Blood of Dragons (spoilers RotE incl City of Dragons)

['thul]

oh? it does not confirm it. Salt, while descended from Elderlings, may easily have been more six duchies than Elderling. It was remarked clearly that the dragon statues carved by Elderlings were inhuman in their thoughts. Over the generations since the breaking of the world and fall of dragonkind, there have been hundreds, if not thousands of skilled ones departing to carve dragons, long after the connection to dragons was forgotten.
The fact that some Elderling was carried in a basket looks to 'thul like proof that not even Elderlings were allowed to sit astride a dragon. Besides, you'd either need a very strange saddle, of which convincing a dragon to wear would be very difficult, if not impossible, or extremely tough skin on your thighs to last long from the friction of scales.

The book cover you mentioned does not say that Elderlings used to ride dragons, but instead open up for the chance that they (the new Elderlings) will come to ride dragons. In the ancient times, when both dragons and Elderlings were more common, their relationship was more objective. Elderlings were objects of art, whereas in the time of the books, Elderlings have become more of companions. It is clear that they have more power over dragons than Elderlings had over dragons in the old days.

Oh, and wasn't Reyn carried in a limb, not mouth? These beings clearly seem to remember (malta?) observing that in the combat scene Tintaglia was holding a single limb close to her body, and was thus less effective. Understanding why this was so was something she did not do at first.

[Farseer]

As for the spear/polearm...I will have to look back over the recent, previous discussions in more depth (and apologise if I have already said this somewhere else!) but I must admit that I can't help but think of *Farseer, LST, Tawny Man and Homecoming spoilers*

Spoiler

something Fitz noted somewhere along the way. I think it was while he was in the Kelsingra Map Tower when he was there in the latter stages of AQ, where he noted the stained-glass window of the woman and dragon (the one which has captured my imagination for years!!) . I think the dragon wore a jewelled collar but, other than that, there was nothing to suggest any kind of subjugation to the woman. In the woman's hand, or behind her, was something but Fitz couldn't quite determine if it was a weapon or a wand of office. This is what I think of when I look at the spear/polearm. Though it must surely be Rapscal who wields it on the cover, given the figure is atop Heeby, and not a 'female', it is possible that the object is either similar or the very same...after all, the window is within the map tower of Kelsingra and it is in Kelsingra where the events will take place in CoD and BoD, and discoveries made. Possibly Rapscal or someone finds the actual object that is depicted in the window and thus uses it.

I often believed that the stained-glass window in the Kelsingra Map Tower to be a portrayal of both past and future, though more future, a little like Wintrow's window that he made of the tree that beheld both a dragon and a serpent. While both were part of the realm's past, Wintrow also proved to be a contributor and a connection to their future (just as he, by virtue of his blood, was a connection to their past). I did have thoughts that the woman depicted in the Kelsingra Map Tower window could have been Nettle, given her 'Queenly' attitude, relationship with Tintaglia, and her connection to both Fitz as the Catalyst and also as the daughter of Fitz who is the foundation of the House Farseer. I also thought it could have been a depiction of the female Judge of old (similar to the female depicted with the dragon in statue form in the ruins of ancient Frengong in Homecoming), but that there was a blood connection between she and Fitz/Nettle anyway.

The woman in the window has a band of red on her forehead and dark hair. I know that I believe it will end up being related to Fitz and Nettle (maybe even Nettle herself) but I can't help but think of Malta's red (?) crest and even Bolt/Vivacia's red bandana-thingy as given by Kennit. Darn you, Fitz, for not taking some time to think on the significance of it all! *sigh* I forgive you, though.

Sorry to have not come back here earlier to correct myself re Reyn. Yes, he was indeed carried in Tintaglia's claws, and I have no idea why I had 'mouth'...it's not like it was a 3am post or anything!

As for bestriding a dragon...I still disagree....it happened, is happening and will continue to happen. Alise's detailing of one of the war images (the ones that Fitz had previously seen in the Kelsingra Map Tower but had not bothered to fill us in on!) in CoD proves the former.

[Jussi]

Here is the US cover art.

Plot synopsis for Blood of Dragons:

Spoiler

The dragons and their dedicated band of keepers have at last found the lost city of Kelsingra. The magical creatures have learned to use their wings and are growing into their regal inheritance. Their humans, too, are changing. As the mystical bonds with their dragons deepen, Thymara, Tats, Rapskal, and even Cedric, the unlikeliest of keepers, have begun transforming into beautiful Elderlings marked with exquisite features that complement and reflect the dragons they serve.

But while the humans have scoured the empty streets and enormous buildings of Kelsingra, they cannot find the mythical silver wells the dragons need to stay healthy and survive. With enemies encroaching, the keepers must risk “memory walking”—immersing themselves in the dangerously addictive memories of long-deceased Elderlings—to uncover clues necessary to their survival.

And time is of the essence, for the legendary Tintaglia, long feared dead, has returned, wounded in a battle with humans hunting dragon blood and scales. She is weakening and only the hidden silver can revive her. If Tintaglia dies, so too will the ancient memories she carries—a devastating loss that will ensure the dragons’ extinction.

www.harpercollinscatalogs.com/harper/516_2350_333231363230.htm

It looks like the official US publication date is April 9th.

[Narya]

Concerning what they are looking for in the spoiler you mention, wouldn't it be nice if Fitz wandered in to show them where it is?

[Farseer]

^ Yes, yes indeedy!

Here's a link to a pic that Jackie posted on her site on July 12th, regarding the cover for Blood of Dragons. You'll notice that there are a number of differences between this ^ one and this other one that she posted on June 7th as the US version (as has previously been shared here on thePlenty).

Either Jackie has changed her mind during the creative process or possibly the US and UK cover art for BoD will differ slightly other than just with the background colour as it was for City of Dragons. If the latter is true (I'm thinking this is most likely?), maybe these small differences are being made to avoid the confusion between the US and UK versions as there seemed to have been when CoD was released.

The latest one puts me very much in mind of the Elderling robes worn by Fitz/Fool, Alise and, later, Thymara and Rapskal.

[Farseer]

Just found this on Amazon hence it's most likely the US version of the BoD cover art, especially with the inclusion of the text 'New York Times Bestselling Author...' which doesn't ever exist on my UK versions (we have things that speak of 'international', not US-specific). As such, I am going with my previous thoughts that the US and UK versions will differ *just slightly* in both colour and artwork to avoid confusion (for those who like the letter 'u' and those who don't! ) :

[Image: 51k%2B3uhHk%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

What do you all think?

To take a look at the likely UK cover art, see link in my previous post.

EDIT: Well, I'm a bit of a twit but, then, you all knew that didn't you?! Jussi already had this here...and even in THIS thread only a few posts back... ...tsk, tsk...

[fool-ish]

I like it..a lot! I hope our version doesn't differ too much (useless U excepted!) The colours are good and is that a person (elderling) perched on the dragon's neck or just my eyes playing tricks?

['thul]

*stares mesmerizingly at fool-ish*

There is no elderling there. You see only a strange blurry shape. Move along. Bring food to the lords of the three realms.

[fool-ish]

*stares mesmerizingly at fool-ish*

There is no elderling there. You see only a strange blurry shape. Move along. Bring food to the lords of the three realms.

Pfft! There is so someone riding on that dragon! And I'll pretend I didn't hear that last sentence

[Farseer]

@ foolish: Did you have a look at the link to the (likely?) UK version in my July 21st post, as seen on Jackie's site? The Elderling figure in that one is clothed differently (more like in Fitz/Fool's golden Elderling robe but, given the events in CoD, that's to now be expected?), looks more feminine and has no weapon-like item etc.

Just think...this is the closest we've come to having a human on the cover!

I might place that link to Jackie's site again here and specify that it is what I believe will be the UK cover art.