Y’all, the middle of this book has been intense, hasn’t it? Whew. Two more deaths, lots of accusations, and the budding romance between Dee and Wyatt.
Let me tell you, I’m tabbing up a storm in this book. Most of them are marking funny things Dee or Grasshopper say, and unfortunately, the personal digs at himself throughout. I’m so sad that Dee seems to hate himself so completely.
And his mom! That’s just ripped my heart out. I feel so bad for Dee. Because he is such a good guy, like Tendai says. He thinks he can’t hate others because he loathes himself. I just want to hug this guy.
I do have a suspicion though—other than about who the murderer is—about Dee’s power. So, the book says that the blessing leaves the parent when the child gains it, and I’m still hoping it manifests fully in Dee before the end of the book. But there’s something else interesting going on with Dee. Beyond his compassion for humanity, he seems to be really good at languages.
Not only does he understand the Crabs when they’re hiding in his caves, he understands the almost extinct language his mother teaches him, but he also hears the water speaking to him. It’s said that his people’s Blessed gain powers that allow them to help the fish migrations and weather for better fishing, etc. This makes me think that Dee may have an inkling of his blessing.
Could his self-loathing be what’s keeping him from gaining his blessing, or will one of his father’s bastards get it? Can one of them already have it? Are we sure the blessing leaves when the new scion gains their power? I have my doubts, but this may be a reach on my part.
I just want SOOO much greatness for Dee.
Okay, my suspicions on the murder are still pretty much centered on Cordelia. I’m also of the mind to think she might have been the reason her brother died—either inadvertently or purposefully. Something about her simply rubs me the wrong way.
I’m also a bit more suspicious of Shinjiro because of the wooden sandals (something that could be replicated by Cordelia). And his sole focus on harmony. His access to the bodies and the “trust” we’re meant to have in him. But he can heal, so could he have hidden any other marks on Eudora?
But the more I think about Shinjiro being the murderer, the more I lean toward Cordelia. Like the characters keep saying, until we know what her blessing is, the few others can’t be ruled out.
Still, Cordelia’s responses to emotions versus how she describes herself as a child (as emotional/dramatic), this makes me think her power would revolve around controlling herself. So, could she control the others’ blessings with her own? She’s painted herself as so unlikely, that I can’t help it.
I think Cordelia is our killer.
Let me know what you think. Who is our killer? And why?
Give me your thoughts below, and join me next week as we finish our reading of Voyage of the Damned. I’ll see you then!