I wish I didn’t have to read 21 pages of a thread to finally be able to post my thoughts and comments. I just didn’t want anyone saying, “Yeah, we covered that on page 10.” (LOL, I saw that a few pages back.) Anyway, I hope to make more constructive comments about upcoming chapters, rather than this insubstantial review-like post.
Scoot & Lightsong
Tremendously awesome characters, Scoots byplay with Lightsong makes the god’s actions, emotions and questioning seem real. And that holds up the character in later chapters, making his actions seem normal. (Which Lightsong would hate!) But I really laughed out loud with the idea of a God picking on his High Priest. I think a lot of people can understand that “stuffiness” of clergy, and enjoy seeing people’s noses get tweaked.
I think Lightsong should keep the war painting he liked so much. If he were caught staring at it by his priests, or if he forced himself to ponder it more later, then his interest in his past life would be more real. Also, it’s just another time to allow Scoot to worry – maybe cluing the reader in on his and Lightsong’s pre-Returned relationship (this mystery is probably killing me the most). I do not think Scoot (I'm sticking with that name, 'cause, hey, a God named him) is betraying Lightsong. Rather, he is looking out for him, so he doesn't endager himself in discovering what he is not supposed to.
Susebron
If he cannot speak, how does he say the incantation to give up his breath? Is he the 1st God King to have his tongue cut out? It would seem that men of Tridees’ nature would have controlled every God-King since Peacegiver.
Breaths.
I absolutely detest the term “BioChroma.” The double capitalization makes it seem like some company from the Shadowrun novels (near future sci-fi/fantasy). That just links it too strongly to a science, rather than a magic system. Animating the dead using “souls” screams some kind of Divine Magic. If you wanted to temper this with the “ichor-alcohol” (I love the alchemy references) and perfect-pitch/hue ideas, I don’t think it works.
The beautiful colors, and the mysticism attached to it is lost every time that phrase is mentioned. Why would they use Greek words to say "Life Colors"? "Breath" is far more simple, elegant, and magical. However, I'm not saying it should be called, Breath - just that almost anything is better than BC.
Siri.
She is instantly a likeable character. Real and down to earth – identifiable. However, she never reacts to the term, “Vessel.” I think she would constantly try to rebuff the term – even after being intimidated by the Court, Tridees, and the 1st few nights with the God King. I think Siri is smart enough to understand that she is separate from the Court.
She has defiance in her, but she loses a lot those 1st weeks in the Court. When she suddenly gets it back, she still lets people call her, “Vessel” – even Bluefingers! If the term is a religious reference (obviously because she is important for only one thing), then why is a Pahn-Kal using it? Even when they are co-conspirators?
Agreeing with Dreamking47 – how come Siri never wonder’s about Susebron’s mother?
Vivena.
Although I love her, and her parts, were these all ideas from Mistborn that you didn’t get around too? I can get behind her idea to rescue her sister – but then it all stops. So there is a war coming? All of a sudden, its time to topple another city-empire. Vivena has all but said they she has given up on Siri. No effort has been made by her to contact her sister. Granted, the mercs may have done something to interfere (while seemingly helping), but Vivena could have at least tried something.
Why is she so concerned with disrupting a “war-effort”? An army of zombies! They have to fight an army of zombies! She should be focused on disabling, stealing, or something towards that end. If a god just told his 10,000 zombies to go and destroy Idris, they might not succeed, but they would cause SERIOUS damage. Enough so that the next 10,000 zombies, or even real troops, could just walk in. Unless, of course, the reader is supposed to believe that the Idrian army is pathetically weak.
I agree with Dreamking47 about Vivena’s constant piousness. She keeps putting herself in places where she questions her ability to judge people, and place herself above them. While these are admirable qualities, they should not be in a princess. Vivena is constantly being shown as more naïve than Siri – which bothers me on a few occasions. I hope that when the Idrian finally stole her clothes, maybe she would learn some sense.
The Mercs.
These guys are great. And even I didn’t see it coming, I was in Vivena’s seat the whole time. I felt her shock and confusion – well done! I hope they stick around, only to cause more problems. If Vashar kills them too easy, I will be disappointed.
Pacing
I kind of like the random quality of the viewpoints. Cliffhangers abound all over, and leaving one chapter not knowing if the story finishes in the next is a great way to keep us hooked. However, MORE VASHAR! And his sword is probably my favorite character so far. 'I'm better than a shirt' - that brought tears to my eyes!
As always, the Sanderson slide starts a little slow with a nice grab, but builds exponential momentum towards the end. Once you pass the ½ way point in one of his book, you have to stay up all night to finish it!