Ok, it took me forever to finish CM. I really enjoyed it, but I
dreaded the next chapter because I knew of the deaths that had to take
place. It is a tighter story than ITKS, but I agree that most of the
two stories could have been combined, and then the second and third
books take Alaric from playing at Culdi to life at Court to going to
Cardosa on the King's business -- and returning to find said King
dead.
I think Donal Haldane was very much in love with Alyce. I think he was
conflicted that he couldn't have her, so he gave her to someone he
loved and trusted most. He is in a different way, a very powerful king
-- almost a Festillic King in his willingness and ability to use his
powers for what HE sees as the good. Donal had to die to keep the
genealogy straight, but maybe he felt he had done his duty. Brion was
of age -- there would be no regency, there was a 'spare' in Nigel, one
woman he truly loved and now two sons were dead, one by treachery, one
by accident. I think he just got tired and couldn't deal with any
more, so his body succumbed to the pneumonia.
Brion should be a lot of fun, if we get to see him as a young man and
courting Jehanna. There had also be a revelation of the fight and the
fallout between Alaric and Jehanna. It is hinted at too many times,
and now, with the help of Baret de Lancey, she *might* even try to
apologize to Alaric????? That was the feeling I got from their
meetings.
We know the outlines of Alaric's childhood, playing in Culdi. We know
he loses Kenneth soon, at least by the time he is eight. This third
book, unless there is a fourth or this one is an epic, will have to
start not long before the Marluk to bring it to DR.
I agree with the emotional detachment. This entire series has seemed a
little hollow in comparison. I almost would rather have waited until
after the move, etc. to see this written. Or heaven forbid, maybe
allow a collaboration of short stories to fill in the blanks. (Kind of
like the book Deryni Chronicles which I am looking for again).
I almost have the Chronicles trilogy memorized, and they draw me back.
I need to re-read Camber, since I have a little more age and
experience from when I first read them. The details of the Harrowing
were almost sickening, but there was emotion there, which again, I
feel was missing from these books. Even the death of Krispin rang
hollow.
Well, now I suspect I am repeating myself. Questions? Answers?
Rants? ;)
Katrina
|
