Timewaster's Guide Archive

*rolls eyes at Ehlers*  

Proof is in the putting... make the person sign on and write Brandon on his comments on Brandon's books on the website.  This would be confirmation part of it being they had to name the person or SN that gave them/sold them/ lent them/ or recommended the book.  Plus, Brandon gets the bonus of hearing from more fans.   

My best frind Dawn has my copy of Elantris and I sent up links on my RPG groups to Warbreaker and telling them of Brandon's work.  I reached at least 60+ people that way.  But I cannot prove that in anyway.  But, if they reply to the site......  *well off to post some more on my RPG groups.*   

Kel

In regards to the squirrel and the general intelligence of the lifeless, perhaps, it is the amount of breath that is put into the lifeless that aids in the creature's intelligence.  Complete supposition but I reread the first chapter  where Vasher is awakening the straw figure and the cloak, there are references right there for this to make sense.  If it takes fewer breaths to awaken something that has a *human* shape then can the Awakener control the number of breaths he puts into his Awakening?  

I'm glad you're liking Warbreaker.  The book is actually 59 chapters
long, so with 43 being up today, we're over 2/3 of the way done.
Vasher, from now on, takes a much larger role in the book.  I was afraid
to use him too much early on lest I spoil the mystery surrounding his
motives and the like.

That is what Brandon wrote in response to an e-mail I wrote him in December.

Kel

Well, Brandon, you have redeemed Vivenna a bit, just a bit.  Though, as many have already said, it seems too much for her to accept what Vasher tells her so easily.  She still seems so gullible. Especially, since I might think she'd be just a bit jaded after all that has happened.  I know part of it must be to continue keeping Vasher's intentions veiled.  But, being clean and cared for does not make up for his original kidnapping and I would want to swallow the cud that he's feeding her no matter how much she wants to believe it.  Of course, he shows her by taking her to the men to speak to.  But up until that point she is too accepting.  If that is her nature it is going to get her killed.  It needs a "Prove it to me!" or "Why should I believe you?" or demanding an oath of honor if there is something comparable in this world.  Something for Vivenna to latch onto and show a little spine.  Just an inch, but something.

- When Vivenna says "But, the Idrians here in the slums--I’ve seen their strength.  I know that they are more wise in these areas than I am." Has she earned that knowledge?

Why not, she experienced it first hand trying to speak to them and not connecting because at that point she really did not understand them it took her time to figure it out.  Plus she lived on the streets and had time to bear witness there too and sees herself as week even in comparison to the girl she thinks might pick their pockets.   To her she is the fool and admits so freely to herself and others.  I think it shows the beginnings of real humility and lends her strength to make such an admission considering her position.  Okay so it gives her a little spine.  The girl needs more.

Speculation

I don't think it works, but it would be clever if Vivenna and Siri's father was the one behind the warmongering.  That would explain his certainty in the early chapters that war would happen; his thinking that sending a daughter would be a "sacrifice"; and after all, Hallendren was his family's kingdom before the Manywar, he has the most reason -- the only solid reason I think we've been presented with -- to want war.

Interesting, Daddy has been quite quiet and Brandon mentioned to me that this is 59 chapters long.  Much longer than had been predicted before and it make room for many more things to occur. Hmm....  I think that front needs to be heard from but.... I think the likelyhood that it is Blushweaver is stronger. For Blushweaver it is a powertrip, she obviously likes sewing deceit and is jocking for position to get those codes for the lifeless armies and she is right there in the thick of things and Vasher says that Denth's corrupted Lemks and that there was someone or some force at work in the Hallendren Gov't that wants this.  No doubt Daddy, Idrian King (forget his name), has gotten corrupt information because of it and would bring War to bear more quickly.  But again, it has been a long time since we have heard from him so that too lessens the likelyhood. 

• 

Vasher laughed a barking laugh, and Vivenna flushed.  Her hair--responding to her mood for the first time since her shock at seeing peprin dead--turned red.

    Peprin needs capitalized.

Ok I am tired. And I am not sure I can make sense any longer.

G'nite,
Kel

Perhaps, lacks purpose was the wrong way of putting it but I think lost is better.  All the same whether she has made mistakes or not pathetic as it may have been for her to make that first stubborn headstrong decision to chase after Siri, as she was telling herself, at least she was not wallowing.  She made a decision and has had to live with the consequences.  She has just been delt so many that it seems to have weakened her, possibly too much.  But there is that need to know where Brandon is going with this because he obviously has a plan or he would not have invested so many pages in her. 

Kel

All is good no offense taken.  I just wanted to make myself clear.

But Vivenna lacks tough I dare say she is consistent.  I am hoping Brandon will enlighten us in the coming chapters and take and give more purpose to this character and it will all come together and make sense.  I mean he has taken a good chunk of the book thus far and dedicated many many pages to her. So there is hope that once his plans for her take shape that they give her more purpose than we can see here.  Vasher as well he has been mentioned much more than we have actually seen him in action.  Though most of those chapters have impact.

The thing is with roughly 10+ chapters give or take can all of the loose threads be taken care of without seeming too contrived. 

I understand teaching Vivenna the hard way (probably the only way she'd learn and not just be repulsed by T'Telir/Hallendren society)  but it's time she stood up and did something about it instead of being swept along with it.  She sorta started doing that with escaping Vasher, then Denth and then the robbery but she doesn't feel committed to it wallowing the pathetic existence that she chose.

*Sitting here waiting on the next chapter as patiently as possible.*

Kel

My comment about Vivenna being 'smarter than that' was more that there could be so much more potential there.  (I tried to be facetious - evidentally it did not come off in print as I had heard it in my head.) Vivenna has had things continually happening to her it is about time she stopped being the unwitting victim lest she be crushed/killed by her circumstances.  I'm a bit tired of hearing about her woe-begotten, ill-fated situation and it's time stood up and did something about it.  She should learn something from all that has happened and continues to do so but she just lets Vasher apparently kidnap her again!  She just feels like dead weight.  Too much introspection and overly despairing (I agree) and too little doing.  She chose her circumstances when she was robbed she just seems pathetic.

I don't mean to be vicious but she is on my nerves and I don't feel I care about her as I do Siri, Susebron, Lightsong even Vasher.

Vivenna was the good little girl that did as she was told, fitting into the vision that her father wanted and how Siri the extra unnecessary child would see her.  It gave Siri freedom and  I doubt her father thought of the outcome of commiting his eldest daughter to such a fate, he was seeking the security of his kingdom.  22 years later and growing attached wasn't something he was thinking about at the time.