SFF Readalongs led by Kitty G discussion

Discussion for chapters 14 & 15 of the book ONLY, no spoilers for any other parts of the book please!

Great 2 chapters. Paran being able to enter the darkness from the sword cut of Rake and releasing the Hounds was really odd. I guess I don't know a lot about Paran's character but that just seemed out of character. Maybe he just wants to be on Rake's side, so he did Rake a favor. Paran joining Rake and leaving the Empire would be cool if it happened.

It is interesting how things that happen in one scene impact what happens in another scene, i.e. The Rope leaving Sorry because of Rake and Shadowthorn talking.

The more this story goes on the more I like Rake. He's so hard-core.

Okay, so, let me see if I got this... Sorry is no longer possessed. But Paran's sword is possessed (or something). Also, that Warren with the chained up Hounds was inside Paran's sword? Or did I misunderstand that?

One thing that has been a struggle for me in this book is figuring out what the central conflict is. I think we final have it. Rake vs. Lorn and the Jaghut Tyrant. Or, maybe it was that the whole time and I just didn't realize it until now. :)

Paul wrote: " Paran being able to enter the darkness from the sword cut of Rake and releasing the Hounds was really odd. I guess I don't know a lot about Paran's character but that just seemed out of character. Maybe he just wants to be on Rake's side, so he did Rake a favor."

He releases the Hounds so he can ease the torment of everyone else trapped within Dragnipur. The Hounds were stirring up alot of ruckus that was making things unbearable for the other people chained there.

Releasing the Hounds is not doing Rake a favor, its not doing anyone a favor actually, not even Mr. Burns haha.

P.T. wrote: "Okay, so, let me see if I got this... Sorry is no longer possessed. But Paran's sword is possessed (or something). Also, that Warren with the chained up Hounds was inside Paran's sword? Or did I mi..."

The Warren with the chained multitudes including the Hounds was in Dragnipur, Rake's sword.

The present central conflict of this book is that yes, dealing with the Jaghut tyrant, but there are greater matters at work that largely include the Malazan empire as a whole, namely machinations that concern Laseen. Bridgeburners with the Empire trying to disband them, Rake and Shadowthrone have beef with Laseen. So on and so on.

I wonder if the swords having their own power and almost personalities in this book influenced the anime Bleach any?

Ok, so I really liked the conversation in Ch 14, with Lorn and Tool it was very informal on whats going on and some history was nice. Lassen seems to be rolling the dice by releasing the Jaghut so Rake will intervene cause he is the only one he can stop it which will leave him weak for the Empire to finish him off.

I'm really enjoying this book, and have a good grip on many layers in the story. BUT one thing I still have trouble wrapping my head around are the GOD'S and there real intentions. Sorry being a rope for Shadowthrone via Cotillion and Rake tells Shadow to back off and now Sorry is free of the rope, and that's it? From the beginning of the story to now and that's it, so what was even the point? So who Shadow against? Malzan? Rake? What about Paran and Shadow letting him live? Anybody want to help with some clarification?

Like everyone else, I do like Rake too, he is a total badass.

I did find the section of Paran going into Dragnipurs Warren confusing.

Poor Toc, dude cant seem to catch a break.

So now Crokus is now taking Sorry out of the hills to Mammot, wonder where that will lead?

BUT one thing I still have trouble wrapping my head around are the GOD'S and there real intentions. Sorry being a rope for Shadowthrone via Cotillion a.."

Sorry isn't being a rope. 'The rope' is the nickname of the god Cotillion who's is linked with Shadowthrone. The rope's motive appears to be to derail the empire but doing this interfered with Rake who forces tyem to cut their ties with Sorry.

Hey ive been wondering why did rake help out paran with the hounds? I mean isnt paran with the empire and rakes supposed to be against them? Or maybe rake just wanted to eliminate rope/cotilion and shadowthrone from interfering with the empire/rake conflict.?