ITL 246

[CourtneyLee]

I haven't even finished it yet, but had to put this here right away so I could mention this:

“In my younger days, I thought that nothing was as beautiful or as majestic as the natural world.  The powerful sea, a night sky like this one, I found their grandeur and their exquisite resplendence to be inspiring, even moving.  And then I saw you.  The flawless magnificence of Anosukinom.  The stirring, luscious, pure and sensual fascination of my beautiful Kudorin.”

            His heart skipped several beats before he remembered to start it again.  Gazing up at Xio Voe, he found that Xio Voe was already gazing down at him, and the love simmering in Xio Voe’s eyes heated Kudorin’s blood.  “Your Kudorin?” he repeated, enraptured.

            “My Kudorin,” Xio Voe affirmed quietly, cupping his chin with one hand.  “If you will give yourself to me.”

This is EXACTLY how I wanted Xio Voe to grow emotionally. It is hands down the most romantic thing he has said, ever.

[berryblu]

   "Never underestimate Anosanim."  I love the way that MHT closes the chapters.

And Rini and Bade!      

[tat2dvegan]

Kinda disappointed with the last few chapters
  pushing  Xio too much
Don't like 
and not enough  and Bade and  and Tano

    

[CourtneyLee]

I used to get frustrated with the slow progress of each chapter, then I reread ITL in its entirety and got new perspective. MHT isn't giving us a unique story every week, he's adding bricks to a building. Some bricks are unexciting, some are awesome, all contribute to the whole structure.

This chapter is a good example, actually: this is the second chapter where we haven't heard from Tano at all and there was only some about Remin, but we saw a fair amount of Xio Voe and Bade and their interactions with their in-laws. Does this mean that this chapter was worthless because it didn't really involve the primary couple of the current book? Of course not. There were plenty of chapters in both previous books that didn't concern the primary couple. The drama with Hitari and Talin, Anosanim and Ritek getting together, the various sexual exploits of the Sibs, all of those still contribute to the overall mural of In This Land.

I recommend reading The Gold Book from the beginning, which was most noticibly chapter 218. Several months had elapsed since the wedding, Rini was returning from the plains, and The Contest came to be. Remin's internal conflicts came into focus. We met Naritano in 221. Reading straight through gives a very different feel than the chapter-a-week thing; the pacing becomes evident and everything flows well. It can be very frustrating when one chapter only covers a couple conversations or just a few hours, but when all taken together the story really comes together.

[Mountie]

I agree CL.  I did that not too long ago, read the Gold book from the start.  It does have a fantastic flow.  The fact that we are seeing not only the building blocks of Remin and Tano's relationship but the things that will make the Blue, Red, Green, Orange and Silver Books immensely more satisfying to read.  The actions and responses that each of the siblings have will be completely grounded in their personalities as we know them.  Since it seems that the sequence of the following books is fluid, ie which sibling comes next, getting to know each and every one of them makes the transition to the next book easier.  Think how less tense The Gold Book would be if we didn't know Remin was a sex crazed foodie.  That being said I understand where you are coming from Tat2dvegan.  Kudorin was pushing it  It is hard to see a relationship one sees as solid having a rough patch when it seems that if one partner would back down all would be fine again.

I adored the chapter.  It was everything I hoped it would be.  OK if Tano could have talked to Remin then it would have been perfect but that will be in the next chapter.  I love that Orinakin pegged the game Bade, Rini, Anosanim and Xio Voe were playing is a kissing game just by the way Bade was feeling. Must have been the combination of embarrassment, excitement, horniness and shame Bade would be feeling. Did your socks melt off too when Xio Voe kissed Rini?? And it truly was wonderful seeing Remin relax and be a bit more himself. Loved that we got Desin's viewpoint for the observations. He loves his brothers so much and wants the best for them, though he does seem to be on the outside slightly because he is a protector. Almost like he watches over them all and worries. Just like his Dad I imagine.

Loved the interaction between Rini and Bade, how comfortable they are with each other, how respected Rini feels with Bade. The comment about Bade growing older and looking like Mindo had me wondering. Yummm a mature bearish Bade, though I hope not as bearish as Mindo.  The differences in Anorian, Jacacean & Nosupolin funeral and death rituals has always been interesting.  I can see why Rini is so upset though.  It is really personal now.  And we learned Leesiterian customs too.

I like the effect Anosanim has on Xio Voe and the relationship they are developing. I am intrigued by the fact Matthew, in his April Fools posting had Xio Voe taking on Anosanim's role as The Orange Sibling. Desin's very very very very lucky he has Anosukinom for a brother and he didn't want to break Desin's streak of having someone to play with each and every night. Remin is getting comfortable in his own skin and that's fantastic. I can't wait till Remin and Tano talk about Tano's experience's and observations. I wonder if this is when Remin actually begins to understand Tano's sex drive is a s strong as his is.

What an amazing perfect chapter.