Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Waterfall Wednesdays-Week #4


Today's Waterfall Wednesday is being hosted by Jenny at Supernatural Snark answer the questions and link up at her blog to see what everyone else is saying about this book!

Discussion Questions:

1.              Gabi and Lia both face several life and death situations in these chapters, having to pick up weapons in defense of those they love and experiencing first hand the brutality of close combat. If you had the choice between picking up a weapon and standing on the front lines or staying behind to tend to the wounded as necessary, which would you choose?

That’s a hard question! I think I would stay behind and tend to the wounded, but then I would be wondering what was going on up at the front and want to get my share of some butt kicking in!


2. Both girls get to wear extraordinary gowns to their victory celebration; what would your dream medieval gown look like?

          I am not a dress up kinda gal. So there is no medieval gown that would tempt me. Plus I think medieval gowns were kind of low cut? And I am not a cleavage exposing kinda gal. So give me a pair of the men’s leggings and tunic and I would be happy! See the handsome knight? Much more comfortable. Although not quite as pretty as a gown. LOL!

3. Gabi has crude stitches put in and must endure both their removal as well as the cauterization of the wound. How is your threshold for pain? Do you think you would have simply gritted your teeth as Gabi does?

       I think I have a fairly high tolerance for pain. I suffer from headaches pretty much on a daily basis. I just deal with it. I don’t take pain pills very well so the couple of times I have needed them I get off of them as quickly as possible. I would have gritted my teeth and said “let er rip!”

4. Marcello wants to properly court Gabi after they express mutual feelings of affection, wanting to speak with her mother about his intentions. What do you think is the most romantic aspect of medieval courtship?

   I think that the fact the courtship involved permission from a parental source was pretty romantic. When the guy respects the girl enough to involve the parents then he is a man worthy to court a woman. My husband had to ask permission from my father to be able to date me. My daughter’s husband had to ask my husband’s permission to court her. They didn’t go out on a date by themselves until they were 18…they married shortly after they turned 18. I think it shows respect to both parties that they want to honor each other and their families.

5. Gabi and Lia find themselves with conflicting desires toward the end with Lia wanting to return home and Gabi hoping to stay. Do you think that Gabi is being unfair to Lia for wanting to stay, or is Lia being unfair to Gabi for demanding they go? A little of both?

I think a little of both. I can see that Gabi thinks she is in love with Marcello and is not wanting to leave him again. But I also see Lia wanting to get the heck out of there to a safer environment with less disease and exposure to warring castles! Personally I don’t know that any amount of hot guys could convince me to stay in a place that had no running water, no flushing toilets, and my life was threatened every time I stepped a toenail outside of my castle!

I am currently reading Torrent, the third book in the series. It keeps me on the edge of my seat!


24 comments:

  1. I was thinking the same thing about medieval dresses being low cut, but I wasn't sure if that was something contemporary society added. I don't do low cut either.

    I giggled at your answer to number one because my excuse for going to the front lines was the same as yours! :) And no toilet is really hard...been there done that *shakes head* never again!

    Hope you love Torrent! It's a brilliant read! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. You said, "When the guy respects the girl enough to involve the parents then he is a man worthy to court a woman."

    We share similar thoughts--I totally agree! :-) It shows a lot of respect toward the parents, I think, when a young man asks permission first.

    Great answers this week! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are much braver than I would be. I don't like to take medicine either but I have a very low pain tolerance and I don't think I'd do very good having my stitches ripped out like Gabi did. Ouch!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am more of a tunic and legging gal over stiff lace and slippers also.

    http://t.co/634mJrqt

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very true on the low cut gowns, there definitely was a lot of boobage plumping going on back then and that wouldn't work out so well for me. I'd probably wander around staring at my own chest the whole time marveling at how much of it was visible:) Loved your answer to the medieval courting, there's something very romantic about asking permission:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hmm, the men's clothes would probably be much more comfortable than the dresses too. And I definitely agree with your thoughts on the courting question, it's so much more romantic when the guy cares enough to get parent permission :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. hahaha, Julie! Loved your answer for number 2. Back then, snuggling into a pair of men’s leggings and tunic would have been the equivalent of rocking yoga pants, huh?!

    And I think is so sweet that you hubs had to ask permission and then required it of your daughter's suitor. That's a great family tradition.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LOL-Julie- I dont do low-cut anything. Thats one thing that Im very outspoken about is keeping your boobies to yourself~ Everything nowadays seems to be made low-cut, tight and to short..... Taking my teen shopping is a nightmare sometimes, we have a hard time finding tasteful clothing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. yeah! i mean they didn't have bras then so i might be spilling all over the place

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jen: Torrent is keeping me so stressed out! But I love it!

    Katie: It helped that it was a "rule" that the guy had to ask permission. But it does make them think twice about how they treat the girl.

    Lisa: I can deal with the pain as long as I am left alone and people aren't hovering. My dad came in the room when I was laboring with my oldest daughter. He kept looking at me with puppy dog eyes and I finally told him to leave and not come back! I don't like pain, but can deal with it as long as I can be in my own mind.

    Amy: Way more comfortable I say!

    Jenny: I too would be looking down at my own chest thinking "are they going to pop out?" Ack!

    Lea: I agree, way more romantic when the guy asks permission. I think that is why so many girls love Edward from Twilight...very proper and respectful.

    Missie: Oh yes, snuggling in yoga pants! Can you imagine back then what did people slip into to be comfortable? I come home and it is sweats or pj's for me!

    Tina: Isn't it the truth? You can't buy anything that doesn't expose some part of your body that doesn't need to be exposed. I love the "keeping your boobies to yourself" statement! I'm thankful that my daughter that still lives at home is a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. She hates shopping for shorts because she has a hard time finding ones that aren't up to her butt cheeks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Rachel: Seriously! I'd be popping out all over the place myself. And that is a scary thought! We don't want these puppies out!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I understand girl. Im not really a dress person either. I wear jeans and tees mostly. But if I had to wear dresses those would be the ones I would love to wear. Plus I have gained a bunch of weight since college so I prob wouldn't feel comfortable in dresses. Also props girl "let them rip" geesh you are a strong women :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Laura: haha, not real strong, just hate being knocked out or drugged.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A part of me thinks I would rather have the tunic and leggings as well...in the winter I wear leggings constantly, lol.

    I think respect is something that has gone missing from relationships... :( that is sad!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hm, yeah, I'm really close to my family, so it would be more than romantic if my guy sought my parents' blessing to date me--it'd be a necessity.

    I get itchy just thinking about Medieval gowns. Bleh.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I could be wrong..but I think that medieval dresses were pretty modest--it was in the renaissance that the necklines dropped!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jacinda: after seeing all of the dresses I am now wondering how Gabi even fought in those things! LOL! Along with a sword they should have given her pants.

    Aylee: :)

    Rubita: I didn't even think of the itchy factor! You are right...bleh!

    Melissa: I googled Medieval dresses and it looks like they could go either way. Some looked modest and some looked pretty revealing. I made a medieval dress for my daughter for a musical she was in and it turned out lower than I liked.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You rock, Julie! I think you might BE Gabi since she'd be much happier in a tunic and tights herself, methinks. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and taking part in WW--appreciate you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love could make me do anything and has. Haven't you ever made a fool of yourself for love? Maybe you haven't since your husband asked your parents to court you and you married him. But when you aren't having your parents making the decisions, you can do some crazy things for love. I can totally see why Gabi wants to stay. But I understand why Lia wants to go as well.

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lisa: haha! Thanks once again for stopping by! I've enjoyed reading your books and your comments when you stop by to visit! As for being Gabi? Well...I don't know that I would be as willing as she is to put myself into constant danger. I'll go there if forced, but not by choice.

    Heather: I think we are all capable of doing crazy and foolish things for love. I went snow skiing with my husband-to-be as our first date. I had NEVER been skiing before! I tumbled down a mountain 3 times and finally decided that I loved my life more than I wanted to capture this guys heart!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lol @ number 2. That's an unusual response, but when I come to think of how I hate wearing dresses and skirts, I can't help but agree with your choice. Give me a tunic and tights any day!

    I love your response to #4. I also think that it's incredibly romantic for a guy to do the honourable thing and announce his intentions to a girl's parents before dating her. I would respect a guy a lot more for doing that.

    Looking forward to next week:)

    Sarah@Random Thoughts

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Sarah:
    Thanks for stopping by! Glad to know there is someone else out there that would go for the tunic and tights! It's sad that next week is the last week for WW.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh your picture made me laugh! lol Torrent?! I wish I could! :)

    ReplyDelete

Comments will appear after approval.