YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

The second book in a glorious new fantasy trilogy by the next major force in commercial epic fantasy.

In the wake of the devastating attack on Ilin Illan, an amnesty has been declared for all Augurs - finally allowing them to emerge from hiding and openly oppose the dark forces massing against Andarra. However as Davian and his new allies hurry north toward the ever-weakening Boundary, fresh horrors along their path suggest that their reprieve may have come far too late.
In the capital, Wirr is forced to contend with assassins and an increasingly hostile Administration as he controversially assumes the mantle of Northwarden, uncovering a mystery that draws into question everything commonly believed about the rebellion his father led twenty years ago. Meanwhile, Asha begins a secret investigation into the disappearance of the Shadows, determined to discover not only where they went but the origin of the Vessels that created them - and, ultimately, a cure.
And with time against him as he races to fulfill the treacherous bargain with the Lyth, Caeden continues to wrestle with the impossibly heavy burdens of his past. Yet as more and more of his memories return, he begins to realise that the motivations of the two sides in this ancient war may not be as clear-cut as they first seemed...

I might be a little late to this. Wasn't able to get the audio and the physical book could take a little time to get from the library.

Hi Courtney!

don't worry!
So far I've read only a few chapters since it's an awfully busy period at work and I (have to) spend my reading hours (aka commuting hours on the train) working :(((
The worst thing is that it is soooo interesting that it's almost painful not to read *cries*

Hope we both will be luckier in the next week(s?)! *fingers crossed*

I hope your schedule clears up a bit! I am planning to pick the book up on Sunday. I'm in a weird reading mood, so I will probably be reading slowly once I have it.

I just picked this up at the library yesterday and plan to start reading tonight.

C.P. wrote: "I just picked this up at the library yesterday and plan to start reading tonight."
Yeah!!!

Chapter 1-6
(view spoiler)[ Chapter 5 really puzzeled me. When I was on my way to claim victory ("yeah, I'm finally getting the big picture!"), the game changed again ("El/Ell: one answer, tons of new questions").

So, just to recap: Caeden/Tal'kamar is actually Malshash, isn't he? Hence, despite my previous doubts, I have to assume that Malshash was good and acted in Davian's interest (and hopefully not only for the greater good).
The doubt right now is: who can Caeden trust? Asar or the mysterious woman who claimed that Asar was restoring only selected memories? Is she Nethgalla (since she can assume the same aspect of his wife she may be her)?

I was really intrigued by Gassandrid. What do you think about him?
I was also wondering what the profecy he gave to Tal'kamar said... Maybe something about his futere as Davaed... but it's just a groundless assumption: now we have a enought information to put togheter some pieces of that puzzle that is Caeden's past, but I feel as if the big picture not only is missing, but is still far far away...
For instance, now we know something more about the immutable fate, but I still have to figure out the Venerate's role in El's plan... and here is the 1-million-dollar question: What is Tal'kamar's original plan to defaet Shammaeoloth?

(hide spoiler)]
this is my head right now:

but I'm really loving it!

Hahaha. Love it. Will be starting tonight.

Read the prologue and the first chapter. Really liking it so far. The writing is great.

Just finished chapter 5. I'm really enjoying this. (view spoiler)[Curious about who the woman with Caedan is. And what he will do now. And Andyn, Wirr's guard, is hilarious. I hope he's not evil or something. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 11. (view spoiler)[Did we know that Caedan was the person who Daevean met in the time warp thing from book one? Makes sense, just don't remember if we knew it then.

And who has Davean? Augurs, obviously, but who are they? (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 17 and I am really liking this one! I'm glad I'm doing the physical book. Although I am much better with audio now, so it probably would have gone well either format.

I just want to find out everything with all of them. And he handles them being separated really well so far. Wasn't sure how it would be with all of our main people in different places.

C.P. wrote: "Through chapter 17 and I am really liking this one! I'm glad I'm doing the physical book. Although I am much better with audio now, so it probably would have gone well either format.

I just want ..."

I totally agree with you: I want just to know everything about each character and each time the POV changes I'm even more intrigued!

C.P. wrote: "Through chapter 11. "

(view spoiler)[We didn't know that Caeden was actually Malshash... now it's easier to frame Malshash's abilities and agenda and it's another piece (even if small) to understand Caeden/Tal'kamar's story! (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 14
(view spoiler)[I have so (too?) many questions!
For instance, what happened to Asha when she killed Valhire?
What are the other Venerate planning?
Who is the man (likely another Venerate) with Caeden?
What is Tol Shen hiding?

At the moment, considering that I've just finished one chapter through Davian's perspective and have started one from Caeden's POV, my main concerns are:
- what did Rohin see about the boundary? --> I really hope Davian will find a way to get free and get even with him!
- I'm trying to put togheter all the info and flashback about Caeden's past... I've even considered to write all the info provided about the characters introduced in those flashbacks on a sticky note and to sketch a tentative timeline of the events in Tal's past (I know, it sound crazy)

What about you? Have you have any mad idea too? XD
(hide spoiler)]

I'm so glad to have discovered this series because I'm loving it!

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[I'm pretty sure that Wirr's mother is being Controlled. Why and by whom I have no idea.

I have also to figure out what really happend when Davian talked to Ishelle in the cell of the Tol... as I understand it, the conversation was not real and Ishelle was not actually in the cell with Davian. I thought about an Augur being involved (Rohin trying to uncover Davian's secrets?) but the special cell blocked Kan, hence it's impossible in theory for Augurs to use their abilities... I think this open question will be relevant...

Caeden/Tal'kamar plans are getting a tiny bit clearer... I still wonder how exactly the breakup between him and the other Venerate happened... Meldier's flashback really impressed and unsettled me...
Considering that Caeden is one of the MC I suppose he's right about the El/Shammaeloth's issue. However, I would like to know more about the position of the Venerates...

Futhermore, from the first book we know that in the future Davian will be 'imprisoned/subdued' by the Venerates... I'm trying to imagine (with no luck XD) the chain of events that will lead to that... (hide spoiler)]

I will have to check out your spoilers in a bit. I'm really liking this one too!

C.P. wrote: "I will have to check out your spoilers in a bit. I'm really liking this one too!"

I'm curious to know your thoughts :)

Vippi wrote: "Chapter 19"

(view spoiler)[Oh, good thought about the mother being controlled. Something is definitely up with her. Not exactly sure what.

And I am not sure about the Davian/Ishelle thing either...I do feel like that will play into things somehow. But I have no idea how.

Honestly, I'm not even trying to figure a lot of the details out. Too much brain power needed for that. Hahahaha. And the flashbacks are interesting, but at the same time they aren't my favorite story telling technique.

Yes, how does that happen? (hide spoiler)]

I'm around chapter 24 now I think. Will try and share some thoughts about those chapters later.

Through chapter 32. (view spoiler)[Is Wirr's mom being controlled, I wonder? And what experiment does Taeris have in mind?

I'm also really curious to see how things go with Asha and Breshada. And what happens to Aelric, since it seems he's being an idiot.

And what is happening with Davian? Who attacked Ishelle and why did the dar'gaithan save Davian, which seems to be what happened? (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 36. (view spoiler)[I wonder if the creatures poisoned Ishelle in some way. And what is happening with Asha? She can't be dead, so they must have gotten her, but what will happen next? And it's sad that Wirr is having to learn this stuff about his dad. :( (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 38. (view spoiler)[It makes so much sense that the Shadows are being used as a power source. And that Nethgalla was Breshada. I was not expecting that. (hide spoiler)]

C.P. wrote: "Through chapter 32. ..."

(view spoiler)[Finally, I'm here too!
I suspect that Wirr's mum can be controlled, too.
However, another of my flights of fancy has made me suspect that she could be the blonde woman described in Wirr's father's journal, the one that provided the Shackels&co... however absurd it may sound XD

I have no idea why the Sha'thet saved Davian... at first I thought it was there to kill him, but then... another open question!

After Asha-Breshada's encounter, I recalled another relevant information from the first book: that Asha was spared by the Sha'teth (I don't remember how to spell it, sorry!!!)... that, combined with Gassandrid's need to find her and the strange mark on her forehaed made me wonder again what role she will play at the end of the story...
I feel as if I'm seriously understimating her importance!!! (hide spoiler)]

At the moment the character that puzzle me more is Alaris... What do you think about him? (view spoiler)[I'm not sure how I feel around him: of course it's not on Caeden's side, but yet I can't picture him as the 'evil one'... What if the the real, common enemy is Gassandrid?! (hide spoiler)]

Who is your favourite one? I'm really attached to all of them, but my fav remains Davian <3

Oooh, good thoughts about Asha. I hadn't thought about that in a while either. There has to be more to her than we realize.

And I don't know what to think of Alaris. Or the two sides of this battle, really.

I don't know who my favorite is. I like Davian. I also really like Caedan. And I like the rest of them too.

I am hoping to finish this today. I have less than 100 pages, so I think it might be doable.

Sorry for the silence. I had a crazy time at work!
I finished the book a few days ago... and I'm still under shock... I loved it, but I also felt as if I couldn't grasp completely the storyline and the ending was... just crazy!
I have so many questions, I hope you could help me understand a bit more ;)

Tomorrow I'll write down my doubts (hope not to annoy you!!!) because now - guess what? - I have to finish a paper for tomorrow X/

Good luck with your paper and I look forward to your thoughts. This one was quite fun!