2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Ethan's decides that he and Merit should take a break until his ties to Mallory are resolved. He backs away yet again. But, was he justified this time? Why or why not?

One the one hand, his reasons for distancing himself make more sense in this book than they did in book #3 but he's still an idiot! He needs to realize that Merit is strong and doesn't need to be protected from him. Its a good thing that Merit puts up with his nonsense and smacks him around when he needs it, lol!

Intellectually, that has "merit." BUT!!! Why does he always take this path and do it unilaterally? There are supposedly two people in this relationship yet he's always making these decrees. I was ready to just smack him. She's the sentinel for goodness sake and has more than proven she can handle herself. All this over a bruise??? Get a grip, Ethan. This pattern has gotten old.

Lol! Ethan has definitely brought out your aggressive side, Jonetta! Not that I blame you. He can be seriously irritating but then he goes and does something or says something so swoonworthy that I can't stay annoyed (and neither cam Merit).

Yeah, I know. By the end, he had me with the key:)

That was a good one!

There are even better ones to come though ;0)

Yay!!! I've wanted to like Ethan but he's been his own worse enemy.

Lauren wrote: "That was a good one!

There are even better ones to come though ;0)"

Ooooooh! You're making me want to grab the next one right now! Lol! I honestly did have to struggle to stick to my plan for the month. I definitely wanted to keep going.

Ethan totally ticked me off with this nonsense! It didn't make sense to me at all. They were just bruises! So he's ok with her being the one to ultimately fight Dominic but he's wringing his hands and fretting over a stinking bruise? Really? I'm really over their constant starts and stops.

I hate to say it because I actually do really enjoy the series but this felt like another plot device that was convenient but you couldn't think too hard about it or it would sink like a leaky boat! :(

Ethan definitely overreacted here but I can understand his not wanting to be the one to put the bruises on Merit. Its his old fashioned chivalry raising its ugly head.

I'm thinking it was a plot device, too, but to give Merit a platform to finally start asserting herself. Let's hope it's now dead and buried because it is well beyond old for me.

I see your point, Lauren. I guess bruising a woman really should raise alarms one would hope. In reading back through my response it sounds quite bad. Lol! Like I'm justifying abuse. I guess it's because Merit is a vampire that I see it differently but it speaks more for his character than against that Ethan was horrified. I just wish he hadn't been quite as dramatic in his handling of it.

Yes, Merit is a vampire and she can handle herself so Ethan was wrong to push her away. After all, he is the one who made her the Sentinel in the first place. He should have more faith in her. I think its a case of his feelings for her overcoming his common sense.

I wanted to just shake Ethan when he decided he and Merit would have to take a break because of a stupid bruise. That's just dumb. I hope the author doesn't decide to pull this stunt with Ethan every couple of books. Twice is already one time too many.

Robin wrote: "I hope the author doesn't decide to pull this stunt with Ethan every couple of books. Twice is already one time too many. "

Don't worry. This is the last time it happens (at least until Blood Games, which where I'm up to).

Lauren wrote: "Robin wrote: "I hope the author doesn't decide to pull this stunt with Ethan every couple of books. Twice is already one time too many. "

Don't worry. This is the last time it happens (at least un..."

That's good news.

Indeed it is. I'm tired of these lame controversies.