originally posted by Richard McMahon
Hi there.
New to this forum but not new to Janny's books - I have been devouring them for years now. Janny, I tell everyone I know that you are my favourite author - thank you, thank you, thank you!
Stormed Fortress was exceptional. I agree with others that there is a beautiful richness and depth to the work.
I disciplined myself not to read the books for a while, because I enjoy them so much - so had left SF there like an unopened chocolate. So, this is why I am late to the read for this one!
Um…though it should not be necessary by now…
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
Initial impressions:
Lysaer's fighting of the curse - wow!
Poor Lirenda - I keep hoping for her freedom and redemption!
Morriel - just seems to constantly find new and more vile ways of trying to further her agenda (she often reminds me of a mean version of Coyote pursuing Arithon's Roadrunner)
Elaira - a very strong character and love the way she is able to thread a third course through an "either or" scenario.
Davien and the Fellowship - fascinating to learn the real story of his unravelling!
So much more - but the best is the unpredictability. So many books, I can usually guess which way things may land - but in this world, the characters seem to determine the course, rather than any rigid plotline.
Keep up the great work Janny - you are a genius!
originally posted by Hunter
"Poor Lirenda"… now, they are two words I have rarely come across in the same sentence! 
originally posted by Kirsten Laurelle Wallace
I actually feel some sympathy for Lirenda as well. I think she is a character that's a product of her upbringing. So, even though I don't really like her, she was set up for the fall she experienced. Honestly, no one deserves the life her character lives.
Welcome here Richard McMahon! Lovely to have you.
It's never unnecessary or too late. In fact, your timing is perfect! We have all the books once again out in the USA and in print - and Stormed Fortress's appearance is the first on these shores. Very nice to have an active forum all across the boards because we will be getting new readers.
I am just thrilled to see you enjoyed all the twists in Stormed Fortress - well, wait till you see Initiate's Trial! Not too much longer for you to wait. (The draft's done, I'm working on the polish to turn in.)
By all means wake up this discussion, folks! There are still things in this volume people have missed.
originally posted by Hunter
It has been said throughout this series that eveyrone who has experienced direct contact with Paravians emerges a changed individual. (Although curiously I might suggest I have yet to see the impact of Elaira's encounter with the unicorn. Dakar weeps at the memory of Paravians which should give some idea).
It is simple to suggest all those who come into contact with both Arithon and Lysaer emerge as changed individuals as well. One therefore wonders where Lirenda, whatever her upbringing, had any chance of encountering Arithon and *not* being changed/corrupted by the process.
originally posted by Martha Bennett
Hmmm…Spoilers ahead!!!
Just finished this weekend, after ignoring my children a lot! Read the whole page here to see what people had been talking about and saw lots of the things I would have said, but some not brought up.
In regards to Bransion and his brothers, thought some things were not in keeping with their history. While always volatile and passionate, I thought they were better than their actions during the sack of Alestron. I couldn't quite bear to watch them consistently betray Arithon, especially after he raised the star song. Usually when people have been touched by his compassion they are changed in a good way, or at least they stop calling him runt, whelp, skinny sorcerer. I know the s'Brydion were always war, war, war and such, but it just felt wrong. However, I loved the ending where they got their comeuppance (except for Mearn, who "saw the light" before to late). Sometimes Arithon's Christ-like turning of the cheek makes me cuckoo and I want someone to get the @ss-whupping they deserve. Asandir was just the fellow to give it to old Bransian.
The other area I can't reconcile, and probably won't ever, is the Athir coupling between Elaira/Glendien and Arithon…even if it was to save him. And it isn't so much the coupling, for I certainly could see their straits…they wanted to bring him back and couldn't find any other way (maybe) but to enact that kind of thing on someone and then not tell him…I don't agree in any way. The fact that Elaira tells Glendien she will have full memory of what happened to her body so that she won't feel raped is just …it gives me shudders that they don't extend the same courtesy to Arithon. No one should be kept from the fact that they have a created a child. I don't care that the Beidar called in debt…to me it goes a against the Laws the Fellowship has sworn to uphold. I still don't understand why Elaira isn't talking, or why she doesn't feel guilty (maybe she does, but I'd have trouble looking him in the face until I told the truth.) The whole thing sticks in my craw, way more then Dakar having to "help" Arithon to "completion" in Halwythwood did (and I couldn't get that one out of my mind for a while as just a violation of privacy). So, while I have to say Janny sure knows how to make me uneasy and desperate for the next book, I cannot like what was done to and even for Arithon, and only really like Talvish at this point as he is unaware of what went on. The funny thing is I always knew this was going to happen to Arithon the minute relations between he and Elaira became so fraught with danger. The minute Janny wrote of Dakar getting that funny look in his eye I was convinced, especially with Kyrialt dead (pisser too, I loved that guy!) Well, more later but I wanted to get this off my chest. I feel better! And don't get me wrong, love this whole series. Just irked by some things, and I guess that is what a writer wants…not all "Unicorns and Rainbows" all the time…
Spoilers Above!!!