Timewaster's Guide Archive

Well we now know that they could hide their breaths anyhow, as Vivenna just did, so I don't see how not drawing attention to themselves with extra breath would be a very valid reason for letting Vivenna carry them. <shrug> Perhaps I'm missing part of the picture, which wouldn't surprise me. But then there's the secondary part where the breaths were an after thought for Denth. Only after she tried to use them to protect herself did he remember them before killing her. (Allowing her precious time and speaking space to save herself... how ironic.)

However, was there going to be a new chapter today? I'm anxious to know what's going on, in all parts of the story. But if you're taking a break for the holidays, I understand.

This last chapter has raised a couple of questions that I hope are eventually answered. Seeing as how Vivenna can invest her breath in the shawl to keep it safe, is it possible for her to invest only a small portion? For example, could she get multiple small wooden dolls and invest them with 1 breath each? Taking this a step further, could she then give away the breaths one at a time, pulling the breath out of the next doll to do so? The reason I ask, is because Vivenna is a smart girl, but (like your readers) doesn't know everything about BioChroma, and since she had previously desired to give the breaths to drabs, it is something she might think about. If it isn't possible, why not?

Also, have you explored the possiblity of underground slave markets? The selling of children for their breaths? I recognize this is a more light hearted book, however, in such a society where breaths are a valuable "currency", there are always those who will take advantage of the weak willed and gullible. "Orphanages" that raise children until the point where they can say those vital words, and stealing their breath, or selling the child to the highest bidder for their breath. (That way the orphanage is not responsible for what happens to the child after its sold.) Vivenna is in the perfect position to stumble across a black market like this if one exists.

Ah if only all published writing were as good as your rough drafts Brandon, I would never lack for anything to read. There are a few things that I would like to comment on though. I was a little put off by Vasher opening the world. It jumped right into it, but left me a bit confused. So far he is the least developed of any of the characters I believe, and so even at this point I can't say I like him being the opener.

I agree with the previous poster who said you lose something by introducing people to a world vibrant with color and then taking them to a world of drab. Or perhaps the drab just isn't fixated upon enough. I think the flower should draw more disapproval and perhaps anger than it does, with perhaps some more explanation as to why the disapproval is so strong.

Also, if you intend to cut Mab out entirely, you need to make her seem like a less important character than she does at the beginning. I don't like this option, so perhaps I can present another. Siri is supposed to be alone, but I think Mab would create another excellent contrast to Vevenna, if the cook could find her way to the princess. I would hate to lose such a good character as Mab.

Again, there needs to be more Vasher. He doesn't make sense right now. I don't see his place in the story at all. So far he is the only one not in any way linked to the others, except that he was watching Vivenna at court, which in and of itself is confusing. I'm sure it will all be explained in due time, and perhaps it is just my frustration with only getting to read one wonderful chapter at a time that I feel the explanation is a little slow in the making. At the very least, perhaps its time to see more of Vasher?