Your opinion, please

[cherryblosomjen.livejournal.com]

More ramblings, queries...etc.

1. Despite Eddis' concern in KOA that Gen will have to act on behalf of nations and not individuals, no matter the love he might have for those individuals, I highly doubt Gen could act against those he's been closest to (Eddis, Magus, Sophos...).

 

Look at the way he handled the situation with Sejanus, whom he despised, and the destruction of the house of Erondites. If he treats his enemies with such grace, I can't imagine him ever working against his loved ones -- no matter what political situation was on the line. Gen would just find some unbelievable way to overcome all of it, while still protecting the people he cares about. What do you think?

2. I vaguely remember this being discussed before, but I couldn't find it in the back-logs so I'll bring it up again. If for whatever reason Sophos/Eddis can't happen (and I don't mean premature death, I refuse to believe Sophos is not alive somewhere), would you be opposed to Eddis/Magus?

 

I know there's a significant age difference. But age seems so relative in their universe. Personally, I love the easy, intriguing, yet respectful tone of their conversations. They seem to get along so well. Honestly, the one thing I couldn't handle is seeing Eddis marry the current king of Sounis. Yuck and more yuck.

 

3. Way back when I used to be a regular here (*blushes* at just how long ago that was), there was talking about making a simple, but cool, Gen-based flash game. Did that dream ever happen? I understand, life has a way of getting in the way of our ambitions; I'm just curious. :)

Comments

[willow-41z.livejournal.com]

1. I agree, or that's what I would like to see happen. But... yet... just like Gen was caught eventually, he has to fail eventually, doesn't he?

Or as Ornon hinted when he said Gen never gives up, does he turn all failures into successes?

2. It might work, but I think it would be a marriage of respect rather than true love. But it would be interesting.

[cherryblosomjen.livejournal.com]

But... yet... just like Gen was caught eventually, he has to fail eventually, doesn't he?

I'm a sucker for happy endings, so I'm totally fine with Gen never failing. ;)

I always considered Gen's capture (and the subsequent loss of his hand) as necessary sacrifice for his larger fate, although poor Gen didn't realize it at the time.

[willow-41z.livejournal.com]

So what if he has a yet larger fate that requires a greater sacrifice?

[peggy-2.livejournal.com]

I think Gen would sacrifice himself, but not the people he loves (reference Mark of the Horse Lord)

[philia-fan.livejournal.com]

I think Eddis couldn't possibly marry Sounis, because wasn't the whole theft of Hamiathes's Gift about preventing that? Why would the gods support Gen's effort there and then let the marriage happen anyway?

[cherryblosomjen.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's a good point. It's not that I think it's likely that Eddis would ever marry Sounis, it's just been reiterated so often (frequently in QOA and again by the Magus in KOA) since the Hamiathes gift incident. Everytime the match is so much as implied my red-flag radar goes up (saying something like, "No, Eddis, No!").

[philia-fan.livejournal.com]

On the other hand (playing devil's advocate against myself here), we had a discussion in Chatzy a few weeks ago about how there must be more to Sounis than we think. He seems to be attracted to Eddis based on more than political ambition, and the magus, no fool, thinks fairly highly of him. I most certainly don't approve of his involvement in the assassination attempt, but I keep wondering what the magus knows about him that we don't.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I think Eddis couldn't possibly marry Sounis, because wasn't the whole theft of Hamiathes's Gift about preventing that?

Maybe the god's support of the theft wasn't to prevent the marriage, but instead, to start Gen on his journey to greatness.

[avian-xj.livejournal.com]

1. I know what you mean. I can't imagine the Gen would start a war or even a minor disagreement with Eddis... he grew up there and almost all those he care about live there and are loyal to it. I can, however, see bigger conflicts with Sounis. The country is already at war, and the heir to the throne is missing. Not to mention that heir is a good frind of Gen's. Gen will definitely get involved in that somehow. I don't know if he'll be able to leave Attolia himself, but he always has Costis and that army that kinda came with the job of king :P

2. If Sophos/Eddis for some reason doesn't work out, I don't think I see any problem with Eddis/Magus. You already mentioned the age relativity, and the two seem to get along very well. I think Eddis has a lot to teach the Magus... though it seems like it should be the other way around. Maybe I mean that both of them have a lot to teach each other? ...just ignore this bit if it doesn't make sense. I had something clear to say, but it's come out all jumbled.

3. I remember seeing that as a lurker, but I don't think it was ever actually assembled.

[cherryblosomjen.livejournal.com]

1. I agree -- if Sounis keeps its current ruler, they're bound to have conflict with Attolia and Eddis. What the magus keeps saying must be somewhat true, though, if the three countries are going to survive a Mede attach, they must be united.

Too bad the Magus couldn't usurp the throne until Sophos returns...

"The King of Kings" reference in KOA seems to imply (to me, anyway) that Gen will be the instrument to unite the three nations. I keep plotting scenarios in my mind as to how he will do so, but more than my own speculation, I want to see how it will really play out.

I want the next book. :(

2. I like the way you articulated that. Not jumbled at all. :)

[jyms.livejournal.com]

2 would be interesting. i always root for the unlikely love story.

[cherryblosomjen.livejournal.com]

Lol. We all must have a soft spot for unlikely matches, considering how much we love Gen/Attolia. I admit, it's one of the aspects I love most about the series (that and the snark, political intrigue, fascinating characters... I'd be crazy to try and list them all).

[estarria.livejournal.com]

1.) You know, Eugenides spent a goodly part of KoA trying to show Attolia that it is possible to act in the best interests of individuals without ruining your nation (saving Teleus, Relius, a squad of guardsmen, etc.) In so doing, he essentially saved her, by telling her that it's alright to trust people sometimes (and to forgive mistakes). So I doubt that he's going to end up having to betray Eddis, Sophos, or anyone else he honestly cares about. Of course, those people are not subjects of his current country...but still, I don't think that would really jive with the character of Gen.

Now the Magus has always been something of a respected enemy...but isn't he in Eddis now? I need to finish rereading KoA (I know he was in Eddis in the middle of the book), but if he is still there, he wouldn't really be a threat.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Your icon is intriguing. Is it a quote?

[estarria.livejournal.com]

It is actually, a Monty Python quote (from this sketch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYDiPizDIs), if it matters). I'm not sure this particular sketch is one of their more popular ones, but I've always liked it, so I was happy to find an icon from it. Besides, it's nice to have a "theory" icon for theorizing.

[crazyviolin.livejournal.com]

1) It would terrible if for some reason Gen had to go to war with Eddis. Look who his father is! There's no way he'd be able to launch an attack against his own son! After all, Eddis is still HIS country, it's just not the country he's king of. What sort of reason would there be anyway? Just the thought of it makes me upset.

2)I see the magus as more of a grandfather figure to Eddis. (Imagine how the king of Sounis would feel about the pairing). But I don't really like Eddis/Sophos either. I'd prefer Sophos to marry Agape. Surely Sounis will marry at some point and hopefully have a child so it won't matter who Sophos marries.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

2) I wouldn't really like it, but I think the Magus would be down wit dat.

[emerald-happy.livejournal.com]

LOL

[emerald-happy.livejournal.com]

1. I think Gen will stick at it until he finds a way that combines solving political situations with personal ones. He is so amazing and I can't see it any other way.

2. I think Sophos and Eddis will be happier than Eddis and the Magus. More potential to love each other. However, the Magus is very fond of Helen and she does respect him an awful lot. It would work since they respect each other. I hope Sophos doesn't end up broken-hearted.

I also love the tone of the conversations. So unlike Gen vs his attendants and Costis worrying/thinking to himself.

[tiloo.livejournal.com]

I am still trying to find out if Sophos is really dead. Because ornon says ornon-who-always-has-something-to-say told Gen that "there would be news if Sophos was a hostage" but wouldn't there be more news about him if he were dead as well, because Sounis would have to choose another heir.
But talking about Sounis, there would be huge political advantages if he married Eddis (though I don't like the thought of it) he also really likes Eddis and not just for political reasons. Though if they were married there would be a strong allience between Eddis, Attolia and Sounis.
But the Maugus mentions that he likes Hellen's smile. That is either a hint that he is falling for her. Or that he is repeating something Sounis had told him before.
Also who said the gods had hamiathes gift destroyed to prevent a marriage, maybe it was because they thought that Eddis needed to make the decision on her own time, and not be governed by a story

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Also who said the gods had hamiathes gift destroyed to prevent a marriage, maybe it was because they thought that Eddis needed to make the decision on her own time, and not be governed by a story.

Oh, good point, tiloo. I hadn't thought of that, but it's certainly possible. In the same way, the gods sent the Mede to free Attolia when Gen had kidnapped her. Then she was free to make the decision to marry him on her own, not under coersion.

In KoA, though, when Gen and Irene are talking about it, they say that Eddis hates Sounis. I'd hate to see her marry someone she can't stand, but I suppose people's opinions can change.

[tiloo.livejournal.com]

yeah I would not want Eddis to marry someone she hates. I don't like Sounis, but we don't know very much about him. From what I can tell he seems very power hungry. I was just pointing out some other stuff because everyone seemed against there marriage, (hyporictical on my part) lol