I have to agree. Most of my friends offline don’t have the same reading interests, so I only get to discuss these things with online friends, if at all. I feel your pain ;)

And since I’m done reading the Potter series, I’m reading Bart trilogy again for the 3rd time. I like Bart’s humor. And I really wanted it to be in film also, with probably Robin Williams as Bart…

In terms of power, Ramuthra’s effects on others was… different. I don’t remember the exact details but it was downright creepy. It’s possible that being inside Makepeace’s body, Nouda’s powers was somewhat hampered, but I doubt it would be greatly limited.

Additionally, being the rather cunning, charismatic fellow that he is, I highly doubt Makepeace would summon a being as… brute as Ramuthra. Nouda had character, which I think Makepeace would be attracted to. That is, of course, if Makepeace all by himself could summon someone like Ramuthra.

I guess I’m of the school that there are two types of strengths: either brain power or brute power. There are beings who have both, but even though they may be quite powerful, those who “specialize” on one thing may be more powerful than those who’re both brainy and physically powerful. I think Nouda falls more on the “brainy” side than “brute”.

Now, I’m usually the sort that would argue that brains would win over brawn any day. But the thing here is, we don’t really know Ramuthra except in the very brief span of time he’s in the book. We know his brute power. But I’m also willing to bet that we probably don’t know the extend of his brains. If he’s half as brainy as Nouda (which I’m willing to bet he must be, even if it’s not apparent in the book) he’d probably win in a showdown.