A Positive Thread About TLD

[dlbpharmd]

[lurch]

To a parents ear one of the most positive things to hear is..." Mom,,I did it!!

Now try to imagine having child for 10 years without so much as one word out of them..Then one day, the child says..." Mom! I did it!"
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[lurch]

As just a small moment of frank honesty TC and Linden revealing to each other that they really don't like horses..spun me around, but as a honest exchange it was pretty neat.
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[lurch]

The author creates a unique situation or even an opportunity for the reader, right there in the first chapter and so...He allows us to know more than the characters know. Linden doesn't know that TC has killed Joan. Linden doesn't know that the sun won't be "rising". TC doesn't know that Jerry has come out of his graveyard. But WE do. By splitting these two protagonists apart Time gets confused, non linear, and we have a opportunity to be part of an author induced Time Warp..a Donaldson caesure, if you will. How cool is That?

No wasps, no ice, maybe some Pretense. Because we know, perhaps we believe we have the right to suggest and demand. But the author writes about these characters struggles and evolving as well which of course, makes our advise to them non sequitor. So by giving us a perspective of advantage, he sets us up for our own pretense. Only if you go there I suppose.

I liked the awkward perspective offered by the author. Not many authors pull the reader in like that. In movies it mite be called a " dutch angle " shot..out of kelter, askew... He creates a force with in us to anticipate the two getting back together. In a way,,he manipulates us to Feel Good when Linden and Thomas are together again..Which he pays off by having them marry. But its right from the start of TLD where he starts working on that eventuality .
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[lurch]

The huge boulders unwinding to become anthropomorphized Rock Monsters,, new protection against the assault on Despair; What a great metaphor!,,Anybody trying to quit a nasty habit, or addiction knows the Truth of going up against the Boulder Bullies coming out of nowhere. Despair had learned a thing or two over time as well. The added spheres of protection for Foul are excellent invention brought from real experience perhaps.
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[Borillar]

I enjoyed the writing around Jeremiah's struggle against and defeat of Moshka Raver, and especially when he casts him out at the end. And Stave was probably the best-written character in the entire Last Chronicles.

This is neither a positive nor a negative, but I thought it was strange the way TLD seemed to leave some loose threads, like the escape of Moshka, the continued struggle of Covenant to control the Despiser, Branl's desire to go recapture the Krill, etc. WGW left some loose ends like that, but I wouldn't have expected them in this book when SRD has made it clear that this is The End.

[MikeW]

[Cord Hurn]

Being "Raman", I appreciate that Mhornym and Naybahn survived the climb from the shore when the tsunami came. To some, this may seem like a minor plot point, but it certainly wasn't for me. Joan would not have been defeated without their efforts and presence, and it didn't sit right with me that they should perish simply because TC wanted to honor his promise to the Ranyhyn about never riding any of them. When I'd finished AATE, I was actually more depressed that they didn't seem likely to survive than I was about the sun not rising.

Mahrtiir's accession was very satisfying to me, and I never saw it coming (even though I have the U.S. edition cover, so I hope that makes u. feel better). As others have pointed out here, the image of Caerwood ur-Mahrtiir being a beacon of hope to oppose the massive juggernaut of the Worm's approach is a stirring image, one of my favorites in the entire series. I also love his singing "It is my heart I give to you, my blood and sap and bone and root" right after the marriage proposal. Nice touch.

[Cord Hurn]

Other things I loved about TLD, in no particular order:

I appreciate that Frostheart Grueburn survived. Of all the 3rd Chronicles Giants, I thought she showed the most humor and heart, and would have been quite disappointed had she not made it to see the world's renewal.

In contrast, I'm very glad that [turiya Raver did not survive, and that we got to see his demise early on in the book (an effective emotional payoff to keep me turning those pages), even if the way it was accomplished was shocking. While all three Ravers are obviously despicable, I felt an especially high level of hatred for turiya Herem, because he slaughtered the Unhomed.

It was great seeing Brinn showing an uninhibited display of warmth towards TC. Also it was satisfying to see the alliance with Horrim Carabal sealed. And, as others have said, the image of the Lurker distracting the Worm with the help of ur-viles and Waynhim is pretty cool.

Stave is an awesome character, and his portrayal in TLD further solidified that impression of him, and his gallant effort in locating the malachite capstone for the fane, and his rescue by Giants, I found especially stirring.

For all their brave self-sacrifice, I'm very happy that the Demondim-spawn still existed in the world by story's end and found a new purpose, though there sure were darned few of them by that point. I think their absorbing the tormented souls of the women trapped in SWMNBN was a great solution for all involved, and the Forestal sure could use the help. I had been disappointed in Linden in AATE for not heeding Berek and instead denying forgivness to Elena, and am relieved that she made sure to forgive Elena in TLD.

The scene where Kastenessan is bluffed into being herded into the fane is a hoot!

I'd have been very disquieted if the problem of "unearned knowledge" hadn't been addressed, because that was the initial qualm I had when reading of Jeremiah tricking information out of moksha. But the problem of unearned knowledge was addressed to my satisfaction in the epilogue.

Good to know that the Haruchai no longer oppose the presence of Lords in the Land, and that all Seven Wards will be located, eventually (I have faith that the new Lords--or should that be the new, new Lords?-- will find a way to use their passions to unlock Kevin's lore while being disciplined enough to avoid Desecration).

There's more about what made TLD great to me that I think I could list, given more time for reflection, but that'll do for now.

[lurch]

The Feroce keep coming back to my thoughts. It strikes me how the author gives these,,mud creatures,the most subservient, humble, timid,nondescript of the descendents of Fouls cast off garbage and waste,,their only talent reading memory and by that, the author gives them their self worth and thus their redemption. When faced with two bad choices, the Feroce advise the Group on the wisdom of Jeremiah's 3rd choice offer. There is memory of Light in the water held there. The Feroce are redeemed and leave Valued...And The redemption also ripples to Jeremiah with his talent on seeing structure..But those mud things, which I'm sure have a odor about them as well,,and tho not mentioned, host to plenty of flies and what not, demonstrated a Value, a Worth to Themselves ,,as well as any thing else. A nice beginning to the ripple of redemption portioned out as the author saw fit.
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[Horrim Carabal]

[DrPaul]

[deer of the dawn]

[lurch]

I think you hit on a great observation dd..the respect the author has for the reader while staying True to what he believes is important. It is a fine line to walk and true, nobody is going to make everybody happy with whatever a writer does with an ending. I really liked the ending and the emotional whipsaw epilogue. The author succeeded with me. He reduced me to tears.
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[Condign]

I enjoyed the fact that Jeremiah still behaved like a teenage kid. He was easily cowed, easily annoyed, random and quick to anger. On the other hand he wanted to explore his limitations, eager to please, and eager to show off. Despite the lost opportunities I thought were there for his character, he certainly was written as a teenager of his age would act.
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A copious vocabulary is no substitute for intelligence.

[SleeplessOne]

[lurch]

was that the one that went right over Jeremiahs head with the " girls" all snickering in the background? I didn't book mark that passage ,,but there was " innuendo" joke by the author that caught me by surprise also..I'm glad I wasn't the only one!
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[Frostheart Grueburn]

Other innuendo? The...hum...Latebirth/Grueburn interlude that Jeremiah eggs on AGAIN sans comprehending (poor boy, so much to learn...)?

"And we would moan. Even among Giants, I am prized for the purity and pathos of my moans."
"I bet you've never moaned in your whole life!"
"Latebirth has not. She is entirely dour. But I assure you I am capable of the most extravagant and heartfelt moans."
"If you proceed to demonstrate, young Jeremiah's ears will bleed."

Apart from Stonemage's magics making 'em swordies too long for easy use, what else was there? Didn't catch any double meanings in the one where they jested about the stink of sweat.

[lurch]

Frostheart...Yes, thats the one. Thanks! I've always appreciated how the author uses the Giants for humor and mirth . So , there is the Sword and Moan so far.
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If she withdrew from exaltation, she would be forced to think- And every thought led to fear and contradictions; to dilemmas for which she was unprepared.
pg4 TLD

[Cord Hurn]

Thank you, Frostheart! I was wondering what joke of Coldspray's SleeplessOne was referring to. I get it, now.