About those first 3 chapters (spoilers)
Sep. 18th, 2020 08:35 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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queensthiefI speculate . . . I celebrate . . . I congratulate those with more willpower who haven’t read the sample chapters on Apple Books yet, but I really want to get my thoughts and feelings out, and no one else has started a thread, so let’s talk.
According to google translate, the Greek word for pigeon is peristeri. Pheris. I was imagining a fairly normal kid and I couldn’t have guessed that he would be totally unique and probably my new favorite character! I’m a special education teacher, and when I see characters with disabilities in fiction I’m like, “Yesss!” and then when they’re treated cruelly I’m like, “Noooo!” But Megan has already told us that “history is written by the winners” so yay for Pheris. His Exortium at the beginning lets us know that he will still be going strong after the events, and that his raw intelligence will grow into scholarship. I love that he says he will “dispense with the language of scholarship” and then proceeds to write in a very thoughtful refined way, describing the movements of bees, etc.
My heart breaks for Pheris’ nurse. Honestly I felt more gutted by these chapters than by the beginning of QoA. I know, I know, character development usually requires the mother figure to get ditched in the beginning of the story but IT STINKS! And it’s the mother/nurse that I cry for more than the kid. I would rather lose my right hand than lose any one of my kids.
Pheris could be quite the spy for Gen, as his intelligence is underestimated and people don’t want to pay attention to him. I picture him sneaking under tables, listening to conversations and ganaching Gen’s enemies.
How do you think Sejanus would react to Pheris being the heir? I can imagine him being murderous, but I can also imagine him laughing and saying, “you go kid.” He’s kind of a two-faced fellow.
These chapters have been so focused on Pheris that we’ve barely glimpsed our other main characters and we have nothing yet on the Medes, the volcano, the gods, Dite or Sejanus, or any of the other issues and loose ends that Megan needs to resolve. Looks like it’s going to be a long, satisfying book crammed with action.
What were your thoughts?
According to google translate, the Greek word for pigeon is peristeri. Pheris. I was imagining a fairly normal kid and I couldn’t have guessed that he would be totally unique and probably my new favorite character! I’m a special education teacher, and when I see characters with disabilities in fiction I’m like, “Yesss!” and then when they’re treated cruelly I’m like, “Noooo!” But Megan has already told us that “history is written by the winners” so yay for Pheris. His Exortium at the beginning lets us know that he will still be going strong after the events, and that his raw intelligence will grow into scholarship. I love that he says he will “dispense with the language of scholarship” and then proceeds to write in a very thoughtful refined way, describing the movements of bees, etc.
My heart breaks for Pheris’ nurse. Honestly I felt more gutted by these chapters than by the beginning of QoA. I know, I know, character development usually requires the mother figure to get ditched in the beginning of the story but IT STINKS! And it’s the mother/nurse that I cry for more than the kid. I would rather lose my right hand than lose any one of my kids.
Pheris could be quite the spy for Gen, as his intelligence is underestimated and people don’t want to pay attention to him. I picture him sneaking under tables, listening to conversations and ganaching Gen’s enemies.
How do you think Sejanus would react to Pheris being the heir? I can imagine him being murderous, but I can also imagine him laughing and saying, “you go kid.” He’s kind of a two-faced fellow.
These chapters have been so focused on Pheris that we’ve barely glimpsed our other main characters and we have nothing yet on the Medes, the volcano, the gods, Dite or Sejanus, or any of the other issues and loose ends that Megan needs to resolve. Looks like it’s going to be a long, satisfying book crammed with action.
What were your thoughts?
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no subject
Date: 9/19/20 07:16 am (UTC)I was interested that Sejanus was apparently nice to Pheris. I wonder if he'll make a reappearance.
no subject
Date: 9/19/20 04:35 pm (UTC)As for Sejanus, I don't think he's completely wicked or irredeemable. His actions stem from the core motivations of loving his (difficult) family, and Gen is all about those core motivations, isn't he? I think that's why he was so merciful, all things considered. Perhaps Sejanus is aware that his family can be kind of rotten, and felt pity for Pheris. Is Sejanus still in the palace prison? I wonder if word will reach him there, that his sister's son is now in Gen's keeping...
I'm so excited for the rest of this book. I remember starting TaT and feeling a little disoriented, so the preview for RotT put my heart slightly more at ease - it feels good to back in the thick of Attolian politics. :)
no subject
Date: 9/19/20 09:17 pm (UTC)On that note, So, did Gen really not know about Pheris and he meant to get the other son? Or, did he mean Pheris to be the heir?
no subject
Date: 9/19/20 09:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/19/20 09:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/19/20 11:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/20/20 12:07 am (UTC)It does seem un-Gen-like to not know something but he seemed genuinely surprised when Pheris arrived.
Also, after looking up Kamet’s meeting with Pheris, I read Kamet’s conversation with Attolia and realized that Gen had just recently talked to the kitchen staff. I wonder if we get to witness that scene from Pheris’ perspective! *rubs hands with glee*
no subject
Date: 9/20/20 01:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/20/20 01:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/20/20 09:44 am (UTC)Which also means... Pigeon is from the same barony as Costis. Costis went home at the end of TaT. Hmm... Speculation abounds.
Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/20/20 10:39 am (UTC)(1) So, the sister, Marin, (NAME ALERT). For some reason I always thought she'd be a good character. Being that she married against her father's wishes and didn't seem to be aligned with him... but Hamiathe's Gift on a cracker! She is evil!
In retrospect, this makes sense. If Dite is the good one, and Sejanus is the not quite evil one, we must have an actual evil one. She married her father's rival to spite him, and is just like him. I hope Gen steals all of her earrings.
(2) I can't be the only who chocked when they learned that Pigeon is Eurondite's and Susa's grandson. YIKES!
(3) I'm glad we have a name for Pheris, but I also don't want to call him by that, because it's also his grandfather's name... so... yuck. If it's all the same, I shall call him my darling, Pigeon.
(4) I'm 99.9999% sure Gen know about Pigeon's disability and planned this whole thing. I mean... he had to know Eurondite's would pull this trick. Costis is FROM this same barony.
I'm guessing Gen knew this is the only way they'd let him "have" an Eurondite and a Susa heir.
(5) I see Hilarion, the long-suffering, has returned. Philo, my dear, you win best attendant!
I actually missed the attendants a lot. They're so stupid, but also so funny.
(6) Why do I have this feeling that every time Gen looks at Pigeon, he is just like... this is my son. Look how he takes after me. XD
(7) "Tell them I died" Oh my god... Gen is such a mood.
I am so proud of the attendants for getting the king out of bed. THEY HAVE LEARNED!
no subject
Date: 9/20/20 11:18 am (UTC)One half of his body seems to be disabled by some sort of genetic birth defect, it sounds like. He keeps referring to a "bad leg" and a "bad arm." Also, that would be why he was writing with his left hand in TaT. Something Gen and him can bond over, no doubt.
I know very little on the subject of genetic disabilities, so I can't guess what this would be.
I will join you in holding a "Sejanus is a good person" torch. It's mentioned in the preview that Sejanus is still in prison.
no subject
Date: 9/20/20 11:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/20/20 07:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/20/20 08:01 pm (UTC)Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/20/20 08:07 pm (UTC)"Tell them I died" was especially funny/groan-worthy to me when I realized he's getting ready for the ceremony in which Sophos will pledge his country to Attolis. Gen still feels bad about annexing the others!!
Also I don't like jokes about Gen dying. D:
ROTT sample spoilers!
Date: 9/20/20 08:56 pm (UTC)Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/20/20 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/21/20 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 9/21/20 03:45 am (UTC)And thank you for looking Baron Susa's appearances.
Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/21/20 03:51 am (UTC)RE: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/21/20 08:19 pm (UTC)It also showed that Gen wasn’t looking forward to becoming the high king.
RE: ROTT sample spoilers!
Date: 9/21/20 08:26 pm (UTC)Possible diagnosis?
Date: 9/21/20 09:03 pm (UTC)https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/weismann-netter-stuhl-syndrome/
Of note: it does not mention any speech impediment.
no subject
Date: 9/22/20 11:09 pm (UTC)Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/22/20 11:15 pm (UTC)Me neither. It's getting a little too real. When I read that, I was like... GEN! LOLZ! As I was typing it, I was like... *frantically knocks on wood*
Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/22/20 11:19 pm (UTC)Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/22/20 11:24 pm (UTC)The "Don't annoy the queen." line also got a laugh. XD
Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/22/20 11:39 pm (UTC)See character list and the table of contents for her name.
O'lota lovers
Date: 9/23/20 12:07 am (UTC)The old descriptions don't say anything about lovers...? What is going on? Also, Teleus has a lover? 0_0
RE: Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/23/20 01:05 am (UTC)Maybe “Eugenides take your earrings” or “May Attolis swipe your earrings”? Or “Do that again, and your earrings be annexed!”
😋
Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/23/20 05:19 pm (UTC)Re: Pay no attention to the fangirl behind the curtain...
Date: 9/23/20 05:20 pm (UTC)Re: O'lota lovers
Date: 9/23/20 05:24 pm (UTC)Re: O'lota lovers
Date: 9/23/20 05:25 pm (UTC)