Ponderings on CoK and beyond…
May. 19th, 2010 03:55 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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queensthiefHello All. I'm new to the community and wanted to say HELLO! What a great place to share the love for these brilliant stories and speculate about what's to come! My journey here has been mercifully short – I picked up KoA about two weeks ago when a friend recommended it (masterful POV shifting, she said) and after getting a few pages in, I wisely went back and started with TT, then devoured QoA and KoA and CoK within a week. Now, the wait for the next book seems intolerable…
So, I've a few thoughts/questions about what's coming next:
I've read some reviews that speculate that the series is moving away from Gen as a main character. I don't really think that is happening. I think MWT likes challenges, and she has shown that with each book she is willing to take a different path to tell Gen's story: In TT she's very direct and gives us 1st person POV – showing us only what Gen wants us to see of himself and what he wants us to see of those around him; in QoA, 3rd person POV, but it's a very particular POV – showing us what those who love and know Gen see; and in KoA we get 3rd POV again, but this time showing us what people who don't know or love Gen (at least at first) see. And each time around we get a new layer of characterization for Gen because of what we know from the previous POVs. Sheer brilliance. So after KoA, what could MWT do in CoK that would be different and challenging? Why not tell the next step of Gen's path from King of Attolia to Annux by telling us someone else's story – Sophos' story. It's a very twisty way to continue the series, and coming from such a twisty author, could we expect any less?
So, I think Gen is still front and center as the main character of the series, and MWT has taken us where she intended – from Gen as Queen's Thief to Gen as King of Kings over the course of four books. She just hasn't done it in a predictable or conventional manner. And I expect the following two books to be clearly Gen-centric, though equally unpredictable and unconventional in structure.
In terms of plot, I think we are headed for very dark times. After CoK I had the strong impression that MWT wanted to leave us with the realization that Gen had become terribly, terribly vulnerable, even as his power had grown. Sand is still being sprinkled into his food (and if sand can be sprinkled into it, why not poison?), he continues to take appalling risks (sneaking alone! Into a tavern! Assuming no one will recognize him!), he is isolated from his staff, a handful of people unwittingly still hold his heart firmly in their hands, his health is fragile (or worse), and the restorative that his physician gives him is disconcertingly similar to that which caused the previous King's demise at his wife's hand (wine with foul herbs). Of course, there's no coleus in the hot wine his physician gives him, but every time Gen stares into the cup, how can he not think about what happened before? So, is it any wonder that Gen seems withdrawn and reserved in CoK?
So, what comes next? War with the Mede? Most likely. Civil unrest between Eddis, Sounis, and Attolia? Most likely. Volcanic eruption? Most likely? And I have a sinking feeling something very bad is waiting around the corner for our beloved Thief.
Your thoughts?
So, I've a few thoughts/questions about what's coming next:
I've read some reviews that speculate that the series is moving away from Gen as a main character. I don't really think that is happening. I think MWT likes challenges, and she has shown that with each book she is willing to take a different path to tell Gen's story: In TT she's very direct and gives us 1st person POV – showing us only what Gen wants us to see of himself and what he wants us to see of those around him; in QoA, 3rd person POV, but it's a very particular POV – showing us what those who love and know Gen see; and in KoA we get 3rd POV again, but this time showing us what people who don't know or love Gen (at least at first) see. And each time around we get a new layer of characterization for Gen because of what we know from the previous POVs. Sheer brilliance. So after KoA, what could MWT do in CoK that would be different and challenging? Why not tell the next step of Gen's path from King of Attolia to Annux by telling us someone else's story – Sophos' story. It's a very twisty way to continue the series, and coming from such a twisty author, could we expect any less?
So, I think Gen is still front and center as the main character of the series, and MWT has taken us where she intended – from Gen as Queen's Thief to Gen as King of Kings over the course of four books. She just hasn't done it in a predictable or conventional manner. And I expect the following two books to be clearly Gen-centric, though equally unpredictable and unconventional in structure.
In terms of plot, I think we are headed for very dark times. After CoK I had the strong impression that MWT wanted to leave us with the realization that Gen had become terribly, terribly vulnerable, even as his power had grown. Sand is still being sprinkled into his food (and if sand can be sprinkled into it, why not poison?), he continues to take appalling risks (sneaking alone! Into a tavern! Assuming no one will recognize him!), he is isolated from his staff, a handful of people unwittingly still hold his heart firmly in their hands, his health is fragile (or worse), and the restorative that his physician gives him is disconcertingly similar to that which caused the previous King's demise at his wife's hand (wine with foul herbs). Of course, there's no coleus in the hot wine his physician gives him, but every time Gen stares into the cup, how can he not think about what happened before? So, is it any wonder that Gen seems withdrawn and reserved in CoK?
So, what comes next? War with the Mede? Most likely. Civil unrest between Eddis, Sounis, and Attolia? Most likely. Volcanic eruption? Most likely? And I have a sinking feeling something very bad is waiting around the corner for our beloved Thief.
Your thoughts?
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no subject
Date: 5/19/10 11:25 pm (UTC)Here is my thoughtful and insightful answer: Yeah, think so. We do have a giant stick of insanity with which to chase our author if she dares to do something...really really really really bad to Gen. *dares not say the words*
And I believe in my heart of hearts, whatever that is, since I, for one, only have one heart, and it doesn't have its own heart that I know of, that Costis will be back. And nothing bad better happen to him, neither! Just sayin'.
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Date: 5/19/10 11:28 pm (UTC)Yes! Costis! Doesn't Gen have "plans" for him? That could mean anything.
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Date: 5/19/10 11:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/19/10 11:41 pm (UTC)But, really--MWT said that the next book is the SECOND HALF of KoA. And KoA is Costis's PoV. So even if it isn't from his PoV again, it seems odd to me that a book that is a continuation of the story arc of KoA would not have Costis.
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Date: 5/19/10 11:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 02:39 am (UTC)Are you sure she didn't say that ACoK was the second half of KoA? They seem like two parts of a whole to me, taking place at the same point in time and all.
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Date: 5/20/10 02:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 12:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 12:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 04:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 04:55 am (UTC)But... by the time he's rolled out the sixth/seventh syllable the'll already have walloped him!
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Date: 5/20/10 05:16 am (UTC)No, wait. He's doomed.
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Date: 5/20/10 10:03 pm (UTC)Okay, that means Costis will have to do it. We're all doomed!
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Date: 5/21/10 11:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/19/10 11:43 pm (UTC)Giant stick of insanity?! I gotta get myself one of those.
You know, I don't really see MWT going the path of character death. At least, not with Gen. I just don't feel it. That said, I don't doubt that she would do something really really really really bad to Gen, in the next two books because great character growth only comes with great adversity.
Costis? I don't know. His character arc may have been completed in KoA. I sure hope not, though. I'd love to see him again.
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Date: 5/20/10 12:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 04:25 pm (UTC)*nods*
Yes, now that I think of it, I bet we'll get a scene in one of the next two books where Attolis orders Costis to do one thing, and Attolia will order him to do the opposite. We'll see him forced make the choice he has dreaded. So, you're right, his character arc really isn't quite complete.
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Date: 5/20/10 04:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 12:43 am (UTC)Oh, I think Gen is still totally the main character. The other books may be centered around other characters, but it's more to give us a look at Gen from outside his head, and what other characters think of him, I believe. Also, to give us a better look at the other countries--since he's stuck in Attolia at court.
I feel like CoK was very much a 'setting-up' book for the next one--which I hope will begin to see the maneuvering against the Mede empire. Mmm, delicious political intrigue.
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Date: 5/20/10 01:12 am (UTC)A girl can hope.
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Date: 5/20/10 01:53 am (UTC)I agree with everything that you and everyone else have mentioned, but seeing that I've been really tired all day long, and would be asleep if not for checking up on this site right now (I don't mind, it's an excuse I enjoy to stay up later), so I won't be able to try and put myself in the brilliant mind of MWT and guess what she has planned... I'm extremely excited for the upcoming books, but I do hope that NOBODY who we love so much dies!
And PS. YOU READ REALLY FAST!!!! :)
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Date: 5/20/10 02:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 04:06 am (UTC)Totally agree about Gen still being in the picture. To me, CoK was simply another piece in Gen's puzzle (a really awesome piece!).
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Date: 5/20/10 04:32 pm (UTC)I like the puzzle piece analogy!
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Date: 5/20/10 05:01 am (UTC)Those are some pretty amazing ponderings, there. I agree with what you said about it all being one revolving, multi-faceted mirrorish thing focusing on Gen, but you said it all in a wonderfully clarifying way. Bravo!
And I like your connection between the medicine and wine/murder weapon. Excellent. :)
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Date: 5/20/10 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 03:51 pm (UTC)MWT seems to follow a similar path. Gen *appears* to be firmly on the course of getting Everything He Wants and it may killing him (mostly metaphorically, but that "medicine" in aCoK is very worrying indeed). I don't think that any of the characters who "hold his heart" (and mine!) have yet died in the course of fulfilling one of his (or the gods') schemes, though.
So, at this point, I'm more like "pleasepleaseplease don't let Costis / Eddis / the Magus / etc show up in the next book!" than wanting to see them...
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Date: 5/20/10 04:49 pm (UTC)I totally agree!! I do think the next VERY BAD THING waiting around the corner is for Gen to lose someone who holds his heart in fulfilling one of his/or the gods' schemes. I think it will harden him, and change him, and be very difficult to watch. Of course, I think MWT will eventually bring him around again at the end of the series. But, for a time it will be very, very difficult. For that reason, I really hope we don't see an heir come onto the scene. What better weapon to give your enemies than a little child who holds both sovereigns' hearts. I can imagine Gen could become quite monstrous if someone were to take that away from him.
*shudders*
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Date: 5/20/10 08:15 pm (UTC)Why the magus, you ask? Well, he's not a ruler, so expendable, writer-wise. If MWT killed one of the rulers it would spiral the books off into an unwanted direction, away from her arc to confront the situation with the Medes. But the magus... he's not a ruler. His death would have huge emotional consequences for Gen, Sophos and Eddis, I think.
I have more thoughts on this, but I need to let them simmer for now.... I love new theories...
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Date: 5/20/10 09:19 pm (UTC)It may not be a literal loss that's coming. I guess it could be a figurative loss -- a betrayal from someone who "holds his heart." I don't know. Whatever it is, I have the sense it will be devastating and that the message Gen received from the mystery goddess in QoA will come back into play (why the gods allow bad things to happen to good people) and that Gen may not be so willing to accept it a second time around. But then, what choice will he have?
Hmmmm....
*allows thoughts to simmer*
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Date: 5/20/10 09:49 pm (UTC)I'm hoping for the baby at the end of the last book. Once the Mede have been chased away, and we can all live happily ever after. Oh, and Sophos and Helen have to have a baby too!
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Date: 5/26/10 02:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 5/20/10 09:39 pm (UTC)I love <3 your theories! I strongly agree with your thoughts on Gen's character. We are not drifting away from him, merely gaining new perspectives in each book. This only proves what a complex character he is.
I do believe there some tough times ahead for our favorite Thief, but I do not believe death is in his near future. Mrs. Turner was scared enough when she wrote the amputation. She hid from her editor after she turned in her manuscript! I think she loves Gen just as much as we do and would not remove him from the story.
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Date: 5/20/10 10:25 pm (UTC)I agree. No death for Gen. Just dark times.
:)
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Date: 5/20/10 10:31 pm (UTC)We are so not nice to that poor little king.
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Date: 5/20/10 11:14 pm (UTC);)
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Date: 5/22/10 01:02 pm (UTC)Secondly, I'm having a blast reading all these replies, food for THOUGHT!
And lastly, you asked what's next, did you read the interview when MWT announced that Gen was going to steal an elephant? I can't WAIT to hear how that turns out :D
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Date: 5/22/10 03:23 pm (UTC)Yes, lots of great tidbits in the responses.
And I do vaguely recall MWT saying something about someone in the next book (maybe Nahusersh?) thinking they could intimidate Gen with an elephant. Too funny. Can't wait to read THAT scene.
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Date: 5/24/10 07:13 pm (UTC)After reading the previous comments, I think that the next few books will involve Costis obtaining valuable information from the Mede, an heir for Eugenides and Eugenides facing off in a grand duel against Nahuserfish.
Also, it is horrific to think of how vulnerable Eugenides is. I am still very scared for him but yes, I think he will not die.
no subject
Date: 5/24/10 08:37 pm (UTC)Fibonacci author?
Date: 5/25/10 03:10 pm (UTC)You bring valuable insights about wine, herbs, and perspectives. I'm getting the image of one point of view adding to and building on the next, like Fibonacci's sequence constructs a spiral of perspectives on Gen. Thanks for the image!
Re: Fibonacci author?
Date: 5/26/10 02:46 am (UTC)Thanks for the kind words and welcome!
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Date: 5/26/10 02:06 am (UTC)There's so much talk about death here. I thought I'd add my two cents on that. I think death is easy* and I hope mwt doesn't go with the easy thing. What I mean by easy is that death will always be hard on the loved ones of the deathee so easy conflict and it's an easy way to engage the emotion meters of the readers. Real conflict that has consequences beyond grief and is still believable within the context of the story is hard and I prefer the hard story lines to the death story lines.
*this is not to say that I at all underestimate the difficulty in choosing the *right* character to kill and how that death comes about...
no subject
Date: 5/26/10 03:11 am (UTC)