The only problem I'm now having is stopping at the designated place and not reading on (but I knew that would happen).
So, here are the questions and my answers:
1. Locke and Jean's ability to find themselves at the center of a serious mess seems unparalleled. At this point, do you think that Stragos will get the return he expects on his investment in them?
He, he. No. :)
Or, at least not in the way Stragos might have imagined it. I can't help but think that whatever plan Jean and Locke hatch to deal with Stragos, it won't work and also that Stragos' idea will backfire on him exactly beacuse he used Jean and Locke.
2. Merrain's activities after our boys leave Windward Rock are interesting. What do you think her plans are?
Ok, I was very upset when I read that. For some reason I thought she might help them in the future but now I see they are better off without her help.
3. Does anyone know why having cats aboard the ship is so important?
Hmm, I have no idea. Possibly because they are adroit so they add to the good vibrations of the ship? And are rumoured to have 9 lives so might share some of that as well with the crew?
4. The word "mutiny" creates a lot of mental pictures. Were you surprised? Why or why not?
Well, at that point, no, but before that I actually thought they might manage it. :) Running the ship by themselves. (eternal optimist is what I am)
I was surprised at Locke's inventiveness as to how come they ended in that situation -I shouldn't be at this point but I still am. :)
5. Ah, the Poison Orchid. So many surprises there, not the least of which were the captain's children. Did you find the young children a natural part of the story?
I was a bit surprised, I must say. Which makes me now feel I'm prejudiced. Why shouldn't a successful woman warrior want children and have them along with her on her ship? I do wonder who the father(s) might be. And if that part of the story fits with something else later on...
6. Jean is developing more and more as a character as we get further in to the book. Ezri makes the comment to him that "Out here, the past is a currency, Jerome. Sometimes it's the only one we have." I think several interesting possibilities are coming into play regarding Jean and Ezri. What about you?
Interesting you should say that about Jean, I noticed for some time that I keep refering to our duo as Jean and Locke, it sounds more natural to me. I wonder why. :)
This question ties in with what I'm thinking about the children, is their part of the story important for that currency of the past?
And I'm startting to wonder if it's possible that Ezri is the reason for that strange situation from the prologue? I mean, Jean did warn Locke at the end of chapter 10...
7. As we close down this week's reading, the Thorn of Camorr is back! I love it, even with all the conflict. Several things from their Camorri background have come back up. Do you think we will see more Camorri characters?
lol
It was so funny to read Locke's train of thoughts and then see what everyone else thought of his actions. :) But I'm glad Thorn is back (even though he only seems to appear when the situation is practically out of control) and I can't even guess if we're going to see more Camorri characters - I'd love to, but I have no idea where we're going with the story at this point.
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I really want to know who Merrain works for. I can't believe she went back to kill those guards to set up Jean and Locke. I hope they find out and teach her a lesson she won't forget.
ReplyDeleteI hope they do because after that scene I no longer thought she might be helping them. Quite the contrary, I think they she would be very wary of her in the future (before they realize what she did).
DeleteI just saw what I wrote. :)
DeleteIt's supposed to say "they should be very wary of her in the future".
I know what you mean about Merrain - at first I thought she was looking out for the two. Now I don't know what to think about her - but thinking back to last week's chapters she was the one who shot the female asassin and I wonder whether she did that so that she couldn't spill the beans about what was going on - I know she said she shot her because she had a poisoned weapon but it just makes me wonder.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I feel bad about No.5 too. I was partly thinking that there was too much weight attached to them being there but having rethought it and read some of the other comments they could equally have been at risk if they were left at home. So she might as well have her children with her, at least that way she can try and protect them.
Lynn :D
I completely agree about the risks being equal, and this way the children will have a rather colorful childhood. :)
DeleteBut it also seems she is being as strict with them as with her own crew. At least, that is what it reads to me.
And good point about Merrain killing that asassin - there's probably more to it than we know now...
Oh yes: I had forgotten about the assassin. I remember thinking at the time that it seemed a bit silly to kill someone before they got a name . . . plots within plots.
DeleteI had forgotten about her killing that assassin too. . . oohh, Merain, what are you up to? who are you??? I get the feeling Stragos knows who she really works for, but I'm sure he doesn't know the extent of what she's up to.
DeleteSue, I agree, it seemed very strange, and out of character for someone who is obviously a spy/soldier.
DeleteRedhead, I believe you are right - Stragos probably thinks he knows everything about Merrain but that doesn't seem to be true. Oh, I can't wait to hear who is she working for!
Oooh, I like your idea about Jean and Erzi referring back to the prologue. I hadn't even thought of that possibility, but it makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteI can't help but wonder if it could be true because Mr. Lynch seems to keep us guessing all the time and I usually guess wrong. :)
Regarding 5), I'm wondering who their father is, too. I hope we find out more about Captain Drakasha, she seems really interesting :)!
ReplyDeleteConcerning 6), It does seem like the situation at the end of this section is marking the beginning of what might lead to the situation in the prologue. I don't think Locke can handle Jean falling in love.
I think there are more interesting things hiding in the past of Captain Drakasha- especially after that Ezri's phrase of past being currency.
DeleteAnd I agree, I don't think Locke can handle Jean being in love and I believe it's already starting to show - Jean wasn't there to back him up during the fight (although Locke handled himself well) but Jean's attention was more on Ezri. It will be interesting to see how that triangle develops... ;)
the story so far has always been about Locke pining for Sabetha, no one else's romantic relationship has mattered. I bet Locke is going to get really, really jealous of Jean. Suddenly Locke won't be the center of Jean's life. and yeah, brilliant thinking that that triangle might have something to do with the prologue!
DeleteI keep forgetting that Jean and Locke are actually very young - they are in their 20s. So jealousy could play quite a role. It would be fun seeing Locke jealous. :D
DeleteI also wonder if that little spat at the end of Chpt. 10 ties directly into the prologue. Is it the Poison Orchid on fire in the background? Who paid Jean enough to 'betray' Locke - the pirates? Stragos? Requin? Bondsmagi? So many things to contemplate!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we'll be proven correct. :) I never guessed anything correctly so far.
DeleteYes, once the prologue got connected in my mind to Jean's possible love, I wondered if that was Poison Orchid burning...
We'll know soon though.
Do you think Jean is really going to betray Locke? I keep hoping the prologue is really a scene where they are acting out part of a plan!
DeleteI'm hoping, as the prologue ends nowhere, that something might change but I got scared in the prologue when Locke realized that Jean wasn't giving any hand signals out and Locke started sweating badly in consequence to what was happening (I think he wouldn't have if the situation was developing according to his plans).
DeleteI do believe the two of them will somehow put it all to rights.
But, Jean can't betray Locke, he can't, because then I will cry! :(
DeleteWhy shouldn't a successful woman warrior want children and have them along with her on her ship? Because that ship could sink! In all seriousness I'm divided by the fact that the Sea of Brass and piracy is pretty dangerous and I wouldn't want the kids in danger but Drakasha is a formidable person who knows what she's doing and the crew are there to protect them. Plus the children are out of her sight when on land so they will be safer with her.
ReplyDeleteMerrain's actions have been aimed at funnelling the boys onto the high seas and keeping them in the dark as to who their assailants are.
I think it's great that Drakasha keeps her kids on the ship. How else to insure that those pirates never ever let that ship be boarded by enemies? the alternative is that she leaves them with grandma or someone else on shore, and she never gets to see them. how terrible would that be? not to mention it adds a sweet dynamic to the whole situation, and further depth to her character. I dig the kids on the ship, i've never seen something like that before.
DeleteGenkinahito, yes, I agree. I was just a bit shocked at first but when I thought about it, it seemed to fit. And that ship is not so bad when you think about it - those are actually some very fair minded pirates.
DeleteRedhead, that didn't occur to me straight away, but it makes total sense - protecting the children they all love is a sure way of not allowing other ships to board theirs. :)
9 lives would indeed be very useful for Locke and Jean, I don't know how much they used already but I feel that they will need at least a few more!
ReplyDeletelol
DeleteThat's a great point! :) Those two could definitely use some more lives (just in case).
Merrain's actions at Windward rock were upsetting for sure. Especially since the Archon behaved almost like a good person when talking about his loyal, honest soldiers.
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.akki.me/2012/05/12/red-seas-under-red-skies-read-along-week-three/
Good point. We don't need to like Archon but he does seem honest in his soldiery ways and I believe expects the same from people working for him (not those coerced into it).
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