MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1673 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: music/vrondi/complete list of misty's books/fluff by "May Yi" 2) Re: Introduction and Opinion by IceMaiden7-+AT+-aol.com 3) McKennitt/Rivan Codex/Industrial Revolution by "Rhiannon Shadowsong" 4) song by "Nelson Greenslade" 5) Identify with and Opinion by "Judy L. Wood" 6) Re: song by Rebecca Cary 7) RE: Introduction and Opinion by "Old Nicodemus" 8) Goodbye!!!!! by "Marv Watson" 9) Identifying with chars and book quality by "Magefire k'Vala" 10) song by AERDEN-+AT+-delphi.com 11) Re: Identify with and Opinion by "laura homen" 12) Re: Opinion by David Yost 13) Re: Industrial Revolution by "Rhiannon" 14) Re: Hardships by Emerald Dragon 15) Re: i'm back and i'm flappin' free....and more discombobulated by Emerald Dragon 16) Re: who we identify with by Emerald Dragon 17) Re: McKennitt/Rivan Codex/Industrial Revolution by Emerald Dragon 18) Re: McKennitt/Rivan Codex/Industrial Revolution by Adrienne 19) Karal/Eric/Caffeine by "Rhiannon Shadowsong" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 04:38:56 PDT From: "May Yi" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: music/vrondi/complete list of misty's books/fluff Message-ID: <19980803113857.14948.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Heyla, everyone Winddancer said: >Would someone be so very kind as to tell me which order the Bardic >voices books should be read in? I wish to read them but don't know >which to begin first. I thank any of ye who would aid me in this. > The order is: Lark & the Wren, Robin & the Kestrel, Eagle & the Nightingales, then A cast of corbies from Bardic Choices then 4 & 20 Blackbirds. At least, thats the order in which I read them... > >And completely off topic, does anyone here read David an Leigh Eddings' >books, and if so, do you know when The Rivan Codex will be out in the >US? I heard somewhere that it was october, but it didn't say when in >that month, and I'm not even sure it will be in then at all, seeing as I >can't find any more information on it. Many thanks to anyone who is >kind enough to share their knowledge with me. It's out here already, but I don't live in the US, so I wouldn't know, sorry. The character I most relate with? I think that would be Savil/Kerowyn, in terms of stubborness. May the Sheep be with you. Luv, May Human, Starwolf Wolf, SkySong dragon ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 12:38:33 EDT From: IceMaiden7-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Introduction and Opinion Message-ID: <21656c8b.35c5e78a-+AT+-aol.com> Excuse me from venturing out of Lurkdom, and I *know* that my opinions are probably not informed, but here we go diving into the briny deep anyways... as for the character *I* most identify with, depends on which world...in Valdemar, it would have to be Vanyel Ashkevron, hands down...and no, i won't go into a rambling discourse on why....however, i also feel very strongly about Eric from the Free Bards series...and then, of course, there are many characters who i WANT to identify with...but i won't get into that... quick question...what is this book "Black Couldron" about...i have been away for two months (in Spain!), and when i got back, i simply had to delete all the messages in my inbox...the task was just too big to read them all...so, please, someone enlighten this poor soul!... Loreena McKennit....hmmm....i might have to try her music...as someone asked before (forgive me for not remembering names) what is the name of a CD that has a lot of good songs on it? :: rolling up her sleeves:: something tells me this could turn into a huge, embroiled discussion and i shouldn't feed the fires, but i can't help it...in response to the lastest posts that Mercedes Lackey's books have gone downhill, i must say i'm undecided...i have qualms against the fact that only the LHM and the Arrows series' are the only ones that were ever good...i am a staunch support of Tarma and Kethry...and i believe that Tarma went through enough trauma with her entire clan being murdered....she was just able to have it healed through her new bond as a Swordsworn...also, i have grown a newfound respect for the Black Gryphon series, with the exception of Silver Gryphon....and I also love By the Sword...personally, whatever book people *identify* with is their own personal decision....i have never liked the Arrow series, or the character Talia (ducks the oncoming sketi from outraged listsibs)....but that is my own opinion...as for Misty's writing, I would like to believe that she is experimenting with her stories and trying new things...i'm sure *I* would get bored if all her books were similar to LHM...and i don't think i could take the heartbreak over and over...that is my opinion, take it or flame it or do nothing at all... someone asked about "Tiger Burning Brightly"...the first time i read it, i was not impressed...it took me a long while to get into the story....now, i love it and would recommend it with the warning that it DOES take a while to meld with.... :: re-reads all she has written :: hmmm, i think that is it for now...Peace, Love, and Light to you all... ~ IceMaiden ~ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 09:42:55 PDT From: "Rhiannon Shadowsong" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: McKennitt/Rivan Codex/Industrial Revolution Message-ID: <19980803164256.16423.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Bright the day: Rather than quote everybody's stuff, I'm just going to respond. Its easier that way, and none of will be to obscure, I promise. Which McKennit to recommned..hmmm... I think the the new one, The Book of Secrets is great and the Mask and Mirror too. I think the Secrets will be easier to find because its newest, so you may want to get that one. The Rivan Codex? Where?!?!?!!! IWANTiwantiwantiwant....ok, that's enough. Swear that if anyone finds out they will post immediatly! Swear! ::a ghost pops out of nowhere, eerily reminiscent of Hamlet:: Florian mentioned and Industrial Revolution for Valdemar. I seee it coming and I mourn. Whenever there is an Industrial Revolution the old ways are tossed out the window, and I don't see as it would be any different with Valdemar. In the absence of hand-to-hand combat, magic isn't effective any more, and I really think that Heralds would become obsolete in that respect. No one could be better judges, but at some point they aren't going to be using magic any more, and that wouldn't be near as much fun. I really hope that Misty can find a way around that, but I fear that it would be contrived. It does open up new possibilities for her writing, though, because she could easily find darker sides to that. (you know, sweat shops and stuff). I've often thought that I'd like to hear about Neave's story. (is that his name? Talia's classmate that was sexually abused outside Valdemar?) Its bound to be interesting to hear about how he got to Valdemar. Its not easy for children to travel, even with Companions. Especially outside Valdemar. Enough for now. Wind to thy Wings, Rhiannon Shadowsong Visit the Tower at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shire/3965 ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 13:27:07 -0300 From: "Nelson Greenslade" To: Subject: song Message-ID: <01bdbefb$8eece340$70a5b3cf-+AT+-epzfbrwg> <> Nope. I've ~heard~ Banysh Misfortune, on a CD called "Boiled In Lead".( I shouldn't have been surprised that it starts with a scream.) I meant the Elisabethan song that sounds prim when sung in unison, but when done in rounds makes the most ~amazing~ sentances! I don't think the title was given. It's no Summoned to Tourney, if I hadn't mentioned that. Elsa Knight of Fluff and One In Black OoUH Champion of Jonne, Moonbeam, and Iceshadow Member of the Order of Drifting Ashes caller of monsters who is going to reread By the Sword tonight. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 14:26:35 -0400 From: "Judy L. Wood" To: "mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk" Subject: Identify with and Opinion Message-ID: <35C600D7.50F25F59-+AT+-BellSouth.Net> The person I most identify with would have to be Solaris. I think she is a spiritualisst with a good dose of common sense. She has the ability to be so blunt it hurts (kinda like me) Someone(I didn't take the time to find out who) wrote that the characters were deteriorating, and did not seem to suffer as much as Talia and Vanyel. I disagree. Look at Karal. I think he suffers as much as Talia or Vanyel, and in fact have a lot in common.. 1) All three are taken from what they know to a place that is almost alien. 2) All three lose someone very dear to them (Talia - Jadus,Kris; Vanyel-'Lyndel, Savil; and Karal-Ulrich, Florian) 3) All three suffer torment either at orders of enemy(Talia) or being blamed for things out of their control.(Vanyel, Karal) 4) All 3 suffer from physical illness brought on by traumatic experience (Talia- pneumonia from being dumped in river, Vanyel- from gate energy being sent back to him, and Karal-ulcers(or something similar) from the stress of being accused of being a spy and being responsible for Ulrich's death) If you look further, I am sure you will find other similarities between the three. I think his suffering is just as poignant as Talia's or Vanyel's, and his character just as real seeming. JW ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 15:06:47 -0400 (EDT) From: Rebecca Cary To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: song Message-ID: On Mon, 3 Aug 1998, Nelson Greenslade wrote: > < would like to hear.>> > Nope. I've ~heard~ Banysh Misfortune, on a CD called "Boiled In Lead".( I > shouldn't have been surprised that it starts with a scream.) I meant the > Elisabethan song that sounds prim when sung in unison, but when done in > rounds makes the most ~amazing~ sentances! I don't think the title was > given. Ok, first question, is Banysh Mysfortune good? And who's the CD by? (As if my music collection isn't big enough already....) Second thingy: The song you mean could easily be from PDQ Bach's The Art of the Ground Round. I don't remember the ref to it, but a lot of the Ground Round stuff sounds Elizabethan or madrigal-ish. Each bit is sung on its own, and the bits are then sung simultaneously to make unusual sentences. Example: Tenor: Look (pause) her (pause) face could launch a thousand ships Bass: She's (pause) up (pause) dress-ing So, PDQ Bach would be my guess. Are there any filk albums of songs mentioned in the Eric/Beth/Kory books? There's a lot of stuff in there I'd like to hear. Although I suppose it might be difficult to get a flute player of the appropriate caliber affordably, I'd be interested. Also, another Eric question: I seem to remember, in one of the books, something about, on the day he had a recital or something, his door was blocked and he had to make a ladder of sheets to get outside. The he went to his performance, played amazingly, and told his teachers he was leaving the school. I've been looking for this scene, but I can't find it. Did I make it up? Or confuse scenes from other books? (Although I can't think where I would have gotten it from....) If anybody knows what I'm talking about, I'd appreciate your help. Thanks, Becky Lady in Green Goddess of Oversleeping and Snide Comments She Who Can Lose Anything Not Nailed Down -------------- In general, France is a safe travel destination, though travelers are advised that, from time to time, it is invaded by Germany. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 15:35:40 -0400 From: "Old Nicodemus" To: Subject: RE: Introduction and Opinion Message-ID: <199808031935.PAA01204-+AT+-bsd1.se-tel.com> Heyla!!! Have you tried newsgroups? One of my old, old, ISPs had an alt.fanfic.valdemar group (or something along those line ) and it wasnt bad. If whatever reader you use can search for groups, try a keyword search. An senelan Avaros, On vestrain Kestra "Walk with the Creator and let us all become Eagles" > -----Original Message----- > From: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk > [mailto:mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk]On Behalf Of Florian > Sent: Monday, August 03, 1998 5:07 AM > To: oldnic-+AT+-se-tel.com > Subject: Re:Introduction and Opinion > > > > Lady Laurel. > > > > In search of a Valdemar fanfic list, I found this one. > > ---- Misty won't let us write fanfic . I wanted to > write a Queen's > Own RPG, but I don't dare or I'll get sued. > > > > However, I think that after a certain amount of time, her work > > deteriorated, and it seemed to lack a certain element. It > was touched on > > in the list earlier, that her characters don't seem to have > to suffer as > > much. It is true. She doesn't establish a connection, > empathy or even > > sympathy between the reader and her character. Talia and > Vanyel have to > > go through so much in their stories, that you just can't > help feeling > > for them. This is was not established for me with Elspeth, or the > > gryphon. See, this is my point exactly. I could never forget Talia, > > Skif, Kris, Tylendel, Savil, Stefen, Keren, Sheril, and > even Selenay. > > But the main characters in peripheral series failed to make an > > impression on me. I was completely paralyzed by Tylendel's > death, and > > then by Vanyel's. None of the other stories (Mage winds, > the gryphon, > > and then her current trilogy) captured me as the first two did. I do > > like the Oathbound series, but it was not in Valdemar, so it did not > > interest me as much. However, her writing is still excellent in this > > series. But I do not see the quality in later work. Does > any one else > > have anything to say about this? > > > I think the same thing, and I think I know the reason why > she has strayed > a lot from the dark element of her work. She's been through > a tough time > over some of her work (Read "The Last Straw" -- I'm willing > to send it to > you) and she's seen some of her good friends get hurt. I > don't think she > wants to dwell on the darker side of life, but rather show people the > wonder of being alive. I can understand. > > However, its affecting the quality of her work. Valdemar > isn't a capital > of heroes anymore, recently its become home of the goodie > goodies. I have > a hard time identifying with a lot of her newer characters > because they > don't seem to suffer. Heck, I'm not even stricken by any of the wars > Valdemar has been through since the Karsite war. I can't > remember when I > cried over anything as much as Tylendal's death. I still put > down the last > book of 'Mage with teary eyes. > > What I'm worried about is this: Valdemar is heading towards > a period of > industrial revolution, and if anyone has studied any history > you know what > a mixed blessing this was for England, US, ect. Is Misty > going to bring > back the realisim of her earlier work to show people > struggling through > hardships to overcome them? Is she going to just sail blithely (sp?) > through this change without batting an eye? > > What do you think? > > Florian > (rant rant rant, thats all I ever do. I'm not this bad in > person, really) > > > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 13:06:09 -0700 From: "Marv Watson" To: Subject: Goodbye!!!!! Message-ID: <000a01bdbf1a$28c07b80$298030cc-+AT+-default> Well, it's been tones of fun, but I'm afraid it's time for me to go! I'll be away for a month in England and Scotland, but when I return I will join you here again! Swingfully Yours, Skywolf & Misha ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 13:33:05 PDT From: "Magefire k'Vala" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Identifying with chars and book quality Message-ID: <19980803203305.3487.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> On the thread of identifying with chars, I think the char I id with most is Urtho. That's right, the Mage of Silence. I am, I suppose a magical theorist, like him. I simply can't resist the temptation to try to figure out how and why magic works the way it does. We are also both inventive and try to be nice guys. On the theme of the later works getting worse and the chars not suffering enough, I feel that Darian has suffered quite enough in Owlflight, first losing his parents and then watching his mentor go up in flames to try to by people time. But I may be biased, because I really liked the parts about restoring magic, too. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 18:25:21 -0400 (EDT) From: AERDEN-+AT+-delphi.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: song Message-ID: <01J06D3T2Z2M8YKKT5-+AT+-delphi.com> me>Nope. I've ~heard~ Banysh Misfortune, on a CD called "Boiled In me>Lead".( I shouldn't have been surprised that it starts with a scream.) me>I meant the Elisabethan song that sounds prim when sung in unison, but me>when done in rounds makes the most ~amazing~ sentences! I don't think me>the title was given. Elsa--Oh! I've heard songs like that at the Renaissance Festival! I love them and wish the art of writing them hadn't gone away with the Elizabethans. Those were neat songs. Some madrigal singers were performing one that (I think) John Dowland wrote the last time I went to Renfaire. Chantal ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 15:54:44 PDT From: "laura homen" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Identify with and Opinion Message-ID: <19980803225444.21665.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> But it is not just the suffering, it is her writing that I am commenting about. It takes time and energy to write carefully enough so a relationship is forged between reader and character. You must see in yourself similarities to the character to establish that bond. And what I am saying, is the relationship doesn't reach that kind of level because the quality of Misty's work has deteriorated as she has gotten more popular and has had to churn out more books to keep up with the demand. Her later books are bland (The Black Gryphon and Mage Winds) and formulaic compared to the first nine books. I feel the same about the first Bards book. It was excellent, but the others seemed to be lacking. I just think that other authors are better at keeping up with demand or pacing their writing. I think that in her success she has taken on too many projects and spread herself too thin. Laurel ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 19:06:46 -0400 From: David Yost To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Opinion Message-ID: <35C64286.4923-+AT+-concentric.net> Okay, on the "is Misty's work deteriating?" thread, I don't really think it is, just changin. First of all, she's already written about Vanyel and Talia; anything else simular to that would be redundant. There are only so many ways one can drag a character through hell and back without it starting to sound the same. And anyhow, her later character seemed to suffer plenty, certenly none of them had it easy! I liked the storm seiries, although I must admit that the characters I read it most for were Tremain and Altra, not Karl. That's my .02 on _that_ subject. On the music thread: Not much to say for with the exception of Loreena Mckennit, I have never heard of the songs misty mentions any where but in her books, and didn't even know filk existed until I stumbled onto the Firebird website. It sounds really interesting however, and I was thinking of ordering some. Could someone please give me advise on what to start with? ~Shade WARNING: dates on calander are closer than they appear. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 18:59:25 -0700 From: "Rhiannon" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Industrial Revolution Message-ID: On Mon, 3 Aug 1998 18:04:32 Rhiannon Shadowsong wrote: >Florian mentioned and Industrial Revolution for Valdemar. I seee it >coming and I mourn. Whenever there is an Industrial Revolution the old >ways are tossed out the window, and I don't see as it would be any >different with Valdemar. In the absence of hand-to-hand combat, magic >isn't effective any more, and I really think that Heralds would become >obsolete in that respect. No one could be better judges, but at some >point they aren't going to be using magic any more, and that wouldn't be >near as much fun. I really hope that Misty can find a way around that, >but I fear that it would be contrived. It does open up new >possibilities for her writing, though, because she could easily find >darker sides to that. (you know, sweat shops and stuff). I think that's what I've been sensing in the newer books. I don't know if it's going to be good or bad. On one hand, progress is always good, but on the other hand, I saw what it did to Anne McCaffrey's books. Once she started getting the Pernese all technical, the quality went downhill. I don't think I really want to read about Valdemar once it becomes industrialized (although if she wrote it, I'd probably buy it!) What I'd like to see is some more books about Valdemar's history, like the Founding or something pre-Mage Wars. Another thing I'd like to hear about is the story of Talia's becoming a Sun-Priest. Becky Singer of Fire (soprano) "Sheep! Sheep! I close my eyes and the sheep talk to me in their strange but beautiful language!" ********************************************************************************* "The first ten million years were the worst," said Marvin, "and the second ten million years, they were the worst too. The third ten million I didn't enjoy at all. After that I went into a bit of a decline." See my webpage at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/6697 Free web-based email, Forever, From anywhere! http://www.mailexcite.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 19:41:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Emerald Dragon To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Hardships Message-ID: <19980804024123.14639.rocketmail-+AT+-send1c.yahoomail.com> It's just that I think only Vanyel and Talia really went though all that emotional pain that potentially could have bee crippling in a weaker person. That they overcame it is part of what made the stories. I also don't like Storms or Owlflight as much b/c it doesn't concentrate on the Heralds as much (but I don't have that problem with V&H or BTS). Oh well, I've rambled enough for one morning! Rose-scented sheep for everyone! > --- > Becky > Singer of Fire (soprano) > Well, Misty did have other characters go through a lot of emotional pain, such as Skif (in Arrows Fall) and the few heralds she helped in Arrows of the Queen.....but i do have to agree that she doesn't dwell on their pain as much as she did Vanyel's and Talia's.... thanks for listening to me! Meg == Hey, it's okay to be different!! Just look at me, I'm living proof!! _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 19:41:05 -0700 (PDT) From: Emerald Dragon To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: i'm back and i'm flappin' free....and more discombobulated Message-ID: <19980804024105.9378.rocketmail-+AT+-send1b.yahoomail.com> > florin, and anyone else who wants what info i got: the black caldron is > (supposedly) coming to stores (in the us) on the 34th of august (this > month!!!!!) heehee!! It's comming AUG 4th!!!!!!!Not 34th!!!!!!!!......(probably a typo...sorry, but i had to point that out!) Meg == Hey, it's okay to be different!! Just look at me, I'm living proof!! _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 19:43:11 -0700 (PDT) From: Emerald Dragon To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: who we identify with Message-ID: <19980804024311.11830.rocketmail-+AT+-send1d.yahoomail.com> > Kalistia Firemyst said: > > oh, and i was wodering, what misty character do you most relate to? i > was > arguing with myself on the subject, and i thought i'd ask you guys... > me, i don't know......i sort of relate to Talia and Vanyel (i have a lot of problems with my family), but i still haven't found anyone to share everything with (like both Vanyel and Talia did--Stefan and Dirk respectively).....well, enough with the saddness....i hope that everyone is well and having a wonderful summer......keep smiling!!! :) Meg survivor of the Wisconsin Winters == Hey, it's okay to be different!! Just look at me, I'm living proof!! _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 19:55:00 -0700 (PDT) From: Emerald Dragon To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: McKennitt/Rivan Codex/Industrial Revolution Message-ID: <19980804025500.22290.rocketmail-+AT+-send1e.yahoomail.com> > I've often thought that I'd like to hear about Neave's story. (is that > his name? Talia's classmate that was sexually abused outside Valdemar?) > Its bound to be interesting to hear about how he got to Valdemar. Its > not easy for children to travel, even with Companions. Especially > outside Valdemar. > > Enough for now. > > Wind to thy Wings, > Rhiannon Shadowsong that would be a very interesting story....so would the story of Albreicht (sp!!--sorry, not a good speller!) and how HE got to Valdemar....i vaguely remember reading something in Arrows trilogy about how Talia was going to hear his story, but Misty didn't do anything after that....she just left it hanging...... Meg survivor of Wisconsin Winters == Hey, it's okay to be different!! Just look at me, I'm living proof!! _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Aug 1998 21:05:43 -0700 From: Adrienne To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: McKennitt/Rivan Codex/Industrial Revolution Message-ID: <199808040355.UAA28747-+AT+-smtp04.primenet.com> >that would be a very interesting story....so would the story of >Albreicht (sp!!--sorry, not a good speller!) and how HE got to >Valdemar....i vaguely remember reading something in Arrows trilogy >about how Talia was going to hear his story, but Misty didn't do >anything after that....she just left it hanging...... > > >Meg >survivor of Wisconsin Winters I always point this out. The story of Alberich is in Horse Fantastic copyrighted in 1991. The story is called "Stolen Silver." So the story is out there. Sorry, I have not much else to say. Whoolly sheep to all. Adrienne ******************** Priestess of OOPS Watcher of the Mistic Circle: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/6543/ Owner of the Mickey Zucker Reichert Page: http://members.xoom.com/renshai/index.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 21:18:10 PDT From: "Rhiannon Shadowsong" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Karal/Eric/Caffeine Message-ID: <19980804041812.20489.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Bright the day. My day goes well, except that my finger is delete-happy..... ah well I agree fully about the similarities between Karal and the other Sufferers (who said that? curse the delete key...I tend to use it too frequently). The problem is that you cannot develop the total empathy because the focus of the books is not on him, entirely. You can see that the real empathy is in her books that really focus) LHM on Vanyel, Arrows on Talia.... the Storms jump about to many locations and characters, as do the Winds.... The problem is that the Suffering Character isn't central to her story anymore. Nyara was certainly a candidate, but she wasn't the focus of the Winds, so we the readers didn't empathize. Same thing in her other books. The ones that really affect us concentrate on one person and on alone. While that style can be limiting to a writer, I think it is how Misty works best... But I agree with David. It would be redundant to have more sufferers. but I do think Misty ought to stick with keeping One main charachter in focus with fewer glimpses at the side characters. It gives the novel more focus and doesn't slip off on tangents. Although it wouldn't be near as much fun for us that way! About Eric climbing out of windows... I just finished Knight of Ghosts and Shadows not less than ten min ago.... I literally set the book down and came down to check my mail. Weird. That's the one. I don't know if anyone on the list can imagine the lengths I went to to find this book....Galveston can be very limited. But I bout that one, and I finally found a copy of Chrome Circle (although I'm broke at the moment and I'm praying it'll stay in the shop until I get paid for painting for my mom). Anyway, I digress. Thats the book and there is no doubt in my mind. And I want to hear theories on why caffiene affects elves sso much! Is it their metabolism or what? Maybe its just so alien to them, kinda like cold iron only different.... Speaking of caffeine, I have a 2 liter of Surge I'd like to see right now, so I'll shuddyap! Wind to thy Wings, Rhiannon Shadowsong Visit the Tower at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shire/3965 And a revolution is coming soon! I don't know how many people can appreciate the philosophical and political implications of the movment, but I'm going to try to get the world involved! (The things I don in my spare time...) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1673 **********************************