Warbreaker Post 2: Chapters 13-23.

Today is the second post for the Warbreaker readalong hosted by Amanda and Naithin. Last week I posted my response to the first week's questions, so now it is time for round 2! The book is a very fast read, so if you are intrigued, feel free to join us for the last three weeks (I read this weeks' chapters in only an hour or so).

I don't intentionally spoil anything, but be wary, just in case (and the novel is REALLY GOOD, so you should read it).

1) We’ve seen more of Vasher and Nightblood in action and heard perhaps quite a different perspective from the mercenaries. Any thoughts on what Vasher and Nightblood’s nature or motivations may ultimately be?

I was really excited to get more of Vasher's story in this section. We hadn't seen him for awhile, so I'm glad he popped back up! I'm curious to know more about Vasher moving forward, so it was good to gain a little more exposure. I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about Vasher. I'm going to assume he is a "good" guy, but I don't feel I know enough to know whether he is. Or what his true motivations might be. I'm hoping we get more from him in the upcoming chapters-I also want to learn how he acquired Nightblood (which must be an "Awakened" object, right?).

But, I actually preferred the glimpses into Nightblood (Vasher's sword) a little more. I like the fact that the sword has a personality and seems to take matters into its own hands. I'm also curious to see if Nightblood will ever be unsheathed. If it is deadly enough by just being covered, can you imagine the devastation once it comes out? I'm also going to jump out there and say that at some point, Nightblood and the Warbreaker, whoever that might be, will combine forces. If ever there was a weapon to break war, Nightblood would be it.

2) How about the mercenaries themselves? Denth seems to be spectacularly dangerous; more than we may have suspected. Then there is Tonk Fah and the recently introduced Jewels. Are they playing it level with Vivenna, do you think?

I kind of loved that when we are first introduced to the mercenaries, they seem like harmless jokers. They were cracking these sly little jokes with Vivenna and being all snarky...which I appreciate. And then, lo and behold, Denth caused some SERIOUS damage. Like Vasher and Nightblood, I think the mercenaries have more story to tell us. I also think they are "good" guys, but they must have some ulterior motive for continuing to help Vivenna. After all, she is pretty unskilled and sticks out a bit in terms of her reaction to the things she sees. I'm curious to see how their relationship continues to transform as they move forward in the plot (I kind of think that they have some knowledge of the God King, which is why they are helping Vivenna get to Siri).

 3) We – and Siri – were let in on (some of) the secrets surrounding the God King as well, and what has been done to him to keep him in check. Or at least; we’ve seen Siri’s thoughts on why it was done. Do you think she was right? What consequences do you perhaps see arising from her teaching the Godking?

Someone (I can't remember who) said last week that the priests seem to have more power than the Gods. And I have to agree based on what we read this week. When Siri starts taking matters into her own hands, and the God King doesn't react or stop her, you can tell right away he doesn't have power. And then, once we learn he has no tongue...well, the priests are up to something pretty fishy. Perhaps the Gods have no real power-they seem to be pawns of the priests-limited in their movements and actions.

I certainly think Siri is right in questioning the system and going against what is expected. How often do we stick with tradition because it is what we're told to do? I can't wait to see more of her interactions with the God King as she teaches him, and to see all the evil secrets of the priests (the only priest I like is Scoot).

4) Blushweaver seems to be working toward some end goal we’re not yet privy to, but we know she is after anyone with Lifeless commands. Any ideas what/who/where her target may be once control of the Lifeless is gained?

Part of me thinks that Blushweaver is maneuvering to take power herself. She seems to be incredibly manipulative, so I am guessing she'll use the Lifeless against the lesser gods, priests, and the God King himself (I could be, and probably am, incredibly wrong). I think the war against Siri's homeland is an excuse for her to gain power, and that she is going to show her true colors VERY soon.

A List of Victorian Writers (A Victorian Celebration).

I thought it might be a good idea to organize a massive list of Victorian writers. I have had a lot of questions about who is really a Victorian writer and whether writers from countries other than England will count towards the challenge (for the record, they count).

This is not an exhaustive list, but merely the writers that I know fall into the parameters of being in the Victorian time period. Please let me know if someone should be added or removed, since I am sure that some of you know more than I do about the subject!

A loose definition of Victorian literature is anything published during the time of Queen Victoria and her reign (1837-1901). Actual Victorians include the British writers who were living IN Britain during her reign, but I know the term has also been placed on writers from America and elsewhere in Europe. Victorian literature also creates a bridge between the Romantic and Dark-Romantic writings of the early 19th century, to the Progressive/Modern eras in America and the Edwardian eras of literature at the turn of the 20th century. For the purposes of my challenge and event here, I am allowing any book published during Victoria's reign to count as a valid entry, as well as any books focused on that time period (biographies, etc, as well as neo-Victorians). If you are ever unsure whether a book will "count," email me (aliteraryodyssey at gmail dot com) or tweet me (@alliedanielson).

So, using those parameters, here is a big old list of Victorians, broken down in a way that will hopefully help guide you towards more Victorian literature for the event, or in the future (again, let me know of more to add!).

The Major Victorians (the ones we all know!):

• Charles Dickens
• Anthony Trollope
• Wilkie Collins
• William Makepeace Thackerary
• George Eliot
• Thomas Hardy
• Anne Bronte
• Emily Bronte
• Charlotte Bronte
• Robert Louis Stevenson
• Lewis Carroll
• Oscar Wilde
• Elizabeth Gaskell

Lesser-known Victorians:

• Matthew Arnold
• Edward Lear
• R.D. Blackmore
• Marie Corelli
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• Thomas Hughes
• Alfred Tennyson
• Robert Browning
• Gerard Hopkins
• Thomas Carlyle
• Christina Rosetti
• Thomas de Quincey
• George Macdonald
• George Gissing
• Edith Nesbit
• Mary Elizabeth Braddon
• Margaret Oliphant
• Olive Schreiner
• Anna Sewell
• H. Rider Haggard
• Mary Jane Seacole
• Ellen Wood
• Mary Augusta Ward

Writers from Countries other than England:

• Mark Twain
• Grant Allen
• Emily Dickinson
• Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Edgar Allen Poe
• Henry James
• Herman Melville
• Harriet Beecher Stowe
• Thomas Braken
• Emile Zola
• Frederick Douglass
• Florence Nightengale
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton
• William Lloyd Garrison
• Susan B. Anthony
• Sojourner Truth
• Alexandre Dumas
• Victor Hugo

Victorians who verge on the Edwardian Period (their work can be either/or):

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Rudyard Kipling
• H.G. Wells
• Bram Stoker
• Jerome K. Jerome
• Joseph Conrad
• Frances Hodgson Burnett

There you have it! A big ol' list of Victorian era writers. I don't think I missed anyone major, but please let me know if you have another Victorian writer I should add to the list, or if you think anyone should be moved.

Enjoy your reading!

**Just a side not as I added a few more writers: this is in no way a definitive list. I am sure there are many we have left, or some that scholars would argue about (in regards to us labeling as Victorian). But this is a great starting point for all of us, and I know that I have added a ton more authors to my TBR list!

Weekly Wrap-up for June 3, 2012: Two Weeks and Launch of Victorian Celebration.

Pace Lap at the Indy 500 last Sunday

Even though we only had four days of school this past week, it felt like an incredibly long week. There is something about coming back to school after Memorial Day weekend that causes teenagers to go berserk. They get that taste of summer vacation and then go absolutely nuts in school. I kind of wish we finished before Memorial Day, but I think that would require us staying later each day. I know that some schools around the country are done, but we still have until the 15th.

At least we are pretty much done with content-I'm wrapping up a poetry unit with my juniors on Tuesday, and my sophomores are turning in their research projects on Monday (they're presenting through Wednesday). My elective class is still completing their independent novels and will start their projects this week. I'm glad we're moving toward the reviewing aspect before finals next week.

Sparty whispering sweet nothings into Lily's ear

Beyond school, we've been gearing up at the park. Memorial Day marks the beginning of the "summer" season, so we've definitely seen an increase in groups out on the weekends. Yesterday we had a wedding at the park, and thankfully they fit in the ceremony before a bout of bad weather. We have all kinds of events coming up-5K races, mountain bike races, etc, so I know I will be busy there as soon as school ends!

Friday launched the beginning of "A Victorian Celebration," my two-month event focused on the Victorians. The response has been amazing, and I am so happy that so many bloggers are participating. There are already a number of posts on the main post, and I can't wait until I finish my first title (Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens).

Sparty cuddling on Matt's lap

I also posted the first giveaway for the event-for a Penguin copy of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. If you're a participant in the event and don't own a copy of the book, head over to the post and enter!

There will be plenty of other giveaways and prizes over the next two months, so make sure to check back often to see what the current giveaway is (I think next week is a Hardy title!).

Besides these two huge things-school and the event-life has been relatively uneventful. With the end of a school year comes a lot of grading, but I am caught up and seem to be managing my paper piles rather well. But I still can't wait to have more reading time and the opportunity to make some real progress on my project lists. For a while, I wasn't that invested in what I was doing, so I'm glad to be back in a reading mood...and craving the classics.

Reading at the Park office on lunch

I also have some new books headed my way, so as soon as they get here, I owe you all a book loot post. I did so well with my book buying ban at the beginning of the year, and now I am failing miserably. I cannot resist pretty covers or new books. :) I am sure that Matt will flip out a bit when he sees new titles on the shelves. There are worse things, right?

I hope you all have a great reading week! Let me know what has your attention!

A Victorian Celebration: North and South Giveaway!

Well, A Victorian Celebration has been under way for a few hours, and it is time to launch the first giveaway. I have a number of giveaways planned for throughout the event, so make sure you check back to see what is currently underway!

I have been checking out my big old pile of reads for the event, and settled on finishing Nicholas Nickleby by Dickens (I started it in February, but set it aside), as well as The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell. I thought they would make a good jumping off point!

The first giveaway for the event is for another of Gaskell's works. I am a huge fan of Gaskell and have been slowly reading her complete works over the last couple of years. Today's title is one of my favorites by her and one that I hope I get to during this event.

From Goodreads.com...

"When her father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience, Margaret Hale is uprooted from her comfortable home in Hampshire to move with her family to the north of England. Initially repulsed by the ugliness of her new surroundings in the industrial town of Milton, Margaret becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of the local mill workers and develops a passionate sense of social justice. This is intensified by her tempestuous relationship with the mill-owner and self-made man, John Thornton, as their fierce opposition over his treatment of his employees masks a deeper attraction. In North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell skillfully fuses individual feeling with social concern, and in Margaret Hale creates one of the most original heroines of Victorian literature."

Up for grabs is a brand new Penguin edition of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. To enter, please read and follow the rules and instructions below:

• This first giveaway will be open to any residents of the U.S. or Canada (my international participants, I have special giveaways planned for you later on in the event!).
• You MUST be a participant of A Victorian Celebration to enter.
• You MUST be 13 years or older
• You do not have to follow me or subscribe to qualify
• You MUST leave me your e-mail so that I contact you if you win
• The winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will pick a new winner.
• To enter, comment on this post and answer the following question: What is the first title you are reading for the event and why did you pick it?
• The giveaway will be open until 11:59 PM on Friday, June 8, 2012 EST. 

That's it! I hope you're enjoying your first reads!

A Victorian Celebration Master Post.

Welcome to the Master Post for A Victorian Celebration-a two month event focused on the writers and books of that time period! Back in March, I announced sign-ups for the event, and was blown away by the response. I have been anxious to get underway! Thank you all for participating (and you can still sign up!).

I have a lot of things planned for this month-including giveaways, guest posts, and lots of Victorian reading. I'm going to take a moment to explain the posting/linking procedure, and then I'll lay out the rules for winning prizes, etc.

At the bottom of this post is a "Mister Linky" widget. Whenever you review a book or write a post related to the event, please link it on this master post. Please include the title or subject of whatever your post is AND your blog name in the "Name" section of the link. It should look something like: Master Post (A Literary Odyssey). This will ensure that all the links are in a similar format, and so others know what your post is about when they click on it. I will make sure that the button on the right side of my blog will take you to this post, and there will also be a link at the very top of my blog. Please make sure to only link posts here!

So, every time that you link a post, you will be eligible to win prizes. I have some prizes spaced out over the course of the event. Sometimes links from the past week will be the only thing to count towards entries, sometimes I'll pick an author and pull a winner from there, you get the idea. The only way to be entered for those prizes is to make sure you are linked up here with any posts related to the event.

There will also be some separate giveaways. For any giveaway sponsored by yours truly, you have to be a participant in the event (to make it fair!). Make sure to read the rules on those giveaway posts carefully and enter if you are interested! I also have a few guest posts where that writer will be doing a separate giveaway on their blog. They may have separate rules, so make sure to read carefully. :)

I think that's it! I hope you are as excited as I am! Start reading those Victorians people!