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I will. It’ll be a bit odd this time because I feel like I already asked most of them on LOS. I should have a few though.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@freed_and_redeemed @hybridlore @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @linus-smallprint
QUESTIONS!
Characters:
~Which character(s) did you find the most compelling/relatable/believable and why?
~ Were there any character that need to be more engaging? If so, how would be some good ways for me to do that?
~Where the characters believable?
~ Were there any characters you wanted to see more of?
~ Do you feel like by the end of both books, the MCs, (and important side characters to some extent) reached he places they needed to be, or were their any character arcs that felt unfinished, incomplete, or contradictory.
Note: Please keep in mind that I can’t full develop every character within the story, otherwise there wouldn’t be enough spotlight on my MC. My MCs are Julian and Leon.
Storyline:
~ Was the plot solid?
~ Did the pacing feel consistent throughout the book? If not, where did it lag or feel dull?
~Was there anything that seemed unbelievable or forced?
~ Were there any plot twists or surprises that stood out to you?
~ Was the ending fitting and satisfying? (not only for this book, but as a close to the entire saga?)
~ Were any parts of the story confusing or difficult to follow?
~ Were there any unresolved plot threads you wish had been dealt with in this saga?
~ Was the balance between action, dialogue and description smooth in the story?
Theology/Message:
~ Any theological concerns for the story?
~ What would you say my world view was?
~ What would you say was the message of the story?
~Were the characters’ struggles dealt with effectively?
Extra:
~ What was your favorite part of the book overall?
~What was your least favorite part?
~Who was your favorite character?
~Who was your least favorite? (if you have one)
~Is there anything that you would say needs to be changed?
~ Which scenes would you want to see illustrations for?
~ What would you say the target audience of this book would be?
~ Favorite book in the Saga overall?
~Favorite character(s) in the entire Saga?
~Did this Saga flow well from beginning to end, and did it have a good end?
~Any favorite scenes in the Saga that you can remember from over all four of the books?
~ Any other thoughts
Aaannnddd I think that’s all. Phew.
Okay, I’m tempted to say something that’ll make y’all kill me.
I might wait.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Okay, I’ll try to answer them after I eat breakfast.
Okay, I’m tempted to say something that’ll make y’all kill me.
Lemme guess. Questions for the overarching series or something like that?
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C.S.L.
*reads over questions briefly*
Oh, never mind. I see you already added those. 😝
I’m sad that the series is over. This was fun.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C.S.L.
He ended up marrying the daughter of a farmer that he helped. Mercy grew up and married and had children, and so did most of the other children, though their fifth, Allan, died when he was fifteen.
🥺
Thank you!
Also, Linus had a point. We never found out who wrote that note (I know you just said it was an acolyte, but maybe you should put that into the book somewhere.)
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C.S.L.
~Which character(s) did you find the most compelling/relatable/believable and why?
Probably either Leon or Julian. I’m going to say Leon for this book.
~ Were there any characters that need to be more engaging? If so, how would be some good ways for me to do that?
Umm . . . For some reason I’m thinking of Fox, since he was the one to pick the journals back up after Leon and Julian died. (That feels weird to write. 😥) I would say that the more he’s in the book, the better.
Did we ever get to hear his backstory? I just remember him being one of the church members who was scared of the Empire.
Other than that, I can’t really think of anybody.
~Where the characters believable?
Yes, I think so.
~ Were there any characters you wanted to see more of?
I’m still sad we never got to see Ian or Albee again. 😅
~ Do you feel like by the end of both books, the MCs, (and important side characters to some extent) reached he places they needed to be, or were their any character arcs that felt unfinished, incomplete, or contradictory.
Yes.
~ Was the plot solid?
I think so. This book feels like it was shorter than some of the others. Is that true, or is it just me?
~ Did the pacing feel consistent throughout the book? If not, where did it lag or feel dull?
I think it was pretty consistent. It definitely ratcheted up during the end, but I don’t remember many long sections where nothing really happened.
~Was there anything that seemed unbelievable or forced?
When the Emperor killed off his own soldiers in the games, that seems a little unbelievable, but it could just speak to the incredible pride and arrogance that he had. I guess just, with the way it was portrayed, it was hard to believe that he would really do something like that.
~ Were there any plot twists or surprises that stood out to you?
The Emperor killing off his own soldiers. Leon and Julian dying (but I kind of suspected it.) The college-type place (I’m blanking on the name) with Heinrich and Johannes being destroyed.
~ Was the ending fitting and satisfying? (not only for this book, but as a close to the entire saga?)
Kind of? It was definitely bittersweet and a little less . . . climactic? than books 1 and 2, I think. But I’m not unsatisfied with it. I liked the time jump, even though I wasn’t expecting it.
~ Were any parts of the story confusing or difficult to follow?
I don’t think so.
~ Were there any unresolved plot threads you wish had been dealt with in this saga?
Like I just said, the secret author of the note. And I would’ve liked to know more about Ian and Albee (I know, I know I sound like a broken record. XD) They just kind of disappeared as soon as we left.
~ Was the balance between action, dialogue and description smooth in the story?
I think so.
~ Any theological concerns for the story?
Not that I can think of.
~ What would you say my world view was?
Christian?
~ What would you say was the message of the story?
Persecution. Standing firm for our faith even in the fire. Our hope in heaven.
~Were the characters’ struggles dealt with effectively?
I think soo?
~ What was your favorite part of the book overall?
Augh. Honestly? I kind of liked the ending, even though that sounds bad . . . I’m trying to remember the main events of the book. It was mostly them with the church members, then them leaving for the capital, then them facing struggles with the church and persecution increasing, then them getting arrested. So yeah, probably the end-ish.
~What was your least favorite part?
The parts with them hiding out in the mountains, I think, and traveling. Though I did like the scene when the soldiers were chasing them on the hunting trip. That was probably one of my favorites.
~Who was your favorite character?
Either Leon or Julian.
~Who was your least favorite? (if you have one)
Umm… Karl. 😂
~Is there anything that you would say needs to be changed?
I don’t think so?
~ Which scenes would you want to see illustrations for?
Ooh, um… I don’t know. The wedding, maybe the University’s ruins or something from a distance (no close-ups, thank you very much), some buildings in the Capital, the fake prince, Julian or Leon standing on the fountain edge, them in the jail cell.
~ What would you say the target audience of this book would be?
YA/ New Adult. Teens or adults.
~ Favorite book in the Saga overall?
Oh, man. I might have to say Joseph’s book. I just really liked that one.
~Favorite character(s) in the entire Saga?
Sabina, Joseph, Julian, Leon, Adrian. Albee, Ian, Beric, and Amelia.
~Did this Saga flow well from beginning to end, and did it have a good end?
I think so. The style of writing stayed mostly the same, although I think we had more time jumps in the second book than any other. (Well, duh, since Joseph grew up. 😅) The last two books seemed to be the most detailed of the three . . . ? Like I said, I felt like the ending worked, though it wasn’t as dramatic and drawn-out as some series endings tend to be. It kind of felt like the series ended more quietly, especially with the time jump conclusion.
~Any favorite scenes in the Saga that you can remember from over all four of the books?
When Adrian was captured and when the soldiers (with Julian) came to the house looking for him. Sabina giving Amelia her wedding dress was sweet. Oh yeah, and when Sabina befriended the children and brought Joseph with her to see them.
(You can tell I like the second book. 😆)
Julian and Leon’s relationship was one of my favorite parts, too. Julian acts like a younger brother and their banter is so funny to me 🤣 I liked when they went to the lumberjack village and met Aelic 😢. Also when Leon was a slave.
~ Any other thoughts
Nope!
I really liked these books. Thank you for sharing them. 🙂
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C.S.L.
all right, time to answer the questions:
Characters:
~Which character(s) did you find the most compelling/relatable/believable and why?
I think your protagonists were the best.
~ Were there any character that need to be more engaging? If so, how would be some good ways for me to do that?
I do agree with Hybridlore that since Fox was the one to pick up the final journal entry, he should have a bit of a bigger role, but it’s no big deal.
~Were the characters believable?
Yeah.
~ Were there any characters you wanted to see more of?
Maybe a bit more recapping of what happened to the rest of the characters, considering the time jump. It would make sense that if he’s the one that’s writing these biographies, he’d know or at least be searching for what happened to the others.
~ Do you feel like by the end of both books, the MCs, (and important side characters to some extent) reached the places they needed to be, or were their any character arcs that felt unfinished, incomplete, or contradictory.
I think so.
Storyline:
~ Was the plot solid?
I think so.
~ Did the pacing feel consistent throughout the book? If not, where did it lag or feel dull?
Yeah, the pacing I felt was consistent.
~Was there anything that seemed unbelievable or forced?
No, not really.
~ Were there any plot twists or surprises that stood out to you?
Nothing that I remember.
~ Was the ending fitting and satisfying? (not only for this book, but as a close to the entire saga?)
Yeah, I think it was. Especially since you didn’t just close it on their deaths or on Fox’s letter, cause that would’ve been a bit too open. I like the time-jump.
~ Were any parts of the story confusing or difficult to follow?
Nope.
~ Were there any unresolved plot threads you wish had been dealt with in this saga?
I don’t remember.
~ Was the balance between action, dialogue and description smooth in the story?
Yep!
Theology/Message:
~ Any theological concerns for the story?
Nope.
~ What would you say my world view was?
Same as the others.
~ What would you say was the message of the story?
Persistence through persecution? Don’t be afraid to give your life up for the truth and for God’s work?
~Were the characters’ struggles dealt with effectively?
Yeah, I think so.
Extra:
~ What was your favorite part of the book overall?
I liked the mountain village section. That was a nice change of pace.
~What was your least favorite part?
Hmmm….Don’t think I had a least favorite.
~Who was your favorite character?
There were a few I liked from the mountain village section, but I don’t remember their names.
~Who was your least favorite? (if you have one)
Probably the false prince. I knew he was trouble from the moment he appeared. I wasn’t surprised that he only had a year on the throne.
~Is there anything that you would say needs to be changed?
No, not really.
~ Which scenes would you want to see illustrations for?
My favorite section (see above lol). I also think them on the arena floor, maybe form the perspective of one of the watching people, would be interesting. (Of course, you could dial down on the blood for the drawing, full detail would be a…..little much for a teen book). The ones Hybridlore suggested are really good too. I especially like the idea of the University ruins from a distance–I imagine the “camera” positioned to the back of the characters, as they crest a hill and see smoke rising from a ruined city in the background/below them.
~ What would you say the target audience of this book would be?
Teens/young adults. It’s a little dark for younger kids, but that’s okay since it was only to be realistic.
~ Favorite book in the Saga overall?
Hmmm……I don’t know, I liked them all equally. Maybe I had a favorite, but I can’t remember saying that lol
~Favorite character(s) in the entire Saga?
Hmm…..I liked Joseph and Sabina from the first couple books, and enjoyed reading about their mission to help the Ardentan orphans. I also thought many the characters in the slave section of book 3 were interesting.
~Did this Saga flow well from beginning to end, and did it have a good end?
I think so.
~Any favorite scenes in the Saga that you can remember from over all four of the books?
My favorite parts from each book:
-Book 1 was a while ago so I don’t remember all the parts
-Book 2, my favorite was when they were helping the orphans
-Book 3, I actually liked the detour to Ararvah and the whole thing with the slaves. That was really interesting. I also remember the university part.
-Book 4, I liked the “survival in the mountains” and the ending with the Christian archaeologist.
~ Any other thoughts
No, I don’t think so.
Okay, I’m tempted to say something that’ll make y’all kill me.
I might wait.
What is it????
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
Okay, I will try to get you some answers before too long
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. *twirls hat dramatically because for some reason that is the mental image I have* Feedback like this is always super helpful.
In answer to Hybrid’s question, this book is about the length of the first one with the middle two being the longest. I just submitted really big section because I was trying to pick up the pace.
Ooo, interesting picture ideas. We shall have to see.
@hybrid @ Keilah @freed_and_redeemed @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @linus-smallprint
Okay. So the thing that I have in mind that is gonna make y’all run or attack me is this…….
There is another series.
It’s two books.
Book 1 and book 2.
It was another that I wrote several years ago, but it’s got a plot line I just don’t want to let go.(Actually, I might survive not publishing this, but my brothers wouldn’t)
When I wrote it, they read it out of my notebooks and loved it. When I did the first rewrites, they loved it more. When I did the third and fourth re-writes, they would go and stand by the printer waiting for the next chapters.
Every time I talk about publishing they beg me to publish them.
So, here is my crazy plan. I’m going to release them simultaneously as a Christmas special which will rack up some sales for my business, and I can surprise the boys by giving them the two books for Christmas!
Such a good plan, there must be a catch.
There is.
It is in desperate need of another rewrite, and in even more desperate need of fresh eyes to come in and rip this thing up and just tear the mess out of it, because I feel like I’m stuck in a rut. I have axed the MC out of the second book and completely changed the premise, and I feel more confidant about it, but the MC of the first book is good, and I think I’m sticking to the outline, though I will pull some things from book 2 into book 1.
Now y’all can see where this is going…..
If I am to have it printed by Christmas I need help. Big time.
Anyone who doesn’t wish to join this is totally fine to back out now. If no one wants to help…….. I’m not sure what I’ll do. 😅 We’ll see if that happens.
But, for those of you who will help…. that would be awesome!
Your mission, should you chose to accept it, is to analyze, read, tear into, and help me figure out this book. It’s going to be a tough grind on my end, but I think I can pull it off if y’all would be willing to help. If I could also have some grammar Nazis nailing this, that would be wonderful, because then I could skip a few of the editing levels. As always, should you or any member of your team be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This message will self district in five seconds. Good luck.
So yeah…… anyone willing to give it a shot?
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@Ellette-giselle I will at least be there to give spelling and grammar advice. I wouldn’t pass up another great book from you!
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
What do your brothers love so much about it?
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
Aw thank you so much!!! I can’t wait. Yay! One member has joined the team!
What do your brothers love so much about it?
I hope you can discover that, because I don’t know…………
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@ellette-giselle lol
I was thinking maybe it’s like an adventure story or a war story and they’re all excited about that. Your other ones from what I can tell are more missionary, persecution, or godly-romance stories, and most boys I know of aren’t super into that, especially the last one. But I don’t know.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
Oh, I write all of the above plus some. idk. The MC is a teenage guy in most of it, but then so were Joseph and Aaron. 🤷🏼♀️
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
I would love to!
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C.S.L.
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