YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

It has been twenty years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs - once thought of almost as gods - were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets. A representation of these laws is now written into the flesh of any who use the Gift, forcing those so marked into absolute obedience.

As a student of the Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war fought – and lost – before he was born. Despised by most beyond the school walls, he and those around him are all but prisoners as they attempt to learn control of the Gift. Worse, as Davian struggles with his lessons, he knows that there is further to fall if he cannot pass his final tests.

But when Davian discovers he has the ability to wield the forbidden power of the Augurs, he sets into motion a chain of events that will change everything. To the north, an ancient enemy long thought defeated begins to stir. And to the west, a young man whose fate is intertwined with Davian’s wakes up in the forest, covered in blood and with no memory of who he is…

Apparently the copy that I have from the library isn't for the regular checkout time. I guess they have too much demand for it or something. So instead of having it for three weeks and being able to renew it, I only have it until the 14th and can't renew. :( This makes me angry!

I got this one on audio, so I'm going to try it that way. I'll probably go ahead and start. I'll probably only be listening while I'm driving, so it will take me a while to get through.

I'm somewhere in chapter 4 (I'm pretty sure). (view spoiler)[One thing I'm a little confused about--why are people made into shadows?

I also wonder if Ilseth sending him off with this cube is a good thing... (hide spoiler)]

Somewhere in chapter 5. (view spoiler)[Ok, I knew something wasn't right with Ilseth, but what is going on? And Asha (or however her name is spelled) was turned into a Shadow! (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 10. (view spoiler)[Why can Davian move so fast? Is that because he's an augur, or is he something else?

It's really interesting that the tattoo shows up when they use the gift. I liked the political discussion they had. Wirr has to be a prince ir something I'm thinking. (hide spoiler)]

Somewhere in chapter 16. (view spoiler)[Wirr is the son of the North Warden right? Something like that has to be happening. (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting :)

I'm sorry to hear you could renew your copy :/
I totally undestand how you feel: I decided to buy the epub since the paper copy I ordered is lost somewhere between UK and Italy :/

Are you liking it so far?

Is it lost for good or might it still come? I am enjoying it.

I hope eventually it will arrive...

great! Hope to catch up with you soon!

Great! I'm listening on my commute, so I'm going fairly slow.

Somewhere in chapter 18 and (view spoiler)[I knew it! Wirr is the son of the North Warden! Hahaha. It was pretty obvious he had some connections somewhere. Still, I wonder what this means about his family, since he's gifted and all. Interested to see what Asha does with his father. And if she finds out he and Davian are alive. (hide spoiler)]

Hi Courtney!
I'm in Chapter 4. I'm sorry, I'm pretty behind but I caught a flu and passed the weekend in bed :(

So far I'm really enjoying it: I'm only at the beginning but it seems soooo promising!
(view spoiler)[To answer your question about shadows (even thought I know that probably you surely know the answer right now...), IMO they are made shadows to obliterate all their powers as a form of control of all those that do not respect the treaty and the tenents; or to suppress even the smallest trace of power in those that are not worthy to pass their Trial...
That makes me think that the society needs powerful-enough, controlled-enough Gifted.... my answer is: do to what?

I feel that a twist is around the corner since Davian's trial is tomorrow! (hide spoiler)]

C.P. wrote: "Somewhere in chapter 5. [spoilers removed]"

I didn't see it coming at all ('o')!
Now I have so many questions: (view spoiler)[why did Ilshet do this? Was anything he told Davian true? Why dud Asha survive? (hide spoiler)]

Ah, I forgot: (view spoiler)[and who really is Wirr? (hide spoiler)]

Will check out spoilers when I'm on my computer. Hope you feel better soon!

Vippi wrote: "Hi Courtney!
I'm in Chapter 4. I'm sorry, I'm pretty behind but I caught a flu and passed the weekend in bed :(

So far I'm really enjoying it: I'm only at the beginning but it seems soooo promisin..."

This is actually super helpful! Thanks!

Vippi wrote: "Hi Courtney!
I'm in Chapter 4. I'm sorry, I'm pretty behind but I caught a flu and passed the weekend in bed :(

So far I'm really enjoying it: I'm only at the beginning but it seems soooo promisin..."

This is actually super helpful! Thanks!

Vippi wrote: "C.P. wrote: "Somewhere in chapter 5. [spoilers removed]"

I didn't see it coming at all ('o')!
Now I have so many questions: [spoilers removed]"

Exactly! I am really hoping for some answers about these things.

Vippi wrote: "Ah, I forgot: [spoilers removed]"

It's coming. ;)

I think I'm in 27...(view spoiler)[What is going on? Who has Davian? When did they get him? Not the same person he's with now, I'm guessing. But maybe...And how can he time travel? This is weird. Good though. (hide spoiler)]

Starting chapter22 (view spoiler)[I suspected too that Wirr was the Nothwarden's son and I really liked how he discussed about the Tenents since he is the one able to actually change it. Asha's collaboration with his father and the other augurus is very interesting too... I just wonder if the northwarden can be trustworthy... It's too good to be real... And the Shaedrin (I know it's not written like this... But can't remember the right spelling... I mean, the Shadow's chief)... I don't know what to believe: The sanctuary seemed so beautiful... But the vision/memory told a different story... !

Caeden is the same 'tal' from the prologue, isn't he?! I'm really curious to discover more about him, he's so intriguing!

Maybe Davian's supernatural speed was just an effect of him being an augur... But there may be something more... So far it seems that nobody is just what they seem to be ^.^

What do you think about the Boundary? And the attacks at the schools?
I don't know if the creatures (cannot spell their name!) were really hunting Wirr... I think that they may be connected with Davian too...

sorry for the stream of consciousness >.< (hide spoiler)]

Vippi wrote: "Starting chapter22"

(view spoiler)[I like the Northwarden, which probably means something bad is going to happen with him. I really hope that he's good and changing, for Wirr's sake if nothing else, but it does seem a little to convenient. I'm wondering about those augurs too...

I'm listening to this one, so misspellings are probably still better than I would do! The Shadreahein (no idea, shadow leader person) is odd...Not sure what to make of that situation. Again, I'm wanting to side with the Northwarden....but I don't know!

Yes, I believe that is who Caedan is. Now what will happen with that, I have no idea.

I think something, probably involving the war (can't remember the name) is causing the Boundary to weaken. And no, I don't think the schools are being attacked because of Wirr, not completely at least. I do think it has something to do with Davian. And obviously the Shoteth (however you spell that, the weird assassin guys) are after Caedan. I think all of our main people are tied up in this somehow.

Why was Asha left alive? There has to be a reason for that. (hide spoiler)]

C.P. wrote: "Vippi wrote: "Starting chapter22"
<
I like..."

(view spoiler)[I like the Northwarden, too, and I really really hope he's good and has not lied to Asha... however, as you said, it's way too convenient and generally when it's like this, I know better than to relax: a twist may be around the corner!

Why Asha's life was spared is one more mystery to add to the pile...

I think that the keyword with this book is: having no ideas about what will happen :D
it's far more intricated than I expected and I really like it ;) (hide spoiler)]

C.P. wrote: "I think I'm in 27...[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm as puzzled as you are... May One of the people that have Dav be the same that talked with Tal in the prologue? I don't think is the same person that has the 'young Dav'... The questions remain: Who is Dav? Who are they? Why they want him and Asha? How could all this happen? (hide spoiler)]

Hi, I just found this thread. I'm reading this now, I think I'm a little over 50% done. I'm really liking this so far, I love most of the characters. Caedan is so interesting!

Glad you're liking it, Ashley!

I will update with some more thoughts later. Can't remember where I am.

Vippi wrote: "C.P. wrote: "I think I'm in 27...[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Yes! So many questions!

Great to hear from you Ashley :)
I'm loving it too, even though all those questions are killing me!
My favourites are Dav and Chaeden, but to be honest I really like also the other main characters...

Starting chapter 36: (view spoiler)[who is the man whose shape Dav assumed? How much does Malshash know and not say? I'M really worried for Dav, for his future...

What do you think about the Blind? They are so creepy...

Caeden's flashback was really interesting... I'm still trying to figure out all the implications of it, though. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 39: Some answers, many more questions...
(view spoiler)[It seems that the man Davian Shapeshifted into was a dead man... considering the scars and Thaeris' words, I take that he was one of Dav's aggressors, one of the man he 'forced' to kill themselves...

Malshash's memory was really painful... but at least now we know something about him and his past... He also suggested Davian had to keep the box and gave it to Caeden which is interesting...
Needless to say that the things he's keeping for himself are many more... especially I was both tickled and upset by these two lines:

"The only secrets a mind cannot give up are those it doesn't know. You thaught me that, Davian."

"I have something I need you to remember. A message from me," he said. "That it was worth it. It changed me. And... I am so very sorry."
"Who is it for?"
"It is for you, Davian," said Malshash softly. "You'll understand one day."

So my guess is that in the future:
1) Malshash will be Dav's pupil/trainee
2) Davian will let him take his ring because he knows/hopes that Malshas could bring his young self in Deilannis to train him... maybe even to somehow warn him?
3) Dav will end up beyond the Boundary, in Ilshan Gathdel Teth... and someone/something (Aarkein Devaed? the Venerate?) will take him 'prisoner' and control him... Is it the same entity behind the Blind army? Is it the reason why Malshash is so sorry? or there something else?

I need to know!

(please, forgive me for my English... I know I have made tons of mistakes but I hope you'll undertand nonetheless) (hide spoiler)]

I thought all of the characters were perfect! I like the princess too.

I finished this last night, I couldn't put it down towards the end!

Ashley wrote: "I thought all of the characters were perfect! I like the princess too.

I finished this last night, I couldn't put it down towards the end!"

Through Chapter 46:
Totally agree, in this book there are plenty of great characters (view spoiler)[including Kara, who is really kickass ;) Hope the hint of romance between her and Caeden *.* will develop in the next books... Speaking of Caeden, why did the Blind try to kill him?

I wonder if the bad reputation of Tol Shen is just a result of prejudice or if they are not trustworthy (as they seem)...
I don't know if they spoke the truth about Taeris (even though it's more than possible that his connection to Dav is deeper that he told to Wirr)...
The story about Alaris that Davian found in the book was really interesting too... Do you think Alaris is Aarkein Devaed? (hide spoiler)]

I hope to finish this one today... (even thought tomorrow seems to be more likely :/) I'm craving to see some of my questions answered :D

Through Chapter 51
(view spoiler)[This book is full of action (and mysteries) till the end!

So Caeden finally took the box... I have no clue about where the portal led him to, nor about the role that he will play in the forthcoming events or which side he will choose... of course, it will become clearer when we finally discover who he really is XD

I suspected that Elocien was under someone's control (as the king, btw): his reactions were too strange considering what we know about his 'previous self' (e.g. when he met Tearis and passed by nonchalantely)... but I didn't think that it was Erran's! (hide spoiler)]

It is full of so many mysteries!

(view spoiler)[ I didn't guess that he was under someone's control at all, that is awesome you picked that up! I had no idea. I really thought he changed on all his own because of his son. (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm in chapter 39...or 40...or 41... Anyway, I'm liking this. (view spoiler)[The stuff with Davian is weird. But cool. There are so many questions I need answered!

I'm glad that Asha has her memories back and knows the truth. Ilseth is a creepy dude. I wish that Davian and Wirr knew she was alive. I guess Wirr will know shortly.

I like Caedan, but he's being stupid. He should be honest with...uhhh. I can't remember his name. :D That's what I get for listening to this instead of reading. (hide spoiler)]

Although I normally don't enjoy audio that much, this one is going a lot better for me than I thought it might.

Finished.
(view spoiler)[Before reading the epilogue, I thought I have still many good questions about Asha, Davian and Taeris... But then... Discovering that Caeden was Davaed was a utterly shock... It messed everything I thought to have figured out...
I need the next book! If you are planning to read it, we can buddy again ;) (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 45. (view spoiler)[I wonder what that story meant. Who was it about? (hide spoiler)]

C.P. wrote: "Through chapter 45. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm not sure about the role of that story in the overall events happening... even after finishing the book(view spoiler)[I have more questions than answers... and knowing that Davaed is caeden doesn't help at all... I tried to re-read the story with this knowledge in mind but I cannot figure out what it means... I'm aeger to know your thoughts about it! (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 49. (view spoiler)[I wonder where the portal took him. I don't see how anything good can come from this. (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm in chapter 52. (view spoiler)[That was so sad about Elosian (or however you spell his name...). It made me so sad. Poor Wirr. :( I hope he never finds out and that he has good memories of his father. But who was controlling the king? It sounds like he was actually more into the idea of the gifted than the brother... (hide spoiler)]

Vippi wrote: "Finished."

(view spoiler)[That ending was crazy! And is he also Malshash? I can't remember if we ever found out who he actually was. And what did Davaed want to do, since he forced away all of his memories? I don't want Caedan to be bad!

I also have no idea what Taeris and Laman are up to...something odd is happening there. (hide spoiler)]

Let me know when you decide if you are going to go ahead into the second one. I will probably get to it at some point around January. Which actually might be good, since the third one will come out next August.

That ending was (view spoiler)[ crazy indeed! It raised so many more questions!
I think (well, actually I hope) that Caeden won't be bad... I think that he erased his memories of his previous lives in order to have a chance to change his path (and maybe even to get the sword)... Considering the prologue, I suppose there may be someone even more powerful and with evil intentions out there and maybe he is connected to Davead's terrible actions... Now that I think about it, this may even be the key to interpret the story: Considering Davaed as a puppet in someone else's hands... What do you think?

I don't think that Caeden is even Malshash... Malshash told Davian that he (Dav) had taught some things to him (Malshash). That made me think that maybe Malshash is younger/less powerful than the 'Davian of the future' and Caeden does not match this identikit... However it's just a guess, it's likely that I'M wrong...

Davian is my favorite character... I really hope he won't be corrupted by Tol Shen's gifted... Malshash's memories had already changed him... (hide spoiler)]

I wrote a post below a previous status: I'LL wait with you till January: My inside scrooge won and I decided to save some money and wait for the paperback! I'm really looking forward to read this one with you ;)

Oh, (view spoiler)[that's a good thought about Davead being a puppet! That will be interesting if that turns out to be the case. And scary, since he's supposed to be the big bad guy.

I think you're right about Malshash. I just wonder who he is...

I hope he doesn't get too corrupted either. I like him and don't want him ruined... (hide spoiler)]

Yay! I'll go ahead and write that on my list for January so I make sure that I get it somehow. When does the paperback come out?

18th January!

Waiting will kill me XD