Fantasy Book Club discussion

Anyone care to guess where the story may go from here?

If you are planning to look at the sequels, what would you wish to see happen?

Anyone dare to speculate how the relationships between characters and factions may rub, or change, or intensify?

Did you have afterthoughts about this volume?

What haunted, what satisfied, what amused?

Well, I've got an idea that the next book is going to take us to another world where the mistwraith is even more active, likely in a different way, from things others have mentioned. From the title, I'll guess that Arithon & Lysear are going to continue to duke it out in a setting somewhat more like the world where they came from. Knowing your penchant for twists, I wouldn't be surprised if Arithon winds up fighting against the sea folk, though.

Other than that, I really don't want to guess. There are a lot more books & a couple of other kings that need to be brought into the story. One is only 12 now, though. A balance must be brought to all the connected worlds, so I think they'll have to go round to them all to bring everything together.

Jim wrote: "Well, I've got an idea that the next book is going to take us to another world where the mistwraith is even more active, likely in a different way, from things others have mentioned. From the titl..."

Jim, that is certainly the most wildly original take I have ever seen posited...you'll find out.

The most haunting discovery that still sticks with me: The Mistwraith were once human. The seven wizards have dedicated centuries to eradicating them. What if that time had been spent learning about them? Perhaps that's too much to hope for though.

I hope that Arithon pursues his love of music and apprentices.

Lysaer's character annoyed me, but I pitied him at times. Justice, often misused for vengeance, is best left to an all knowing god who can temper justice with mercy perfectly.

I hope to continue Arc II in September. I'm moving both my kids to Texas in August, so eventually, I can fill my empty nest with more books and more reading time. :)

@ Jon - I really like how you expressed this - "Justice, often misused for vengeance" I think Janny does a wonderful job of showing the result of zealous but misguided justice in Lysaer.

I too was very harrowed by the idea that the Mistwraith were once human. As the story continues, I hope to see more regarding the history of the various splinter worlds and gates. I believe there is an extremely rich history that has culminated in the current events.

I agree with the ladies that it's disturbing that the Mistwraith were human. Would like to see more of that expanded on. Of course I hope that Arithon continues his music. And though I hope that eventually Arithon and Lysaer defeat the curse and grow to be good brothers, I expect that too much damage will be done for them to ever reconcile. It's a tragedy, and one day I can see them both realizing just how tragic it is...

My ideas are wild? Coming from you, Janny, I think that's high praise! ;-) If it's not the way you wrote it, don't worry about it. I've been wrong a few times before. It will be fun to read how you actually worked it out...

As I see it, the knowledgeable 7 were surprised that the Mistwraith wasn't an entity, but a collection of transformed humans. Wouldn't they have known if the humans came from their world? Beings from other worlds would also have slightly different abilities, which would explain why this entity is so tough to put down. Besides, the balance of all the worlds was tilted. Some bleed over & mixing was talked about. So I think the blood of the kings will have to travel about fixing the mess.

Must....shove...fist...in...mouth...

I've been reading this series (a few times) since 1992, and I love watching the speculation of you new readers. Some is wild and fun, some is insightful of the major overarching themes, and some is revealing things that I have missed.

Beautiful and intricate depth to this story continues to be revealed...

Jon wrote: "The most haunting discovery that still sticks with me: The Mistwraith were once human. The seven wizards have dedicated centuries to eradicating them. What if that time had been spent learning a..."

Jon - delightful to know you'll be continuing!

What part of Texas are you moving to? I spent quite a bit of time in Fort Worth area when Don was out there working on the production art for the motion picture Ant Bully. For one thing, the spring wild flowers were breathtaking!

Jim wrote: "My ideas are wild? Coming from you, Janny, I think that's high praise! ;-) If it's not the way you wrote it, don't worry about it. I've been wrong a few times before. It will be fun to read how..."

Well the question becomes, wild hare, wild oat, wildly crazy...grin...read and find out. Readers try and try and TRY to second guess these books. Jump in line with the best of em...;)

Lochaber wrote: "Must....shove...fist...in...mouth...

I've been reading this series (a few times) since 1992, and I love watching the speculation of you new readers. Some is wild and fun, some is insightful of th..."

Keep shoving (grin) - and don't choke...Chris and Libby and the rest have a lot of catch up to do, before they will see why you're in need of forceful restraint...fun, isn't it?


Now, you do realize, since I know you've read all they way - that I have MY fist in MY mouth to the wrist, concerning the stuff you have not seen, yet, in Initiate's Trial.

Sometimes it's a wonder I don't shout in my sleep. (grin). And no, don't even think about asking Don to set up a tape recorder....he doesn't read my drafts, for the series, so I have to keep secrecy even under my own roof.

What the walls of my office could tell....(smirk).

Janny wrote: "What part of Texas are you moving to? "

I'm not moving - my two college age children are. My daughter to Denton and my son and his wife to Plano. Basically, just north of Dallas.

Jon wrote: "Janny wrote: "What part of Texas are you moving to? "

I'm not moving - my two college age children are. My daughter to Denton and my son and his wife to Plano. Basically, just north of Dallas.

"

@Jon - completely off topic but I live in Dallas - been here for 4yrs now - let me know if they need any info or anything and I'd be happy to help out -

Libby wrote: "let me know if they need any info or anything and I'd be happy to help out"

Thanks for the very generous offer. I pray they won't need to take you up on it. :)

We were actually in Irving - not far from DFW airport...but the film studio that produced Ant Bully and Jimmy Neutron (which Don worked with) has pretty much been dissolved.

I hope your kids thrive there, Jon.

Fascinating question!

I'm sure we'll find out a lot more about the MW.

I was fantasizing about them and dreamed, "What if the parts of the Mistwraiths were not the bad guys?" And wondered about an ancient, 1st age war between opposing groups of wizards, one ending up as wraiths on the other side of the gates and the other as the Fellowship on Athera. Lysaer and Arithon are just symbolic of an ancient war between beings from a higher plane. And, L&A better be careful or they will end up wraiths too. And, this is the whole point of the Fellowship trying to reinstate the Royals. Then I saw Dakar, like the famous Druid of old, standing between 2 great armies, bringing down lightening and exclaiming, "you shall not fight anymore!" And Dakar saves humanity from the ancients whose time has passed, so he can go back to drinking and whoring in peace. QED! Ha.

L&A will surely continue to war, which I think will encompass more and more of the continent.

I suspect the Mistwraith or Wraiths will escape from Rockfell.

I hope we encounter and learn more about the Paravians. They seem like a trump card up your sleeve at this point. What will the ruins reveal? They're all over the map after all.

I think Arithon will seem less perfect to me, and Lysaer more human.

I think we'll find out a lot more about Elvaira and the Koriathain. I expect Elvaira to become a major player. Romance should be considered too.