| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 01 Jul 2006 : 23:49:28
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Bloodwalk(Book 2 of The Wizards series), by James P. Davis. Please discuss chapters 20 - 23 herein.
James P. Davis will be here to answer any questions and respond to comments  |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 06 Feb 2007 : 17:52:51
quote:
Originally posted by James P. Davis
But also, Morgynn is a bit...well, let's say "touched"...
Seriously though, the nature of the shield (which becomes more apparent later) makes it virtually invisible to detection. Had Morgynn's agents been more thorough in the region they might've turned up this little tale of Ossian and perhaps sought out some kernel of truth in the legend. At least, that was my reasoning in placing the shield where it was, though where it ends up is more integral...but I won't spoil it here. Sorry the scene didn't work for ya', but glad that Morgynn came across as the type not normally to miss a detail like that.
You're right about the shield. I have to admit that the shield bit seems somewhat arbitrary in retrospect (I just finished the novel), but I think it was intergrated into the story pretty nicely, and made for an interesting (and rather touching) ending.
As for Morgynn--yes, she strikes me as intelligent and hard to trick, which is something I like in a villain. I cannot stand villains who lose mainly because they are so stupid that the heroes can easily take advantage of them. On the other hand, while I thought Morgynn's death scene was cleverly done, I was a bit puzzled as to why she didn't think Quin might pull such a trick on her--after all, if she knew so much about Quin and his nature (she "used" him in her prophecy), surely she would have thought more carefully before doing what she did?
quote:
In the planning stages, putting the themes together is (or was, in this case) one of my primary goals. Keeping the subtext in mind keeps the characters stable and separate in my head, a place where stability can be an issue. In my current project, the themes are more subtle, but they are driving the story like a freight train.
As for the sisters, I had fun writing Eli, but I think Dreslya (in the last few chapters) was my favorite character in the book. You see, in my original outline, Eli was an only child. Then Dreslya just showed up, filled a role, and the more I thought about her the more integral she became. So I often think of Dreslya as a creation of the story instead of my own and she seems a bit more real to me because of that.
Anyway, thanks for the comments and the insight!
I hope the ending doesn't leave too much to be desired.
Best,
--James
You're welcome. And yes, I liked Dreslya and wished she featured in the book more. In fact, I think she was my favorite character too, overall, and wouldn't mind seeing her star in her own novel.  |
| James P. Davis |
Posted - 06 Feb 2007 : 06:15:26
quote:
I have to admit--I didn't much care for that scene. Why? Because if this shield that just happened to be laying around in Morgynn's quarters was so powerful (or at least, powerful enough to save Quin's butt), then how come Morgynn didn't know about it? And if she did, why did she just leave it there? If you are going to lure your enemy right to you, it isn't very smart to have something lying around that your enemy could possibly use against you. And frankly, Morgynn seems like she's too intelligent and too good of a planner to let something like that slip.
But also, Morgynn is a bit...well, let's say "touched"...
Seriously though, the nature of the shield (which becomes more apparent later) makes it virtually invisible to detection. Had Morgynn's agents been more thorough in the region they might've turned up this little tale of Ossian and perhaps sought out some kernel of truth in the legend. At least, that was my reasoning in placing the shield where it was, though where it ends up is more integral...but I won't spoil it here. Sorry the scene didn't work for ya', but glad that Morgynn came across as the type not normally to miss a detail like that.
quote:
Overall, I think this book is well-written (as I said before), although it really moves at a pace that is slower than what I personally like. *shrug*. Also, I really really wish we could learn more about why Quin is who he is. Anyway, I'm almost done--we'll see how it all ends. I DO like many themes in the novel, however, such as being true to oneself and in taking action instead of just sitting there. I also liked how the less overtly active of the two sisters (Dreslya) got a chance to shine. Just because she isn't running around in the wilderness doesn't mean she has to be ineffectual.
In the planning stages, putting the themes together is (or was, in this case) one of my primary goals. Keeping the subtext in mind keeps the characters stable and separate in my head, a place where stability can be an issue. In my current project, the themes are more subtle, but they are driving the story like a freight train.
As for the sisters, I had fun writing Eli, but I think Dreslya (in the last few chapters) was my favorite character in the book. You see, in my original outline, Eli was an only child. Then Dreslya just showed up, filled a role, and the more I thought about her the more integral she became. So I often think of Dreslya as a creation of the story instead of my own and she seems a bit more real to me because of that.
Anyway, thanks for the comments and the insight!
I hope the ending doesn't leave too much to be desired.
Best,
--James
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| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 05 Feb 2007 : 22:56:40
quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
I especially like how Quin escaped from his imprisonment - Very tricky! A gamble, to be sure - but - he really had no other choices.
I have to admit--I didn't much care for that scene. Why? Because if this shield that just happened to be laying around in Morgynn's quarters was so powerful (or at least, powerful enough to save Quin's butt), then how come Morgynn didn't know about it? And if she did, why did she just leave it there? If you are going to lure your enemy right to you, it isn't very smart to have something lying around that your enemy could possibly use against you. And frankly, Morgynn seems like she's too intelligent and too good of a planner to let something like that slip.
Overall, I think this book is well-written (as I said before), although it really moves at a pace that is slower than what I personally like. *shrug*. Also, I really really wish we could learn more about why Quin is who he is. Anyway, I'm almost done--we'll see how it all ends. I DO like many themes in the novel, however, such as being true to oneself and in taking action instead of just sitting there. I also liked how the less overtly active of the two sisters (Dreslya) got a chance to shine. Just because she isn't running around in the wilderness doesn't mean she has to be ineffectual. |
| Dhomal |
Posted - 04 Aug 2006 : 05:28:52
Hello-
KEJR - I agree - no cavalry yet. There will probably not BE any cavalry. I somehow think that while I hope the town survives - much will be lost, at great expense. A sort-of End, in a way.
I especially like how Quin escaped from his imprisonment - Very tricky! A gamble, to be sure - but - he really had no other choices.
I must also admit - that I got a little 'trembly-lipped' when Dres gave Eli her fathers bow. That was a very touching moment - and one I imagine marking the beginning of a new relationship between the two of them.
I sometimes wish I had more time to devote to reading, with all the other things I have to do! I suppose going to GenCon will afford some time - as I'm getting a ride. :)
Dhomal |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 30 Jul 2006 : 00:57:39
The Ghedia were pretty cool, and I like how, even with the slow addition of more forces (the Ghedia, the Savrathans that get fed up, etc) it never really feels like a "cavalry" moment where all of the sudden the tide turns. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 20:41:33
quote:
Originally posted by Beezy
That encounter was also one of my favorite parts of the novel as well.
Well it's just gone much higher in my estimation I had only read the tip of the iceberg when I commented earlier and it turned out to be one hell of a scene!
I thought the arrival of Lesani was great and i love those Ghedia and would like to read more about them. The effects they made on the wooden gates etc was stunning.
Loved the bit when the archers sent a volley of arrows over and the demons looked puzzled at the sticks with feathers on which appeared protuding out of their chests,then just carried on 
I liked how the Bathor were frozen too and Morgynn went crazy about it when Khameil told her. |
| Beezy |
Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 05:17:39
That encounter was also one of my favorite parts of the novel as well. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 23 Jul 2006 : 22:39:02
Loved all the battling at the tower and how the dryads had a go, only to end up being pulled back to the relative safety of their forest. I kind of like those three... in a worrying sort of way.
The encounter between them and Quin was good too. I liked how Bedlam effect one of them. |
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