This week is the third week of the Shadow of the Sun readalong being hosted by Dab of Darkness.  Check out the details here – there’s all sorts going on including a giveaway and free download of the book for the duration of the readalong.

If you haven’t joined in yet but still want to do so it’s not too late but if you are considering reading then read no further for there will be spoilers.

Up to this section, we believed the Basghilae could not cross water, but we learn to the detriment of our heroes that this is not so. What further hidden abilities do you think might crop up from these walking dead?

Well, lets give the wish list of haves and have nots.  I’m hoping that they don’t have a stash of rocket launchers!  I’m hoping that they don’t know magic!!  I’m hoping that they haven’t learn’t to teleport and I’m hoping that they haven’t learnt to mimic Ellion, Letitia or any of the others!!!

Probably not very useful (to them) but I’m hoping that they can make a mean apple pie, I’m hoping that they can talk fluent French and I’m also hoping that they’re all fully fledged members of their local library!  I’m guessing I’m not going to get lucky with the wish lists.  And for the avoidance of doubt this means I don’t really know – perhaps they can fly – that would be very bad – although, no, we’d already know because they wouldn’t have saved that beauty.

As the party enters the human lands, they come up with a cover story and request that Letitia remove her torc. She refuses. Do you think her decision was the correct one?

No.  Between Ellion refusing to use magic for everyone’s benefit and Letitia not taking simple precautions they’re really driving me bonkers.  Who needs enemies with these two around – they’re basically their own worst enemy all rolled up into one!  However, it does reinforce our theories that there’s something more to the Torc than meets the eye.

At one point Ellion lingers over the warding process, specifically warding Letitia, and how a person must be completely nude for wards to be put in place. I’m going to leave this one wide open for comment ;). 

I think it’s a good job that he didn’t get to ward Letitia because his mind wouldn’t be on the job.  I don’t think she’d be very protected at all.

Ellion makes a tough decision to leave the Tanaan and while he watches them leave he has a huge epiphany about his inner motives. How do you think this will affect his actions and motivations the rest of the book? 

Maybe he’ll start thinking things through a bit better.  I know, I probably sound harsh on him there but some of his decisions just infuriate me.  He refuses to use magic even though it would be VERY helpful.  Then he blames himself every time someone dies – why, these are warriors, they know what they’re facing and it’s their decision.  I don’t like Ellion taking on responsibility for them in this way – I don’t know why it just feels like it someone belittles their own actions and decisions.  Honestly, I don’t dislike Ellion but it’s pointless feeling guilt, particularly when you’re not prepared to do your utmost to help protect in the first place.  Sorry, is that really harsh??

We saw the Tanaan and Ellion in some interesting situations of a more personal nature in these chapters, from the Night Butterflies to cutting in at a dance. What did you make of these instances, what further cultural differences along these lines do you foresee happening, and have you ever been a part of such a situation? 

I thought the differences in culture that came across were really interesting to read about.  All the little talks about Night Butterflies or how to cut in on a dance.  What on earth was Ellion thinking giving Letitia one of the Night Butterflies scarves.  Surely we just read that those scarves are worn by all such women and are almost a means of recognising them – and there he goes and gives one to her!  What is he trying to say exactly ;D  Whether I’m in a different cultural situation or not one thing you can usually guarantee from me is to put my foot in it sooner or later (especially after I’m in my cups!)(I love that phrase by the way).

Once again, we were treated to some fight scenes. What stood out for you about these scenes?

I liked the way that Ellion and Amien managed to overcome their differences when it was needed.  They fell right back into their old fighting routines working as a team.  ‘Kachow! ‘ ‘Pow’.