travlbug

"Warning: Disturbing scenes ahead": A morbidly obese man in a speedo is disturbing. An 80 year-old woman in a miniskirt is disturbing. Zane carved out Esthor's eyes as if he were a pumpkin! 🎃 Yikes!!!!! 😉

I'm going to have nightmares tonight!

If Troy had been hurt, Adam would have been doubly devastated, as he was the actual target, and as he would have blamed himself. Mom's statement that Adam would remain with the Connolly family, no matter what happens to Troy, shows that he is a true family member and is not simply tolerated as Troy's boyfriend. He's simply their "other" boy. 😊

I'm with @Onim! So will Milan be his one? (I love the title, "The Scent of Change....")

CVID is a very frustrating disease, and Milan is at least lucky enough to have had competent physicians who figured out the problem for him while he is relatively young. I love the setup, with a Japanese-Italian boy moving to Colorado, U.S.A. who has the underlying issue of CVID. We know that his family provides him with unconditional love, but a family's love can go only so far: He yearns to meet other kids to the point where he'll risk bacterial infection (more likely with CVID than viral colds) to attend a local high school. Kudos to the parents for not being overly protective and for giving him the choice.

Aria and Amara have tested Drew--again! And once again, he has proven his loyalty to, and friendship for, Aria. (I may be way off the mark here, but I wonder if Amara is making sure that Drew is trustworthy because he wants to make an ally of Drew himself. It may also be significant that Aria extracts a promise from Drew to look after Amara, even if secondarily. ) Somehow, I think that Drew's ability to tell the twins apart will become even more important sometime later in the story. This time around, Drew can't help himself and winds up touching Aria, paternally tucking his hair behind an ear, as well as touching him knee to knee. (Touching seems important to both characters, and I wonder if their relationship will become something more.) Aria sound "certain and smug" when he realizes that Drew is cross with him for drinking--that Drew actually cares--but he also wants his good opinion and assures Drew that he isn't really high after all. What has Amara gotten himself into that Dave say he owes him (or is that "owns" him); and what "bad blood" exists between Ben and Amara? (Amara bosses Ben in public but gives him a terrified look in private.) Also, Ben now has reason to harbor animosity towards Drew, so that Drew will have to guard against being back-stabbed. Can't wait for more!

It's ironic that the training/"enhancements" given to Kohen by the Brox consortium are what allow him to defeat Elliard when all hope seems lost. It's also ironic that--after all the high tech employed by the Brox consortium--Kohen defeats Elliard, not with a complex weapon or gadget, but with a knife (albeit with a little extra kick!). Congrats, Kohen, it's a knockout.

A smart doctor will seek assistance when he's out of his depths, and Esthor's decision to consult Khalgos speaks well for his integrity. However, with his tomes useless and Khalgos pessimistic, Esthor has few options. I agree with @Wesley8890 that Esthor must have placed the Princess in suspended animation: He needs time to find a permanent solution, and as the name of the book is Fairyfly, I think we have a clue as to where that may be. As for Zane: When Esthor comes to, I foresee the castle kitchen being stocked with eggs for a long time to come! 🐣

Nate examines Alex's bonafides as a leader, and it turns out that he has a fairly impressive leadership background for his age. On the other hand, Larry throws his obligatory "you're not the boss" tantrum in talking with Alex, and I have to wonder what adult thought it a good idea to include him in the bunker. (However, he's an excellent choice as Mac's first urology patient!) Interesting that the bunker has a detention center. We'll just have to wait and see who winds up as the first guest. (Any thoughts, Larry?) Alex has already expressed some interest in Noah, and I'm sure that the "near kiss" is only the beginning. I'm leery of a backdoor out of the bunker that can be operated by a simple handle and which is not wired to an alarm. (This setup sounds like trouble waiting to happen. ) Alex thinks he knows why the kids in the bunker were chosen to be there. I hope that he decides to share--and soon!

"Their singer is around your age and is some kind of gay activist though. He’s got a lot of talent too, just a nasty drug problem that’s already starting to hurt his name." Artie just turned 16, and Ryder had his big break at age 17. If Ryder is around Artie's age, or vice versa, it is still very early days for Messiah, so his drug use had to start early in his career.

If I recall correctly, Resurrection takes place around 2030, so that Ryder would still be a young man at this time, and Messiah might not yet be a household name: The venue is reasonable for a rising band. I love Artie--giving back to the uncle who is giving so much of himself! Each one wants the other to know that he is cared for and loved. Adam shows himself to be a wise man in his words of counsel to Dizzy: "'Small minds, they just can't handle people like you.' 'People who say too much?' Dizzy exhaled as he shook his head. 'No,' Adam quickly rejected, finally letting him go. 'People who speak the truth.'" He then extends his protection to a child not his own, Artie bursts with pride, and the reader is left with a powerful emotional high! Great chapter, well worth the wait! (OK, it wasn't that much of a wait, but Ace has spoiled me. 😊)

Put Carter into a little back box, say "Alacazam," and he disappears from the first to climb out a pink one! Not only that, he's outgrowing his boxes, which are constraining him (I do not think that Carter's kissing Aron when his inhibitions had been lowered by alcohol was in any way an accident). Carter may just realize that he's exactly where he wants to be--which may lead to chaos if his body wakes up with Alex inside it. And as for Aron, he likes "Alex" better when he's more like Carter, and he forgives the affair with Simon. The way seems clear for our couple to be happy. So why am I so nervous?

The death of a pet is always sad, but the dog in the story has had a full life and a loving owner. (My heart goes out to all the sad, furry, little ones that die unloved--there are too many of them 😰). Thank you for a glimpse into the life of a companion who is loved and will be missed. The memory of such a friend is sure to be of solace to the boy as he grows older.

Another great truth embedded in this chapter is Topher's statement about the psychiatry ward: "When all is said and done, the brain is still just an organ, and it can fail in the same way a kidney can." Beautifully said! It frustrates me when people refuse behavioral health intervention because of some ridiculous notion of stigma. (If someone needs help, the stupidest thing he could possibly do is refuse it!)

“False witness” is a fitting title for this chapter (in fact, it is one of the great themes of the entire novel): Examples of false witness in all its variations--direct lies, self-delusion, hypocrisy, false assumptions, jumping to conclusions, silence in the face of a lie, and manipulation of the truth--are present in abundance. Some lies are very small: For example, Topher continues to put perfectly clean pajama bottoms into the wash basket to maintain the illusion that he goes to bed clothed. Even some of Topher’s outward mannerisms are a lie: He has smiles for different occasions, and by the hospital bed, he displays to Maverick’s sisters “the warm smile he was used to wearing to make his father and community happy.” Then again, some lies are bigger than others: Topher purposefully lies about Veikko’s apologizing to decrease the unpleasantness for Dom, but does the end justify the means? “His friendship with Dominic—false, now that he lied to put that drama he caused behind him.” Self-delusion is readily seen in Kevin’s refusal to accept his orientation, leading to his avoidance of Topher and a breakdown in their friendship. Topher thinks that “…he wanted Kevin in ways he shouldn’t,” indicating that he still feels that being gay is wrong somehow, although he is hurting nobody but himself with this view. Hypocrisy can be observed in Jon’s actions with his wife, and Topher has become disillusioned with his father: “Jon preached that tragedy made the heart grows stronger, but that was yet another lie. Topher watched his father wither and buckle from the moment when Gwen started getting sick, and he resented him for it. All those sermons and lectures about building character from the tests of the Lord, and he went to pieces the first time something went wrong for him.” False assumptions are plentiful, as well as the act of jumping to conclusions—a natural extension of false assumptions. Harper assumes that Topher is straight, and he fails to correct the assumption (silence in the face of a lie). Jon thinks that Topher is “Chris,” and again, Topher fails to reveal the truth. The school itself has both a façade and a reality: “Peatsland was such a sweet, beautiful place,” but it could be “ugly” and “godless,” with Maverick beaten to the point of requiring hospitalization. Now, Topher has to wonder which of his innocent-looking classmates is actually a vicious beast, capable of inflicting grave injury. Further, Topher fails to see the whole truth about multiple individuals: He thinks of Dom as a “pure soul, kind and gentle,” while failing to see his faults. Likewise, he sees Veikko as “worse” than a “monster,” while failing to see his virtues or even trying to understand him. He goes even farther, thinking that “People like him don’t deserve friends. His soul carried the taint of Lucifer’s touch; there was no doubt about that.” His view of Maverick is superficial: “Perhaps he is rough around the edges, but that doesn’t mean his heart is in the wrong place.” By refusing to see the whole truth—or looking for it—Topher proves a terror in passing biased judgments. However, Topher is not the only one making false assumptions or jumping to conclusions: While Topher prays for Maverick, Dom tells him not to waste his prayers. Far from thinking the beating a terrible act, Dom says, “he probably deserved it.” Jon changes/minimizes the beating into “one little incident” where “boys will be boys,” glossing over truth. Worse, Jon actually blames Maverick for his beating: “Maverick Matsuda is a cocaine baby born out of sin to a heathen family. Do you expect any better from him?” (Even Topher can’t help but admonish his own father, “Nobody deserves to be beaten up like that!”) Several characters manipulate the truth with ease. Harper bends the truth for her own purposes: She “was already spreading the word that the two [she and Topher] were an item now. Unfortunately, everyone saw him them kiss, so they took her word for it.” Maverick uses the absolute truth to gain Topher’s sympathy, noting that--with regard to his beating--it was doubtful that anyone would “say or do anything to help me out. Not for some worthless little delinquent like me. I’m just…a fuck up.” (As an aside, another indication that Maverick sees the world in terms of a quid pro quo is his reaction to Topher’s presence: “Why are you here, though? You don’t know me. You don’t owe me anything.”) Of course, Maverick tells lies purposefully for the same reason that he tells truth--to manipulate people. While he pretends to have lost a portion of his memory with the beating, he has no trouble remembering Topher when he comes to the bedside. (I love that Maverick “didn’t remember who did it,” so that his attackers could not be “expelled or jailed.” I think that he wants to get back at them personally; and this way, no one would have any reason to connect him with a horrible accident to one or more of his classmates. I think it telling when Maverick says of his attackers, “I’m sure karma will give ‘em exactly what they deserve...”) Does Veikko visit Maverick in the hospital? Maverick says that he did. (Yet, would Veikko see Maverick and leave no offering, as Maverick alleges?) Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether Veikko actually visits Maverick or not: While Maverick has no reason to drive a wedge between Veikko and Topher, he may be planting the seed to destroy the relationship between Veikko and Dom, as he knows that Topher will tell Dom about Veikko’s visitation. True or not, it serves Maverick’s purpose to tell Topher that he visited. I love that the greatest truth in the chapter is actually stated by the greatest manipulator—Maverick--who, as a keen judge of character, has presumed that Topher is gay: “If you wanna fuck boys just do it.” (As a counterpoint to the overarching theme, Maverick thinks, “some plain truths were incredibly refreshing.” ) While superficially a Topher chapter, the majority of important characters (Veikko excepted) are caught red-handed in conducting some form of false witness. That said, our sweet, innocent Topher shows that he is as prone as anyone to perpetrate false witness, whether consciously or not. However, at least when Topher does it (and realizes it) his conscience bothers him. The question is, will Topher act on his conscience or continue to pile up the lies?

Kohen isn't just the bait, he is also a Trojan horse; and once past the checkpoint and brought into Elliard's presence, he proves an effective secret weapon! Now, we just have to worry if Elliard has a way of controlling Kohen that we don't about... 😱

Aria show that he listens to Drew, at least in part, as he changes from drinking Jack Daniels to champagne (even though he "defiantly" reaches out for a joint later.) He continues to think of Drew as his friend, despite what Amara and others say, and he even embraces him towards the end of the chapter. Once again, Drew shows a strong work ethic, as he travels with his charge from one mine field to another. He is willing to stand up to Amara for Aria's sake, and he has no qualms about making himself unpopular to keep himself in Aria's line of site. His paternal instincts are also on display, as he stifles his need to touch Aria in a way which would have shown affection. Aria and Drew make an odd couple, but they are a functional unit (which is more than I can say for Ben and Amara), and I have a sneaky suspicion that their relationship--whatever it evolves into--will become even more important in the chapters that lie ahead.

So Esthor is pounding the blacksmith's anvil--or is that vice versa? He is indeed an experienced wizard. Zane, did you actually draw a sword against a wizard? (Are you nuts?) In the glow from Esthor's scepter, we can easily see that his knob outclasses your weapon. Esthor, "the enchanting sorcerer": I love it! What is the world coming to when a guard wants Esthor to turn his son into a chicken for a few hours. He can buy his eggs like everyone else! (The nerve.) Esthor was kind in the face of the King's distress, showing that he has a good heart. 😊 Fendrel is a scoundrel, but the fact that he wants revenge indicates that he has suffered a grievance. While he is certainly the villain of the piece, I can't wait to hear more of his story, as even a villain may be wronged. 🤔

Yay, Carter. You go, girl!

Dizzy's gift to Artie was a gift from the heart. How could it be anything else but perfect? Artie, you fibbed about being late. Dizzy has filled your heart, but he still may not be the best influence. 🤗 In a way, the baseball game shows Artie's approach to life: He does his best; works his behind off; and when he makes a mistake, he turns it around into the best play he can. He also inspires the other boys on the team, who are already looking up to him as a leader. Adam is evolving as much as Artie is, and it's wonderful that he can give Artie the love and affection that his father denied to him. As Artie says, "he's doing a great job." 😊

Me, too! 😃

The mind of a psychopath is so innately interesting that I find myself loving this chapter in spite of myself. 😅 Maverick has already been introduced as a psychopath, but the present chapter gives additional insight: As per his sister Essence, Hinako uses cocaine throughout her pregnancy and even breastfeeds Maverick while taking cocaine. Prenatal cocaine exposure may lead to an increased long-term risk for seizures, depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s, and self-regulatory processes may be impaired, leading to the appearance of psychopathy. (Sadly, prenatal cocaine exposure may also impair intelligence, and while Maverick is smart, he might have been brilliant--like Ember--had not his mother’s selfishness damaged him for life.) Maverick is methodical/analytical: “He had tabs for everyone who interested him.” He thinks of his siblings in terms of chess pieces. He sees people in terms of how he can use them. He views Rain’s “function” as that of human stepladder. He sees Reima as “an irrelevant pest.” He has no trouble seeing the inconsistencies in others: “To Hinako, a sausage in bread was toxic, but she dropped acid like an after dinner mint.” He has no qualms about manipulating people in experiments meant to amuse himself: “How much would little Wolfie ostracize and hurt Rain for a taste of chocolate? He meant to find out.” While Maverick dislikes displays of physical affection, he scratches Wolfie behind the ear as a tool to manipulate him, and he pats Rain on the back as a calculated threat. His powers of observation, coupled with lack of sympathy or empathy, leave him ready to pounce on any weakness with a moment’s notice (think giant snake), and his Yamata-no-Orochi tattoo–”his pride and joy”–says it all. Just because Maverick is amoral (the definition of a psychopath) and analytical does not mean that he lacks emotions: His irritation with his healthy family makes him want to eat burgers. He resents Rain because he is useless to him. He feels pride at Veikko’s fascination with his artwork. He also likes Veikko, with a more in-depth discussion provided below. In fact, he feels a rush better than “candy” or “heroin” when Veikko sees him as a hero–an excellent reminder that he is psychopath, not a robot. The question arises as to whether Maverick is actually dangerous, or whether he’ll merely become the CEO of a global corporation. 😂 (Many great businessmen have been hypothesized to be psychopaths, as amorality can be a major career asset at that level in the business world.) The glimmer of an answer may be present in the way that Maverick thinks about Rain: “He saw Rain again, sleeping in his bed. Animosity flooded him. Hatred. Real, ugly hatred. He gently approached Rain, not making a sound on the carpet underfoot and gazed down at him. …Maverick reached down to him and went to touch his brother's throat, but decided at the last minute to leave him alone.” Another hint of Maverick’s underlying menace is present when he thinks of Dom: “The name boiled Maverick's blood. Nobody puts me at risk, you piece of shit. Nobody leaves me open like that. To pussy out and use my gear to do it? If you wanted to die, all you had to do was ask. Free of charge.” As for becoming a conglomerate CEO, Maverick has the right attitude: “The only thing better than defying someone was to have them submit - and they always did.” Interestingly, Maverick is an artist. (So was Hitler.) While he is actually making money from his art, he has no intention of giving up his drug trade, which is more lucrative. (After all, when one is amoral, what’s the difference?) Maverick’s crush on Veikko and his plan for conquering him are nothing short of fascinating: Maverick thinks, “Even though Veikko wore caps on many of his teeth, had a nose bent out of shape - Maverick's handiwork - and scars in addition to being underweight, he was still a beauty. Reima was aesthetically sexier, but Veikko's imperfections were what made him so intoxicating. Life had thrown everything it could at Veikko Carlisle, and the tiny, weak looking gayboy stood up every time and told life ‘you hit like a bitch.’” In fact, he finds Veikko more than admirable: “Veikko was intoxicating. Like a drug. With every fix, he only wanted more. He needed it. I like you, Veikko. Fucked if I know why, but I want you.” He has actually been stalking Veikko, in a manner of speaking: “Maverick flicked through the notes he'd accumulated on Veikko in the last couple of years. There was so much he knew, whether through observation, his videos, his social media or through gossip, but there were so many more questions he needed answers to.” His gift to Veikko–a drawing of himself (“shy and humble,” no less) proffering Japanese spider lilies to the observer–captivates his target. (Of interest, Maverick does not think of himself as courting Veikko or wooing him; rather, he thinks of his efforts as trying to “seduce” him.) He has no problem driving a wedge between Dom and Veikko and even between Reima and Veikko (their love for each other is merely “inconvenient”) to isolate Veikko for his own purposes. However, if he can’t drive Reima off, he will make him an ally: “It was just far more pragmatic to get on his good side, and what better way of doing that than publicly treating Veikko like a prince?” Further, if he can’t make Reima into an ally, he’ll at least guilt Reima into accepting him as Veikko's suitor, showing Reima that he is a better protector than Reima could ever be. When Maverick is tricked into thinking that Veikko is being held prisoner in the bathroom again, his first thought is to rescue him, but not for the sake of his welfare: “He wouldn't be surprised if he managed to get a blowjob out of this at least, especially after the picture he'd gifted him.” (Shakespeare defines love as service, but Maverick defines it as a quid pro quo.) The beating that Maverick suffers deserves special mention, as his twisted mind actually turns it into a strategy while his body is being tortured: “Veikko is going to feel so sorry for me, he thought as blood pooled in his mouth. I'm getting bashed because I was trying to protect him. How will that make him feel? This is only going to bring us together. In spite of the injuries his body was suffering, Maverick's bloody lips curled into a satisfied smile. Even when I lose, I still win.” 😱 In the present chapter, Maverick once again shows himself to be amoral, but more than that, he demonstrates at least the potential to be dangerous. (It would not surprise me if more than a few of his attackers meet with “accidents.”) His art is in counterpoint to his analytical nature, but he “uses” his art as he uses everything around him–as a means to an end. Sadly, he yearns for “love” but is constitutionally incapable of understanding what real love is. (I cannot find it in my heart to fault him for his attempts to win Veikko, though I think that they will end in disaster for both of them.) The greatest tragedy here is that one woman’s selfishness has ruined a life and that others are paying for her mistake.

The Fever changes people into a "crazed, raging beast," but the Lycos who assaulted Arabella seems to have specifically targeted her and stopped the assault immediately after biting her neck and infecting her. The "crazed, raging beast" has acted with intent, so more is going on here than meets the eye. And why do kings always threaten powerful wizards?

Sorry, Zack, it wasn't your fault. 😥 I love how Kaleo finalizes his decision to stay with Adam. From a stylistic perspective, I also love how his joy is juxtaposed with his grief on losing his grandfather. (This loss will also test the strength of the new couple's relationship: Kaleo is willing to give up his old life for Adam, but is Adam just as willing to put aside his life to join Kaleo on Poa? [Is there really any doubt? 😏]) And what of Doug? I hope that Adam can give him the help he needs, especially if Adam's remaining time in Chicago will be short.

So Elliot's consciousness may have been "yanked" 100 years into the future, and the "Corporal Matrix" has somehow created a new body for him. (The "kaleidoscope" of colors reminded me of Irwin Allen's Time Tunnel. [Loved that show!].) The "disembodied voice" has a dad who will not be happy with him for bringing Elliot to the present. I hope we'll find out why very soon. And as for the flickering man, was it "Dad" or another interested party? More, please!