The Dragon's Path Group Read discussion

I am intrigued by all of the characters thus far, not the least of which being our apostate Firstborn in the prologue. Really looking forward to seeing what develops there.

As for the other main characters (those who have their own chapter POV), I'm most drawn to Geder, followed closely by Cithrin.

Geder seems to be everyone's foil, the dog that gets kicked, the one who doesn't amount to much. But I think Abraham is dropping a hint here or there that all is not what it seems and that Geder will have a very important role to play. That being said, I'm liking where he is at now. He is an easy character to root for and I'm fascinated by the sections of the book that focus on him. Doesn't hurt that he couldn't wait to get a chance to go to the bookstore in Vanai.

Cithrin will be an interesting character to follow both because of her age and because of her knowledge of money/economics. I look forward to seeing how Abraham weaves this, one of his own passions, into the greater story. She is a bit of a weak character now, but I don't expect her to be so for long.

I was intrigued by the apostate too and he was a character that I enjoyed seeing even for the brief appearance he is making. I am sure he would take the stage again and that is something I am expecting as a surprise. Not that is hinted here, but comparing it with the experience I had with Daniel Abraham's "A Shadow in Summer" it can prove to have the same effect.

My favorite is Marcus. He looks like a flawed character and I usually tend to like the characters who have their own weaknesses and vices. With a dark past and an unfortunate event there not yet revealed I feel more sympathetic to Marcus than any other characters. Yardem works in favor of Marcus' arc too. I could feel the connection between the two, the friendship and the team they make. I find it interesting.

Cithrin is the second character that I like a lot. Her fears, worries and struggles made me sympathetic to her side of the story. I also love her intelligence and how Daniel Abraham plays some of the economical aspects of the world through her knowledge of the aspect. I have a weak spot for such connections made within fantastical worlds and I liked a lot what Daniel Abraham did with this aspect in the "Long Price Quartet" or what K.J. Parker does in the same aspect. I guess that is one of the reasons for me relating more easily with Cithrin.

I am still curious to see where the stories of Geder and Dawson lead them, but Marcus and Cithrin are my favorites.

Mihai wrote: "I was intrigued by the apostate too and he was a character that I enjoyed seeing even for the brief appearance he is making. I am sure he would take the stage again and that is something I am expec..."

Marcus is an intriguing character, especially given the hints at his backstory, the reputation he has earned, and the costs he has paid in his personal life. I'm looking forward to delving more into his character. Thus far I've enjoyed the fact that he is not overly confident. He was very honest in his assessment of their odds had the situation with the bandits on the road come to blows. I like that he doesn't have all the answers. And I really enjoy the banter between he and Yardem.

Carl wrote: "And I really enjoy the banter between he and Yardem. "

I can't get enough of it. :)
I like at Marcus that although he is very well-known figure and a very respected fighter he doesn't show an air of smugness and superiority. He just a man with a job and a desire to that job perfectly. Of course, while trying to save himself from the troubles coming his way.

I am very much intrigued by the apostate too. I am curious how his story will intersect with the others. There was a time or two that I forgot about him though, but only then for a thought to pop into my head of "wait, how does the apostate fit in? What will be revealed?"

Cithrin, is by far, the character that intrigues me the most. I really like how her character is growing.i was quite impressed with a few scenes which highlighted her intelligence; she is sharp. I thing....and hoping....that there is a lot of potential for her to continue to grow. I think she is a main player for sure.

Besides Cithrin, Marcus has caught my attention. His backstory has certainly added to grabbing my attention, and the fact he seems to be a downright good guy who will take no nonsense while also doing things with integrity. I also enjoy the banter between he and Yardem.

I don't care much for Geder, but I also think that he has far more potential to be someone of authority; a player to contend with. He just needs to grow a bit more into his boots. I have not ruled him out as a character that I will like,but for now he is just ok to me.

Carl wrote: "I am intrigued by all of the characters thus far, not the least of which being our apostate Firstborn in the prologue. Really looking forward to seeing what develops there.

As for the other main c..."

Apart from the Apostate and his spider-laden blood, I guess I am drawn to Geder because he is so downtrodden and a bibliophile as well!

It is interesting that you think Cithrin is a bit weak, as I see her as very strong emotionally and psychologically. When you think of what she has done, relatively successfully, for the past few weeks it shows a lot of backbone and determination. I am naturally drawn to her as the only major female character so far, but I think the most intriguing is probably Yardem. I want to know more about him and his past with Marcus.

Mihai wrote: "I was intrigued by the apostate too and he was a character that I enjoyed seeing even for the brief appearance he is making. I am sure he would take the stage again and that is something I am expec..."

The Marcus-Yardem friendship is beautifully drawn and conveys so much depth of feeling without being spelt out: I love it when an author can suggest something so profound in such a subtle way.

The apostate, for me is one I will really enjoy getting entire back story on. The compassionate man with the dark twisted history is my kinda guy. Understanding his past and why he made the choices he did should be very interesting. And the spider blood :o
Geder, I believe (or very much hope) will be a character that changes a great deal for the better, but right now the lack of backbone grinds my gears a bit.
I'm also hoping to learn more about Jorey. I've liked the bit I've seen of him so far.

Carl wrote: "I am intrigued by all of the characters thus far, not the least of which being our apostate Firstborn in the prologue. Really looking forward to seeing what develops there.

As for the other main c..."

Geder is one of my favorite characters so far. He strives to be worthy but is limited by his personal funds. He wants friends, but is smart enough to have a sense of when he is being used for amusement. I really look forward to seeing what the author does with this character.

Mihai wrote: "I was intrigued by the apostate too and he was a character that I enjoyed seeing even for the brief appearance he is making. I am sure he would take the stage again and that is something I am expec..."

Marcus is my second favorite character so far. I love the back and forth dry humor between him and Yardem. He is also a man of honor, yet is no nonsense about it too. The bandits in the wood scene and then later when uncovering Cithrin's secrets - he definitely wasn't messing around.

Sue wrote: "Carl wrote: "I am intrigued by all of the characters thus far, not the least of which being our apostate Firstborn in the prologue. Really looking forward to seeing what develops there.

As for the..."

I agree with you Sue. I too felt that Cithrin was very strong emotionally and psychologically. And she has displayed intelligence too. I am thinking she is gong to have a lot to offer this story.

Kelly wrote: "The apostate, for me is one I will really enjoy getting entire back story on. The compassionate man with the dark twisted history is my kinda guy. Understanding his past and why he made the choice..."

Ditto regarding the apostate. I am quite intrigued by him.

Cithrin is certainly the most sympathetic for me, while Dawson is the easiest to dislike. I feel like I should be wary of Cithrin though, simply because it's entirely too easy to like her. That probably says more about me than the author though.

The other two are still lukewarm. I don't dislike them by any means, but I'm not yet fully invested.

I do have a feeling that the apostate is a certain Master Kit. I am only guessing here, but I do see some small similarities here. Especially in the forest scene with the bandits. :)

I certainly don't dislike any of the characters. I feel sort of sorry for Geder - he seems so out of his depth in a way and so desperate for acceptance - the butt of everyone's jokes. I think he'll maybe come good though. I love the friendship between Marcus and Yardem which in so few words the author manages to demonstrate really well. Cithrin is okay, she's maybe not a standout character at this point but she's been thrown in at the deep end I feel and under the circumstances I admire her resolution - I was so pleased with her standing up for the poorly mule!
I think I'm mostly intrigued by Master Kit. That whole scene with the bandits was very interesting. It feels like there's more to him than it seems. Like he's some sort of mage, playing an actor, playing a mage! Did anybody else love it when he went all Gandalf - booming out 'we shall pass' (not the same but even so!)

Mihai wrote: "I do have a feeling that the apostate is a certain Master Kit. I am only guessing here, but I do see some small similarities here. Especially in the forest scene with the bandits. :)"

Wow! I hadn't thought of that. That would certainly explain why he wasn't worried about dying though . . . interesting! :)

Lynn wrote: "I certainly don't dislike any of the characters. I feel sort of sorry for Geder - he seems so out of his depth in a way and so desperate for acceptance - the butt of everyone's jokes. I think he'..."

I am also very intrigued by Master Kit and I'm afraid he does look rather like Sir Ian McKellen in my mind's eye, with that voice that sounds like he is constantly slightly amused by something! :D

Sue wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I certainly don't dislike any of the characters. I feel sort of sorry for Geder - he seems so out of his depth in a way and so desperate for acceptance - the butt of everyone's jokes...."
That's done it now - everytime Master Kit speaks Ian McKellen will be in my head! haha

I agree that the apostate is most probably Master Kit. The use of the "probably" sealed it for me :) And his knowledge of when someone lied, look at his reaction with Cithin said her name was Tag.

As for the characters I'm most drawn to, well I do like Cithin, but I think that Marcus and his tragic backstory are the ones gripping me :)

I do like Geder as well though.

Brittain wrote: "Cithrin is certainly the most sympathetic for me, while Dawson is the easiest to dislike. I feel like I should be wary of Cithrin though, simply because it's entirely too easy to like her. That pro..."

It is interesting because as I started reading the second part of this, the week 2 section, I realized that I'm really suspicious of everyone to some degree at this point. It is too early in the novel, given also that it is a series, to be too trusting of everyone's motives.

Sue wrote: "Mihai wrote: "I do have a feeling that the apostate is a certain Master Kit. I am only guessing here, but I do see some small similarities here. Especially in the forest scene with the bandits. :)"..."

Hmmm...that is certainly an intriguing idea.

The character that jumps out to me the most is Geder, I am intrigued by him. But I don't necessarily like him. I am hoping that somehow he learns to stand up for himself instead of allowing himself to be the but of everyone's joke. I am also curious about the book,I don't think it was burned. -I could be wrong though. The character that I really like though is Cithrin. Her story, though it is sad, awkward and a little tense at the beginning of the journey it also made me laugh. Maybe it's because I can easily visualize her trying to make it as a man and in my head it doesn't work out so well. In the story either, for that matter. I do like the connection and history between Marcus and Yardem.