Dancing

[Aniza Butt]

I think that the act of dancing was a major part of the culture and rituals of the people of Voulhire. That is the only reason why a very large number of people were convinced to dance all the way to an enemy region for an attack without prior rehearsals.

I agree it might be the part of their culture.

[Maddie Atkinson]

I think dancing is a good way to captivate an audience, in this book in particular, it almost mesmerises the audience. I think the way in which the dancing is expressed helps to get across a particular story or message that the performers want to show?

[Hilda Martinovic]

It is interesting that Tysz correlated dancing with war. It is a new idea. The scene becomes dynamic and dramatic.

[Deval Sodha]

Yes the author has included dancing in a way that it gives stamina and determination. Dancing in my opinion is an art to express yourself. It has different angles for different people. Some may feel dancing their passion such that motivates them to go on and on.

[JulietBlack]

I wonder how the Riva Rohavi attacker had the energy to dance into war. Maybe the dance is part of their fortification ritual.

[aby johnson]

I think the author may have used the chi flow in literal sense. How we have chakras in our body and how if we are able to channel the energy properly, we can be powerful. I like the dancing part in the book.

[Ndiviwe]

I have been asking myself that question ever since I read the book. I think because dance is an integral part of many cultures and is used to channel ancestral spirits and the power of the gods. And is a good way to express yourself and to get endorphins pumping and flowing.

[EReid]

I think the author mostly included dancing as a show of culture. However, I also suspect he must enjoy dancing himself. In his bio, he says he is a private person. I find that private people tend to like music and dancing is really just an extension of music. That's a bit of a stretch, but it would explain why there is so much dance in his books.

[jomana_3]

Matthew Tysz includes dancing in all his books, but not as a form of art or entertainment.
In this series, Riva Rohavi uses dancing to get access to a form of power, be gain stamina and determination.
Also, the people in the court dance for an hour, mesmerized by Nartik's performance.
What is the secret behind dancing?

It was something that confused me too, and I didn't really understand it. I am waiting to read the rest of the series, maybe I'll get some answers.

[Rayah Raouf]

When I first read about the dancing I was confused. Why were they dancing?
But I'm starting to realize that that's what fuels them. Could also be a cultural thing too?

[Vivian Jabeya]

Dancing is a special part of Voulhire's culture. The voulhirians danced during celebrations and even during battles. Dance is their strength.

[Nicholus Schroeder]

The Riva dancing as their fight their opponents was both amusing and though provoking, I mean how can someone be dancing during a sword fight. How can they keep their form and composure during a sword fight whilst dancing?

[Moira15]

I've been dancing for like 15 years and its an essential part of my life, so my opinion is very much affected by that.
Its a way to both lose and find yourself. Even if you get physically tired after dancing, you will feel exhilarated and hyped up. Dance can free you mentally, free a kind of inner energy. So its absolutely valid to interpret dance as a mean to access and gain power.
Also it has the power to unite people, and can create an atmosphere of equality.

I find myself wondering if Tysz has a background in dance.

His use of dancing reminds me of the late Anne McCaffrey, who greatly enjoyed music and thus included music in her books. Many of her characters, for example, were skilled singers or musicians. Her Pern series even had a school, Harperhall, that trained young musicians.

Either that, or he just wants to shock by using it in a different, unexpected way.

I wouldn't be surprised either about him having some kind of background related to dance, even like someone close to him being a dancer. But maybe as an ordinary man he just felt the power of dance and the possibilities in it.

[Sarrikoziol]

There are a lot of cultures that use Dance in different ways. People often say certain martial arts are a "dance". Dancing in battle is not unheard of throughout history. It actually makes you a harder target. It also builds endurance and strength. Many cultured also Dance during celebrations. It has also been done throughout history. Dance is a form of art and in some ways mystique. It can be glorious to watch.

[Joy C]

Yes, I noticed that too. It's not clear though why he uses that in his books. But in this book, dancing appears to have both cultural and ritualistic significance for the people of Voulhire.