Kenyons Minions discussion
This topic is about
Illusion
Illusion BOTM
Some general questions to help incite discussion. Feel free to answer as many as you'd like.•Did you enjoy the book? Why? Why not?
•Did you feel that the book fulfilled your expectations? Were you disappointed?
•What did you think of the characters? Could you relate to them or no?
- Who were your favorite characters?
- Who were your least favorite characters?
I will kick things off by saying, Ash was short and a nerd! And it was awesome! :D
Yeah! And that alternative Ash...He was married to Artemis for God's sake! What was that? Fav. character: maybe Thorn...I just love him sooo much! Caleb and Kody too, of course hahaAnd I didn't like the Deveraux sisters here, they were so mean...but that is how it's supposed to be, I guess.
I loved, loved, loved this book. So far, it has been my absolute favorite of the CON series (though that could change when Instinct finally comes out, lol).Yeah, that alternate universe was something else. XD Luckily for me, I was familiar with the concept since I've watched Star Trek. The concept is explored in the original series (with Kirk and Spock, et al.) and a little more extensively in the spinoff Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; it is also explored in numerous other books, films, and TV shows.
What's really interesting is that the concept has been around for a LONG time (as in, ancient mythology). But I digress. XD
Anyway, I loved learning about Kody's background, and more about the powers that she serves. It was also fascinating to read about a version of Thorn that gave in to the darkness (as well as the Devereaux sisters). And Xevikan ... Oh, I can hardly wait to read more about him! Definitely intriguing, since he and Caleb have different viewpoints on certain events. =)
As much as I loved reading about Kody, though, I did find it sad to read about what had happened to nearly everyone in her time. Let us hope it never comes to that, yes? ;)
(Oh, and a side note ... supposedly, SK mentioned in her Google chat on March 1st that we have already met Simi's husband. Won't know for sure if she said this, until the link for the recording is put up.)
Side note of a side note did you hear the original dude that played Spock passed away over the weekend?Yea, future looks hella bleak with the Malachai gone nuts. And even to find out that Kody is well very much in the past tense really in this book. :( I mean she may not be my fave, but to have a ghost come back in time to try and help you save yourself, that's deep dude. REAL deep.
I was also glad it was finally revealed what relation Thorn has to things. Other than being hella evil in the other world. He's one of Nick's own generals. Well maybe just a general to the Malachai IN general? I was a bit confused about that part.
Yeah, I heard about Leonard Nimoy, which saddened me. At least he lived a long, full life. =)Now the bit about Thorn ... the Thorn in CON/DH is not one of the Malachi's generals. In fact, he's fought the Malachai before. I also suspect that he's too young to be the sakkan in the DH/CON world. (view spoiler)
Evil AU (alternate universe) Thorn, on the other hand, would be one of the Malachai's generals, IF there was a Malachai in that universe. But there isn't, because the Malachai can only exist in one universe at a time.
I know, I know, clear as mud. XD
We still don't know Nick's last general (we now know five of them), but I have a feeling we're gonna be meeting that general in Instinct. Or maybe that's just hopeful thinking on my part. XD
Oh yeah, and it was a shocker to find out that Kody was actually a ghost. Gotta admit, I never saw THAT one coming. =)
That he did, may he rest in peace. :)So wait what is when NOT a general then? I guess I'm just still really confused what role he plays then when not being the Malachai's general.
I was scared too that Kody would get trapped in the past as well.
As for the already knowing Simi's hubs, I really hope it's someone cool and not a jackass or a human. Not saying humans can't be good mates or whatever. But she is a demon. Just like her sister, she could likely easily break someone that is human and well that is not a good time for anybody. Even those that like it "rough", lol.
For me, this one started a little slow and I was all ho hum about it. I changed my tune REAL fast! This one is one of my favorites. I really ought to read it again before Instinct comes out.
Yea, SK has a way of keeping you "awake" so to speak with her books after a while. When does Instinct come out again?
Sweet will keep that in mind for a pick up. ;)
I think this book contains more information that all the previous ones. I have to reread it so I can write down every single piece of new stuff.With that about Sim's husband you destroyed me Charlotte. I want it to be Thorn so badly that I can't even think of another one for her.
LOL, that would surely be different. But I think Thorn is paired with one of the Devereaux(gah they know how to spell it)sisters names.
Karma, I know...I was so WTH in that moment haha
Yea, and be interesting to see what abilities the son might get. If that is his son she has there.
If it is, I'm killing him for not telling us and keeping it hidden
Maybe he doesn't even know...be a story in itself there.
He has to know...the way he looks at Karma...he has to know
Slick wrote: "These are all of the members of the Ušumgallu i know of; [spoilers removed]"Yep, that's what I've got, too, Slick. You and I are totally on the same page, there. =)
Charlotte wrote: "Slick wrote: "These are all of the members of the Ušumgallu i know of; [spoilers removed]"Yep, that's what I've got, too, Slick. You and I are totally on the same page, there. =)"
I completely forgot what those are, care to tell me please?
Dhfan4life wrote: "That he did, may he rest in peace. :)So wait what is when NOT a general then? I guess I'm just still really confused what role he plays then when not being the Malachai's general.
I was scared t..."
Hmmm ... where to start. As we all know, the Thorn in the CON/DH universe is leader of the Hellchasers--in short, another group of good(ish) guys. We also need to remember that Thorn is the son of Lucifer.
I'd lay odds that evil AU Thorn is, in fact, the equivalent of Lucifer in that universe. Leading armies of demons and trying to take over the world, etc. That particular Thorn is not leader of the Hellchasers; it's possible that there are no Hellchasers in that universe.
I don't know for sure yet, just what a sakkan is (other than being a Malachai general, and most likely extremely evil), but I'm hoping we find out in Instinct.
Hope that helps clear it up a little. =)
*****
Now, as for Simi's future husband, I'd lay odds that he's a demon, god, or demigod of some sort. Will it be Thorn? Maybe, maybe not, though I'm inclined to agree with Dhfan, that he's sort of already hooked up with Karma Devereaux. =)
And I don't think it's Caleb, since we know from Inferno that Nick had a vision of killing him right after Tabitha, Amanda, and Bethany died in the cathedral. However, there are a number of demons, gods, and demigods mentioned throughout the series, so this ought to be fun, speculating who it might be. =)
Nicole *TheRoseAndTheStar* wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "Slick wrote: "These are all of the members of the Ušumgallu i know of; [spoilers removed]"Yep, that's what I've got, too, Slick. You and I are totally on the same page, there. ..."
The Usumgallu are the Malachai's generals. There are six of them total, and we've already met five of them. =)
Charlotte wrote: "Dhfan4life wrote: "That he did, may he rest in peace. :)So wait what is when NOT a general then? I guess I'm just still really confused what role he plays then when not being the Malachai's gener..."
And this is why I love you so much Charlotte! You help unscramble the gobblygook and it is far more understandable! *hulk huggles* for that. :)
And yea, I still remembered Thorn was leader of the Hellchasers and Lucifer's son(still begs the question then, who in the world is his mama? O_O). But now seeing/understanding that AU Lucifer is one of Nick's probable generals of evil nastiness/albeit reluctantly so he seemed to me.
Hmm, be interesting if it was Caleb as he is just so grown and so mature. I guess relatively speaking the true definition of an adult demon in comparison to where Simi is now. I know demons and what not can live a long time. But man he'd have to be waiting several lifetimes for sure for to grow up. And we don't even exactly know how his aging process works for a demon like himself.
Not only that, but being so tied in with the Malachai, that would definitely have be an issue too I'd imagine. I mean with folks knowing the Malachai race is not quite the best peeps to be around and Noir and Azura still gunning for that power...I don't think Ash would even allow Simi off his skin enough to even get wrapped up in Caleb. Now maybe if she and her sister was at their brother's club something and came across him.
But for sure it's going to have to definitely be someone that Ash and co. can trust and respect. And I guess even to some extent, someone that Simi loves MORE than Ash too. Which would have to be one hell of a person whoever they are.
Nicole *TheRoseAndTheStar* wrote: "He has to know...the way he looks at Karma...he has to know"Maybe so. But never know, although their fam calls him E.T. so they might know. But Thorn might not. But never know.
Dhfan4life wrote: "And this is why I love you so much Charlotte! You help unscramble the gobblygook and it is far more understandable! *hulk huggles* for that. :)"Awww, shucks. Glad to be of help! =)
If E.T. is Thorn's son, I'd be willing to bet that Thorn knows, and ONLY Thorn. From what I remember on her profile at the official site, Karma is extremely tight-lipped about the father ... and I think she never even told her family. Which makes perfect sense to me, now that I've read SONO. (view spoiler)
And it's definitely appreciated for sure.I could see that. And yet there is still more than meets the eye to those Dev sisters for sure. I'm still curious as all get out where Amanda has gotten her powers from. I mean I'm all for them being more psychic like and what not, given their gypsy, Cajun, etc. roots. But Amanda's abilities are way more active than being a clairvoyant or something. And given the fact that Tabitha actually took up "vamp hunting" like a regular job, even if she didn't know how close she was to the actual truth at the time. Just all points in the direction, there is something uber special about that family. And I could see why Karma would tell them as well. Hell speaking of special. Baby Marissa any one?
Thanks both of you for all the information (my head will explode in any minute now) I get that of the generals and about Caleb and Simi...I would like that but we know that he lost his beloved wife and I don't think he wants to go through that possibility again.Every time I think about Thorn and Karma I suffer. I don't think she is the right one for him. I don't know why but NO. I just can't accept it. NO NO AND NO.
The Dev sisters are all a bunch of interesting beings. I'm sure all of them got those powers from a very powerful ancestor.
I'm dying to know what will become of Marissa! If Stryker wanted her she must be very important and powerful too.
Yea the info dumps can be unbelievable sometimes. But we all have to hold on for the ride for sure, haha. And yea never know, things might work out differently if he is paired with Simi.Would it help any if we saw more of Karma before SK paired them up? I didn't think she was too bad from the bit we had seen of her as opposed to what we had HEARD of her going in. Seemed no different than Tabby really. Just shorter haha.
Indeed and probably someone Ash once knew maybe? Cause don't get me wrong Kyrian and Amanda are good characters/peeps for sure. But the way in which Ash seemed to latch onto them like the closest of families to him, that really speaks volumes.
Ya know I just made an error in that. Marissa is soooo not a baby any more definitely school age now and her little brother should be a bit older now too. But definitely something special for Stryker to want her. Be interesting to see if that ever occurs again too. I mean can't really stop him now since he has found the "light" so to speak.
Y'know ... the impression I get of Karma is that she speaks her mind and doesn't put up with any crap; she's also a badass in her own right and has some serious powers. Like you said, Dhfan, she seems an awful lot like Tabby. =) I personally like the idea of Karma and Thorn together, but that's just my own opinion. =)
That's a good point, though, about Ash being extremely close to Kyrian and Amanda. I'm with y'all in that the Devereaux sisters probably have a very powerful ancestor in their past. (Especially since their mother's line apparently can be traced clear back to Greek in origin.) And come to think of it, Ash is pretty close to the Devereaux family in general, as well as Kyrian. In fact, I'd say that Ash is closer to Kyrian than any other Dark-Hunter.
It's possible that one of the reasons that Ash is so close to Marissa (who, I believe, just recently became a teenager), is because she seems to be the first child born to a former Dark-Hunter. And Ash is more comfortable around children than he is around most adults. =)
I do agree with you, Nicole, that Caleb will likely never marry again. (Unless something drastic changes in the new timeline, you never know. ;D) Actually, the only reason I even mentioned Caleb and Simi, is because there were a few who were speculating on it somewhere else, and I wanted to discount that theory based on information from both Inferno and Illusion. The idea does sound cool, but I really don't think it's going to happen that way.
Yeah deffo Kyrian is the DH Ash was closest to!!I would say Nick but that didn't end up all that well ;)
27DAYS!!! Can't wait for the new book!! anybody else read the preview chapters yet????
Yep, I've read the preview chapters, Slick. I'm one of those who doesn't mind spoilers a bit, and I'm hoping for even more tidbits as we get closer to the release date. ;)Waiting for 27 days is going to be agonizing. XD
I have been checking the website for those hints that pop up on the book page. The ones that tell you what to expect in the book!I can remember when it was like over 150 days!
WE HAVE COME SO FAR!!!!
You're right girls, Marissa has now grown up. 12 year old I presume. And definitely, if Ash was staying in Kyrian's home he has to be very very close to them. I personally love that.I'm sorry but I can't see Thorn with Karma. Don't get me wrong, I like her and her son a lot, but...I don't know! I don't even know why I can't see her with him.
Yeah, poor Caleb. He lost her wife a very long time ago. Remember, in House of the Rising Son Lilliana was already dead. So I found it very difficult to believe that he will marry Simi
Anyone plaseQ I'm going crazy here! What is the Primus Bellam?? Was it the war or another thing entirely?
Hmm, wasn't the Primus Bellam part of the Source?
Nicole *TheRoseAndTheStar* wrote: "You're right girls, Marissa has now grown up. 12 year old I presume. And definitely, if Ash was staying in Kyrian's home he has to be very very close to them. I personally love that.I'm sorry but..."
And it's ok, Thorn is your book boyfriend. Don't want anybody with him that you don't approve of. ;) That's what it is.
Slick wrote: "Yeah deffo Kyrian is the DH Ash was closest to!!I would say Nick but that didn't end up all that well ;)
27DAYS!!! Can't wait for the new book!! anybody else read the preview chapters yet????"
And can't forget them being so close that Nick thought they were a couple, lol. I can only imagine the two of them going to a club to take out some Daimons and people thinking they are the best dressed gay couple ever, LOL.
Charlotte wrote: "Y'know ... the impression I get of Karma is that she speaks her mind and doesn't put up with any crap; she's also a badass in her own right and has some serious powers. Like you said, Dhfan, she s..."Yea, maybe some God that we haven't quite met yet? Or is not well liked or accepted like Sunshine's grandma.
Primus Bellam was the great big battle between the original 6 Primal Gods... Noir rezzar azura braith verlyn and cam.They controlled massive armies and fought too a stand still and at the end of the war all the Malachai were put down except one (Nicks ancestor) and Jared (The Sephirii leader.)
Caleb fought for the good guys and was a successful general, he held Verlyns banner.
It was fought like a billion years ago.
I don't know why but im not too fond of ThornXKarma ...
What is the relationship between Thorn and Ambrose like?
I mean i can't ever recall them hanging out in DH books but i swear Thorn has a special interest in CON Nick.
Ahhh, thanks for the recall on all that Slick.As far as we've seen in the main series they don't seem to have any probs or seem to be on the same frequency as far as we know of anyway.
Slick wrote: "Primus Bellam was the great big battle between the original 6 Primal Gods... Noir rezzar azura braith verlyn and cam.They controlled massive armies and fought too a stand still and at the end of ..."
I knew it! (Ok I wasn't sure) Thank you sooo much Slick.
And as for Nick/Thorn ralationship...in the main series I'm not sure they've even crossed paths, so very lost there
Dhfan4life wrote: "Nicole *TheRoseAndTheStar* wrote: "You're right girls, Marissa has now grown up. 12 year old I presume. And definitely, if Ash was staying in Kyrian's home he has to be very very close to them. I p..."Oh yeah sis, he is only mine! haha
Nicole *TheRoseAndTheStar* wrote: "I'm sorry but I can't see Thorn with Karma. Don't get me wrong, I like her and her son a lot, but...I don't know! I don't even know why I can't see her with him.."LOL, that's okay Nicole. (And you too, Slick. ;D) The world wouldn't be remotely interesting if everyone held the same opinions on everything. XD
Slick wrote: "What is the relationship between Thorn and Ambrose like?I mean i can't ever recall them hanging out in DH books but i swear Thorn has a special interest in CON Nick.."
Yeah, to the best of my knowledge, the two of them haven't met just yet. At least, not on-page.
However, if we presume that Kody's timeline represents the original timeline, then I'd say that they weren't on friendly terms, to say the least.
Kody has memories of Thorn holding her and rocking her to sleep, which tells me that Thorn was eventually allied with Styxx in the original timeline, probably about the time that Ambrose went Malachai.
Now, CON Thorn is probably watching with great interest as Ambrose attempts to change to the timeline, which would explain his interest in CON Nick. It wouldn't surprise me if Thorn knew of the prophecy about the Malachai, the one that is stated in the Mashuani. =)
i always pictured them as getting along... atleast until the whole transformation..
Yeah, they probably do, Slick, at least to a certain extent. I also think, though, that DH Thorn is wary of Ambrose. Probably waiting for him to transform into the Malachai at any moment.
Now I think I'm a touch confused again. Cause isn't DH Nick/Ambrose already the Malachai? I mean since One Silent Night? And that was why Ash sent him to Savitar to be properly trained? Not exactly wilding out per se, but he was aware of what he was and capable of using his abilities I thought when they had to fight War, and his comrades after Stryker released them, I think it was.
You're right, DH Nick/Ambrose is the Malachai, he simply hasn't gone full Malachai yet. He still has humanity within him, and is still capable of doing good.When/if he goes full Malachai, though, the demon within him will take him over, and he will be capable of nothing but extreme hatred and total destruction. He will even hate those that he once considered friends, like Tabitha and Amanda.
In this book, Kody mentions that Nick and the Malachai are basically two separate beings. Nick (and even Ambrose) is capable of good. The Malachai in his full, um, glory, is not.
It's kind of like how Ash is different when he is in human form and when he is in Harbinger form. Nick, too, is different when he is in human form and when he is in Malachai form. It's just easier to refer to him as Nick/Ambrose when he's in human form. =)
Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.
But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.
Most of all, he sees that his powers aren’t the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.
Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.