1). How did you learn about the books? (If you're like the vast majority on NW and heard about it here, what finally was it that got you started reading them?)
I actually read KoA the year it came out, not knowing there were books before it. I enjoyed it and tried to find the other books in the series, but my library didn't have them at the time. When ww and a few others started on the series and began discussing them endlessly in the Books thread, I was reminded that I liked KoA and looked for the other books again. This time I found them at the libary and checked them out. It was long enough after my read of KoA that I didn't remember all the spoilers, fortunately.

2). Who is your favourite character and why?
Gen, but I love almost all of the other characters too. The quiz on FB told me that I was Gen. This pleased me.

3). Favourite book and why?
Cannot begin to choose. Love them all and they're essentially each in different genres.

4). What are you most looking forward to about the fourth book?
Finding out what happens to Sophos.

Spoiler

Possibly a Sophos/Eddis wedding?

I've got my copy of CoK, not sure how much time I'll be able to spend reading it though.

L. M. Pevensie, that's pretty sweet that your friend got a signed advance copy. I love her suggestion.

:(( about the missing pages! That's terrible, and something dreadful ought to be done to the people responsible. Imagine if it was your first read!
And I am completely and ridiculously jealous about your early copy. Is that even legal? Ahhh! Enjoy!

Thank you! Hmm, just what would you do? I suspect it's the printing machine's fault, as it was the middle pages which had been bound wrongly. Perhaps you can think of a fitting punishment for a machine?
Heh, I'm not sure. I kept babbling when the lady handed me the book, "I can buy it, today? Even though it doesn't come out until tomorrow? I can have it?" She said something, which I don't really remember, but it was along the lines of they had to be really strict about some books (i.e. Harry Potter), but since it was 5:00 they afternoon before it wasn't a big deal. I didn't even get to tell her about the series and how awesome it is! I don't know; I expected the gal at the checkout to take it out of my hands and say that, no she was sorry, but I couldn't have it. Anyways, I got out of the store with it. I was honestly more excited that I would have it for Tuesday, because I have nearly 3 hours of empty time on campus; I usually study or work on assignments, but yesterday it was spent in Attolia (and Eddis and Sounis).

~LL~, so that's why your copy had a blank page! So you could get CoK early! Congratulations!

Ah, I hadn't thought of it like that! Good point.

Very cool indeed! (I hope that even if I'm not a super huge fan of the series I can still celebrate when something special such as getting the book a day early happens to my friend?)

Of course you can! I'm not going to exile you just because you didn't like the series.

Aly, I know what you mean about the price. It wasn't cheap, but it is worth it.

He's much more human...I think as much as we like to think otherwise, a lot of us would act like him, not Gen

We can dream. And, I think you'll be a bit surprised with Sophos in this new book; I certainly was.

Herein lie the complications of converting your family. My mom was even making disturbing comments about getting to it first. Luckily, my brother who reads them is away at college and my dad will probably wait till the rest of us are done with them.

Uh oh! Perhaps you can practice some of Eugenide's skills at stealing books and such away.

The part you mention skimming still bothers me a tad. Also, I had spoiled myself for that part too (but not for

Ooh, very nice interview, Maddy. Thanks for sharing! I don't have an LJ, but I do read that community from time to time. I stopped lurking when they started to have CoK spoilers though.

Booky, about your spoiler in #4, (this isn't a massive spoiler, just whether or not what you mentioned happens)

Spoiler

I was hoping for that too! We get very close, but no wedding ceremony.

So, I stayed up til 1:00 last night (this morning?) finishing CoK. It's very good! You all will enjoy it. Ooh, and I was very happy with the voice/viewpoint/whatever-the-term-is she switched to in this tale.

I'd babble more, but I've got to get to class!

*refrains from reading LL's massive spoiler*

My copy of CoA came yesterday. But I won't have time to read it until Sunday

WW, heh, that spoiler is every random thought that popped into my head about the book (actually not every, just most, I could still chatter more about it, but I'll save you all from that). It does look pretty massive though.

CoA? Conspiracy of Attolia, perhaps? That's basically what it is to us here, anyways.

Bummer that you have to wait to read it. Why does real life have to interfere with our reading time? I think you'll enjoy it, and look forward to hearing your thoughts!

*has actually made a short post in here *

Oh dear, I meant CoK, of course!

I managed to cry off our plans for tomorrow night (nothing urgent, just some shopping). So now I can read it tomorrow! But I had a debate with myself on the way home from Bible study tonight. Do I start it tonight and finish tomorrow, suffering the intervening day of work and responsibility? Or do I possess my soul in patience?

This is, of course, a very big decision

I decided to possess my soul in patience. I want to read it in one long swallow. I do hope it lives up to all these crazy expectations I have for it

A couple non-spoilery questions for you, LL (and apologies if any of this is covered in your post above):

• Where does CoK rank among the series in your personal favorites list?

• Do you think there will be more books in the series?

No problem, I figured you meant CoK.

Yay for being able to read it sooner! I'd say you could stop around the first quarter/third fairly easily (you'll know where the point is), but it will still nag at you to figure out what's going on. At least, that's how it was for me with having to *gasp* go to classes.

Oh, and it probably took me around 6 hours to read it; I'm a fairly fast reader, but not spectacular. I'm pretty sure you could easily read it during one night (a little bit late of a night, but it would be a good time). It will meet some expectations and fall short on some others—or for me anyways.

Hmm, I'm not really sure where it falls in my favorites. I want to say second or third; saying KoA (assuming I enjoy it as much after my reread) is first and TT and CoK jostling for second and third. QoA is very close, but even with the reread I can't

Well, 1) in that interview Maddy linked to (CoK spoiler free) Turner said that she hopes to write two additional books. 2) She could end the series here and it wouldn't be overly loose ended, but she has left plenty to work with for further books. *hopes that's ambiguous enough*

1). How did you learn about the books?
To quote Aloysha: Here, of course. Alatariel and wisewoman convinced me that I should read them, and then fortunately both The Thief and The Queen of Attolia were on the shelf on my next trip to the library so I could devour two of the three in one quick gulp.

2). Who is your favourite character and why?
Y'know, it'd actually be easier to pick a favourite supporting character. In TT, it's Pol. In QoA, it's Eddis. In KoA, Costis.

3). Favourite book and why? The Thief is apparently my favourite. I have read it twice as much as what is apparently my least favourite. Though, if I hadn't looked at the numbers, I might have said The King of Attolia is my favourite...

What follows can probably be summarised in two words: *flail* SQUEE!

Not sure where it'll end up falling in the line of favourites, though, since I'm still in a 'I actually have it! It really exists! I read it! Squee!' mood.

I've decided to do my American Lit research paper on The Thief. Now I just need to track down ten sources for the paper. This means things like interviews with MWT, stuff like that. It's a three part project. A paper, an oral presentation, and a handout for the class.

*cheers for Mel finishing CoK*

Responding to Mel's CoK spoiler

Not sure where it'll end up falling in the line of favourites, though, since I'm still in a 'I actually have it! It really exists! I read it! Squee!' mood.

I agree. I gave WW those guesses for placement, but they can all hop around pretty easily.

Further CoK questions/thoughts/rambling from myself:

Sounds interesting, Booky. I don't know of many interviews; Maddy linked to one, I'm not sure it really relates much to TT though. Perhaps you can find some good info from Sounis?

responding to LL responding to me