Banner courtesy of Anya at On Starships And Dragonwings!

Better late than never!  Things have conspired against me this week.  Firstly long working hours, secondly, my kindle running out of battery which meant I couldn’t read on my journey to work and back and thirdly my laptop temporarily ‘died’ last night and I had a couple of hours in limbo!  Anyway, without further ado onto the questions which this week are being hosted by the lovely Micheline over at Lunar Rainbows.  If you haven’t yet got round to picking this book up – then what you waiting for.  Come and join us.  Beware of spoilers for the rest of the post.

1.  We seem to be getting more and more proof that there is some ”luck” or magic at play when it comes to Kaladin’s safety,  survival and his skills – especially during those battle scenes.  Even when performing that Kata in the Chasm, there was something  incredible about his movements according to the rest of the crew. Initially the blade seemed to be the source of his skills (to me at least) , what do you think might be fueling his powers?  Do you think they’re getting stronger?

I think maybe he is in some way a descendent of the Knights Radiant. I also think he has some sort of ability to use magic although I don’t think he’s aware of this, and that’s what accounts for his ‘luck’ during battle.  It’s almost as though he has, or creates, an invisible shield.

2. We were introduced to Navani, King Gavilar’s widow and the current King Elhokar’s mother.  What was your initial impression of her?  There seems to be some complicated history between her and Dalinar,  do you think she might end up being an ally or an eventual hindrance?

Not sure really what to make of her just yet.  Clearly Dalinar has feelings for her and it seems like she has toyed with him in the past – or was she toying?  It seems to me that she chose Gavilar because he was the first and obviously would become King.  So, maybe, she really preferred Dalinar but was too ambitious to turn down the opportunity to marry the future king.  And now of course, Gavilar is no longer around…

3. What did you make of Sadeas’ maneuver against Dalinar to gain the King’s favor by being named the High Prince of Information?  How do you reconcile his actions with the advice Dalinar received ”to trust” Sadeas?

I still really don’t trust him.  I think he’s going to try and undermine Dalinar and this new position gives him the perfect opportunity.  I can’t help wondering if, when Dalinar was told he could trust Sadeas, there was another meaning to the advice – like, Dalinar can trust Sadeas to behave like a rat!

4. Were you surprised when Rock admitted to Kaladin that he was seemingly born being able to see the Spren and therefore could see Syl following Kaladin around? That led to a pivotal point for Kaladin, gaining Rock’s favor and then Teft’s.  What were your thoughts on that whole scene? Can you speculate as to why some people are able to see the spren when others can not?

Maybe the Spren decide who can and cannot see them?  I’m not sure about the Rock, I like his character and like seeing the friendship he’s developing with Kaladin and Teft.  Perhaps he was born with this gift just like some people can use magic, or some people can foresee things?  I loved when she was getting naffed off with him being too respectful with her – I like her sense of fun.

5.  We got to see Adolin confront his father Dalinar because of his visions and lay all his cards on the table. Clearly Adolin thinks his father is losing it and his words seemed to shake Dalina’s own convictions as well.  Do you think this will have a lasting effect on Dalinar’s belief in his visions? Not to mention his acting on them?  Moreover, do you think Adolin will ever be convinced that there is more to Dalinar’s visions any time soon? 

I feel a bit sorry for Dalinar because he seems to be going through a bit of a doubtful period, like, he’s unsure now whether the visions are real and he’s actually thinking there’s something wrong with him.  I’m not really sure what’s going on with Dalinar – he seems to be pushing Adolin into his shoes somehow – as though he thinks he’s not going to be around.

6.  As if in further indication of Dalinar and Kaladin’s collision course towards one another, Dalinar has agreed to train a bridge crew – without putting them directly into assault or harm’s way (of course, love these two!!) do you think their joined efforts might be enough to change the way the the other High Princes  go about things during battle?  Especially Sadeas?  

Well, even though the High Princes seem to have a total disregard for the slaves you can’t help thinking that they might start to see the sense in both what Kaladin is doing and also Dalinar.  If Kaladin continues to train and train his men too it makes sense because they’ll be fitter and will reach their destination quicker therefore lessening the chances of being shot at by already waiting Parshendi.  No matter how much disregard the High Princes have for the slaves they must see the sense eventually!

I loved this week’s reading.  Kaladin is really coming into his own.  The scene where the bridge men had to go on retrieval mission in the chasms was really intriguing.  What about the Parshendi growing their own armour – quite literally growing it!  Sanderson is such an amazing author.

Other Bloggers taking part:

1. Dab of Darkness
2. Tethyan Books
3. Lunar Rainbows
4. Musings on Fantasia
5. Over the Effing Rainbow
6. There Were Books Involved
7. Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers
8. The Caffeinated Life
9. On Starships and Dragonwings
10. Doing Dewey Decimal
11. Book Vulture
12. Novel Reflection

Banner courtesy of Anya at On Starships And Dragonwings!

This week I will be hosting the questions for our readalong of Brandon Sanderson’s Way of Kings.  It’s amazing how this story just grabs you sucks you in – maybe even things you don’t usually particularly enjoy in a story – such as the fight scenes or the internal court politics – Sanderson has a way of just pulling you into all parts of the story even if you didn’t think you’d be inclined!  This week we cover Chapters 14 – 19 – the schedule is here.  Remember – it’s never too late to join the party, everyone welcome and it’s definitely not too late to catch up.  And, of course, obligatory spoiler alert!!  From here on in spoilers will run amok….

1. After the Chasmfiend attack there were a number of altercations.  Two of these that particularly drew my interest were: the little scene where Wit ridiculed Sadeas – which seems to be a dangerous thing to do given that this could result in a dual or assassination – any ideas about why Wit seems to enjoy provoking Sadeas so much and: during the discussion with the King, Dalinar and Adolin – it seemed that the King became fleetingly suspicious – and later in the story the same look of suspicion crossed his features again during conversation with Dalinar.  What do you think is going on in the King’s head in relation to Dalinar? 

Two things – either Wit suspects  Sadeas of being false to the King and is so provoking him deliberately, or, Wit himself is the false one and perhaps he hopes to make Sadeas take drastic action which could result in him being banished by the King.  It’s difficult to imagine that Wit would be going for the second option – given it means he would be dead in the process!  I wonder if Wit thinks Sadeas is untrustworthy.   In terms of Elhokar I’m not quite sure what this look of suspicion or doubt is when he’s in discussion with Dalinar.  Personally I would say that Kaladin is the King’s most loyal advisor but maybe Elhokar thinks the fits Dalinar is experiencing are something else??  Maybe he thinks he’s being controlled by them and will advise him poorly or have ulterior motives?

2. We seemed to get a little more insight about why the bridgemen are not given shields of protection – what did you think of the reasoning behind this and what do you make of Sadeas – is he trustworthy or not?

Well, as horrible as it sounds I suppose there was a grim sort of truth in what Sadeas said – in leaving the bridgemen exposed the enemy was more interested in firing upon them than the army!  It’s still a pretty horrendous thing to do – maybe he could have used his army to distract the enemy in other ways !  I’m not sure what to make of Sadeas – the above callous logic definitely shows he can be a cold and ruthless character.  I can’t help having a little bit of a niggle in the back of my mind that when Szeth assassinated the old King – Sadeas was conveniently out of the way (acting as a decoy).  Okay, this may be unreasonable and Dalinar seems to trust him but the way he treats people generally makes me think he will take any measure to be successful regardless of the cost to human life and so I’m inclined to be suspicious of him.

3.   Elhokar has suspicions about attempts on his life – is he paranoid or not and, if not, who do you suspect might be responsible?

Well, it could be a coincidence but it did seem as though somebody had tampered with Elhokar’s saddle – okay, the damage could have been caused by a buckle but it seems a bit unfortunate that this should happen when the King just happens to be taking part in a hunt – a hunt which everyone knows he will want to lead.  As to who could be a suspect – well, I do seem to be banging on the Sadeas drum but I suppose seeing as I’ve already said he seems to be a bit dodgy I’ll stick with that.  Plus, he has the King’s ear so perhaps he’s the one making Elhokar doubt Dalinar – then again I could be VERY wide of the mark!

4. Kaladin is a very intriguing character, what did you make of the latest bridge scene where he put himself at the front of the bridge and then his actions following that?  Did you think it revealed anything more about him?

I wasn’t surprised by his actions, in fact I expected him to behave this way.  He’s trying to gain the trust of the crew after all and also I don’t see him as the sort of character to skulk at the back, all protected, while others face danger.  I thought the fight scene was quite revealing (both fights actually – the one with the young boy in the flashback).  There was definitely something odd – it’s as though he’s using magic without even knowing – when he ran at the chasm with the bridge, yelling at the top of his voice at the enemy – they became confused.  It was also interesting to note that other members of the crew started to help him of their own free will when he was attempting to heal the injured members.  He’s definitely going to have their respect soon, if not already.

5. During Elhokar and Dalinar’s later discussion the king said that Dalinar was becoming more like Gavilar near to his end ‘When he began to act … erratically”  It seems like Dalinar is becoming more like his brother.  Do you think this is significant??

It made me wonder if Gavilar had also been experiencing the beginnings of hearing voices or having fits in the same way that Dalinar is now doing? And maybe if that’s the case this ‘voice’ is now talking to Dalinar?

6. We finally witness one of Dalinar’s visions.  Do you think there is any significance about the visions always taking place during a storm and what were your feelings about this particular vision?

That vision was crazy!  Not only is Dalinar having a vision but he’s actively taking part in it and making a difference?  How is that even possible?  I do think it’s curious that Dalinar’s episodes come during the storm – as though there’s something in the weather that affects him?

I thought it was interesting that we spent some more time looking back at Kaladin’s younger years, particularly his young lady friend – I couldn’t make out if she’d developed a crush on him or vice versa – or both!  I definitely think that Kaladin has something different going on when he fights – like he’s tapping into something,  plus, what was the significance of the spheres being drained – as though he’s using their energy maybe??

No doubt lots of ridiculous guesses – but at least I’m consistent and I only make such wild suggestions to make everyone else look brilliant!

Looking forward to everyone’s discussions 😀

Other discussion posts are here:

1. Dab of Darkness
2. Tethyan Books
3. Lunar Rainbows
4. Musings on Fantasia
5. Over the Effing Rainbow
6. There Were Books Involved
7. Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers
8. The Caffeinated Life
9. On Starships and Dragonwings
10. Doing Dewey Decimal
11. Book Vulture
12. Novel Reflection

– See more at: http://musingsonfantasia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/free-books-free-books-free-books-way-of.html#sthash.jNNlshe9.dpuf

Banner courtesy of Anya at On Starships And Dragonwings!

This week is the second installment of our Way of Kings readalong being hosted this week by the lovely Lisa at overtheeffingrainbow.  (Schedule here)  This week’s chapters cover 7 thru 13.  If you’ve not signed up it’s not too late – it’s a nice steady pace, only about 100 pages per week, so still plenty of time to catch up plus the new book, Words of Radiance, is due out very soon (beginning of March ish) and so this dovetails nicely into that release.  Come on, don’t be shy!

Anyway, if you don’t like spoilers then best to go away about now.  Spoilers there be from here on in and I won’t be responsible for ruining the story for you!!

1. Shallan’s determination pays off, but Jasnah Kholin seems to change her mind a bit suddenly, and when Shallan isn’t expecting her to. She mentions knowing of Shallan’s family… Do you think perhaps she knows more than she admits? Or is she really just a bit more soft-hearted than she lets on?

I’ve not made my mind up about Shallan yet.  I wouldn’t say that she’s all soft and fluffy for sure but maybe she’s not as big a toughie as she likes to think.  I’m not sure that she knows more about Shallan’s family necessarily – that remark came across a little off the cuff as though she simply remembered something about them?  For me, it felt a little as though she was just too busy to even reject Shallan again, kind of reminded me of a parent/child scenario where on the 50th attempt at asking for a party and sleepover the parent just goes ‘whatever’ – there could also be an element that she really needs some help?  It sounds as though she has a bit of a mega task.

2. Yalb comes to the bargaining rescue as Shallan tries to buy books… Do you think there’s going to be a bigger part in events for him to play?

I can’t see him playing more of a part if Shallan is successful with Jasnah – surely he’ll go back to his ship.  But, there’s a small part of me that wonders why Sanderson would make more of his character in the first place if he didn’t intend on using him more.  And, that’s the thing, I really did like Yalb.  So, why not just write somebody very non-descript who helps Shallan but without making readers become attached.  It could of course be simply that Sanderson is very thorough with all his characters.  But, again, I did like Yalb and would definitely welcome a reappearance.

3. Part One ends with a ray of hope for Kaladin, as he rediscovers a sense of purpose… What did you think of the scene in the Honour Chasm, and then with Gaz afterward?

Well, it’s probably too early to make these rash announcements but I find myself liking Kaladin very much – I think he’s undoubtedly my favourite character so far so when he went on his little hike to the Chasms I had a momentary flash of wtf!  I went into a mini trauma, just for a second mind, then I realised that surely Sanderson wouldn’t allow Kaladin to just step off and die – would he??  I hadn’t figured Syl being his saviour though (which was a relief – and btw, was anybody else gutted when she said she was leaving him?  I was like ‘noooooooo’) anyway, I had all sort of harebrained schemes rushing around my head – like he’d step off the edge and only fall twenty feet onto a ledge, then find a cave that leads into the mountains, etc, etc.  Or maybe he’d land in something unexpectedly soft – no further explanations will be forthcoming on that front.   Maybe he’ll tumble down the side and end up caught on a root and then rescued by a giant flying animal of some sort that wants to take him home to feed the family.  But I wasn’t expecting Syl to come back so soon and it was a bloody big relief.  the scene with Gaz was excellent and well deserved – in fact I don’t know how he restrained himself to be frank. Bout time somebody give him a shake up.

4. We catch up with Szeth for an interlude, and things are very different for him… What do you make of his choice to enslave himself – if it is in fact a choice…?

Well, firstly my disclaimer  ‘I’m an idiot and probably read that bit too fast’ – but, I thought he was sort of already a slave when he was sent to kill King Kholin??  But, I have no idea what this little piece of stone is that when somebody holds means they can command him.  Not to mention why he feels compelled to tell them the truth – I mean, I don’t want to come across as a big fibber but surely if he’s just kept his mouth shut!!  Clearly he’s much more honorable than me.  It almost sounds like he has some kind of punishment inflicted on him – the reason I thought that was the fact that he’s also forbidden to take his life.  This way he has to take his punishment with no escape.  Did I mention that I’m the world’s worst guesser?

5. We also meet Dalinar Kholin, Jasnah’s father, and get something of a hint that he’s important where the Radiants are concerned… What do you think Dalinar’s ‘fits’ might mean?

I’m not even going to attempt one of my stupid guesses on this one, I’ve used them all up for this week already.  He genuinely seems to be having messages sent to him – whether he’s interpreting them correctly remains to be seen but clearly after the hunting scene it’s clear that he isn’t a coward so something is driving him.

What’s going on with Syl and her strange development – is she really what she thinks she is?