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Any minute FuzzyBear! F

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Sorry, but it's nor in UK neither in USA. They will be out in those countries at the end of may, but i am not sure.

Marie-Céline

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Sorry, but it's nor in UK neither in USA. They will be out in those countries at the end of may, but i am not sure.

Marie-Céline

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Wooohooo!

 

there are fewer things worse than reading a tri and not having the last one comming out for a while. i have so many questions i want answered, true enough i could just look a the forums but that would bum out the story.

Who is the goodess? i have a good idea but expect a twist.

who is the rebel?

will war come and will we read more about the Spurs warrior skills?

odd question this one, why are the books released in different countrys at different times?

now after all these questions i have but one more......

whos for tea and biscuits?! heheheh

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Fuzzybear by name Fuzzybear by nature.

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The only question I can answer, Fuzzy, without ruining the story for you is about the different markets. Being an Aussie-based author my books tend to come out in Australia first. When you start out, you get your first trilogy published and then if you're fortunate you're offered another contract and the next series starts appearing on bookshelves. It's around now - say 2nd volume in of 2nd series - that the international market might be opening up for you. And what tends to happen is that Britain or North America buys the first series. And by the time they actually get book one of the first series out, you've finished the 2nd series and onto your third. And all the other markets play catch up. We've been doing this for years and finally, finally everyone has caught up in the english speaking markets and for Valisar we are releasing the closest we ever have to a simultaneous worldwide release.....with Australia in September 2008, UK in October 2008 and USA in February 2008 I believe. Next time we'll do it all in the same month worldwide....fingers crossed anyway. Fx

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The Death Star blows up at the end.

 

No, serious.  It does.

 

 

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Slàinte!

 

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I'm obviously in a silly mood Hub because I exploded into very loud laughter at this comment and quite rattled the dog who was snoozing quietly at my feet! Very funny.....x

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Cool. now i say that is a twist!

 

but no one has been able to answer the important question that will shape the rest of the day.....

 

whos for tea and biscuits? hehe

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Fuzzybear by name Fuzzybear by nature.

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I would love some tea and biscuits to end the day, but could I ask for a hot chocolate I'm heading off to bed?? 

Fiona, I have to say that I absolutely loved reading Goddess and wish that I didn't remember your vivid writing so well. It can be quite a pain at times as I find that I remember all your stories even if I haven't read them in 12 months because of your fantastic writing style, as soon as I start reading the first page all the details come back and I find that in ruins my passion for the story. Please don't take this as any fault I absolutely love your work as you know, I think the main reason that I wrote this post is because I needed to write something as I haven't on in so long.

 

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HAIL the fantasy writer!

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I've finally gotten around to reading and finishing Goddess; as with all your books I've also, immensely enjoyed it. My thanks .

For me, perhaps the only character at the end of this trilogy that made any real sense, was Herezah. A thoroughly invigorating woman to say the least. Somehow you managed to round her off nicely and believably, something I don't often get when reading fantasy. I'd even go so far as to say, that I genuinely found the notion of this woman on paper, to be as alluring as would she be in the flesh. Lazar unfortunately just seemed to have left his pathology altogether, I didn't understand him at all, not even as an archetype, there was just something.. untangible about him. For instance Salmeo was understandable but Lazar made no sense.

I also got the impression that there was something earnest in the tempo of the book towards the last few chapters, I did feel a bit rushed, but again I really enjoyed it my sincerest gratitude 

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Thank you P. Me too, I liked Herezah a great deal and really understood her from the outset, even though she was so ruthless and conniving. Anyone who has a child will understand what lengths a parent will go to in order to protect them from harm and she was shaped from early in her life with that fear of needing to protect her son constantly and the only way to offer him security was to get him on that throne. Because of the strange way I write with no plotting ahead I never truly know what's going to happen. So I had no idea what Herezah might do or how she would emerge. Like you, I was extremely pleased with the outcome. As for Lazar I just adore him. I know he's confusing and that's how he emerged and I found him all the more intense and attractive for that. I love the unpredictability about him and that remoteness. I personally find it very attractive - probably because I've been living with someone who has these qualities for the past 25 years - but I know most people would (and do!) find it frustrating and not at all endearing. Anyway, very happy to hear that you enjoyed the series. Thanks again. And welcome back, Ailsa!

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Thank you, Fi.

 

No, in all seriousness, thank you.

 

I have just finished Goddess and am quite thrilled that I can forever be associated with it.  You've woven quite a little tapestry with this one and you finished it fabulously.  To the previous comments about Lazar not making sense, I'm glad he didn't.  I would dare say that his not being a rote hero-style creation made him all the more human and more accessible and enjoyable, if sometimes infuriating.  And of course it is always a difficult thing to say goodbye to characters we've come to know, and even those we've come to hate, whether they die or whether the back cover closes on their story.

 

My hat is off to you, milady.

 

 

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Slàinte!

 

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DISCUSSION OF ENDING!>>

Okay I just finished Goddess and I’ve been looking at some of the other posts, but it seems that no one shares some of the concerns I had upon finishing. In all honesty, it seemed a bit in vain. I mean couldn’t Zarab just create a new demon to fight Lyana again.  The Goddess should be fighting Zarab in the heavens not one of his Lieutenants. You know if she had stayed in the heavens then Maliz would remain as impotent as the old beggars he inhabited. Also she had power to influence the world from the heavens, through Ellyana or the crystal temple, why did she have to come down to the mortal realm, giving power to Maliz and causing the deaths of countless people over the many cycles of the battle.  I mean Lazar lost the love of his life and his only daughter for a mere minor victory in a much greater war. >>

I don’t know I’m just venting. If someone could offer some answers and ease my suffering, I would be eternally indebted. If nothing else if feels good to write down these thoughts and get them out of my head. Just the fact that you got such a rise out of me, tell me how great of a writer you are. Beyond the ending that nags at me, FANTASTIC series. I loved it more than anything else you’ve written so far! Looking forward to Valisar!>>

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JUST IN CASE I'M GOING TO PUT POTENTIAL SPOILERS------------------------POTENTIAL SPOILERS -------------------------------------WRONG WAY, GO BACK, IF YOU HAVEN'T READ GODDESS! SPOILERS.....PERHAPS....NOT SURE YET. Hi Balthier - great name! Might steal it! I think your concerns are grounded in valid argument. Truly I do. It made me smile to read this because I once gave the first draft of Myrren's Gift to my son to read. He was the first person to even know what the story was about - not even the editor knew really. He was 13 I think. He read it, loved it but on a walk one day quietly said to me.....'you know if Celimus hated the Thirsks so much he could have just had Wyl killed from soon after his arrival at the palace instead of being patient and waiting until he was king to start fashioning his downfall and in such a complex, elaborate manner.' I actually stopped walking. Jack was right. He was so right. But then I got a grip, started walking again and began explaining that on reflection and with time and distance to consider situations lots of people would approach situations in very different ways if they had their time again. That was my philosophical explanation that led to a discussion about wars and even petty arguments between friends. But then I got onto what was really on my mind. I explained that if Celimus had killed Wyl on page 25 let's say, as he could have I'm sure, then two and nine tenths other books needn't have been written. Furthermore and infinitely more importantly.....there would be no story. And what we want from our fiction is stories. The whole point is getting people to suspend their disbelief and just go along with the characters and see where this story is going to lead. Imagine all the fun and brutality and tension and joy that could have been missed if Celimus had killed Wyl early. We'd never have met Romen or Lothryn, Cailech or even Valentyna, no Fynch, no Aramys... And so it is with Percheron. Yes of course it could have been done differently Balthier but that wasn't my story. My story unfolded this way and even though you found aspects frustrating, which I respect, this is how this writers saw it unravelling. I could have written it a gazillion ways. I could have killed Lazar after the whipping and the story would have changed immeasurably. I didnt want this to be a story about gods. The story began with a girl being sold into a harem. I have to tell you that I didn't really have any idea that Zarab and Lyana were going to become so importantant. And that's also part of the frustration of reading me......I don't write to a plan so I never really think things through. I write like an episode of 24. Every situation leads to the next....I don't plan for it. Perhaps if I'd written it all down and then stood back for a year or so and considered the trilogy I too might have thought why doesn't Zarab get more involved? But as far as I was concerned Zarab gave Maliz everlasting life so long as he continued to thwart Lyana and Zarab had no reason to doubt his minion this time. He misjudged. I'm sorry I know this perhaps doesn't really address your queries but it's really a bit like us all watching a horror movie and asking why the young blonde girl always walks down the corridor in the dark when she hears something go bump in the night. Why? Because we won't have a story if she doesn't. I'm a storyteller, that's all. I just give you stories to get lost in and so long as they entertain readers for the time they're immersed in my books, that's my job done. Thank you so much for enjoying Percheron all the same, Balthier, and for your provocative comments that have prompted this interesting discussion. F

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And thanks for all the other feedback too!

Edited by Fionamc at 27th May 2008 09:34:37.

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Thank you so much for responding to little ol me. I actually laughed out loud when I read your response because it reminded me of an event in my life that occured only a week ago. I was with one of my friends and we were watching the new Indiana Jones movie and he pointed out a few things out of place or incorrect and my response to him was to shut up and enjoy the movie, because it was only just a movie. It seems I need to remember my own advice. I also appreciate that your response while saying the same basic idea was worded much more eloquently. I can't stress it enough and I'll say it again, what an amazing piece of literature you have created. I'll be a fan forever

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"I explained that if Celimus had killed Wyl on page 25 let's say, as he could have I'm sure, then two and nine tenths other books needn't have been written. Furthermore and infinitely more importantly.....there would be no story. And what we want from our fiction is stories. The whole point is getting people to suspend their disbelief and just go along with the characters and see where this story is going to lead. Imagine all the fun and brutality and tension and joy that could have been missed if Celimus had killed Wyl early. We'd never have met Romen or Lothryn, Cailech or even Valentyna, no Fynch, no Aramys..."

Can I just say how incredibly pleased I am that you didn't listen to your son? I won't go on about it - Fi, you know how much I love 'The Quickening' - but seriously. I said I wouldn't go on about it, so I won't.

But can I be a total obsessive fan and point out you spelt Aremys's name wrong?

Note the word 'total'. (I can't believe I just corrected my favourite author?!) See, this is why you need me to proofread your manuscripts Fi! ;D

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Sorry, was writing too fast. Knew in my heart I'd made a couple of errors but was juggling a couple of chapters, making sure I got to the board, making sure I was on top of all the boys' current assignments for Year 12....the usual circus. Thanks for pointing out ....I'll definitely pay more attention next time! Yes, Balthier...quite right. I could actually punch George Lucas but at the end of the day I just wanted to sit back and allow Indiana Jones to drag me away .... and he did. There are times to just let go of all the analysis and just enjoy an adventure. I'm glad you told your friend what you did.....so succinctly!

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Hello Fiona, I have also been a loyal fan since the Quickening series. I do love your writing... Having said that, I just finished Goddess. I loved almost everything about it. Unlike some, I found the ending perfect. The changes to Herezah. The identity of Lyana and the ultimate fate of Maliz. The only aspect that really bothered me was the fate of Ana. I understand that you let the story write itself as such, but I didn't see what purpose her death served. However, I will get over it and will look forward to future books... Kevin

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I sadly have to shrug at this. At the time, it was the only way that my story unfolded for me. I understand why you'd question its purpose but at the same time I cried when I wrote those scenes and so I think it did serve a purpose in reminding me that Ana's entire life was not necessarily charmed as some might believe but in fact an ongoing tragedy from the moment she was born. She was born to serve a purpose, not to have a life......I think that was the point I was probably trying to make. does that help?