1. Well, we finally got our long awaited view of the Lord Ruler, firstly just a brief glimpse during the executions and then during the fight with Kelsier. What do you now think about him and the myth’s surrounding him? And, given his strength do you think he can be beaten?
He appears very youthful and having 2 spears thrust completely through his body doesn't faze him, so I believe the legends about his being immortal and invincible are not without substance. However, I think he is this way because of some kind of magic of which we have not yet been made aware. I think he can be beaten once his secrets and complete background are revealed. But what a monster he seems to be in this chapter!
2. We seemed to suffer a number of set backs to the plans this week. The army had already been all but destroyed and following a bit of a rethink/regroup/coming up with a Plan B things still have gone disastrously astray. What do you think the Crew will do now?
I believe that a number of the crew will want to leave, believing that they have done all they could do -- and some things to be proud of. I wonder if they truly believed they could go so far as to take the city and eliminate the Lord Ruler. Now, with Kelsier and his inspiring attitude gone (I can't believe he's dead!!), they must think it's time to quit.
3. What was your reaction to Kelsier’s response to finding Marsh dead? I can’t help feeling that there are going to be some serious economic repercussions to destroying the crystals – what sort of impact do you think this will have, not just on the nobles but on the Skaa?
Kelsier was aware of the great danger Marsh was facing. I think he was saddened by his death but not surprised.
Loaing the atium from the Pits will be a blow, but the Lord Ruler still has his hoard of atium and I think it will now become more rare and valuable because it cannot be replaced. This should make him even more wealthy. The nobles will be affected, especially House Venture, which is in charge of extracting the atium, but then the Great Houses seem to be falling anyway because of the House War. I do think the poor skaa are the ones who will suffer the vengeance of the Lord Ruler, however.
4. Finally, each week we learn a little bit more of the Lord Ruler’s history. And each week it has a different impact. This week’s snippets had the same impact – I was really interested in the excerpt when he mentions that the Darkness is not as oppressive when higher up in the mountains – do you have any more ideas about the Darkness?
No. I wish I knew more about the nature of the Darkness, but I guess that will be revealed eventually.
5. I was wondering about Elend and Vin – they’ve also had their ups and downs this week but seem determined to work round them – can you see anything of a future for these two or is there too much history between the nobles and Skaa and too much difference and prejudice between the two?
I believe Vin still thinks Elend is a "good man" and that Elend now knows that, although she is not what she seemed, she does nor intend him any harm. I think they do have a future, and I am glad Kelsier saved Elend's life -- because of Kelsier's opinion of the nobles, I'm sure he did this solely for Vin's sake.
On another note -- Sanderson does the fight scene between Kelsier and the Inquisitor so well that if you really concentrate while reading, it is almost as if you can picture the whole scene in your head.
Thanks, Lynn, for your great discussion questions.
The fight scene with Kelsier and the Lord Ruler was pretty intense. Even though I hated the outcome, Sanderson did a brilliant job.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a good moment when Kelsier saved Elend. One of his few flaws--his hatred of the nobility as a group--melted away right before the end. I think it will help both sides of the conflict to know that he was fighting for all of the people against the Lord Ruler.
ReplyDeleteYes, agreed.
DeleteJust that one thought line redeemed much of Kelsier's past attitudes.
She loves him.
Then bam! Such a well done scene.
the Lord Ruler certainly is a monster in these chapters - the execution scenes were frankly horrifying. And he lived up to his reputation didn't he - I really couldn't believe it. I still think he's beatable. It's all about information and I believe that between Vin - with her strange abilities - and Elend and Sazed with their book reading - an answer will be found. Probably in the last moments when all else looks hopeless.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that Vin will have to step up now and show what she's got. Also, about the Atium, does the Lord Ruler have much of a supply - I keep thinking he's been using it and I have this suspicion that it's all going to become in very short supply!
Lynn D:
I love the way that Brandon Sanderson does his fight scenes. You can visualize them perfectly, even when people are flipping around in the air and using Allomancy.
ReplyDeleteMarsh seemed to go into the Ministry knowing that his life was pretty much forfeit for it. Even if he'd gotten out, the tattoos changed him to the point that he wouldn't be able to jump back into his old identity. Even so, it came as a tremendous blow to Kelsier.
In a way, I think there's been too much of a snowball effect - there's no way the crew can simply stop fighting. I'm not sure it's even in their control anymore. Too much has happened, too much has been set in motion. It might be fight or die for them.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly had to believe at that point that TLR could be beaten, as the level of his power and the way the spears didn't phase him is just staggering. I felt the wind go out of my sails, as no doubt Vin and the others did.
ReplyDeleteIn a "real world" situation, how could the crew not want to run away and lay low? I think the last place you'd want to be after TLR's display is anywhere near Luthadel. And yet it wouldn't be much of a story if they did that, so I do hope that Kell's death binds them together more tightly.
Yes, that fight scene was all pretty amazing. It was like reading a movie. Very well done.
I imagine that Elend should have an easy time overlooking what Vin is/was. I mean a typical guy would. You can overlook a lot of things if you are attracted to someone.