YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year old Elena Watkins was no different.
Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.
Now Elena’s in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a Prince wants Elena’s heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh. And the only way Elena’s going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.
Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales. Now it’s time for Elena to believe – in herself.

Chapter 2 : (view spoiler)[ So dragons. Finding out your dad is one by watching him transform is a bit shocking. That was a conversation they should have had a while ago. I like how what she is scarred for life for is seeing him naked rather than seeing him transform. :p (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 : (view spoiler)[ They're all trying not to break poor Elena's brain with all the dragons and new world, or rather hidden, floating continent. I like her new friends, and the school is pretty cool. Really, it reminds me of Hogwarts (and Percy Jackson): Magic and fighting classes, Latin, dorms, the friend group, quests, prophecies ... the list goes on. It has that feel to it, mixed with classic high school boy-girl drama. It is good, all the fun parts of the two other series, but the drama got on my nerves. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22 : (view spoiler)[ So, prophecies. I think I have it all figured out, Elena will make the choice (?) and the truth that she is the only child of the murdered royals will come out. She's the only one who can bond with and even out the jerky Blake as dragon and rider. They'all be the new king and Queen, and their love will fulfill the first prophecy in the book. Also, they're the only ones who can defeat the enemy. It's a little cliche, but I love it! Can't wait for it to happen, though I feel bad for the prince. He loves Elena, and he's not a jerk, but he'll lose out in the end. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29 : (view spoiler)[ So let me get this straight. The oh-so-powerful Council and adult dragon teams can't figure out what an inexperienced teenager can? I hate it when teen books make the adults look dumb like that. I get that it's Elena's destiny, but still. The cavern is cool at least. But, good grief, you would think someone else would have put the pieces together of how to enter it a long time ago. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33 : (view spoiler)[Ending thoughts. I recognized a lot of influences from other stories in there, and Inloved it. It took the best out of those books and tv shows and put it into a new one. Can't wait for the next book. (hide spoiler)]

Emily wrote: "Chapter 2 : [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah talk about a family secret! And yes her scarring moment cracked me up. Of all the things to worry about in that moment. (hide spoiler)]

Emily wrote: "Chapter 6 : [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes same reminders. Also the Magisterium series. But I love these types of tales!! The dragon info is a lot to take in with the types and the dents, etc. (hide spoiler)]

Emily wrote: "Chapter 22 : [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes I agree. Her "mother" that left is Catherines dragon and was with her 'father" and the two togther was too dangerous to be recognized so to keep Elena safe they split and he raised her alone, as her own. Clicke and predictable but I like how it is coming about. But maybe we are wrong lol. (hide spoiler)]

Done (view spoiler)[Quite sad about Brian. He was a sweetie in the end. I love Lucian's character and it is going to break my heart when (I think) she is dented to Blake. (hide spoiler)]

Thunderlight 16% (view spoiler)[Hmm, so will she defeat another attack like a venom attack to show she is not just a fire-wielder. . (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting Thunderlight soon. Not sure how soon, but soon. Just finished a couple books I got behind on during vacation. Vacation where you need to talk to people, not ignore them by reading. Now I'm settling back into college.

Emily wrote: "I'm starting Thunderlight soon. Not sure how soon, but soon. Just finished a couple books I got behind on during vacation. Vacation where you need to talk to people, not ignore them by reading. Now..."

No worries. Hope it was a good vacation :)

42% (view spoiler)[Oh I hope they are wrong about Paul and that it is a trick. I want her with BLake. But still love Lucian's character...Then again, if it is Paul maybe Lucian has a chance. It is it Blake, she is already attracted... (hide spoiler)]

95% - Well THAT threw off all of my predictions.

... or did it ... ?

20% - Super confused. It's like the book started over. It started, events happened, and then there was a recap of what JUST happened and the chapters restarted at One. The best I can figure is that there was a novella attached to the front of the book that the description didn't warn me about.

@Jamie, did you read about how Sammie and Dean got together, among other things?

50% (view spoiler)[ I don't trust this new guy no matter what people say. Or maybe he is a decent person, but I am definitely not convinced he and Elena are paired. (hide spoiler)]

85% (view spoiler)[ Nope, definitely not a good person. At All. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ I'm sad now. Lucien! His poor parents, not to mention Elena. I'm convinced Elena and Blake will end up together, and I knew Lucien would leave the picture at some point, but still! I'm sad. :( (hide spoiler)]

There was a pre-chapter intro.
It doesn't really explain Sammy and Dean. It just is.

Emily wrote: "50% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I don't trust him at all. (hide spoiler)]

Emily wrote: "85% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[No... I knew it was a trick between them but had hope when he was gentle with elementals. (hide spoiler)]

Emily wrote: "100% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes but still...I really liked Lucian's character. BUt now a bit confused at the Elena dragon bit plus the ending on who is doing what and why. THe ending had a few zag moments (hide spoiler)]

I had to start Frostbite right away! I am addicted!
25% (view spoiler)[Wait how did she go from a Thunderlight to a Rubicon?! And what about her mark? how can they just go with it like it is nothing?!. (hide spoiler)]

It's a great series after all!

It is. I just got the rest of it and the novellas so very excited to work through it :)

You know what? I had a dream about this series last night. Weird, right? My brain Combined it with an anime called Soul Eater where you have similar pairings, except instead of dragons and riders it is weapons (as in humans who can transform into weapons) and their weapon masters. So my dream had the had this tiny, twelve year old, girl weapon master trying to become the rider for Blake the Rubicon. What?! And he was HUGE. I think she would have won, too, if I hadn't woken up.

Haha 😂
I've seen soul eater so now my mind is creating its own image for this.

I was wondering if you had. Maka and Blake... What? 😂

20% (view spoiler)[ I have sooo many questions about how she is a rubicon and a thunderlight. Everything. (hide spoiler)]

25% (view spoiler)[ I still think Elena is somehow the King and Queen's missing child. Maybe only the other royals knew she existed, which was why Lucien's parents and Sammie's dad immediately recongnized her. Though how they could keep a pregnancy secret is beyond me. Then maybe her human body died and someone used the same spell the evil jerks did I to Paul. They put her human soul into the body of the Queen's dragon's daughter. Then the dragon couple sneaked her out of the country to protect her. And I also still think she and Blake are dents, you know? (hide spoiler)]

30% (view spoiler)[ If she was always a rubicon, why is her evil side only now showing its face? Not to mention all of the years of not knowing she was a dragon. (hide spoiler)]

Emily wrote: "I was wondering if you had. Maka and Blake... What? 😂"
She'd be able to handle him lol.

Emily wrote: "25% [spoilers removed]"

I am thinking something along those lines too.

50% (view spoiler)[I was liking friendly Blake. SO sad about his account for Lucien's death. He must feel so guilty. Even if he hides it behind anger and spite. Tabitha seems to really care about him though. I don't want to like her but she has a decent side to her. (hide spoiler)]

Jamie wrote: "50% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know! I'm sad about what happened. But I think Elena is taking things overboard. She's reacting very badly, putting blame unfairly wherever she can find a place. I feel sorry for her, but she's being a jerk to everyone. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, so I was so psyched after finishing book 3, that I had to start book 4. And I can hardly put it down!!! So excited!

I'm in an audio version that might have had a novella attached t the front, so I'm not sure how for in I am. Maybe 20-30%?

(view spoiler)[ Blake is a jerk as usual. But she claimed him!!! He left but it's only a matter of time. And then I got there! They kissed/dented! Maybe he just needed her to let him go so that he would be doing it out of his own volition rather than being forced?

Not sure exactly what happened from there because he started bleeding all over everywhere (some kiss, right?) and looked like he died. She ran away, and then blacked out. She hasn't figured it out yet, but she made it past the creepers and into that horrible sectioned off area of the country. I'm convinced Blake is still alive and he seems to have forgotten his life for a time. I can't wait for their reunion!!! And for Elena's reunion with her father!!! (hide spoiler)]

30% (view spoiler)[ Poor Tabitha. :( At least she will have someone soon. (hide spoiler)]

Done! (view spoiler)[This one had all the feels. Still can't help but love Lucien. SO sad. Elena drove me nuts in this one. She is lucky CHeng stood by her still. He deserves more credit as a good friend. (hide spoiler)]

I will start the next book in a couple/few days. Got to finish up a few other books first :)

Jamie wrote: "Done! [spoilers removed]"

She was pretty awful in this book. But yes, he is a really good friend to her when she needed it ... but didn't really deserve it.

Moonbreeze 50-60% (view spoiler)[
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED. IT IS SO HORRIBLE.

You know how in most books, the author lets horrible things happen to everyone but the main character and the love interest?
I mean, occasionally they die and in many books, they are raised back to life again. Otherwise, they are safe, no permanent damage done, unless it happened previous to the book or that is what the book is about. (Think cancer story or one about an ex-soldier.)

This one broke the rules, and it has me upset. Rules in books need to be broken, but did Elena truly have to be mercilessly raped? It was awful and tragic. And, not trying to be unsympathetic or anything, it set back her romance with Blake AGAIN, and turned her into someone not so fun to read about. It was horrible no matter what way you look at it. It's so sad.
(hide spoiler)]

Moonbreeze 60-70% (view spoiler)[ Her psychiatrist is a vampire.
I'm laughing and crying. At least she has nothing to fear from him.
(hide spoiler)]

Moonbreeze 70-90% (view spoiler)[ They finally figured out that Elena went through the creepers, not to some other city. Waiting for that was annoying, but I like their plan now. And I'm with Elena's friends -
having some forced time alone with Blake is helping them figure things out. Though she does still think his heart is set on Tabitha and that the Dent is a spell. Working on that one. Apparently, the romance can't be figured out until the series is over. Can't have them too happy yet...? (hide spoiler)]

Moonbreeze general comment (view spoiler)[ There's something I'm not liking about this series. It's the dragon-dragonian/dent situation. How Blake is a horrible person until Elena is successfully paired with him. She "changes him." That's not really what a relationship is about, and in real world romances, that's not advised. Then there is the situation where the dragon rider has to defeat the dragon in battle and claim the dragon against their will. Where, if they are not Dents, the rider has to Beat the dragon regularly in order for them to be a decent person. Ad the dragon has to do whatever the rider says at all times. The whole situation kind of feels like abuse toward the dragon. Part of some kinds of abuse is making the abused person feel like they are better off with the abuser and doing whatever they say. I don't think it's right that the dragon gets beaten to a pulp.

Just ... food for thought. I know it's all supposed to be fine in the dragon world, but it still rubs me wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Alright so before I jump into moonbreeze I looked up the novellas since you said your copy seemed to have one. Not sure it was the same though. My copies of the first 2 books were pdfs from the author so not final copies.

So reading Ch 1 (view spoiler)[I liked getting a better feel for Becky's living style. I can just see her zooming about her home!. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 2 (view spoiler)[Run from the paparazzi! Run! Lol. Poor Lucien getting the silent treatment... (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, I don't think it was the same novella. But I'm glad you enjoyed the one you read!

Emily wrote: "Yeah, I don't think it was the same novella. But I'm glad you enjoyed the one you read!"

Yeah I gathered that by the 2nd chapter.

Will be starting book 4 soon :)

Cool, I hope you'll enjoy it. I'm taking a break for a little while, since I can't get the last book from the library this time around. I suppose I'll wait for you!