The Speculation Thread!

[rowana.livejournal.com]

I suspect this may be one of many.

This is a thread for ideas about the next book. What's Gen going to do about Nahuseresh? What will happen to Costis? Is Sophos really dead?

Those and other questions can be discussed here. :)

Comments

And I forgot to say...

[rowana.livejournal.com]

The problem with doing main character's children is that they tend to reflect on their parents in unpleasent ways, or drift into cliches. I'm sure MWT could avoid that, but I can't ever see her covering Gen and Irene's children in great detail.

I could be wrong. Perhaps what happened with the Tamora Pierce's Tortall series just prejudiced me.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it definitely depends on how it's handled. As a writer myself, I know how tempting it is to give the main characters offspring, but you really shouldn't do it unless it has something to do with the plot. But then, at the same time, you shouldn't NOT give them kids just because you're worried about falling into cliches. I mean, it's fairly obvious that Gen and Irene have to have a kid. They need an heir, it's as simple as that. Of course, they don't have to have a kid within the timespan of the series. Still, if cliches are avoided, it could be done well. As long as the kid isn't annoying. I hate those "OMG so cool" kids you sometimes get in books.

...If that makes any sense at all.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Yes. :) I used to write but stopped when I realised that all I had time for was reading. You've made a lot of sense and I agree with you. I've never actually seen the kids thing done well, but I'm sure it could be. And Gen and Irene do, of course, need to have an heir. I hate it when you get kids in books who say meaningful and wise things, and manage to be poignant and innocent at the same time. Most of the kids I know are usually embarrassing or a bit pathetic rather than poignant. Which is harsh, but true. :)

Re: And I forgot to say...

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

I hate it when you get kids in books who say meaningful and wise things, and manage to be poignant and innocent at the same time.

That's exactly what I was trying to say about annoying kids, you hit the nail on the head there. Kids in books can be great... if they act like real kids.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Amen to all of that. Although an heir is essential for them, I hate the thought of it changing the dynamic and focus of the books. They are very much Eugenides's stories.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[rowana.livejournal.com]

They are very much Eugenides's stories

*nods* Though characters like Irene and Eddis and Sophos and Costis will carry a lot of the focus, the books will always be about Gen.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[sprite6.livejournal.com]

Word. Plus . . . well, the whole point of Gen and Irene's intrigue is ensure the stability of their country, right? So if they're successful, things will be stable, and their heirs won't have novel-worthy adventures.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[sprite6.livejournal.com]

Perhaps what happened with the Tamora Pierce's Tortall series just prejudiced me.

*laughs* Tamora Pierce is the published writer who somehow gets away with using every Mary Sue cliche. Violet eyes? Check. Ability to talk to animals? Check. Characters whose only serious flaws are a hot temper or being too idealistic? Check and mate.

But I'm still kind of a fan.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[rowana.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Tamora Pierce is the published writer who somehow gets away with using every Mary Sue cliche. Violet eyes? Check. Ability to talk to animals? Check. Characters whose only serious flaws are a hot temper or being too idealistic? Check and mate.

:D That describes it perfectly. I used to adore Kel (in all her Mary-Sueness) when I was younger, but Aly put me off the whole series. Adventurousness just shouldn't run in families.

But I'm still kind of a fan.

*whispers* I just finished 'The Will of the Empress'. And I enjoyed it.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[mandasarah.livejournal.com]

Why shouldn't adventurousness run in families?



I think that The Circle Opens and The Will of the Empress are some of Tamora Pierce's best work. In fact, I think that the evolution (for lack of a better word) in her writing is very clear. If you look at all her books from Alanna: The First Adventure to Will of the Empress you can see very clearly the improvement in her writing style and story telling ability. It's kinda nice.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Why shouldn't adventurousness run in families?

I just feel that it doesn't reflect reality. To me it seems like TP getting away with another cliche (albeit, a cliche which she writes pretty well). I just, feel everything would have stood better if Aly hadn't come along, and been the daughter, overshadowed by mother, who managed to luckily find her purpose in a distant land.

I agree though, her writing has evolved. And the Circle Opens books were what got me inerested in her writing in the first place. :) he Wil of the Empress I liked mostly because it involved the four, who aer old favourite characters, coming back together. I really loved most of the characterisation and general writing. I think Berenene could have been better done. The novel didn't quite feel substantial enough to me.

But that's just my take. :)

Re: And I forgot to say...

[mandasarah.livejournal.com]

That makes sense.

Berenene was a little thin, wasn't she? But other than that, I was delighted with the book. I just found it very squee worthy, the way the four came back together. But I'm nothing if not a fan girl, so I don't know how much my opinion can be trusted.

Re: And I forgot to say...

[rowana.livejournal.com]

:) I just felt that she wasn't villanous enough. We got such a terrifying impression of her st the start, and the whole theme (and expected climax) of the book seemed to be that they had to come together to defeat her. It just, didn't gel with me. :) But there were definitely squee worthy moments. Briar and Tris rescuing Sandry, Tris's lightsbridge revelation. :)