Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

This folder is for the "Second" book in the Theft of Swords Omnibus. We'll use it to discuss the first chapters of the book:

COLNORA
THRACE
THE AMBASSADOR
DAHLGREN

Oh, I should mention...that I would like to keep the spoilers limited to what people up to this point would know about. If you feel a strong desire to comment on something "farther into the story" please make it vague as to not spoil any surprises for those reading in sequence.

I've started the second book in Theft of Swords (re-read) anyone else starting Avemparhta?

I've been reading Theft of Swords this past week or so .... then I find this group is reading it too, yeah! I've read through ch. 7 of the "Second" book (as of this morning). The whole monster in the tower eating villagers plot reminds me of Beowulf (except in Beowulf the monster was IN the river, not in a tower ACROSS the river).

I like the heroes being heroes, the villians being villains (they are all about the power), the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" vibe from Hadrian and Royce, and the ease of reading.

Hey Deedee - Welcome over !! Glad to have more people reading and commenting on the series - Oh boy - you have a lot to look forward to I'm in the last book and ABSOULELY LOVING IT. While all the books are enjoyable the last one is just phenomnial.

I've not read Beowulf but Gilarabryns can be pretty scarey to be sure. I agree with the whole Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid vibe. Royce and Hadrian are great together and so loyal to one another - their friendship shows some strains through the seris (as I think any good friendship does) but they always have respect for one another and their bonds go deep.


I do agree that the villians are all about power. But in some twisted way I think they "think" they are doing it for "the ultimate good" In other words I don't think they are "evil for evils" sake they just want the world the way they want it and aren't concerned with who gets in the way and what has to happen to them.

Deedee - I think the "Butch Cassidy" vibe you mentioned nails it - I am enjoying that also!

I also thought that the bad guys were very convincing when they talked to Arista. They almost had me wondering!

I'll agree completely with the 'Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid' vibe, too. It really works for me, but that was one of my favorite movies growing up - the 1969 one with Paul Newman & Robert Redford. I can almost hear Hadrian saying to Royce, "You go on thinking, Royce. That's what you're good at."

Completely agree with the Butch & Sundance comments. Ever since I read Michael's comments about that (interview or on here in the forums), I've been picturing them as that. In my mind, I've got Royce as Robert Redford. I know Redford is the blondie in the movie, but his character seemed to be the darker, brooding type. Hadrian is Newman (charming and constantly smirking). Don't know that Royce, (view spoiler)[ with his elf blood and all, (hide spoiler)] rocks a mustache though...

Ha...The line that Jim quotes is one of the most commonly used line that I use to Robin or she to me whenever one of us comes up with a crazy idea.

The 1969 movie was one of the few gems in a sea of overly depressing and dark movies. I think it is appopriate inspiration in that much of fantasy is very dark-and-gritty these days and The Riyria Revelatons is very traditional with bits of humor thrown in.

Hey guys. I'm very behind as I've been reading Percepliquis but feel free to start commenting on Rise of Empire while I finish up and catch up.

Seems a little quiet in here - are people still on Theft of Swords? Or has everyone made it to the end already...there is a lot of discussion in the "end posts" so maybe people are "ahead of the reading."

I finished, what is the schedule?

Elizabeth wrote: "I do agree that the villains are all about power. But in some twisted way I think they "think" they are doing it for "the ultimate good" In other words I don't think they are "evil for evils" sake they just want the world the way they want it and aren't concerned with who gets in the way and what has to happen to them. "

I agree with this. Although I question that, a bit, with Guy--maybe just because I haven't found out his motivation yet? He is the only character, for me, that I can't sympathize with in some way or understand where he's coming from. He completely lacks compassion or, it seems, a conscience. (view spoiler)[I was bummed that he didn't die in the burning castle with so many others. (hide spoiler)]

Helen wrote: "I finished, what is the schedule?"

Helen you can talk anytime - the folders are setup so you can go at your own pace. We have some people already discussing the last book - and I still have to start reading this. The second book is supposed to be read during this month - but you can disuss at anytime.

Margot wrote: "I agree with this. Although I question that, a bit, with Guy--maybe just because I haven't found out his motivation yet? He is the only character, for me, that I can't sympathize with in some way or understand where he's coming from. He completely lacks compassion or, it seems, a conscience...."

Good point! I agree Guy seems a bit "obsessed." It may be that he defines his whole existence by being a seret and he takes his sworn duty to find the heir as an almost "religous fanatic" level? Just thinking out loud here.

I'm starting Rise of Empire in the next few days, although Mum is coming to stay and she doesn't read. She's apt to start talking at any moment and ruin any atmosphere!

I just FINALLY got to start reading Rise of Empire (had a few other books I needed to finish first). I loved the first chapter and cannot wait to read more.

I was a little late create the discussion area for Rise of Empire but it is up now - so those reading that book - feel free to switch over to it. Right now I'm feeling a bit alone witht the crickets.

Suzanne wrote: "I just FINALLY got to start reading Rise of Empire (had a few other books I needed to finish first). I loved the first chapter and cannot wait to read more."

I think all of Michael's books start off really strong - that's one of the things I like about them. I do like the new start to The Crown Conspiracy...I think it is an improvement over the version I read. Of them all I think I like....

Percepliquis - because it starts with a big bang - the death of a few major characters and a HUGE revelation.

Avempartha - because the scene with confronting Wyatt in the alley, and then findout out about Royce's past experience with the Black Diamond (When they were on the bridge) was a very entertaining segment.

Elizabeth wrote: "Percepliquis - because it starts with a big bang - the death of a few major characters and a HUGE revelation."

This seems kind of like a spoiler to me.

A few people who read the original Crown Conspiracy were immediately turned-off by the thought that Archibald was the main character. Orbit had similar feelings and this is why the opening changed. In the Nyphron Rising thread I explain how that scene came to be written.

Avempartha's opening is considered by both my wife and I to be the best opening of all the books, and was really the result of repeated grooming where I wrote it and thought the pace was too fast, so I kept adding to it. The result was a very rich scene.

I agree Percepliquis starts with a bang, and I am surprised that I have read comments (not here) that the last book starts slower than the other books.