YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

A new epic fantasy by National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy.

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around— and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he's been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance to lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo's dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? and if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

In this sweeping and breathtaking new novel by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Fall into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage.

Welcome to Weep.

Could not be more excited for this! I have heard such incredible things about this book and Taylor's writing in general.

Starting now! Super excited about this, I loved A Daughter of Smoke and Bone!

I just read the first page and the writing gave me chills!

Dannii wrote: "I just read the first page and the writing gave me chills!"

I had the same exact reaction!!

Okay, so I just finished. I wasn't able to get to the buddy read thread until today though ):

But omg, this book was fantastic. By far my favorite book of 2017 so far, and I never realized I missed Taylor's writing so much!

15%
(view spoiler)[Oh Lazlo, oh you, already growing on me. I'm like 80 pages in and I already was so proud of him standing up for his dream! (hide spoiler)]

18%
(view spoiler)[Ooo didn't know there would be another POV. But this one definitely seems interesting so far! (hide spoiler)]

42%
(view spoiler)[How did I never finish the smoke and bone series? I don't understand what part of me didn't want to read more of Taylor's writing after finishing the amazing a daughter of smoke and bone. But after remembering how much I love her writing style through this book, I really want to read the whole series! (hide spoiler)]

56%
(view spoiler)[ There is definitely something going on with Lazlo, with his skin being the only one reacting to the metal. Hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

76%
(view spoiler)[ no no no noooo, there are way too many similarities between this chapter now and the prologue, and between the prologue girl and Sarai.... Reallyyyy hoping I'm wrong but all I feel now is a sense of dread. (hide spoiler)]

100%
(view spoiler)[What do I even do with myself after an ending like that? Minya has taken control of Sarai soul, and now is using that to control Lazlo, and whaaaaat? (I also can't think of a good way to end that, since we don't want Minya's control, but without her Sarai wouldn't be around anymore... (hide spoiler)]

1/4: (view spoiler)[I was enamoured with the writing from the very first page. In awe of everything about this. The magically replaced name is such an intriguing concept! (hide spoiler)]

2/4: (view spoiler)[I know see where the idea behind the blue cover and page edges stems from! These godkin children are making for incredibly sad reading! (hide spoiler)]

Meaghan wrote: "15%
[spoilers removed]"

He is so, so lovable! I was literally screaming at my book and hoping he would!

Meaghan wrote: "18%
[spoilers removed]"

I was surprised, too. I am loving each narrative equally, so far, and can't wait to see them adjoin.

so sorry this month has been a bit crazy for me

starting this tonight

Tayla wrote: "so sorry this month has been a bit crazy for me"

I'm waay behind on reading this, too.

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Date Changed. Restarting June 7th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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Hoping to start within the next day or so c:

Ch1

Very interesting start to the story. It definitely seems like it'll be a pretty unique tale c:

(view spoiler)[
I wonder how it is that a name was "stolen", not just from text butt also from the minds of those who previously knew.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm still planning to read this, just a little behind at the moment!

Joining!

Ch7

At this stage the story is pretty confusing to me XD;; I'm finding it really hard to focus - though it may be because I also have a migraine ._.

Uncertain how I feel about it at this stage, and I'm not sure I like it as much as Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

(view spoiler)[
Lazlo's character is interesting... but at this stage he's a bit two-dimensional and lacklustre. I'm hoping this will improve throughout the story.

And the "spirit" to make gold... The "bodily flluids"... what bodily fluids are they referring to? Blood? Or something... else...

I wonder if Lazlo is from Weep... If he was smuggled out as a child and left somewhere he would be safe or something. I'm not sure what happened to Weep so maybe that's how Lazlo came to be at least?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ The narration isn't my favorite (which is why it's taking me so long to read this). Thank goodness Lazlo spoke up and managed to get invited. It would have been devastating if not. I really don't like Thyon and I have a feeling my dislike for him will only grow! (hide spoiler)]

Ch12

(view spoiler)[
Okay, so now we have the introduction of four new characters - who may be the only living ones remaining in Weep? It seems that they might have been born (or been young children) around the time that Weep's name was lost to the world...

Interesting to see if Sarai and Sparrow have powers though, considering Ruby (fire) and Fera (clouds) do c:
(hide spoiler)]

Natalie wrote: "Ch7

At this stage the story is pretty confusing to me XD;; I'm finding it really hard to focus - though it may be because I also have a migraine ._.

Uncertain how I feel about it at this stage, ..."

I think you're onto something with (view spoiler)[ Lazlo being smuggled out from Weep. (hide spoiler)]

Ariel wrote: "Chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

OMG I wanted to hit (view spoiler)[ Thyon so much after he basically stole Lazlo's books! Lazlo is the reason Thyon was able to find the azoth or whatever and he's just carrying on like a rich entitled bastard. I don't like Thyon whatsoever. (hide spoiler)]

Natalie wrote: "Ch12 [spoilers removed] "

It was a confusing transition for me as well. (view spoiler)[ I think Sarai's power has something to do with dreaming and why she's nocturnal. I'm not exactly sure what it is at this point though. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 13 (view spoiler)[ I need to know what the Carnage is? How is it related to the Tizerkane marching through Zosma in search for scholars? Will these "Godspawn" ever meet up with the Tizerkane and Lazlo? Also was one of the five of these children the blue girl who was killed in the prologue???? SO MANY QUESTIONS! (hide spoiler)]

Ch13

(view spoiler)[
So... Sarai's mother was the goddess of despair... And it may be that her death coincided with the loss of Weep's name all those years ago...
--
It appears that Sarai's powers might be nightmares, or something else related?
--
And Sparrow's powers appear to be nature related...
--
Are these all the children of now-dead gods and goddesses?
--
Yep! All the children of gods and goddesses. Are they gods/goddesses themselves or demi-deities?
--
Minya's powers are... controlling ghosts? Why the need for that. What happenedddddd D:
--
Did the people of Weep rebel against the gods?
(hide spoiler)]

@Andrea - looks like you got (view spoiler)[the whole thing about Sarai's powers being to do with dreams (hide spoiler)] correct ;D

Ch19

(view spoiler)[They've finally reached Weep!

I really didn't expect the giant graveyard of bones that had been essentially turned into glass o.O That sounds like such an incredible (if morbid) sight, and I'm kinda picturing a crystal-esque Elephant Graveyard (from The Lion King) on a bed of white/golden sand o.O (hide spoiler)]

Ch25

(view spoiler)[I wonder if Lazlo is one of them (despite his rather obvious lack of blue skin :P) and he has the power to control mesarthium (metal?)... It would be interesting. Maybe he's the son of the blue person (godling?) that died in the prologue... (hide spoiler)]

Ch33

(view spoiler)[
I'm finally starting to actually truly enjoy this novel c: its taken me a longggg time to get into the story and all the characters.

I have to say though, there does seem to be something about the mesarthium and Lazlo... why did it leave a stain on him but not Calixte? Is he one of the goslings after all? Or is there something else at play here?

I'm also interested in seeing what happens between Lazlo and Sarai... it seems like there may be some kind of connection there.
(hide spoiler)]

Ch39

(view spoiler)[So now Eril-Fane, Lazlo and Azareen are aware that there are living beings in the giant floating monolith, and also that there are ghosts with weapons there to kill them ._.

I wonder how Lazlo and Sarai's relationship (however fleeting it currently is) might change in the wake of this realisation.
(hide spoiler)]

Ch54

(view spoiler)[I am so in love with this book now. Everything seems to be happening at once and the character development is incredible.

I definitely do think that Lazlo is also godspawn - perhaps he was thought of as defective because he's not blue? - and I think there's a chance that he has the coveted ability to mold and control mesarthium. It just seems so suspicious that he's the only one who can be so lucid in his dreams, but if he wasn't purely human that could explain it ;D

And I really adore how Lazlo and Sarai's relationship is evolving. They make such a beautiful and pure couple too <3

I'm hoping that uhh... whatshername... Minya... can learn to let go of her hate, or at least give people a chance. I think she has so much potential to be good but she's just sadly locked in the past - and in more than just her mindset. Is she a ghost herself or something? How is it that she never aged while the rest of them did?
(hide spoiler)]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Absolutely brilliant until the end, and holy CRAP that ending. I really hope that Sarai and Lazlo will find happiness by the end of the second book, despite the whole... dead-and-a-ghost thing, and that Minya gets a chance to grow (literally and figuratively) and find peace <3 (hide spoiler)]

Natalie wrote: "Ch19 [spoilers removed]"

That's exactly what I pictured!

Natalie wrote: "Ch25

[spoilers removed]"

I've been thinking the same thing myself about Lazlo, I really (view spoiler)[ hope he can do something with the metal. I want him to free Sarai, Ruby, Sparrow and Feral. Minya not so much. I don't like her at all. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 33 (view spoiler)[ I wonder if Sarai could kill Minya with her moths? Cause I'd be okay with that. This little girl is way too vicious. I hope Eril-Fane will take Lazlo with him up to the citadel on the flying craft. Lazlo also needs to run his own experiments on the metal! Why is the gray coming off on his skin!? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30
(view spoiler)[
I know this is a weird place to make an update, I see a lot of people doing it at 33 but something just hit me and I have to update! Lazlo is a godspawn! He has to be the one that was tested for the same gene as Skathis and taken away. I remember in the beginning the monk was talking about how Lazlo showed up and was so blue they thought he'd die, but he didn't. Someone must have kidnapped him or moved him for his own safety. Which is why he can see Sarai in the dream and capture the moth!!! AGHHHH (hide spoiler)]

Ariel wrote: "Chapter 30 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I totally forgot about how the monks said he was blue in the beginning! That makes so much sense! I wonder if his skin changed color because he was away from the mesarthium? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 40 (view spoiler)[ I feel like Lazlo is going to have a bigger part now that Eril-Fane knows about Sarai. I hope Sarai keeps visiting Lazlo's dreams, they need to talk and help her get out of the citadel! I think Minya is going to try to get rid of Sarai unless the other three protect her or she gets out. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 44
(view spoiler)[
I see a genuine love story taking place!!! I mean, at this point it's obvious that he is godspawn because of the dreams and the metal. I can't believe that Sarai stopped the ghosts and exposed herself. I doubt that the Godslayer is taking this very well and I love that Lazlo is so optimistic about the city accepting the godspawn (definitely not). (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I am devastated. That ending was not what I was expecting. I cannot believe Sarai died, it's so unusual to see a good main character die. And I cannot believe Minya or using her like that just to gain control. It really shows you that she is willing to put those she cares about on the line for vengeance (hide spoiler)]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ I AM TORN! How could Laini do that to Sarai & Lazlo!? Lazlo better find a way to make this better, I don't know how but he has to!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm gonna cry this was such a beautiful book and the ending has annihilated me. (hide spoiler)]

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Date Changed. Restarting June 19th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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the book is broken into parts. I plan to come back ever each one

I love this author. her writing is so amazing and her storytelling is jaw dropping good

Part 1

Lazlo(view spoiler)[ I obviously love this boy of wonder - full of a quiet passion and smile - he is the thing of dreams and wonder. I love his passion for this unnamed city and his push to do work and to accept his place in the world until he got the chance to be bold - and he took it. (hide spoiler)]

Thyon(view spoiler)[ I don't want to hate him but OMG I do. A deep burning fury. When he could have been nice - a friend to a poor boy in a library - instead he was cruel and horrible. Sure, he didn't kill him - but who can feel the brazen expectation of living another boys dreams - especially when THAT BOY is the one that saved him instead of taking him down a notch and telling EVERYONE about his father beating him. Thyon took advantage of Lazlo because he had a good heart. I hate that (hide spoiler)]

Unnamed City(view spoiler)[ huh. I wonder what happened here and what made them travel so far. And who is this woman - this white bird? Is it the same women that the king needed the gold for? His reference to just "she" didn't have to be the queen..... (hide spoiler)]

Part 1

(view spoiler)[ I'm so happy Lazlo got the chance to leave with the Tizercane. I was so worried that they were just going to leave and Lazlo would be left behind. Thyon. Ugh. I hate this character so much. Lazlo has done nothing but help him over and over and this is his way of showing gratitude; stealing Lazlo's dream and telling him that'd he'd come back with stories one day. I really hope something bad happens to Thyon or at the very least everyone realizes what a fraud he is. Finally, I'm curious to find out what this problem is that the Tizercane were talking about. Hopefully we'll get to see the city soon. (hide spoiler)]