Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

This thread will be for the buddy read of the book Protector (the second book in the Darkblade Series) by Andy Peloquin. Just remember to use spoilers when necessary.

Thank you for setting it up Marie.

Count me in! Excited to continue the Hunter's journey!

Kasia wrote: "Thank you for setting it up Marie."

You are welcome, Kasia! My pleasure! :)

Sally wrote: "Count me in! Excited to continue the Hunter's journey!"

Definitely! Ready to jump back into this series! So looking forward to the next adventure with the Hunter! :)

The question is: will be body count in Book 2 be higher than in Book 1? And how much more will you hate me by the time this book is finished? All this and more, to come! Hehehe

Looking forward to getting started and seeing what awaits!

Andy wrote: "The question is: will be body count in Book 2 be higher than in Book 1? And how much more will you hate me by the time this book is finished? All this and more, to come! Hehehe"

Oh Andy - are you hinting that we need a bunch of kleenex boxes or something?! LOL Hate is such a strong word. lol We might grit our teeth and say "why oh why", but we will just have to deal with whatever you throw at us! :)

Kevin wrote: "Looking forward to getting started and seeing what awaits!"

Me too! :)

Marie wrote: "Andy wrote: "The question is: will be body count in Book 2 be higher than in Book 1? And how much more will you hate me by the time this book is finished? All this and more, to come! Hehehe"

Oh An..."

It's likely you will need at least one box of Kleenex on standby for this one.

Andy wrote: "The question is: will be body count in Book 2 be higher than in Book 1? And how much more will you hate me by the time this book is finished? All this and more, to come! Hehehe"

So, exactly what Marie said. But I may use stronger language.

EXCLLENT! :D

Not too much longer now - a week away. Kleenex box is ready and on stand by. lol

My books should arrive on Saturday. Can't wait!

OOOOOOOOOOHHHH so exciting!

And you'll all be glad to know I just finished Book 5 this week and started writing Book 6 yesterday.

Andy wrote: "OOOOOOOOOOHHHH so exciting!

And you'll all be glad to know I just finished Book 5 this week and started writing Book 6 yesterday."

Awesome!

Andy wrote: "OOOOOOOOOOHHHH so exciting!

And you'll all be glad to know I just finished Book 5 this week and started writing Book 6 yesterday."

Whoo-hoo! Cool beans! So we will be wrapped up in this world for a long time! I love it! :)

Andy wrote: "OOOOOOOOOOHHHH so exciting!

And you'll all be glad to know I just finished Book 5 this week and started writing Book 6 yesterday."

No pressure whatsoever, also feel free to use our names if you want to kill off anyone cool :P

Marie wrote: "Andy wrote: "OOOOOOOOOOHHHH so exciting!

And you'll all be glad to know I just finished Book 5 this week and started writing Book 6 yesterday."

Whoo-hoo! Cool beans! So we will be wrapped up in t..."

I anticipate AT LEAST 10-11 books. Maybe 12, if the story demands. All 200,000+ words. So yes, PLENTY of excitement ahead.

Kasia wrote: "No pressure whatsoever, also feel free to use our names..."

Your name actually works pretty great for a fantasy novel. What's its origin and meaning?

Andy wrote: "Kasia wrote: "No pressure whatsoever, also feel free to use our names..."

Your name actually works pretty great for a fantasy novel. What's its origin and meaning?"

I'm Polish, it means pure haha. It's the short version, my actual name is Katarzyna.

I am probably going to be starting this Sunday - it is actually the only day I will be home all day. I have stuff going on this weekend so Sunday will be my relax reading day. :)

I started this during the night - 4% into the book. I am not very far in but already I am wondering something: (view spoiler)[It starts out with fighting and I am wondering if I missed something - maybe it is a dream as it seems to have a dream quality to it for some reason.
I didn't get very far into it to find out for sure as I laid it down to go to sleep. (hide spoiler)] Will read more later this afternoon. :)

I am going to try and get back to this book either tonight or tomorrow - been gone this weekend on and off with the holiday weekend.

Sorry I'm late, I had to get a T-rex bulk order of tissues before I start!

I am back to reading this book and I am 6% into it so far. The beginning was a little confusing but now that I am further into the book I realize now what was happening. Cryptic I know - but once you all start it you will see what I am talking about. :)

At page 74. Chapter 11.

(view spoiler)[This one started off good but dark...as expected. I'm enjoying the interactions between the Hunter and Hailen. It's like an uncle who isn't a father was just given custody of his nephew.
The Hunter was able to satiate the blade once with Hailen nearby. I wonder how this will play out later on when it won'tbe possible to hide him from it and how he is connected. (hide spoiler)]

Great job so far Andy!

Whoa Kevin you're a reading machine!

Kevin wrote: "At page 74. Chapter 11."

Wowzy Kevin! That is awesome! I agree with Kasia - you are a reading machine! :)

I have a question Andy but going to have to put it in a spoiler since it is a question for the very beginning of the book.

(view spoiler)[Why the big reveal of what happens to Hailen right in the beginning of the book and the big fight that the Hunter goes through where Hailen dies?

I would have thought that would be something for the end of the book instead of the beginning. When I first read it I thought it was the Hunter having a dream as it seemed like it was dream quality - it just had that feel to it but then when I got to chapter 2 I realized that chapter one was for real and no dream - now we will see what led up to that big fight. Just curious mainly about why you did it that way instead of working up the suspense and then lowering the boom on us readers. :) (hide spoiler)]

Starting this today, I'm behind on everything lately, so sorry guys!!

Andy, huge thank you to being here with us again! Book #2 cover is amazing!

I am 11% into the book and really enjoying it! Could barely put it down this afternoon! I second the thank you Andy for hanging out with us through this book and the rest of the series. :)

I think this series would make a great video game franchise! :) Love the covers for this series!

Alright, time to start this chonky book! Let's go!!

Kasia and Marie,

i wish I had some more time when this read kicked-off. It took more time than I'd like to get 74 pages on. Luckily this reads fast due to the writing style. I read a little bit more so I will past an update maybe tomorrow.

Kevin wrote: "Kasia and Marie,

i wish I had some more time when this read kicked-off. It took more time than I'd like to get 74 pages on. Luckily this reads fast due to the writing style. I read a little bit mo..."

I am just reading it slow myself, Kevin. I have a lot going on with book reads so I am rotating them as I go along. Planning on jumping more into this book before next weekend. Once I finish up a couple of reads then I will let this story consume me. :)

Only 5% in but man the intro is always explosive, it always feels like skiing a live volcano or something!

Chapter 4 made me tear up, also getting strong Witcher vibes which I love.

Kasia wrote: "Andy wrote: "Kasia wrote: "No pressure whatsoever, also feel free to use our names..."

Your name actually works pretty great for a fantasy novel. What's its origin and meaning?"

I'm Polish, it me..."

That's awesome! When I head to my Polish/German corner of the world, I'll have to use it!

Re: the intro -- A lot of people ask me about it, and the best answer I can give is what Kasia said, "man the intro is always explosive, it always feels like skiing a live volcano or something!"
I always go for an opening chapter (or three) with maximum impact. And after everything the Hunter went through in Book 1, opening Book 2 with "AND THEN BAD SHIT HAPPENED" gets the emotional gut punch right off the back. It's that classic movie trope of foreshadowing horrible things to come, then leading up to it. I get that it's not done as commonly in fiction, but I felt it added the solid punch of impact to what would otherwise have been a fairly slow opening to the book.

Andy wrote: "Re: the intro -- A lot of people ask me about it, and the best answer I can give is what Kasia said, "man the intro is always explosive, it always feels like skiing a live volcano or something!"
I ..."

Yeah - that was a total gut punch Andy! Lol!! Well done! 😁

So I read quite a bit last night and I am 16% into the book.

(view spoiler)[That fight with the bandits in the camp was action packed! Soulhunger healing the Hunter is always cool! (hide spoiler)]

Going to read some more today. :)

Kasia, it's funny you mention Witcher vibes because Henry Cavill's brooding Geralt voice is how I read The Hunter's lines. In my head of course...

It's funny how PERFECT they are! Both playing the Witcher 3 (last year) and watching H.C. play Geralt on Netflix, they're both exactly what I imagined for the Hunter

Kevin wrote: "Kasia, it's funny you mention Witcher vibes because Henry Cavill's brooding Geralt voice is how I read The Hunter's lines. In my head of course..."

I like to read this while listening to the Witcher soundtracks too. Brooding voice, that's a perfect description.

I'm at 15% and this reads really fast, enjoying book 2 very much :)

Andy wrote: "It's funny how PERFECT they are! Both playing the Witcher 3 (last year) and watching H.C. play Geralt on Netflix, they're both exactly what I imagined for the Hunter"

Ha, so glad we are picking up on that! :D

Andy, you're such a gifted writer, honestly I'm blown away reading this, just the way you described Malandria itself was beautifully done, I felt as if I was right there with the Hunter. It actually reminded me a little of Conan the Barbarian when they enter the snake city, this book reads like a movie in my head. Loving it!

Kasia wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Kasia, it's funny you mention Witcher vibes because Henry Cavill's brooding Geralt voice is how I read The Hunter's lines. In my head of course..."

I like to read this while listenin..."

Ooh, listening to the Witcher music is GENIUS!!!

Andy wrote: "Ooh, listening to the Witcher music is GENIUS!!!"

Can't stop reading your book today! :D

This is one of my fave tracks from the Witcher, goes so well with Protector <3 I get goosebumps up to my eyeballs.


Power and Purpose | The Witcher: Season 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A89Mj...

GREAT song! Perfect for all his dark, broody nights. :D

This is one of the songs that really hit me hard when writing the Hunter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5tSo...