this considered YA by chance? Anyone??

[Kara]

Also, I'm a bit confused about the half-way check-in and spoilers. I assumed that people reading this thread have read through Ch. 9, however...

Should you mark spoilers for ANY spoiler? (as I did)
OR
Do you mark spoilers ONLY for things occurring after the half-way check-in mark, or after chapter 9?
(as I wanted to do)

[Dawn]

I prefer it the way you did it, if it's not too much trouble... I guess I always was of the opinion that spoilers should still be marked in spoiler threads, so that casual browsers could still be safe to enter. Also, it's a good way to protect against people being spoiled in your update feed, should you happen to forget to uncheck the box.

The idea for me, for doing only marked spoiler threads.. Say someone is just starting out and are bored, and want to see what people think by halfway without being spoiled. They could come in here, without fear of it being ruined, and see general impressions. Meanwhile, we could all talk spoilers mixed with our impressions, without having to have a million different threads to navigate through. I just like the idea that with the new spoiler tag, there's no need for spoiler/non-spoiler threads anymore, we can do all of our discussing in one spot.

I never really found it to be a hassle myself, but since several others seem to be annoyed.. If you guys want I can make a unmarked spoiler thread where everyone can go crazy. Just let me know! I just want everyone to be happy with the setup :)

[Kara]

Thanks for clarifying. I'm fine with marking them. =)

[Jon]

[spoiler] a [/spoiler]

[Jon]

(view spoiler)[ a (hide spoiler)]