Hello everyone! This is my first post here on TSA, and I thought what I would do is read each chapter and give my thoughts. I've started my first re-read, I was tied up in Malazan and The First Law, got those out of the way, and have been dying to do a re-read of the series. Just want to contribute however I can, although don't expect too much out of me, LOL! I've been lurking here and reading most of the threads and y'alls knowledge is boundless. Just hope I MIGHT be able to offer something you guys might've missed.
So, what I loved about this first chapter is everything about Akka. I know a lot of people tend to dislike him, but for me, Akka is who kept me into this series in the beginning. Kellhus was a little too much for me and all of his inward thoughts and his manipulation. (I will go back and do my thoughts and such on the prologue.) Right off, Akka reminds me of the usual pessimistic, down on your luck, bitch and complain character. So, right off the bat, we learn of sorcery, and Chorae, which just draws me into this story more, I WANNA KNOW MORE! This whole scene in the bar really gives a good glimpse into the type of setting and lifestyle the series will be set in, loved it.
Then the next scene is the skin-spy following and defacing Geshrunni. This is where a re-read is already showing dividends. Looking here, Bakker already let's you know the Consult exists and their way of staying hidden is through an n-spies, even if your not directly told that. On first read you get the gist. Also, it validates the Mandate, they are not the fool of fools that Akka thinks they are. They are not ghosts, they are alive and well, penetrating all the Great Factions of The Three Seas. That's last line, "Something impossibly ancient, Inconceivably beautiful.", sends chills down my spine.
Akka's Seswatha dream, Celmommas prophecy, this you guys have covered extensively, and don't think there is much I can offer. Although, my feelings is that these dreams are either false or are distorted in some fashion. On Westeros, I said I believe that we will find out that what the Mandate thinks of Seswatha and what he really was or his intents, will not be the same thing. Don't think he's aligned with the Consult, but these dreams are for his benefit not for the benefit of human kind.
Well, that's about it. I will continue to do this with every chapter. Hopefully I will find some hidden nuggets, and maybe even create my own Nerdanel, LOL!