Rysky |
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Yes, this story was freakin awesome!
Slight review of the last part:
Chapter 30 - The Interloper The one-eyed man using a battle axe really should have keyed me in to his identity, all the axe and woodchopping analogies and stories told throughout were leading up to this, kinda kicking myself for not catching it :3
Chapter 31 - Cruel Steel I really like how this chapter goes to show that the villagers of Silverlake aren't just a bunch of happy go luckys whose life is always present. They came here to survive, and gods have mercy on anything that tries to hurt them or their friends. Stockpiled pil, barbed spears, and ogre sizer caltrops. Cruel steel indeed.
Chapter 32 - Cold Manners (or as I like to call it "Even Evil Sadistic Sonsab!!##es Have Loved Ones") This. Just this whole chapter, from the opening "thank you for inviting me, Baron Blackshield." I knew Creelisk's fate was sealed. I read this whole chapter all sorts of giddy, an evil sorts of giddy, but he really had it coming. The whole chapter Creelisk spends taunting Blackshield but also remembering everything he did to Ivis so his mere presence was an taunting insult to her. This whole encounter was a spider pissing of a wolf, which ended with predictable results. It finally comes to a head when Cree effectively calls Tervin a bumpkin who doesn't understand intrigue, to which he agrees, then adds
"But then, I don't have to. For that, I have my lovely life."and then coup de graces with
"She told me you could never be trusted. And she told me many more things. Things about you, and what you did to her. That is why, when she insisted we invite you to dine - and insisted on poisoning your wine - I agreed."
When I first read that it was my favorite line in the novel at that point, after finishing the rest I'd place it as my Third favourite.
Chapter 34 - Etched in Pain As cool as the rest of the fight scenes in the book are The Broken Man jumping from the roof of the building to one shot an Ogre was awesome, and cleared out any doubt in my mind to his identity.
Chapter 35 - Homecoming My favourite chapter, and a beautiful way to end a novel. All the characters didn't just get a happy ending, they EARNED their happy ending. Then there's this:
Favourite line in the whole damn book, period. I generally broke down and got teary eyed when I read that, I will not lie. I could go on quote the rest of the conversation between Garath and Tyressa because the whole thing is winderfully written and beautiful. Garath keeping his promise he made to her after all these years, literally clawing his way out of hell to come back and protect his family, there's enough for a whole novel right there. But in this happy moment is when the sadness shows its head as well, when Garath fave his reasons for not immediately coming back to his family and instead sent Kiiryth. But after all that it was heartwarming for Ty to confirm, to herself, to Garath, to Jerrad in a sense, and to us readers that no, the man in front of her is not the Garath of Legend, no one is. Not even Garath Sharpax, her husband, standing right in front of her after ten years of torture. But she doesn't want the Garath of Legend, she wants her husband. And then to end it all with her waving Jarrad over with"Kiiryth said you wished to see me."
She didn't turn toward the voice. "I wasn't certain you wanted to be seen."
Neither was I." The one-eyed man emerged from the longhouse shadow. "How long have you known?"
She looked him up and down. Far too gaunt, hair pared to a faint white stubble, one eye gone, and so many more scars added. Even his voice had changed, become more tentative. He met her gaze, but not with his chin up.
"Not until you leaped from the roof to save our son."
"Hurry, Jerrad." His mother urged him on. "There's someone here you need to meet."
Second favourite line in whole book, and the best way to go out.
I truly enjoyed reading this Tale, reading all the struggles and uncertainties all the characters were going through. And then seeing them come out ahead in the end, in a completely unambiguously good, happy ending. I was genuinely crying tears of joy when I read that last chapter. I cannot recomend this story enough.
Aerick Lim Order of the Amber Die |
That was a great breakdown, Rysky, and I concur on ALL points! The event of Creelisk's demise was quite sinister, and I instinctively made a fist pump at the end of the chapter.
The Silverlakers are, indeed, as tough as they come. They were true pioneers, resourceful and resilient, and their hard work deservedly paid off. Everyone in Echo Wood coming together in the end was a culmination of their efforts, as their allies were cultivated just as much as their harvests. One couldn't ask for a better ending to a tale!
Aerick Lim Order of the Amber Die |
Now that we’re done with The Crusader Road, let's move on to the next novel!
I would very much like to continue in down the line of authors from The Emerald Spire and either read Death’s Heretic by James Sutter -or- The Wizard’s Mask by Ed Greenwood...however since I chose the first novel it’s only fair to let someone else decide this one, so please offer any suggestions! Also, going forward, we could also start a new thread with the next novel if everyone thinks that’s a good idea, and maybe we can increase the readings to finish in three weeks instead of four if everyone agrees to that as well, so please put in your two cents (or more) regarding all of the above decisions before next Saturday, December 13th.
Lastly, just because we’re moving on does not mean the discussions for The Crusader Road are over, so if there’s anything else you would like to add, please do. I look forward to hearing from all of you soon, and can’t wait to start our next Pathfinder Tales adventure together!
Rysky |
If their was a lot more posts I would consider moving to a new thread but so far It'd probably be far less cluttersome just to keep to one thread.
For the next novel I wouldn't mind Death's Heretic or Prince of Wolves (not voting for Wizard's Mask simply because I don't have it lol), good "starter" novevls for the Tales.
James Sutter Managing Editor |
Itchy |
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Sorry I dropped out of discussion on this one. Holidays and life happened! ;)
I place my vote on Death's Heretic over The Wizard's Mask. However, given that our last novel ended with a lot of involvement with the Broken Men, that makes for a good segue into reading The Worldwound Gambit. We could see what breaks the broken men!
Here are my votes in order of preference:
1: The Worldwound Gambit
2: Pirates Honor (because Pirate's Promise is out now)
3: Liar's Blade
4: Death's Heretic
But I'll re-read anything. Maybe I'll enjoy The Wizard's Mask more if I'm discussing it with others...
Aerick Lim Order of the Amber Die |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
That's what it looks like to me!
Regardless of all the ballot stuffing. *ahem*
I do like the other suggestions though. Having played the Skull & Shackles AP (until TPK in Part 6 last year) the Pirate's books are very tempting, and a segue into The Worldwound Gambit after reading about the Broken Men is also a great idea, but I guess all that will have to wait until the new year.
So, as Rysky said, Faithful Servant today and start Death's Heretic next week!
Itchy |
I wasn't sure if we were starting a new thread for Death's Heretic or not. I think we should, and include Faithful Servant as part of that thread. that way later readers of the threads can comment and discuss the books.
Maybe call it "PFTBC Death's Heretic", or "Faithful Sevant/ Deat's Heretic Discussion"
Aerick Lim Order of the Amber Die |
I wasn't sure if we were starting a new thread for Death's Heretic or not. I think we should, and include Faithful Servant as part of that thread. that way later readers of the threads can comment and discuss the books.
Maybe call it "PFTBC Death's Heretic", or "Faithful Sevant/ Deat's Heretic Discussion"
Okay Itchy, let's try a new thread: