Challenge Corner discussion

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

22%(view spoiler)[ It has been years since I have read this book it is an good as well as brutal as I remember. I like the characters especially Laia and Elias one doing what she has to to save her brother while the other stays in a place he hates for other reasons. The plot is interesting Laia has lost everything and went the only place she could to find a way to help her brother in another place Elias witness's a horrible things and only wants to leave but does not in the end will read more soon. (hide spoiler)] Book 1

44%(view spoiler)[This story is coming along nicely many horrible things have happened and the MCs have met looking forward to where it goes from here. The characters are interesting Laia is determined to her own determent and Elias just does not like many things about what he is apart of looking forward to reading more. The story is great Laia is learning more about where Darin is and Elias is trying to survive looking forward to reading more. (hide spoiler)] Book 1

Chapter 1-10: (view spoiler)[It is a complicated yet interesting world so far. I always find it difficult for the first couple of chapters to understand what actually is happening but once I get the hang of all the characters and a general idea of how the world works, the book flows. It is a fascinating set up no doubt. I was amazed that Elias had planned so far ahead yet decided to listen to Cain in a single meeting. Laia looks like a fierce character so far, I am excited to see how she makes herself a part of the martials and be a traitor among them (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-17: (view spoiler)[Elias facing his fears for the first trial was so terrible, I am guessing his future kills are what he would have to do once he rebels against the empire. I am surprised that he is already interested in Laia although he knows her as his mother's slave. The Commandant is truly horrible, I can't believe she would torture a person this much for a simple mistake. I feel like Teluman Spiro might be on the Resistance's side and he must know Darin somehow. The Aguar's loyalty is also in question right now for me. There are so many factors at play, there's no saying who is loyal to whom (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18-28: (view spoiler)[Helene and Elias turning against each other, now that is something I definitely did not see coming. So Helene has some kind of magical healing powers, those could have come in handy. I do not think I trust the Resistance completely tbh especially Mazen, the way he dances around rescuing Darin I do not feel like he even plans to do so. It seems like he isn't above sacrificing anyone for his cause. The nightbringer creature seemed dangerous, I wonder what the Commandant is planning. The tunnel that Elias dug for his own escape may be the way to bring the rebels in I guess (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29-39: (view spoiler)[I really hate Marcus ngl, I hope he is one of the aspirants who die. Helene saved Laia so she is not completely terrible, I hope she changes the way she thinks about scholars. Elias is so torn between Helene and Laia, he says he can't ever love Helene but then kisses her, it's all so frustrating. It was awful that so many of his platoon died simply because he could not give the orders to kill, these trials are heartwrenching. What Cook revealed about the Nightbringer, I fear Mazen might be the one in disguise. I wonder where the Aguar is taking Laia and whether it's related to the trials (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Damn that last trial was scary. I cannot believe Marcus was crowned the Emperor and now Helene has sworn her loyalty to him as well. Mazen played directly into the Commandant's hand and i feel his arrogance would be the death of him someday. His betrayal to Laia and Darin hurt a lot. However, Laia saving and rescuing Elias was pure badass and I really enjoyed those particular scenes. Elias' mother is a horrible person, I'd really like to see her being defeated by the same person she wanted dead as soon as he was born. Next book is going to be awesome with Laia and Elias breaking out Darin of prison (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-10: (view spoiler)[I can't believe that someone could hate their own child so much, Commandment letting go Elias just because she wanted him to die a slow and painful death is terrible. I wonder if Elias will continue to have these seizures the whole time. He is such a good friend, vowing to help Laia reach Kauf to free her brother. Helene is stuck between her sense of duty and her love for Elias, I am curious to see which side she ends up on. Laia was quite clever to escape Shikaat the way she did (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-21: (view spoiler)[I was so surprised to see that Keenan and Izzy had followed Elias and Laia. Keenan is jealous as hell and I am wondering if he was the one who cut the rope. I am also confused about who is Elias romantically attracted to. Sometimes I feel it's only natural for him and Laia to be together but then his connection with Helene is something undeniable as well. His adoptive mother helping him to escape was such an act of bravery, I am really hoping she somehow survives but the chances are low (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22-32: (view spoiler)[Yikes, Elias shouldn't have left Laia and everyone else behind like that, I understand his reasons but he should have atleast talked about it to Laia in person instead of making Afya hand her a brief note. No wonder she is disappointed in him. Poor Izzy, I was foolishly hoping for them all to make it safely to the prison. I am curious to find out how Laia makes herself disappear. Also, I don't believe that Darin is really dead. Marcus is so cunning for blackmailing Helene this way. The book is getting very intense. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33-45: (view spoiler)[Oh hell no, not Keenan. This was a betrayal of the worst kind. Laia trusted him so much and he turned out to be a traitor. I am positivitely afraid of him considering even someone like the Warden is working for him. The nightbringer is a scary scary creature. I guess the Warden is enquiring after Laia because of her powers, the extent of which she herself doesn't understand till now. I am wondering how Laia, Elias and Helene would escape and prevent Commandmen't plan from coming into action. She is one evil woman. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[What in the hell??? So much happened in this book, I am still kinda trying to process it all. Darin is finalyl free, Elias became the soul catcher, Helene's family is dead, The Commandment's coup was a bust, ugh my head is reeling with all the information. I am going to pick the next book asap to find out how Laia, Elias and the group manages to save everyone from the Nightbringer. Their first kiss was so romantic. I want to see their connection getting stronger, some romance to the mix won't be a bad thing after all (hide spoiler)]

Starting now!

Part 1: (view spoiler)[I feel really bad for Elias and Helene, they drew the shortest sticks in this all. Elias is now stuck with the ghosts and Helene has to live on the whims of Marcus in order to keep Livia safe after losing her whole family. Laila and Darin's fight to save the tribesmen and scholars is noble and in good cause, but they lose so much and so many, it's carnage out there. The Nightbringer is scary no doubt and I still can't connect this person with the sweet old Keenan Laia trusted so much. I wonder if there's a repemption arc for him (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9-22: (view spoiler)[This Musa person is definitely witholding information from Laia and Darin in order to elicit their help, I am almost afraid they'd end up double crossed. Poor Elias is stuck in a place he knows nothing about and the ghosts have become even more of a menace than they previously were. I feel bad that Shaeva is no more. Helene is trying her best to stop the commandment but she truly is a mystery, I am curious to see if Helene is ever able to figure out what she is upto. Helene was able to locate Quin though which was commendable. I want all these characters to come together to fight the Nighbringer honestly (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23-33: (view spoiler)[Holy shit, I never thought I would feel sympathy of the Nightbringer but after seeing the Jinn City, I feel like the Scholars must have done something really awful to him for him to be so hell bent on revenge. I can't even make up my mind about whose side I want to be on. Elias' pain is troubling, I hope he finds peace soon although letting go of his humanity sounds a bit too harsh. I was curious to see why the Nightbringer was helping Helene and finding out that she had the last piece of the star made so much sense. The prophecy is as confusing as ever and I am just going to wait and see what happens to the Commandment. Marcus is going mad it seems with Zak's ghost always tormenting him (hide spoiler)]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Poor Laia she did so much to get Helene's ring, the last part of the star, and then finding out that it wasn't what she thought it was must be devastating, I must say that Nightbringer is one devious bastard, he ensured that Helene would give him the last piece out of trust and love, albeit for her people. Marcus dying that way wasn't something I had expected but can't say I mourn his loss. I wonder if his son would play any role in the last book as the future emperor. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Keris revenging her lover by killing the masks responsible for his death makes her seem almost human. Cook turning out to be Laia's mother was a twist I am sure no one could have seen coming. I don't understand what the Nightbringer and his kin are playing at, what was the purpose behind letting Laia know of this truth. Her father and sister's death were brutal. Elias is trying so hard to contain the ghosts but the breaches have become very frequent now. Helene on the other hand is doing her best to stop the warlord, Keris will stop at nothing to achieve her goal it seems.

Helene and Laia forged an unlikely alliance, I am curious to see what the next and last book has in store for them. I wonder if they'll come to some sort of agreement with the Nightbringer or will Jinns cease to exist. Although Elias realising that Jinns are necessary to make balance in the world could be a sign that they will be on opposite sides at the end. The book has built up a great premise for the big fight (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING DECEMBER 1ST, 2023

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I apparently had a copy of every book but the first one, so I am waiting impatiently to get that from my library so I can start.

I now have the first book so I'll be starting tonight or tomorrow.

Chapter Three
Very intriguing start. I'm already invested in both of these characters and antsy to know how they will come together. (view spoiler)[ I had a moment of this is uncomfortably too real with how they've oppressed the scholars and punish people for teaching others to read. I can already tell I am going to love this, glad I finally got around to starting it. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I'm almost at the end of it and loving every bit of it now.
The writing makes the plot even better and the character development is precise and amazing.

(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Helene, she lost everybody, and Darin, omg I don't know what to say other than that the author did dirty to him and especially Helene. (hide spoiler)]

Okay alright, I completed this, and OMG, I am in love with this series. Sabaa is my new favorite author.

(view spoiler)[Umm so Helene and Aquilla got together, and he died?!💔 My god, my heart is broken into a million pieces. 😭😭😭 But I can see something with Musa.
Elias and Laia have my whole heart, they are the soo cute together.🛐❤️‍🩹 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Sixteen
(view spoiler)[ This trial is so brutal and I'm very worried for Laia. There's no way she doesn't get caught but since she's our MC she must get out of it somehow. But I have no idea how that will happen. I'd presumed Laia and Elias would be the couple but all this tension between Elias and Helene has me thinking I'm wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty Three
(view spoiler)[ Oh shit his mom is working with the nightbringer (also now we know how the Commandant knew Laia opened the envelope. Except wait, wouldn't he have reported that he saw her with the rebels. So maybe not that part exactly but I'm betting she's using the Ghuls to spy on Laia.

I'm fairly certain they are going to murder the current emperor upon completion of the trials, that is if he makes it that long. I don't think they will be the only ones out for him

This story is so intriguing, I'm very invested. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Thirty Nine
(view spoiler)[ Very interesting to learn the story of the night bringer. I want to learn more of cook's backstory, find out exactly what happened to them. I'm so nervous for Laia now that's she's been caught (if that's what this is). Also this third trial is awful. I'm refusing to believe he killed Helene, she has to live. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
Omg that was so good but noo (view spoiler)[ Marcus cannot be the emperor, I was really hoping it would be Helene but I should have known that would never happen with the whole male issue thing. I really hope she doesn't end up forced to marry him. (hide spoiler)]

A Torch Against the Night

Chapter Sixteen
I've been avoiding my responsibilities to read this but omg so good. I'm so happy to get Helene POV this time.
(view spoiler)[ poor Helene though, what a difficult spot but I love seeing her use all her skills. I have no idea what the Commandants aim is here. Also hell yeah cook, that was amazing. I'm really hoping for some kind of a miracle for Elias. I'm sure it won't happen until the very end, but he can't die. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty-Six
(view spoiler)[ Well I'm not surprised everything is in shambles. Marcus was an idiot for sending her away on this hunt and I hope someone takes him out. I had forgotten about Helene's singing, that must be what will cure Elias but with them so far apart idk how that will happen. Also I feel so bad for the soul catcher. She fucked up but she doesn't deserve to be trapped there forever. hopefully once Elias is well he, Helene and Laia can help free the jin. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Forty-Two
(view spoiler)[ Oh so that's what the Commandant is after, that makes sense. I wonder, if she succeeds but then is murdered would power transfer to Elias, if so that would be hilarious. This must be what gets them all on the same side again. I'm nervous to see how this shakes out but also excited. (hide spoiler)]

A Reaper at the Gates

Part 1
(view spoiler)[ I'm loving this tentative flirtation between Helene and Harper. It was fun to see the Nightbringers POV. I knew something was going to happen to Shaeva before Elias could learn everything but I thought he'd have a bit more time. Livia is smarter than anyone have her credit for but that happened conveniently fast. I hope she and the baby survive but I'm worried the Commandant will get them before Helene can save them. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2
(view spoiler)[ I knew she did something to those ships. That was way too convenient how they were all destroyed while the other fleet was fine. It was nice to see Helene get the best of the Commandant for once, and the fruit delivery was a nice touch. Also love to see Admiral Quin Veturuis assisting. But no long victory for her because of course her sister has been poisoned (I'm honestly surprised it took this long).

I feel like this is one of those books where when I reread it all of these prophecies will make so much sense but right now it's all nonsense. I think Laia is wrong though, she can't be both the ghost and the heor. Maybe the Ghost is Elias, or Cook?

I feel like the wisp will be very important but I'm not sure how yet. The tribe ghosts were so bad and it seems like a breach from the waiting place is inevitable and that will be catastrophic. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[ I love the set up here of knowing why the Nightbringer is helping Helene when she doesn't. I wonder if Nikla will be freed of the ghuls when this is over. I liked that the Nightbringer told Marcus he wasn't crazy and it actually was Zak.

The people the Commandant is killing are the ones who killed her lover, interesting. I love that they've spread that around and her reputation is falling, but this is only going to make her vengeance more brutal.

The ghosts escaping were as bad as anticipated but Elias was able to release them easier than I thought.

And omg that reveal on her mom. I had a feeling but I thought it couldn't be. And damn what she did in the prison and why she was “saved” that was terrible. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4
(view spoiler)[ Someone totally gave Livia the inducing tea and that's why the baby is coming now. I was sad which was unexpected when Marcus died. And that he named the baby Zak, ouch.

Oh shit it's in her mask. That's why Laia didn't get it. This was terrible to read. Poor Helene. I'm glad Laia and Cook got her out. I'm sad Cook sacrificed herself but it was the right move. I'm glad Laia was honest about knowing, giving her mother that last bit of peace.

I called it on the Ghost.

I don't know what it means that Elias is fully bonded with Maugh but it can't be good. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Well damn. I have no idea how they will get themselves out of this but I can’t wait to find out. Elias needs to regain his humanity but I dont know how he will manage that. Also I had a feeling the Augers were the ones who trapped the jinn. Interesting how they then let their people suffer. I'm sad the next book is the last one, this is such a great universe. (hide spoiler)]

A Sky Beyond the Storm

Part 1
(view spoiler)[ Thank god for Tas because yes you all need to work together. You can't give up on him Laia. I'm curious about this lord of the sea efrits and how they will fit into this. I love that Cain gave Elias his memories back and that Elias was able to free him. Was Rehmat the nightbringers wife? I think that might have been her name but I cant recall and am too lazy to go check the last book.
(hide spoiler)]

Part 2
(view spoiler)[
I knew it (re Remhat) I knew she was the Jinn Queen, no wonder she wanted to keep hiding. I'm glad Helene was able to kill the Grimarr because holy hell all that ghost stuff was awful. And finally with her and Harper, and I love Livvy's loving nosiness about it. I want to know what is causing all the rot in the waiting place, and how exactly the Nightbringer is battling Mauth. Suffering is the cup from which the Nightbringer and Keris drink, it's why they understand each other - this is fascinating but I am not smart enough to figure out what it means. It reeks of a hint about what's next but I am not following.
(hide spoiler)]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[ So that's what he's going to do and why he needs all those souls, damn. He cannot let the sea of suffering take over, it will destroy everything. Fucking hell can Helene get a break already, poor Livvy. I naively thought she was going to make it. I'm glad she isn't pushing Harper away after that. With all this talk of her wanting to die first I feel like he will, but come on, she has suffered enough. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4
(view spoiler)[ I think that the jinn want to die and that's why the Nightbringer is trying to unleash the sea, so they can be free, but being in a sea of suffering does not sound like freedom at all.

Goddamnit no, Helene deserves happiness, this is such bullshit. And Darin wtf ugh I hate this. I mean I knew they wouldn't all make it out but this sucks.

Fuck I was right, not entirely but no this is awful and how the hell will they fix things now. How can this be mended? (hide spoiler)]

Part 5
(view spoiler)[
What the fuck and it took Elias too. Omg what the fuck this book is testing me omg. And Laia too what even is happening omg. And holy shit that Keris POV chapter. This is a hell of a series conclusion but omg so many emotions.

And now I'm sobbing happy tears. This is an incredible end to this series (hide spoiler)]

Finished
That was incredible. What an amazing ride and a perfect ending.