| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 31 Dec 2005 : 18:37:10
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Son of Thunder, book 3 of the Fighters series, by Murray Leeder. Please discuss chapters 15-19 herein: |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 15 Feb 2007 : 02:30:46
quote:
Originally posted by Murray Leeder
Closer realted to primates, eh? Perhaps we'll find werebats on the fossil record yet!
Yes indeed--at least, that's the theory some people hold, based on skeletal structure and such. I was pretty surprised when I read that.
quote:
Seriously, though, I know full well bats aren't rodents, but what can't be denied is that they kind of look like rodents. I realized quickly that you can't go very far with adjectives to describe bats without rodent metaphors cropping up, but you should only regard them as metaphors. Frankly, I'm surprised "chiropteran" passed the editorial process!
Point well taken. Bats do look kind of like rodents (and personally I find them quite cute!). And by the way, I like it that you used the word "chiropteran" in the book. |
| Murray Leeder |
Posted - 15 Feb 2007 : 01:17:36
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
The only thing I've found jarring so far are descriptions of the werebats as having rodent eyes and rodent teeth. From the research I've done on this, bats are not actually rodents (a few sources say they are more closely related to primates than rodents!)--they are members of a different Order, Chiropterna, which the novel does in fact rightly mention at one point.
Closer realted to primates, eh? Perhaps we'll find werebats on the fossil record yet! Seriously, though, I know full well bats aren't rodents, but what can't be denied is that they kind of look like rodents. I realized quickly that you can't go very far with adjectives to describe bats without rodent metaphors cropping up, but you should only regard them as metaphors. Frankly, I'm surprised "chiropteran" passed the editorial process! |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 14 Feb 2007 : 22:02:00
I'm on Chapter 16 now, and I'm really, really pleased with the story so far. I rather like how there are two different plotlines going on at once (both interesting), and it's very enjoyable to see different characters interact with each other. The themes of culture clash explored in the novel strike me as well done.
The only thing I've found jarring so far are descriptions of the werebats as having rodent eyes and rodent teeth. From the research I've done on this, bats are not actually rodents (a few sources say they are more closely related to primates than rodents!)--they are members of a different Order, Chiropterna, which the novel does in fact rightly mention at one point. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 07 Feb 2006 : 21:20:31
Well it's happened - Gan is dead  I really liked the fellow but his time had come and the axe was too much for him to bear. I thought it was great how he just swung the axe without thought and killed. His death was well done... not overly brutal, just subtle.
I loved the last section of chapter 18 where it was descriped how the behemoths were heard to moan and there was another strange silence throughout the supressed city of Llorkh. Very atmospheric.
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| Murray Leeder |
Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 00:23:33
One thing that strikes me going over Son of Thunder is how specific I am as to everyone's deific patronage (Uthgar, Silvanus, Oghma, Cyric, Malar, Maglubiyet, Shaundakul, even Tapann, Gorm and Aerdrie Faenya). Shaundakul seemed right to me for the Antiquarians. He's supposed to be a taciturn wanderer on the winds, which is probably the Antiquarians' dream version of themselves (their fatal flaws, like the rest of us, is that they need funding -- this seems especially pertinent to me right now as I'm contemplating Ph.D. programs).
I would definitely go along with labelling the Antiquarians neutral. They love doing what they do, and aren't especially concerned about matters of good or evil. Working for Geildarr seemed to them a sensible way to support their activities, and they didn't worry too much about the moral cost of that decision, although it caught up with them in the end. |
| Dhomal |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 23:17:46
Hello-
I don't have much to add for this section. I enjoyed it quite a lot - as a matter of fact - I was up last night a LOT later than I should have been!
I particularly like Shaundakul's patronage by the Antiquarians. Its the first use of Shaundakul I beleive other than in his deity listings - and a couple of other related sources - that I know of.
And in regards to that - it was nice for a couple of reasons. Tymora is (typically) the 'patron' of adventurers, and he is also not 'evil' by any means - so having them choose Shaundakul is telling about their disposition. I truly don't think I view them as evila at all - but as someone else mentioned in one of the prior threads - neutral. Its also nice because the Antiquarians are not 100% fitting for followers of Shaundakul - as they are searching out lost ruins and such - while Shaundakul is largely concerned with new discoveries. Granted - some ruins could be considered 'new' if they have been lost for long enough. It IS truly sad that they have all died. I would like to say that if given the chance - I would certainly enjoy reading more stories about them.
Gan - hes an odd one - but I guess the fact that the axe was controlling him makes some sense.
As an aside - I almost expected the remaining 23 Antiqaurians and Gan to stab themselves with more crossbow bolts. But, apparently - they had run out - but not before sending all the beasts away.
Well - back to reading!
Dhomal |
| Murray Leeder |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 20:59:12
Darkcrow, the crow-pecked body is described as having a beard and therefore is Gunton's. The Shepherds interrogated him and then nailed him up as a human scarecrow. Could be that Gan and Royce are nailed up on the other two phandar trees.
The true extent of the Heart of Runlatha's powers are unknown to me, probably to the Shepherds (who were never interested in learning the full range of its powers), and probably to everyone short of the wizard tyrant who forged it all those centuries ago. |
| darkcrow |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 19:31:29
Unfortunatly Keirkrad did turn into a werebat and beyond saving. In the War of the Spider Queen series Ryld gets infected himself and he took belladona to poison the disease out of him before he was to far infected. No such luck for poor old Keirkrad. It was a great battle though and he died with honor. I have a question though, which I should read the rest before I get the answer, but after Ardeth left her companions behind to die, Royce gets a skull full of axe and Gan's heart had a meeting with a spear leaving only Gunton to face the Sheperds. They said they had use for him and that he had to earn his rest. So my question is when Vell arrived, The dead guy getting his eyes eaten by crows, was that dead guy Gunton or another unfortunate corpes? No one knows the full extent of magic that is held within the Heart of Runlatha. As much as we know it has the power to cast Illusion magic and it keeps the Shepards immortal but I know there's more. I love the part when the behemoths are charging the city wall. Vell and Kellin are becoming intimate. So the big question is........is Vell going to be victorious and live happilly ever after with Kellin.........is Vell going to die saving his people..........is Gieldarr going to be victorious and defeat them all...... I can't to read the rest. |
| Murray Leeder |
Posted - 18 Jan 2006 : 04:22:21
I'm glad that the Shepherds' demeanor came as a surprise to you. I had rather hoped that it would be a substantial surprise for readers of Son of Thunder. I thought it critical that the Thunderbeasts' fixation on racial purity be turned on its head. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 18 Jan 2006 : 03:08:25
Wow did things pick up here. For some reason I though the Shepards would be wise and kindly beings . . . I forgot they were Netherese apparently. I like the fact that Vell is starting to come into his own, and I liked how Sungar was suddenly very satisfied after having his vision. Oh, and kudos for mentioning Gorm Gulthym Murray! Definately not a commonly referred to dwarven divinity.
It surprised me that Gan actually felt bad about what he had done. The big lug was just a bundle of conflicting emotions I guess. Very interesting description of the Heart of Runlatha, and I think it was interesting as well that Geildarr would have his dream about a city falling right before the behemoths charged the walls.
And Vell's comment about not thinking of entering a city this way was great. |
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