IN HER NAME: Week of 2/1 - Reading & discussing chapters 1-5

[bkworm8it]

Just finished Chapt 3 last night. Started part of 4

Chapter 3:

Were you surprised at what happened to Muldoon?

It's about dang time. Personally I think he got off easy. He should have been drawn and quartered. I don't care if he had a bad childhood himself, I'm soo sick of that excuse (not that the book said he did but I'm sure he would have used it as an excues). I've had a horrific childhood but I don't go about destroying other peoples/ children's lives (ok I'm off my soap box but this stuff really burns me. Well guess it just hits to close to home.)

anyhoo, I'm glad those in charge finally woke up to what was happening to the orphans and did something about it. It may not be perfect now but at least they have a chance and as Reza said they are becoming human again!

theresam

[Michael R. Hicks]

Chapter 1:

Why do you think the author put in the moment of Solon finding the picture of the couple who used to live in the house they were using as a base?
Not sure, why did you? :p  I would guess as a device to create an attachment of sorts between this conflict and some of the greater ones in our history--the exact same scenario probably played out thousands of times in WWII, for example.  It kinda makes it feel less whiz-bang intergalactic warfare and more of a small skirmish that is repeated in countless iterations.

Well, it wasn't a conscious thing, really, but I think I was imagining a bunch of soldiers holed up in what was left of somebody's house, trying to get a sense of how to convey what they might have done and felt beyond the utter violence of the situation they were in. And how Solon felt about the picture I think gave some good insight into his character in the brief time he and Camilla appear. How we perceive his character would be radically different had, for example, he seen the photo and just stepped on it out of indifference...

Why did the Kreelan priestess cut Reza in the same way he cut her? Why did she take a lock of his hair? Why did she let him live?
I think she let him live because he lashed out and actually managed to injure her, despite his size, weight, strength and situational disadvantage; that act of physical agression earned him some respect.  I suspect she did both of the other things for remembrance sake:  She couldn't let him go without injuring him after what he'd done, thus the matching keepsake on his face; and she took the hair to remember the "animal" that had bested her when he was apparently helpless.

Indeed! As you'll discover, the Kreelans take personal respect - even for worthy enemies - and their own sense of honor very seriously!

What insight into the author does Reza's remarks about the House 48 library give you?
That you're a DTB kinda guy at heart and think all of us Kindlers are silly geese? :p

That one had me laughing! LOL! 

Oddly enough, part of this was when this book was actually written: I finished the original draft around 1994, and it basically sat in a box under my desk until last year when I dusted it off and finally published it (on the Kindle first!). So there weren't any silly Kindler geese yet (a group of which I am a proud member - honk!).

But I think this was clearly from my parents beating into my head the importance of education and feeding your mind. Again, it wasn't a conscious decision on my part to write it that way, but I suspect that's where it came from. And while there's only a brief mention of it, the collection speaks as much about Wiley's former intellectuality as anything else...

Would you have left Reza to check the library as Mary the librarian did? What would you have done? Why do you think the author did it this way?
Probably not.  It singles him out upon his capture, and again gives him a chance to show his mettle.  If he'd been in the shelter, he'd have been executed before being carried out.

Yeah, I don't think he would've voluntarily gone unless Wiley told him to...

[Michael R. Hicks]

Were you surprised at what happened to Muldoon?

It's about dang time. Personally I think he got off easy. He should have been drawn and quartered. I don't care if he had a bad childhood himself, I'm soo sick of that excuse (not that the book said he did but I'm sure he would have used it as an excues). I've had a horrific childhood but I don't go about destroying other peoples/ children's lives (ok I'm off my soap box but this stuff really burns me. Well guess it just hits to close to home.)

anyhoo, I'm glad those in charge finally woke up to what was happening to the orphans and did something about it. It may not be perfect now but at least they have a chance and as Reza said they are becoming human again!

theresam

Yeah, he was certainly a scumball. I've never actually been able to figure out where his character came from. I had a rather idyllic (if somewhat loony) childhood without anything awful happening to me personally (for which I am deeply thankful), and none of the friends I grew up with had any unusual trauma in their family lives...

[Michael R. Hicks]

Hmmm, okay, question: am I giving too much away or anything when I add comments/answers to some of these posts? I don't want to spoil anything or preempt anybody's responses...??

[bkworm8it]

Hmmm, okay, question: am I giving too much away or anything when I add comments/answers to some of these posts? I don't want to spoil anything or preempt anybody's responses...??

I'm on the fence with this... I like all the extra tips/insights to the characters that I may not see later down the road. It makes them more deminsional to me and I'm finding it changes the way I'm reading the book. However I am careful not to read someone else's answers to chapters I have not read or replied to yet. So it doesn't preempt my response.   - clear as mud? - I'm on cold medicine so forgive me if I just ramble 

theresam

[bkworm8it]

Yeah, he was certainly a scumball. I've never actually been able to figure out where his character came from. I had a rather idyllic (if somewhat loony) childhood without anything awful happening to me personally (for which I am deeply thankful), and none of the friends I grew up with had any unusual trauma in their family lives...

I don't think one has to actually have a traumatic experience like that to know that those type of people exist and those things unfortunately happen. Anyway I think his character adds to the direness of the orphan's plight and the development/strength of Reza's character. Because of their dire situation, Reza became a leader and showed compassion to his group. He could have just kept his head down and protected himself but he didn't. I think that if they just worked long hours with little food but did not have to contend with the other dangers, I think Reza would be a different person and not accomplish the things he does in the future (I'm assumptioning here that he does something great in the future since I'm not there yet  ) nor would the reader be as invested in this character (Reza) Or Nichole either as she showed strenght in character to continue to move foward.

my 2 cents of course

theresam

[Michael R. Hicks]

I'm on the fence with this... I like all the extra tips/insights to the characters that I may not see later down the road. It makes them more deminsional to me and I'm finding it changes the way I'm reading the book. However I am careful not to read someone else's answers to chapters I have not read or replied to yet. So it doesn't preempt my response.   - clear as mud? - I'm on cold medicine so forgive me if I just ramble 

theresam

LOL! I know how you feel - I came home early with snuffleuppagus syndrome (and helped keep Jan awake half the night honking and snorting).

Okay, well, we'll see what other folks think and go from there.

[Anju No. 469]

I don't think you are giving anything away 

I can't stop reading and waiting until next week 

I did the same thing with Outlander, kept reading, and was afraid to post answers that I might spoil something inadvertently 

I did have a bad night last night, but nothing to do with In Her Name 
so I gotta keep going 

[bkworm8it]

I don't think you are giving anything away 

I can't stop reading and waiting until next week 

I did the same thing with Outlander, kept reading, and was afraid to post answers that I might spoil something inadvertently

I did have a bad night last night, but nothing to do with In Her Name 
so I gotta keep going 

Sorry about your bad night. Glad to hear it wasn't the book!  I'd have the same problem as you with this book except I can't find the time to get more than one chapter. I've had a cold so I'm dopped up and foggy when I get home from work and then trying to do to many errands during lunch so I'm not out too late.

It's so nice to have a book that makes you want to keep on reading, I just wish time would go slower when reading a good book not faster!!

theresam

[Beth A]

I can't put this book own either. I was planning to be so good, reading only the assigned chapters. I started Sunday and am on chapter 18 now. So obviously that didn't work out so good.   

But the book is AWESOME!!!!

[EyeMc]

I've already finished, and you guys are in for a real treat! I'm not going to add any comments because I will give things away.  But I will read this board and re-read as you all enjoy!

Mike, thanks for all your hard work!  This was one of the best reads I've had in a long time.  May your Way be long.

Jim 

[Michael R. Hicks]

Hey, you guys keep this up, this'll only last a week! LOL!! Jeeze, Beth is already into Book Two. Yikes!

I'm so glad everybody's enjoying it - you have no idea how gratifying that is.

And for those like Jim who've read it already, there's a spoiler thread if you want to spill any beans!

[nicuknitter]

Okay, this is so not my usual type of book.  I never would have picked it on my own.  The chance to read a book with the author right there was too inticing.  I am loving it!  I have enjoyed his comments to the posts.  I think it actually helps to clarify what he was thinking and I don't think he is giving away too much.  The fact that he picks the starting questions (and posts them before the reading assignment, thank you) points out things that he felt were important that I might not have noticed in the same way.

I felt the picture showed just how much we had lost of normal humanity.

I agree with what others have said about the respect aspect of the fight between Reza and the priestess and have to add that it seemed like she thought he might have had a little of that "soul" she deemed missing from the rest of humans.

The library shows the authors love of books and knowledge and feels that they should and will be always revered. 

I am really enjoying this book!  I love that the discussion is being led by the author. (As a side note, I keep wondering what it would have been like to read the Harry Potter series with J K Rowling leading the way)

[Michael R. Hicks]

Okay, this is so not my usual type of book.  I never would have picked it on my own.  The chance to read a book with the author right there was too inticing.  I am loving it!  I have enjoyed his comments to the posts.  I think it actually helps to clarify what he was thinking and I don't think he is giving away too much.  The fact that he picks the starting questions (and posts them before the reading assignment, thank you) points out things that he felt were important that I might not have noticed in the same way.

Glad you're enjoying it, particularly since it's not in your usual line of interest!! 

I can't take any credit for the questions for the first round (and probably most of the subsequent ones), though: Jan (ScrappingForever) thought up most of them! That's one thing that I've found incredibly difficult for this book klub endeavor: figuring out what sort of questions might inspire some good discussion without giving away too much of the upcoming plot. D'oh!

The library shows the authors love of books and knowledge and feels that they should and will be always revered. 

I like it! This was also essentially another gift, if you will, from Wiley to Reza: knowledge and the joy of its pursuit. Without Reza's deep rooting in that ideal and the toughening he experienced through hardship, the book probably would have ended somewhere in chapter 5!

I am really enjoying this book!  I love that the discussion is being led by the author. (As a side note, I keep wondering what it would have been like to read the Harry Potter series with J K Rowling leading the way)

Boy, a book club led by JK Rowling - stand aside, Superbowl!! LOL!!

[PraiseGod13]

Mike, please don't stop with your thoughts/additions and comments!  They are making an already exceptional book klub even better.  I was SO looking forward to a book klub led by the author and this has been a wonderful week.  I have some health issues going on as well so may not be able to post all that often.... but I'm reading (no discipline with this one - I'm WAY ahead in the book too because it is too good to put down) and enjoying everyone's discussions as we go along.
     Kudos to Mike and In Her Name!!!  And thanks, Jan for the thought-provoking questions! 

[bkworm8it]

OK.. I have to say,, this is the worst book ever!!! 

 It makes me want to do bad things. I keep thinking I could just call in sick to work, after all I am hacking up a lung so they would believe me. But I'm only a temp employee for now and not sick pay benefits and no extra cash.  With my cold so bad at night I can barely see the pages to read but during the day it's not so bad.

I just got to the middle of chapt 4: So here I sit wondering, is Reza going to escape? I know the priestess can walk through walls are they going to capture all those children locked in that safe room? What happens to Willey...and bugger if I don't have an appointment tonight and I can't just go home and read, not that I could see clearly to read!  I'm trying sooo hard not to look at answers for chpt 4 but I GOTTA KNOW WHAT happens!!! 

Thanks Mike it's been awhile since I've read a book that makes me want to skip work!!!

theresam

[Michael R. Hicks]

Mike, please don't stop with your thoughts/additions and comments!  They are making an already exceptional book klub even better.  I was SO looking forward to a book klub led by the author and this has been a wonderful week.  I have some health issues going on as well so may not be able to post all that often.... but I'm reading (no discipline with this one - I'm WAY ahead in the book too because it is too good to put down) and enjoying everyone's discussions as we go along.
     Kudos to Mike and In Her Name!!!  And thanks, Jan for the thought-provoking questions! 

Well, I think all useful thought from my addled brain probably stopped when I was about thirteen. HA!

Okay, I'll continue with my rambling. But please don't limit yourself to whatever questions we (er, Jan) comes up with - if something jumps out at you that you're curious about or whatever, toss it out here!

Now, where's my sword...

[Michael R. Hicks]

OK.. I have to say,, this is the worst book ever!!! 

 It makes me want to do bad things. I keep thinking I could just call in sick to work, after all I am hacking up a lung so they would believe me. But I'm only a temp employee for now and not sick pay benefits and no extra cash.  With my cold so bad at night I can barely see the pages to read but during the day it's not so bad.

Oy! I hope you feel better - but if nothing else, it seems like you're finding a bit of relief in an escape from reality.

I just got to the middle of chapt 4: So here I sit wondering, is Reza going to escape? I know the priestess can walk through walls are they going to capture all those children locked in that safe room? What happens to Willey...and bugger if I don't have an appointment tonight and I can't just go home and read, not that I could see clearly to read!  I'm trying sooo hard not to look at answers for chpt 4 but I GOTTA KNOW WHAT happens!!! 

See, this is where I have a hard time: I want to give you some inkling of what's going to happen, but that's no fair, is it? Now you'll have to suffer until you can finish the chapter! Arrrghhh!

That's something several people have commented on, though: there are a number of cliffhangers in the book that seem to drive people crazy. I think this will actually get worse for you further on in the book, when the action starts to really accelerate toward the climax of the story. Plan some days off accordingly! LOL!

Thanks Mike it's been awhile since I've read a book that makes me want to skip work!!!

Well, I think that speaks for your dedication to work as much as whether In Her Name is a good read. Me, I'm always looking for any excuse to skip work (I'm a baaaad boy!!)... 

[Michael R. Hicks]

Okay, if anybody's interested maybe we'll try for a chat on Thursday 2/5/09 at 9pm EST. I'll bring some coffee laced with chocolate...

P.S. I'll cross-post this to some of the other threads as an FYI, following Robin's lead!

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Chapter 1:

Why do you think the author put in the moment of Solon finding the picture of the couple who used to live in the house they were using as a base?

I think it personalized the scene. 

Near location 299-305, the Kreelan priestess has the thought "What a pity that animals with such instincts did not possess souls." What significance, if any, do you think that statement has?

That statement goes to what happens when Hallmark is attacked for the second time.  The Kreelan's acknowledge that humans have some value, even though they don't have souls.  I think that's why they decide to take the children and train them to Kreelan ways.

Why did the Kreelan priestess cut Reza in the same way he cut her? Why did she take a lock of his hair? Why did she let him live?

The priestess obviously feels some connection with Reza.  I think she sees he has the makings of a warrior.  She cuts him the same way to let him know he didn't get away with defying her entirely, and also to mark him.  She takes a lock of his hair as a souvenir.  We see later that she usually does this.

What were your impressions of Nicole? Of Wiley?

Nicole must have lived a fairly sheltered life.  I think she adjusts pretty well, but without Reza and Wiley and the promise of going to the Academy in six months, I don't think she would have survived.

Wiley sees something in Reza, as Reza sees something in Wiley.  Reza takes as much care of Wiley as Wiley does of him. 

Chapter 3:

Were you surprised at what happened to Muldoon?

I was certainly hoping that would happen.  But I would have liked to see him consumed by the flames instead of a too mercifully quick death.

Chapter 4:

Would you have left Reza to check the library as Mary the librarian did? What would you have done? Why do you think the author did it this way?

Yes, I think I would have.  Reza has shown himself to be a leader and someone to be trusted.  If it did not happen that way, Wiley wouldn't have found him. 

We again meet again the warrior priestess who appeared in chapter 1, and find out she is named Tesh-Dar. Were you surprised to see her again?

No, I wasn't surprised.  Tesh-Dar and Reza both marked each other.  They were bound to come together again. 

It comes to Tesh-Dar's thoughts several times that humans have no souls because their blood doesn't sing. What do you think this means?

Two things come to mind.  Does the Kreelan's blood sing with the lust of warfare or with the spirituality of their souls.

Chapter 5:

What is your first impression of Esah-Zhurah?

I believe Esah-Zhurah to be Reza's keeper and trainer. 

When Reza realized he was getting sick from his diet and attacked Esah-Zhurah, what were you thinking would happen?

I thought Esah-Zhurah would come to respect Reza for standing up to her.  I think they are looking for children that they can train to be warriors, so she was constantly provoking him into action.  After Reza bests her, she kneels and bows to him.  Later, when Reza is reciting his lessons, we find that warriors either bow or kneel to other warriors seven degrees below them.  I think she's acknowledging Reza's warrior status.

Bonus questions

A couple of questions that'll be the same for each section:

- What was the most emotional scene for you?

Wiley's death.  He went down as Colonel Hickock and died as he wanted to.

- What character(s) did you like the most and least?

I really liked Wiley/Colonel Hickock.  He may have been the dotty janitor most of the time, but he was able to pull out the Colonel when he was needed.

The least; Muldoon, for obvious reasons.

[Neekeebee]

Just started the book last night and it kept me up till one!  Great writing!

Chapter 1:

Why do you think the author put in the moment of Solon finding the picture of the couple who used to live in the house they were using as a base?
It reminds us that this sad, war-ridden place used to be home to people like you and me.

Near location 299-305, the Kreelan priestess has the thought "What a pity that animals with such instincts did not possess souls." What significance, if any, do you think that statement has?
Somehow, she cannot detect the souls in humans, which makes them unworthy of being treated as anything more than mere animals or worse.  If the humans were deemed to possess “souls” then the Kreelans would probably not try to exterminate them in war. 

Why did the Kreelan priestess cut Reza in the same way he cut her? Why did she take a lock of his hair? Why did she let him live?  
I think the priestess was shocked that such a young kid (7) or “pup” would have such courage and fight in him. If he were an adult, she would absolutely have killed him.  She took a lock of his hair b/c it is some symbolic ritual of the Kreelans after their kills.  Maybe we’ll learn more about this later in the book?


Chapter 2:

What insight into the author does Reza's remarks about the House 48 library give you?
I made a note in LyBerry that it was funny how the part about electronic books and holding real books would be in a Kindle book. 

What were your impressions of Nicole? Of Wiley?
Wiley is a big-time war hero whose mind probably couldn’t take all the brutality and tragedy he has witnessed over the years. He’s a great character.  I’m sad that his death wasn’t more heroic, but I guess this is what makes the story more real.  Nicole isn’t there yet, but she will be a survivor.

Chapter 3:

Were you surprised at what happened to Muldoon?
Something bad to happen to that evil man to give the kids some hope. 

Chapter 4:

Would you have left Reza to check the library as Mary the librarian did? What would you have done? Why do you think the author did it this way?
Mary was in a difficult spot.  She was responsible for getting all these kids to safety, but she also wanted to make sure she got all of them.  She was divided between saving the majority versus risking everyone to try to save every last one.  Reza was the obvious candidate to help her, as he was the assistant librarian, and also probably the most mature and able child in the group.  Maybe Mary could have offered to stay behind herself while Reza led the rest of the kids to the shelter, though.  The author had to split Reza somehow from the rest of the group for the story line to work.

We again meet again the warrior priestess who appeared in chapter 1, and find out she is named Tesh-Dar. Were you surprised to see her again?
No, she and Reza were bound to meet again.

It comes to Tesh-Dar's thoughts several times that humans have no souls because their blood doesn't sing. What do you think this means?
I don’t know exactly what it means but it sounds neat!  I think this is a description of something the Kreelans detect in themselves and other beings they may have encountered before humans.  Humans souls probably exhibit themselves in some other way that is undetectable to the Kreelans (they can’t hear our blood singing).

Chapter 5:

What is your first impression of Esah-Zhurah?
She is performing a duty that she finds distasteful.  She doesn’t believe Reza has a soul, or that he is worthy of her time and effort.  She thinks he’s lucky to be alive so he has no right to an opinion or to be picky about food.  She probably realizes though, that Reza is important b/c he is the only older child to be saved by the priestess.  So she can abuse him but not kill him.

When Reza realized he was getting sick from his diet and attacked Esah-Zhurah, what were you thinking would happen?I thought he would escape the room and run into the priestess.

Now I can go read everybody else's thoughts.

N

[Michael R. Hicks]

Gertie - what happened to you last night?

That statement goes to what happens when Hallmark is attacked for the second time.  The Kreelan's acknowledge that humans have some value, even though they don't have souls.  I think that's why they decide to take the children and train them to Kreelan ways.

Yes, but there's more to it that has yet to be revealed...

Nicole must have lived a fairly sheltered life.  I think she adjusts pretty well, but without Reza and Wiley and the promise of going to the Academy in six months, I don't think she would have survived.

I agree. What she went through on Hallmark I think showed her that she could be as tough as she needed to be, but you're right: she would have had a *very* bad time without Reza and Wiley - even without Muldoon the scumball.

Wiley sees something in Reza, as Reza sees something in Wiley.  Reza takes as much care of Wiley as Wiley does of him. 

Definitely true, I think! I hope to write more about Wiley in the next book. He (and one of the other characters later in the book who knows him) has a lot of character potential.

Two things come to mind.  Does the Kreelan's blood sing with the lust of warfare or with the spirituality of their souls.

I know this is such a teaser question, since I can't say much yet without it being a bit of a spoiler!

I thought Esah-Zhurah would come to respect Reza for standing up to her.  I think they are looking for children that they can train to be warriors, so she was constantly provoking him into action.  After Reza bests her, she kneels and bows to him.  Later, when Reza is reciting his lessons, we find that warriors either bow or kneel to other warriors seven degrees below them.  I think she's acknowledging Reza's warrior status.

Reza has a long way to go to become a warrior, but the respect part is the key. Kreelan life is defined by respect and honor. It'll be interesting to see how everyone sees the Kreelans as they learn more about them...

Wiley's death.  He went down as Colonel Hickock and died as he wanted to.

I really liked Wiley/Colonel Hickock.  He may have been the dotty janitor most of the time, but he was able to pull out the Colonel when he was needed.

Yes, thiings would've turned out a bit different without him!!

The least; Muldoon, for obvious reasons.

The swine. A lot of folks have said his demise was too easy, but I guess that's just fate. Blame my typing fingers.

[Michael R. Hicks]

Just started the book last night and it kept me up till one!  Great writing!

Holy cow! That's hard core! 

Chapter 1:

Why do you think the author put in the moment of Solon finding the picture of the couple who used to live in the house they were using as a base?
It reminds us that this sad, war-ridden place used to be home to people like you and me.

I think that definitely hits the nail on the head. Again, this scene wasn't something I did as an intentional plot device, but I think your observation gets right to the heart of what my fingers were thinking!

Near location 299-305, the Kreelan priestess has the thought "What a pity that animals with such instincts did not possess souls." What significance, if any, do you think that statement has?
Somehow, she cannot detect the souls in humans, which makes them unworthy of being treated as anything more than mere animals or worse.  If the humans were deemed to possess “souls” then the Kreelans would probably not try to exterminate them in war. 

Hey, have you already read this book?    Definitely on the right track!!

Why did the Kreelan priestess cut Reza in the same way he cut her? Why did she take a lock of his hair? Why did she let him live?  
I think the priestess was shocked that such a young kid (7) or “pup” would have such courage and fight in him. If he were an adult, she would absolutely have killed him.  She took a lock of his hair b/c it is some symbolic ritual of the Kreelans after their kills.  Maybe we’ll learn more about this later in the book?

At this point in their history, the Kreelans live to honor their empress, and the warriors do this through combat. The priestess showed some good humor here by letting Reza live, and almost certainly would have killed him had he been an adult.

What insight into the author does Reza's remarks about the House 48 library give you?[/b]
I made a note in LyBerry that it was funny how the part about electronic books and holding real books would be in a Kindle book. 

This part always cracks me up! I started the book in '91 and finished the original draft in '94. I wonder if I would've written this part differently today? Regardless, I think the part about the books in the library speaks as much to Wiley's character as anything else, as it's his collection - maybe someday we'll learn more about him!

What were your impressions of Nicole? Of Wiley?
Wiley is a big-time war hero whose mind probably couldn’t take all the brutality and tragedy he has witnessed over the years. He’s a great character.  I’m sad that his death wasn’t more heroic, but I guess this is what makes the story more real.  Nicole isn’t there yet, but she will be a survivor.

Well, Wiley's mental situation was a direct result of a war injury, the same one that claimed his leg. If you remember back when Reza first introduces him to Nicole, she sees the scar on his forehead...

But yes, people have commented on his death (as they have on Muldoon's being too quick!), but again, I think it's just fate (and my typing fingers!).

Chapter 3:

Were you surprised at what happened to Muldoon?
Something bad to happen to that evil man to give the kids some hope. 

And I enjoyed the fact that Wiley gave him his comeuppance!

Chapter 4:

Would you have left Reza to check the library as Mary the librarian did? What would you have done? Why do you think the author did it this way?

Mary was in a difficult spot.  She was responsible for getting all these kids to safety, but she also wanted to make sure she got all of them.  She was divided between saving the majority versus risking everyone to try to save every last one.  Reza was the obvious candidate to help her, as he was the assistant librarian, and also probably the most mature and able child in the group.  Maybe Mary could have offered to stay behind herself while Reza led the rest of the kids to the shelter, though.  The author had to split Reza somehow from the rest of the group for the story line to work.

True - Reza had to "get away". But I think it was also another illustration of his independence and maturity. Traits he's going to need in spades soon!

It comes to Tesh-Dar's thoughts several times that humans have no souls because their blood doesn't sing. What do you think this means?
I don’t know exactly what it means but it sounds neat!  I think this is a description of something the Kreelans detect in themselves and other beings they may have encountered before humans.  Humans souls probably exhibit themselves in some other way that is undetectable to the Kreelans (they can’t hear our blood singing).

Ah! You're on the right track, methinks!

What is your first impression of Esah-Zhurah?

She is performing a duty that she finds distasteful.  She doesn’t believe Reza has a soul, or that he is worthy of her time and effort.  She thinks he’s lucky to be alive so he has no right to an opinion or to be picky about food.  She probably realizes though, that Reza is important b/c he is the only older child to be saved by the priestess.  So she can abuse him but not kill him.

Without giving any spoilers, it's hard to emphasize how unpalatable Esah-Zhurah's task was for her. But that will become a bit more clear as the story goes on! And she could kill him, but only with good reason.

When Reza realized he was getting sick from his diet and attacked Esah-Zhurah, what were you thinking would happen?

I thought he would escape the room and run into the priestess.

LOL! Just wait...

[Neekeebee]

Hey, have you already read this book?    Definitely on the right track!!

I promise I have not read ahead yet, but I don't promise that I won't!   The story is just too good!  Your fingers obviously knew what they were doing!

By the way, can I just say what a neat experience it is to be doing the Book Klub with the author?  I'm so looking forward to the rest of this one and the upcoming ones!

N

[Michael R. Hicks]

I promise I have not read ahead yet, but I don't promise that I won't!   The story is just too good!  Your fingers obviously knew what they were doing!

By the way, can I just say what a neat experience it is to be doing the Book Klub with the author?  I'm so looking forward to the rest of this one and the upcoming ones!

N

Hey, read ahead if you like - the whole point is to enjoy it! If you do, though, just come back and hit the threads!

And this is neat for me, too - lots of good feedback, and it's a lot of fun to see what people's thoughts are as they go through the story. It's also a good ego boost! LOL!