The Dragon's Path Group Read discussion

How do you feel about the introduction of Clara as one of the perspectives of the story? How did you find her small arc?

I have a bit of mixed feelings here. First, it is a very nice addition to the part of the story involving Dawson and Geder and politics of Antea. It pleased me quite a lot to see that politics at the court of King Simeon are the privilege of the males, women are an important part to it as well. Not directly and not felt first handed, but with subtlety and key roles. However, I did feel that the presence of Clara is a bit rushed. She doesn't express a involvement in the politics until this part and seems to jump all of the sudden in the political schemes. I understand the need for this in the context of the story but I still think that preparing it a bit earlier would have been nicer for me. Also, I like that Clara's story offers a very interesting perspective for the next novels of the series. Overall, I welcomed her presence and feel that her arc promises plenty of excellent things in the next novels.

I was certainly surprised that she made herself as pivotal as she did. I am interested to find out what Clara's opinions on the state of the kingdom are; whether she mirrors Dawson, demurs to him, or has her own idea of how things should be.
I wonder if, to paraphrase an old Bill Cosby stand-up line, the women aren't interested in justice, but in quiet.

I think that Clara's perspective has slowly been a part of the story, whether it was her telling Dawson to play nice or whatnot. I am not sure if it was necessary for her to have her own chapter..until the last bit between her and Vincen, I think that something more will come of it and it'll be interesting to see what that is. I also think that it is necessary for her to take a more active role based on what she first suspected and then was able to put in motion. There are always some things that women can do that men will not be able to because of their position and roles in society. My interest is definitely piqued though I haven't come up with an opinion about her.

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.

It was great to see things from her perspective because those around her view her a clever, but limited person because she is female. Whereas she does not view herself that way at all. I applaud her character for carving out some power and individuality in a society that doesn't appear to nurture those qualities in a woman.