Eddis, Attolia, Sounis

"Sophos blushed."

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:34:11 GMT

Hi y'all,

I hear about this study on the radio this morning and, of course, it brought to mind everyone's favorite blushing prince.

"Blushing Means You Are More Trustworthy"

The Cal-Berkely study finds that those who tend to blush or are easily embarrassed, are more trustworthy, more generous, and more faithful, and generally more virtuous than those who are not embarrassed easily. Of course, we could have found the same things just by doing a character study of Sophos, but it was nice of the University to confirm it for us XD So at least Helen, unlike Irene, will not have any mistresses to worry about XD

~Books

Gen's height

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:42 GMT

Sorry for this random thing, but I thought it rather interesting.

In the Greenwillow edition of The Thief, page 31, there is the following passage:

We all slid to the ground, and Pol was quickly beside me with one hand firmly on my shoulder. It was an easy business for him; my shoulder came only to his chest. Sometimes it bothered me that I am so small.

This, I believe this is a rather important thing about Gen. In the olden days, people were generally not very tall, because often they do not consume the needed nutrition. Hence even as the captain of guard to the prince, I don't think that Pol would be exceptionally tall, especially because the Magus is mentioned to be taller than average, but Pol is not, and the Magus is even shorter than Irene. At least, I always got the impression that Pol was more stocky than tall. Which means that Gen is really short, like he thinks, if he only gets up to the chest of Pol; typically, the top of the head to the chest is about 30cm, or more. Therefore, if Pol is 180cm, which would be unlikely because it would mean that Irene would be very very tall, then Gen is only 150cm. This would provide us a good gauge of his rough age, unless he has a medical disorder. Thus, he probably cannot be more than thirteen, as I know that in my class of thirteen year old girls, the shortest are at least 155cm. Really, no matter how much genetics can influence us, I don't think that a fifteen or older boy would be that short.

Any thoughts?

New Readaloud Chapter!

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:41:41 GMT

A bit HOORAY to ninedaysaqueen, who has taken my slacker comment to heart and recorded chapter 23 of A Conspiracy of Kings. You can listen to it here in the original Readaloud post.

In this final chapter of ACoK, listen to Lady Jane's dulcet tones as Gen spills his wine (though he could have saved it), we begin to fret about the king's health, Sophos and Gen patch things up, and the boys yuck it up over shooting the ambassador.

Want to snag a chapter of your very own? Look for available chapters in the Readaloud list, and add a comment there about which chapter you'd like to record.

Who's your daddy?

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:24:01 GMT

Yes, that is a terrible title, and no, I couldn't think of a better one. (But I'll take suggestions.)

Lately I've been thinking about father figures in fiction. And, in the ongoing quest to discuss every single aspect of the Queen's Thief series, I naturally turned the focus of these thinkings onto Gen and company.

It seems to me that father figures/mentors are a huge part of storytelling. In fact, I'm hard-pressed to think of a story wherein they aren't a factor (of varying degrees of positive or negative influence), even if it requires scratching beyond the surface. To give a few examples off the top of my head: Obi-Wan to Anakin, Captain Pike to James T. Kirk (see icon -- and please, don't hate me for loving the new movies despite destruction of canon), Sirius to Harry, Haymitch to Katniss, Gandalf to the World at Large.

And let's not be biased here - obviously mother figures exist too (thought I honestly can't think of as many in fiction--why is that?): fairy godmothers, Mrs. Weasley, Galadriel. (Peg Gratton from The Scorpio Races is, I think, a great example of an unusual mother figure to Puck.)

In fact, these mentor figures come in all guises: older siblings, teachers, wise friends.

My blanket definition would be an older/wiser character whose existence in the past or present plays a significant role in the growth, development, decision-making of the main character/current generation, for good or ill.

They are oftentimes unsung heroes and shadow characters. Sometimes, they are dead and/or out of the picture long before the official starting point of the story, and yet their influence remains key to the development of plot and character. Stories are bigger than individuals, progressing naturally from one generation to the next.

So, my questions for you are 1) Tell me some of your favorite (or least favorite--that could be interesting) father figures in fiction, and why? And 2) More specifically, what are some of the most or least obvious examples of father figures we can find in QT?

To get the discussion started, a few of my thoughts:

Gen's father, obviously. I find this relationship particularly interesting because, despite it being a complicated relationship, it's a very strong one. Gen takes after and exhibits more of his mother and grandfather's Thiefy side of the family, and yet as the series progresses we see more and more of the Kingy side of the family, in his military skill and leadership savvy. It interests me to no end how this is the side Gen tends to hide. Why?

An example of negative influence would be Baron Erondites to his sons. Dite is rebelling in a positive way, while Sejanus is more than happy to play the role of Good Son (...or would that be Bad Son?) But, whoa! Brotherly love darts in unexpectedly when Dite tries to save his younger brother. And was younger brother jaded on behalf of older brother's thwarted love? Watch out for the ties that bind, people of Attolia. (And isn't it sweet how Gen meets this with sympathy?)

I think there's an interesting reverse-role to be explored between Gen and Relius.

Sophos and Pol. Sophos and Ambiades. Sophos and the Magus. Sophos and Gen. In fact, Sophos is pretty much the universal son/little brother here. They're so cute when they grow up...

On the girls' side, I've often wondered about Attolia's relationship to her mother and brothers. And what about Eddis? For some reason I've always assumed she was close to her father, and to Gen's father too.

So, so, so. Who's influencing whom, hmm?

Confession Night

Fri, 17 May 2013 02:41:46 GMT

Hello All!

Just to get some creativity/crack/conspiracies flowing around here, I thought why not have a confession night in Chatzy!? [The link can be found to Left, 'The Conspiracy Room'] That's right!
Where? The Conspiracy Room
When? Whenever it is "Night" in your specific location!
Why? Why NOT?!

Drop by in chatzy with your secret name and leave a secret QT confession. I don't want to limit you, so I'll let you guys take it from here [[this is a safe place to express all your QT related obsessions the good, the bad, the UgLy!]]....All reprobate-ish behavior is welcome, so Feel Free to Confess your Deepest, Darkest, Wildest QT secrets!

;-)

Ps. I have one last exam before summer, so I hope to come back and see that hilarity and chaos has ensued.

Be Blessed in your endeavors,

Elle
(The Self-Proclaimed-Sounis Matchmaker/SounisTwitter manager)

EDIT: You are are awesome, keep the secrets pouring in! Sylvester showed up after his long disappearance! Keep it going, who knows what sort of special guests might just show up these days! ;-)

-Your secret Keeper, El

Galen Galore!

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:13:32 GMT

Well I just took my Biology paper today, and I could not resist.

So there was this question, where we had to list every mistake Galen made in the following theory about how blood passes through the septum, which is impossible, and that blood can be used up, or that it flows in one direction at any given point in time, before changing direction at the next. It was funny to us, though it was advance in their time.

So I was wondering, what sort of old school medicine do they practice, besides administering lethium, or the nasty practice of cauterisation.

Any thoughts?

San Diego ThiefCon!

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:52:38 GMT

Planning on being in San Diego this summer? Around July13, maybe? Boy, are you in luck!

From MWT:

I'm looking to set up another Thief Con if anyone is interested in joining me at Mysterious Galaxy in
San Diego at Noonish on Saturday July 13. I will hang out at the store and then wander over to the Starbucks next
door. Anybody ready to sign up to listen to me not answering questions? I won't be able to stay too long as
the beach will be calling to me . . . . "Megan . . . come try to surf so I can watch you wipe out!" But I am sure I
can not answer one or two questions at least.

Who is in?

I'm a debutante...

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:06:24 GMT

Firstly, I want to say hello!! I've only been reading all of your wonderful posts and looking at your beautiful fan art on sounis for less than a year, but it seems like much longer. I made myself a livejournal just because of this! I read The Thief late last year, and instantly fell in love. It was too amazing to keep quiet about, so I told my mom all about it at a Greek restaurant, which is unintentionally fitting. Later the two of us ganged up on my brother and made him read the whole series, too. Of course, he loved it.
Secondly, I (and my mother) have a query: Why is Gen taking so much medicine in CoK? He complains, pretty much the whole book long, about how the two doctors are always badgering him with various brews and concoctions. Is he supposed to be sick, or still injured, or are we paying too much attention to something that doesn't merit such scrutiny? Sorry if this is a silly question, or if it's been asked before, but we've really been wondering.
Also, I just wanted to say that this community is one of the nicest ones I've come across, for any book. You are all so supportive and creative, helping each other stand the drought between installments of Eugenides.

as promised...Fanart!

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:38:51 GMT

Mucha Attolia by ~RosaleeLuAnn on deviantART

MWT interview

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:43:31 GMT

Our MWT got some love and gave an interview. Greenwillow linked this on their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidsebookbestsellers.com%2F2013%2F05%2Fthe-thief-stealing-limelight-as-nook.html%3Fspref%3Dtw&h=OAQGZm9_LAQFD4R9S3k4kso6R4ZoaIi7paOK9X5wHoxV7bg&s=1

Self-Intro and Question

Mon, 06 May 2013 05:58:07 GMT

Hello Sounisians!
I've been lurking for some time - you may have seen my comments on a few entries. I only became a fan after the release of A Conspiracy of Kings, so I'm a relative newbie. I have read the books 2-3 times each, and KoA is in my top five books list. Other favorite authors incude Rosemary Sutcliff, C.S. Lewis, and Dorothy Sayers. I'm not on LJ much anymore, but this is the most vibrant MWT fandom site, so... here I am.
I'm not sure what else is traditionally included in this sort of post. Please excuse my embarrassing ignorance!

[three icons down here]

I do have three icons to share:

which anyone may use. Credit would be appreciated.

And then I have a question for all you experienced fans: how far (or short) ahead of time can we expect the next book title? Release date? Cover art? I'm as hungry for the next installment as the rest of you!

Readaloud?

Mon, 06 May 2013 05:32:31 GMT

I was thrilled to find the post with the links to the fan readaloud on this site, because my favorite thing ever is to listen to well-loved books while I work on my art (I'm an art major.) I listened to every chapter that was posted, but I was severely disappointed when I realized the last post was in 2007! I don't have immediate access to the audiobooks all the time (the library keeps insisting I return them for some reason) and also I'm not a huge fan of the reader's voice and I LOVE to hear other fans' interpretations.

I was wondering if there was interest in re-starting that beautiful initiative. If so, I would be more than thrilled to read a chapter or two. If it was stopped for copyright reasons or something, I'd like to know so I can consider purchasing the audiobooks.

<3/ Alyssa (newbie!)

OT - Stop the hating!

Sun, 05 May 2013 19:09:39 GMT

Enough hating--let's share the Miles love, instead. This comment by hazelwillow was buried in the last post, but so many of us have read the Vorkosigan books that everyone should weigh in. From hazelwillow :

I've heard so much about Bujold around here over the years, she's been on my TBR list for a long while. Problem is, the library catalogue is unhelpful about which I should read first, and Wikipedia isn't much help either...at least, it lists them by publication date but mentions an internal chronology that's different? Should I read them in their publication order? Wikipedia lists either Shards of Honour or Cordelia's Honour as the first chronologically, but it doesn't feature some of the more interesting characters, I think? IDK, I tried Cordelia's Honour once and found it hard to get hooked... I've heard Miles is a great character but he's not in that one I believe? I've also tried one from later on in the series, but found I was missing too much... it assumed I was already invested in the character. I need one that will make me fall in love with the characters.

I'm wary of reading too much from wikipedia in fear of Spoilers.

So, as a Bujold fan, where would you recommend I start? :)

While She Knits - Haters Gonna Hate

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:32:54 GMT

What are the books you love to hate? Maybe a book had rave reviews but you thought it was awful. Maybe you looked forward to a new release only to find it disappointing. Maybe the book came oh-so-close to being awesome but then something happened to make you want to throw it across the room (yes, I'm talking about YOU, The Knife of Never Letting Go. Manchee!!!)

What are the books you love to hate?

Edited to add: You guys are awesome when you're hating. Knew I could count on you.

Fanart: Featuring Eddis

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:27:04 GMT

http://misheru1989.livejournal.com/5542.html

Apologizes for the bad quality.

Purple

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:06:58 GMT

I just came across something interesting; in the Byzantium empire, the honorific Porphyrogénnēt(os/a) was ascribed to a child of a Basileus. It means born in the purple, and even though it was because the child was born in a special room that was purple and whose parents were ruling, I thought that it was interesting that when we first see Gen in the third book, he was wearing purple, which traditionally was also thought to be the colour of royalty, Perhaps it is his outrageous sense of dressing, but maybe there was something more, like a sort of foreshadowing that no matter he wants you to think, he was a member of royalty too, and that he would make a good king?

Sounis guestmap

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 03:01:08 GMT

I was browsing the Sounis guestmap to see who all has added a pin recently, and the answer is--no one! Not a pin has been added in 2013. Time to remedy that.

New to Sounis? Post a pin in the Sounis Map! Queen's Thief fans are from all over the world--add your location to the guestmap.

To add your location: 1. Click on the guestmap link. 2. Zoom in on your location. 3. Sign your name, choose your icon, add a message. 4. Click "place". The map can zoom in to the level of individual streets, so to avoid giving your address away online don't zoom in too far when placing your pin.

You can click "message board" at the bottom of the page to read what everyone commented when they place their pins.

Songs

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:21:09 GMT

Sorry, I could not resist; there are these 2 songs that remind me of QT characters so strongly.

...

They were closer now Fernando
Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally
I was so afraid Fernando
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die
And I'm not ashamed to say
The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry

...

Now we're old and grey Fernando
And since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand
Can you hear the drums Fernando?
Do you still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes
How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land

...

In the first verse there, (though there are other verses before and other), I thought that Irene might be nervous, even if she never admitted, during the inevitable war with Medes. I mean, would you not, especially with Gen's penchant of risking his life? They were so young, and can you imagine if any one of them died. And 'crossing the Rio Grande' seems like the boat scene in QoA, and the last line should apply, since one of his motives was trying to keep his country free. (Also, it also seemed like an encouragement they will grow 'old and grey' one day.)

...

And Aubrey was her name.
We tripped the light and danced together to the moon,
But where was June.
No it never came around.
If it did it never made a sound,
Maybe I was absent or was listening to fast,
Catching all the words, but then the meaning going past,

...

And Aubrey was her name,
I never knew her, but I loved her just the same,
I loved her name.
Wish that I had found the way
And the reasons that would make her stay.
I have learned to lead a life apart from all the rest.
If I can't have the one I want, I'll do without the best.

...

I thought that this two verses from this song reminded me very strongly of Gen and his mother. The first view refers to the fact that the two would dance on the roof, in the night, and that before he had enough time with her (it is never enough), she was gone already. And the second verse I thought was when he was older he would reflect on the fact that he never knew his mother well because ten is a fairly young age, so it is understandable that later in life, he might realise that there were things he never got to know about his mother. So he never truly knew her, as a person, but he loved her simply for the reason that she was his mother, and that was enough. Probably, he would too wonder if back then, what would have happened if he could have some how convinced the gods to allow her to live. Would that have been a regret of his, after he realised that he could talk to them?

While She Knits - Should I or Shouldn't I?

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 01:35:27 GMT

What books have you been thinking of reading, but haven't been motivated to dive into, either because of lukewarm recommendations, length, edgy content, or whatever?

I have Terry Pratchett's Dodger sitting here...should I or shouldn't I? It got great reviews, but I haven't talked to anyone who has raved about it. Or actually finished it, for that matter.

The Thief audiobook, part 2

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:36:28 GMT

Oh guys. I know I've already bent your ear about the audiobook once, but I just finished, and I have more things and feels to discuss.

First, let me say that I got to the point where the narrator didn't bother me so much, thank goodness. I think my main complaint now is 1) some of the intonation choices he made that didn't match what was in my head AT ALL, and 2) that he didn't do voices that clearly differentiated between the characters. Maybe I'm just spoiled by my Princess Diaries audiobooks, but I like characters to be distinct.

Okay, so, thoughts...

1) I completely forgot that the magus wrote in a journal during the entire trip. How FREAKING AMAZING would it be if that journal were turned into a novella or something? I'd love to get inside his head and read how his opinion of Gen changes over the trip. I get fluttery just thinking about it.

2) I also forgot that POL HAD KIDS. No mention is made of how old they are. What if Pol's fatherly nature toward Sophos was because his children were close to his age? And what if they appeared in one of the upcoming books?! It's possible. I mean, Gen rules Sounis now, and Sophos is back. They must know Sophos. Even if they don't play a major role (such as being a narrator, though that would be freaking awesome), how sweet would it be if King Eugenides met (even by accident or in passing) the children of his old friend? The feels, you guys, the feeeeeels. MWT, please give them cameos at the very least.

3) I had such a fun time picturing what it would have been like if Ambiades had not died and had been around to learn that gutter scum Gen was more important, more titled, and richer than he was!

4) And lastly, I was sitting in my car and sighed out loud at the line Gen speaks in Attolia's prison. "No one would start a war over me." Oh Gen, if only you knew.

ot: author secrets

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:31:07 GMT

Apparently, for all the insights she's shared over the years, there're some things mwt hasn't told us.

a poem by Jane Yolen:

http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/04/portrait-of-the-book-as-golem

Do the other creative types hereabouts have any insights to share?

Complex Vs. Inconsistent

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:10:00 GMT

Hi!

So yesterday I was on Twitter, and I saw a link to this post, which I found interesting: Know Your Characters. Lu talks about the movie Prometheus and how she found the characters inconsistent. One example she uses is Punk Geologist Fifield, and how he was so hardcore at the beginning, but was one of the first to bolt when the monsters came about. I was thinking about it, and found that when I saw Prometheus, I actually liked this change in the character; I could understand that outwardly, he liked to look all tough and macho, but he does not have much courage when push comes to shove.

Then it got me thinking. What makes a consistent character? I felt like the author of this post was trying to constrain characters into a box (maybe she's not - though that was the impression I got. =/). If a character seems tough at first, but bails, I think that's okay, because not all people who look brave actually feel that way. And not people who are in charge can be totally composed all the time (I mean, remember Attolia's tantrum? XD) Lu writes what then she thinks the characters should have done so that they would be "consistent" with their characterization.

I was thinking that this need for consistency reduces a character's chance to develop into something more complex. I remember when I first read QT and I didn't understand many of the character's motivations; even now, I still question some of them. For example, one of the things I found really strange was Gen's decision to go back to spy on Attolia in QoA because he's afraid of her. But I learned to attribute my lack of understanding to the characters' complexity, and not because their actions are illogical. (And people are hardly logical all the time, anyway, right?)

On the other hand, I also remember when I read Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, and found that many of the characters' actions and thoughts didn't make sense to me, and it drove me crazy so I didn't even bother finishing it. Then I found out that many Sounisians actually love this book, so maybe I brushed off what turns out to be really complex characters as inconsistent characters.

So my question is, what makes characters complex as opposed to inconsistent? When you find something "off", how much benefit of the doubt would you give a character before passing them off as inconsistent?

Japanese cover art

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:54:10 GMT

(I apologise if the file is too large).Look at this! I am sorry for the hasty editing, but I had no time. I was browsing through the pictures, and saw this, and it completely freaked me out. I used iPhoto to remove the words, and see what the background has! There are so many masks at the back, and light shining from the side, the leaves dangling around. In a another copy, which will no doubt crash someone's internet, I could even see the image of a woman's head tilting to the side, as if considering something. And does the colours and shapes on the top right hand corner remind you of the boat cover of QoA?
.

The Thief audiobook

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:41:12 GMT

Hi all!

I recently found out (thank to you all) that a Thief audiobook actually existed, so I quickly hunted it down at my library and listened to the first CD today. You guys, I have thoughts. I was literally squirming in my car, I so wanted to talk to someone about my thoughts.

1) I'm kind of annoyed at the choice of narrator. I listened to the first chapter of Stephen King's IT once, and it was narrated by the same guy. He's too old to be Eugenides! And he speaks so slowly, and he doesn't say things like they're supposed to be said (like when he says he said something softly but actually speaks it in a normal tone). I want my magus to sound like Liam Neeson, not like every single other character, and I don't like how everyone slips into Jersey accents every now and then. Please tell me this guy gets better!

2) Is Pol's name really pronounced like Paul? How... common. I thought it was pronounced "pohl" not "pahl."

3) On the other hand, having an old guy narrate teen Eugenides gives the book a whole new twist. It's like this is really King Eugenides of Attolis and he's telling his story to his own kids or something. The retrospective tone lengthens from being something he's looking back at only, say, a month later to something he's remembering years later.

4) Isn't it funny how the cells in the prison used to be merchant stalls? Gen complains the entire time how the magus treats him like a tool... one that he picked up in the market, perhaps?

5) I just passed the point in the book where Gen shouts at Philonikes. Did we ever find out if word got back to Eddis and MoW? I'd love to learn what it was like for them, from finding out Gen was gone, to hearing of his arrest, to hearing of his escape, only to have him return triumphant yet half-dead.

6) Last question/thought, one prompted by #1. If you had to cast voice actors for each character in The Thief, who would you cast?