Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for The Wars of Light and Shadow (9) - Initiate's Trial: First book of Sword of the Canon by Janny Wurts starting on June 15, 2024.


Happy Reading!

The state of events as Stormed Fortress concluded is swept away with an opening that stunned. My first time through, I was genuinely confused, wondering what had happened but with subsequent reads, the artistry of this decision shines. The gameboard has been upended and the way the pieces fell has reshaped everything, leaving a new world to explore with some familiar faces and factions having settled in ways you could not expect.

Thank you Yanique. :)

chibipoe wrote: "The state of events as Stormed Fortress concluded is swept away with an opening that stunned. My first time through, I was genuinely confused, wondering what had happened but with subsequent reads,..."

This is one of my favourite books of the series.

chibipoe wrote: "The state of events as Stormed Fortress concluded is swept away with an opening that stunned. My first time through, I was genuinely confused, wondering what had happened but with subsequent reads,..."

Uh-hoh, that sounds like I'll be on the edge of my seat.

Okay, so as not to get into the same ditch I am still digging my way out of on #8, I'm going to try to type up my notes more regularly here...

Chapter 1 WTF? (view spoiler)[Really wishing I'd paid attention to the date at the end of the previous book because obviously some serious shit has gone down and we were absent for all of it. I triple checked and I am on the right book!

Why does Seldie think she has a right to execute Arithon? Then again, Seldie doesn't acknowledge any law except that of her own Order... and not even that if it doesn't suit her. So what is her excuse then, to say she has a right???

Ah, well, I guess Taylie is actually Arithon's child... I was thinking at the end of the last book that maybe she was actually Glendrien's husband's child, and claimed as Arithon's as a red herring... and her being conceived and born and living and dying without him even knowing--or us readers, for that matter, just there for the beginning and ending.

Really feels like we missed a whole story here... but at the same time, Wurts spared us the worst anticipation and pain of Arithon's capture, and is just bringing us in for the escape... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[So it's been 200 years, and we're seeing what life has been like since then... with the lanes still in flux, and the "True Sect" taking over much of the world... well, life sucks for the everyday folk... but fewer people are staunch believers anymore...

I like the new family introduced.

Lots of backwards storytelling... filling in those gaps... So there was a debt to the Koriani... and invoked by Dakar? Why? Part of his Prophecy?

So Lysaer is now mayor of Etarra? That's in Rathain, isn't it? At least he's keeping his head down... On the one hand, I feel like he should have tried to do more to defang the religion. On the other hand, while he's still tied to the curse any movement is dangerous... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[The world "theosophy" is showing up an awful lot. I hadn't even heard of that word before so it rather sticks out. Especially on the tongues of an average farmer.

What's up with the wraiths? Chapter 1 said the last of the wraiths from Marak was taken care of. But there's still the ones imprisoned? Do they mean the invading force near the end of the last book, that were sent in a maze? Or ALL the wraiths on the faraway planet? And the Koriani aren't concerned about the wraiths imprisoned under the mountain? That prison has cracked once before.

True Sect are such assholes! Busting up a farm just on suspicion! Greedy poops! And enslaving them even though they have mental proof they are innocent... I guess they've had to rule by increasing fear, since they have only absent shadows to hold up as evil. Then again--that hasn't stopped any real life witch hunts before.

I'm glad Tarens escaped, and it's fun seeing Arithon's antics. Even hampered, he's a force. I'm starting to realize that it's not just Arithon's memory that's gone... with him trying to write in the "Old Tongue"--he's also shifted out of time... all of the characters we knew will be dead by now... Jeynsa, Sulfin Evend, Fiark... only magic-users like the Brotherhood and Elaira will be left... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[TY to Arithon for the vision of the K&E siblings getting a better life! We needed that as much as Tarens.

So... Dakar is cut free? Like, graduated? Not apprentice anymore? Or expelled? He seems to have actually learned in the past 200 years--the whole scene where he orchestrated his capture and escape shows a lot more skill (or even just skill period) than we saw before. Ah... he's the "initiate" in the title, isn't he? So this book is his Trial... Like a journeyman, set out into the world to find his way... 700 years and he's finally growing up.

TWO s'Gannely called to service... SE's descendant won't be caithedien though. If she reminds L of his first wife... honey trap?

I guess Elaira could also be the initiate in the title--but why not both? The fire that saves her--could be Lysaer's...? Or B's... (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Okay, so as not to get into the same ditch I am still digging my way out of on #8, I'm going to try to type up my notes more regularly here...

Chapter 1 WTF? Really wishing I'd paid attention to t..."

Well, (view spoiler)[ with the events that ended Stormed Fortress, we needed something to majorly upend things. It'll be explained precisely what happened, but in essence, the events at Athir did have consequences. There needed to be a time jump, really. So, yeah, we've moved along a fair bit. As for Selidie, well, she has a stake via events, but never count the Seven out. :D (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ Correct. The events at the end of Stormed Fortress to recall Arithon had an oath of debt against the Crown invoked. Then some stuff happened(you'll see) a short while after. Likewise with Lysaer and Sulfin Evend(it will be explained, don't worry!) (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ As of the first chapter, the wraiths from Marak are all released and freed to pass across the Veil. The Wraiths beneath Rockfell that are still mistbound remain there, as far as is known.

True Sect is yeah, the rampant crazy that Lysaer created by founding Light as a religion, run amok without his hand to guide them.

Arithon is... well, consider this: This is Arithon, without any memory... interesting to see what he does/finds important. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter IV: (view spoiler)[ Important hint: The terms of the agreement Asandir mentioned, bind the Fellowship and cede involvement in Arithon's fate to Selidie... but Dakar isn't one of the Fellowship... Something to ponder.

The title... well, there are several that Initiate could refer to. :) (hide spoiler)]

Oooh, sneaky sneaky... (view spoiler)[And so the Seven couldn't actively hint that Dakar should do anything... just leaving it up to conscience.... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[Lysaer's still coming across as an ass. But maybe having a woman as a protector will finally undo some of his prejudices & mistrust of women... Though I'm glad he's not persecuting talented or enslaving clanborn... did it say something about not condoning headhunting too?

I like Daliana so far! Spunk and quick wits.

Also just appreciating the irony that a Sect which claims magic is anathema has its strings pulled by the Koriathain.

The short chapter at the end suggests the brief unveiling of the fetch brought on a fit? Maybe Lysaer will see he needs a new SE. Lots of things packed in to the last paragraph there. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[Maybe I can give Lysaer some credit for his actions since the Schism... seems like he's been more subtle though, undermining True Sect trade & political power rather than actively campaigning against them... His tactics seem similar to Arithon's, actually.

Also, is the Schism just Church v. Lysaer? From the original description I was thinking it was a split like Catholic/Protestant, with adherents on both sides, but it seems like the Church took all the adherents and just lost their Savior... but then it says that the "True Sect of the Light's faith had never taken firm root beyond Tysan." So what are the other branches?

(hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Oooh, sneaky sneaky... [spoilers removed]

Chapter 5 Lysaer's still coming across as an ass. But maybe having a woman as a protector will finally undo some of his prejudices & mistrust of women... ..."

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[ Yeah, Lysaer managed to sort himself out a little bit in the interim time, bereft of the Curse's influence with Arithon being inactive, as it were. It might! But he does have a lot of issues where women are concerned, so we'll see! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[ The True Sect are the fanatics, 100% The Schism came related to Sulfin, as the fear mentioned in SF came to be foresight. It'll be clarified(if you are curious, you can go and look up the timeline to see the exact events pertaining to the schism and why Lysaer's in Etarra, etc. (hide spoiler)]

I might just have to do that. I was wondering why (view spoiler)[Lysaer chose Etarra in specific, especially since it's the town center in Arithon's territory... but it's also where everything started... and a major town power center... where the drake babies were.. and wasn't his old love from Etarra? Lots of things... (hide spoiler)]

Most of the details will be explained, if my memory recalls correctly, but the options are there! It sounds like you are enjoying, which is great! XDDD

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[Drakes are back! But there was a war 58 years ago? A new one? That's a good 200 after Seth....Davien's dragon woke up and claimed him... seems like there's been stories going on for those folks too. And we haven't seen K or L at all so far... Wonder what they're busy with.

Gah! More fetches! Daliana's in a pinch... that explains the previous chapter's Lysaer tidbit... But Dakar just rides in all brazen and exposes the 2nd one! Hurrah! Nice move.

Biedar coming out of the woodwork all over the place... but we haven't seen the other necromantic cults yet either... Were there three? And one down.

Ending tidbit... healing the drake-burned lands? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[Dakar!! What an entrance to Daliana's trial!! Very Arithon-like... awww, it's really showing how much he's learned...

The legal argument Traithe makes on which of the witnesses (or judges) have the legal expertise to recognize dark conjury makes me think of the recent U.S. Supreme court ruling overturning the Chevron Doctrine... also kind of a catch-22--the people who could recognize sorcery would most likely be accused of it by the very act of identifying it... as happens here.

So Lysaer does want to take a harder stance against the "True" Sect but is being held back by Fellowship & advisors... This is saddening... and reminds me of the very first page of book 1, where this whole chronicle is being presented as a historical investigation... in rhetoric that suggests the True Sect is still alive and well in "today"... very saddening.

Oooh, a new generation of kiddos! I like these kids. Hah, and the stalling was all set up to get them on their way without tipping prophecy...

Ending tidbits--looks like Davien is working to heal the Drake-burned lands... but just one seedling sends a huge shockwave??? What will the rest of it do? Or is it one and done? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[Did... Arithon just do to Tarens what the Fellowship did to the first clanborn? Invest his person (and line) with a Talent?? Really want to know more details about where this falls on the magic spectrum of this world.... And merged with Jieret!! Also curious to see how that works.... is it just skills? Memories? Like having a living voice in his head? I guess this could make Tarens another candidate for "initiate" in the title. Wurts-sensei doesn't do half-measures... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[Hah! Arithon is out to net "bigger fish"--yes please, take down Seldie by the end of the book!! I can wait for book 10 if necessary, but soon!

Did the flux affect the Talented or talentless? At first I thought it was the untalented... like exposing people to Paravian presence. But it seems like it was the Talented... I think I remember @Chibipoe mentioning that some kind of snap was required to awaken Talent in people.... so the flux just snapped a lot of folks... and some will be overwhelmed, some will be burned by asshats, and some will survive... but need training, like Arithon got from his grandpa?

Also getting worried that we haven't seen the kids in two chonky chapters... turning the next page... (hide spoiler)]

Reread the shorts at the end of Chapter 10 before starting up today and (view spoiler)[oh crap, Seldie's going after the Talented... rock and a hard place there... burned or bound... (hide spoiler)]

Oh, a thing I overlooked as well. Lysaer (view spoiler)[ was also elected as Lord Governor of Etarra, which is a position held for life, so retreating there would make sense, after the Schism. (hide spoiler)]

Aaah, that makes sense!

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Arithon plans to hook bigger fish? What bigger fish? Does he even have enough self-awareness for this? Time to free Lysaer from the curse? I'd love to see Seldie strung up by the end of this book...

Oh good! The kids are back! But how exactly will they be involved in saving Arithon?

Arithon's being an ass, cutting Tarens loose... and blaming him for killing in self-defense. Him or them and he'd rather it be them? No, he'd rather it be none, but that's not always an option... Not everyone is as talented as Arithon... and Tarens is only newly Talented. And "Iyat-thos"? Thank goodness for glossaries! Means "Broken Nose" LOL!

Bits: Lysaer leaving D&D behind... spurred by the curse or by his pride? I guess it doesn't matter which--since the curse uses his pride...

Mo' drakes! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[GRRRR I hate how Seldie has NO respect for live AT ALL, only power!! Those poor girls just used up in that circle! Sethvir watching them, and giving us that one girl's backstory... but there was nothing he could do... so painful. And I also realized I've been calling her Seldie this whole time when it's not that poor girl's fault either, it's all still Morriell... I wonder if there's anything left of the original Seldie in there after all this time... The wording in this section makes Morriell sound like a necromancer--could the Koriani be related to the remaining cults? Strange we haven't seen any more of them for several books...

I'm really disturbed by how the people of Havish are just as rabid as the people we've been seeing in True Sect territories. I know that these scenes are happening in Towns, but they've been almost 300 years back under clan rule and True Sect folk haven't been welcome in Havish lands--and yet they're all for burning their neighbors? I'd've liked to see a bit more resistance, or unhappiness at these religious zealots just trampsing all over the place and burning random people.

Ah, so Karadhamon & Luhaine were on Marak? What are they doing there? Seems like maybe they could send people back there as a last resort if the Fellowship end up having to raze the world to save it for Paravians...

Hi Davien!! Hi dragon! Nice timing! So... Daliana ended up where Lysaer is... where'd Dakar go? And yay, the horse is back!

Glad L's misogyny is being addressed head-on. Great discussion there... really hope it can be defanged entirely by the end of the series... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[Yay! Arithon & the horse are together! Really liked the little bit with Arithon working as a healer in the invading camp... I keep wondering why people--like Fionn Areth, or Tarens, or all the people he has touched in his life--so easily believe that he's evil when he has done them no harm and has done so much good, and it takes a long time of associating with him for them to finally come around. I'd like to see the people he healed and worked with in the tent question the True Sect instead of question him for once. I mean, I get that he's not the most suave socially and tends toward sarcasm, but that shouldn't always equate with evil.

Gah! Lysaer & Daliana almost had a tender scene! I was happy for them right up until Seldie messed everything up. Really mad at Seldie this whole book! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 and done! (view spoiler)[Really a shame about the Havish king... but interesting tidbit about what the crown jewels can do. If Dakar had been more on his toes, could he have saved him? Though his prophecy was set in stone, so he wouldn't have been on his toes regardless...

Loved Daliana & Dakar dragging Lysaer across camp... and SO GLAD that Dakar was able to disarm Seldie entirely--remove every scrap she could've used to make more fetches! Go Dakar! And the horse has brought the sword to Arithon, with help from the kiddos, and Tarens is escorting the kiddos home... That plotline ended much less climactically than I thought--all for a little moment in one of the end-bits where Arithon uses the sword to stave off a Koriani attack and finally crosses the border...

Okay, so the Compact is the agreement that lets humans stay on Athera as long as they don't interfere with what needs to happen for Paravians to live there. And the Fellowship agreed not to interfere in human affairs except when they do something that would upset that balance. And the Fellowship have an agreement with the drakes that if humans do become a problem, they will wipe them out before allowing the world to become uninhabitable for Paravians. And Seldie wants the Compact broken so she doesn't have to abide by Fellowship rules and can just abuse everything willy-nilly. Does she not know that if she tips the balance too far the Fellowship will have to wipe out everyone and everything? Like, no matter what she does, she can't win the way she wants, she can only make things worse? If she gets what she wants, she doesn't get what she wants. What am I missing? (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Aaah, that makes sense!

Chapter 11 Arithon plans to hook bigger fish? What bigger fish? Does he even have enough self-awareness for this? Time to free Lysaer from the curse? I'd love to see Seldie..."

A few thoughts:

Necromancy: (view spoiler)[ There are(were) 3 sources of Necromancy. Arithon's act in Traitor's Knot dealt with one. 2 remain. Regarding the Koriani and that act. Well, you're not wrong. :) I wonder what that means. (hide spoiler)]

Kharadmon & Luhaine: (view spoiler)[ Repairing/rebalancing Marak aetherically, the Mistwraith left the world a pretty awful mess. (hide spoiler)]

Dragons are awesome. Especially here. :)

Dakar remains one of my favorites and he gets to do all sorts of stuff here!

Selidie and the Compact: (view spoiler)[ Lots going on there. Keep going. :) (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait for you to get into Destiny's Conflict... and THEN... the finale. XD

Yes! I am excited! I've got three books I'm late on before coming back to the next, but I'm really hoping I won't be as late again... really looking forward to seeing the end of this arc....