| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 20:02:48
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Vanity's Brood (Book 3 of House of Serpents), by Lisa Smedman. Please discuss Chapters 4 - 7 herein: |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 09 Aug 2007 : 23:43:52
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Yeah, I'm thinking of Pakal. I know that Pakal deserted him when he fought Zelia, but Pakal was pretty straight forward about why, and about his duty, and he even apologized. I know Arvin thinks that he is doing the best he can, but its another underhanded treatment of a friend in a long line of such.
Well, let's be honest--it sucks to be abandoned when you need help, no matter what the reasons for it are. And it's even worse when you don't start off as a trusting person who is likely to give someone the benefit of the doubt.
quote:
Also, I'm a bit perplexed by the fact that the more good and noble a given church is (such as the Church of Ilmater), the more twisted it seems to be portrayed. It seems strange to me that clerics of Ilmater would be so harsh to children. I know they expect suffering themselves, but many of the actions described seem to go against the creed of easing the suffering of others.
Yeah, I've mentioned my opinion on these priests of Ilmater before. It's child abuse, pure and simple.
Back to Arvin--what's funny is that my reaction was little different from yours. I felt the character became a bit too heroic (that is, willing to do things because "it's the right thing to do") in the latter two books without enough reasons given for it. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 08 Aug 2007 : 03:51:19
Always great to see my favorite nightmare eating Elder Evil.
I really like the book, and its very well paced. The tone of the book is masterful, and I'm really drawn to finding out more about this story. Not only do I like Arvin as a protagonist, but the yuan-ti and their politics is a very fun topic that hasn't been touched on much before, and I've been hoping to read about more of this since I first got Serpent Kingdoms.
That having been said, there are a couple of things in this book that are a bit troubling (despite the overall read being very good).
Arvin is a good guy that doesn't trust anyone. Its a nice change of pace from the upright hero that does the right thing all of the time, but at the same time, Arvin uses people often, and can be fairly duplicitous. Now, this makes sense given his background, but ever since the first novel, Arvin tends to do things that are fairly underhanded, digs himself deeper and deeper into trouble, but by the time the books unfold, everyone tends to forget what he has done to them, or set them up for, or what have you.
I guess I'm just wishing that there were a few more interpersonal repercussions for Arvin. I still like him, and find him an interesting character, and I can understand his motives, but I also get the feeling that a few more of the supporting cast should not trust him, and be rather upset with him for some of his gambits at this point in time. Its not that bad things don't happen to him so much as that he still maintains his contacts and friends no matter what he does to them.
Yeah, I'm thinking of Pakal. I know that Pakal deserted him when he fought Zelia, but Pakal was pretty straight forward about why, and about his duty, and he even apologized. I know Arvin thinks that he is doing the best he can, but its another underhanded treatment of a friend in a long line of such.
Also, I'm a bit perplexed by the fact that the more good and noble a given church is (such as the Church of Ilmater), the more twisted it seems to be portrayed. It seems strange to me that clerics of Ilmater would be so harsh to children. I know they expect suffering themselves, but many of the actions described seem to go against the creed of easing the suffering of others.
On the other hand, the clerics of Talos are portrayed almost sympathetically, as just kind of worshiping a force of nature to fend off the worst of matters, if they are a bit extreme in their worship. It makes for an interesting juxtaposition, but at the same time, I keep wishing that some Ilmatari that is more indicative of the faith would show up, or some such.
At any rate, its still a very good book, and very interesting to follow, and I'll be the first to say that if a book doesn't challenge you it probably doesn't have the same weight as one that makes you think about why you have the notions that you do. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 16 Mar 2006 : 18:22:37
The change of scene over to Chult was great. I loved the ruined city and how the lizard man came through to stop for a drink, fanned his neck out then had to run off as the dino came trudging through the undergrowth! Beautiful!! 
The scene with Kerrell was great too, how she finally saw Dendar! wow! and when the portal closed, slicing up the dretch caught mid-step 
Back to Arvin.. very nice how he starts to suss what's going on when he meets Demitrio. Just getting back to reading the next chapter in a moment... |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 16 Mar 2006 : 18:18:11
I also loved the chapter with Arvin and Darris. Quite a different light-hearted pace to the book and very entertaining. I liked how Arvin then uncovered the whole ploy with the poisoned wine!
The scene where Arvin goes to the clerics of Ilmater was very well done. I loved the dialog there and it had a realistic feel about it, dunno why 
Very sad when Arvin heard the woman come in with the baby which had been bitten by a snake, and then left before her heard the outcome, although he knew by the sobbing as he left that all hope was lost. Great little touch which just adds to the darkness of the novel.
The streetlamp which turned out to be an iron cobra had me shivering! Again, the stuff of nightmares! Brrrr
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| Beezy |
Posted - 13 Mar 2006 : 03:15:18
I had the same thoughts about Arvin reading Dmetrio's mind so easily. I assumed it was because he was drugged also but I don't think it ever came right out and stated it. I would think it would have been harder to read his mind since he is a mind seed of Zelia's. |
| darkcrow |
Posted - 12 Mar 2006 : 07:54:38
Arvin whines up with the one half of the Circled Serpent. I just hope it's still there when he comes back to retrieve it. He finds Dmetrio without Zelia's help. It seemed to easy for Arvin to find all that info in Dmetrio's thoughts. Is he tricking him with false thoughts or is it the druged wine making it easy for Arvin. I'm waiting for the inevinable conflict between Pakal and Arvin when he shows with his wild story of how he lost the Circled Serpent. Lisa sure left me hanging at the end of the Karell scene. I hope she ok. I'll just have to read more to find out. |
| Beezy |
Posted - 09 Mar 2006 : 18:08:20
Chapter 4
I thought the whole scene between Arvin and Darris was hilarious. Darris thought Arvin's finger was missing because he stole from the guild so he blinded Arvin so Arvin would not know where his loot was that he was cheating the guild out of.
Chapter 5
There was another scene I really liked with Darris in it, in which he wanted to use a pickpocket technique where Arvin pushed him into Thessania and he would be able to pick her pockets. I also liked the conversation between Arvin and the Stormlord inwhich Arvin talekd some sense into him. Arvin is a very clever guy, he can usually find a way out of any situation. In the fight with the second disguised yuan-ti he used his mental magic to wield the poisoned dart and defeat the yuan-ti, it was brilliant since his other attacks were unsuccesful.
Chapter 6
There was almost another confrontation between Arvin and Sibyl, I am looking forward to seeing if Arvin can best Zelia or Sibyl or if Zelia and Sibyl will eventually have to confront each other. I am wondering what went wrong with the portal and why they were dropped into the river instead of where Pakal thought they would be. It all worked to Arvin's advantage thus far though.
Chapter 7
I really like reading about Chult because it is a very bizarre place to say the least.
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