Today is week two of our readalong of Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman.  The schedule is below and a link to the Goodread’s page here.  Feel free to jump on board and if you haven’t read the book please be aware of spoilers below.

Part 1 – Monday 9th May: Chapters 1-9, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
Part 2 – Monday 16th May: Chapters 10-18, hosted by On Starships and Dragonwings
Part 3 – Monday 23rd May: Chapters 19-25, hosted by x + 1
Part 4 – Monday 30th May: Chapters 26-End, hosted by Lynn’s Books

We get to meet Will and see a couple of different sides to him. What do you think of Cathy’s betrothed?

My first impression of Will was not entirely positive to be honest.  First off he’s been on a tour of Europe where between his and his father’s remarks it seems as though he was perhaps sowing his wild oats.  Not a good start.  Then debating with his friend about which would be the best bride for them or at least the most acceptable.  A tad arrogant not to mention shallow.  And on top of that he seems just as centred on status and outward appearances as everyone else.  However, all those things being said, I’m willing to be proved wrong and in his favour I thought coming to Cathy’s rescue at the ball was an excellent start.  She didn’t make it easy for him and he really did try to be positive – at the end of the day it’s not just Cathy who is being forced into the marriage.

The Sorcerer seems to be acting a bit inconsistently, any ideas what is going on with him?

The thing that really occurred to me was that he was acting more like a ‘stand in’, like he wasn’t really himself and so wasn’t quite sure how to behave or what to say.

Things are starting to link up now that we have context for the events at the beginning of the book, but how do you think it all connects together? Could it really be all coincidence? How do you think Cathy will tie into Max’s story?

Well, it seems like Sam may have witnessed the kidnap (or worse) of the Censor when he was caught having a pee on his way home from the pub – or have I made the wrong leap with that?   It also seems like the Rosa family are up to no good and I can’t help wondering what Lord Poppy is playing games of some sort doesn’t it? It’s difficult to say too much because I’m not quite sure which of my suppositions are truly remembered from the book and which I’ve just made up!  I can say that I think it all connects and I’m assuming that Max will eventually connect to Cathy when his investigation leads him in that direction.

We get up close and personal with Cathy’s family. What do you think of her brother Tom and sister-in-law Lucy? Her parents? Do you think she’ll have any allies going forward?

Lucy I really liked.  Tom, I felt a little bit disappointed with after his remarks to Cathy but then I put it down to his worry about whether she was okay or not and the fact that her disappearance must have had an impact on him too.  Her mother and father come across very badly.   In terms of allies I think that Lucy will definitely be an ally and also Will – providing that he and Cathy can manage to communicate better.