YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Within the Empire there are no questions, only orders.

Elias, Helene, and Tavi are Fivers—in training to become elite military recruits for the Martial Empire at Blackcliff Academy. When they’re sent on a dangerous mission to steal a heavily-guarded poison on Isle South, they soon find themselves up against surprising enemies—including other recruits. As the true horror of their assignment is revealed, these three will begin to confront the harrowing realities of Martial rule, their place in the system...and the choices they must make to survive.

New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir joins writer Nicole Andelfinger and artist Sonia Liao for an all-new original graphic novel revealing an early tale of Elias and Helene at Blackcliff, and a stirring standalone chapter in the An Ember in the Ashes mythology.

Page 2 (view spoiler)[ Ugh! Helene is already starting woth the snobbish attitude. (hide spoiler)]

Page 17 (view spoiler)[ Uh-oh! Elias is now by himself. I know he can handle himself, but being alone is always scary. (hide spoiler)]

Page 36 (view spoiler)[ They are feeding the poison to children! Thats cruel! (hide spoiler)]

Page 56 (view spoiler)[ Okay Helene can be useful when she wants, but she is still so mean. Im glad they all listened to Elias, and agreed to work together. (hide spoiler)]

page 30
(view spoiler)[ these people are giving these children some substance, I wonder why they would do that, maybe for some sort of experimentation? I think they are Martials (hide spoiler)]

Courtney wrote: "Page 17 [spoilers removed]"
For sure!

Page 40
(view spoiler)[ I really like Tavi so far. She's kind of the glue keeping everyone together. I don't remember her in the main series so I hope she doesn't die in this one. (hide spoiler)]

Evelyn wrote: "Page 40
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I had the same thought when I saw his name because I didn't recognize him either. (hide spoiler)]

Page 87 (view spoiler)[ Of course Zek and Marcus would be the ones to pull that stunt. Ugh! (hide spoiler)]

Page 60
(view spoiler)[ Tavi has a really strong moral compass and I guess that's good, but it also can get in the way. I feel like she's going to try to help the scholars on her own now. (hide spoiler)]

Page 100 (view spoiler)[ Yikes. Tavi has poision in his wound. This cant be good! (hide spoiler)]

Courtney wrote: "Page 56 [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ I agree, they both have a common enemy so it would be dumb if they killed each other lol (hide spoiler)]

Page 116 (view spoiler)[ It looks like Tavi really did die on the island, but at least the island went down with Tavi. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Well that was a bitter ending, but at least we understand why Elias was so hellbent on getting out of Blackfoeld in the series. (hide spoiler)]

Page 90
(view spoiler)[ lol why did the Commandant send three groups to do one job. Marcus probably could have killed Tavi because the Commandant wouldn't of even cared. (hide spoiler)]

Evelyn wrote: "Page 90
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I am pretty sure it was to test them all. Like their final exam or something. (hide spoiler)]

page 120
(view spoiler)[ Oh no! They had to leave Tavi behind :( I just realized I was using the wrong pronoun for him. I'm at least glad that he could die doing something he actually believed in. (hide spoiler)]

Evelyn wrote: "page 120
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ That part was so sad. I was using the wrong pronoun too. (hide spoiler)]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ Helene. always believed in the Empire until literally the second half of Sky. She said her father was happy she got into the "school" so it might be she was just raised to always love the Empire no matter what. (hide spoiler)]

Courtney wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ yes.... very bitter. This was the first mission he went on that really opened his eyes to what the Empire really cared about. (hide spoiler)]