Saturday, October 31, 2009

A totally non-spoilery discussion of the end of Demon Forged and the start of Rosemary and Rue.


I love when authors have big, surprisingly major, even earth-shattering things happen in their books, and when they do daring things to their characters.

I guess this post is partly about a feeling - that sort of "oooh" you get with big unexpected drama like that. As a reader, I just really so appreciate it. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Like, you're alone with this book, in this private world the book has created, and something big happens in that world, and it's just a kick. Even if you're with somebody at the time you get that oooh moment, it doesn't work to try and discuss it with them, unless they've read the book - pretty unlikely around here. So it's just this fun oooh between you and the book.

I just finished Demon Forged by Meljean Brook, and there's a lot of swashbuckling bigness I loved there, and I had that feeling a lot. I won't spoil the ending, but wow, there is a great deal at stake for us hapless humans what with the xxxxxx being xxxxxxxxx by xxxxx and then Irena has to xxxxx xx and stick xxx xxxx right xxxx xxx xxxxx!!!

What's more, ever since Meljean invented that wonderful xxx xxxxx in xxxxx, back in Demon Moon, I think it was, I wondered if she'd ever xxx a character xx xxxxx, but I never expected her to xxx xxxxxxxx xx xxxxx!!! I was shocked, but I loved it, and it provided such a strong xxxxxx xxxxx, too: xxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxx! Outrageous!

I thought, nooooo! Meljean! Yet, oh, yes. That was so very dramatic. Whew! Where are my cigarettes? Oh, wait, I don't smoke.

Then I went on to crack Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire and a big thing happened in the front that was fun and startling and terrible all at once.

As it was happening, I was thinking, No way! This bad guy knows xxx xx xxxxx, and he just casually xxxxx her xxxx a xxxx! I mean, a xxxx?

And I read on, and yes, Wow, the heroine xxx a xxxx for xx xxxxx? I mean, for xx XXXXX? I loved it. I was so impressed. As you can see, I've only just started this book, but I'm richly enjoying it.

Is this helpful or coherent? I guess my point is, with both these books, some fine oooh moments.

More on Rosemary and Rue here; Read about Demon Forged and all the Guardian books here.

25 comments:

Michelle Greathouse said...

Wonderful post....I was laughing at all the x's. I have Rosemary & Rue on the tbr shelf - so I thank you for the 'no spoiler' post. :)

Have a wonderful weekend.

M

KT Grant said...

Demon Forged gave me a heart attack. When Michael xxxxx and he xxxxx and they went to see him and xxxxx. Wow, I was xxxx and xxx and wanted to xxx to Meljean.

R&R had a great beginning but for me went downhill pretty fast. Can't wait to hear your thoughts

Carolyn Crane said...

Michelle - you will know what I mean when you get there. It's delightful!

Carolyn Crane said...

KB: LOL. I wanted to xxx Meljean, too!

KT Grant said...

Meljean is a XXXXX and a XXX for making me XXXX my pants.

Carolyn Crane said...

KB: as you can imagine ever since Meljean xxx xxxxxxx in xxx, the dust on my shelves and countertops in my xxx has been horrendous!

KT Grant said...

you know because you made XXX your XXXXX you are the reason XXXX is now XX XXX XXXXXX.

Rebecca @ DSB said...

I was also totally floored by the beginning of Rosemary and Rue. It was a good signal that this fantasy isn't going to follow a predictable pattern. I'm really looking forward to the sequel on this one.

I squarely blame you CJ for getting me all hot and bothered for Demon Forged, which is the 8th installment in a series I haven't EVEN STARTED YET! That sucks.

Question for you... did you start Meljean's series with the novella, or did you dive in at book two? I'm debating on whether I need to track down her intro novella (which is my least favorite way to start a series, incidentally).

Carolyn Crane said...

KB: oh, right, blame ME. Do I have to come over there and xxxx your xxx?

Rebecca: Confession: I never even read that novella! I've always thought I should, but I'm not a big novella person either! So, I'd start with Demon Angel. It worked fine for me. I think a lot of people started with Demon Angel. I may be wrong.

Chris said...

Best non-spoiler post EVAH!

Rebecca @ DSB said...

The irony never ends over here. I just got back from my local library's rummage sale, where I found a copy of "Hot Spell" which has the novella we're discussing. I will start this series at the very beginning after all.

Thanks for the advice CJ - glad to hear I'm not the only one who dislikes it when things kick off with a novella.

Renee said...

LOL, CJ.

I've STILL got to read that Guardian series.

Rosemary and Rue are on my tbr. You're whetting my appetite for it!

Nicola O. said...

LOL! Michael and Xxxxx? Really!!? O_O!! and then he xxxxxs her? Totally not what I expected. She's gonna be what???!! OMG!! And Michael xxxxxx at the end? Holy crap.

And wow, Irena's thing with the XXX, x hundred years ago. What a xxxing xxx! Also, totally in love with where Alejandro is at the end.

Rebecca, you don't need the novellas to get started, but I'd recommend reading Falling for Anthony before you read Colin's story (Demon Moon, I think).

Carolyn Crane said...

Chris: Thanks, dude!

Rebecca: What a happy find! Okay, judging from Nicola's comment, it's a good thing you found it.

Renee: Right, you have the whole thing ahead of you! All this xxxx to look forward to.

Nicola: Totally! I mean, xxxxxx is the xxx xxxxx? And Michael will at some point xxxxx her xxx!!! Multiple times!!!!!

Kris said...

Such teases you girls are. LOL.

BTW, can you believe that Khavi told Michael that XXXXXX would XXXXX XXXX him?! But later when XXX XXXX and Michael had to XXXXXXXXX XXX I had a little tear in my eye. *sigh*

Lea said...

LOL CJ:

Glad you enjoyed all the XXXX's...

Great non-spoilery post...

L

orannia said...

Is this helpful or coherent?

Ahhhh, yes, because I know you are avoiding spoilers *grin*

I must get my A into G and read Demon Night (yes, I'm very behind). And R&R is on my TBR list!

Bridget Locke said...

I've read Demon Angel and Demon Moon, but couldn't find the next one in the series, so I have no idea what y'all are talking about. I hate those X's by the way. lol. :P (and that's b/c I DON'T know what you're talking about...*sigh*)

Carolyn Crane said...

Kris: LOL. I know what you mean! That was such a powerful ending image! I had a xxxx in my eye too!

Lea: Thanks! Glad to not spoil.

Orannia: A into G. LOL. I love your little acronym response. We here are all so clever.

Bridget: Well, just think of all the great xxx (aka fun) you have to look forward to!!!

Christine said...

I have both of these books on my TBR pile, so maybe someday soon I'll figure out what the hell you're talking about! LOL

Janicu said...

With you on Rosemary and Rue, but haven't read Demon Forge so no clue there. But YEAH. It totally makes you go: "OHHHHHH, holy moly! REALLY?", and lie back with the book in your hands and pleased expression on your face. Where will it go?!

Hilcia said...

Ohhh, I just finished Demon Angel last night--the first one in the series and I'm so totally hooked! I have the books in the series (up to 5) on my TBR and now I can't wait to get to this one!

Anonymous said...

Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post "No teme" in your blog with the link to you?

Carolyn Crane said...

Christine: Someday, little miss.

Janicu: such a fun feeling!

Hilcia: Oh, cool! you don't have to wait now.

Anon from Russia: Sure, yes! Thanks.

Holly said...

LoL! All your xxx's totally xxxxxxx me up!

I couldn't believe what xxxxxx Meljean did at the end! WTF was that about?

I was so xxxxxxx, but then I thought, OMG, I xxxx her. I might want to xxxx her xxxxx someday.

And wouldn't that be a fun madlib?