The Not a Book Club Club discussion

Section 3

This discussion is for the events of Part Three: Shadow-Walker - Chapters 8-End and the book as a whole. Full spoilers for the book are allowed.

No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling things for your good read friends.

Please do not discuss events from later chapters. Referring back to events from a previous section/book is fine.

The taking of Dunholm was great. I was so engrossed in the story, I nearly peed myself with fright when they were discovered and everything went wrong.

And I'm glad we finally got Thyra back, I've been wanting to rescue her for a book and a half now. Do you think she'll shack up with Beocca?

I agree, the finale was very engrossing and unpredictable. Made me want for more!

As for Thyra, I genuinely think that pairing up with Beocca would be the best for her at this point... or else going to a convent? I was very disturbed by how mad she became. But then, because of her madness she started talking to animals and was able to save everybody. I hope we don't just abandon her, she could be a fascinating character, though I'm pretty sad to see that she became a Christian (a pagan witch would be more interesting :) ).

Kat wrote: "And I'm glad we finally got Thyra back, I've been wanting to rescue her for a book and a half now. Do you think she'll shack up with Beocca?
"

Yes. And I'll be kind of disappointed if it doesn't happen.

Thyra controlling the dogs was bizzare..made for a cool scene though.

Yes the dog scene was strange, but interesting - the whole taking of the castle was quite exciting! I also really liked how Beocca wasn't afraid of the dogs, and how he dealt with Thyra with such confidence.

I also liked how the big guy (mind blanked on the name) went and stood by Beocca as he was giving his speech, because people were mocking him.

I am kind of frustrated about Uthred giving his oath to Alfred and having to go back. And I think I'm supposed to feel that way. The whole oaths, shifting alliances, etc. should drive me crazy, and yet the way it is written, I can accept it just fine.

I hope Beocca and Thryra get together - and that we see her again.

I loved the dog scene as well. A touch of pagan pre-Christian mysticism.
@Suzanne- I had the same feeling of "here we go again" with the oath, you would like to think he would refuse but I suppose most peoples lives were lived at the whims of a king.

This was the best section so far, I really loved when finally Uthred finally killed that blabbering monk and gave the other priest to Danes who killed him slowly.

The taking of castle on a night full of thunder and rain really gave me goose bumps while reading, the gods were really on their side.

The other awesome thing was fight between Ragnar and Yartan, he is definitely as skillful as his father in killing.

The way Uthred manage to kill Evar Lothbrok was another fascinating affair.

Uthred & Ragnar are a fearsome combo.

I agree I love Uthred and Ragnar together.