Study Buddies discussion

The Naming The First Book of Pellinor by Alison Croggon is our book group read for April!

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Anyone want to lead the discussion? (More than 1 leader is ok too!)

Hi All! Just thought I'd check in and see if anyone is actually reading this book so far. I'm near the middle. For some reason it's taking me a bit to get through. Could be my giant stack of school books getting the way though. : D

I know, I have thirteen other books I picked up in the meantime! I will start it this week for sure.

I'm still waiting patiently in line for a copy from the library, but as soon as I get it I'll start reading. :)

I've read it before, and it is a slow read. Think of it as being similar to Lord of the Rings. But still a very good book.

I still haven't started! Gah! That needs to be the next book I pick up!

I have to say, for me it took a little bit to get really into. By about page 188, I was finally sucked in. Now I want to read the others. Though I'm completely bummed because the fourth book is only out in the UK. Of course I ordered it - because I'm a spaz like that. But I still have to wait for it to come and that will take weeks.

Whether or not I read the third will probably depend on how quickly I can get the fourth book. From what I understand it's not at all about Maerad or Cadvan. I'm not sure how much I like the switch up in characters. I've read enough reviews to think it might not be required before the fourth book goes back to Maerad's story.

Kimberly - have you read the others?

Mindy wrote: "Though I'm completely bummed because the fourth book is only out in the UK."

Huh? We have had the 4th book out since last month, I think! The Singing, right? In fact I sold one yesterday.

Really? Powell's has it at their international warehouse. It's the same price, but it said it wasn't out in the US yet. I'm gonna send my mind to Powell's. (Now they can have that along with my wallet!)

Silly Powell's! Oh well, we're only human. I think I'll buy that last copy we have ^_^ today!

Mindy, I've read all but the last one. The second one is really good, its my favorite so far. The third one is about another character that has a connection to Maerad, I won't say who because its a spoiler for The Naming. Its really good, even though its not about Maerad, the main character is just as interesting!

Kimberly wrote: "Mindy, I've read all but the last one. The second one is really good, its my favorite so far. The third one is about another character that has a connection to Maerad, I won't say who because its a..."
Yeah I heard that. I know who the character is and how he's connected to Maerad. And I may read it. I just hate it when authors break up story lines like that.
As a fan. I mean, I totally understand why she might do it. I would just prefer to read them in a sequence that isn't broken by other character's POV for an entire book. I usually even avoid books where whole chapters are given over to another character's POV.

Surprisingly, I had a hard time at first even going from Sabriel to Lirael Daughter of the Clayr even though this was one of my absolute favorite book series, ever. I'll just have to see if I can get through all three before jumping to the fourth. I like her story, but sometimes her writing, though beautiful, is boring. I can only stand so many passages of how the trees look and what food their eating before I start to skim. : D

Now I'm into the second book and I can understand why the third is about a different character. Now I'm thinking I'll read it.

Though I have to say, once you get done with the first one, you will likely want to go to the next. The Riddle The Second Book of Pellinor is, in my estimation, better than the first book.

Mindy wrote: "Now I'm into the second book and I can understand why the third is about a different character. Now I'm thinking I'll read it.

Though I have to say, once you get done with the first one, you wi..."

I completely agree. The second book is even better.

Mindy wrote: "I have to say, for me it took a little bit to get really into. By about page 188, I was finally sucked in. Now I want to read the others. Though I'm completely bummed because the fourth book is ..."

The fourth book is out in the us also, I just got it the other day and its just as great as the rest of them

Mindy wrote: "I have to say, for me it took a little bit to get really into. By about page 188, I was finally sucked in. Now I want to read the others. Though I'm completely bummed because the fourth book is ..."

Surprisingly it is a very good book, its about Hem and his troubles

Just finished last night and I must say that was quite a read. I was sucked in from the beginning and actually felt my attention lagging a bit in the middle. I'm glad there was a map, but at times I found myself glossing over some of her descriptions to get to any action.

One thing I really didn't like at the beginning (it got better from the middle on) was Croggon's descriptive writing was a little too full of description at times that it would weigh the moment down.
For example, "That simple food, seasoned only by hunger, burst on Maerad's tongue like freedom, and she felt as if her entire body were glowing with the taste of sunlight, of wind blowing in wide spaces and trees reaching their burdened arms to boundless skies." Really? That good, huh.

Anyway, I really did like this story. Maerad is a very sympathetic character and Cadvan's background is interesting, too. I was going to try to wait for the second book at the library, but I may just have to go buy it now. :D

Great book group selection!