Middle Grade Madness! discussion
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The Burning Bridge
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The Burning Bridge - 4th June 2022
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I've already got myself a copy so I'll be diving straight into it👏🏻
Started reading my library e book copy. So excited to read with with Kadi P and others who may join us.
[the Wargals have weapons now. 0.0]
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Also the end of the prologue! Not going to lie I was bored whilst reading it and sort of falling asleep but the end of the prologue woke me up. Something bad is definitely coming! (And I can’t wait hehe)
good it picks up haven't finished the Prologue yet. I'll pick it up tomorrow.
On chapter 1.["Isn't anyone surprised when I turn up in the middle of the night?" Gilan / lol]
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Is it just me or have you noticed the writing quality is not totally there? It’s been a while since I’ve read book 1 but I swear it was better written than this. I feel like some bits are a little simplistic in the writing style but the characters have such an old nostalgic childhood type feel to them with their fond interactions that I’m letting the writing quality slide for now and hoping it improves when it gets into the full swing of the plot.
Kadi wrote: "That bit made me laugh. And the bit where [spoilers removed] was so adorable. ALSO the bit where [spoilers removed] They’re so sweet!Is it just me or have you noticed the writing quality is not t..."
Those moments were so cute and awesome! Will, Halt and Gilan are such a mood when they're together! Love them.
It feels kind of flat thinking back on book 1 more tell than show? Thats the feeling Im getting so its not just you. But the first few chapters can feel like that then as the action starts it can be better, its hard to write dialogue and set up scenes as exciting. I guess we will see if the writing feels better later on.
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Where are you at so far? I’m starting chapter 3 now. I like that the chapters haven’t been super long so far, makes me feel like I’m making fast progress.
Kadi wrote: "I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that then. Yeah the set up for Will going off with Gilan felt like an info dump and the reasoning for Horace coming along is lazy but I don’t want to compl..."Chapter 2 Just got to the lazy reasioning of Horace being involved [because Halt thinks it will be good for Will to be around his friend/ people close to his own age] ah well, there werent a lot of choices with war preperations continuing from book 1.
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Kadi wrote: "Yeah it’s not the smartest reasoning but I can see now that it’s actually not totally wrong. You’ll see what I mean when you read chapter 3. I’m loving these interactions! The conversation just flo..."Cool. I'll be reading this most of today.
[You Halt? Grim? Who could say such a thing?" Gilan] Halt and Gilan's relationship is great.Starting chapter 3.
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Gilan and Horace teasing Will its such a trio vibe.
So chapter 3 and 4 had a similar vibe as book 1. [Gilan's backstory 50 points to Slytherin!]
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Chapter 5 is more of the trio bants, you’ll enjoy it. I also felt like it was the same vibes as book 1. Very enjoyable!
Chapter 6:
It’s so sweet to hear that (view spoiler)
On chapter 5 [and two and three... Gilan the sword dance teacher lol]
on chaper 6 what a switch of pov and characters.
Kadi wrote: "Hahahah unexpected but on point joke for Gilan’s backstory! It’s nice to finally learn more about him.Chapter 5 is more of the trio bants, you’ll enjoy it. I also felt like it was the same vibes a..."
[ I'm imaginging this - "Do not insult Will in front of me!" Halt to 4th year Battleschool student. Oh my gosh! He threw the guy into a moat, yeah, that's not helping the Baron get his draft of men. Brouhaha - what a strange word.]
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I have a dictionary on my kindle app so I looked it up and I love that brouhaha is a real word😂 also the moat thing becomes a brilliant running joke, I hope it keeps popping back up. Sort of like the cliff hypothetical scenario from Will, Horace and Gilan’s banter in either chapter 3 or 4 or 5 I can’t remember which. Running jokes are fun, I really like how it makes you feel more included in an exclusive group joke
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I stayed up reading really late last night and I have a super intense headache now so no more reading for today☹️
Anyway here are some thoughts...
Chapter 12:
(view spoiler) and that’s why...
Chapter 16:
(view spoiler)
Also (view spoiler)
Kadi wrote: "I love the switch of POV in chapter 6. After that I became much more interested in what was happening back in Araluen than in Celtica but the POV switches are really good because they keep it fresh..."True. The jokes are fun. [The Baron be all "stop throwing people in moats Halt!"]
Kadi wrote: "I’m halfway through woohoo!🎉I stayed up reading really late last night and I have a super intense headache now so no more reading for today☹️
Anyway here are some thoughts...
Chapter 12:
Halt an..."
Yeah, lack of sleep can cause headaches :( hope you feel better.
I'm going to revisit this post when I'm caught up to where you are.
Updates
Chapter 10 [Oh, come, now, Halt. Is that any way for friends to speak to each other?" Alyss / lol. Im loving this duo.]
["You could do worse." Halt. / so Halt approves of a Will x Alyss marriage.]
Chapter 11 [Will and Horace vs bandits. Horace O.O don't want to get into a fight with him]
[What does Morgarath want with the Celts?]
Chapter 12 This is hillarious. ["The question is what should we do with him," Halt She hesitated, then that wonderful smile spread over her face. "I wonder. Does this castle have a moat?"]
[Halt throws Sir Montague out the window into the moat and the servents out there just shrug and get back to work. He probably doesnt respect them either.]
This. Alyss is now my fave character. ["I'll miss you. How will I ever carry out diplomatic missions without someone to throw unpleasant nobles out the window?" Alyss]
[Halt and Alyss are great. Theyre friends now even if Halt didnt admit that]
Chapter 13 [Morgarath wants miners? Also, I have a feeling Evanlyn is lying.]
Chapter 14 why does this line hit right in the feels? [And then Will felt very small. And very alone.]
Chapter 16 [But also I feel like there are hints at her maybe forming affections for Will that could get in the way of Will and Alyss. - Agree, there's just something strange about her character. I love Will and Alyss as a couple, they're so cute together. Yeah, Will doesnt need a love triangle. Back off Evanlyn]
[hopefully they can all stay friends. - Im hopping they do. We'll see.]
Just started Chapter 17
Will is crazy! [Follow the Wargals? Theyre are 30 of them, at least and only 2 of you have weapons and one of those is a melee close combat weapon.]
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Kadi wrote: "Also okey dokey! Maybe drop a new comment to say when you’ve edited the other one so I can come and see it. Take your time too, I’ll be reading some comics and whatever in the meantime so you’ve go..."Okey dokie. I'll edit my post later on and let you know when its been edited. Enjoy your comics :)
Just started chapter 17 I updated my previous comment as I went and then went back and read your comments and replied to them! Having so much fun reading this, your comments are great and its [funny we are on the same page about Evanlyn.]
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I’m at chapter 22 now so I’ll drop my thoughts below, feel free to read when you reach the same chapter, no rush😊
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As much as it made sense to (view spoiler)
Chapter 20:
(view spoiler) Thank goodness that wasn’t the case!
I really tried to (view spoiler) I really don’t get it. If you understand it when you get to this point please explain it to me!
Chapter 21:
Yet more (view spoiler) Does yours have one? I’m not sure which edition I’m reading but I know there are several editions that exist so maybe some have it and some don’t.
Ahaha I guessed the end of this chapter! I love when all the pieces fall into place and things you knew from that start starts to make sense.
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AAAH YES!! I was happy about that although I do wonder how seriously he took her saying that. I think he thought she just said that as a way of making him reveal his past relationship with her mentor. Only we as the reader know she meant more to it because we know about her kiss with Will in book 1. Childhood sweethearts is just the best romance trope it’s so adorable!
It does make me wonder whether they actually will end up together because there’s a sequel series based on older Will so maybe it actually will happen and we’ll get to see it.
I feel like Evanlyn and Horace would be a nice pairing. We need to see more of Horace’s personality to solidify that, but it does seem like they get along well at least. That’s a low bar though😂
Horace vs the bandits was great! I did think it was dumb for Will and Horace to be practicing in the middle of a dark unknown area when they should’ve been on the lookout. It was a good lesson for them that didn’t leave them hurt so all’s well that ends well!
Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "so Halt approves of a Will x Alyss marriage."AAAH YES!! I was happy about that although I do wonder how seriously he took her saying that. I think he thought she just sai..."
I hope so. I want them to marry lol.
Horace x Evanlyn makes way more sense then Will and Evanlyn, in my opionion.
Yeah, it was so dumb especially leaving their weapons way on the other side of camp. Gilan was acting like he was watching a new Netflix show telling Will not to get involved. Lol
Kadi wrote: "I’ll read your replies now! I’m back on reading this again. I started watching this kdrama called All Of Us Are Dead and it’s very distracting. It’s really intense though so it’s nice to take a bre..."Cool. Will do. I'll update this as I go.
Chapter 17 [Why only miners? Good question Will.]
["You can't change my orders. Gilan gave me those orders and he outranks you." Horace]
Hint of a crush this ship might sail [In truth, Horace didn't like the idea of leaving Evanlyn to her own devices. He'd grown fond of the girl. She was bright and amusing and good company.]
[I thought they were going to be caught. Following the Wargals wasn't their best idea.]
You just met them?! Girl no. ["I feel more secure with you two." Evanlyn to Horace and Will]
Chapter 18 [An immense wooden bridge was in the final stages of construction.] The bridge from the title appears.
The phrasing lol [Morgarath and all his Wargals and their blacksmith and their oxen and Uncle Tom Cobbley and all to come waltzing over." Will - Now I'm picturing them all dancing across the bridge. Lol]
Confused Horace, where is this boys character development? Hes so flat. Evanlyn is more likeable.
["Unless, Morgarath "wanted" us to capture those plans." Will] and now the characters are catching up to what we readers know.
[Everyone goes in the tunnel at night, interesting.]
Chapter 19 [Morgarath is good at planning stuff 100 points to Slytherin. Its surprising Halt wasn't at least a little suspicious about those battle plans, they were so detailed and had the date of the attack?!]
Chapter 20 sorry I dont get it either. :( this is why maps in books are so helpful, but sadly there isnt one. [Why are the Scandians called sea wolves? If you understand that please tell me, I'm so confused.
Edit 6/16 I get it now, its because they use wolfships. Duh.]
Chapter 21 no map. Maybe the print editions have a map? Im reading an e book copy from the library app Libby.
I love it when things come together, too.
Finished capter 21 edited my above post!Chapter 22 [Evanlyn was my daughter's maid." King Duncan - I knew she knew the king the way she reacted to his name. So if Gilan's theory is correct and Evanlyn and her mistress switched places that means "Evanlyn" is really a princess and King Duncan's daughter. Wow.]
Chapter 24 [King Duncan's daughter Cassandra -that's a beautiful name.]
Chapter 25 [Gilan's theory was correct Evanlyn = Cassandra. Yippie the princess lives.]
[Will and Cassandra caught. Wow, that last bit was intense.]
Chapter 26 [poor Tug.]
Chapter 27 [the Skandians are an interesting bunch.]
Chapter 28 [Gilan and Halt being heartbroken over Will is so bittersweet.] [Morgarath is creepy.]
Chapter 29 ["Halt has never let us down before," Arald. - He seems over confident and in other books once you get too confident that's usually when things start to go wrong]
["What is that?" Morgarath. - Will forgot to take off his necklace, this is bad.] This is escalating quickly.
[Morgarath came to a decision...his furious gaze now fixed on Will. "We will finish this later," he said. - this is bad, very bad. Be very afraid Will.]
["Hold these prisoners here until I return. On pain of your life." Morgarath to Wargal sergeant - Flanagan sure know how to write a villain.]
Chapter 30 [Halt's plan is brilliant.]
Chapter 32 [Horace punching Morgarath in the face then challenging him, both very brave but very stupid actions. 50 ponts each for a total of 100 points for Gryffindor.]
[Escape Will and co!]
[And we're back to Morgarath, will he accept Horace's challenge? Yes he does. I figured he would.]
Flanagan wiki has maps! But doesnt seem to have a map of what Will was discribing :(
Updated messages 35 and 36 Chapter 34 [Horace is doomed.]
[Wow. Horace won. Holy cow.]
Chapter 35 emotional oh my gosh. [Halt was so near and yet now so impossibly out of reach. His eyes stung with tears and, faintly, he heard Halt's voice. "Will! Stay alive! Don't give up! I'll find you wherever they take you!"]
Finished. [That ending was so emotional.]Just read summary for book 3 [Halt isnt a Ranger anymore ;( ]
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Anyway, because I was super impatient I skim read till the end. Like I read the dialogue and skim read most of the descriptions lol. Then I saw what happened with Horace and the ending and I did NOT like it at all so it really disheartened me. I'm going to talk about what I didn't like more when I respond to your comments on the chapters in a bit.
The completionist in me wants to go back and read the chapters properly till the end and I've already written my review, I just have to buckle down and get through it but I've been reading other books that are so much more interesting now that I haven't bothered yet. But now that you've finished that should be motivation for me hopefully so I can finish it and post my review soon...
I had tech issues the libby app only works on my phone and Google play on tablet won't let it download so *shrug* I wanted to read summer books so I made myself sit and finish the rest this morning. lol
it's fine. Yeah sometimes book 1 is awesome and then later you find that series isn't that interesting to you. Not every book is for everyone.
So beware! Spoilers for book 1 DO NOT need to be hidden in spoiler tags. Only spoilers within book 2 need to be hidden within spoiler tags or with sufficient warning.