SA reads discussion

This is a South African book. About dragons? dragons in South Africa?? This is going to interesting

I mean we have everything else. Wild animals I mean, but dragons? I do wish, but still...

Should we picture this being played off in SA? What do you think?

Drakensberg.......... Dragon mountains!

Yes that can work. But how far can you flee if you have to move from your home every three months? Would the drakensberg be enough?

Must say i like the idea of the drakensberg. It provides a local sort of magic to the reading experience.

Hahahaha, you girls are both blessed with such amazing creative minds. I think the Dragensberg would have been too small. It would be awesome if we had huge mother dragons. hahahaha.

Topics for week one.

Welcome to week one everybody. I have three topics I would like to get your input and thought on this.

1. Elena Watkins. Many people say she is weak and a really annoying character. What do you guys think.
Let me give you my thoughts about this and if you have different opinion please let me know.
I've watched Reign of Fire. It's one of my favorite movies and think Matthew was so awesome in it. It even had my favorite actor playing in it, Gerard Butler, whom all of you know that watched my book trailer, is my Herbert Watkins. Reign of Fire is very realistic, those dragons are awesome and it's exactly the way I would act if I see a real dragon. I would definitely not go yes dragons, bring them on. Now putting yourself in Elena's shoes. She lost the only person she knew in her life and has to live in a world where these dragons live. Do you guys still think she's weak whenever she cries or not be able to fit in this new world. How would you act if that really happens?

2nd topic.

The phrase for the love of blueberries. I got many people saying it irritates them and I overuse it, which I could see their point in.
What are your thoughts on this phrase and do I overuse them.
My thoughts: Many people have their own little saying like "Oh my soul, or "Oh my word' some even use, and as a reader I don't like reading that in books 'oh my G.." I'm sure you get what I'm saying. Other others swear like crazy. One of my mother's favorite Authors Deon Meyer cuss like a sailor in his books using all sorts of crazy words. For the love of blueberries is Elena's cuss word, a word she uses when she is overwhelmed etc.so it's the reason I used it a lot because she doesn't cuss or say anything else, For the love of blueberries is her phrase.

Your thoughts?

3rd topic

The wall...

Again a lot of my reviews say this book is very predictable. I haven't really delve that much into the wall as it is going to get mention in the tree other novels in this series as well. I've got people saying that she is related to Queen Catherine because she dreams about her. Now go think about that, if the wall don't allow any human to exit, and it's been up for the past 900 years, how could Elena be related to the queen?

Your thoughts.

Adrienne wrote: "2nd topic.

The phrase for the love of blueberries. I got many people saying it irritates them and I overuse it, which I could see their point in.
What are your thoughts on this phrase and do I ov..."

I really enjoyed for the love of blueberries. It's a great cach phrase and gives insight into when Lena is frustrated.

And I'm thinking to do a fourth discussion. What is your overall thoughts on the first chapter straight to the Viden's tower and her foretelling.

Elena is 16 years old. When teenagers/kids have a catch phrase, they say it ALL THE TIME! we were all like that. My thoughts on "for the love of blueberries": its at least nice and innocent. But a looong, almost uncomfortable catch phrase. Its certainly original, but doesnt fall naturally on the tongue. Perhaps because I'm not used to it yet.

Elena, being a teenager, is all about being emotional and over-dramatic. That is very realistic and perhaps what is irritating to some people. But lets face it, teenagers are irritating. I am looking forward to seeing elena grow and mature after her ordeal early in the book.

Lisa wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "2nd topic.

The phrase for the love of blueberries. I got many people saying it irritates them and I overuse it, which I could see their point in.
What are your thoughts on this p..."

I love Lena, Think I'll use it in book four as a pet name. Thanks Lisa.

Adele wrote: "Elena is 16 years old. When teenagers/kids have a catch phrase, they say it ALL THE TIME! we were all like that. My thoughts on "for the love of blueberries": its at least nice and innocent. But a ..."

Adele your input is exactly the way I feel. Most of the teenagers, not everyone, some is very mature, are like that. It is a phase in our lives we just have to go through. I tried to keep Elena teenager and believe it or not, this book was really written for them and it's a huge bonus if the older genre loves it too. I don't like strong, unrealistic characters. They should stay with their setting. Like Katniss. DOn't get me wrong, I love her so much, she is strong but it's because she grew up like that. Her environment around her was in a mess when she was born, that is why she is so strong. A lot of readers don't really put themselves in characters shoes and they quickly jump to conclusions that they are weak. I guess I switched over to topic one and two mixed together, hahahaha.

Phrases to me just makes the character more realistic. For the love of blueberries in a bit long, but when you are use to it, like I am, you can say it quite fast. hahahahaha.

Adrienne wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "2nd topic.

The phrase for the love of blueberries. I got many people saying it irritates them and I overuse it, which I could see their point in.
What are your thou..."

That was a typo...

Hahahahha, but it's a nice nick name, don't you think...

Vicki wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Adele wrote: "Elena is 16 years old. When teenagers/kids have a catch phrase, they say it ALL THE TIME! we were all like that. My thoughts on "for the love of blueberries": its at ..."

It does, Vicky. I was thinking to do cups with the Firebolt cover on the one side and on the other side For the love of Blueberries....it's morning again.

Adrienne wrote: "Adele wrote: "Elena is 16 years old. When teenagers/kids have a catch phrase, they say it ALL THE TIME! we were all like that. My thoughts on "for the love of blueberries": its at least nice and in..."

Elena is also a naive teenager, this phrase suits that naïveté. Although her life hasn't been easy, her father has preserved her sense of innocence. This phrase set her apart from her friends

Adrienne wrote: "Topics for week one.

Welcome to week one everybody. I have three topics I would like to get your input and thought on this.

1. Elena Watkins. Many people say she is weak and a really annoying cha..."

Ok, 16 year old girl who has just lost her dad and moved to a whole new world. O and there are monsters in that world. If Elena didn't express grief, frustration, anger, irritation at this I'd wonder why she is so cold. She's a kid in a strange place, fear and confusion are allowed. As long as she progresses from this, and doesn't stagnate I'd think she pretty normal under the circs.

Adrienne wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Adele wrote: "Elena is 16 years old. When teenagers/kids have a catch phrase, they say it ALL THE TIME! we were all like that. My thoughts on "for the love of blueber..."

Dragon one side- one eye open...

Adrienne wrote: "Hahahahha, but it's a nice nick name, don't you think..."

Yup
As Freud would say: there are no accidents.

Another topic, just for fun.

Which dragon are you?

If you have to choose between the ten species of dragons inside Firebolt, which one would you like to be?

3rd topic: I think because Elena is the only human with a dragon father who has a mark, one that is so dark, she is obviously special. So she could exit the wall....

Or you'll probably blow our mind completely and have Elena be the daughter of the king and the queen's dragon Tanya. I mean she disappeared a year before the queen's death, which is ample time to hide a pregnancy, have a baby and give the baby away to someone who can protect her on the other side. If she does end up being the person to fulfil the prophecy of Blake's Dragonian, it makes complete sense that she would be sent away because Goran doesn't want his Dragonian to exist.

Monique wrote: "3rd topic: I think because Elena is the only human with a dragon father who has a mark, one that is so dark, she is obviously special. So she could exit the wall...."

That is a very interesting concept Monique. That is why I love getting your input.

Monique wrote: "Or you'll probably blow our mind completely and have Elena be the daughter of the king and the queen's dragon Tanya. I mean she disappeared a year before the queen's death, which is ample time to h..."

Hehehehe, then why is the queen guiding her....IF SHE WAS THE LOVE OF HER LIFE'S DAUGHTER AND HER DRAGONS. I don't care how close I'm with anybody, my hubby is mine. hahahahahaha. Again I love your input's

"Adrienne wrote: "Another topic, just for fun.

Which dragon are you?

If you have to choose between the ten species of dragons inside Firebolt, which one would you like to be?"

Can you recap the dragons please? Read this in October

Chromatics
Night-Villain breathes Acid
Moon-bolt can see future and breathes lightning
Sun-Burst breathes fire and can seek treasures
Snow Dragon breathes ice and is very smart but also huge cowards
Green-vapor breathes chlorine gas and can

Metallics
Fin-tail which are champions when it comes to fighting evil, they love humans and will help in need
Swallow Annex has the ability to heal
Fire-tails breathes fire and talk way too much
Crown-tails love theories and can help you to find missing memories
Copper horns love riddles, pranks etc

Sorry Green vapors has the ability to change someone's mind, I forgot the name, hahahaha can you believe it. It's one of those days. but they lie through their teeth

But Tanya could have easily been the King and Queen's surrogate. It's a well known fact that the King and Queen were having trpuble conceiving, so they decided on getting a surrogate and who better than the Queen's dragon sister? They know everything about each other and they hold each other's secrets. Then they hear about the Viden's propjecy and suddenly Goran goes off the rails. This could explain why The Queen is guiding Elena and also why Tanya left her.

Interesting...I like your concept a lot...but....I'm not going to say.

Lisa wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Topics for week one.

Welcome to week one everybody. I have three topics I would like to get your input and thought on this.

1. Elena Watkins. Many people say she is weak and a re..."

Thank you so much Lisa, it was my thoughts exactly, but I guess a lot of the readers don't look at that and want her to just get over everything fast. I love it when characters are realistic, and I tried my best to make Elena realistic, she did come around though, closer to the end and in Thunderlight she is still a bit skeptic about the unknown, as you will see new things she has to get used to, so I hope they won't see her as still weak.

If I had to choose a dragon to be...I'll probably go with the Snow Dragon, although I don't like the coward part much, they are pretty amazing. Breathing ice instead of Fire and to be very smart at that. I love the snow dragons, just not the 'when the going get's tough, they go poof' part. hehehehehe

Adrienne wrote: "If I had to choose a dragon to be...I'll probably go with the Snow Dragon, although I don't like the coward part much, they are pretty amazing. Breathing ice instead of Fire and to be very smart at..."

Swallow annex for me

Swallow Annex's are amazing, and kind.

Monique wrote: "But Tanya could have easily been the King and Queen's surrogate. It's a well known fact that the King and Queen were having trpuble conceiving, so they decided on getting a surrogate and who better..."

I've been just going over you comment again, explain why you think, if Tanya left her, I'm not saying anything, why you think she left. Just remember Herbert is her father and a dragon. Where did he come from then....

Do you guys think that I should've fleshed out Herbert Watkins more in book one?

Monique wrote: "But Tanya could have easily been the King and Queen's surrogate. It's a well known fact that the King and Queen were having trpuble conceiving, so they decided on getting a surrogate and who better..."

Another thing, if Tanya left a year before as you say to give birth to Elena, she would have been highly pregnant, as Elena was one when the creepers took Etan, wouldn't somebody detected that Tanya is pregnant? It would raise a lot of questions and don't think Tanya could've escaped so easily if this was why she left.

Amelia wrote: "1. Is Elena an annoying character? At some points, yes she is but if I was in her situation I would be completely freaking out. But that's the thing - we all have flaws. That's why I like this book..."

Thanks for your input Amelia. I really enjoy reading your input on Elena. Moon-bolts are amazing dragons. I love George so much and I love lightning too.

Maybe I'm a fire-tail, but really more a bit of everything. Maybe you can have a dragon in your next book that encompasses all the basic elements.

Adele wrote: "Maybe I'm a fire-tail, but really more a bit of everything. Maybe you can have a dragon in your next book that encompasses all the basic elements."

Hahaha, Adele I do. It's an eleventh breed that died out that will make its appearance in the second novel. It has three different abilities.

When I started with this series, I aimed at teenagers ages from 13 to 18. As Elena is 16, usually younger teenagers will connect with her more. It's awesome that I get really good reviews and love from the adults too because I really didn't think about the adults when I wrote this one. This is my YA series. I have a couple of NA series where I aim for NA and Adults. Thanks Vicky that you say it fit all. It's really a bonus. I'm actually scared about book two now since I got a lot of adult readers loving this one too, but I kept in YA, obviously made Elena a bit more stronger and pray that all of you would love it.

I've got another topic I would like to get your opinion from.

Do you think that Elena and Lucian shouldn't be together. Many said that they don't see them really as in love. What do you think?

Hmm - if Elena and Lucian weren't together then who would she be with?

As a character I found Lucian more irritating than Elena, a little too picture-perfect. I think Elena's honest with her flaws but I would like to see her become stronger as a character.

South African dragons, eh? I liked the Drakensberg idea very much :-) only we'd have to have rainbow dragons for a rainbow nation in the tradition of Rev. Tutu!

My theory, Lucien is going to turn out to be super evil. The sweeter than sugar act is a facade!

Marc wrote: "Hmm - if Elena and Lucian weren't together then who would she be with?

As a character I found Lucian more irritating than Elena, a little too picture-perfect. I think Elena's honest with her flaws..."

Hahahaha, Marc. Your rainbow dragon was a really good comment. Loved it so much. Lucian really irritating you? In what way.

Vicki wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "I've got another topic I would like to get your opinion from.

Do you think that Elena and Lucian shouldn't be together. Many said that they don't see them really as in love. What ..."

You know what Vicky. I agree with you so much on that. In the first draft they were really strong, but I had to cut so many chapters that why she fell for Lucian disappeared. Originally they only kissed in chapter 23, and I moved it to chapter 11, which obviously left out a lot of why's. I tried to recapture that but I didn't succeed. I'm making two very strong though, especially Elena and Lucian's relationship.
So I hope I could still sway a couple of people on wanting them together.

Lisa wrote: "My theory, Lucien is going to turn out to be super evil. The sweeter than sugar act is a facade!"

Hahahahha, that's the last one I would actually thought off Lisa. Nice twist though if it would happen.

Amelia wrote: "If ever there was a chance of this happening... im team Blake. Not just because he is the Rubicon but i find him a really interesting character who we dont know a lot about which equally compels me..."

That is so sweet, Amelia. I just hope none of you would hate me after reading book two. There is a huge twist and I'm really not sure what you guys would think about it, I'm hoping for the best. It's the way the characters wanted their story to be told. hahahahaha

Lucian and Elena together is ok for now. But Im also team Blake. It would be sooo sweet to see the big bad nasty dragon hopelessly fall for our innocent heroine. ..