Headscratchers / A Brother's Price

• Just for starters: I knows about the mirror-world division of roles in the world of A Brother's Price, but when we first see him, Jerin's apparently trying to singlehandedly do all the work of taking care of his youngest siblings, while his sisters play or loll around. I've known quite a few people who grew up in large families, and elder siblings were tasked with taking care of younger siblings in those families as soon as they were able. Jerin should have been able to call on Corelle and some of his older sisters to help him out, particularly since one of his several tasks was preparing the family's dinner.
  • And while I'm on it, why can't the Whistler girls take over in the kitchen when the royals and their retainers show up unexpectedly?
  • At the start of the book their mothers and eldest sisters are absent, leaving Corelle as the oldest sister. Presumably the older women command the sisters to do tasks, and Jerin appears to expect some degree of help. "At least feed Kai," he says. When company comes Heria makes an attempt to cook, setting up a big pot of potatoes, but doesn't seem to be aware that more than that is required; seeing this Jerin immediately starts giving his other sisters tasks. Tl:dr, normally Jerin's sisters help and accept directions while he supervises cooking and chores, but Corelle is clearly negligent and uninterested, so when in charge shoves everything on him.

• Is the Destiny a sternwheeler or a sidewheeler? She's described as both.

• Was the Royal family split in Ren’s grandmothers’ generation or great-grandmothers’ generation? Early in the novel it’s stated that Alannon was first cousin to Ren’s grandmothers, making the split be in her great-grandmothers’ generation. Later in the book, the split was said to have happened during her grandmothers’ generation, making Alannon first cousin to her mothers not her grandmothers.

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