Today is week No.3 of our readalong for Kushiel’s Chosen.  This week our host is Allie at Tethyan Books.  As you would expect – spoilers lurk below – so beware.  All welcome, if you want to join the readalong or jump in with comments then please do so (here is the SCHEDULE).  Questions and answers below.

1. Do you think Joscelin might have really considered using the “terminus” in the fight between the Unforgiven and the Yeshuites? How deep do you think his loyalty to the Yeshuite people goes, and why do you think he feels so driven to arm, train and protect them?

I don’t think he was considering the terminus to be honest.  I thought his explanation to Phedre sounded reasonable.

I admit this whole issue with the Yeshuites puzzles me very much – other than that he seems to have found a new cause which also seems to be something that he needs himself – I’m not sure where it all came from but clearly it’s something he’s totally thrown himself into.

2. What do think of the differences between the culture of La Serenissima and the City of Elua, and the differences in how they conduct their political intrigue?  Who would you favor for the next Doge?

I suppose La Serenissima is based on Venice so the differences don’t surprise me really.  The fighting for example put me in mind of performances of Romeo and Juliet where the Montagus and Capulets fight in the street – did anybody else have that imagery running through their heads.  In that respect I’m therefore guessing that the people of Serenissima are very passionate, they probably talk and argue quite loudly, they like to parade of an evening, they’re probably very ostentatious in their enjoyment – be so whatever that may be, they’re basically passionate about everything.  I love it.  They’re very different from the people of Elua who to a certain extent in this world seem very relaxed by comparison. I literally don’t have the first notion who would be the next Doge.

3. What do you think of Phedre’s plan to play along with Severio’s romancing?  Do you think he is approaching the matter with more sincerity than his parents?

I find it really quite sweet to be honest – he seems to be totally sincere and it’s very touching.  It’s also interesting to see how Phedre responds – thinking about it, she’s never been courted before so it’s really something of a novelty for her.  I bet she’s never even considered being courted by a potential suitor.  It’s quite a fascinating aspect of the story and makes you stop in your tracks and realise just how very different Phedre’s life has been so far.

4. There is a lot of fortune-telling in this section, from the Oracle in the temple to the astrologer.  What do you make of the Oracle’s answer to Phedre?  Why do you think the astrologer killed himself, and do you think he would he have been able to lead them to Melisande?

The Oracle’s answer was one of those answers that I kind of expected.  In other words I have no idea what it means and it’s vague enough to make it appear to be real when anything happens in the future.  I loved the observation that of course you find something in the last place you look!  It made me have a proper giggle (also because I was reading it in a different way – I was taking it more that Phedre will not think of the place to look until a last resort – even so, it’s still true, once you find something you do stop looking!  Still funny even now.  I can’t believe that the astrologer killed himself – it’s like a self fulfilling prophecy – he predicted his own death if he crossed Melisande and so decided to kill himself so that couldn’t happen.  Quite bizarre really.

5. Joscelin and Phedre meet a couple who have made compromises in order to build a happy life together.  What do you think of their family, and does their example give any hope for Phedre and Joscelin’s future?

There’s is a puzzling relationship and it will be interesting to see how it moves forward.  I admit that I really like the character Joscelin and I would be very sad to see him leave these stories so I seriously hope that they can find a way.  But, all that being said, could I be any more chilled out about what he’s going through – probably not.  It’s a big ask really to love somebody but to watch them go and have these assignations with others.  I guess it boils down to the difference between making love and having sex and whether Joscelin can see it in that way.

The other participants are below – check out their answers too:

Allie at Tethyan Books
Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Grace at Books Without Any Pictures
Nancy at FaeStruck’s Reviews & More
James at James T. Witherspoon
Emily at Emma Wolf
Susan at Dab of Darkness

This is my very late post for week two of our readalong for Kushiel’s Chosen – but, I’m uptodate now so all is good.  This week our host is Susan from Dab of Darkness.  As you would expect – spoilers lurk below – so below.  All welcome, if you want to join the readalong or jump in with comments then please do so (here is the SCHEDULE).  Q&A follow:

1) Severio & Phedre have their assignation. Who do you think learned the more from it?

It was very interesting.  To be honest I think Severio learned the most from the assignation.  He kind of walks around with a bit of a grump on him most of the time and almost just plain ready to take offence with everyone.  He’s like one of those people who has decided to be awful with everyone – before they be horrible to him.  I think his time with Phedre has softened his edges a little bit – taught him that sometimes you reap what you sow so walking around with a sour puss face tends to put people off you a little.  Plus, it’s not harmed his reputation.

2) Hanna from the Yeshuites tells Joscelin, ‘….this pain you suffer, you cling to it.’ Do you think that is true of Joscelin? What do you think of Joscelin teaching some of the young Yeshuite men to fight?

I think she hit the nail on the head to be honest.  Joscelin does have a tendency to mope somewhat and cling to his ‘hurts’.  I hadn’t realised that Joscelin was training the young Yeshuite men to be honest – maybe I should have picked that up as there was a reference at some point but I kind of missed it!

3) In this section, we really saw the pressure put on Marmion. Do you think Marmion’s punishment was just?

I actually found myself feeling a bit sorry for him – although that doesn’t mean I trust him.  Anyway, the thing with banishing people is that it seems to be reversible so he could reappear at some point I suppose.

4) Phedre goes to Gentian House for some guidance through dream interpretation. What did you think of this? Have you ever had your dreams interpreted?

I quite like the idea of dream interpretation although i’ve never had my dreams interpreted.  I do think that your dreams usually mean something – providing you can unravel them.

5) The plot has thickened in this week’s reading as Phedre & Joscelin dig further into the mystery of the escaped Melisande Shahrizai. Thoughts?

I’m actually really quite enjoying Joscelin and Phedre trying to piece together this mystery and I admit I was really surprised when they came up with the Cassiline link although I’m still not sure how they came up with that – it almost seemed a bit of a leap.  I felt sorry for Joscelin – he felt so betrayed by it all didn’t he?  It just demonstrates how very straightforward he really is.

6) Ysandre and Phedre carry out a bit of subterfuge. Do you think it is enough to fool Melisande, should she be paying attention?

I think Melisande will be paying attention to be honest.  I think she probably still has spies everywhere and she plays a long game.  She knew what she was doing when she sent back Phedre’s cloak and so I think she’s waiting for things to line up somehow.

The other participants are below – check out their answers too:

Allie at Tethyan Books
Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Grace at Books Without Any Pictures
Nancy at FaeStruck’s Reviews & More
James at James T. Witherspoon
Emily at Emma Wolf
Susan at Dab of Darkness