The Not a Book Club Club discussion

Section 4

Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Chapters 40-49.

No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling things for your good read friends.

Please do not discuss events from later sections/books. Referring back to events from a previous section/book is fine.

So finally I can post some stuff! I'm sure some of this stuff belongs in previous sections, but I figured better safe than sorry.

I'm really loving this book. Yesterday I sat staring at a wall for like 15 minutes so I could read one more chapter.

I loved the rescue of Ben by his old squad. I like the relationship with him and the swordsmith's daughter.

I suspected the Lady what's her name was going to be Ka'Poel after Vlora reminded me that she and Taniel were still alive. I was kind of surprised she wasn't when she was captured, only to find out later I was right and the old woman was just a figure head.

I didn't expect Taniel to be the lawyer, but I probably should have. I really like Michel's story so far. I wasn't so sure about him at the start, but him being a double agent was a cool reveal. I like how it explains why he talks to himself so much. His poor mother thinking he betrayed his own people when really he's doing probably more than most to help them.

We know Ben Styke is knacked, but did they say what it was? He sure seems to be tough to kill. That fight with the dragon born was awesome.

As expected, the secret police are terrible people, especially their leader.

I wonder what these god stones will turn out to be.

That one businessman used Vlora and her men more than she realized. It looks like he's had a plan with these dragonmen and their people. They have a big fleet incoming. I wonder if Vlora is going to take up Taniel's offer now after all.

I'm looking forward to finishing this one. I wonder where he's going to leave things off. I hate to start a new series when I'm in the middle of so many, but I'm glad I didn't wait too long on this one.

Hopefully some of you guys will come along soon because I'm dying to discuss this one!

Oh yeah, and Ben Styke is the older brother of the head of the city apparently. That's why she refused to have him killed. It sounds like even Fidelias Jess didn't know that fact.

I did not see Tanial or Ka'Poel being in this one at all - that took me TOTALLY by surprise - but it was a cool surprise! And I'm so happy to see them - although I'm liking the new characters.

That fight with the Dragon Man was pretty epic. Ben is impressive I loved him so much after that, and I was so very worried he was going to never be able to fight again after his battle with the leader of the Black Hats. What a villain! Seeing the old troop come in and save Ben was great.

I thought Ben Syke's knack was detecting magic? But maybe I'm incorrect.

I like the whole double agent thing too. That adds a lot of dimension to Michel's character. The scene where his mother yelled at him outside the bookstore was sad.

My understanding is that all people with magic (knacked, privileged, powder mage, blood caster) can detect each other.

If you recall earlier in the book when Taniel faked his death Michel has a knacked Black Hat check for magic use.

Oh yes - I DO remember that.