Buddy Reads discussion

Say your thoughts :)

No spoiler tags required.

I'm up to chapter 7! I do like how this book starts with so much action at the very start, it's nice to see books that hook you from the start

How are the rest of you going?

I finished part 1
I thought it was really interesting to know that the most feared person is a small woman but has alot of power over everyone
and to know that her son is Elias, a mask who is compassionate and caring and who risks everything to gain freedom

I often wonder if we were in his shoes, would we follow like Helene? or be like Elias and want to be away from the cruelty, no matter if it is his mother up there ?
what are your thoughts?

Pretty good opening, and I liked how Laia wasn’t already a super skilled badass. Great potential for growth.

Elias is an idiot. I just can’t believe that he’s gone through 15+ years of conditioning and training and can’t hide that he’s nervous about running away. Any real person would have learned to hide thoughts and emotions long ago.

The Empire is too brutal. A civilization acting like that would go extinct in a few years. The violence is purely for shock value, and I hate when books resort to that kind of manipulation.

Yes I agree on Laia's growth, there is definitely room for growth for her. I like how authors do try to make their characters relatable in some way

That's a good point, it seems as though he wants to get caught, especially when Helene found him in the tunnels and he didnt even try to look natural about it
But I do like his kindness and compassion towards others

Yeah I agree, I guess that's why the story is set this way, since after the trials a new empire will start with a new emperor

Thanks for sharing Audrey, I do hope it gets better for you :)

I also really loved the first part. I like the fact that we are plunged directly into the story and the action is immediate. We learn more about the characters and the world as we are advancing so that's great!
As for the characters I also enjoy the fact that Laia doesn't seem like that badass female character from the beginning she has a huge potential to grow more and become more assertive and self confident. I can't wait to see how she will fare

Elias: I love his story and his POV, I really like his compassion, his kindness. He seems like a good person even with his story with his mother. He could have be bitter and cruel like Marcus but no so yeah really like as a character.

I also think that the way that the Empire cruelty is described is done consciously. Obviously it can't go on like this with all that's happening to the Scholars. It probably justifies the need for a new Empire with a reformed system based on more equal rights for everyone. It seems like more people than just Elias are not okay with the Empire's actions (like Helene)

I'm really curious to read the rest especially how the trials will be conducted amd how will Laia fare with the Commandant. About the Commandant she really seems like a nasty person and I shudder to think about what she will do. She really is described as the villain of this story and I wonder what could have happened to her in the past to let her be this horrible person.

Yes! I agree with you! I love how it starts off so well, the setting and mood is set just right. When I read it, it gives me goosebumps to know what will happen next.

Yes I love Elias and what he stands for. he always tries to do good but even as a Mask he still has to do things he doesnt want to, and I respect him more since he chooses not to be like his mother

Hmm I'm not sure about Helene, she seems pretty loyal to the empire. But hopefully she does change her view later on

Yeah the trials were such as mystery, you can guarantee it wont be easy for the masks. I hope you do enjoy reading that part!

and yeah, I want to know more about the Commandant. like even Elias' grandfather, you can tell his tough and just as bitter but he has a heart for Elias.
I wonder both her and the grandfather's story is
hopefully we will know soon !

thank you Lys for sharing your thoughts! it was great reading and sharing our ideas! :D

Chapters 1-4:
This is so good. I am now wondering why I didn’t start it sooner. I am already lost in the characters and the story. Laia will find the rebels, and he’ll escape too, and join them perhaps. I can’t believe it’s his mother. It makes me so much more fun to read. I hate that their grandparents were killed, but at least it wasn’t slow and agonizing. I really really really hope she gets her brother, Darin, back.

Chapters 5-8:
So, I was wrong! Yay! So he’ll stay? This is so good, and Augurs are seriously immortal? Wow, I wonder why they never come in anyone’s way.

Chapters 9-13:
This is the kind of book where I don’t want to mark my thoughts or even share, all I wanna do is devour it whole, and then jump to the next book. I can’t bear it that the series is not completely published yet and that I’ll have to wait. This is pure torture. As for the story, it’s epic. What happened was the exact opposite of what I predicted. Elias stayed, and Laia came to him instead. She won’t trust him easily. I am so in love. P.S. The Commandant is such a bitch! I’m glad she wasn’t invited to the celebrations (was it?).

@Kare
Yes, the starting was quite capturing. I love it for that because I was in a state of indecision as to which book to start.

And yeah, I'd love to see how the Commandant looks, small and deadly (And Elias,and Keenan ;)) I'd like to think if I were in his shoes, I'd be like Elias. I only follow when it feels right but I cannot be sure in that pressure.

@Audrey

Yes, I was so so glad that she wasn't a badass. Every other protagonist in such books is.

And you're right, he should've learned by now. Seemed unnatural.

@Lys, I loved how you described it!

@Maggie You're not so late! Yes, I loved the idea of the commandant being Elias's mother too! I'm sure you're right :)

And yes, I seriously loved that about them. Laia wasn't already some badass warrior and I really enjoyed seeing them grow into themselves.

Enjoy :)

Hi Maggie! Glad you joined us and no it's never late! :D

Right? It's so crazy to see how Elias is related to that mad woman! Definitely something really important to see later on!

Yeah character development is always key in a book for me, and I like seeing Laia grow more confident

Oh yeah! Can't go wrong that that mix!

Re reading book 1 so I can finished this book with the group :)
I always love how suspenseful this book starts. I am only up to chapter 4 and yet so much has happened with Laila and her family. Quite sad but I do feel Laila is brave. Brave enough to want to seek help from the resistance and find her brother.

I don’t think I ever picked this up before, but the silver mask moulds onto their skin. It’s very symbolic like taking away their identity, turning them into different people, moulding them into who the empire want them to be. I can see why Elias would refuse to wear the mask.

*❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆* wrote: "I don’t think I ever picked this up before, but the silver mask moulds onto their skin. It’s very symbolic like taking away their identity, turning them into different people, moulding them into wh..."

yayyy i hope you enjoy your reread!! and yesss it's so true, the masks are incredibly symbolic, Elias is so clearly different from everyone else with the way that he doesn't wish to change himself and become a bad person. the masks also a very intimidating image !!

Thanks:)
I know! he has really good principles but it's those thoughts that get him killed
like how he was the only person to stay and mourn the yearling who was whipped to death. Full knowing he could get whipped by his own mother for doing so

*❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆* wrote: "Thanks:)
I know! he has really good principles but it's those thoughts that get him killed
like how he was the only person to stay and mourn the yearling who was whipped to death. Full knowing he ..."

yeah he's honestly a little TOO good sometimes hahaha

Finished part 1, Commandant ruthless as usual. It is weird to think she is a small woman and yet she is so feared by all. It is also weird to see that she is a mother.
I never liked Kieran from the start, short tempered and proud
Also Augur is very weird looking. Almost everything he says doesn’t make much sense. I guess that’s why they’re called prophetic
I can’t remember why Helene was so shocked by what Marcus said to her. But he deserves the name, he is a real snake

*❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆* wrote: "Finished part 1, Commandant ruthless as usual. It is weird to think she is a small woman and yet she is so feared by all. It is also weird to see that she is a mother.
I never liked Kieran from th..."

ahh yeah the Commandant is scary as hell haha. and ugh Marcus