Matt Jennings writes:
>Picked up a copy Tuesday from the B. Dalton at Union Station D.C., and
>finished it last night. Obligitory spoiler space follows...
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>I was suprised that of all the familiar characters, the one I was most happy
>about upon their appearance was Tazendra, though I think I know why. (hint:
>how she introduces herself.)
Oh, yeah, that was great.
Mind, given the source, the rarity of Lavodes in Vlad's time (though
Sethra the Younger is a Lavode too, isn't she? I -think- the
indications we've been given indicate that Sethra the Younger is the
equivalent of "Sethra Lavode, jr"), I don't think she's going to
survive Vicomte de Adralanka.
Some comments on the relationship between Paths of the Dead and the
first third (or so; I've read well over half at this point, but I"m
reading the four volume edition) of the Vicomte de Bragilone (with a
bit of extra spoiler space for those who want it, since this has
potential spoilers for both PotD and Dumas's _Vicomte_).
Orlan appears to be roughly analogous to Milady's son, Mordaunt (in 20 Years
After, the second Musketeer romance), or to De Wardes [the much weaker
equivalent in Dumas' Vicomte]. I don't remember a Mordaunt version
in 500YA, so I'll assume a transpisition (not that -that- hasn't been
done before [like the cross between Vicomte and 20YA in the 1998 Man
in the Iron Mask movie]).
Both 20YA and 500YA are about the failed attempt to save a monarchal
reign. Both PotD and _Vicomte_ are about the successful restoration
of the rightful heirs of the same monarchy [however, Zerika takes the place
of both Charles II, who is replaced on the throne by adventure, -and-
Louis XIV, who must retake the reigns of government from those who had
grabbed power in the interegnum between monarchs].
When the gods are questioning Zerika, they ask her, among other
things, what kinds of Intendants she will employ...which seems a
reference to the conflict in Vicomte between Louis XIV, Colbert (his
Intendant), and the amazingly powerful (and backed by Aramis)
Surintendant, Fouquet. Zerika's response (basically, that she will
take the reigns of government herself, regardless of what means she
employs) matches the advice Louis XIV is given [by Mazarin], and which
he at least partially employs (bearing in mind that I haven't finished
Vicomte).
Aramis backs Fouquet, who is almost a king. Pel backs his Warlord.
The Vicompte of Adralanka accusing his servent of being a philosopher
parallels a similar scene from Louise de la Valliere, the third (of four)
section of Vicompte de Bragelonne, between D'Artagnan, Porthos, and
their respective servants.
It's entirely possible (likely, even), that Khavren will have a
greater role in the later books...but as yet, he lacks the dynamism of
D'Artagnan, and D'Artagnan's role is largely taken by his son. In a
way, so far, D'Artagnan is played by Aerich, while Khavren plays
Athos, and as such, Aerich is (in this book), the one of the four who
acts as opposite number to Pel's Aramis.
As yet, Pel has yet to get the power and distinction that Aramis
attains. One wonders if he will, and if so, what form it will take.
There are probably other parallels to be made, and even one's I could
make, but I'm tired now. :)
--
Joshua Kronengold (mneme at io.com) "I've been teaching |\ _,,,--,,_ ,)
--^--him...to live, to breathe, to walk, to sample the /,`.-'`' -, ;-;;'
/\\joy on each road, and the sorrow at each turning. |,4- ) )-,_ ) /\
/-\\\I'm sorry if I kept him out too late"--Vlad Taltos '---''(_/--' (_/-'