First Line Friday No. 5

Welcome back to First Line Friday!

Today we're going to be taking a peek into Garth Nix's new book, A Confusion of Princes (published May 2012).  While the rest of his fans (including myself) are DYING to read the two NEW books from the Abhorsen series (one tentatively titled Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen, supposedly arriving in bookstores next year), a standalone novel by Mr. Nix is almost as good.  (See the press release about the three-book deal here)

I haven't read this book yet, but I'm intrigued -- and every other Garth Nix book has proved thrilling, so I'm going to preview it in hopes of finishing the novel shortly, provided I find it at our library.

Here it is:

"I have died three times, and three times been reborn, though I am not yet twenty in the old Earth years by which it is still the fashion to measure time.  This is the story of my three deaths, and my life between.  My name is Khemri, though this is not the name my parents gave me.  I do not know who my parents are, and never will, for I was taken from them as a baby.  

This is one of the secrets the Empire keeps well.  No Prince may know his or her parents, or the world of their birth.  Even trying to find out is forbidden, which just about sums up the paradox of being a Prince.  We have vast power and seemingly limitless authority, except when we try to exercise that power or authority beyond the bounds that have been set for us."


Things that intrigue me:

1. How did Khemri die (and how did he get re-born)?  How many times can you die before you're really *dead*?

2. What is Khemri's real name?  Who are his parents?  Where was he born?

3. Are there secrets the Empire DOESN'T keep well?

4. Is their religion based on Eastern traditions (it sounds vaguely like a Dalai Lama situation)?  Is the ruling class set up like the British Monarchy?

5. Princes are male AND female -- how many are there?  Do they marry?

I am deeply interested by the setting in this story.  I get a slight whiff of Star Wars (Empire, different worlds/planets, intrigue, royalty, etc.), which means this could be a space opera of epic proportions -- I'm ready to jump in feet first and I've only read page one.

What about you?  Does this intrigue you?  If not, what books are you waiting for?

Up next (week):  More Stuff on Hufflepuff and of course the regulars, Write Wednesday and First Line Friday.

Have a good weekend -- read a great book (or two)!