Book Review: The Art of Enameling

Title: The Art of Enameling: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration
Author: Linda Darty

Pictures: 8/10
Clarity of Instruction: 7/10
Complexity: 8/10
Overall Score: 8/10

This book to me felt sort of... run together. Everything was one after another after another. It didn't really give you any room to think, to breathe and digest what you' had just learned. Maybe it's just me, but I find that problematic. 

On the other hand, this book did give me a lot of hope, because it went into detail on how to use a torch to fire enamel, rather than just a kiln. At this point, I'm working with a Max Flame micro torch, and loving it. This book (along with a separate article over at beadingdaily.com ) helped me figure out that I really could use the torch for enamel work, if I was willing to think about how it could be done. It also put me in mind of doing some really detailed pieces, combining chasing and enamel work, with an oriental or middle eastern flair. Who knows, maybe I'll do both some day...after I have a kiln mind you. Because that's the thing I didn't know up till now. I thought you had to keep your piece /still/ when you were firing it, but with a torch, according to this book anyway, you can't do that. You have to move it around to allow for even heating. I'll cover more about torch fire and enamels another day though.
 
This book is also an odd combination of art gallery and historian. Along the tops and sides of most of the pages there are pictures of enamel work, in all different styles and complexity levels. The work is...stunning. I could spend hours just looking at this and drawing ideas. I just might do that anyway ;). Each of these mini galleries though has to do with what's being discussed on that particular page, with the exception of the pieces shown off at the beginning during the tools explanation. It allows you, or at least me, to see and think "  ok, this is some examples of what /can/ be done with this technique their telling me about....now how could I use it?"

As to the historical bit, there are sections and pages throughout the book that talk about how enameling has been done throughout the ages. One page discusses the processing of enamels, quoted directly from a 12th century German monk. Another shows samples of painted enamel pieces of the likes of Lady Russel, and the Duke of Nevers. I loved reading these sections, it made me think of the way some teachers will share interesting side notes. Things that still have to do with your topic, but maybe you wouldn't have known or learned otherwise. 

So, to cap it all off, if you don't mind a fast paced book, this really is a good book to take you through learning about enamels. Heck, even if you don't read it you can look at the gallery shots and get ideas from that...but seriously, you should read it, otherwise you might end up doing things like I did, and finding out that quenching after firing is a baaaaaaad idea. 

Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :) 

Book Review: Totally Twisted

Title: Totally Twisted Innovative wirework & art glass jewelry

Author: Kerry Bogert

Pictures: 10/10
Clarity of Instruction: 10/10

Complexity: 3/10

Overall Score: 9/10

I'm going to do something a little off the wall with this one and list my complaints about this book first. Guess what? I only have one! The only thing I could find that bothered me about this book is that I can't afford the lampwork beads to make these cute pieces!  Now let's get on to the good stuff ;)
The designs in this book all work around basic wire working, and an essential tool for this is a wire gizmo (or something that will allow you to have long consistent lengths of coiled wire). You also need a good pair of pliers or two for this, and maybe some ice for your hands. I kid you not, it's hard for me not to ditch doing this and sit down to try and just make the wire components from this book. The pictures are large, and clear. There is no questioning about what you're trying to do in any particular step. The basic techniques section in the front is clear and concise without spending too much time on it. Digging into the meat of the book, I love the palettes that were chosen, and the designs are a lot of fun, both to look at and to wear (from what I can tell anyway). At the beginning of every design, there's a bit about it, a list of materials and tools you'll need as well as a list of techniques. Simple, straightforward, and well organized, while still being nice to look at. (I admit, I'm a sucker for a well designed book.) What I loved most about this book was the beadmakers section in the very back. It lists every lampwork artist whose beads were used in the book, which projects they were used in, a bit about them, and how to go about getting in contact with them if you want to purchase some of their work.

Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :)

 

 

Facing the Artist’s Block

This week it's part two of our inspiration posts. Last week we covered what inspiration was and how you could go hunting it down. This week week talk about where it goes and why.

Have you ever sat down at your workbench  or drawing board, feeling good, proud of what you've accomplished so far, and intending to get some new ideas for work together, but then, all you can do is stare at a blank page, because nothing is coming to you? Slowly your good mood drains away, and all you can think about is "but where did all my ideas go?" Or you start to draw, but nothing is looking right, despite the fact that you know this is a good idea? These two problems, and other related ones are collectively known as Artist's Block.
There are people who swear it is a real thing. There are also others who say it's all in your head and can be avoided with proper care and work. While it is entirely possible that both camps are correct, it boils down to the same thing. Your inspiration is gone.

So... Where did it go? One idea is that you've done too much of the same thing. Another is that it's been too long since you soaked up some of whatever it was that inspired you in the first place. A third idea is simply that you've worked too hard for too long. A fourth is criticism, whether from yourself or others has got you down. Are there other theories? Probably. These are just the ones I've run across, and experienced.

Luckily, each of these has a 'fix' of sorts.
1. Try something different. If you've been working on beads all the time, try doing some wire or metalwork. Or even just a new stitch.
2. Go hunt down the thing that originally inspired you. Watch that show again, read that book. Go for a run, or look at pictures.
3. Take a break! Breaks are just as important for your brain as they are for your body. Your brain needs time to relax and review what you've learned so that it can keep innovating and coming up with new ideas.
4. This one is two options, and depends entirely on you. Option A is to grab a supportive friend and talk it out. Sometimes having a second opinion can help. Option B is to write it out. Play devil's advocate with yourself. One side argues in favor of the criticism, the other side argues against it. For some, having it down on paper helps to put things in perspective. That's it for this weeks discussion of inspiration and the perils of Artist's Block.

Like the post?

Have thoughts on the peril's of Artist's Block?

Do you secretly have a dragon hatching in your fireplace?

Feel free to comment below!

Inspiration… what’s that?

I'm thinking a lot about inspiration today. Where does it come from? Where does it go when you're facing the dreaded artist's block? Is there a way to guarantee you have it every time you sit down at your bench?
Let's start with the definition.

in·spi·ra·tion

\ in(t)-spə- rā-shən, -( )spi-\

noun

1 a : a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation; b : the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions; c : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions;

2 : the act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs

3 a : the quality or state of being inspired b : something that is inspired <a scheme that was pure inspiration>
4 : an inspiring agent or influence

Wow... That's a lot. Well let's see. We can cross of the second one. Although we are all breathing* that isn't the one we need.  The third one also doesn't seem to be what we need. And 1a is just a whole can of worms that we can leave to theologists.
So that leaves us with 1b,  c, and 4. To restate:

1. b : the action or power of moving  the intellect or emotions; c : the act of influencing or

suggesting opinions;

4 : an inspiring agent or influence

Those seem pretty good to me. An inspiring agent or influence. One that moves the intellect and emotions, and influence or suggest opinions.
Now we know what the dictionary says.... But it still doesn't really explain where it comes from..... In reality, that question is as complex as trying to figure out motives for why people do things. Some of the most common sources I've seen are art, emotions, people and scenery. For me, I find a lot of inspiration by going for a run. I'll see a particularly interesting arrangement of rocks in the water. Or if I'm up early enough, I'll see the sky turning some really strange shades of red and purple. Sometimes, as y'all have seen on Fridays I'll get inspired by reading or watching something.

This is just me though. For others I'd suggest, look to what you find fun, interesting, or moving. See if there's something that springs to mind from it. Am image? A shape? A pattern?  Another suggestion (and one I know I need to listen to more often) from other artists is this: draw every day. Draw everything. Draw all the things. Even if it looks positively horrible. If you do it every day, you'll get better at it. Honest, you will. (Or so they tell me.)  What this does is give you a basis to improve your skills, so that when you want to draw out the pieces you want to make, you'll actually be able to. You will have developed the skill to accurately depict what you want to make.

Wow this post has gone on longer than I thought it would. O.o We’ll continue on next week and ponder the myriad ways that the evil artists block can steal your lovely inspiration next week. Have a good day! :-)

Like the post?
Have thoughts about inspiration? Comment below!

*(right? All of you are in fact living, right? I don't have any zombies following me? ;-))

Book Review: Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry

Title: Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: A Workshop in Painting with Fire
Author:  Barbara Lewis 

Pictures: 8/10
Clarity of Instruction: 7/10
Complexity: 7/10
Overall Score: 8/10
It took me eons to get my hands on this book, but it was well worth the wait. I love playing with fire, and my Max Flame torch is my best friend. <3 I try to find a way to use it for almost every piece of jewelry I make, in some way shape or form, simply because I love playing with fire. It doesn't often turn out that I can just yet, but I try. This book, kicked that into overdrive.
The 'getting started' section covers things I never would've considered, including etching copper sheet, and what the author calls 'hot riveting'. The etching...I don't even want to think about the money I'd have to sink into it, but I admit, I am very interesting in trying that one day. As to the hot riveting, sadly, with my microtorch, it's just not possible. The flame is simply too big. I'll have to upgrade to MAPP at some point.. probably when I get an actual workshop ;) The color play in this book is lovely, and the projects are interesting. I admit, most of them are not to my personal style, on the flip side though, that doesn't mean there is a single project in here that I wouldn't attempt. Just flipping through this book has me scrambling for my sketch book so that I can draw out ideas and make color notes, things I want to try.
One of the things I found really interesting to learn is that enamel doesn't mix like paints do. Which, yeah, in retrospect makes total sense. It's made of glass particles, why would it mix like a liquid? (Paint does count as a liquid right?) So what do you do if you can't find the shade you really really want? Get a transparent enamel. This was the most stunning advice I'd ever found. The idea is that the transparent holds a.. a  'ghost' of the color. Hmm, that's not the clearest way to explain that. Try this:  Say you want to make a green pendant, but you don't have any. You do have blue and yellow though. If you layer a blue enamel, and then overlay it with yellow, you'll get speckles. Looks pretty, sure. But it's not what you wanted is it? If however you take a blue enamel, and fire a transparent yellow over it, you will get a green. I can't vouch for what green yet, because I don't have any transparent enamels. ^^ I'll have to test that out at some point in the future for ya'll though. 
This book is... possibly one of the coolest books I've found. I love the ideas that I've learned from reading it, and I cannot wait to expand my enamels so that I can work with it even more.  One idea that I'd love to try out someday, that this book inspired was a series of necklaces, one for every month, with a different enameled flower for that month.
One thing that isn't covered within the book, but is mentioned on the author's webpage: Thompson Enamels does NOT sell their enamels in 3oz packages as is suggested in the book. You have your options of 1oz sample packs, 2oz or 8oz for individual colors. This is important to keep in mind, as 3oz really does make a big difference. However, if you're going to get into this, you have two options that I could hunt down. 1) You can buy from the Painting with Fire studio. Their colors are SO much better organized than Thompsons, in my opinion. (I admit though, that could be because of my browser.) 2) Is that you can buy directly from Thompson Enamels. The upside, you can get it directly from the manufacturer, and any blame can be placed directly at their feet.  Both of these have their upsides and their downsides. Choose for yourself based on what you think you can afford.
** An interesting note that I learned is that colors like red, orange and yellow are often more expensive because they will have some amount of gold in them.
I will add a disclaimer as a final note. In this book the author states that micro torches do not get hot enough to work with enamel. However, after reading this article, I was willing to take the risk and see if it was possible. For this post I'll leave it at this, it IS possible, if you're careful and you're willing to make mistakes at first.
Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :)

Fairy Godmother

Welcome ladies and gents to our Friday book design! While it pains me to say it, for now we must say goodbye to the Chronicles of Elantra series, and greet new friends. While I might not do every book from the series, allow me to introduce you the 500 Kingdoms  books by Mercedes Lackey. I'll say this before we dive in, it is completely different than the Chronicles of Elantra, both in therms of style, and the fact that each book more or less stands on it's own. This week's book is the 'Fairy Godmother', first in the series.

** Note: This one got insanely long, so I’m doing something a little different this week. I broke apart the pictures, rather than having them on one canvas, and putting it in different spots within the text.  Let me know what you think?

Let's start off with the cover, blues and greens with a hint of pink. Not a bad color combo, although personally, I'd swap for purple, rather than pink.
We have a gent on a horse, looking sort of blah? And a blonde lass with rather fine eyebrows. I'm suspecting a romantic subplot at some point. Be warned those of you that aren't into it!

Elena Klovis, that's a rather nice name, although why is she carrying hatboxes?

Whoever she is, she's got an abusive stepmother. Never good.

"An unmarried girl was the ward and property of her parents who could do whatever they wanted with her? Ten stripes from the town gaoler, a session in the stocks. And whatever her Stepmother would dish out if she tried to defend herself." Ouch.

21 and it seems she's got a head on her shoulders if she's considering the dangers of running away in her world. I like this girl so far. ^^

"Dour, sour man, thin as a spider, balding with a nasty long fringe around his pate and evil tempered as a toad." < This is some serious characterization.

"The Horrids." I like this XD

"And if they lacked for suitors here, that was partly due to the fact that they wouldn't consider anyone without a title or a fortune, and preferably both." Well, they do sound positively horrid.

Whitewashed walls? I remember that that's a way of protecting the outside of a house, but why? And why inside?

D: Eating herself sick rather than letting Elena have any? Pig. I'm thinking this  is a Cinderella retelling maybe? We're only at page 15, so I'll keep going to see if this gets better.

Never combing your hair more than once a month? Egad! I don't care how elaborate your hair is, that's just twitchy.

Oh! World building! Elena and her family live in the capital of their kingdom, Charbourg. And their Royal family has their gardens open to the public. I'm being put in mind of Versailles?

Kingdom name: Otraria.

Tax collectors that give back if you've fallen on hard times? I wish this place was real.

using carhorses for a family carriage? ugh.

Ah, and now the peeping neighbors have names, Madames Blanche and Fleur.

"She still could have lived frugally, she could have decided to lose those airs of hers and act her station instead of miles above it." I like Madame Blanche XD

"The heavy old-fashioned furniture that had been in Elena's family for generations was not only hard to move, it wasn't worth a great deal." XD Whereas here it's worth a ton.

Forced from a normal room to a garret room, and from there to the hearth, hence 'Ella Cinders."

How many maids are needed though, really? O.o I can't imagine having one on a regular basis, let alone many?

Definitely a French based kingdom with names like Beauvrais, Fleur and Rabellet.

They took the books! T.T Poor Elena.

Ahhh, people are feeling guilty, good.

Ah, she's thought about what she'll do then and is determined, good!

Oh! So Fleur is a Witch? Finally, something new.

"You were careful about words around Witches. "

An actual love spell? Eesh, Poor man. They again with the way the Horrids act, I suppose that would be the only way she could've gotten a husband.

Oh, Madame had a name, 'Madeleine.'

A Mop fair? What an interesting idea. I wish Hiring Fairs were this interesting.

Why are so many people passing by? Elena's  a good worker, are they all afraid of Madame?

A dog-cart? O.o But it says it's pulled by a little humpbacked horse?

Eccentrically dressed, little old lady, with a humpbacked horse, who is wearing a straw hat. I think we may have something!

Ok, scarlet boots with black stitching, blue skirt embroidered with red & yellow flowers, green leaves, black bodice, yellow blouse, scarlet vest and a wildly embroidered black shawl. Holy moly.

     Lots of colors there, and I'm thinking polymer applique?

Elena! I don't care how kind her eyes are, she could be a serial killer!

O.O Flying cart? Ok. Maybe, hopefully, not a serial killer?

A little ball of light, how how lovely it would be to be able to do that, for late night reading.

A basket that keeps food hot or cold as needed, doesn't let it get squished or spilled without the use of tupperware. I like this. Where can I find one?

Watercress... relative of lettuce right?

O.O Oh wow.

I'd like to know this too!

Oh... that makes more sense, she's not /just/ Elena's Godmother, but Godmother to all of Otraria. I suppose it might be forgivable then that she abandoned Elena.

So... magic is what forces people into lives like story books?

Um... in this anyway

"That magic begins to try to force their lives down the path their circumstances their lives most resemble and the longer it takes, the more magic begins to gather. "

Fairy Godmothers- Midwives to fairy tales.

"Exactly so. Unfortunately my dear, in your case though, you stepmother and stepsisters are fully /wicked/ enough to justify that sort of happy ending." XD Madame's tales of evilness has spread enough that this FG knows of them it seems.

The magic is called 'The Tradition" interesting.  Apparently, the Tradition is constantly trying to recreate the tales, because who doesn't know a brave orphan boy, or a girl with an evil stepmother, but not all of them get their happily ever after because circumstances aren't right. Princes are greybeards, infants, rakes, married or even Princesses.

"It just gets attracted, the same way white cat hair is attracted to a black velvet bodice" XD Good analogy.

So... this magic can be siphoned off? Is that what she's going to do to Elena/

O.O Magic serial killer. Great.

Or... I could be overreacting and she just wants Elena to be her Apprentice and learn how to be a Fairy Godmother :D (Where are Cosmo and Wanda?)

With all the explaining going on, I didn't even realize we didn't kno her name. The FG, is Madame Bella, and now Elena's... Mistress? Or would it still be Master?

It's dangerous to be a Fairy Godmother? Interesting.

Oh no, is it all a dream? I mean, sure it sounds surreal, but it can't be a dream right? D:

THe little horse has a name! Sergei <3 Russian tales are what he's from perhaps?

Who or what is the Mare of the East Wind?

Sergei and his mum are apparently from another line of the Tradition, and another set of Kingdoms entirely. He's sort of like a dragon or a Unicorn. (why does Unicorn get capitalization, and not dragon? )

And he talks.. perhaps it's more magic? That lets Madame Bella understand?

He also has a sense of humor it seems, pity we aren't told what he would have done to Elena's stepmother.

Oh, So the Tradition runs everything? ... Because tales say that if a King and Queen are kind, then their kingdom will prosper. Makes sense. From there, that affects everything it seems. How odd.

And apparently there are more kingdoms than there are Fairy Godmothers. And they have to make sure things run as smoothly as possible, and things slip like they always do when you have more work than people.

Godmother to 24 kingdoms, capable of being called on for another dozen. Yeesh. HOw do you manage all of it?

So, downside ot being Godmother seems to be 'Single Forever' I suppose I was wrong then about the cover XD

A house that is larger on the inside than the outside?

     1) Timelord! 2) I want one.

Hob and Robin, what strange creatures. Ah, they're Brownies.

     Hob- Anything to do with mending

     Robin- Anything to do with making

     Lily- wife of Robin- Anything to do with tending

     Rose- wife of Hob- Anything to do with cleaning

Rule #1 of being a Godmother, NEVER say that the Brownies serve you. Bad Things Happen!

Laughs- Madame Bella's display room

          A cap of rushes

          Knitted tunic from plant

          White feather

          Golden ball

          Tiny fur slipper, child sized, but adult style

A rug as soft as kitten fur. I wonder if such a thing would be possible?

Ohh, here's a table I'd love to have. "resembled the stump of a giant tree, supported by carved sinuous bare roots."

Maybe it's just me, but why would you want to sleep in something with lace 3 inches deep? Even if it's incredibly soft, that is a LOT of lace.

Black clothes, piped in green and purple- there you go, distinct, but not as crazy as Madame Bella's.

And the happy giggles set in, it is in fact, not  adream!

She's a sharp little thing this Brownie is, she's interesting.

In order to have a 'milk-room' you'd need a lot of milk to justify it, yes? or is it meant for other things involving milk as well?

Finally looking it up, after having read it for years in Redwall, cordial = liqueur . Sooo... those little hedgehogs and mice were drinking at a young age! D: My childhood has been ruined!

And to take away the taste of what precisely Madame Bella? WHat are you giving Elena?

Wait!! In British Commonwealth, cordial is a conncentrated non-alcoholic fruit syrup. Yay! Further reading has saved my childhood! :D

Black and oily looking.. what is this?

     Dragon's blood? O.o why??

     To understand animals? Well, I suppose that would come in handy.  Ahh! It aslso explains why Madame Bella could understand Sergei!

A room crammed floor to ceiling with books. So many that things spill over and take over another room... Heaven..<3

Ah, so it's  a spell that lets the house frow?

And it's to keep her enemies from finding them. Makes sense. If I wanted to take over, I'd take out the Fairy Godmother too.

Self-sufficient and set up to trade with locals. Sounds nice.

How do you manage gardening in stages? I've always wondered.

Elves and they have to test her it seems? I can't imagine any other reason to show Elena such horros.

Ah, initially all Fairy Godmothers were Fae. And Wizards were Elven Knights.

Huh, so for this 'verse, the wand is only a tool. It's not magical in and of itself.

Wand=magic same as magnifying glass-sun

"You are every bit as important in rank as an Empress and when the time comes, you must wear these gowns and wear them without a second thought. Appearances are important Mistress and the time will come when you will speak with Royalty and they will know you for their superior, the gracious bestower of gifts they have humbly asked of you." That's one heck of a shopping pep talk.

Lace, thick and rich with bobbins, and fine as  cobwebs. Trimmings made from silver and gold. O.o That's expensive stuff.

If you aren't fearless, you can at least look fearless. <Good advice.

"The Rogue who will leave her broken-hearted and perhaps in difficulties" XD I love how delicately this is phrased.

O.o explain how burn ointment is a frippery and not perfumes, face and hand lotions? This Madame Klovis was a piece of work.

     I hope we don't see her again.

The 'full rigout' for Madame Bella, powdered wig, silver buckles on high heeled satin shoes. Rose pink, lace festooned, fitted ball  gown. Satin overskirt, embroidered with rosebuds, underskirt with more layers of cascading lace, sparkling with tiny rose crystals. Staff topped with rose quartz, caught in silver vines. Not sure what to do with this, but certainly I'll figure out something.

Ohh, So even princes and princess can fail, even with the Tradition behind them, due to personality flaws. Interesting.

Randolf?

O.O a face in the mirror. A TALKING face that likes to.. make faces XD Apparently he is a Slave of the Mirror and used to belong to a Dark Sorceress.

Oh, now that sounds useful. "Al Forests Are One" I wonder if a modified version "All Roads are One" would ever show up or would it be dangerous since forests are less inhabited than places near roads?

If opaque means that a thing can't be seen through, does an opaque look mean that you can't understand their motives/thoughts behind it?

Different outfit for Madame Bella. A chain of amethysts and pearls, amethyst rings and amethyst and pearl buckles on shoes. Lace on gown, is beaded with tiny faceted amethysts and seed pearls ornamented the bodice. Even wearing a tiara with flowers made of amethysts with emerald leaves and centers of pearls.

Poor Elena , having to deal with a wand with a star on top XD

"Not one guest here was of common blood, Elena suspected even the servants considered themselves to be a sort of nobility." I wonder how that would work.

So it's better to call them all Faries, the Fair Folk, Witches, a lone Sorceress and Madame Bella? Interesting.

The Witches were all in earthy colors, russet, green, wheat straw and grey and their staffs and the ornaments they were were fashioned of silver, and gems were modeled on vines, leaves and flowers or beasts and birds.

The Sorceress wore a very dramatic gown of brilliant blue and white, her ornaments made of silver, diamonds, and spaphires were not representations of natural things!

     This one has me thinking of spiky ornaments, or maybe something on stars.

Is she evil? Or are Sorceresses good?

Well Elena... if theres this many Fair Folk, Witches and what not, and it's a Royal Christening, yes there are like to be other visiting princesses and princes.

"... and that a  Godmother's Apprentice didn't gape at the guests at someone else's party." ... so... if it's your own party, it's ok?

So the Tradition means an Evil Sorceress can't wear any color? Sounds boring!

"Her staff was black with a black serpent carved twining around it and it was surmounted by a globe of black obsidian." Hrm. Is it possible to carve obsidian into a globe? And how big would it be? A walnut? A bouncy ball? A baseball? A baby's head?

So that's how you avert an Evil Sorceress. Introduce the Prince she was supposed to have.

"Elena sensed that even if he had to clean and mend his clothing himself, he would be clean and mended."

^ now that is the attitude to have.

Huh. She doesn't /want// to do this, but the Tradition is so strong she can't avoid it like a character in a play. That is scary.

So for the Tradition to be satisfied with curses, there needs to be pain, despair and loopholes.

         It seems likt it's complicated and yet rewarding for the characters "in the know".

Elena of course you're nervous, it's your first time subverting the Tradition!

Fair Godmother wanted

     Must be able to avert curses, tes and guide Questers and dispense punishments to failed Questers.

What type of magic do you have/

     Witch/Hedge Witch/ Hedge Wizard

          Works on the 'best' level of magic, using the smallest amt to gain the greatest effect.

          Blends in  with local community, but also doesn't interfere.

     Sorcerer/Sorceress

               Study all your life, live mostly on your own, go out in a ball of fire after a few chaotic months of battle and heroes.

               Generally comes into play when a HUGE amt of magic is needed to set things right.

     Godmother/Wizard

               Deep seated passion to set things right.

               Can't live with people because you'd get involved in everything.

               Also can't live totally separate, otherwise you'd lose your anchor to humanity.

So, if someone fails to be made into story A, sometimes the Tradition will try and push for Story B?

Ah, lessons in deportment, always difficult to find the best person to teach those.

I love how different fairy tales are hinted at, in a sort of side ways fashion.

     "She made a point of getting a particular pot of flowers into the hands of a young woman."

     "Once she ensured that a handsome kitten was adopted by a mill-ownder with 3 sons."

Oh is Elena going against her first actual Evil Sorceress?

Stout walls and good locks. The walls I get, but .... couldn't locks always be picked?

O!O using a Sleeping Spell from one Evil Sorceress to take out another? I like this concept.

Wait a sec. If Rosalie can't eat anything other than this rampion and she's been waiting...10 days. And she's pregnant. This does not sound right.

It sounds sort of like the premise for a video game.

     There's a maiden in the tower! She's 16 now! You must go save her, since you're a noble prince!

      But wait! There's an Evil Sorceress! And if you die, she'll take all the magic around you and become stronger! (Never mind that it's impossible to save teh girl till she's 18.)

Really? No one recognized Elena? None of them that knew her?

Why couldn't a Godmother engage in idle chat with a King and a Queen? If she arranged their marriage especially?

Oh, I wonder if the concept of Godmothering could be turned into a game? Someone talk to Mercedes Lackey and Lionsgate, quick!

O.O And there goes Madame Bella apparently. I wonder what a retired Fairy Godmother does? Can you stop using magic after a life time of doing it? Or what about not having Brownies anymore? Are there Fairy Godmother retirement homes?

"Crunching" is not a sound you want to hear in /any/ of your gardens, not just the kitchen garden.

So, apparently, Unicorns.

Random: I love the chapter headers. It's a woman with her hair flowing back and a wand (with a star!!) raised about to 'tap' the # for the chapter.

Unicorns, easy to trap, just grab a virgin of the opposite gender! They go stupid at the sight.

Are you hopelessly lost in a patch of woods that shouldn't be very large? Did you piss off a Witch/Sorceress/Godmother lately?

"As for the tower (at the top of the dormant volcano) it was the Sorcerer's own home and the Princess was, by all accounts, having a delightful time exploring it. "

The all important first test in any Quest. The test of kindness and generosity.

One minute you have her using a wand, he next you say staff. Huuh?

1) I want a magical forest. It would be fun to live near one, or cultivate a pseudo one.

2) Now that is putting magic to work for you. Sweet!

And now even though I'm still reading my brain is contemplating "how to cultivate a semi-magical (at least in appearance) forest."

Ok, if you're uppercrust and city dwellers don't use /rely/believe in magic, what do you do? How do you convince them to exist if they don't believe in you?

Sweet! Disguise magic!

Holy carp. 7 pages of notes. O.o

Why is it called a dowager's hump? O.o is there no male equivalent?

"She tied the false nose on over her real one and although she felt no differently anyone looking at her would see a bent and feeble old woman with a great beak of a nose and dowagers hump. Her hair had gone from golden to white as snow drops; her face was a mess of wrinkles and her hands were spotted with age."

          Celebs would love having something like this were it possible. XD

          Even the clothes got aged? That is ingenious.

Oh? This is a first. We're seeing things from a different character's POV. Prince Alexander of Kohlstania, middle son, being forced to go after the Princess  I mentioned earlier.

          Eesh, his life sounds boring. Trained to be a spare?

DX This guy is as bad a dad as Odin!

Ohh this Alexander guy is arrogant!

"He /wanted/ a kingdom of his own and although he would rather it had come without the need to marry some brainless bit of fluff, probably spiled into uselessness by her father he would put up with the girl to get the throne." O.O Whaaaaaaaat?

     Elena! Squish him! There is no way he's going to pass any tests, squish him!

XD "He thought that he would be generous once he had won and find Julian (his younger, dreamer brother) a pretty young heiress to marry. "Oh how kind of you! Don't trouble yourself too much!

"Someone was plaguing him with some sort of magical impediment" Ohhh! I love laughing at this guy.

Oh a tactician's thoughts on magic. Rather amusing. I can't wait to see how this plays out.

XDD There have been days when being able to turn someone into a pig would be useful.

"Magic! It might as well be cheating! ... From now on he'd use his compasss and not the map." ...=promptly gets further lost=

Yay, back in Elena's head! ^^

I like this spell, although I'd hate to have it used against me.

Oh, a description of our arrogant princeling

     Wavy brown half, thick and shining, fell down past his shoulders with a cap tilted rakishly. Face, rather foxlike... so pointy with high cheek bones? Ah... no, square chin chiseled cheek bones, broad brow. Nose, very pointy.

I'm using this when the chance arises! "He could plow a field with that nose!"

He went out wearing a tunic patterned after a military uniform? O.o While camping, riding and expecting to pass trials? How silly, even if he did come more prepared than his elder brother.

"If the Tradition held true to form, the first Prince had been merely rude and haughty, this one would be haughty, rude and arrogant and aggressive." Well, I don't know about aggressive, but the first three are right!

Hmp! Rude much?

O.O dude! you are a major jerk Alexander! I hope you get caught by a spider.

!! No! I don't care if you hate magic and are angry from wandering around. You don't try to run people over!

Am I the only one that corrects editing errors in the text when I find them?

Ohhh... This is going to be interesting.

     "You are as ill- mannered, as stubborn, and as stupid as an ass! So Be One!"

XD I think threatening to turn him into a frog is  a bit insulting to legitimately, turned Frog Princes, no?

3 Princes, Octavian, Alexander and Julian.

     I hope Julian succeeds...

Alexander's confusion is so amusing. Who wouldn't wonder if an evil magician had been set to plague their family, or if their brother had turned into a bug.

I really have to wonder about this one. How can someone's laugh sound like a 'tiny silver bell' really? Without being fake?

"Some babble about freeing trapped foxes, rescuing baby hawks, feeding ants-" Plenty of help and not cheating at all. It's tradition! ;)

Clothes made for use and not for looks, I DO like Julian! Intelligent, and to the point, love? Hah! He even knowns she did something to his brothers. Genius!

How would you get past a lion without fighting him?

And how could all these animals be arranged without actually being in danger?

And by sending the horse home, you make the father freak out?

I know it's only a saying, but I wonder where does "eyes red with rage" come from?

A polite and well mannered giant! Well,, that's a first, Titch, cute name and 30 feet tall to boot.

Oh Robin is going to work this guy to the bone. Hah!

XD Knocked himself out on a manger.

She did threaten to turn you into a frog..

"Magic was for those who didn't have the intelligent to come up with other solutions." Oh really? I can't wait for Elena to prove you wrong..

His first day a s a man... this is going to be funny.

     step 1) attempt to attack

     step 2) get thrown backwards

     step 3) Attempt to escape

     step 4) Curse all magic. Again.

Ahh... so that's why she bartered with the Unicorns. XD

Yay Julian! Hooray! -dances-

-chuckles- Why yes, mumbling explicatives under my breath does mean I'm interested.

Ooo Hob told you, you spoiled brat.

"Not as in merely /ignored/ him, but as in 'paid no attention because his intelligence was lesss than that of the village idiot."

Seriously? You learned about this and you still question the power at least of magic?

     Ahh.. this explains why and the bias makes sense.

     O.O Eternally burned by iron? Ouch! No wonder the family is cursed.

He wants to break her wand. What tales were you listening to? Breaking the wand doesn't do anything. XD

WEll, so it is to be a romantic plot... although how when he's such an idiot and an ass, I don't know.

O..o if you go through with this asinine plan. .. I hope she puts you sisx feet under.

O.O XDDDD Go Elena! Geld the imbecile.

Well of course songs have just as much power. They're still stories.

Well. That should prove interesting.

Hob, you are amazing and scary. ^^

Are these True dreams Alexander is having?

Ahh.. so the father /has/ learned. Octavian /is/ learning. now just for Alexander.

'Being called a ____ does not make me one, any more than calling Master Hob a giant makes him 30 feet tall."

It took a month to break his anger.

What a cute Fae! I wonder what that bit of mischief will do?

Well. That's certainly a surprise. Giving up his court garb? What did that little pixie do?

O.o letting him spend more and more time as a man? Sounds dangerous.

Wait, a horse and 2 donkeys? But where will Alexander sleep?

All that emotion boiled up in one man, and he has to ask Elena to find out what's going to happen to him now.

Wait, bud off rooms? But.. Madame Bella always did a spell to get more space? Was that because she wanted specific rooms?

And /more/ kingdoms? O.O She's already Godmother to 2 dozen! 

Books! Lots of books! Heaven!

Why would he read books on magic? And histories, like what Elena did?

O.O So she's Godmother to Kohlstania now? XD That's going to be interesting.. Does that mean it didn't have a Godmother before? Can the Kingdoms exist without Godmothers at all?

You're supposed to be trained in asssessing situations? HOw on Earth did you pass those courses if this is how you've done?

Eee! He really is changing. Able to admit he was a knight in name only. Color me shocked.

So he's learning about the Tradition. What game are the Brownies playing?

What a strange thing to dream of...

So apparently having manners includes a change in.... his level of speech? I don't know how to phrase it ><

There's an orchard? O.o

How does an apple taste woody? And how does one keep apple trees from making bad apples with age? That's what happens right?

I wonder what happens to a Godmother when an Evil Wizard/Witch/Sorcerer /does/ pop up on their watch? do they get yelled at by others? Magic taken away?

TARDIS reference! <3

O.o men's bathhouse? Surely that hasn't been there before, I mean neither HOb nor Robin would need it, with being married... where do they sleep? Anyway, is this an example of the house budding?

One of the palaces of the Great Fae huh? So then.. despite what Robin said, the house isn't 'budding' like a plant, but slowly opening rooms as needed, and then Madame Bella's use of spells would've just been poking at it in the sense of "Hey, we need more space here please!" like Elena and poking at the Tradition/ofrest to take her where needed.

Hooray! Octaviann gets to go home now!

O.O This was already discussed. This whole thing was explained... why... ok. It's not contradictory if you read it right, but yeesh!

Splitting it with Arachnia, stashing it in every available receptacle and STILL it's thick enough to cut? That is a lot of magic. I wonder how she's driving the chariot?

Bwahahaha.

D: So much sad. So much sad right there..

HE's watching with Randolf? O.o well. That's interesting.

XD You want a weapon to attack the Magic Mirror? Have you learned nothing?

Less than a month? All together? O.O That's horrible! That is so not parenting! King or no.

"You couldn't actually fill a day with with wenching" XD This sentence amuses me. Another!

Hm. Hanging a lantern much?

Wait. If they were watching her with Randolf.. did they see her crying?

Soo.. did Rose do this when Randolf showed Elena what Madame Bella was up  to early on in the book? Hmmm.

Not leaving? Randolf? What do you mean?

Yup Everytime you think you have the pesky things in hand, something happens so they rear up again.

O.O well. That's one heck of a dream. Are they sharing it I wonder? Since he said he'd figured out who she was?

Blasted rooster. Although it is tempting to get one as an alarm clock.

Ahh, so them sharing dreams means he has magic? Sweet!

:D

Ahh, so it's been several months now, oh.

O.o A hunting lodge. So it's not just the house, but the entire grounds, that grows it seems. Will Alexander live here now?

Oh! We have names for three of the former Godmothers now.

     Emerald Fairy (Fae), Madame Beaubaton (the 1st mortal)  and Madame Bella

     Yay Hp ref!

King Huon? Seeing to it personally? Oh this should be... interesting.

Now that is a useful bag, put almost anything you like in it and doesn't get a bit heavier. I could use one for when I go to the library.

Oh, this should be good, he's running towards it.

O.O That is a nice shot.

:D Go ALexander! I cannot believe you're the same person as before, this is utterly different. Shoot the noble bastard!

This is better than I could have hoped, this is so much better.

Wait. Wait one bleeding moment. THAT was the test? I thought it was something real. Dang. I wanted Elena to blast the dude or Alexander to shoot him. ....

O.o why would you let your hair grow long enough to sweep the ground? Even as a Fae, wouldn't it cause a major headache?

Ahhh... so that's what them touching people does... but /why/ did the King give them both his mark? Surely not just for matchmaking?

A Champion?

Aren't all ravens clever?

Ooooh I wonder how they had favors to call in? From centuries of work?

Yay more masculine rooms and a salle!

O.O really now. Well. How honorable of you Alexander.

A year and a day? Of wedding celebration? That's insane!

Ahhh I love when people are able to put some of the pieces together without having it spelled out.

A bear the size of a draft horse? Frightening.

Blah blah blah. Romance, blah blah blah.

-laughs- Someone gave him rather good advice.

Deep ponds and burlap bags. Oh those poor Unicorns! -laughs-

Oh bugger.. Surelly this can't be because of them?

Julian! Oh noes!

Nothing? Normally there's  a challenge issued.

He slaughtered the king? D:

Oh. Bravo, that is using your heads and putting the Tradition to work.

Sergei! The little humpback horse :D

Wait, the Evil Dude is from his country?

Aww, what a dashing horse and a gift too.

How are they going to get all of that back again? That's a lot of weaponry.

HOly scraps! 12 pages of rules back and front. God bless... I'm going to need to do something different with this post.

Poor Elena, Alexander is going to be miffed she didn't tell him after things pan out.

Is Voice Modification a thing they teach in military school?

Seriously? No safeguards/

Magical Genetic Lottery, Pick Two!

      Magical abilities, beautiful, strong, intelligent

She attacked with a poker. Maybe this Princess wait, Queen now, of Julian's isn't so bad.

It's like mind control but for the Tradition.

     "Julian- singlehandedly- heroic- so you can escape."

And she fought imprisonment? Good for her.

Cat speech. Amusing and interesting.

Eugh, nasty creepy creatures.

"If it could be made of gold or silver it was probably in those piles. If it could be studded with precious gems, it was probably in those piles."  Sooo.... I could find an onyx and amethyst golden fork?

'Plain un-ornamented gold' pft. gold is gold it always draws attention.

Gold box, filled with gold, protected by a steel cage, a heart encase in diamond. O.O 

Not a protective spell? Then what is it?

Wait. If it's to his advantage, why are you doing it? O.o

Ahh, I see.

Woo. Go Alexander!

Is Titch scared of the cat? XD It's got to be the size of his pinkie nail.

Phew! Yay scary machine of death called Alexander!

Itsy bitsy cat standing over them, hissy  as if guarding her kits. An amusing image.

! Well, that was faster than anticipated.

Wait convocation? That does not sound good...

Braking Traditional paths, combining others.. This is good yes?

Wait, 100 years ago?

Again, wait, why was there nothing mentioned, /anywhere/ about Godmothers taking lovers if its happened so often?? You'd think that could be mentioned somewhere, or for Madame Bella to have known D:

Wait a tic. Didn't you just say Champions were /rare/? How then can there be 6 others?

I wonder how Mirror-Slaves are created?

Hey a fast travel portal system! Why exactly wasn't one in place previously? And what is a Moot?

Hey, it's Madames FLeur and Blanche again :D

O.O They turned.... Hah! That's fantastic!

A party that wished to remain anonymous -chuckles-

I hope y'all have enjoyed this bit of crazy and will come back two weeks from now. It seems I severely over estimated my capability to balance the blog and packing. >< So, I'll need to take the next week... off? Sort of. All posts will resume once I get down to Texas. I'll see ya'll in a week, two tops ^^. 
If you liked it, feel free to comment below.

If you have suggestions, please comment below.

If you're secretly a Dovakhin, comment below :D

Treasury Post: Father’s Day

This month’s first treasury is Father’s Day, to celebrate.. well, dads. Crazy, goofy and, hopefully, geeky.  

I don’t think any  of these guys were dads but they are still awesome, so of course you put Dad on the list with the rest of them. By ,SoakStudio

This seems to sum up programmers rather well, don’t you think? by signaturetshirts

Dad spends too much time on video games? Why not poke a little fun? UnicornTees

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From Mom to Dad?  by AroundtheBlockAZ

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Who wouldn’t love an arc reactor necklace? by Cloud9Tungsten

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Need a tablet or notebook cover? This is perfect, and it guarantees you won’t get lost, at Hogwarts at least. by JusttInCase

A different case, something for the Dad that likes things a little more ‘natural'. by VegasBindery

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Dad a traveler? This bag is tough and can stand up to the wear and tear. AntiqueLeatherBags

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For Veteran Dads,MohawkLaser does different plaques for every branch of the military.

If grilling is Dad’s thing ( I know mine loves it) this could be a very useful gift. GustoSpice

If

Nananananana Batman! It’s a ring, and it’s great for root beer, or other bottles of a similar nature. by niquegeek

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Star wars + Legos = cufflinks? I think it’s cool. by HandcraftedGeek

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More cufflink! This time, for the man of steel in your life. by ManlyKidStuff

While I know my Dad doesn’t care much for the stars, there are some out there that would love this right?  by projectorties

“Head of Marketing”, “Secretary”, “Vice President of Legal”  all titles that are important… but they’re not as much fun as being a pirate are they? Time to fix that with this plaque for Dad. by  TheJollyGeppetto

Thanks ladies and gents for coming to check out this month’s treasury, please feel free to leave any comments you may have below.

Dream Team: Tool Edition

Everyone has their wish list right? That list of tools that you're dying to save up enough for, but pesky stuff always gets in the way, like food and rent?
Well, here's mine.
Tools I Can Use Right Now

 
While I don't have the thicker gauges of metal, I have started experimenting with chasing and repousse. While technically this is a dapping set, meant for doming different shapes, I have also seen others use dapping tools for repousse. I'd be happy doing both. :) (not to mention you can also use it for polymer clay work.)

I admit, this one I'm sort of drooling over. A stepped bracelet mandrel, plus a tang for keeping it steady. =makes grabby hands= I've started drawing more bracelet designs, in wire, but I can't make them yet, because they need forming and a hard surface to hammer them on. :( This would solve that problem :D That, and for making polymer clay bracelets as well. ^^

 
While this set isn't my ideal set (since it jumps from 220 to 1,500 grit with nothing in between) it is still definitely on my list, because sandpaper is important.

 
Hammers! :D A jeweler’s best friends are her hammers. I love this set, because it has one that I do have (the chasing hammer, but you can never have to many of those) and all the others I don't. ^^

 
While this one does say it's for wax carving, I'd be re-purposing these towards polymer clay and metal clay carving.

 
When working with wire, the smoother your cut, the better. Hence why I want a pair of super flush cutters. I have two pairs and both are wearing out thanks to all the use they get, these would fix that.

 
Is there any reason why someone would /not/ want a third hand? I honestly can't think of any. And on a heavy base. <3

 
=sighs dreamily= This would be heaven to own. Not to mention making it so much easier to do  mokume gane work, and other delicate polymer clay designs.
Tools I Need More Supplies For

 
Having a disc cutter means (in the short run) cleaner and more precise discs. It can also mean templates for polymer clay, metal clay, and making crescents of various sizes. I'm sure there's more that I'm missing, but I'm short on sleep right now, XD.

 
Do I really need to explain this one? While I don't have the set up atm to start doing bezel setting, there are a few pieces that are building up in my head that I want to try it with.
* disclaimer I'm linking back to the different sites because they happen to have the tool I was looking for, with an image I can copy, not because I'm getting paid by them. Sadly.
 
So ladies and gents, what are some tools you’re drooling to get your hands on?
List’em in the comments below.

Cast in Sorrow

The smell of a freshly cracked book... heaven.


Welcome ladies and gents to this week's Book Designs post, where we finish up the Chronicles of Elantra series with Cast in Sorrow* aka Cast in Peril Part Two (as I'm calling it)
Don't all stories about forests leave out the bugs?
From what I can tell (and I'm guessing so far) this book is picking up right where we left off with the last one.
"Things Not To Do if You Want to Have Fun During Your Involuntary LEave/ of (Probably Unpaid) Absence
     love the title Kaylin!
I'm loving this list, although I really wish Leontine existed. It would be an amusing language to learn.
Hey, the Consort has armor now, what a nice gift from abig brother. I wonder if it's painted, enameled or just a naturally white metal?
If she was possible of wielding the power behind it, I 'd think Kaylin was trying to build a small Court for herself.
Shadow-not-birds. That's a new one.
Transforming, talking real birds. Kaylin, you never cease to amaze.
Barrani eye color: Gold with a ring of pale sky blue.
I love that they switch to Aerian in an attempt at privacy.
Domicile? Lirenne, you were less stiff the last time we met.  Yu're making me sad here.
West March - Court of the Vale
"Outcaste what? Outcaste number 13 or 90? "
So, this is where Teela considers home. ... I wonder where she lives in Elantra?
I wonder if the Ancients constructed the West March as they did the Hallione or High Halls or if the Barrani have carved out and decorated the interiors of the trees?
Types of trees denoting which street you're on, interesting .
Oh, I do. Where else could you get it repaired Sev?
She doesn't have this reaction to water at home.. Why here?
Ahh Question from last book answered. While Kaylin does call Nightshade Calarnenne, and thinks of that as his True Name, that's not quite how it works.  The 'name' is just a word. His True Name holds everything that he is and is more than mere speech. Kaylin just interprets it as speech, just like she interprets magical signatures as written words.
Kaylin, having attendants. Interesting. And she can't send them away or BAD things happen.
Barrani, as complicated as ever ^^
Huh, I didn't know that etiquette rule, I'll have to keep it in mind.
Oh, so she still has that mark on her forehead XD I wonder how others will react when they see it?
Oh Kaylin, you're growing up and it's quite interesting >< look at you doing political speak. So proud.
I need to learn to be amused and keep it off my face.
Severn, how do you know them? Were you forced to learn all the Barrani who hold the title of Lord? Or did you do it in your copious (cough cough) free time after you became a Lord? How many are there I wonder?
Teela this is something you mention earlier on! I'm also going to assume you don't like your Aunt Avonelle.
Laughing Barrani, always a strange sight.
The Hallione of the West March, the one that has been abandoned, is called Hallione Alansis.  I'm placing my bet here, the book ends with Kaylin having burged or destroyed it.
If healrs are so rare... is it because of the Barrani? Since they seem to dislike them so greatly?
Interesting and complex. Kaylin, you better be able to do what you say you can.
So the 'dreams' and the 'nightmares' of Alansis, are one and the same creatures. Just like real dreams and nightmares.
He's gone from being 'hatchling' to 'you' to 'small and squeaky'.
A line of ghosts.. with Kaylin in the lead.
Exactly! There are only 11 lost children. Not 12. Harrumph.
I like the idea of these glass statues being drawn to the runes, which are golden.
New low for the door wards in response to Kaylin, catching fire
A 12 pointed star? Wait, make that 11.
There's a Lord of the East?
This Lord of teh East challenged the harmoniste of the time? O.O why? For the title of harmoniste?
Oh, new note, none of the other Barrani Hawks are Lords.
Serian female not-servant. Gaedin male not-servant.
     Neither are lords, yet both seem to possess magic.
     Guess that kills Kaylin's theory.
Oh! 'Neya' was the nickname of Kaylin's mom. Her full name was Averneya.
>< Iberriene, I want to hate you. you did BAD things. But right now you're like a shy puppy, and I want to hug you.
Barrani- purple= deep grief.
Wait. Hold up. Rewind. KAYLIN, you KNEW Teela spoke on your behalf. It's talked about throughout the first book. It's not mentioned that she was using her rank in the Court, bu you still knew.
     Ah. ok. =blushes=
Teela, I adore you. "If the Exchequer doesn't hang for this, I'll hunt him down and kill him myself."
I love seeing how much she cares about Kaylin.
Teela, you hair brained, thrice cursed!
I cannot wait till the next book. Kaylin's given in. She's going to apply herself to magic.
O.O The 11... they're idiots.
I want to do a pendant that's a lantern, or maybe a string of lanterns.
Nightshade, I love that you protect her.
Mr. Small and Squeaky. What are you doing? Helping or hindering the Hallione?
Kaylin!
Did Nightshade jsut admit he would have failed? O.O Hit the Deck! The world is ending!
Will wonders never cease? Ynpharion willingly serving her?
O.O I LOVE this series XD
Kaylin holds the names of Four Barrani men now. Not one of them wants her dead.
The more they say it, the less I believe Kaylin will live a mortal's span of years.
I truly hope that Ynpharion isn't a one-off character.
I don't see how he could be since she holds his name, but there you go.
I think a time will come when Kaylin can speak Dragon. Possibly even intentionally.
So somehow the wards have been stripped from the green and placed into Alsanis. Is Alsanis trying to contain/protect/soothe the lost?
Finally! Silver! <3
Brother! Not son, win!
I actually like these 10 that remain >< They are going to make life so interesting.
Barrani? An eating contest? Oh yes, I do love these 10 new ones.
The 10 are staying in Alsanis to gain knowledge so that they can function and move in the world as it now is... probably smartest.
Except Annarion. Annarion wants to leave and Nighshade has commanded him to stay. Annarion has refused. Nightshade is pissed. Isn't that the way of younger brothers?  Ahh.. Annarion wants to take the Tes of Name.
Annarion is pissed and I almost think I like him more than Nightshade. XD
O.O He understands small and squeaky?
All he wants is to be with you Nightshade.
Oh dear. How will Tain react to Teela and her connection to the 10?
And Teela's not staying, but I figured on this.
And neither is Mandoran apparently, so only.... 8 are staying.
Manny... you want to join the Hawks? Oh this should be so interesting. I want Cast in Flame now please!
So ladies and gents that's the end  of this week's book :D I hope you enjoyed reading along, my thoughts and insights, and what not.
I didn't come up with many pieces while I was reading the book, but let's see what I can come up with once I sit down with my tablet.
If you did, feel free to comment below.
If you have suggestions for future books, feel free to comment below :D
If you're secretly an Aesir, please comment below :D
*While the series is actually not finished, this is the last that is currently available to me, and there is only one other set for publication, Cast in Flame, which is not yet available on the market.