Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

The Dragons of Dorcastle (The Pillars of Reality #1) by Jack Campbell

For centuries, the two Great Guilds have controlled the world of Dematr. The Mechanics and the Mages have been bitter rivals, agreeing only on the need to keep the world they rule from changing. But now a Storm approaches, one that could sweep away everything that humans have built. Only one person has any chance of uniting enough of the world behind her to stop the Storm, but the Great Guilds and many others will stop at nothing to defeat her.

Mari is a brilliant young Mechanic, just out of the Guild Halls where she has spent most of her life learning how to run the steam locomotives and other devices of her Guild. Alain is the youngest Mage ever to learn how to change the world he sees with the power of his mind. Each has been taught that the works of the other’s Guild are frauds. But when their caravan is destroyed, they begin to discover how much has been kept from them.

As they survive danger after danger, Alain discovers what Mari doesn’t know—that she was long ago prophesized as the only one who can save their world. When Mari reawakens emotions he had been taught to deny, Alain realizes he must sacrifice everything to save her. Mari, fighting her own feelings, discovers that only together can she and Alain hope to stay alive and overcome the Dragons of Dorcastle.

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Join us in March for this "buddy read" - which is the first in a series. See if it is destined to become one of our Series Reads.

Reserved.

I'm in. This book was written for audiobook, my library has the ebook. So I can't decide if I should go with the ebook or get the audio!

I'm in!

Just checked and the kindle edition is currently $3.27 and you can add the audible narration for 1.99! here

In Amazon.com.au it's available for 5.89 and you can add narration for 2.99.

Gisela wrote: "Just checked and the kindle edition is currently $3.27 and you can add the audible narration for 1.99! here

In Amazon.com.au it's available for 5.89 and you can add narration for 2.99."

hmm I might go with the audio then. What about you?

You OK with 13th for this one ?

I'm getting both! :D

ShoSho wrote: "You OK with 13th for this one ?"

Sure

I'm doing some chores and needed something to listen to. So I started this one. On chapter 3 now and it's really good so far. I'll probably do another hour before stopping for the day.

ShoSho wrote: "I'm doing some chores and needed something to listen to. So I started this one. On chapter 3 now and it's really good so far. I'll probably do another hour before stopping for the day."

I'm off to bed now but I'll start in the morning then. I'll aim for Ch.5

I stopped in middle of chapter 5.
(view spoiler)[
I really like the world building, specially the Mage guild and how they do magic.
It seems both of them were thrown in to this mess by their superior and they were sure both would fail. Some kind of conspiracy? !
It was funny how he was thinking she had made him help her off the horse! Lol
And is he getting the visions because of her? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[
Ooh the prophecy, that's interesting. I'm pretty sure Mari is the daughter of Jules.
Everything is suspicious in the Mechanics hall.
BTW are there real dragons in the story? (hide spoiler)]

I'm on chapter 9 and can't stop! It's great!

I haven't started yet, I had an absolutely awful day. But on a positive note, when I went to start this I realized I hadn't bought it. So I did and the price was lower! It was 1.40 the kindle ed. plus narration for 1.99! Score!

Gisela wrote: "I haven't started yet, I had an absolutely awful day. But on a positive note, when I went to start this I realized I hadn't bought it. So I did and the price was lower! It was 1.40 the kindle ed. p..."

lol

I like the narrator's voice.

The Mages sound like real buttwipes.

Ch4.

(view spoiler)[ I don't think her family forgot her. Rather the Guild withheld her family's letters to separate her from them and ensure her loyalty to the Guild.

ETA: I was surprised that the Guild could just come and take her from her home. Are the Mages the same? Or worse? (hide spoiler)]

Ch.4

"Just because you’re taught something doesn’t mean you have to accept every word of it. Unless it’s technical stuff, like operating instructions. Those you have to follow very closely. But that’s different.”

LOL I really like Mari and Alain.

Gisela wrote: "Ch.4

"Just because you’re taught something doesn’t mean you have to accept every word of it. Unless it’s technical stuff, like operating instructions. Those you have to follow very closely. But t..."

Me too.

Gisela wrote: "Ch4.

I don't think her family forgot her. Rather the Guild withheld her family's letters to separate her from them and ensure her loyalty to the Guild.

ETA: I was surprised that the Guild could ..."

I agree with you. They didnt forget her .
It seems these 2 guilds can do whatever they want without any one standiing up to them.

ShoSho wrote: "I stopped in middle of chapter 5.

I really like the world building, specially the Mage guild and how they do magic.
It seems both of them were thrown in to this mess by their superior and they wer..."

The Mages remind me of Nalini Singh's Psy. As to your comment about (view spoiler)[ conspiracy, that's what I thought too. Question is who is behind it and why? Also interesting, that Alain's foresight revolves around Mari, nice use of foreshadowing there. I'm thinking Mari's contract has something to do with a robot, a computer, or some kind of AI. We'll see if I'm right. (hide spoiler)]

Yes I thought of the psy too.

ShoSho wrote: "Chapter 6
Ooh the prophecy, that's interesting.

I agree! It would explain (view spoiler)[ the " vision" Alain had. Something fishy is going on in that Guild. The senior mechanic didn't send an escort nor told the receptionist that Mari was coming. The seniors are also nervous about something. Also, the Profesor who gave Mari the gun. Did she know something? Hmmmm...

As to dragons, I hope so! (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 7

(view spoiler)[ Why were the Mages so upset when Alain mentioned the storm in his vision?

Stimon is an A-hole! (hide spoiler)]

Okay. I just got this in both audio and Kindle. (There's a sale.) I might start it later today, while I'm traveling.

(view spoiler)[
Seems the commons are primed for an uprising. And no wonder, both Guilds are a bunch of oppressive patronizing A-holes. (hide spoiler)]

Lisa Kay wrote: "Okay. I just got this in both audio and Kindle. (There's a sale.) I might start it later today, while I'm traveling."

I got them both on sale too! For 3.50? Of course I did!

LOL! Really.

Gisela wrote: "ShoSho wrote: "Chapter 6
Ooh the prophecy, that's interesting.

I agree! It would explain the " vision" Alain had. Something fishy is going on in that Guild. The senior mechanic didn't send an es..."

I think the mage elders knew about the prophecy and that it was getting close. And maybe he's not the only one who saw avision like that.

Gisela wrote: "
Seems the(view spoiler)[ commons are primed for an uprising. And no wonder, both Guilds are a bunch of oppressive patronizing A-holes."

Specially in this city .the higher ups have been preparing with the guns and ... but it doesn't seem that they have the support of the commons. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 10
I kept hearing Annie Lennox's "I Put a Spell On You"

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3TrSMaO...

ShoSho wrote: "Specially in this city the higher ups have been preparing..."

(view spoiler)[ The city has a computer they're not supposed to and are reverse engineering the rifles. I supposed they could have done the same with the microphone Mari found in her cell but the presence of the spell Alain detected points to mages. Do you think Dark Mages and Dark Mechanics are working with the city guy or was it just isolated contracts? I'm guessing that by the end of the book both Mari and Alain will be banned from their Guilds and declared Dark. (hide spoiler)]

Wow the conversation in that cell is priceless!LMAO

Gisela wrote: "ShoSho wrote: "Specially in this city the higher ups have been preparing..."

[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
I think both dark mages and mechanics are working with these people and notjust isolated contracts
Great theiry for the ending! (hide spoiler)]

I'm loving this turns of events. (view spoiler)[ She's going to Dorcastle wherever that is!

I think Stimid knows much more that he lets on. I don't think he's involved with the town council though. But It seems both Guilds seniors know what's going on. Not the whole thing but enough. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 11 (view spoiler)[ Don't get on the train! I think Stimon wants Mari to "disappear"... (hide spoiler)]

Gisela wrote: "Ch. 11 [spoilers removed]"

Yes I'm sure of it. It's very suspicious

Soulful eyes... LMAO! I loved how the narrator did this part, he sounded just like my 18 y/o sister

LK, have you started?

Gisela wrote: "Soulful eyes... LMAO! I loved how the narrator did this part, he sounded just like my 18 y/o sister"

I'm listening to the part where the guy told her that supply transport have been cancelled.

Ah you're close then

ShoSho wrote: "Gisela wrote: "Soulful eyes... LMAO! I loved how the narrator did this part, he sounded just like my 18 y/o sister"

I'm listening to the part where the guy told her that supply transport have been..."

See why I don't want her on that train? Fishy fishy

Very fishy!
(view spoiler)[
Why didn't he have to pay for his train ticket? (hide spoiler)]

ShoSho wrote: "Why?"

(view spoiler)[ I wondered about that too, then thought it might be that the city paid for the citizen's use but then he would have to show some kind of proof that he's a citizen. *shrug* plot hole? I was expecting him to have some trouble there as he said mages don't have any money. I wonder if mechanics do? (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 13

(view spoiler)[ Oh, the prophecy! Finally a Mage with an open mind! (hide spoiler)]

Ch.13 approx. 38:27

(view spoiler)[

He despaired inside, wondering how he could protect Mari if his emotions caused him to lose the ability to cast Mage spells.
Oddly, though, he felt no weakness. Instead, a strength filled him. In some way Alain could not understand, that strength did not come through the thread, but owed its existence to the existence of a thread that was not there.


Seems the Mage Elders are wrong and his emotions won't weaken him, his feelings for Mari will make him stronger. "Power of Love", anyone? LOL Might be cliché but it works, it reinforces Mari's message. I'm thinking it's going to be a recurring theme in the series. I'm curious to see what the author does with it. (hide spoiler)]

Map of Dematr



http://www.jack-campbell.com/_series/...

Just started chapter 13, I'll probably stop in the middle of it for the night.