You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Several of us are going to continue the Licanius series. This thread will be for An Echo of Things to Come, book 2 in the trilogy.

We talked about spacing the books 6 weeks apart which puts us at October 24th start date. How does that fit with everyone?

Links:
Glossary and map: https://jamesislington.com/world.html
Wiki page: https://licanius.fandom.com/wiki/The_...

That's the start of my holidays, so works for me :) although maybe if we go somewhere I might not read so much. Can't plan around that though, so October 24 is good.

Works for me.

works for me too!

Super!

That works for me too :)

I've updated the calendar.

I will put a hold on the book now, and maybe I will be able to get it by the time the buddy read starts.

I finished my current audiobook and I could start tomorrow. Where is everyone else on starting this book?

I just downloaded an ebook copy from my library. I have it until Nov 11th, but I may not be able to renew.
Just in case, I have a hold on a text copy. I am #1 on 3 copies, but it does not say how long it would be before it will be available.

I just finished my current museum task book and reported it, so I am ready to start reading. I was just about ready to start reading Beartown.

I can start today too. I will alternate it with my current book. I'm on holiday for 5 days from Sunday, don't know how much I'll be able to read.

I'm in a bad reading place at the moment. Currently struggling with Wild Country buddy read at the mo, 13 hours left to go in that. It's a decent story but I'm not in the zone!

You guys should carry on, I'll catch up eventually.

I have an inter-library loan I must finish first. I hope to be done this weekend. So lookng for a start on Monday. I will catch up.

Okay, I will start today. I was prepared to start a short book if needed, but it sounds like we're pretty much in the same place.

I hope your other buddy read eases up for you Margo. I'm sorry it's such a struggle.

Oh no Janice, the book is good, it's me 😉

I understand that, Margo. September was that was for me. It was a struggle.

I read the prologue and first chapter. I'm still on the fence about Caeden. The book picks up right where it left off and doesn't recap anything. I'm thinking we made a good decision to read them close together.

I didn’t get a chance to start yet but I made it through 52 pages of Beartown so Saturday will be for our group read.

Interesting to hear that it starts off where the first ended, Janice.

At the moment, I can’t remember a thing about the first book. It is almost scary! I stared at the cover for a while and almost grasped something. Hopefully, it will come back as I’m sleeping tonight.

I put a couple of links to the glossary and wiki page in the first message.

Oh good!! My ebook comes with a refresher chapter at the beginning.

I will be starting this one a bit late as I am on my anniversary camping trip and I am in the middle of a couple books that I need to finish.

Peggy wrote: "Oh good!! My ebook comes with a refresher chapter at the beginning."

That's great! I'm reading the audiobook and there was nothing. I wonder if I would have liked this better in print than audiobook. And, I think it's time to say that I'm not invested in this story as much as I wanted to be. I don't think I'm grasping all the nuances of the story so it seems a bit disjointed.

I read to the end of Chapter 6.

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[Wirr has had difficulties getting his administration to take him seriously. Pria doesn't seem adverse to undermining his authority. I like Andyn, Wirr's bodyguard. He seems to be amused with Wirr's infactuation with Dezia. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[I'm confused. Who is the woman who claims to be Tal'kamar's wife? Caeden calls her Ell, but she is dead. So did he also go by the name Malshash? He of the many names? (hide spoiler)]

My ebook came with a “recap” chapter at the beginning too, Peggy.

I read up to chapter 6 today.

I think I would have a hard time with this book on audio, Janice. The names are just too strange and there are too many storylines going back and forth. It was hard to keep up with in the first book and without the recap, it would be harder to jump back in. While I was reading the recap, there were times I had to stop and think about what was said and decide if I remembered it that way. Wired. I didn’t have any problems getting back on track.

There was an "epilogue" at the beginning of the book, but it was short and I didn't think it covered much as a recap. There was a prologue too, but that didn't seem to be a recap. I'll read them again.

A lot of the problem with the audiobook for me is the narrator. Let me just say that there's no love match between us. I find his voices annoying, and some are downright distasteful, especially when he speaks nasally. I find his range limited. They needed a Tim Gerard Reynolds or Michael Page who both can carry a large cast.

Okay - it was an epigraph, not an epilogue and it was more like the reciting of a poem type thing. The prologue talked about Caeden (view spoiler)[unable to die by hanging or beheading... so not a recap. (hide spoiler)]. I'm going to go look at the previews on Amazon and see if I can find the recap.

ETA - found it! I will read it and maybe it will help some of my frustration.

It wasn't very detailed, just the headlines, but in chronological order and a nice refresher. I still expect to be just as confused as with the previous book though ;-)

I read to the end of Chapter 11.

Chapter 9 - Asha: (view spoiler)[Asha is my favourite character by far. She's in a right pickle, lost in the catacombs. She's quick witted and I think she's right to stay put to wait for someone else using the tunnels to perhaps follow out. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 - Davion: (view spoiler)[He's been captured. Sounds like he's in a pickle too. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11 - Caedan: (view spoiler)[The beginning of this chapter was really messed up. It sounded like Caedan was being tortured - feeling pain like needles. What is happening, and how did he get there? Is part of this in the past or the future? This is just so freaking confusing, and I can't be bothered to go back and relisten to the beginning of the chapter. At any rate, he meets up with a woman claiming to be Ell, his wife. So he was Malash. Arcane Devine, Tal'Kamar, Malash, Caedan are all one and the same person. Come on with the multiple identities.

Back to Ell, turns out she's actually someone else. The name in the audiobook sounds like Negalthe. But I can't find it in the glossary. What I do find is Nethgalla who is a woman shapeshifter, and from whom Malash learned to shapeshift. If she's indeed Nethgalla, then this section must have been in the past. I guess I'll have to go back and relisten to this section. (hide spoiler)]

I need a Cliff notes version of these books - one that gives a chapter by chapter summary that explains what is going on. (view spoiler)[ It's when I try to understand books like this, that I wonder about my comprehension skills and if there may be an issue from my stroke. But, I'm able to understand other books. It's just this one that's problematic. (hide spoiler)]

Got chapter 11 figured out. I went back and listened a bit. (view spoiler)[Caedan is experiencing his memories. Does the print edition indicate in any way that these excursions in memory are not part of the chronological story, like italics or different font? With the audiobook, there's nothing to indicate it's a memory.

And the woman was Nethgalla. Thank goodness for the glossary. (hide spoiler)]

Moving on: Chapter 12 - Asha: (view spoiler)[Her strategy was good, but she's still in danger. She's killed a Sha'teth and will be discovered by Isiliar if she doesn't get out of the catacombs. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13 - Davian: (view spoiler)[ He's been captured by Rohin, another auger. Ishelle apparently helped him, but it's debatable as to whether or not he was controlling her. I've never trusted her. I wonder if Aaron and Fezzie will come to his rescue just like they did with Asha. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 & 15 - more memories

I am starting today. I am going to start with the ebook so I can be more sociable on my camping trip and then switch to audio when I get back home.

I have only finished the prologue and two chapters so far. I'm more drawn to my other book and it also requires less of my brain, so I often chose that one over this one.

I only have my phone so I can't do spoilers but I was thankful to have the recap at the beginning of the ebook. I wonder why they left it off the audio? I think all fantasy series should have a quick recap of the previous book!
I just finished the prologue - very interesting!

Katrisa wrote: "I only have my phone so I can't do spoilers but I was thankful to have the recap at the beginning of the ebook. I wonder why they left it off the audio? I think all fantasy series should have a qui..."

They often leave things like authors' notes off of audiobooks. I think they should be included.

I'm finished to the end of Chapter 21.

Chapter 17- Davian: (view spoiler)[ Yup! Aaron and Fezzie rescued him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19 - Wirr: (view spoiler)[I felt sorry for Wirr that his own mother is disdainful of him because he's Gifted. Nice that his sister is accepting of him and revealed their mother's treachery.

Not sure of the chapter, so maybe don't read the spoiler until after chapter 21. (view spoiler)[We also learn that Caeden is actually a god - Tol something or other. Or is he? I'm having trouble keeping track of all the identities.

Isiliar practically kills him. How could this be? He was so powerful, single handedly saving Ilin Illan, yet he's defenseless against Isiliar? They are both immortal apparently.

Asar (I think it was Asar) rescued him and during their discussion, he talked about Caeden being affected by the mind of a mad man. I couldn't make out the name read by the narrator, but it almost sounded like Malshash. They both tell tales of being married to Ell and killing everyone at the wedding trying to restore her to life. But, now I'm wondering if Malshash retained memories of those he shapeshifted into. Either Caeden are the same person, or my second theory is correct.

The more of his memories that are revealed, the less I like him. Someone who has ruthlessly applied the idea that the ends justifies the means, butchering innocent people in the most nefarious plots, for thousands of years, doesn't just one day change his mind and be good. He seems to protect Davian & Wirr because they are his friends, but look what he did to Isiliar.
She was a friend. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I've just finished chapter 3.

I wish I'd seen Janice first message befire I spent so long trying to find the links I used so much during book 1 LOL If I hadn't used those links as a quick refreshed I would have been lost.

I've read though spoilers and agree with them, the the only other thing I'd made a not of was (view spoiler)[ Asha dizzy spells. I wonder if they could be a side effect of using veils? Poor Wirr, everyone wants him to marry their daughter - even if they do hate his politics! (hide spoiler)]

I am behind but still around. I just read the recap last night. On to the prologue...

I started over again and reread the Prologue tonight. (view spoiler)[ I was still thinking about how Caeden and Adar were going to go about restoring Caeden’s memories. They must have made a plan to only show him some, but not all. He will answer Caeden’s questions but not explain things - that way Caeden’s actions do not go down the same path as has previously happened in the past. They are trying to restore the memories “that he wanted”. I thought it was interesting that the eleven were immortals before they got involved with Shammaeloth. I just can’t get my head around it all! (hide spoiler)]

Agreed Cherie, there is so much to take in, and I'm only just finished chapter 5! (view spoiler)[ Caeden seems to be having memories that belong to Marshash. They can't be the same person - can they? Caenen has killed the Keeper, but was he on Caedens side or not? Arrrgh!

I loved all religious philosophising and am enjoying catching up with the other characters but the Caeden story is doing my hear in! (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Agreed Cherie, there is so much to take in, and I'm only just finished chapter 5! k..."

(view spoiler)[
I am fairly sure Marshash is Caeden. What I cannot recall is if it is a guess on my part or there was some "proof" in the last book. (hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "Margo wrote: "Agreed Cherie, there is so much to take in, and I'm only just finished chapter 5! k..."

(view spoiler)[I am fairly sure Marshash is Caeden. What I cannot recall is if it is a guess on my part or there was some "proof" in the last book. (hide spoiler)]..."

(view spoiler)[ I do not remember ever thinking that Marsash was Caeden (or Tal'kamar) from the last book, but then - I may have just read a spoiler from this book. It seems like we are not only following Caeden on his journey through his memories and discovering other iterations of him, but of the other Venerates (Augers - Immortals) too. It will not suprise me to find out that Marsash was another Tal'kamar "life". (hide spoiler)]

I was just reading chapter 4. (view spoiler)[ The conversation between Caeden and Gassandrid about God is interesting, but before that, I was finally getting a little bit of a handle on Kan and the Lyth. The Lyth are made of Essence and if they stay away from Res Kartha (behind the barrier???) they fade away. Kan is a force from the Rift, but because of it, their world is governed by the passage of time (Decay). I guess what I do not understand is, before the Rift, there was no time??? Everyone there was just existed? They did not die? Does this mean that they were ALL immortal? The Augers can see the future, and they can visit the past in their memories, but they CANNOT go back in time. Oh, this is breaking my head too! (hide spoiler)] (view spoiler)[ hmm - fate, time, one God, "A way to make all things right". So - if they do away with the Rift, and by default (?) Kan, they will do away with time. Their world will be a place where there is no preconceived outcome. They will all be free to make choices, outside of any predefined path. A way to change the past??? Did I get that right? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I was thinking about how accepting Asha is. She knows things about others, but is content to not "make waves". I really like her, but she is almost too good to be true. Oh, and I want to know if "regular humans" - those without the Gift could not go down into the Sanctuary? If not, why? I understand that the Gifted cannot because of the column of Essence, but the children of the Shadows could exist down there. I was just curious about this because Wirr made such a big deal out of Asha not getting hurt or lost because he could not send "anyone" down to find her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Ah, the drunk man's memory of a wife.
Who is this that is pretending to be Caeden's wife? What did he do to her? Ah! I hate flipping back and forth to so many other people before getting answers! Oh, I feel so bad that Asar is dead. What's a Siphon? (hide spoiler)] I think the event in this chapter just answered Esther's spoiler above.

Can this all be so darn convoluted???

Finished to the end of Chapter 27:

Chapter 22/23 - Davian: (view spoiler)[Rohin has been contained, It sounded similar to being turned into a shadow, but it seems he's held by the amulet so perhaps not permanent. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25 - Caedan: (view spoiler)[ Did I read that right, that Nethgalla killed Ell?

I wonder if Karaline would still care about Caeden if she knew the whole truth about him? He's told her a lot, except about the many incantations. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26/27 - Davian: (view spoiler)[The aftermath of Rohin is devastating to the Augurs. Just when they start to make headway, along comes a rogue person like Rohin and makes the case for why the Augurs were all killed.

Davian's vision was interesting. He's seen the background to why he made the visit to Asha in the first book. Or at least that's what I got out of it. And somehow, Asha is connected the Nethgalla. (hide spoiler)]

Janice wrote: "I read to the end of Chapter 11.

Chapter 11 - Caedan: The beginning of this chapter was really messed up. It sounded ..."

I'm with you Janice. I loved Michaels reading of the Stormlight Archives but he was reading that from one POV so not doing as many voices, or at least less annoying ones! I'm about ready to call it a day for all the reasons you've given. I want to know what happens to Asha so maybe I'll try another few chapters but this book is on its last chance!

Cherie wrote: "Esther wrote: "Margo wrote: "Agreed Cherie, there is so much to take in, and I'm only just finished chapter 5! k..."

I was just reading chapter 4. [spoi..."

@cherie: I also enjoyed (view spoiler)[ the religious philosophy, the Caeden sections are so difficult on audio.

From fandom Siphon : A magical tool to automatically transfer esscence directly from the source of one person to another. (hide spoiler)]

I am through ch 3. (view spoiler)[It seems that everyone is wanting our MCs to be their pawns. I am surprised how much Dav was sticking up for himself! I thought Ishelle would be more the type. Poor Wirr is finding out that just because you're a "ruler" doesn't mean you can necessarily get the things you want done! I feel like I might just want to reread the whole series once I am done because I will be able to hold the threads together better. I still find myself being like - "wait - why is that?" This series just has A LOT going on. I am excited to see how Caeden ends up. I feel like he genuinely wants to not be a world-destroying asshole, but who knows how deep his personality goes? (hide spoiler)]

I'm at chapter 6 and read some of your spoilers. I'm confused though, blame it on my bad memory. (view spoiler)[ what memory of Caeden in chapter 5 was the same as Malshash?

There's again so much going on I don't even know where to start writing. I think I'm just going to go with it this time without trying to figure it all out. (hide spoiler)]

Peggy wrote: "I'm at chapter 6 and read some of your spoilers. I'm confused though, blame it on my bad memory. .."

(view spoiler)[ They both have the same memories of marrying Ell and the disaster the wedding took. (hide spoiler)]

Finished to the end of chapter 34.


Chapter 28 - Asha: (view spoiler)[Still with the dizzy spells. I wonder what they mean. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29 - Wirr: (view spoiler)[ Isiliar's mad attack looking for Tal'Kamar, killed so many people. I was sad that Wirr lost his body guard. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30 - Davian: (view spoiler)[ All these attacks! His party has been attacked by the Shateth. That was horrible what they did to Ishelle, but Davian revived her. He thought it was just like Ell's situation. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31 - Asha: I can't read my own hand writing. (view spoiler)[The distain the administrators showed her! I can't stand the arrogance. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32 - Wirr: (view spoiler)[More distain, but this time from Wirr's mother. How heartbreaking that would be to be rejected like that. I hope he doesn't lose the Northwarden to her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33 - Asha: (view spoiler)[ Has fallen into the river. I hope she survives. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34 - Wirr: (view spoiler)[ The stone is a dangerous tool, and Wirr is right to not want to use it to control people. (hide spoiler)]

@Janice: huh.. did I completely miss that? Or maybe I'm not yet at chapter 5, lol! I really thought I was though..

I checked, I'm at chapter 8. I skimmed a bit through the previous chapters but all I see is (view spoiler)[ one small reference to Ell, but nothing about the wedding. It's a memory of him being drunk in a bar and seeing someone there who he thinks is Ell. (hide spoiler)]

Peggy wrote: "@Janice: huh.. did I completely miss that? Or maybe I'm not yet at chapter 5, lol! I really thought I was though..

I checked, I'm at chapter 8. I skimmed a bit through the previous chapters but a..."

There's more peggy but it's all pretty mixed up (view spoiler)[ he has flashbacks to their wedding. But it's very hard to follow, I wasn't sure I was picking ot up right until I read other spoilers (hide spoiler)]

I believe you! Lol, for a moment I was worried I had accidentally started book 3.

LOL, that's entirely possible 🤣