Storyline

Very good points by all three of you, about how hard it is to look up from the abusive situation and also the speed of life that prevented her from having any significant time to evaluate.

I also thought that it was an excellent point about her choosing to live. I really did like that Nefrigar did not take that choice away from her, the way that Merrill and Gavin did for Lissa (not that I MINDED), but I do think that for Reah, a choice to live was significant, as you stated. Great point!

To me the biggest bullies are Norian (who actually did NOT bully this time) and Teeg, who acted abysmally. What idiot doesn't HEAR his wife when she says she doesn't like his assistants? What kind of jerk must he be to continue to abuse her (he grabbed her arm and jerked her around several times, which is mild, I know, but very indicative of the kind of attitude that IS abuse!).

I have to admit I get frustrated by Reah's passivity and her quickness to forgive (like when she allowed Teeg to spend the night, ultimately impregnating her again). But I understand, given her background of abuse, how this might happen.

I have a harder time forgiving the actions of many others:

Kiffirin: Yeah, cry me a river AFTER you torture the "daughter of (your) heart" for over 25 years.

Garde: His actions have been completely unforgivable. I really don't understand why Lissa, who should empathize with Reah's situation, hasn't either kicked him to the curb or put the (well-deserved) hurt on him.

Norian: Ditto

Jayd and Glinda: Time and again, they have proven themselves to be selfish, spiteful, altogether lousy monarchs and "family."

Teeg: Selfish, abusive, and altogether undeserving of Reah

Lendill: Ditto

Most of the rest of Reah's mates: also weak and selfish


I was happy to see Reah end up with Ry. The fact that he has been in love with her for 30 years and has held back shows he is not focused only on his own desires. While he could have done more for her situation over the past 25 years (like knocking some sense into Teeg's and Tory's heads) I sort of can understand his difficulty balancing love for REah and for his brothers. He did, however, back her up with Wylend by renouncing his citizenship after he wronged her.

I'd love to see Reah develop the backbone to separate from ALL her mates except Ry and perhaps Auri (who was good to her daughters) and let them try to get back in her good graces if they can. I'd also love to somehow see all the gishi fruit trees that she owns on Kifirin somehow transferred to her new planet.

At any rate, I eagerly look forward to the next installment!

Lots of great points here, thanks to all.

I have to say that I don't understand Kifirin, he took Reah as his chosen daughter then proceeded to royally screw her over ... I may not be the most outgoing man in the world but if I had a child or taken someone as an adopted child (legal or by love) ... they would be treated like Reah was only over my cold, dead body.

Reah - one step forward three steps back /sigh. I feel for Reah, she needs a rock solid friend that she can count on through thick and thin ... give her the confidence to believe in herself and I think she will be a power unrivaled. Her sheer strength and determination to help others continues to show that deep down her spirit still burns brightly.

I think the mighty that is keeping an eye on Reah may have a very good reason for doing so ... this is only a guess but, I think the mighty might be Reah's daughter.

Hmmm... well, Gishi fruit does well on volcano planets. We saw that Reah is able to get a volcano to erupt. So very possible she could get her planet going with Gishi fruit transplants. Though knowing Reah, she would start all over again just not to have to deal with Garde and the High Demons.

As a side note, did anyone notice Connie fulfilled her log ago promise that Cheddas would become Lessa's cook? Long time coming, but good to see him go back to where he seemed to be happiest: cooking.

Papa Cheedas once again Lissa's Chef ... woot!!

Reah has a Larentii mate, a Spawn hunter mate, and a warlock mate ... to top that off Kifirin owes her several debts of astronomical proportions ... I doubt she will have to spend much, if any, time in physical labor to get her planet going.

My biggest concern is the information we didn't get ... think about all the loose ends left to tie up ... there are going to be a LOT of busy characters in the next book.

Oh ... and to everyone complaining about waiting a month ... come on how many other authors can you name that put out quality work at the rate Connie does? Personally I can't think of one other author.

A month ... much less than one to five years between books for other authors ... lol.

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