In the fourteenth chapter of Shatterglass, OH MY GOD. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read The Circle Opens.
PIERCE IS REALLY GOING TO HIDE THIS UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, ISN’T SHE. OH MY GOD, HOW IS THIS FAIR.
The Ghost
Oh lord, this was such a good segment:
After so many deaths, she had come to think it wasn’t the simple matter of a grudge against the yaskedasi. He went to considerable trouble and risk to rub Tharian noses in death’s reality. He must know that when he despoiled public spots the city would be forced to hold long, expensive rituals before its people could use those places again. He even turned those same Tharian beliefs about death to his benefit, to cover his tracks from the arurim.
The Ghost staged his show of hate not just for one group, or two, but all of Tharios: for its people, its lifestyle, its religion, its customs, its history. Tris couldn’t imagine a hate so thorough as that of the Ghost for Tharios.
Which puts me in an interesting position because on the one hand, I understand why a person could come to hate Tharios. That’s largely through Dema’s perspective, since he provided us with a chance to understand why Tharian custom was so frustrating to those it did not benefit. And that’s a key part of understanding this: this culture pits people against one another and has created a brutal and ruthless underclass that is consistently disenfranchised and discriminated against.
So what else does this tell us about the Ghost? Part of their character, sure, but I still couldn’t come up with any single identifying factor aside from the fact that this person must have grown up in Tharios. That’s how they developed this hatred, right?
I STILL DON’T KNOW. THIS ISN’T FAIR.
Lightning
I still can’t explain Keth’s connection to this killer, either. I imagine there has to be one in order to explain the globes. I also want to know if there’s a reason why they take as long as they do to clear. Was Keth’s ability to control his magic the key to them clearing before a murder? Or is it something else? Here, Tris assists Keth in directing the lightning out of the most recent globe and into a storm brewing over the city. It’s a beautiful scene, one that highlights how well Keth and Tris now work together, but it doesn’t end as they want it. The globe is still cloudy afterwards.
And yet? The globe still clears up before the Ghost takes their next victim. So what gives? What’s different?
The Chase
THIS IS SUCH A STRESSFUL CHAPTER, Y’ALL. For the first time in the entire book, Keth’s globe clears in time to allow the arurim to actually set up to catch the Ghost in the act. Unfortunately, catching the Ghost is not simply a matter of waiting for them to show up because the next murder is in such a complicated place: along the banks of the stream in Khapik. Without a specific location, the arurim is forced to try and cover the banks of the whole thing at once, which is virtually impossible.
And when Keth finally spots the Ghost in action, he’s forced to make a terrible choice: stop the killer who has terrorized his friends and his city, or save the life of the Ghost’s latest victim. I personally find that Keth’s choice was the most moral and admirable option because the Ghost is not worth another murder. I think it demonstrated his dedication to life, particularly the lives of the women who are targeted by this killer. Keth can’t imagine not helping these people, and not even because of Yali. The yaskedasi are part of his life, you know?
I get Dema’s focus, I do. I understand that catching the Ghost is his everything right now. But the people the Ghost has harmed need respect and attention, too.
Tris
THIS WAS ALREADY THE MOST HORRIFICALLY FRUSTRATING AND SUSPENSE BOOK, AND THEN TRIS HAD TO FINALLY SCRY THE WIND, ONLY TO END UP RUNNING STRAIGHT INTO THE GHOST AND GETTING CAPTURED BY HIM. How???? HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME???
And what the hell does the globe mean? It can change if a victim survives??? I DID NOT EXPECT THAT. Honestly, I didn’t expect anything in this chapter, and I cannot believe there’s only one chapter left. I hurt.
The original text contains use of the word “crazed.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D81TyjgkDBA
Mark Links Stuff
– I am now on Patreon!!! MANY SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR YOU IF YOU SUPPORT ME.
– The Mark Does Stuff Tour 2015 is now live and includes dates across the U.S. this summer and fall Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.
– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches will be the remainder of The Legend of Korra, series 8 of Doctor Who, and Kings. On Mark Reads, Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series will replace the Emelan books.
- Mark Does Stuff is on Facebook! I’ve got a community page up that I’m running. Guaranteed shenanigans!
