Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

The Price of Spring - Daniel Abraham

September 1, 2019.

Might start this early. Excited to read how its gonna end.

I'm in, might be a bit late though. My schedule is not going well!!

And I see that uve started Malazan, too! 😅

Barry wrote: "And I see that uve started Malazan, too! 😅"

Yeah you can blame Anni for that one! 😂 But, I'm only supposed to be reading 15 pages a day (already behind).

I'm in. Probably will be late too. The new Ilona Andrews is getting priority :D

Barry wrote: "And I see that uve started Malazan, too! 😅"

Wow…Siobhan…because of this comment I too just noticed you and Anni have started BotF….and also…urrrrkh, is it that time of the BR cycle already? I dunno if Bea and I will make it in time.
I AM reading this series and I am using the threads from all the years…but am now afflicted with THAT self-doubt nooby paralysis problem of reading the books but not being able to make any posts. Of course I have things to say…but then quoth that small mean inner voice “why will anyone want to hear them?”
Heh, I KNOW there’s only one way to cure this problem without it turning into an affectation…head on and NOW! So I’ll jezzt…jezzt beg everyone’s indulgence pre-emptively, ok?
I am gonna post many very belated spoilers.

Zaara wrote: "Barry wrote: "And I see that uve started Malazan, too! 😅"

Wow…Siobhan…because of this comment I too just noticed you and Anni have started BotF….and also…urrrrkh, is it that time of the BR cycle a..."

Please do! Every time so far someone has posted a chapter spoiler I'm like, 'oh I totally missed that' :/ so it's actually super helpful! Haha.

Zaara wrote: "Barry wrote: "And I see that uve started Malazan, too! 😅"

Wow…Siobhan…because of this comment I too just noticed you and Anni have started BotF….and also…urrrrkh, is it that time of the BR cycle a..."

Keep on posting! We still reply :)

Started today.

End of Ch 2
(view spoiler)[
I wonder what drives Eiah to help Maati to try a new binding? Revenge? Or just wants to see the Khaiem in their “rightful” place?

I really sympathize with Marti’s desire to fix what he broke. But, obviously things will go wrong. I guess Vayiit will use his lessons to create a destructive andat for her revenge. (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "Please do! Every time so far someone has posted a chapter spoiler I'm like, 'oh I totally missed that' :/ so it's actually super helpful! Haha."

*grins*
And this from the woman who just started Malazan!
Heh, I feel ya...I have the exact same problem...*poof* and all is gone...but with BotF (if you are too lazy to make notes) we have the Tor Reread which provides a scene by scene recap...and is excellent. For the recap alone, mind!
Sometimes I feel the Tor commentary on Malazan (I am three books in) is all awed and gushing...its all "kneel here and genuflect, o Peasant, thou art in The Presence of INNNNNNTellect" + if Bill Ritter says "filing cabinet" once more, I swear I will start chewing holes out of his neck...
So I actually prefer the Satanic Verses (FBR Malazan notes). I still use Tor tho because of my greed. Once you actually get into the series I will want to talk to you more about Bill and Amanda...and allllll the things.

EDIT Uhhh keeping this post, thread relevant, I'm still reading the Dan Abraham, still in Book 2 and I keep forgetting there has been a long gap and find myself slipping into the habit of thinking they are really precocious kids...heh.

Done. 4/5.

Very good. I think you need to have experienced some bitterness in life to appreciate some of the characters in this series. Definitely not for younger audience. I’ll post more thoughts tomorrow.

Barry wrote: "Done. 4/5.

Very good. I think you need to have experienced some bitterness in life to appreciate some of the characters in this series. Definitely not for younger audience. I’ll post more thoughts..."

Agreed.

Good to see it all ends on a high note. This is going to be my next book once I finish my current read. Best guess is I'll start Weds or Thursday.

Prologue & chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[I'm happy to read about Eiah and happy she's a doctor! Knew that girl would do what she wanted.
What on earth was up with that women who died covered in babies mouths?! She tried to summon a new Andat I guess? (Reads to the end of the chapter...) Oh! Maati is involved! Trying to make women Poets. Good idea I guess.

It's all very Children of Men now. 15 years without babies being born! I'm glad Otah is trying to get the Galts to marry with their men. Hopefully it'll go great and they'll be good allies... 🙄 (hide spoiler)]

Zaara wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Please do! Every time so far someone has posted a chapter spoiler I'm like, 'oh I totally missed that' :/ so it's actually super helpful! Haha."

*grins*
And this from the woman who..."

I kept doing that too, Zaara. Not a fan of the 15 year time jumps!

Siobhan wrote: "Zaara wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Please do! Every time so far someone has posted a chapter spoiler I'm like, 'oh I totally missed that' :/ so it's actually super helpful! Haha."

*grins*
And this from..."

Neither am I. I'm guessing one happens again to keep the pattern going.

Chapter 6 - (view spoiler)[I hope Vanjit pulls it off and isn't the next student to die. Though I'm not sure this world needs another Andat. I'm really curious to see the outcome if they succeed. I'm not surprised Cehmai wanted nothing to do with it anymore. Interesting that he's back with Idaan! I hope we see more of her.
That Galt girl threw a spanner in Otah's plans by announcing she won't sleep with Danat! You have to be realistic though, it's for the continuation of their races! (hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "Started today.

End of Ch 2"

I'm wondering that too. (view spoiler)[Why does she side with Maati over her father? I would have thought first hand experience of the andats would put her off them! (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "Prologue & chapter 1 - [spoilers removed]"

Your thoughts here reflect mine perfectly :) (view spoiler)[Yeah, the babies mouths was pretty horrible! And definitely because Maati's trying to have women summon andats. That guy is so tragic. I get he wants to correct the wrong he did but boy is it still backfiring.

The Khaiem and Galts merging into one nation? What could possibly go wrong... (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "Started today.

End of Ch 2"

I'm wondering that too. [spoilers removed]"

Oh boy. (view spoiler)[They've killed 10 women with their failed attempts and they don't think this is a very bad idea yet?? Maati does not have a good track record. I admire his determination but...

Eiah supporting Matti when she witnessed him ruin two nations and experienced the pain first hand is an interesting choice. In her life Matti did way more harm than the Galts ever did. I'm not sure I understand her motives yet. (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "Started today.

End of Ch 2"

I'm wondering that too. [spoilers removed]"

Oh boy"

That's a really good way of putting it, Narilka!

Narilka wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "Started today.

End of Ch 2"

I'm wondering that too. [spoilers removed]"

."
Maati
(view spoiler)[To be fair, he bound Sterlie due to circumstances and then was disowned and banished in disgrace. So, I understand his motivation to try to fix his mistakes and basically got into the good grace of people, especially Otah. Maati views Otah as his big brother, someone whose respect he really needs. Furthermore, due to his obsession to redeem himself, he's blinded to how the world has basically changed. That having the power of andat might not be a good thing for this new world.
(hide spoiler)]

Apparently, I forgot to write down some more thoughts that I had regarding the ending.
The ending
(view spoiler)[
1. Although, in general I'm happy with the relatively happy ending that Abraham wrote for the series, I do question the ending specifically for Eiah. Her ending just didn't align with the theme of the series: of paying a price, sometimes negatively unintended consequences, of your actions. I'm happy that Eiah was able to bound and release Wounded. But, why didn't she not pay any price at all?

2. I love the bitersweet ending between Otah and Maati. Otah had to do what he had to do, and Maati did what he did because he wanted to fix things as best as he could, not knowing that he made things worse. But, at the end, both found peace with each other, despite the circumstances. Yeah, Maati had to die in "prison", but he died happy, I think.

3. I also finally understood why Eiah supported Maati, instead of Otah. Yeah, when she put it that way the way Otah went about it, it appeared that he didn't appreciate the Khaiem women. Definitely not an easy thing to do to see you basically being replaced by women from a country that had been your enemy until recently.

But, Otah was between a rock and a hard place. Anything he did would be viewed as wrong by some people. He did what he had to do to ensure survival for both countries. And, I don't know if there's any other way for Otah to save all of them. Perhaps, a gentler way would be to let their citizens marry freely with other people. But, considering the political circumstances with other countries, other countries invading was probably a more likelier scenario.
(hide spoiler)]

@Barry, I genuinely love how much you defend Maati, when I just find him selfish and irresponsible. XD This is the best thing about buddy reads, people having different feelings and opinions and discussing them freely! :D

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 6 -..."

(view spoiler)[I too don't think this world needs any more andat. The one they choose is interesting. Seems like it would be fairly benign, Clarity-of-Sight. I guess we'll see how Abraham twists it assuming it's a successful summoning.

Of course Ana doesn't want to be traded off like cattle. I find that pretty realistic. Sometimes I wish these books weren't so damn real though, it would be nice if everyone would think of the greater good here! (hide spoiler)]

Technically I've finished Ch 7. (view spoiler)[I love that the plan is to plot out how Danat can woo Ana. What could go wrong lol (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 6 -..."

I..."

Through chapter 7 too (view spoiler)[ Haha I like that plan too! XD young love will save the world!
Also like that Idaan came to warn Otah! Nice twist. (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "@Barry, I genuinely love how much you defend Maati, when I just find him selfish and irresponsible. XD This is the best thing about buddy reads, people having different feelings and opinions and di..."

I'm a Maati apologist lol. But, out of all the flawed characters, I felt he was the most tragic one.

Barry wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "@Barry, I genuinely love how much you defend Maati, when I just find him selfish and irresponsible. XD This is the best thing about buddy reads, people having different feelings and..."

I totally get that!

CH 10 (view spoiler)[It's safe to say that the chapters with Maati's school are currently my favorite. I feel almost bored reading about Otah and the rest of the world, though I'm highly amused at Danat's progress in his quest :)

Anyway. I did NOT expect the andat to be summoned as a baby! I don't know why - it's absolutely perfect considering everything that's happened. So will the andat grow up or will it always remain a baby? What a fascinating choice. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 14 (view spoiler)[Sigh. I don't know how Maati and Eiah didn't remember that all andat have two natures considering that they talk about it often enough of the prior andat. Of course clarity-of-sight can cause blindness. It's also very cunning - being a baby which all the women want more than anything, it has a lot of power to corrupt. I'm not sure Vanjit has the strength of character to resist temptation after the accident. This is going to get ugly.

I'm a bit horrified that Vanjit is nursing the andat. It doesn't need it. I can't tell if it's a requirement of the binding or if it's another manipulation of a desperate woman by the creature.

Which also is why I shudder that they keep calling Eiah's potential andat Wounded. I know she means to use it to heal, but that's not the name they've given it and it would have both aspects. I hope she doesn't summon it. It would be a very bad idea.

In the Otah chapters I keep finding myself skimming his inner thoughts and turmoil. He basically has a lot of the same thoughts and doubts as he did in the beginning. I do love that he writes to his wife.

This series has been one huge tragedy. (hide spoiler)]

General question for everyone who has at least read through chapter 2. (view spoiler)[I took a good look at the map. Why is Otah so bent on joining with the Galt to fix their woes? Why didn't he try to ally with the Westland or Eddensea or any other country that isn't their enemy and didn't try to destroy their nation??? I get he feels bad that his people caused the Galt's current trouble and thinks he can make amends for both countries by joining them - but his citizens would have a much easier time accepting an alliance with a country that wasn't their mortal enemy. Obviously another country that doesn't have the issue of the Khaiem or Galt would have the upper hand in negotiations but I imagine he'd have a much easier time selling it to the people that way. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 15 (view spoiler)[Yep, saw that one coming. What a way to end a chapter. (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "General question for everyone who has at least read through chapter 2. [spoilers removed]"

That's a really good question. Unless they have terrible relationships too, it would make a lot of logical sense...

Ch 20 (view spoiler)[I should've guessed that Vanjit would have blinded Ashti Beg again. Pettiness and vindictiveness is definitely her thing.

Well I'm glad to see Maati finally admit he made a massive mistake.

"Because she should never have become a poet," he said. "She's too young and too angry and more than half mad. And that beast on her lap? We gave it to her."

This acknowledgement feels like a big moment. Maybe, just maybe, Maati had a moment of personal growth. And then blows it by still thinking he can show Otah up.

I hate to say it, I agree with the andat. Vanjit has proven she can't be trusted with that power and I seriously doubt she'd give it up of her own volition. Not sure anyone in their current group could do it though. Maybe this is where Idaan will fit in. (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "General question for everyone who has at least read through chapter 2. [spoilers removed]"

Good question. My guess is (view spoiler)[because he feels that he’s responsible for the fate that befell the Galts. And his budding friendship with Balasar.

Besides, remember the curse uttered by Sterile. In a way it became a self fulfilling prophecy. (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "CH 10 ."

RE chapter 10 (view spoiler)[I did not see that coming either! But makes sense, she was fixated on babies before hand. It takes the form they create I guess.

I agree with you, Maati's chapters are the most interesting in this one. I'm so intrigued by their work! (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "Ch 14 .."

You are so spot on! (view spoiler)[The whole thing is such a tragedy. These are actually really depressing books! I'm glad I've read them, but I don't think I'll ever revisit them.

I also found her nursing the andat so creepy and horrible. I think you're right about her strength of character, the baby is so easily manipulating her and all of them really.

I'm worried about Wounded too. Though it makes sense why it has to be that way round to work, how Cehmai explained it. But it just feels like a bad idea.

I wish I could understand why they're so vehemently against Otah's plan. Intrinsic racism? It just seems logical and normal to me. I can kinda see how Eiah thinks he's betraying their generation, but I think he's just being realistic. (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "Narilka wrote: "Ch 14 .."

You are so spot on! ..."

Yeah, I doubt I'll ever reread this series. Like you I'm glad to have read it. Some amazing writing.

(view spoiler)[It's like the whole country has a weird form of xenophobia and would rather die than have to procreate with anyone outside the Khaiem. (hide spoiler)]

I finished. I can't decide with 3 or 4 stars. Going with 4 at the moment. We will see if I change my mind in a few days.

(view spoiler)[I think the final resolution was anticlimactic. I'm glad it worked out that way - it was just over too fast. Eieh binds the andat, kills Vanjit, heals everyone and lets the andat go in about a page and a half.

Vanjit was truly mad at the end. I expected her to blind all the humans. I did not expect her to blind all the animals! That was horrible. At least it was corrected quickly so shouldn't have had quite the impact as what happened to the Galts.

I liked that epilogue. The eulogy at the end was very touching. (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Narilka wrote: "Ch 14 .."

You are so spot on! ..."

Yeah, I doubt I'll ever reread this series. Like you I'm glad to have read it. Some amazing writing.

[spoilers removed]"

Exactly!! 😅 Death must be preferable.

Narilka wrote: "Ch 15 [spoilers removed]"

Woah!! You said it, what a way to end a chapter!

Narilka wrote: "Ch 20 ."

This was a great chapter, and I agree with you it felt like a big moment. (view spoiler)[Vanjit has to die! But I want her to un-blind the Galts first and I can't see her doing that voluntarily...
I'm starting to feel more sympathy for Maati. He's a fool, but he genuinely thought this was a good idea and didn't think of these consequences! :'( (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "Narilka wrote: "Ch 20 ."

This was a great chapter, and I agree with you it felt like a big moment...

Yeah, I can see why Barry was a Maati apologist by the end.

I'm realllly enjoying this one. Best in the series yet for me! Up to chapter 26 and I don't want to put it down!

Narilka wrote: "I finished. I can't decide with 3 or 4 stars. Going with 4 at the moment. We will see if I change my mind in a few days."

I loved the epilogue. I shed a few tears! 😢 It's not often I find a book that makes me cry these days so I'm glad!

Agree with you about the pace at the end, but overall I really really liked it.