Dunnett, Dorothy - The Ringed Castle

[oyceter]

Philippa is so cool. So very, very, very cool ^_^.

I keep blinking at just how formidable she's become.

So cool.

I think the main problem with Ringed Castle was that most of it felt like a big set up for the next book, plus the fact that it's pretty hard to top the sheer tension and angst-fest of Pawn.

I've already reread the part in which Philippa and Lymond make up verses and, frighteningly, Lymond falls in love. Lymond, in love. I mean, I knew this would happen, based on vague summaries, but the thought of it is still sort of mind-boggling. It is one of the few points in the series in which I actually feel sorry for him (the other being the end of Pawn). Other times I'm usually more daunted by him than anything else.

I do love how Philippa bullies him.

It took me a while to sort of figure out that the strange lack of fallout from the end of Pawn was in fact the fallout, and that it was supremely Lymond-esque to attempt to become a machine entirely, all mind, no soul, no heart, and to sequester himself away and build an empire as a reaction to the awful pain at the end of Pawn.

That said, I wanted to hug Sybilla when he just walked right by her during his meeting with Kate.

And I am so glad Philippa and company managed to stop him from going back to Russia.

I think I read this too fast, because now I've realized I only have one book to go, and the entire ride is over =(. Shall attempt to not read Checkmate at breakneck speed....

Links:
- rilina's review of Pawn and Ringed Castle
- rachelmanija's review

Comments

Languish Locked in L!

[cofax7]

Holy COW, I can't believe you finished RC that fast!

I have the hardest time reading the Russian sequences in that novel, and as a result it's probably my least favorite of the series, despite the marvelous stuff during the voyage, and Philippa at court, and the Hall of Revels stuff. I just can't handle the horribleness of Russia, and the coldness between them all. And poor Adam's whipping.

{{hugs Adam}}

I absolutely adore Alec, though. He's my Dunnetty Sekrit Boyfriend. I picture him played by a short version of Sean Connery. I also love Danny Hislop, but not the same way.

Have fun with Checkmate, but I warn you, it's terribly hard NOT to read at breakneck speed. I finished it the first time at 5 am...

Re: Languish Locked in L!

[oyceter]

I am, you may have noticed, slightly obsessed at this point ;). I was going to stop reading it that fast, really I was, and then Lymond met Philippa after her stint at court.

Yeah, I really got pretty bored during the Russian sequences because I have no great emotional attachment to Guzel. Wah, I wanted to hug Adam too =(.

I think my sekrit Dunnet boyfriend is Jerott. Or Adam Blacklock. Num. Or Richard. Ok, too many good men there ^_^.

I'm trying desperately not to, partly just because I'm horribly, horribly sleep deprived because of the first five books ;). But given my track record, this one will probably be finished sometime in the a.m. as well...

Re: Languish Locked in L!

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

I think my sekrit Dunnet boyfriend is Jerott.

YAY! He's mine too - poor lamb - so confused by his love for Lymond and twisted around Marthe's & Lymond's fingers and described as oh so very, VERY yummy ;)

I don't like the Russian parts of RC all that much either - too many new characters in whom I have no emotional investment (like Ivan the Terrible!!)... But I adore that scene where Lymond realizes he's in love with Philippa. So, SO much - it's wonderful to see Lymond at a total loss, and it's one of the few moments in the series which we experience from *his* point of view rather than watching him be opaque with others.

I think I did the same thing you're doing - raced through the books and then went back and read 'em a second time to savour everything ...

Re: Languish Locked in L!

[oyceter]

I really really need to get my own copies of these books now because I'm already starting to reread parts and I have to return them soon =(.

I melt when Lymond's heart skips a beat, and at the line in which he knows he's expected to leave but feels like a dog whose master has died. *wibbles* The implacable Lymond in a complete emotional mess.

Re: Languish Locked in L!

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Oh, GUH! Yeah, the heart on the anvil thing ... and "All that he was not." Swoooon! My copy of RC kinda opens to that scene ;)

The implacable Lymond in a complete emotional mess.

And it just gets worse better in Checkmate ;) So much delicious pain and angst and Lymond emotionally at sea...

Re: Languish Locked in L!

[oyceter]

The angst is killing me!!

"But the songs were for her daughter. And the passion, for ever."

*fans self*

Re: Languish Locked in L!

[oracne.livejournal.com]

What She Said.