The Princess and the Scoundrel Part 2

[colls]

Welcome to our second of four check-in and discussion posts for our Book of the Month.

This month’s book is The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis
Chapters 16-30

The Princess and the Scoundrel

1. Any thoughts on who this potential investor is that the stowaway Kelad has lined up?

2. Do you think the Prime Minister's invitation was legitimate or contrived?

3. What do you think of the various members we've met of Halcyon's crew?

4. How do you think their married life is faring so far?



FYI - There's no need to answer all (or any) of the questions above - they're just talking points to get us started. Informal chatter is more than welcome! In-person book clubs often veer off topic, it's okay if we do as well. :)
All I ask is that you try to avoid spoilers for things past Part II of the book.

Comments

[colls]

1. I love that there's so much potential for this "investor" - it could be Imperial, it could be one of the crime syndicates, and it could even have a rebel/new-republic tie (although that one seems far-fetched). I think the fact that Han is the only one disgruntled by Kelad is interesting. Or I could be reading too much into that.

2. It seems very contrived and I'm surprised some Grand Admiral didn't immediately impound the entire cruise ship when they arrived.

3. I'm curious to why Riyola is so loyal to the crew. Maybe it has to do with the Captain? I would also like to learn more about Lyx.

4. Frustrating! I get that they bicker a lot, but ugh. Enough already! (LOL) Although I suppose there has to be some "growth" and it's good the author is showing us how they get from here to there.

[brokenmnemonic]

For all Han's protestations about not joining the rebels in the past, he does seem to be taking a judgemental stance towards Kelad's past actions. I'm finding it quietly funny given Han's history - it feels a little like I'm waiting for self-enlightenment to arrive...

Are you waiting for Leia to start talking to Han about her feelings around Vader, and for Han to talk to Leia about the problems of readjusting after a missing year? I am.

[colls]

Are you waiting for Leia to start talking to Han about her feelings around Vader, and for Han to talk to Leia about the problems of readjusting after a missing year?</>
I am, too. I think this is going to be the emotional plot climax while whatever is going on with the gas on the moon thing is the action-based plot climax.

[brokenmnemonic]

1. Personally, I'd find it hilarious if the investor turned out to be Thrawn in disguise, but I don't think that's going to happen. I think it'd be interesting if the investor was something like a large crime syndicate - maybe the Hutts, or a new group that's taking over territory the Empire has pulled out of.

2. I think this is rather contrived, but I'm pinning my hopes on it being deliberate in some form, like the Imperial authorities deciding that now's an excellent opportunity to snap up some rich folks and exploit them. After all, there are bound to be industry figures, diplomats and the like on the ship...

3. It feels like the card game is an excuse to introduce us to people who're going to be important, but I'm hoping that it'll turn out that the ship is part commercial enterprise, part found-family.

4. The Han and Leia scenes feel a little prophetic; Han's struggling to find ways to be useful. The fact that he's spending most of his time gambling below decks feels a bit on the nose while Leia's having to deal with the aristocracy. I do like that they're arguing in part because Han's trying to be helpful!

[colls]

Thrawn!? *snort (LOL)

3. I'm all in for found-family and hope you're right.

4. He is trying to be helpful, and she hasn't really taken him into her confidence much with her plans.