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Hidden Huntress Read-Along
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Hidden Huntress Chapters 26 - 35
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Chapter 26 – The King reveals to Tristan in this chapter that he learned about the half-bloods ability to lie from Lessa’s mother – and that he killed her for it. That particular bit of information is extremely key to the King’s character, and you’ll find out more about it in Warrior Witch.
Chapter 27 – As I mentioned in earlier chapters, the Trianon Opera House is inspired by the Palais Garnier in Paris. The foyer de la danse is a room in the Palais Garnier, and I tried to replicate the description of it in Hidden Huntress. I’m including some photos, but feel free to Google if you want to see more of the location.
Chapter 28 – So… true story: I included Cécile’s gold necklace in Stolen Songbird knowing that I’d use it in some way, but with no idea how. Its significance didn’t become clear to me until I was drafting Hidden Huntress and trying to figure out how Anushka was staying immortal. Because YUP, I didn’t have that figured out until I was about a third of the way into drafting the novel.
Chapter 29 – My favorite part of this chapter is how Cécile finally sees just how deeply the King was manipulating her and Tristan – that thus far, she’s done everything he wanted her to do. I also like how Aiden took the clue Tristan gave him and twisted it to his own advantage. Everyone has plots and plans in this novel, which made it both fun and extremely tricky to write.
Chapter 30 – I really love Lessa as a villain, because there is nothing she won’t do to get ahead. She is playing everyone: the King, Angouleme, and Tristan, and she is constantly switching her loyalties. They all think they have her pegged, but… they are wrong. She’s MUCH more dangerous than any of them give her credit for.
Chapter 31 ¬– I frequently am asked whether I was hesitant to include anything in my novels, like violence or sexual content, and this is the one and only scene I’ve ever been worried about. Because… Cécile kills an ox with an axe blow to the head. It’s pretty bad stuff. I was waiting for my agent or editor to tell me to tone it down, but no one said a word.
Chapter 32 – This is my favorite chapter in Hidden Huntress. In a city without hope, we finally see a glimmer of something… Tristan’s dream is becoming a reality, and he sees it all coming together, and then the moment is fractured because he thinks he won’t be able to see it through. That in calling him to her, Cécile has killed them both, and how he loves her and hates her at the same time. This is also the moment, I think, where Tristan says goodbye to Trollus.
Chapter 33 – When I first wrote the scene of Tristan and Cécile’s reunion, I made it all sappy and romantic. AND IT SUCKED. It just felt so fake and false, because too much has happened and the situation is too dire for them to fall into bed whispering sweet nothings.
Chapter 34 – I’ve had so many people tell me how glad they were that I saved Souris (which means mouse in French, btw). Tristan and the dog form quite the little friendship in this novel, and YES, Souris does have a part to play in Warrior Witch.
Chapter 35 – This chapter shows how the power dynamic between Tristan and Cécile has equalized. She’s been on her own and fighting her own battles, and she isn’t willing to put up with some of his less desirable characteristics like she used to. As much as she’s scared about the consequences of doing so, I feel this is the moment she draws a line in the sand to say that they will be equals or they are done. Which I think was very brave of her to do.
How important is it to you that a novel/series has romantic plotline? Does it bother you when the romance becomes less of a focus? It is kind of important for some novels i have read that did not have it felt like it was missing a little something not that they are not any good.
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Chapter 26
Furious about the announcement of the betrothal between Roland and Anaïs (Lessa), Tristan storms into the throne room to confront his father, finding him sitting on the throne in front of table laden with food. Too incensed to speak immediately about the true source of his anger, Tristan lashes out at his father for being glutinous while the rest of the city is on rations. Thibault tells him that food is one of the few pleasures in his life, and he will not give it up while he is king. Then he inquires whether Tristan is here to take the throne, tossing the crown at him. Tristan’s astonishment gives him a moment of clarity, and he realizes the betrothal is not his father’s idea, but Lessa’s. They have a rare moment of frank conversation about Lessa posing as Anaïs, including the half-bloods ability to lie (which the King discovered via Lessa’s mother). They both acknowledge that Lessa has her eye on the crown and will stop at nothing to get it. Thibault confirms that he believes Angouleme is in possession of Roland’s name, putting him in complete power over the boy. The conversation devolves, the King all but daring Tristan to try to kill him, but Tristan walks away, telling him he’ll take power when he’s ready.
Outside, Tristan encounters a human man he doesn’t recognize, though he suspects him to be of the nobility from his clothing. The man is obviously one of the King’s minions, but just as obviously hates his master. Tristan takes a risk, and tells the man to tell Cécile that there is a loophole in the promise she made.
Chapter 27
Cécile is at a rehearsal for the masque in the company of Genevieve and the rest of the company. They have her on a swing above the rest of the performers, but her thoughts are for the locator spell she used the prior night and the significance of the dead women. She wonders if there is something that links them. She leans back in the swing to stretch her stiff muscles, her eyes taking in all the portraits of performers gracing the walls. Then she notices a woman in one of the portraits is wearing a golden necklace identical to Cécile’s – and what’s more, she recognizes the name on the plaque beneath it.
Chapter 28
That night, Cécile returns to the opera house in the company of Sabine and Chris. Sabine distracts the guard while Cécile and Chris sneak into the foyer de la danse with a ladder. They compare the list of names Cécile compiled from the grave markers to the portraits in the room, finding all of those who lived and died in the last two hundred years (the length of time the opera house has been in existence). All of them are wearing Cécile’s necklace, and given that she knows it to be a family heirloom, she believes all the women are her ancestors. Knowing that blood relation is important to magic, she realizes that all these women are descendants of Anushka, as is she herself. Chris notices a sort of strange pattern to the dates of the women’s deaths, but it isn’t strong enough to predict when Anushka will make her move. But Cécile also realizes that she isn’t Anushka’s next target – Genevieve is.
They leave the theater before they get caught by the guard, and run into Fred outside. After he rudely sends Chris away, he tells Cécile that he spoke to Lord Aiden, the Regent’s son, about the trolls. He says that Aiden wants to help her get free of her promise. But instead of feeling relief, the power of her oath takes control of her and she pulls a knife on her brother. Realizing that no one is safe around her while she’s under compulsion, she tells him to leave. But instead of going, he holds a cloth soaked with a magic potion over her mouth, and she falls unconscious.
Chapter 29
Cécile regains consciousness in the darkness of Catherine’s cellar, realizing immediately that her brother has betrayed her. She hears her brother’s voice above her, as well as a man she suspects to be Lord Aiden. Fred is showing signs of regretting his choices, but Aiden sends him away before he can do anything. Catherine and Aiden have clearly been embroiled in this plot together for some time, and they discuss Lady Marie’s involvement with Anushka. Aiden believes her ignorant to both the witch and the trolls, but Catherine isn’t convinced. And neither is Cécile. Catherine tells Aiden that she’ll cast the spell to find Anushka only after he grants her a pardon for her crimes. Before the conversation can go further, there are sounds of a scuffle. Aiden catches Sabine, who has been looking for Cécile, and ties her up and puts her in the cellar. The pair listen while Catherine explains why she believes Cécile nothing more than a peon in the trolls’ plots – that if she’d really wanted to free them, that she’d have done so already. She explains that the curse is an act of will cemented by magic, and that it could be broken by will and magic if Cécile wanted it badly enough.
But Aiden doesn’t care. He tells Catherine about the loophole in Cécile’s promise – that she need only bring Anushka to the beach, not past the barrier itself. He explains his plan to use Cécile to control Tristan, and thus control the trolls. He intends to let Anushka live on so that the curse will remain in place forever. Catherine agrees to cast the spell to find the other witch that very night.
Chapter 30
Tristan returns to his rooms to change the bandages on his wrists (the metal piercing his skin has caused iron rot) only to discover Lessa is waiting for him, her Anaïs mask firmly in place. He tells her to get out, but she only laughs and tells him she wants to help. She summarizes his predicament: “Cécile made a promise to the King to find Anushka. There is nothing he desires more, and his obsession will force her to the grave if she does not succeed. You promised the half-bloods you’d build a stone tree for them, which frankly, requires you to be alive. Except that you know Cécile’s time is short, which means your time is short, and you are driven to work day and night without rest, which is driving you to the point where you’ll burn out your power. Especially given the iron rot that is consuming you. Such a sordid circle of things: the King’s desire creates Cécile’s obsession, which drives your addiction to your work. Work that the King does not care to see completed, which makes him want the curse broken all the more. Around and around we go… Spiraling down until someone dies.”
She offers him a solution: that he takes a new wife (her). United, they would kill the King and take control, and with their combined power, no one would be able to stand against them. Tristan is horrified, and tells her he will never agree to it. Morbidly curious, he asks why she wants to be queen so badly, and she reveals her entirely selfish motivations. He realizes that she hates her human blood. He tells her that it will never happen, not because of her bloodline, but because she isn’t worthy. Furious, she attacks him.
Chapter 31
Catherine and Aiden leave the shop, and Cécile and Sabine struggle to get free. They know they need to get Anushka’s grimoire back from Catherine, so Cécile goes in search of her while Sabine goes to warn Chris. But Cécile’s search is fruitless. She has to make a choice: submit to Aiden’s plan to get free of her promise or do what it takes to break the curse herself.
She leaves the city and trades her necklace for an ox, an axe, and a lantern. With these tools, she goes down to the beach to cast her spell. She knows Anushka got power from the curse by killing the troll king, Alexis, and that she is going to need all the power she can get to trump that. She sets up the scene, and as the sun sets, she kills the ox, taking power from its death as well as the elements. She feels her will collide with Anushka’s, and they struggle. But Cécile fails. She realizes she needs the true name of the creatures the witch cursed, but more than that, she doesn’t want them freed as badly as Anushka wants them contained. At least, not all of them. Then a name – Tristan’s true name – swims out of the depths of her mind, and with the last of her power, she forces her will towards freeing him, and ordering him to come to her, before she collapses in a faint on the beach.
Chapter 32
Lessa catches Tristan with a noose of magic, strangling him. He’s severely handicapped by the steel in his wrists, but still more powerful, and he manages to get free. Marc and the twins arrive on the scene, and Victoria punches Lessa in the face “for Anaïs”, and Lessa threatens to make them pay. But she swiftly determines she’s in no position to make threats, and flees. Tristan is relieved to see his friends, especially Marc, but the power of his promise to finish the tree has grown overwhelming, magnified even more by the desperation he feels from Cécile. His friends agree to help him with the construction, and they go out into Trollus.
But something unexpected happens. Instead of just half-bloods working on the construction, full bloods are working too. Even some of the nobility join in to help, and Tristan sees his dream coming together: all of Trollus unified with no regard for power and class. But the euphoria is short-lived as he hears Cécile’s voice in his mind, using his true name to call him to her. He has no choice but to listen even though he knows the curse will keep him from following through. He asks Marc to go fetch his parents to kill him before he tears apart Trollus trying to get free, then speaks with Tips as he walks towards the River Road. He tells him to keep fighting, that Trollus is desperate for change and that it will happen with or without him. Then he runs towards the barrier, loving and cursing Cécile for her actions all in the same thought.
Chapter 33
Heart weighted down by her failure, Cécile returns to the opera house to find her friends, where she learns that her mother has skipped her final performance and treated to the countryside, claiming she is unwell. Cécile decides to perform one last time before she submits to Aiden’s plan. Taking to the stage, she performs as she never has before, putting all of her heartbreak and emotion into her voice, feeling in that moment as though Tristan is closer to her than he’s been since she left Trollus. Afterwards, she remains on stage, waiting, even after all the cast and crew have departed. The theater is dark, but she hears the doors to the lobby open, and she’s afraid because she believes it’s Aiden come to force her into helping with his plan. But when she opens her eyes, a familiar ball of light is floating in front of her face. Tristan is there. She runs into his arms, but their reunion is not how she expects. He is cold and withdrawn. She explains everything that has happened, including Aiden’s involvement as she takes him into a back room to remove the manacles from his wrists. She sees the affects of the iron rot and is horrified by the damage even as she realized that he’s ashamed by it. With tension still creating unease between them, Tristan agrees that they must find Catherine and retrieve Anushka’s grimoire before they realize Tristan is free and try to destroy it.
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Chapter 34
Cécile and Tristan are on the way to Pigalle when they hear someone following them. Hiding in an alley, they wait to see who it is. It ends up being Chris and Sabine. Chris is surprised, but happy to see Tristan, but Sabine is less enthused. They all make their way to Catherine’s shop.
When they arrive, the house is on fire and Cécile tries to run in to save Catherine and the grimoire. She feels guilty that she dragged her into this mess. Distraught, she has to be held back and Tristan goes in. He finds Catherine with her throat slit, but there is no sign of Anushka’s grimoire. Cécile finds Souris the dog and holds him tightly. While she is hugging him her attention is drawn to a door on Catherine’s house. There is an “A” on the door. Anushka wants them to know that it was her.
Chapter 35
Tristan contains the fire so it doesn’t burn down other houses around it, while Cécile, Sabine, and Chris walk around trying to get more information about the fire. When they don’t discover any new information, they regroup and Chris goes over their plan to meet tomorrow. Sabine is still having a hard time accepting Tristan and Cécile reminds her that when she was in Trollus, she was the outsider and he accepted her. Chris offers to walk Sabine home. When they leave Tristan tells Cécile that they must find the grimoire immediately, because he can see the affects of the promise she made his father written all over her. But instead of hearing sympathy in his voice, she hears blame, and she snaps. She asks him what he would have done in her situation, telling him that she feels more allied with Thibault that she does with him at the moment. Feeling disheartened, she explains how she broke him free – that a true name was a necessary element. She explains that she learned it when she was near death after Roland’s attack – that it was given to her by a man who glowed like the sun in lands of endless summer. Tristan realizes that she’s referring to his many-times great uncle, the King of Summer, but can’t believe that’s how Cécile learned the information. He tells her that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and she tells him that if that’s so, it’s because Tristan has chosen to keep her in the dark. He tells her that’s the way she is and, resigned, she tells him she won’t always accept that.
Cécile walks back to the townhouse alone, deeply depressed by events. She is standing in the front entry when Tristan knocks at the door. He apologizes, then explains everything that was happening in Trollus, including how he was finally seeing his dreams coming to fruition when she called him away. She apologizes, but he explains that while he’s angry, he’s not angry at her, but at the situation. He wants to be with her. His honesty cuts through the tension between them, and they kiss. But the toll of all she’s been through finally takes hold of Cécile and she faints.
1. To me romance is important, but it really depends on the plotline whether it is necessary or not. For example in the Twilight Saga books and the Mortal Instruments series the romance between the main characters was integral to the plotline, but in New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, while it was one of the most important parts other parts became of more focus such as in Breaking Dawn the pregnancy and birth of their baby was more important than the romance between the parents. Whereas in the Mortal Instruments the Romance between the characters was integral and necessary to the plotline. It really depends on whether or not it is needed. In Hidden Huntress Tristan and Cecile’s love was important but it took a back seat to the problem of finding the witch which was necessary for the movement of the plot so it didn’t bother me when their romance took a back seat to the problems of the plot because that is what the storyline called for at the moment.2. I think she was insane, period. Yes I did feel some sympathy for her since she made to be less simply because of the circumstances of her birth, and that wasn’t fair, not to her or to any of the other half-bloods which is where my sympathy came from. But she had become bitter and resentful because of it and wasn’t at all interested in improving the lot of her own people only thinking about herself and what she perceived as having been taken from her because of who her mother was which was entirely selfish. Her plans however aren’t necessarily evil, they are too insane to be called that but they are self-serving and she shows distinctly that she does not care for anyone other than herself so I believed that she was in the exact right position she should be. Trollus had enough narcissist and megalomaniacs in the ruling class without adding another one. Whatever sympathy I might have had for her was erased when I saw that her plans were entirely self-serving and honestly sick.
3. Actually, it did go as I expected it would have. I knew well her one wish was to get Tristan out of there, getting her friends out was secondary at best to that. It was why she wouldn’t leave him there when he gave her the chance, why she tried to go back to him and why she was hurt when she realized he had lied when he said he could come with her. You even hinted at how it would go when she had his name in hand, it was the only way to get him out because that was how Anushka had been able to curse them, she had the true name of the Trolls and that, incidentally was the way to get them out. However I was surprised by how she made the ritual with the cow. Roland would have been the better option as he was of more or less equal power with his ancestor and it was Troll blood that was used to cast the curse when Anushka killed the king, the magic in his blood was the catalyst for the curse. For a bit I had expected that she would return to Trollus armed with the knowledge of how the curse was cast and use Roland’s blood as sacrifice to cast the counter curse to release them but only release them as she wanted. She needed one more thing though, the true name of the Trolls but with it she could have released them on the condition that they cause no harm to humans and don’t repeat history and those that do so would find themselves right back trapped in Trollus for all time. For some reason that was how I had expected it to go, that Tristan, the half-bloods and all her friends would get out, but those like the king and Agouleme would remain trapped for all time. But I still liked how it went and wasn’t disappointed at all.
4. That I admit I wasn’t expecting. She always had problems with his secrets so I didn’t expect her to withhold information. That said I think she did it in part because she didn’t want to believe it herself or face it as the realization of her being a descendant also came with the knowledge that Anushka had been killing her own children for 500 years. Which is also why it probably took her so long to realize the truth. Mostly though it was simply anger at all his secrets and his unwillingness to trust in her despite her proving over and over that she was worthy of that trust. In a way it was part of how at last she was drawing a line in the sand either he treated her as an equal with all that it entails or they weren’t equals at all. It helped to show how she had grown in strength of character and had become deserving of being a queen instead of a meek kitten that goes along with him until she explodes about something like she had been in Trollus.
5. SHE HATES HIM! Pure and simple. In Sabine’s eyes, Tristan stole her friend and destroyed her, made her into someone she wasn’t before and caused her so much pain. Not to mention how Sabine had felt at losing her and thinking she was dead. She meant also that if he had been more like Marc, with an obvious deformity or injury instead of Prince Charming personified, she would have had an easier time forgiving him because he had been in need of her. But Tristan was Prince Charming with the arrogance of all royals which only, probably, exacerbated her hatred of him that she had always had.
1.- I usually hate it the other way around... I hate when the romance overtakes the plot! I don't necessarily mind romance in my books, but I want a good balance and sometimes it NEEDS to take the back seat! So yeah, I don't mind if romance fades a little to the background!2. I understand Lessa's hate, but as much as I feel bad for her situation and how she's been treated all her life, I cannot support or condone her actions or what she's planning. As Tristan realizes, she'd be no good as a ruler for change at all, because she hates part of who she is, and she'd just enjoy being in power but not care much about improving anyone's situation.
3. It surely didn't go as I was expecting! I thought there would be a lil bit more passion BUT if we take into account how very sick and debilitated they are, how really strange the circumstances that brought them together and how none of them thought it would be possible... It makes sense that things would be strained, since the circumstances are less than ideal, they both have changed very much and things are really dire at that moment in many ways!
4. Probably because she is scared of what his reaction would be, because she feels unsure about what he'd do about it... He's been really closed off so this is one piece of information she still needs to rumiate herself and offer it to Tristan when he's so closed off... she might feel too unsure or insecure.
5. I was a bit bewildered about Sabine's words myself. I guess she expected Tristan to be more battered or more grateful, anything but perfect looking and composed as he appears at all times, even if she must not look at his best at all. I think Sabine just realizes that trolls are real and can come out now, and seeing Tristan look so much like a human but not really... must have made her more scared and so her dislike intensified!
And YES!! I am extremely grateful that you saved the doggie! I can deal with a character death better than with a pet death!!
1. It's... not necessary. Like most people, I enjoy romance. I like shipping couples because it gives me something to fangirl about. BUT I have NEVER read a story where romance is the main focus. Like, I've never read a romance novel. Or it's possible that I've accidentally read one or two. Because I like to pretend I'm heartless. And I don't like to feel things too strongly. So it actually bothers me when the romance ends up being the main focus and causing lots of drama (because let's be real, that's what happens most of the time). I prefer romance to be in the story, but not overtaking it. Like in your books. (:
1. I'm not going to lie, I usually require a book to have a little romance in it because for me, personally, I'm a huge romantic and I love a good love story. It doesn't bother me when the romance becomes less of a focus, because while I do love romance, I don't like a romance only book. I like when there's another purpose, another plot other than just romance, if that makes sense lol I don't like just a love story, I like a grand adventure with just a taste of romance :)2. I understood why she became the way she was, but my first reaction was that she was insane/evil.
3. OH GOSH I HAVE ALOT FEELINGS ABOUT THAT. haha I so did not expect that! I totally thought that would go in a different direction, I was so mad cause I had been building up their reunion in my head from the beginning and it broke my heart when I finally got to that part lol
4. I think she was scared, I mean I think she knew he loved her no matter what but Anushka had caused so much suffering that I think she knew it would have been really upsetting anyway
5. I think maybe she was warning him, trying to telling him that she didn't like him without saying it out right
1. It really depends on what the characters are like in a certain book. If I'm reading a book and I think two characters are a good match, I'll obviously root for them, but there are books where I am perfectly satisfied with no romance. Sometimes, I even get annoyed when there is a romance that's so obviously just there for the sake of there being one.4. Welp, that's awkward isn't it. The witch that put the curse on your family is my ancestor.
5. Oh, I think I know what she meant by that. I think what's she's saying is that he knows how freaking magical and powerful and otherworldly he is. She thought he'd be someone that she could feel sorry for, but she was wrong. She feels that he had the ability to save Cecile from her pain.
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Erika (The Nocturnal Fey)
(last edited Apr 14, 2016 11:34PM)
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rated it 5 stars
1. It depends for me. Well, I mean, for high fantasy, for me romantic plotline is just a bonus entertainment. If the main plot of the story is great, it won't become less of how great it is just because there's not much romance in it. Poison Study is one of my favorite YA high fantasy, and this one only made a little romantic focus at the near end, but it didn't bother me that much. Sure, YA novels are known to have romance --- lots of it, but either more or less focus of romantic plotline, it still depends on how great they're delivered. Hehe2. I get where she's coming from. But still... too evil and insane. lol
3. YES. I WAS DYING FOR THEM TO MEET REAL BAD. It didn't go as I was expecting, but I was not disappointed. Haha
4. I think she held a little guilt, not because it's her fault obviously, but knowing that her descendants made the Trolls and the love of her life suffer that much, she probably got scared and felt a little guilty about it. Something like that, I don't know. lol
5. I think, just like how Fred loathed the Trolls for what they did to Cecile, Sabine felt the same thing for them. But knowing how Cecile loves Tristan, Sabine also thought of giving them a chance, or something. BUT I think Sabine held on to the stereotype looks of "trolls", them being ugly and such. So she thought once she meet Tristan, she'll be faced with this...
...deformed and such, so she thought she'll take pity on them. Not expecting that she'll actually see a determined, handsome and brooding prince like this...
So, all the pity she thought she'll feel just went downhill.
Or something like that. lol
PS, I really like this image of Alex Pettyfer looking all princely. haha
1. It is pretty important, as the romance often is one of the things that keep me reading. But I usually don't like it when the romance is all that matters, probably because I like reading fantasy books and I want an exciting adventure besides the romance.2. In the beginning, when she was still a servant, I felt sorry for her. But when she begun putting her plans in action I didn't anymore. It's not her fault that she had a tough life, but that doesn't give her the right to be evil.
3. I was sad that it didn't go well, but it made a lot more sense like this. I wasn't disappointed in the book, because the way things went was very realistic, and I liked that.
4. I think she doesn't trust him 100% yet because HE doesn't share all the information with her. It's not mistrust in a way that she would fear he would use that information to hurt her, just that he would make up a plan of his own and not share it with her. I think it's understandable if you don't want to tell everything to someone who often keeps you in the dark, too.
5. I think that if Tristan seemed to be someone weak, it would be easier to understand that he was probably manipulated into the situation and had no control over Cécile's fate. But she probably felt that he was someone who would have the power (be it smarts, be it magical) to set Cécile free if he wanted, and that meant that he hadn't want to free her.
1.) Romance in a book is nice, and I wouldn't mind if it wasn't the main focus. In fact, I sometimes prefer if it's on the side, because the romantic problems seem to bother me a lot more than the normal ones. If it's on the side, there's usually less stressing over it. I especially like the light romances, the ones that are mostly happy.4.) It's understandable why Cecile didn't tell Tristan; I probably wouldn't either. She knew that he was hunting Anushka, and a part of her was afraid that Tristan would dislike her for being descended from her. The practical side of her mind said he wouldn't hate her just for that, but in romance, the insecurity tends to win over logic.
1. I love romance in my books, generally because I'm always scouting for another book boyfriend to add to my ever-growing pile *pets bbfs adoringly* and the swoons I get makes other dark moments in the storyline bearable. However, I like my romance to be believable. Realistic. There are times when romance must NOT interfere with the story, especially when there's something more important to do than making deep professions of love. That's why it does have to take a back seat from time to time.2. I get that she has suffered for being born a half-blood and I feel that if I were in her shoes, I'd also like some revenge, but not to THAT extent. Lessa is out of her mind. Crazy. Lunatic. And above all, dangerous. An unsettled mind is something to fear.
3. I was really hoping for a very emotional reunion. Something as deep as SS's ending, but that's just me wanting romance and not taking into account of what the characters are going through and how messed up they are. Tristan leaves Trollus with mixed feelings towards Cécile's actions, and thus, his reaction in their reunion goes very much with his personality. I know that if it were up to Cécile, the reunion could have been much more romantic.
4. Lack of trust in each other. Their relationship is still a bit unstable and maybe Tristan would have a hard time accepting how crazy the truth really is. Maybe?
5. Because even though he is injured, Tristan looks and still is powerful. He does not disappoint in how trolls are believed to be all mighty. And she very well knows that if Tristan wished it, he could kill them or do anything he'd like and normal humans like them wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
***
Palais Garnier is beautiful! Just how I imagined it on my mind when reading HH ♥
1. Romance is an essential element to my reading. I'm a romantic through and through. Sure it isn't uncommon for me to read a book with little or no romance, but I need it. It doesn't bother me when the romance is not the focus of certain chunks of the story- so long as the chunks that are are worth it- and the I'm deeply emotionally invested in the characters.
3. My idea of the Big Reunion was pretty epic and full of kisses, declarations of everlasting love, and sex. But I liked yours better- only because we eventually got what we were waiting for.
1. I don't think a romantic plotline is all that important to me as long as the story line is interesting. I really enjoyed the Queen of the Tearling and that really doesn't have much of a romantic plotline it focuses more on the main character and her struggles which I really enjoyed! I think a lot of novels today focus on romance and finding true love and while I absolutely love reading about it, it has set the bar really high for real life lol!3. I was disappointed but I knew something was going to have to be off, she did use his true name and didn't give him much choice. I'm really torn on this because I wanted a romantic reunion but I actually think I enjoyed it how it was written better, made the lead up to their actual romantic moment all the more worthwhile!
4. I think she was scared with how he would react. Would he still love her if he knew she contained a part of this woman that has caused trollus so much pain and suffering? I know I would be concerned to tell him as well!
Danielle Jensen Discussion Questions1. I like for romance in a novel to MEAN something. If it's forced, I don't want it. If it's there just for the sake of having romance, nope nope nope. But a good romance that adds to the story and is meaningful? Bingo. I love a slow burn, a love story that is secondary because the main plot has problems that demand to be solved first, but the characters keep coming back to one another for moments at a time. It gives me all the feels.
2. I love seeing that Lessa is pretty messed up. Her life has been terrible, and though that is never an excuse for bad actions, it made me empathize with her enough to give the character the depth she needed.
3. This was actually one of my favorite book reunions ever! I love that Cecile and Tristan acknowledge that they have bigger things to focus on at the moment, and those bigger problems will keep them from having a normal relationship until they are solved. One of my biggest pet peeves in books is when the world is so messed up, everything is about to be ruined, but hey! Let's make the lovers go take a break and ignore the biggest problems while they whisper sweet nothings to each other and make out in the beach. No, this reunion felt real, and that made it so much more important and meaningful.
4. Well, she did just drop a huge bomb on him with the whole true name thing, so my guess is that she wanted to dish out the bad news gradually in an attempt to avoid a Tristan freak out.
5. It's easier for us to overlook the mistakes and faults of those we feel pity for. We are more apt to forgive in those instances.
1. While I do enjoy romance in my stories, I tend to become bored if that’s the sole focus of the story. I like it more when there’s a little bit of everything. I don’t mind so much if the romance is more of a subplot, and I actually almost prefer it that way. But a lot of the time I just feel like some of the romances in YA books are so forced, and sometimes I wish the characters would just be friends instead. Not every relationship has to be romantic. In fact, I think platonic relationships are important as well. While the romances can be fun, sometimes it’s nice to just see characters being friendly with each other. One of my favorite things about Stolen Songbird was the relationship between Cecile, Marc, and the twins. I feel like I don’t see enough platonic relationships in books, and I always really enjoy them. I think one of my absolute favorite platonic relationships was between Aria and Roar in Under the Never Sky. He didn’t feel like anyone’s sidekick either, and had his own problems to deal with. Basically, as long as the romance doesn’t overshadow the other stuff going on, there’s a good chance I’ll probably enjoy it.2. I understand where Lessa is coming from, and I don’t necessarily think she’s evil, but I don’t feel too badly for her either. She’s willing to manipulate any and everybody to get revenge on her father, even going so far as to marry either of her half-brothers. She doesn’t want to rule to help her people, or do anything at all for the greater good. It’s all to accomplish her self-serving mission, and I don’t believe that she cares at all for who she hurts in process.
3. Haha I guess I was hoping they’d just continue where they left off before they were interrupted by the guard at the River Road entrance. I was a little disappointed, but I know they have so much going on right now, and maybe Tristan is even a little wary of Cecile because she knows his true name.
4. I feel like these two definitely have trust issues. Tristan hasn’t been so forthcoming with Cecile either, so I can see why she would want to keep that information to herself for the time being. She’s probably just afraid of how he’ll react. They really need to work on their communication skills...
5. I thought it was because Tristan wasn’t more unfortunate looking. When I think of trolls, I think of ugly fairytale creatures that used to give me nightmares as a kid (thanks to the super creepy troll in the movie Earnest Scared Stupid that turned kids into wooden dolls...). And honestly I was hesitant to even read this series because of those troll nightmares I used to have. So I never imagined that I would like Tristan so much because of my past experience with trolls. lol But it turns out he’s not even a troll like how we think of them, and so maybe it was kind of the same situation for Sabine. Tristan wasn’t what she expected, which was probably more along the lines of a pitiful, ugly, desperate creature that needed Cecile to break a curse. But instead when she meets him he’s anything but those things (well, maybe still desperate). He basically has everything going for him. He’s handsome, powerful, and royal, and he’s got Cecile, which Sabine really hates because of the pain she went through mourning her best friend. And I imagine believing your best friend is dead and then getting her back, you’re bound to be a little protective.
1. I REALLY like romance, but it's not completely necessary. One of my favorite series, the Farsala Trilogy by Hilari Bell, has no romance in it and I recommend it all the time (it's super great and not a lot of people have heard of it, so you should totally read it if you haven't!). Having a romance in the book/series, though, makes me feel more connected to the characters. I have something to root for or get excited about, other than plot related things, which is nice. You get to experience that rush of flirting/falling in love along with the characters and it can tell you a lot about them as people too. My fiance absolutely HATES it when things don't have romance in them, it's pretty cute. I always have to tell him if something doesn't have romance.
1. I love stories with romance laced throughout them, but as long as their is a teeny tiny smidgen of romance, then I am good. I love looking for those hidden actions that may or not lead to something more, so as long as I have at least that and the hope that something may come of these two people, then I'm a happy person! I adored the book Angelfall and the "romance" in that story-line is beyond minimal, yet it was just that tiny bit enough to keep me more than happy! :)3. Oh yes, I was waiting for that reunion! But I held onto hope that eventually they would get to the point of where I wanted them to be - back to how they were. And so the thoughts floating around in my head is that, well, they'll get there eventually because it's Tristan and Cecile. I just have to be patient.
5. I thought that Sabine was saying that he doesn't disappoint because of his power and looks. She thought that if he had been a weak or horrid creature then she would have been able to easily pity him. Since he isn't one that she can pity, she won't be able to easily forgive him. I didn't believe that Sabine was a fan of Tristan. At all.
1. I feel like I don't need romance in a story to make it exciting. I mean if romance can be intertwined into the story, that's great but I wouldn't have a problem without it. My main focus is usually on the characters themselves and the plot so it doesn't really bother me.4. I guess Cecile wanted to withhold that information because she was scared and didn't know what to do with the knowledge that was acquired. She probably just needed more time to think it out and understand what this means for herself before having to share it with Tristan.
1. Romance is somewhat important to me, I mean it's unrealistic for zero romance to exist but I like when it's separate from the plot. I didn't mind that (at least to me) very little romance happened in Harry Potter, and that it wasn't connected with the plot. Though, if throughout the novel I'm thinking "just kiss!" that's really frustrating, I do want a few steamy scenes
1. I am a fan of romance. A big fan at that. So when a story has a romantic plot line, or at least some themes of romance within the book, I consider that to be a huge plus. However i do still read books that have little to no romance in them if the storyline is good enough (I actually just finished the ruby red series of books by kierstin gier and they are a good example of what I mean and they are an awesome read by the way). By the same token I am endlessly annoyed when a romance plot doesn't work out the way I want it to. I may sound bratty when I say this, but nothing can get me angrier than when a series ends with a failed or unfulfilled love story (with the characters I want something to happen with). But I don't mind if it becomes less of a focus, especially in fantasy YA books, so long as it's still present :)2. Lessa was never a favorite of mine. This is because I have always sensed some sort of ulterior motive to whatever she did (not to mention she has no sense of loyalty) and her motives were never pure (so to speak). Sure I understand her motives and she has an entire tirade in the chapter about how much she hates her blood and wants power, but that's not getting her any sympathy from me. I just think she's a bit more cuckoo than actually evil. Desperate would also be a good adjective to use for her.
3. I'll be honest. When Tristan was being "dragged" to the barrier, the only thing going through my mind was "Cecile no! Your timing is horrible!" So I really didn't think that Tristan would be as thrilled to see his one true love at that point in time than any other situation. However, I am glad that the reunion started off the way I wanted it to (with Cecile running into Tristan's arms) and that Tristan wasn't afraid to hide the fact that he wasn't as happy as he could've been. Overall, while it wasn't really sweet per se, their reunion went perfectly!
4. Tristan is a hoarder. He is a miser with his secrets. He is also extremely mistrustful. It took a lot for him to open up to Cecile and for her to reveal that she was a descendent of the very lady that trapped his kind under a mountain would be like asking him to put a lock on his mind and ideas completely. Cecile recognized that had Tristan known of her lineage, he would've never been as open with her about his secrets and plans as he was (despite the fact that they're bound to one another), so she resorted to pulling a Tristan and keeping secrets of her own.
5. I guess Sabine hoped to see Tristan in a more weakened state, or atleast not as handsome as he was. That way she could atleast somewhat accept his as her best friends husband rather than as troll scum. Yet when Tristan showed up the way he did, it must've pained her to see him appear so...well...unaffected(?) (regardless of whether he actually was or not) while her friend was suffering from the promise she made the king and the ache caused by separation from the aforementioned troll prince.
Oh Sabine it's not his fault he looks flawless!
1. It's pretty important for me to have romance in a novel/ series. But it definitely doesn't have to be a main focus. But I do enjoy a good slow burn romance2. I was a bit sympathetic, but I think the way she's handling it is too much. Too bad she didn't know Tristan's true feelings, maybe they could have worked together in the beginning and saved a lot of time, energy, and deaths?
3. I was a bit disappointed, but not? lol. If that makes sense. I understood why it wasn't an explosion of emotional love and everything. It was something completely unexpected and actually, when Tristan gets out and sees the stars, that's my favorite scene in the book!
4. I think she didn't tell him because she wasn't sure what it meant just then, and she wanted to figure it out before it blew out of proportions
5. I think she meant that if he was disfigured or something, then she could feel bad and that would make her feel guilty about hating him, but instead, he's beautiful and grand and irritating lol
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Hi Karim
You always have the most well thought answers!!
I think Roland seems like an obvious choice to us as readers, because he's so awful. But do you think Tristan would've forgiven Cecile for murdering his brother in cold blood?
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Hi Pili,
I'm also not a huge fan of romance totally taking over (unless it's a romance novel!). When characters are in dire situations but they can't get past their romantic angst, I start to get bored. That's one of the reasons why there is so little focus on the romance in Warrior Witch.
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I think most people feel this way!
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Hi Nicole!
Awe, I don't believe you're heartless for one second :) I don't read romance novels very often, but I DO like a racy historical romance when I'm on a beach vacation. Warrior Witch is certainly the least romantic of the novels, but hopefully people will understand why it had to be that way :)
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Hi Abby!
I suspect you are not alone with having feelings about THAT. I got more than a few emails from people who were not too pleased that they didn't fall happily into each other's arms during that reunion scene.
One of the reasons I didn't go that direction was that it would have ended the romantic plot arc halfway through the novel, which was to early, imho. For the romance to remain interesting, there must be conflict, otherwise you just have a collection of sappy kissing scenes that serve no real purpose. For the first part of the novel, the romantic conflict was primarily their forced separation. At the moment of their reunion, the conflict shifts to tension between the two of them. Once that tension resolves later in the novel, the romantic plot arc is pretty well complete, and thus much less of a focus for the rest of the series :)
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Hi Mi-Mi
That's an interesting point about unnecessary romance. I actually know a few authors who were instructed by editors to insert a romantic plot line into their novels, and I find you can always tell when that's been done. The romance tends to fall flat.
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Hi Erika,
I adore you for inserting such awesome photos into your answer! Yes! Perfect answer - Sabine was expecting Tristan to be a creature she could pity. If his life was horrible, she could understand why he (and the trolls) did what they did to Cecile. But instead she meets a boy who is beautiful, powerful, and privileged, and all that pity goes out the door. It isn't until later that she understands that life for Tristan and the trolls is really kinda shitty, but even then, she never cuts Tristan much slack. Which is probably good for him.
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Hi Nicole
Great answer to #4. While Cecile probably wasn't excited at the prospect of admitting she was descended from the witch who cursed Tristan's people, I think she was more worried about what he'd choose to do with the information. And whether he'd consult her in those plans. She knows her mother is at risk, and I think she's a bit afraid that Tristan won't prioritize saving her mother in the same way that she would. Especially given his resistance to freeing the trolls.
Danielle wrote: "Karim wrote: "1. To me romance is important, but it really depends on the plotline whether it is necessary or not. For example in the Twilight Saga books and the Mortal Instruments series the roman..."He nearly killed her and him along with her in Stolen Songbird. If he was a true king then he had to place the well being of his people above his personal feelings. Roland was a threat, he knew it, but did nothing. It wasn't until his wife lay dying in his arms because of him that he decided it had to be done and even then he still hasn't killed him. Roland is just a placeholder for the king, a silent threat to keep Tristan on his toes. I doubt even Thibault actually plans on letting him live much longer. As of now only a handful of trolls can control that monster and it's only going to become worse as he matures so Thibault is using him while it's possible and then has to get rid of him or Trollus will be doomed in less than a generation. Tristan know this but even so doesn't do anything. Would he forgive her? Yes. It needed to be done and if he didn't have the balls to act for the good of his people... well that's why the king has a queen and why in chess SHE is the most powerful piece. She can do what he can't. Heck. I half expected Cecile to stand up despite her injuries during Stolen Songbird and take Tristan's sword to kill the king. She had given him the way to defeat his father, the way to save his people but even then he still couldn't rise to the plate and do what has to be done. In a small part of him Tristan does love his father and brother, there's no question, it's why he couldn't raise a sword to them despite the absolute need of it. But being king means making hard decisions and if he can't do it, then it falls to his wife and co ruler to do so.
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Hi Lillian,
Not me! Hee hee, I like a good tortured romance :D My work in progress has two romances, and the one with less drama has been so much harder for me to write.
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Hi Melissa,
I can just imagine your face when you read that scene ---- WHY WHY ISN'T THIS GOING WELL? WHERE IS MY ROMANCE? ;-)
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It doesn't bother me w..."
Hi Perla,
I figured you for a romantic ;-) And I hope the big romantic scene was worth the wait :)
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Hi Kelsea,
I am actually reading Queen of the Tearling right now and am LOVING it! I'm about 2/3 through and no romance yet, but I'm hoping there will be some with the Fetch :D
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1. I like for romance in a novel to MEAN something. If it's forced, I don't want it. If it's there just for the sake of having romance, nope nope nope. But a g..."
Hi Katie,
As much as possible, I try to give my villains backstories or reasons for them being evil (or doing evil things). They must have motivation. The end of Hidden Huntress reveals Anushka's motivations for her actions, and Warrior Witch does the same for the other villains, particularly the King.
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Hi Ashley,
Great answer to #5! That's crazy that you have troll nightmares. I was terrified of gremlins when I was a kid because one of my cousins showed me the movie...
One of the sales pitches I often hear for Stolen Songbird is that Tristan is to trolls like David Bowie was to goblins in the movie Labyrinth :)
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Hi Brittani!
I'll have to put it on my to-read list! Connections and relationships between characters, whether they be romantic or otherwise, are really important to creating depth in a story, imho.
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Hi Jen,
Sabine sure isn't a fan of Tristan, but they do develop their own sort of relationship as time goes on. She never cuts him any slack, which was one of the things I liked most about writing her.
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I also like a few steamy scenes ;-)
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Hi Shreya!
Such fantastic answers!!
Yes, Cecile's timing was a bit harsh (I might have planned it that way, haha), because Tristan was having a really epic moment seeing his people come together. A moment where he believed that his dreams might come to fruition. And then Cecile jerked him away from that. As much as it needed to happen, she couldn't have called him away at a more heartbreaking moment.
Ashley wrote: "1. While I do enjoy romance in my stories, I tend to become bored if that’s the sole focus of the story. I like it more when there’s a little bit of everything. I don’t mind so much if the romance ..."Hi Ashley,
Penny here, Danielle's publicist.
You're this week's winner of the signed copy of Warrior Witch!
Please send me an email at [email protected] to claim your prize.
Thanks,
P
Penny wrote: "Ashley wrote: "1. While I do enjoy romance in my stories, I tend to become bored if that’s the sole focus of the story. I like it more when there’s a little bit of everything. I don’t mind so much ..."Thank you! My email has been sent! :D
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2. I was a bit sympathetic, but I thi..."
Hi Ellie,
One of the things I wish I could've done more of was spending time on Tristan's reactions to the world. I put in as much as I could, but the pace is on the uptick at that point, so I couldn't put in a scene where he wandered around to check things out. Which made me sad, but such is the life of a novelist.
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1. How important is it to you that a novel/series has romantic plotline? Does it bother you when the romance becomes less of a focus?
2. Up until chapter 30, Lessa never speaks as herself. In Stolen Songbird, her actions were scripted by Lady Damia, and throughout Hidden Huntress, she is speaking as Anaïs. But in this chapter, the reader (and Tristan!) get some insight into who she really is. What do you think of her? Were you at all sympathetic to her plight, or are her plans too evil/insane for you to feel badly for her at all?
3. For half a book, you were probably waiting for the big reunion between Cécile and Tristan. But I bet it didn’t go as you expected. Were you disappointed? If so, tell me how you wanted it to go.
4. Cécile doesn’t tell Tristan that she’s descended from Anushka. Why do you think she chose to withhold that information?
5. Sabine says the following when she meets Tristan: “You know perfectly well you don’t disappoint…I’d thought you’d be something I could pity, and that pity would allow me to forgive you for what you did to her. I was wrong.” What do you think she meant by that?