Beautiful photo by @bookish_euphoria!
Hello bookworms!
Happy Thursday and welcome to day 4 of our readalong of Bonesmith by Nicki. Pau Preto. I’m so excited to be reading this one with you, I hope you are loving it so far!
Wow, there where so many twists and new developments in yesterday’s chapters right?
Today we’re reading from chapter 26 to the end of chapter 34. Let’s do this!
When you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the beginning of the book. Happy reading!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto from Chapter 26 to Chapter 34. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
-!SPOILERS!-
Still seeking shelter in the Breach whilst Wren recovers, they go to look for more firewood and find a canoe that looks like it was made in the last few years. Who is responsible for crafting it since Ghostsmiths went extinct long ago? and no one besides the undead reside in the Breach and they should not be capable of such things… should they?
The crumbling city they found in the previous chapter down in the breach appears to be done by the undead under the orders of Ghostsmiths centuries ago who could make them do their bidding. Now Wren is wondering who in recent years is giving them orders? Did the undead manage to build the canoe and how do they have the capacity to do so? Could it be the ‘Corpse Queen’ or the ‘He’ the revenants have previously referred to? So many questions!
As they arrive back at their makeshift camp Wren brings up the fact that Julia came back for her, wanting to know why. Julian says he had to know what happened to her and she had to know it was an accident. He also says thats not the entire reason… eventually saying “I need you.” Wren points out that he absolutely does not need her and is very capable alone to which he replies “Want, then.” Are you all squealing too?!
These two quotes also had an audible reaction from myself (and i’m sure you too):
“She had never been chosen before, and certainly not by someone who had seen her faults and shortcomings firsthand.”
“They didn’t reflect one another, but rather, seemed to round each other out. Like puzzle pieces fitting together.”
And finally, the moment we have all been waiting for… A KISS!! Our enemies are now lovers.🥰
As Wren and Julian are kissing she runs her hands down his arms and through the dampened fabric of his shirt she feels a raised ridge; a scar. Julian immediately pulls away from her, breaking their kiss and using his arms to push against the rocky shore and put some distance between them. He then says “This was a bad idea.” Harshhhh. Wren feels rejected and vulnerable and whilst Julian swims back towards their shelter she stays in the water. Why did he react like that and why did he say their kiss was a mistake?
A little while later whilst still floating in the water, Wren catches a green shimmer out the corner of her eye; ghostlight. Suddenly near a huge archway where many revenants are coming out of there is a glow coming from behind them. This is when Wren see’s the figure of a boy wearing what appears to be a crown at first glance but is actually horns. More undead appear all moving towards the horned figure as if drawn to him. He had ghost green eyes and Wren realises this must be the ‘He’ the revenants referred to. The boy in question then speaks “Come.” and then looks around at the revenants surveying them closely before pointing at one and saying “You. With me. The rest of you go.” and all of the undead listened?!
Wren and Julian go in search of the ghost boy and come across a sinister arched entryway. As they approach it they find some runes etched onto it which Wren then realises match the ring she found during the Bonewood trial. She comes to the realisation that the ring is in fact a Ghostsmith ring; made of bone and engraved with Ghostsmith writing. As they step into the building through the archway they find themselves stood upon a gallery that wraps around a large space with a grand stair case and a view to various levels below. Wren is about to descend below when they hear footsteps coming and immediately hide behind a column with a view to the lower level. They then see the boy and a revenant appear, and in the middle of the space a rectangular pit/pool that has a pale misty light emanating from it – not natural. Next to this pit is a pristine and what appears to be, brand new and recently made, suit of armour. The boy then puts these on the revenant?!
The boy then puts his hands into the pit and there is a surge of molten white light and deep cracks from the pool also begin to fill with the same white light, traveling outward like veins and the stones surrounding the pit begin to shine with some inner radiance. Wren can feel a vibration in the ground beneath her. She places her palm onto the ground and feels a burst of magic shoot up her arm; limitless power. This makes Wren think that this is why the Ghostsmiths built their kingdom so deep and is responsible for creating the revenants in the first place. The light travels up the boys body and to the tips of his horns at which point he then staggers back from the pool. He then takes a spike and a small hammer and lines it up with the centre of the revenants skull and strikes it with a precise hit. Somehow the boy manages to bind the host to it’s body through it’s anchor bone and puts the helmet onto the revenant, now fully suited in armour. The boy then speaks to it “To the others. To Caston. Find her. Obey her”. Who is this ‘her’? The Corpse Queen or someone else entirely? The iron revenant immediately begins to move. As they make a move to follow, Wren’s boot connects with a piece of rubble revealing them to both the boy and the revenant to which he orders it to stop them.
As a ghost is about to attack Julian during their escape Wren shouts “Stop!” and the ghost stops, halting midair. Then suddenly the Ghostsmith boy is right behind her, his hand on her shoulder. He removes his mask and almost looks scared. He has the exact same ring as the one Wren found. She retrieves it from her pocket showing him. Both rings have birds etched onto them to which he points at the larger bird and then at himself, he then points to the smaller bird – a songbird, a Wren, and slowly raises his arm to point at her. Wren shakes her head and shouts at the revenants surrounding them and blocking their exit to move to which they obey and they make their way out of the Breach away from the undead and the boy with the same ring as Wren’s. Whattttt! Why did the undead listen to Wren and how do her and the horned boy have the same ring as one another?
Wren and Julian then have to decide wether to head to Caston after the Iron Revenant or in the opposite direction to where the prince is being taken. They decide pursue the Iron Revenant believing it to be more important to the safety of everyone on either side of the wall and that the kidnappers will not harm the prince in the meantime. Once they’ve made their way through the haunted territory they finally arrive at Caston and find it is not the abandoned ruin most people believe it to be; it is filled with people living and working in the haunted territory. And this is where the Iron Revenant was heading.
Julian gives Wren a dagger called ironheart that belonged to his mother after Wren mentions her family dagger was ‘lost’. “Leave it to her to find the gift of a used weapon the height of romance.” – Wren is just so funny but also, hard agree?… They then both share and relate to one another about having lost their mothers. As they plan to try and find out information from the townspeople, whilst making sure they aren’t to recognisable, they find the house of Iron Sigil dotted all around this small town making both Wren and Julian question everything. Then they hear a shout “The Red Guard is coming…the regent of the Iron Citadel…the regent is here.” Immediately Wren does not believe it is a coincidence that he shows up here the same time as the Iron Revenant. Just how deep does this betrayal and secrecy go?
Things get more complex as it is revealed that Julian’s full name is Julian Knight and he is the heir to the House of Iron. Not only that but the regent is Julian’s uncle! A regent usually governs when the rightful ruler is absent unfit or underage. Julian will be 26 in a few weeks and therefore the rightful leader of the House of Iron. Could his uncle be involved in the assasination in order to keep his position of power as the regent of House of Iron?
Wren goes into the building where the Red Guard and Regent entered (somewhat disguised) and tries to find out where the regent will be staying. She finds out that he has the entire floor to himself and all the other rooms on that floor will be empty as he is ‘conducting business’. As she makes her way back to Julian in the alley, the southern gate opens yet again to more riders coming through. However these ones are instantly recognise; riding at the front is the captain that had tried to kill Julian and tied to his horse with a hood over his head is Prince Leopold. It is at this moment that Julian finally realises the regent is involved and meant to betray him and have him killed.
Wren and Julian decide to sneak into one of the empty rooms to try and find out what is going on and what the regent is up-to. They get into a closet that is against the wall and put their ears against it to be able to overhear the regent and his men in the adjacent room. As we begin chapter 32 we get Leo’s perspective at having been brought into the room with the regent.
The captain enters the room and informs the regent that as per his instructions the second target (Julian) was taken care of, confirming his involvement in the assassination plot. The other target is revealed to be Wren when the captain tells the regent that she fell to her death with Julian when he fell into the crevasse. The captain shows Julian’s dented helmet as proof of death and then the Regent kills the captain and his other men. Leo reveals to him that he’s been spreading rumours and telling various townspeople about the assassination of his own nephew.
After hearing the betrayal confirmed Julian’s anger gets the better of him and he snaps a chunk of wood off the closet which the regent and his men overhear. Before the door to the room is broken down Julian pretends to leave with Wren and then once she’s out the window closes it behind him, sacrificing himself so she can escape.
Our final chapter of the day is from Julian’s POV. Moments after getting Wren out of the room and out of harms way, the door splinters into pieces and Julian finds himself face to face with an iron revenant. This confirms yet another betrayal; his uncle must be working with the ghostsmith boy and this ‘corpse queen’. Once Julian is subdued by revenants he is taken in to his uncle, where it is revealed he also killed Julian’s father in order to rule House of Iron, as well as also admitting to working with the Corpse Queen. Suddenly, they are interrupted when one of the regent’s men informs him that ‘she’ has arrived. He leaves the room and Julian is left bound and gaged with Prince Leo and two Iron Revenants. The prince uses his hidden gold fangs to cut through the rope binding them. The door then suddenly bangs open and there stands Wren, armoured in bones. She shouts “Stop!” at the iron revenants and they immediately listen to her command. The three of them escape up onto the roof where they look to the alley below and find the regent and his Red Guard around him, whilst at the opposite side stands a tall veiled woman surrounded by gleaming revenants.
Well that was an action packed few chapters today wasn’t it? So many plot twists and exciting new developments!
Is it just a coincidence that Wren’s ‘strange for a Bonesmith name’ is also the same bird that is on the ring? and that she was the one who found it AND can speak to ghosts as well as command them?! What is your theory on this?
Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
I’m so excited to see what will happen in tomorrow’s chapters, see you there fairies!
Love,
Jodie
Absolutely, those chapters were a whirlwind of action! It got super intriguing.
Now, for your questions:
1. I’m totally with you on the non-coincidental bird connection between Wren’s name and the ring. It lines up nicely with my theory that her mom is a bonesmith and that’s why they’ve kept her in the dark about it. I believe Wren stumbled upon the ring by chance, but if she’s tied to the ring and her ability to speak with and control the ghosts, it adds more weight to my hunch that she’s got some ghostsmith blood in her.
2. The alliance between the Corpse Queen and the Regent is indeed a head-scratcher. Perhaps they share a common goal, like seeking revenge on those who trapped them on this side of the wall and killed their people. The Regent seems power-hungry, but the Corpse Queen, I suspect, is tangled in something far more intricate.
3. It’s entirely possible they’ve caught wind of Wren’s Ghostsmith connection, assuming my theory is on the right track, and that’s why they’re keen on getting their hands on her, to confirm if she possesses those powers.
Hahaha – I said on Day 3 that this was looking to be a trilogy, but I think this might just end up being a quartet! Ghost boy is a very interesting development, and the scene when Julian and Leo meet face to face … PRICELESS. As bad guys go, Julian’s uncle is up there with some of the best: turning him against his dead father who he killed … Shades of The Lion (Leo?!) King! So clever! Enjoying this very much indeed!
Is it just a coincidence that Wren’s ‘strange for a Bonesmith name’ is also the same bird that is on the ring? and that she was the one who found it AND can speak to ghosts as well as command them?! What is your theory on this?
Like I said previously, I think that there could be some sort of prophecy that wren just happens to align with. Someone else said that they think that her mother could be the Corpse Queen and if that is true I am going to throw my book out the window! It took everything in me not to read the next page and find out who she is. I mean it would make sense for her mother to wait until her possible ghostsmith powers arose. My theory still is that Wren’s mother was at least half ghostsmith which is why everyone in the House of Bone was eager to know if Wren would come out human or Bonesmith. So if Wren is in fact some part Ghostsmith she might have needed to be closer to 20 (I’m assuiming because Julian is almost 20) until those powers came and her mother could use her. However, now that I think about it, it doesn’t make sense because the Iron regent said that they had intended on killing two people Julian and I’m assuming Wren. Maybe the Ghost Smith boy is the key, like is he the reincarnation of Locke or maybe Wren’s brother. I think Wren’s brother would make more sense because his name is related to a bird of prey. But then again when Leo was kidnapped he asked why there was a second horse and was only told that there was supposed to be someone else with them. So who could that be? Was it supposed to be Wren and she just happened to escape or is there someone else entirely.
Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
They are working together because the Corspe Queen commands the Ghosts and the regent Provides the iron that allows the ghosts to be unstoppable. I don’t think that there is something romantic there though. But why does the queen want to go past the wall into the west? I feel like there is something about Locke. Did he betray her and now she needs to raise an army to wipe everyone out?
Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
Like I stated previously, her grandmother probably was in on helping get Wren out of the House of Bone. But honestly, it might have something more to do with Odile I think her name was-Locke’s Reaper. I find it suspicious that she conviently disappeared once the prince came to the wall. She said that it was because Wren needed a way to find a name for herself, but if that was the case she could have reappeared the day after the prince came and Wren had made herself known. Also Odile really cared about Locke more than anyone else so it would make sense if she was either the Corspe Queen or something else related. But then again the house of bone painted Locke as a martyr so why would anyone related to the house have any involvement? Also Wren definitely has ghostsmith in her with how she can command the ghosts and how Julian has seen flashes of green in her eyes. Maybe if she uses more of her power her eyes will glow green like the boy did in the breach. Wren would be the ultimate weapon but why I don’t know.
What is your theory on this?
Could the boy be wrens brother?? Maybe when she found the ring after falling in to the hole it didn’t just give way maybe it opened for her. I still think this is a connection to her parents.
Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
Common goal maybe to over take the wall / lands beyond the wall. Or maybe the queen just needs the iron armour for the undead to be more unstoppable.
Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
I think the corpse queen who will turn out to be wrens mother requested her to be kidnapped so they could meet etc.
Loving this book so far had to force myself to put it down at the end of chapter 34 😂.
No such thing as coincidences. I’m convinced the Corpse Queen is Wren’s mother. And I guess mystery boy is probably her brother? Half-brother? Related to each other through the Corpse Queen at least. I wonder what “bird of prey” name he got… Bald Eagle? Lol. Maybe Osprey? Peregrine? Falcon? Merlin? Hawk?
I’d say power is always a reason to work with your enemy (unless you’re ~in lurve~… but that doesn’t seem to be the case with the regent and the Corpse Queen. Unless??). We know the regent wants the position that is Julian’s birthright and further take over the Dominions but needs the Corpse Queen’s undead army to do so. The Corpse Queen is undoubtedly powerful but has been in hiding all this time. I’d assume she’d want to wield her power out in the open, leveraging the regent/House of Iron’s armor and weapons for her army as well as their pre-uprising status.
If the Corpse Queen is in fact Wren’s mother/relative, then I’d say she, if not the regent, knows about Wren’s abilities. I’m guessing Vance took her away from her mother to keep her power out of reach of the Corpse Queen? Though that does beg the question of how much Vance (and Svetlana) know about Wren’s origins. If they do know, then did they send her to the Breachfort knowing this would happen? Are they in cahoots with the regent/Corpse Queen? Or did they just unwittingly place her into the enemy’s hands? Though given the regent was expecting Wren, the former seems more likely. But what does the House of Bone have to gain from participating in this plot? The promise of more power as well?
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, so many questions!! And here I take my leave to go finish the book and have those questions answered.
OH… MY… GOODDESSSSSSSS!!!!! Todays reading was soo good!!! First, it was nice Julian taking care of Wren and then them playing around in the water and stopping being enemies to friends to almoat lovers. It was soo cute how he said he wanted to stay with her and how she reacted to it. Obviously a bit aad when he said it was a bad idea them kissing but it nicely moved to the main plot of the story with her finally meeting the “he”. Sad I was wrong on who he is but when she described me it made me think maybe hes her brother(?) Maybe cousin(?) Im intrigued about who he is and how interesting how she is represented in the ring she found and he wears. Im quite happy that I was right about she possibly being a soulsmith and what that might mean for our heroes. Also, iron revenants sound scary, cause they combine the strenght of ironsmiths and the fearness of the tiee 5 undead. Then the plot twist with the UNCLE, Julians UNCLE!!!! And the fact hes a Knight!!!! I knew he was important and that it was jis good heart and importance that caused the attempt on his life. Also good to know I was right about them wanting to capture Wren. And now that the fantastic three are together?!?!?! I loved how Leo immediatly seemed to get along with Julian and Wren coming to the rescue and using her new found powers. And now we might actually learn who the Dead Queen is!!!! Can’t wait for tomorrow!!!!!!
I wonder if Wren’s mother isn’t actually dead and is the Corpse Queen. Its interesting that she could be a bonesmith AND a ghostsmith.
I want to see the Corpse Queen defeat Julian’s uncle SO SO BAD. Julian’s uncle is the scum of the earth as far as I’m concerned. Trying to kill his brother and his nephew? He’s Scar. 😂
I also want to know why Wren was a target. It doesn’t make sense unless there’s someone from the Dominions working with Julian’s uncle….
So much has been revealed in this section 😳
I really want to know more about the Ghostsmith boy! I wish he at least had spoken to Wren… Also I’ve been calling him Hawk in my head because it’s a bird of prey that seems to be a common fantasy boy name 😆
I had suspicions that the regent wasn’t as innocent as Julian thought… although since he’s mentioned that both his parents are dead I assumed he was just the regent’s errand boy, not his nephew! The attempted assassination makes so much more sense knowing that Julian was going to be head of the House of Iron in only a few weeks 😳
The implication that the regent killed his own brother… And we learn the reason that Julian said that his kiss with Wren had been a mistake… His uncle said something to him when he was young implying that Julian’s dad had made a mistake in “losing himself in her” (presumably Julian’s mom)… so Julian’s uncle sees love as nothing but a weakness and Julian took this as truth since he was the one who raised him… 🥺
Now for the questions!
1) I think that “Hawk” is Wren’s older brother based on how he reacted when he saw the ring, specifically when he pointed at the two birds as if they were himself and Wren… This also makes me think that Wren is maybe some sort of Ghostsmith royalty, since only powerful families seem to have magic heirlooms? And somebody obviously made these two rings custom if they were a pair with bird engravings…
2) I don’t have any theories about why the Corpse Queen and the Regent are working together, but I have a sinking suspicion that the Corpse Queen herself is either a) Wren’s mysterious mother, thought to be long dead, b) Odile, who Wren didn’t see for several days after Leo arrived at the Fort, c) perhaps both? 👀
3) If the Corpse Queen is Wren’s long-lost mother, then I think that she asked the regent to bring Wren to her in order to tell her about her true identity and powers and get her to join their side…
TOTALLY agree that the Corpse Queen is Wren’s mother now! And earlier on I suspected the Corpse Queen was Odile! She could easily be both!
1) I think all of these questions boil down to “who is Wren’s mother?” When we figure out her identity, I think the other puzzle pieces will fall into place. Is the boy her brother? Does Wren have ghostsmith blood? There are a lot of possibilities. One of my guesses is that when the boy said “Find her. Obey her.” without specifying who, maybe the ghost understood that as “the first her it comes into contact with” which would be Wren in this case. But that wouldn’t explain why she has control of multiple ghosts, seemingly all. Many others have theorized that the Corpse Queen is Wren’s mother, but I am unconvinced. I have my own theories. I guess we’ll see in the next section!
2) I believe the Regent has to work with the Corpse Queen, otherwise he has no army. He is desperate for power and she is able to provide it, so he’s forced to make an alliance.
3) I think this also relates to the identity of Wren’s parents! I suspect the Regent and his goons know who her mother is, and that’s why they were targeting her. But this could also mean that they have an inside man (or woman) at the Breachfort, otherwise they wouldn’t have known that Wren was recently appointed there. It breaks my heart, but I’m beginning to suspect…Odile? By faking sick, she put Wren directly in harm’s way. I’m not sure! I have so many questions.
I had such a long speculation written and I just realised I read one chapter more then I was supposed to and had to delete the whole thing. I have to skip answering the questions since I’m afraid my thoughts are influenced by upcoming info. But I love the book so far and it is probably going to be a five star read for me.
Wren definitely has ghosmith powers, I’m super sure her mom was one. My other theory is that the strange boy is actually Wren’s brother and the Corpse Queen is her mother. The Corpse Queen and the Regent have common goals, destroying the wall. The regent wants the position as head of the his house but his issue is that Julian is the rightful heir and further take over the Dominions so he needs the Corpse Queen’s undead army to be available to do it. I don’t know why Wren was the third target, maybe someone knew of her other abilities and they told the regent.
Is it just a coincidence that Wren’s ‘strange for a Bonesmith name’ is also the same bird that is on the ring? and that she was the one who found it AND can speak to ghosts as well as command them?! What is your theory on this?
no way all of this is a coincidence LOL
Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
power?
Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
not 100% sure, but i’m guessing they figured it out somehow
Is it just a coincidence that Wren’s ‘strange for a Bonesmith name’ is also the same bird that is on the ring? and that she was the one who found it AND can speak to ghosts as well as command them?! What is your theory on this?
Her parents DEFINITELY knew that she would be a Ghostsmith when they named her!! I think her mother was a Ghostsmith, and the abilities of Bonesmiths and Ghostsmiths seem similar enough that they would get away with raising her at the House of Bone!
Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
This is a question that puzzles me! The Regent has everything to gain by working with the Corpse Queen – an undead army that has iron armour (basically indestructible and doesn’t waste massive amounts of resources or citizens), power to become the head of the House of Iron, power to regain a position in society (although it seems as though he’s going for way more than that!) It’s difficult to know what the Corpse Queen gains without having seen who or what she is – maybe there’s a romantic relationship between them, or the other Houses in the Dominions also scorned her in some way when they built the wall between them? There’s a chance she’s just using the Regent for information and will turn against him for her own benefit as well!
Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
I still think the Corpse Queen could be her mother and would therefore know that she’s a Ghostsmith! I don’t think she was a target to be dispatched like Julian – I also don’t think Leo is at risk of harm either, I think they need him to bargain with the King! Maybe they were hoping to get her on board to work with them like the boy in the Breach (fat chance of that now that she’s working with Julian and Leo though!)
Is it just a coincidence that Wren’s ‘strange for a Bonesmith name’ is also the same bird that is on the ring? and that she was the one who found it AND can speak to ghosts as well as command them?! What is your theory on this?
Well it’s probably strange to her, but I’m pretty sure I figured it out when odile was like “woooow you look like locke” back on day 1 lmao.
Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
That I don’t know. He wants to overthrow the people that Ostracised him, but I can’t figure out what’s in it for her
Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
I can’t figure it out! I think they know, but my only guess is that… ahhh I forgot her name, but the ruler of the bonesmiths is in on this ploy too, and she set Wren up to fail in her challenge at the start so she could send her here to be captured.
Someone hold on to me because I believe there will be more twists and turns real soon and this will be dizzy business.
Finally a kiss! I knew it, buuuuut more importantly:
IRONHEART
He gave her a blade that is incredibly dear to him. The height of romance is right!
I can’t stop reading!
Happy reading to you all, don’t stay up too late like I did.
They kissed! Ruined, of course, by whatever feeling (embarrassment, shame, guilt, whatever) Julian has about his scars when she accidentally touched 1. She, of course, assumes the worst, & then they have to get back to survival, so everything’s all awkward & unresolved. The mysterious “he” is said to be a boy, so not Locke, then. ARMORED revenants?! No, thanks. Also, “Caston” – as in, the city Leo is being taken & “her” – as in, the Corpse Queen? Nope. As for the white tendrils trying to attach to Wren, I’m thinking this is more evidence that she’s, at least part, ghostsmith, & the nail through the bone (in this case, the skull) is awfully similar to the ring, especially with the symbols matching the runes from the entrance. The description of “the boy” is eerily similar to hers (except her skin was slightly less pale, probably because she was ½ or she’s just seen more sun). Wren & (insert bird of prey name here) drawn on the *matching* rings? The plot thickens – a brother? Now a fully functional mine. So, I guess the Breach didn’t extend that far south after all… until someone started putting together an undead army. His uncle & father’s murderer, in fact, & Wren was meant to be the other hostage (I was thinking either her or Odile, since she was originally supposed to be there). It makes me wonder if Wren’s grandma was that cold-blooded.🤔 I wish Wren was able to tell Julian her last name after she learned his, especially since he sacrificed himself for her, but I’m sure that’ll be an obstacle later to keep tensions high just when things are finally starting to get good again. She rescued both of them! Woot! Now, we’re about to find out who the Corpse Queen is, & I’m dying to read on already.
Daily Q&A:
Q:
1.) Is it just a coincidence that Wren’s ‘strange for a Bonesmith name’ is also the same bird that is on the ring? and that she was the one who found it AND can speak to ghosts as well as command them?! What is your theory on this?
2.) Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
3.)Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
A:
1.) It’s definitely not a coincidence, especially since “the boy” knew she was named after a songbird (probably knew her name was Wren, specifically). If she’s known by ghostsmiths, was the (recently deceased) person she found the ring on in that mass grave bringing it to her? Is that why her “dad” (still not convinced 100% that he is) asked if she found anything on the body she found? Do they need her for something as a bonesmith/ghostsmith?
2.) It must be “working towards a common goal” (bringing down the wall), but as much as he tried to tell Julian that he’d reign supreme, I have a feeling the Corpse Queen will turn the tables on him first.
3.) Maybe they know that she has (latent/recessive) ghostsmith abilities even if they don’t know that detail yet. I still suspect that she’s somehow related to this Corpse Queen though.
Uh I didn’t even clock the ring and the name match!!! I hope its connected as this would be such a good twist.
I think wren has ghostsmith blood. I stick with my prediction that her parentage is not what she has always been told…. I can’t wait for this to unravel……
Things are getting kind of crazy up in here! I honestly think the Corpse Queen and the Iron Regent are working together because they’re building an army to go smash the wall in order to take over the west. Julian’s uncle said as much in his slight soliloquy, and I feel like he’s always been allied with the Corpse Queen, and that’s how Julian’s dad died. I still feel like Locke also was in collusion with the Corpse Queen, and perhaps she’s Wren’s mother. It makes sense because of her powers that she just found out she can use, and also because of that ring that so happens to be a wren, just like the bird she was named after.
I do feel like Wren was the third target because the Corpse Queen wanted her back. I feel like if the Corpse Queen was indeed the mother, she wanted to harness Wren’s power as part of her army. At least that seems to be the case, especially because she might be the brother to that Ghost Boy who seems to display both the talents of a bonesmith and a ghostsmith. Perhaps they are brother and sister, they do have the same kind of ring, and we never really hear about Locke to begin with. Anyway, just my two cents! Almost there for the long stretch!
The fact that chapter 34 was from Julian’s POV made so much sense for that part of the story (and I had a blast reading it)! His reaction and thoughts were priceless, especially when Wren burst into the room!
When it was revealed that the boy had a twin ring to the one Wren found, I thought he might be related to her as a sibling. It can’t be a coincidence that one of the birds on those rings has her name. I was thinking of the way Wren found the ring in the first place and her initial thoughts when Inara trapped her in the pit (how did she manage to dig it, and had she received outside help?). When Julian mentioned seeing specks of green in Wren’s eyes, I felt sure she’s a ghostsmith (not to mention the boy’s shocked expression, her speaking to revenants, and them obeying her).
As mentioned above, the practical aspect of the alliance between the Corpse Queen and the Regent can be the creation of iron armors for a potential army of iron revenants, which they probably aim to send west of the Wall. However, it feels there’s something more apart from common goals, especially on the Corpse Queen’s part.
Maybe Wren was the third target upon the Corpse Queen’s request, and the reason might be connected to Wren’s ability to communicate and command ghosts, assuming she is aware of that. I’m looking forward to finding out the answer to this question!
Is it just a coincidence that Wren’s ‘strange for a Bonesmith name’ is also the same bird that is on the ring? and that she was the one who found it AND can speak to ghosts as well as command them?! What is your theory on this?
She had connections to other powers and lineages. This was really the section that things got real and this was a huge piece of that.
Why are the Corpse Queen and the Regent working together?
They want to fight the system that is ran by the bone smiths. The feud ruined things now they want to take over.
Why was Wren the third target? Do they know she can communicate with the ghosts?
She prevents the army’s from doing what they are wanting to do. She is an easy target as well since she was with the prince and seen as reckless.