Blazing Readers & Wordy Writers discussion

Blazing Readers: Please post at least four comments related to the book here (spoiler tags preferred) to earn your bonus points.

Rin has always been a quiet, helpful girl, but a secret has been eating away at her, and the solace Rin once could find among the tall trees surrounding her forest home has vanished. When she leaves home to join her older brother in the city, she finds intriguing answers to her questions, an adventure she doesn't expect, and a sense of self she never thought she would find.

35% through!

Rin is super interesting, partially because you pretty much know nothing about her before this book, and partially because she's always trying to mimic other people's personalities. It's very interesting! Did I say interesting enough?

72% through!

I'm thoroughly enjoying this book. Rin is such a good character. (view spoiler)[ And OH MY GOSH she has people-speaking?! How does Shannon Hale tie it all together so neatly? I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT BUT IT SEEMS SO OBVIOUS NOW! (hide spoiler)]

I don't have much to say here because I need to go read more because it's super good right now. xD I can't wait to find out what happens next!!

Oops, forgot to subscribe to the post and so am just now getting to the messages XD

Catherine wrote: "35% through!

Rin is super interesting, partially because you pretty much know nothing about her before this book, and partially because she's always trying to mimic other people's personalities. ..."

Yes, I love digging into Rin! I love the mimicing and the conflict she has. I love how she questions the world around her like...am I the problem or does everyone else feel this way and just keep it on the down low? And I LOVE how she is with Tusken! I love that she's so good with kids and so protective of him!

I thought the (view spoiler)[tree-speaking was interesting. I mean, it isn't quite all the earth, like another element. It's so specific. But it was still super neat! (hide spoiler)]

Oh! And, I'm not that far along yet, but I remembered that spoiler! It was one of the big ones that stuck with me! And, reading it this go around, you're right, it's so obvious! But I never guessed it the first time. It's part of why I love the fourth book so much. Everything does tie in so well together!! Hale is a master!

Oh! And and and!!! Did you notice we have sections again?! YAS! <3

Plus, that cover is sooooo pretttttyyyy!!

Exactly! And, yeah! I love how she is with Tusken!

(view spoiler)[ Agreed! It's really interesting. And the way Shannon Hale describes it is masterful. "If it had been a color, it might have been green. If it had touched her ears, it might have sounded rhythmic, like the creak of a rocking chair or drone of a bee. If it had a scent, it might have been sweet and drowsy, like fresh pine on the fire." (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I didn't spoiler you. xD

I did notice! And I probably wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned the third book was missing them. xD

Oh! Wow! That cover is gorgeous! The Ebook I have is under this cover:

Catherine wrote: "Exactly! And, yeah! I love how she is with Tusken!

[spoilers removed]

I'm glad I didn't spoiler you. xD

I did notice! And I probably wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned the third book ..."

Nah, there's an even bigger spoiler coming up! I won't tell! But it makes this entire book like...AMAZING! XD

You know, I think this is the first time I have EVER liked new covers for an older series. Not gonna say I like them more, but I'm not abhorred by them.

Oh, yes, that description was like honey to my soul. Beautiful!!

Ah I love this book! Man, I'm seeing similarities between Rin and Razo. I mean, she's trying so hard to be like Isi and keeps saying she feels useless and not good. Razo felt useless too.

Oh, wait. I think you already passed the big spoiler...Ch. 14? DON'T read til you pass Ch. 14!!!!(view spoiler)[SELIA!! *drools* (hide spoiler)]

Another recurring theme here is love. What is love? Can it be earned? Can it be lost? Rin is riddled with fear that she is rotten and cannot be loved as she truly is, that she will do something that will lose her mother's love. It breaks my heart to see her hurt so much.

True love cannot be lost. True love isn't something you barter for or horde. It's given freely, without expectation for anything in return. It's not something you can ever be so vile as to lose.

Oh my gosh. *tears* *happy dance* *heart melts into a puddle* I adore this book. Ch. 19 is...life. Like, awwww! My absolute favorite relationship is the bro/sis, especially the big bro/little sis, so their whole discussion just melts my insides!! I love how (view spoiler)[ Rin consoles Razo with such confidence and helps him heal. She sheds a new light on him as a character by revealing that the brothers are truly jealous of him. And then how he listens to her pour her heart out and instead of offering empty consolation, he adamantly buoyed her, defending her with fierce certainty. I love the title. Forest Born. Rinna is Forest Born. She's Agget-kin and that means she is good! (hide spoiler)] Just, ugh, so much love for this book!!!!

Coralie wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Exactly! And, yeah! I love how she is with Tusken!

[spoilers removed]

I'm glad I didn't spoiler you. xD

I did notice! And I probably wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mention..."

Yeah. I find it very interesting how in book 3 Razo mentions he calls Enna Enna-girl because she reminds him of Rin, who he calls Rinna-girl. They're so different! Their names sound similar, though. xD

Coralie wrote: "Oh, wait. I think you already passed the big spoiler...Ch. 14? DON'T read til you pass Ch. 14!!!![spoilers removed]"

Yes! Oh, gosh, that was HUGE! That's part of what I meant when I said that Shannon Hale ties everything together so neatly. Just WOW! That was a shocker!

Coralie wrote: "Another recurring theme here is love. What is love? Can it be earned? Can it be lost? Rin is riddled with fear that she is rotten and cannot be loved as she truly is, that she will do something tha..."

Mm, yes, definitely. A big part of the story is Rin discovering and accepting herself.

Coralie wrote: "Oh my gosh. *tears* *happy dance* *heart melts into a puddle* I adore this book. Ch. 19 is...life. Like, awwww! My absolute favorite relationship is the bro/sis, especially the big bro/little sis, ..."

Yes! Every relationship in these books is very meaningful. A theme of the books seems to me to be how we need connections and relationships with people. We weren't made to be solitary creatures, but to be connected. Love is our nature.

I finished the book! ^.^ Thank you for reading it with me! It was excellent. We've discussed pretty much all my thoughts, but I'll let you know if I think of something else.

Ooh!! I'm not quite done yet, but will soon. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 😊 And I totally agree. Relationships are vital!!

Oh, gosh, I forgot to tell you. We're leaving for ANOTHER trip tomorrow (to Kansas) and I won't be on GR Mon.-Fri. So I can either respond to anything else you have to say Saturday, or we can email about it. Sorry!

No worries! Have fun and safe travels!