Joellen’s Reviews > The Eagle of the Ninth > Status Update

😃

*SCREAMS WITH EXCITEMENT*

Allison- you crack me up 🤣 I can picture you doing just that 😁😘

Joellen wrote: "Allison- you crack me up 🤣 I can picture you doing just that 😁😘"

*grins* Me and Mary will now prefer the Sutcliff Fangirl Happy Dance! #NotKidding

Joellen wrote: "Allison- you crack me up 🤣 I can picture you doing just that 😁😘"

*grins* Me and Mary will now prefer the Sutcliff Fangirl Happy Dance! #NotKidding

LOLOLOLOL!! I must join you both! I’m really liking it so far 😍

*joins in the Happy Sutcliff Fangirl Dance*

*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know.

I will scream and dance with you, Allison!! I would have FREAKED out when I saw this update, except that Joellen has been telling me she'll start it soon! So I'm just overjoyed and heartwarmed!

There is great rejoicing in these parts when we have a chance to welcome a possible new fan to the fold! People usually end up liking or loving this book, cause it appeals to a wide audience.

*whirls all three of you around*

Mary wrote: "I will scream and dance with you, Allison!! I would have FREAKED out when I saw this update, except that Joellen has been telling me she'll start it soon! So I'm just overjoyed and heartwarmed!

Th..."

*squeals* I freaked on your behalf. XD

Katie wrote: "*joins in the Happy Sutcliff Fangirl Dance*"

We should start some kind of official group with official dances moves... :P

Allison wrote: "Mary wrote: "I will scream and dance with you, Allison!! I would have FREAKED out when I saw this update, except that Joellen has been telling me she'll start it soon! So I'm just overjoyed and hea..."

Thank youuu!! :D I have freaked out on more than one occasion. But even though I didn't scream and wasn't surprised, I am no less excited!!!!!!

Allison wrote: "Katie wrote: "*joins in the Happy Sutcliff Fangirl Dance*"

We should start some kind of official group with official dances moves... :P"

Oh, yes. :D

These comments are all so happy and incredibly entertaining! 😉😂🤗

Caitlin wrote: "These comments are all so happy and incredibly entertaining! 😉😂🤗"

LOL!!! Fangirling over books is THE BEST! Would you like to join in on the dance :D

Katie wrote: "*joins in the Happy Sutcliff Fangirl Dance*"

LOL! Nice moves, girl! :)

Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I am very much enjoying it so far! I saw it when I got home from work and now I’m itching to read it before bed again haha. It appeals to my need for adventure :D

Allison wrote: "Mary wrote: "I will scream and dance with you, Allison!! I would have FREAKED out when I saw this update, except that Joellen has been telling me she'll start it soon! So I'm just overjoyed and hea..."

Everyone needs an Allison in their life!!!! :D

Joellen wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "These comments are all so happy and incredibly entertaining! 😉😂🤗"

LOL!!! Fangirling over books is THE BEST! Would you like to join in on the dance :D"

Isn't it, though??? I've missed this type of rousing chat!!! It's so cool that the gang has grown!

There is ALWAYS a fangirl party when someone reads Sutcliff or Constance Savery! And all are welcome!

Joellen wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mary wrote: "I will scream and dance with you, Allison!! I would have FREAKED out when I saw this update, except that Joellen has been telling me she'll start it soon! So I'm just o..."

Oh my, yes! Though there's only one, and she's irreplaceable as well as essential! And I'm SO glad we have her. (Love you, Alli.) XD <3

Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I am very much enjoying it so far! I saw it wh..."

Ahhhhhhhh, that's so lovely!! Yesssssssss, that's why I love historical adventure! Sutcliff is the best of the best. And this is truly adventurous. It just has to be deep and thoughtful as well as engaging, for me to like it. The action is optional, but boy, do I love it!

What chapter are you on? I'm just waiting for you to get to every part, but especially a certain event near the beginning.

I started reading it a MONTH ago, and I'm still only two-thirds of the way through. Wow. You might beat me if you read fast. LOL! I think it's the slowest I've read anything, ever.

Life is just not conducive to reading right now, but that's been true for me for a couple of years, nonstop.

Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mary wrote: "I will scream and dance with you, Allison!! I would have FREAKED out when I saw this update, except that Joellen has been telling me she'll start it soo..."

I agree- there is only one! She is uniquely wonderful!!! :D I am also glad we have her :)

Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I am very much enjoying it so ..."

I agree on all of your criteria! Another thing (in addition to the deep meaning/ engaging story) is I appreciate a great wordsmith, which I am finding in Sutcliff’s writing.

I’m getting ready to start chapter eight. Are you referring to the part about Esca?! Because I loved it so much.

Haha- I am not a fast reader whatsoever. I wish I could be so I could experience more books but I try to read a little bit before bed at night and I don’t get very much done before the exhaustion of the day hits me and I can no longer focus on what I’m reading haha.

Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I am very much en..."

Yes, Sutcliff's writing is beautiful! 😍

Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because this is merely the cusp of the Sutcliff wonder! The Eagle of the Ninth is definitely Mary's book and The Shield Ring is Katie's and The Silver Branch is mine! I think it was Katie who summed it up so neatly a while ago about why they were ours and now I forget what she said precisely. :/

Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!

I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because this is merely the cusp of the Sutcliff wonder..."

Aww, that gif! <3

I'm so glad you mentioned which title is each of your favorites, Alli! I definitely look forward to reading The Silver Branch and The Shield Ring at some point! 🤗

Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I am very much en..."

Oh my goodness, YES. Her writing style is brilliant. The way she described settings, characters, just everything...it's so rich and vivid, but sharp and clear. I'm just in awe every time. Also, every other aspect of writing is strong as well.

Ahhh, so glad you loved Esca!! It's just the best when Marcus gains such wonderful friends. He deserves them.

I was basically anticipating just every part. 😂 That one included. But for me, one that stands out because I relate so deeply is the aftermath of the disaster. It's so fascinating to watch and see how Marcus keeps going.

That makes sense! I think you must be faster than you think, though, to make it through Dickens and the like! Or maybe you're just consistent, cause that's the way to go far.

Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because this is merely the cusp of the Sutcliff wonder..."

You do deserve it, Alli dear! 😊

Yes, yes. It is SO true about each of us having a book that belongs to us. Another friend fell in love with The Lantern Bearers, most of all. It's so cool how each book appeals most to certain people.

I do love them nearly equally, but EOTN has that extra special connection for me. (Though I definitely identify deeply with Justin from The Silver Branch, for his personality and qualities as well as his experience.)

Mary wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because this is merely the cusp of the..."

Aww! *hugs* SO DO YOU.

I feel like I SHOULD remember, but who loved Lantern Bearers best?

Allison wrote: "Mary wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because this is merely th..."

:)))

It was Zane J. She hasn't been around in a while cause she's not reading much and staying off social media. But it was sooo wonderful that she read and loved the books. <3 Els also enjoyed them all.

And then there's ownership of characters. Esca belonged to another friend. EOTN is my book because of Marcus. Frytha from The Shield Ring is Katie's. Allison, I think Flavius in The Silver Branch belongs to you, and Justin to me. And you're the Flavius to my Justin!! :D <3

Hahaha, it's a little silly to divvy up the books like that, but it's all true!! Because they really are so close to our hearts.

Oh, of course! I miss Zane. And Els is the best.

HAHA, but that's what fangirls DO, right? I don't think I had a particular character that I thought of as mine, just the book. But I do see a lot of myself in Flavius! <3

YES! I'm so excited for you as you get started on this adventure! Mary (& Allison) recommended these to me years ago, and when I finally got around to reading them... wow.

Allison wrote: "Oh, of course! I miss Zane. And Els is the best.

HAHA, but that's what fangirls DO, right? I don't think I had a particular character that I thought of as mine, just the book. But I do see a lot ..."

Mary wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mary wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because t...

aw, you absolute dears. I'm so excited you got me hooked on these.

Els wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oh, of course! I miss Zane. And Els is the best.

HAHA, but that's what fangirls DO, right? I don't think I had a particular character that I thought of as mine, just the book. But..."

ELS! *tackle hugs* This thread just gets better by the minute.

Allison wrote: "Oh, of course! I miss Zane. And Els is the best.

HAHA, but that's what fangirls DO, right? I don't think I had a particular character that I thought of as mine, just the book. But I do see a lot ..."

I've missed Zane on Goodreads too! Though less so now that we're messaging on Instagram quite often. I was missing her before that!!

Yes, she is!! :D (Love you, Els.)

Exactly. :D And I don't fangirl over many things, but Sutcliff is definitely one.

Els wrote: "YES! I'm so excited for you as you get started on this adventure! Mary (& Allison) recommended these to me years ago, and when I finally got around to reading them... wow."

Els! So great to have you! It's like a magic call, and you showed up! I thought you weren't active here anymore, and there are no real tags on Goodreads.

I didn't realize you thought of me as even more the recommender than Allison! I guess maybe it was just that I talked about them so much!

I definitely recommended them to individual friends in the past, and for sure to Joellen, specifically, but she recommended EOTN to herself first, after reading my review. :D

These books are just the best. They seem to appeal to a wide range of people, too.

I realized this month, with amusement, that it's basically my mission in life to get my friends to read this book and series--the friends that will enjoy it, according to their taste, at least.

And so many have!! With Allison's help (and everyone else's), the unofficial fan club has grown and grown.

It seems like most people really love it. Or at least really like it. And many fall head over heels in love with it. The chance that they might is worth trying the book, for their sake not mine!

I was hard pressed to think of friends who hadn't enjoyed it as much, and I only saw a couple when I looked at their reviews. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to someone who wouldn't like it, but there are so many people who *would* like it, and do!

Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because this is merely the cusp of the Sutcliff wonder..."

I think I will have no problem getting hooked! I often daydream about returning to it it during the day LOL!

Caitlin wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I..."

I’m so glad you agree! :D

Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I..."

That’s a great way of describing her style! I appreciate concise and beautiful imagery. Sometimes I’m okay with over the top descriptions- But I’m at a point in my life where my brain can’t tread through a lot so to enough to give me a beautiful image of a setting/character/mood is exactly what I need.

Haha-I’m only ever consistent. You are so right-with people like Dickens, he has a tendency to word vomit over the page lol. I need to read a Victorian classic again soon though. Not only do I enjoy them but I feel like I come out of them a better reader- vocabulary expanded and a little faster paced at reading something more modern.

Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as you know."

I..."

I also love Marcus’ resiliency and dedication to his inner values.

Mary wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mary wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because t..."

I can’t wait to get to know you all better through these beloved characters. And to see which one I relate to the most :D

Els wrote: "YES! I'm so excited for you as you get started on this adventure! Mary (& Allison) recommended these to me years ago, and when I finally got around to reading them... wow."

That is so wonderful! I’m glad to see a fellow adorer of this series!

Mary wrote: "These books are just the best. They seem to appeal to a wide range of people, too.

I realized this month, with amusement, that it's basically my mission in life to get my friends to read this boo..."

Maybe we need to make an official fan club someday where we can continue on in threads such as this one. That is basically my dream. This thread has brought me SO much joy!!

Joellen wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oh my goooooodnesss. *hides face* You are all so sweet! AH, I don't deserve such sweet praise!



I'm hoping you get hooked, Joellen/Caitlin, because this is merely the cusp of the..."

Sutcliff has that effect!

Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as ..."

Yes, she's so concise, too. She has such a skill for choosing just a few perfect words to capture the whole. It's so potent, and much better than a long-winded, less effective explanation. It's good that you know what you need right now.

Hahaha, I was looking at Dickens when I wrote this comment! That's awesome! I read much more slowly than I used to, but I'm definitely consistent. That's so cool about classic s! Do you like Elizabeth Gaskell?

Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "*BEAMS* I hope you enjoy it for your sake as well as mine! I definitely think you will. It's such a huge part of my heart, as ..."

Yes, I love that about Marcus. Resilience is such an important quality in life. And so is strength of character and values.

Joellen wrote: "Mary wrote: "These books are just the best. They seem to appeal to a wide range of people, too.

I realized this month, with amusement, that it's basically my mission in life to get my friends to ..."

That would be awesome! Though I definitely love the spontaneous pop-up discussions of the unofficial fan club. It's very special and cozy with a group of mutual friends who all get along!

There is a Sutcliff group on Goodreads, but it's very inactive. And there's a wide range of people, and of course we don't know them. It's really fun to discuss it with close friends, though of course it's also fun to meet new people.

Allison wrote: "Els wrote: "Allison wrote: "Oh, of course! I miss Zane. And Els is the best.

HAHA, but that's what fangirls DO, right? I don't think I had a particular character that I thought of as mine, just t..."

<3 <3 <3