That's Normal's Boozy Book Club discussion

Has anyone besides me (and Bekah) read the second in this series? HOMG better than the first!!!!! SPOILERS in this thread ... but discuss away.

Like let's talk about how Death turned out to be super sympathetic, and KIND of reminded me of The Darkling (except the TD is hotter) and THAT KISS.

YES!!! I'm so glad you made a thread for this one.

I loved the first part (the whole cannibal segment was about the sickest thing I've read in a long time, in a good way.) I also really loved all of the info we get about the game, the tarot history, etc. The world building was great.

I thought the 2nd half of the book, however, with Evie in Death's lair, dragged a bit. She's bored, she's bored, she dances, etc. I was much more interested in finding out what was happening with Jack/Matthew/Finn/Selena, which we never did.

I know lots of people are swoony over Death (which I do get, there was a lot of really interesting character development) but I was pretty squicked out by the idea that since some past life version of Evie had married and wronged Aric that Evie somehow "owed" him sex/a relationship. Both of them actually used the word "owed" several times. It seemed like, once she found out he'd (forcibly!) married some past incarnation of her, she was just all *shrug* guess we're married! Yay sexytimes!

It seemed weird and Stockholm-ish.

That said, loved the book over all, definitely looking forward to the next one.

I agree with Anne, I didn't love the whole Death/Aric thing to much. I did love the book as a whole though.


I think it's interesting that both male leads are bad boys. Jack is the bad boy from the wrong side of the bayou That drinks too much and cusses too much. Then you have Death who is the ultimate bad boy because his name is Death.

I'm more of a Jack kind of girl, me.

Ok, I definitely liked the second book SO much better than the first. We get so many more answers, unlike the first one that mostly left me confused. And I love the whole tarot card/battle to the death thing. Not really like anything I've read before.

I liked Jack well enough, but I was never 100% sold on him, so when Death is introduced as part of a bizarre love triangle, I was so on board. And YES, totally got Darkling vibes, which is such an awesome thing. I agree as far as liking the Darkling better in hotness, but Death definitely has way more redeeming qualities. So it kinda left me rooting for Death a little. Mostly for the sexy times.

Yes, I definitely think there is some serious Stockholm syndrome stuff going on with Evie and Aric. There's little to no other explanation. He even tells her that this is the first incarnation of her that he's loved, so it's not like her being his wife in the past is some serious romance. Basically, he just needs a place to put it.

And I really can't decide if her situation with Jack is much different. Less stockholm-ish, but certainly kind of "last boy alive" kind of thing.

Beth wrote: And I really can't decide if her situation with Jack is much different. Less stockholm-ish, but certainly kind of "last boy alive" kind of thing..."

There is definitely a component of need (versus want) to their relationship, especially in the first book when he is the only one who suppresses the powers she desperately doesn't want and she is such a weakling. I think that's why I was glad they didn't gedditon until the second book when their relationship felt like they were a bit more on equal footing.

So, there was like a caaaaaasual mention of one card that is "dormant" and won't activate until it kills another card. That's pretty much got to be Jack, right? I wonder which card he'll turn out to be.

I just finished Endless Knight today and OMG. I love Death (I listened to the book on audio so I don't know how to spell his real name. I just keep referring to him as Death. Cool? Cool.)

Totally agreeing with Beth that it's kind of a Stockholm thing but I really loved the bits and pieces of their history that we got to hear about. I really hope we'll get more of that.

Not sure if someone already mentioned it but did anyone feel like the book ended abruptly? Maybe it's because I was listening to it and not reading it and wasn't aware that I was so close to the end when it was over. IDK. But I was certain it was a mistake when the music started playing and audible was informing me my title was over.

Is there going to be any novelas? I did a search and all I could find was the next novel coming out IN A YEAR FROM NOW.

Just wondering how many books are there going to be to this series? It's just a threefer, right? Tarot card business is interesting, but this whole battle to the death/endgame is a little Hunger Games-ish for me. That being said, I do enjoy the lustiness that is happening with this love triangle. I thought this was YA, but I guess I need to check her adult books for reference to her erotic writing, because woah, I would not be giving this to my niece to read (second hand embarrass much?) Sexy times were excellent! Definitely Jack is the dormant card. He's just too good at being badass. He's going to take down those lovers cards and "poof" be Arcana. True love is possible, yay! Then there will be serious battle. This was the "New Moon" of the series, am I right?

I feel like I read an interview with Cole where she said ideally she'd write six books plus some novellas; I know her adult book series tend to be longer. I bet right now she has a three book contract, but is hoping to extend it out if sales are good. She hasn't really committed to a series length anywhere official that I can see.

ETA: Here's the interview: http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/10/25/k...

I agree that it felt a little Hunger Games-ish when the idea of battling to the death until only one remains idea was introduced, but don't really feel the books are similar. I love the love triangle with Death (and wish he and Darkling could be my boyfriends). I also agree that Jack is going to be the dormant card, which dissappoints me because then it's too predictable for he and Evie to get back together. Why can't the herione end up with the evil guy (Death) and make him nice?! And...I can't believe it ended where it did! I wished my ebook was missing a chapter.

Amazing book loved it, i just finished and i cant stop thinking about poor jach, every thing he did was to protect her, and he ends up getting kidnaped by the worst people out there GAH i hate waiting. But still i CANNOT wait till the third book comes out.

Beth wrote: "Like let's talk about how Death turned out to be super sympathetic, and KIND of reminded me of The Darkling (except the TD is hotter) and THAT KISS."


RIGHT THAT KISS! in the rain no less!! I've been waiting to see a scene like this... ohh it was SO EPIC!!! ah well so don't know what to say anymore...

Cara wrote: "I agree that it felt a little Hunger Games-ish when the idea of battling to the death until only one remains idea was introduced, but don't really feel the books are similar. I love the love trian..."

Cara wrote: "I agree that it felt a little Hunger Games-ish when the idea of battling to the death until only one remains idea was introduced, but don't really feel the books are similar. I love the love trian..."

with Evie's genuine feeling for Aric, there's a possibility for them to end up together. This is something that we don't find so often in YA books, right? not even in the Grisha Trilogy! We just need to know what Evie will do in the book 3. Hmm but from the Book 3's summary, I got an impression that Evie might leave Aric to rescue Jack alone... please tell me she wouldn't be that idiotic! well it's not because I think it's a mistake to abruptly leave Aric like that when his help will be very useful, but... the question is could she really make it to the Lovers' lair all by herself? she may have come to her full power as the Empress but... I don't think she could survive if bagmen, cannibals, and militia are on her way

Beth, can you tell me about "The Darkling" that you mentioned above? Thanks!

Read The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, book 1 is Shadow and Bone. There, you'll find him.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...