User blog comment:SaynaSLuke/Dream Seekers/@comment-2142396-20150929134132

Finished chapter 23, and I didn’t expect Aisha to appear, but I’m curious how she will affect the story. I have a question, though, about how she came to be Shroud’s slave: did Shroud kidnap and enslave her because he didn’t like her conspiring with Swartt or for some unconnected reasons?

I liked the revelation that Star had already figured out how dangerous the race was despite everyone trying to hide that from her… she not really as naïve as she used to be. The race itself was really intense, even if it was short! I didn’t actually believe they could win (my guess was that they would wreck Ramon, let someone else win and be reunited with Veil by courtesy of Shroud), so whey they did it was a pleasant surprise. :D Speaking of Ramon, that was such a fitting demise for him, to be trampled down as he did to so many others. ;)

I loved how Evening jumped forward to protect Star and Co. from Deathstrike. I guess that if Deathstrike wasn’t already wounded he would’ve, like, shredded him. Evening and Star would have to watch out for that horse. I wonder what is going to happen to Firewing now. I know Errik promised to shelter them, but with Firewing turning lame it’s going to be difficult for him. Maybe Errik could employ him for some lighter job, without intensive running/lifting?

I’m impressed by Zenith and Kinta’s decision to stay behind – in a way, they were sacrificing themselves to Swartt’s mercy. Oh, Bluefen! I can’t describe how touched I was when she finally realized just how destructive her previous way of thinking and revenge obsession was. She’s finally turning into a character I’m going to love, because it was too sad to see her all broken and hateful. I like how Kinta’s weapon is nunchaku – not because they are thought of as cool (even if they are really cool things), but because it is very ‘do-it-yourself’ weapon. I can just imagine Kinta having nothing at all except several pieces of wood and a length of chain she somehow scrapped to protect herself with, so she makes this strange weapon. ;)

Cedric is now officially part of the band! I loved that conversation they had about how he wanted to impress them because he truly wanted to belong… they really needed it. Looks like Aubretia is going to save her friends once more, with some help. Scound sure has a soft spot toward young beasts, doesn’t he? He may be greedy and manipulative, but he can be sweet, too. Looks like Swartt succeeded in getting Scound really angry. He could deal with being lied to and demoted, but taking his money? That’s too much! And I love seeing more of Vinwyte! I like how he views his position among the crew with more caution and wariness and doesn’t take it for granted… and yet agrees to help them.

Bryony/Byron reunion went just excellent, compared to majority of the reunions there… I like how quickly it became apparent how much alike Bryony and Byron look and how quickly all the clues were brought together.

I love the hate and deadly rivalry between Swartt and Shroud; it’s always more fun when the villain has not only heroes to deal with, but some internal intrigues as well. I like how Swartt is going to put the crew’s future execution to a practical use. Of course, there are villains who would torture the heroes just for the fun of it, but it’s so much better if they manage to aide their plans/benefit themselves as well.