Nolyn: Book 1 of the Rise and Fall Trilogy discussion
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Chap 4 - The Voice
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Michael
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Apr 03, 2021 07:36AM
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Really enjoying the book so far. And while I do think that it's a great story for newcomers without any previous exposure to this world and can stand alone, reading the comments of others and reflecting on how much my knowledge of these characters, their histories, ancestors, gods, and their world adds immeasurable depth and magic to this story, I can't help but feel it's worth suggesting Legends as a pre-read. Kindof like trying to see Star Wars Episode VII without the original trilogy. Maybe would still be a good movie, but you wouldn't have tears welling up in your eyes when Luke, Leia, and Han each appeared on the screen. Point being, I think it's worth encouraging readers to read Legends first (maybe in the introduction?) to enjoy this story to its fullest. Because the tie-ins you've given us thus far go so far beyond Easter Eggs. Not just because they show an appreciation for your fans (thank you!), and let the characters that we fell in love with and the causes they fought for live on, but because knowing Legends makes this story so much richer and explain so much about what's going on. Like why Suri's runes around the castle in this chapter keep the voice out! Love it!
Sarah I fully agree that reading Legends great enhances Nolyn. Michael does do an amazing job if this is your first book in Elan of raising the question and leaving it hanging before coming back and answering it later. With that even without reading Legends first everything still gets answered is a natural way.
I fully agree as well. I guess, for a newcomer, these names of parents and such are just names. But if you've read Legends, you know the characters behind it. I also liked all the hints to the gods and life after death in this chapter and the last ones, like why people ordinarily are buried with a stone in their hand, but Moya didn't because she knew the way.We also get a pretty good picture of what kind of character Nyphron is, without ever having met him, and what kind of empire he created.
Nowing what the Horn of Gylindora is, of course let's you guess at the motives of the kidnapper. But if Nolyn is close to 900 years old, shouldn't there still be some time, before the horn could be used again?
I also liked, that the use of magic seems to be forgotten. At least Sephryn doesn't know it, and she knew Suri personally. I think, someone must have worked quite actively to surpress that knowledge to make it fade so quickly. Why? That's the question.
Yes, the mentioning of strawberries was my favorite insider hint, too :-)It’s exactly that way of hidden hints that makes Michaels writing so special for me and encourages me to reread his books on the hunt for more I‘d might have overseen.
I agree, that it might give the reader a different feeling for the story, if you know who these mentioned people are, but I doubt that it cuts down the pleasure of reading if you don’t.
You will find different - but similar - highlights of aha moments in both ways. So the best advice to enjoy the journey to the fullest might be reading one order and reread in the other ;-P
I too am surprised that so much information was already lost to people who could have learned these things first hand from those who were there. While many generations of humans have come and gone in 800 years, there are things Sephryn does not know about, but should. Part of that is I think her innate skepticism of the stories she has heard. Combine that with the motives of people in power purposefully changing history and outlawing reading, and it makes a bit more sense. I hope that her thought of deaths coming in threes was not foreshadowing for someone else she is close to!
Wait. Nyphron is a slob? And his friend (lover?) Illim just sits on the clothes? And Illim is the only person employed to clean up after the emperor but he doesn’t have time - not employ more help? It opens so many questions about palace employment and Fhrey hygiene.
How do you pronounce Nurgya?
I'm really enjoying this book. I can say I knew exactly who the Voice was as soon as they said "Easy as strawberries". :-)
Really enjoying the book so far and love hearing stories about the characters from legends. When Suri is described as an old women it made my heart melt.
