The Sword and Laser discussion

I felt that Sigurd was a bit out of place to the tone of the story. He was just so kick-ass in a story that involves everyone else screwing up all the time.

Now I'm not really complaining. In-story he was supposed to be out of place, coming from such an obscure nation. And it brightens the tone of the entire book up a notch or two.

What do you all think?

He's great fun. And really, when you make up your party and you've dumped DEX and CON for INT and WIS, you're gonna need a barbarian to do all the hitting.

From author interviews, apparently there is a very good reason he seems like he's from another story: he's from Beowulf. A strong counterpoint to the non-action, brainy Shara, I felt.

Elizabeth wrote: "He's great fun. And really, when you make up your party and you've dumped DEX and CON for INT and WIS, you're gonna need a barbarian to do all the hitting."

ha, exactly! Min-maxing character development. :)

If Shara didn't have him, she'd need to have someone or something like him. Not every espionage situation is going to be solvable by guile, wit and magic. Sometimes you need a blunt instrument. A picture of Sigrud is probably this universe's dictionary definition of a blunt instrument.

He's not stupid though, which is probably my favourite part. He's not a talker, he hits things (view spoiler)[(and viciously tears them apart), he gets naked and kills a kraken from the inside (hide spoiler)], but he still has depth. Rather than being simply a tool, he thinks and asks questions, so I think in that respect he is many notches above the Action Hero.

(view spoiler)[His glee at being on a 'ship' at the end of the book is simply lovely. (hide spoiler)]

(Sorry for all the spoilers, people who can't resist clicking.)

Sigurd is very cool...that is all.
No, that is not all. I think if used sparingly zero to hero violence can spice up an otherwise dry story. I think Sigurd also adds a little comic relief in the guise of competency porn. He definitely contributes to my enjoyment of the book anyway.

I'm just under halfway through and while Sigurd is an useful plot device and intriguing character - Shara is the character that's both drawn me in and kept me going. I have to like the main character to some extent to enjoy a book, and I really like this resourceful, determined, deep thinking Cultural Ambassador/investigator/culinary artist.

I liked Sigrud. As others have pointed out, he made a good contrast to Shara's character and it was interesting to see the dynamics of their friendship.

On another note though, for some reason I had some issue with his name. He's supposed to be this kick-ass alpha hero and I know his name is meant to be similar to Sigurd (male name) but all I kept seeing/reading was Sigrid (female name), which made for some short circuits in my brain, lol. >.<

Linnea wrote: "...all I kept seeing/reading was Sigrid"

And now I'm imagining this tall, nordicish, musclebound bruiser woman with one eye and a blank expression on her face, hitting somebody in the face with a chandelier.

Headcannon accepted.

Joanna wrote: "Linnea wrote: "...all I kept seeing/reading was Sigrid"

And now I'm imagining this tall, nordicish, musclebound bruiser woman with one eye and a blank expression on her face, hitting somebody in t..."

Hahahaha, spot on!! xD

I just finished the latest Expanse book (Nemesis Games) and one of the relationships in that one (Avasarala and Bobby Draper) is a lot like the Shara and Sigurd one and reminded me of the key aspect here. Superficially you have a handler/operative relationship but what makes it is the deep and abiding almost-familial love between them.

I like his character and the backstory given him. I also like how they function as a steampunk/gunpowder fantasy version of the high fantasy wizard/scholar and warrior pairing. Also liked the bit of humor we got from him, think it contrasts nicely with Shara's personality.

I just finished Sigrud's big scene (at 66%, and don't tell me if there's anything left that can top this), and wow, this book is amazing. Sigrud is such a mass of over-the top heroism that the only possible reaction is to cheer and applaud!

I liked Sigrud quite a bit. As others have said, he provides a nice counterbalance to Shara. His specialty is in violence and he can do things that Shara can not. He also had his own story and history - he wasn't a mindless thug.

One of my favorite things about his and Shara's relationship is that it was purely platonic. The clearly have a close relationship and there was never and hint of romance. I really appreciated that.

Shara definitely interested me much more as character than Sigurd. But, I like how their relationship was very much the dagger to Shara's cloak, truly operative/handler. Like others have said, he's a good foil to her celebral, behind the scenes, serious personaily. So, I think the story needed something like him.

If my hero can be incredibly smart, her sidekick can be incredibly tough.

He is SUCH an 80's action hero though:

(view spoiler)["Why?" she asks again.
"Because it is all I know," he says with a shrug. "And I am good at it..." (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)["You Will Know Pain"
Sigrud looks around. Knife hovering over his wrist, "Okay ..." he says slowly. "When?" (hide spoiler)]

(above not plot spoilers because they are just 80's style dialogue divorced from their scenes, which are midway in the book)

ha great quotes :D

Fredrik wrote: "I just finished Sigrud's big scene (at 66%, and don't tell me if there's anything left that can top this), and wow, this book is amazing. Sigrud is such a mass of over-the top heroism that the only..."

That was an awesome scene. Better than a poke in the eye anyway.

A bit too stereotypical for me. A badass barbarian warrior with apparently no limit to his fighting prowess and a lost prince who will one day return to claim his crown to boot. That's two stereotypes in a single character.

I have a question regarding a scene near the end, so spoiler below.











When he's piloting the airship at the end, someone note's that it's flying his country's flag. Where did he get it? Has he carried a flag around all this time? Did I miss something mentioned earlier?

Scott wrote: "I have a question regarding a scene near the end, so spoiler below."

I didn't think about it that the time. Maybe the flag in question is simple enough that he could rig one together with what was available? A cloth with a right color and some charcoal for the emblem?

Linnea wrote: "I liked Sigrud. As others have pointed out, he made a good contrast to Shara's character and it was interesting to see the dynamics of their friendship.

On another note though, for some reason I h..."

Another Sigurd slayed a dragon in Norse mythology, I seem to remember. I'm pretty sure the Draelings (sp?) are basically a badass Viking race, so makes sense to me. I love his name.

Dara wrote: "I liked Sigrud quite a bit. As others have said, he provides a nice counterbalance to Shara. His specialty is in violence and he can do things that Shara can not. He also had his own story and hist..."

Yes, this.

Scott wrote: "I have a question regarding a scene near the end, so spoiler below.

I didn't remember it ever being described, so I assumed the design was simple enough that he could make an impromptu version on the way.

Though, maybe Sigurd is just a true continental renaissance man. A master sailor, soldier, whaler... and seamstress.

I wonder, would there be less complaining if Shara and Sigurd swapped roles? Shara the She-hulk, exerting the proud fury of womanhood with the smart, cunning Sigurd Comeid (sp?) as her muscle.

I like their pairing as it stands. Shara has so much agency, and I love watching her unravel this mystery. She is perfectly capable in all things, including protecting herself; see (view spoiler)[the shrieking Jabberwocky that is the Molvost, which she taunted with her supreme know-how, and then threw a candle at, causing it to burst into flames. (hide spoiler)], but when it comes to (view spoiler)[ defeating a giant river-monster hell-beast that's been locked away in Warehouse 13 ... in a clay pot... (hide spoiler)] she understandably needs a little help.

Andy wrote: "Linnea wrote: "I liked Sigrud. As others have pointed out, he made a good contrast to Shara's character and it was interesting to see the dynamics of their friendship.

On another note though, for ..."

Yes, he does seem to be inspired by vikings. And yes, Sigurd and Sigrid are both old norse names (still used today in my country), but Sigrud is to my knowledge a name made up by RJB and for some reason my brain interprets it as feminine (= closer to Sigrid than Sigurd, if that makes sense). :P

Linnea wrote: "Andy wrote: "Linnea wrote: "I liked Sigrud. As others have pointed out, he made a good contrast to Shara's character and it was interesting to see the dynamics of their friendship.

On another note..."

I've been Audible-ing this book. I wasn't sure if it was SigRUD or SigURD.

Andy wrote: "Linnea wrote: "Andy wrote: "Linnea wrote: "I liked Sigrud. As others have pointed out, he made a good contrast to Shara's character and it was interesting to see the dynamics of their friendship.

..."

His name is Sigrud. :)