The Tarot Sequence 2022 Readalong discussion

This is the readalong/discussion thread for The Sunken Mall as a whole! Here is where you can discuss or comment on any and all aspects of the novella, rather than just the events of a specific chapter.

What do you think of the fact that we GOT an entire novella for free as part of this series??? Have you ever read another series where the author did this? Do you think Sunken Mall adds a lot to the series, or is it just fun indulgence?

And how badly would you love a print copy??? (I can't be the only one!)

Honestly I feel bad for fans of the series who don't know about Sunken Mall (and the other novellas). The conversation Addam and Rune have about how their relationship started feels important.

I guess technically you're not missing anything vital, if you don't read the novellas. But I think you're still missing out.

Siavahda wrote: "Honestly I feel bad for fans of the series who don't know about Sunken Mall (and the other novellas). The conversation Addam and Rune have about how their relationship started feels important.


I think it's like reading a story without adjectives. The extra content adds so much richness and depth.

F wrote: "Siavahda wrote: "Honestly I feel bad for fans of the series who don't know about Sunken Mall (and the other novellas). The conversation Addam and Rune have about how their relationship started feel..."

THIS!

Siavahda wrote: "Honestly I feel bad for fans of the series who don't know about Sunken Mall (and the other novellas). The conversation Addam and Rune have about how their relationship started feels important."

I had forgotten that this conversation took place and I was so glad to see it here. It's so important, both for Addam to have recognized his early missteps in their relationship and for Rune to trust that Addam understands his scars.

Also the conversation at the end with the Lord Sun elemental feels incredibly important as a setup for The Hanged Man. I also feel so sad for people who do not know this novella exists!

Honestly, I didn't catch The Sunken Mall for a few months and about flipped my lid when I found it.

It is so immersive and expands on New Atlantis. Not to mention the tiny clues I'm sure are hidden in the Mall's Courts.

A) K.D. is super-generous to have shared this with us. Thank you!

B) It enriches the series and universe tremendously. This was a professionally-edited novella and closer to minimum novel length.

C) It enriches our lives tremendously! :D

D) A paperback version would be amazing!

PS-- I was livid with GR when they took it down for a while. And it was maddening having to arguing with them as it was taken down/put back up multiple times for a few months.

I just need to throw this out there because it’s been making me nervous since I originally finished the series (this far), and The Sunken Mall re-read made me nervous again:

We all agree that Addam is basically a good guy, right? No one’s afraid that he’s too good to be true and actually going to turn out to be… not… good…

Right?

Talk me down from my paranoia, please.

M wrote: "I just need to throw this out there because it’s been making me nervous since I originally finished the series (this far), and The Sunken Mall re-read made me nervous again:

We all agree that Add..."

Even if he did something awful, it must have been mind-control, right? RIGHT?

M wrote: "I just need to throw this out there because it’s been making me nervous since I originally finished the series (this far), and The Sunken Mall re-read made me nervous again:

We all agree that Add..."

I think it's been heavily implied that an Aspect is...very much a reflection of the person whose Aspect it is. Which I personally take to mean that Addam's Aspect literally being a white knight...does, in fact, mean that he is a literal white knight.

He's too good to be true, but he is true anyway!

Siavahda wrote: "I think it's been heavily implied that an Aspect is...very much a reflection of the person whose Aspect it is. Which I personally take to mean that Addam's Aspect literally being a white knight...does, in fact, mean that he is a literal white knight."

I am 100% on board with this. I think KD just has me freaked out after his cryptic answer this weekend about how the first three books are about Rune's secrets from the reader and the second three books are about secrets being kept from Rune.

I AM NOT OKAY.

I really hope we see those from Under Atlantis again sometime, and not because they're in danger from the outside.

And I am so grateful that KD Edwards not only wrote this and the other short stories, but also made them free for readers.

I love The Sunken Mall with all its 80’s references and I hope to see the mannequins from Under Atlantis pop up in future novels. One observation; Rune was very, very upset when his family was put under the geas and I wonder if this has any significance, either with what happened to him or the nine that attacked him, or is Rune simply being protective.

Moxi 🛼 wrote: "I love The Sunken Mall with all its 80’s references and I hope to see the mannequins from Under Atlantis pop up in future novels. One observation; Rune was very, very upset when his family was put ..."

Throughout the whole series so far Rune has lost it wherever mind control or geasa have come up, and I would bet my next paycheck that it's extremely significant.