The Kholinar Bit

[Honour, Valour and Truth]

Hi guys!

I am on another reread of SA and thought it was about time to sign up, and i have had some thoughts and questions in my head as i've read but I thought this would be a good topic to start on.

Just nearing the end of the section where the group are in Kholinar and I wanted to know what you guys thought. It's a great section, with lots of great character development, but my one gripe is that there doesn't seem to be a lot of urgency or danger? I know that the unmades influence has a massive part to play but there are a lot of people who are normal. For example: The palace guard who did not fall to the dark influence that made the rest all psycho, or the tailor Yokska, or the brightlords who have not succumbed. Why is there not more fear?

And before i finish up, i had a fun "What If?" thought and that was, what do you reckon would have happened if they followed Elhokar's suggestion and revealed himself as King, marched in and taken command of the Wall Guard and the entire collection of private soldiers retained by the highlords he eventually recruits. They get the immediate information that took them a whole month to get. And so they decide to attack. They march on, but this time, do not have to deal with Thunderclasts or the Fused, at least for a while, and have the element of suprise as they march up to the Queen's Guard and attack, overwhelming and making it to the Oathgate, only to find it locked. 

Anyway, that's my thoughts...

[Ookla the Magician]

1 hour ago, Honour, Valour and Truth said:

Just nearing the end of the section where the group are in Kholinar and I wanted to know what you guys thought. It's a great section, with lots of great character development, but my one gripe is that there doesn't seem to be a lot of urgency or danger? I know that the unmades influence has a massive part to play but there are a lot of people who are normal. For example: The palace guard who did not fall to the dark influence that made the rest all psycho, or the tailor Yokska, or the brightlords who have not succumbed. Why is there not more fear?

I can understand why you would find this section frustrating and I did find it a little slow, but I actually kind of liked the atmosphere it built.

The city is waiting for an attack, everyone's on edge, but nothing happens for an extended amount of time. I like how it builds the tension, really. It gives the city this tone of anticipation, and as nothing continues to happen, the readers uneasiness grows. You feel uneasy because nothings happening. And this uneasy feeling makes the antagonists feel more real. I also think it makes a nice contrast with all the action in the final part of the book. It gives the characters room to breathe and take in the situation, but at the same time helps build tension and uncertainty in the world. The people of Kholinar have never had to deal with this before, and we get a really good sense of their confusion. 

I liked it, I guess

Edited September 25 by Justice_Magician
Also I forgot to say: welcome to the Shard my dude!!