[epicfantasynerd]

I'm kinda surprised that some people didn't like the book mainly because some key characters actually survived and one in particular was brought back. I mean, sure it's great that in this series bad things happen to good people, but I think this book/series was sorta like real life in that bad and tragic stuff happens and good and miraculous stuff happens too. There is a balance. I personally feel that all the tragic losses over the 10 book series was plenty and was very happy to see at least a small core of my favourites make it to the end - if for nothing more than the hope that there is more to come in following works.

Now my list of questions:

1) Why didn't Stormy and Ges ascend once they bought it? Many hints that they were close and with others (Treach/Kell&Dancer/tCG) their deaths were the key to ascension. i was expecting them to bite it - but the lack of an ascension or even a hint of an ascension was weird to me. Unless their barrow with the empty treasure chest was the start similar to Itkovian?

2) Who the hell is QB and could he be any more incredible? I assume it was Kurald Galain he was using within the boundaries of Akhrast Korvalain since all the other mages were rendered useless? It wasn't really explained other than by the inferred knowledge that QB is one bad Mofo.

3) Was it implied that Oponn were going to off Errastas? That seemed to be what was suggested in their final parting with Sechul Lath. But still would've like to see a culmination to it.

4) The body Mael and Krul were using. I understand how Heboric is key in the chaining of Korabas and the release of Kaminsod, but the foreshadowing of it being a person to touch Tavore never really materialized - or I missed it.

5) How badass is Ublala Pung that he can easily dispatch a pure FA in Calm - someone that killed Mappo (a pretty tough dude) with childlike ease?

6) Will we see more of: Rud Ellale, Dassem, Kallor, Apsalar, Caladan Brood, L'oric, Osserc, Icarium, Skinner, Rel, Tayschrenn, Silverfox, Gothos, Edgewalker, Envy, Spite, the Segulah 1st, 2nd and Mok? For a bunch of really badass powered up characters, they played really small roles if any in this book.

7) What task did Rake set upon Crone's last daughter? Prehaps I missed it - but she said she sent her last daughter on a quest for Rake's last wish or something - but then I don't think the daughter actually makes a reappearrance or maybe I should try to read 14 hours straight?!

8) How did Corabb die?! Noooooo. lol

9) What happened to all those forgotten gods - did they eat the body of the FA when Brys released them - are they now back "alive" - was sorta confused by that whole sequence?

10) If Mael is the god of the sea as opposed to the god of just plain water - then the "lake" that appeared in the glass desert should've been briny and undrinkable, no?

11) Sinn and Grub seemed to imply that Badalle is more powerful than them both - but certainly didn't seem to justify that considering the wholesale slaughter Sinn was capable of and what Badalle was able to do in comparison.

12) How incredibly badass is Silchas sword? Three eleint souls in it? There HAS to be more to come - please...

13) Does SE remind anyone else of the movie character Sling Blade? lol

That's it for now - emotionally drained from finishing it. Gonna wait a week or two before picking it back up for a more thorough read. Gotta say I have never enjoyed or anticipated a series of books like this one so I sure hope there is much more to come.

[tiam]

1. I think it could have been because they, like Paran, clung to their humanity and fought against it. Theres a bit when I think Kalyth notes that Story and Ges are clinging on to mortality. Though they may have ascended its not impossible.

2. Still a mystery

3.It seems they were going after Errastas but so was Draconus and we didnt really see him again.

4.I never got the link either but at one point she does mention reading lots of ancient scrolls and how she has interviewed authorities on the subject of the FA, such as Heboric in his historian days. Im fairly certain she specifically says Heboric so that must be it.

5.He hit her in the back and I thought that was a bit cheap considering that Mappo had been running for like 4 days solid or something and Ublala on his stroll happened upon Calm at the exact right time.

6. Possibly more Seguleh information in Orb Sceptre Throne and it was nice that Felash bodyguard was a Seguleh whod given up their mask. As for the rest, probably see them in the Toblakai trilogy.

7.I missed that bit I have to say. I read that Rake made Crone promise something not her daughter.

8. He noticed a breach inm the line on the barrow and charged in and Bottle notes how good a fighter he was because he was taking names. he gets killed on the line. i was more gutted we didnt see a Cuttle death scene (or maybe we did and I missed it)

9.The force of them wiped out the FA other than that i dont know

10.Nitpicking really? I suppose he controls all water and as they all go to the sea he has power over them.

11.Badalle has no training and seems to be able to drop FA alot. I suppose its just the power of the voice that Badalle focuses her enerrgy into or maybe she has also tapped into the new warrens.

12.Did it have souls in them I just though ST linked them to the Sword so Silchas had his own dragon Storm. I dont know where Curdle and Telorast went.

13.No idea

Hope that helps. I also did 14 hour reading binges so im sure someone will have a better opinion than me.

[Sinisdar Toste]

4) Heboric could ruin tavore. utterly. he knows that tavore killed felisin. he knows what felisin did after she was marched onto the slave galleys. what he knows could have broken tavore. just look at how she reacted upon seeing ganoes! and oh, dear gods, who else thought that tavore was gonna off her brother? f'ck me that was heart pounding

edit: thinking on it, i can't remember if he knows tavore killed felisin, but he knows sha'ik was felisin and tavore knows she killed sha'ik, two and two don't often make three.

This post has been edited by Sinisdar Toste: 01 March 2011 - 07:37 PM

[tiam]

Sinisdar Toste, on 01 March 2011 - 07:36 PM, said:

4) Heboric could ruin tavore. utterly. he knows that tavore killed felisin. he knows what felisin did after she was marched onto the slave galleys. what he knows could have broken tavore. just look at how she reacted upon seeing ganoes! and oh, dear gods, who else thought that tavore was gonna off her brother? f'ck me that was heart pounding

edit: thinking on it, i can't remember if he knows tavore killed felisin, but he knows sha'ik was felisin and tavore knows she killed sha'ik, two and two don't often make three.

id actually not thought of it that way. I only saw it as theyd met before during research and Heboric knew alot obout Felisin. I assume he did know but hes hardly the only one. He could have ruined Tavore no more than Lostara, whose more likely to come out with it given her relationship.

[epicfantasynerd]

tiam, on 01 March 2011 - 06:50 PM, said:

6. Possibly more Seguleh information in Orb Sceptre Throne and it was nice that Felash bodyguard was a Seguleh whod given up their mask. As for the rest, probably see them in the Toblakai trilogy.

7.I missed that bit I have to say. I read that Rake made Crone promise something not her daughter.

8. He noticed a breach inm the line on the barrow and charged in and Bottle notes how good a fighter he was because he was taking names. he gets killed on the line. i was more gutted we didnt see a Cuttle death scene (or maybe we did and I missed it)

12.Did it have souls in them I just though ST linked them to the Sword so Silchas had his own dragon Storm. I dont know where Curdle and Telorast went.

Hope that helps. I also did 14 hour reading binges so im sure someone will have a better opinion than me.

Thank you Tiam for the response - and apparently nobody had a better opinion than you.

I hope so for 6.

For 7 - Page 831: Crone warns Gu'Rull that his task is not done and then says:
"I promised a most noble lord. I have sent my sweetest daughter far away, but she will return. You will see - she returns!"

For 8 - I don't know that Cuttle gets a death scene - as per the death dealing blow - but he gets a dying scene where he is wedged in between stones - page 877.

For 12. Page 898: Silchas is noted to have grieved the death of Shorn and it states:
The sword strapped to Silchas Ruin's hip still held bound to its blade the souls of three surviving Eleint from Kurald Emurlahn.

So a pretty bad-ass weapon.

Thanks again for the reply.

[caladanbrood]

epicfantasynerd, on 01 March 2011 - 05:44 PM, said:

7) What task did Rake set upon Crone's last daughter? Prehaps I missed it - but she said she sent her last daughter on a quest for Rake's last wish or something - but then I don't think the daughter actually makes a reappearrance or maybe I should try to read 14 hours straight?!

I don't know if this is an incredibly ridiculous idea but... could Crone's daughter be The Lady, from Stonewielder? She's the only "female" CG-related thing we've seen isn't she? Of course, I have no evidence for that at all, it's just a wild stab in the dark.

[Mulch]

caladanbrood, on 03 March 2011 - 02:52 PM, said:

I don't know if this is an incredibly ridiculous idea but... could Crone's daughter be The Lady, from Stonewielder? She's the only "female" CG-related thing we've seen isn't she? Of course, I have no evidence for that at all, it's just a wild stab in the dark.

That's what sprung to mind for me too but given the timings can she still be around then?

[epicfantasynerd]

Hmmm, interesting thought, but Crone implies she was sent far away (maybe to tCG's home world?). Don't know if it would jibe with her being the Lady.

[Luzburg]

Mulch, on 03 March 2011 - 03:10 PM, said:

caladanbrood, on 03 March 2011 - 02:52 PM, said:

I don't know if this is an incredibly ridiculous idea but... could Crone's daughter be The Lady, from Stonewielder? She's the only "female" CG-related thing we've seen isn't she? Of course, I have no evidence for that at all, it's just a wild stab in the dark.

That's what sprung to mind for me too but given the timings can she still be around then?

I'd have thought it was obviously just one of her brood, a normal great raven.

[Traveller]

So after the CG has been returned/released - what would have happened to the CG part that was taken by Skinner?

I also loved this book - although I was really expecting everyone to die, which I suppose what the rest of the series leads you to expect, so SE wrong-foots us yet again. I was very surprised to see Hetan;

Was very nice to see a return to Whiskeyjacks story from MOI, finally, after so many books.

It was great to see Kalam and Qb back in action.

Sad to see the end of Mappo - Icarium's 'but I don't know who he was!'... heartbreaking.

Gruntle - finally proving the futility of his gods rage and love of war, by going out in style. He never even wanted it. The beasts really came off badly overall; Wolves, Tiger and Boar, all hunted and killed in the end - the wild brought to heel.

Tavore - finally showing some character when at last she had succeeded. 'I must have looked a mess...'

Damned Forkrul Assail. Although, in their violent quest for 'peace,' they inadvertantly ended up uniting all the factions that had been at war for so long - the humans, barghast, Imass, Jaghut and Che'malle, all together for the final push. Against them. The Kolanse were a bit of a faceless mass though - biggest threat, but not even really mentioned before.

Dark and Light - awesome battle, Yedan was incredible.

The Bonehunters. So many dead, but so many left to return - I thought they'd had it, as I thought that Korabas would break the CG's chains, but they'd get caught up. Good ol' drek.

Interesting end to the CG - need to reread that I think. Good that Heboric returned, still couldn't quite relate this CG with the evil bastard in his tent responsible for the catastrophic events he inflicted on the Edur and Pannion Domin etc.

Tehol - that Imperial Standard cracked me up. I could so read more Tehol and Bugg...

Draconus... awesome but absent from final showdown!

Grub, stepping up to his role of future Fist.

Sad to see such an end to Gesler and Stormy, but it was a real blaze of glory (sorry) and the inclusion of Bent and Roach was a great touch.

No Silverfox. Even a small mention.. can't have everything I guess.

Explanations! Weird. Characters 'reviewing' and recapping past events, to actually explain what was going on. This was such a departure from the previous nine books, but I suppose it had to come at some point - although it did seem rather.. obvious. (Like maybe SE wanted some things given definite solutions to save further speculation at the end.)

Bottle - did he do anything at all at the end? Might have missed it.

Helian, finally sobered up. So many good moments like this saved until the end. Like Nefarius Bredd!

Felash and her 'handmaiden'....who turns out to be Segulah. Loved that scene where she goes to get some timber, and returns with an entire ship.

And laughter, ringing out from the Barrow at the end.... simply awesome moment.

Overall, I loved it, and I'm glad that Steve didn't opt for the all-out tragedy, as personally i find re-reads less fulfilling when I know everyone gets killed off at the end - it was a good balance.

One last thing... that moment with Ganoes and Tavore. That one moment she goes for her sword, when you think she's going to do it again....

This post has been edited by Traveller: 07 March 2011 - 12:26 PM

[Sinisdar Toste]

re: skinner - i'm assuming that he's using that chunk for his own purposes

re: bottle - in the finale, he actually wields a shortsword and gets elbow deep in it for maybe the first time in his career as a soldier. very cool