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Medalon
(USA Edition - Mass market)Book 1 of Hythrun Chronicles
ISBN: 0765348667
Published 01-Nov-04 - Tor
The small country of Medalon lies between the vast nation of Karien in the north and the nations of Fardohnya and Hythria in the south. For centuries the Medalonians co-existed peacefully with the Harshini, a magical race that abhors killing. But now they are gone and in their place the Sisters of the Blade rule Medalon from the Citadel. An elite army of Defenders enforces the Sisterhood's oppressive rule. The Harshini and their demons are believed to be extinct and Medalon has an uneasy peace with its northern and southern neighbours.
R'shiel Tenragan, daughter of the First Sister, and her half-brother Tarja find themselves caught up in the political infighting amongst the Sisters of the Blade. When their mother's scheming becomes too much to bear, R'shiel and Tarja are determined to follow their own path and they flee the Citadel. Their lives take a turn neither could ever have imagined and the Defenders of Medalon hunt them as traitors.
Meanwhile, far south in Hythria, Brak, a Harshini outcast, is called to find the demon child, the half-human child of the dead Harshini King, Lorandranek. But what can this mean to R'shiel.
Discussion questions for Medalon
- R'shiel is the privileged daughter of a Sister of the Blade, yet she rebels against the Sisterhood. What factors contribute to this rebellion?
- Tarja falls in love with R'shiel when the Goddess of Love places a geas on him. Would he have fallen for her anyway? What would be his reaction if he ever found out what was done to him?
- Brak mistakes Mandah for the demon child. Why?
- Brak and R'shiel share the same heritage. They are both half breeds. What other characteristics do they share?
- In Medalon, all religion is banned. In Karien, they worship the Xaphista the Overlord. In Fardohnya and Hythria they worship the countless Primal and Incidental Gods. Discuss the differences between each system of belief and how it affects each nation.
- The power of the Sisters of the Blade relies heavily on the support of the Defenders. At the end of Medalon, this support is withdrawn. Discuss the possible ramifications to Medalon and the Sisterhood.
- Brak's relationship with the gods is very personal but he has little respect for them. Discuss the reasons.
- The God of War tells Brak that the demon child must be 'tempered' before she can face Xaphista. Discuss some of the things that have happened to R'shiel. Have they made her weaker or stronger? How would R'shiel react if she learned that she was being manipulated in such a manner?
- Tarja risks everything to warn the Defenders about the death of the Karien Envoy. Why?
- R'shiel refuses a place among the Harshini after learning her true identity. Discuss the factors that affect her decision.
- At the end of the book, R'shiel has begun to learn about the power she posesses, but she is still uncertain. Who is most likely to prove her achilles heel - Joyhinia, Tarja, Brak or Loclon?
