The Bards of Luthiel discussion

Discuss Luthiel's Song here!

I ordered a copy and am eagerly awaiting it's delivery so I can read it :)

I'm delighted to be a Bard! Finally, something to bring back the old tradition!

Becca -- if you love a good fantasy, you're really going to love this book. Can't wait to hear what you think!

I've been turning a few things over in my mind lately about Luthiel and one of the things I've been wondering is -- is Luthiel Christ-like? And if so, what does that mean?

Christ is unjustly accused and murdered. As the Christian account goes, he then forgave (us) his murders and by his sacrifice redeems us with his blood -- which is a symbol of his sacrifice.

Luthiel breaks an unjust law to save the life of her sister and, in doing so, finds herself redeeming the very monsters who have demanded elfin sacrifices for ages. What's more, these monsters are fallen -- once angels and Luthiel redeems them with her blood. But in redeeming them, she must also do a very difficult thing. She must forgive them for all of their terrible wrongs.

So if you think about the story it raises some pretty interesting moral and social problems. Is it right to forgive monsters? Can they be redeemed? And thinking a little further, what about those members of humankind who are also pretty awful? And Luthiel, herself? Can a woman take on the mantle of a Christ figure? And what does this say about the possibility of female divinity?

Now going a little further, I understand, based on Rob's hints and portents, that Luthiel is accused of being a witch in the second book -- which raises my final question.

What if Christ returned as a woman? What if she broke an unjust law to do a good thing. What if her miracles were misinterpreted as witchcraft? Would we repeat the mistakes of the Romans? Would we again rally to denounce, defame, and destroy the very spirit of good in the world simply because it fails to fit the form we imagine?

I don't know if there really are answers to these questions. I'm not a fundamentalist Christian, but, like Gandhi - "I like your Christ." I value the ideal and example of Christ's life. I am terrified of what has become Christian dogma and all the various ways in which it tortures the human spirit.

It is for these reasons that I love and value Luthiel's story. It challenges the old, dusty, mean-spirited ways and calls into question their very morality. Luthiel throws out the Pharisees and I am with her.

This is beautiful and profound. I'm Wikka myself. But that doesn't mean I don't respect the wisdom of other teachings.

I especially liked the creation myth from Luthiel's Song -- where creation arises out of the love of a mother and father god.

That is pretty deep Theri. But I agree. I think Luthiel is a fine representative of Christian values and universal values of goodness.

Theri -- that's one heck of an interpretation of Luthiel's Song. But thinking about it now, I think you're absolutely correct -- both in your analysis and in your values. You make we want to go back, re-read the story, and think a little more about it.

But there is one thing I'd like to add. Not all laws are bad. But it does seem right to break the unjust ones.

Theri,
To heir is human, to forgive is divine.
Forgiveness can be difficult but I have forgiven many an awful human being and it was always worth it in the end, and very freeing as well.
Forgiveness is never wrong.
It has been proven that children develope better with both their mother and father present in their lives, no matter how bad of a parent they are, it is sapposedly better that they are present than not. Why shouldn't that be true for our spirits? Why shouldn't we have both a mother and father spiritual figure?
To quote Maude from my favorite movie, Harold and Maude, " Aim above morality"

Great to be here!

My favorite character is Melkion. Well, next to Luthiel that is.

This is my fav. Maybe I'm biased b.c. I met the author. But I like good books with fem heroes. My favs are Luthiel, Vanye, and Othalas. What's not to like about a werewolf?

I'm also a U.U. and I got the message from jump. LS does a great job of bringing it out in the story.

One more thing. I noticed you guys have been very active on goodreads. Great promos!