Wednesday, June 5, 2013

(Spoilers): Thoughts on Thor The Dark World Prelude #1

As you have probably seen by now, I was able to get my copy of Thor: The Dark World Prelude #1 yesterday. And, yes, I was able to have it scanned although not as good as I’d like since the guy who scans for me is not at the shop. The scans can be found here: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR.

At first glance, you definitely have the feeling that you’ve been ripped off again with another “movie summary” issue. But as you start reading the text itself, you will find that the story is practically riddled with hints as to what you can possibly expect from Thor: The Dark World. Not surprising, considering the fact that comic writer Christopher Yost (who is partnered with Craig Kyle in this) is one of three screenplay writers for the movie.

For those who are getting the comic and do not want to be spoiled, you might want to skip the discussion below. For those who aren’t getting the comic, I recommend that you buy the copy, especially if you are a fanfic writer who sticks pretty much to canon and Marvel timelines.

The comic encompasses Thor and The Avengers. It starts after Loki’s fall and Thor’s destruction of the Bifrost. With the Bifrost in ruins, it has essentially cut off Asgard from the other realms. As a result, the enemies of the Realm Eternal are plotting all sorts of chaos and mayhem, but the one that Thor is most concerned about the most is the fleet of Marauders that are poised to attack Vanaheim. But because they are not capable of doing anything, they are reduced to having Heimdall sending off warnings instead. It is here that the first hint is dropped. Thor mentioned Hogun who might have a stake in Vanaheim’s state of affairs, being Vanir. So, there is a great chance that he will play a larger role in the movie.

Although Thor is stuck in Asgard, he continues to monitor Jane Foster’s activities through Heimdall’s eyes. Yost has decided to incorporate the alternate ending for Thor wherein Jane has been experimenting on a device (with the help of Darcy, Eric Selvig and SHIELD scientists) that will open the wormhole that Thor used to get to Earth. Her first attempt failed in spectacular fashion but she would not give up, worried as she is about Thor.

Cut forward to ONE YEAR LATER. While it seems everyone has forgotten about the Trickster, Frigga was searching for her son. She successfully finds Loki in Chitauri space only to have her astral projection dismissed by him. This is yet another hint dropped, pertaining to the close relationship between Frigga and Loki. It is Frigga who informs Odin and Thor about Loki’s involvement with the Chitauri and his plan to take the Tesseract.

You have scenes from The Avengers added in the story to show Loki’s schemes. Thor is determined to put a stop to him, but the Bifrost is far from completed. However, Odin suggests that there is another way to get Thor back to Earth. In the meantime, Jane receives a call (Agent Coulson is behind it) regarding her transfer to an astrophysics lab in Tromso, Norway.

With Thor ready to face Loki (who is by then wreaking havoc in Stuttgart), Odin brings him to a room with a powerful generator filled with Dark Energy. This is another crucial hint. Although Odin can harness the Dark Enery, it apparently will have negative side effects, not only upon the Allfather but Thor as well. Using Gungnir, Odin blasts Thor with the Dark Energy, sending him hurtling through time and space.

While The Avengers showed Thor making his first appearance by landing on the quinjet, actually the Thunder God crashed into a mountain—just as Loki was defeated by Captain America and Iron Man—where he lay unconscious for a time, possibly due more to the Dark Energy than the actual travel.

I am uncertain as to what to expect from Issue #2. While I hope it would not just summarize the remainder of The Avengers, I’m pretty sure that they will be dropping additional hints regarding Thor The Dark World. (Personally, I’d like to see Loki put on trial. But that’s probably wishful thinking on my part.)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

"Slash"y Musings on AN ECHO IN THE BONE

I've had my expectations about ECHO based on the excerpts that had been posted to the Forum. The book, to me, seems faster in pace compared to the previous novels. Needless to say, I was caught unprepared for the surprising twists and turns – not to mention shocks – in this particular book in the series. However, it was the second to the last chapter "Redivivus" that has caused my "slash"y mind to go into all sorts of wild speculations. So, apologies in advance to those who are squicky about homosexual themes.

Other discussion threads have mentioned about there being closure between Jamie, Claire and Lord John. While I would agree that there is some closure between Claire and Lord John, I don't agree that the same could be said for Jamie and Lord John. In fact, I don't think there is any closure at all to that other "triangle" – Jamie, Lord John and Percy Wainwright.

Perhaps I'm putting too much meaning in the body languages described in the book. In the scenes with Lord John and Percy, I don't have any reason to doubt that Percy still holds very deep feelings for LJ. While it's true that Percy did betray LJ in BOTB, it's my opinion that LJ betrayed Percy first by going into a relationship with him while harboring intense feelings for Jamie. That undertone of resentment was apparent in his sarcastic remarks to LJ. There was also mention of Percy's "lover" the sub-gardener, who shared similar characteristics with LJ. It's obvious that he has been seeking out the same kind of passion that he had only felt with LJ. On LJ's part, I don't have any doubt that he too loved Percy in some way. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been hurt so deeply by Percy's betrayal.

And then, there's Jamie Fraser. I could not help but be amused by the fact that Lord John is now essentially in the same situation that Claire had been in many times in the previous books – namely being on the run with Jamie. In "Redivivus", Jamie's gestures toward LJ echo a tenderness that, to me, seems more than just mere friendship (Jamie's wrapping LJ in his cloak and holding his wrist as they flee, same as he had done with Claire). LJ had a couple of opportunities to escape from Jamie, but he didn't (Hadn't Claire likewise done the same in the past?). Then, there's his curious reaction to Lord John's blurted out confession, which may not be "curious" at all since I have reason to suspect that Jamie does know that Lord John married Claire. And if he didn't, that simple question of "Why?" holds a measure of trust in it. After all, given what Jamie knew of his friend's character and honor, LJ certainly wouldn't have had "carnal knowledge" with Claire without good reason – those reasons being that he married her to save her from imminent arrest and that they are simply two grieving souls seeking comfort from each other.

The fact that Jamie and Lord John are together and presumably on the run presents with several dilemmas. Obviously, Percy is still looking for Jamie (as a means to find Fergus), and he doesn't know that Jamie is the very man LJ is in love with, his rival so to speak. While I don't think that Percy is brave or vindictive enough to want to kill Jamie, I believe that his feelings for LJ are strong enough to warrant a verbal and emotional confrontation between him and his rival. Naturally, such a scenario would force LJ to also explore his true feelings with regards to the two men.

Then, there's Jamie and Lord John. There have been a number of arguments against Jamie's being able to share an intimate moment with LJ because of the sexual abuse he had suffered from Black Jack Randall. But then again, LJ too was a victim of sexual abuse. Both men are still obviously affected by their respective experiences (Jamie and his nightmares and LJ's hesitancy in giving himself to another man). But both have also tried to overcome the emotional aftermath of these experiences – LJ and his love for Hector and, later, his surrendering himself to Percy; Jamie giving LJ a fleeting kiss. Trust already exists between them. It's strongly possible that honesty would follow. As for the two of them sharing an act of intimacy, I say why not, if only to complete the sexual healing for both of them.

My greatest concern for this "triangle" however is William. While it's true that William now knows who his real father is, I don't think that he would be enraged enough to want to kill Jamie or LJ just to keep a title when it is already legally his. The big question is how would William react if he finds out that 1) LJ is a sodomite and 2) that the reason why LJ had taken Willie in was because of his strong love for Jamie. I won't be surprised if the knowledge of LJ's sexual preferences would be revealed to William by Percy, since Percy had indicated an interest in William in the first chapter of ECHO. Given the strong sentiments against sodomy during those times, there's a possibility that William might even suspect LJ of ulterior motives toward his person (Didn't Claire also consider the same thing in a previous book?), especially since, grown-up, William strikingly resembles Jamie.

Of course, this is all purely speculation on my part. That is why I will eagerly await the next book, not to mention all of Diana's other literary offerings in the future. I do have one last concern though. Diana said in THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION that the Outlander series will end in 1800. ECHO ends in 1778.

I don't know if I could bear witnessing the end of a series that I loved so much. But then as they say, all good things must come to an end. And at least Diana has promised that there would be a happy ending. Yes, I'm very much hoping for a happy ending. But, please, don't let it come any time soon.

Friday, December 4, 2009

COMPLETE LORD JOHN CHRONOLOGY (*SPOILERS*)

Here's the COMPLETELY LORD JOHN CHRONOLOGY. Possible SPOILERS here...

A READER'S CHRONOLOGICAL GUIDE TO LORD JOHN GREY


*Updated November 19, 2011*


DRAGONFLY IN AMBER

Chapter 6: Prestonpans
Secs. 3 & 4: Jamie and Claire's first encounter with a 16-year old Lord John Grey at Carryarick Pass


VOYAGER

Chapter 1: The Corbies' Feast
Sec. 6: Jamie meets Lord John's older brother, Hal, at Culloden

Chapter 8: Honor's Prisoner
" 9: The Wanderer
" 10: White Witch's Curse
" 11: The Torremolinos Gambit
" 12: Sacrifice

Jamie and Lord John in Ardsmuir

Chapter 14: Geneva
Jamie and Geneva Dunsany at Helwater


LORD JOHN AND THE HELLFIRE CLUB
(FOUND IN LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS)

LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER

LORD JOHN AND THE SUCCUBUS
(FOUND IN LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS)



VOYAGER

Chapter 15: By Misadventure
Jamie and the birth of William


LORD JOHN AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE

LORD JOHN AND THE HAUNTED SOLDIER
(FOUND IN LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS)

THE CUSTOM OF THE ARMY (FOUND IN WARRIORS ANTHOLOGY)

THE SCOTTISH PRISONER

LORD JOHN AND THE PLAGUE OF ZOMBIES (FOUND IN DOWN THESE STRANGE STREETS ANTHOLOGY)


VOYAGER


Chapter 16: Willie
Jamie and Willie at Helwater

Chapter 59: In Which Much Is Revealed
Italicized section featuring Jamie's talk with Lord John about Willie

Chapter 48: Moment of Grace
Claire meets Lord John on board the Porpoise

Chapter 57: Promised Land
Sec. 1: Claire informs Jamie about meeting Lord John on the ship

Chapter 58: Masque of the Red Death
Sec. 2: Claire and Jamie meet Lord John at the Governor's Ball

Chapter 59: In Which Much Is Revealed
Claire learns about William from Lord John

Chapter 62: Abandawe
Lord John offers his indirect assistance to Jamie and Claire, who set off to rescue Ian from Geilie Duncan


DRUMS OF AUTUMN

Chapter 25: Enter A Serpent
" 26: Plague and Pestilence
" 27: Trout Fishing In America
" 28: Heated Conversation
" 29: Charnel Houses

Jamie and Claire have unexpected visitors at the Ridge -- Lord John and William.

Chapter 58: Lord John Returns
Brianna meets Lord John for the first time at River Run

Chapter 59: Blackmail
Bree makes a shocking proposal to Lord John

Chapter 62: Three-thirds of a Ghost
Bree and Lord John hook up a plan to see an incarcerated Stephen Bonnet

Chapter 63: Forgiveness
Bree and Lord John after their little misadventure with Bonnet and his accomplices


THE FIERY CROSS

Chapter 25: The Angeling of My Rest
Sec. 2: Letter of Jamie to Lord John re: his family (esp. wee Jemmy), life on the Ridge, and the unrest caused by the regulators

Chapter 26: The Militia Rises
Claire briefly remembers their first encounter with Lord John at Carryarick

Chapter 37: Mail Call
Brief mention of Lord John sending a book to Jamie. Later, Bree compares Jamie and Lord John to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson respectively for their tenacity in searching for Stephen Bonnet.

Chapter 77: A Package from London
A gift to Jamie from Lord John, courtesy of William


A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES

Chapter 8: Victim of A Massacre
Letter from Lord John to Jamie re: Bobby Higgins

Chapter 9: The Threshold of War
Jamie and Claire's speculations re: Lord John and Bobby Higgins

Chapter 12: Further Mysteries of Science
Brief mention of a present of white phosphorus to Bree from Lord John

Chapter 17: Limits of Power
Letter from Jamie to Lord John re: unrest following the War of Regulation

Chapter 20: Dangerous Gifts
Letter from Lord John to Jamie re: a gift of vitriol to Claire

Chapter 24: Touch Me Not
Sec. 3: Claire briefly muses on Lord John as Jamie remembers the sexual longing at Ardsmuir.

Chapter 41: The Gun-Smith
Sec. 1: Jamie talks to Claire about the coming war, and briefly voices his concerns about Lord John
Sec. 2: Letter from Jamie to Lord John asking for his help to sell a jewel in order that he would have the funds to buy muskets

Chapter 42: Dress Rehearsal
Brief mention of Lord John's cook being helpful in restoring Bobby Higgins' physical health

Chapter 53: Principles
Sec. 1: Letter from Jamie to Lord John thanking him for advancing payment from the jewel to buy guns

Chapter 59: Froggy Goes A-Courting
Letter from Lord John to Jamie wherein he scolds Jamie for being in a list of suspected seditionists, and serves as diplomat in Bobby Higgins' plans for courtship

Chapter 69: A Stampede of Beavers
Sec. 3: Bree and Ian talk about Lord John. Ian mentions William to her for the first time.

Chapter 70: Emily
Sec. 1: Bree briefly mentions to Ian about Lord John giving her phosphorus

Chapter 76: Dangerous Correspondence
Letter from Lord John to Jamie, berating him for being in a list of traitors and seditionists who are most likely to be arrested. A subsequent letter from Jamie to Lord John has Jamie severing ties with his friend.

Chapter 81: Benefit of the Doubt
Bobby Higgins briefly mentions that Lord John has sent some things from England for Jamie, proof that Lord John and Jamie remain good friends.

Chapter 116: The Ninth Earl of Ellesmere
Bree and Roger meet William for the first time

Chapter 118: Regret
Jamie approaches Lord John for help on behalf of Bree, Roger and the children



AN ECHO IN THE BONE

*Since William obviously plays a huge role in Lord John Grey's life, I've also included the chapters pertaining to him and his (mis)adventures here. All solo William chapters/sections are marked with an asterisk (*).*

*Chapter 1: Sometimes They're Really Dead
William's final meeting with Bree. Lord John is reunited with Percy Wainwright.


Chapter 4: Not Yet Awhile
Sec. 1: Jamie mentions Lord John as having lent him a book of John Donne's writings at Ardsmuir

*Chapter 6: Long Island
William joins General Howe's staff in Long Island. Later, he gets lost in a thick fog and is promptly attacked by American rebels.

*Chapter 10: Fireship
William witnesses the tragic end of a prostitute.


Chapter 14: Delicate Matters
Lord John meets Lord George Germain in London. He also receives a shocking letter from William regarding Hal's daughter Dorothea ("Dottie").

Chapter 15: The Black Chamber
Lord John visits the Black Chamber to get more information on Percy. Later, he encounters Dottie and they have an interesting conversation.

*Chapter 20: I Regret...
William embarks on an intelligence mission to Canada for Captain Richardson and learns about the dangers of spying.

*Chapter 23: Correspondence from the Front
William meets Capt. Denys Randall-Isaacs in Quebec and talks about Lord John's participation in the battle on the Plains of Abraham.


Chapter 24: Joyeux Noël
Lord John pays a visit to Nessie and later his brother Hal, who was seriously taken ill after learning that his son Henry had been wounded and captured in America.

Chapter 31: A Guided Tour Through the Chambers of the Heart
Sec. 11: Jamie remembers Culloden and how Hal saved his life from execution.

Chapter 32: A Flurry of Suspicion
Lord John narrates the details of his investigation regarding Percy in three correspondences. He later asks Harry Quarry to look into the matter as well.

Chapter 33: The Plot Thickens
Lord John is on the boat back to America with Dottie, where he recalls his encounters with Baron Amandine and a certain Dr. Franklin. In a short letter to his father, William writes about his travels and experiences at intelligencing.

*Chapter 36: The Great Dismal
William gets lost in the Great Dismal and suffers an arm injury during a lightning storm.

*Chapter 37: Purgatory
William meets a couple of Indians while wandering in the Great Dismal and is reunited with Young Ian Murray.

*Chapter 38: Plain Speech
William is cared for by Quakers Rachel Hunter and her brother Dr. Denzell Hunter


*Chapter 39: A Matter of Conscience
William learns more about the situation of the Hunter siblings. It is revealed that Dr. Hunter plans to join the Continental army, and William agrees to travel part of the way with them.

*Chapter 41: Shelter from the Storm
William and the Hunters have a nasty encounter with a murderous couple.

*Chapter 42: Crossroad
William parts ways with the Hunters at a crossroad in New Jersey, and meets a strange old man with two missing fingers on his hand.


*Chapter 43: Countdown
Sec. 3: William joins with General Burgoyne's army.


Chapter 45: Three Arrows
Lord John has a disturbing dream pertaining to Baron Amandine and his sister Cecile, and its significance to Trois Flèches.

Chapter 48: Henry
Lord John is reunited with his nephew Henry.

*Chapter 49: Reservations
William writes to his stepfather about his apprehensions regarding General Burgoyne.

*Chapter 51: The British Are Coming
William converses with Brigadier Simon Fraser.


*Chapter 53: Mount Independence
British troops – William among them – attack the fort at Mount Independence only to find it deserted.

*Chapter 55: Retreat
Brigadier Fraser sends William to General Burgoyne, where he learns about the ferocity and indiscrimination of Indians who were supposed to be their allies.


Chapter 56: While Still Alive
Sec. 4 & 5: Claire has a surprise encounter with William.

Chapter 58: Independence Day
Lord John seeks out a doctor for Henry and encounters Percy in Philadelphia.

*Chapter 59: Battle of Bennington
William and his troops head for the town of Bennington to capture much-needed supplies from the rebels, only to meet with disaster.


Chapter 60: Deserter Game, Round II
Secs. 2 & 3: Jamie and Ian encounter William while attempting to rescue a captured Dr. Hunter.

Chapter 61: No Better Companion than the Rifle
Sec. 5: Ian infiltrates the British camp but ends up running into William.

Chapter 63: Separated Forever from My Friends and Kin
*Sec. 1: William reflects on killing his first rebel and observes the dire situation of their camp.


Chapter 65: Hat Trick
In an attempt to spare firing a bullet into a rallying Brigadier Fraser, Jamie almost shoots William.

Chapter 66: Deathbed
Jamie and Claire go to visit Brigadier Fraser at his deathbed and have a close encounter with William.

Chapter 68: Despoiler
Sec. 3: Claire briefly recalls Jamie's being almost transported following the closure of Ardsmuir if it were not for Lord John saving him from said fate.

Chapter 69: Terms of Surrender
Secs. 2 & 3: In the solemn surrender ceremony, Jamie and Claire see William march out of Saratoga with his troops.

Chapter 71: A State of Conflict
Lord John writes to Jamie to inquire if Claire might come and see Henry, but was later swept up in hostilities as the British capture Philadelphia.

Chapter 72: The Feast of All Saints
Sec. 1: In Claire's letter to Bree, Jamie writes a short note about William.

Chapter 73: One Ewe Lamb Returns to the Fold
Lord John is reunited with William, who later recommends Dr. Hunter for Henry.

Chapter 85: Son of A Witch
Sec. 4: Bree remembers how she wanted William to know that he was her brother, but Jamie and Lord John were adamantly against the idea.


*Chapter 86: Valley Forge
Secs. 1 to 4: William fetches Dr. Hunter and his sister Rachel from the American camp. Dr. Hunter operates on Henry.


Chapter 87: Severance and Reunion
Secs. 3 & 4: Recently arrived in Philadelphia, Claire searches for vitriol to make ether for Henri-Christian's operation, and is soon reunited with Lord John.

Chapter 88: Rather Messy
Claire operates on Henri-Christian and, later, Henry Grey, using ether. William, Dottie and Rachel have an interesting conversation while awaiting the outcome of Henry's surgery.

Chapter 89: Ink-Stained Wretch
Sec. 1: Claire reflects on the surgery she performed on Henry Grey.

Chapter 93: A Series of Short, Sharp Shocks
Lord John learns about the sinking of Jamie's ship. Rather than risk Claire's being arrested as a spy, he offers to marry her.

Chapter 95: Numbness
Claire and Lord John share a night of intimacy and revelation.

Chapter 97: Nexus
Secs. 4 & 5: William foils Arch Bug's attempt at abducting Rachel.

Chapter 98: Mischianza
Claire attends a lavish celebration with Lord John.

Chapter 100: Lady In Waiting
Sec. 1: Claire continues to mourn for Jamie, and Lord John offers to comfort her.
Secs. 2 & 3: Arch Bug goes for Rachel again, but is stopped by Ian and William.

Chapter 101: Redivivus
Jamie arrives alive and well, and William finally meets his real father face to face.

Chapter 102: Bred In The Bone
Claire and William have a brief yet painful discussion about Jamie.

LORD JOHN CHRONOLOGY LIST (*No Spoilers*)

For those who don't like spoilers, here's the LORD JOHN CHRONOLOGY LIST...

A READER'S CHRONOLOGICAL LIST TO LORD JOHN GREY


*Updated November 19, 2011*


DRAGONFLY IN AMBER

Chapter 6: Prestonpans
Secs. 3 & 4


VOYAGER

Chapter 1: The Corbies' Feast
Sec. 6

Chapter 8: Honor's Prisoner
Chapter 9: The Wanderer
Chapter 10: White Witch's Curse
Chapter 11: The Torremolinos Gambit
Chapter 12: Sacrifice

Chapter 14: Geneva


LORD JOHN AND THE HELLFIRE CLUB
(FOUND IN LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS)

LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER

LORD JOHN AND THE SUCCUBUS
(FOUND IN LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS)

VOYAGER


Chapter 15: By Misadventure


LORD JOHN AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE

LORD JOHN AND THE HAUNTED SOLDIER
(FOUND IN LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS)

THE CUSTOM OF THE ARMY (FOUND IN WARRIORS ANTHOLOGY)

THE SCOTTISH PRISONER

LORD JOHN AND THE PLAGUE OF ZOMBIES (FOUND IN DOWN THESE STRANGE STREETS ANTHOLOGY)



VOYAGER

Chapter 16: Willie
Chapter 59: In Which Much Is Revealed
Italicized section
Chapter 48: Moment of Grace
Chapter 57: Promised Land
Sec. 1
Chapter 58: Masque of the Red Death
Sec. 2
Chapter 59: In Which Much Is Revealed
Chapter 62: Abandawe


DRUMS OF AUTUMN

Chapter 25: Enter A Serpent
" 26: Plague and Pestilence
" 27: Trout Fishing In America
" 28: Heated Conversation
" 29: Charnel Houses

Chapter 58: Lord John Returns
Chapter 59: Blackmail
Chapter 62: Three-thirds of a Ghost
Chapter 63: Forgiveness


THE FIERY CROSS

Chapter 25: The Angeling of My Rest
Sec. 2
Chapter 26: The Militia Rises
Chapter 37: Mail Call
Chapter 77: A Package from London


A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES

Chapter 8: Victim of A Massacre
Chapter 9: The Threshold of War
Chapter 12: Further Mysteries of Science
Chapter 17: Limits of Power
Chapter 20: Dangerous Gifts
Chapter 24: Touch Me Not
Sec. 3
Chapter 41: The Gun-Smith
Secs. 1 and 2
Chapter 42: Dress Rehearsal
Chapter 53: Principles
Sec. 1
Chapter 59: Froggy Goes A-Courting
Chapter 69: A Stampede of Beavers
Sec. 3
Chapter 70: Emily
Sec. 1
Chapter 76: Dangerous Correspondence
Chapter 81: Benefit of the Doubt
Chapter 116: The Ninth Earl of Ellesmere
Chapter 118: Regret


AN ECHO IN THE BONE

*Since William obviously plays a huge role in Lord John Grey's life, I've also included the chapters pertaining to him and his (mis)adventures here. All solo William chapters have been italicized.*

Chapter 1: Sometimes They're Really Dead
Chapter 4: Not Yet Awhile
Sec. 1
Chapter 6: Long Island
Chapter 10: Fireship

Chapter 14: Delicate Matters
Chapter 15: The Black Chamber
Chapter 20: I Regret...
Chapter 23: Correspondence from the Front

Chapter 24: Joyeux Noël
Chapter 31:
Sec. 11
Chapter 32: A Flurry of Suspicion
Chapter 33: The Plot Thickens
Chapter 36: The Great Dismal
Chapter 37: Purgatory
Chapter 38: Plain Speech
Chapter 39: A Matter of Conscience
Chapter 41: Shelter from the Storm
Chapter 42: Crossroad
Chapter 43: Countdown
Sec. 3

Chapter 45: Three Arrows
Chapter 48: Henry
Chapter 49: Reservations
Chapter 51: The British Are Coming
Chapter 53: Mount Independence
Chapter 55: Retreat

Chapter 56: While Still Alive
Sec. 4
Chapter 58: Independence Day
Chapter 59: Battle of Bennington
Chapter 60: Deserter Game, Round II
Secs. 2 & 3
Chapter 61: No Better Companion than the Rifle
Sec. 5
Chapter 63: Separated Forever from My Friends and Kin
Sec. 1

Chapter 65: Hat Trick
Chapter 66: Deathbed
Chapter 68: Despoiler
Sec. 3
Chapter 69: Terms of Surrender
Secs. 2 & 3
Chapter 71: A State of Conflict
Chapter 72: The Feast of All Saints
Sec. 1
Chapter 73: One Ewe Lamb Returns to the Fold
Chapter 85: Son of A Witch
Sec. 4

Chapter 86: Valley Forge
Secs. 1 to 4

Chapter 87: Severance and Reunion
Secs. 3 & 4
Chapter 88: Rather Messy
Chapter 89: Ink-Stained Wretch
Chapter 93: A Series of Short, Sharp Shocks
Chapter 95: Numbness
Chapter 97: Nexus
Secs. 4 & 5
Chapter 98: Mischianza
Chapter 100: Lady In Waiting
Sec. 1
Secs. 2 & 3
Chapter 101: Redivivus
Chapter 102: Bred In The Bone

Intro on the Lord John Chronology (Read This First!)

Admittedly, I'm a HUGE fan of Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER and LORD JOHN series. Of course, being quite a slash nut, it's not surprising to say the last that Lord John Grey would be my favorite character, next to Jamie Fraser of course.

Anyway, since there were requests on the Books & Writers Community on Compuserve for a chronological listing of Lord John's books, I decided to take it one step futher by creating a chronology that includes his appearances in the OUTLANDER books. Unfortunately, it seems that particular thread has long disappeared, I figured I'd better post them here for everyone's (and my updating) convenience.

There are TWO listings, which will be appearing in the next two posts -- Lord John Chronology List and the Complete Lord John Chronology. "List" is simply that -- a list of the books, chapters and sections without any details. The "List" is for those who hate spoilers. The "Complete" chronology contains a few details which may be "spoilerific". This is especially for the convenience of those who have read the books but have difficulty in recalling where a particular scene could be found.

I hope these lists would help you in your further appreciation of Lord John and his adventures!

My First Post: All About Me

Given the problems that I've been having of late with Multiply, it looks like I'll be doing all my blogging here instead.

For a brief introduction, I'm Rory, a freelance medical and entertainment editor and journalist here in the Philippines. I'm also pretty infamous in fanfic circles for my slash and yaoi fics, although in recent years, I've developed a thick skin from all the flames. Let's put it this way. If you don't like to read my stories (or the stories of others for that matter), then don't read them. You're just wasting your precious computer time acting like an idiot. Besides, writing fics on the Net -- original or fanfic -- is meant to be a hobby to be shared with like-minded people. I could never really understand why certain people go out of their way to make life miserable for others.

I guess from this rant, you can already deduce for yourself what I don't like in people. As for what I do like in a person, I really can't say. Basically, I am a nice person, but I don't trust people all that well. So, if you want to make friends with me, introduce yourself first so we could start off on the right foot.

Oh, I might as well say it. I've been approached on a number of occasions if I could beta fanfics. As much as I would like to, I'm sorry but I have to refuse for two reasons. First, I just don't have the time for it. Lord knows it's difficult enough to find time for my writings. Secondly, based on a nasty experience I've had on MediaMiner, some people have gotten it into their heads that just because I offer them suggestions on how to improve their writing skills, it means that they have the right to dictate to me what I should and should not write. If there's anything I hate the most, it's people telling me what I should and should not write. In the first place, I'm writing the stories for my personal enjoyment. If others like it, that's a bonus. But, I won't be anyone's secretary. PERIOD. 

Yes, yes. I know I sound like a scary person. But really! To those few people who have gotten to know me really well, they know for a fact what a nice person I am. It's just too sad that, because of real bad experiences with Netizens, I've learned not to trust people easily. Just give me a chance, okay?