Addicted to YA discussion

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

17% chapters 1-4
I've had a little time to read this today. To me it reads like a bed time story so far.
(view spoiler)[I love that it goes back and forth from past to present. I am also a nurse and used to work in labour and delivery, so the last chapter was interesting to me.
"We lie on our backs or sit in a chair and push out a thing that's too big to fit so that everything is torn bloody! What a stupid, stupid way to bear!...cows and sheep have a better time of it granted the legs are much harder to untangle." LOL
I'm starting to get more into the story, and am curious what is going on with the prince, and his fathers aging, and the palace under the palace of course. Excited to see where this goes. Her sister is now pregnant again - I wonder if we will find out more at the next birth, and if she will have any birth control elixir's to help her. (hide spoiler)]

28% Chapter 4-6
I am in such a reading slump right now, I'm really enjoying this book but having a hard time with motivation to read.
(view spoiler)[She's just arrived to the Dust-wife's cabin, it seems like a magical place to me. does anyone else see it that way? I love the chickens lol. I feel like the dust-wife might be spooky but kind so I'm excited to learn more about her. I also want to get back upo to speed with the bone dog lol. I love dogs and I love reading books with dogs lol (hide spoiler)]

Page 76

(view spoiler)[Haha, I am loving the dust wife. She is exactly what I was hoping for. Just quirky and funny. I can just imagine when Marra came back with the bone dog her huffing in dismay and surprise, just being like well shit. I guess I have to help her then. I love that she is bringing the demon hen along lol-wouldnt be very neighbourly to leave a demon hen behind for the neighbours to deal with lol. I also loved how the hen keeps tormenting the dog. Poor bonedog lol. Her cloak also! carrying all her potions and tinctures. I imagine this old no nonsense witch and I just love it. (hide spoiler)]

I'm so glad you're loving it, Brianna! It's one of my favorite books I've read in the past year.

Im hoping it will help propel me out of my reading slump!

Page 94
(view spoiler)[Have I mentioned that I love the dust wife? lol. Also the demon hen. I just got through the toothdancer lol. I am getting so excited about this book and definitely think I will be flying through the rest of this novel. Still love the bonedog, I love when he licks his imaginary genitals with his imaginary tongue lol. I just have such good feelings about this book.
The toothdancer was such an interesting scene, I really loved the way it was written, and I love all the creatures in the goblin market. (hide spoiler)]

Brianna wrote: "28% Chapter 4-6
I am in such a reading slump right now, I'm really enjoying this book but having a hard time with motivation to read.
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I completely agree, it reminded me of the woman from Princess and the frog...you know the one who told them that they need to dig a little deeper. Sorry, I am a Disney nerd and am in love with Tiana. (hide spoiler)]

Brianna wrote: "28% Chapter 4-6
I am in such a reading slump right now, I'm really enjoying this book but having a hard time with motivation to read.
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The bone dog is probably my favorite character!! (hide spoiler)]

Yes!! I want my own bone dog!!

Brianna wrote: "Page 76

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[When she talked about the demon hen I literally laughed out loud. It was just too funny, plus am I weird about the fact that I think that would be really cool if the hen was possessed? (hide spoiler)]

Brianna wrote: "Page 94
Have I mentioned that I love the dust wife? lol. Also the demon hen. I just got through the toothdancer lol. I am getting so excited about this book and definitely think I will be flying th..."

(view spoiler)[ Honestly I liked the scene with the tooth dancer though I kept thinking about how it would feel and it made me squirm. I mean I might hate the dentist, but feeling like all your teeth are going to fall out...SCARY!! (hide spoiler)]

@Book_Fairy
(view spoiler)[I love all the scenes with the hen lol. And I can definitely see what you mean with the squirming. Though I am imagining this book with like howl's moving castle/anime vibes and would LOVE if studio Ghibli picked this up. (hide spoiler)]

p.130 Ch. 12?
(view spoiler)[I just met Agnes, still gives me such anime vides. I don't know much about her yet, I was intrigued when she was talking about her gifts and how she always gives health because thats the only one anyone would want. I cant help but wonder what the gifts could be that people wouldn't want? and if that has a part in the story later on.
I have definitely been taking my time with this one, partially because of busy life, but I'm also just enjoying it at a slower pace, letting everything sink in. (hide spoiler)]

p. 160 Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[1. I am not sure if there will be any kind of romance in this and I think that I would be here for it if there is or if Marra and Fenris are just platonic friends. But regardless I am loving learning more about his story and I love his character. I love the parallels being made between the 2 and their stories. Also that poor fucking child. I am so happy that Fenris took action on that.
2. AGNES. girl. what is going on. what can you DO. (hide spoiler)]

Page 200
Haven't been updating this, but I'm slowly getting through it (had lasik eye surgery since my last update or I probably would be finished by now lol)
(view spoiler)[The puppet is so creepy, I'm surprised that she didn't want it removed but its a neat addition to the story. I dont really think itll come up again but could be interesting if it does.
I found the princes godmother very intriguing. Basically held captive and unable to die as long as the royal line lives.
Right now they are making their way through the dead kings castle. They spoke with the angry queen. Now this may be because Ive only been able to read for very short periods of time but I feel like this part is dragging a bit. I can't wait until they finally reach the OG kings tomb. (hide spoiler)]

Page 214, Chapter 20

(view spoiler)["I'm surrounded by lunatics, and I love them all, but maybe we should be running anyway"
I love these characters lol
"The brown hen stood on the death mask, which had split in two, looking as serene as only a chicken can look. As Marra watched, the hen lifted her tail, voided her bowels on the kings broken face, and then strolled to the dust-wife's shoulder with a satisfied cluck."
This chicken kills me XD (hide spoiler)]

DONE! Five stars!

(view spoiler)[I loved this ending. ugh. I was so sad when bonedog burst. I absolutely adore the resolution of this story, the dust-wife and Agnes sticking together and Fenris and Marra "not going home together" love love love.
I still would love to see this made into an anime/studio ghibli film or series. just so good and such great vibes. (hide spoiler)]