Get Captured in Words! discussion

**SPOILERS**
Read two chapters then come back to discuss :)

Wow. Those first two chapters were pretty great. Lila is pretty damn ruthless, and it seems like she has been making a name for herself during the time in between the first book and this one. The entire scene with her singing the song, putting on the mask, and drugging the entire crew of the Copper Thief, was such a strong way to start the sequel.
However, later in the chapter I find some of her actions to be unnecessary and not exactly realistic. When she steals the dudes coin pursue, then kills him after, actually made me quite angry. She had no reasoning to kill him, in fact, it was a stupid move considering that she was alone and there was strong sailors all around her. I feel like this "badass assassin/thief who only cares for herself" trope is falling on Lila, and it feels forced. Similarly I found it a bit dumb in the first book when she brings up that she likes killing people (or something to that effect). I kind of pictured her more as this charismatic and fun thief type of character, not a blood-thirsty thief who tries too hard to be cool. I believe she is going to be a bigger part in this book, so all I can hope is that she will become more realistic and gain some more motives to her actions :)

I really liked chapter two! Finally we get to see more of Kell and Rhy! Although they seem to be at a bit of a depressing moment, it feels realistic to me. The civilians wariness around Kell is understandable in my opinion. Since Rhy is a bored royal who can no longer die by ordinary means, and who covets Kells ability to use magic, it makes sense to me that he is being a bit reckless. I understand the reasoning to him feeling useless.

The fight scene in the alley, when Kell almost lost control, do you think maybe there is a lingering bit of Ventari inside of him?



How did you like the the first two chapters?

Let's continue to read!

I didn't expect the second book to start with 50 pages of Lila and no mention of Kell (in my mind, they're not co-protagonists, hehe, he's the main hero).

I liked her bravery, both in a Darker Shade of Magic and here, but I'm beginning to find her too ruthless, boarding on monster. All the thinks Kell tried to teach her apparently fell on deaf ears. When she was in her Gray London, an orphan living in the dangerous streets, she was "justified" to be this murdering thief. But now she's in Red London, she knows the Royal Family, she could have taken the oportunity to become more human. But no! Obviously she enjoys this life, killing and stealing, for the sake of it. I'm finding it hard to relate to such a person... enjoyable as it is to read about her.

I'm glad we have more Rhy in the second chapter, his character was really underdevelloped in the first book, even though he gets a bit on my nerves too with his spoiled, immature behaviour. He's no longer the nice guy I read back in April: his close encounter with death is making him... almost seek death now?... Had it not been for Kell's protection, he would already be dead by now. What is he trying to prove?

No, for me Kell continues to be the light in this series. It saddens me to see him mistrusted and looked down upon by his royal "family". Blamed. Hated by the guards. By some of the people as well. As far as I'm concearned, he was not at all to blame for the Black Night. The King uses him like a dog on a leash. The whole Gray London assignment, his discovery of the passing of George III and the conversation with his greedy heir (I'll have to look this historical new King George up!) was very depressing - yet beautifully crafted and executed by V.E. Schwab. I didn't care for the anti-Christian, atheist "theology" speech at all though... but ok.

I loved Alucard very much, he's the best new thing in a Gatherning of Shadows so far. I'm afraid to say anything about him, Lila might just slaughter him in the next page, just to grab his ship, wtf with this "girl"... ;) But I'll say one thing, about his name. Did the author take it straight out from the cult 70s British horror movie "Dracula AD 1972" in which Alucard is the Count's assistant? You know what "Alucard" spelled backwards is! ;)

Addictive book. Let's read more!

Dimitris, nice catch on Alucard's name. I missed that and still loved him. Now I know why his character just seems so imposing, and mysterious... there was such an aura about him that drew people to him, except for one haha.

Dimitris, cool name BTW.

I just finished reading A Conjuring of Light, and I came here because.. Sanct... I'm just not quite ready to let go of the Shades of Magic.. the world and the characters.. just quite yet.

As Travars. As Tascen. or whatever spell may be appropriate, I just want to be transported back into this world.

Peachy wrote: "Dimitris, nice catch on Alucard's name."
Thank you! It's an ancient Greek name (the Dimitris one, not Alucard, hahaha), it means "a devoter to the goddess Demeter" (Ceres), it's very common here. :)

Dimitris wrote: "I didn't expect the second book to start with 50 pages of Lila and no mention of Kell (in my mind, they're not co-protagonists, hehe, he's the main hero).

I liked her bravery, both in a Darker Sha..."

This is a little embarrassing... but I forgot how the chapters work for these books, so I only read up to chapter ONE part THREE (thinking it was the end of chapter two). I just read to the end of the ACTUAL chapter two and will update my thoughts above with much of what I'm writing now. This is why I had only made comments about the scene where Lila takes over the Copper Thief because that was the only part I had read up to! Haha my bad!

After reading more, especially the scene where Lila kills the dude after stealing his coin purse, I have to agree with you on Lila seeming to be a little too ruthless. In fact, it seems a bit forced at times with her dialogue and thoughts. it seems like she is trying to act too cool. I also agree with the fact that she is in Red London now and doesn't necessarily have to fight to survive like she did in Grey London.

I don't mind the idea of Lila sharing a bit of the protagonists throne with Kell, however some of her views I don't agree with. I also didn't care for the anti-Christian speech, it wasn't needed at all especially in a fantasy novel. I also find her character so far to be filling a "ruthless assassin/thief who only cares about her own life" trope, and can only hope that her character will expand and become more realistic as the book continues.

I really enjoyed the second chapter with Kell and Rhy. I feel like they are becoming more fleshed out and real. And yesss Alucard seems awesome so far! Wow that's really interesting about Alucard's name spelt backwards.... VERY interesting. I'm excited to see if there is a relation to this theory! ;)

So I accidentally spoiled the Group's moderator! Jeez!!! :O So sorry, Jay, hope I didn't ruin your fun too much, it won't happen again, hehe.
But you're very right, the book is split in a weird way, longer sections and many "sub-chapters". Don't even know if it's the same in all editions. The way I approach it, the novel consists of ten chapters, numbered in capital Latin letters. And it is the new style of the Group to discuss it in three portions, so I automatically thought that "up to chapter 2" meant exactly this. Now I think that roughly page 100, one fifth into the book, might not be exactly what "Inicial Thoughts" refers to... :/
I thank you for your added thoughts so far, especially regarding Lila. I'm in page 140 now and really loving it!!!