Chapter 10
This particular chapter felt pretty short to me. I didn't pay attention to actual page counts, but the events really focused on two events, though there were a few things to learn in the process. More on those in the spoiler section. However, I was wondering if Brandon would bring the idea of specialization where the Mistings were concerned. The idea of someone who has a singular power means that he should become quite proficient in that power-- more so than someone with several different powers. I was considering it while I read, and not more than a few pages later, Vin had similar thoughts. To me, that's a mark of a good writer, or at least a good beta-test group-- to add readers thoughts into the mix and draw them in with an echo of thought. Makes me wonder if this particular echo was Brandon's own or suggested by an early reader....
Spoilers:
So, we get to see some recruitment and learn quite a bit about the emotion manipulation Allomantic metals. Breeze, an interesting name, explains an awful lot to Vin while he soothes emotions at the recruitment meeting. I really enjoyed the descriptions Breeze provides as he works-- really more of a delicate dance, hushing certain emotions at certain times. Here, I find another touch of experience in this book. For an inexperienced writer, myself included, I think the focus would have been on one emotion-- hushing suspicion and flaring eagerness, excitement or loyalty. And it probably would work as a story device and move the scene along. But Brandon's subtler approach as to which emotions at which times wove a more intricate tapestry in my mind. It also made the world far more real.
For me, the take away is to pay attention to times where a scapal will work far better as etching the details of a scene than a sword. Sure, both can "succeed" in the end, but only one really applied best to the situation.
Happy reading
Jameson
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