Thomas Tidwell > Recent Status Updates

Man, sequel trilogies are rough. Like, it's better than Iron Gold, but it's being a rough read to get through this. There are interesting bits but it's difficult to keep momentum, somehow I keep getting bogged down by other stuff in the story.

Once the Civil War starts this really kicks off!

"It's been very disturbing, if you understand me."
"I expect it has," said Gandalf. "Nearly all lands have been disturbed these days, very disturbed. But cheer up, Barliman! You have been on the edge of very great troubles, and I am only glad to hear that you have not been deeper in. But better times are coming. Maybe, better than any you remember."
-p. 295

Not much longer now, before we get to Saruman in Shire.

Liked the line from Arwen, "[...] I am the daughter of Elrond. I shall not go with him now when he departs to the Havens; for mine is the choice of Luthien, and as she so have I chosen, both the sweet and the bitter." That being to stay with her love, in a place that will fade, rather than going where "all your wounds and weariness are healed". Very poignant

The Mouth of Sauron was more unsettling here than in the movie. Here you can see more of how knowledge of Sauron corrupts, in a way that almost feels Lovecraftian. And the fact that the Mouth of Sauron (whose own name he can't remember) was one of the Numenorians who came during "the dark years" where Sauron ruled and worshipped him...which makes him creepily old...or descendent of a fallen people...hard to say

I really love the part when Legolas and Gimli come into Minas Tirith, and they're just commenting on the city.
Gimli: "The stonework's all right, but then it gets all shoddy. They should work on it."
Legolas: "Yeah, and they need more gardens and trees that don't just freakin' die."
How I imagine all the city-folk who have just been through a days-long battle, and whose White Tree, their symbol, is dead react: >:(

I am loving this book so far. The fact that the main character succeeds on the basis of his wits and his wit rather than by his sword is a refreshing type of story. Plus Osga is like the best side character, great dude.

It's getting so freaking good and there's so many payoffs and threads tying together aaaaaaah
Y'all gotta read these books

Turns out Saruman has a magic voice, but interestingly, Gandalf outmaneuvers him by having him talk to more than one person at once and people are able to see through his manipulation. "He cannot be a counselor and tyrant at once"

Have to wait 4 weeks to get the audio version back on Libby augh

Some very pertinent lessons on people and some genuinely funny moments so far
"Is that Dan Jones himself, or Dan Jones' ghost?"

In the final stretch now. There are fewer section and chapter breaks, so it's just a matter of powering through for a few pages at least.

Didn't realize that Christ appeared so many times after his resurrection, including once to Peter personally. That one is only mentioned offhandedly and I believe that Peter kept that one private, as something just for him.