IndaClub Read-Along discussion

I've gone from intrigued to annoyed to frustrated to excited to heartbroken (that cell scene) and now can't stop the book and probably going to marathon the whole series. Basically I'm loving it

Holy goodness. I can just TELL this is going to be epic. I'm really enjoying it so far, but it is a little confusing keeping all the characters straight. SO MANY NAMES. Nicknames. Family names. First names. It is getting easier as I go on, but man.

I'm also finding myself growing attached to a lot of different characters, not just Inda. I'm already so invested in this story, I can't wait to see where it goes!

I'm on page 55, two pages into chapter five. I am so very, very confused. Here's hoping this all starts making sense in the near future! (:

I'm on chapter three, because I am the slowest reader ever. From the start, the book did a really good job of pulling me into the story. I love the description "It felt so good, the cleaning magic flicking over his skin and hair and teeth, and always reminded him of the snap of a fresh ginger root just under his nose." However, so far the book is focusing way too much on pushing historical facts. There's world building, and then there is tripping up the character dynamics and plot development. I know there is meant to be a decent amount of intrigue, but I'm getting too distracted to become invested.

I'm enjoying the book so far. I will admit that it's quite confusing, there are so many characters with complicated names and they all have so many different names and titles. It's clear the world building is really complex and detailed. I do like the idea that they have two different languages and use different languages for different purposes. So while it is a bit confusing, I do find it interesting though, and I am hoping it will soon all click in to place for me. As for the story, at first I thought it was a little slow, but the plot has definitely picked up since Inda arrived at the academy. I do like books that have characters going through school or training, so I think I will like this section of the book! Inda seems like an good character too. I am looking forward to reading more of it!

I am completely sucked in to this world and this story. Throughout the first 50 pages or so I was a little bit worried because there was just so much information thrown at you and I found myself getting lost and having to really pay attention to keep character's straight. I found that just simply powering through really helps you become accustomed to learning whose who, although I still sometimes catch myself scanning through the list of characters, just to make sure I'm keeping everyone straight.

A side note: I really like how men and women are on equal terms. You don't often get to see girls, especially young girls, fighting and preparing for war alongside their male counterparts.

Also, the world building. You can tell that Sherwood Smith didn't just sit down and pull this out of this air. I love the intricacies of it. I love how REAL it feels. I really like the historical feel it has. I think that if you can get past the confusion of the language and the names, that this is going to be a super fantastic series.

Starting off with youthful exuberance. Great place to start a fantasy novel in the middle of a character building game of sport. Boys vs girls. There's an energy here and a playfulness missing from a lot of fantasy  it feels genuine. A lot of fantasy excludes this slice of life.


Early on some of the political details are hard to grasp. Details are revealed to the characters but it's difficult to react to them emotionally without context.


The book moves at a brisk pace never stopping to dwell on events, people or details at any drawn out length. The swiftness keeps is fun and is a relief to see a story dance about so light footed.


Clearly has themes of youth who will soon cast aside their ignorance of an adult world and the harsh truths of reality.


The big difficulty I'm encountering is the names. So many names. The who's who is becoming muddled save for Inda and Dogpiss and all of the titles and family names are way too confusing. I've no clue what they signify and the constant similarities muddy what I'm sure is a far simpler association.


Master Gand's introduction in chapter 4. I'm going to like this character.

I am very new to the book u am under 100 pages in but I am really liking this book , although it took me a while to get into the novel and the very many characters. I am going to try to read a bit more on Easter, because we do not have to deal with working a lot :)

It's a great book Sam! You haven't done us wrong. I'll be reading it pretty casually over the month as time allows so I'll be late to all the conversations.

I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't had any problems with the names yet? :D But I must agree with Brock that the political stuff at the beginning was a bit confusing to me, too. I am really liking this so far though and I think it flows really nicely and yeah it's a lot of fun and I see why you love it so much, Sam!

Something that throws me is that this book can’t decide if it is close third person or omniscient third person. It follows Inda and his thoughts, but then it will randomly switch to another perspective and then back again, without any clear differentiation. The author seems to be sampling these other perspectives to tease at intrigue, without giving away the knowledge that these characters possess.

It took me a little while to get into this but I'm actually really enjoying it so far. I think I need to sit down and read a whole big chunk at once because I don't think reading a little at a time works, it becomes so confusing with the little plot intricacies and the names.

I agree with Keri that one issue I'm having is the narrator flitting around to different persepctives, I do enjoy seeing perspectives from different characters but it is sometimes confusing as the change happens mid-paragraph and I sometimes have to go back and figure out whose perspective it is.

Other than that I'm really enjoying the whole academy plot and the intrigue with the Sierlaef.

I see this is not an original comment, but GRRRR to the names for the first 50 pages. However, once I got past that, I was totally digging it! Intrigued from the get-go due to the playful setup and inclusion of women. Also, I am goofy and didn't realize Sherwood Smith was a lady. Cool.

I'm really enjoying it and there's an originality to it that I'm having trouble articulating. Perhaps the point of the names is to feel you have invested in the story more completely? It's totally working for me, hopefully I can form more coherent thoughts later:-) Happy Reading all!

I'm starting a little late since I've had a bunch of fantasy to read lately and it seems like I can only handle one at a time.

My first impressions are nothing new. It seems like a good story, but it is hard to keep the names straight, especially when there are multiple names, titles and nicknames for one person.

The super-omniscient writing style is interesting, since it switches between characters sometimes for just one paragraph. I like it, but sometimes I have to backtrack to keep it straight.

Good times reading this book today. I read over a 100 pages today, so that means that I'm enjoying it. The use of language in this story is impressive so far. The slang words of "strut" "rabbit" "frost" and "pug" are just a lot of fun and I wish these words were in our vocabulary. I'm so going to call my brother a strut, haha.

At first the titles was off-putting but after spending some serious time in the glossary, every single time a new title came up, I have come to appreciate the titles. It reminds of The Goblin Emperor with the titles, but this is more imaginative, and adds to the narrative more than the titles in The Goblin Emperor.

Really enjoying the book so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how these friendships and choices that are being made as children are going to impact everyone when they become adults.

Also, LOVE all the nicknames. HILARIOUS!