I’ve talked a lot about grief and that you don’t compare it or that grief doesn’t always come from death, sometimes it is from things ending or being lost: a marriage, bankruptcy, being fired. You grieve over those things also. But I wasn’t expecting the depression that slammed into me as I finished up the details of Balanced Luck and closed out that series. I’d been trying to figure out why I was having such a hard time and was so unmotivated.
I am grieving. I mean I didn’t kill everyone (I promise), but the story of Cori was done and I’m going to miss them.
I’m trying to fall into my epic fantasy and keep my attention forward, but Carelian is going to be missed.
I’m waiting for the story where magic brings back those who sacrificed. That was a very disappointing and unsatisfying ending to a series I love. Give me hope.
Nancy – I’m sorry you didn’t like it, but I always knew Cori would give up her magic, and really as long as she has Carelian, she is happy. Besides now she gets to be the ambassador for all her friends. Mel.
I loved the ending. I look forward to rereading the entire series in a year or two and savoring the last book without worrying about Carelian!
Well done you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. There will be other stories in this universe, I just need to tease them out.
Mel
I finished the book and I understand your grief. Having lived with these characters for so long, developing the type of intellectual friendships and intimacies that come from reading a series of many books you can’t help but feel a loss when you come to the end.
I understand the need for the deaths. I read an article once about their having to be a balancing of the scales in fiction in order to maintain a trueness to the story. The article had to do with the balance required to bring Spock back to life in Star Trek. In order for that to work there had to be of reciprocity where other characters of equal value must be sacrificed as part of the cost.
As I’m writing this I’ve gone back and am rereading the first book of the series, looking for the roots in the Cori’s story and evolution. Finding that the protagonist, who never thought that she had magic, going through her arch, and her ending with no magic is part of the balance. Seeing three important characters die in order to change/save the world again is a literary necessity. Part of the cost.
But as a fan of Cori, I can see her story continuing. It would be nice to see her as the Ambassador (especially since it seems that Cori has always humane but not quite human, perhaps something better). As the representative of the other realms she could teach humans to be more humane.
As a side note, after looking through all the covers again of the series 2 things immediately have stood out. The first is her hair length, especially on the first cover. The second is after “Hired Luck”, why didn’t the covers reflect her tattoos?
Thank you for a wonderful adventure that lasted for many years.
Warm regards,
Jim
Jim – thank you so much for your insightful comments. Yeah, everything had to balance and life isn’t pain free. She had to have the pain to grow, we all do. I am thinking about Ambassador stories because it would be fun. I just don’t know what they are yet.
As to the tattoos, my artist and I talked about it and they were just too blasted complex to try and do, especially as most of the time it is in a thumbnail size, so we let it go. The hair I could control.
Thanks! Mel
I loved this whole series, and I totally get why you’d feel grief over the ending. I am glad that you resolved the Rips by the end of book 8 as I get frustrated if a story arc seems like it will never end. I am so attached to all of the characters, though, as well that I am sad to see the end. Perhaps after you let it stew in the background of your brain for a while as you work on something else, some of the characters will tease you with a new storyline or insist on their own story. For instance, I haven’t seen Baneyarl the owl for quite a while. It would also be very interesting to me to hear stories about how the characters adapt to the new world, maybe focus on some of the Realm characters or expand on the AIN – that could be a whole other history. Plus there is also how the story of how Cori/Jo/Sable’s twins grow up after this. I have also been thinking about how all those stupid politicians will react to having magic now! You could also follow Alixant as he tries to grieve and find a new purpose, and I’m hoping he finds love.
I am also wondering if I have forgotten some of the side story about Cori’s brother Kris and how their relationship developed once he turned 18 or if you’d consider writing about him growing up and the changes he experiences? I really would love to see some spin-offs giving full stories of some of Cori’s friends/chosen family.
But I also can’t wait to see what else you have percolating. I started this series a couple years ago or something (you had only published the first 2 or 3 at the time) and have been reading each new one as it comes out. I wish I could come up with the stories or that each one didn’t take so long to get, but I’m also starting to read so many different authors as I wait for the next installment of each series that I’m getting lost!
Anyway, take heart, grieve as needed, and please keep creating! I have now read all of your books I can find so I’m also sad! Ha! Love and hugs, I appreciate you so much!
The more I think about it the more stories there are to tell, I just have to have them flesh out in my mind. But there will be more in general. You can take a look at my Renee Lovins stuff – and see if you like that, but it is different from Mel Todd.
Thank you and I’ll keep writing. Make sure you are on my newsletter as I do lots of micro stories there.
Mel
I have now read the whole series 3 times, and I always find something I missed reading the first times! That, to me, is the essence of a good novel (or series). I’ve also read the Kaylid series a couple of times as well. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your writing. Thanks for doing what you do.
By the way, we are neighbors! I live just a short way from your published address, in Hiram, GA. Not a stalker, but would love to meet!
Mike – I am so sorry I just found this buried in my spam. Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoy them. I swear I am writing as fast as possible. I’m hoping next year to do a signing or something low key as I’m taking a year off. Make sure to sign up the for newsletter so you can see when and where. – Mel