FINDING AUDREY READ-ALONG discussion

AND WE'RE OFF! How did you guys feel about this first part? Are you intrigued? Any predictions?

Ok so I haven't started this yet, but can I just say how excited I am to actually start reading this! Like just YAASS! It's actually sitting on my bookshelf. I don't even need to go buy it! Hallelujah!

i'm only 50 pages in but so far i'm enjoying Elias' story more.

This book is off to a great start and I am enjoying both POVs up till now. I have become really fond of Elias' mantra:
"The swordpoint is my priest. The dance of death is my prayer. The killing blow is my release."
(view spoiler)[ At first I was very disappointed that Laia was leaving her brother like that without putting up a fight, but then at the end of the first part she totally made up for it by showing the extent of her love for her brother by taking whip lashes for him. It touched my heart! (hide spoiler)]
I am really looking forward to continuing on with this book and I have to say, till now this book deserves all the hype that is surrounding it!

Morgannah wrote: "So I have a question for everyone. There is a marked physical difference between the Scholars and the Martials. I understand that the Martials are taller and larger but what other differences are ..."

You find out a bit later in the book that Scholars and Tribesmen have dilated pupils or something? Just wider and darker pupils I think.

Just finished the first part and I'm really loving it so far!

Morgannah wrote: "Did anyone else have difficulties picturing the setting? I had read it would be similar to old Rome but I just couldn't visualize it."

I didn't really have difficulty visualizing the setting but I think knowing that it was based on Ancient Rome really helped because it gives you a base point to start with.

I'm on page 35, but I'm so intrigued. I already like Elias and Demetrius. My new book crushes! Haha. I am already getting into it!

this book is soooo good so far, i'm impressed. What bothers me though is the constant mention of rape. just want everyone who is triggered by it to know

I started this book a few days ago and havn't been able to read a whole lot because of my work schedule, but I absolutely love this book and dont want to put it down ever.

Morgannah wrote:"It is indeed a disturbing worl..."

oh god yeah. the thing that happened with marcus was so gross and made my skin crawl. and the poor servant girls ugh

I love this book is so fast paced and the plot is enthralling. I really like Elias and Helene, however I am still warming up to Laia.

I just started it and I have to say, it's a strong start

I just finished the first part and I'm really enjoying the characterization and knowing their motives for the things they want, too often I think characters want things that we don't understand why but I understand clearly both Laia's and Elias' motivations for their actions.

I'm enjoying this book very much so far! I was touched by Laia's sacrifice for her brother, it made me wonder if I would do the same. Elias' reluctance to submit to his fate reminds me that we don't always get what we want. I'm enjoying the two POV's, and I love the fact that the story is written in first person. So far, five stars!

Morgannah wrote: "Did anyone else have difficulties picturing the setting? I had read it would be similar to old Rome but I just couldn't visualize it."
Same here for me too!! I kept trying to picture it more game of thrones like not even sure if it's right or not

I am enjoying this book but it took a little bit for me to really get into it. Does anyone else feel the same? Otherwise the different POV is very interesting and helps me picture the world as a whole. I am excited to continue!

Kelly wrote: "I am enjoying this book but it took a little bit for me to really get into it. Does anyone else feel the same? Otherwise the different POV is very interesting and helps me picture the world as a wh..."

Same here and I think, for me, it mostly had to do with the fact that the book jumps right into the story and there isn't much initial foundation-laying and so it took me a little bit to keep up with all the different characters. After a few chapters though, it was really easy to keep up and I was totally into the book.

It took a while for me to get into it. But after 45 pages, I was hooked! The world is so interesting. I like how you get the different perspectives. Like the civilian and the troops.

Just finished the first part! It's pretty good so far.. But I'm more excited to read Elias POV than Laias for some reason. I hate that she's having to pretend to be a slave for the resistance... I know it's for her brother.. But she may not even survive to save him!

It also took me a while to get into this book. I kept putting it down after I read a couple pages. But now that I've gotten through the first part, it's really got my interest, especially Elias' POV!

So is it confirmed there will be more books?!

I like the book so far. There's not so much of a worldbuilding so it feels like quite a quick read. I like both POV but I am looking forward to mixing those two stories :)

Very intriguing so far! I can't wait to see how these two stories intertwine.

Love it!!!!

Been waiting to get my hands on this forever but I'm stuck on page 40 and GAH!!! Everyone seems to love it and I WANT TO LOVE IT SO BADLY! I'm really confused with the whole world and I need some encouragement to keep reading!!!

Been waiting to get my hands on this forever but I'm stuck on page 40 and GAH!!! Everyone seems to love it and I WANT TO LOVE IT SO BADLY! I'm really confused with the whole world and I need some encouragement to keep reading!!!

Been waiting to get my hands on this forever but I'm stuck on page 40 and GAH!!! Everyone seems to love it and I WANT TO LOVE IT SO BADLY! I'm really confused with the whole world and I need some encouragement to keep reading!!!

Been waiting to get my hands on this forever but I'm stuck on page 40 and GAH!!! Everyone seems to love it and I WANT TO LOVE IT SO BADLY! I'm really confused with the whole world and I need some encouragement to keep reading!!!

Been waiting to get my hands on this forever but I'm stuck on page 40 and GAH!!! Everyone seems to love it and I WANT TO LOVE IT SO BADLY! I'm really confused with the whole world and I need some encouragement to keep reading!!!

Been waiting to get my hands on this forever but I'm stuck on page 40 and GAH!!! Everyone seems to love it and I WANT TO LOVE IT SO BADLY! I'm really confused with the whole world and I need some encouragement to keep reading!!!

keep reading, Aileen, IMO....

Keep reading it, Aileen, and if you are confused with the world try to find some pictures of the Roman Empire or any other ancient civilization, it makes it easier to picture the world. That's what I did when I could not picture something or an object :).

Oh man this is absolutely epic so far! I love both the POVs and I love that they both have their own unique voice. I'm really interested to see how their stories connect and how the romance plays out - it looks like there may be 2 main couples?
Also, I'm almost positive Laia's brothers voice in her head and the dark phantom are connected. Some sort of wraith or whatever?
The world is so sickening and terrible but I'm so intrigued! Can't wait to see what happens!!

Never mind guys. 2 pages into the next section "for a second, I forget my name".
Definitely one main couple

I have a feeling to how this book will end. If what I think is right then this will be an interesting turn of events.

This book is fantastic so far. The world and characters are fascinating and intriguing. The writing is rich. I'm not sure if I can pick which POV I find more interesting because they're both awesome. I hope this continues to just get better and better!

Unlike some other people in the discussion board I found this book incredibly easy to get into. I was a little hesitant to read chapter 2 though because I had just started with a new character and I didn't want to get right into another character after I just read about one, but I read it anyway and now I'm on the ball with each of them (although Elias is my favourite character to read about so far) I'm actually on part 2 currently and am loving the trials! And even Laias task is extremely difficult and I am extremely nervous for her! But yes, this book started off on a high note for me, let's just hope it finishes that way too!

DANG!
This is amazing! Way to go Sabaa! I can't believe this is a debut novel.

I really enjoyed the first part. The setting was just great and I love the characters. I'm really looking forward to reading the next part. I cannot wait to dive into it! :)

I knew that something was off with the resistance.

I knew that something was off with the resistance.

I may be late but I just finished the first part! I enjoyed it so much more than I'd expected.
For me it was really easy to get into the story. The writing and plot is really smooth and quick to read. There isn't that much world-building so I still feel a bit detached from the world. But I'm slowly learning more and more and can't wait to read the next part :)

I really enjoyed Elias's POV more than Laia's up until we got the suspense of her spying. I really enjoyed sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering the the Commandant is going to catch Laia or not

Garrett wrote: "I really enjoyed Elias's POV more than Laia's up until we got the suspense of her spying. I really enjoyed sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering the the Commandant is going to catch Laia or not"
I totally agree! It ends up getting really good for Laia's point of view later in the book, but at the start it was just kind of her dealing with the guilt of leaving her brother.

It's very hard for me to remember all these characters. I know I'm late but oh well.

I'm reading this late as well, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it :D

It was fantastic.