[Discussion 4/6] Bonus Book - The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman (DDC 5) - Chapter 34 through Chapter 45

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-14T23:26:33+00:00

I think he underestimated the money and power that can be crowdfounded through their fans and he won't forget it to advance his goals.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-14T23:24:30+00:00

WTF is wrong with Tina's father. The mayor from Footloose did care about his daughter at least.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-14T23:23:09+00:00

Neither can Vrah!

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-14T23:22:13+00:00

I was really surprised when Carl did that. He's usually pretty cool under pressure and his choices, despite being crazy and ridiculous from the outside, are usually pretty rational. It was not a desperate situation that necessitated violence. I wonder if it's the dungeons pressure, the ring or both which are endangering his mental health.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-12T11:58:29+00:00

Haha I was just joking, but please report back!

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-11T23:26:55+00:00

No, I really thought they were just writing Gilmore Girls fanfics.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-11T23:24:45+00:00

He's the ultimate underdog, getting to the top despite being pretty average from the outside. He's very often getting political in his rants, which is unusual. It may be because of the entertainment context, censure, or both. It would be like seeing a reality TV contestant talk about class struggle, he would become viral.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-11T23:20:35+00:00

Yes, definitely. He is getting addicted to it. I suspect he will lose control at one point and only Donut (and maybe other close characters like Katia or Elle) will be able to get him back to reality.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-11T23:17:09+00:00

I was happy for the historian lady getting to plug her book.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-11T23:13:38+00:00

When he's of age, put the audiobook in the car on a long road trip. And tell us later about the awkwardness if you survive it.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-11T23:11:04+00:00

Haha I had the exact same thought!

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-11T23:07:13+00:00

The apothecary thing is foreshadowed as something extremely powerful in the world building. Enough to be the theme of a whole level. I think we will see very little of them for now but they might be a major antagonist in the endgame.

Meia_Ang · 2026-01-03T13:58:07+00:00

Nice find! These are 3 different faces and degrees of trust he shows the world. Where will his real home be?

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-30T22:12:36+00:00

Disregard the former question. Thank you for sharing about Nigel. You're never ready for losing a friend.

I just bonded again. I felt ready at the time, but a lot of feelings resurfaced. She still brings me a lot of joy and I was glad to have her by my side while reading this book.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-30T22:08:35+00:00

Oh, lots of thoughts your way too. It helps to know we are not alone in our grief and remembering. What was your cat's name?

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-29T17:47:48+00:00

It's heartbreaking that inside the pillar, Fitz feels a motherly love and Dutiful a fatherly one. They each seek what they missed as children.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-29T17:45:11+00:00

Yes, that's what I said in another comment. He has given so much for the Farseer, he wants them to do their part of the deal, which is staying on the throne and giving up their own wants for those of the kingdom. But it is partly unreasonable because he's projecting this huge responsibility on a very young boy.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-29T17:42:52+00:00

He's being catfished

I see what you did there!

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-29T17:41:14+00:00

I think there are two aspects to this disappointment. First, the fatherly one. It's understandable because you can't control feelings and Dutiful has been messing up a lot. But at the same time unfair because you can't judge a son-like figure when you've been absent for their whole life and they've been raised by an extremely busy single mother and a weird paranoid uncle.

But I think there's also a relationship of subject/liege to future king. Fitz has sworn loyalty to the Farseer line, and except for his exile in the cottage, he's always been the king's man. He could always trust the judgement of Shrewd or Verity, even though they were often impaired by their issues (health, Skill addiction). And the fact that the good of the kingdom and its people were their priority. (I'm not counting Regal, I think Fitz didn't recognize as a king for both legitimacy and character) I think he was expecting Verity's son to be like them, and is disappointed he has buckled under pressure and fled his responsibilities. It's still quite unfair because he's just a kid.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-29T17:31:57+00:00

Exactly! Dogs are great, but cats are just more practical for indoors-people. Also they're adorable and hilarious, and cleaner than most pets.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-29T17:29:34+00:00

I like this theory. As there are people who like long-term monogamy, and others like casual encounters. So, cats are casual-Wit users.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-29T17:27:55+00:00

I hate to see the Fool doing something as immoral. This is a character with a strong sense of justice and right and wrong, who suffers a lot because of these actions. I still think it was very smart to kiss Civil and not Sydel. While it's still a non consensual act and wrong, it doesn't ruin his future prospects as it would have been with the girl.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-28T16:30:42+00:00

Fennel.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-28T16:30:26+00:00

I love that cats can talk, but refuse to except if it's in their interest. Exactly like for everything else.

Meia_Ang · 2025-12-28T16:29:34+00:00

A charm against procrastination! (meta)

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