Pili’s Comments (group member since Apr 16, 2015)

Pili’s comments from the Danielle L. Jensen's Reader Group group.

I really like this scene because it reminds us of something we tend to forget and it's that the trolls aren't the only ones kept captive! And hints again very intriguingly at the Winter fey queen... I wonder what will happen in Warrior Witch!

1. I've just finished Hidden Huntress, so right now I'm hoping for Tristan and Cécile working as a team and finding a way to level the field somehow, even if I fear the trolls aren't the only ones coming to fight. Maybe some magic to tamper the trolls magic down?

2. I felt bad for Anushka but given how she had spent 500 years killing her own blood to continue to live felt like it defeated the purpose of her revenge against the trolls and specially Lamia. Someone killed your child and then you feel justified to kill them yourself to endure? She got way too twisted there.

3. He did, if nothing else because it quite seemed like it'd be a case of kill her or spend the rest of your life looking behind you, because Anushka would not relent... He wasn't really sure he wanted to free the trolls, but he didn't want her alive and hunting down Cécile or wanted to die and his entire race to die. And give than after all, she was Cécile's mum, he didn't want to take the choice from her.

4. I think she was taunted by Anushka and she went on self defense mode when she saw that her mother would not stop at anything to continue to punish the trolls no matter who she had to kill. That probably combined with the compulsion from the king was what drove her to ensure Anushka was killed and not merely hurt or contained.

5. I feel like who is really in control in Trollus right now is neither the king nor Angouleme but Lessa herself. She's controlling things behind the scenes now for sure, and I'm scared because of it than if it was either of the two guys on their own...

What a fantastic deleted scene! I still haven't read the ending so I've skipped the spoiler, but it works with my ongoing theory the hinting!

1. I think as an older reader I'm a bit torn in more than one way. It's not like sex is something to hide from teenagers, because more likely than don't their knowledge or experience is often underestimated by us older people, but I guess it's best it is tasteful and understated and not full on smut like on romance novels or paranormal romance and the like.

2. I really loved how Chris and Tristan moved over their less than ideal relationship in book one and their fight and become friends! Fave friendships? I really loved the friendship between Will & Jem on The Infernal Devices, they were non-blood related brothers truly!

3. I guess he might have wanted to see and be seen and be with Cécile and experience the outside to the fullest while also achieving a goal. Probably also try and see what the troll influence in the Regent and his father's agents, gather more intelligence and try and figure out things.

4. Cécile has to think of her life as more than her own, given how her death would surely affect and even kill Tristan in his more debilitated state now. Leaving them behind was the only option she was left with, given how it was not entirely her choice, but also Pierre and Elise's choice. They made their choices for their cause, and by saving Cécile that is the one that can break the curse, they also save Tristan, and he's their leader and best option for king. If Cécile would have stayed out of sheer stubborness, it wouldn't have helped accomplish much, or saved anyone anyways...

5. Tristan must still be very torn, but Anushka is not only the one keeping the trolls captive, Tristan now also thinks that she is going to kill either Cécile's mother or Cécile herself, and I think saving Cécile's life and making sure Anushka is not a threat anymore was foremost in his mind, more than just breaking the curse. Maybe for once he was not so much thinking ahead but thinking of the spurr of the moment "being done with the threat once and for all and we'll see what happens next".

And YES!! I am extremely grateful that you saved the doggie! I can deal with a character death better than with a pet death!!

1.- I usually hate it the other way around... I hate when the romance overtakes the plot! I don't necessarily mind romance in my books, but I want a good balance and sometimes it NEEDS to take the back seat! So yeah, I don't mind if romance fades a little to the background!

2. I understand Lessa's hate, but as much as I feel bad for her situation and how she's been treated all her life, I cannot support or condone her actions or what she's planning. As Tristan realizes, she'd be no good as a ruler for change at all, because she hates part of who she is, and she'd just enjoy being in power but not care much about improving anyone's situation.

3. It surely didn't go as I was expecting! I thought there would be a lil bit more passion BUT if we take into account how very sick and debilitated they are, how really strange the circumstances that brought them together and how none of them thought it would be possible... It makes sense that things would be strained, since the circumstances are less than ideal, they both have changed very much and things are really dire at that moment in many ways!

4. Probably because she is scared of what his reaction would be, because she feels unsure about what he'd do about it... He's been really closed off so this is one piece of information she still needs to rumiate herself and offer it to Tristan when he's so closed off... she might feel too unsure or insecure.

5. I was a bit bewildered about Sabine's words myself. I guess she expected Tristan to be more battered or more grateful, anything but perfect looking and composed as he appears at all times, even if she must not look at his best at all. I think Sabine just realizes that trolls are real and can come out now, and seeing Tristan look so much like a human but not really... must have made her more scared and so her dislike intensified!

I think I like the finished/rewritten version better, since the tension and gloomy feeling seems to fit better. But I'm glad that in either version Cécile gives Tristan a piece of her mind about keeping her in the dark and being his usual secretive self. By having her put this on his face, it will help them work together better!

I wouldn't mind some Chris & Sabine fan fic either!!

I like seeing how Cécile and Chris can be friendly and allies after all that happened in Trollus and his feelings for her!

Thank you for sharing, Danielle!

1. I don't think I've ever quit a series because a fave character is killed, but I have given up on series because they seem to get twisted and prolongued and adding more drama just to keep it going, and I just lose interest. I have been seriously upset because a character died and I hate when that happens, but up to this point, I haven't given up on a series for it. Now, I'm worried about casualties in this book!! O_o

2. I can sort of understand Cecile trying to use any resources at her disposal to try and get some answers, but as her main flaw... she cannot see the forest because of the trees, so she keeps on blundering a bit short sightedly, and the compulsion from the troll promise is not helping...

3. I'm not really sure whose plan it is to get Roland bethroted to Anäis/Lessa... I'm sort of thinking it is mostly Lessa's plan but she might have convinced both Angouleme and the King that it was their idea?

4. I think Tristan's promise was the right thing to do, even if it's gonna cost him greatly because of how the promise combined with his situation is taxing him and his magic. It's at least a step in the right direction, playing the big game and tricking his father but also doing what he thinks it's right and revealing a truth to the half bloods.

5. Cécile's suspicions were making me doubt my own theories, but after the latest revelations... I'm still trying to figure out a few things, but I think my theory still stands! I get the feeling the masque will be really important and will reveal if I'm right or not!

Danielle wrote: "Pili wrote: "1.- There is no perfect answer to that question. Reviews are a personal opinion and one that is tinted by the reader's own likes and dislikes. I'm sure some reviews can be helpful to t..."

And when they learn to work together properly, they'd balance each other so well! ;)

1.- There is no perfect answer to that question. Reviews are a personal opinion and one that is tinted by the reader's own likes and dislikes. I'm sure some reviews can be helpful to the author but other's might be hurtful for no good reason too.

2.- I understand he's angry and that anger comes from both fear of the unknown and from anger out of love for a loved one, but it's a very dangerous thing too. I do hope he won't ignore reason or let hate cloud his mind and then find himself hating his own choices.

3.- I still understand why Tristan did whatever needed to keep Marc alive, but he has a certain tendency, just like Cécile, to act without really thinking the consequences through!! Releasing Marc like that was like hitting him with too much pain at the same time and not having time to try and help him when he made choices for him... Bloody mess if you ask me!

4.- I'm pretty sure Tristan could use a bit of instronspection now and then, and someone calling him on his bullshit is something that needed doing. He had to realize his tendency to control everything is something he hates in others, and if he wants to do better, he needs to hear the hard truths! I'm also very curious about Tips power that Tristan suspects but isn't really discussed!

5.- YES! Quite happy that I was right although I guess it wasn't so easy for Tristan to see at first because despite who he is, half bloods and even less those that were not part of his cause might not be the first option to come to mind. I'm very intrigued about Lessa and the King's plan...

Oh dear, these two are so adorable and I love them so much!! My heart keeps breaking for them, seeing how much love was there! Poor Pénélope died but Marc was left here without her...

1.-I didn't usually re-read books in a series before reading the latest installment, but I started doing it last year, and I found that I do enjoy it very much, I remember LESS than I thought and when I re-read I do enjoy the new book much more! BUT I don't I will be re-reading the entire Song of Ice & Fire series to prepare for Winds of Winter whenever it might be published... TOO MANY BLOODY PAGES!

2.- I guess I'd do a bit of what she's been doing, trying to watch or inquire about high society ladies and try to get a hang of my own magic. And maybe try to find some hints about witches & the like...

3.- Quite a strong message from the King, and something that makes me suspect about a certain alliance between the King and Angouleme too... I'm not sure those two as enemies as they might pretend.

4.- I didn't think Anaïs would be dead for some reason, the King has more leverage with her being alive, with both Tristan and even her father, much as Angouleme might discard her.

5.- Given my suspicions and theory, I don't trust Genevieve as far as I could throw her, BUT, if I didn't have those suspicions, I'd feel for her a bit, because she shouldn't have had to choose between a career she loved and her family. It would have made me angry that she's the bad guy because she didn't give everything up for love and family as women are always supposed to do. But since I suspect she's just trying to manipulate Cecile and my other theory... well, good try Genevieve, but not buying it!

Ooooh, I would have loved this one as prologue for Hidden Huntress!! But I love that we're at least getting it now as an extra! Thank you so much for sharing Danielle!

I'm so excited! I've already started Hidden Huntress!!

1.- Cliffhangers tend to kill me if I'm really involved in the book... so I usually wail and pout and scream and give the side eye to the book & author... and if possible I commiserate with friends that have read the book to talk theories, discuss the ending, complain about the unfairness and get some sort of support while we wait for the nex book! Sometimes I even postpone reading a book if I hear it has a cliffhanger till I can get the next book in my hands, so the wait won't be added to my emotional distress!

2.- I'm really not sure what I would have done... Never seeing my friends or family would be too much to give up BUT leaving someone behind that you feel so much for wouldn't be easy either... And not really being able to feel safe in either situation and maybe endangering her family by escaping? I cannot really say what I'd do!

3.- I was really unhappy with Tristan's choice... he was acting like a troll through and through, compelling and not asking or treating the half bloods like the allies that they should be. If he really wanted to change things and be different from his father, he ought to have given the half bloods a chance to fight for themselves and help him in that way.

4.- I'm not entirely sure why we tend to forgive male character's mistakes more easily than the female ones... I am now actively looking to spot myself doing that and then stop and wonder why would that be. Sometimes it is because we see things of outselves on the characters we don't like on ourselves, so we end up punishing the characters for it...

5.- I'm not sure I'd consider Roland a villain per se, not a threat like the sluag either, just something more in between. A real villain usually has more cunning than just being cruel and powerful and destructive. At least with what we've seen so far of him.

6.- I despise the King. He might have some fatherly intentions about making Tristan into a strong king that will lead the trolls out from under the mountain and that will be strong and cunning to survive the intrigue and to defeat Angouleme... but I think he's being a troll through and through and unless Tristan starts thinking in a different, he won't really defeat his father...

Bloody sluag and its timing!! *shakes fist
I love that you continue sharing this alternate POV scenes from Tristan's!! I also would have loved to read about the kiss from his POV!! ;)

1.- I really do enjoy reading prologues and the info that they usually give and the questions that they provoke! I loved reading the deleted prologue for Stolen Songbird with all the info that it gives, even if I think that the book is more powerful in the shock and hooks you much better as it is now, being as clueless as Cecile is when she's kidnapped.

2.- Marc's story broke my heart quite a bit, but I think it was really brave to go ahead and bond and be happy together for however long they had, even more knowing that it'd be limited and knowing that he could die. Tristan might have been selfish by making sure his friend didn't die but I can totally understand not wanting to give up on Marc or letting him waste away.

3.- I think I'd feel more keen on freeing my people and wanting to give them a try, but it really shows that Tristan wants what's best for everyone that his aim is trying to keep the trolls contained since they've abused their power when given the chance, and they might just go overboard with it upon being freed just for the sheer relief and as revenge of a sort.

4.- Maybe it's because there's a certain something about life or death situations and the declarations that ensue there, but I think the labyrinth one was more romantic. The scene on the lake was also quite swoony but I got distracted with the revelations about Tristan's people and where they came from. Not as much this second time around but the first time I was reading it I was speculating so much!

5.- I must confess that I don't remember too well what I thought the first time I read the book (and this time I already knew) but I don't think the love triangle really felt like a possibility to me, or at least not enough to bother me, cause I'd remember being bothered by the possibility of a love triangle!

Thank you so much for sharing this one! I loved reading more about Tristan's motives and even more the moment of the foretelling!!

I'm so happy you decided to check the prologue with us all too! I was so very intrigued after reading those bits here!