SFF Readalongs led by Kitty G discussion

This is for discussion of chapter VIII for Tigana. Please ensure you do NOT post spoilers for any other part of the book! Thank you!

Okayyy... I did kind of suspect that Dianora's brother is Baerd. However, I was taken aback by the incestuous relationship they had. Not sure how I actually feel about this. One thing's for sure is that if Baerd knew how she has been Brandin's saishan and longingly so for 12yrs, I think that will completely crush his soul.

Yeah! I completely agree TS! It would be a devastating moment for him to be sure.

I didn't personally mind the incest too much, it didn't take away from the book for me. I think it was what Baerd needed and it was the only way she could get him to stay with her and be a part of the family for a bit longer (even if not a conventional one!)
I think that Dianora is a really really interesting character and so far this book has been so different to everything I've read before with some really cool twists and actually a lack of fear when it comes to approaching sex, incest, rape and moments of brutality. I think it handles each of these topics well within the context of the book as a whole and I am really enjoying the way everything has been working out thus far.

Dianora's story is certainly interesting and it did indeed interest me straight away because I liked the fact that we had the court situation where all your manoeuvres are being watched and everyone knows everyone's business. I think she's a character who is very clever and quick (as show by her conversations with Brandon and her ability to survive so far) and I also think that even though she's kind of fallen in love with him, she may well resolve herself back to her initial course of action soon after he left her alone.
I think Dianora's story and Devin's story are both just as interesting as one another although I didn't expect the book to just cut off Devin's story and have the entirety of the next section about a whole other character. I think it works really well though and seeing the backstory and the present day story line interwoven works really well to give context and add a sense of loyalty and trust in the characters.

I think Brandin and Alberico's constant warring for land and the fact that they're both very powerful is clearly the overall focus, but seeing it through the eyes of the Survivors from Tigana is a really great focus for the story. I also find it really interesting that no one can actually say the word Tigana and the fact that Baerd got so humiliated and hurt over that was so sad!

The scene of Tomasso drinking the drink his father gave to him and the whole scene before that with him being beaten up and abused by the guards was really moving and sad too. There are definitely moments where I truly do feel connected to the characters and I think Kay writes incredibly well within those sad moments.

Finding out that Sandre is still alive and not only that but he's a Wizard and faked his death is pretty cool, I wonder if he will get in the way of their story or be a genuine help because at the moment he's not truly proved himself and up until his death it seems many disliked him.

The scenes in the house of Rovigo and his family where Devin, Baerd, and Prince Alessan (that too was a crazy reveal, the fact that we have a royal bloodline from Tigana still left) where talking and making deals was both very revealing for Devin and also a great help to me in understanding some of their aims and seeing the extent of Rovigo's loyalty (which seems to run deep). I think he's trustworthy and could be a great help to them on their mission to avenge Tigana.

Seeing Caterina is the only character I still dislike and don't really know a lot about yet. She always seems unnecessarily blunt or brusque and I don't know if it's because of things in her past or not, but if so I hope they're revealed soon as she's a slight irritant for me at times.
Hopefully Devin will be able to talk more sense into her as the story goes on, who knows. I think she's intelligent enough, just not very open with her emotions or anything.

Dianora saving the King, Brandin, was a big bold move and I felt like she really didn't know what to do in that moment. I have really enjoyed focussing on her and getting to know her more, and I think that moment of being forced to choose between her plan of killing him and saving him from death at someone else's hands shows where her loyalty has shifted to.
I think the fact that Brandin didn't come to her could be the snapping point and she may go back to her original plan with a fighting and renewed spirit, otherwise maybe she'll fall back in his arms, although I don't see that happening unless magic is involved to force her.

Overall I am really into this book and just enjoying reading it. I plan to read more over this week and I look forward to seeing where it goes becuause everything is a steady build it seems and as it's just the one book I have a feeling it'll get pretty dramatic soon again!

I agree about Catriana, completely unnecessary especially the way she treated Devin.