SeanF

The Sarantine Mosaic has some brilliant descriptions of chariot racing. I also enjoyed

I've now read it and enjoyed it. I agree it had a happy ending for all the main characters.

I've never heard of such of such a theory, nor do I doubt that she's his daughter. But, his failure to prepare her for leadership, or keep her in the loop about his plans, is a major error on his part. He says that he didn't trust her to keep it secret from Tyene, but she's his heir, she needs to know what's going on. And even if he was justified, there's no excuse for confining her role essentially to party-planning at Sunspear. How on earth could she expected to run a principality (or serve effectively as Queen of Westeros) if she's largely ignorant of the business of ruling? Arianne is reasonably intelligent, just woefully badly prepared tor her role.

She suggested that Euron have her step-mother and step-sisters stripped naked. One of them was then raped in front of them all.

If she was badly abused, then I would have a good deal more sympathy for her.

IIRC she was the one who suggested that her siblings and step-mother be stripped naked.

There's a widespread view that Euron would just treat Dany as a chattel if they married (I'm not actually sure how you could treat a dragonlord as a chattel). My impression is that on the contrary, Dany is one of the very few people in the World that Euron respects. He's got to be impressed by someone who's brought dragons back into the World. He might well be a good husband to her. On the basis that my enemy's enemy is my friend, they might very well forge an alliance.

Being made to work as a servant was demeaning. But, the revenge she took was far worse.

I can't say I feel any sympathy for Falia, although her unborn child doesn't deserve to die.

In my view, Euron is possessed. Only a complete fool could wish to be an enemy of every single god and system of magic in this world - or else someone who is possessed. My impression is that Euron hardly cares if he achieves his ostensible goals; he just likes to make the world burn.

Well, compared to quite a lot of the fantasy fiction I read. What was done to Styliane was ghastly, I agree. OTOH, what she had planned for Alixana if she caught her was even worse

I've only read The Sarantine Mosaic so far, (I plan to read others of his) but that had a broadly happy ending as well.

WRT the Tyrells, the way they exercise power is interesting. They're rather like the early Kings of France, surrounded by very powerful vassals, some of whom, like the Hightowers, are probably richer than they are, and could make a good claim to be Lords Paramount of the Reach themselves. So, they constantly intermarry with their Bannermen. I think they have less control over their vassals than, say, the Starks or Lannisters, but their chief vassals are all close relatives, which gives them a vested interest in keeping the Tyrells in power.

I had the impression that the Faith was more like Hinduism in this regard, in that some Hindus believe that their deities are different aspects of one God, and others believe there are multiple gods. On the ground, I expect that the people of Westeros have all sorts of folk beliefs, and beliefs that come from other religions, that conflict with the formal doctrines of the Faith.

Religious tolerance seems quite widespread in Westeros, although I wonder if it's a general principle, or more the case that each lord determines what religion is followed in his own realm (or allows complete tolerance in his own realm).

There are probably heresies within the Faith of the Seven. In The Sworn Sword, Egg claims that Lady Webber has sold her soul to the Lord of the Seven Hells, a character who doesn't feature in any religious discussions in the main series. Presumably, he's the Westerosi equivalent of the Devil, but one can't be sure. Some Septons are monotheists (holding that the Seven are manifestations of one God) others are polytheists (holding that there are Seven Gods). Quite possibly, some of the latter also believe in the existence of other Deities.

I just finished Lord of Emperors, and really enjoyed it. It's unusual for an author to portray Justinian and Theodora as sympathetic, rather than very sinister, figures (probably thanks to Procopius). The highlights for me were the chariot race, the assassination of the Emperor (the Emperor very nearly succeeds in playing off his assassins against each other) and the final conversation between Crispin and Styliane (her fate was truly appalling, but she did bring it on herself).

I could see Jon Connington, Tyene and Nymeria conducting a real reign of terror in Kings Landing, like Rome under Sulla.

For such an important diplomatic mission, you need to go in person.

I'm 99% certain that Quentyn is dead. But, I think that the news of his death will have a big impact on Dornish policy. Arianne will likely feel a mix of relief and regret, and project her feelings of guilt about her attitude towards her brother even more on to Dany. Philip Larkin's poem sums it up very well. I think that Doran's behaviour has fatally crippled his daughter's chances of winning the game of thrones.

I rather liked the suggestion one poster came up with that Euron and Dany would marry, and then go on the rampage like Mickey and Mallory in Natural Born Killers.

In the books, we know that the case against Margaery is weak. And, the HS is quite canny politically. He'd be reluctant to be too harsh on a popular Queen whose father has a powerful army in the vicinity. Even if Margaery were guilty of adultery, I'm not sure it would result in a death sentence, although in all likelihood, she would be disgraced and set aside. What might sink Margaery is if, during the course of her trial, evidence emerged which implicated her in the murder of Joffrey. The Show has been quite clear to exonerate Margaery from this.

Aerys II made Viserys his heir, after Rhaegar was killed, and Dany was Viserys' heir. However, I imagine she'll view Aegon as a fake, a Mummer's Dragon.

It's curious that her resentment of Quentyn hasn't abated, even though she now knows that she will be ruling Princess of Dorne after Doran. My take on the situation is that her ambitions go further than Dorne.

I assume you're referring to her belief that she had been disinherited. In fairness to her, she had good grounds for that belief. And, as far as she knew, her father wasn't even prepared to allow her to make a good marriage. All she had to look forward to was marriage to a minor lord, at best. Or lifelong imprisonment, exile, or death, at worst, if Quentyn was sufficiently ruthless. The fault really lies with Doran for keeping his daughter out of the loop.