Serafel's Book Journey

In general, I really like how the author opens his books. He always eases you into the setting and what their task is with banter, travel, casually slipping in small details that you need. It NEVER feels info-dumpy.

Ana being Ana is just a bonus 😂

I think it also has to do with becoming familiar with how Ana feels about authority. Other people might frown upon him lying or abusing his position, but Ana doesn't care at all how he gets the job done. She always compliments him on his intimidation tactics 😂

He doesn't want to be examined and dissected by her, so he refrains from sharing anything about himself. But he does trust her. I like seeing the evolution of their partner dynamic, comparing back to the first book.

I'm hoping that they have time to talk about it later? She does recognize that their work has been non-stop and he hasn't had time to process what that means for him.

She can be dismissive, but their conversation at the end of A Drop of Corruption showed maybe more emotional intelligence than she lets on. She asks him about how Kepheus would feel about him not returning, and they talk about purpose in life. She also finds a way to tell him about what she is with the book and the scarf, despite being forbidden from doing so.

I think we still need more information, because there have to be other players outside of the two families. There probably is a traitor within one or both families, but with how valuable land is, it stands to reason that someone outside of the two families is trying to eliminate one to gain from it somehow.

It stinks of personal vendetta to me as well, since Zansay's father is credited for creating the fungal infection, and his family is systematically wiped out using a modified version of it.

While I believe the gentry are educated, do you think Burilis actually researched and created the guiding web himself? I'm speculating that there is someone that was silenced that was actually the primary researcher, and either that person, or someone associated is getting even while also making a backhanded deal.

I agree! It makes me think that Ana was made to counter an underlying menace. We have these individually contained stories, but they could eventually lead to a larger conspiracy. The Khanum, the most brilliant minds that created the Empire just died off and disappeared? I don't believe that. She was altered to counter them, because they're still around, biding their time.

Do you feel like Ana is becoming less fervent about protecting the Empire as time goes on and we learn more of its flaws?

This ending with discussing the Empire repeating mistakes of the past didn't even feel triumphant, really. They solved the mystery, but the conundrum of the desire of excess fueling the agricultural machine, mirrors extremely closely to our world (which, from the author's note, was intentional). The futility of it all—even if you eliminate the current major players, others will take their place. I wonder if Ana's closeness to Din is a catalyst for this change in overall sentiment and tone? Or is it simply seeing the Empire's failings firsthand?

Right? As far as close, but professional relationships go, I don't think there's much else she could've said.

Ana always has some commentary about the Empire and their role as "watchers" in each book, but the tone seems to shift slightly as we move forward. In the beginning, it has a sentiment of protecting what's good within the Empire, but the end of this book, her words seem more wary and cautious, that there may be much bigger mistakes and problems ahead as people lust for power. I'll quote what I mean below. I could be projecting, but that's the vibe I got from it.

A Tainted Cup, Ana speaking about their role: “Oh, I told you, Din,” she said, smiling dreamily. “When we last rumbled down this very road. It’s the maintenance folk who keep the Empire going. Someone, after all, must do the undignified labor to keep the grand works of our era from tumbling down. I simply perform maintenance, in my own little way. And you have ably assisted me in that, of course.”

A Drop of Corruption, Ana after she wakes up in the med bay: I mean, the Empire has granted our folk many blessings, Din,” she purred. “Blessings of the flesh, the mind, the spirit. Any of these blessings might lead one to imagine that they are of regal element. And that is why we must have a watchman among us, to ensure that these folk never forget the truth.”

A Trade of Blood, Ana talking to Din by the statue: Though the first imperials were great in their own way, we are far more civilized than those first wild, mad centuries. But…the temptation to believe one’s self superior does not appear to fade. And what we do to the beasts in the field we may still one day do to our very kin.”

It just feels a bit less hopeful—despite seeing this and intervening, they can't actually change people's nature to gravitate toward wanting superiority.

Good point about Din, comparing then to now. I would say it's partly what you said, and also someone just trying to survive, like Din and his family, wouldn't have the slightest inkling of what all the rich people are up to. He's seen plenty first hand now. Lots of nefarious things, as it happens. And Ana wants him to think about all of this and judge for himself.

I saw it as they needed to draw him out. At this point, they STILL didn't have concrete evidence to apprehend anyone. The effect of the pipe was immediate, so if people weren't responding as he expected to the sound, he would've fled. The decoy sprung their trap, and tons of people already moved into the street.

When exactly would people plug their ears with wax? Who would? What if he noticed people with their ears plugged on the way to the hotel? Or when the decoy sprung the trap? He would just leave, and the bait wouldn't work twice.

Ana wanted it in the bag. She knew the pipe wouldn't affect her, and left the task of apprehending him to herself, and he gloated the whole way, right in front of Din, with his engraved memories as indisputable evidence.

If he played the pipe and nothing happened because everyone had their ears plugged, could they arrest him just because he had a suspicious pipe?

He was too dangerous, with too many people under his influence to leave any part of it to chance, in my opinion.