Sue’s Comments (group member since Jul 05, 2013)

Sue’s comments from the The Dragon's Path Group Read group.

I think that the world building struck a good balance between the familiar and the original. I particularly liked the idea of the different races and the story behind their creation is an interesting read in itself. I also liked the mysterious history of the dragons and their demise. I wonder if we will ever find out more about them, because I would love to discover more detail. They feel a little like the Greeks or Romans in that they are now gone but have left their influence upon our world.

I am very curious to find out more about the spider Goddess and why she was not written about before the fall of the dragons. As someone who has studied History I find this very intriguing and more than a little disturbing.

I agree with Starr that one advantage of the discussion on Goodreads was that it was not so important to keep to the schedule.

I will write a review eventually, but I am about 6 months behind at the moment because I am finding it really difficult to write. For some reason I can't seem to get going most of the time, although I enjoy the process when I can make a start. Here's hoping that I will eventually catch up!

I got the impression that the noble women in this society have very little power and so Clara is a little unusual in being able to exert some influence over her husband. Her cousin certainly seemed to have a much less equal relationship with her husband.

I have to admit that I was less surprised than Mihai when Clara become more involved with the plot, simply because of the family relationship. Otherwise I imagine that she would have been unable to act.

There are so many series that I really want to read because Book One had enough to make me interested: it is the only annoying thing about my book group - we never read past that first title!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I certainly want to read the rest of the series, and other books by Mr Abraham. My only criticism of the book is that we are left with so many unanswered questions that I really NEED to read on - bad author! Perhaps I can give up sleeping so that I have enough time to read all the books on my TBR list . . .

I am not used to reading so much detail about the real workings of a fantasy society and I have to say that I am really enjoying it. I like the way that the least effective person we have met so far is actually King Simeon, who is barely keeping control of his nobles. I also like the huge power that can come from holding the purse strings - as we saw with the Magister at the beginning of the book when he refused to loan money to the king(?) of Vannai. This seems very true to life to me, especially in modern America where we see business people throwing millions of dollars at politicians in order to alter policy in their favor.

I was actually grinning when Cithrin explained the wisdom in investing in the brewhouse - and then we see her expanding into a coffeehouse and tap room. I think the head of the bank will be quite happy when he learns of what she has been doing.

My biggest surprise this week was that someone was actually stupid enough to try to use the mercenaries to provoke a coup against King Simeon. What idiot thought that they could do that with an army parked on the doorstep?

I was somewhat shocked by Cithrin giving up her virginity in order to steal secret information. That is a huge step to take in order to progress your business! I did not expect her to be mature enough to carry that off successfully or cynical enough to try it.

I loved the skeleton reveal, especially as I had assumed that they were mythical or allegorical in some way. However, I was much more surprised that Geder actually found what he was looking for and that it turned out to be the monastery of the spider-blood people from the Prologue.

I have to disagree with Carl a little about Cithrin. I haven't felt a sudden shift in her character, it seems more that she has revealed her competence because she is now operating in a world that she understands very well. I am particularly pleased that she is no longer the poor little orphan girl who has to depend upon everyone else for her safety - she has become their leader and seems to be very good at this banking lark.

Dawson continues to be a very difficult man to sympathize with because of his political attitudes. However, although I don't feel like he is changing very much, we are certainly being led through the arc of his character so that we are seeing much more depth and complexity. I have no doubt that he believes that he is right and loyal - I just think he should be more concerned with keeping the middle class included in government otherwise he will find himself on the wrong side of a revolution.

I feel that Geder has redeemed himself somewhat this week, and who can dismiss a man who is so interested in history and studying? I am very concerned about this secret order that he has uncovered as it seems to be the place that our spider-blood-carrying man from the Prologue came from. I hope their Goddess doesn't get to eat Geder because I find him rather interesting.

I find Marcus the most intriguing of the characters because he is so closed down. We have been shown very little of his character, and yet there is so much hinted at that we need to uncover and rummage through. Also, Yardem is unspeakably cool as a sidekick, and that adds a great deal to Marcus' mystery for me.

As Brittain says, the phrase seems to refer to war, but I would go further and say that it means degenerating into rebellion and civil war, as the dragons seemed to have fought one another for power. To be honest, I was beginning to think that the dragons themselves were mythical . . . and then Geder found a skeleton that could be from one of them, so now I am much more intrigued.

Mihai could also be right in assuming that the roads could also be implied as well because they certainly seem very important to this world because they allow communication and trade between distant peoples.

I do enjoy a book that takes its sweet time in revealing the significance of the title, especially when it can multiple meanings and connotations.

I spent quite a bit of time discussing this with my bookish friends over the weekend because I was so surprised by it.

However, I agree that it was an amazingly awesome move because it totally surprised me and has pushed the plot and one major character in a totally unexpected direction. There are few writers who can pull this off without you wanting to throw the book at the wall and walk away, but I am now even more intrigued by Geder and I want to know what reaction his behavior gets when he returns to court. I love books that make me turn to my husband and say "You are not going to believe what just happened!" and this is up there with killing Ned Stark as a jaw-dropping move.

Bring it on, Mr Abraham! :)

I find it fascinating because it allows us to see how our world might have been if different decisions had been made at crucial points in time. It also places characters in a state of flux, which allows for lots of development and provides lots of scope for complex, contradictory personalities to be revealed. Anything that adds to the complexity of the world is a good thing and makes the characters seem more realistic and interesting.

It reminds me a little of the Brandon Sanderson books that I have read, although they tend to show theocracies being opposed or exposed to popular scrutiny / rebellion.

I was rather surprised when his opinions about lower class people became clear, simply because his position of POV character tricked me into expecting him to be a 'good' guy. I suppose I now know better and have a much greater respect for Mr Abraham's writing.

I agree with Mihai that I am not sure that he is actually a 'bad' person, but I can't agree with his attitudes. As with Geder, I think we will continue to struggle with deciding where we stand about him and his actions. They are both doing what they think is the right thing, so they are not 'evil' per se, but it will be interesting to see how they will be judged by the other characters as we continue.

Starr wrote: "It was horrible. It was bold. It was awesome but,.....I don't think he thought it through"

I would agree: I don't think it will have the effect that he hoped for. Plus, it was down right evil . . . I am rethinking my liking of this guy! :(

Fence wrote: "I hope I'm not jumping in too soon, but I just finished this section and I have to say I am so upset with Geder!
I can sort of understand why he reacted that way, he has been bullied for so long he..."

I agree with you. I was getting a really good "Tyrion Lannister" vibe from him and so I was grinning away, expecting some suitably cunning and intelligent political solution to his situation . . . and then he locks everyone in the city and burns it to the ground!!!!!

A real "WTF??!???!?!?", jaw-dropping moment! :O

Carl wrote: "Susan wrote: "I knew from the first few pages that I was going to fall in love with this story. This is my first Daniel Abraham book and I wasn't sure how much I would like his work - so I bought a..."

Me to . . . yet more titles to go on my TBR list! :)

Susan wrote: "I knew from the first few pages that I was going to fall in love with this story. This is my first Daniel Abraham book and I wasn't sure how much I would like his work - so I bought a used copy of ..."

I agree: it is my first encounter with his work but I can see why he and Mr Martin work together.

Lynn wrote: "I certainly don't dislike any of the characters. I feel sort of sorry for Geder - he seems so out of his depth in a way and so desperate for acceptance - the butt of everyone's jokes. I think he'..."

I am also very intrigued by Master Kit and I'm afraid he does look rather like Sir Ian McKellen in my mind's eye, with that voice that sounds like he is constantly slightly amused by something! :D

Mihai wrote: "I do have a feeling that the apostate is a certain Master Kit. I am only guessing here, but I do see some small similarities here. Especially in the forest scene with the bandits. :)"

Wow! I hadn't thought of that. That would certainly explain why he wasn't worried about dying though . . . interesting! :)

Brittain wrote: "I have to agree on Abraham's itchy reveal trigger. I'm sure he knows exactly what he's going, but I wasn't expecting all the initial secrets to fall so quickly. Things aren't really going in the di..."

I was also surprised, but it would have been a little too cliche for 'Tag' to be outed when the soldiers arrived to seize the cart so I am quite happy to see where we go next.

Kelly wrote: "Reliving the crapper scene...thanks so much for that Carl..lol
I was not happy about Geders burned book...that was just plain mean. The fact that he has to hide the perceived, softer side of himse..."

Burning books is just plain wrong, for any reason! :D

Susan wrote: "Mihai wrote: "Damn it, Carl! You had to remind me of Geder falling in the crapper, did you? :)

I would say that the scene from the forest involving the caravan, Marcus and acting troupe surprised ..."

Yep: I predict a twisty, turny plot to be revealed! :)