SF/F Read Alongs discussion

OK! Here is a tentative schedule for resuming this series read along in January. If it doesn't work for anybody, let's discuss and see what works better for everyone!

Week 1: Saturday 7th January, Chapters 1-7, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Saturday 14th January, Chapters 8-15, hosted by Lynn's Book Blog
Week 3: Saturday 21st January, Chapters 16-22, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
Week 4: Saturday 28th January, Chapters 23-End, hosted by Lynn's Book Blog

I might try to catch up since life should leave more reading time over the holidays!

Yay!

I will fit in - always anxious to get back to Toby. Happy to host or step aside to let others.

Lynn wrote: "I will fit in - always anxious to get back to Toby. Happy to host or step aside to let others."

Hooray! How is Week 2 for you?

Week 2 is great.

OK! Here are week 1's questions:

(view spoiler)[
1. We return to a couple of previously 'spun' story threads here, ie. Toby's relationship with the Queen in the Mists, and the problem of goblin fruit on the streets in San Francisco - and the two are connected in ways Toby wasn't expecting... Do you think the goblin fruit as a catalyst for Toby's exile is just that, or did the Queen perhaps deliberately engineer this situation?

2. Speaking of queens and opposition, there's a surprise revelation here: this queen was not the heir to her throne. Larger plots are kicking off now, and it seems the Luidaeg is deeply involved this time. What are your thoughts on this development, and where it might lead?

3. We also get some fresh exploring to do, in the Library of Stars! If you could visit a magical library like this, what sorts of books might you look for?

That's it for questions for now, but as always, feel free to add any extra thoughts/suspicions etc! (hide spoiler)]

Here's my Week 1 post! (Sorry it's late...) http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

Sorry - my post too:
https://lynns-books.com/2017/01/10/al...

Lisa - I'm happy to host either week 3 or 4.

Week 2 questions:

Flipping heck this week eh!

To the questions:
(view spoiler)[

Well, as ever I’m curious about the Luidaeg. I used to feel as though she’d simply withdrawn from the world of the fae but the more I read the more it feels like she really is very restricted. Any guesses why the Luidaeg is so restricted in what she can say and do?

Is it suspicious that there was an earthquake the night that Arden and Nolan’s parents were killed - was that part of something bigger or was it just pure chance. Was somebody helping the Queen in the Mist to gain the throne that isn’t hers.

Marianne, the nurse who whisked Arden and Nolan away from danger, provided them with protective illusions and then left - do you think she’ll turn up again? Do you think this nurse could be known to us - or maybe in hiding somewhere?

There was one particular comment in these chapters about no other Fetch having lived as long as May - I’m curious about that and worried in equal measure. Why do you think May has lasted so long and does this bode ill?

So, we’re searching for a Hope Chest - any ideas about firstborns that might be holding one?? Interesting too that the Hope Chest name was Goldengreen - any other guesses about names?

A pie in the face - very slapstick and quite horrific how easy it is to become addicted! We seem to be onto something with Toby’s blood helping to stave off the hunger, do you think this might be the key to a cure somehow?

This week I have all sorts of nagging questions. I feel like a child really who just can’t contain themselves, but I’ve narrowed it down.

(hide spoiler)]

Lynn wrote: "Lisa - I'm happy to host either week 3 or 4."

Oh yay! Could you take Week 4?

Here's my Week 2 post!

http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

My week 2 post:
https://lynns-books.com/2017/01/14/ch...

Happy to take week 4. :D

Here are this week's questions! Sorry they're so late.

(view spoiler)[
1. "We took titles as a warning. 'Stay away. Here there be monsters.'"

This week we learn the Luidaeg's original name, and also that she really does, perhaps, have her sneaky ways of answering some of Toby's unasked questions - or starting to, anyway. What speculations are you drawing from what we learn in Toby's blood-vision? Given this teaser, what questions might you ask the Luidaeg if you were in Toby's shoes?

2. "I know a lot about being royal."

Surprise! So the truth about Quentin's background is out, and I've got to know: did you suspect this at all or did it in fact surprise you? Any predictions for the young squire-prince going forward from here?

3. "You protect your family by making the world a better place for them to live. Not by running away."

Toby's got some hard truths for Arden, and well she should know about them... Do you think Arden will stand by her choice here? And what do you think of October Daye looking set up to have the ear of the next Queen in the Mists?

4. There's plenty more to chew on in these chapters, but what parts stand out the most for you, and why?
(hide spoiler)]

Week 3! http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

This week's questions (sorry a bit late):

(view spoiler)[
So, Armandine - obviously the Luidaeg has gone mysteriously quiet whilst searching for her sister. How do you think that scenario is playing out? Has the Luidaeg found Armandine in her tower?

When this all first started I thought Armandine was maybe slightly crazy at best and a neglectful mother at worst. It seems that I was wrong. Clearly something dreadful has happened in her past - any speculation as to why she would behave as she has?

May - omg - I was so scared with the scene at the Knowe - literally, I cannot believe that she came through it. What exactly is May now. I know what she came from, I know what she then was, but I have no idea what she now is. Is she invincible? (I mean, I hope so because I love her)

Toby - her blood magic. Well, I think we’ve seen maybe a touch of why Armandine was trying to protect her. How far and how powerful do you predict Toby will really become?

So many alliances were made even stronger here which is great - and we also learned of Quentin’s origins and in fact met his parents - what for Quentin now. Can a prince continue as a squire?
(hide spoiler)]

My post is up! Again, it's late, and I apologise: http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...