Creative Reviews Book Club discussion
August Book(s)
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Talking about Imperial Hostage!! If you have NOT read the book, SPOILERS could be in here!!!
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Katy wrote: "I'm curious, Phil, about your decisions relating to the Empire's technology - it is obvious that this is an ancient world, yet the Empire has hot & cold running water, toilets, air-skimmer boats an..."Lost civilizations, as you said, are a common theme around the world, I think on every continent except my own -- and who knows, maybe here too if anyone thought to look. Certainly the Pacific has its share of inexplicable relics.
The Vedic tales, in particular, tell of flying craft called vimanas, and weapons of great destructive capacity that drew their power from the stars. I have used that as the basis for my theme of a civilization in long decline after a cataclysmic world war, but with remnants of higher knowledge such as those you mention. I wanted them to be more advanced (or less regressed) than those they seek to rule, but vulnerable, perhaps, because of their own arrogance. (I hope that's not a spoiler)
As to the mammoths -- who can say if they once were in a place that no longer exists? They certainly existed on nearby continents. I decided they might have been, and putting them in gave a sort of time signature to the relevant era.
Glad you're enjoying it, Katy.
Sweet - thanks, Phil. Someone posted a blog a few weeks back talking about the potential of atomic war way back in the pre-history based on the Vedic tales - it was quite fascinating.
Amy wrote: "Dale wrote: "I don't think we've seen the last of Wolf, and I'm pretty sure I can see where Ai 'Ram's future is going. wink wink. I didn't think the games needed more detail...to me the book was mo..."I agree with everything!
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I haven't finished so I am not going to look at the other posts int he thread ;). Forgive me if this has been mentioned:The great thing about this book is that anyone can read it. As a history buff, I am finding the "what ifs" interesting. A YA reader could enjoy the book even if they had no concept of geography or history or alternative history.
The language is simple enough for the YA reader but sophisticated enough to keep the interest of older readers.
Unfortunately, I probably won't get the book completed before the end of the month because I find it hard to read anothers story while I am writing. But I wanted to throw in my incomplete opinion: this is a cool book with a great concept.
Splitter
I just finished this afternoon, and I'm planning to take a nice reading break since my latest draft of my WIP is done :)Anyway, I loved this book! I agree with most everything said here. It's easy to read, appeals to younger and older readers, and I think there's a good mix of reality and fantasy.
As far as Amy's question goes, I definitely think Wolf will have a role in the next installment. He'll probably save Erech and co. with the help of his new pack. I sense war brewing as well, and a possible mistaken identity mishap with Erech and Boutes.
Though most of us readers would root for Erech and Ai-Ram's future, I would bet we haven't seen the last of Myrine either. Those two seem more destined for each other. Ai-Ram may actually fall for Boutes or even Herakles or may just live her life of unrequited love. However, it's just my guess that she and Erech will not end up together in the end.
So, there are my thoughts, and as soon as I type up a readable review, I'll post that as well! Nice job, Phil!
On to the bloodsuckers...
C.S. Splitter wrote: "I haven't finished so I am not going to look at the other posts int he thread ;). Forgive me if this has been mentioned:The great thing about this book is that anyone can read it. As a history ..."
Thanks, Splitter
Mysti wrote: "I just finished this afternoon, and I'm planning to take a nice reading break since my latest draft of my WIP is done :)Anyway, I loved this book! I agree with most everything said here. It's eas..."
Glad you liked it, Mysti.
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Anyway, I loved this book! I agree with most everything said here. It's eas..."
I don't think she and Erech will end up together either, that would just be to cliche, and I don't see that being Phil's style. So he would shake things up a bit, now her ending up with Herakles is intersting, but I don't think she would want him. He isn't Erech, but Boutes....He is as close to Erech as anyone who isn't Erech can be...LOL
Amy wrote: "Mysti wrote: "I just finished this afternoon, and I'm planning to take a nice reading break since my latest draft of my WIP is done :)Anyway, I loved this book! I agree with most everything said ..."
Interesting idea ....
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Amy wrote: "LOL! I was hoping someone else would tell me what they thought about it too...Mysti thinks it's a possibility...anyone else think so, or am I crazy? :)"Well, we KNOW you're crazy ...
*ducks and runs away*
I think Wolf and his new pack will play a pivotal role in the war. He's not going to forget Erech. No way.I think Ai'Ram is most suited to Boutes. I think he is the gentler side of the twin package, and will be more to Ai'Ram's liking than Erech's aggressive nature. They'd be great together. But part of me thinks...is that too obvious???
I don't think either Erech or Myrine would give up their kingdoms for the other. No way would Erech be subservient to Myrine in her world, and she's not built to be subservient to any man. Now, a visit here and there with a little toss in the hay...maybe. But marriage? Unity? Don't see that happening.
Dale wrote: "I think Wolf and his new pack will play a pivotal role in the war. He's not going to forget Erech. No way.I think Ai'Ram is most suited to Boutes. I think he is the gentler side of the twin packa..."
We'll just have to wait and see ....
Phil, I picture you twisting your fingers and laughing.Insert evil laugh here:
Bwa ha ha ha!
I don't know about Myrine not being a suitable match for Erech. An alliance with the Amazons might be beneficial with a coming war...then again, she might turn to be an enemy, but I'd really hate to see that happen. Don't ya love all the speculation? You know a book's good when people start a heated discussion about the future of its characters :)
Yup! I actually think she *is* a good match for Erech...but could you see either one of them leaving their land for the other? That's what I don't see. Maybe a second in line of the royal families...or maybe even their children...but Erech is going to rule his land one day, and Myrine already is a ruler.
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The only thing is...I kind of like the Empire. Outside of their nasty habit of taking children away from their homes for so long, the only part that seemed unpleasant was the Temple of Bel. I'm not sure I like Erech's kingdom wanting to take it down...
My thoughts exactly on Amy's first point. I think both he and Myrine would benefit from an alliance, which also gives them an excuse to be together. On the second point, though, I say down with the Empire. If the Empress is cold enough to turn a blind eye on what happens with hostages like Erech (and you know he's not the first), then the empire deserves to be confronted.
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Mysti wrote: "My thoughts exactly on Amy's first point. I think both he and Myrine would benefit from an alliance, which also gives them an excuse to be together. On the second point, though, I say down with t..."
Well, based upon how much the Bel priests fuss about the danger they face from the Empress, I'd say the Empire doesn't turn a blind eye - but it does demand proof before taking action on any accusations. Which is really only right.
I see the Empire as comparable to any faulty government. And the Temple of Bel is like the mob. They know it exists, but unless someone's caught red-handed, they can't (or claim they can't) do much about it. No, I don't think Myrine was a hostage, so that could be a sore point, except she DID know what happened to Erech and the assassination attempts, etc.
Amy wrote: "With Myrine already having to lead her country, I do not see her being able to leave, but Erech has the back up of Boutes to lead his. Not saying that he is expendable by any means, but he would b..."Minor correction, Amy. It's not that Erech or his (future?) kingdom want to take the Empire down, just that they want to be left alone, and are prepared to fight for their freedom. Of course, that might change as the story unfolds ....
Amy wrote: "Myrine was there because she wanted to be there though, if I am not mistaken, I don't believe she was a hostage. Otherwise she would't have been able to return home before her time. (or maybe I m..."You're right, Amy, Myrine was not a hostage. The Empire and the Amazons are old allies, and she was there as an ally. Of course, in view of the personal relationship with Erech, that might change .... or maybe not.
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AAHHHH....the way I was interpreting the instructions from Erech's father in the beginning was that they wanted Erech to find the Empire's weakness so they could exploit it and take the Empire down.
Amy wrote: "Phil wrote: "Amy wrote: "With Myrine already having to lead her country, I do not see her being able to leave, but Erech has the back up of Boutes to lead his. Not saying that he is expendable by ..."You were half-right. They did want to find its weaknesses, but for self-defence rather than aggression.
OK, I finished. I was amazed at the tenacity of that Temple of Bel dude - All-Jinxed or whatever .. (Al-Jihn, right?) - he just would not give up! And poor Erech to be hurt so badly right before coming home!Drako is awesome, BTW.
My theories on future book: war with the Empire, probably, unless Erech can come up with something ... the earthquakes are the herald of the upcoming change in the world - "the disasters" as Kul-Kan said - that will likely lead to the destruction of the Empire by the end of the series. Wolf and his pack will help Erech, who will come into the Empire's lands through that cavern system he discovered; perhaps Wolf will even accompany Erech back to Attike ...
Umm ... I can't think of much else. I don't feel so well right now. I'm going back to sleep.
Katy wrote: "OK, I finished. I was amazed at the tenacity of that Temple of Bel dude - All-Jinxed or whatever .. (Al-Jihn, right?) - he just would not give up! And poor Erech to be hurt so badly right before ..."Sorry you're not feeling well, Katy. Maybe a good night's sleep will help. Sweet dreams!
I don't think a King in the Amazon land carries the same weight as in other lands...the King is subservient to the Queen. I honestly think Erech is too strong of a character to take 2nd seat to a queen...he has too much leadership quality. Unless...the Amazons changed their whole outlook on society and elevated Erech's status...otherwise, that wouldn't work for me. I'd be disappointed.While Boutes is the 2nd half of the twin package, we don't know enough about him to determine if he has the gnards that Erech has, and whether or not he would, or could, be a good leader. We know he's the weaker of the two (or that's the sense I got, because I believe Erech was thinking that his brother would never have survived his ordeal), so my vote would be 'no' to that path, unless it takes enough of a twist to win my vote (a rising to the challenge kind of thing...like Neville in the last Harry Potter book. How I loved seeing him rise to a leadership role! But by that time we knew enough about Neville to have that escalation mean something to us.)
I, too, thought Erech's mission was to find weakness to lead an attack on the Empire. The cave was a way to invade the Empire without coming through the front door.
Dale wrote: "I don't think a King in the Amazon land carries the same weight as in other lands...the King is subservient to the Queen. I honestly think Erech is too strong of a character to take 2nd seat to a q..."It's hard to respond to your perceptions without giving away the plot, Dale. The Amazons were a matriarchal society -- where women ruled openly rather than subtly as in our Western cultures.
Remember, Erech hasn't seen Boutes for thirteen years, so doesn't really know how he might have developed while Erech was learning some hard lessons. He looks like his twin, but his personality might be different. Having a softer side doesn't necessarily indicate weakness, if that be the case.
I'm fascinated and gratified that you feel close enough to the story to want to work out the possibilities.
I agree with you Phil...softness does not equal weakness. Because we've seen so little of Boutes, he could be anything by now. Can't wait to see how he turns out tho!
Phil wrote: "Katy wrote: "OK, I finished. I was amazed at the tenacity of that Temple of Bel dude - All-Jinxed or whatever .. (Al-Jihn, right?) - he just would not give up! And poor Erech to be hurt so badly ..."Thanks, Phil - feeling a bit better today. Think it's some sort of mild flu - hubby's not too well, either.
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I know what you mean about the Amazon's system, but I meant he would at least still have title of King. I don't see Erech as one being power hungry. I think he is more than willing to go the distance to prove to someone what he is made of if he is 'called out', but I think he would be happy with his title, his woman, and his baby....and, of course, his horse!
Boutes I think may have believed what he did about being a hostage, because who doesn't often believe things are much worse than what they really are? We hear about situations, and think, "I don't know what I would do if that had been me." I don't think that makes him weak, I think it is a natural reaction, and definitely touching that he was concerned for his brother rather than thinking he would be weak if something bad were to happen to him. There was no competition between the brothers, just the love and concern.
I agree. I just recall what Erech was thinking when he first got to the Poseida, that Boutes wouldn't have survived what Erech went through. It just gave me the imperssion not of weakness necessarily, but someone not as strong of spirit. Of course, we don't know what kind of a man Boutes grew up to be...we haven't seen him yet as an adult.I feel Erech is too honor-bound to his country to leave a leadership role...but war changes a man. Anything can happen...and we may see him choose to leave. It would really have to take a major event to bring him to his knees though and make that kind of decision, because he is certainly not the kind of man to leave duty and honor behind lightly.
Amy wrote: "Dale wrote: "I don't think a King in the Amazon land carries the same weight as in other lands...the King is subservient to the Queen. I honestly think Erech is too strong of a character to take 2n..."Amy, while we're playing Hypothetical, the partner of the Amazon Queen would be his consort, not king -- just like Prince Philip who is not a king to Queen Elizabeth.
Maybe since Erech left, it really gave Boutes a chance to step up and be a man all on his own. Perhaps he had to fill a role that Erech might have filled if he had stayed home?
Exactly. The more we talk about Boutes, the more I want to check him out!
Phil, you do not have to tell us if we are right or wrong, as a matter of fact...don't, But i want to ask what people think is in store for Ai'Ram and Wolf. This is one of the fun parts of the books, talking about what we think MAY happen. Phil, you may even get a kick out of what we are thinking! :)
I personally think that Ai'Ram and Erech's twin may fall for each other. Especially if they are identical. She may have the look of Erech, but with a different, more complacent personality that may be a bit better suited for her.
I think Erech and Wolf have a special bond and wolf will come once again to be the savior at the last second. Wolf is bold and fearless, and now that he has a pack backing him, he is very much a formidable foe to those who are against Erech.