Waterfall Wednesdays is being hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader today. Today we are answering questions on Chapters 7-11. Hope you can join us!
Discussion Questions:
- Gabi's search for her sister is made increasingly difficult by the fight for territory between Castello Forelli and Castello Paratore. At this point, do you think the rivalry is warranted? Why or why not?
Well obviously they both feel that they own the land so I guess it is warranted. I of course want Castello Forelli to win the land because they seem like the nicer of the two families! It does seem pointless though, the continuous bloodshed.
- Gabi aids Fortino by having his sickroom cleaned out and using steam to loosen the phlegm inside his lungs so he could breathe better. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that required you to rely on home remedies to aid yourself or another? What are some of your favorite home remedies?
I cannot remember any home remedies that I ever used. I know that when my daughter was a baby and had colic several people jokingly said I should put some type of alcohol in her bottle to soothe her stomach. I was never brave enough or stupid enough to try it!
3. Marcello and his men don't hide their surprise when they learn that Gabi is skilled with a sword. What did you think of this development? Has your initial impression of Gabi changed? Do you have any secret skills?
I love that Gabi has a means of protecting herself, but I think she has an unrealistic idea that she can fight just as well as a man that has more body weight and strength behind his swings than she does. As a woman in the 14th century I too would want some kind of ability to be able to protect myself because of all of the war going on. As for me having any secret skills…NOPE.
- "Our lips were so close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin." Gabi and Marcello's feelings for one another are beginning to stir. What do you think of Marcello as a romantic interest thus far? What do you think of his intended?
I love Marcello as a romantic interest for Gabi. I’m disappointed that he even has an intended. But it makes sense that he must form an alliance with another family. I prefer a more open and honest person(Gabi) than Lady Rossi who seems to be simpering yet conniving behind the scenes(hope I’m not giving away anything as I have read the whole book not just up to chapter 11).
- Marcello and Luca take turns teaching Gabi the dances of Toscana. Would you have liked to attend a ball like the one Gabi was practicing for? Do you like to dance? Do you know any cool dance moves? Extra (not really) points if you YouTube yourself dancing and share the video. Come on, it will be fun! :)
I think that it would be fun to learn the intricate dance steps of another era. I was not allowed to dance when I was younger. I did sneak into a dance at school one time. A guy asked me to dance and that totally freaked me out! I said no and left right away! As far as do I like to dance? I don’t know really. I love to watch dancing, but for me to get up and actually dance would maybe bring attention to myself and that would be mortifying to me! LOL! But I have been known to “bust a move” now and then around the house!
Gabi and hew swordplay is quite a bit unrealistic...I agree!
ReplyDelete♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I think it is awesome that Gabi can yield a sword. I don't know how realistic it was at the time considering those swords had to be extremely heavy, but at least she's not helpless.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on question 3. It took a lot for her to admit that she couldn't wield the sword as well as a man. I was like "Well, duh! They have, like, several INCHES more muscle than you do." But I did love her for being so determined to master it.
ReplyDeleteAnd it IS nice to at least KNOW how to use the sword or some sort of weapon. I'm all for that. As much as I love having the guys always being the protective shield to the lady, there may be times when he isn't around. And then what? So, yeah, a way to defend oneself sure is nice to have. :-)
I know. Why can't we all get along? He has to have that intended or Marcello goes for it & series over ;)
ReplyDeleteI was a bit surprised too that Gabi was able to carry her own with the sword (especially a freakishly heavy sword). I probably would have dropped the darn thing ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat answers!
You just need someone as amazing as the Forelli boys to teach you ;o) Dancing really is easy to learn if it's in your heart, and you have a good (and understanding!) teacher :o)
ReplyDeleteI totally freaked out at my first dance, too. I think it was back in the sixth grade. Getting asked to dance was too intimidating back then. I'm so addicted to all those reality TV Dance Shows. I love to watch Dancer, and I'm so jelly of their talents and abilities.
ReplyDeleteAlcohol in a baby's bottle? Yikes! That sounds extreme.
Great answers this week, Julie. Thanks for joining us!
I've busted a move here and there around my house too. Hahaa!
ReplyDeleteGreat answers!
Not allowed to dance??? Was it like Footloose and later in your teens years you rebelled and got all dance crazy????
ReplyDeleteLOL- I was raised in a very strict Pentecostal home so were weren't allowed to wear make-up, wear pants have a TV- all that legalistic stuff....I rebelled big time in my teen years.....
Melissa, Lisa and Katie and Lea: I'm thinking that she must get a smaller lighter weight sword! That way she can really kick some Knight hiney! And yes Katie I think that all women should know how to protect themselves.
ReplyDeleteAmy: I know right! Why can't we all just get along?
Rebecca: If I had one of the Forelli boys to teach me dancing I definitely would have been busting my move!!
Missie: Yup, 6th grade was the dance that I snuck into! I had the hots for this guy that asked me to dance but I was mortified that he even asked me to dance when I had no clue how and also knowing that I shouldn't have even been there. Ack!
Crystal: When I bust my move my husband and daughter look at me like I'm having a seizure or something! It's really sad! Funny for them...I think I have some rhythm myself!
Tina: Nope, not allowed to dance. We were Baptist. Mom had it in her head that we shouldn't dance. No, I never did rebel as a teen, but my sisters sure did! I was too shy to rebel. I went to a school that we weren't allowed to wear pants and they believed in only the King James Bible. Very legalistic.
I'm kind of hoping that Gabi gets a new weapon. One she can, you know, carry. I don't object to her being able to defend herself (why would I), but I'd like it to be in a realistic way. Maybe she can carry a dagger or a short sword. I don't know. There has to be SOME way for her to protect herself.
ReplyDeleteRuby
I agree Ruby, a girl has got to be able to protect herself. She just needs a more manageable weapon.
ReplyDeleteI could really relate to when she tried to clear up the asthma by cleaning everything. I don't really get into home remedies, but with my son's asthma, we tried just about everything.
ReplyDeleteI hate when people suggest alcohol or other crazy things for kids...geez.
ReplyDeleteMy husband wasn't allowed to attend dances at school...only was every allowed to dance at weddings, but somehow he came out a great dancer :)
Joy a friend of mine has a daughter with asthma and they too have tried to keep everything cleaned out. I can't imagine living in the 14th century where there were no hospitals to take someone to when they had an attack!
ReplyDeleteJacinda, Isn't that the truth? I think the alcohol must have been an old wives tale back in the day because I heard it from several people. Craziness! I didn't foist the rule of no dancing onto my daughters. My oldest went to most of her high school dances. My youngest is like me and would be too shy to get out there and shake her thing!
Ugh, colic. Been there. My grandmother always used to say, "We can put a man on the moon but we can't get a gas bubble out of a baby's tummy." No finer day than when they finally grow out of it!
ReplyDeleteAnd just a note--Gabi soon adopts a shorter, lighter broadsword--something our able-bodied-but-inexperienced heroine can handle!
I'm definitely not a fan of colic. Gassy babies are a rough road to tread. Lucky for me only my youngest had it. :D
ReplyDeleteThe continuous bloodshed does seem pointless at times, but I was talking to the Hubby about it the other day and he has this mass obsession about land that should belong to his family but isn't any more because the Greeks took a lot of the land and then the Communists took more land.... (the talk goes on)...his point being that it was theirs to start with and should still be. Being me and growing up in the US on our tiny plot of paid for land, I didn't fully get it for a bit, but now it makes more sense to me. Not that I could EVER explain it to another living soul, but oh well. Then again...I may be a bit prone to fighting so that could be a part of it. LOL! I loved your answer to the last question *giggles* Everyone should bust a move whenever possible! :D
Jen
In the Closet With a Bibliophile
Good to know that Gabi finally gets a lighter sword! Maybe she can really start kicking butt!
ReplyDeleteLisa, Can't wait to jump into Cascade. It is sitting on my shelf right now! Glad to know that Gabi gets a more easy to wield sword to use! Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteJen, I guess if someone came onto my property today and tried to steal it from me I would fight for it. War is brutal no matter what it is over.
I'm with you Grace! Can't wait for Gabi to really kick some Paratore hiney!
I agree that Lady Rossi is not a person you can trust. Awesome answers :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nic! Thanks also for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteI always loved those dances of the past. They seemed more romantic and intimate than the ones we have today. It's too bad no one does that kind of dancing anymore. Does anyone have balls these days. That would be of the dancing kind. Maybe we should all through a ball in our areas for The series, get the t.v. stations to come and of course Lisa would have to attend all of them! We have a Renaissance Festival every year, should be starting soon and I bet they do a dance close enough to the dances back then. Would anyone come to my ball?
ReplyDeleteHeather
Heather I think there were several women out there that would be interested in attending your ball. I would love to dress up and WATCH your ball! LOL! And I agree, the dancing today just seems to be bumping and grinding(doesn't every generation say that?) the elegance of a ball was much more classier.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how Lady Rossi is removed to make the way for Gabi!
ReplyDeleteI know Candice! And I am notorious for going to the end of the book and reading it! Isn't that terrible? Sometimes though I cannot stand the tension. I haven't started Cascade yet, but I already want to go to Torrent and read the outcome! LOL! I'll restrain myself though.
ReplyDeleteWe almost have the same answer for #3. I can already tell that Lady Rossi is going to be a big problem for Gabi. As for dancing you need to get out there and dance. No one is watching and it is so much fun.
ReplyDeleteSlipping your baby some alcohol for colic? Lol! I'm glad you didn't try that. I really don't like Lady Rossi- she's too conniving behind that innocent image- so I agree. Why weren't you allowed to dance, if you don't mind me asking? I haven't been to a dance in my life, so I haven't had a chance to try any moves:)
ReplyDeleteYes, Lady Rossi is a problem. I'm so not happy with her. She causes too much tension. I don't like tension!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't allowed to dance because my mom believed that it was wrong. We were Baptists..."don't drink, don't smoke, don't dance" so we didn't. No biggie for me as I was too shy to do it anyway. LOL!