ACoK: Prologue and Chapters 1, 2, and 3!

[agh-4.livejournal.com]

Don't worry! Reading this post will not spoil anything! However,

DO NOT READ THE COMMENTS IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED LIKE MOLDY BREAD!

It's here, Sounisians! Many of us now have our hand(s) on copies of the lovely new book known as A Conspiracy of Kings.

This system of posts is designed to put a little bit of organization in the chaos. Thus, if you want to discuss what happened in ACoK, leave your squeeings, questions, exclamations, and happy-sparrow-in-the-nest chatter in the comments. There will be a post for every four chapters, so it will be extremely lovely if the comments are placed in their approximate place. Of course, that isn't always possible for overall themes, etc. Don't worry. We won't put you in prison. :)

Also, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY, of course. This chapter by chapter thingy isn't meant to monopolize discussion. It even may disappear after a few days in the deluge of excitement that's currently sweeping toward and around us, threatening to wash away everying more than a day old on the Recent Entries page. Yeah. So. Just remember to use lj cuts for any discussion of the content of ACoK!

Happy discussing! Be blessed in your endeavors! We are Sounisians, hear us roar like bears!

Comments

[harlyn.livejournal.com]

This is about the cover, not the first chapter, but I don't think my copy has the moustache/scar tissue that was on one of the previews. It looks much more like the first version. Maybe they decided it was a bad idea?

[sun-bird-498.livejournal.com]

I noticed that too, though I can't say I'm disappointed to see it gone. Regardless of what happens in the book I was not a fan of that particular visual interpretation.

I also noticed that the author's note of the online version was missing.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Usually that kind of author's note is only in the ARC. I think. You know, the kind that says, "Welcome to my book! Hope you like it!"

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

Considering that Costis spent part of KoA realizing that Gen was even younger than Costis, who was young for a squadron leader, it was quite amusing to hear Sophos referred to as "the younger king."

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

LOL moments:

pg. XIII: "You know, I don't think you're allowed to treat me like this," the younger pointed out woefully.
pg. 19: It was not much of a rescue.


So clever:
1. How Sophos's tutor had tested him with assorted scenarios where he had to plan how to act. It explained in such a logical way why Sophos was able to do what he did. I hate it in books when the main character acts so quickly and adeptly when something he's never encountered before suddenly happens. We know how Sophos was able to fight off the attackers as long as he did.
2. How even the slave traders are not one-dimensional evil characters.
3. One of the complaints I hear about The Thief from kids is that it starts out too slowly. This one starts out with a bang, and doesn't let up for awhile.

[sgwordy.livejournal.com]

On 1. So true! It irks me when characters always have the right skill set. It's more realistic to me when a character has a certain skill set and then we get to see how they use that in the situations that arise. I'm not sure why some authors are so afraid of their characters not being able to do certain things.

[thelasteddis.livejournal.com]

Ok... So mostly I guess this whole discussion thing should go slowly, since we have just this one new book for the next gods-know how many years, but some things I noticed:

-We hear Gen's footsteps in the prologue. Is he just that excited, or does he feel safer now?

-"Hyacinth" was, more or less, a greek hero who was killed trying to impress Apollo and gain his favor. The story is very different, but there's a connection.

[agh-4.livejournal.com]

Slowly. Erm -- OMG THERE ARE SO MANY COMMENTS I JUST NOW FINISHED READING THEM AND I HAVEN'T EVEN READ ANY OF THE NEW REVIEWS EXCEPT JADE'S AND I DIDN'T EVEN READ ALL THE COMMENTS ON THAT ONE AND I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CHAT TODAY BECAUSE I MISSED IT BUT I HOPE SOMEONE POSTS A TRANSCRIPT BECAUSE I WANT TO READ ALL THE AWESOMENESS THAT PROBABLY WENT DOWN BUT I'M LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT AND I LOVE ACOK!

Ok, done! :)

I wondered about the footsteps too. Maybe he does that when there are people around so they might possibly underestimate his ninja skillz yet again?

Hyacinth. That poor little loser. Sigh.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, I just realized how many comments you have had to weed through--and if you had each new comment dumped into your email, too, well...I feel very sorry for you. :)

Thanks for doing these posts!!!

[agh-4.livejournal.com]

My inbox has been rather full the last few days,but it's been so fun to be IN THE COURSE OF EVERYONE'S DISCUSSION OF A NEW BOOK, that it's a pleasure.

You're welcome! And I was the one who opened the amphora of vipers int eh first place.

[reader-marie.livejournal.com]

I noticed the footsteps thing too--I'm not sure what to put it down to. Either of your explanations seems plausible...it could also be deliberate, letting them know that someone is coming rather than just appearing at the door without warning. "Considerate in every detail," you know.