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« on: August 13, 2013, 01:24:57 PM »
1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus. What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?
I think this is part of the con. The question isn't what is Nic after, but who is he after... I have several ideas regarding this:
Harry - This is why he wants Harry along, to either coerce (although he knows that won't work) or trick Harry into touching a coin again. Lasciel's coin, more than likely.
Persephone - As per Greek mythology, Persephone was responsible for the life cycle of vegetation throughout the seasons, and could possibly challenge Titania, since she isn't held in check by Mab) ((Side note: on the topic of masks from Cold Days, I wonder if Persphone isn't Titania)) . if Nic can corrupt her then he wouldn't need a holy relic like the Shroud to cause insane levels of chaos around the world.
Nic has tried several times throughout the books to recruit powerful figures (Harry, Ivy, Marcone), he could be trying something similar here again...
2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team. Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request? Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?
I think Nic has managed to get his hands on Lasciels coin, and wants to try to con Harry into picking it up again.
Will continue this at a later stage...
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help. In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew. Who will it be? Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over?
5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present. In fact, there have been various hints... Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?
6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist. In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve. What are Mab's reasons in this book? Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?
7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay. The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book. Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?
8. One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal. Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross. What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?
9. (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others. Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.
10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book. Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven? The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want. Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit.