Linda’s Reviews > The Fire and The Serpent: Book One: Sojourners > Status Update

Ronnie. Mistress of efficiency. “all secrets will be used against you whenever humor is needed.”

This is a great exchange.
“Then why waste our time with (King Durmad)?”
“Because he will have to give an account to the Fire, whether he believes in it or not.”

I’m not sure that reassurance to Nora’s whiny question about “do we matter” is the right method. If I were Queen Theora, not sure I would have resisted telling Nora that she matters as much as she’s contributing to others’ benefit (but that would probably drive her self-focus even deeper).

“You’re different than most girls.” Huh - specialness!

Apparently the group has escaped Saruman (uh, the Serpent via his catspaw the Dark One) and successfully pushed themselves to move past the Summit of the Caradhras.

Good Lord, Nola is pushy about others doing lord with their abilities. Didn’t expect Kohnrad to slip into a coma after getting beaten -not fun for a Keeper of the Path to need care from those he’d usually be leading.

Interesting that Nola is full of fear for her crush (Zeke) but exhibits no ability to lead anyone, not even herself. Ronnie, the ultimate pioneer woman, soldiers on despite her fear - turns it to activity.

Not sure Ronnie can follow through on that promise to Nola (“won’t let anything hurt you again”) but goodness, Nola has 12 personalities, not just one. Crisis of identity? Weird fixation on being loved and accepted but always longing to be in charge?

Yep, examine the eyes, not the gifts or the smiles. “His words flow like honey, smooth and sweet, whispering to our insecurities and inviting us in, but something is wrong with his eyes.” Fitting that Raoul loses them.

Off Harold goes, to the group of uniformity and decision. No weak women to hold him back. Good riddance! (Stop wailing, Bert, he’s not much loss.)