The Tarot Sequence 2022 Readalong discussion

This is the readalong/discussion thread for Prologue to Chapter 1 (Heart Throne) for Week 1! Please limit your comments to the events and characters that appear in those chapters.

THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE FIRST CHAPTER MENTIONS TALLAS.

I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT'S A COINCIDENCE.

Also, I'm dying to know - what does everyone think about Rune's bargain with Lady Lovers???

Like, on the one hand, it was an INCREDIBLE risk to take. Even with Elena's promises that it would do him and his no harm.

On the other hand, wouldn't almost anything be WORTH that risk, for a sigil? It would be different for other Scions, but for him, a new sigil is pretty priceless.

And on the third, totally-not-a-tentacle hand - did Rune really have much of a choice??? I'm not sure I'd have wanted to upset Elena while she had me at her mercy...

Thoughts?

Also-also, I continue to be fascinated by the idea that the Lovers Throne is supposed to be ruled by a couple. How does that work? Especially since thrones seem to pass down a single bloodline?

Like, do Lord and Lady Lovers have children together, and then two of those children...are the next Lord and Lady Lovers??? Because that is a LOT of incest.

Or does Lord Lovers have kids with person A, and Lady Lovers has kids with person B, and then those kids become the next Lord and Lady?

OR THE SECOND, does the throne pass to one heir, and then that heir makes their favourite consort their matching Lord/Lady???

...I think I know what I'm asking KD in the Q&A already XD

I love Rune.

Prologue: EPIC. MYTHIC. THE STUFF OF LEGEND.

Chapter One: *flicks shrimp tail into a potted plant and wipes his mouth on his tux sleeve*

Ngl when I first read this I didn't know what the age range was for the book and I was like "oh Rune's a teenager isn't he? :D

I mean, I massively underestimated his age, reading that first chapter. I guessed early twenties at the absolute most!

Siavahda wrote: "I love Rune.

Prologue: EPIC. MYTHIC. THE STUFF OF LEGEND.

Chapter One: *flicks shrimp tail into a potted plant and wipes his mouth on his tux sleeve*"

I adore his complete disdain for the other attendees. By his estimation, they don't even deserve his best local diner manners. It sets the tone, tells us so much about someone we've only just met. Perfect, just perfect.

F wrote: "Siavahda wrote: "I love Rune.

Prologue: EPIC. MYTHIC. THE STUFF OF LEGEND.

Chapter One: *flicks shrimp tail into a potted plant and wipes his mouth on his tux sleeve*"

I adore his complete disda..."

Me too! And let's be fair: he's not WRONG, is he??? They absolutely deserve his disdain.

Siavahda wrote: "I mean, I massively underestimated his age, reading that first chapter. I guessed early twenties at the absolute most!"

Do you think that's exactly what we're meant to do? It's like maturing in Atlantean Years instead of Dog Years. Reversed, as it were.

Siavahda wrote: "F wrote: "Siavahda wrote: "I love Rune.

Prologue: EPIC. MYTHIC. THE STUFF OF LEGEND.

Chapter One: *flicks shrimp tail into a potted plant and wipes his mouth on his tux sleeve*"

I adore his comp..."

Exactly! In this one little exchange, we know what we're intended to think of these partygoers. That is amazing writing, the epitome of 'show don't tell.' I cannot tell you how many times I went back and read this and thought, okay, every little thing in this book is there for a purpose. Advance carefully!

F wrote: "Siavahda wrote: "I mean, I massively underestimated his age, reading that first chapter. I guessed early twenties at the absolute most!"

Do you think that's exactly what we're meant to do? It's li..."

Ohhhhhhhh. That's an excellent point! If KD was trying to get across the idea that - yes, Rune is PHYSICALLY in his thirties, but as you say, in Atlantean Years he's maaaybe twenty-one (or whatever) - I mean, it worked, didn't it?

I absolutely believe that was what KD wanted and meant for us to do, now. You have convinced me, F!

F wrote: "Siavahda wrote: "F wrote: "Siavahda wrote: "I love Rune.

Prologue: EPIC. MYTHIC. THE STUFF OF LEGEND.

Chapter One: *flicks shrimp tail into a potted plant and wipes his mouth on his tux sleeve*"
..."

HENCE MY INSISTENCE THAT THE MENTION OF TALLAS IN THE VERY FIRST LINE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!

Literally nothing in these books are for the Aesthetic or whatever, every single thing Means Something, and I adore that beyond all reason. You can spot something new every time you read them!

As a detail-obsessed maniac, it makes me swoon!

The prologue impressed me. It reminds me of many great books where the narrator introduces themselves, tells you where you are and where you're going to go, and by the end of that short, efficient overview, you are champing at the bit to get the journey on its way. This one short passage was all it took to convince me to block out the weekend and devour it.

F wrote: "The prologue impressed me. It reminds me of many great books where the narrator introduces themselves, tells you where you are and where you're going to go, and by the end of that short, efficient ..."

I don't usually like urban fantasy, so without the mythic-vibes of the prologue, I probably wouldn't have kept reading. And that would have been a tragedy!

The prologue made me stick with it until I was hooked (which only took a few pages, but still!) So I'm very grateful it has such a different tone to most of the book.

Anyone else think this is not the last we're going to hear of the almost-AI Lord Tower wants so bad???

The VERY first time I read this book, I was blown away cover to cover. I LOVE this series. I love the pace, the details that mean something to characterization, plot development, etc vs just boring details. So after many more reads, here's a pile of questions, in no order, for the prologue & first few chapters that might eventually have answers. But until then, I'm hanging:

1. Did the servants get out ok? I mean KD says they're drugged, right?
2. How old were Rune's parents? Did he ever have living or deceased older siblings?
3. Why did Lord Tower take him in? Was he in Rune's life as a child or just after "the fall"?
3. Lady Lovers was a very close neighbor as far as I can tell. Had they really never met?
4. If Rune is on this raid, isn't he entitled to any of the "loot"? He doesn't seem to even consider it a possibility, but ...?

Comments:
Yep, I think Rune's behavior swings a lot to being immature. But it's just been Brand and himself since they were teens and they definitely feed off each other's juvenile behavior.

In the prologue, when Rune slips into the old lady's conversation about himself, Brand's reaction is one of the most compelling characterizations of their bond. It happens immediately and strongly. I LOVE that!

After the first couple of read-throughs, I've become more bothered by... [removed, wrong thread!]

Oh and I'm in the camp that Rune felt backed into a corner regarding the sigil exchange with LL. Sigils are what help him and Brand survive. And Rune is ALWAYS thinking of keeping Brand protected. And then she's got him chained down with a raid going on, a dragon whizzing around (lol), etc. What I'd call a high-stress situation.

I’m listening to this on Audible this time around and I just want to take a second to appreciate Josh Hurley’s narration. He completely nails Rune’s “earnest sarcasm” vibe. I can just tell this is going to be a fun ride.

Siavahda wrote: "Anyone else think this is not the last we're going to hear of the almost-AI Lord Tower wants so bad???"

As many times as I have read this, it never jumped out at me until now. Verrrry interesting, no?

M wrote: "I’m listening to this on Audible this time around and I just want to take a second to appreciate Josh Hurley’s narration. He completely nails Rune’s “earnest sarcasm” vibe. I can just tell this is ..."

He is the ideal narrator. He nails the characters so perfectly that's it as if another actor has stepped onstage. What a talent!

"Her soul mate - though in Atlantean terms, soul mates weren't always a cozy and romantic concept. Hatred was just as strong as love, in terms of a metaphysical catalyst."

This just hit me. What if Rune has already met his talla, and they fail into the hatred category?

Also, what was Lady Lovers going into that secret room for? I'm hopeful we'll find out what was so important that night, as well as why protecting Max had suddenly become a priority for her, since as far as we know she's still alive.

Hannah wrote: "... Also, what was Lady Lovers going into that secret room for? I'm hopeful we'll find out what was so important that night, as well as why protecting Max had suddenly become a priority for her, since as far as we know she's still alive. ..."

Yes, what was in that room?!
Also, my memory isn't great, but isn't she still alive in exile, or something? Maybe there will be a chance to ask her about Max?

Siavahda wrote: "Anyone else think this is not the last we're going to hear of the almost-AI Lord Tower wants so bad???"

Siavahda wrote: "Anyone else think this is not the last we're going to hear of the almost-AI Lord Tower wants so bad???"

*looks away quietly*

F wrote: "M wrote: "I’m listening to this on Audible this time around and I just want to take a second to appreciate Josh Hurley’s narration. He completely nails Rune’s “earnest sarcasm” vibe. I can just tel..."

F wrote: "M wrote: "I’m listening to this on Audible this time around and I just want to take a second to appreciate Josh Hurley’s narration. He completely nails Rune’s “earnest sarcasm” vibe. I can just tel..."

I agree!

I love the prologue. It’s so dramatic and immediately hooked me in. Then chapter one starts mid action and mid sentence so the reader is drawn into the action immediately.