Create a New Forum Owner Login Contribute & Create Your Member account VoyUser Login (see contribute) VoyForums Directory/Categories No-ads: Completely remove ads from your forum VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News Help Desk VoyForums Exchange FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Search VoyForums

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

• q1) It might be a reference to himself, to the person he is now after this incredible journey (the actual journey itself plus his intro to the sociopolitical world)). #1 - he is reborn a more ruthless man; #2 - he has failed miserably and is as good as dead; #3 - he will never be the man he once was, he is now more like a wild animal desperately clawing toward his future. Okay, maybe a bit dramatic there with that last one, but you get my drift. I also feel this line is like a premonition regarding Marian and a child. q2) This is Nicholas - you bet I believe he could see this coming. He knows the ways and reactions of people too well. q3) Initially, yes, a little. But after thinking about it I realized it was meant to be. They are two very intelligent, calculating people. They'd be drawn together in any situation. It was to Nicholas' credit that he waited this long. (NT) -- Elaine, 06:25:26 10/14/11 Fri

  ---

• Can I just say that I, too, love Nicholas. Okay, so he can be very cunning and calculating and sometimes cruel, as we'll see in future books in this series. But somehow I get him. In my mind he's not as complex as Lymond, but every bit as intelligent. (NT) -- Elaine, 06:26:33 10/14/11 Fri

  ---

• Q1) It seems to me that he may be saying that 7 months is not long enough for a healthy birth and using this as the euphemism for his transformation. I think he may be doubting if the time is enough for his re-birth from Claes to Nicholas. I also think he is nervous and anxious about seeing Marian. Q2) I think its very plausible that Nicholas knew how things would go. He's mastered seeing things from anothers perspective and this gives him the ability to move the chess pieces around the board and understand how different plays will end up with different results. Q3) I was only slightly shocked, but I think that was more related to Marian's death than the action itself. I think he and Violante have had a good chemistry for a while and she's a good (I don't know if I'd say safe, however) person to find relief for his physical and personal needs. (NT) -- Lil, 21:40:39 10/14/11 Fri

  ---

• Another excellent read from DD. Nicholas has really grown on me and I look forward to the next book in the series. I've already got it on my Kindle for reading. Just waiting for things to settle down so I can focus on the reading. Thanks for a good discussion, ladies! (NT) -- Lil, 21:42:17 10/14/11 Fri
  • I"m ready to move on with the next book too, I can't wait to see what mischief Nicholas may find. Might I suggest we do two books next year so we aren't so long reading the series? (NT) -- Denise, 09:07:31 10/15/11 Sat
    • I was thinking about suggesting the same thing, Denise. Maybe one near the beginning of the year and one partway through or near the end. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:51:37 10/15/11 Sat
      • Sounds good to me! I'm for discussing the next one. The Fall is probably the busiest time for me, so putting DD at the start of the year is better for me - more time to focus on the details. (NT) -- Lil, 13:18:52 10/15/11 Sat

  ---

• I read this book in the springtime, probably a lot of times at 3 in the morning when I was having trouble sleeping, so it was great to do the read with the group. I had forgotten how devastated Nicholas was at the death of Marion. What a good man he is, even if there is a major manipulator in action most of the time. He has similar qualities to Lymond, but I understand his motives more clearly than Lymond who gave me many WTF moments! (NT) -- Denise, 09:10:54 10/15/11 Sat
  • I know I was sure devastated when it was learned that Marion had died. I had that lump in my chest and I caught my breath when it was confirmed. I immediately felt a worry for Nicholas as she seemed to be his "reason" and now he has to find a new focus. I'm sure he'll figure it out though. He's filled quite a few volumes with his story. :-) (NT) -- Lil, 13:21:12 10/15/11 Sat
    • Me, too. Marian helped shape Nicholas into the confident young man he eventually became. I loved her for that, and for seeing his potential. (NT) -- Elaine, 07:22:30 10/16/11 Sun