Fantasy Reads discussion

This topic is for El and me to Buddy Read 'Before They Are Hanged'. Anyone else interested in participating is welcome to do so, but don't put spoilers without spoiler tag.

Questions (view spoiler)[ My darling Gokta !! One day and I missed him so much! He's so great, I love him so much! And he made me laugh almost the entire chapter :
- my, my, the moment he succeeds in getting off the boat. It's like volume 1 Glokta and the stairs. Volume 2, the sequel, Defeating the boat's plank.
- And when he meets the most important people in town!! He just killed me with every line (and how he just shut up the colonel and the arrogant son of the governor)
And it's like an agatha christie novel : who's the murderer ? (hide spoiler)]

I'm so looking forward to the moment when West reveals Logen hadn't gone back to mud....

Questions (view spoiler)[Glokta's intoductory chapter was called Questions too, this questions was like a part 2.... Yupp, Loved it when he put everyone in their places, cutting remarks and the King's Writ a final blow...
I'm kinda worried for Glokta, in a hostile city full of traitors... (hide spoiler)]

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "Questions Glokta's intoductory chapter was called Questions too, this questions was like a part 2.... Yupp, Loved it when he put everyone in their places, cutting remarks and the King's Writ a fina..."
I see what you mean, but I'm not worried, he's going to beat them all ;)

I apologise El, but my quarterly exams are starting (6th oct.) so I don't know how much I'll be able to read....Maybe 1 or 2 chapters/day
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Don't worry! I completely understand! And I started working full time so I don't have so much time to read either. 1 or 2 chapters is what I did these past few days. I'll be able to read more during the weekends, but if you can't, don't pressure yourself, I'll read an other book at the same time to keep the same pace as you ;)

Thanks for being understanding. (◍•ᴗ•◍)

Campfire politics (view spoiler)[ Logen is so sweet, trying to win them over and it's starting to work ! (hide spoiler)]
Among the stones (view spoiler)[ Logen and Jezal scene !! It was so touching! My heart is melting. . (hide spoiler)]
Prince Ladisla's strategy (view spoiler)[ My god... Such an idiot ! This is going to be a massacre. I hope Ladisla will pay at least. (hide spoiler)]

Allies (view spoiler)[ Glokta's deadly humour is always there, of course but I miss 'body found floating by the docks' (hide spoiler)]

Campfire Politics (view spoiler)[Yup it was sweet seeing Logen try so hard to win over his group....also it was so sad when he was reminiscing about his old group and thinking they all went back to mud.... (hide spoiler)]

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "Allies [spoilers removed]"
Sorry but I'm not sure I got what you mean ?

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "Campfire Politics [spoilers removed]"
Yeah, I really can't wait to see him meet with them again (view spoiler)[ even though Fowley won't be there :( (hide spoiler)]

Allies... I meant that the way Glokta's always joking about his death hasn't changed, but the catchphrase 'body found floating by the docks' is gone.
In first book, this was how he said whenever he thought he (or someone) will be mysteriously killed, now it's how he will disappear like his predecessor. I liked the older one better....

I'll have lots of recreation time as it's the weekend, so I promise I'll read very quickly and catch up...

Dont't worry (but I did read quite a bit and I can't wait to talk to you about it ;) )

I finished it ;) !! Can't wait to talk to you about it !!

Ashi ??

Terribly sorry.... You must be tired of reading this, but I realy am.... anyways I've read till Necessary Evils and (view spoiler)[It all happened too easily... There msut be some other traitor or conspiracy.... And OMG Prince Ladisa is such an idiot. He'll get everyone killed. I just hope West isn't one of them (and Ladisla is) (hide spoiler)]

I've read Part One... And On one hand I think if Luthar's face gets fucked up, he won't be so annoyingly vain, but then I enjoyed him being annoyingly vain, that's his main personality trait....

No Good For Each Other (view spoiler)[LOL That was the greatest sex scene in entire universe. I've been shipping them for SOO long and when they finally seemed to be making progress, all went to shit. And really, they were bruised, bleeding and filthy. Who thinks of sex at that time? But then, Ferro is Rogue-level touch starved... (hide spoiler)]

The High Place (view spoiler)[ After Bayaz's comment 'animosity between Juvens and Kanedies grew when he carried the mesaages' I'm very sure that Bayaz is evil. Or at least shadier than his tales paint him out to be... (hide spoiler)]

All Right! Finished it..... Better late than never, I guess?

I apologise for making you wait so long. It must have been agony, finishing the book, and no one to talk to. Especially when it ended as it did. (view spoiler)[The entire journey for NOTHING!? WTH! I don't know whether to laugh to scream! (hide spoiler)]

About West(view spoiler)[What do you think of West now? He very clearly has huge anger management issues, and while it doesn't excuse his hiting Adree, I don't hate him now. Especially since he killed Ladisla. I hated that wannabe Joffrey. It would have been satisfying if Cathil killed him, but then, maybe West's sense of 'loyalty' would have compelled him to kill her or something, so it's good she didn't kill him. (hide spoiler)]

Dogman and group (view spoiler)[THRETREES DIED! I admit I really liked him but didn't care for him that much. Still, his death was sad. Unsuprising, but sad.
Dogman is the chief now. Yay!
And even now they don't know Logen is alive. After sooo much build up, the group's reunion with Logen better be EPIC! (hide spoiler)]

Hi Ashi :) ! How are you? I'm so sorry, I'm dying to talk about this book with you but it's been crazy at work these last few days and I really didn't have time. Tomorrow's gonna be crazy as well but finally thursday I will have time to answer you!

I'm alright. My exams are over (which were fine btw)
Hope you are well too....
I'm very free this whole week so anytime works for me!

El?

I'm so sorry !! I'm back for good ;) !! So many things to tell you !!
Where to start ? I LOVED this book so much !!! Definitely one of my favorite series of all time !!

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "No Good For Each Other [spoilers removed]"
Oh my god !! (view spoiler)[ The greatest sex scene of all time !!! And I normally hate sex scenes in books : because 1) I'm usually like "have sex, but don't show me please, I don't want the details". 2) it's either some huge porno scene or some flowery totally unrealistic thing like moons colliding etc. (which annoys me even more).
This one... OMG, I was like completely hysteric after reading it, I was dying to tell somebody about it. It was so funny and real and touching and YES ROMANTIC, these idiots are just so cute!!!
And I wanted so much for them to end up together !! But I really wasn't sure anything would happen so I had made my peace with it, thinking the development of their relationship was so great I was ok with them being just friends (although secretly a bit more) and then we got THIS WONDER !! (hide spoiler)]

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "The High Place [spoilers removed]"
My opinion on Bayaz : (view spoiler)[ I think he's shady and definitely not perfect which I find great and so refreshing (the old wizard is always so perfect, nice and wise, this one with his temper, his secrets, his blunders, lack of patience and empathy is a really nice twist). So I don't like him but I like not liking him if that makes any sense because I really like how different he is from what we might expect and what he brings to the story. And although I don't think he's bad and I do believe that his ultimate objectiv is peace, I'm sure he'd be willing to do nasty things to get it (and that might fire back at him and the world, which makes him dangerous).
But the most shady one to me is Quai !! I'm so not feeling this guy !! I used to really like him at the beginning of volume 1 and I don't know if you've noticed but he's been like a different character for a long time now (not nice, not talkative, not shy and a bit awkward). My theory : breaks my heart but I think Quai was killed in volume 1 (maybe during the attack in their chambers in volume 1) and an eater or something took his place all this time. I'm like SO SURE of it, you can't imagine. During the entire volume 2 I was observing his every move like an hawk and I'm convinced I'm right (we'll see if I'm right ;) ).
My other theory : I'm 99% certain Bayaz wants to make Jezal the new king!! What do you think ?
(hide spoiler)]

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "About West[spoilers removed]"
West : (view spoiler)[ I'm kind of neutral towards him, I don't hate him and don't especially like him but although it's not my favorite, I like reading his side of the story for the plot and the surprises and the criticism of war. I LOVED the scene when he killed Ladisla, one of the best in the entire book. It was AMAZING : 1) because you were so NOT expecting it 2) because it's so huge for West to do that after all he's done to help him survive 3) because for the entire book I've wanted to strangle him, my hands were literally itching, and when they traveled in the snow I kept wanting to kill him but I was kinda wondering if that would make him a better man and then THAT : god I would have pushed him myself, it was so satisfying to see him die (geoffrey level).
(hide spoiler)]

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "Dogman and group THRETREES DIED! I admit I really liked him but didn't care for him that much. Still, his death was sad. Unsuprising, but sad.
Dogman is the chief now. Yay!
And even now they don'..."
Threetrees : (view spoiler)[ I didn't love him but I quite liked him and it was really sad to see him died, especially for Dogman... And Cathil too (especially as she doesn't die right away : I thought she was gonna survive :( )...
(hide spoiler)]

El wrote: "Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "The High Place [spoilers removed]"
My opinion on Bayaz : I think he's shady and definitely not perfect which I find great and so refreshing (the old wizard is always so ..."

Bayaz is complete opposite of the typical wizard guy, like Gandalf or Dumbledore. That's the reason why I like him.
(view spoiler)[ Your Quai theory crossed my mind too. I didn't notice it that much, but he was definitely acting weird. Antagonizing Bayaz, and being quiet or mean to others. And the way he talks about Khalul, and also, that one time he surprises Bayaz by properly telling the history story. But then Eater's need to eat human flesh regularly to function properly. Also, I'm not sure, but they can't eat normal food, right? And we see Quai eat stuff many times...
(I feel paranoid, overanalyzing every conversation and any small thing anyone does.)
As for Jezal as King, Bayaz sure has been giving him 'kingly' advice all through the journey. But I don't see how he could be the King. He isn't the first-born son and he is in Kings Own, so he won't even be in nomination when the open council votes. Also, all his 'ambition' is gone now. He just wants to lead a 'simple' life with Adree. But it isn't like characters in books ever get what they want. It is possible that Bayaz has some scheme in mind. And after the transformation in his personality (which I'm not sure yet if I prefer) he would certainly be a better king than initial Jezal would have been... (hide spoiler)]

El wrote: "Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "About West[spoilers removed]"
West : I'm kind of neutral towards him, I don't hate him and don't especially like him but although it's not my favorite, I like reading hi..."

Ladisla scene (view spoiler)[ Yes it was soo unexpected. The entire time I was feeling 'Why God! Why?! Why did West have to save that idiot?'. I was sure either he would be killed by the Northenmen/others, or he would do something stupid and get himself killed. I wasn't really expecting him to mature but even that would have been less surprising.
All his irritating existence, stupidity, and constant whining, already made me want to kill him. But then that scene with Cathil, combined with how I also remembered that he often rapes the maids and such in the palace too, (I remembered Sult's comment that he 'can't keep it in his pants' or something like that) God! I can't describe the level of bloodthirst I felt. I just wish his death could have been more painful and prolonged. (hide spoiler)]

I think my favorite subplot in this book was Glokta in Datoska. Especially that scene with Shickel (view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting HER to be an Eater. And it took THREE practicles to overcome her shows how strong Eaters are. Seeing how she said she's one the less powerful Eaters. (hide spoiler)]

Aren't we gonna talk about Logen!? (view spoiler)[ And his DID?
Why do you think Logen and Bethod had the 'falling out'? I'm sure it must have been because of the Bloody-Nine. Logen became Bloody-Nine, almost killed Bethod. Bethod realized how 'dangerous' Logen is, and kicked him out...
Anyways, I find it difficult to see Logen as a killing-machine/monster. His image in my mind is like that of a scary-looking beast who just wanst a hug. (hide spoiler)]

Side-note ; Fantasy Books are generally more plot-driven, but this one has such Dynamic and 3D character!

You started 'Last Argument of Kings'??
I'll start tomorrow. Today's Dussehra so I'd be busy with the celebrations and stuff...

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "I think my favorite subplot in this book was Glokta in Datoska. Especially that scene with Shickel [spoilers removed]"
Yes !! I completely agree! I usually see that kind of stuff coming from a miles away but not this time! Completely took me by surprise!

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "El wrote: "Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "About West[spoilers removed]"
West : I'm kind of neutral towards him, I don't hate him and don't especially like him but although it's not my favorite, I like ..."
I agree, (view spoiler)[ a long long painful death would have been better but well, death by West's hand almost makes up for it. (hide spoiler)]

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "Aren't we gonna talk about Logen!? And his DID?
Why do you think Logen and Bethod had the 'falling out'? I'm sure it must have been because of the Bloody-Nine. Logen became Bloody-Nine, almost ki..."
I admit I'm not that interested in his fallout with Bethod but maybe we'll learn more in the third volume.

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "You started 'Last Argument of Kings'??
I'll start tomorrow. Today's Dussehra so I'd be busy with the celebrations and stuff..."
Yeah, I started yesterday ;)! What's Dussehra ?

Dussehra is a prominent Hindu festival. (It's wierd thinking that you don't know what DUSSEHRA is, and that it's not wierd for you to not know....)
Lord Ram defeated Ravan that day, so we celebrate victory of good over evil that day.
Celebrate= Burning an effigy of Ravana, some religious stuff, and eating delicious, unhealthy food...

Usually, after the fireworks and burning Ravan part, a huge feast is prepared, the entire neighborhood contributes money for the food, and we all gather in a nearby park, eat together. But like everything else, corona spoilt that too :(
This year everyone just observed fireworks and Ravan standing miles apart, then went home.

Google Dussehra aka Vijayadashami for more info. (I did a very shitty job at explaining it)