The Hero and the Crown Discussion

I really enjoyed reading this book, as I have enjoyed reading all of Robin McKinley's books. They are ones I could read again and again.

1. What did you think about Tor teaching Aerin how to sword fight? He knew he shouldn't be doing it, but he risks it anyways. Why does this say about him?

2. Did you expect Aerin to be able to defeat Maur? Did you expect it to be at such a price? Did you think the story would end there?

3. How did Aerin's relationship with Luthe make you feel? Do you think it is possible to love 2 people at the same time?

4. Aerin's half sister ( I forget her name exactly, Gallana?), her hair turns completely grey after her husband dies. It was referenced throughout the story that she wanted to marry Tor b/c he was the next in line to be king but had to settle for the second in line. Do you think she really did love her husband despite all the court intrigue and jealousies?

5. Ask your own question.

My answers:
1. I think Tor teaching Aerin how to do something she shouldn't know how to do shows that he views her as an equal. Even though she is a girl, he teaches her something male and that it would be looked down on if somebody knew, and even with this knowledge, he continues to do it. I think the sense of partnership he shows makes for a wise and fair king.

2. I'm so naive. I thought her kenet would protect her better than it did. I knew it would be a challenge but not that she would almost die. And her horse stayed true to her and by her side the whole time. I also didn't think that she would get so sick afterwards. But then again, the big dragons were described as demons and the little dragons were only like vermin, I should have expected Maur to be much more powerful and evil. And for whatever reason, I thought that Maur had the crown and after defeating him, she would find it and return the hero. I was so confused when there was still so much book left after she killed him.

3. Luthe bugged me. I guess b/c Tor was such a nice guy, and had been Aerin's friend when no one else had, and taught her how to sword fight and such. And then she just met Luthe and he was weird and she fell for him quick. Luthe seemed, for all his mageness, stupid and I couldn't see why she liked him. Not to mention that he was somewhat of a coward. Tor is out there fighting for his country and Luthe all holed up in the mountains. And I don't think you can love two people, not without hurting yourself and at least one of the others. Kinda like you cannot serve two masters, you end up loving one and despising the other. In the book, it even says that the immortal part of Aerin buried itself so she could love Tor and her country the way she needed too.
*Robin McKinley got a lot of flack for the whole Aerin/Tor/Luthe love triangle. I read about it on her blog.

4. It was hard for me to believe that she loved anyone when she could be so mean to Aerin, and even still after getting married, flirt with Tor. How can someone so malicious be capable of love? But after she simmered down and all her hair turned grey after her husband died, I think she finally realized that she loved her husband and that she needed to change.

Book discussion on Thursday!

I am so excited to talk about our book on Thursday! Yay! And for once I"m ahead of my schedule and have started reading next months book.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts.