Before I get to the question, just want to say that if you haven't finished the book yet...that is okay, just please remember to come and join the discussion when you do finish!!

Also, love these books, the questions in the back of the book make it easy for me..

Question #1

What kind of tone does the opening scene instantly set?? What are your feelings of Elizabeth's character?? What are your feelings of Hannah's character??

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Stacey

The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls. ~ Elizabeth Cady Stanton

In my opinion, the opening scene set the stage for the whole book. It showed how Elizabeth was, even when she was very young. She was very much her mother's daughter. Now Hannah's character, on the other hand, freaked me out a little. I guess since I don't know anyone who can tell the future, or who has sights, it scares and fascinates me all at the same time!

I had a hard time with the opening scene on this one, more so than the first book. Something about a step-father flirting with his "step-daughter"....even though they weren't really related at all. In any event, I agree that it shows exactly how Elizabeth acted even as a young girl. And I agree that she was her mother's daughter.

Hannah's character, I didn't like at all in the beginning....I know she is there to recount (or predict) history for purposes of the timeline for the book....but I just had a hard time believing that a "Fool" would be allowed to be that intimate with royalty.

I didn't research that at all....was that the norm?? For ordinary people to get that close??

I had a much harder time with this one in believing that it was "true". But it did evolve about half way through and I did start to like Hannah's character very much....once she was united with Daniel.....

__________________
Stacey

The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls. ~ Elizabeth Cady Stanton

I think it set the idea that Elizabeth was manipulative from an early age. I also think it showed that, in her world, she had to LEARN to be manipulative to survive at an early age. My question is how, exactly, was he her stepfather? Her mother was dead.

As far as Hannah, I think it showed her naivety right off.

Stacey, I, too, had a hard time seeing a fool as that intimate to royalty. Plus, she never struck me as funny, but very, very serious. I don't think she could have passed as a fool at all.