Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

The Shadow Throne

Starting 7-12-16

Prologue and Chapter 1

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Prologue setup the Last Duke's character and he's much more organized and pragmatic than his public persona or that of his ministry which he uses to his advantage. Similar to the prologue from book one it sets a very mystical tone.

Chapter one starts out with us meeting the princess and most of the politicians in the royal court and everything is proceeding as normal when she jumps off a building. Pretty shocking moment and no way to have seen this coming nor her rebuild after. Very well done.

Interesting twist with the princess leading a double life and working with a political if not revolutionary group to bring down the Duke. The Duke saving her life and knowing she is possessed by something we'll find out about.
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Chapter 2

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Nice to get back to the characters we know. Janus his usual witty manipulative self. Winter being horrified at having to walk down the street wearing a dress was very funny. Wexler does political scheming and court drama very well. If it's not done well it can get very tedious. He always inserts a quality of humor to it.

Winter will end up getting involved with the princess. I wonder at the princess falling for "him" and it playing out with the truth of "her". Or perhaps the princess liking women and finding out and being pleased is possible.
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Scott wrote: "Chapter 2

You know, I actually thought the same as you about the princess when reading this chapter.

Dan wrote: "Scott wrote: "Chapter 2

You know, I actually thought the same as you about the princess when reading this chapter."

So you're saying we agree. :)

I'm actually on chapter 10 right now but I wanna talk about this one:

Chapter 5:

(view spoiler)[So, Jane? That was unexpected. I mean, I knew she'd pop up eventually but I was not expecting her to show up like that for some reason. I was expecting her to be having a really dramatic life and blaming it all on Winter somehow, you know? I definitely wasn't expecting that reception! Anyway, now I'm wondering if that small moment with Bobby in the first book will just be ignored? I guess so... It also seems to mark the end of my little theory about the Princess and Winter! (hide spoiler)]

I actually haven't started yet...I needed a day or two to recover after HOC and I also started Rise of Empire.

That's fine Jenna, but what's HOC and why do you need to recover from it? Is it very emotional or something?

Dan wrote: "That's fine Jenna, but what's HOC and why do you need to recover from it? Is it very emotional or something?"

Aaah, House of Chains from our Malazan read. Mostly I just read a lot in one day (~200-300pages) and I need to take a break, but it was very emotional at the end as well.

Dan wrote: "I'm actually on chapter 10 right now but I wanna talk about this one:

Chapter 5:]"

I finally made it through chapter 5. Much like Jenna I'm suffering from Post-Malazan-Syndrome and need chocolate and a hot bath. Those books are simply exhausting. I can't focus a few days after one of the books because they require so much concentration.

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I guessed just before they revealed it that Jane was the boss. I definitely didn't see the kiss or the shoulder butt coming. I have a feeling it's going to go the other way and that she's going to end up having to choose to, in her mind, betray Jane a second time and I hadn't thought about the Bobby angle until you brought it up but now I think Bobby and Feor will arrive and play a part in it.
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Scott wrote: "Much like Jenna I'm suffering from Post-Malazan-Syndrome and need chocolate and a hot bath. Those books are simply exhausting. I can't focus a few days after one of the books because they require so much concentration. "

Lol! Well, I don't like chocolate and it feels like 40 degrees Celcius with humidity these days so I'll skip the hot bath too, but yes, I am exhausted and could possibly drown myself in a tub of ice cream.

I didn't realize Post-Malazan-Syndrome symptoms included literalness. :) I guess it makes sense after all the symbolism in the books.

Chapter 6

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Really good point by Winter that I missed in that Janus assigning this to her must have know she would run into Jane. Definitely a Janus move but like Winter I'm torn as to the motive.
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Scott wrote: "I didn't realize Post-Malazan-Syndrome symptoms included literalness. :) I guess it makes sense after all the symbolism in the books."

Yes, literalness is one of the very tramatic symptoms. I ate ice cream today so I should be back and reading very shortly. ;)

Through page 138 a general observation

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Not that the book has been bad so far but compared to the first book it's pretty disappointing to date. I hope it picks up. There's been nearly no Janus, no battles, no soldier banter, little mysticism....everything that made the fist book.
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Scott wrote: "Through page 138 a general observation

(view spoiler)[It's been very different, I agree with you on that, but i actually am enjoying it just as much. I'm thinking of this one as more an introduction to the political side of this series and an introduction to some awesome characters. It's pretty obvious to me that the next ones will be back to focusing on the war side of it all so I'm fine with the political side of this one.

One thing I dislike so far though(as of where you're reading) is that Winter's old company didn't come with them, I miss them. (hide spoiler)]

Dan wrote: "Through page 138 a general observation."

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With the exception of the princess none of the other characters really pop for me including unfortunately the Duke and Jane although the last two I feel will have an unrevealed side to come. The pace is just really flat and I get he's building that side of this world but still.
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(view spoiler)[I understand where you're coming from really. It's always risky to do what he's doing; after such a successful book just change the whole setting and many characters like that, but for me it really works. Shame it isn't working as well for you, I hope they grow on you. (hide spoiler)]

Dan wrote: ""

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Actually I was just too impatient. The next 50 pages everything really started to follow starting with Denton's speech. Definitely more action and better flow.
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Sorry guys, I've been reading Riyria - I'll get to this soon, I promise :)

Woohoo! I read up to chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ I really do not like the Last Duke character POV, but apart from that, I am enjoying it so far.
The princess is pretty good - I was sure it was her group that Winter was going to have to infiltrate so Jane was a big surprise. I liked Winter a lot better when she was with her men as well, but I still love her character. I do not really like Jane so much, but I'm glad that storyline is getting addressed and hopefully we can leave her behind in the third book or she can die (hide spoiler)].

Jenna wrote: "Woohoo! I read up to chapter 9:"

I'm only on chapter 10 so that didn't take you long.

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I get what Wexler is going for with the Duke. He didn't want the prototypical villain. I applaud that. The character is still wanting to date.

I also don't love Jane's character. I think adding two major characters that are similar in disposition makes it tough. I wish one was a bit more unreserved.

Still from 138 where I complained the book has taken off but still not to book one level. The good news is people who have similar book interests love book 3 and seem to review book two as better the second half.
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Page 260.....a theory just hit me but I swear I'm right. If so a huge spoiler so read only if you want to. You can read before page 260 because it's not really certain.

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Winter is Marcus's sister. Age fits. Orphan. Blond hair.....I think I have this one bagged.
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Through chapter 14.......What a dumbass I am not not seeing this

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Speculating early in the book about Winter and the Princess and not seeing the obvious demon eater in Winter. This could play out with the Duke accusing the Princess to take control and Winter setter her free of her burden and dooming the duke.
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Scott wrote: "Page 260.....a theory just hit me but I swear I'm right. If so a huge spoiler so read only if you want to. You can read before page 260 because it's not really certain.


(view spoiler)[That actually... Makes sense? I mean, sure, huge coincidence, but it's the kind of coincidence that makes sense in literature, right? It might not be it but your theory fits! I wish I had thought of it before you though as now I feel stupid >.> (hide spoiler)]

Scott wrote: "Through chapter 14.......What a dumbass I am not not seeing this


Another thing that makes sense and this time I thought of it too, but I think it's a bit too obvious, don't you?

Jenna wrote: "Woohoo! I read up to chapter 9:

Wow, you're reading fast, well done! Keep on reading fast please cause I'm about to finish the book myself and I'll want to talk about the ending with someone haha!

(view spoiler)[Agreed about Jane, I don't want her to die though lol

The Duke? Eh, he's interesting but I want more about his motivations. (hide spoiler)]

Dan wrote: Another thing that makes sense and this time I thought of it too, but I think it's a bit too obvious, don't you?"

Maybe. I think we are at least right that there's a tie-in even if we have the outcome incorrect. I'll actually be happier if he comes up with something more clever.

Dan wrote: ""

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You know how something hits you in a vivid epiphany? That happened during the dream sequence of Marcus's house burning for some odd reason and then I flipped the page and it described him looking at her short blond hair and I thought wow I'm right because the chapter before he mentioned Winter's short blond hair.

Huge coincidence and we might not even get the answer this book!
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another theory....

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So Dan assuming you're correct and Winter freeing the Princess of her demon it too predictable.........the duke has a demon of his own and Winter unleashed vengeance upon him and his demon.
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Scott wrote: "Page 260.....a theory just hit me but I swear I'm right. If so a huge spoiler so read only if you want to. You can read before page 260 because it's not really certain. "

This totally makes sense. I think you might be right. I won't open any more of your spoilers for now because I'm on chapter 12.

Up to chapter 16: (view spoiler)[ Marcus is officially the dumbest person ever. I had a really good laugh when he thought Winter was a guy disguised as a girl (hide spoiler)].

Jenna wrote: "Up to chapter 16: [spoilers removed]."

Really, I'm still laughing.

Jenna wrote: "Really, I'm still laughing."

He really can be obtuse.

Obtuse is a kind word. I mean, I love the character but, my God, he's really blind when it comes to women!

By the way, I finished the book. 4.5 stars which I might round up to 5 in my review. It's not as perfect as the first but it's damn good as well.

Whenever you guys finish please let me know as I wanna discuss two connected things about the ending, and one of them is about your big theory Scott.

Dan wrote: "Obtuse is a kind word. I mean, I love the character but, my God, he's really blind when it comes to women!

By the way, I finished the book. 4.5 stars which I might round up to 5 in my review. It's..."

I will probably finish tonight :)

I'll finish tomorrow.

Yes clueless is probably more fitting than obtuse.

It has been two books for me. The first 25% was a 3 and I'm at 80% now and the 55% since has been a 5. The ending will probably decide between a 4 and 5 for me.

BTW I simply love Janus as a character. Such a great blend of arrogance and eccentric.

Scott wrote: "I'll finish tomorrow.

Yes clueless is probably more fitting than obtuse.

It has been two books for me. The first 25% was a 3 and I'm at 80% now and the 55% since has been a 5. The ending will p..."

I think the first part was a 4 for me and the rest a 5. I'm pretty generous with my stars though. Any POV chapter of Orlanko was a 3 though.

Orlanko sadly has been a disappointing chartacter. I thought after the thousand names he would be quite brilliant.

Scott wrote: "Orlanko sadly has been a disappointing chartacter. I thought after the thousand names he would be quite brilliant."

I agree - without the Concordat, he would be nothing.

I wanna weigh in on Orlanko but I can't until you finish the book!

Anyways, the book got better and better as it went and the next book has the potential to be quite explosive.

Dan wrote: "I wanna weigh in on Orlanko but I can't until you finish the book!

Anyways, the book got better and better as it went and the next book has the potential to be quite explosive."

I just finished!! You can talk about him, just hide it with spoiler tags.

Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "I wanna weigh in on Orlanko but I can't until you finish the book!

Anyways, the book got better and better as it went and the next book has the potential to be quite explosive."

I jus..."

You read so fast, I'm envious! Anyways, what did you think of:

(view spoiler)[What Sothe said at the end about Janus? What could Janus be after? And why am I starting to suspect he'll end up being the ultimate villain of this whole story?? God, that would be a shame!
Now, talking about Sothe herself, what the heck is her motivation for helping the Queen anyway?? I don't think we even got there, did we? What I'm thinking is, is she blond by any chance? I wonder if there's any chance she's Marcus' sister instead of Winter... Probably not but I still have no idea what she's all about. (hide spoiler)]

Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "I wanna weigh in on Orlanko but I can't until you finish the book!

Anyways, the book got better and better as it went and the next book has the potential to be quite expl..."

At first, I definitely thought (view spoiler)[Sothe was working for the priests or someone opposing Raesinia, but she does have a point about Janus. We saw a hint of his obsession with The Thousand Names in the first book and I think he also might be evil. (hide spoiler)]

Dan I love your twist on my original theory! But.....

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I have to disagree on Janus being the villain a shame! The only thing I'd hate about it is that they're giving it away in only book two. Book five is already slated for next year so I'm think it's a red herring. If they didn't mention it at all and that came out at the end of the series that would have been epic.

Now Sothe being Marcus's sister would be another awesome twist. I could live with it being her or Winter.
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This book really didn't do much for me (see my review), I was just very frustrated with the character archetypes and inane behavior. I see The Price of Valour is next up on the docket for a group read, but although I want to get to it, I'm too weary of Wexler's last entry. Starting to understand why I see these bobbing up on the clearance rack at Half Price.

Daniel wrote: "This book really didn't do much for me (see my review), I was just very frustrated with the character archetypes and inane behavior. I see The Price of Valour is next up on the dock..."

No worries I wouldn't continue if I felt like you did after the first two books. I enjoyed reading both of the reviews which were very detailed. I also enjoyed your Name of the Wind review which I shared nearly all the same issues with.

Hopefully you'll join us for something else. If you want true epic go for Malazan.

Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "I wanna weigh in on Orlanko but I can't until you finish the book!

Anyways, the book got better and better as it went and the next book has the potential to b..."

Sorry I couldn't reply to this earlier but I had a busy last couple of days!

I started reading the next book last night, I hope he hints at our theories in this book, I'm really curious if we were spot on about any of it!

I realize I sound really cranky above. I think I was just disappointed because I expected more out of book 2. I loved the army maneuvers and combat in book 1, and that's what sucked me in, but The Shadow Throne was a pretty different book.

I'm hoping for Lies of Locke Lamora in August!