Political machinations abound as Hail attempts to put the hot mess of a royal coup behind her and solidify her position as Empress. But there’s so much more potential trouble brewing… Let’s discuss After The Crown.
Spoilers follow for chapters 1-9.
The story resumes almost where it left off at the end of Behind The Throne, with the public executions of Ganda and Laabh following the failed coup attempt, though we quickly learn that Hail’s stoic front is masking a lot of (unsurprising) trauma. Do you think Hail is going to be able to hold up under the strain she is, at least partly, putting on herself?
I do, and this is where the story immediately hooks me even deeper than the first one did. It’s taking the established support of those closest to Hail and turning it into a deeper bond, which is refreshing because it allows us to see Hail in her weaker moments without making her appear weak. She is going through a hell of a lot, but she isn’t doing it alone, and having constant reminders of that can only be good for her. Which is a relief because I always hate to see characters having to Struggle Through Hardship Alone. JUST ASK FOR HELP YOU PRECIOUS FOOLS. Anyway! Found family is as found family does, and it warms my heart to see Hail finding a new one after the myriad awful ways she lost her relatives. Long may it continue!
Another thread from Book 1 that’s yet to be tied off is the matter of Bial, as the manhunt for the missing traitor continues. Any guesses or theories so far on if/how/when he’ll reappear?
Oh, I know stuff. No, I won’t tell. Yes, I’m a tease.
We see Hail and Emmory have yet another clash of opinions, only this one seems to take a much more serious toll on a personal level. Are you picking a side in this particular fight, or just chewing on the tasty conflict?
Chewing, definitely. This ties back into the first question, sort of, because the argument they have is at least partly due to high tensions. As we learn, Hail is not the only one struggling with nightmares and the mental toll they can take. Emmory also had his Worst Day Ever during the coup, and Hail is not the only one who needs emotional support. (This action-packed space opera is going to be the feelings-ridden death of me.)
ALSO: hats off to Zin for being willing to try to mediate between these two, but also drawing a line and insisting that he’s not going to drive himself insane trying to keep the peace. Emotional wellness is something everyone needs!
Some new(ish) faces appear here, as not only does Abraham Suda briefly return, but we get to meet Tazerion, an old friend of Hail’s from her pre-gunrunner days, now among the high ranks of the Upjas. What did you make of their reunion, and of the political proceedings that bring Taz back onto the scene?
Taz is a fascinating character to me, given how he represents a part of Hail’s past that’s not connected to the family she lost, but also represents a potential way forward for her in terms of bringing significant change to the Empire. This is, of course, assuming that he can be trusted entirely, but so far my feeling is that he can. Even if he needs to have certain assumptions about his old friend checked, and wasn’t that a chewy tasty treat of a conversation? Mind your manners, Tazerion, you’re addressing an Empress now. Though to be fair, the same advice goes for Hail.
As for the politics, it was interesting to see a room full of stubborn old women faced with the prospect of what, for them, will likely be a great deal of uncomfortable change. This story’s central concept of the shoe being on the other foot, with the generations of matriarchy taking the place of patriarchy in our own world and time, continues to both impress me and make me slightly uncomfortable, but in the best and most thought-provoking way…
We end this section with Hail deciding to be direct in her dealings with King Trace, in order to clear the air between them and gain more information about just what is going on with the Saxon Alliance. … Any predictions on that front?
… It’s safe to say that it’s all about to kick off without that being spoilery, right? Right. In the interests of non-spoilers I shall leave it there, but. It is ALL about to kick off…
On that note, that’s it from me for this round, but here’s a quick reminder of the schedule and who’s hosting what!
- Week 1: Chapters 1-9, questions on/by Friday 5th January (or today even), hosted by Dear Geek Place
- Week 2: Chapters 10-19, questions on/by Friday 12th January, hosted by There’s Always Room For One More
- Week 3: Chapters 20-29, questions on/by Friday 19th January, hosted by The Book Nook
- Week 4: Chapters 30-End, questions on/by Friday 26th January, hosted by Bookforager
3 comments On After The Crown Read Along: Week 1
I do really like these central relationships and how they’re all working towards the same goal. Yes, they’re going through the wringer together too, but I feel like they’ll all come out stronger for it.
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You make a really good point about Hail not being the only one struggling with trauma right now – I was perhaps a little hard on Emmory (even if all I did was mildly tut), because he remains probably my favourite character. Or he did until the introduction of a certain other character at the end of week two, but we’ll save that for next week 😉
I also very much appreciate that while Hail is going through the ringer a) she doesn’t have to do so alone and unsupported and b) she is realising and accepting that she doesn’t have to do so alone and unsupported. I think her past with Portis helps here – she has always had someone to prop her up, so having forged strong bonds quickly in the past month, she’s not afraid to lean on them. I wonder (belatedly) if this is making her re-evaluate any of her perceptions of her mother – now she knows what it’s like in the hot seat…
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