SFF Readalongs led by Kitty G discussion

This is for discussion of chapter IV for Tigana. Please ensure you do NOT post spoilers for any other part of the book! Thank you!

I read Tigana a few months ago but I just wanted to mention how amazing I thought chapters 4 and 5 were. These are on my list of 2 of the best chapters I have ever read in fantasy fiction. The hunting lodge scene was just perfect.

Okay so this book is really really engaging so far and I am so happy I picked it up!

So far we've been introduced to the world and various different factions and divisions within the world of the families of power. We have met the Sandreni's, most interesting of these being the middle son who was no friend to his father for a very long time due to his sexual preferences.
He and his father then decided to reconvene and set up their own systems of spying, and plotting and although he was not really recognised as the next son, this was all a great cover for him.
I loved this idea of having a spy working with his father undercover and giving off this exuberant and exciting role to everyone else. I certainly think it's a scheme I could see working, and I liked the believability of it, despite what later happened...

Of course they planned to take down Alberico, the sorcerer, who is slowly trying his best to gain power, and this plan didn't quite go as they hoped despite many year and making careful preparations with family.
Alberico's discover of the plotters in the Hunting lodge was certainly exciting and intriguing, and I have to say that it was very drama-filled with the whole leaving his body etc to escape the projectile which Lord Scalvia sent from his cane. I really liked that scene and the fact that Alberico was drained afterwards and forever had a drooping eyelid was a nice touch too, he's not too insanely powerful, just quite ;)

We also see the story of Devin who is a member of Menico's Guild and a young man with an excellent voice. Devin is a good friend with Menico, so much so that he actually has a share in the company with him and they work together well.
Devin, being a young lad, is instantly attracted to the new young lady, Catriana, in the Guild and finds himself drawn to her as she wanders off after their performance.
After following her, discovering a secret hidey-hole, and being part of a love-making session and eavesdropping session he realises that there's a plot afoot and wants to go and investigate further. He ends up inside the Hunting lodge too having hidden their to see what was happening and when the men come in he hears all of their conversation.
I do like Devin as a character. I don't know exactly what will happen to him in this story but I am enjoying it so far and I think he's quite a sweet character for restraining himself and being as courteous as possible with Catriana when confined with her.

Alessan is the man from the window who manages to come into the scene of this plot, convince everyone he's worth following, and then know all about Devin hiding there too and throw him a lifeline. He certainly seems like someone to watch and the fact that he and Devin got away from the Hunting Lodge before the Sorcerer arrived is also really interesting as I am sure they will be up to something soon.

I feel like Alessan knows a lot, whilst Devin knows little so I wonder what will happen to him and if he's in a safe position with Alessan or not.
Alessan also mentioned to Tomasso about his third drink always being blue wine. I wonder what exactly he lost to cause this and what the significance of it is. Hopefully we'll find out!

I also wonder what will happen to Tomasso Sandreni as he is still alive and was in the middle of this whole plot, so it's likely he'll be pretty badly tortured now.

I also really like the hints of magic and the Gods and moons we've seen so far. All of these things help build up the world really well and I can't wait to discover more!

On the whole I think that the writing is really great, very typical of the times and the setting is really well done. Everything is well rounded and well-written with action and suspense in equal measures and I look forward to reading more as it goes on!

I'm curious to see what your opinion on Dianora and Brandin is later in the book Kaitlin.

I look forward to it Paul, will probably be reading more of this later this week once I've finished The Red Knight and Crossroads of Twilight :-)

i like this book alot so far.
the world takes shape very fast, it already has a "feel" to it. i very much like the italy-esk setting. sculptors, musicians, poets... even the land is a peninsula.

i like devin alot. at first i was afraid he would fall to Catriana's ploy. i was very glad that he saw through it, espcially because it means that he would have to admit to himself that she doesnt really like him. it hurt him but he didnt lie to himself - which is hard when it comes to a girl you like (some experiance there...).

i like how tommaso plays into the expectations people have of him, the stereotypes, to his advantage.
the scene in the lodge was so good. the murder-suicide, the "canebow". i wonder if tomasso didnt kill himself out of cowardice or maybe he still has a plan. the death-wheels sound like something i would want to avoid at any cost...

the most interesting part to me is allesan.i suspect hes the guy from the bar in the first chapter. how did the king know that he will be the 6th man? it was mentioned that he and catriana came two weeks prior to the audition so maybe they knew about the death of the king before it happened? if so how?

so sad that this is only a stand alone...

I'm still getting used to the author's writing style, especially with the really long sentences that almost span an entire paragraph sometimes.

Yes the scene at the hunting lodge was great. I just wished we get to see more of Lord Scaviala, he seems to be quite a droll fella.

I already had a hunch that Alessan was the guy from the bar in the first chapter when we first met him with Menico's group.