White Road discussion - spoilers ahoy
Soo, I hope nobody minds, but since the book's been out a couple of days now I figured it would be safe to post a long spoilery discussion. Because I just finished it, five minutes ago, and I NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT. Please, someone take pity on me.
So...wow. I don't think it's just the post-first-reading adrenaline rush talking when I say White Road was amazing and well worth the wait.
Was it just me, or did this book feel like a return to the beginning of the series? Much as I loved Shadows Return, for me it felt different from the other books, partially because of the nature of the storyline and partially because of the atmosphere. White Road, though, took me back to my first readings of the early books, both in the way it was written and in the content: more nightrunning, more travelling with Micum, more smartassery from Seregil, more visiting places we haven't seen for a while. More of those things that defined the first books for me, and made them so interesting and fun.
Micum had so much screen time! :D I spent most of the book terrified he was going to die, though. -_- What did everyone think of Sebrahn going off to live with the 'faie? It was one of the likeliest conclusions, so I wasn't really surprised, but I did feel bad for Alec. After the way Sebrahn clung to him for half the book, it really did feel like a betrayal when he latched onto Hazadrien instead. And Alec's abandonment issues when it comes to family are probably now worse than better...though at least he has the Bokthersans. I wonder if Alec will ever visit Ravensfell? It seems unlikely, since I think this arc was supposed to round off that aspect of the overall story, but you never know.
Bokthersa was awesome! 'Nuff said. :3
One of my few, minor complaints is that there wasn't much romance between Alec and Seregil. Of course, I'm happy they're back to their comfortable easiness after all the angst they went through in Shadows Return, and I respect the fact that Lynn doesn't resort to blatant fanservice in her portrayal of their relationship. Still, I felt this book had the least romance between them since Luck in the Shadows and could have done with a little more interaction on that front.
That said, what romance we did see was lovely, as always. I love the chemistry between those two, even in the moments when they're just bantering as friends. "I feel a bit wicked." "Don't you always?" <3
The climax was unusual. I really didn't expect them to start massacring the Retha'noi, so that surprising...and uncomfortable, although the magical battle was great. The issue wasn't really resolved, either. Plenty of people still think Alec and Sebrahn are abominations, and we don't know what happened to Ilar, although I'm glad Ulan's out of the way. I was also surprised Alec didn't visit Ravensfell or find out more about his parents. And WHERE WAS THE HALF-BREED? You know, the one who cried for Alec when he died? My friends and I had all sorts of theories about who she'd turn out to be, but she never even turned up. I guess it was that seer Belan after all?
I'm not complaining about all this, by the way. I adored the book, and I think it all tied together really well despite those couple of things that weren't resolved as I expected. The very end was lovely too - back in Rhiminee, ready to start work as the Cat again! :D I'm sooo looking forward to Summer Players.
I wonder what the next two books are going to focus on? As far as personal storylines go, I suspect Seregil's inexplicable issues with magic will finally take centre stage. In terms of broader storylines, I think the war is going to be the next focus, as well as the problems with Phoria as queen. In an ideal world, Klia will come to the throne and marry Thero and make lots of half-wizard babies (thanks to his conveniently located dragon bite, as others have theorised), but we'll see how that goes. >_>
So...wow. I don't think it's just the post-first-reading adrenaline rush talking when I say White Road was amazing and well worth the wait.
Was it just me, or did this book feel like a return to the beginning of the series? Much as I loved Shadows Return, for me it felt different from the other books, partially because of the nature of the storyline and partially because of the atmosphere. White Road, though, took me back to my first readings of the early books, both in the way it was written and in the content: more nightrunning, more travelling with Micum, more smartassery from Seregil, more visiting places we haven't seen for a while. More of those things that defined the first books for me, and made them so interesting and fun.
Micum had so much screen time! :D I spent most of the book terrified he was going to die, though. -_- What did everyone think of Sebrahn going off to live with the 'faie? It was one of the likeliest conclusions, so I wasn't really surprised, but I did feel bad for Alec. After the way Sebrahn clung to him for half the book, it really did feel like a betrayal when he latched onto Hazadrien instead. And Alec's abandonment issues when it comes to family are probably now worse than better...though at least he has the Bokthersans. I wonder if Alec will ever visit Ravensfell? It seems unlikely, since I think this arc was supposed to round off that aspect of the overall story, but you never know.
Bokthersa was awesome! 'Nuff said. :3
One of my few, minor complaints is that there wasn't much romance between Alec and Seregil. Of course, I'm happy they're back to their comfortable easiness after all the angst they went through in Shadows Return, and I respect the fact that Lynn doesn't resort to blatant fanservice in her portrayal of their relationship. Still, I felt this book had the least romance between them since Luck in the Shadows and could have done with a little more interaction on that front.
That said, what romance we did see was lovely, as always. I love the chemistry between those two, even in the moments when they're just bantering as friends. "I feel a bit wicked." "Don't you always?" <3
The climax was unusual. I really didn't expect them to start massacring the Retha'noi, so that surprising...and uncomfortable, although the magical battle was great. The issue wasn't really resolved, either. Plenty of people still think Alec and Sebrahn are abominations, and we don't know what happened to Ilar, although I'm glad Ulan's out of the way. I was also surprised Alec didn't visit Ravensfell or find out more about his parents. And WHERE WAS THE HALF-BREED? You know, the one who cried for Alec when he died? My friends and I had all sorts of theories about who she'd turn out to be, but she never even turned up. I guess it was that seer Belan after all?
I'm not complaining about all this, by the way. I adored the book, and I think it all tied together really well despite those couple of things that weren't resolved as I expected. The very end was lovely too - back in Rhiminee, ready to start work as the Cat again! :D I'm sooo looking forward to Summer Players.
I wonder what the next two books are going to focus on? As far as personal storylines go, I suspect Seregil's inexplicable issues with magic will finally take centre stage. In terms of broader storylines, I think the war is going to be the next focus, as well as the problems with Phoria as queen. In an ideal world, Klia will come to the throne and marry Thero and make lots of half-wizard babies (thanks to his conveniently located dragon bite, as others have theorised), but we'll see how that goes. >_>