The Not a Book Club Club discussion

Somehow I didn't see the twist coming, lol. Should have, though.

It seemed exactly like how Abercrombie explained it to me; the guy bungled welding the collar on properly.

So far I'm ambivalent. For once the pseudo-Viking setting doesn't completely suck me in; I think I've read too much of it in too short a time, lol.

I don't find it as amusing as I expected. Humor is a big plus for me where it comes to Abercrombie, so I'm hoping he steps it up.

As to Yarvi himself, so far I just find him pitiful. He seems like the sort to wallow in his misery, but it's a YA book so I was expecting some parts like that.

An interesting start, if I had to rate this right now I'd give it 2.5 out of 5.

Alex wrote: "Can anyone explained what happened at the end there? Is there something more to the clasp? Something more permanent that is attached to Yarvi?
"

For what I understand the slave collar is permanent, they put it around his neck and then welded the ends together with a hot pin, and like Rabin said, they did the welding wrong and burned Yarvi.

I did expect the uncle twist from the beginning, he seemed to good to be true. But I didn't expect the fact that Gorm didn't kill his father and brother.

He speculates that Odem killed them but that doesn't make much sense, since Yarvi says he saw the bird from Gorm's minister that lured them to the trap.

"this must be Mother Scaer, Gorm's minister. She who sent the dove to Mother Gundring, luring Yarvi's father to his death with promises of peace"

So, who killed them? o.O

As to Yarvi, I can understand his self deprecation but I get tired of it. I hope he stops being sad and starts being awesome soon.

Can't say I saw the Uncle twist but I thought from the beginning that someone would betray Yarvi. Not really feeling anything for Yarvi yet as Rab said he is pitiful. I don't get why having a crippled hand makes him such a poor warrior. He would still be able to swing a sword and strap a shield to the crippled arm. So it seems like even if he had both hands he would still be a pathetic warrior.

I am interested to see the fate of the Queen. It would seem like she would end up with Odem or Hurik depending on what part she took in the plot. Although based on what Odem said it is unlikely she was involved.

I am a little disappointed with the opening part. The 'twists' were very obvious and getting caught obvious as well.

Grom not killing his father makes sense. I would imagine it was an outside force trying to stir trouble between these two nations. Maybe the High King himself, but chances are its someone we have not encountered yet.

I find little sympathy for Yarvi. His culture is warrior and deed based. Seems strange that such a society has a monarchy based on blood rather than deeds.
We do know that he is a weak warrior, clever of mind and quick to anger. This to me suggests that we will get a scene where he needs to use his mind to overcome an issue, fail due to anger and get into a worse situation.

The pace of the book is swift and this is good. The supporting cast of characters is fairly weak at this point - but now he is on his own maybe we will get some strong characters.

Hoping the second half picks up. At the moment, its ok (2-3/5 stars).

@Bill We don't know if Odem is still married, if he isn't it seems logical that the queen marries him. I don't think neither Hurik or she had any part in the plot; I think Hurik just went along with it because it was the best for the kingdom.

@Richard I was also thinking of an outside force, good point with the High King idea.

Alexa wrote: "@Bill We don't know if Odem is still married, if he isn't it seems logical that the queen marries him. I don't think neither Hurik or she had any part in the plot; I think Hurik just went along wit..."

I didn't think he was still married because his daughter has the key to his household. "For the good of the kingdom" usually comes with personal gain for the people committing the betrayal. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I meant more of a 1 on 1 case like when he is fighting during training. I understand that it would be a disadvantage but just don't see it being as big of a disadvantage as Abercrombie has shown. It is a minor point and guess it doesn't really matter much as that is the reality in the book.

True those downward spirals are tough to escape.

I'm enjoying the book so far, though I am not coming in with huge expectations. I was a little worried at first that Yarvi would turn out to be too whiny and self-pitying to be likable, but he seems to be snapping out of it.

I agree a deformed left hand is not that much of a disadvantage. When he keeps calling himself half a man I always imagine some other appendage missing :)

Not sure if the alliteration was always there or I didn't notice it till I switched to audio during the funeral. I enjoyed it at first but them became extremely distracted by it and kept listening for the alliteration and missing the larger plot. I guess it is more noticeable in the audio version, because now that I am back home reading it on the kindle, I am not nearly as distracted by it. Great narration though in the audio book.

With the book being so short I wondering at what point in the plot to restoring himself to the throne we will get to...Will book 1 end with him being King, and if so, what is the larger plot that encompasses the trilogy?

@Sky - the series is called Shattered Sea so not sure if the focus is all on Yarvi throughout or if he is just part of a larger story.

Bill wrote: "@Sky - the series is called Shattered Sea so not sure if the focus is all on Yarvi throughout or if he is just part of a larger story."

Good point...Or maybe Yarvi will need to conquer all of the lands of the Shattered Sea and rule them with a congenitally deformed iron fist ;)

Alex wrote: "I believe the second book is cautiously titled Half the World."

Sounds like the Prince/King/Emperor of Thorns naming scheme. Hard to say from Chapter 8, but between the name of the second book and where the plot could possibly go, maybe the next aim will be to become High King?

Sky wrote: "Bill wrote: "@Sky - the series is called Shattered Sea so not sure if the focus is all on Yarvi throughout or if he is just part of a larger story."

Good point...Or maybe Yarvi will need to conque..."

ROFL

Sky wrote: "Good point...Or maybe Yarvi will need to conquer all of the lands of the Shattered Sea and rule them with a congenitally deformed iron fist ;) "

This is where i am seeing the series going. Takes his kingdom, takes the area, takes the whole land. As it is a YA, doubt there will be any major surprises - like loosing the land as soon as he gets it by being assassinated.

Must finish Leviathan Wakes before i continue the part 2 of this book.

I agree this feels sort of predictable. I didn't really spend time thinking about it, so while I didn't see anything coming, I can't say it surprised me either.

The main character is too whiny so far. I'm hoping his pity party ends soon and he starts out thinking people.

My big question is will his mother be in on the murder of her husband? Or if not, his own murder attempt?

I saw the twists coming as well. I figured it was either Odem or his mother - she's is apparently loved all over and perhaps she wanted the throne for herself. I'm not counting her out yet - she might have been involved somehow. She's clearly cunning.

My prediction: Yarvi's training as a minister will propel him into being a slave the court somehow. He knows many languages and I assume he's good with numbers. Maybe he'll be a scribe or something. Don't know how he'll keep his hand hidden. I also think his deformed hand isn't that big of a deal and he's whiny about it.

Anyone else getting a ASOIAF feel so far? A giant metal throne, crippled boy, sparring in the yard early on, ministers are like maesters, they use doves instead of ravens to communicate... Not that the similarities there are bad. Just thought it was interesting.

It's been classic Abercrombie so far. The plot has been enjoyable although I was able to predict pretty much every plot twist from reading the blurb. The world-building (Abercrombie's biggest weakness imo) has been pretty poor, hopefully with this introductory passage done there won't be as much emphasis on it.

The characters have been brilliant. Unlike most of you guys I've liked Yarvi so far. His physical deformity and sly wit make me think of him as Glokta jr. Odem is shaping up to be a great villain, although his betrayal was kind of predictable. Gorm (the rival king) and Laithlin (Yarvi's mother both stood out as complex and intriguing characters.

I don't think Yarvi's mother is involved in the plot. As Yarvi pointed out at one point he is her only remaining claim to power. Husik's betrayal was the only thing that surprised me so far. Odem must have somehow suborned him earlier on as I don't think Yarvi's mother was involved and there's no way he just decided to betray his king and his mistresses' specific instructions in the moment. I doubt Odem will marry her as she doesn't really bring anything to the table (land, soldiers, gold) and I doubt he'll want to risk her undermining his power or unravelling his conspiracy. I expected Gorm not to have been responsible for Yarvi's father's murder but it was implied that Odem wasn't either. So who was?

I disagree she doesn't bring anything to the table. She has a lot of connections and is owed a lot of favors.

I agree with Rob - she is called the Golden Queen. She brings a lot to the table and she seems to be loved by her subjects. Can't put a price on that.

Good points, she does have connections/ influence. I'm not sure about her being loved by her subjects though. She seems too cold and distant to really inspire love, even in her own son. Are there any references to her being really popular in the book that I've missed?

I still don't think Odem will marry her as unlike his brother (who seemed more interested in fighting) I can't see Odem being willing to share power. He would also be taking the risk that she might uncover his conspiracy (provided she wasn't a part of it already).

Who is Hurik again? I know he helped his Uncle betray the kid, but I'm terrible with names. Was he the master of arms?

Rob wrote: "Who is Hurik again? I know he helped his Uncle betray the kid, but I'm terrible with names. Was he the master of arms?"

Yarvi's mother's long time bodyguard.

Oh. OK. Totally missed that. Thanks.

I know how you feel bro, I just finished reading Gardens of the moon. I had to check the Malazan book group on here for names and stuff pretty much every chapter :D.

Yeah. The names in that series were a nightmare for me.

It's said that if you owe her a favor, it's a great honor and that she's expanded the city and made it a trading destination. I may be making assumptions but I would think her subject would love her for that.

I too saw the betrayal coming - I think that the Uncle took advantage of the far-away meeting and killed the original king and his son too. I guess we'll find out! I also think Hurik was part of the plot, which makes me wonder if the queen is part of the plot because he seems devoted to her.

The queen does seem like a strong personality. I liked the little we saw of the fiancée too.

Dara: Good point. That being said although she's definitely been a successful queen, effective rulers aren't always popular.

That's true.

Not much IMHO. Probably a little though.

I agree with Rob. Keep your expectations down and you will have a good book experience (it wont be amazing).